A/N: I Babblefished the French, so I couldn't tell you if it's even close
to correct. Forgive me, Michael!
I really am not sure how in depth to go with Syd's pregnancy and I would
really appreciate knowing what you think.On to Chapter Five!
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~ Michael looked over at his father-in-law. "It's good news, Jack." Sydney and Michael looked at each other again before she reached over and took Jack's hand in both of hers.
"Daddy, we're pregnant." ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
In the years that Michael had known Jack Bristow, there had been very few occasions on which the older man's carefully held control was lost. All of those instances involved Sydney and today was no different. Jack's eyes blinked in disbelief as he looked from Sydney to Michael, then back to his daughter, a smile growing on his face.
"Congratulations, sweetie." Voice strained with emotion, Jack reached across the table to grab Sydney's hand. "That is wonderful news. How long have you known?"
"Well, Syd found out yesterday, but I was only informed right before we came over here," Michael answered. "That's why we were a bit late."
"Understandable," Jack replied "So this means the baby is due in, January? February?"
Sydney smiled her response "February 14th, of all the days!"
"Well, there is work to be done. You haven't talked to the school yet, obviously, but what are you going to do about leave?"
Jack's natural pragmatism made Sydney and Michael laugh. "Dad, we'll take care of all of that, but let's finish dinner first."
"Right, of course. But you should have your plans clear. This is the biggest mission you'll ever undertake, Sydney Anya." He squeezed her hand, his eyes reflecting love and memories of Sydney's own years growing up. Reaching for his glass of wine, Jack announced "This calls for a toast."
Michael and Sydney raised their glasses as well.
"To family" Jack stated. Glass clinked as they echoed "To family."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
The remainder of the evening had been spent in conversation about Sydney's students and the latest project that Jack and Michael were undertaking. It was only as Sydney and Michael were preparing to leave that Sydney's pregnancy came up again.
She stood buttoning her jacket when Jack grew serious.
"She'll know. I don't know what, if anything, she will do, but Sydney, she will find out that you're pregnant." His voice betrayed a weariness and concern that was only present when Irina came up in conversation.
"I know Dad, and we'll be careful. But we haven't heard anything from Mom or Sloane or even Sark in the last 8 months. I can't live in fear of 'maybes'."
"We'll be careful Jack," Michael repeated. "I'll talk with you Monday about any precautions the agency can set up."
Jack nodded, satisfied for the time being. His arms came around Sydney "I love you, sweetie." The words were still so precious and she reveled in the warmth of feeling they brought her.
"I love you too, daddy." Sydney smiled as Michael held the door and they headed to the car.
"Drive safely" Jack called to them as he stood in the doorway.
"Bye, see you Monday" Michael replied as he closed the door behind Sydney and waved one last time at Jack, walking around to get into the car.
"Honey, can I use your cell phone?" Sydney asked as Michael started the car.
Michael handed it to her, pulling onto the street. "Sure. Who are you calling?"
"Marguerite. I want to see if she can come for dinner tomorrow. I'll call Nenet and Craig too."
"That would be nice, but are you sure you feel up to having Teddy running around all evening?" Vaughn asked, thinking of his three-year-old nephew and the havoc that usually followed his numerous exploits.
"Yup, it will be fun to have them all together to share our news. And I grabbed Teddy an Elmo coloring book when I was out yesterday."
"You're amazing." Michael glanced over and Sydney smiled back. "You will be a natural at parenting while I will simply be a nervous wreck."
"I wonder how many new forehead wrinkles you'll get from this one" Sydney teased as she lightly ran a finger over his brow, placing her other hand on her still-flat stomach. "But you're great with Teddy. He adores you. Besides, we'll figure it all out together." Michael smiled and took her hand as she dialed his mother's phone number.
"Bonsoir, Marguerite. Comment allez-vous?" Sydney asked.
"Ah. Sydney! Je vais bien. Comment allez-vous et Michael?" Marguerite replied.
"Nous sommes grands." It seemed like an understatement to say they were great with the news they had.
"Heureux d'entendre cela." Marguerite's genuine warmth always made Sydney feel welcome and cared for.
"Marguerite, nous vous espérions pourrions venir au dîner demain avec Nenet et Craig." It had been more than a month since they had gotten together for dinner with Michael's family.
"Le demain est très bien. Quand?" Marguerite asked.
"18 heure." That would give Sydney plenty of time to get the meal together.
"Merveilleux. Voyez-vous alors."
"Voyez-vous bientôt." It would be nice to have the family together again and the anticipation of sharing their news made Sydney a little giddy.
"Amour à vous et à Michael. Au revoir" That was Marguerite's end to all their phone conversations.
"Au revoir." Sydney hung up with a smile on her face, turning to Michael. "Your mom will be over at six tomorrow. Why don't we stop off at the store to get some stuff now?"
"Okay" Michael agreed as she dialed Nenet and Craig's number.
It rang twice before a very small voice giggled into the other end, "Hewo, Fitch res'ince, dis is Teddy."
"Hi Teddy! It's Auntie Sydney." She had never spoken with Teddy on the telephone before.
"Hi Auntie Sydy! How you?" came his reply.
"I am great. You did a really good job answering the phone." Sydney complimented.
"Tanks! Daddy tol' me how." The three-year-old's train of thought took a quick turn, "Are you comin' to see me?"
"Not today Teddy, but maybe we can see each other tomorrow. Could I talk to your mommy?" Somehow, despite his new phone skills, Sydney didn't think Teddy was the Fitch to be talking with in setting up dinner plans.
"Okay. MOMMY!" Sydney pulled the phone away from her ear at the little boy's yell. Michael had heard it too and glanced over to catch Sydney's grimace.
"Theodore William, I am right here. You don't have to yell." Sydney heard Nenet admonish in the background as the phone transferred hands. "Hi Syd. You got to talk to our new answering service."
"Well, he's got his basic phone etiquette down."
"He refuses to let Craig or I answer now. It's his latest phase," Nenet chuckled.
"Well, maybe he can come answer our phone. Michael and I were hoping you could join us and Marguerite for dinner tomorrow." Sydney said.
"Tomorrow.Let me see," Nenet replied "Just a sec while I check the calendar." Her voice got further away as Sydney heard her ask Craig to grab the calendar from the kitchen. "Okay. We have a playgroup picnic in the afternoon, but dinner should be fine. What time?"
"I asked Marguerite to be over at six."
"You realize you're saving me from having to cook for these two. You're an angel!" Nenet declared.
"Glad to help. It will be good to see you all." Sydney replied.
"I'm looking forward to it. Give my love to Michael."
"Michael, Nenet gives you her love" Sydney relayed.
"Love you too, Neeter" Michael called to his younger sister.
"I heard that." Nenet said in mock annoyance, "No matter how old he gets, Sydney, he can still be a pain. But you're the one stuck with him!"
"That I am" Sydney laughed as she looked at her husband "We'll see you tomorrow, Nenet."
"Bye." Sydney hung up and gave a contented sigh as she handed Michael back his phone. "I can't wait to tell them."
"My mom is going to be thrilled. She had given up hope on grandkids from me years before you showed up and she's held off pressuring us yet, given that it hasn't even been a year since the wedding."
"With all that we've been through, it just feels so wonderful to finally have good news." Sydney sighed as they pulled into the supermarket parking lot.
"It sure does, sweetie." Michael replied, giving her a quick kiss before getting out of the car. "So, what should we have for dinner?"
And hand in hand, they walked towards the store debating the merits of pot roast versus barbeque. *~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~ Michael looked over at his father-in-law. "It's good news, Jack." Sydney and Michael looked at each other again before she reached over and took Jack's hand in both of hers.
"Daddy, we're pregnant." ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
In the years that Michael had known Jack Bristow, there had been very few occasions on which the older man's carefully held control was lost. All of those instances involved Sydney and today was no different. Jack's eyes blinked in disbelief as he looked from Sydney to Michael, then back to his daughter, a smile growing on his face.
"Congratulations, sweetie." Voice strained with emotion, Jack reached across the table to grab Sydney's hand. "That is wonderful news. How long have you known?"
"Well, Syd found out yesterday, but I was only informed right before we came over here," Michael answered. "That's why we were a bit late."
"Understandable," Jack replied "So this means the baby is due in, January? February?"
Sydney smiled her response "February 14th, of all the days!"
"Well, there is work to be done. You haven't talked to the school yet, obviously, but what are you going to do about leave?"
Jack's natural pragmatism made Sydney and Michael laugh. "Dad, we'll take care of all of that, but let's finish dinner first."
"Right, of course. But you should have your plans clear. This is the biggest mission you'll ever undertake, Sydney Anya." He squeezed her hand, his eyes reflecting love and memories of Sydney's own years growing up. Reaching for his glass of wine, Jack announced "This calls for a toast."
Michael and Sydney raised their glasses as well.
"To family" Jack stated. Glass clinked as they echoed "To family."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
The remainder of the evening had been spent in conversation about Sydney's students and the latest project that Jack and Michael were undertaking. It was only as Sydney and Michael were preparing to leave that Sydney's pregnancy came up again.
She stood buttoning her jacket when Jack grew serious.
"She'll know. I don't know what, if anything, she will do, but Sydney, she will find out that you're pregnant." His voice betrayed a weariness and concern that was only present when Irina came up in conversation.
"I know Dad, and we'll be careful. But we haven't heard anything from Mom or Sloane or even Sark in the last 8 months. I can't live in fear of 'maybes'."
"We'll be careful Jack," Michael repeated. "I'll talk with you Monday about any precautions the agency can set up."
Jack nodded, satisfied for the time being. His arms came around Sydney "I love you, sweetie." The words were still so precious and she reveled in the warmth of feeling they brought her.
"I love you too, daddy." Sydney smiled as Michael held the door and they headed to the car.
"Drive safely" Jack called to them as he stood in the doorway.
"Bye, see you Monday" Michael replied as he closed the door behind Sydney and waved one last time at Jack, walking around to get into the car.
"Honey, can I use your cell phone?" Sydney asked as Michael started the car.
Michael handed it to her, pulling onto the street. "Sure. Who are you calling?"
"Marguerite. I want to see if she can come for dinner tomorrow. I'll call Nenet and Craig too."
"That would be nice, but are you sure you feel up to having Teddy running around all evening?" Vaughn asked, thinking of his three-year-old nephew and the havoc that usually followed his numerous exploits.
"Yup, it will be fun to have them all together to share our news. And I grabbed Teddy an Elmo coloring book when I was out yesterday."
"You're amazing." Michael glanced over and Sydney smiled back. "You will be a natural at parenting while I will simply be a nervous wreck."
"I wonder how many new forehead wrinkles you'll get from this one" Sydney teased as she lightly ran a finger over his brow, placing her other hand on her still-flat stomach. "But you're great with Teddy. He adores you. Besides, we'll figure it all out together." Michael smiled and took her hand as she dialed his mother's phone number.
"Bonsoir, Marguerite. Comment allez-vous?" Sydney asked.
"Ah. Sydney! Je vais bien. Comment allez-vous et Michael?" Marguerite replied.
"Nous sommes grands." It seemed like an understatement to say they were great with the news they had.
"Heureux d'entendre cela." Marguerite's genuine warmth always made Sydney feel welcome and cared for.
"Marguerite, nous vous espérions pourrions venir au dîner demain avec Nenet et Craig." It had been more than a month since they had gotten together for dinner with Michael's family.
"Le demain est très bien. Quand?" Marguerite asked.
"18 heure." That would give Sydney plenty of time to get the meal together.
"Merveilleux. Voyez-vous alors."
"Voyez-vous bientôt." It would be nice to have the family together again and the anticipation of sharing their news made Sydney a little giddy.
"Amour à vous et à Michael. Au revoir" That was Marguerite's end to all their phone conversations.
"Au revoir." Sydney hung up with a smile on her face, turning to Michael. "Your mom will be over at six tomorrow. Why don't we stop off at the store to get some stuff now?"
"Okay" Michael agreed as she dialed Nenet and Craig's number.
It rang twice before a very small voice giggled into the other end, "Hewo, Fitch res'ince, dis is Teddy."
"Hi Teddy! It's Auntie Sydney." She had never spoken with Teddy on the telephone before.
"Hi Auntie Sydy! How you?" came his reply.
"I am great. You did a really good job answering the phone." Sydney complimented.
"Tanks! Daddy tol' me how." The three-year-old's train of thought took a quick turn, "Are you comin' to see me?"
"Not today Teddy, but maybe we can see each other tomorrow. Could I talk to your mommy?" Somehow, despite his new phone skills, Sydney didn't think Teddy was the Fitch to be talking with in setting up dinner plans.
"Okay. MOMMY!" Sydney pulled the phone away from her ear at the little boy's yell. Michael had heard it too and glanced over to catch Sydney's grimace.
"Theodore William, I am right here. You don't have to yell." Sydney heard Nenet admonish in the background as the phone transferred hands. "Hi Syd. You got to talk to our new answering service."
"Well, he's got his basic phone etiquette down."
"He refuses to let Craig or I answer now. It's his latest phase," Nenet chuckled.
"Well, maybe he can come answer our phone. Michael and I were hoping you could join us and Marguerite for dinner tomorrow." Sydney said.
"Tomorrow.Let me see," Nenet replied "Just a sec while I check the calendar." Her voice got further away as Sydney heard her ask Craig to grab the calendar from the kitchen. "Okay. We have a playgroup picnic in the afternoon, but dinner should be fine. What time?"
"I asked Marguerite to be over at six."
"You realize you're saving me from having to cook for these two. You're an angel!" Nenet declared.
"Glad to help. It will be good to see you all." Sydney replied.
"I'm looking forward to it. Give my love to Michael."
"Michael, Nenet gives you her love" Sydney relayed.
"Love you too, Neeter" Michael called to his younger sister.
"I heard that." Nenet said in mock annoyance, "No matter how old he gets, Sydney, he can still be a pain. But you're the one stuck with him!"
"That I am" Sydney laughed as she looked at her husband "We'll see you tomorrow, Nenet."
"Bye." Sydney hung up and gave a contented sigh as she handed Michael back his phone. "I can't wait to tell them."
"My mom is going to be thrilled. She had given up hope on grandkids from me years before you showed up and she's held off pressuring us yet, given that it hasn't even been a year since the wedding."
"With all that we've been through, it just feels so wonderful to finally have good news." Sydney sighed as they pulled into the supermarket parking lot.
"It sure does, sweetie." Michael replied, giving her a quick kiss before getting out of the car. "So, what should we have for dinner?"
And hand in hand, they walked towards the store debating the merits of pot roast versus barbeque. *~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~