From @janetm74
From @janetm74 to @tikatu
--Brains's first Christmas with the Tracys
--Christmas or New Year's at Penny's
--An unexpected gift for Tanusha
Family and Friends
Scott was whistling quietly as he moved around the apartment, packing clothes and gifts into the two small bags on his bed.
In the kitchen Brains was…tinkering. It wasn’t anything specific, not yet anyway, just something to keep his hands busy while his brain tried to work out how he’d gotten into this situation.
He’d known Scott Tracy for all of three months. In that time he’d gone from 20 years living in Cambridge and then Oxford and not ever travelling outside of those two cities to explore the rest of the country to flying to America for Thanksgiving and now…
His hand slipped and the screwdriver scraped along his index finger and Brains cursed.
‘C-C-Curses!’
‘Brains, you ok in there?’
And Scott was there, gently pulling his hands apart and examining the gash. He grabbed tissues, wiped away the blood and tsked.
‘No need for anything worse than a Band-Aid.’
Brains was more amused than anything else.
These last three months he’d gone from being completely alone to suddenly finding he had been enfolded into a Very Loud, Very American family via this five-years-younger-than-him blue-eyed Math genius who’d rescued him from the fountain he’d been dumped in by the jocks, picked him up, insisted that he move in with him once he’d seen the tiny studio flat Brains had, and then had flown him to America – in a private jet of all things – and introduced him to his father.
His father.
Jeff Tracy.
Who had been at first bemused by the excitement Scott had shown over his rough idea of a Mach 21 engine, had listened intently to him and before the dinner was served had already offered him a job once his latest degree was finished…
He had gone from Hiram Hackenbacker to “Brains” in less than an hour, and even Scott began to call him that despite initially correcting everyone. Hiram had never been given a nice nickname before…he quite liked it.
He’d thought that that was it – Scott and he had returned to Oxford, England and both carried on classes until it was time for the Christmas break.
Brains had planned a quiet few days at home in Cambridge with his adopted father – if *he* could be dragged away from his work – and to concentrate on his engine plans now that Mr Tracy had promised an investment of both interest and money.
Scott had no idea of Brains’ plans, but in typical Scott-fashion he had already promised his Dad that Brains would be with him for Christmas at the Creighton-Ward manor. And he’d proceeded to explain to Brains why he absolutely needed to attend…and Brains began to nod in agreement.
So here he was, watching Scott bandage his finger while waiting for some kind of driver called “Parker” to arrive and pick them up.
‘Is whatever you’re working on ok?’
‘It’s fine.’
He watched as Scott picked up what he’d been working on, looking it over before handing it back to him with a lopsided grin.
‘Nice servos. You should show Virgil. He’d love this.’
‘D-D-Do you know what it is?’
‘Nope. But I know engineering when I see it. And I promise that Virgil will speak your language.’
‘O-O-Okay. I look forward to discussing M-M-MAX with him.’
‘Max?’
Brains reached out and took the housing off Scott with a shy grin. He took a small data chip housed in a protective case out of his pocket and held it up to show Scott.
‘M-M-MAX m-m-meet Scott.’
Scott’s grin grew wider and he waved at the chip.
‘Hi Max! I look forward to meeting you properly.’
A car horn sounded and Scott practically jogged to the window, pulled back the curtain and waved.
‘That’s Parker. Let’s go!’
And before Brains could blink Scott had grabbed his own bags, Brains’ bag and was holding the door open with his hip, hopping from foot to foot like he always did when he was excited about something.
Brains’ put MAX back in his pocket, grabbed the box of bits and pieces he’d been working through, threw in his lucky screwdriver and followed Scott out the door.
And stopped short at the sight of a shockingly bright pink Rolls Royce.
Parker had taken their bags and stored them in the back and was currently holding the door open for him, Scott already having taken his seat.
‘P-P-Pink…’
‘Yes, Sir.’
‘Pi-Pi-Pink.’
‘Indeed. May h’I take h’yawr box?’
‘Pink. Er…thank you?’
Brains blinked rapidly as his box was gently removed from his arms and placed on the seat beside Scott and he slid onto the seat.
He was still blinking when they drove off, the pink having absolutely short-fused his brain. Scott laughed and settled back to enjoy the ride and with a start Brains realised he was talking, but Brains hadn’t heard a thing. He relaxed back and picked up the tiny casing he’d put together and carried right on working, thinking that it was a great start for MAX.
They travelled for a couple of hours – not that Brains realised that much time had passed – and suddenly the door was being held open and Brains was once again blinking at the change of scenery as he climbed out of the car. Scott slipped out beside him and waved before grabbing his arm and dragging him up the stairs.
On the top of the short staircase stood a girl, somewhat younger than Scott but not by much. He watched as Scott grabbed her around the waist and swung her around to giggling and a fake-outraged *”put me down, Scott Tracy, you heathen,”* and then Brains was shaking hands with a Lady.
‘Mr Hackenbacker, welcome. I am Penelope Creighton-Ward, but you can call me Penny.’
‘Th-Th-Thank you. Please c-c-call me Brains.’
‘Brains then. Parker will show you both to your rooms and give you some time to freshen up. Scott – your father has messaged to say they’ll be here in around an hour.’
‘Great! Lead on, Parker.’
‘Very good, Master Scott.’
There was something amusing in what Parker had said and Brains had no idea what it was, but there were twinkles in both men’s eyes. Brains didn’t ask what was going on, just followed the two up the stairs to his room (which was thankfully not pink) and he took his time unpacking his bag. He placed his box on the table, wondering if he’d even get the chance to use anything…
Whether he was to return downstairs now or later was solved by Scott knocking on his door. Once Brains opened to him Scott threw himself onto one of the chairs – this whole bedroom was larger than Brains’ studio flat! – and grinned.
‘You’ll like Penny. She’s fun.’
“Fun” was not a word Brains would have used of a younger member of the opposite sex let alone a member of the aristocracy…this was a completely foreign concept for him. He resolved to follow Scott’s lead – although he didn’t think that he’d be picking Penny up and swinging her around by her waist…
Brains flushed scarlet at the thought.
‘Is she alone here?’
‘Nah, her Dad will be back tomorrow.’
‘Oh g-g-good.’
‘You ready to explore?’
‘Explore?’
‘Yes! I need to show you how to get around, where the kitchen is and the dining room and the like. Although Penny will tell you to just pull the bell cord if you need anything and Parker will sort it out for you.’
He wasn’t sure if Scott was joking or not until the man sprang from the chair to show the yellow embroidered chord hanging beside the ornate fireplace.
‘Oh. Y-Y-Yes please, I would l-l-like to know my way around.’
They spent some time exploring. Scott introduced him to the cook, Lillian, who pressed a cup of tea into his hands, and then he followed his friend around the large mansion.
Time flew and the next thing he knew the main door was opening and a 7-year-old blonde whirlwind had almost knocked him over in his haste to get to Scott, who swung him into the air before settling him on his shoulders.
And Brains jumped aside as a second blonde crashed into Scott’s legs, almost toppling him if it hadn’t been for the black haired one Brains recalled as being called Virgil racing around to brace Scott from behind in an obviously well-rehearsed manoeuvre.
Then John was there, standing beside his brothers but not engaging in any horseplay, and Penny was nudging John with a smile and Brains remembered how loud they all were together.
‘Brains! So glad you could make it!’
And Mr Tracy was shaking his hand before moving forward into the house, trailing children in his wake. And then came Parker with his arms loaded down.
It was organised chaos.
They settled into the large sitting room. Parker had laid the fire before leaving to pick up Scott and Brains, and it was now roaring away. The Tracys settled around it, John sitting the closest and Brains watching in amusement as he shed the many layers he was wearing. Scott settled in the middle of one couch and was immediately swamped by Alan on one side and Gordon on the other, the two youngest talking over themselves to Scott, who was somehow able to hear both of them and hold two conversations at once.
Virgil and Mr Tracy settled with him and seamlessly continued the conversation they had left at Thanksgiving, asking about his doctorate and any further designs that he had planned. It could have been an excellent point to bring MAX out and the housing he’d just began to make. But he hadn’t grabbed either, and to leave now would be rude, so Brains contented himself with discussing the refinements he’d been making on the Mach 21 engine he’d been designing when he’d met Scott on that fateful day.
Conversations flowed – something that still surprised Brains as he’d not ever experienced this level of ease in like…forever – and pretty soon the day had turned into evening and Parker was ushering them into the dining room for dinner.
Just as they were seated at dinner what Brains assumed was the front door sounded and Parker left to answer it. It explained why there was a spare seat at the table between Scott and John, and not too long after Parker arrived and announced their guest.
‘Miss Kyrano.’
“Miss Kyrano” turned out to be the girl Brains had only seen via holo on Scott’s watch and had been introduced to him as “Kayo” and as their sister. Brains had been confused about her absence when the rest of the Tracys came together but seeing her in the flesh made him realise that she must be adopted, and his heart swelled at such a generous family.
All the boys’ faces lit up at her appearance, and once more chatter flowed easily as a three-course meal was consumed by all. Brains couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten so much but he was pleasantly full of food and good company, and by the time they all returned to the sitting room he was nodding off.
He hadn’t even noticed the large Christmas tree in the back corner of the room until Alan and Gordon began clamouring to open one present. He watched in amusement as Mr Tracy pulled out a huge bag of gifts and began arranging them around the base. Scott pulled a bag out that he’d hidden earlier and joined him.
Alan and Gordon fairly bounced on the sidelines, watching closely as the presents piled up.
Eventually the tree had an impressive pile beneath it and everyone sat back down, this time Scott with John, Virgil and himself, and Mr Tracy with Gordon, Alan and Kayo. Penny was seated on a chair beside the couch and was quietly chatting with John.
‘Please, Dad! Please can we…’
Mr Tracy laughed and pretended to think about it as Scott explained that it had been a family tradition that they could all open just one present on Christmas Eve.
‘Alright. One present only. But!’
The two youngsters waited for him to carry on, almost bursting at the seams with excitement.
‘You must hand out one present for everyone present first before you can open your own.’
‘Cool!’
‘Ok!”
There was much amusement as the pair ran back and forth between the couches and the tree but eventually everyone but Brains had a gift in their hands.
Alan looked at Brains, a small frown on his face.
‘You don’t have a gift. Why don’t you have a gift? Why doesn’t Brains have a gift?’
That last sentence was addressed to Scott, an accusing tone in his voice. Scott smiled but didn’t answer him, instead leaving it for Brains to explain.
‘I d-d-don’t celebrate Chr-Chr-Christmas.’
‘You don’t? Why not?’
‘Alan…’
‘No, I d-d-don’t mind. I was r-r-raised Hindu. We d-d-don’t celebrate this religious d-d-day, but we celebrate many others.’
‘Oh. I thought everyone celebrated Christmas.’
‘Sorry, Sprout. Not everyone does.’
‘I don’t either, not really.’
Kayo’s warm voice filled the pause as Alan took this new information in. He looked from Brains to Kayo in confusion.
‘But…I don’t understand.’
‘Brains doesn’t celebrate Christmas because he is a different religion. I was also brought up in a different religion but I choose to buy you all gifts. It doesn’t mean I actually celebrate Christmas though. Not everyone you meet will celebrate, Alan.’
‘Oh.’
The blonde thought for a moment, shrugged his shoulders and sat back next to his Dad. Mr Tracy nodded approvingly at Kayo and she blushed slightly. Brains wanted to thank her for explaining it so well but a knock at the door had him pausing, especially when Penny frowned.
‘I’m not expecting anyone else,’ she said, looking to Parker who totally failed to keep his face expressionless.
‘Oh, sorry, Penelope. That would be me.’
‘Jeff?’
‘This one is a gift for Kayo.’
Kayo stared at Jeff, and Brains found himself holding his breath. Everyone’s eyes followed Parker as he left and opened the door. Everyone strained to hear what was being said as footsteps and very quiet voices got closer.
And then the door opened and a man stood on the threshold.
‘Ayah?’
‘My blessing.’
‘Ayah!’
And Kyrano was hugging his daughter tightly while mouthing “thank you” to Jeff.
‘I know you don’t celebrate, Kayo, but I hope you don’t mind this gift I got for you.’
She turned to Jeff, still holding onto her father tightly, and gestured for him to come over, and Kayo enfolded him into the hug too. The Tracy boys weren’t too far behind until only Brains, Penny and Parker were left.
Penny turned to Brains and laid a hand on his forearm.
‘Welcome to the Tracy family and friends, Mr Hackenbacker. We are most wonderfully blessed to have them.’
‘Y-y-yes, yes we are.’
