Epilogue:

Froot Loops and Ferris Wheels

Even before she opened her eyes she threw her arm across the bed. She did it instinctively every morning, and she knew he did it too. In those first few moments between sleep and being full awake they had to make sure it wasn't all just a wonderful dream. Most mornings she awoke before his alarm, and he was right there beside her. But this morning her heart skipped a beat when she found she was alone in bed. Her eyes flew open, and she half sat up before she heard the shower. Relaxing, she lay back down. She smiled and ran her thumb over the cool metal of her wedding band, something she did quite often subconsciously. So it was true, he really was hers. She heard the shower stop, and smiled as she pictured him getting out. A moment later he appeared at the bathroom door, a towel around his waist.

"What are you doing?" he asked, concerned. "Are you feeling okay?" Most days she got up ten minutes after him, and quite often joined him in the shower.

"Good morning to you too" she rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "I have a day off remember?"

"Lucky." He moved beside the bed, and leaned over to kiss her. "Good morning." She smiled, and he ran his fingers through her tousled hair. "Go back to sleep than" he suggested.

"Mmmm, good plan." She closed her eyes, but as soon as he moved away she opened them again. She watched as he rummaged through their closet, and pulled on a clean white shirt. He wore basically the same thing every day, but she couldn't get over how good he looked in it. She finally gave up on sleep, and stood as she saw him tying his tie. "Here, let me do it."

He was perfectly capable of tying it himself, but was quite willing to have her do it. "So, this is where all my clean shirts go" he pulled lightly on the collar of one of his dress shirts that she was wearing, as she often did, to sleep in.

"Your shirt? I believe I bought this shirt, and I wash it, and iron it." She wasn't complaining. Honestly, she loved all that domestic stuff. They both did. It was so normal. "I think I should be able to wear it whenever I want."

"Maybe I need it for work." He wasn't really complaining either. He loved it when she wore his clothes. "You don't see me wearing your work stuff do you?" Images of Vaughn in one of her "work outfits" filled both their minds, and they grinned.

"Fine than, have it back" she unbuttoned the shirt seductively, and tossed it to him.

"Sydney" he groaned "I have to go to work."

"Oh, all right" she took a robe from the closet and pulled it on. "I'll make the coffee then."

"I can be late" he called after her hopefully, but she was already down the hall.

"You're late at least once a week" she replied quickly. It was true, but so was the fact that she was also late for work more often than she cared to admit recently. She glanced around the kitchen. It was the same house she had shared with Francie, but with Vaughn it was so much more of a home. She caught sight of their wedding picture on the fridge and smiled. She picked up the photo and studied it. Just a simple ceremony on the beach, with close family and friends. Her in a simple strapless A-line gown. Amy, with hair dyed a more natural blond, as a bridesmaid, and Francie as her Maid of Honor, both wore baby pink. They both looked beautiful. And Michael, looking absolutely gorgeous in his tux, smiling so it lit up his eyes. And Weiss, as best man, and Will as an user, and Donovan as "flower boy." All the people (and animals) she loved, looking so happy.

Her smile widened as she thought about Vaughn and Will. From this picture you would never have guessed they had ever been anything but friends, but that certainly wasn't true. She remembered the first time they met, accidentally, early one morning a few weeks after that first date.

"Syd, where are those big yellow towels? They're not in the dryer" Vaughn called. Wearing only boxers and a smile, he walked from the laundry room into the living room, searching out Sydney. The last thing he expected to see was Will Tippin standing just inside the door, shoes half off.

"Who the hell are you?! They shouted in unison, Will dropping his shoe. Neither got a chance to answer, however, before they heard Sydney from down the hall, oblivious to Will's presence.

"Did you check the closet? I think Francie put them away. Michael…?" Her voice moved closer, and she appeared in the doorway, she herself wearing only a tiny t-shirt and panties. "Will!" she gasped when she saw him "what are you doing here?"

"Oh, God, " Will turned away, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I used my key. I Obviously…I should have knocked. Oh, God."

Vaughn gave Sydney an apologetic look. "I'm just gonna…" he gestured to his state of undress, and started down the hall.

Sydney nodded squeezing his arm as he passed. "It's okay, Will, really." She was bright red. "Just give me a minute, and I'll be right out." She turned and followed Vaughn down the hall.

She has returned a few minutes later, Michael in tow, for an awkward introduction. "Michael" she said, her hand resting on his back, "this is my friend Will. Will, this is my… this is Michael."

"Nice to meet you Will," Michael said, holding out his hand. "Sydney has told me a lot about you" he said, smiling.

Will however, did not return the smile. Although he extended his hand as well, he eyed Vaughn suspiciously. "Funny, she's never mentioned you before."

Of course this information didn't surprise Vaughn. He knew who she had told about them. "Yes, I know. We work together, so we're trying to keep things kind of quiet."

Will looked a little deflated, so Sydney added "we've only been going out two weeks. I was going to introduce you soon." She and Vaughn had become lost in each others eyes, and had to be brought back to earth by Will.

"Wow, how nice for you."

She had watched as they stared, blatantly sizing each other up, and tried hard not to laugh. They both looked so wary and jealous. Things had been tense between the two men for a few weeks, but things eventually began to get better, a friendship forged based on their mutual love for her. When she and Michael announced their engagement about six months later Will was obviously shocked at how fast they were moving, but had seemed genuinely happy for them.

She was still lost in the memories when Vaughn came up behind her, and grabbed her around the waist.

"Hey, you forgot it was our anniversary."

She laughed "what, our five month anniversary?"

"Not our wedding anniversary" he corrected. "The anniversary of our first date."

She had to think about that for a moment. Had it really only been a year since then? Maybe it was because she didn't like to remember times they weren't together that that first date seemed so long ago. "Oh yeah, " she said wistfully "we were so happy. I can't believe I forgot that was today." She poked him playfully. "I can't believe you remembered."

"Well, what can I say, I'm a good husband." He took her hand and twirled her around until she was facing him. He leaned in and kissed her. A long, slow, sweet kiss.

When they broke apart she was a little weak at the knee. She sincerely hoped he would never loose the ability to do that. "So" she said, a little out of breath "what do you want for breakfast?" He sat at the table, and she handed him a cup of coffee.

"Guess" he replied, eyes sparkling.

Of course she knew what he wanted. She poured two bowls of Froot Loops and sat down at the table. What seemed like a very long time ago he had promised her one day they would sit across from each other, eat Froot Loops, and plan their day. And here they were. Even though this little ritual had quickly become a routine for them, it was no less romantic then it had been the first time they had eaten breakfast together almost a year ago.

"So" he began, like he always did "what are we going to do today?"

"I want to go back to bed."

"You should. You never have a day off." He took a sip of coffee, eyeing he over the rim of his mug.

"I meant with you." She felt a little bad for teasing him like that, but couldn't stop herself.

"Oh." He grinned like a schoolboy. "Hey, I did say I could be late."

"No. I'm sorry. I was just teasing. You have to go. I'll find some way to amuse myself." She gave a fake pout, then added "actually, I'm having brunch with Francie at ten forty-five. But then I have the whole afternoon alone."

"Poor baby." He finished his cereal, and drained the milk from the bowl. "How's this, I'll sneak out at one, and we'll do something."

"Really?" her eyes lit up. "How are you going to do that?" Then she shook her head "you know what, don't get in trouble Michael."

"Hey, I can take care of myself." His tone turned to mock seriousness "I'm a big boy. If I want to skip work to be with my wife, damn it, I'm going to do it." He reached across the table and pulled her from her seat into his lap. She shrieked, but didn't struggle out of his grasp. "So, one o'clock, you and me."

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Hey, if you want to spend an afternoon with me that badly, I'm not going to try and stop you. Besides, I kind of like ya. But what are we going to do?"

He thought for a moment, then "I'm taking you to the Santa Monica Pier."

"That's not bad," she said brightly, after a moment's consideration. "Okay, lets do it." This was shaping up to be a pretty good day. She slid off his lap and gently swatted his knee "now go!"

He stood, drained the last of his coffee and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Love you babe" he called over his shoulder as he opened the door "I'll be back at one."

And there he was, at twelve fifty-three with one of the most beautiful bouquets of lilies she had ever seen. The idea of leaving the house almost went out the window, but they regained control of themselves and decided they could do that anytime, and proceeded to drive the twenty-five minutes to the Santa Monica Pier. It was a beautiful October day, the intense heat of the summer had finally subsided, and the air was slightly cool near the ocean. She snuggled against him as they walked. After a few minutes of blissful silence, she gave a small laugh.

"What?"

"Do you remember the first time we came here as a couple?"

He laughed then too "how could I forget?"

She continued the story "it was about a month after we started going out."

He broke in "and we thought it was time to try something other than Chinese take out and each other bedrooms for a date."

"Hey now" she laughed "I remember having a pretty good time on your couch that first month."

"And let's not forget about your bathroom. Or kitchen."

"Or your car. Or my car."

"Okay, okay" he concede, laughing. "So we went somewhere other than the bedroom. Forgive me. Anyway" he said, kissing her temple "we decided to venture out of the house for the night."

"That was our first mistake."

"What? Mistake? I would never say mistake" he retorted.

"I would defiantly say mistake. You couldn't keep you hands off me!"

"Wait just a second!" he stopped walking "I seem to recall you not being able to keep your hands off me!"

She blushed slightly. "Well, no matter who started it, it was embarrassing! They had to stop the Ferris wheel and ask us to settle down like we were in the ninth grade!"

"I don't know about you, but I can honestly say I never made out like that in the ninth grade." She was laughing hysterically, and could only shake her head. He continued "I mean maybe, MAYBE in senior year, but even then I doubt the sluttiest of slutty girls could kiss like that."

"Okay, okay" she gasped, pulling his arm around her shoulders "maybe it wasn't so bad. We made quite the grand entrance as a couple didn't we?" She stiffened then, as if realizing something, and turned to face him "did you just call me a slut?"

He eyed her wickedly "Is that such a bad thing?"

She slapped him on the chest "hey…!"

"Hey" he interrupted her, and pointed up. They were right underneath the Ferris wheel. "Wanna give it another go?"

"Are you sure you want to be seen with a slu-"

"Oh, come on." He pulled her into the short line.

The sun warmed her face as they sat in the little basket high above the ocean. She closed her eyes and lay her head on his shoulder. Last year it had been about finally being able to touch each other, look at each other in public. Now, however, it wasn't about the moment, it was about all the moments. Past, present, and future. It was then that she realized it really was going to be okay. Not because it 'just had to be', or because Michael said so when she cried. But because she could feel it. In the wind, the sunshine, her heart. She couldn't explain it, but she was more certain of it than anything. The road between here and forever was going to be rough, she knew, but it was the means to an end. She pictured them here at the Pier with their babies, with their grandchildren. A happy ending, a full circle. She was filled with such a rush of happiness that she had to let some out. "Mmmm" she sighed, eyes still closed.

"What are you so happy about?" he whispered in her ear.

"Life." She opened her eyes to meet his amazing green ones watching her. They smiled at each other. "What do you want for dinner?" Such a simple question, such a normal life.

"How 'bout a corn dog?" those eyes sparkled "and a Hot Fudge Sydney?"

"I can't believe you said that" she said shaking her head. "You're are such a dork!" she laughed.

"What? Hot Fudge Sydney? I believe you made that up! "

"Stop it," she said sternly, turning red.

"I like it" he persisted. "It's a great dessert. The perfect blend of chocolate and your belly button."

"All the major food groups." She couldn't help but laugh.

"The most important anyway."

"All right. For you, I'll do it. A Hot Fudge Sydney it is." She leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled away.

"Lets not start that again." He grinned devilishly. "At least not here. I can have you home in half an hour."

***

"This has been a good day" he whispered as they lay in bed that night.

"This has been a good year" she murmured, half asleep. She let her mind wander over how perfect her life had become in just the space of a year. But she couldn't help wonder what the next year might hold for them. She pushed it from her mind, and snuggled closer into him. Thinking of only how wonderful he smelled she let sleep overcome her.

Fin

Okay, there you have it! So, what did you think? Please, please, please let me know. Any writers out there know how much it means to an author to receive feedback, even if it's just "hey, I liked it." So make my day and REVIEW!

I've been asked about a sequel, and I'm currently toying with a few ideas, but honestly the muse has been a little crabby of late, so it's up to you to convince her I should do it! So, convince me by REVIEWING! Thanks everybody!