He was nervous as he stood near the tree watching Will give Alicia her
present. He really wasn't paying attention, but was instead focusing on
"his mission." He'd practiced for this moment thousands of times, but now
that it was here he felt so incredibly anxious. He vaguely saw Alicia sweep
her hair from her neck, and Will place the necklace around it. 'Oh that's
nice.' He thought randomly. His eyes than focused on Ryan who was still
bouncing off of the walls. He laughed to himself, 'He's never going to get
to sleep tonight.' Vaughn watched as Will kissed Alicia gently on the lips
and then looked into her eyes and smiled. However he was so nervous that he
was barely even processing the events that were unfolding before him.
'Vaughn come on man, shake it off.' He said to himself, forcing his eyes toward Sydney. She was watching Will and Alicia, and looked as beautiful as ever, sitting perched on the edge of the couch near the fire. Her golden top was reflecting bits of light, and her eyes were bright and shining as well. He laughed to himself. Seeing her calmed him at once, but at the same time made his pulse quicken and his heart sing. After a few moments everyone again turned to him, the "Master of Ceremonies."
"Well I think that's it for the presents tonight.." He laughed and deliberately looked at Sydney. Everyone chuckled, and Sydney stood and walked toward him.
"I think you still need your present." She said as she stepped closer to him.
"Well actually I want you to go first." He said smiling. "Hold on one second let me go get it." He smiled and rushed out of the living room. Everyone looked around, very confused. And Sydney was the most dumbfounded of all. They had agreed to keep their presents for each other at a minimal. Vaughn reentered the room very quickly, carrying a package so large, he had to peek his head around the side of it. The box must have been at least four feet by four feet, and was wrapped in bright red paper. Vaughn smiled like a giddy school boy as he set the package down at Sydney's feet, and smiled at her. She was still quite in shook, and hesitated before beginning to unwrap the package.
Once she had the first box open, she was surprised to find another box within it. It was about half the size of the original box, and was wrapped in the same red paper. Sydney giggled slightly as she began to unwrap this box. She continued to laugh as she opened the next box and the next, and as she unwrapped the fifth box the nervousness of the room grew. This bow was a cube, about six inches deep, and was wrapped in bright green paper. Sydney held the box for a moment, and looked at Vaughn who had been standing next to her the entire time. He smiled and gave her an encouraging look. She tore the paper off quickly, and then pulled the top off of the box.
Inside she found a small ring box. She stared at it, and her face became absolutely still. She had ceased smiling, but now held an expression of total disbelief. As she reached down to open the small box, she shed the bottom of the other box, and looked at Vaughn. When their eyes met he smiled at her. She returned her gaze to the ring box and began to pull the top open. As she did this, Vaughn kneeled down in front of her, and balanced himself on one knee. After a moment she was finally able to see what was inside. It was a beautiful diamond solitaire ring. She stared at it for a few seconds before looking down at Vaughn. She was speechless. He gave her a nervous smile and then reached up and pulled the ring from the box. He gently reached for her left hand, and smiled again.
"I love you Sydney, the only present I want this Christmas, or ever, is for you to say that you will be my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Sydney. Will you marry me?" As he said this he slipped the ring onto her finger and then looked up into her beautiful brown eyes. She looked amazed, and surprised, and more beautiful than he'd even thought possible.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath as Vaughn uttered the words. Everyone except Jack was totally surprised. They all watched with bright eyes as Vaughn looked up at Sydney from one knee.
After a long moment she let out her breath and smiled down at him. He smiled back, and she pulled on his hand, as if to make him stand. He did and she instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. Just as their lips were about to touch she paused and looked deep into his eyes.
"Yes," She breathed before pulling him in for the most romantic kiss either of them had ever experienced.
As their lips met the world seemed to fly away from them. All that they could see for that moment was each other. Both thought back to their first kiss in the aftermath of bringing down SD-6. For that single moment nothing else mattered. Not the people there in the room with them, not their responsibilities, or obligations, not the world, and its craziness. Just them, together after so long. This kiss was identical to that one, but instead of nervous and passionate, this kiss was much more out of happiness and commitment.
When they finally parted and were rushed back to reality. Sydney realized that the entire room had erupted in applause. She blushed instantly, realizing that she wasn't quite sure how long she and Vaughn had been standing there. Vaughn blushed as well, and laughed slightly as he was forced to release Sydney into the arms of his mother. He was still slowly regaining a sense of reality when he felt the hands of several people pat him on the back. As he looked around, Will was talking to him, and he had to physically force himself to listen. This was quite a feat, considering that he still felt as if they only two people in the world were himself and Sydney.
"Congratulations, Great going!" Will said excitedly. After smiling at Will, Vaughn felt a soft tugging at his pant leg and looked down. Ryan was standing their smiling up at him, and Vaughn quickly reached down and scooped him up. He kissed the boy several times on the cheek before resting him on his hip and looking down at him.
"You gave Mommy a pretty ring!" He said loudly.
"Yeah, big guy, and now Mommy, and I are going to get married." Vaughn said rubbing the boy's head.
"Married, Yay Yay!" He squealed and then looked suddenly quite confused. "What's married?"
Vaughn laughed, as did Will and Alex who were standing near by.
"Well it means that we will be husband and wife." He said still chuckling softly.
"Oh," Ryan said not looking even remotely like he understood. But he wiggled himself down out of Vaughn's arms and ran over to his mother, who was still being swarmed by Mrs. Vaughn and Alicia. As Vaughn followed Ryan with his eyes, he noticed Jack standing a few feet from him. A slight smiled was on his face. Vaughn stared at his to-be father in law and smiled.
"Well done Michael." Vaughn was surprised at Jack's use of his name.
"Thank you sir." He said stepping toward him, and looking to Sydney. Jack followed Vaughn's gaze and stared at Sydney. He was unbelievably glad that his daughter was happy. Although he had never particularly liked Vaughn, he was overjoyed that he made Sydney happy. He had always had an ever increasing respect for Vaughn, but when Vaughn had visited him at his home in LA, and asked for Jack's blessing, his respect for his future son in law grew immensely. Jack knew that it was a totally unnecessary thing to do, after all his relationship with Sydney over the years had been more than simply short of fatherly. Jack had been dumbfounded by Vaughn's question but after a moment of reflection he realized that there was no question about it, this man was right for his daughter.
Watching as Sydney met Vaughn's gaze, Jack was intrigued by the intensity of their stares. He knew that Sydney loved Vaughn, and that Vaughn had never, ever stopped loving Sydney; but he was never quite sure of how deep their feelings for each other went, especially after their almost seven year separation. At the start of their relationship Jack was convinced that Vaughn was merely infatuated with Sydney, and that she was simply intrigued by him. But as their relationship had grown, Jack became more aware that Sydney was truly in love with Vaughn. This fact had hit him incredibly hard when Vaughn had become sick, and Sydney was forced to kill Slone in order to find an antidote. Jack knew his daughter well. She was loyal, and giving, and always uncontrollably brave. But he had expected her to back down when the question of taking a life in cold blood, had arisen. However Sydney had not once questioned her course of action, as far as Jack could tell. She had been incredibly confident in her objective, and she had indeed saved Vaughn. However, Jack had never in his life seen her act as desperately as she had in order to save Vaughn. He had concluded that this wasn't a case of simple loyalty or bravery, or even a simple crush, but instead love.
When this finally occurred to him, he'd gone to visit Vaughn in the hospital. The man was very recovering from being near death, and Jack had watched him for a long time, as he slept. The antidote had been administered, and Jack was assured that he would survive, but he was still drawn to watch over him. He hadn't know Danny very well, and had not approved of Noah in the least, but as he sat watching Vaughn sleep, he realized that he was racking his brain trying to find the smallest reason why this man was not good enough for his daughter.
He was totally unable to find the hint of a reason, and had then admonished himself for trying. He realized that no one was good enough for Sydney, except for maybe this man. He had fought along side Jack in order to save Sydney from pain, and to keep her safe. He had fought with Jack over Sydney's best interests, and had been right. This man was just like Jack in that he loved Sydney more than himself, and would do anything for her. Jack tried for a long time to not believe this, but when Sydney had disappeared Jack had been forced to realize that Vaughn was his equal in terms of his love for Sydney.
As a father one never wants to give up his "little girl". Jack has always wished that Sydney would stay six years old forever, and that their lives could go on as they did before her mother's disappearance. But Sydney was all grown up now, she had been for a long time. Jack sighed as he looked again to Vaughn, who was still holding Sydney's gaze. He remembered that gaze, for he had once experienced it himself. It was the feeling of total helplessness, total loss of reality. He remembered for a moment what it was like to be so totally enraptured in the eyes of someone you loves more that you could express. He didn't miss this feeling, but instead smiled slightly at the fact that his daughter was experiencing it.
'Vaughn will make her happy. He will keep her safe. He will help her through it all.' He sighed to himself. As much as he regretted to admit it Vaughn was the one man who Sydney absolutely needed in her life. He was the only one who could give her happiness, and share her pain. The ironic part was, that the very thing that would cause all of her pain, would be a result of their love for each other.
'Vaughn come on man, shake it off.' He said to himself, forcing his eyes toward Sydney. She was watching Will and Alicia, and looked as beautiful as ever, sitting perched on the edge of the couch near the fire. Her golden top was reflecting bits of light, and her eyes were bright and shining as well. He laughed to himself. Seeing her calmed him at once, but at the same time made his pulse quicken and his heart sing. After a few moments everyone again turned to him, the "Master of Ceremonies."
"Well I think that's it for the presents tonight.." He laughed and deliberately looked at Sydney. Everyone chuckled, and Sydney stood and walked toward him.
"I think you still need your present." She said as she stepped closer to him.
"Well actually I want you to go first." He said smiling. "Hold on one second let me go get it." He smiled and rushed out of the living room. Everyone looked around, very confused. And Sydney was the most dumbfounded of all. They had agreed to keep their presents for each other at a minimal. Vaughn reentered the room very quickly, carrying a package so large, he had to peek his head around the side of it. The box must have been at least four feet by four feet, and was wrapped in bright red paper. Vaughn smiled like a giddy school boy as he set the package down at Sydney's feet, and smiled at her. She was still quite in shook, and hesitated before beginning to unwrap the package.
Once she had the first box open, she was surprised to find another box within it. It was about half the size of the original box, and was wrapped in the same red paper. Sydney giggled slightly as she began to unwrap this box. She continued to laugh as she opened the next box and the next, and as she unwrapped the fifth box the nervousness of the room grew. This bow was a cube, about six inches deep, and was wrapped in bright green paper. Sydney held the box for a moment, and looked at Vaughn who had been standing next to her the entire time. He smiled and gave her an encouraging look. She tore the paper off quickly, and then pulled the top off of the box.
Inside she found a small ring box. She stared at it, and her face became absolutely still. She had ceased smiling, but now held an expression of total disbelief. As she reached down to open the small box, she shed the bottom of the other box, and looked at Vaughn. When their eyes met he smiled at her. She returned her gaze to the ring box and began to pull the top open. As she did this, Vaughn kneeled down in front of her, and balanced himself on one knee. After a moment she was finally able to see what was inside. It was a beautiful diamond solitaire ring. She stared at it for a few seconds before looking down at Vaughn. She was speechless. He gave her a nervous smile and then reached up and pulled the ring from the box. He gently reached for her left hand, and smiled again.
"I love you Sydney, the only present I want this Christmas, or ever, is for you to say that you will be my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Sydney. Will you marry me?" As he said this he slipped the ring onto her finger and then looked up into her beautiful brown eyes. She looked amazed, and surprised, and more beautiful than he'd even thought possible.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath as Vaughn uttered the words. Everyone except Jack was totally surprised. They all watched with bright eyes as Vaughn looked up at Sydney from one knee.
After a long moment she let out her breath and smiled down at him. He smiled back, and she pulled on his hand, as if to make him stand. He did and she instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. Just as their lips were about to touch she paused and looked deep into his eyes.
"Yes," She breathed before pulling him in for the most romantic kiss either of them had ever experienced.
As their lips met the world seemed to fly away from them. All that they could see for that moment was each other. Both thought back to their first kiss in the aftermath of bringing down SD-6. For that single moment nothing else mattered. Not the people there in the room with them, not their responsibilities, or obligations, not the world, and its craziness. Just them, together after so long. This kiss was identical to that one, but instead of nervous and passionate, this kiss was much more out of happiness and commitment.
When they finally parted and were rushed back to reality. Sydney realized that the entire room had erupted in applause. She blushed instantly, realizing that she wasn't quite sure how long she and Vaughn had been standing there. Vaughn blushed as well, and laughed slightly as he was forced to release Sydney into the arms of his mother. He was still slowly regaining a sense of reality when he felt the hands of several people pat him on the back. As he looked around, Will was talking to him, and he had to physically force himself to listen. This was quite a feat, considering that he still felt as if they only two people in the world were himself and Sydney.
"Congratulations, Great going!" Will said excitedly. After smiling at Will, Vaughn felt a soft tugging at his pant leg and looked down. Ryan was standing their smiling up at him, and Vaughn quickly reached down and scooped him up. He kissed the boy several times on the cheek before resting him on his hip and looking down at him.
"You gave Mommy a pretty ring!" He said loudly.
"Yeah, big guy, and now Mommy, and I are going to get married." Vaughn said rubbing the boy's head.
"Married, Yay Yay!" He squealed and then looked suddenly quite confused. "What's married?"
Vaughn laughed, as did Will and Alex who were standing near by.
"Well it means that we will be husband and wife." He said still chuckling softly.
"Oh," Ryan said not looking even remotely like he understood. But he wiggled himself down out of Vaughn's arms and ran over to his mother, who was still being swarmed by Mrs. Vaughn and Alicia. As Vaughn followed Ryan with his eyes, he noticed Jack standing a few feet from him. A slight smiled was on his face. Vaughn stared at his to-be father in law and smiled.
"Well done Michael." Vaughn was surprised at Jack's use of his name.
"Thank you sir." He said stepping toward him, and looking to Sydney. Jack followed Vaughn's gaze and stared at Sydney. He was unbelievably glad that his daughter was happy. Although he had never particularly liked Vaughn, he was overjoyed that he made Sydney happy. He had always had an ever increasing respect for Vaughn, but when Vaughn had visited him at his home in LA, and asked for Jack's blessing, his respect for his future son in law grew immensely. Jack knew that it was a totally unnecessary thing to do, after all his relationship with Sydney over the years had been more than simply short of fatherly. Jack had been dumbfounded by Vaughn's question but after a moment of reflection he realized that there was no question about it, this man was right for his daughter.
Watching as Sydney met Vaughn's gaze, Jack was intrigued by the intensity of their stares. He knew that Sydney loved Vaughn, and that Vaughn had never, ever stopped loving Sydney; but he was never quite sure of how deep their feelings for each other went, especially after their almost seven year separation. At the start of their relationship Jack was convinced that Vaughn was merely infatuated with Sydney, and that she was simply intrigued by him. But as their relationship had grown, Jack became more aware that Sydney was truly in love with Vaughn. This fact had hit him incredibly hard when Vaughn had become sick, and Sydney was forced to kill Slone in order to find an antidote. Jack knew his daughter well. She was loyal, and giving, and always uncontrollably brave. But he had expected her to back down when the question of taking a life in cold blood, had arisen. However Sydney had not once questioned her course of action, as far as Jack could tell. She had been incredibly confident in her objective, and she had indeed saved Vaughn. However, Jack had never in his life seen her act as desperately as she had in order to save Vaughn. He had concluded that this wasn't a case of simple loyalty or bravery, or even a simple crush, but instead love.
When this finally occurred to him, he'd gone to visit Vaughn in the hospital. The man was very recovering from being near death, and Jack had watched him for a long time, as he slept. The antidote had been administered, and Jack was assured that he would survive, but he was still drawn to watch over him. He hadn't know Danny very well, and had not approved of Noah in the least, but as he sat watching Vaughn sleep, he realized that he was racking his brain trying to find the smallest reason why this man was not good enough for his daughter.
He was totally unable to find the hint of a reason, and had then admonished himself for trying. He realized that no one was good enough for Sydney, except for maybe this man. He had fought along side Jack in order to save Sydney from pain, and to keep her safe. He had fought with Jack over Sydney's best interests, and had been right. This man was just like Jack in that he loved Sydney more than himself, and would do anything for her. Jack tried for a long time to not believe this, but when Sydney had disappeared Jack had been forced to realize that Vaughn was his equal in terms of his love for Sydney.
As a father one never wants to give up his "little girl". Jack has always wished that Sydney would stay six years old forever, and that their lives could go on as they did before her mother's disappearance. But Sydney was all grown up now, she had been for a long time. Jack sighed as he looked again to Vaughn, who was still holding Sydney's gaze. He remembered that gaze, for he had once experienced it himself. It was the feeling of total helplessness, total loss of reality. He remembered for a moment what it was like to be so totally enraptured in the eyes of someone you loves more that you could express. He didn't miss this feeling, but instead smiled slightly at the fact that his daughter was experiencing it.
'Vaughn will make her happy. He will keep her safe. He will help her through it all.' He sighed to himself. As much as he regretted to admit it Vaughn was the one man who Sydney absolutely needed in her life. He was the only one who could give her happiness, and share her pain. The ironic part was, that the very thing that would cause all of her pain, would be a result of their love for each other.