Sydney and Gage: From Partners to Parents
Six weeks. It had been six weeks since everything hand changed. Six weeks ago, he has confessed his love for her. Six weeks ago, she had stopped denying her feelings for him. Six weeks ago, tragedy had struck them. Six weeks ago, they made love for the first time.
It had been a worldwind tale of love between them: their first time together, an undying declaration of love, an engagement, wedding, surprise daughter and not one but two court appearances. Now they were settling into a comfortable rhythm and adjusting to their new lives.
Ranger Francis Gage sat at the kitchen table, cup of coffee in his hand as he tried to read through the notes on his last case. He paused, thinking back to when he and his wife Ranger Sydney Cooke Gage had gotten the news that would change their lives.
*************FLASHBACK*******************
As Gage and Sydney sat in her doctor's office, awaiting the results, the couple was strangely quiet. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts and didn't even notice when the doctor had come back in the room. She just smiled as she watched her patient and her husband sit quietly.
"Mrs. Gage, I have your test results," Dr. Dixon said.
"Wait, before we hear the results, I have to ask you something Sydney," Gage said as he turned to his wife. He took her hand. "Regardless of the results, do you want to have a baby with me?"
"Of course I do. I love you."
"I love you too," Gage said as he leaned over to kiss his wife. They both faced the doctor.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gage, you are having a baby."
Sydney was shocked as she stared at the doctor. "Are you sure? I'm really pregnant?"
"Yes, you are."
"How far along am I?" Sydney asked.
"You're just past the period of conception, my best estimate would be about 3 ½ weeks, give or take a day."
"I just can't believe this. You're sure that I'm really pregnant?"
"I take it this is your first baby?" Dr. Dixon asked.
"Yes it is."
"Don't worry. You're acting just like most of the first time moms I see. You are really pregnant. I'm actually surprised it showed on the test, but it was a big fat positive."
Sydney looked at Gage. He still hadn't said anything since the doctor had given them the news. Sure, it was a shock to both of them, the whole time they had been planning the wedding, building the house and handling things in court; Sydney was creating a life inside of her. Gage had just said he wanted this, so why was he being so quiet?
"Gage, honey? Can you say something, anything?" Sydney asked her husband.
"When are we due?" he asked.
"About mid-March. Is this your first child as well, Mr. Gage?"
"No, I have a three year old daughter."
"Then you can help your wife with all the new experiences she will be having."
"I wasn't actually a part of….." Gage started but Sydney cut him off.
"He just found out about her. He wasn't aware the girl's mother had been pregnant. So this is a first time experience for both of us."
"Not to worry," Dr. Dixon said, a soft smile crossing her face. "Right now, we just want to make sure that Sydney stays calm and not stressed out."
"What about my job?" Sydney asked.
"What do you do?"
"I'm a Texas Ranger."
Dr. Dixon's smiled faded. "Is there any way you can do some desk work? Physical exertion isn't good right now. Up until the 20th week of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is very high. Once you hit the midway point of the pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage goes down but the risk of stillbirth goes up. Right now, you're in prime physical condition. You eat right and exercise on a regular basis. I think as long as you take it easy, this pregnancy should be smooth sailing."
************END FLASHBACK***********
That was the happiest moment in Gage's life, next to his wedding day and finding out about his daughter Andie. Now they were a month into marriage and Sydney was almost 3 months pregnant. The first trimester would be ending soon. So far, everything had been smooth sailing.
When they went back to work, needless to say, everyone was surprised to hear Sydney request desk detail. Then they explained about their new addition and everyone was so excited for them. Sydney had begun doing prenatal yoga in addition to her light workouts and things were settling comfortably.
"Gage, can you come here a minute?" Sydney called from upstairs.
"Coming," he said as he stood from the table and headed to find his wife. He climbed the stairs, poked his head in on Andie and smiled as he saw her nestled in bed, clutching her teddy bear. He proceeded to the room he shared with his wife.
"What's wrong?" he asked coming into the room.
"Nothing is wrong. I just missed you. You've been at the table for the past two hours. Dinner ended three hours ago," Sydney said to him from the bed.
"I've been going over my notes on the Vasquez case. Alex is going to trial soon and I'll need to testify."
"You could've done that up here," Sydney said as she pretended to pout.
"I could have but then I wouldn't have gotten any work done. You know I can't be next to you without touching you."
"Why don't you show me?"
"I need to lock up first." He went back downstairs and made sure the front and back doors were locked. He set the alarm and rinsed out his coffee cup. Placing it in the dishwasher, he started the machine, shut off the lights and headed back upstairs.
Reentering the bedroom, he saw Sydney fast asleep in the bed. Ever since she had been pregnant, it seemed like she could fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Gage just smiled as he took off his shirt and jeans, tossing them in the hamper before crawling into bed and turning off the light. He moved to the center of the bed, took Sydney in his arms and placed his hand on her tummy. He was amazed at the new life growing inside his wife, a life he had helped create.
"I love you little one," he whispered in the dark as he caressed her stomach.
"We love you too," came the murmur from his wife. Gage closed his eyes and fell asleep, hand still on her stomach.
The next morning, Gage awoke to the sounds of his wife in the bathroom. Morning sickness had become her friend lately, not that she wanted it. Gage rolled out of bed and padded to the bathroom.
He took a washcloth from the shelf, ran it under the warm water and pressed it to her neck.
"Does this help?" he asked.
"More than you know. This Gage is already causing problems, just like his daddy."
"What makes you think it's a boy?"
"Because he's already acting like you."
"Well, I think it's a girl."
"Why?"
"Because you think it's a boy," Gage said with a chuckle. He still loved to argue with his wife.
"Why don't you get Andie out of bed? We need to get her ready for daycare so we can go to work."
"As you wish," Gage said standing and helping her to her feet before disappearing down the hall. Sydney went back to the bed and sat down.
An hour later, Andie had been dropped off at the H.O.P.E. center and Gage and Sydney were walking into Company B. Sydney sat at her desk as Walker came up to them.
"Gage, we got to roll. Bank robbery downtown."
"On it Boss."
"Sydney, can you finish reviewing all the evidence in the Vasquez case?"
"Sure thing Walker."
The men headed out the door and Sydney fired up the computer. She became so engrossed in the paperwork; she didn't notice the woman who walked into Company B.
"Excuse me; I'm looking for Ranger Gage?"
Sydney turned and saw the woman. She looked to be mid to late twenties with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She stood about five inches taller than Sydney and had herself squeezed into a dress about two sizes too small.
"He's not here at the moment. Can I help you? I'm Ranger Cooke."
"Just tell him he's not going to get away with what he did."
"What did he do? Would you like to have a seat?"
"No, thanks."
"What did he do?" Sydney asked again.
"He knows what he did. I know I'll never forget it."
"Miss, I think you're going to need to elaborate a bit. What did Ranger Gage do?"
The woman looked at Sydney, dead straight in the eyes. "He assaulted me."
Walker, Trivette and Gage were just finishing taking the robbers into custody when Gage's phone rang.
"Gage?"
"It's Syd."
"Is everything okay?"
"Not really. There's a woman here in the office looking for you."
"What does she want?"
"To let you know you're not going to get away with what you did."
"What did I do?" he asked, puzzled.
"She claims you assaulted her."
"What?"
"That's what she said. You guys need to get back here now."
"On our way, Syd. Put her in an interrogation room until we get there." Gage hung up the phone and turned to face Walker and Trivette.
"What's wrong?" Walker asked.
"Some woman just came into headquarters claiming I assaulted her."
"She did what?" Trivette asked, shocked anyone could say such a thing about him. Gage was like a big teddy bear and since he had married Sydney, he hadn't so much as looked at another woman.
"That's what she told Syd. She's still at headquarters."
"Let's get going," Walker said as they climbed back into the truck. Walker wasted no time in heading back to the office.
Entering Company B, Gage looked for his wife. He found her sitting at her desk.
"Where is she?"
"Interrogation room B."
"Did she say anything else?"
"Nope."
"Syd, talk to me."
"About what?"
"Sydney."
"Look Gage, how am I supposed to react? Some blonde bombshell walks in here and claims you've had your way with her. How am I supposed to know it's not true?"
"Because it's not. I love you, Sydney. I've always loved you. You're everything I want, why would I ruin that?"
"I don't know Gage. I just know what this woman told me." Sydney stood and walked away from him, heading for the ladies room knowing he wouldn't follow her in. Maybe it was just the hormones, but all Sydney wanted to do was cry. She knew Gage had his playboy ways from back before they met but she really thought things were different. Had she really misjudged him?
Back in the office, Gage was headed for Interrogation room B when Walker stopped him.
"What?" he asked.
"Why don't you let me or Trivette question her?"
"Because I need to know who this is and why she's doing this to me."
"Just let one of us handle it."
"I'm watching from observation then."
"Fair enough." They headed down the hall and Gage stayed behind the glass as Walker entered the room. Looking through the glass, Gage didn't recognize the woman sitting across from Walker. He turned up the speaker.
"I'm Ranger Walker."
"Where's Ranger Gage?"
"With another ranger being questioned. Can you tell me your name?"
"No."
"I can't help you unless you tell me your name."
"I'm not talking to anyone but Ranger Gage."
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Why not?" the woman asked.
"You've made claims of assault against him. It would be against department policy to let him speak to you privately."
"Then I'll just leave. I'm not talking to anyone but Ranger Gage," the woman said again as she stood and reached for her purse. Gage couldn't let her leave without knowing who she was and he pushed the door open.
The woman stopped to look at him, crossing her arms in front of her and sitting back down. Walker looked up at Gage, noticing his clenched fists and white knuckles. He gently pushed Gage to the corner of the room.
"What are you doing?" he whispered.
"I have to get to the bottom of this. Syd has locked herself in the bathroom and is refusing to talk to me."
"Fine, but I'm staying in here."
Gage walked over to the table and sat down.
"I'm here now, want to tell me your name?"
"Not with him here. He needs to leave," the woman said, pointing to Walker. Gage looked at his boss and nodded towards the door. Walker looked mad but he left the room anyways. Gage knew he was watching from the other side of the glass, most likely with the speaker turned up.
"Shut the speaker off, Ranger Walker or I'm out the door," the woman said, staring at the mirror. Clearly she knew something about interrogation rooms.
"Turn it off, Walker," Gage said, not knowing if he did or not. He turned back to the woman.
"You going to tell me now or what?"
"You should know, you assaulted me."
"I've never even met you."
"Oh right and next you're going to tell me that I never meant anything to you."
"Can't mean something to someone you've never met."
"Oh I know all about you Ranger Gage or should I say Francis."
"How do you know my name?"
"You told it to me, right before you took me out to your car."
"I've never had you in my car."
"Sure you did, that black and orange Chevelle. Classic car, driven by a classic jerk."
"Who are you?" Gage asked again, starting to get angry. This woman knew an awful lot about him but he didn't know anything about her.
"Call me Candy."
"Okay Candy. Is that your real name?"
"Of course. You even said I tasted like candy."
"Who are you? I've never met you before in my life."
"Is that what you tell your wife about all the girls you have on the side?"
"I don't have anyone on the side. I love my wife."
"Obviously you didn't love her that much that night in your car."
"Alright, I'm done playing games. What do you want?" Gage asked, planting his hands firmly on the table and leaning over it. Candy stared into his eyes and she swore she saw red.
"I want you to admit what you did. I want you to tell me what it really meant to you. I want you to come clean to your wife about us."
"There is no us. Never has been an 'us' and never will be an 'us'."
"Then I guess we're done here. Soon everyone will know what you did."
"Are you threatening me?"
"The truth has a way of coming out. Goodbye Ranger Gage," Candy said as she strolled out the door. Gage just stared at the doorway after she left before sinking back down in his chair. Walker came in to the room, arms folded in front of him and looking at the junior ranger.
"What was that? I told you to stay out of here."
"Walker, if this was happening to you, you would be the first one in to question her. I have no idea who this woman is but what I do know is my wife is locked in the bathroom, refusing to speak to me. I have to get to the bottom of this."
"You're sure you've never met this woman before?"
"Positive. Ever since everything happened with me and Syd, I've been with her all the time. From finalizing the adoption to the baby appointments, I've been by her side. I can't think of why someone would want to do something like this to us."
"Let's go talk to Trivette."
The men left the room to head back to their desks. As Gage entered Company B, Walker pulled out his phone and called Alex. If anyone could get Sydney out of the bathroom, it would be her.
Candy stopped outside of Ranger Headquarters, pulled her cell phone and made a quick call.
"It's done."
"Good, you'll await further instructions."
"No I'm done. I did what you asked and now I want my money."
"You'll get your money when the job is done. You will await further instructions."
The call ended and Candy sighed. This was supposed to be easy money but now she was having second thoughts. Sighing, she went to her car and got inside. Casting one last glance at the brick building before driving away.
Alex walked into Company B about 10 minutes later. Sydney was still holed up in the bathroom and the anticipation was driving Gage crazy. He couldn't think of anything besides why someone would want to come between him and Sydney.
"Where is she?" Alex asked.
"Women's room," Walker said.
"Give me a couple minutes." Alex walked out the door, down the hall and stopped in front of the women's room. She knocked softly on the door.
"Go away Gage. I don't want to talk to you," came the voice behind the door.
"Sydney? It's Alex. Can we talk?"
Slowly the door lock clicked and Sydney opened the door. Her eyes were red rimmed from crying and she blew her nose in some wadded up toilet paper.
"Sydney, what's the matter?" Alex asked.
"I can't face him. I don't want to face him. I can't believe I let myself fall for the lies he told me," Sydney said as she sank down on the chair in the corner. Alex knelt in front of her.
"Sydney, you can't honestly believe that Gage doesn't love you. He's been head of heels for you since the moment he met you. We all knew before you guys did. Now why don't you tell me what happened and start at the beginning."
Sydney sniffled again. "This woman walks in and claims Gage had his way with her. Says she won't talk to anyone but him. I was reviewing evidence for the Vasquez case, Walker said the trial was coming up soon. As soon as she finished her story, I put her in interrogation and called Gage. I told him what she had said and the guys came back. He tried talking to me when he got here, but I just didn't want to hear it so I came in here." Sydney blew her nose again.
"Honey, it sounds to me like he's as blindsided as you are. Why don't you just talk to him? It might make you feel better."
Nodding, Sydney knew Alex was right. She did have to talk to her husband and they had to get to the bottom of things, even if it meant the end of them.