Sydney to the Max Season 4: Episode 14 - I Don't Wanna Miss a Ring
Written By: "Fun But Shy Girl", with: Katy Kear, Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney stepped into her house as she said, "Hey dad. I got my 'best daughter' speech ready for the wedding reception. So I'm ready to head over to the church now, and..." Then Sydney stopped talking as she saw Max tearing apart the house looking for something. A concerned looking Sydney then said, "Dad, what's wrong?" Max then said, "It's me and Angela's wedding rings. I lost them." Then Sydney said, "Where did you put them?" Then Max said, "I can't remember. I had them in my pocket when I was moving everything in the house yesterday as we were making room for Angela and Sophia to move in. Ugg. I must've dropped the wedding rings somewhere... on my wedding day!" Then Sydney said, "Well Harry is going to be here any minute. How about the three of us start looking around the house for those rings." Max made a small smile as he said, "Thank you Sydney." Sydney smiled back as she said, "Hey. Don't worry dad. It's your wedding day. We will find those rings."
2042:
Valicity was sitting on her bed reading a book, when Alicia stepped into the room with a big smile saying, "Come on Valicity. Dad just brought our Christmas tree home. We're gonna decorate it and then sing songs and watch our favorite Christmas movies the rest of the day while eating so many Santa cookies!" Valicity only glanced at Alicia as she said, "Eh, I'm just gonna finish reading this book." Alicia then jumped on Valicity's bed as she said, "Come on Val! It's Christmas! This is the holiday you only go big or go home for!" Valicity then scooted away from Alicia as she said, "No thank you Alisha. I'm okay." Then Alicia jumped off the bed looking confused as she said, "How can you not be okay depriving yourself of Christmas cookies and Christmas movie marathon!? Christmas is the time where everything is just happy awesome epic!" Then Valicity suddenly looked angry as she said, "I just don't wanna do it, okay!? Now leave me alone!" Alicia then stepped out of the room looking concerned, as Valicity refocused herself back on her book.
1996:
Max Reynolds and Alisha Webb stood together wearing black clothing in the middle of the park. In front of the two teenagers sitting on a table was a picture of an ultrasound sitting inside of the wooden box Max had previously made for Alisha. Behind them were their two respective mothers also wearing black. Alisha then stepped forward and lit two candles that were sitting next to the box. Alisha then looked at Max and said, "You got the letter you wrote to Valicity?" Max handed Alisha a piece of paper and said, "Right here." Alisha then took Max's paper along with her own and folded both papers into an envelope. Alisha then tied the envelope to a balloon she had. Alisha held the balloon out, closed her eyes, and said, "I'm sorry I never got the chance to be your mommy." Then Alisha let go of the balloon and had it and the envelope float into the sky. Alisha stood still as she watched the balloon float into the air. Then after several moments, Alisha suddenly fell to the ground and began to cry. Max then sat near Alisha and held her close. Alisha rested her head on Max's shoulder continuing to cry as tears appeared in Max's eyes as well. Then suddenly Max cried as well and soon both him and Alisha were holding each other in their arms as they both sobbed together.
PRESENT DAY:
Sydney and Harry were both moving things in the living room of Sydney's house as they looked for the missing wedding rings. Harry then saw a wooden box with the name Valicity on it sitting on the mantle over the fireplace as he said, "Hey. Could the rings be in here?" Sydney then stepped towards Harry and said, "No. We usually never open that box." Then a confused looking Harry said, "Then why put it on display?" Sydney made a little smile as she said, "It's a long story but lets just say it's a memorial to a family member of mine." Harry then glanced at the box as he said, "Hmm. Valicity. Nice name." As Sydney and Harry then continued to look around, Sydney said, "Thanks for helping us look for the rings Harry." Harry smiled as he said, "Happy to help. Trust me, I wouldn't want to see anybody's wedding get ruined."
Then as Sydney kept looking she said, "I know. I mean... I know this isn't my wedding, but for some reason I feel like I have just as much butterflies in my stomach as my dad." Harry smirked as he said, "Well it is your dad's wedding day, but it's also your family. You're gaining a new mom and and a sister today. This is special for you too." Sydney smiled as she said, "You're right. I always wanted a sister, and now I'm about to get one already fully grown. Plus, it will be nice to have my dad and Angela finally sharing a room together. Do you know how awkward it is to hear your dad helping his girlfriend sneak into the basement every weekend all summer? The sounds they make that they think I can't hear through a locked door... Eww, you don't wanna know. But I'm happy my dad is happy, and Sophia is happy too."
Then Harry said, "Well, glad you're excited Sydney." Then as Sydney looked up she said, "I can't wait till me and Sophia are sisters though. It has been kinda lonely being an only child all these years. I definitely want the two of us to have multiple kids when we're older." Harry suddenly stopped, as he had a look of worry and discomfort on his face. Sydney noticing Harry's discomfort, now looked a bit uncomfortable herself as she said, "Oh Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make such a bold statement. I know we haven't discussed our long term plans for the future yet." Then Harry looking a bit upset said, "No we haven't Sydney, because if we did... maybe you'd realize that I don't want kids." Then Harry with an upset expression on his face walked out of the room. Sydney now standing by herself, had a sad look on her face as she said to herself, "Wait... Harry doesn't want kids?"
2042:
Alicia was decorating the family Christmas tree with her parents: Sydney and Harry. As Alicia hung ornaments she said, "I don't get why Val doesn't want to do this us. Christmas is like totally the coolest." Then Valicity stepped into the room looking a bit nervous as she said, "Uh, hey." Then a smiling Alicia said, "About time. Come on. Lets do some epic Christmas karaoke together!" Then a more nervous looking Valicity said, "Uh, I just was looking for my other book I wanted to read." Then Alicia stepped towards Valicity and said, "Come on girl. What do you got against Christmas? It's the season of carols, cookies, silly movies, happiness, peace on Earth, and all that good stuff. Come on. Would you rather ring the Christmas bells with me, or be a grumpy Scrooge?" Then Valicity suddenly looked angry and yelled, "Maybe Christmas means good stuff to you, but it's been nothing but bad stuff for me!" Then Valicity stormed off to her room. Then Sydney followed after Valicity as she said, "I'll talk to her." Then Alicia looked at Harry as she said, "Well dad, why aren't you talking to Val too? We gotta work together to get her into the Christmas spirit." Harry then sighed as he had a troubled look on his face.
2005:
A young adult Alisha Webb sat at a table in the park looking at the sky. A young adult Max Reynolds then walked over to Alisha and sat down next to her. Alisha looked at Max as she said, "How did you know I'd be here?" Then Max said, "Because I know what today is and I know where you like to be on this day." Alisha then tilted her head to the side and rested it on Max's shoulder. Max then put an arm around Alisha and said, "Does it hurt just as much ten years later?" Alisha sighed and said, "It does. But... I have learned how to cope with the feelings better." Max then went into his pocket and said, "Oh. My mom sent me this picture earlier. It's of us exactly nine years ago." Max then held out a picture of Alisha as a teenager sitting on the ground crying as Max was holding her crying as well. A puzzled looking Alisha said, "I don't remember this picture." Then Max said, "Me neither. But mom said she took it and kept it because even though it was sad... she also said it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen when it came to the two of us." Alisha smiled as she looked at the picture.
Then Alisha looked at Max and said, "Max... I'm ready." Max looking confused said, "Ready for what?" Alisha then looked right into Max's eyes and said, "Ready to answer the question you've been waiting over ten years to ask me. I know nothing will ever replace the life we could've had with Valicity. However... I'm ready to start a new family with you whenever you're ready to pop the question." Max looking a bit caught off guard said, "Well, I mean... it's not like I can ask it right now, since it's not like I carry a ring in my pocket every day just in case..." Then suddenly Max quickly took a ring box out of his pocket, opened it, and showed a diamond ring inside as he smiled and said, "Just kidding. Alisha... will you marry me?" A big smile went across Alisha's face as she kissed Max, and then said, "Yes Max. For now and forever I will!"
PRESENT DAY:
Harry was sitting in a chair in Sydney's backyard being quiet, as Sydney slowly stepped outside. Sydney then sat next to Harry and said, "Hey." Harry glanced at Sydney as he said, "Hey." Sydney then took a deep breath and said, "So Harry, look. I know we're both young and we're not ready to get married yet anytime soon, but... it's important for me to know... do you not want kids one day?" Harry sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want kids Sydney. It's that I don't think I could handle them." Sydney looking confused said, "What do you mean?" Harry then looked right at Sydney as he said, "Sydney, I don't have the same level of patience and focus my parents have or your dad has. I don't have the best grades; meaning I don't think I could get the best job and provide for any kids. Plus, I'm worried with my sometimes bad time management skills, that I wouldn't spend enough time with any kids of mine and just screw up at being a parent."
With a small smile on her face, Sydney then leaned over and kissed Harry on the lips, and then hugged him. A confused looking Harry then said, "What's this for?" Sydney smirked as she moved away from Harry slightly and said, "Because only someone who questions that they're ready for a task is actually ready to take it on. Harry, we're still young. You think our parents were completely ready to be parents when they were young? They weren't. But they kept growing, kept learning, and eventually became who they were over time. And a man who is humble enough to admit he still has room to grow... that's the kind of man I want to be the father of my children one day." Harry with a look of hope in his face said, "Sydney... you really think I'd be good enough one day to be a good enough father?" Sydney then gently held Harry's hands as she said, "Well you're already on the right path, considering you're more than a good enough boyfriend."
Suddenly the two were interrupted by Max who stepped outside as he said, "Ugh. I look everywhere and still couldn't find the rings." Then Sydney looked at Max as she said, "Well think back dad. When was the exact last time you felt them in your pocket?" Then Max said, "I think it was when I was moving that box full of those donations to the Salvation Army, and... oh no. Do you think the rings dropped in that box?" Sydney then looking guilty said, "Well I remember grabbing that box when the donation truck came yesterday really fast. I forgot to double check what was inside." Max then sat on a chair looking defeated as he said, "Well I've just ruined the start of a marriage. Who ever heard of a wedding without wedding rings?" Then Sydney said, "Well maybe we can find them at the Salvation Army store, or maybe buy some more dad. Come on. Don't give up." Max then took a deep breath and said, "You're right. Harry, let the church know we'll be a little late. Come on Syd. You're coming with me to go ring hunting."
2042:
Alicia sat on the living room couch with her father Harry. As Harry put an arm around Alicia he said, "Alicia, the reason me and your mom put so much hard work into making Christmas a happy time for you is because Christmas wasn't always a happy time for us. When I was little, my mom almost died from cancer around Christmas one year. And with your mom... well... her biological mother, your grandmother we named you after... she died just shortly after Christmas when your mom was very little. Christmas hasn't always been easy for us, and for years: me and your mom both tried to not really celebrate the holiday because it brought back so many bad memories. But fortunately over time... a lot of time... we made good new memories, and Christmas became more enjoyable again."
A confused looking Alicia then said, "So you think Val doesn't like Christmas because bad stuff happened to her on past Christmas times?" Harry then said, "Maybe. I do know though Christmas can be hard for a lot of people. We all try to make it enjoyable for everyone in our community every year. But still... painful experiences can happen any time of year to anyone, resulting in a period of grief. However it's very difficult sometimes to deal with that grief when the stores, commercials, and people keep telling you that you're supposed to be happy. So if Valicity is dealing with some form of grief... let her work through it on her own time." Then Sydney stepped into the room and said, "Alicia, Valicity said she wants to talk to you." Alicia stood up, took a deep breath, and then walked to Valicity's room.
Alicia then stepped into Valicity's room looking nervous as she saw Valicity was sitting on her bed also looking nervous. Alicia sat next to Valicity and said, "Hey. You wanna talk?" Valicity sighed and said, "Alicia... I'm sorry I got mad at you. It was wrong. And, well... after talking to your mom about how she went through something similar when she was our age, I realized that I... probably should've explained why I don't like celebrating Christmas." Alicia with an intent and focused face said, "Okay." Valicity took a deep breath and then said, "It's just... all of my worst memories happened to me on Christmas. When I was 9, me and my mom got into a traffic accident on the road and I had to go to the hospital. Then when I was 10, one of my mom's ex-boyfriends got angry at her for breaking up with him and... he tried to hit us with his red truck. Then when I was 11, I got super sick and could barely get out of bed the week before and after Christmas. And then when I was 12... I woke up looking forward to opening presents, but instead woke up to learn my mom had died." Alicia looking shocked said, "Val... I had no idea."
Tears then appeared in Valicity's eyes as she said, "I... I don't want to hate Christmas. But every time I hear certain Christmas songs, or see familiar looking decorations, I just keep thinking about all those bad memories. And every Christmas now, I keep waiting for the next bad thing to happen, because bad things always happen to me on Christmas." Then Alicia reached out and held Valicity in her arms. Valicity began to cry, as Alicia held her close and said, "I'm sorry Val. None of those things should've happened to you. I'm so, so sorry this season is so difficult for you." Then as Valicity hugged Alicia back she continued to cry as she said, "I just want to be happy this time of year, but I never can. And I don't know how." Then Alicia looked at Valicity in the eyes and said, "It's okay. You don't have to feel happy if you don't want to. And you don't have to do any celebrations or open presents with us. But just know, you've already got the best present of all time already opened up... a sister who loves you." Valicity made a small smile, but then began to cry again as she hugged Alicia. Alicia hugged Valicity back, as the two girls remained together in a long hug for the rest of the evening.
2007
Young adult Max and a pregnant Alisha were sitting on their couch. "At least we know it was just a threatened miscarriage," Max pointed out to his wife. "It wasn't a real one." "This time," Alisha stated. "Max… I can't go through what I did with Valicity again." Max then said, "I know, but you don't know that will happen again. Don't you think our little girl would want a sibling one day when she's older? Plus, you know how I've always wanted multiple kids and..." "This was as far along as I was with Valicity," Alisha reminded him, and then said, "Max… I… I don't want you to leave me, but—" "I'll never leave you," Max assured her, "you know that." Alisha then admitted, "I don't want to try again after she's born. I know Sydney would try to tell me not to let my fears get in the way if she was still here, but I just can't risk it again Max." "Okay," Max replied. He took ahold of her hand and then said, "If that's what you want, that's how it's gonna be. I want you to feel secure. I'm sure things will work out for all of us. I love you." Alisha nodded and said, "I love you, too."
PRESENT DAY:
Sophia was wearing a pink dress as she knocked on the door of her mother's room and said, "Knock, knock. Mom, you ready for the wedding?" Angela then stepped out of the room wearing just a yellow t-shirt and blue jeans as she said, "Um... still feeling a little sick. How about you head to the church without me?" Sophia then stepped into their mom's room and said, "No, no. We are heading there together. And why are you still sick? Didn't you take that medicine Max bought for you?" Angela then sat on her bed looking upset as she said, "Look... I don't think medicine is gonna end my sickness this morning. Maybe we should call off the wedding." Then Sophia looking confused said, "Mom... are you getting cold feet?" Then Angela with a look of guilt put a hand on her stomach as she said, "It's not my feet..." Then Sophia suddenly had a look of shock as she said, "Wait. Mom... are you..." Angela with a look of shame on her face said, "Sophia, I just found yesterday that... I'm pregnant."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Coming Soon:
*Episode 15 - For Love of the Baby - When multiple unexpected pregnancies occur, it's up to family and friends to come together to support the soon to be mothers.