Part Fifteen

The next few weeks pass in what seems like no time, and before long the day comes when Michael will pick his mother up at the airport after work. Sydney stands at the stove, keeping an eye on the pasta and smiling as she realizes that by this time the next day, she'll be lying on the beach. In the end, she and Michael had decided to go to Jamaica, where they'd said "I do" nearly a decade before. (His mother has never quite forgiven them for deciding that they wanted their wedding to be just for the two of them.) Their anniversary is in April, but Sydney is glad that they're not waiting to take this trip. Four days, three nights in the sun, not a baby bottle or a Tonka truck in sight.

Gracie is in her playpen, and Jack and Emily sit at the kitchen table coloring pictures for their grandmother.

"What are you drawing, Em?" Jack asks, peering over his little sister's shoulder.

"I'm drawing me and Mommy and Gracie feeding the ducks."

"Why is the duck purple?"

"That's not a duck, that's Gracie!"

They hear the front door open, and both children snatch up their drawings and go running for the door.

"Daddeeee! Grammy!" Sydney hears Emily squeal.

"Hi, Grandma! Look, we made you pictures!"

Sydney turns the heat down on her sauce, then scoops up Gracie to join the others. She sees Michael putting his mother's suitcase and his briefcase out of the way while both of the children pounce on their grandmother.

"Come on, kids, give your grandmother some breathing room," Michael says, even as his mother exclaims over the drawings and how big the children have gotten and how wonderful they look. "Hi, sweetheart," he adds, noticing Sydney standing in the doorway.

"Hi, baby," she says with a soft smile. "Hello, Marguerite."

"Sydney, darling," Marguerite gasps, disentangling herself from the little ones. "You look beautiful. Oh, is that my newest granddaughter?"

"That's Gracie, Grammy!" Emily exclaims. She is actually jumping up and down, she's so excited.

"Yes, I know, dear," Marguerite says with a laugh, taking the baby from her daughter-in-law. "Oh, she's beautiful, Sydney, and she's gotten so big since the last time I saw her."

"I know," Sydney says with a smile. "She's growing like a weed."

"Mom, I'm going to go put your things in the guest bedroom, if you'd like to freshen up before dinner," Michael says.

"Thank you, Michel, I'll be up in a minute." Michael nods and starts towards the stairs.

"He's a good boy, isn't he?" Marguerite sighs.

"The best," Sydney says, smile widening.

"He's not working too hard, is he, darling? He's taking plenty of time for you and the little ones?"

"Not too hard," Sydney says. "But I think this vacation will be good for him."

"And for you," Marguerite says firmly. Leaning close enough that the children can't hear, she murmurs, "I almost went out of my mind looking after one child sometimes, I can't imagine having three."

Sydney laughs. "Why don't you go on up to your room, Marguerite, and I'll check on dinner. It should be ready in just a few minutes."

"Oh, Sydney, let me help you," Marguerite says with a frown.

"No, really, you've had a long flight. Was it okay, by the way?"

"Not so bad," Marguerite smiles. "All right, darling, take your little angel."

Sydney takes Gracie from her just as Michael appears at the bottom of the stairs. "It's the second door on the left, Mom, you remember where it is?"

"Yes, sweetheart, thank you," she says, patting his cheek fondly. "Now go help your beautiful wife with dinner."

"Oh, Mike, get out of your jacket and tie first," Sydney advises. "Jack, sweetheart, can you help me set the dining room table?"

"I'll help, too," Emily says, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.

"Good girl," Sydney says approvingly. "Help your brother with the napkins and silverware, okay, darling?"

"Okay."

Sydney has just checked the sauce and started putting out the china when Michael appears behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You know where we'll be this time tomorrow?"

"Mmm, I can't wait," she sighs, turning in his arms to give him a long, sensual kiss, a kiss that holds just a hint of what the next few days will bring. They have just parted when Marguerite appears in the doorway.

"What can I help you with, Sydney?"

"Sit. Relax, Marguerite," Sydney tells her. "Can I get you a glass of wine?"

"That would be lovely, dear."

"I'll go bring up a bottle," Michael volunteers.

Marguerite looks after him fondly. "The two of you really are very happy, aren't you, Sydney?"

"Very," Sydney confirms. She's telling her mother-in-law the truth.

A few weeks ago the combination of dreams and Kerri had had her thinking about how awful it would be if she lost him. Now, she is determined just to enjoy him, and not to ruin what they have waiting for the shoe that may never drop.