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. I wanted to update earlier but stuff got in the way, I planned this one when I wrote the last chapter, and I was hoping to get it written over Christmas, but I was sick, and by the time I recovered, I was starting work, and it's been pretty full on for a few weeks, at one stage I worked 11 nights straight and my first night off I got really drunk, so I spent a day tryna recover from that. I've also been working on a new fic, it's called Barren, please check it out, I'd love to know what you think. I'll try and have another chapter up in a week or two, but I'm in the middle of tryna sort out my life, so I probably won't have much time to do any writing. My apologies in advance.
Luv24Alias-thanks for reviewing :D
AnnaSun-you get excited when I update??? Really??? That's so cool :D thanks for reviewing :D, and if ya want I can send u a PM at SD-1, when I update, just let me know.
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Maggieann452-thanks for your review…and I'm flattered that you think I'm a good writer, I try. If you want a PM at SD-1, just let me know and I'll add you to my list.
THAT GOES FOR EVERYONE, IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF SD-1 AND WOULD LIKE A PM WHEN I UPDATE, LET ME KNOW YOUR USER NAME AND I'LL ADD YOU TO MY PM LIST.
And here's the chapter…
Chapter 18Michael slept through his 'breakfast' the next morning, after being drugged heavily the previous evening. When Bridgette and William came in a little after ten, he was just beginning to wake up. "Hi," he said sleepily when he saw his parents coming over to him. "Michael," Bridgette cried, enveloping him in a gentle hug, mindful of his injuries. William gave him a quick hug too, and promptly dragged Bridgette onto one of the seats, so she didn't crush her only son. "How are you?"
"Sleepy," Michael admitted, "I think they sedated me last night, I can't remember, I remember it hurt though." Bridgette wiped away a tear, "That wasn't meant to make you cry Mum, I was just answering Dad's question."
"I'm sorry, it's just, you scared us, I don't know what we
would've done if we had've lost you."
"You would've been there unconditionally for Sydney, Maddy and Squirt. And I
would've been looking down on you, making sure that Eric didn't corrupt my
children too much." Bridgette smiled proudly at her son,
"I love you Michael."
"I love you too Mum, and you too Dad. Syd said you'd been away."
"Yeah, my brother was ill."
"Is he ok?"
"No, he passed away while we were there, and we've been sorting through his estate, so we couldn't come earlier."
"Uncle Eddie died?"
"Yeah, the cancer, it was too far advanced, they couldn't stop it. He died in his sleep, just like he wanted. He did suffer." Michael reached up to wipe away the few tears that had slipped from his eyes. William gripped his free hand tightly, "I didn't get to say goodbye," Michael whispered.
"It's not your fault, he knew that. Eddie wanted us to give you this." William handed him a letter.
Michael,
You were the son that I never had, and since I look at you as my own, I figured it was time for me to give you some 'fatherly' advice.
Don't live in the past, your Grandfather told me that when I was a teenager, though I never really understood the significance of his advice until I was much, much older, but what it boils down to is this…living in the past means living a life of regret, and I've done that. I regret not going after your Aunt when she left me all those years ago, and it tears me apart inside knowing that I never got to see my daughter grow into the beautiful woman I know she will be.
I don't want you to blame yourself for not being able to be with me: I don't blame you, I never could.
I wish you and your family all the best, I've never been prouder than I was the day you married Sydney, and when I learned that you were starting a family of your own, I was so happy, the realisation that you were going to be a father almost made me burst with 'fatherly' pride, and when you rang to tell me that you were having another child, it made all the pain I was feeling at that moment leave my body because I know that you and Sydney are going to be amazing parents to this little one, just like you are with Madeline. You and Sydney are destined to be together forever, anyone can see that. Hold onto her son, she's special.
All my love,
Uncle Eddie.
Michael reached up to wipe away the tears that had begun to flow down his stubbly cheeks, dropping the letter on his chest in the process. Bridgette reached over to comfort her son, not asking any questions, knowing that he needed a moment to absorb everything that was said in the letter. Michael whispered words that were inaudible to the other occupants in the room, saying goodbye to his Uncle in his own way.
Sydney came in after lunch, Madeline trying to climb out of the stroller and onto the bed next to the father. Sydney looked exhausted and plonked her body down on one of the uncomfortable chairs, wincing slightly as a slight jolt of pain shot through her already aching back. "Hi," she greeted everyone. They all returned the greeting, while Madeline stood at the end of the bed, her little hands resting on her hips, "Up," she commanded, waiting for someone to lift her onto the bed so she could snuggle up to her Daddy, who she missed dearly. "I'm not sure…" Bridgette started as Madeline repeated her previous demand. "It's ok Mum, she's fine." Bridgette nodded and made a move to lift the little girl up onto the bed. "No," William said, "Not until she says please," he turned to Madeline, "Madeline, if you want to get up next to Daddy, you say 'up please.'" She sighed like it was the biggest task in the world and repeated, "Up please Granpa."
"That's better," he said, lifting his young granddaughter onto the bed, watching as she snuggled into her father, "Hi daddy," she said kissing his cheek, before cuddling up to Michael's side. When they looked over at Sydney, she'd fallen asleep, her head hanging to one side. "That's gonna hurt when she wakes up."
"I don't think she cares right now, she looks exhausted."
"Madeline, does mummy sleep much?"
"No, mummy play."
"Does mummy play with you?"
"Yep!"
"Maddy, mummy needs lots of sleep, 'cause mummy's having a baby, remember?" Michael told his daughter, although she didn't really understand a lot of what she said. "Baby!" she said, pointing at Sydney's rounded stomach.
"Yeah that's the baby," Michael said, kissing her forehead. "Eric and Angela are having another baby, due this summer."
"When did you find out?"
"They came in yesterday."
When Bridgette and William left that evening, Sydney was still sleeping and Madeline had fallen asleep also, curled up against her father. "We're gonna go," William told his son, "We'll take Sydney home, and take Madeline for the night, so she can get some rest."
"Thanks Dad and thanks for coming in. night."
"Night Michael," they both replied. William loaded Madeline into her stroller and Bridgette gently shook Sydney awake, knowing that they wouldn't be able to carry her out to the car. "Mmmm…" Sydney said as she stirred in her sleep.
"Sydney, time to go."
"Mmmm…what?"
"Sweetie, time to go home."
"Oh god!" she said stifling a yawn, "I fell asleep, I'm so sorry," she continued, yawning again. "That's fine, we'll give you a minute and meet you outside." Sydney nodded and watched as her in-laws left the room, pushing her sleeping daughter with them. "I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to doze off."
"That's ok, you look exhausted, and Madeline said you haven't been sleeping."
"She doesn't exactly make it easy to get much sleep, she wiggles half the night and when she's finally still, Squirt starts."
"Mum and Dad are gonna take you home, then they're gonna
take Madeline for the night and I don't want you to come in tomorrow, I want
you to rest, ok?"
"If that's what you want…"
"Syd, you know that you have to look after yourself."
"Yeah I know…"
"So no buts, sleep all day tomorrow if you have too. I love you."
"I love you too." She leaned over and kissed him slowly, trying to convey everything she felt for him in that simple gesture. They broke apart a few minutes later, breathing heavily, "I'll see you in a couple of days. Love you."
"Love you too." She gave him another quick kiss, before heading out of the room, on her way back home to her cold and empty bed.
A/N: I'm gonna leave it there. Sorry it took so long. What did you think?? Review and let me know. Until next time…:lol: Alyce :D