"Miss Bristow, you're having twins," the doctor said. The couple exchanged a rapid glance, and immediately turned to the doctor.

"What?" Sydney asked, a wide smile appearing over her face.

"Yes. Two heartbeats. Two babies," the doctor said smiling.

"I can't believe it," Julian said, his face contorting in disbelief.

"Neither can I. This is unbelievable," Sydney said, watching the screen, noticing the second baby. "I can see it," she said, "Can you see it honey?"

"Yes," he said smiling, though his mind was racing. One thought ran through his mind, while he struggled to be happy about this new development.

This wasn't part of the prophecy.

What game was Rambaldi playing with them?


*****


As Julian threw his keys on the counter, he couldn't help but marvel at the glow that was gracing Sydney's face. Her eyes were shining, her smile was wide and glorious, and as his eyes wandered to her abdomen, he noticed that her hand was caressing the burgeoning bump slowly. Suddenly the hand was reaching toward him, and she placed his hand on her stomach. He smiled at the thought, that beneath her skin were not one, but two growing children. Despite the Rambaldi prophecy, he couldn't help but smile, really. This was all he had ever wanted; a family with the woman he had loved for much of his life.

When he looked up at Sydney again, tears were falling from her beautiful face. He reached up, framing her face with his hands, and wiped her tears away as they came.

"This is never going to end is it?" she asked, breathing heavily between sobs. His heart broke at the question, for more than anything, he wanted to give her a positive answer.

"I wish I could give you an answer, love. But I can't. I would do anything to change this, to never see you cry again. I love you so much, Sydney," he said, a tear running down his left cheek. Sydney smiled softly.

"I know. I'm just so scared," she said, rubbing her stomach again. He moved a hand to place it over hers. He lifted her chin up, forcing her to look into his cerulean eyes.

"Sydney, I will protect you, and our children. Never doubt that. As long as we are together, nothing will happen to you. I promise you that," he said. She smiled again.

"Okay," she whispered quietly. He leaned in to capture her lips with his own, and she responded immediately. Her hands raked over his back, and he lifted her off her feet, carrying her toward his bedroom. She giggled when he pulled his lips off of hers.

"A bit forward, wouldn't you say?" she asked, her eyes bright. He looked toward her stomach and she followed his gaze.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before apparently," he said, smiling.

"True," she said, kissing him again.

When they closed his bedroom door, there was no more talking.


*****


Hours later, Sydney was still smiling, as was Julian. Things were bittersweet however, seeing that their guests were preparing to leave. Julian had laid out a plan for each individual, should Sydney ever need their help in the case of an emergency. There were tears and embraces from Sydney, while Julian settled on a stiff handshake with each guest. Jack remained at the house, paranoid father that he was. He refused to leave Sydney in her time of need, but Sydney knew, in reality, that he wanted to spend more time with her mother.

When their guests departed, Sydney breathed a sigh of relief. Though her life with Julian was anything but normal, she could not help but feel safest and most at ease in his presence. Today would be spent in rest, though Julian had errands to run later in the day. Now they were sitting in his bedroom, and while he was working on miscellaneous paperwork, she was paging through a baby-name book that she had acquired.

"What about Joshua?" she asked loudly, still gazing at book.

"What?" he asked.

"Duh, as a name for one of the twins," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, simple. Julian Lazarey Jr., of course," he said, wagging his eyebrows at her. She smirked.

"I love you, but I don't think so..." she said. He dropped his pen on his desk, gasping.

"Any son would be proud to carry my name," he said, and she laughed.

"I'm sure he would. He'll have your last name. Julian is too..." she began.

"What? Too what?" he interrupted, smiling.

"Too...girly. I can see why you didn't want anyone to know your real name," she said, smirking. He bounded toward her, tickling her sides lightly, which sent her in a fit of giggles.

"Julian, stop!" she yelled, laughing, "Stop!"

"That's not what you said...." he began.

"Shut up," she said, kissing his lips softly, and when she pulled away, she pointed to the book, "I'm serious about this Julian. I really want to put some thought into these names." He rolled his eyes, though he did glance at the book.

"We don't even know the sex of the children yet," he said.

"We will soon. And besides, we'll just pick out a few names for each sex. It's not that difficult," she said, smirking at him.

"Fine," he said, smiling at her, "Let's get to it."


*****


"I've found them," he spoke into the phone quietly.

"Where are they?" his boss asked loudly.

"Small house in Ukraine. I assume it belongs to Derevko,"

"How many in the house?"

"Derevko, Sark...the Bristows...at least twenty guards," the man said, visually assessing the home.

"Wait, Bristows...Jack Bristow is there?" the boss asked again.

"Yes, sir."

"Dammit. He could ruin everything."

"Why is that?"

"Jack is one of the best agents I know. He will stop at nothing to protect his daughter."

"Then, it's imperative that we attack as soon as possible," the man said.

"Yes, you're right," the boss agreed.

"When do you want us to move in?"

"Nightfall. Wait until nightfall. Do not hurt Miss Bristow or Mr. Sark. Do you understand? Relay that message to all of your men," the boss said.

"Understood, sir. I will have a report for you after we have them in our custody. What about Derevko and Mr. Bristow?"

The boss cocked his head to the side, considering his answer for a moment. No one could say he was a rash decision maker. He smiled viciously, stifling a laugh.

"Kill them."