Chapter 23

Vaughn pulled in front of his house later that afternoon. After helping Sydney into the wheelchair, he pushed her inside. "Vaughn?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember Lauren Reed?"

"Yeah. She is one of Lindsey's gang, right?"

"Exactly. She just got transferred here and she asked us over to her apartment for supper tomorrow. Will that work?"

"Yeah. I think so."

"Good."

"Ooh," Sydney grunted.

"What?"

"The baby just kicked."

"Here, let me feel."

Vaughn placed his hand on Sydney stomach and felt the small little disturbances on her typically smooth midsection. Kissing her on her belly, he let his tongue dip into her belly button as he gently licked it softly.

"Vaughn," Sydney said drawing out his name. A mischievous smile spread across his face, and he carried her into their bedroom.

The next day, Lauren heard her doorbell ring, and, hurrying to get it, she opened it, revealing Sydney and Vaughn. "Dinner's almost ready," she said with a smile. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Actually, we brought some wine," Sydney said, turning around to take the bottle out of the pouch on the back of the wheelchair.

"I can get it," Vaughn said with a smile, walking around and taking it out. As he walked by her to give it to Lauren, he quickly kissed Sydney on the head.

Thanking them, Lauren took the bottle and headed into the kitchen. As soon as she was out of earshot, Vaughn turned to Sydney. "I don't like her. She seems so phony."

"I know. She's trying to find some friends. She's new here. Let's at least be nice to her."

The dinner went smoothly, and Lauren asked them back for another meal. "That would be lovely. Thank you," Sydney replied. Lauren smiled at this.

When they had exited the building, Vaughn looked at her. "That would be lovely? Thank you?"

"We can't be civil?"

"We can be civil. I just don't like her."

"Give it time."

Over the next seven months, Sydney and Vaughn's wedding plans progressed quite nicely, but they decided to postpone the wedding a year in order to give Sydney time to have the baby, and to fully complete the physical therapy. Lauren overheard Vaughn's opinion of her one time, and had ended her association with them quite abruptly.

"You don't like me? Did I say something wrong? What is it?"

"It's nothing personal. I just don't like you."

"NOTHING PERSONAL? If you don't like me, I'd say that's very personal."

"I'm sorry."

"Leave! Now!"

Weiss and Sally's relationship quickly accelerated into a serious commitment.

"I think I love her."

"Really?" Vaughn asked in shock.

"Do you think it's too quick?"

"Too quick for what?"

"To propose?"

"What would I know? I was only dating Sydney around six months before I proposed."

"I think I'm going to do it."

Walking down the aisle with a cane, Sydney looked over at Vaughn. "We need mustard." Grabbing a bottle, he tossed it in the cart.

"Ouch," Sydney said wincing.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, just a stomach ache."

They continued shopping, until Vaughn had to stop again. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah. It's just…" Sydney trailed off. Suddenly, her eyes went big. "Vaughn?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"Get the car."

"What's wrong?"

"Get the car. NOW!"

"Why? What's going on?"

"My water just broke."

…TBC…