Hey, thank you all so much for your feedback, and my apologies for the slight delay. My computer was in for repairs.
"Red and yellow and pick and green, purple and orange and blue…"
"Sydney!"
Sydney's head snapped up at the sound of Francie's voice. "What?"
"You were singing 'I Can Sing a Rainbow'."
Sydney couldn't help but smile sheepishly. It was early Wednesday evening and about an hour ago Francie had arrived on her doorstep, with a huge amount of paint samples. It turned out that the creation of Francie's restaurant was moving along a lot faster than Sydney had realized.
When Vaughn had seen what Francie had in store for the evening, he had escaped so fast that Sydney had barely heard him say good-bye. So, it was up to Sydney to counsel Francie through this particular drama. However, after an hour of staring at colour samples, Sydney's mind had waned. Hence the singing.
"Fran, I'm sorry." Sydney said sincerely. "But I just don't think that I can help you. I'd hate to suggest something and have it turn out looking completely heinous."
"And you don't think that I'm having the same thoughts?" Francie exclaimed, picking up a bright blue. After examining it for a few seconds, she grimaced and tossed it aside.
"Maybe you should ask Ainz." Sydney suggested. "She just did her and Weiss's place and it looks fantastic."
"Hmm, maybe." Francie sighed, glancing at her watch. "I think I might head off."
"No," Sydney protested. "Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"No, I've been enough of a pain tonight." Francie laughed as she collected up her samples. "But are you free for shopping on Sunday?"
Sydney shook her head. "I can't. It's mine and Vaughn's three year anniversary"
Francie stared at her. "Three years? That long, hey?"
"I know." Sydney grinned and then jumped up. "Oh! Before you go, I'll get that CD you left here. It's just in our room."
Sydney headed down the hall and Francie continued to collect up her colour samples. Seconds later there was a knock on the door.
"Fran, could you get that?" Sydney's voice called down the hall.
"Sure thing." Francie walked across and opened the door, revealing Jack standing on the other side. "Hey Mr Bristow."
"Hello. Is Sydney here?"
"Yeah, she's just in her room" Francie stepped aside, letting Jack in. "Let me as you a question. Let's say you're at hanging out at your favourite restaurant, with your friends…or whatever," Francie added quickly, taking in his unblinking expression. "You like to go there, you like the food, what colour are the walls?" She held up a few of her samples.
"I'm…not really into interior decorating." Jack replied, looking over Francie's shoulder. "Sydney."
"Hey dad." Sydney answered, walking over. "What are you doing here?"
Jack went to answer but was but off by Francie. "Sorry, but I'm going to head off. We'll catch up soon, ok Sydney."
"Yeah, for sure." Sydney smiled.
Francie headed to the door and was about to walk out when Jack spoke up. "You know, to the Vietnamese and Chinese, the colour white means death and bad fortune." He paused. "Try red."
Francie smiled. "Thanks Mr Bristow."
When she had left Jack turned back to Sydney. "I just came by to ask you something."
"What?"
"I was wondering if you and Michael had set a date yet. I don't mean to intrude, but…"
"No, that's ok." Sydney interjected, heartened b the fact that her father was showing an interest. "We haven't decided anything, but I promise that when we do, you'll be one of the first to know."
"Yes, well, good, ok." Jack cleared his throat. "I was just curious because I want to make sure that I'm not sent on a business trip at the time of the wedding."
Sydney smiled to herself as Jack continued. "Because there is no way I won't be attending my daughter's wedding."
At that moment something occurred to Sydney. Something that she thought jack would already be aware of. But after haring his words, she thought that maybe she should make it official and now was the perfect time to do so.
"Dad."
"Yes?"
"I don't want you to just attend the wedding…" Sydney started tentatively.
"Oh," Jack's eyebrows rose slightly. "What else then?"
"Dad, I want you to walk me down the aisle." She paused, taking in his unchanged expression. "I mean, that is if you want to, because…"
"Sydney, I would be…" he halted, clearing his throat once again. "Of course I would want to."
"Good." Sydney smiled. "Now, you're staying for dinner and I don't want any arguments."
Sunday morning Vaughn woke up to see Sydney already sitting up in bed, gazing down at him. Without saying a word she softly ran a hand down his cheek and then bent down to place a soft, lingering kiss on his lips.
"Mmm," Vaughn couldn't help but grin when their lips had separated. "How come I don't get a wake up call like that every morning?"
Sydney shrugged. "You know what they say. Treat em' mean, keep em' keen."
"Oh really?" Vaughn laughed. "Well, maybe I should start living by that mantra."
"Uh, uh. I don't think so." Sydney replied, as she lay back down and settled herself in his arms.
"And why not?"
"Hey, something occurred to me this morning."
"Don't try and change the subject."
Sydney laughed. "I wasn't…it's just that I've been sitting here thinking and I wanted to talk to you about it."
"About what?"
"You know how today is our three year?"
"Is it?" Vaughn deadpanned. "I completely forgot."
"Vaughn!"
"Ok, sorry. Go on."
"Well, I was wondering, after we get married, we'll be celebrating a different anniversary. Is the 24th of October going to be forgotten?"
Vaughn pulled her tighter in his arms. "I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure I won't forget. You know why?" Sydney shook her head and he continued. "Because anytime I'm down at the pier, or when ever we decide for a bout of childhood regression…" He paused as Sydney let out a giggle. "My thoughts are going to go straight back to that day, three years ago when I became the luckiest guy on Earth."
"Hey Vaughn."
"Yeah."
"How about we head down to the arcade tonight?"
Vaughn smiled. "You read my mind."
Sydney and Vaughn spent the evening down by the pier, eating dinner at one of their favourite little casual restaurants and spending many laughter filled hours playing games at the arcade.
"After you," Vaughn said gallantly as he opened the front door when they got home.
"Why thank you." Sydney replied as she breezed in and headed to the couch. Vaughn stopped by the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine and two wine glasses before joining her.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Sydney said as Vaughn handed her a glass. "Dad came by the other day wondering if we'd set a date yet."
"Jack?" Vaughn's glass had stopped mid-way to his mouth. "Jack Bristow?"
"Yes, Jack Bristow." Sydney smiled as she took a mouthful of wine. "And Francie has been asking about dates and Weiss was bugging me about it, too."
"Well, then let's do it."
"What?"
"Set a date."
Sydney stared. "Just like that?"
"Yeah, just like that." Vaughn grabbed her hands. "Why should we stall on this any longer? I love you and I want to marry you It's as simple as that."
Sydney was beaming so hard that she felt as if her face would crack. "So, when?"
Vaughn paused. "What about February? That gives us four months. Do you think that'll be enough time to plan a wedding?"
"I guess so," Sydney laughed, feeling a little overwhelmed. "But what day?"
Vaughn jumped up and grabbed his planner form the kitchen bench. "Do we want a Friday night or a Saturday?"
"A Saturday." Sydney said, firmly.
Vaughn looked up. "I was thinking the same thing." He turned a page and then walked over and sat down next to her. The planner was opened on February 19th. "How about Miss Bristow? Does February 19th sound ok to you?"
Sydney leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Any day would be perfect for me- just as long as you're there."
"Ok then." Vaughn grinned, picked up a pen and wrote something in the planner. Looking over, Sydney saw in Vaughn's familiar handwriting:
Me and Syd tie the knotLetting out a peal of laughter, Sydney threw herself back into the couch. Suddenly she sobered. "We're getting married." She stared at Vaughn, slightly dumbfounded. "In four months."
"Yeah Syd." Vaughn placed his lips on her forehead. "In four months."