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It’s no secret that eavesdropping happens on Tracy Island.
It’s not that they mean to, most of the time, it’s accidental. Sometimes you don’t get the full story unless you listen in, and other times you just walk into a room and realize too late that someone else is already there.
Honestly, it happens more than anyone would admit.
And more often than not, it happens late at night, when everyone’s supposed to be asleep and you're more likely to overhear something you probably weren’t meant to.
—
When Aiden first came into their lives, he was just shy of six months old.
It took time for everyone to adjust to having a baby around again. There were long nights, loud mornings, and a lot of learning on the fly. But after four months, the boys felt like pros or close enough to it.
But that left Scott and Aiden in a weird position. Aiden was being raised by the household but at the same time he was attached to the hip with his father.
No one really questioned it. It was expected. Aiden was Scott’s son his whole world. But even so, it was clear the weight of everything was starting to wear on him.
He had already started to hand off Aiden whenever he could, saying he was going to go to sleep or he had stuff to do so for a good few weeks Scott was nowhere near his son.
Scott carried more than anyone else already. He had since they were kids. He’d always said he had to be the best just like their dad. But at the same time their dad had pushed Scott too much, so often. When at the same time he was neglecting them when things got hard.
Virgil worried Scott might put that same pressure on Aiden one day.
Then came the night that proved him wrong.
—
It was late. Virgil and Gordon were on their way upstairs to watch a movie in the lounge when they heard soft talking from in room.
They slowed near the railing, glancing up over the banister.
Scott was there, sitting in the dim light, rocking Aiden gently in his arms. The baby’s tiny hand was fisted in the fabric of Scott’s shirt.
Scott hadn’t seen them, his back was turned.
Then they heard him speak.
“When I was young,” Scott whispered, “I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life.”
Aiden looked up at him with wide, curious eyes.
“I thought I was going to fly planes,” Scott continued. “Be a pilot. A fighter pilot, maybe. And, well… I did that.”
He laughed softly to himself.
“My dad, your grandpa, went to space when I was a kid. Everyone talked about Jeff Tracy. About how great he was. How amazing.” Scott's voice lowered at the last part. “Then he started this whole International Rescue thing. Isn’t that right, guppy?”
He tickled Aiden’s belly, and the baby let out a soft giggle.
“I wanted to jump in and help,” Scott went on, voice quieter now. “But I was already under contract, doing something else. So, he did it without me, him and some friends. Your great-uncle Taylor, too.”
Scott chuckled again, shaking his head. “But then he died. And he left a legacy I don’t think I can ever live up to, guppy.” “Even when he was alive I couldn't.” he whispered.
He paused, his voice catching a little. “But you… you don’t have that. You can be whatever you want. Your uncles and I, we chose this life because we love it. But you? You can be anything.”
From the stairs, Virgil looked down at Gordon and smiled softly. Gordon smiled back, but neither of them moved. They didn’t want to interrupt.
Scott lifted Aiden a little higher until their faces were level.
“Whatever you want to be, guppy, I’ll support you, I will give you all my time, one hundred percent.”
Aiden made a noise, reaching for one of his toys, a tiny toy submarine. He smacked it right into Scott’s chin.
Scott laughed rubbing his chin. “Yes, even if you want to be an Aquanaut.” He pressed a kiss to his son’s hair and held him close, still chuckling.
That was enough for Virgil and Gordon. They shared another quiet look before slowly heading back down the stairs.
When they were finally in the hallway off the kitchen, Gordon whispered, “Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that.” He was talking about Scott not wanting to be with his son.
Virgil shook his head. “I don’t think we ever did. Dad put so much on him… he’d never pass that along. Not in a million years, he probably just got overwhelmed.”
Virgil’s comm pad pinged softly. He opened it, and John’s calm voice came through the line.
“Virgil’s right,” John said, sounding a little proud. “Scott’s better than Dad ever was and that’s all that matters. That boy being happy… that’s what matters to him most.”
Virgil smiled at the words, glancing back toward the stairs, where Scott still sat rocking his son.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “It really is.”