Thank you all so much for your feedback. And for those who raised questions about a sequel, yes I am currently working on a third installment to this fic.
Sydney and Vaughn looked at each other. Neither of them needed to say a word. The place was perfect. The warm shade of yellow on the walls, with mahogany panelling halfway up created an inviting, almost intimate atmosphere. At one end of the room was tables etc. for a sit down dinner, at the other was a dance floor, with the occasional lounge situated nearby to rest aching feet. One wall was made completely out of glass that looked out onto the beach, with sliding door that opened up onto a large decking, with steps leading down to the sand.
Vaughn smiled at Sydney. "This is it, isn't it?"
She nodded, snaking her arm around his waist. "This is it."
Amy, Troy and Dillon arrived early Saturday morning, with an obscene amount of supplies. Seeing the entourage, Danielle made a quick exit.
"Ok. This one has clothes, this is nappies and wipes and stuff." Amy handed two bags over to Sydney. "There's his pusher, portable cot and I've made up plenty of bottles, but if you need more, I've left formula and instructions. Here is the number of the place we're staying at and the convention centre. And mine and Troy's mobile. Now, he's usually settles really easily at night, but if he's fussy, play this CD—" Amy handed it over to Vaughn.
"The Rolling Stones?" he said, surprised.
"Yeah, for some reason they calm Dill down. Ok, um, what else?"
"Amy." Troy put a hand on her shoulder. "If you tell them anything else, I have a feeling their hands might explode."
"But I just want to make sure I've covered everything." Amy protested.
"You have covered everything." Troy said soothingly. Sydney eyed him carefully. If she wasn't mistaken, Troy was just as nervous as Amy about leaving Dillon for the first time.
"Guys," Sydney stepped forward, interrupting their little interaction. "We will take great care of him, I promise."
"I know, Syd." Amy smiled bravely and then turned to the capsule that was sitting on the kitchen bench. "Ok Dillon, Mummy has to go now." She leant over, covering his little face and hands with kisses. "I'm going to miss you so much."
About ten minutes later, Troy and Amy left, leaving Sydney and Vaughn alone with Dillon. Still in his capsule, he stared unblinkingly at the two of them, silently gnawing on his fist.
"Just look at him taking us in," Sydney observed. "I can only imagine what he's thinking. 'Who are these two loons mum and dad have gone and left me with?'"
Vaughn chuckled. "Syd, he's a baby. The only thoughts running through his head would be 'When's lunch?' and 'When is my nappy going to get changed?' Speaking of which…"
Sydney held up a hand. "How about we wait until it comes to that and then flip a coin or something?"
"Uh Syd..." Vaughn said, sniffing exaggeratedly and screwing up his nose. "Got a coin?"
Things went smoothly for a few hours or so, until for some reason Dillon started screaming. He didn't need changing, refused his bottle and wailed even louder when placed in his cot. Even the Rolling Stones CD failed.
"What do we do?" Vaughn asked desperately, as Sydney paced the living room with Dillon.
"How should I know?" Sydney shot back. Cocking her ear, she thought she heard something over Dillon's cries. "Was that the door?"
"I think so." He walked across and threw it open. "Hi, Mr Bristow."
"Michael." Jack nodded in his direction and then stepped inside. Catching sight of Sydney with Dillon in her arms, he walked towards her. "Hello Sydney…so when were you going to tell me?" he asked with a deadpan face.
For a second Sydney thought he was serious. After all a joke from Jack Bristow was an extremely rare occurrence. But seeing a ghost of a smile cross his face, Sydney allowed herself a small laugh. "He's Dillon, Amy Tippin's son." Sydney continued pacing. "Unfortunately, he comes with a set of extremely loud lungs."
Jack held out his arms. "May I?"
"Sure." Sydney gently handed Dillon over. "But I don't like your chances…" Sydney trailed off, shooting Vaughn a bewildered look. Dillon's cries had subsided as soon as her father took him in his arms. "How did you do that?"
"He needs to feel safe." Jack said. "If you're not confident with a baby, they're not going to feel secure."
"But how…"
Jack shot Sydney a shrewd look. "Believe it or not, you were a baby once. And believe it or not, I actually held you."
"Sorry," Sydney said sheepishly. She couldn't help but feel bemused at the sight of Jack Bristow cradling a baby in his arms. "So, what do we owe your pleasure?"
"Oh, it's just you mentioned inviting your aunts to the wedding. I got hold of their addresses in Russia for you."
"Thank you, dad." Sydney was truly grateful.
"Ok then," Jack carefully handed Dillon back to Sydney. "I'll leave you both to it."
As he closed the front door behind him, Jack could hear Dillon's cried start up again. For a second, he considered going back in, but soon dismissed the idea.
He figured they needed the practice.
By the time Sydney and Vaughn collapsed into bed that night, they were both exhausted.
"God, we're pathetic." Vaughn moaned, staring up at the ceiling.
"I know," Sydney groaned, furrowing under the covers. "Not even 24 hours spent looking after an infant and we're stuffed."
"So much for us being young and energetic."
Sydney only heard half of what he said. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
When she awoke, it was still dark and Vaughn's side of the bed was empty. Looking over at the alarm clock through bleary eyes, she saw that it was a little after 3am. Curious, she hauled herself out of bed and padded barefoot into the living room. There she found Vaughn sitting in an armchair, with a drowsy Dillon in his arms.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she whispered, approaching him.
"He started fussing about twenty minutes ago."
"What?" Sydney sat on the couch, tucking her feet underneath her. "I didn't hear a thing."
"Yeah," Vaughn chuckled softly. "I know." He shifted slightly in his seat. "But even though you were practically unconscious, I though I had better bring him out here anyway. You looked as if you needed your sleep."
"Thanks," she smiled, watching, as Dillon grew more and more sleepy in Vaughn's arms. "He really is a cutie, isn't he?"
"Let me hear you say that when he starts screaming again."
Sydney put a finger to her lips. "Don't go saying stuff like that- you'll put ideas into his little head!"
"Yeah," Vaughn looked down at Dillon, who was just about asleep. "You know, as hard as this was and even though we were completely out of our depth, I think it will still be pretty incredible when we have one of our own."
Sydney just grinned in response as she stood up and pressed her lips on the top of Vaughn's head. "I know exactly what you mean."
Dillon was much more settled the next day- possibly because Sydney and Vaughn were much more relaxed in their roles of pseudo- parents. They were really able to enjoy having Dillon there with them.
When Amy and Try arrived early Sunday evening, Vaughn was sitting on the couch in front of the television with Dillon, giving him his first lesson in basketball.
"See that? That was a lay-up. Basic move- one of the first things that you'll learn…Oh! Did you see that pick? Another name for it is a screen. A great offensive move if executed properly…Oh! Nice assist..."
"What is this?" Amy asked. "I leave you with my son for two days, Syd, and he's already corrupted!" She laughed, as she took Dillon from Vaughn's arms.
"I'm not corrupting him." Vaughn protested. "Simply educating."
"Well, all I'm going to say is thank you." Troy piped up. "You've accomplished in one weekend what I've been trying to do for three months."
When the three of them had left, Sydney turned to Vaughn. "Ah, peace and quiet."
Vaughn grinned. "Come here," he said, opening his arms. Sagging in his embrace, Sydney sighed contentedly.
"Hey Vaughn."
"Yeah?" he murmured into her ear.
"How about we—"
"Hello?" They flinched slightly as the front door slammed shut. "I'm back."
Reluctantly, Vaughn released Sydney from his arms as Danielle burst in.
"Hey you guys. I have had a fabulous weekend. You should hear this new CD I bought- you have to play it really loud though." She dumped her bags on the kitchen bench. "Hey is that movie on tonight? The one I was telling you about Sydney?"
Sydney shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"Oh, well. What's for dinner? I am famished!"
Sydney looked glumly at Vaughn as she headed towards the freezer. So much for peace and quiet.