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It had been about 3 weeks since Jeff had been brought home.
All his boys had stayed grounded during that time, no rescues, no launches, no long-distance missions. Even Thunderbird 5 had been left unmanned.
According to the boys, EOS John artificial intelligence daughter had been handling communications, redirecting distress calls, and keeping things running smoothly in John’s absence. Still, John insisted it was time to go back.
He’d said it as gently as he could that EOS could only do so much alone, and that he didn’t like leaving her for too long.
Jeff had listened quietly, trying to understand. It was an AI he really didn't get why he treated it like it was alive.
Over those few weeks, he’d done a bit of unintentional snooping not out of mistrust, but out of curiosity. He’d just wanted to catch up on what his sons’ lives looked like now. That’s when he realized John practically lived on Thunderbird 5.
From what he gathered, it wasn’t unusual for his second son to spend weeks, even months up there without a rotation change.
That thought worried him more than he cared to admit.
But he didn’t want to push. Not yet.
—
While everyone was preparing Thunderbird 3 for launch, Jeff decided to pull John aside.
“You’re okay up there by yourself?” he asked quietly.
John nodded without hesitation. “Yes. I prefer it that way, to be honest. There’s been too much gravity for my liking.” he smiled
Jeff gave a small chuckle at that, it was such a John thing. But he couldn’t help pressing just a little further.
“You don’t come down very often, from what I’ve seen,” Jeff said softly.
John smiled, calm and unbothered. “It’s designed that way, Dad. I’m fine up there. I have EOS, and if something serious happens, I come down. I know you’re worried, but you don’t have to be.”
Jeff huffed a quiet laugh. “I’m your father it’s my job to worry.”
John’s smile widened just a little.
Before either could say more, Alan called from across the hangar, “Thunderbird 3’s ready to go!”
Jeff turned back to his son and pulled him into a hug. “Be safe up there, son.”
“Always am,” John said, returning the embrace before pulling away.
—
Jeff made his way up to the lounge and stepped out onto the deck. He looked out to the round house. Thunderbird 3 gleamed as it went up.
He watched as the rocket, knowing Alan and John were inside. And when three came back it would be just one.
Jeff stood there for a long time, his hand resting on the railing.
He knew they’d be fine they always were. But after being gone for so long, that worry came heavier than it used to. The fear of losing them again lingered in the back of his mind like a shadow that refused to fade.
He took a slow breath and shook the thought away.
His boys were grown now capable, strong, extraordinary young men.
He turned and went back inside, the sound of the ocean filling the silence behind him, ready to spend the day with the sons who still preferred solid ground beneath their feet.