Like Normal People Do
By: Ellie
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Don't sue.
A/N: See my post below please. :) ~Ellie
Ch. 25- Resurfacing
Vaughn smiled to himself as he heard Sydney hum softly with the jazzy tune on the radio. She had been cheerful since they had pulled out of the beachside parking lot and as he maneuvered their long, black, sedan into the parking garage he couldn't help but hope that her mood wouldn't change as a result of their meeting with Kendall.
Pulling carefully into a designated parking spot, Vaughn killed the engine and turned to face Sydney in the passenger seat, chuckling when he saw the euphoric expression spread across her face.
"If I didn't know any better…I'd say you were on something, Syd."
Sydney arched against her seat and her smile widened. "I can't help it. I'm just so…content. We're getting married." She glanced down at the diamond on her finger. "I'm finally wearing my engagement ring. And we're having a baby. A baby that's currently healthy." She added with a nod.
Vaughn shrugged teasingly. "Eh. I guess you're not doing so badly, Bristow."
"Thanks for your approval." Sydney responded dryly.
Both were silent for a moment before Vaughn's reluctant tone pierced the air.
"We should go in."
Sighing, Sydney nodded and moved to open her car door. Pausing for a moment, she turned to him. "Everything is going to be fine, right?"
Vaughn shrugged with an air of nonchalance. "Of course." And he moved quickly around the vehicle to offer his hand as she lifted herself from her seat. Smiling as Sydney rose to face him, he closed the door and pressed her back into the car's side. Raising one tender hand to knead gently at the tense muscles at the back of her neck, he took advantage of the position and expertly guided her face to his.
After a soft kiss and an exchange of anxious smiles, Sydney walked just a few purposeful steps before she halted, turning to wait until Vaughn caught up.
* * * * * * * * *
Neither Sydney nor Vaughn could help but feel slightly displaced as they entered their former place of employment. A place with the nostalgic remnants of so many emotions. For Sydney, it had all started with a stirring sense of suspicion. A fear that, after SD-6, no one was to be trusted. Of course, for both of them, it had evolved and become an unspoken agreement of trust. A contract sealed by Vaughn's desire to protect his asset and by Sydney's vengeful obligations to Danny. As they listened to phones ringing and keyboards clicking, they were reminded of the ground they had covered. Of the fact that moving away had allowed them to move forward…and this mobility was something they weren't quite ready to relinquish.
The pair deftly maneuvered their way through the maze of desks, Vaughn's hand resting lightly on the small of Sydney's back in a gesture that was as reassuring to him as he hoped it was to her. As they approached the brooding trio formed by Kendall, Devlin, and Jack, they noticed that the men appeared to be involved in a rather heated discussion and just as Sydney was considering their probable topic of conversation, her train of thought was derailed by whoop of laughter.
Vaughn tensed noticeably and cringed when he heard the deep, baritone belly laugh. Shooting an apologetic look at Sydney, he pivoted to face the offender and inadvertantly steered her directly into Weiss' line of sight.
"Well, if it isn't Flopsy and Mopsy, the preppie poster twins." Reaching a hand toward each of them, he managed to snag a chunk of cheek flesh and pinch rather enthusiastically. "Awww…you're just so precious in the outfits that mommy chose fo…oomph!" Releasing each of their faces, he doubled over to nurse the punch to the stomach Sydney had just delivered.
"Don't. Pinch. My. Cheek." Sydney ground out as Vaughn stood by with a smirk on his face.
Weiss raised his hands in defeat and responded squeakily. "My mistake. Won't happen again. You're very pretty. And strong."
Once she was satisfied that Weiss' twin comments would cease, Sydney nodded affirmatively and leaned into Vaughn as he hooked an arm around her waist. Still chocking down his laughter at Sydney's bullying behavior, Vaughn attempted to sober his expression. "So…uh…Weiss. Any idea what we're doing here? Is everything okay with Sloane's case?"
Slightly alarmed by Vaughn's question, Sydney turned to Weiss with raised eyebrows and she was disappointed when he shrugged.
"Sorry. Not a clue." He motioned towards the group of men who were now eyeing them rather disapprovingly. "But I think we're about to find out."
* * * * * * * * *
Sydney stiffened in her chair when a photo of Arvin Sloane appeared on a screen in the conference room as Kendall summarized the recent happenings in his pursuit and arrest. Heaving a sigh, she took advantage of the table in front of her and lifted a hand to her stomach to tug slightly at the waistband of her pants. Initially, she had been dreading the experience of being pregnant. She hadn't wanted to go through the awkwardness of being swollen, bloated, and irritable. But the idea was becoming all the more enticing and she found herself hoping that her hand would detect a curve to her belly.
She was so enthralled by the prospect of a new, more curvaceous figure that she didn't notice the sudden silence that had fallen over the room.
"Agent Bristow?" Kendall's gaze was probing as she raised her eyes to his.
"Yes? I'm sorry." Sydney blushed as she realized that the entire room had turned its attention to her.
"Well, Agent Bristow. I was just informing everyone that it's been determined that you and Agent Vaughn have fulfilled your duties here. There are still a few loose ends, but nothing that can't be tied up over the phone or during a short visit. Have the two of you decided when you'll be returning to work? You understand that the CIA is eager for both of you to return to active duty."
"Actually," Vaughn broke in, "we have discussed it. Agent Bristow and I would like to request a moment with you at the conclusion of your presentation, if that's all right."
"Fine." Kendall nodded curtly before moving on to new business.
* * * * * * * * *
As the other agents filed from the room in their usual orderly fashion, Sydney and Vaughn remained behind so that they could discuss their decision with their CIA superiors, Kendall and Jack.
"Agents Vaughn and Bristow." Kendall acknowledged them once again. "What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?"
After several late night discussions, they had finally decided what they wanted to do for the remainder of her pregnancy and Sydney raised her chin confidently as she relayed their plans to him. "We've decided to remain in Lucosa for the remainder of the school year. We've considered our options and, the truth is, since I can't be on active duty anyway…"
Kendall raised a hand before cutting Sydney off. "What do you mean you can't be on active duty?"
Sydney turned wordlessly to Vaughn and allowed him to take the reins of the conversation. "Sydney and I are expecting a baby this summer. And I think you can understand why we don't think it would be a good idea for her to work as a field agent for the time being…if at all."
Bringing a hand to his chin, Kendall nodded. "I see. Well, I can't say that I'm thrilled about this development but I suppose that given your combined contributions to this agency…we can grant you a leave of absence."
"That won't be necessary for Vaughn, sir. If you can make the arrangements, it won't be a problem for him to work out of the Sacramento branch of the agency. And we fully intend to return to LA when it's time for the baby to be born."
Kendall wore an ugly scowl for a moment before he turned to see a silent Jack directing a menacing glare towards him. Throwing his hands in the air, he relented. "All right! I'll contact Sacramento and make arrangements for them to serve as our liaison. You two are free to go."
The remaining trio watched Kendall stride heavily from the room before Sydney turned to Jack. "Thanks, Dad."
"Your thanks is unnecessary, Sydney. I didn't say a word."
Shaking her head slightly at her father's obstinate manner, Sydney lifted herself to her tiptoes to place a peck on his cheek. "See you soon, Dad. I'll keep in touch."
* * * * * * * * *
"So you'll return to LA to have the baby?" Irina questioned the pair with a steady eye and a hand that wandered upward every so often to tuck a stray strand behind her ear.
"Yes. We just want to leave Lucosa on our own terms. Not because of Sloane or some kind of covert extraction." Sydney responded.
"You want to regain control of your own lives now that Sloane is gone." Irina stated astutely.
Sydney raised her eyebrows at her mother's apparent understanding of her feelings. "For so many years now, every move…every decision has been some how colored or affected by the status of my relationship with Arvin Sloane. He's been in the back of my mind for so long that I still find myself analyzing the repercussion of my actions as they pertain to him."
Sydney glanced up at Vaughn before continuing.
"I can't do that anymore. My decisions can't be based on him…or even just on myself. I've got two other people in my life now. Those are the people I need to be making my decisions for. For Vaughn. And, in another few months, for our baby."
Irina nodded in understanding before her maternal streak flickered through. "And how is the baby? Your pregnancy is progressing normally?" She scrutinized Sydney's middle. "You're beginning to show."
Both Sydney and Vaughn glanced down before looking at each other with smiles. "You can tell?" Sydney asked her tentatively.
"Of course I can tell. You have a figure a lot like mine." She gestured upward to Sydney. "Of course, you got your height from your father." She eyed Sydney closely before speaking with a knowing hint of a smile. "Soon, you'll be leaving the top button of your pants undone."
Sydney glanced down and flushed under her mother's intimate observations. "You're probably right. I didn't think that anyone could tell…I was beginning to wonder if it wasn't all just a mistake."
Irina was quiet for a moment before bringing a hand up to rub at her tense jawline. "I hope that you'll allow me to see a picture of the baby. My first grandchild." She added softly.
Sydney glanced over to Vaughn who had been a silent observer for the duration of the visit. His expression had remained stoic and his figure rigid against the far wall, so Sydney was surprised when he spoke up.
"Our child will know his or her grandparents." He paused for effect. "All of them." And with one loving look towards Sydney, he stepped back into his role as passive observer just waiting for them to say their good-byes.
* * * * * * * * *
They were even lighter on their feet as they moved away from the direction of Irina's cell. So glad to get the visit with Irina out of the way, Vaughn was bold enough to place an arm around Sydney's shoulders and he barely flinched when he heard Weiss call out their names. Turning to face his friend once again, he was surprised to see a look of sincerity on Weiss' face as he spoke.
"It was really good to see the two of you. Come back and visit us soon, won't you? I need the occasional jolt of Spy-Sydney goodness, don't you know!"
Sydney smiled and raised a hand in a friendly wave. "It was good to see you, Weiss."
Vaughn shook his head. "See you later, man."
It wasn't until they were moving again that they heard him call out one more time.
"Good luck with the Doublemint audition, you two! Don't worry. You're gonna nail it!"
* * * * * * * * *
"I'm going to miss you so much!" Francie was blubbering as she wrapped Sydney and then Vaughn in desperate embraces. Dashing the tears away with the back of her hand, she succeeded in smearing her eye make-up and Sydney smothered a giggle at her friend's blatant display of emotion. She'd forgotten just how dramatic Francie was…and she'd missed it. Sydney pulled back from Will and moved back towards Francie for yet another good-bye hug. With a gentle squeeze, Sydney whispered into Francie's ear. "We'll be back in a few months, Fran. And it's not as though we won't keep in touch this time. You'll hear from us constantly." She glanced towards Vaughn as she spoke and he correctly guessed that it was time to make their getaway.
Having packed up their few belongings, Sydney and Vaughn were making a quick break back to Lucosa. They'd already tied up their loose ends and two days after meeting with Kendall, they were ready to resume the quiet lives they'd established for their covers.
Of course, there was that little detail of telling the entire community of Lucosa that they weren't Josh and Natalie Parks…but Michael Vaughn and Sydney Bristow. Depending on the outcome of the big announcement, they could find themselves back in LA after being banished from the tiny town. As she considered this distinct possibility, Sydney became so distracted that she barely felt Vaughn's arm slide around her shoulders or the kiss he placed on her forehead.
"Syd? Earth to Sydney." Vaughn bent his knees slightly to lower himself to her smaller stature. He lightly caressed her cheek with his hand. "You okay?"
Suddenly aware of the spectacle she was making, she shook her head cheerily. "I'm fine. Sorry!" She turned to blow one more kiss to Will and Francie before climbing into the cab Vaughn had called. Will and Francie had offered to take them to the airport, but Francie's sobs were just too much to handle in public and Sydney had politely declined. Vaughn joined her in the backseat momentarily and took the opportunity to take her left hand. Sydney smiled slightly as he fingered her engagement ring.
"Admiring your own taste, Agent Vaughn?" Lifting her gaze, she smirked at his flushed face.
"Well, I do have impeccable taste." He stated simply. "And I know you can't refute that because a man's taste in jewelry reflects his taste in women." He glanced up at her before continuing sweetly. "And I happen to think that I chose the perfect diamond."
Sydney didn't even try to mask the grin that creased her face as she murmured her response. "Can't argue with airtight reasoning like that."
Vaughn chuckled cockily. "That's my law degree at work. And if I only get paid in dimples for the rest of my life…it will be worth every penny in student loans."
Sydney made a point to sober her expression before replying. "Well that's a good thing. Because on a teacher's salary, dimples are about all I can afford to pay. Unless you have an installment plan…" She trailed off teasingly.
* * * * * * * * *
Even after the short hour-long flight, both Sydney and Vaughn were exhausted upon their arrival in Sacramento. Leaning on each other as they made their way through the terminal, they did a quick inventory of their belongings before hopping the shuttle out to the remote parking lot where they'd left their car.
Sydney was relieved to see her beloved Land Cruiser in one piece and Vaughn was very near the point of hysterics as he watched her touch the vehicle with nearly as much reverence and intimacy as when she touched him. Satisfied that the car was fine, Sydney generously offered Vaughn the keys and promptly fell asleep the moment they hit the freeway.
With Sydney's light snores serenading him for the duration of the drive, Vaughn was thrilled when he finally pulled into the driveway of their little Victorian. Glancing around the neighborhood, he heaved a sigh of relaxation. Strings of Christmas lights dangled haphazardly from the eaves of several houses and wreaths were hung on nearly every front door. There was even a plastic snowman grinning from Mrs. Trenton's front yard and he smiled at the sight of two young girls (assumedly her granddaughters) playing hopscotch on her driveway.
With a gentle shake of her shoulder, Vaughn managed to wake Sydney and the pair headed inside to unpack. Once safely inside, Sydney took the opportunity to take a deep breath and absorb her surroundings. The couch they always shared as they graded papers with the television blaring, the trinkets and knick-knacks she'd grown attached to, and the worn floorboards that chilled their bare feet in the morning. She loved this life. She loved this house. But what she really loved was sharing it with Vaughn. And while she knew she would miss the people and places of Lucosa, there was no doubt in her mind that when the school year finished, she needed to be with her family and friends in LA.
Soft footsteps jarred the floor from behind her and she turned to meet the familiar intruder. Slipping her arms around his neck, she turned and gazed thoughtfully at their living room.
"We don't even have a Christmas tree."
"That's easily fixed." He responded. His hands were resting lightly on her hips and she shivered slightly when she felt his fingers crawl from her side towards her belly.
"Let's take a look." He suggested playfully before pulling her back down the hallway towards their bedroom.
Moving her in front of the vanity mirror, Vaughn lifted her shirt slightly to get a good look at the subtle swell she had been in search of for the past several days. He couldn't help but laugh out loud at the surprise he found. "Aww, Syd! Why didn't you tell me earlier that you couldn't button your pants? Your mom was right!"
Sydney glanced down at the forgotten button and blushed slightly. She made a quick show of struggling to slip the button through the buttonhole and Vaughn was thrilled when the two corners came nearly an inch short of each other. Sydney shrugged, "Why do you think I was wearing a longer sweatshirt? I haven't worn these jeans for a month or two. I just threw them in my bag when we were packing. It never occurred to me that they might not fit. Actually, most of my jeans are getting to be a little snug around the middle." She admitted.
Vaughn let his hand rest on her tummy before he spoke. "Well there's nothing sexier than a woman in overalls." As he wiggled his eyebrows, Sydney rolled her eyes and let her shirt fall back over her waist.
"Good. Because I can just about guarantee that I'm going to be sporting the big, baggy overalls for the next several months. Possibly longer." Moving across the room, she crawled onto the bed and eyed him with her chin propped in her hands.
Sydney Bristow had seen and experienced so much in her lifetime that Vaughn often forgot that she had yet to reach thirty years of age. And while the age difference wasn't a huge gap by any standards, there were times that he would melt over the sporadic displays of her youth. Seeing her laying on her stomach with her feet swinging back and forth like a teen at a slumber party…she was adorable.
Unprepared for the tender look that appeared on his face suddenly, Sydney looked at him questioningly before pushing herself upright.
"Vaughn?" She shot him an encouraging smile his way. "What's up?"
He was silent for a moment as he attempted to craft a response. "I'm just very much in love with you at this very moment. I mean…I'm always in love with you. But right here, right now…life is pretty close to perfect."
* * * * * * * * *
The moment of truth came just two days later after a fun-filled day of tree decorating that Vaughn had concocted in an attempt to ease Sydney's mind about the impending meeting she had scheduled with the administration of Lucosa Elementary.
Just as Sydney's taste in pumpkins had been quite specific, Vaughn's standards for a Christmas tree were impossibly high and the pair had spent the larger portion of the day just looking for a tree that would be acceptable in Michael Vaughn's home. Sydney smiled as she recalled the moment that she'd inadvertently discovered the perfect Douglas Fir.
FlashbackSydney stood in the center of a large tree lot and raised her hands in desperation. They had been looking for the perfect Christmas tree for the past several hours and Vaughn had consistently deemed every tree they'd studied to be unacceptable.
"What about that one?" Sydney pointed to her right.
"Too tall."
"That one?" To her left.
"Too short."
"That one?" Behind him.
"Too green."
"Too GREEN?" Sydney raged. "It's a Christmas tree! How can it be too green?!"
"It's too green." He stated simply.
Sydney took a breath before speaking sweetly. "Vaughn?"
"Yeah, Syd?"
"Do you want to make our baby happy?"
"What?" He eyed her in suspiciously. "Of course I do."
"Good." She growled. "Because your baby wants THIS tree!" Sydney motioned wildly to one of the hundreds of random trees just behind her and was a bit confused when she saw Vaughn's eyes light up.
"That's it!" Walking slowly towards the chosen tree, he moved slowly around it inspecting each and every branch. "Not too tall, not too short, a perfect shade of forest green, nice fullness, sturdy branches, a good strong trunk, and the perfect top to hold the star."
Sydney just stood gaping.
"Good job, Sydney." Vaughn moved over to kiss her forehead before he went in search of an employee who could help them with their purchase.
End Flashback
All in all, it had been a great day. They didn't really have any decorations, so they'd opted to do things the old fashioned way. The entire evening had been incredibly romantic as they strung popcorn and cranberry strands, made ornaments from construction paper, and listened to Christmas carols while sitting in front of the fireplace.
Even now, Sydney couldn't help but grin as she sat in their newly decorated living room looking at the tinfoil star she'd perched crookedly on the tree. But nothing made her happier than the stockings Vaughn had surprised her with. Traditional red velvet trimmed in jaunty white fur and festive gold piping, each with a name embroidered in scrawled golden letters. Michael, Sydney, and Baby.
* * * * * * * * *
Adjusting her position in the plastic chair obviously intended for the school's students, Sydney fiddled with her purse strap as she waited to meet with the principal, the vice-principal, and several members of Lucosa's School Board.
"Natalie, they'll see you now." Sharon Lebon graced Sydney with a friendly smile as she gestured towards the small conference room behind her. "Good luck."
Smiling her thanks to the other woman, Sydney stood slowly and took a breath before entering the small room. She had prepared herself for the meeting by bringing all the legal documentation of Sydney's qualifications that she could find. Lowering a hand to smooth any wrinkles from her dark suit, she stepped into the conference room and was faced with six penetrating stares. She was certain that her popularity hadn't increased when she'd requested a meeting the day before the start of Christmas Break.
"Mrs. Parks, it's so good to see you. I trust that you've taken care of your personal obligations and that all is well?" Catherine Townsend, the school's principal, was gentle in her inquiry and gave Sydney a soft smile.
"You could say that. Yes." Sydney confirmed.
"So what is it that you wanted to address, Natalie?" Heather's mother, Allison Doherty, questioned her before adding. "We've been so happy with your contributions here at LES, I just hope that you've been satisfied with the arrangement."
"Well thank you." Sydney responded, flattered by the woman's words. "Actually, I do have a problem, but it's one of my own making so to speak."
She glanced around the room before dropping the bombshell.
"My name isn't Natalie Parks."
Complete and total silence.
Crickets chirping. Pins dropping. Dead air.
And then came the outrageous laughter.
Unsure as to what her next step should be, Sydney sat for a moment as the others caught their breath. Then, without a word, she slipped the small portfolio on the table. Watching as the contents were passed around the table, Sydney spoke once again.
"There's actually a rather interesting story behind this whole debacle…if you've got the time."
* * * * * * * * *
"And I just want to let you know how much I've appreciated this opportunity. I've always wanted to teach…this job was one of the perks of going into hiding. I know I haven't been able to give you details on the circumstances that forced me to leave Los Angeles, but you understand…the case is still underway and there's a gag order in place. But I've provided you with my own resume and list of qualifications. I fully understand if you make the decision to terminate my position here, but I would really love to stay and finish the school year." Sydney cleared her throat upon the conclusion of her speech and glanced around to gauge the reactions of the others in the room.
Principal Townsend spoke first. "Ahem. Well…Sydney…that's quite a tale. I think it's fairly safe to say that there's no precedent for an instance such as this. I think it goes without saying that we're disappointed that you took the position with the knowledge that you could be prevented from fulfilling your duties. That said, I'm also aware that you were approached as a candidate for this job. And you've been nothing but a tremendous asset to our faculty. The children adore you and they're being stimulated in your classroom. And the parents like you. I think the only fair thing would be to have you re-apply for the position as Sydney Bristow. We'll take your application into consideration and let you know our decision in the next twenty-four hours."
"That seems quite fair." Sydney stated agreeably.
"On a more personal note, Sydney," Allison spoke up. "This news will no doubt be all over town by the end of the day. I think we all wish you luck in dealing with the inevitable barrage of questions and demands that will no doubt be headed your way."
Sydney smiled before standing. "Thank you all for your time. I really appreciate your thoughtful handling of this situation." And turning on her heel, she walked right out the door feeling freer than she had in quite some time.
* * * * * * * * *
"So it went okay?" Vaughn lifted the wide spoon to Sydney's lips as she tasted the pasta sauce he was preparing for their dinner.
"As 'okay' as one would expect, I guess." Sydney shrugged. "I can't complain. They were really fair about the whole thing. They told me they'll let me know within twenty-four hours." She took a bit of sauce onto her tongue. "Mmmm, delicious."
Vaughn lowered the spoon and continued to stir the concoction. "And you're not nervous?"
Sydney cocked her head thoughtfully. "I guess I am. But there's not really much I can do about it now. And I don't have any regrets. It's not like I chose to go into hiding. Besides," she motioned back and forth between them, "if we hadn't moved here, where would we be?"
Vaughn grinned. "Well, you probably wouldn't be sitting on the counter in our house watching me make our dinner." He reached over with his free hand and gave her knee a squeeze.
"Exactly." Sydney caught his hand and drew him away from the stove, towards her perch on the tiled counter. "And what fun would that be?"
Vaughn said nothing as he wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her off the edge of the counter and out of the kitchen.
But not without turning off the stove.
* * * * * * * * *
Hours later, Vaughn sat propped against their headboard with Sydney tucked securely beneath his arm.
"More?" He held a fork of cold pasta towards her before she declined with a shake of her head.
"No thanks." She wrinkled her nose. "Cold pasta isn't on my top ten list for foods."
"But the sauce is delicious, isn't it?" He teased as he let the plate settle with a clatter on his nightstand.
"Scrumptious." She responded lazily before she was startled by the high-pitched ringing of the phone. Picking up the cordless that sat on the nightstand, Vaughn listened to her end of the conversation and watched as her face morphed from pensive to anxious and finally halted at excited.
"Thank you. I'm so thrilled to hear it. Yes, I'll see you after Christmas break is over." Hanging up, she turned to throw herself on top of Vaughn. "I got the job!"
"You got the job that you've already had for more than four months, you mean?"
"Whatever!" She exclaimed happily.
Vaughn smiled before running a hand over her mussed hair. "Congratulations, Syd." And he planted a kiss firmly onto her lips.
"So I'm on Christmas break for the next three weeks. Whatever am I going to do with all of that spare time?" She moaned dramatically before giving him a naughty wink.
"How about doing some of the quickest wedding planning known to man?" He suggested playfully as he softly kissed the tip of her nose.
"Really?" She glanced down at him. "You think we can do it?"
"I know we can. My mom's already planning on flying in for Christmas. And you guys can get to know each other while you make the arrangements."
Sydney stared at him for a moment before burying her head in his chest. "We don't do anything the normal way, do we?"
"Nope." Vaughn placed his hands on either side of her head and gently guided her gaze toward his own. "But what's the big deal about living life like normal people do anyhow?" He smiled. "You're the source for a lot of the chaos in my life…and I wouldn't have it any other way." Shrugging, he continued. "So maybe we don't do things normally, but…"
Sydney cut him off with a big, dimpled grin. "We don't need normal. We can do better."
Vaughn said nothing.
She'd taken the words right out of his mouth.
The End
Holy Moly! That's it! Well, there will probably be a short epilogue…but you get the idea. Thank you all for your continued support.