Title: Just Feel
Author: Mango19
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Again, reviews are kind of slowing down, but thank you to all of you for your feedback, it means to world to me.
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He'd forgotten how beautiful Annabelle was and was struck by it just as he suspected Sydney was. He noted the stark differences between the two women with Sydney being fair and petite with a polished beauty and Annabelle who was tall and dark and had a sultry look that made most men weak in the knees. He knew how to handle her though, he was fairly confident he could handle them both, in fact.
"Sydney," He cleared his throat "This is Annabelle, an old family friend." He said, still with his hand on the small of her back. "Annabelle, this is Sydney a close friend and co-worker." They shook hands cordially enough but he sensed a coolness from both of them.
"It's great to meet you," Sydney said and Vaughn noticed the forced warmth in her voice. "I know so little about Michael and his past." She said, giving him a sceptical look.
Annabelle smiled and responded "Michael and I were supposed to be engaged." She said looking up at him. He started laughing trying to lighten the mood before explaining to Sydney.
"By that she means our parents were constantly pushing us while we were growing up to be a couple. Eventually it became the family joke."
He noted Sydney's smile and noted it was the same she used when talking to Devlin. One that not quite reached her eyes, but who would notice except him? "How adorable." Sydney said and Vaughn noticed the slight air of condescension in her voice. "Well, if Vaughn will show me where I'll be staying I'll get freshened up while you two catch up on lost time. I'm sure you're just dying to know about Michael's exciting life in the CIA." With that Annabelle smiled and Sydney went to get her bags.
Leading her up the spiral stairs he offered three times to take her bags and she refused. He laughed inwardly at her stubbornness and led her to the guest bedroom. The room was large and bright with an antique desk and armoire. The scent of Jasmine hit him immediately and instantly made his heart ache with thoughts of his mother.
"The bathroom is at the end of the hallway." He stated.
"Thank you." She responded. He wanted her to say something. Anything.
"Syd, about Annabelle …" But she cut him off.
"She seems sweet, I can see why you like her." She said, while opening her suitcase. When she turned around to look at him he felt like she could read his face. "Vaughn, really, go. I'm going to take a nap and get cleaned up and I'll be down in an hour."
He wanted to tell her. Tell her anything to make her stop acting so … neutral. So objective. But he couldn't think of anything except that this is how she dealt with things. So he turned around and left the room shutting the door on his way out.
He was sure the room would be to her tastes, he made sure of that while she was in the shower that morning, calling all of the cleaning staff to make sure there were fresh flowers and clean sheets.
Making his way to Annabelle a smile played at his lips. After all these years, she hadn't changed much. Her spirited ways made him ache with jealousy and made his life seem extraordinarily dull compared to hers. When he walked into the kitchen she had made tea and he was grateful. Accepting the mug he thought of the night before when a different woman had handed him a mug of steaming liquid.
"Sit." She ordered as she began to sift through his cupboards looking for anything edible. "So your Uncle is taking care of all of the arrangements. He said that he looks forward to seeing you tomorrow at the service."
"Tomorrow." He said, rubbing his hands over his face. "It seems so soon." He said remembering his mother as a lively woman with so much energy.
"He said that he wants to lay her to rest as soon as possible." She said, offering little comfort as if knowing it would not be accepted. Giving up on the idea of food she sat down across from him.
"I'm forced to agree" He replied solemnly.
They carried on in conversation about the arrangements that were made over the past two days. He regretted not being there for their entirety.
"So, what does a girl have to do to get you to look at her like that?" Annabelle asked abruptly changing the topic.
"Like what?" He asked, slightly confused.
"Like you look at her?" She said motioning toward the ceiling. He looked at her with sympathy. He knew of her feelings for him years earlier but never thought he had hurt her so much.
"Bella …" Was all he could say, not knowing what to say to make it better. To fix this problem he had made years before.
"I know. I guess I'm just a bit jealous, those feelings never really die, you know." She said, staring into her mug.
"Yeah, I know." He answered with a sadness that she picked up on.
"I should go check on her." He stated suddenly as if he just needed an excuse to get out of the room. A reason to buy him some time.
He rose and walked out into the hallway and climbed up the stairs. When he was half way up the bathroom door opened and Sydney walked out in nothing but a towel pulled snugly around her frame. She brushed her damp hair as she walked seemingly unaware of her onlooker. She opened the door and slipped in, and it was only then that he allowed himself to breathe.
He sank down onto the step and with his head in his hands contemplated. It felt so natural, to have her in the house, making herself at home in the only place he had ever called home. For a moment he let his mind wander to what could have been if he hadn't been so blind.
Shaking himself out of his reverie he got up and returned to Annabelle in the kitchen.
