* * * * *
Sydney attempted to sneak into the apartment undetected, but Rosa and Luis were still up, watching the nightly news.
"*Sydney!*" Rosa rushed to greet her friend.
"*Rosa, how are you?*"
"*Juli will be happy to see you.*"
"*Is she asleep?*"
"*Yeah. She's been begging for you since the day you left.*"
"*I missed her so much. I'm going to drop my bag off in my room, stop by to see Juliana, and then I'll be back.*"
"*Ok.*" Sydney quietly tip-toed up the stairs. She dropped off the suitcase that Vaughn had given her, and went down the hall to the girls' room. Sydney slowly opened the door, as to not disturb either girl. She glanced briefly over at Raquel, who slept quietly. Sydney stepped over the toys, and scattered clothing, to get to her daughter's bedside. She pushed the hairs away from Juliana's face, quietly whispering her name. "Juliana." Juliana stirred, but didn't wake. "Juliana." Sydney tried again. Juliana gave a small smile, and then rolled over. Sydney realized that Juliana was far too asleep to wake up just yet. Sydney just sat by Juliana's bedside, just watching her sleep.
***Flashback***
"When are the people getting here?" Vaughn shouted as he put away the vacuum cleaner.
"Don't yell. I just got Alex down for her nap." Sydney scolded. "Not for another three hours."
"I got the vacuuming done on the first floor."
"Could you pick these things up for me?" Sydney asked, handing Vaughn a short grocery list. "I need the sour cream for the dip."
"Honestly Sydney, do you think Alexandra will know what's going on?"
"I know she won't. But she'll love the new stuff we got her, and what everyone else is getting her. And it gives us an excuse to throw a party. I haven't seen Will and Mia in months. Between them moving an hour from here, and work and stuff, we just haven't seen them. They're coming down."
"You know we can throw a party anytime we want. We're adults now." Vaughn dangerously mocked his wife.
"Go!" Sydney ordered. "I can still kick your ass."
"I know. I'll see you in a few. I love you."
"Love you too."
Sydney continued the clean up process. She turned on the radio, and picked up the broom. Vaughn hadn't returned yet, when over the radio, Sydney heard the faint cry of her daughter. She quickly turned off the radio, and sprinted up the stairs to tend to Alexandra. The cry was faint, and Alexandra was kicking in her sleep, having an obvious nightmare. Sydney picked up her little angel, and rocked her until the crying stopped. Through the whole thing, Alexandra stayed sleeping. Sydney put her back into the crib, and sat down in the rocking chair, waiting to see if the crying would pick up again.
Vaughn put the groceries on the counter, and went to find his wife. The broom was laying haphazardly on the floor. Its handle pointing towards the stairs. Vaughn quickly climbed them, and found Sydney sitting in the rocking chair.
"Hey." He greeting, coming up and putting his arm around Sydney.
"Hi."
"How long have you been up here?"
"I dunno. Probably twenty minutes." Sydney admitted.
"What are you doing?"
"She's two."
"Yep. Two today."
"You'd think that after two years, I would get tired of just watching her sleep."
"You would think that."
"But I never have."
"I haven't either." They watched Alexandra's chest go up and down, as she peacefully slept in the dark nursery.
"We should have another one."
"Another what?"
"Kid. I don't want Alex to grow up as an only child."
"I hope the next one looks just like you."
"Alex already looks like me. It's your turn to have a kid look after you."
"Maybe in a couple years."
"No. Now. Let's have another kid now."
"It takes nine months." Vaughn joked.
"Ha, ha, ha. I just want Alexandra to have a sibling close in age to her."
"I think it's a perfect idea." Vaughn agreed. "We should go try now." He tempted.
Sydney looked lovingly up at her husband. "Maybe tonight. I just want to watch Alex sleep for a little longer. Besides, we still have to clean the rest of the house."
"Fine. We'll worry about all that later." Sydney took Vaughn's hand and held it in her own.
"She's two. I can't believe it."
"Grows up so fast."
"We'll be saying that in 10 years too."
"We'll be saying that every year."
"Shhh… lets watch her sleep while it's still not creepy."
"After two years, you'd think that we'd be tired of it."
"You would think that."
***End Flashback***
Quietly Sydney stood up, and navigated her way out of the children's bedroom. She went downstairs, where Rosa already had a bowl of coffee ice cream waiting for her. "*Watching Juliana sleep again?*"
"*Yeah.*"
"*You would think that after six years, you would be tired of that.*"
"*You would think.*"
"*You have to tell us all about your trip!*" Rosa said, ready to pry.
Luis agreed. "*I'm as curious as she is.*"
Sydney smiled, and began to tell of her trip over several bowls of ice cream. Rosa smiled at her friend as she talked about her family.
"*They sound wonderful. I can't wait to meet them.*" Rosa stated.
Sydney suddenly got very shy, and blushed. "*I failed to mention that Michael and I are going to remarry. It's probably going to be something small, but you guys should fly out for the wedding.*"
"*That's great!*" Rosa said, embracing her friend in a tight hug.
"*Really great.*" Luis agreed, also hugging Sydney.
"*But it means we're going to have to move a lot sooner than expected. Michael and I briefly talked about the wedding before I left. We mostly agreed we wanted it a good month before the girls started school, so it would be late July, and we agreed that it was going to be really small, and really casual. And my therapist doesn't want me gone for too long. I have more therapy to undergo. And she said that I should be here for at most a month.*"
"*That means you have to leave like right away.*" Luis concluded.
"*I know.*"
"*Sydney, let me tell you the truth. I love you. I loved you when you were Jessica English; I love you now as Sydney Vaughn. And I love having you here with us. Your friendship, and everything you have given me, us, has been truly a great gift. But honestly, I had hoped that this wasn't a permanent situation. I wanted more than anything for you to find out who you really belong to. Michael Vaughn and Alexandra are where you and Juliana belong. Of course I wish they lived in Spain, but you're going to be with your family again, and that to me is all that matters.*"
At this point, Sydney had begun to cry. "*Thanks guys. If you don't mind, I'm going to head to bed. Jet lagged. If you could pretend that I'm not here, for a little while longer. I want to totally surprise Juli.*"
"*Yeah, of course.*" Rosa promised. Sydney hugged the two people that had been her family for the past six years before heading up to her bedroom. She began unpacking her suitcase. It was one of her pet peeves. She first hung up all the clothing that she used to wear, and then tucked away at the bottom of the suitcase was a photo frame, and two notes. Sydney instantly recognized the handwritings. One was from Vaughn, and the other was from Alexandra. But neither was addressed to her. Both were for Juliana. Sydney picked up the silver photo frame, and looked carefully at it. The frame itself seemed familiar, and then it hit her. This was the frame that Vaughn had given to her for Christmas that first year they worked together. Sydney smiled fondly of the memory. He got in so much trouble for the frame, but neither one of them cared very much. Sydney then carefully studied the photo that accompanied the frame. They had taken the photo during Sydney's visit when they had a picnic on the beach. Alexandra was sitting in her father's lap, and they both beamed brightly at the photographer, Sydney. Carefully, Sydney set the photo on her nightstand, and climbed into her bed.
Sydney woke mid afternoon the next day. She was all alone in the loft apartment. After spending three weeks being the only one left in the house, Sydney was getting sick of spending her days alone. She got dressed, and went downstairs. Things looked as the always did. Raquel's various stuffed animals lined the wall next to the door. Juliana's finger paint artwork covered the fridge. The counter was sticky from an orange juice spill, that happened every morning. Juliana's sweater was at the foot of the coat rack, and Raquel's boots were sticking out from under the couch. Sydney knew that there was only one way she'd rather have it. With Michael, and Alexandra.
Sydney grabbed her house keys, and went down to the busy street below. She walked two blocks to her favorite fruit stand. "*Jessica, welcome back! Rosa told me you had to take a vacation.*" The elderly woman that ran the stand greeted.
"*Good afternoon Laura. Could you give me two oranges, and some of these.*"
"*Gladly. But you have to promise to cook something wonderful with these.*"
"*I promise.*" Sydney paid for the fruit, and went over two stands in the open air market to the bakers' stand. Sydney bought her bread, and made her way back to the apartment. The afternoon sun shone through the curtains. Glancing briefly down at her watch, Sydney figured that Vaughn and Alexandra would just be waking up. She quickly picked up the phone and dialed.
It rang three times before Vaughn answered. "Hello?" He sounded half asleep.
"Did I wake you? I thought you'd be up by now."
"Sydney! Hi! Yeah, you woke me, but I don't mind."
"I thought that you would be up by 7:30."
"Its seven thirty!?!?!?" Vaughn said, panicking.
"Yeah."
"Oh no!" Vaughn said. Sydney could hear the rustle of sheets, as Vaughn struggled to get ready. "Syd, Honey, if I had been up, and Alexandra was up, I'd have time to talk to you."
"I understand."
"I'll call you and Juliana tonight."
"Ok."
"I love you."
"I love you too. Tell Alex that I love her."
"Will do."
"Now go before you're late."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Sydney began gathering packing materials for the rest of the afternoon. She hid the collapsed boxes in her bedroom, until she had time to tell Juliana about their move. Sydney had the macaroni and cheese all set out on the table by the time Luis returned with Raquel and Juliana. The second Juliana saw her mother, she ran into Sydney's arms. "MAMA!" She shouted, giving the largest hug Sydney had felt in a long time.
"*I missed you.*" Sydney said.
"*Me too! I'm so glad you're home! Is Daddy or Alexandra with you?*"
"*Nope. They had to stay there.*"
"*Ok. I'm just glad that you're home! You're never going to leave me, are you?*"
Sydney smiled, and held her daughter close. "*Never like that. I promise you, I will never leave you like that again.*"
"*Good.*"
"*Tía Jessica!*" Raquel squealed, running over and hugging Sydney's leg. "*I missed you too.*"
"*I sure hope so. Come on, I want you two to tell me everything I missed while we eat.*"
"*What is for dinner?*"
"*Macaroni and cheese.*"
"*Your macaroni? Because Tía doesn't make it right.*"
Sydney laughed. "*Yes mine.*"
Sydney saw how happy her daughter was over dinner, that she didn't have the heart to tell Juliana about the move. Sydney told Juliana after she picked her up from school the next day. Juliana reacted better than Sydney ever expected her too. She actually went home, and grabbed a box from Sydney's closet, and began to throw her toys into it. "*Juli, you're excited for the move, aren't you.*"
"*I don't care where we live. I just miss Daddy, and I don't like you leaving me.*"
"*You heard what I said, about never leaving you without telling you first, right?*"
"*Yeah, but you'll go see Daddy again, without me, and I'll miss you again. So I want to go, and live with Daddy.*"
Sydney wanted to cry at her youngest daughter's strength. "*Alright. I love you.*"
As if she didn't quite understand where that came from, Juliana looked at her mother, and in clean and clear English, she simply replied, "I love you."
Sydney simply beamed at her daughter. "*You might not want to pack some of these just yet. You won't be able to play with them until we move. And Juliana, you need to understand something.*"
"*What?*"
"*We're going to have to leave a lot of stuff behind.*"
"*My toys?*"
"*Only pack the ones you still play with. There are a lot of toys that Alex has out grown already waiting for you in your new room.*"
"*Really?*"
"*Yeah.*"
"*Alright. Mommy, can Eva come over tomorrow?*"
"*Yeah. Sure.*"
"*Good, because she's going to her grandmothers for the whole summer. I'm going to miss her. And since school is over in four days, I'm not going to see a lot of her.*"
"*Are you excited for the end of school?*"
"*Yep. I'm going to miss school. I am even going to miss my teacher.*"
"*There are a lot of people I'm going to miss. Like Rosa, Luis and Raquel, but I would miss Daddy and Alexandra more.*"
"*Me too.*
"*Get your clothing down to my bedroom, I'm going to do laundry. Grab Raquel's too. And I want every piece of clothing of yours either put away, or in my bedroom, but I want to see no clothing on the floor. Got it?*"
"*Yes Mama.*"
With only a handful of days left until the big move, Sydney and Juliana began to rush all over Barcelona to say goodbye to friends. Often they would leave a house with a tearful goodbye, and a promise to stay in touch. But Sydney knew that it would be impossible to keep tabs on all of her and Juliana's friends from the far side of the Atlantic.
"*Juli, get the door.*" Sydney instructed her youngest daughter. In each hand she held some of her and Juliana's small music collection, ready for the open box in front of her.
"*Raquel beat me to it.*" Juliana reported, quickly following Raquel. "*Mama, it's for you.*"
Sighing, Sydney threw the remaining CDs into the box and stood up to answer the door. "Dad!" Sydney exclaimed, giving him a large hug.
"Hello Sydney."
"Dad, this is Juliana. *Juli, this is your Grandfather.*"
Jack squatted down and got eye to eye with his youngest granddaughter, who he was meeting for the first time. "Hi there, Juliana. Your mother has told me so many wonderful things about you." Juliana just looked at him with a quizzical look.
"Spanish Dad." Sydney kindly reminded him. Jack looked at both girls apologetically.
"*Sorry Juli.*" Jack repeated what he had just said, and in return Juliana gave him a large toothy grin.
"*Mama said that you wouldn't be able to come visit me until after we moved.*"
"*Raquel, could you go help your Mommy out? She's cooking some cake.*" Raquel smiled brightly and ran off to the kitchen, eager to help. "Why don't we go upstairs?" Sydney suggested.
Sydney allowed her father to sit in the coveted arm chair in the corner of the room, while she sat on the wooden desk chair. Jack patted his knee, motioning for Julian to come sit on, and she obediently obeyed with a smile. "*I was in France yesterday, and I knew I had to get you this.*" He reached into the back and pulled out a doll, much like the one Alexandra had.
"*Wow.*" Juliana marveled. She took the box from her grandfather and looked at the doll wide eyed.
"*Your sister has one much like it.*"
"*She's so pretty.*"
"*I also got you these.*" Jack reached back into the bag and pulled out two dresses, one from France the other from Spain. "*It's for a collection. This dress is from France, and this one I bought right here in Barcelona.*"
"Thank you Abuello." Juliana threw her arms around her grandfather's neck. Jack was startled briefly, but then smiled and put his arms around the young girl.
"*You are most welcome.*"
"*Can I go play with this Mama?*"
"*Juli, this doll isn't for playing with. She's to look at.*" Jack informed her.
Juliana looked disappointed. "*Oh.*"
"*In fact, I'm going to keep her with me until you get your new room.*"
"Ok."
"Sydney, do you mind if I take both Juliana and Raquel to the zoo? I'd love to spend some time with Juliana, and it looks as though you and Rosa wouldn't mind getting both girls out of your hair for some time."
"I'd love that. I can go ask Rosa."
"*What about me and Raquel?*"
"*It's a surprise.*"
Sydney went to the bottom of the stairs and called Rosa over. Rosa readily agreed to letting Raquel go, claiming that Raquel was far too much of a distraction in the kitchen.
When Jacked informed both girls about the trip, both jumped for joy. "*But what will Mama and Tía Jessica do?*" Raquel asked.
"*I've still got much to pack, and a lot more stuff to do after that. You guys have fun.*"
"*And I've got a cake to bake.*"
They left, and Rosa turned to Sydney. "*Your dad seemed nice.*"
"*He is. Apparently most of my life he's been distant, but since Alexandra was born, he's been in my life more. Or so Michael says.*"
"*Well he was nice enough to take the girls out. I really need to make this cake for work, as well as dinner before Luis gets home.*"
"*I have really got to finish packing. I have got to get these mailed tomorrow, before the post office closes.*"
"*You know if you forget something, I'll be happy to mail it to you.*"
"*I know.*"
When Sydney and Juliana left for the airport three days later, Sydney felt as if she had left a sister. Rosa had taken care of her, ever since she could honestly remember. She allowed Sydney and Juliana to live rent-free in their large apartment. Rosa had always been her safety net. She could always turn to Rosa if she had any problems, of any sort. Suddenly that net no longer lived down the hall. Sydney had a problem smiling as she got on the airplane. She knew where she was going, who was waiting for her, and she had no regrets. But there was so much she was leaving behind.
Vaughn and Alexandra waited impatiently by the baggage claim for the plane to land. "Do you think she'll like the room?"
"What do you think?"
"Yeah."
"You just answered your own question."
"I hope she'll like the house."
A man approached the father and daughter. "Michael? Michael Vaughn?"
Vaughn looked at the man. "Yes?"
"It's me. Seth Marks."
Vaughn studied Seth carefully. He was definitely familiar looking, but something about the greeting threw him off. Then it hit him like a sack of flour. This was SETH, the annoying professor that would never give up on Sydney. "Seth, yes, hi, how are you?"
"Can't complain. How about yourself?"
"Really well actually."
"Bless my word, is this Alexandra?" Shyly Alexandra nodded. "You look just like your mother."
"What brings you to the airport?" Vaughn quickly interjected before Seth could go any farther in the conversation. The last thing Vaughn wanted Seth to be talking about was Sydney.
"My mother did one of those tours for seniors. I'm picking her up."
"Where'd she go?"
A small crowd of people began to trickle into the baggage claim area. Vaughn repositioned himself so he could easily watch the stream of people coming towards them. Seth looked rather bored, as if he didn't really want to pick his mother up, and didn't seem to care if she ever appeared in the crowd of people. But both of the Vaughns were more than happy to look for the other half of their family. Alexandra watched all the people file by with anticipation. Person after person came through, and Sydney and Juliana weren't among the crowd. Vaughn was beginning to worry, but he couldn't let it show. Alexandra tugged on her father's sleeve. Vaughn was more than happy to turn his attention away from the slime ball that liked his wife more than he should, and look at his darling daughter. "Daddy, can I go look for them around the corner?"
"Sure thing Angel." Alexandra smiled, and ran off to look for them around the corner. Vaughn watched her run until she was out of sight. He then, only to be polite, turned back to the ever-loathed Seth.
"Spain." Seth answered. "What about you? What brings you to the airport?"
Vaughn didn't know how to answer. The last thing he wanted was Seth to figure out was that Sydney was alive again. It would mean that he would randomly stop by, claiming he had a question about one thing or another, like he did 6 years ago. That was one of the things Vaughn didn't miss about Sydney's disappearance. It was the only thing. He opened his mouth, fully prepared with a lie, but Alexandra came and tackled him. "Daddy! Mommy and Juliana are getting off the plane right now! I saw them!" She exclaimed, dragging him towards the planes. Vaughn willingly followed
Seth stood there, stunned for several minutes, before he slowly followed Vaughn and Alexandra. What he saw unfold in front of him was Sydney. Actually, Vaughn and Juliana and Sydney and Alexandra were all reuniting themselves. But all Seth saw was Sydney. It was as if someone had taken a picture of that moment, and blurred everything but her. He stood there stunned for a moment. He thought she was dead. Everyone thought she was dead. But there was no mistaking her grace. Seth tried to say something, multiple times. But he still stood there in shock. The family didn't seem to faze him. It never had before. "Hi Sydney." Seth finally was able to crack.
Sydney paused momentarily from hugging Alexandra to talk to the stranger. She looked at him, puzzled beyond words at who he might me. "Uh, hello?"
"You don't remember me, do you?"
Sydney gave an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid there is a lot of people and things I don't remember." Vaughn leaned over, deciding to clue Sydney in on who she was dealing with. Sydney gave a small chuckle. Both girls didn't know what was going on, and instead just watched the whole situation. Juliana looked happy to be reunited with her father and sister, but she was bored. At least Alexandra understood the words coming out of their mouths. Juliana just stood there, hoping someone would clue her in.
"Seth Marks. We used to work together."
Sydney faked both a familiarity, and any resemblance to caring. "Oh yeah. How are you?"
"Seth, there you are!" An elderly woman, with her silver wiry hair, and half moon spectacles came over, tugging on Seth's arm. "I have been waiting with my bag for thirty minutes, and you're over here chatting with your friends. Come on boy, Wheel of Fortune starts soon."
Seth turned bright red like an embarrassed teenager. "Mom, I'm busy right now."
"I'm your mother damn it! I went through 10 hours of painful labor, and this is the thanks I get?"
Seth looked like he was ready to explode. But instead he gave a calm answer to Sydney and Vaughn. "It was good to see you again Sydney… really, really great. You too Michael." Seth's mother had already started to walk away. She was grumbling and pushing people out of the way. "Mother! Don't knock him over!" He called after her, running to catch up.
"What was that all about?" Alexandra asked. Vaughn and Sydney only looked at each other and smiled.
* * * * *