Good morning guys. Just updating this fic because it's Wednesday and Wednesdays rock! Alias and Lost on tonight:) I love it... Have a good day!
Chapter 13.
Syd's POVAfter Vaughn left my house, I went upstairs and unpacked in my room. I loved being back in my old room again. It was always the safest place in the world for me. My room is a fairly big room with white colored carpet and pale pink curtains. My queen-sized bed sat in the middle of the room facing the 18-inch TV facing directly across. My now bare desk sat under my window as the black painted, wooden chair was now starting to chip. My closet was on the right side of my room and began looking quite scarce since only a few old jeans and sweaters hung in there. My room looked pretty empty but it still had the necessities.
Unpacking the clothes from my suitcase, I hung them neatly in my closet. After getting comfortable and settling in, I took the liberty of ordering Chinese food for my dad and I. Hoping that we could talk over dinner and get all this settled.
My dad tried to avoid the subject as long as he could by asking me an immense amount of useless questions. We talked about school, the city, Francie, and of course, how my grades were. I knew he was stalling and I wanted to know why he is so disapproving of Vaughn and I.
"Dad, why did you walk out on Vaughn and me earlier? Why are you so uncomfortable with the fact that he's my boyfriend now?" Spooning some more chowmein in my mouth, I awaited his answer.
"Sydney, I do not want to discuss this with you right now."
"No, we're going to discuss this. Now tell me, what is your problem with Vaughn?" He put down his fork and looked straight at me.
"The problem is Sydney, that I'm not quite sure I am comfortable enough knowing that my daughter and Michael Vaughn are alone in San Francisco apparently 'dating' while he's probably just looking to get into bed with someone."
The heat in my body started to rise as I clenched my teeth. Throwing down the napkin that was sitting on my lap, I restrained myself from actually lunging across the table and hitting my dad.
"How can you say something like that? Do you now know Vaughn at all? Do you not know me at all? As if it is any of your business in the first place, he nor I are looking for someone to get into bed with. I can't believe you dad."
"What can I say Sydney? Guys your age are just looking for sex."
That was his answer? Guys were just in it for the sex? Is that what he things of me? I'm just willing to hop into bed with any random guy?
"Vaughn is not like any other guy and you know that. What do you think I'm some sort of slut that sleeps around?"
"No that is not what I am saying!" His voice grew louder as did mine.
"Then what are you saying? I don't understand!"
"I'm saying that Michael Vaughn is not good enough for you, Sydney!" I actually let out a laugh when he said that. Who was he to decide whether or not a guy was good enough for me?
"Who are you to judge that Dad? What gives you the right to say whether or not Vaughn is good enough for me? You weren't even there for me growing up! It's not like you have been much of a father to me anyways. You know what? I don't even know why I'm getting upset over this? Out of all people, I should care less what you think."
I pushed myself away from the kitchen table and walked straight up to my room. I was absolutely livid. Was he just saying those things to make me angry? How could he actually mean those words? It was true what I said. My father has never been around for me in the past. Why should I care what he thinks? It is my life after all.
Walking over to the windowsill, I sat down on the ledge and hugged my old white polar bear. I brought my knees up to my body and continued to grip tightly to my stuffed animal. His name was Snow Bear and when I was little, I brought him everywhere with me. There was never a time when Snow Bear wasn't by my side. My mom even had to buy me two for them so when one of them was being washed, I would still have the other one. Hoping that be would bring me comfort, I closed my eyes as tears slid down my face.
I sat there thinking to myself about why my dad was like the way he was. It's like after my mom died, a part of him died with her. He became emotionless and stiff. He hardly called me sweetheart or even wanted to spend a lot of time with me. My Nanny basically raised me when I came to think about it. My dad got so involved with his work that I barely saw him. And when I did see him, he still seemed cold towards me.
I felt so guilty when leaving for college knowing that my dad would still be at home by himself. In some way I was hoping that he would realize that he missed me and he would turn around. Part of me hoped that we would grow closer if I moved away. But, nothing really changed. I still got those weekly phone calls from him, but I think he only did that because it was routine. He never said I miss you or sent me any letters or packages through the mail.
My whole life, all I've wanted was just for my dad to love me and be there for me like a parent was supposed to be. Instead, we have the most distant relationship anyone could have and I really hoped that someday that would change. But, I was far too angry with him to even want to speak to him.
I don't know how long I spent sitting at the windowsill, but after awhile I went over to my bed and curled up under the covers. I stared blankly at the TV not really knowing what to do. I didn't really feel like talking to anyone. I didn't even want to talk to Vaughn. But, knowing that he would be calling me and worrying why I wasn't picking up my phone, I decided to text message him.
Hey Vaughn. I didn't want to worry you, but I got in a fight with my dad. It was a bad one. Now I'm not feeling up to anything. –S
Vaughn's POV
Of course, being home meant a lot of things. It meant I got to spend time with my mom, play with Donovan, sleep in my old bed, but the best thing about being home is being spoiled. Yep, whenever I come home my mom doesn't hesitate to spoil me rotten.
She'll cook me whatever I want, whenever I want it. In the morning I wake up to the smell of banana pancakes or blueberry muffins. For dinner she'll cook me pasta, fish, steak, whatever I'm feeling up to.
Tonight, she decided to make me chicken parmesan and spaghetti. It was so nice to have a warm, home cooked meal. It's not like I don't enjoy my boxed pastas, frozen burritos, or Weiss' famous grilled cheese sandwiches, but sometimes it feels so good to have someone cook a tasty meal for you.
After a very quiet dinner with my mom, I flopped down on the couch with Donny jumping up on to my lap. Immediately, he made himself comfortable and laid his head down on my knee. Scratching the spot behind his ears, I flipped on the TV just in time to catch a couple of Friends re-runs.
Just then, my cell phone beeped alerting me that I had a new text message. Odd, I thought. The only time I get messages is when Syd sends me some during class. I flipped open my cell phone to see who it was from.
Hey Vaughn. I didn't want to worry you, but I got in a fight with my dad. It was a bad one. Now I'm not feeling up to anything. –S
Quickly, I pressed the reply button and sent a message back to her.
You could call me you know. What's up w/ the texts? I heard that some people are even getting tendonitis because they text message too much. –V
Minutes later, my phone beeped once again.
Very funny, you know you love my random messages during class. I'd call, but I don't feel like talking.
I assume this fight was because of me?
No, it's because of us Vaughn. But, I'm tired of trying to please my dad. If he has a problem with us, he'll have to deal with it.
I was glad to hear that Syd was standing up to Jack. And, I was also happy that she was fighting for us. To know that she wants this to work out is something that means a lot to me.
We continued to text message each other back and forth. And while both of us would've saved a lot of time if we just called each other, I had to admit that text messaging was a lot of fun. I really wanted to be there for her and comfort her because I knew she was upset. But, she refused my offer of going to see her because she said she wanted to be alone. And, it's not like I wanted to face Jack anytime soon. There was no doubt that I was completely terrified of him.
The next morning, I went for a run on the track and then took Donovan for a walk around the neighborhood. His short tail went crazy when I asked him if he wanted to go and he started to jump up and down. I'm sure he was even more thrilled that I was the one taking him for a walk. It was something I haven't done in awhile.
Walking down the familiar streets, I took in the small neighborhood and how much I missed it. It was so quiet, but it was a peaceful quietness. Up in San Francisco, I'm used to waking up to busy streets, the loud honking of horns, and noisy bus engines. I've actually grown accustomed to all of the ruckus, but it was nice to be away from it.
I was relieved when Syd finally came by late in the afternoon. As soon as I opened up the door, I pulled her into a tight hug. Kissing the top of her head, I held her for a couple of minutes.
I heard my mom shuffling behind me and both Syd and I let go.
"Oh Sydney! It is so wonderful to see you again! Come here, sweetheart." Sydney and my mom embraced for a minute as they both looked so happy to see each other.
"It's nice to see you too Amélie. I miss your wonderful cooking when I'm away."
"So I hear that you and my son have finally started dating." Syd looked back at me as I began to blush. I felt slightly embarrassed for telling my mom without Syd.
"Oh, so Vaughn as told you already?"
"Yes, and I am so happy for you two! I've always told Michael that you would make such a lovely girl for him."
"Mom.." Vaughn whined from behind us.
"Ok, I will stop embarrassing you. I'm going to run to the store real quick to pick up a few things for dinner. Does salmon sound good?"
Both Syd and I nodded in unison. Picking up her keys, my mom said a quick goodbye and left the two of us standing there. I grabbed Syd's hand and lead her over to the couch, wanting to see if she was doing any better.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, still grasping her hand in mine.
"A little better. I slept well. By the time I woke up, my dad already left for work so I didn't have to face him."
"What did he say that made you so upset?"
"Basically that he didn't like that we were together and that you were probably just looking for someone to get into bed with." I shook my head in disgust.
"How could he say something like that to you? He's known me for years. Plus, he knows you would never do something like that." I rubbed my hand over my face and then through my hair. I really didn't think Jack would be so disproving of me.
"That's what I told him. I don't know, Vaughn. I actually don't feel like talking about this right now. I'm emotionally drained and I don't feel like replaying the conversation in my mind."
"It's ok Syd. We don't have to talk if you don't feel like it."
Syd's POV
We stayed silent for the next couple of minutes, both relishing in our thoughts and staring in to space. Even though I didn't want to talk, it was comforting to have Vaughn with me.
He thought it would lighten the mood if we went down to the basement to play pool. Leading me down the steep stairs, he turned on the light and grabbed two sticks from the wall and handed me one. Vaughn was good at every sport he tried, but he was exceptional in pool. Out of all the times I've challenged him, he not once faltered.
As soon as we know it both of us our laughing, teasing each other, and stealing kisses in between our shots. It was no surprise to me that he won by a large region, knocking the final ball into the pocket.
It was definitely fun watching Vaughn play pool. When he bent down, his green eyes started so intently at the ball that I thought his stare would burn a hole through it. But that was him, always so focused.
We played a few more games of pool until Amélie called us up for dinner. Walking into the kitchen, the delicious smell of the food enveloped us and my stomach growled in anticipation. I took a seat next to Vaughn as Amélie put down the platters of food before us.
"Oh, Amélie, this looks amazing. Thank you so much for inviting me over." I took a piece of the boneless salmon, and then a big scoop of the linguini placing it on my plate, not wasting anytime digging it.
After two servings of linguini and salmon, I slumped in my chair as my stomach felt like it was going to burst. Under the table, Vaughn's hand was on my leg as Amélie continued to tell us the story of the first time Vaughn ever spoke.
"I was sitting in the recliner and Bill was over on the couch with Michael. He must've been around 1 and a half. Bill was constantly trying to make Michael speak, hoping that his first words, of course, would be Daddy. He would sit there with him saying, 'Michael, say Daddy. Daddy.' Neither of us were surprised when he suddenly said, 'goal.' After all of Bill's hard work, the first word out of his mouth had to involve hockey, right? There's nothing his father loved more than hockey and it lit Billy's eyes up to see it was having an effect on his son."
Both Vaughn and his mother sat there smiling broadly. You would think that bringing up Bill Vaughn would make them both feel sad. But, it was not the case as they spoke so proud of him. You could see a little sadness in Amélie's eyes, but she had so much pride talking about Vaughn's dad.
Excusing us from the table, we said a thank you to Amélie for the dinner and then made our way up the stairs to Vaughn's room. So many memories were shared in his room and as soon as we entered I could feel the warmness in my body.
We laid down on his bed, both unable to move from being so full. Our bodies were perpendicular from each other as I rested my head on his stomach.
"Vaughn?"
"How come you never call me Michael?" He questioned as he ran his hands through my hair.
"I dunno, you've just always been Vaughn to me."
I've been calling him by his surname all my life. When I first met him in grade school, the first day of school he was wearing his hockey jersey and on the back of it, it said, Vaughn #11. Thinking that was his name, I never once called him Michael.
"Do you think it's weird, now that you're my girlfriend, that you call me by my last name?" I never really thought about it. Suddenly calling him Michael wouldn't feel right.
"No. I thought you like it."
"I do. I was just wondering."
A comfortable silence once again surrounded us. I suddenly sat up and turned so I could face Vaughn.
"You think I could stay with you tonight? I don't want to go home." His eyes lit up and he placed a soft kiss on my lips.
"Of course you could. Let me get you some clothes."
Getting up off the bed, he went in his drawer and pulled out a t-shirt and pair of shorts.
"Will these do?" Holding up the clothes to show me, I nodded my head in agreement.
The oversized shirt and shorts felt comfortable and I could smell Vaughn's scent on the rim of the t-shirt. I brought it up to my nose and inhaled deeply. A mixture of cologne and his natural scent filled my nose as it was intoxicating.
Before coming out of the bathroom in my new attire, I contemplated about calling my dad and letting him know I wasn't coming home. But, I knew it would only infuriate him more and I wasn't on speaking terms with him anyways.
Truth was, I needed to be away from my dad anyways. He needs time to realize that I'm not a child anymore. I'm going to make my own decisions and he will have to be accepting of them. I vowed to myself that nothing would get in the way of Vaughn and mine's relationship. If my dad was going to be the one standing in the way, then I had to be the one to prove him wrong.
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