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Chapter Twenty:

Homecoming

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Throughout the span of a human lifetime, only a rare few achieve the kind of glowing enlightenment that paves the way for rebirth. It is a moment when the world falls away and the mind is filled with a clear white light. At this moment, a soul recognizes the many lives and destinies it has fulfilled and what they are meant to do in the future. It is a moment of utter clarity, typically when one is completely alone in their own mind.

Michael Vaughn and Sydney Bristow had this moment at the exact time in their lives, but they were not alone. Their enlightenment was achieved as one complete being of pure energy and love. It was in this moment that they were joined, body and soul, heart and mind. They had always been bound together but in this moment, they formed a perfect union and fulfilled their destinies.

Only now could they be reborn, able to shape their lives as they wished. Free from the darkness and pain of their former selves. They were the pheonix arising from the ashes of so much fire.

When he opened his eyes, Vaughn saw everything around him lit with a dazzling light. Turning, he saw Sydney beside him, glowing brighter than anything. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. His soul reflected back from her eyes, mingled with the pure energy of her own. In that moment, Vaughn was filled with the light of pure love and happiness, so complete that it seemed nothing would ever be able to diminish the glow inside of him.

His eyes were fixed on her and her on him, their hands were still clutched tightly together. Slowly, the world faded back to normal. Even the bright sunbeams pouring in through the window seemed dull in comparison to the light they had just seen. Vaughn felt breath rush through his lungs, his heart pounding in his ears.

As one, they turned to Jack and Irina who sat wide eyed before them. The Telling machine was a smoking black shell on the table, the golden glow gone. The power had been destroyed. The only power that remained was them, in destroying it, they had taken part of it into themselves. They were the only power of Rambaldi that remained now. Their eyes blazed with a golden glow, illuminating the green and brown with a fierce light.

There was silence all around them as the eyes of Jack and Irina slowly lifted from the wreckage of the Rambaldi device to look at Sydney and Vaughn. Sydney could see the wonder that was written in her parent's eyes and she smiled softly at them.

"It is done," her words broke the silence, clear and filled with quiet authority. She had become imbued with new life. The shadows in her eyes had vanished, the darkness that had been cast upon her since her abduction was gone. She was Sydney again, but she was more herself than she had ever been before.

Vaughn smiled at the sound of her voice, marveling at how much he loved her. She was whole again and he could feel the cracks in his own soul sealing. The shadows fled back into the corners of his mind and he was alive again. Truly alive for the first time since he had learned of her death so many months ago. It was a lifetime away now, their former selves that had been broken so many times was no more.

Jack gaped slightly and Vaughn could not help but laugh. The eyes of all three flickered to him instantly, Jack and Irina feeling a surge of fear. Had he gone mad where Sydney had survived?

Sydney knew better, she could feel his thoughts, his utter joy. She turned to him and joined his laughter, it was like music rippling through the air. When they had calmed themselves, he embraced her tightly, holding her to him lovingly. He kissed her forehead and then dropped a hand to her stomach. He looked up to meet her eyes and she saw reflected in him the vision of their son, brought to life. She knew he could see it too, they both knew the truth of the visions. Softly, he kissed her stomach, she knew the grins on both of their faces must look ridculous to her parents but she didn't care.

"I guess it's not a girl after all," Sydney said with a smirk. Vaughn chuckled and kissed her, souls dancing in joy.

"What the hell happened?" Jack asked, finally overcoming his shock enough to speak. Sydney stifled a giggle as she looked at her father, never before had she seen the incredulous expression that was on his face. She shrugged helplessly, unable to explain the phenomena that had taken place inside of them.

"We met our guardian angel," she answered. Jack's brow furrowed further in confusion and Sydney laughed at the sight. Her eyes flickered to her mother and she found Irina smiling warmly, she understood. Irina turned to Jack and took his hand gently, his eyes moving to her.

"They saw their lives, Jack. They saw into each other's souls and they lifted the curse that has hung over all of lives for thirty long years. That is all that is important."

Jack nodded, still bewildered but he accepted her answer. He liked to understand what had just happened to his daughter but he had the feeling no one would ever truly understand. All that mattered to him was that Sydney was safe.

"I am safe, dad," it was as if Sydney read his thoughts. She clasped Vaughn's hand and smiled up at him, the love in her eyes made him warmed his flesh.

"We're all safe," he said softly, still gazing down at her. "We can go home now."

Sydney's smile grew wider as she thought of her home, she saw them on the beach, their baby in her arms. For so long it had been a dream, then it had been a vision, now it could become reality.

"Yes," Sydney turned to her father and nodded. "I want to go home."

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They arrived in L.A. hours later, Vaughn piloting his father's private jet to the CIA landing strip. They called ahead of time, he had informed Marshall that he and Jack were coming in from Ireland with two other people. Vaughn was practically giddy with excitement over the reactions Sydney's old friends would have to her miraculous return from the dead. It was Sydney's excitement as she bounced in anticipation in the copilot's seat. Vaughn could not help but grin every time he caught a glimpse of her. She was like a little girl, awaiting a huge present and her enthusiasm was contagious, combined with their inherent joy. They were as giddy as teenagers in love.

They arrived at the CIA office around by evening, the colors of night deepening across the horizon. Sydney was overcome with joy at the sight of the city lights gleaming, the familiar sense of home washed over her. She was always happy to see it every time she had returned from an exhausting mission in the past. This last one had been the most draining, it had stolen six months of her life and changed her completely. But some things never changed.

They stood outside the familiar entrance to the CIA building, looking at each other with anticipation. Vaughn's arm was wrapped firmly around her, her arm snaked around his waist. They stood together, prepared to face what lay ahead. Jack and Irina stood behind them, a bit more nervous. Irina was afraid that the CIA would take her into custody as soon as she showed her face. Jack, Vaughn and Sydney had convinced her that due to her actions in destroying the Rambaldi devices, she would be granted a pardon. Jack clutched a box that contained the broken shell of the Telling machine and the second prophecy about Vaughn that had started the whole adventure.

Vaughn gazed down at her wordlessly, a question in his eyes. Was she ready? Sydney nodded and smiled broadly. Together they walked into the CIA as one, arms around each other but no real need for support was necessary any longer. They were strong enough to stand on their own now, but they were still stronger when they stood together.

Sydney's eyes filled with tears as she entered the familiar room that had been their office for so long. It seemed as though nothing had changed. Vaughn's hand stroked her back as they moved deeper into the room. At first no one took any notice of them but one by one, old coworkers saw them approach and stopped what they were doing to turn and stare in amazement. Their superiors who had been speaking to them frowned in annoyance and followed their line of sight, jaw dropping and voice halting in midword. A buzz of voices rose in surprise and then slowly faded one by one in stunned silence.

Sydney saw Marshall at his desk, turn to see what was happening and his eyes widened. He dropped the fancy looking gadget in his hands to stand up and stare at her. She smiled at him and looked around the office, she saw come out of an office and meet her gaze, jaw dropping in surprise. She smiled at him and the tears spilled from her cheeks, all at once the buzz arose. Will and Marshall rushed to her, followed closely by Dixon and Weiss who appeared out of the crowd. They swarmed Sydney and Vaughn, questions erupting like wildfire in the brush. Will's eyes were filled with tears as he pulled Sydney to him, wrapping her in a tight hug. Enthusiastically, Marshall and Weiss also joined in. Weiss pulled Vaughn in as well and soon the four men were piled on top of Sydney in amazement.

The sound of her laughter spilling through her tears pulled them off of her and they all stared at her in amazed joy. It was Dixon who finally managed to speak first, clearing his throat from the lump that had formed there.

"Sydney," he said softly. Her eyes flickered to him and with a teary smile, she embraced him tightly. He held her for a long moment before pulling back and looking deep into her eyes.

"God, when Jack told me I didn't believe him. But it's really you."

Sydney nodded and sniffled, "It's really me, Dixon."

"How is this possible?" Will asked in amazement, one hand gripping Sydney's as if she would disappear at any moment. She looked at Will and shook her head, the smile lighting her face.

"Its such a long story, the Covenant had me and then I found Vaughn and there was a lot of Rambaldi prophecies and artifacts involved." She laughed softly, "It is way too complicated to explain right now."

"There will be time for an explanation," Weiss said. "Right now I think its time for a celebration! Its not every day that one of my best friends returns from the dead." He turned to Vaughn and punched him lightly on the shoulder. Vaughn winced slightly, Weiss had hit the injured arm where Lauren had shot him only days earlier. Weiss noticed the pained expression and frowned.

"And you! Where the hell have you been for the past month? Do you know how long I've been trying to contact you, man?" His light tone was darkened by the concern he felt for his friend and Vaughn smiled in attempt to assuage his fear.

"I was hiding from you, Weiss and your damned questions." Weiss' face fell at his words and Sydney and Vaughn both laughed at the same time, their synchronicity surprising the men around them. Vaughn clapped his hand on Weiss' back and smiled broadly, Weiss' face lifted and he laughed with them.

"Sydney," Marshall touched her hand and she turned to him gently. His smile was wide and uncertain, unable to believe that she was really there. "I can't believe that you're here, I mean if anyone could come back from the dead it would be you. Though, I'm sure you weren't really dead, I mean, we all thought you were dead," Marshall frowned, his eyes flickering away from her as they did when he rambled off on these trains of thought. Sydney grinned and hugged Marshall, kissing him gently on the cheek.

"Its good to be back Marshall, and its even better to see you," she said. Marshall blushed furiously where her lips had landed and he turned away with a nod, muttering to himself.

Jack and Irina had been standing back this entire time, unnoticed by everyone in the commotion that followed Sydney's appearance. Dixon's eyes landed on them and he smiled, shaking his head. He moved over to Jack and clapped him on the back with a smile, "I didn't believe you, Jack, but you were telling the truth. This is incredible." His smile faded when he looked at Irina and his eyes flickered between them curiously.

"Mr. Dixon," Irina offered her hand with a cordial smile. "I have a proposition before that I fear you won't be able to refuse. But first, I must ask you not to arrest me until you have heard our story."

Dixon's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Irina, cautiously he took her hand and shook it. "Of course, Ms. Derevko. I will want to hear your story as much as everyone else."

"That's it, we need to celebrate," Will was saying to Sydney. The smile on his face was huge and he couldn't stop shaking his head in disbelief. "All of us need to go celebrate your return, we can go to the restaurant."

"The restaurant?" Sydney asked, frowning slightly as her eyes darkened at the memory of Francie. "Francie's restaurant?"

"Yeah," Will smiled sadly, seeing her pain. "After she died," his words dropped softly in mourning. "I took over the restaurant, I couldn't see it go to waste after how much she put into it. I own it but I have some very reliable people who are running it since my duties as super spy in training are a little demanding."

Sydney smiled at the thought of Will being a spy and shook her head, "That sounds great, Will. But no drinking for me."

"No drinking?" Weiss groaned. "What is a party without drinks?"

Sydney laughed and glanced up at Vaughn curiously, he returned her smile and shrugged in response to the silent question. She turned to Weiss and with a smirk on her face said, "I've got to look out for more than just me now, Weiss." She laid a hand on her stomach with a smile and Vaughn's hand joined her's, they shared a knowing look.

One again, all were struck dumb by her announcement. Weiss shook his head, "Man you kids have been apart for six months, one of you dead and then somehow you find each other again. What was that sex like?"

Vaughn and Sydney broke into a fit of giggles, something rarely heard in the center of the CIA office. Agents swarmed around the group in the middle of the room, moving on with their jobs, having moved past the amazement Sydney had stirred. However everyone heard the laughter that came from the two people in the middle of the room and the sound of it lifted their hearts with inexplicable joy.

Sydney looked around at the happy faces of her friends with a peaceful smile on her face. Vaughn's arms circled her from behind, even as he spoke to the others, his presence was constantly linked to her. She could see the wonder in their eyes as their gazes drifted over her. She could see the way they looked at her as if she was a brand new person, they could sense a change about her and Vaughn but none of them could quite place their finger on what it was. They most likely thought it was the glow of love, of joy after months of sorrow. They were right. The world had finally returned to normal for the first time since she had become an agent. She was filled with a peaceful harmony, in the midst of loving friends, Vaughn's arms around her. Everything was finally as she had always dreamed of.

The world was a safe place for the first time in so many years, Sloane was finally dead, the Covenant was gone and Rambaldi would fade into legend. Her soul held no darkness any longer, she was filled with light that brightened the rest of the world.

Vaughn kissed her cheek softly and she knew he felt her souls deepest emotion, she leaned back against him, secure in the warmth of his arms and she smiled.

The nightmare was over, now their lives could finally begin.

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When they got home, late that night, they were exhausted from the celebration of their friends. They had all gone out to dinner, a massive group of CIA agents putting aside their serious concerns and celebrating the return of their friend. Marshall, Carrie, Weiss, Dixon and Will all accompanied Sydney and Vaughn to Francie's old restaurant. The décor had been much the same and Sydney knew that her best friend, who was long gone, would be happy for her at this moment.

At the end of the night, Vaughn and Sydney had pleaded with their now mostly drunken friends that it was time for them to rest. Not a one of them had any idea what they had gone through in the past twenty four hours, let alone the past few days and months. They had barely gotten a full night's sleep in days and their friends had reluctantly let them part with many declarations of love and amazement and the promise that every one of them would be checking on them within the next few days. Sydney could not wait to catch up with them but Vaughn had seen her level of exhaustion and brought her quickly home.

They entered his apartment and Sydney felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her, they had spent most of their nights earlier in their relationship at her house. But now her apartment was gone and the only place they had left was Vaughn's home.

Vaughn was surprised to see that the apartment was conspicously clean. Weiss must have dropped by while he was gone and cleared away the piles of empty bottles and trash that had gathered. The only thing left untouched was the pile of photographs that spread out like a rainbow across the table. Sydney collapsed heavily onto the couch and gazed at the pictures. Vaughn joined her there and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck gently.

"I thought I would never be able to touch you again save through these pictures," he murmured against her neck. She laced her fingers through his and smiled softly.

"I forgot all about these," she whispered and shook her head. Vaughn felt around inside his pocket for something and retrieved another photograph. Unfolding it, he placed it on the table at the center, clearing the space of Sydney's face. She smiled, it was the picture of him as young child with his parents. He had taken it from his father's house in Ireland, the only memento of that brief experience with his father in the last hours of his life.

Sydney did not speak, only nestled closer to him and he gathered her into his arms. She was asleep by the time her head came to rest on his shoulder and he carried her into the bedroom, laying her down gently on the bed. He stood over her for a second, aglow with happiness at the sight of her. Gently he removed her shoes and her uncomfortable clothes, she barely stirred as he did so, she trusted him even in her unconscious. He lifted the blankets and settled them over her, stroking her hair softly as she sighed in her sleep.

Turning away from her, his eyes drifted around the darkened room. He had not been here in a long time but for the first time in many months, it felt like home again. Anywhere Sydney was, was home.

Standing, he moved around to the other side of the bed when his foot caught on a box that was sticking out under the bed. He frowned and kneeled down to open it, trying to remember what it was.

When he opened the box, his breath tangled in his throat and he felt tears burn his eyes. He had completely forgotten that it was there, waiting for him. It seemed a sign at this hour, after the end of it all. With a smile on his face, he closed the box and pushed it further under the bed where Sydney would not find it. He climbed onto the bed, shedding his clothes and slipped in beside her. Wrapping his arms around her, she turned in his grasp, a smile lingered on her sleeping face. Vaughn kissed the top of his head and allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

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A few days later, they were on the beach. It was a secluded area, no one around for miles. They had been looking for a house to buy, Vaughn's apartment was much too small for their growing family. They had not even had to discuss where to look for a home, they had gone to the beach immediately, searching for the perfect home.

They had found it without much searching, a cozy home on the edge of the beach. After making an offer, they sat together on the sand watching the sun set over the ocean. Sydney was watching the colors of the twilight shimmer off the vast stretch of water, Vaughn was watching Sydney. His grip on her hand tightened and she smiled, pulling him closer to her. His arms went around her willingly and she shifted onto his lap, turning to smile up at him. He had a ridiculously goofty grin on his face that almost made her laugh but she did not, there was something very serious hidden beneath. She could tell.

"What is it?" She asked. Vaughn shook his head and rested his chin on her shoulder, watching the sun gleam in her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered. "I just love you so much."

She kissed him softly, stroking his face softly. He caught her hand and brought it to him, placing it over his chest. She could feel the steady pulse of his heart beneath her fingertips. He gazed deep into her eyes, the silliness vanishing and his expression was transformed with an expression of profound love and knowledge.

"You feel that," he asked softly. His heart quickened beneath her touch and she smiled, her own heart racing in response. "That is you, pumping the blood through my veins. When you were gone, I could not feel my own heart beat." He covered her hand with his own, the other reaching out to cover her breast where her heart beat in unison.

"Sydney, I can't breathe without you, can't dream, can't feel. You have made me a new person in so many ways and I am so much better because of it." He leaned his head against hers and moved his hand from over her's to reach into his pocket. Gently, he took her other hand and slipped something onto her finger. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed gently and then looked at her. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy, as were his own and she was smiling with so much love.

"Marry me." It wasn't as much a question as it was a breath that whispered across her flesh. She shivered from the force of the emotion and glanced down at her hand. The jewel on the ring sparkled up at her, light catching on its facets in the fading sun. She looked back to him, watching the way the sun turned his skin into gold, his eyes into green fire. She swallowed her tears and attacked him, ravishing his face, his neck, with her lips. His laughter rumbled up from beneath her in his chest and she threw her arms around him. He scooped her up into his arms and swung her around in a circle, kissing her feverishly.

"Of course, I will marry you, silly." She said between kisses. "I love you, I love you," the words were captured by his lips as he set her down on her feet. His fingers ran through her hair as he kissed her deeply.

The sun merged with the water behind them, the waves crashing against the shore and swirling around their feet. They did not notice, so wrapped up in each other as they were. They stood illuminated before the setting sun, aglow and untouched by the shadows. In the glow of the sun, their sillhouttes merged to become one to any who might have seen them. They were bound together in a union deeper than marriage or friendship, the union of souls who have finally found what they were searching for.

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It was six weeks later when they found themselves in the hospital. Sydney laid back on the bed nervously, clutching Vaughn's hand. He smiled down at her reassuringly, attempting to sooth her fears.

"It's going to be okay, sweetie." He kissed her hand and smiled at her, she smiled weakly in response. So much had been going on since they had returned, they had been thrown into preparations for both the oncoming wedding and baby. Dixon had given them an extended leave from work, both were fully aware that they might never return but he left the option open for them just in case.

The doctor entered the room then, smiling warmly at them. She looked down at the sheet on her board and then back to them, "Ms. Bristow." She smiled at Sydney and took a seat on the other side of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Sydney shrugged, "I'm throwing up a lot, but I've been told that's pretty normal?" She bit her lip, unsure suddenly and Vaughn squeezed her hand for support.

"She's been sleeping a lot and her morning sickness usually comes around the same time. She's gained very little weight however."

"All of that is perfectly normal," the doctor assured them. "Not all women gain weight right away, depending on how physically fit the mother is and how well she takes care of herself and what food she eats, Sydney may not gain more than ten or fifteen pounds." The doctor smiled down at Sydney who breathed a sigh of relief, shooting a grateful look toward Vaughn. He smiled at her gently and the doctor watched their interaction with a knowing grin.

"I assume you are the father," she looked down to skim the sheet. "Michael Vaughn?"

"Yes I am," he replied happily. They had a paternity test performed only days earlier, in order to gurantee what they both knew in their hearts. This was his child.

"Alright, well I hope you're ready to begin," she lifted Sydney's hospital gown to rub the cold clear gel across her stomach. Turning on the machine, she pressed the small device to her stomach. Sydney and Vaughn's eyes turned immediately to the monitor, searching through the hazy darkness for their child's heartbeat.

It appeared slowly, rising from the depth, a steady white blur that pulsed steadily on the screen. Sydney gasped at the sight and Vaughn stared in wonder, a joyful smile breaking across his face.

"Hm," the doctor murmured something and Sydney's eyes snapped to her instantly, alarmed at the sound.

"What?" Sydney asked, a note of panic in her voice. "What's wrong?" She felt Vaughn's fingers turn her face gently to the screen as the doctor pointed to something there.

"Nothing is wrong, its just interesting. I am seeing two heartbeats here," she smiled as Sydney's eyes widened. Vaughn was grinning like a fool, he had seen the second heartbeat before the doctor even had and knew what it meant. He kissed Sydney's cheek softly and whispered into her ear.

"So maybe we both win? Maybe we get the boy and the girl at once?" He chuckled softly and Sydney was awed by the idea presented to her. She had thought she was blessed to have one baby, but two?

"Twins?" She asked softly, the doctor nodded and pressed a button on the machine. A copy of the image on the screen printed out and she handed it to Sydney, shutting the machine off.

Vaughn and Sydney stared down at the picture in wonder, her fingers traced the faint outline of their child's heart, Vaughn's fingers traced the other. They met in the middle and laced together, no words were needed. This was a miracle in many ways.

The doctor smiled, recognizing the private moment and retreated from the room. Sydney and Vaughn were left, curled up together on the bed, gazing in amazement at the picture.

"We saw our son," Vaughn whispered softly. "I saw every course our lives might take and at the end, we saw our son standing before us. But I never imagined children." He smiled and kissed her softly, placing his hands gently on her bare stomach.

"Now we can have everything we dreamed of," she whispered in wonder. Vaughn laid his head against her stomach and smiled softly.

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They were married on the same beach, barefoot at twilight as they had been the day he had asked her. It was three months later, Sydney had only just begun to show her pregnancy but as she walked down the aisle on Jack's arm, she glowed brighter and more beautiful than ever before. Jack had tears in his eyes as he gazed at his baby girl who was a child no longer. Her eyes were fixed on Vaughn, standing beside Weiss and the minister at the end of the aisle.

When Jack halted at the end, he turned to kiss her gently on the cheek, silently bidding farewell to his little girl. She smiled brightly at him and wiped away his tears with a soothing hand. He turned to Vaughn and nodded shortly, but his hand clasped Vaughn's shoulder with a loving touch. Vaughn smiled at him and clasped his hand briefly before Jack turned away to sit with Irina in the first row.

Glancing over at her husband, Irina smiled through her tears and took his hand. He looked at her and she kissed him gently, she was filled with joy at the simple fact that she was sitting here beside the man she loved, watching her daughter get married. It was the dream every mother had but one Irina had never believed would come for her. In the end, this was all she wanted, her family with her and happy. Jack squeezed her hand gently, conveying his love for her silently and their eyes met wordlessly before turning back to their daughter as she stepped up to Vaughn's side.

Sydney could scarcely hear the words the minister spoke, she was lost in the heat of Vaughn's gaze. He held her hands between them, a soft smile hovering on his face. The two of them were in their own world, the golden light that surrounded them seemed too bright to be sunlight, it was their own power that they held together that lit them from within. The power of their love.

Sydney was somewhat surprised to hear him say her name, the words of the minister had been a rush of sound in her ears but his voice was clear. His soft words were spoken with a calm clarity, as if intended for her ears alone.

"Sydney," he squeezed her hands and smiled. Tears welled up in his eyes as he gazed at her and he cleared his throat before continuing.

"The day I met you, my heart stopped. I didn't know then what you would come to mean to me, how you would change my life so completely. All I knew was that you were strong, you were brave and you were so full of life. I admired you then, respected you and grew to care for you despite your stubborness and obstination." He grinned and Sydney could not help but laugh softly, the tears wet on her face.

"But you saved my life," he whispered. He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them softly, eyes remaining on her. "You saved me in so many ways, Sydney. You have been my heart's greatest desire, you are what holds my soul together. I have loved you through lifetimes, through pain and darkness until we emerged together into the light," his voice trembled as he spoke. "I will love you until the day I die and beyond. From this life to the next." He lowered his eyes to her hand and slipped the ring on her finger, sliding it down to join her engagement ring. His tears spilled forth onto her skin, glowing softly in the twilight.

Sydney gazed at him, allowing his words to wash over her and fill her with a joy beyond measure. She allowed the silence to linger for a moment as she cleared her throat to speak her vows.

"Michael," she smiled at the use of his first name and the import was not lost on him. "There was a time when I thought I would never love again. I was lost and alone in the darkness until you came to show me the light. Through every moment, you have been with me. You have been my partner in every way, you have saved my life and my soul. When I knew only darkness, you were the flame that burned brightest, warming my chilled soul. You have been my partner, my friend, my lover, my guardian angel," she smiled at the last words and he knew what she was thinking. The term had always contained so much meaning to them but after their son's words, it held an even deeper and more profound emotion.

Gently, she slipped the ring onto his finger and kissed the palm of his hand. "You taught me to believe in myself, to believe in the truth and you taught me how to truly love. I will love you forever, from this life to the next."

Vaughn embraced her, barely waiting for the word from the minister before bringing her to him and kissing her passionately. She threw her arms around him joyfully and at that moment, they felt their children stir in her womb, kicking Vaughn through her stomach as if they could sense the excitement in the air. Sydney broke away with a gasp and the two of them broke into laughter. He embraced her tightly, one hand soothing the restless children in the womb and they seemed to quiet under his touch. Sydney's eyes sparkled and taking her hand, he turned to face the crowd. The words of the minister finally formed in her head and she heard him announce.

"It is my pleasure to give you, Mr and Mrs. Michael Vaughn."

Sydney was not sure she had ever heard a better phrase in her life.

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