Chapter Twenty Three - The Night It Ended

"So I'm curious."

"What about?"

"We have a month off. A month!"

"I know, it's insane. I think your father threatened Devlin or something when he said he was only gonna give us a week."

"Yeah. So where are we going?"

"Hmmm?"

"On the honeymoon, Michael. Where are we off to?"

Vaughn smiles sweetly, setting her lightly on her feet as they cross the threshold of his apartment door. "Ah, that. I was wondering when you'd ask."

"So…"

"I have to admit, it was difficult," he teases. "When your work takes you everywhere in the world, literally, how on earth do you pick somewhere new? So I didn't."

"What do you mean?"

Lightly stepping past her, he pulls a hotel cardkey from his desk drawer.

"Vaughn?"

He takes a deep breath. "It seemed silly, you know. Eric and Jack and Will… when I thought you were gone, I just wouldn't let this go."

"What?"

He holds up the cardkey. "This is to a suite of the Montecito Inn in Santa Barbara."

"Oh, Vaughn…"

"I owe you a trip there anyway, and it's a place we have never been together," he smiled faintly. "I booked there solely because Charlie Chaplin built it in the '20s. It's beautiful and private."

"Private is good."

"Private is very good. How does tomorrow sound?"

She responds by kissing him deeply.

"Great," he says when they come for up for air, the serious moment filed away for much later. "How about my wedding planner? I told you and Jack she was the best."

"She was a sweetheart," Sydney agrees, laughing. "I'll give you that."

"Oh, thank you. I know another sweetheart, by the way."

"Oh?"

"She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and she could throw me around my apartment without breaking a sweat," he informs her innocently.

"Sounds like the perfect woman, I must say." She closes her eyes, leaning against him.

"She is."

"What's her name?"

"Well, her last name is Vaughn."

"That's my last name!"

"Really? Well then, I guess you'll do."

She laughs. "Well thanks, Mr. Vaughn."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Vaughn. I have a question for you."

"Hmmm?"

"Why are we still dressed?"

"An excellent question, Vaughn. Now, if I recall correctly, you promised to demonstrate a certain exercise?"

"Oh, it's definitely a hands-on demonstration, Vaughn."

She giggles. "You just called me-"

It's his turn to use her silencing method.

"You know what, husband? Talking is very over-rated."

"Oh, I agree. That's why my exercise requires none."

"Well then, what're we waiting for?"

"No idea." He pauses. "I love you, Mrs. Vaughn."

"And I love you, Mr. Vaughn. Now and always."

- henceforth comes the epilogue! -

Pssst… the Montecito Inn is a real place. Type www.montecitoinn.com in your browser to explore it!

Author's Note: I can't believe it's almost over! The next chapter is the very last, so lurkers: it's your final chance to tell me how you think and get a response!

And in case you were curious, I already have two stories waiting in the wings. One is a missing scene/introspection from A Broken Heart called 'On the Brink' and the other is a long, suspense/mystery/action/adventure/angst/romance/comedy/fluff AU ending of A Free Agent called 'Presages', with appearances from all Alias characters of that time period, and featuring very prominent S/V.

If you'd like to be notified when I start posting the new stories, join my brand new fanfic group in my FF.net profile! Update emails, advance chapters, etc.

Review Responses

Neo jeo: Nope, there isn't. :( LOL, if you'd like higher-rated fic, check out the challenge in my FF.net profile. ;)

Kat27: Peace, chica! And I totally missed your q last time, so… lol. They're talking about it so out in the open because the only people there are folks that know anyway, aside from the wedding planner… she probably thinks they're drunk.

MelodyAnne: :0! Wow! You are a one-woman reviewing machine! And as for your question, she calls him that in the book, actually. I'm glad you liked it! And of course they count! lol

glitter fish: hustler? That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me! :gushes: Nah, LOTR stories have 1000 reviews. ;) You rock, too!

Sallene: Hope you liked!

Nattie700: Not this fic! It's fluff! It's okay! Breathe! :claps you on the back: lol

Chinkybrowneyes: :blushes: You're so horrible for my hat size!

Hmmmm. Last chapter. You can do 20! I have faith in you!