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kiefer4ever: Yes, there will be a sequel after this fic.
When Vaughn opened his eyes Friday morning, he rolled over and found himself directly under Sydney's gaze.
"Morning," he smiled.
"Morning." She propped her head up on her hand. "Guess what?"
"What?" he asked, reaching over and running a hand down her arm.
"We're getting married tomorrow."
"What?" Vaughn's eyes widened with feigned shock as he rolled on his back and smacked his forehead. "Is that tomorrow? Look Syd, I'm really sorry but I totally forgot and have sorta planned to do something else. Do you think we could reschedule?"
Sydney just laughed as she grabbed Vaughn and pulled him over and on top of her. Still laughing she clasped her hands behind his neck and pressed their lips together. The kiss deepened as Vaughn wrapped Sydney in his arms, bringing them closer.
"This probably isn't such a good idea." Vaughn murmured as Sydney trailed her lips along his collarbone.
"Why?"
"Because it is going to be hard enough to take myself to work today without this."
Sydney laughed softly, her breath tickling his neck. "I know exactly what you mean. I've already decided that all my classes will be watching videos. There is not a chance that I will be able to concentrate today."
"And why is that?" Vaughn asked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully. "Remind me again."
"Hmm, I was going to say you, but know I'm beginning to wonder." Sydney shot back.
Vaughn smiled. "Hey Syd."
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Sydney brought a hand up to his cheek. "I love you too."
Vaughn's last class for the day was a group of year nines- the group of girls referred to as the year nine ferals. He was probably the only teacher they moderately behaved for- for reasons obvious to everyone but him.
"Ok," he stood up about a minute before the final bell was due to go. "That's it for today. Now, I won't be here next week, so please," he smiled beseechingly, "behave for whatever substitute you get. At least keep up the pretence that I have modelled you into a productive class."
The class tittered softly as one of the girls raised her hand.
Vaughn nodded at her. "Yes, Dana?"
"Why won't you be here?"
Vaughn was surprised. "Haven't you guys heard? What's gone wrong with the Abrams College grapevine?"
The girls just looked at him blankly.
He shook his head with a laugh. "I won't be here because I'm going on a holiday- my honeymoon to be specific."
"Honeymoon?" one of the girls repeated. "You're getting married?"
Vaughn nodded. "Tomorrow."
Right then the bell rang and the girls began filing out of the classroom, all of them focused on the same topic.
"I heard that he was engaged…but can you believe that he's actually getting married?"
"I know. Married! That means that he's like unavailable forever!"
"Yeah, but as if we had a chance. We're little girls."
"It wasn't about having a chance, it was about fantasizing over the possibility."
"Guys, we are talking about a teacher."
"Yeah, the world's hottest teacher."
"Agreed. Who cares about his job? The guy is a god."
"A god who's about to get hitched."
There was unanimous sighs all around.
After her last class Sydney dropped by the staff room to check her pigeonhole before heading home. There were a few errands she had to run before getting ready for the rehearsal dinner at Deep Inside that she and Vaughn were having that night.
But as she walked into the staff room, Sydney found herself copping a face full of confetti.
Letting out a cry of shock, she brought her hands up and cleared her face. Looking around she saw the room filled with her colleague's- some of them still armed with hands full of confetti.
"What on earth…"
"This is the last time you'll enter this staff room as Miss Bristow," Dixon said, stepping forward. "Did you think that we wouldn't make a big deal of it?"
Sydney smiled as somebody handed her a drink. "I could get used to this sort of stuff. Say, if I get married every year, will I get something like this each time?"
"First three marriages only." Dixon deadpanned.
Sydney stayed for about an hour before she really had to leave. Grabbing her bag, she walked across the room to farewell Dixon.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he smiled and gave her a quick hug.
Sydney felt a small shiver go down her spine. "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Sydney was dressed and ready to go, but Vaughn stopped her. "Weiss sent me a message today, telling me that we had to listen to the last part of his show. No questions asked."
Sydney's expression suddenly looked pained as Vaughn reached across and turned the volume on the radio up. "What's he got planned? What is he going to do to us?"
"Nothing." Vaughn replied. "I messaged him back and said that if it embarrassed us in any way I would revoke his speech giving privileges tomorrow."
Sydney grinned. "Nice."
They lapsed into silence as the song playing ended and Weiss's voice boomed over the airways.
"Well, this is almost it for today and the week. Now tomorrow is going to be a pretty huge day, because I get to stand beside my best friend as he marries the woman of his dreams. It's been a day that has been a long time coming…anybody that knows Sydney and Vaughn will agree with me on that one. These two are so made for each other that it's sickening.
I'm going to stop now, as I don't want to use any of the material I have saved up for tomorrow- I'm guessing that I still have speech giving privileges, Vaughn. But what I will say is that from all your friends, and me we love you Syd and Vaughn and all the best for the future.
Oh, and none of that standing up at the altar business. The wedding cake sounds too good to go to waste. So guys, despite the fact that I am going to cop so much flak from Joey for this, this is for you."
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you're free
Gotta gamble everything for love
Sydney looked at Vaughn. "This is actually really sweet." She grabbed her bag off the kitchen bench. "We really should stop expecting the worst from our Weiss."
"I'm not so sure about that." Vaughn joked as he headed across to the coffee table for his keys. "He's probably just lulling us into a false sense of protection before tomorrow."
Tell me the truth and I'll tell you the truth
If you gamble everything for love, you're gonna be alright, alright
It was a casual affair at Deep Inside. Just finger foods and a chance for all involved in the wedding to relax and enjoy themselves before the big day.
"Sydney."
She turned to see Juliette approaching with her arms open wide. With a smile Sydney accepted the motherly embrace.
"Now if you need anything," Juliette was saying as they separated, "just ask, ok. Everything should be just right for you tomorrow."
"I'm fine at this point, but thanks." Sydney replied. "Just as long as we both show up and say 'I do', then the day will be perfect."
"My, don't you have low expectations," Juliette joked.
"Of course," Sydney said slyly. "Why else would Vaughn be so eager to marry me?"
Juliette's eyes lit up. "Nice!" she laughed. "I knew you were a keeper the day I met you."
Across the room, Vaughn had just taken a mouthful of drink when Jack came up beside him. Quickly swallowing his mouthful Vaughn reached out and shook his hand. "How are you, Jack?"
"Not bad. Yourself?"
"I'm pretty good." Vaughn glanced across the room and seeing Sydney, felt himself smile.
It wasn't lost on Jack. "So," clearing his throat. "Is everything ready for tomorrow?"
"As ready as it is going to be."
"Good." Jack nodded shortly. "Well, uh, all the best."
"Thanks Jack." Something out the corner of his eye made Vaughn turn and he saw Danielle gesturing towards him. "Excuse me, Jack."
"Of course," Jack said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
It wasn't a late evening and when people started to leave, Vaughn pulled Sydney off to the side of the dining room. Without a word, he pressed his lips into hers. Given that Sydney was going back to their place with Francie and Ainsley, and he was spending the night at Weiss's, this would be the last time they'd see each other before the ceremony the next day.
"Hey Vaughn!" Weiss's voice called across the restaurant. "You ready?"
Stepping back, Vaughn brought a hand up and tucked a strand of Sydney's hair behind her ear. "I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered.
"Yeah," Sydney smiled as she kissed Vaughn again. "See you tomorrow."
A/N: Four more chapters...
Disclaimer: I do not own the song 'Gamble Everything for Love' by Ben Lee