Epilogue – It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

A/N - I am done by Christmas, heck by Halloween. Nothing has changed since chapter one, not even in my dreams. I still don't own Thunderbirds, nor do I own seaQuest. But enjoy the third story in my trilogy, while I go get some rest...

Alan woke to tropical birds singing just outside his balcony. Cracking his eyes open, he smiled as he watched one of the birds hop along the railing, tilting his head to and fro. His smile stayed on his face as he recalled the night before.

The 23rd of December had always been meaningful to his family. Alan had remained on the couch, stringing popcorn and cranberries while Kate and Scott had sat on the other couch, pulling out the ornaments and making sure they were clean and had hooks on them. Well, actually they spent more time quietly talking. But no one objected. Mind you, Virgil and Gordon had spent a lot of time rolling their eyes. Dad had been smiling a lot. Alan knew from talks with his father that Jeff had been worried that in his sons helping him fulfill his dream – International Rescue – that they would not find the same rich, full lives that his own marriage and children had granted him. But John had found Emily. And now it looked as if Scott had found Kate. Stretching, Alan grimaced when the movement caused his stitched to stretch. He was glad his brothers had found someone. But why did it have to be at Alan's expense?

"They better name a kid after me," Alan grumbled.

Scott Tracy snuck out of the house just as dawn was breaking the morning of Christmas Eve. Quietly making his way out of the main villa, he slowly picked his way down to the small house that Brains and Fermat shared. Jeff would have happily made the main house larger but recognized that the family friends would be happier with their own place. When the Kyranos joined the Island family a short time later, Jeff had made the same decision.

But the Hackenbackers were not in the two bedroom villa now. They were circling the Earth directly above Tracy Island in Thunderbird Five and would for the next ten days. While the two would be missed at Christmas, it was worth it to have all of the family together. A family that had somehow become bigger lately. Lucas Wolenczak and Nathan Bridger, like the Hackenbackers, had become good and trusted friends. It was nice to see his father with someone closer to his age, someone Jeff didn't have to keep his guard up around all the time. And Lucas, like Alan, had been through some traumatic events – some at the same time – and Alan drew comfort from his friend. Plus, now that Lucas knew about the Thunderbirds, there was someone else Alan could discuss his fears with.

Scott shivered as he thought about the fears Alan tried so desperately to hide. The kid was terrified that the family would die and leave him alone. It was part of the reason he hated leaving the Island – if he wasn't there, then how could Alan protect his family? But Alan wasn't as afraid of that as he once was. Alan…Alan was growing up. The little baby whose hands' he had held as the tow-head learned to walk; the toddler he had cuddled as a family grieved for a mother lost forever and a father lost to grief; the little boy who Scott had ran beside as he learned to ride a bike; the confused and angry teenager who had been dropped off at another school. If any of them had known the pain and anger that the fourteen-year-old had been wallowing in at the time, they would have never let him go. But Alan hadn't felt like he could confide in his family and the other Tracys had allowed other matters – International Rescue, Tracy Enterprises, life in general – to not see what was truly important. Family. Family was more important than anything. And Scott was determined that Alan would never feel as is he wasn't vital to his family.

"Coffee, Flyboy?" Kate's cheerful voice rang out, startling Scott from his reverie. Dressed in an oversized shirt that he recognized as one of Virgil's – yeah, she probably hadn't planned on staying the night – Scott tried not to stare at the long, sleek legs that peeked out from underneath the garment. Seeing the direction of his gaze, Kate just smiled and poured Scott a cup of coffee. Watching him lavish the beverage with crème and sugar, the agent tried not to laugh but failed.

"Like a little coffee in your cream and sugar?"

Scott tried to be offended but found himself laughing at something his brothers had teased him about for years. Sitting down on the couch next to Kate, he smiled at how relaxed she seemed.

"You look a lot…happier, I guess. Anything I should know about?"

Kate smiled at the question. "Well, first off, I had fun with your family last night. Everyone has been wonderful. I, um, think your brothers think we make a cute couple. I hope you didn't mind. I actually find it kind of flattering that they liked me enough to make me want to stick around." As Scott brushed a hand along Kate's arm, her smile became a little shakier. "Then my dad called."

Frowning, Scott couldn't help but ask, "Is that a bad thing? Is he upset you won't be joining the rest of the family?"

Nodding, Kate's smile now became a bit more wistful. "No. I mean, yes, he was upset. But he understood. He was an agent long enough to know how it can be in the middle of a case." At Don's puzzled look, Kate explained. "Dad was a field agent in the FBI for years."

"And is he retired now?"

"No, he's the freakin' Director of the FBI." Clucking Scott's chin, Kate closed his mouth back from where it had dropped open. "And I thought he would freak when I told him I want to leave the Bureau. Instead, he tells me how relieved he was, how he was so worried. Turns out he never wanted me to follow in his footsteps. He was happy my two brothers each became a lawyer like Mom. He did ask what I would be doing, however."

"Any ideas?" Scott asked.

"Well, you tell me." Kate chuckled at Scott's puzzled look. "Your dad offered me a job. Tell me – was he really planning on getting someone to head up a Computer Security Division?" Scott nodded, his father had been trying to find someone. But all the qualities his father needed – firm knowledge of computers, including programming, top level security clearance, able to work with government agencies as well as internally, someone who could really think outside the box – had been impossible to fill. Seeing the grin gracing Kate's face, Scott suspected that the position was on it's way to being filled.

The pair talked quietly, much as they had the night before. But the smile ghosting Scott's face every time he looked at her, the way his hand repeatedly rose towards her only to stop at the last minute…Kate had finally had enough.

"What is up with you? If you have something to say, just say it Flyboy."

Scott smiled once more at the nickname. His mom had called his dad Rocket Man. Emily called John Star Man. Flyboy worked. Drawing on his courage, Scott brushed a hand over her cheek as he said, "I was just thinking of some random thoughts that popped into my head when I met you."

"Like what?"

Picking at a curl that had pulled free from the loose bun of hair, Scott said, "Well, I wondered if your hair was as soft and curly as I imagined." In answer, Kate pulled the clasp from her hair, allowing the soft, long black curls to rain over her shoulders like ribbons. "And I wondered if you'd hurt me if I tried to kiss you." Kate leaned forward, pressing her lips to Scott's. Sighing, he pulled her in closer as he whispered, "And I wondered if you brought your handcuffs?"

Kate grinned and stood up, holding her hand out to Scott. "I am guessing we have about an hour and a half before anyone comes to fetch us for breakfast. So – What are we waiting for?" Scott's grin matched Kate's as the two began to kiss once more, slowly making their way to the bedroom. He didn't know where Kate had been for all of his life, but he knew one thing for sure: Now that he had found her, Scott wouldn't let her go. He had returned to the Island, to base, many a time. But in this one woman's arms, Scott Tracy had come home.

Tin-Tin Kyrano walked back down from the rise she went to nearly every morning. She and her father had arrived back on Tracy Island only to be greeted with the news that her uncle, the Hood, was dead but that before he had died he had tried to kill Alan once more. Luckily, Alan had survived but it could have been so much worse. A shiver ran through her once more, as she approached the main villa. Alan had still been asleep when she had checked on him earlier, the pain meds Emily had given him causing him to sleep deeply. Tin-Tin hoped, a bit selfishly, that he was awake now. She needed to look into his bright azure eyes and assure herself that he was really going to be alright.

"Alan was right. You are an early riser." Tin-Tin whirled around at the voice, seeing Captain Nathan Bridger sitting on a chair on the patio. Nearby, Lucas Wolenczak dozed in a lounge chair. Bridger smiled at the teenager, brushing his bangs from his eyes. Tin-Tin smiled herself, she had seen the Tracys and even her own mother do the same thing to Alan countless times. It was such a tender, loving gesture. Seeing her careful observation of him, Bridger smiled once more.

"Lucas had a nightmare. We came out here to talk, but I guess he was more tired than anything."

Nodding, Tin-Tin approached the lounger, observing Lucas carefully. "He really does look a lot like Alan. And they are a lot alike in other ways." Smiling at Bridger, she approached the entrance to the kitchen, wanting to check in with her mother before going to make sure Alan was alright. Turning back, Tin-Tin smiled once more.

"They especially have one thing in common. They no longer have any doubt how much they are loved." With a quick nod, the fifteen-year-old girl entered the house.

Settling next to Lucas, Bridger sighed in contentment when the teenager instinctively cuddled closer. When the boy had first come to the seaQuest, he was angry, defiant and resistant to any show of affection. But since then, Lucas truly had become Nathan's son in everything but blood. And like a good father, Bridger had informed the authorities about what Lucas had told him about Mycroft. The hacker was now a wanted man. Cursorily examination of other evidence implicated Martin Clements in the Hoods' escape as well as the death of a lawyer in England. His attempt on Lucas may have been dismissed as a "heat of the moment" thing. But as for the rest? By the New Year, the UEO was certain to have the man in custody for his crimes.

But until then, Lucas wasn't going to leave Nathan's line of sight for a minute.

"I can't believe you are putting another one up!" John turned at the sound of his girlfriend's voice. Emily strode closer to him, her golden blonde locks, usually pulled back in a tight clasp, spilled over her shoulders and down almost to her waist. John smiled as the early morning sun glistened over her hair.

After checking to make sure the new hammock was firmly in place, John reached out, grabbing one of Emily's hands and pulling her into a tight embrace. Kissing her passionately, he began to move backwards until they tumbled together into the hammock. Breathless from the kiss and the laughter that was spilling out of them, John tugged until Emily lay on top of him. Smiling, he brushed back the hair that had fallen into her face. Suddenly serious, he placed a hand on either side of her face, gently cupping her cheeks. Emily stilled at the solemn look on his beloved face.

"Emmy, from the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to know you more. The more I knew you, the more I loved you. You have completed me in a way nothing and no one ever could. You love me, hell, you love my family. And they love you. In most relationships that would rank pretty low. But you know how much my family means to me, and the fact that I am gone so much means that I would want you to be near my family so they can be there for you. God, I can write words and quote poetry, but nothing comes to my mind as I am trying to tell you that I can not imagine a world without you in it, that you take my breath away every time I see you. That you look at me as if I hung the stars for you alone, and the knowledge that if I could, I would." Gulping, he pulled a small box from the pocket of his shorts. Opening the velvet box, he pulled out the ring he had been holding onto for months and grasped Emily's left hand in his. "Emily Haas, would you make me the happiest man on or off this planet? Marry me. Be the mother of my children and the other half of my soul. Grow old with me and keep me anchored as only you can."

Tears filled Emily's midnight blue eyes as John slipped the ring that so matched her eyes onto her finger. Kissing him tenderly, she nodded and whispered, "You idiot. To quote the movie – You had me at hello. But I'll take the speech, too. It will be something to tell our children."

John gave a watery chuckle, his own happiness spilling into tears. "Yeah, one of these days. I love kids. I can't wait. When do we want to plan for our own?"

Hiding her face in his chest, John didn't hear her response. Kissing her hair, he whispered, "Emmy, what was that?"

"Seven months."

Confused, he placed his hand under her chin and raised her face, surprised to see her biting her lower lip. "You want to start our family in seven months? So we better get married in six or less."

"Much less." At John's still confused face, Emily released her lower lip, softly saying, "I'm pregnant, John. You'll be a Daddy in about seven months. I missed the signs at first and didn't know for sure until just after you went back to your "lab" two weeks ago."

Emily froze, unsure of John's reaction to the news. But whatever she expected, it was not what she got. Tears once more glistened in John's eyes as he began to passionately kiss Emily once more. Between kisses, he whispered over and over, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you, Emmy, for the best present you could ever give me." Chuckling lightly, he whispered, "What do you say to a New Year's Eve wedding? We can get married right here on the Island." Emily nodded before John began to kiss her again.

Who knows how far it would have gone if they had not suddenly heard, "Oh, geez, Louise, do you have to do that?" The couple looked up to see Virgil standing there with a hand over his eyes. "Onaha is getting breakfast together. Dad asked me to let you guys know and to get Kate. It's a bit earlier than we told her but Kate said she was an early riser. Plus, Tin saw her sitting outside Brains' house with a cup of coffee a while ago. So she should be ready to eat by now." Walking away, he called back, "Please have everything buttoned back up before I have to eat with you guys."

Emily and John had pulled themselves together and began to walk back up when Virgil suddenly dashed past them, almost knocking them over. John snaked out an arm and grabbed his younger brother. "Virg, you OK?"

Worried at the Tracy artist's flushed face and shaky expression, Emily went into full doctor mode. "Virgil, what is it?" Recalling his earlier stated mission, she looked back from the path he had run up from. "Where's Kate?"

"Scott was there." The couple looked baffled until Virgil blurted out, "They were busy."

"Busy what? Busy having coffee, busy talking?" Emily asked, confused.

"No…They were busy. Busy in a way I should never have to know that my brothers are busy. I mean, you guys are adults. Well, except Alan. But I never want to know that you guys have been busy again, got it?"

Virgil stalked off and John began to laugh. Nuzzling Emily's neck, he made her join in his merriment when he whispered, "Wait until he knows about Baby Busy."

Chuckling, she leaned in closer as the walked up the path, joking to her new fiancé, "I hope you can come up with a better name than Busy Tracy by the end of July. Or you best start putting your book royalties towards therapy bills." Their laughter rang out as they joined the rest of the clan on the patio. They would share their good news soon but for now they kept it as a treasured secret, something for them and them alone.

Christmas Eve had passed with laughter and joy, and in Alan's eyes, was the best Christmas Eve he could recall. John had whispered to his youngest brother that it reminded him a great of the times before their mother had died. Still propped up on the couch, with Tin-Tin happily acting as a back rest, Alan couldn't stop smiling. His father was relaxed, and never flinched a bit as Virgil played Christmas Carols that Alan couldn't recall being heard in the house before. Scott had softly said to Kate that they were songs his mother had loved and Jeff had not wanted to hear them after her death. But it had been the Tracy Father who had requested the songs, determined to give his sons a wonderful holiday.

The Tracy Family had always been rich in traditions and one was Alan's favorite. Before they went to bed on Christmas Eve, they could each open one present. But before they did, the person opening the gift had to say something that had made the year special for them.

Jeff started. "I always thought that International Rescue was my way of honoring Lucy's memory, of keeping a piece of her alive. But events of this year have made me realize that the greatest legacy of Lucy was the boys we brought into this world together. All of you are my true treasure and I love you." Smiling at Kate where she was snuggled with Scott on an oversized recliner and Emily on the other couch with John, he couldn't help but add, "And knowing that the love I enjoyed with your mother won't be denied our sons simply because of our life here makes everything worthwhile." Slightly embarrassed by having bared his soul so much, Jeff turned his attention to opening his present. He pulled out a small desk clock. An antique, Jeff admired the craftsmanship as well as the artwork of an eagle watching protectively as five eaglets made ready to take flight. Looking at his youngest son, Alan smiled shyly. "It reminded me of you, Dad."

Deeply touched, Jeff wanted to respond before he heard Gordon mutter to Virgil, "Yeah, an antique."

Jeff glared at his third and fourth sons before John cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Well, I would like to skip birth order and say both what I am thankful for and the gift I was already given."

Scott chuckled. "Skipping the order and you already opened a gift? Bad boy, Johnny."

Kissing Emily on the cheek, John smiled at her before turning to his family. "Well, I am grateful for the patience my family showed when I was recovering and the wonderful woman who has entered my life. The one who has agreed to become my wife as of New Year's Eve." Holding out Emily's hand, he showed off the engagement ring on her left hand.

Scott smiled back at his brother. "Well, that sounds like a great gift for all of us." Raising his mug, Scott offered a hot chocolate salute. "Welcome to the family, Emily."

Smiling, John corrected his brother. "Emily agreeing to marry me isn't the present. But the change of calling Dad the old man to Grandpa is."

The Tracys, Lucas and Bridger all looked blankly at the couple. Oddly enough it was Kate who figured it out first. "Oh, my, God! Emily, are you pregnant?"

Emily's bashful smile gave the family their answer as they all broke into excited chatter. Jeff was about to say something when Alan nudged his father, speaking in an undertone. "Dad, did I tell you I had to research you for a paper in my Contemporary Studies class? Does the phrase eight and a half pound preemie in regards to my oldest brother mean anything to you?" Jeff bit his tongue and gave a slightly abashed look at his youngest son.

"Fine," Jeff muttered, "But I don't want to hear that kind of news from you for a very long time - got it?" Alan chuckled, smiling up at Tin-Tin, who rolled her eyes.

Virgil and Gordon stated remarks of being grateful for simple things as well, music and water – and the joy of sharing them with their family. The music sheets Gordon had found from their late mother brought tears to the family's eyes and the promise of a concert from Virgil. And the computer program John had set up to run on Five during Gordon's rotations would give visual and audio stimuli to the water baby of the family to lull him to sleep during his nights in space.

Lucas and Bridger spoke of having the best Christmas in years, with each other as well as their friends having opened their home to them. The gift from Jeff for both of them made the pair laugh – IR communicators, making them honorary International Rescue Agents.

Scott cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "OK, my turn. I am grateful to realize what amazing young men my brothers have become. I know everyone says I gave up a lot to help raise you but I always felt that I was lucky. I didn't have to wait to know how lucky I was to be a part of my family, to know I was blessed. I know that when I become a father myself, I can do a good job. Not only did I have a great example," Jeff smiled at that as Scott continued, "but I see the proof in front of me that I will do fine when the children are my own."

Virgil muttered, "Yeah, just make sure you are married before any announcements."

Having realized from earlier comments – and his middle brother's refusal to look him or Kate in the eye at breakfast (or lunch) – Scott was ready to respond when Kate began to laugh. "Don't worry, Virgil. If you think Scott is helplessly overprotective, wait until you meet my dad. And Uncle Charlie. Or my two older brothers or two male cousins. Or half the guys in the Bureau. There would need to be a good forty weeks before a wedding and a birth announcement."

Gordon rolled his eyes. "You guys just met! And you are talking marriage and kids?"

Jeff smiled and answered for the couple. "I asked your mother out the day I met her. Right after she backed into my new car in a parking lot." His sons chuckled, never having heard that before. "And I knew I wanted to marry her by the end of her night." Looking at Emily and John, he smiled once more. "And John was talking about a future with Emily on the flight back from Hawaii, remember? Tracy men fall hard, fall fast but they also fall forever." His smile faltered slightly as his gaze was drawn to his youngest son. Catching Kyrano, Onaha and Scott all watching the teenage sweethearts as well, he sighed. He would have help over the next few years but he could also guarantee a few new grey hairs.

Scott chuckled lightly at the consternation on his father's face. He turned his attention to the present in his hands. The box opened to reveal a collection of gourmet hot chocolate and mini German Chocolate cakes. Looking over at Emily, he smiled. Returning his smile, she joked, "Just don't be on a sugar high when you baby sit the kid, got it?"

Virgil made the room laugh when he muttered, "That stuff won't last until she and John get married, forget until the baby gets here."

Finally, it was Alan's turn. He looked at his friends and family, smiling broadly. "I am grateful for the people who love me. All of you – Dad, my brothers, my future sisters," he winked at Kate and Emily, "my friends and my, um, real good friend" he smiled at Tin-Tin, "because of you, I feel like I can do so much more, be so much more, than I thought I could. Because you love me, I feel like I can be…well, I can be a Tracy."

Jeff smiled, blinking back some tears. "Yes, well even a track star, honor roll, pre-college classes' student," Alan blinked at his father knowing that before he groaned. He had forgotten about his report card being e-mailed to his father. Jeff continued as the rest of the Tracy sons stared at his youngest before continuing, "Even he needs to know that he could always be that – if he believed in himself. I've seen your potential, Alan, for a long time. But your Mom? She always did." He placed a box on his youngest son's lap.

"Your mother was working on this when she died. Your grandma knew where your mother had your brothers' – they only needed a few updates and she made sure your brothers were each given these when they turned thirteen. End of childhood, she called it." Jeff touched the box reverently as he kneeled next to Alan. "But this was put in with some other items, accidently. Instead of your mother's personal effects, this was placed with some old Tracy Enterprises' documentation. Mom thought your mother may have not started one for you. I was afraid it had simply gotten lost in the move. But…" Jeff smiled. "Ann Marie," he referred to his secretary of twenty years, "she found it in a storage unit and worked on getting it completed. It's just like it would have been, well, I hope it is just as it would have been if your Mom had lived. Ann Marie was visiting relatives back in Kansas for the holiday and arranged for its pick-up."

Alan's hand shook slightly as he opened the box – which he now recognized as the package Gordon had picked up on the way back to the Island – and stared at the contents. "A baby book?" He pulled it out, smiling as he looked at it. "Dad, I've never seen one like this. The artwork…" Alan began to open it, awed by the detail.

"Your mom handcrafted each book for you boys. All the artwork and calligraphy. She made sure she selected all the pictures. It goes from when we found out about each of you until your first day of school."

Alan looked confused, and Jeff explained. "I've been working with Anne Marie, getting the pictures. And I even got Scott or John to tell me about things, so we could enter the events after…Well, after Lucy couldn't." Sorrow filled his expression. "I am so sorry, Alan, that I had to ask your brothers. I should have been the one to know those things. I'm sorry I wasn't." Clearing his throat, he continued. "Now, I know my penmanship isn't as good as your mother's was and I had to have the artwork scanned on – Virgil never knew why I kept asking him for them – but…I hope you like this."

Pouring through the pages, Alan glimpsed his mother's joy at discovering she was once more pregnant, her describing Jeff's shock and then wonder, how each of the brother's reacted. He laughed when he read how Gordon went into school, proudly proclaiming "he was now the big brother". Or how John used to sneak him out of the crib to teach him about the stars. Of the times Virgil would play mini-concerts and the rambunctious Alan would stay quiet and still. Or how Scott walked his baby brother to school that first day, hugging him and how it was Scott who nearly burst into tears as the little boy who he had helped raise ran into the building with an absent wave over his shoulder. As he looked at the book of his first five years, Alan was hard pressed not to let tears fall.

"Dad, it would be great if this was from Mom. But it's even better. It's from all of you. My whole family." Reaching out, he hugged his father and whispered, "It's from my heroes."

-Fin-

A/N - Thanks for following along with me. The trilogy is complete and I have some more ideas. But the holidays are approaching so I am gonna have multiple full plates. Crimsam's cooperative effort coming soon, maybe more than one. And the songfic on the Tracy daughters should be up around Thanksgiving. Thanks for the reviews, they often made my day. Supernatural/Thunderbirds crossover coming up with 2009 (ten weeks away people).

As always, huge thanks to Sam1 for your betaing, and special thanks to Megz for her sub-beta. Thank to all who reviewed. I live for them.

Later!! - CC