Chapter Five: Angel
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seep from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
Without even thinking, Sydney threw her arms around Michael's neck and gave him a long hug. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, a mix of aftershave and deodorant. She was almost afraid that he'd leave as soon as he saw her. Luckily, Michael wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the hug. "I'm sorry," Sydney whispered as she pulled back, reluctantly, from his embrace. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she couldn't even stop it. She didn't even know why. Michael didn't seem mad at her, not the way he was wiping her tears and pulling her to him again.
"Syd… it's ok. I don't care. It's ok. Shhh… don't cry." He didn't understand why she was crying so hard. The only time she had done this was when it involved Danny. He hadn't realized how much he had missed her until now, as he held her in his arms. "I missed you so much, Sydney. You have no idea."
Sydney pulled back and wiped her tears so she could look at him better. He hadn't changed much. In fact, he looked even more gorgeous than the last time she had seen him. His deep green eyes were full of concern as he looked back at her. He was wearing a white t-shirt and Sydney could see the outline of his well-defined chest through it. She blushed as she caught herself thinking some not-so-nice thoughts about Michael… and how good he'd definitely look without a shirt on. She took a step back, averted her eyes and said, "I'm glad you came back."
Michael looked at Sydney carefully. She was thinking about something again. Even though she had been looking at him, she had a far away look in her eyes. "I'm glad I came back too," he told her. "How exactly did you become friends with Bridgette?" Not that he was complaining. If Sydney hadn't been here, he probably wouldn't have had the guts to call her, no matter how much he had missed her.
As soon as he mentioned Bridgette's name, Sydney came crashing down to earth. She glanced behind her. Bridgette seemed to have disappeared the moment Sydney threw her arms around Michael. "We just became friends… let's go back before they start to wonder where we've disappeared to." She took his hand and followed him into the dining room. Bridgette and Josh were chatting and they looked up as Sydney and Michael entered the room.
Bridgette's face broke into a wide grin as she took in the fact that they were holding hands. "I knew you weren't over him, Syd! You can't fool me."
Josh hid a secret smile. "I always thought you liked him. Bridgette wouldn't tell me anything. I figured she must have promised you that she wouldn't say anything; otherwise, she would've been talking nonstop."
Michael smiled as he stepped behind Sydney and wrapped his arms around her waist. Sydney leaned back into him and eyed Bridgette. "Hmm, well I guess you're right. It doesn't really matter now, since I'm not letting your brother go now that I have him."
Michael whispered in Sydney's ear, "Hey, we never went out to dinner. Let's go tomorrow night, ok? Wear something semi-formal. I'm going to surprise you."
"Mmmm, sounds great, Michael. Pick me up at 7?" The doorbell rang and Bridgette rushed to answer it. A few seconds later she ushered Francie and Will inside and they noticed Michael standing with his arms protectively around Sydney.
Francie smiled, "Lover boy moved back from France I see."
Will added under his breath loud enough for everyone to hear, "And boy does he move fast." The earned looks from Sydney and Michael, and an elbowing from Francie while Bridgette and Josh fought to keep their laughter in check.
Sydney pressed her lips together. "Let's eat dinner now, before I get the urge to throw some food at all of you. Where's Olivia?"
"She's watching TV in her room. I'll get her." Bridgette went to get her daughter as Josh started to set the table.
-
Sydney glanced in the mirror. It was almost time to go to dinner with Michael. She was wearing a plain black dress with spaghetti straps. The dress clung to her body and hugged her curves, showing off her slim and sexy figure. She smiled as she clasped a silver choker around her neck and applied some makeup. The doorbell rang and she went to answer it. Standing at the door was Michael, who looked so absolutely stunning in a suit that Sydney's breath caught in her throat. He smiled and handed her a single red rose. "Hey. You look beautiful."
"Hi, thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." Even though Sydney had been complimented before, a blush rose to her cheeks. Michael was so sweet. Moreover, the way he complimented her made her feel beautiful.
"Ready to go? Reservations are at 7:30." He held out his hand. The dress that Sydney was wearing made him want to slide the spaghetti straps down her shoulder and just plant kisses along her smooth, tan skin.
"Yeah, I'm ready. Where are we going?" Sydney grabbed her coat, dropped the rose into a vase and took his hand as he led her to his car.
"It's a surprise. You're going to love it, trust me." Being the gentleman that he was, he opened Sydney's door for her as she climbed in. He walked around the car and got in the driver's seat as they took off to the restaurant.
-
Sydney opened the door to her house. "You want to come in?" She gazed questionably at Michael and smiled one of her seductive smiles. Dinner had been fantastic. Michael had taken her to a fancy Italian restaurant high above Los Angeles. He had reserved a table right next the window, overlooking much of Los Angeles. The dimly lit room had been so romantic. Sydney had no idea how he could've pulled it off in just one day, but all Michael did was wink at her and comment about his "connections". They had talked all through dinner, about things they liked and disliked. Michael had told her many things about France and promised to take her there sometime.
"Yeah, sure." He raised his eyebrows at her smile. What could Sydney possibly be suggesting?
Sydney laughed and pulled him inside. She hung her coat up and motioned for him to take off his jacket. Michael not only did that but he took off his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his dress shirt. "What? It's warm inside." He replied to Sydney questioning look. "Are you going to give me a tour or not?"
Sydney laughed. "Ok, but it's small." She led him through the house and they ended up in the living room. "I'm going to start a fire; can you get me some wood? It's outside behind the back door. Thanks, Michael."
As soon as he left, Sydney dimmed the lights and pushed the sofa back so they could sit in front of the fire. Hmm, this was nice. She could imagine herself sitting in Michael's arms in front of the fire. Sydney smiled. Michael returned shortly and was surprised to see the change in the room but didn't say anything. He threw the wood into to the fireplace and the two of them started a fire. Sydney sat down right in front the fireplace and pulled Michael down with her. "This is nice," she said as she snuggled herself in Michael's arms.
He kissed the top of her head and agreed. The two of them sat together for a while, enjoying each other's presence. Sydney turned to look at Michael. He was so incredibly gorgeous, especially in the dim light. The fire outlined his features and a smile played on his lips. Sydney turned back to the fire. After a few moments of silence, Sydney decided that her dress was making her uncomfortable. "Wait right here," she told Michael as she stood up. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable."
Michael took the advantage of her absence to look carefully at the various pictures placed in the living room. A few of them were of Sydney and her father, which he was surprised at considering Sydney had told him that her dad wasn't exactly the most amiable person. He didn't smile in the pictures but Sydney's radiant grin made up for it. There were a few pictures of Francie as well as Will and some of the three of them goofing around. Michael smiled. He saw a picture of Bridgette's family and one picture of Bridgette, Olivia, Josh, Francie, Will, and Sydney on the beach. A sad smiled crossed his face as he realized how much he had missed during his 2 years in France. Sydney had told him that Francie and Will had met Bridgette's family after she talked non-stop about all of them to each other. One picture surprised him. It was a picture of himself and he had no idea how Sydney had gotten it. Just then, Sydney walked back into the living room wearing a tank top and pajama bottoms and he motioned at the picture. "How'd you get this?"
"Bridgette gave it to me. I honestly have no idea why, perhaps it was because I really missed you and wished you hadn't gone to France. She said it was one of your real good pictures. Although I hardly doubt you could look bad in a picture." Sydney grinned at him and turned on the radio. Sarah Mclachlan's Angel drifted from the speakers placed on either side of the room. "Let's dance." She rested herself in his arms and they swayed slowing, turning to the beat.
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
Sydney smiled at the irony of the song. "Michael… you're my angel. Thank you for always being there for me."
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness
oh
This glorious sadness that
brings me to my knees
"Always." He held her a little closer. "I'd do anything for you, Sydney."
Sydney caught just a glimpse of his smile before he brought his face down to kiss her. The kiss started off slowly, and tantalizingly sweet. After two years of wondering for both of them, it was no surprise that Sydney pulled him even closer and deepened the kiss as she snaked one arm around his neck and the other one on the back of his head, tangling her fingers in his hair. Michael did the same with one hand, running his fingers through her brown hair, and put one hand on her waist. The kiss deepened even further as their tongues met. They finally pulled away, breathless and hot. Sydney gasped for air, his lips were warm and soft and it wasn't long before he pulled her back for another kiss.
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
