Chapter 4

So what if I see the sunshine

In the pouring rain

Some people will think I'm crazy

But you say it's okay

You've seen my secret garden

Where all of my flowers grow

In my imagination

Anything goes

My heart just about stopped beating. "Waitwhat? I think I just hallucinated. What did you just say?"

"I said, will you marry me?"

I smiled about as big as I could. "That's what I thought."

"And? Your answer is?"

I threw my hands around him. "Yes. Of course I'll marry you!"

When we finally broke apart, he slipped the beautiful diamond ring on my ring finger.

"You I'm never gonna stop looking at this, right?"

"Yeah, I know." He replied, kissing me. I kissed him back.

"Let's pay so we can go."

"Ok." Vaughn said and paid for our meal with his credit card. They headed back to the room.

"I'm gonna go see if Francie and Will got back, ok?" I whispered in his ear.

"Sure." He kissed my forehead. I skipped out the door and over to their room. I knocked on the door several times. When there was no answer, I knocked harder.

I heard footsteps and then the door creaked open. I grinned when I saw Francie standing in the doorway, dressed in a bathing suit.

"Hey girl! Will and I are gonna go down to the hot tubs. Wanna join us?"

"Sure." I held my left hand. "What color do you think I should paint my nails for"

Francie cut me off before I finished my sentence. She squealed and clapped her hands and began jumping up and down. "Oh my gosh Syd! You're ENGAGED!"

Will came out to see what all the commotion was. "Hey what's going on?"

"Syd's engaged!" Francie cried. She hugged me and almost knocked me over.

I saw Will smile, but I knew it was genuine. "Congrats!" With that, he turned and left the room.

Francie, too, saw that. "What's up with him?" She asked me.

"I guess it's just not that exciting for him."

"Syd, you gotta make sure the finance does NOT die! Ok? He's a keeper!"

I laughed at Francie's comment. "Ok. I promise."

* * *

I squeezed Vaughn's hand as we pulled up into the CIA parking lot. "You ready?" I asked him.

"Yeah. I think so."

We got out of the car and headed towards the elevator where Vaughn pushed the correct button. I held my breath as the elevator ascended. Vaughn grabbed my hand.

"Syd, it's gonna be fine!"

I nodded and let out the breath I was holding. We were about to tell my father about our wedding, which was scheduled for in two weeks.

We walked over to his office. "Hey, slow down!" Vaughn called. I stopped and gave him a weak smile.

"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous." I stopped at his door and knocked lightly. Vaughn frowned at me and he knocked a bit harder.

"Come in!" I heard my father's gruff voice from inside his office. I reluctantly opened the door.

"Hey Syd. Agent Vaughn." He said, looking up at us for a brief moment then he got back to work at the computer.

"Dad, there's something we need to tell you."

"Hmm." He replied.

I looked at Vaughn for a reassuring look, which I got. He lightly pushed me forward, closer to my father's desk.

I knocked on it, brining his attention to me. "Dad, it's important."

"What?" He looked up at me.

I had to do this. "Dad, Agent VaughnMichael and I are"

"Yes?"

"Getting married."

My dad just looked at us for what seemed like eternity.

"You're getting married?" He asked finally.

"Yes." I said quietly.

"Well then"

I braced myself for what he was about to say.

"You have my best wishes." He stood up and embraced me in a hug. I hugged him back.

"Thank you Daddy!"

"Is this what you want?" He said, looking me in the eye.

"Yes, it is." I looked over at Vaughn who smiled back at me.

Then, my father surprised me by shaking hands with Vaughn. "Now I want you to take very good care of her. Do you understand me?"

Vaughn nodded. "Crystal clear!"

Vaughn and I walked out of his office and over to my desk.

"See? I told you it would be ok." Vaughn said, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"I know. I know."