A/N: Thanks everyone for being so patient waiting for this chapter! I PROMISE it won't be as long of a wait for the next one.
Chapter 38: "Waiting"
Lyon, France
Vaughn anxiously looked up as Sydney walked into the living room of his temporary apartment and handed him his cellphone. "What did your dad say?"
"He doesn't think Sloane knew you were here in Lyon, but he thinks it's awfully coincidental that we ended up in the same city, so we need to be extra careful." She bit her lip as she paced back and forth in front of him.
"What if he's right, Vaughn? Last night, it seemed like fate that we ran into each other, but what if it wasn't? What if Sloane found out you were here and he set this up?"
"Then I'll have to be sure to thank him for one of the best nights of my life," Vaughn joked, unsuccessfully trying to coax a smile out of her. He immediately grew serious, however, when she shot him a dirty look.
"Syd," he sighed, "I really doubt Sloane knows anything. Your father took every precaution to make sure Sloane couldn't find out I was alive, much less, where I've been hiding out. And I hate to ruin your image of him, but your dad's really good at making people disappear when he wants to," he said, unable to hold back a tiny smile.
"Besides, even if Sloane did sent you here on purpose, there was no way for him to guarantee we'd run into each other last night. I decided to go for a walk on a total whim; Sloane didn't plan that. He *couldn't* have planned that," he reassured her, reaching for her hand and pulling her towards him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she sighed as she sank down onto the couch next to him. "It's just that last night, finding you by accident seemed so romantic, but now, it's making me completely paranoid. What if Sloane sent me here because he thought I knew you were here and I'd draw you out of hiding? If that's what he was hoping for, our reunion played right into his hands."
"Yeah, you're right," Vaughn nodded. "And what if he actually set this whole double agent thing in motion, so I'd be assigned as your handler and fall in love with you, just so he could eventually kill me?"
"Vaughn," Sydney scolded when she saw his teasing smile, "you're not taking this seriously at all."
"I *am* taking it seriously," he protested, "but if Sloane was trying to draw me out of hiding and trap us in a lie, it seems like he would have killed us last night, don't you think?"
He reclined deeper into the sofa and pulled her back into his arms, softly kissing her forehead before speaking again. "Syd, I know you're worried that something's going to go wrong tomorrow, but you have to relax, okay? We can't control what's happening in L.A. or anywhere else. All we *can* control is what's happening with us, and now that you're here with me, I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
"It's not *me* that I'm worried about," she said, giving him a pointed look as she raised her head from his chest and smiling weakly at him. "I want to believe nothing bad is going to happen, but -- "
"But you don't," he finished her sentence with a knowing smile.
"I *can't*," she corrected him. "There's too much at stake, Vaughn, and the last thing we can afford to do is let down our guard like we did last night."
"Are you saying you regret last night?"
"What? No! No, that's not what I'm saying," she assured him. "I don't regret last night, and I don't regret being with you. I just wish we had been smarter about our reactions to seeing each other again, and maybe not gotten so carried away with each other."
"Yeah, well sorry about that," Vaughn replied, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "It's hard for me to think rationally when I'm around you sometimes."
"Hey," she said in a soft voice as she looked directly into his eyes and smiled, trying to remove the sting of her previous words. "It's not any easier for me to control my feelings for you, and I'm not blaming you for anything that happened last night. I'm just -- I'm just freaking out, that's all," she nervously laughed. "I'll be damned if we've come this far and waited so long to be together to lose each other now."
"That won't happen, Syd. I promise it won't. I won't let it," he whispered as he threaded his fingers through her hair and brought her lips down to his. In spite of herself, she quickly grew lost in the passion of his kiss, the soft but insistent pressure of his lips and tongue making her forget all her doubts and fears. Anxiety immediately gave way to need as desire welled inside of her, and she moved to lay back on the couch, pulling him along with her. He melted into her, his body sliding along the length of hers as he deepened the kiss and she hooked her leg around his calf.
"If we do this for another twenty-four hours, I won't even remember to be scared," she breathlessly laughed.
"Sounds like a plan," he smiled before kissing her again and slipping a hand underneath her shirt to caress the soft skin of her stomach. The room was soon filled with the sound of soft moans and heavy breathing as they continued to kiss and touch each other like a couple of hormonal teenagers. Sydney tugged Vaughn's t-shirt from his jeans and he sighed into her mouth when she slipped her hands underneath his shirt and lightly raked her fingernails down his back. She could feel the evidence of his escalating desire through his jeans, and she arched her back, grinding her hips into him, coaxing another low moan from him. She moved her hands back down and around to unbutton his jeans, but froze when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway.
"Don't mind me, kids, I'm just passing through," Elise said in a breezy, amused voice as she padded into the kitchen.
"Mom," Vaughn sputtered as he disentangled himself from Sydney and quickly re-buttoned his jeans.
"Forgot I was here, did you?" she asked over her shoulder.
Vaughn good-naturedly rolled his eyes and offered a hand to help Sydney to her feet.
"Busted," she whispered with a conspiratorial grin just before they followed Elise into the kitchen.
"Of course I didn't forget you were here, mom. I just didn't think you'd be up so early," he explained before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Normally, I wouldn't be, but for some strange reason, I couldn't sleep last night, because I was I was too busy worrying about where my only child was and whether he was still alive," she sarcastically responded.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry," Vaughn guiltily replied. "I just went for a walk and unexpectedly ran into someone I knew.
"I know you didn't mean to make me worry, sweetheart, and suddenly, your disappearing act is starting to make a bit more sense," she smirked as she peeked around Vaughn to see a smiling Sydney standing behind him. "Sydney, it's so wonderful to see you again," she beamed as she gently nudged Vaughn aside and engulfed Sydney in a warm hug.
"You too, Elise. I've missed you."
"I know. It's been what -- three months -- since we last saw each other? How are you?"
"I'm okay, considering that the last two weeks have been hell. More importantly, how are *you* doing? I can't even imagine what this ordeal has been like for you."
"Well, it hasn't been a walk in the park, but it hasn't been awful either. At the very least, it gave me some quality time alone with Michael. I'm just sorry that it had to come at the expense of your own time with him."
"Oh, it's okay," Sydney shook her head. "We'll have plenty of that soon. I'm just glad he's been okay all this time."
"Well, physically, yes, but emotionally, he's been a basket case, worrying about you day and night, not being able to do anything to make sure you were safe."
"Mom," Vaughn groaned with embarrassment.
"Well, it's true. You've been moping around the entire time we've been here. There's no reason Sydney shouldn't know that. He's missed you terribly, dear" she said, turning back to Sydney.
"I missed him, too," Sydney admitted, wrapping her arms around Vaughn's waist and resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms back around her and kissed the tip of her nose, making Elise smile and roll her eyes.
"You two are too adorable for words," she shook her head. "If I weren't so happy for you, I'd find you sickeningly sweet, and I'd -- oh my gosh! Where is my head? Sydney, I forgot to congratulate you on your engagement," she cried, sweeping her into another hug. It's the most wonderful news I've ever heard, and I can't believe I didn't mention it the second I saw you."
"Thanks, Elise," Sydney beamed. She'd figured Elise would be happy about the news, but until that moment, there had been a tiny part of her concerned that Elise might not be terribly excited about the prospect of welcoming into her family the daughter of the woman who'd once ripped it apart. The genuinely thrilled look on Elise's face assuaged all her fears, however.
"So, have the two of you set a date yet?"
"No, not yet," Vaughn spoke up.
"Well, I hope you won't wait *too* long. I never did see the point in long engagements."
"Oh, we won't wait that long. I've really only been waiting until all of this SD-6 business was finished," Sydney frowned.
Vaughn sensed the immediate change in her mood and shot her a quick, reassuring smile. "It'll be over tomorrow," he gently reminded her in a low voice only she could hear.
"Not soon enough," she responded with a tight smile.
"Anyway, don't worry, mom. When we finally decide to go through with it, we won't forget to invite you," Vaughn winked. "Now, why don't you go sit down with Sydney, and I'll bring your coffee when it's ready."
"Thank you, sweetheart." She took Sydney's arm and led her out to the table in the small dining room where they sat across from each other. "So, have you made any plans at all?"
"No," Sydney admitted with an embarrassed smile. "I've almost been too afraid to make plans. I was paranoid that if I started planning a wedding, something would happen to blow all the plans to hell. My friend Francie bought me a ton of bridal magazines, though, so when I get back to L.A., I think I'll finally start looking through them in earnest."
"Well, if you need me, I'd love to help," Elise smiled. "It's times like this when I always wish I'd had a daughter."
"Of course, I'd love your help," Sydney smiled. "You know, when I was younger, it always used to make me sad that my mother wouldn't be around to help me buy my prom dress or see me graduate from school or be there to help me get ready on my wedding day. And even though my mother's not really dead, I'm not sure I'd want her to help me plan my wedding even if she could," she pensively admitted.
A brief glimmer of sadness and regret clouded Elise's eyes before it was replaced by her usual warmth and friendliness. "That's certainly understandable. I guess it's fitting, then, that I already think of you as the daughter I never had. So, whatever you need or want me to do, just let me know, and I'll be happy to do it."
"You might come to regret saying that later," Sydney grinned.
"Nonsense," Elise scoffed. "Believe me, nothing is going to make me happier than watching Michael get married, especially since I never thought I'd see the day when that would happen."
"Never thought you'd see the day when what would happen?" Vaughn asked as he entered the room with three steaming mugs of coffee and set them onto the table before sitting down next to Sydney.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you would learn to make a decent cafŽ au lait," Elise said brightly as she winked at Sydney and changed the subject. "So, what's the first thing you all are going to do when your current assignment is over?"
"I'm taking Sydney on vacation, actually. God knows she's earned it."
"Oh, how wonderful. Where are you going?"
"To a resort in the Maldives."
"As in the South Pacific? Wow. Why didn't you pick somewhere a little less remote?" Elise cracked, making both Vaughn and Sydney laugh in response. "Really, if you're going to the Maldives on vacation, where are you going for your honeymoon? How can you possibly top that?"
"That's a good question," Vaughn frowned. "I booked the vacation long before I asked Sydney to marry me, so I wasn't thinking ahead at that point, and you're right. The Maldives is going to be hard to top."
"No it won't," Sydney chided Vaughn. "It's going to be our *honeymoon*. We could stay in L.A. and it would still be wonderful. Actually, though, I think we're going to spend our honeymoon here in France."
"Really?" Elise asked in delighted surprise.
"Yes," Sydney nodded. "I was in Paris a few months ago when I realized that I've never actually *been* to Paris. Every time I've gone there, it's been for work, and it such a romantic city, and so historic . . . I just thought it would be nice to finally go and be able to enjoy it and do all the touristy things I've never gotten the chance to do, and I figured Michael would be the perfect tour guide."
"He will be. I'm sure he's told you he used to work there for the first couple of years after he finished CST."
"Yeah, I told her about that," Vaughn answered. "I also told her a long time ago that I'd take her to the vineyard, so we're going to do that too."
"Jean and Sophie will love that," Elise smiled, thinking of her brother and his wife. "And you can finally see Christian and introduce Sydney to Nathalie and Marc. They're going to love you," she assured Sydney.
"I can't wait to meet them, and I was kind of hoping they'd be able to come to the wedding, as well. Do you think they'd come all the way from France?"
"For Michael's wedding? Of course. He's their favorite nephew, and they're always complaining that they never get to see him. It really has been too long."
"Well, I'd love it if they would come. I can't wait to meet your family -- both sides of your family, actually."
Vaughn reached for Sydney's hand and squeezed it. He knew how much Sydney was looking forward to being a part of a big, extended family, and he was glad he could give her that.
"I already warned Sydney about how nutty the Delormes are," he teased his mother. "God help us if Aunt ReneŽ shows up."
"Oh stop. ReneŽ is certainly no more eccentric than your Aunt Patricia."
"Well, yeah, but at least the Vaughn eccentricity is limited to her. The crazy genes run throughout your side of the family."
"And apparently, they don't skip generations," Elise shot back as she reached over to muss up his hair. "But don't worry, Sydney. Your children have a 75% chance of being perfectly normal."
"Yeah, right. You met my father, didn't you?" Sydney grinned. "He's anything but normal, and my mother -- well, I wouldn't call her normal either."
"Great," Vaughn laughed. "Our kids are screwed. We should just adopt."
"The two of you will have perfectly normal, beautiful children," Elise firmly stated as she stood to take her empty mug back into the kitchen. "I'm going to go take a shower, but I'll be sure to announce myself in advance when I come back, so I won't . . . catch you two off guard again," she smirked.
Sydney and Vaughn blushed at each other as Elise left the room and they listened to the sound of her soft footsteps retreating in the hallway.
"That's the second time your mom has walked in on us in a compromising situation. She's gonna start to think all we ever do is make out with each other," Sydney cringed in embarrassment.
"What's wrong with that?" Vaughn smiled.
"Can you be serious about *anything*?"
"When I need to be. So, seriously, what were you and my mom talking about when I walked into the room earlier?"
"Just about the wedding. Actually, we were mostly discussing the fact that I haven't made any plans yet."
"So what are you waiting for?" Vaughn asked, studying her closely.
"I don't know. I guess I'm just waiting to feel like we're not in danger of having the rug pulled out from under us. I know you want me to be less pessimistic, but it's hard, considering how my last engagement turned out."
"Syd, that's not going to happen again," he assured her in a low, calm voice.
"Just keep reminding me of that, okay?" she smiled. "Sooner or later, I'll believe you."
"Will you believe it once the Alliance is gone and Sloane is in custody?"
"That would do it," she nodded.
"Come here," Vaughn said as he suddenly stood up and held his hand out to her. She looked at him quizzically, but nevertheless stood and followed him over to the french doors that opened out onto the small balcony overlooking the quiet street below them.
"Do you see that green statue off in the distance?" he asked as he stood behind her.
"Yeah," she softly replied. "What is that?"
"It's the archangel Saint Michel, and the building it's on top of is the Basilique de Fourvi
Chapter 38: "Waiting"
Lyon, France
Vaughn anxiously looked up as Sydney walked into the living room of his temporary apartment and handed him his cellphone. "What did your dad say?"
"He doesn't think Sloane knew you were here in Lyon, but he thinks it's awfully coincidental that we ended up in the same city, so we need to be extra careful." She bit her lip as she paced back and forth in front of him.
"What if he's right, Vaughn? Last night, it seemed like fate that we ran into each other, but what if it wasn't? What if Sloane found out you were here and he set this up?"
"Then I'll have to be sure to thank him for one of the best nights of my life," Vaughn joked, unsuccessfully trying to coax a smile out of her. He immediately grew serious, however, when she shot him a dirty look.
"Syd," he sighed, "I really doubt Sloane knows anything. Your father took every precaution to make sure Sloane couldn't find out I was alive, much less, where I've been hiding out. And I hate to ruin your image of him, but your dad's really good at making people disappear when he wants to," he said, unable to hold back a tiny smile.
"Besides, even if Sloane did sent you here on purpose, there was no way for him to guarantee we'd run into each other last night. I decided to go for a walk on a total whim; Sloane didn't plan that. He *couldn't* have planned that," he reassured her, reaching for her hand and pulling her towards him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she sighed as she sank down onto the couch next to him. "It's just that last night, finding you by accident seemed so romantic, but now, it's making me completely paranoid. What if Sloane sent me here because he thought I knew you were here and I'd draw you out of hiding? If that's what he was hoping for, our reunion played right into his hands."
"Yeah, you're right," Vaughn nodded. "And what if he actually set this whole double agent thing in motion, so I'd be assigned as your handler and fall in love with you, just so he could eventually kill me?"
"Vaughn," Sydney scolded when she saw his teasing smile, "you're not taking this seriously at all."
"I *am* taking it seriously," he protested, "but if Sloane was trying to draw me out of hiding and trap us in a lie, it seems like he would have killed us last night, don't you think?"
He reclined deeper into the sofa and pulled her back into his arms, softly kissing her forehead before speaking again. "Syd, I know you're worried that something's going to go wrong tomorrow, but you have to relax, okay? We can't control what's happening in L.A. or anywhere else. All we *can* control is what's happening with us, and now that you're here with me, I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
"It's not *me* that I'm worried about," she said, giving him a pointed look as she raised her head from his chest and smiling weakly at him. "I want to believe nothing bad is going to happen, but -- "
"But you don't," he finished her sentence with a knowing smile.
"I *can't*," she corrected him. "There's too much at stake, Vaughn, and the last thing we can afford to do is let down our guard like we did last night."
"Are you saying you regret last night?"
"What? No! No, that's not what I'm saying," she assured him. "I don't regret last night, and I don't regret being with you. I just wish we had been smarter about our reactions to seeing each other again, and maybe not gotten so carried away with each other."
"Yeah, well sorry about that," Vaughn replied, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "It's hard for me to think rationally when I'm around you sometimes."
"Hey," she said in a soft voice as she looked directly into his eyes and smiled, trying to remove the sting of her previous words. "It's not any easier for me to control my feelings for you, and I'm not blaming you for anything that happened last night. I'm just -- I'm just freaking out, that's all," she nervously laughed. "I'll be damned if we've come this far and waited so long to be together to lose each other now."
"That won't happen, Syd. I promise it won't. I won't let it," he whispered as he threaded his fingers through her hair and brought her lips down to his. In spite of herself, she quickly grew lost in the passion of his kiss, the soft but insistent pressure of his lips and tongue making her forget all her doubts and fears. Anxiety immediately gave way to need as desire welled inside of her, and she moved to lay back on the couch, pulling him along with her. He melted into her, his body sliding along the length of hers as he deepened the kiss and she hooked her leg around his calf.
"If we do this for another twenty-four hours, I won't even remember to be scared," she breathlessly laughed.
"Sounds like a plan," he smiled before kissing her again and slipping a hand underneath her shirt to caress the soft skin of her stomach. The room was soon filled with the sound of soft moans and heavy breathing as they continued to kiss and touch each other like a couple of hormonal teenagers. Sydney tugged Vaughn's t-shirt from his jeans and he sighed into her mouth when she slipped her hands underneath his shirt and lightly raked her fingernails down his back. She could feel the evidence of his escalating desire through his jeans, and she arched her back, grinding her hips into him, coaxing another low moan from him. She moved her hands back down and around to unbutton his jeans, but froze when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway.
"Don't mind me, kids, I'm just passing through," Elise said in a breezy, amused voice as she padded into the kitchen.
"Mom," Vaughn sputtered as he disentangled himself from Sydney and quickly re-buttoned his jeans.
"Forgot I was here, did you?" she asked over her shoulder.
Vaughn good-naturedly rolled his eyes and offered a hand to help Sydney to her feet.
"Busted," she whispered with a conspiratorial grin just before they followed Elise into the kitchen.
"Of course I didn't forget you were here, mom. I just didn't think you'd be up so early," he explained before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Normally, I wouldn't be, but for some strange reason, I couldn't sleep last night, because I was I was too busy worrying about where my only child was and whether he was still alive," she sarcastically responded.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry," Vaughn guiltily replied. "I just went for a walk and unexpectedly ran into someone I knew.
"I know you didn't mean to make me worry, sweetheart, and suddenly, your disappearing act is starting to make a bit more sense," she smirked as she peeked around Vaughn to see a smiling Sydney standing behind him. "Sydney, it's so wonderful to see you again," she beamed as she gently nudged Vaughn aside and engulfed Sydney in a warm hug.
"You too, Elise. I've missed you."
"I know. It's been what -- three months -- since we last saw each other? How are you?"
"I'm okay, considering that the last two weeks have been hell. More importantly, how are *you* doing? I can't even imagine what this ordeal has been like for you."
"Well, it hasn't been a walk in the park, but it hasn't been awful either. At the very least, it gave me some quality time alone with Michael. I'm just sorry that it had to come at the expense of your own time with him."
"Oh, it's okay," Sydney shook her head. "We'll have plenty of that soon. I'm just glad he's been okay all this time."
"Well, physically, yes, but emotionally, he's been a basket case, worrying about you day and night, not being able to do anything to make sure you were safe."
"Mom," Vaughn groaned with embarrassment.
"Well, it's true. You've been moping around the entire time we've been here. There's no reason Sydney shouldn't know that. He's missed you terribly, dear" she said, turning back to Sydney.
"I missed him, too," Sydney admitted, wrapping her arms around Vaughn's waist and resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms back around her and kissed the tip of her nose, making Elise smile and roll her eyes.
"You two are too adorable for words," she shook her head. "If I weren't so happy for you, I'd find you sickeningly sweet, and I'd -- oh my gosh! Where is my head? Sydney, I forgot to congratulate you on your engagement," she cried, sweeping her into another hug. It's the most wonderful news I've ever heard, and I can't believe I didn't mention it the second I saw you."
"Thanks, Elise," Sydney beamed. She'd figured Elise would be happy about the news, but until that moment, there had been a tiny part of her concerned that Elise might not be terribly excited about the prospect of welcoming into her family the daughter of the woman who'd once ripped it apart. The genuinely thrilled look on Elise's face assuaged all her fears, however.
"So, have the two of you set a date yet?"
"No, not yet," Vaughn spoke up.
"Well, I hope you won't wait *too* long. I never did see the point in long engagements."
"Oh, we won't wait that long. I've really only been waiting until all of this SD-6 business was finished," Sydney frowned.
Vaughn sensed the immediate change in her mood and shot her a quick, reassuring smile. "It'll be over tomorrow," he gently reminded her in a low voice only she could hear.
"Not soon enough," she responded with a tight smile.
"Anyway, don't worry, mom. When we finally decide to go through with it, we won't forget to invite you," Vaughn winked. "Now, why don't you go sit down with Sydney, and I'll bring your coffee when it's ready."
"Thank you, sweetheart." She took Sydney's arm and led her out to the table in the small dining room where they sat across from each other. "So, have you made any plans at all?"
"No," Sydney admitted with an embarrassed smile. "I've almost been too afraid to make plans. I was paranoid that if I started planning a wedding, something would happen to blow all the plans to hell. My friend Francie bought me a ton of bridal magazines, though, so when I get back to L.A., I think I'll finally start looking through them in earnest."
"Well, if you need me, I'd love to help," Elise smiled. "It's times like this when I always wish I'd had a daughter."
"Of course, I'd love your help," Sydney smiled. "You know, when I was younger, it always used to make me sad that my mother wouldn't be around to help me buy my prom dress or see me graduate from school or be there to help me get ready on my wedding day. And even though my mother's not really dead, I'm not sure I'd want her to help me plan my wedding even if she could," she pensively admitted.
A brief glimmer of sadness and regret clouded Elise's eyes before it was replaced by her usual warmth and friendliness. "That's certainly understandable. I guess it's fitting, then, that I already think of you as the daughter I never had. So, whatever you need or want me to do, just let me know, and I'll be happy to do it."
"You might come to regret saying that later," Sydney grinned.
"Nonsense," Elise scoffed. "Believe me, nothing is going to make me happier than watching Michael get married, especially since I never thought I'd see the day when that would happen."
"Never thought you'd see the day when what would happen?" Vaughn asked as he entered the room with three steaming mugs of coffee and set them onto the table before sitting down next to Sydney.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you would learn to make a decent cafŽ au lait," Elise said brightly as she winked at Sydney and changed the subject. "So, what's the first thing you all are going to do when your current assignment is over?"
"I'm taking Sydney on vacation, actually. God knows she's earned it."
"Oh, how wonderful. Where are you going?"
"To a resort in the Maldives."
"As in the South Pacific? Wow. Why didn't you pick somewhere a little less remote?" Elise cracked, making both Vaughn and Sydney laugh in response. "Really, if you're going to the Maldives on vacation, where are you going for your honeymoon? How can you possibly top that?"
"That's a good question," Vaughn frowned. "I booked the vacation long before I asked Sydney to marry me, so I wasn't thinking ahead at that point, and you're right. The Maldives is going to be hard to top."
"No it won't," Sydney chided Vaughn. "It's going to be our *honeymoon*. We could stay in L.A. and it would still be wonderful. Actually, though, I think we're going to spend our honeymoon here in France."
"Really?" Elise asked in delighted surprise.
"Yes," Sydney nodded. "I was in Paris a few months ago when I realized that I've never actually *been* to Paris. Every time I've gone there, it's been for work, and it such a romantic city, and so historic . . . I just thought it would be nice to finally go and be able to enjoy it and do all the touristy things I've never gotten the chance to do, and I figured Michael would be the perfect tour guide."
"He will be. I'm sure he's told you he used to work there for the first couple of years after he finished CST."
"Yeah, I told her about that," Vaughn answered. "I also told her a long time ago that I'd take her to the vineyard, so we're going to do that too."
"Jean and Sophie will love that," Elise smiled, thinking of her brother and his wife. "And you can finally see Christian and introduce Sydney to Nathalie and Marc. They're going to love you," she assured Sydney.
"I can't wait to meet them, and I was kind of hoping they'd be able to come to the wedding, as well. Do you think they'd come all the way from France?"
"For Michael's wedding? Of course. He's their favorite nephew, and they're always complaining that they never get to see him. It really has been too long."
"Well, I'd love it if they would come. I can't wait to meet your family -- both sides of your family, actually."
Vaughn reached for Sydney's hand and squeezed it. He knew how much Sydney was looking forward to being a part of a big, extended family, and he was glad he could give her that.
"I already warned Sydney about how nutty the Delormes are," he teased his mother. "God help us if Aunt ReneŽ shows up."
"Oh stop. ReneŽ is certainly no more eccentric than your Aunt Patricia."
"Well, yeah, but at least the Vaughn eccentricity is limited to her. The crazy genes run throughout your side of the family."
"And apparently, they don't skip generations," Elise shot back as she reached over to muss up his hair. "But don't worry, Sydney. Your children have a 75% chance of being perfectly normal."
"Yeah, right. You met my father, didn't you?" Sydney grinned. "He's anything but normal, and my mother -- well, I wouldn't call her normal either."
"Great," Vaughn laughed. "Our kids are screwed. We should just adopt."
"The two of you will have perfectly normal, beautiful children," Elise firmly stated as she stood to take her empty mug back into the kitchen. "I'm going to go take a shower, but I'll be sure to announce myself in advance when I come back, so I won't . . . catch you two off guard again," she smirked.
Sydney and Vaughn blushed at each other as Elise left the room and they listened to the sound of her soft footsteps retreating in the hallway.
"That's the second time your mom has walked in on us in a compromising situation. She's gonna start to think all we ever do is make out with each other," Sydney cringed in embarrassment.
"What's wrong with that?" Vaughn smiled.
"Can you be serious about *anything*?"
"When I need to be. So, seriously, what were you and my mom talking about when I walked into the room earlier?"
"Just about the wedding. Actually, we were mostly discussing the fact that I haven't made any plans yet."
"So what are you waiting for?" Vaughn asked, studying her closely.
"I don't know. I guess I'm just waiting to feel like we're not in danger of having the rug pulled out from under us. I know you want me to be less pessimistic, but it's hard, considering how my last engagement turned out."
"Syd, that's not going to happen again," he assured her in a low, calm voice.
"Just keep reminding me of that, okay?" she smiled. "Sooner or later, I'll believe you."
"Will you believe it once the Alliance is gone and Sloane is in custody?"
"That would do it," she nodded.
"Come here," Vaughn said as he suddenly stood up and held his hand out to her. She looked at him quizzically, but nevertheless stood and followed him over to the french doors that opened out onto the small balcony overlooking the quiet street below them.
"Do you see that green statue off in the distance?" he asked as he stood behind her.
"Yeah," she softly replied. "What is that?"
"It's the archangel Saint Michel, and the building it's on top of is the Basilique de Fourvi