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Oh and Merry Christmas to everyone!

Chapter 13

Sydney awoke in a familiar bedroom, although this time is was almost a year later than the last time she had woken up after falling asleep in the car on the way home from Russia and she was in Sark and her bedroom which she had moved into a month after their first date. Sydney couldn't believe that she and Julian had been dating for almost 9 months now.

Sark had planned a Black and white ball for that night, a grand ball that celebrates their return to England and a chance for Sark to introduce Sydney to his business associates. Sydney was really nervous Sark has said that he couldn't wait to show her off to all his friends and associates, but Sydney wasn't sure she was going to fit in. These people were from serious money and although Sydney was highly educated, a teacher is a second rate profession. Deep in thought Sydney didn't hear Sark enter the room and it wasn't until he sat on the bed next to her that she noticed his presence.

Learning over to gently kiss her forehead, Sydney closed her eyes and sighed. His mere presence was enough to make her forget all her worries.

"You ok?" He questioned concern evident in his voice.

"mmmhmm" Sydney murmured

"The car is waiting downstairs, along with a very impatient Anna, waiting for you to take her shopping for the ball tonight."

Sydney's eyes snapped open at this and sit up quickly, causing Sark to chuckle.

"Syd" Sarks voice was husky

"mmmmm" Sydney replied lazily

Sark swallowed heavily, even after all this time she could affect him like no other woman.

"You need to get up, Anna is waiting and you need to go shopping"

"Ok give me 10 minutes and I'll be down" Sydney climbed out of bed brushing past Sark on her way to the bathroom. But not getting far as Sark grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her to him, crashing his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Breaking the kiss when the need for air became too much, Sark leaned his forehead against Sydney's and whispered a good morning before releasing her and walking out of the bedroom leaving a shocked Sydney standing in the middle of the room. Finally getting herself together Sydney ran around the room, madly picking out clothing and dashing to the shower.

Running down the stairs to meet an impatient Anna Sydney pecked Sark on the cheek as they rushed out the door and into the waiting car.

Returning home several hours later laden down with shopping bags Sydney and Anna met Sark in the hallway. Anna excitedly detailing all the dresses she tried on and what she was going to wear to the ball.

Sydney helped Anna get ready for the ball, helping her slip on a baby pink princess dress with a netted skirt before curling Anna's hair and letting her blonde hair hang in lose ringlets.

Sydney left Martin in charge of entertaining Anna and not letting her get her dress dirty before making her way upstairs to get herself ready.

Sydney slipped her dress over her head letting the smooth feel of the material against her skin. Looking in the full length mirror Sydney admired the dress. Although Anna was wearing a pink dress, Sydney chose a long black fitting dress with a small train. Clear gems the only decoration placed in a wide belt just below her chest, a low back and thin straps completed the dress. Sydney curled her hair and gathered them together loosely at the top of her head, letting a few loose curls cascade around her face and neck. Putting on the simple diamond necklace that Sark had bought her for their 6 month anniversary Sydney smiled in satisfaction.

Sark stepped out of the bathroom putting the finishing touches to his tuxedo, he was fixing his cufflink as he caught sight of Sydney God she's beautiful he thought.

Sark felt in his jacket pocket for the little box that he had put in there earlier. Feeling the familiar velvet box in this hand Sark mentally prepared himself for the evenings events, if all went to plan Sydney would agree to marry him before the world's media. Smiling too himself as she watched her make the last finishing and touches to her dress, Sark slid his hands over Sydney's hips as his arms encircled her waist from behind placing butterfly kisses along her neck and shoulder.

"nous serons en retard" we'll be late she murmured

"ainsi" So? Sark questioned

"aimez-vous" Love you

"aimez-vous aussi" Love you too Sark whispered as he turned Sydney around in his arms, tightening his grip.

Sydney laughed "Come on" dragging Sark out of the bedroom Sydney met up with Anna in the hallway, her nervousness coming back full force as the first of the guests arrived.

The sound of her cell phone brought the figure out of her daze answering with a sharp "Yes?"

The sly voice on the other end caused shivers down her spine.

"Tonight at twenty one hundred hours the plan goes into action, you need to ensure that nothing goes wrong, the slightest hitch and all out work will be compromised. Just remember I don't NOT tolerate failure." With that the voice hung up.

Smoothing down her dress as she entered the ball, she smiled maliciously if all went to plan she would be handsomely rewarded and out of the country by the end of the week. Yes it was shaping up to be a good evening.

TBC