Chapter 2
From This Moment On
(I do swear that I'll always be there. I'd give
anything and everything and I will always care.
Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow,
for better, for worse, I will love you
With every beat if my heart.)
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on.
Shania Twain and Bryan White, "From This Moment On"
Vaughn and Sydney walked into the Biltmore. They both had smiles on their faces as they strode up to the front desk. "Reservation for Michael Vaughn and Sydney Bristow," Vaughn said to the clerk who typed in their names and then looked up with a smile.
"The Presidential Suite. Nice." He opened the drawer and pulled out two keycards. Vaughn listened as the cashier gave them directions to their room. As they walked down the hallway, bellboy in tow, Vaughn asked Sydney, "So what do you want to do tonight?"
"It's kind of late," she replied.
"So you don't want to do anything?"
"Well, how about a walk along the beach?"
"Sounds perfect," Vaughn smiled at her.
After putting their suitcases in their room, Sydney and Vaughn both headed back outside. As they walked along the beach, hearing the waves crashing, Sydney asked Vaughn, "Did you ever think that we'd be able to be seen together so soon?"
"I was only hoping that we would manage to somehow be able to have a relationship." Vaughn looked over at her. "Dating you is truly a dream come true."
"Vaughn?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Vaughn heard those words come out of Sydney's mouth and smiled. "I love you, too, Sydney." Vaughn held out his hand and Sydney took it. After walking along, hand in hand, for over an hour, they decided to head back. Vaughn suddenly stopped, jerking Sydney back suddenly.
He started kissing her.
Sydney and Vaughn stood there for what seemed like an eternity, until Sydney suddenly pulled away. Sydney started running for the water, and Vaughn watched as she took off her shirt and shorts. He watched her unhook her bra and cast it aside. "Want to join me?" she asked. Vaughn quickly undressed and joined her in the salt water. He remembered that the last time he had gone skinny-dipping was college. This was a new side to Sydney Bristow he had never seen before; he liked it. He swam out to Sydney. The twinkle in her eye was unmistakable.
Sydney woke up the next morning and headed for the shower. When Vaughn heard the water start, he quickly opened his eyes and dialed down to the front desk. "Hello, this is Michael Vaughn in room 147, and I was wondering if you could give me a phone number?"
"Yes, I can, Mr. Vaughn. What do you need?"
"The phone number to La Supersica."
"Okay, are you ready Mr. Vaughn?"
"Yes."
"The phone number is: eight zero five, five five five, one one two three."
"Thank you," he told the clerk and hung up. The water went off. Vaughn quickly hid the piece of paper.
Vaughn showered next. They both dressed and got into Vaughn's car.
They spent the whole day seeing the sights, and later that night while Sydney got ready for bed, Vaughn arranged for the meal to be delivered to the hotel the next day.
Vaughn and Sydney both awoke refreshed the next morning. "So, Sydney, what do you want to do today?"
"I want to go to the zoo and see that giraffe again."
"Okay. Hey, Syd," Vaughn started.
"Yeah?"
"I've got to take care of a couple of things at the front desk."
"Okay," Sydney said, giving Vaughn a kiss before he left.
Allison finished filling in the last of the three holes. Wiping the sweat off her brow, she called Sloane.
Vaughn quickly handed the ring to the woman at the front desk. "Some food is going to be delivered here later today. There's a special cake that is being made for this purpose. When the caterers come here, could you give this to them?"
"Of course."
"I've run into a few problems, but I've handled them. However, I may need extraction soon. Sloane?"
"I'm here."
"What's going on," Allison inquired.
"I just activated Il Dire," Sloane sighed, "I didn't expect what I got."
"What? What did it say?"
"Well, first it gave my daughter's genetic sequence."
"Then what?"
"Then it printed the words 'No' and 'Peace.'"
"No Peace?"
"No Peace," Sloane repeated.
Sydney laid her head on Vaughn's shoulder as they stood in front of the giraffe. Noticing just how at peace Sydney looked, Vaughn decided to propose right then. The setting wasn't ideal. The ground was covered in sawdust, and there was the overwhelming stench of manure in the air, but Sydney seemed so happy, the situation couldn't be more perfect. Vaughn lifted Sydney's head, and kissed her. "Sydney…"
"Yes?"
Vaughn kneeled down. Sydney's reaction changed from a smile to shocked silence. Looking up at the beautiful woman in front of him, Vaughn asked, "Do you remember October 1st?"
"Of course."
"I walked into a room to see a woman with swollen gums and red hair. Yet there was something about you that I just knew was incredible. I was the one privileged to get to know you over time. I know that we haven't been dating for long, but I honestly feel that this is meant to be. Sydney, our jobs are unpredictable. Who knows how much time we have left? I can't imagine life without you, though. So, Sydney, I can't express to you how much I hope that you'll agree to marry me. Syd, will you make me the happiest man on Earth?"
"Yes, Vaughn. YES!"
Vaughn rose, and they kissed again. "I wish I could give you the ring, but I had planned on doing this later. It's back at the hotel with our supper."
Irina put down her binoculars. Picking up her cell phone, Irina called the man that had planned everything. "Yes," the gruff voice said.
"You'll never guess what happened."
"I don't like surprises. What happened?"
"Your son just proposed to my daughter."
"This is not good. We can't let them continue to be together. Do whatever it takes," Bill said.
"Understood," Irina said, and hung up.
...TBC...