AN: Music for this chapter (on repeat): Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper, Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones and His Orchestra, Boots Were Made For Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra, Come On Closer by Jem, Foxey Lady by Jimmy Hendrix, Only Fools Rush In by Elvis Presley, Blessed by Elton John, Baby of Mine by Bette Midler, Good Life by OneRepublic, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo by Verna Felton from Cinderella Soundtrack, When You Wish Upon A Star by Cliff Edwards and the Disney Chorus from Pinocchio Soundtrack.


EIGHT

o

Immediately, Irina broke into tears; first from shock, then from the reality of it and then the possibility. Fear, excitement, astonishment that this was happening again, were all running rampant in her mind.

Katya leaned over and kissed Irina's cheeks, tearing up and crying herself as she hugged her sister.

"It's going to be all right, Irina." She pulled Irina up into her arms and the two held each other, crying. "Aren't you happy? Excited? "

"Oh course, I am." Irina sniffled, pulling back and laying back down on the bed, accepting the tissue Katya offered her. "But, I mean… I already have a baby! Lena's not even a year old and not that it makes any difference and Sydney's wedding and running the country and not to mention dealing with my insulin deficiency and heart problems and Jack… Oh Jack. God, I can't imagine what his reaction to this is going to be." Irina closed her eyes and covered them with the arm over her forehead, "I'm just…"

"Overwhelmed." Katya smiled in complete understanding.

"Yes." Irina sighed and a silent tear slipped down her cheek once more.

"Rina, let's concentrate on the positives here for right now." Katya spoke softly with a smile, pulling the arm from her sister's eyes; she placed her own hand over the bare, warm skin of Irina's abdomen, feeling for herself for the first time, the firm oval shaped mound and her smile widened as more tears fell looking into Irina's eyes. "Irina, you're having a baby. You're getting another miracle." She spoke so softly it was a conversation meant for only them.

"I'm having another baby." Irina whispered, saying it out loud for the first time. "I'm having a baby?" Her astonishment was slowly turning the corners of her mouth into a smile.

"Yes." Katya smiled, wiping at her own tears.

"I'm having a baby." Irina finally smiled that brilliant smile everyone loved so much and pulled Katya back down to hug her, laughing softly. "Oh, Jack." She sighed, batting at her tears realizing she had yet to share this with him. "I've got to tell him."

"Well, this will certainly be a birthday, he won't soon forget!" Katya pulled back smiling widely and laughing with her sister, joining their hands over the baby mound.

A soft knocking interrupted their little celebration and Katya quickly pulled open the nightstand drawer and placed the pregnancy stick inside, shutting it with a smile at Irina before answering the door.

"Sydney!" Katya smiled happily and kissed her disheveled niece with a laugh, taking in her appearance of freshly showered and in new pajamas, like her mother.

"Not so loud, please." Sydney winced trying to smile. "Jose is still banging his bongo drums in my head."

"Oh, my apologies." Katya laughed softly at her niece's humor, "Go join your mother in bed, she's in the same shape you're in."

"Mommy!" Sydney cried in a mock whimper pouting as she crawled in bed beside Irina, snuggling up next to her, with her head on Irina's chest. "I have the worst hang-over of my life! It's all Jose's fault!"

"Damn Jose!" Irina laughed softly, kissing the top of Sydney's hair and blinking back the tears at hearing Sydney call her 'Mommy' in a child's voice after just learning she was pregnant yet again. "Did you at least have fun last night?" She whispered, while Katya began making her special hang-over cure-all in the kitchen for Sydney. Irina on the other hand, would have to suffer through it now they knew she was pregnant, alcohol was off limits.

"I had a blast from what I can remember." Sydney furrowed her brow in thought, playing with the satin strings on the front of her mother's pajama top, "I can only remember flashes of the last part of the evening. We were dancing on the bar…" She thought really hard, "And then you… You were going crazy with Legs!" She laughed her deep giggle and then cringed, "Oh God, I didn't want to remember that performance with Dad."

Irina laughed softly and pulled Sydney closer, the two of them entwining their legs.

"It was pretty awesome though… from what I remember… the pictures should be interesting. Oh god, Mom!" She whipped her head around to look at Irina, squinting through the pain it caused, "People with cameras catching us-"

"Don't worry." Irina smiled and smoothed the hair over Sydney's head, "I had the guards and bouncers confiscate all their cameras before we arrived and they were checked again after we left so no pictures will make it into the tabloids."

"You're so smart." Sydney smiled and giggled and settled back down against Irina's chest.

They were quiet a moment, Irina playing with Sydney's hair and Sydney enjoying the sound of her mother's heart beating beneath her ear when she finally remembered the question she was wondering about.

"Mom..."

"Hmm?" Irina hummed against her silky brown hair, smoothing its long length down Sydney's back and side.

"I remember going to sleep with you in here last night… but I woke up next to Vaughn," Sydney knit her brow together and a slow smile spread across Irina's face as well as Katya's in the kitchen who heard the question. "Not that I am complaining about waking up next to my fiancé…but I was just wondering how I got from here to there?"

"You're father moved you after you fell asleep." Irina whispered softly, her own drunken hazy images of last night with Jack flitting through her mind. "He put you into bed with Michael."

Sydney couldn't believe her father would do such a thing. "Why?"

"He had to 'make-up' with your mother." Katya informed her, exaggerating the 'make-up' part with and evil grin as she sauntered towards the bed carrying the drink.

"Oh man, I don't need to know these things!" Sydney blanched with the instant assault of images and turned her face into Irina with eyes squinted shut feeling her mother's chest and body vibrating from her soft laughter and hear that of her aunt's behind her.

"Then don't ask the obvious questions, Sweetheart." Katya chuckled, sitting on the edge next to them. "Here, sit up and drink this. You'll feel better, I promise." Katya pulled on Sydney's arm, helping her to sit.

"Whoa… Bloody Mary." Sydney's eyes went wide, tasting its potent content.

"Not just a Bloody Mary, there's something extra in there that will have you back in fine form and ready to party again in no time!" Katya smiled and patted Sydney's bare thigh.

"Doesn't Mom get one?" Sydney looked down at her miserable mother.

"Nyet." Katya was quick to answer, sharing a knowing look with Irina. "Jose took its toll on her last night, no more liquor for her until her insulin levels straighten out." Katya informed Sydney, telling her the truth, but not all of it. For now, it was clear Irina wanted this pregnancy to be their secret.

"Oh…" Sydney suddenly looked concerned, "I didn't even think about what all those shots were going to do to your insulin, Mom, I'm sorry. Are you ok?"

"Sweetheart, don't apologize. I had fun last night and take full responsibility for my actions." Irina brushed her fingers down Sydney's face, admiring her beautiful daughter. "You are so beautiful, you know that?" She smiled warmly and Sydney's eyes lit up with one as well, "I love you, Sydney."

"I love you, too, Mom." Sydney leaned down and kissed Irina, before taking another swig of Katya's Poison.

There was another knock at the door.

"My goodness, you are popular this morning, Rina!" Katya smiled and patted her sister's arm before answering it. Her smile lighting her eyes when she saw her own disheveled daughter, holding Lena.

"It's only fitting you two beautiful girls join our party!" Katya leaned forward and kissed Sophia and then Lena, "Good morning, Darlings."

"Morning Mama." Sophia smiled groggily, adjusting the baby on her hip as she passed her mother, "I am in desperate need of your Cure-All, Mama… Pronto!" She sighed with the pounding in her head and made her way over to the bed. "Good morning, Aunty Rina. Sydney." She handed the baby off to Irina and crawled up into bed beside them, flopping onto her stomach and groaning.

"Feel as about as good as we do then, huh?" Sydney laughed softly, feathering her fingers down her cousin's hair. "How did you end up with Lena?" She looked over at her bouncing baby sister, currently lying on her stomach, on top of their mother's chest, playing with her favorite object, Irina's locket.

"Director Kendall and Dr. Barnett." Sophia mumbled into the pillow before turning her head with a smile to look at the beautiful baby.

"What?" Sydney and Irina both voiced their surprise at the same time.

"I guess, they were looking after her this morning. Ann is apparently in as great of shape as we are." Sophia chuckled softly then groaned, "Mama! Where is that drink? Please!" She cried and both Sydney and Irina laughed. Sophia's whiney tone for her mother matched that of Sydney's when in this shape.

Katya brought out the drink and crawled up into bed with them, leaning back against the headboard and pulling Sophia between her legs to rest back against her chest; wrapping her arms around her daughter while she drank and smoothed her hair with her free hand, smiling.

The last time the Romanov/Derevko women were in bed talking, they were missing one person, now Sophia was here and it was complete.

"Aunt Rina," Sophia's lips turned into an awed smile looking at her gorgeous aunt. "You've got moves, I've never seen before." She giggled and Sydney and Katya joined her, eventually getting an enormous smile from Irina, and giggles from Lena who was laughing because they were.

"Yes, the KSG of the KGB strikes again!" Katya added with a smirk and then deep laughter when Sydney groaned and Irina's eyes flew to hers.

"The who? Who's the KSG?" Sophia asked innocently looking around at the faces and Sydney who was eventually giggling.

"The Kinky Sex Goddess," Sydney nodded with each word and formed a tight smile trying not to laugh. "That is my mother." She burst into a fit of giggles then reigned them in, "Her nickname and appropriately so, I guess."

"Buwhahahahaha!" Sophia burst into hysterical laughter then grabbed her head immediately at the pain, fighting off her laughter. "Oh Mama Mia! That's hilarious!"

"All right, all right." Irina shook her head laughing with them and held Lena close with one arm while she moved to sit up, against the headboard like her sister. Leaning back against the pillows with a smile as Lena gurgled happily looking at her mother, Irina knew that everything would be okay and her heart smiled at the prospect of another child looking at the beautiful baby in front of her and her gorgeous, laughing daughter to her side.

"Sydney, your 'American Woman' was rather impressive as well, Darling. I think you must have inherited those KSG genes from your mother." Katya teased her with a wink and they all broke into laughter, in spite of the pain it brought. "Kendall told me that Michael was singing the chorus to it all the way up in the elevator last night, and continued with the chorus even as he and your father were putting him to bed."

"Are you serious? Oh… my… Good-ness." Sydney shook her head and began to blush, looking down at her now empty glass. "How embarrassing."

"No child! Be proud! Your man went to sleep singing your praises! A true sign of a Sex Goddess! You are your mother's daughter!" Katya laughed and held Sophia tighter when they were all giggling and Sydney burning bright red.

"Come here, Baby." Irina tugged on Sydney's arm seeing her blushing uncontrollably, she shifted Lena into the middle of the bed and let the baby crawl across its middle towards Sophia and Katya while she nestled Sydney between her legs and against her chest like the other two. "I was very proud of you last night, you are my daughter in everyway!" Irina whispered softly into Sydney's ear, stroking her hair off her forehead and laughing softly when Sydney did too.

Lena crawled to the middle and sat up looking between the two groups of two and grinned her beautiful little toothy smile and giggled, making them all laugh with her.

"Mama ma mama!" She babbled reaching her hands out and grasping for Irina with a smile she giggled one last time and started crawling back towards Sydney and her Mama, melting Irina's heart every time.

"She's getting so big, so fast." Sophia marveled at her little cousin when she saw her pull herself up to stand using Sydney's fingers, bouncing on her tiny legs in excitement seeing her sister's smile.

"It all goes by so fast." Katya said softly, smiling and looking over at Irina, sharing a knowing gaze.

Another knock and this time they all chorused. "Come in!" Too comfortable in their positions to move from the bed.

Jack walked in nervously followed by Mikhail, Bella, a very disheveled Vaughn and Weiss, Vicki, Carrie, Ann and Ryan, Kendall and Judy, all of them with wide-eyes of surprise finding the sight before them.

Jack's eyes locked with Irina's and she gave him a small smile seeing how nervous he was in her presence at the moment.

"We, the guys… are going to the pool to play some Poker at the floating bar down there and before we left, I just…" Jack looked at the beautiful sight before him, pausing to take it in. Sydney nestled against her mother; Sydney helping Lena to bounce beside her and with Katya and Sophia, all of them wearing smiles and happy. "Wanted to make sure you, were ok?" He rambled nervously and quietly as everyone else watched the exchange.

Irina nodded softly with a smile, brushing the hair behind Sydney's ear; her eyes held with Jack's a moment before she turned to look at their audience. Dr. Judy Barnett was smiling from ear to ear and Vicki, Carrie, Bella and Ann all looked about as good as they felt.

"Katya, I think you're going to need to make a pitcher of that Cure-all. I think our fellow partiers could use some." She smiled softly at them and patted the bed, "Come Ladies, join our hang-over party." Her smile grew when they all sighed with smiles and exhaustion and instantly began making their way over to the bed each one of them occupying a different space. Carrie crawled up the middle to play with Lena; Vicki, Judy and Ann grabbing pillows from the giant sofas and placing them at the end of the massive bed before crawling in and leaning back against them to face the others.

Irina and Sydney scooted more towards the center and Bella slid in beside them nestled right next to their bodies with a smile and melting Mikhail's heart to see Irina and Bella so comfortable with each other as if they'd been close all of their lives.

They did it all in a matter of seconds and without talking to the astonishment of the men looking on.

"Amazing." Kendall whispered shaking his head at women's ability to communicate without words and seeing the mass of them accumulated on Irina's bed; not to mention that his eyes were boggling at the sight of three of them, including Irina, still in their satin pajamas.

"Scary." Mikhail whispered, having a different take on the women though he smiled looking at his family.

Vaughn stood with wide-eyes, refusing to blink at the sight of his mother and Irina Derevko snuggled together and simultaneously playing with Sydney and Lena, smiling and laughing. A sight he never, in a million years, thought he'd ever see.

"Beautiful." Ryan added with a smile seeing the women start talking softly then laughing, his eyes going from one to the other.

"Astonishing." Julian whispered with mouth open seeing Irina like this; having yet another awakening to the woman behind 'The Man' all those years. He only ever saw Irina in a 'man's world' where she had to hold her own, either being objectified as a sex object for being a woman or intimidating and scary to hold her own with the men. Seeing her so relaxed and smiling in company of other women was something he'd take awhile to get used to.

"Breathtaking." Jack turned his smile from the women to men standing in awe.

"Hot!" Weiss smiled laughing softly. "Eight women and one in the making in one bed." He whispered to Vaughn.

The rest of the men and the Swedes arrived right behind them and Irina waived the women over to join them, all of them squishing together to make room for the three new Swedish beauties.

"Make that eleven." Weiss whispered and stood in awe with a goofy smile. He whipped out his camera, "Alright ladies." He stepped forward feeling bold and still slightly drunk, as the rest of the men stood back in silent awe watching the gorgeous creatures. "Let's take your picture to remember this Morning-After Hang-Over Party!" He smiled getting them all in frame, "Ready… say 'Legs!"

The word got the intended response when everyone burst out laughing and he caught their' smiles on film. Irina's laughing eyes caught with Jack's giving him a smile as Sydney shooed all of the men away and out the door.

"You have to admit, that was pretty good!" Weiss smiled proudly as they all rode down together in the elevator. Locking eyes with the rest of the men, save Jack and suddenly they were all breaking into a small chorus of, "She's got legs, and she knows how to use 'em…" Laughing when Jack spun around, grinning like an idiot and turning red as he shook his head at them and thinking of Irina's now infamous lap-dance.

Weiss soon found himself being drowned by Jack in the pool repeatedly for his comments last night; all in good fun of course, as Jack was rather proud of his wife and he knew the comments weren't meant to be degrading or malicious.


*Girls Just Want to Have Fun*

"So, Mom, what's on the agenda for this evening?" Sydney asked, eyeing her mother across the room who, had just gotten of the phone. "You're not going to tell me are you?" She smiled seeing the look on her mother's face. "I'm just trying to figure out why you moved us all to this room, at The Palms to get our hair done in what appears to be some style from the Sixties and all exactly the same. I feel like Barbie." She announced seriously and everyone burst into laughter feeling the same way.

"Which Barbie would that be, Sweetheart? Grand Duchess Barbie? American Woman Barbie? Spy Action Barbie?" Silvia asked laughing through her smile.

"I don't know but I don't think my hair has ever been this high before." Sydney felt the bouffant with her hand and a deep giggle immerged.

"How in the world I got roped into this I have no idea." Judy looked at the women around and their hairstyles, wondering how she managed to get herself into this, and at the mercy of Irina Derevko.

"I'm beginning to wonder if it were a mistake to grow my hair out?" Vicki asked suddenly feeling very self-conscious, never having anyone spending this much time on her hair before in her life.

"Yes, I know how you feel, Darling." Katya laughed deeply, feeling her own long lengths now being curled. "Short hair seems so much, safer."

"My mother told me never to 'assume," Victoria smiled at her mother, "But I would venture a guess that we are attending the VIP Costume Party they are having this evening at the club upstairs. I overheard the bellhop speaking of it on the ride up here."

"You assumed correctly, Sweetheart." Irina smiled warmly at her, sitting in the chair so the hair stylist could finish with her own hair. "We are attending the VIP Costume Party this evening."

"Oh my God! Everybody but everybody attends this party!" Sophia bounced excitedly in her chair, "It's the hottest ticket in Vegas during the summer!"

"Is it?" Irina feigned innocence, reaching over to pick up her baby crawling towards her.

Ann was going to be staying in this room with her tonight until they left, then go back over to the Bellagio; Ryan having his turn out with the boys.

"All right, Mom, I know that face now! Spill it!" Sydney slanted her eyebrow and Irina responded with the same challenging look making the others laugh. "Come on! I saw it on your face last night when we were here and I see it in your smile now!"

"Aunty Rina," Sophia's eyes went wide remembering what Julian said last night and her face went white. "I saw that look you shared with Julian last night, the same one Sydney saw. Julian runs your clubs now. Please tell me, that the most happening… and fantastic clubs upstairs are yours?" She was literally ready to burst with excitement, clubbing being the most favorite past time of hers for years.

Irina looked up from kissing Lena's head, all eyes on her, and gave her famous smile.

"Mom!" Sydney was equally stunned and excited, "You own the Ghost Bar and Rain?"

"I own the hotel and casino." Irina answered softly and laughed hearing their sharp intakes of breath and the looks on their faces.

Katya, who already knew this information after taking over operations of Irina's organization, laughed deeply with her sister seeing her own daughter stunned speechless.

"You own The Palms?" Sydney asked again, still stunned. She didn't know why it would surprise her, nothing her mother did surprised her anymore, or so she'd like to believe.

"Mmhmm." Irina smiled, nodding and running her cheek against her baby's soft hair.

"And several others." Katya added with a smile.

"I just… don't know what to say." Sydney shook her head then smiled, "Except, I always knew Las Vegas was run by the Russian Mafia. I just had no idea, wouldn't conceive of it being the same mafia, that my mother ran."

"Sophia, sweetheart, are you ok?" Irina asked smiling with laughter in her eyes seeing her niece with mouth slightly open and not moving for several long moments now.

"I think she's in shock." Katya laughed and leaned out of her chair to kiss her daughter making her smile.

"Does Dad know?" Sydney asked suddenly.

"No. He doesn't which is why this," She gestured with her hands to their hair and the party tonight, "Is going to be that much more fun. A birthday, he's sure never to forget." She smiled and flitted her eyes to Katya. "Now that everyone's hair is done! Time for wardrobe!" Irina laughed evil-like and the others moved together to hold hands while she went into the bathroom to change, handing the baby to Ann on her way.

"I just hope I'm not Malibu Barbie or something. I don't do 'flighty' well." Carrie voiced her thoughts and everyone went into hysterical laughter again, waiting for Irina.

When she stepped into the doorway minutes later, fully dressed, their mouths fell open.

"Oh, Sweet Mary Mother of God…" Judy gasped and clenched Bella's hand next to her. "What have I gotten myself into?"


When the elevator doors opened to the Ghost Bar, Jack pivoted on his foot and tried to go back in only to be pushed out again by a laughing group of, "Traitors!" He yelled at them.

*Soul Bossa Nova*

"Come on, Jack. We all look fucking ridiculous! So does everyone here! Look around!" Weiss laughed, "Especially me!" He pointed to his own costume that was enormous and plaid.

"I think I look like the biggest jackass here, no pun intended." Vaughn held up his hands in defense and pointed to his golden skin-tight outfit with nothing on his lower half but a virtual Speedo and tube socks.

"Yeah you're right, Mike. You do look like the biggest jackass!" Weiss laughed hysterically and bounced his belly off everyone.

"And had I not had those five shots of Jack Daniels before I got dressed, I would not be wearing this in public! You're so dead when you get married!" Vaughn glared at him.

"You're the golden boy this trip, Mikey being the bachelor, your outfit was chosen especially for you and not by me. So don't look at me that way." Weiss narrowed his eyebrows, "They all came with names attached and sized accordingly."

"Well, what's the significance of mine?" Mikhail asked, repositioning his fez and eye-patch.

"You take a lick-in' and keep on tick-in,' I suppose." Weiss smiled and shrugged laughing. "Very appropriate, I think and Kendall and Marshall." He burst out laughing. "You two are classic!"

The two men eyed each other, dressed exactly the same in sliver suits buttoned up to their necks.

"From now on at work I am calling you guys Doctor and Mini!" Weiss was rolling with laughter, as was everyone else. "And Jack, there is no doubt left in my mind, that your costume is completely appropriate for you! International Man of Mystery. Now suck it up Velvet Boy and get out there!" He pushed Jack out of the elevator. "Yeah baby!"

"I need a drink." Jack pushed his thick black glasses up the bridge of his nose and stumbled into the hallway followed by his posse.

"I think this is great! Look at all these beautiful girls dressed as Go-Go dancers!" Karl whipped his head around smiling, sporting a fro and platforms.

"Everyone, get your drinks and follow me please!" Julian smiled and jerked his head, flopping his hairpiece off to the side.

"Yes, Basal. We're following right away!" Dixon laughed looking at Sark. "That British accent is coming in handy for you tonight! Perfect choice!"

"I could say the same for you, Dixon." Julian smiled reaching out to touch the man's massive fro. "Nice pants." He pointedly looked at the skintight polyester beige bell-bottoms.

When they were settled in the front row of chairs, that had been re-arranged for tonight offering a bigger dance floor, Julian signaled for more drinks.

"Isn't that Johnny Depp over there?" Vaughn moved his head to see him better.

"And John Travolta, dressed like he was still in Saturday Night Fever!" Mikhail laughed, remembering seeing that movie not too long before he was extracted.

"And Hallie Berry… yeow!" Weiss started fanning himself seeing her dressed like Sexy Cleopatra.

"There are celebrities everywhere." Marshall smiled in awe. "And… they're all looking at us." He slunk down in his lime-green chair, sipping on his Cosmopolitan.

"Alright Julian, spill what you know." Vaughn pushed him, shifting in his seat uncomfortably and feeling naked in his clothing.

Julian looked at his watch and then towards the elevator doors, seeing the numbers lighting up as the elevator car made is way up towards them.

"The surprise… is almost here." Was all Julian said, sitting back with a sheer look of mischief having no idea what Irina was planning but by the looks of this party, it was going to be interesting.


Sydney looked over to her left and saw Vicki crossing herself and mutter a prayer as they neared the top floor.

"It's going to be ok." She smiled at her.

"Sure, you used to dress up like this all the time! Me? Are you kidding? What if I forget the steps?" Vicki looked up at Sydney terrified.

"You won't forget them. You've got a photographic memory. You'll be fine." Sydney nodded trying to comfort the distraught woman. "And you look beautiful!"

"Ready?" Irina turned her head with a dangerous smile, as the elevator was about to open. "Here we go!"

*Boots Were Made For Walkin*

The elevator doors opened and the club went into silence as the new music instantly began to play, mouths on the floor as the group of gorgeous women systematically walked out of the elevator with purpose directly in front of the row of chairs.

"Dear God, they're Fem-bots!" Weiss gasped, grabbing Vaughn and unable to breathe looking at the women before him.

A roar of cheers and clapping went up around the club at the sight of them. They were all dressed exactly the same, hair done the same way. Silver form-fitting short-shorts with a white belt, a pointy silver bra with a single strip going up the center of their sternum and then around their necks. White gloves going up 3/4 quarters of their arms, banded with silver. Silver bands in their hair and white skin-tight boots up to their calves completed the outfit.

Irina stood directly in front of Jack, Sydney to her left in front of Vaughn; Sophia, to her right in front of Weiss and so on as they formed a line and 'V.'

Jack couldn't breathe watching his wife a few feet in front of him, dancing in-sync with the others, Irina as their clear leader. Her muscular, tan, scarred body was drool worthy in her current ensemble. She truly was a Fem-bot, a beautiful deadly assassin. He couldn't tear his eyes from her, nor could the others as they watched the women.

"Sweet Jesus…" Kendall gasped for breath going from woman to woman taking them in and their sexy dance and outfits. His eyes boggling at Irina and his mouth dropped open, he had to shake his head to concentrate and breathe. When his sight landed on Judy, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. She was looking directly at him with a sexy smile, feeling confident and sexy as hell at the moment.

When the move came where they slapped their own ass, a cheek at a time, every man in the club flinched feeling like they were the prey of the huntresses before them.

Sydney's predator gaze fell on Vaughn and the seduction in her eyes was his undoing shifting her body around in precise movements. When she turned her head very precisely back and forth with the same motion as her finger, scolding him… he felt like a bad boy and couldn't wait for his punishment.

Sergei decided in that moment his eyes locked with Princess Madeleine's that his ship had been sunk, and he was in love. She seemed to be dancing only for him and he struggled for every breath.

Dr. Ryan Peterson was frozen in his chair, unable to move watching his former professor, the now world re-known Mrs. Robinson, dance as a Fem-bot in front of him, shattering any fantasies he conjured up of her in college. His mouth went dry watching her and the other women smacking their ass cheeks again and again when the song and dance routine, called for it. He absolutely couldn't wait to get home to his wife after this.

When 'Are you ready boots? Start walking' began the Fem-bots spun on their heals and seductively walked away towards the bar, each sitting on different stool with the final note and their heads whipped back towards the men.

A thunderous round of clapping and whistles went round the club with everyone astonished and in-love with the Fem-bots.

"Holy-shit!" Weiss laughed and stood up, thankful for his large costume to cover his reaction to the unearthly creatures. "That was amazing!" He whistled again as the ladies stood, wrapped arms around each other's backs with big smiles and bowed.

"I can't believe we just did that!" Silvia laughed and then blushed seeing the positively animalistic look in her husband's eyes of burning passion, one she had not seen in years. "Irina, that was fantastic fun! Thank you!"

Irina just smiled and passed her a drink, signaling the bartender for water, which to the naked eye, would look like vodka.

*Come on Closer*

"Look at them. I'd say that from the fact most of them aren't standing… we had a 'positive' affect on them." Katya whispered to her sister's ear and laughed deeply when Irina did seeing she was right.

"Then we should go to them." Irina smiled and led the way her eyes locked with Jack's as she walked towards him and promptly sat on his crushed velvet suit covered lap. "Happy Birthday, Jack." She smiled, staring into his beautiful eyes behind the glasses and grabbed his face with one hand, kissing him passionately and leaving him breathless while more whistling could be heard and laughing.

His hands sliding up her thigh to her ribs and kissing her once more, this time softly with a smile. "Irina, that was… I just… you look...wow." Jack breathed scanning her body and outfit once more.

"So, you like?" She cocked her eyebrow with seductive eyes, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and pushing up his glasses with a smile.

"Oh yeah." Jack gasped, nodding unable to form coherent thoughts. "So that's why I am wearing this ridiculous costume then?" He laughed softly looking down at his attire, waving his thigh back and forth and moving Irina with it, where she sat perched, with bare legs crossed.

"I think you look sexy, Jack. Deal with it." Irina whispered with a thick accent that she knew drove him nuts. "Who better then to 'tame a Fem-bot' then the sexual prow-ness of Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery."

"Hmm." Jack smiled, realizing now why she'd chosen it for him, "Well, then in that case. I think you chose wisely, My Love."

"Good. I've got a surprise or two for you later." Irina smiled, whispering into his ear and kissing the spot below his ear sending a shiver through him.

"I don't know if I can take anymore of your surprises this weekend, between last night and tonight, I just may die of Cardiac Arrest." Jack whispered back to her, keenly aware they were always being watched.

"Well, get your shock paddles ready, Mr. Bristow because what I have in store for you is bound to be a surprise." She rubbed her nose with his and laughed thinking about what his reaction was going to be when she told him the news, hoping it would be a good one.

"Carrie… you… wow." Marshall bumbled, completely flustered with the Fem-bot on his lap, "Let's get married!"

"What?" Carried reared back in shock, "Are you serious?" She searched his eyes.

"Yes, I'm serious! Let's get married! Tonight! I love you! You, you, you are incredible! I love you!" Marshall picked up her hand and held it tightly to his chest, already sweating profusely in his Mini-me out fit, "Please?"

Carrie looked at him a moment, stunned and then smiled, "Yes, I'll marry you, Flinkman!" She grabbed him and kissed him hard while Weiss whistled loudly beside them.

"They're getting married!" He announced, clapping and whistling loudly again and again.

"Holy shit!" Vaughn turned with a smile to Sydney on his lap, "Marshall proposed to Carrie and they're getting married! Tonight!"

"This weekend is insane!" Sydney laughed, wrapping her arms around Vaughn and pulling him to stand to go congratulate them, nuzzling his face all the way up, "Did I tell you how much, I love your Goldmember?" She whispered and broke into a fit of deep giggles, already buzzing with alcohol.

Vaughn kissed her quickly, going in for seconds with a smile.

"Whose idea was this anyways? This party, these costumes… your costumes are just incredible!" He eyed her appreciatively once again, "Let me guess, you mother?"

"Yep." Sydney smiled, giggling. "Marshall, Carrie!" She spun instantly, hugging them both behind her, "Congratulations this is so exciting!"


*Foxey Lady*

"Come over here, Foxey Lady." Jack grabbed Irina's arm with a smile pulling her back to the dance floor hours later when a familiar song to them began to play, he sat her in his former seat in the front row.

When he began to sing the words, and all the other men joined in with him, their turn to give the women a performance, Irina couldn't stop the laughter, it radiated from all the women practically rolling in their chairs.

Their alcohol induced moves were entirely laugh worthy and even Mikhail was out there, moving his eye-patch from eye to eye singing and throwing out some rather impressive moves that had Irina and Bella in hysterics and Silvia and her girls were holding their sides watching their normally straight-laced father getting into the song.

With the lyrics of 'Foxey Lady here I come baby… I'm comin' to get you' came up, the women completely lost it with the men moving toward them, lips curling and thrusting their hips.

With the songs end, the women returned the standing ovation and the entire club was laughing hysterically at the performance.


*Only Fools Rush In*

Thirty minutes later, they were all at the Chapel of Love, still in their costumes and seated in the little pews, they watched as Marshall dressed as 'Mini-Me' and sweating bullets, walked Irina the supreme 'Fem-bot' down the aisle.

When she kissed his cheek and stepped to the left to assume her position she winked at Marshall at the other side, trying to ease his nerves and he gave her a smile. Normally, it was Elvis that would walk the bride down the aisle at this chapel but Jack as 'Austin Powers' walked Carrie, the bride 'Fem-bot' down the aisle. She and Marshall had asked Jack and Irina on the limo ride over if they would stand up as their witnesses since it was because of their relationship, and all the adventure, drama, comedy, and love connected with it that brought she and Marshall together. They happily accepted.

Jack kissed her cheek smiling and placed her hand with Marshall's taking a step back behind the groom, looking over at his own beautiful wife smiling as Elvis in a white sequined jumpsuit began the proceedings.

"Elvis is marrying Mini-Me and a Fem-bot, while Austin Powers… and the Tsar of Imperial Russia who is dressed as a Fem-bot are the witnesses… not to mention the group gathered to watch," Marcelo whispered to Kendall and Dixon, then snickered looking at himself and the others clothing in the pews. "Swedish and Russian Royals, SVR and CIA agents, and a few other celebrities we picked up at the party. This is classic!"

"This is the most bizarre and fun wedding, I've ever been to." Queen Silvia looked around and whispered with a smile of amusement and awe she laughed softly to Katya. "And I'm still crying." She dabbed at her blurry eyes and smiled wider. "I just love weddings."

"And by the State of Nevada and the city of Las Vegas, I now pro-nounce," Elvis quivered his lip and rocked his hips from side to side, making them all laugh, "You husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!"


"That was very nice of you." Jack slid closed the glass door of the massive shower behind him, joining Irina already standing under the spray later that evening. "To get Marshall and Carrie the Honeymoon Suite at The Palms." He smiled warmly into her eyes, seeing the flicker. "You own that hotel and casino, don't you?" His smile widened when he figured it out. When she responded with a soft nod and smile he laughed and moved in to kiss her softly.

Irina's stomach was alive with fluttering butterflies of nervousness about telling him the news. When he began to sing softly in her ear like Elvis from the chapel, 'For I can't help falling in love with you…' Her nervousness turned to into soft laughter as she turned in his arms, pressing her forehead to his as the warm water cascade around them.

"The wedding was beautiful, wasn't it?" Irina whispered to him, remembering her own and the wave of happiness she felt then and now.

"You mean in spite of being the most odd, and insane wedding ever?" Jack giggled with her, running his hands up and down her sides and back as they sway together under the water, "I would say, yes… it was beautiful."

"They are so happy." She whispered thinking about Marshall's cute face when he said his vows.

"It was your Fem-bots that pushed the boy over the edge," Jack laughed and pulled her closer. "Not that I can blame him; had I not already been married to you, I would have asked you on the spot." He cupped her face smiling, "I love you and thank you for my birthday gift. It's not one I am likely to ever forget."

"I love you, too." Irina smiled up into his brown gaze, inhaling and taking the plunge, "I'm glad you liked the party but… there is another gift I have to tell you about. One you'll have to wait awhile for it to arrive." Her dark eyes danced with mystery and laughter, "Sort of last minute thing."

*Blessed*

"Really?" Jack gave her a cocky grin and cupped her face with his hands, pressing their bodies together, "It sounds very intriguing. What is it? A special delivery?"

"Something like that, yes." Irina smiled and took another deep breath, "A very special delivery." Her dark eyes held his, tears already forming. "Jack, I'm pregnant." His mouth fell open and she was sure he stopped breathing. She knew he wasn't blinking as her eyes held his and watched the gauntlet of emotions flooding through them. She waited silently for him to say something but he was in obvious shock. "Jack." She said louder, nudging him and forcing him to breathe. "Do I need to get out those cardiac paddles?" She laughed softly trying desperately to calm her own nerves as she waited for his reaction.

"You're, you're, you're, you're… pregnant? Again?" Jack finally managed to get out barely above a whisper, his eyes searching hers not sure he heard her right.

She nodded softly, "Yes." Failing to hold back her tears any longer.

"How?" He asked the most obvious and dumb question in his state of shock, standing like stone in front of her.

"Jack, you know how. We've done this before." Irina sighed exasperated and wiping at her tears though she didn't know why, as they were standing in the shower under the water.

"Yeah, but… conceiving Lena was a miracle and this… how can we?" His thoughts and emotions were going all over the place.

"Have another miracle?" Irina looked into his eyes asking softly and finishing his thought and question.

Jack nodded slowly, finally moving his thumbs against her face as she slowly broke through the shock.

"We're blessed?" She answered softly and more tears fell when she shrugged with a smile.

"We're really having another baby?" Jack finally found his voice and organized his thoughts, though still speaking in hushed tones as though saying it loudly would make it go away.

"Yes." Irina smiled and reached up to take one of his hands from her face, slowly she separated from him and placed his palm over the firm little mound, barely visible and yet distinctly there when placing a hand on it.

His eyes went wide feeling it as well, his mind suddenly racing back in time almost twenty-nine years ago when she told him she was pregnant with Sydney and he felt the same 'bump.'

"I found out this morning." Irina caught his surprised eyes, though he didn't move his hand away from her body, "All the signs suddenly added up while I was in the bath and Katya had a pregnancy test delivered up, though I already knew." She smiled and used her free hand to wipe her tears, her breathing shaky at best, "It was positive."

"We're having another baby?" Jack repeated, this time more loudly fitting all the pieces together in his head and watched her nod with a small smile again. His mouth finally turned into a smile and he dropped to his knees in the shower, staring intently at her belly. With both hands he reached out gently to palm the little belly bump, his eyes darted up to hers. "We made another baby." His voice carried a hint of awe and his smile melted her heart.

"Yes." Irina smiled, her tears continuously falling seeing he was just as happy as she was now, in shock but happy. "We made another baby." She repeated softly and reached out to touch his face lightly with her fingertips where he was kneeling before her.

Jack's eyes met hers and she was positively glowing; his heart was about to explode in his chest.

"A baby." He repeated staring at her stomach in awe that such a thing was growing inside her this very moment, a miracle every time. "A baby." He whispered as his hand caressed her smooth skin interrupted by the jagged scar. "We literally, made love again." His smile widened at the idea and slowly he moved in, pressing his lips to the middle of the bump. The gesture brought immediate tears flooding into Irina's eyes and she couldn't stop the soft sob that escaped. He looked up at her and moved to stand, once again cupping her face and speaking softly. "Thank you. I love my gift."

"Really?" Irina asked, hiccupping with nervousness.

"Really." Jack nodded smiling and captured her lips with his in a sweet kiss.

When they parted, she snuggled into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her while she buried her face against his neck.

Jack suddenly remembered this morning and her mood and chuckled softly, "Is that why Katya told me I was not allowed inside and had to go away?"

"Yes." Irina sniffled and smiled, chucking with him. "I'm sorry, I was a wreck." Her breath tickled his ear.

"Why?" He smoothed his hand down her hair and back.

"Well, for one, I was still hung-over and sick as a dog; two, I was in shock over the fact I was actually pregnant again," She sighed, smiling again. "And three, I was thinking about the fact that my oldest child is getting married, and youngest, a baby still in diapers," She paused when Jack chuckled thinking about that himself. "But mostly, I was nervous about your reaction." She admitted softly, and traced his collarbone with her finger.

"Because of the way I reacted or rather didn't react, when you tried to tell me about Lena?" Jack asked softly, swallowing hard mentally kicking his own ass again for treating her the way he did that night.

"No," Irina answered quickly. "Yes." She added with as soft sigh feeling his arms wrap more tightly around her, "That was part of it, I guess. I was just afraid… that you wouldn't want this baby." Her damn tears were back and she cursed pregnancy hormones once more.

"Why would you think I wouldn't want our baby?" His heart clenched painfully hearing Irina say, that was her fear.

"I don't know, Jack. I'm not exactly rational right now and I certainly wasn't this morning! I was worried that you'd be worried about stuff like…like, my health and how this pregnancy is going to effect my body… my heart… my insulin levels. I didn't want you to worry about me, just be happy about our baby."

Jack's eyes went wide with something he hadn't thought about and his heart beat picked up instantly concerned now that it was brought to his attention thinking about her getting so ill this morning.

"I can hear your heart beat increasing." Irina whispered, hearing and feeling it with her head against his chest. "Please, don't worry about me."

"Irina, that's like asking me not to breathe." Jack kissed her head and nuzzled his face against her hair.

They held each other for a moment in silence, both of them thinking about the 'what ifs' and dangers.

Irina's mind and heart were tearing apart thinking about losing another child and the mere thought, was unbearable.

"I want this baby, Jack." She whispered softly against his neck a moment later. "I'm already in love with our baby. Giving up another child… would be like asking me, not to breathe." Her voice began to shake with the rawness of her statement and Jack instantly held her tighter, feeling tears pricking his own eyes.

"I know, My Love," He kissed her head repeatedly, his heart clenching painfully for her and her losses… their loss. "I'm not asking you to give up anything and I was in love with this baby the moment you told me you were pregnant." He rested his cheek against her head, still buried in his neck, speaking the honest truth. He couldn't give this baby up anymore then she could. "This baby is a blessing and everything will be all right, ok?" He jostled her in his arms with a smile through his tears, "Let's concentrate on that." He pulled her back to look into her teary eyes, cupping her face once more. "We made another baby." He whispered with a smile, still in awe.

"We made another baby." Irina smiled, the immediate joy taking over again.


"Irina?" Jack called out softly in the morning, finding their bed once again void of her presence. He swung his legs over the edge and that's when he heard it, the sound of her vomiting in the bathroom. Scrubbing his hands over his face, feeling terrible for her and worried all at the same time, he pulled on his discarded pajama pants.

"Hey," He called out softly, seeing Irina in the same position she was in yesterday morning though she managed to pull her pajamas on before she got sick this time he'd taken notice. He knelt down beside her and started running his hand over her back.

"I don't get it, Jack." Irina spit the disgusting bile still in her mouth into the toilet, miserably. "I didn't drink at all last night."

"Did you check your blood sugar?" He asked softly, concerned and trying to find the possible reason why she was still sick.

"Yes, before I got out of bed and it was normal." Irina no sooner finished her sentence before she was vomiting again and he helped hold her hair.

Jack cringed, knowing it had to be painful from the way it sounded and feeling terrible for her.

"Maybe it's just morning sickness?" He offered and she snapped back at him.

"I've never had morning sickness like this, Jack! Never!" She heaved immediately after and then went limp against her forearms when it was over.

"Okay." Jack rubbed her back and turned toward the open door when he heard a knock. "I'll be right back." He smiled when he opened the door and found his sister-in-law with his baby in her arms. "Katya."

Seeing his eyes dance with light and the smile that lit his face looking at Lena, Katya knew Irina had told him.

"Congratulations, Jack." She leaned up and kissed him, passing the bubbly baby off to him. "How is my dear sister this morning?"

"Terrible." He whispered and motioned with his head towards the bathroom just in time to hear Irina heave again as if on cue. "Her insulin levels are fine and she didn't drink last night." He shrugged at a loss.

"Ah… morning sickness." Katya smiled, empathizing already with her sister remembering her own bout with it.

"Well, you convince her of that then because she swears it isn't as she's never had it before." Jack continued to whisper, running his hand over the side of his beautiful baby's face, worried about her mother.

"She's never been a Diabetic before, either." Katya arched her eyebrow in the Derevko way with a smirk, knowing her stubborn sister. She headed off towards the bathroom with Jack on her heels. "Rina," She smiled entering the enormous space, "You have clothes on! I am in shock!" She teased her and laughed when Irina gave her the finger again, "That's not very lady-like, Your Majesty."

"I don't feel very Lady-like with my head in a toilet right now, Ekaterina." Irina spoke into her folded arms into the toilet bowl and Katya laughed even more coming to sit beside her and looking back at Jack with Lena.

"Ooh, she used my full name, Jack! I'm in trouble now." Katya dropped a kiss to her sister's head, and placed her hand on her back. "So, you have morning sickness apparently." She knew there would be an argument until every option was exhausted.

"No!" Irina shook her head adamantly in her arms, not willing to believe that she had such a thing. "I never had it before. Not with Sydney, not with Jack." Katya and Jack's hearts both burned hearing her speak of their lost baby, "Not with Lena, not with any of the others. Never."

"Irina," Katya leaned over speaking more softly finding the humor of the situation leaving immediately after the reference to her lost pregnancies and son. "I know that, Darling, but you've also never had Diabetes, essentially, when you were pregnant with any of them. Your body is different this time."

Irina knew she was right but she couldn't stand facing waking up to this for many more mornings to come. "But I wasn't sick at all with any type of morning sickness until yesterday when Jose sprang into a Revolt!"

That answer did make Katya and Jack both laugh softly.

"Sister, you are so funny." Katya ran one hand over the back of Irina's thick hair and the other clasping her arm. "Jose probably is responsible for kicking off the festivities, Darling." Katya smiled, trying to hold back her laughter, "and now you'll have to party until the Season passes."

"But I don't want to party anymore!" Irina whined into the toilet and Jack and Katya both smiled widely, stifling laughs.


*Baby of Mine*

"I'm sorry, My Little Incubator, but you're going to have to for awhile. I know it's terrible." Katya ran her hand down Irina's back again and motioned for Jack to hand her Lena, "But this too shall pass and the end result is most definitely worth the effort." The baby squealed with a giggle, bouncing in her aunt's lap, reaching for her mother.

"Mama mama mama!" Lena babbled, reaching with her tiny hand out to Irina.

Irina smiled in spite of her position and turned her head to look into the eyes of her beautiful baby, earning her another smile.

"Absolutely worth the effort." Irina sighed with a smile when Lena leaned forward and gave her mother's arm a sloppy baby kiss that made them all laugh.

Later that afternoon, Irina leaned her head back against the headrest, looking out the window at the clouds on the jet back to LA, twirling Lena's curls in her fingers while the baby slept against her chest. Her baby scent was intoxicating and a soft smile appeared on Irina's lips as she thought about her children and the new baby.

There were risks and dangers, days of morning sickness and years of additional worry coming her way but none of that mattered when she looked down at the sleeping child on her chest. Her finger tracing the outline of Lena's ear admiring her tiny features, her little button nose and soft lips, her downy hair that was turning into big curls, her long dark eyelashes and tiny fingers that clutched desperately to her mother even in sleep, her sweet little breaths and smiles in her sleep; absolute perfection and love.

Jack returned to his seat and his smile matched Irina's when he sat beside her, his palm going over Lena's back as he leaned over and kissed his wife, looking into her eyes.

'Everything would be ok.'


*Good Life*

"Oh my…" Irina gasped when she read the paper in her hand, smiling.

"What?" Jack shifted Lena as he lay on the couch, playing with their baby while Irina sat on the other end going through their mail later that night.

Mikhail, Bella, Katya, Sophia, Sergei, Marcelo, Julian, Sydney, Vaughn and Weiss had all gone out for a walk along the beach to watch the sunset and then pick up dinner and bring it back as they had to return to Russia, Italy, and France the following day, save Katya who would be staying with them until the week's end and the Bristow part of the Romanovs made their way to Russia.

"What is 'Oh my' worthy?" Jack asked again waiting for Irina's answer.

"It's the results of my blood test from Stockholm," She paused smiling and her eyebrows slanted, biting her lip in thought before she looked up at Jack. "It's negative for Enhancement Drugs, of course… but it does note that the standard pregnancy test was 'positive."

"You were pregnant when you ran the marathon?" Jack gasped softly, in surprise and adding to his concern.

"Apparently so." Irina looked at him and smiled her famous enigmatic smile with playful eyes, passing him the paper, "And according to further testing, we conceived on the night of the Coronation." She giggled at the irony of she and Jack's ability to conceive babies on special events.

Jack's eyes went wide looking from Irina to the paper while trying to keep the baby from tearing it with her need to grab everything. His smile finally reaching his eyes shaking his head thinking Irina's earlier thought about the irony of them and special events.

"Well, how perfect. We started a new chapter in our lives that night, you took over as Tsar of Imperial Russia and we promised each other forever and always." He held his hand out to her smiling as she took it and crawled over on top of him, "And what could be a better culmination," He waited until she was settled halfway on his chest with Lena on the other half, "Of all those things happening on one night than to create a baby out of love in it's purest form?" His lips met hers in tender and sweet kiss.

"Mmm, I love you… my thoughts exactly." Irina smiled and kissed him again twice quickly, much like she had in India for the first time in twenty-one years. "I know what you're thinking." She smiled and laughed, propping her head up on one hand beside him looking from his eyes to Lena who was bobbing back and forth sitting on his chest and smiling as she chewed on her books edges.

"Do you?" Jack mirrored her question from the train with a smile and she laughed, knowing she was exactly right.

"You're thinking about India and the train station when I kissed you like that." Irina's eyes went back to his with a smug smile and teasing. She rather enjoyed the look on his face in that moment, catching him completely off guard.

Jack laughed and shook his head, once again amazed by their ability to read each other's minds.

"Between those kisses and your strip down in the Sleeper Car, you were pushing all my buttons." He shook his head with a tight laugh, "Absolutely unbearable! You weren't fighting fair at all."

"Hey, you set the rules, remember? All's fair in love and war. You tried to have me executed two weeks prior to that trip. I think I was entitled to use all of my weapons and ammo at my disposal." Irina teased him with a smirk and twisted his nipple through his shirt for good measure making him jump.

"Yes, not one of my finer moments." Jack formed a tight line with his mouth and furrowed his brow, absolutely horrified and disgusted with himself over that. "I'm so sorry about that and I will be for eternity."

"Please, I don't want to take our regrets into the next life." Irina looked at him sternly then smiled, "Let's leave those here."

"Good point!" Jack smiled and laughed, knowing she was absolutely incredible and letting him off the hook but not without some tormenting first.

"And then you threw me off the train!" Irina poked him hard repeatedly in the sternum, laughing thinking about that entire scene.

"I had to! There was so much unresolved sexual tension in that car, I was sure we were going to suffocate ourselves and Sydney, if something drastic didn't happen!" Jack answered, grabbing her fingers and stopping the Chinese torture with a smile and laugh.

"Sydney jumped first. You then threw me out! Your logic doesn't work, Bristow!" Irina looked at him pointedly.

"Sydney knew she was leaping out to save her sanity before I threw you down and had my way with you in front of her." Jack countered and Irina burst into a fit of laughter. "You were so damn stubborn!"

"Me?" She rose up on her elbow again with wide-eyes laughing, "You were so damn pessimistic with your, 'this jump is suicide, we'll never make it, you're setting us up,' you were driving me insane! I would've jumped first, like I said, but I didn't want to give you a reason to 'officially' blow my head off with C4 around my neck, seeing as though you were already trying to come up with logistical ways to do it."

Jack was quiet a moment, trying to think of something to say in response to that, feeling her gaze and smile burning into him.

"It's been noted, that at the time, I wasn't exactly thinking clearly where you were concerned."

"So you threw me out of the train?" Irina looked at him pointedly, tapping her fingers on his chest with a deadly smirk, chiseling away until she got the real answer.

"Yes! Because I knew you were right." He grabbed her drumming fingers once more, "And I just didn't want you to be! And certainly not admit to it!" Jack smiled knowing that was the answer she was fishing for.

"Ah ha!" Irina smiled, and leaned up to kiss his lips twice like before, content with herself, she let him off the hook. "And here we are almost two years later." Irina added softly, lying her head on his chest and fingering their beautiful baby's cheek.

Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulders and ran his fingers through her hair; his eyes catching their wedding photo on the end table and her gorgeous smile that day; his eyes moved to his baby girl now sitting on his chest wearing the same gorgeous smile as she giggled from her mother's tickling and finally, to the woman on his chest, a welcome weight that had been longed for too many years.


*Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo*

"What should we make for dinner?" Irina asked sweetly, cruising through the grocery aisle alongside Sydney pushing the cart with Lena in the child's seat. They'd gone shopping while Julian, Jack and Vaughn went golfing, enjoying their semi-retirement.

"I think we should make something Italian. I've been craving that lately." Sydney voiced her thoughts and inhaled the fresh garlic cheese bread smell floating through the store from the bakery.

"Katya, how do you feel about that since you live in Italy?" Irina smiled and laughed looking over to her sister while she put a bag of potatoes in the cart.

"I think that we should… What the hell is this music?" Katya looked around the produce aisle with celery in hand, turning in circles.

"It's Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!" Sydney looked at her aunt incredulously as she leaned on the front of the cart, bobbing her head and singing along to Lena; smiling when Irina joined in.

"Sophia never watched Cinderella?" Irina smiled from her sister to her daughter, remembering, "It was one of Sydney's favorites."

"Yes. Of course she did but, why is this music playing in the grocery store?" Katya recognized the song now but flabbergasted as to why it was on.

"To advertise Disney." Sydney smiled up at her like it was the most logical explanation. "The grocery chains offer Two-for-One ticket deals to Southern Californian residents for Disneyland."

"Ah!" Katya smiled, "I see." She was slightly less irritated by the music now. "Yes, Italian sounds fine but I was thinking, just a suggestion, that we'll be in Russia for some time to come now." She set the celery in the cart and reached for plastic bag to start collecting apples, "Perhaps, we should have something of the Californian Cuisine variety as we only have a few days left here?"

"Mmm, that sounds like a good plan." Sydney continued to bob her head with the music suddenly flooded with memories of watching Cinderella with her mother when she was little.

*When You Wish Upon A Star*

"I'm remembering, Mom!" Sydney smiled brightly, turning to face her mother busy collecting various fruits. "I remember how, one night you let me leave my Barbie clothes out for the mice to steal; so they'd have clothes!"

Irina started laughing, "Yes! That's right!" She smiled happily, "I'm so glad you're remembering, Sweetheart."

"It's the music, it's triggering memories." Sydney listened closely and handed Lena a rubber teething toy.

"Music has a way of doing that." Katya smiled, placing the bag of green apples into the cart. "Sydney," She paused looking down and giggling.

"What?" Sydney looked up at her aunt with a curious smile.

"It's working, the music. I want to go to Disneyland." Katya laughed humming along while Sydney and Irina burst out laughing.

"Well, I suppose we could go tomorrow." Irina smiled, shrugging at her sister's strange request while she put the bags of mangoes into the cart and continued on down the aisle, as did Katya.

Sydney froze instantly, and stayed where she was. Blinking and blinking again at the orange and red fruit in front of her, noting how many there were, and there were many… and then to her baby sister in front of her. "Oh my god." She inhaled sharply barely above a whisper.

"Sydney, are you coming?" Irina turned around and smiled at her daughter then noticed the look on her face. "Sydney?" She called out softly again to get her attention.

"Mangoes! You're pregnant again!" Sydney practically shouted in shock down the aisle and Irina and Katya's eyes met and then flew around the aisle to see who was in hearing distance that could report it to the Press.

"Sydney," Irina started walking back towards her daughters, speaking in a calm voice, the image of serenity.

"You are! Aren't you?" Sydney looked at her and noticed the glow and the way her mother wasn't refuting her claims.