I can only imagine how Michael must have felt when he saw us all on the
ground. He has had a lot of feelings running through this week. Happiness,
apprehension, sadness, anger, and more that I don't know about. He hasn't
had time alone with Emily. He always likes to have time with just the two
of them. He always makes it up to me with some alone time. Michael is great
that way.
That's why I left without arguing. As much as I wanted to show my love, I held back. Jonathon is trying to catch my attention while we wait. He was really worried earlier. I hope he's not going to ask what happened. I hate lying.
"Mrs. Vaughn," I love that. Mrs. Vaughn. I've never gotten over signing my name Sydney Vaughn.
"If you and Mr. Vaughn want to go outside I can take care of Emily. She hasn't had someone her own age to talk to while she's been here."
He can try to be sneaky, but I know he just wants to be alone with her. I don't think she'll mind his company, and I want to talk to Michael alone. Maybe I'll take him up on his offer.
"Thank you, Jonathon."
We wait in silence until Michael emerges. His eyes are a shade darker than usual. He's been holding back tears. I take his hand and lead him outside. Francie's house overlooks the beach, so we find a path down to the sand. We discard our shoes and walk hand in hand. I break the silence.
"I never thought this would happen." He squeezes my hand and we continue walking. We discover a hidden cove and nestle ourselves in the sand. We face the ocean and I rest my head on his shoulder. We haven't been able to talk to each other here. We've been too preoccupied with our past.
"I don't know how she's going to deal with this. I still have trouble comprehending everything. I feel like we've dumped our lives into her lap."
"She would have been worse off it we had hidden it from her. She's always wondered, and Sark could have used it to his own advantage. She might not have forgiven us if we tried to keep her oblivious. Emily would have found out on her own sooner or later. She's a smart kid. We raised her well. She'll know how to handle this. She's stronger than the both of us Sydney. Everything will be all right. She knows we love her and that we didn't tell her because we wanted to protect her."
His words are all true. She is stronger than the both of us. I feel reassured and relax in Michael's embrace. Memories of Emily as a baby make a smile creep onto my features. I've been rather nostalgic lately. Apparently Michael has been too, because he whispers a memory to me.
"Remember when we first moved?" How could I not? I was two months pregnant and finally living with the man I loved. It's one of my favorite memories.
**********FLASHBACK************
The house is white with a picket fence. Frosted maple trees surround it, giving the house a rustic appearance. Michael and I picked it out, and it's absolutely perfect. We're standing on the front porch, looking out onto the snow-covered street. The house is completely bare because our furniture order was delayed. The only piece of furniture is a sofa bed.
Here we are, holding hands and swaying with the freezing Canadian breeze. I never thought I could be so happy. Michael and I don't start teaching for almost a year. They don't want to bring us in halfway, and its December. I really don't mind. I need to get to know every aspect of my husband. We have enough money to keep us going and I'll have had our child.
It's a girl. I can tell without a sonogram. I won't tell Michael. He wants us to be surprised, so I pretend like I don't know. But I do. And I'm going to name her Emily Francine. If I can't have either of them with me, I'll settle for their names.
I miss Francie and Will so much. They were part of the reason I got up in the morning. At least Will knows I'm still alive. I hope he tells Francie. I think she could live with herself if she knew I was alive and safe.
Donovan is barking at the snow. Michael pleaded on his behalf to come with us. I couldn't say no. Besides, I like having extra protection. I'm still scared someone's going to find us.
Mainly Sark.
He's good at what he does. It will not take him long to come after us. I just wonder what kind of damage he'll do. I can only try to protect my family as much as I can. The CIA did everything it could to cover our tracks. All that's left is for Michael and I to be careful.
I can see a couple approaching us. I don't want to seem distant, but I'm afraid if I get too close it will be hard to pull away. Michael squeezes my hand as they walk up the front path. They have a nice appearance, but I've learned not to trust that.
"Hello, I'm Holly Waggoner, and this is my husband Jamie. We're your neighbors. Welcome!" The woman is roughly 5'6" and has a pretty face. Jamie is taller and built. We shake their hands.
I smile, but for some reason my voice isn't working very well. Michael answers them. "I'm Michael Vaughn. This is my wife Sydney. We just came from France. It's nice to meet you. We would invite you in, but we're a little short of furniture." He adds a touch of accent to his voice. Perfect. He sounds sexy when he speaks in French.
"France eh? I always wanted to visit France. Why did you choose our small Canadian town?" Because it's small. It's not even on the map. We had to go through towns and find a small enough one so that we wouldn't be found.
"It seemed to call out to us. Besides, once I saw the house I was in love." My voice finally came back. Holly nods in approval and bends down to scratch Donovan.
"What a handsome dog! What is his name?"
"Donovan."
Jamie seems to be the quieter of the two. I don't think I've heard him speak two words.
"What do you do for a living?" He finally asks. At last. A sentence.
"We're both teachers. We're going to teach foreign language at the high school next year." Michael answers with pride. I don't think he ever imagined he would be a teacher.
"We're starting next year so I don't have to take maternity leave." My hand is resting protectively on my abdomen. I won't start showing for at least two more months, but I can already feel changes.
Holly's face glows. She must love children. "When are you due?"
"April 24th." Almost a week after my birthday.
"Congratulations. Jamie and I are expecting in March. March 21st." That's where the glow is coming from. I instantly warm to her.
Canada is turning out better than I expected.
*************END FLASHBACK*************
The Waggoners became our best friends in Canada. They still are. Holly and I talk just like I did with Francie. Jamie and Michael argue over hockey teams. I was thrilled every time she got pregnant (which happened three times after their eldest). Emily and their daughter Chelsea are good friends.
"Michael, do you want to move back here?" My question seems to linger in the breeze. I'm unsure about moving back. We've got a great life in Canada. I don't think I want to give that up.
"Canada has become our home in the last sixteen years. I've been happier there than anywhere else. But I'm happy as long as I'm with you and Emily. It's your call Sydney."
My call. Canada or California. Francie can visit me in Canada, but I could never get Holly to come out here with all her kids. California would also mean the CIA. They would naturally expect us to come back. I can't do that. Neither can Michael.
Canada it is.
If things get serious with Jonathon, Emily can always visit over the summer. She'll be going to college soon, and she has confessed that she's mainly looking at UC schools.
Michael and I can visit during the summer too. That's the best way. I don't want to rip up my roots again. And besides, I love my job. The teaching staff is amazing and my students are always the best. I get to see my husband whenever I want and I see my dad every weekend. There is no way I'm giving that up.
I don't know how long we've been sitting here; the only measure of time is the sun. It's past noon, and Emily woke up at 11. We probably need to be heading back.
I shift out of Michael's arms and stretch. He smiles and helps me get up. We walk back to Francie's.
Hand in hand.
AN: ::stretches on fluff:: ahhhh comfy. Review while I decide if I have enough fluff to make a mattress.
That's why I left without arguing. As much as I wanted to show my love, I held back. Jonathon is trying to catch my attention while we wait. He was really worried earlier. I hope he's not going to ask what happened. I hate lying.
"Mrs. Vaughn," I love that. Mrs. Vaughn. I've never gotten over signing my name Sydney Vaughn.
"If you and Mr. Vaughn want to go outside I can take care of Emily. She hasn't had someone her own age to talk to while she's been here."
He can try to be sneaky, but I know he just wants to be alone with her. I don't think she'll mind his company, and I want to talk to Michael alone. Maybe I'll take him up on his offer.
"Thank you, Jonathon."
We wait in silence until Michael emerges. His eyes are a shade darker than usual. He's been holding back tears. I take his hand and lead him outside. Francie's house overlooks the beach, so we find a path down to the sand. We discard our shoes and walk hand in hand. I break the silence.
"I never thought this would happen." He squeezes my hand and we continue walking. We discover a hidden cove and nestle ourselves in the sand. We face the ocean and I rest my head on his shoulder. We haven't been able to talk to each other here. We've been too preoccupied with our past.
"I don't know how she's going to deal with this. I still have trouble comprehending everything. I feel like we've dumped our lives into her lap."
"She would have been worse off it we had hidden it from her. She's always wondered, and Sark could have used it to his own advantage. She might not have forgiven us if we tried to keep her oblivious. Emily would have found out on her own sooner or later. She's a smart kid. We raised her well. She'll know how to handle this. She's stronger than the both of us Sydney. Everything will be all right. She knows we love her and that we didn't tell her because we wanted to protect her."
His words are all true. She is stronger than the both of us. I feel reassured and relax in Michael's embrace. Memories of Emily as a baby make a smile creep onto my features. I've been rather nostalgic lately. Apparently Michael has been too, because he whispers a memory to me.
"Remember when we first moved?" How could I not? I was two months pregnant and finally living with the man I loved. It's one of my favorite memories.
**********FLASHBACK************
The house is white with a picket fence. Frosted maple trees surround it, giving the house a rustic appearance. Michael and I picked it out, and it's absolutely perfect. We're standing on the front porch, looking out onto the snow-covered street. The house is completely bare because our furniture order was delayed. The only piece of furniture is a sofa bed.
Here we are, holding hands and swaying with the freezing Canadian breeze. I never thought I could be so happy. Michael and I don't start teaching for almost a year. They don't want to bring us in halfway, and its December. I really don't mind. I need to get to know every aspect of my husband. We have enough money to keep us going and I'll have had our child.
It's a girl. I can tell without a sonogram. I won't tell Michael. He wants us to be surprised, so I pretend like I don't know. But I do. And I'm going to name her Emily Francine. If I can't have either of them with me, I'll settle for their names.
I miss Francie and Will so much. They were part of the reason I got up in the morning. At least Will knows I'm still alive. I hope he tells Francie. I think she could live with herself if she knew I was alive and safe.
Donovan is barking at the snow. Michael pleaded on his behalf to come with us. I couldn't say no. Besides, I like having extra protection. I'm still scared someone's going to find us.
Mainly Sark.
He's good at what he does. It will not take him long to come after us. I just wonder what kind of damage he'll do. I can only try to protect my family as much as I can. The CIA did everything it could to cover our tracks. All that's left is for Michael and I to be careful.
I can see a couple approaching us. I don't want to seem distant, but I'm afraid if I get too close it will be hard to pull away. Michael squeezes my hand as they walk up the front path. They have a nice appearance, but I've learned not to trust that.
"Hello, I'm Holly Waggoner, and this is my husband Jamie. We're your neighbors. Welcome!" The woman is roughly 5'6" and has a pretty face. Jamie is taller and built. We shake their hands.
I smile, but for some reason my voice isn't working very well. Michael answers them. "I'm Michael Vaughn. This is my wife Sydney. We just came from France. It's nice to meet you. We would invite you in, but we're a little short of furniture." He adds a touch of accent to his voice. Perfect. He sounds sexy when he speaks in French.
"France eh? I always wanted to visit France. Why did you choose our small Canadian town?" Because it's small. It's not even on the map. We had to go through towns and find a small enough one so that we wouldn't be found.
"It seemed to call out to us. Besides, once I saw the house I was in love." My voice finally came back. Holly nods in approval and bends down to scratch Donovan.
"What a handsome dog! What is his name?"
"Donovan."
Jamie seems to be the quieter of the two. I don't think I've heard him speak two words.
"What do you do for a living?" He finally asks. At last. A sentence.
"We're both teachers. We're going to teach foreign language at the high school next year." Michael answers with pride. I don't think he ever imagined he would be a teacher.
"We're starting next year so I don't have to take maternity leave." My hand is resting protectively on my abdomen. I won't start showing for at least two more months, but I can already feel changes.
Holly's face glows. She must love children. "When are you due?"
"April 24th." Almost a week after my birthday.
"Congratulations. Jamie and I are expecting in March. March 21st." That's where the glow is coming from. I instantly warm to her.
Canada is turning out better than I expected.
*************END FLASHBACK*************
The Waggoners became our best friends in Canada. They still are. Holly and I talk just like I did with Francie. Jamie and Michael argue over hockey teams. I was thrilled every time she got pregnant (which happened three times after their eldest). Emily and their daughter Chelsea are good friends.
"Michael, do you want to move back here?" My question seems to linger in the breeze. I'm unsure about moving back. We've got a great life in Canada. I don't think I want to give that up.
"Canada has become our home in the last sixteen years. I've been happier there than anywhere else. But I'm happy as long as I'm with you and Emily. It's your call Sydney."
My call. Canada or California. Francie can visit me in Canada, but I could never get Holly to come out here with all her kids. California would also mean the CIA. They would naturally expect us to come back. I can't do that. Neither can Michael.
Canada it is.
If things get serious with Jonathon, Emily can always visit over the summer. She'll be going to college soon, and she has confessed that she's mainly looking at UC schools.
Michael and I can visit during the summer too. That's the best way. I don't want to rip up my roots again. And besides, I love my job. The teaching staff is amazing and my students are always the best. I get to see my husband whenever I want and I see my dad every weekend. There is no way I'm giving that up.
I don't know how long we've been sitting here; the only measure of time is the sun. It's past noon, and Emily woke up at 11. We probably need to be heading back.
I shift out of Michael's arms and stretch. He smiles and helps me get up. We walk back to Francie's.
Hand in hand.
AN: ::stretches on fluff:: ahhhh comfy. Review while I decide if I have enough fluff to make a mattress.