AN: Music for this Chapter (on repeat): Air Force One- Main Theme (original) by from the Air Force One Soundtrack, In The Mood by Glenn Miller, Auld Lang Syne by Guy Lombardo, This Years Love by David Gray, So Happy Together by The Turtles
THIRTY-SEVEN
o
"Are my mom and dad ready yet?" Sydney asked with a smile as she slipped into her coat, seeing Weiss and Sophia coming down the stairs.
Everyone was waiting in the foyer for Jack and Irina. She'd directed the question to Weiss but he just stood there in front of her with a blank expression on his face.
Sydney scrunched her eyebrows up analyzing him before Sophia jumped in.
"Yes, they are. They said to give them fifteen or twenty minutes. Your mom is still drying her hair."
"They've been up there over an hour. What have they been doing?" Sydney looked up towards the second story where the closed door to her parents' bedroom was.
Weiss finally snapped out of his shock and smiled brightly with a mischievous grin.
"They were-" He was about to say something he shouldn't and Sophia cut him off.
"Talking. They were talking." She shot Weiss a glare when Sydney's head was turned but Katya caught it. They were covering something up. She'd get it out of Sophia later.
Irina and Jack made their way downstairs fifteen minutes later and looking impeccable.
"Jack, what happened to your hands there? Looks like you were attacked by wild animal. A 'Siberian' Tiger maybe?" Weiss smiled smugly watching Jack help Irina into her coat.
Jack burned bright red, looking down at the backs of his hands where ten perfect fingernail marks indented his flesh, already bruising in their swollen crimson state.
"Owe!" Weiss yelped when Sophia stomped on his foot giving him a death glare. Sydney and everyone else's eyes going to Jack's hands and Katya started giggling when Irina gave Weiss a death glare of her own, realizing now what her daughter and Mr. Weiss were supposed to be keeping secret.
"So, Rina, I guess that means you're feeling better?" Katya asked in her chipper voice, "Rwarrr!" She growled, pawing the air and laughed deeply when Irina rolled her eyes and kissed Jack on the cheek, seeing he was obviously mortified.
"Oh God!" Sydney muttered under her breath as she tilted her head down, covering her eyes realizing what her parents were really doing to have taken so long upstairs. "Can we just go to the restaurant please?" She stalked past everyone and out the door to the waiting limo.
"Let's go." Irina pulled on Jack's hand with a smile.
Irina rested her chin on her fist, looking at the swirling clouds outside the plane's window, lost in thought over the events of the last two days, Lena was sleeping soundly against her chest, covered with a soft pink blanket.
Vladimir, Irina, and Katya held a press conference in Moscow answering questions about Anastasia and their own lives, the future of Russia and Irina's time in the US. They were also giving the facts of Irina's last minute Pardon by President Bush, who had flown to Russia to show his support and explain his part in it all. Mikhail and Vaughn had left for France a few days earlier to give Vaughn's mother the surprise of her life and now that the press conference was over, Sydney had flown to Paris to join them for the New Year. Marshall and Weiss had left for Los Angeles and were now back at work.
"You did fantastic." Jack gave Irina a small smile, picking up her hand and kissing the back of it, seeing she was lost in thought. The press had asked some rather difficult questions and although Irina handled it beautifully at the time, he knew she was thinking about them now. "Are you ok?" He continued to stroke the back of her hand, sitting beside her.
Irina sighed with a big smile, adoring the man beside her and his concern.
"Yes. I'm fine. Thank you for asking." She cupped his face lightly bringing his lips to hers with a smile. "I've come along way from Death Row to riding on Air Force One with the President of the United States." She laughed softly, brushing her nose with his, eliciting a small laugh from him as well when he looked across the aisle to see President Bush talking with one of his administrators on the phone. They had been invited as guests of the President and First Lady to join them for the New Year's Eve celebration in Washington, D.C. with other foreign dignitaries.
"Well, you are rather remarkable." He smiled kissing her lightly again. "We haven't been in D.C together in a long time." Jack added quietly, studying her eyes remembering the place where it had all began for them.
"No, we haven't." Irina brushed her fingers through his short hair above his ear. "I'm looking forward to it." She smiled, lacing their fingers, "Is our restaurant still there?" Her mind flashed back to the little Chinese place where she and Jack had there first date.
"No, sadly." He sighed leaning back in the plush leather chair. "It burned down in 1994 from an electrical fire during a snowstorm. They never rebuilt." Seeing her curious look at how he knew this detail he added, "I was in D.C. on business in the summer of 1996, on what would have been our 25th wedding anniversary. I just found myself driving by there one night." He shrugged remembering how painful it was to still be in love with the ghost of the woman you also hated.
"I always celebrated our anniversary by getting really, really drunk." Irina smiled softly shaking her head and looking back out the window at the blinking lights on the wings of the enormous aircraft. "I always wondered what you were doing at that same time on the other side of the world." She turned her gaze back to Jack's.
"The same. Sitting alone, in the dark in our house getting really, really drunk." He finally cracked a smile. "I guess in a way, we were still celebrating together by washing away are woes with copious amounts of alcohol. With the exception of last year, in Panama." He waggled his eyebrows remembering how they celebrated 'that' anniversary.
"Hi." A young woman in a dark suit with her hair pulled back in a severe knot and glasses smiled at them. Her badge stated her name was, Karen, and she was on the Presidents staff. "I just wanted to let you know that we'll be landing in a few minutes, so you might want to buckle up and put the baby in her safety seat now." She smiled brightly, reaching out tentatively to brush Lena's ear with the back of one finger. "She's so precious. Congratulations."
"Thank you." Jack and Irina replied in unison and made Karen smile brighter, before she went in search of her own seat.
Irina had just finished snapping the last strap of Lena's seat into place when she felt the drop in pressure as they descended. She put out her hand and without asking Jack handed her Lena's pacifier to give to their baby for her little ears.
"Well here goes nothing." He smiled squeezing Irina's hand gently as they felt the wheels touch down on the tarmac. "Are you ready?"
President Bush smiled at them warmly, a guiding hand showing them toward the front of the plane. "It's going to be a circus out there. They're all very excited you're here."
*Air Force One*
"Here we go." He smiled as he stood on the top of the steps and waved to the crowd gathered below. Bulbs were flashing at in incessant pace as he made his way down the steps. A thunderous around of applause went up when Irina and Jack carrying Lena, stepped out and smiled, waving to the excited people below.
"This is just surreal." Jack whispered to her through clenched teeth as he smiled softly to the adoring public and Press. They all made it to the awaiting limos in the motorcade and drove off into the cool D.C night towards the White House.
President Bush sat across from them in the dark car, smiling. "Laura is ecstatic you've decided to join us and she can't wait to see the baby again." He laughed softly.
"It was a very kind offer, we couldn't refuse." Irina smiled her enchanting grin, captivating the President.
"Well, I am certain that the two…three, " He added smiling down at Lena, "Of you will be the most captivating people in attendance tonight. It's our honor to have you." Bush drummed his fingers across the back of the seat, smiling.
Lena would be going with them to the ball as Irina wasn't about to let just anyone care for her baby when Sloane was and Cuvee were still out there, she wanted her within sight at all times. The President fully understood after hearing about Sloane's plans.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Jack knocked softy on the bathroom door in his tux.
"Are you ready?" He called softly, pulling at the bow tie on his neck. He was about to walk in when he felt the handle turning beneath his palm and stepped back. His breath caught in his throat when Irina emerged with her seductive smile looking absolutely stunning. Her dress was made of silver hues, an Empress cut that was form fitting around her mid-section, busting her already enormous cleavage. The back was cut into a 'v' and exposed her sexy back before it dropped into a wide, full skirt with a short train. Her hair had been pulled up in a loose French-twist by a diamond-covered comb with soft curls framing her face and falling around her diamond adored ears and graceful neck.
"Wow." Jack stood transfixed as she glided by him, then spun slowly in front of him.
"So you approve?" She smiled coyly, loving his reaction when she cocked her head to the side.
"You look amazing." He smiled softly, walking up to her slowly and grabbing her hips lightly with his hands when she wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders. "Breathtaking is more like it." He captured her luscious red lips with his own. "Wow." He repeated looking her over once more as his eyes bugged out.
"You look pretty handsome yourself, Mr. Bristow." She pulled on the lapels of his tux jacket, with her famous grin. "Thank you." She added seriously, searching his brown eyes with her own.
"For what?" He asked softly as his hands caressed the smooth skin down her spin, standing close to her.
"For being here with me. For standing by me, with me." She sighed, "You've been wonderful about all of this."
He leaned in slowly, with his eyes never leaving hers, kissing her softly.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else but by your side." He smiled, brushing her cheek softy with his thumb. "Now lets go knock these peoples socks off."
"Oh my, Irina." Laura gasped when she saw them coming to meet her and George at the top of the stairs. "You look stunning." She smiled in awe as she greeted her with a kiss to the cheek. "You certainly look the role of royalty tonight." Laura smiled, squeezing Irina's free hand for support before turning her attention to Lena swaddled in white satin blankets, wearing a perfect, tiny little satin dress that matched. "Oh!" She cooed running her fingers over the sleeping babes hair, "She's getting so big, and yet is still so tiny! How much does she weigh now?"
"She's up to 7lbs." Irina smiled down adoringly at the little baby in her arms.
"So tiny! What a little peanut!" She smiled shaking her head. "I'll never forget when we heard her little noises and Sydney unzipped her jacket revealing this super tiny baby strapped to her chest. What a shock!"
"I can only imagine." Irina sighed softly, thinking about how her daughters had saved her life. "Thank you both, again for what you did." She looked up with glassy eyes.
"Don't thank us, Irina." Laura squeezed her hand feeling tears herself, remembering just a few weeks ago the sight of Irina on respirator in a coma with her baby on her chest trying to bring her back to life.
"Yes. Please, don't thank me. I don't deserve your thanks." President Bush placed his hand over his wife's holding Irina. "It was the right thing to do and I'll never forgive myself for allowing it to go as far as it did."
The corners of Irina's mouth twitched into a smile.
"Thank you anyway. Now let's enjoy this evening. I'm looking forward to dancing with my husband." Her eyes darted to Jack's with a big smile.
He took her arm in the crook of his elbow and the two couples walked gracefully down the steps and into the ballroom where everyone was already waiting.
*In The Mood*
The Big Band Orchestra was already playing and everyone stopped their chatter to look at the gorgeous woman they now knew was the ruler of Russia. Smiles and applause were given as they made their way to the head table.
They enjoyed a wonderful meal, sitting with the President and the First Lady along with the President and First Lady of France, the Chancellor of Germany and his wife, and the Prime Minister of Britain and his wife.
The conversation was polite and Irina was at her best enchanting everyone with her disarming beauty and poise. The fact that she was able to converse fluently with almost every Head of State from each country in their own language awing everyone with her intelligence.
Jack was smiling from ear to ear watching Irina so happy and comfortable with them and he felt himself having a good time in public for the first time in decades. When he and Irina danced, they felt hundreds of pairs of eyes falling upon them and soon the background faded away as they only had eyes for each other.
"They're so beautiful together." Laura cooed to those left at the table, cuddling Lena while they watched Irina and Jack and numerous other couples dance around the room. "So in love. They look like they are the only two people in this room."
"She's rather remarkable, isn't she?" The Chancellor smiled surprise with his eyebrows rising as he leaned over the table towards the Bush's. "All this time we never knew. Just amazing."
"Their whole story is just unbelievable!" The French President's wife smiled in awe. "And she looks every part the princess doesn't she? That dress is fantastic!"
"She is stunning." President Bush added softly, gazing at the couple moving around the dance floor laughing softly to themselves about something personal said between them. He turned his gaze back to his wife and found her hand, looking at her adoringly.
A few hours later the countdown began as they raised their champagne glasses up and counted together in various languages, smiling and laughing as they all stood in the middle of the ballroom waiting for the new year to arrive.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!" Everyone shouted and the kissing commenced.
*Auld Lang Syne*
"Happy New Year, Irina." Jack smiled, whispering against Irina's faces as he moved in slowly for another kiss as the confetti and balloons dropped all around them.
"Happy New Year, Jack." She smiled against his lips, knowing thankful for another year and being in his arms again.
2002 had been insane for all of them.
It had begun with her still in CIA custody, she and Jack had conceived Lena in Panama; she escaped and was double-crossed by Sloane, Peter and Sark. She was shot by Sydney, Cuvee, Sloane and Jack. She'd been stabbed, she'd been killed, but she was also saved in more ways then one. She found her relationship with her sister and was found by her family and her country. She also gave birth to a beautiful little girl in a CIA cell and found new friends amongst old enemies.
Jack had been thinking along the same lines as they danced together with their baby between them. 2003 would be the first year of the rest of their lives together.
When the evening finally drew to an end Jack and Irina said their goodbyes and goodnights and went to their room. Irina sat in a chair by the glass French doors feeding Lena her bottle and thankful that tomorrow she could go back to breastfeeding having finished her antibiotics yesterday.
Jack emerged from the bathroom with his tie now loosely draped over his neck and the top buttons on his white shirt undone. His breath caught again and heart surged with love when he looked at the two of them together basked in the glow of the moonlight.
Irina was still in her dress and the light bounced off the silver making her glow. Her smile radiant and she slowly rocked their baby to sleep in her arms. He leaned against the doorframe, watching until Irina's eyes looked up and caught his with a soft smile.
Carefully she stood, and laid the baby in her perfect little crib that had been bought by the Bush's just for her. Irina covered her with a soft blanket before dropping a kiss to Lena's soft head.
"Sleep well, my angel." She whispered in Russian, smiling softly as Jack came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle from behind, planting a kiss on her bare shoulder.
"This has been some year, hasn't it?" Jack whispered in her ear as they stood over their sleeping child.
Irina nodded and he lay his cheek against hers, swaying with her softly.
"Jack," She said softly after a minute, "Ask me again."
Jack was immediately stunned and wasn't sure if she'd meant what he thought. His heart began beating rapidly in his chest as he turned her slowly in his arms. Her dark depths looked up at him and he could see looking down at her chest, she was breathing just as quickly as he.
"Irina," He whispered softly, cupping her face gently, searching her eyes. He wasn't sure he deserved to ask the question again, wasn't sure he had shown her his trust in her, his love unconditionally.
Irina saw in his reaction, in his eyes and heard it in his voice his apprehension. She reached up with one hand and ran her thumb over his cheek, holding the other hand against her chest.
"Ask me again, Jack." Her dark eyes found and held his in the darkness, unafraid and more, sure then ever they were ready.
Jack had carried her ring everywhere with him in his pants pocket since the moment she had given it back. Reminding him what he wanted, what he was working for. His hand dropped from her face and found the metal band in his pocket, slowly he brought it up to their combined hands between them.
*This Years Love*
"Irina, you have my heart, you have my love and you have my complete trust in us." He took a deep breath staring into her pooling eyes as he spoke in the language of her heart, Russian. "Will you marry me?"
"Yes." She smiled softly, knowing this time their love would last.
The long waiting was over after all these years. They'd both been waiting on their own too long. No more lies between them, no more secrets. They'd both opened up their hearts again for this fall. Now, was their time and this time it was going to last.
She held up her finger and Jack slipped it on as her tears finally fell. She'd missed it; that little metal band and diamond on her hand and felt complete again as she found Jack's eyes and saw his were tearing as well. He cupped her head and brought his lips to hers.
It had started slow and the passion quickly built between them in the need to connect and express their love.
Jack's hands roamed up her sides and his hand met her warm exposed flesh of her back, pulling her closer to him as he moaned softly against her mouth.
Irina's hands slid up Jack's chest and over his shoulders, stripping off his tuxedo jacket never breaking contact with his lips, and letting it drop to the floor behind them. Her long slender fingers slowly began to unbutton his shirt one button at a time while Jack's tongue caressed her lips and tongue in a tender kiss that never ended, biting, and sucking.
Pausing only briefly to catch their breath as their noses continued the intimate contact. Her warm breath against his face as he stare into her beautiful eyes.
"I love you, Irina." He whispered, cupping her head with both hands as he pulled back slightly to gaze into the eyes of the only woman he'd ever loved with everything he had.
Irina leaned up and captured his lips, overwhelmed with love and he felt himself losing all control as her tongue danced against the roof of his mouth, flicking his tongue slowly and sweeping him off his feet with just a kiss. Her hands pressing against his warm flesh inside his shirt as he pulled her closer to him. She pulled the crisp white shirt his out of his pants as his hands began undoing the zipper in the back of her long dress, fingers brushing against her scorching flesh revealed beneath and making Irina gasp against his touch. The roughness of his finger-tips against her smooth skin sending little bolts of electricity straight up her spine and Irina felt herself tingling from her head to her toes. His kiss moved to her chin and then along the length of her jaw as she tilted her head back giving him better access and moaning softly when his tongue darted out to taste the soft flesh at the base of her throat. His hands on her hips bringing their' lower bodies as close as possible in his need to be near her.
Irina's hands freed him from his shirt and she lazily raked her fingernails over his pecks to circle the dark skin around his nipples, pinching and rolling them softly between her fingers and causing Jack to moan against her neck as his breathing picked up.
His strong hands moved up to her firm upper arms and pulled her slowly away from him, letting the gorgeous gown drop and pool around her legs. She hadn't been wearing a bra and now stood before him wearing only millions of dollars of diamonds and a black satin thong.
The moonlight reflecting off the diamonds danced around the room with her every breath. She was more beautiful every time he looked at her and Irina could see Jack's eyes pooling again with love, as he looked her standing before him.
Slowly she reached up and clasped the diamond clip in her hair, releasing her long wave tresses that cascaded down her back. She let the clip drop to the floor with her dress and held her hand palm up to Jack, inviting him into her space with a small smile.
He took her hand and she kissed his face softly just below his eyes, tasting the salty tear that had finally fell.
"You are so beautiful." His warm breath tickled her ear when he whispered in her ear, taking her into his arms as he backed them up towards the large bed. The backs of her knees hit the edge of the end of bed as their mouths dueled in hot open mouth kisses, appreciating each tender caress.
His strong hand on her naked back guided Irina down onto the mattress. He broke the kiss and paused briefly to look into her eyes before stepping back and undoing his belt, removing his pants with his eyes never leaving hers. Slowly he raised one knee to the bed and crawled over her, sliding one hand beneath her back he pulled her toward his chest and moved them both to the center of the bed until her head rested against the soft fluffy pillows.
He rolled off to the side of her and she turned to face him as their mouths met once again, his hand reaching up to caress the skin over her rib cage and down the curve of her body.
She placed her palm against his cheek, pulling his mouth into hers as she trailed her tongue along the length of his lower lip. She felt his strong hand on her thigh and lifted her leg with his guidance dropping it over his hip when he scooted closer to her until his hardness was pressed against her aching flesh. His hand remained caressing the skin over her thigh and rear while his other found and traced the soft curves of her breasts in the most gentle and intimate of caresses. The need to be inside her was overwhelming, wanting to be as connected as possible to the soul he'd been missing for two decades. His hand gently moved over the curve of her bottom and his longer fingers found her wetness, caressing lightly between her folds and Irina gasped against his mouth when he brushed against her most intimate spot.
Tears of happiness forming in her eyes when she looked into Jack's eyes he guided himself into her opening. Remaining just inside her entrance for a moment before slowly sliding into her warmth causing her to take a long exaggerated breath while he held her gaze. Her thigh pulling her as close to him as possible until he was deep inside where he stilled, content in the moment to just be a part of each other in this intimate contact. His hand ran up the length of her body from her behind, fingertips tracing the indention of her spine until he cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped and was running over the bridge of her nose.
"I love you, Jack." She smiled and blinked causing another tear to fall against his fingers. "And I'm finally home."
The statement had never been more, true. For the first time in twenty-two years, all the components of her life seemed to be inline with her heart. Jack holding her in such a loving embrace, as their bodies lay connected in a perfect fit, their hearts pounding in sync with one another with their chests pressed together. Jack felt his own tears slip as he looked into her beautiful brown depths and felt his heart clench with the love for her surrounding his very soul. His thumb traced lightly over her cheek-bone as he moved his face towards hers and brought his lips to hers, his tongue tracing the her top lip softly before sweeping into her mouth. He moved his hand over her back and pressed her into him with a palm between her shoulder blades he moved slowly inside her. Pulling out as she clenched around him until only his tip remained before thrusting slowly back into everything he'd ever wanted. His hand moved to her hip, and hers to his as they locked eyes, breathing hitched and found their rhythm against, and with one another. The slow pace at which they moved was agonizing and torturous in the way that only, sweet pleasure could be, savoring every move, every caress, every whispered word of love, as they brought each other to their heights.
Bodies trembling as they both neared the edge and Jack moved his hand over her lower back pressing with his fingers lightly into her spine and sending her over the edge, her body shuddering against his as they lay side-by-side on the bed.
He had swallowed Irina's cry of passion with his kiss and felt new tears against his cheek as she cried in ecstasy and happiness, her body rocking against him. Jack felt himself coming right behind her and with one last controlled, torturously slow thrust exploded inside her. Irina had swallowed his cry, while wrapping her thigh tightly around his hip wanting him deeper inside her as he spasm, and shook in her arms continuing to moan into her mouth as her body seized him inside and out.
"Forever and always." She smiled and reached up, brushing the hair off his forehead with her fingers, as they lay connected in their embrace. Neither will to relinquish their hold on one another. Their breathing still ragged and bodies still quivering from their lovemaking they held each other.
"I love you so much, it physically hurts." He whispered softly, smiling as he brushed her own hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry I hurt you." He admitted, still feeling sadness and guilt at how he had hurt her with his words and actions.
Irina smiled softly in return, moving closer to him, staring into his beautiful brown eyes and seeing the real emotion, the remorse. "I know you are and I'm sorry I hurt you."
Their final apologies over past hurts, put to rest with love and a new beginning.
"I'm never letting you go again." Jack searched her eyes, "Forever and always, Irina...forever and always." He repeated her saying as he closed the distance between their mouths.
"Mom!" Sydney yelled with a big smile two days rushing through the front door of Jack and Irina's house in LA. "Mom!" She yelled again with excitement as she raced upstairs, searching every room looking for Irina.
"Sydney!" Irina called back having heard her daughter screaming for her outside in the backyard, wondering what the hell was wrong.
Sydney came flying to the top of the stairs, looking over the balcony down at Irina as she shut the French doors behind her.
"Sydney, what is it?" Irina shifted Lena in her arms and looked up curiously at her daughter happy to see her smiling and relieving the panic she'd felt hearing her screaming.
"We're both getting married!" Sydney squealed again with a big smile on her face laughing as she ran down the stairs and engulfed Irina in her arms. "Dad just told me at the office that you said 'yes' again." She rocked her mother back in forth in her arms with such excitement that Irina had to laugh.
"Yes. We are." Irina continued to giggle as she guided Sydney to the couch to sit.
Sydney kept smiling down at the ring on her mother's hand and then to the one on her own.
"I can't believe it! Have you set a date?" She bubbled excitedly with bright eyes.
"We want to keep our anniversary so-" Irina couldn't even finish before Sydney started screaming again.
"Next month!" Sydney bounced where she sat. "Another Valentine's Day wedding!" She smiled from ear to ear. "Oh I can't wait!" She squealed as Irina giggled at her excited daughter. "Wait a minute. I don't know why I never thought of this before but, you and Dad," Sydney's eyebrows narrowed and then she giggled deeply, "Last year, you were in Panama on your anniversary." She couldn't contain her giggles and they developed into a deviant laugh, "Is 'that' part of the reason for your… How shall we say, 'reunion,' the night Lena here was conceived?"
"Perhaps it was in the back of both our minds." Irina smirked as she shrugged thinking about that night with great fondness.
"Riiiight!" Sydney giggled hysterically. "The day of 'loooooooove." She accentuated and elongated the word sounding like Barry White forcing Irina to break into giggles.
"I've been meaning to ask you a question." Irina smiled, sobering up after a minute she took Sydney's hand in her own.
"Me too." Sydney smiled, squeezing her Mother's long fingers.
"Sydney, I would be honored if you would stand up with me as my Maid of Honor when I marry your father again."
Irina brushed her fingers over Sydney's cheek, putting her long hair behind her ears.
"Yes!" Sydney squealed again, launching herself at Irina with tears of happiness, "That's what I wanted to ask you!"
Irina started laughing over Sydney's shoulder as the two hugged.
"Yes, I'll proudly stand beside my daughter."
Irina felt tears stinging her eyes at how blessed she felt. She and Sydney had come so far, and Irina had long ago let go of the dream of being there on her daughter's wedding day. Now, she was going to be standing beside her.
"So this means you've set a date?" She pulled back smiling.
"We decided in Paris." Sydney smiled, running her thumb over Lena's head as she spoke. "We want to get married on August 30th. By that time, our lives should be somewhat calmer. Sloane and Cuvee captured or dead and out of our lives forever." She added softly. "We want to begin our new life together without worrying about them."
"I understand perfectly." Irina ran her thumb over Sydney's cheek. "And, it will give us ample time to plan the perfect wedding." She smiled warmly.
"What about yours?" Sydney's eyebrows shot up, "We only have a month and a half."
"Sydney," Irina laughed, "Your father and I don't want a big affair. All that matters to us, is having the ones we love there with us. I think we've decided a small gathering in Santa Barbara at the Biltmore is just perfect for us, outdoors, in the beautiful sun with the sounds of the ocean in the background. Perfect." She closed her eyes smiling, already seeing it and Jack's face when he said her real name in his vows.
Sydney bounced again with excitement.
"Well we still have to find you an amazing dress that will make Dad forget his name!"
"Ok." Irina laughed, excited to share this moment with her daughter. "We can go dress shopping together when I get back from Russia."
"You're leaving again?" Sydney's shoulders slumped. "I just got here and you're leaving!"
"Not until Friday." She saw her daughter's disappointment and felt it herself. "But I have some very important business to finish in Moscow and I need to be there to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas. I am also going to go to the archives and go through Rasputin's things that are stored there with a fine tooth comb, hoping to find something that will lead us to Sloane."
"He's just completely disappeared." Sydney sighed, the man's name bringing a halt to their happiness.
"We'll find him, Sydney. We'll find him." Irina sought out Sydney's hand on her lap and held it tightly, speaking with a confident tone. "His arrogance will eventually lead us right to him."
"Well, let's hope that it's soon or I fear the sick-o will have already fertilized your eggs and implanted them in some unsuspecting soul!" Sydney shuddered thinking about it, "I shudder at the thought."
"You and me both." Irina sighed, praying to God that they found him before it got that far.
"Dad said you received an 'interesting' phone call last night? What was that about?" Sydney finally smiled, curious.
"Well," Irina laughed softly, running her finger along the bottoms of Lena's outstretched fingers. "It was Barbara Walters, she wants to interview me…us, as a family."
"What?" Sydney's eyes bugged out in surprise. "Barbara Walters!" She gasped again at how surreal that was to have 'thee Barbara Walters' want to interview them. "When?"
"Well she would like to interview me first, next week in St. Petersburg when we talk about my mother and then…the following week she wants to come here, and interview us as a family." Irina sighed, putting her hair behind her ear.
"And you're going to do it?" Sydney held her breath, fascinated by this all as she was the day of the press conference in Moscow.
"Your father and I agree it would probably be the best way to handle the press here in the United States. Barbara Walters is a respected journalist and by giving her the exclusive, it will save us from doing a lot of other interviews. We both trust her but we wanted to ask if you were 'ok' with it first?" Irina looked up into the shocked face of her eldest daughter.
"Barbara Walters…" Sydney repeated barely above a whisper in awe of the woman. "Well yeah, I agree if anyone is going to get the story right. She's the one we should do it with."
Irina giggled, "Ok. Then I'll have my PR man get back to her."
"You have a PR man?" Sydney's eyes lit up surprised again. "When did that happen?"
"I was left with little choice after all of this craziness." Irina laughed. "He's good at fielding questions. Now…I have some questions for you," She looked deeply into her daughters eyes, "I haven't spoken with Mikhail since they left Russia, what happened with Amelie?"
"Well she wasn't expecting them obviously, so when she came home and saw Vaughn sitting on the couch waiting for her, she was instantly concerned seeing the look on his face. At first she thought maybe I said 'no' when he proposed!" Sydney giggled, lying back against the couch cushions. "He sat her down and said, 'Maman…our miracle has finally come,' he said went pale instantly, her eyes beginning to tear before he even said the words, 'he's still alive…he survived the blast, Maman." She smiled, feeling her own tears forming with the happiness of yet another miracle. So happy for her husband to be to finally share in the happiness and joy she'd felt at having her mother back from the grave. "She started crying silent tears frozen in place until she heard Mikhail's voice behind her. He'd called out 'Bella,' her middle name and the name he always called her with love." She sighed deeply, blinking back tears as did Irina, "Vaughn said his Dad was terrified she would hate him, scream at him but instead…she just stood there looking at him, taking him in and then launched herself into his arms crying mumbling incoherent things in French as he held her. She said she knew in her heart, that he wasn't dead…she still felt their connection that's why she could never remarry. She was confused and upset obviously but they talked and she, like Vaughn, began to understand that Mikhail was really in an impossible situation. That he couldn't have come back to them without endangering them as a fugitive. He explained why he remained in isolation after the Soviet Union fell; his reasons stemming from guilt and remorse at leaving them behind and leaving you to die in Kashmir."
"And now?" Irina took a deep breath, listening intently.
"When Vaughn and I left, they were trying to find a way to work past it. It's going to take time; they have a lot to work through." Sydney nodded, thinking about it herself.
"Yes, it will take time. But if the love is still there they'll find away back to each other." Irina smiled through her tears knowing all to well what they were going through and so happy for her friend and his family. "How's Michael?" She smiled thinking about how happy her future son-in-law must be to have his parents again.
"He couldn't stop smiling all the way home." Sydney smiled, batting at her tears. "He was like a little kid and I knew exactly what he was feeling. He'd been worried that his mother would be too upset, too hurt to forgive his father and somewhere inside of him, he wanted them to find that love they once shared. That's exactly the way I felt after seeing the two of you in India on the train. Seeing for myself, the happiness that once existed between the two of you still lying beneath your surfaces." She smiled brightly thinking about her surprise when her mother had leaned over and kissed her father for the first time in front of her while they were in the train station. "I guess every kid wants their parents together. Vaughn and I were no exception. I'm very happy for you, Mom…happy for the both of you." She added softly after studying her mother's reaction for a moment.
"Thank you, Sweetheart." Irina wiped at her own tears and leaned forward, hugging Sydney with her one free arm as she kissed her temple. "And I'm so happy for you! It looks as those this year is going to be very good to all of us."
"I hope so." Sydney laughed. "Now…my future husband should be arriving any time with Dad so that we can all have dinner together." She smiled brightly. "We've decided to dig out our old home movies!" She giggled deeply thinking about how much fun that was going to be.
"Well, I need to go to the store to pick up some groceries for tonight's dinner and of course we'll need popcorn for those films." She laughed, excited to see her past with her family for the first time in a long time. "You want to come with me?" Irina stood, patting Lena's back as she turned the baby in her arms.
"Absolutely, I used to love going to the grocery store with you!" Sydney beamed, thrilled to be doing something so small, yet special with her mother again. "You used to drive the cart like a race car driver. It all makes sense now!" She laughed thinking about her mother's driving that day a few weeks ago on the PCH with the police pursuit.
"Yes, it was always so much fun with you…though I don't think you'll fit in the cart anymore." Irina laughed out loud as she pictured an adult Sydney sitting in the child's seat of the shopping cart. "Maybe we can race each other instead?" She raised her eyebrows in a challenge.
"You're on!" Sydney laughed, accepting the challenge.
Irina left a note for Jack and Vaughn and the three of them set off to the store followed by a team of security.
"I won!" Sydney said firmly with a crooked grin as they walked in the door an hour later, arms full of bags and followed by two security details helping them with the bags.
"No, Sweetheart. I won." Irina shook her head 'no' trying not to laugh as she set the bags on the counter.
"No, Mom, you cheated! I won! I crossed the line first!" Sydney giggled deeply as Jack and Vaughn entered the kitchen with curious smiles.
"Sydney, there was 'no' line! And I didn't cheat, there were no rules!" Irina laughed as she kissed Jack 'hello.'
"Yuri," Irina turned to the tall Russian bodyguard, with arms folded looking 'authoritative' and intimidating. "You were there, who won?"
"You won, Your Highness." He bowed with a small smile before ducking out quickly.
She turned around to see Sydney standing with hands on hips, her dimple grin and narrowed eyebrows in place as she fumed over her mother's sneaky abilities.
"Of course he's going to say that! He works for you!" Sydney tapped her foot impatiently.
"Fine. Ok. We can say we tied." Irina threw her hands up in the air laughing. "Stubborn!"
"I want a rematch with clearly stated rules next time!" Sydney finally laughed and kissed Vaughn.
"What are you two talking about?" Jack held his breath, wondering what sort of trouble they'd found themselves in this time.
"We were racing shopping carts around the store, and Mom cheated!" Sydney giggled, helping to put the items away.
"I did not cheat! You cannot cheat when there are no rules!" Irina sighed, putting the orange juice in the refrigerator as Jack rolled his eyes and Vaughn chuckled, picking up Lena out of her car seat. "Next time, Sweetheart, don't slow down for the elderly." Irina said in lecturing tone and Sydney's mouth dropped open as the others laughed.
"I can't believe you just said that." Sydney shook her head laughing. "My own mother telling me to plow over an old man with a single can of beans in his cart!"
"I didn't say plow over him! I said don't slow down. You're super spy, whip around him, cut in front of him…do something besides wait patiently for him to cross in front of you!" Irina couldn't stop her body from shaking with held in laughter.
"You're unbelievable!" Sydney laughed and Irina kissed her shoulder as she passed.
"You two raced shopping carts?" Jack shook his head in disbelief putting the loaves of bread in the breadbox. "I think this family needs more action and soon." He added and everyone burst out laughing.
*So Happy Together*
"So, My Love, what is for dinner?" Jack brushed his lips over his crazy wife's once more as Vaughn and Sydney stood by watching the exchange with fascination; this side of Jack and Irina always surprising and entertaining.
"I'll give you a hint, Agent Bristow," She waggled her eyebrows and looked at him seductively, knowing she could always use that to her advantage. "It's spicy, and slimy and comes in little white boxes with red scribble writing blazoned across it."
"I thought you were cooking? Now we're ordering Chinese?" He smirked at her with his head cocked to the side, inches from her face.
"I decided that for tonight, cooking is over-rated and I haven't stopped craving Chinese since D.C. So, Sydney called them from the car on the way home. They should be here…" She stopped and smiled when she heard the doorbell. "Now." She kissed his lips again quickly, slapping his chest and ducking under the arm he had trapped her against the fridge with.
They sat in front of the TV, forgoing the plates and decided to eat out of their respective cartons. Irina sat on the floor in front of Jack on the couch and Vaughn sat on the floor, with Lena nestled on his chest in front of Sydney in the chair.
"Look at that hair!" Sydney died laughing seeing her father's full head of brown curls when the first films began to run by. These were films none of them had seen in years and not apart of Irina's on the DVD.
"Well it was the 70s, Syd." Vaughn laughed, biting his lip when he saw Jack scowl. "Personally, I like that shirt, Jack." His body shook with held in laughter.
"Awe..." Sydney cooed when her mother came into frame, wrapping her arms around Jack from behind and jumping on his back, kissing his ear smiling when he held her.
"See now, Mom looks normal." Sydney laughed seeing her mother in cut off denim short and a white tunic shirt. "How old are you there?" She turned to Irina who was smiling quietly watching she and Jack on the screen.
"I was eighteen." She smiled softly, shaking her head at how young that was, but how happy they were even then.
She and everyone else started laughing when Jack started spinning them in fast circles on screen, making her laugh and slap his shoulder to stop. When he finally did, he was so dizzy he fell over and she landed on top of him laughing hysterically. It cut quickly to a close up of her beautiful face and brilliant smile. When she winked at the camera she started laughing and Jack pulled back on the camera.
"You two are so cute." Sydney smiled from ear to ear and even Vaughn had to agree with that assessment, much to his own disbelief of associating the word 'cute' with Jack Bristow.
"Australia." Irina sighed happily when it cut to them on their engagement trip. "We had so much fun." She turned her head to Jack and he dropped his spicy lips to hers, kissing her with a smile and not 'really caring' if his daughter was grossed out or not.
"Yes, it was very fun. So fun in fact, its where your name came from." He smiled at Sydney, happy to find her smiling at her parents instead of cringing.
"And why I bought a house there." Irina added with her devious grin, seeing their eyebrows shoot up.
"You have a house there, too? Why am I not surprised?" Jack smiled shaking his head. "I hope at least it's on the water!"
"Yes, right on the harbor. Very beautiful…one of my favorite homes for sentimental reasons of course." She smiled coyly, "I had a spectacular view of the Millennium fireworks."
"I bet." Sydney laughed, sticking her chopsticks in a chunk of chicken as she watched her father filming her mother on some beach, making her laugh. "So you spend a lot of time there?"
"Yes actually. Especially before Alexander was finished, it was my main residence." She caught another look of surprise from them, "I haven't been there since just after Mexico City." She smiled softly at Sydney, remembering that horrible phone call from her contact inside the CIA telling her that her daughter was missing a couple days later.