All previous disclaimers apply.



"Bayou Justice"
Part 4

By Lorrie


"Syd, when do you want to tell Walker?"

Sydney sighed, "I don't know. We need to do it pretty soon. I should ask for a desk job. I don't want to endanger the baby."

Gage smiled. "I was hoping you felt that way."

Sydney returned the smile. "Maybe we should have Walker and Alex over for dinner tonight."

"What about Trivette and Josie?"

"Sure, why not. Oh, I should tell you, Alex already knows I'm pregnant, but she
promised that she wouldn't say anything to Walker."

Gage looked at Sydney in disbelief, "You told Alex before you told me?"

"Gage, I'm sorry. It was the morning you called Headquarters from Laguex's camp. I was sick and I was worried about you. Alex was there for me and she guessed that I was pregnant. She also guessed that you were the father."

Gage's eyes widened, "She what?"

Sydney smiled. "That was my reaction."

**********

"So what do you think their news is?" Walker asked Alex as they got ready for dinner.

"I have a feeling I know what it is." Alex answered as she finished writing the
instructions for the baby sitter.

"Well, would you like to share you thoughts?"

"Not really."

**********

"What time are we supposed to be at Sydney's" Josie asked.

"She said 7:00."

"So she said they have some big news to share?"

"Yup and I know what it is. I'll bet that she and Gage are getting married." Trivette replied.

"You think so?" Josie asked. Trivette nodded.

**********

Sydney took the roast out of the crock-pot and put the vegetables in the casserole dish. She reached for a serving spoon and dropped it on the floor.

"Syd, are you OK?" Gage called from the bathroom.

"Just nervous." Sydney stepped into the bathroom with Gage and watched him shave. She starred at his bare back and chest, noting all of the scars; the fresh ones from the alligator attach, the one from the bullet wound that came close to killing him and of course the ones on his chest, courtesy of the grizzly bear at Lake Ebby.

"What's wrong?" Gage asked as he noticed a tear in Sydney's eye.

She quickly wiped the tear away. "Oh nothing. It's just the pregnancy I guess, you know, weird hormones or something."

The doorbell rang as Gage reached for his shirt. "Showtime." He kissed Sydney on the cheek.

"I'll get the door." Sydney replied.

Walker and Alex were at the door. "We're not late are we?"

"Actually you're the first ones here." Sydney smiled.

Trivette and Josie knocked on the door moments after Sydney had closed it. "We're here." Trivette smiled as he hugged Sydney.

**********

After dinner the three couples were sitting in the living room when Josie noticed Sydney's engagement ring. "Sydney! Is that what I think it is?" Josie exclaimed.

Sydney smiled nervously and nodded. "That's part of what we wanted to tell you." Gage moved over beside of Sydney. "We're getting married!"

"Congratulations!" Alex said as she hugged both Gage and Sydney, as did Walker, then Josie and Trivette.

"There's more." Sydney said quietly.

"What do you mean there's more?" Trivette asked.

Sydney took a deep breath, Alex gave her a reassuring nod. "I'm a little over four weeks pregnant."

"You're what?" Walker asked.

Trivette's mouth dropped.

"Well, you see, it was, we were. Well, it just sort of happened." Gage stammered.

"I think it's wonderful." Alex smiled, trying to get the conversation past the awkward moment. "When is the wedding?"

"We haven't set a date yet, but you guys will be the first to know." Sydney said nervously.

"Aahm, Josie, are you ready, I know you have an early day tomorrow." Trivette started.

"Thank you for dinner and congratulations again."

Walker picked up his hat. "Alex, we should probably be going too, we need to relieve the sitter." Walker hugged Sydney. "Congratulations." He then turned to Gage, "I want to talk to you in my office in the morning."

When everyone had left Gage turned to Sydney. "What happened here?"

Sydney looked as if she were going to cry. "I don't know. Maybe we shouldn't have said anything about the baby until after the wedding."

Gage put his arm around Sydney. "Just who do they think they are judging us? So maybe we didn't do things in the traditional order; marriage first, then getting pregnant, but it's our lives and none of their business."

"Calm down honey." Sydney said quietly.

"How can I calm down? I can see the hurt in your eyes. The way Walker and Trivette took the news."

"What did Walker say to you before he and Alex left? Whatever it was is what's really set you off isn't it?"

They had moved towards the bedroom and were changing clothes. "He wants to see me in his office in the morning. I feel like I'm back in high school and being called to the principal's office."

"You bad, bad boy!" Sydney pretended to scold Gage.

"I'll show you just how bad I can be. Come here," he pulled her into bed with him.

**********

"You wanted to see me?" Gage stepped into Walker's office.

"Close the door." Walker instructed. "Have a seat."

"Walker, I."

"What were you thinking?" Walker asked.

"What?"

"Sydney's your partner."

"She's much more than that to me Walker. I love her and neither of us should have to explain our feeling to you or anyone else."

"I'm sorry Gage." Walker patted Gage on the back. "It's just, you two have put me in a difficult position."

"How so? What are you talking about?"

"It's supposed to be a surprise." Walker replied.

"What is?"

Walker hesitated, "Both you and Sydney are being honored next month at the Ranger Banquet for outstanding service."

"You're kidding." Gage replied in disbelief.

"No, I'm not kidding. Now how am I supposed to approach Brisco with this. Tell him that the two of you are engaged and expecting a baby or do I say nothing until after the banquet?"

"I see what you mean about a tough spot, but Walker if I have anything to say about it, Sydney and I will be married before the end of next month." Gage smiled.

"You're really happy aren't you?" Walker asked with a smile.

"I can't remember a time when I've ever been happier." Gage replied.

"Well, I'll figure out something to tell Brisco, but you have to promise that you won't say anything to Sydney about the banquet."

"I won't." Gage walked out of Walker's office.

**********

"Walker, maybe I should just take a leave of absence."

"For eight months? How about taking a desk job until after the baby's born?"

"I don't have too many choices, do I?" Sydney looked up at Gage.

"Nope." Gage smiled.

"What about Gage; who will be his partner?"

"I want to pair him up with Trivette. I plan to spend more time in the office and handle more of the case load."

**********

Gage and Sydney were getting ready for bed and discussing the day's events. "Are you OK with a desk job Sydney?"

"For now. I mean, I'd rather be in the field with you, but not at the expense of our baby." Sydney rubbed her tummy.

"Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?" Gage starred at Sydney, his eyes caressing her.

"Yeah right! My belly is beginning to swell and hardly any of my clothes fit right. I'm puking at the thought of food and at the same time craving some of the grossest sounding stuff." Gage wrapped his arms around Sydney as she laughed.

"You'll always look beautiful to me."

"I love you Gage."

"I love you too." He gently kissed her lips. "Syd, when are we going to set a date?"

"Um?"

"A wedding date?"

"Oh, When do you want to get married?"

"Tomorrow." Gage laughed.

Sydney swatted at him. "Be realistic."

"I am, we could go to the Justice of the Peace tomorrow morning. Then you'd be mine by about noon." Gage kissed her neck.

"Be serious, how about four weeks from now?"

"How about two weeks?" Gage rebutted.

"Two weeks?" Sydney replied. Gage nodded.

Sydney thought for a moment, "OK".

"OK! Really!"

"Yes really. I don't want to wait much longer either. I want to begin the rest of my life with you as soon as possible." They kissed again and fell asleep in each other's arms.

**********

"Walker, hurry or we'll be late." Alex called into the bedroom.

"I'm coming."

"Gage is nervous enough without his best man being late."

"We're not going to be late. I'm ready, let's go."

A little while later, they arrived at the church. Alex went to find Sydney and Walker met up with Trivette and Gage.

"Oh, Alex, I was beginning to get a little nervous." Sydney said as Alex came in. "Can you help me with my gown?"

"Sure honey." Alex lifted the champagne colored wedding gown from its hanger and helped Sydney into it then hooked the small buttons on the back.

Sydney turned to face the mirror. "What do you think Alex, honestly. Am I showing too much?" Sydney smoothed her hand over he stomach, which barely strained the shape of the gown.

"Sydney, there's no way anyone would suspect that you're pregnant unless they already knew."

Josie opened the door a crack. "It's time."

"OK. We're ready." Sydney looked at Alex. "I wonder if Gage is as nervous as I am?"

Sydney met her father at the door just as "The Wedding March" began to play. Josie was first down the aisle, then Alex, followed by Sydney and her father.

Gage, Walker and Trivette stood at the front of the church. When Sydney appeared in the doorway, Gage was mesmerized. He smiled as everyone except he and Sydney melted away.

**********

A month later at the annual Texas Ranger Banquet . . .

"How long do we have to stay? I'm really not feeling well."

"Syd, we can't just up and leave in the middle of this thing. It would embarrass Walker." Gage replied smiling. "Look at it this way, you don't have to cook tonight."

"It was your turn to cook tonight." Sydney replied.

"Oh yeah." Gage smiled again.

After dinner, the awards service began. Capt. Brisco stepped up to the podium. "We have a very special award to give out tonight to two very deserving young Rangers, so without further adieu, I would like to present the Outstanding Service Award to Rangers Francis Gage and Sydney Cooke-Gage."

Sydney's mouth dropped, "You knew, didn't you?" She looked at Gage, he nodded.

"Walker had to tell me when he found out we were engaged." They both approached the stage and accepted their awards and were readily greeted and congratulated by Walker, Alex, Trivette, Josie and their other colleagues.

**********

The morning following the Awards Banquet, Sydney and Gage entered the office to a round of applause from their co-workers.

"Sydney, can I see you for a minute?" Walker asked. "I'm sorry, I made Gage promise not to tell you about the award." Walker explained.

"It's OK. I understand."

"Capt. Brisco wanted me to approach you with an idea. You know since you and Gage are married now, you can't continue to be partners, but how would you feel about working with Alex in the D.A.'s office?"

"Doing what?"

"You'd retain Ranger status and work with Alex as her body guard as well as handling serving of some warrants and assist on drug raids, and other assignments where the D.A.'s office has a valid interest. And since you wouldn't be under me, like Gage, we could still pair the two of you together when needed."

Sydney smiled. "It sounds perfect. When do I start?"

"How about after the baby gets here?"

"Does Gage know?"

"No. I wanted to talk to you first." Walker smiled.

"It sounds ideal." Gage replied when his wife explained the position she'd be taking after the baby was born.

"That's what I thought too."

**********

The next several months passed by fairly quickly and uneventful with Gage partnering with Trivette and Sydney and Walker working in the office.

Gage had attending most of Sydney's doctor's appointments with her and much to everyone's surprise, both of them had decided not to find out the sex of the baby before it was born.

"Hey honey, are you ready to go home?" Gage asked as he and Trivette came in from picking up a felon.

"You bet!" Sydney replied as she waddled over to her husband.

"Whoa Sydney, when are you due?" Trivette asked.

Sydney punched him in the arm. "My due date is next week."

"Come on little hot shot, let's go home. I'll fix dinner tonight." Gage smiled.

Moments later Walker entered the office. "Trivette, where are Gage and Sydney?"

"You just missed them, they're headed home. What's up?"

"Laguex just escaped from prison." Walker started.

"What? How?" Trivette asked.

"No time to explain. We've got to warn Gage and Sydney."

Trivette pulled out his cell phone and tried to reach them, but the connection couldn't be made. "I swear, I'm going to buy Gage a new battery charger. Every time I need to reach him, his cell is down."

**********

Laguex made his way to Gage and Sydney's apartment, picked the lock on their door and let himself in. He quickly hid himself in their bedroom and waited. "You're going to pay for what you did to me Ranger, you and your little family."

Gage parked the car and helped Sydney out. He unlocked their door and headed for the kitchen to start dinner. Sydney headed for the bedroom to change her clothes.

Suddenly Gage was startled by Sydney's desperate screams. "Syd!" He ran to the bedroom, "Sydney where are you?" He reached the bedroom door and found Laguex holding Sydney from behind with a gun pointed at her head.

"Laguex, let her go!"

"That would be too easy Ranger. You're going to pay for what you did to me."

"Laguex, let my wife go. She has nothing to do with this." Gage tried to remain calm, he showed his hands to Laguex. "Look, I'm not armed. Put the gun down and lets talk."

"I didn't come here for conversation. I came here for justice."

Walker and Trivette busted through the door of Sydney and Gage's apartment. The abrupt noise startled Laguex. That moment of hesitation was all the opportunity Gage needed, he lunged towards Laguex and landed on top of him, pushing Sydney out of the way in the same move.

Gage and Laguex continued to scuffle while Trivette and Walker got Sydney out of the room. After a few moments, Gage threw the last punch and picked up Laguex's gun and pointed at his head. He held it there for a few seconds, wanting to make Laguex pay for laying his hands on Sydney.

"Gage! Don't!" Walker shouted from behind.

Gage put the gun down and as Laguex slumped in relief, Gage placed a spin kick to his head and knocked him out. "There's your justice Laguex, Texas Justice."

"Gage, you'd better get in here quick." Trivette yelled from the living room. "Sydney's in labor."

Gage ran to Sydney's side as Walker handcuffed Laguex. "Syd, I'm here. Come on, I'll get you to the hospital."

"There's no time, the baby's coming now." Sydney screamed.

"Gage, I've got the hospital on the phone. Sydney's doctor is going to walk you through this." Trivette handed Gage the phone.

"Walk me through, I can't deliver a baby." Gage said nervously.

"You don't have a choice." Sydney screamed. "Get clean sheets from the linen closet and have blankets near by." Sydney was suddenly hit hard with a contraction. "Gage!"

Gage had the phone up to his ear. "Yes doctor, she's a full ten and I'm pretty sure I can see the baby's head. OK, I understand." Gage sat the phone down and concentrated on his wife.

"OK Sydney, on your next contraction, push."

Sydney nodded and as the next contraction hit her, she pushed with all her might.

"OK, again Syd." Gage instructed. They could hear the sirens in the distance.

Trivette went outside to direct the paramedics, Walker took Laguex outside to hand him over to the Dallas PD. This left Gage and Sydney alone with the miracle of the birth of their baby.

"Push Sydney!" Sydney gave a last mighty push and heard the sweetest cry in the world; the very first cry of a newborn baby.

"Oh God Syd, it's a boy and he's beautiful!" Gage wiped the baby clean and laid him on Sydney's stomach. The paramedics rushed in to find the new family in one big hug.

"You both did a great job! Here, Mr. Gage, do you want to cut the umbilical cord?" The paramedic clamped the cord and handed Gage the scissors. Gage cut the cord and smiled. He had never thought he would be able to stand being in the same room when Sydney gave birth, let alone deliver his own son.

"Are you OK?" he asked Sydney. She nodded.

"How about you? You look a little pale."

"I'm OK." A tear silently fell down his cheek.

"What are we going to name him?" Sydney asked as they rode in the ambulance to the hospital.

"How about Cody?" Gage asked.

"How about Cody Allen?"

"Cody Allen Gage." Gage nodded, I like it. The baby cooed at that moment. "Sounds like he likes it too." Gage leaned over and kissed his wife and son.

THE END