Hope you guys had an amazing Christmas!
The burning heat of the afternoon sun became more and more oppressive as the day dragged on, and soon the Tracy family and their guests retired to the air-conditioned lounge, wanting a break from the endless humidity.
Once she had cooled off and had a rest on the sofa to gain her energy back, Grandma Tracy met with Kyrano in the kitchen and the duo began preparing a light lunch for everyone. Their spread included little triangular sandwiches with a variety of fillings, potato chips, and crunchy salad which Kyrano was busy tossing into a bowl.
As the Tracy matriarch prepared the Caesar dressing for Kyrano, she peered through the kitchen hatch to see her grandsons amusing the island's guests. Virgil was sitting at his grand piano and Scott was standing next to him, a hand on his shoulder. They were deciding what tune to play.
"How about the score to Finding Nemo?" Gordon called over, a smirk adorning his freckled face. "Can't go wrong with that!"
"How old are you? Four?" Alan snarked.
"That one requires accompaniment." Virgil stated, rolling his eyes at his brother's suggestion.
Gordon shrugged. "Just trying to think of something nautical. Seems appropriate for our guests."
"You always suggest nautical anyway." Alan noted, folding his arms.
"Do you know Blues Pacifica?" Phones asked.
"Blues Pacifica?"
"It goes like this-" Phones started to hum said tune. Troy smiled.
"I've not heard that one…" Virgil murmured, listening carefully to the older man's hummed notes. He started copying them on the piano.
"Yeah, that's it!" Troy nodded. He joined in with the humming and Virgil tapped the keys to match the sound.
"That sounds… groovy." John put in. "I don't think I've ever heard that one on the radio."
"Our local band composed it. I don't think it's had national syndication to be honest with you."
"The Wasps?" Gordon gasped. "Are they still going?"
"Yep, still going!" Troy grinned. "Same members too, which is cool after all this time. We often see them perform in the Blue Lagoon."
"Now THAT was a bar." Gordon chuckled in remembrance of all the times he and his naval shipmates were carried out of the club by the bouncers.
"You're right there, fella!" Troy laughed.
The men turned towards Virgil who was correctly playing the song they'd requested in an upbeat manner. Scott was nodding along to the beat, his right foot tapping against the floor. The rest of the group listened with a smile, watching as Virgil rhythmically danced his fingers along the keys.
"Kids, lunch is ready!"
Virgil's playing seized immediately. As quick as a flash, he and the rest of his brothers made a dive for the table in the kitchen which was now loaded with plates of delicious fresh food. Chairs made awful, high pitched screams as they scraped against the kitchen floor and the Tracys sat down in their usual spots. Troy, Phones and Marina followed on with a chuckle, taking the remaining spare seats as Jeff, Tin-Tin, Grandma and Kyrano joined them.
"Never seen a table as big as this before." Phones whispered to Marina who nodded in agreement.
"Thanks for making us lunch, Mrs Tracy, Kyrano. It looks amazing." Troy gave them an appreciative nod.
"Thank you for saying so, dear boy! Now you, Phones and Marina eat up. There's plenty to go around."
"Thanks Mrs T, you're awfully kind."
The family and friends soon began tucking into the food spread with glee.
"Hey Phones, could you pass me the salad please?" John asked, sitting too far away to reach it himself.
The aquanaut nodded and picked up the salad bowl, handing it to him. "If you need any more dressing just ask, fella."
"Gordon, leave my food alone!" Scott moaned, trying to fight off his red-haired sibling who was attempting to steal his sandwiches by leaning over Alan, who was unfortunately stuck in-between the middle of the two. "Gordon!"
"No way, bro! You always pick the best sandwiches and I want some of that action!" Gordon replied, managing to grab one before shoving it into his mouth greedily. Alan grimaced and pushed Gordon back down in his own seat.
"What do you mean, best sandwiches? They're identical!"
"He goes for the ones with more filling - the fatter ones."
"The fatter ones, really?"
"Boys, settle down." Jeff warned.
Virgil watched the three in amusement and glanced over at the guests who grinned as Scott and Gordon continued to bicker childishly between themselves.
Troy chuckled, "Well, it's nice to see some things haven't changed. I'm guessing he still pulls pranks?"
Virgil rolled his eyes. "Unfortunately yes."
"Oh boy, that must suck." Troy winced, remembering all the times Gordon had pranked him for the fun of it. Fake spiders in his bunk. Black paint in the shower. Spiked drinks. The list went on and on.
Glancing over at his three brothers, Virgil saw that Gordon had leant across Alan's lap again, the blonde not looking at all happy with the invasion of personal space. Afraid Gordon would beat him to his own sandwiches, Scott had picked up his plate and was now guzzling his food down to stop his younger brother from taking any more of his lunch.
"Scott, if you continue to eat that fast, you'll get indigestion, and we wouldn't want that to happen, would we?" John called over to him.
"Since when do you care about his stomach habits?" Alan questioned him.
"I don't, but if he did get indigestion, he wouldn't stop moaning about it and that's what worries me." John deadpanned.
Scott pouted as the others laughed.