Title: A Not So Simple Life

Author: Chickiee-Dee

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own Alias or its characters.

Summary: Sequel to The Simple Life. AU. No SD-6 or CIA. Sydney and Vaughn are married. S/V. E/A.

Authors Notes: Thanks for all the reviews. A quick word about my smut challenge fic, the results of the challenge were posted a little while ago and my fic earned an honourable mention. I still have the link for it if anyone wants to read it, just let me know. Exams are FINALLY over, and I'm gonna write whenever I have the chance too. So I hope to update each story every fortnight, but don't hold me too that cos work might get in the way of writing.

Luv24Alias-thanks for your review…and more is coming :D

AnnaSun-thanks soooo much for your kind comments…it means so much to me that you get excited when I update. :D

Miss47-thanks for your review…actually I decided against a little sister, she'd be fun…till she grows up, then it ain't cool. :P I think I sent you the link to my smut fic, but if I didn't let me know and I'll send it. :D

Maeve Of the Nile-thanks for your review…I'm writing as fast as I can :D

Llamaobsessedshadow-you read ALL of my stories… WOW…that is amazing. Rest assured I will keep writing :D

Chapter 16

Sydney woke up early the next morning, after Madeline poked her side continually, in order to rouse her sleeping parent. She had allowed Maddy to sleep with her the previous night after Madeline refused to settle when Sydney put her in her own bed. Madeline wiggled most of the night, and the baby, or Squirt as Michael affectionately called it, joined in on the fun of keeping Syd awake, kicking her poor insides most of the night.

Once Madeline had successfully woken Sydney, the two of them went and had a bath, Sydney dressing Madeline in a pair of jeans and matching top. Sydney put her hair in pigtails, before setting the little girl in front of the TV so she could ready herself for the day. Sydney feed Madeline a quick breakfast, while she had a couple of pieces of toast, and Sydney deemed the two of them ready to go and see Michael.

After grabbing Madeline a teddy to play with in the car, and her other essentials for the day, they headed off towards the hospital. Traffic was unusually busy for that time of morning, so the trip took almost twice as long as usual to get to the hospital grounds. By the time they pulled into the hospital car park, it was almost full and Sydney was lucky to snag a park in a reasonably close proximity to the hospital entrance. Once she had parked the car, she collected Madeline and her belongings, and started off towards the entrance, Madeline sitting contentedly in her pram.

Michael was staring off into space when Sydney entered the room. Madeline, who was still in her pram, spotted her father and began to pull against the restraints, "Da-da," she yelled, "Da-da, da-da, da-da," she continued. Michael looked over at the door and saw Sydney pushing the pram towards him. "Maddy!" he said brightly as the little girl continued her chanting. Sydney stopped the pram under the window and unbuckled Madeline, lifting her onto the bed, so she could hug her father. "Hey sweetie," Michael said to his little girl before focussing his attention on his wife. "Hey beautiful, hey Squirt," he said, kissing Sydney's cheek and rubbing her stomach. Madeline meanwhile, had made herself at home next to her father, burrowing herself into his side, miraculously not disturbing his broken ribs. Sydney took a seat next to the bed and picked up Michael's free hand, rubbing gentle circles on the back, carefully avoiding the IV line that was still attached there.

The three of them sat there in silence and Sydney noticed the Madeline had fallen asleep, snuggled into Michael's side, her tiny thumb wedged in her mouth. "Wow, she's still, she wiggled all night, I'm surprised she got any sleep at all. I know I didn't."

"Did she sleep with you?"
"Yeah. She wouldn't go down in her room, so I let sleep with me," Sydney stifled a yawn, "and when she finally drifted off, Squirt started kicking, so I got very little sleep last night."

"Poor Syd," he mocked, "I slept like a baby."

"That's only because you're on drugs, I bet you wouldn't be getting much sleep if you weren't," Sydney challenged.

"You're probably right, I can't see me getting much sleep without 'em." They lapsed into silence again until a nurse approached, "Mr Vaughn, I have your lunch for you," she said, sliding a tray onto the table at the side of his bed. "Thanks," he replied as the woman moved towards the next bed. Sydney moved the table closer so she could feed him, and he attempted to sit up without disturbing their sleeping daughter.

After the plastic-y food was finished, Sydney slid the table off to the side and stood up, intending to get something for her to eat. "I'll be back soon, I'm just gonna get something to eat. Squirt's hungry."

"Ok, I'll look after her." Sydney nodded and kissed both their foreheads before leaving the room, and heading back down to the cafeteria. She stepped into the lift and another woman was in there. When she saw Sydney's rounding belly, she moved over to her and began to feel Sydney's stomach. Slightly put off by this behaviour, Sydney cleared her throat, "Excuse me?"

"Yes," the woman replied looking up.

"I don't feel comfortable with you touching me." The elevator stopped and Sydney stepped out, heading towards the cafeteria, and away from the strange woman.

Fifteen minutes later Sydney was back in Michael's room. When she saw Madeline sitting up, she smiled and went over to her husband and child. "Hey," she said dropping her food on the table, next to Michael's empty tray. "The weirdest thing happened in the elevator," Sydney began.

"What?"

"This woman came up to me and just started running her hands over my stomach. It was so weird, I've never seen her before and she just starts touching me."

"Weird. At least it wasn't a bloke," Michael decided, thinking of how many ways he could kick some guys' ass if they ever touched his wife. By the time Michael returned from his dreamland, Sydney was busy eating her lunch, and breaking off small bits of sandwich for Madeline to eat. "Welcome back," Sydney joked when she saw Michael looking at them again, "Where'd ya go?"

"Huh," he said shaking his head, "What?"

"You like zoned out, it was so strange."

"Yeah, sorry, I'll tell you another time, promise."

"You better."

"I will…just not now."

"I'll hold you to that." Michael nodded and leaned his head back into the pillows while Madeline continued to pick at Sydney's sandwich.

It was getting late in the afternoon when Sydney left with Madeline. The little girl had once again fallen asleep, burrowed into her father's side, and Sydney struggled to not wake her as she was transferred into her pram, and then the car. When she had Madeline secure in her pram, Sydney turned her attention back to her husband, kissing him thoroughly and hugging him tightly, as she whispered French sentiments in his ear. Michael returned the sentiments and pulled her down for one last kiss before she left with their sleeping daughter. Once they were out of sight he wiped away a stray tear, and lay back against the pillows, trying in earnest not to let more tears escape.

A/N: I'm gonna leave it there. It's kinda short…sorry. I'll try and update again soon, most probably in the next week or so. Tell me what you thought…was it good? bad? total garbage? Either way, let me know and until next time… :lol: Alyce :D