Hey all. Once again I want to thank you all so much for your kind words and feedback. To be honest I was a little nervous about posting the wedding chapters after there had been such a build up to them. I just love that everybody has seemed to enjoy them.
specialfrog: I don't plan on going anywhere soon. As well as the sequel to this fic, I have a few others on the go...
kiefer4ever: I've done the engagement and the wedding, so of course I'm going to cover the honeymoon!
A/N: About the destination I have chosen for Syd and Vaughn's honeymoon- I went to Patong Beach (it's in Phuket, Thailand) last year and it was absolutely amazing, so I thought that it was appropiate for Syd and Vaughn to experience for their honeymoon.
"This place is incredible," Sydney sighed as she stepped out onto the balcony of the hotel room and looked out onto Patong Beach. Smiling, her eyes fell onto the bustling street below. There was so much activity, yet there was still a languid atmosphere to the place.
"Hey Syd, check this out!" Vaughn's laughing voice came from inside. "Scooby Doo in Thai!"
"What?" Sydney turned and saw him sitting on the edge of the king size bed, remote in hand. She walked over to him. "So this is how you plan on spending our honeymoon? Watching cartoons on our hotel telly?" she asked with a smile.
"Well, I did have other things in mind," Vaughn looked up at her with a cheeky grin, "but that was before I found this…I wonder what else there is."
"Vaughn!" Sydney laughed and went to push him lightly, but quick as a flash, Vaughn grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto the bed.
"Is this better?" he asked, bringing his mouth down to meet hers.
"Vaughn?" Sydney spoke up when their lips had separated.
"Yeah?"
"What did dad mean by that he was happy?"
"Huh?" Vaughn propped his head up on his elbow so that he could look at her.
"You know, when we were leaving the reception."
"Oh that." Vaughn couldn't help but smile.
xxxxx
"My work can be very demanding." Jack replied. "Now what did you want to discuss?"
"It's about Sydney."
"That I had already figured out. Would you care to elaborate on that point?"
"Ok." Vaughn cleared his throat. Here goes. "Mr Bristow, I'm planning on asking Sydney to marry me, and I would like to get your blessing before I do that."
Jack's eyebrows rose slightly. "May I ask you a question, Michael?"
"Uh, ok."
"What if I refused? Would you still go ahead with the proposal?"
Vaughn thought frantically for a second. He knew the answer to that question- but did Jack want to hear it? Deciding that, maybe, the truth was the best option right now, Vaughn answered.
"Yes."
Jack was a little shocked. So the guy actually did have a spine. He never would have thought.
"Why?"
"Because, Mr Bristow, I love your daughter more than anything else, and I will not let anything or anyone stop me from spending the rest of my life with her."
"Ok then." Jack leaned forward slightly. "I'm going to say to you what I said a couple of years ago, Michael. That, as Sydney's father I will never be completely happy with whom she chooses to spend her life with. The simple fact is I think so highly of her and do not believe that any man will be totally worthy of her.
That being said, it looks as if you are going to be that person and well, as I told you previously, I will be the closest happy that I will ever be."
xxxxx
"So," Sydney pressed, as Vaughn just continued to smile. "What was he talking about?"
"Well, how about I just say that was pretty much the biggest compliment that he could ever pay me."
"What do you say to us never leaving this place?" Sydney asked Vaughn as they strolled through the markets a couple of nights later. It hadn't taken them long to realize that the nighttime was when Phuket really came to life, and they had developed an almost routine they went through. Days were spent doing touristy activities in the morning, and spending leisurely afternoons by the pool or on the beach. Nights, they headed out to the streets of Patong Beach, eating at the restaurants, shopping and dropping into the many bars situated there.
"Sounds good to me, Bristow." Vaughn replied, placing his arm around her shoulders.
Sydney looked up at him. "Are you still going to call me Bristow, even though it's not my last name anymore?"
"You'll always be Bristow to me," Vaughn said, kissing the top of her head. "Besides, there's no way I could call you Vaughn. That would just be weird."
Sydney laughed, pulling Vaughn's arm tighter around her. "Yeah, kind of." She shifted her gaze, her eyes falling upon her engagement ring. "Vaughn."
"Hmm?"
"What if Ainsley had never decided to have that costume party. How would have you proposed?"
"I'm not sure I want to answer that."
"Why not?"
"Well, what if you like one of my other ideas better?"
"Vaughn, you made Dirty Dancing a reality for me. As if anything could be better than that."
"Ok fine." Vaughn relented. "I actually did have a few other ideas."
"Like what?"
"Like taking you back to Santa Barbara. I thought about doing some fancy dinner at the hotel, or even going back to the zoo. But then I thought, maybe I could take you to the uni courtyard, to the table and chairs where we first met…"
Sydney smiled, thinking back to that day…a day she thought had been seemingly uneventful.
"But if I was to propose in any other way, I think I would have taken you to the pier. There is just something about that place."
"You're just a big romantic softie, you know that?" Sydney said, placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Ok, coming from Weiss that would be an insult, but from you…I'm not sure."
Sydney laughed. "It's a compliment." She assured him. "After all, if you weren't a big romantic softie, you would have never proposed the way you did."
xxxxx
"Vaughn, what is going on…" she trailed off as Vaughn pressed play. As the first strains of music reached her ears, Sydney's jaw dropped. "No way," she breathed.
Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Vaughn just nodded and stepped forward, clasping Sydney's hand and pulling her in close.
Cause I've had the time of my life
And I owe it all to you
Sydney's stunned amazement only grew as Vaughn began to move the two of them across the room. He was dancing. Sure, he was clumsy and rough, but he was dancing- to 'Time of My Life'. Vaughn, the man who hated Dirty Dancing and had Eric Weiss for a best friend, was dancing.
You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I tell you something
This could be love because
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear, it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
Sydney looked up into Vaughn's smiling face. "What…when did you…how?"
"I've been taking lessons with Ainsley."
"Lessons?" Sydney's eyes suddenly widened as realization dawned. "All those meetings after school?"
Vaughn nodded as he pulled her into a spin. As he pulled her back into his chest, Sydney couldn't help but laugh.
"Are you laughing at my dancing skills Bristow?"
"No." Sydney shook her head. "I just can't believe that you are doing this."
Sydney tried hard to contain her laughter, for Vaughn's sake. But in truth, he didn't care. It wasn't as if she was laughing at him, and to him, Sydney Bristow looked her most beautiful when laughter was etched all over her face.
Though she tried hard, giggles kept escaping. The whole situation was just so incredibly surreal. Little did she know things were about to get even better.
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear, it's the truth
And I owe I all to you
Cause I've had the time of my life
And I've searched through every open door
Till I found the truth
And I owe it all to you
When the song ended and Vaughn released her hands, Sydney brought them up to wipe away the tears of laughter that had formed there. When she took them away, Sydney got another shock. Vaughn was no longer standing in front of her- he was down on one knee.
Her eyebrows rose she stared into his grinning face. "Vaughn?"
"Syd." Vaughn reached up and grabbed one of her hands. "Sydney Bristow, you are the most amazing, incredible person I have ever met. You, when we first met, had the power to stop time and not a day goes by that I don't marvel at the fact that I have you by my side. Words cannot describe how much I love you. Hell, I dressed up as Johnny Castle and danced you around like Baby because I love you so much!"
Sydney let out a short laugh, her heart pounding.
"Syd, when I am with you everything feels right and I want nothing more than, for us, to spend the rest of our lives together. To live like…like…like two crazy nuts locked together forever.
Vaughn paused and as he reached into his back pocket, Sydney unconsciously held her breath. Still grinning Vaughn help up an antique looking white gold ring, with a stunning emerald adorned by smaller diamonds.
"Oh my god," she breathed. "Vaughn?"
He grinned. "Sydney Bristow, will you marry me?"
Sydney held off her answer, giving her enough time to kneel down to Vaughn's level. When she could look directly into his eyes, Sydney answered.
"Yes."
xxxxx
"It feels as if it were only yesterday." Vaughn smiled. "I'm glad that I could make it memorable for you."
"I couldn't believe it." Sydney said. "To have Weiss as a best friend and then dress up and dance…"
Vaughn laughed. "Well, here's hoping if and when Weiss pops the question to Ainsley, he'll humiliate himself even more. Hopefully, give me some ammunition."
"Yeah, the key word being 'if'. I wouldn't hold my breath on those two getting hitched anytime soon. You heard them at New Years."
"Oh well, whatever humiliation I suffered, it was all worth it."
"Nice to know that you're still going to pulling out lines like that even though we're married." Sydney smiled.
"Only if you keep pulling yours."
"Sounds like a fair deal to me."
"Good." Vaughn bent down slightly, his lips hovering over hers. "Because I love you."
"And I love you," Sydney whispered as their lips finally connected.
"Right, I'm going in." Sydney threw off her sunglasses and got up from the deck chair. She looked down at Vaughn. "You going to join me?"
Vaughn shook his head, his eyes trailing over her bikini clad body. "No, I'm just going to stay here and enjoy the view."
Sydney laughed and headed over to the pool. With a smile, Vaughn reached towards his copy of Calvino's Mr Palomar sitting on the small table beside him.
"Are you enjoying it?" a voice asked.
Vaughn looked towards his left, where a guy around the same age as him was sitting. "Yeah," he replied. "Have you read it?"
"A while back." The guy leaned forward, offering his hand to Vaughn. "James Lennox. Jim."
Vaughn accepted his hand, shaking it. "Michael Vaughn." He leaned back into his chair. "Have you been here long?"
"We got here yesterday." Jim answered. "I'm here with my girlfriend, Emma." He motioned to a blonde woman, asleep on the deck chair beside him. "What about you?"
"Got here Sunday." Vaughn replied, his eyes straying back to Sydney in the pool. Jim followed his gaze.
"I take it you're here for pleasure rather than business," he said and Vaughn laughed.
"You could say that," Vaughn replied. "I'm actually here on my honeymoon." He gestured towards Sydney. "That's my wife, Sydney." He felt a small shiver of pleasure at the sound of him introducing Sydney as his wife.
"Hey, congratulations." Jim said sincerely. At that point, Sydney walked up to her deck chair and picked up her towel.
"Syd, this is Jim Lennox," Vaughn introduced. As like before, Jim offered his hand, which Sydney accepted.
"Sydney Br-Vaughn!" She grinned as she turned to Vaughn. "I had to think about that for a second."
Vaughn just laughed as Sydney wrapped the towel around her waist.
"I'm going to get a drink," she announced. "Did you two want one?"
"I'm right, thanks." Jim said.
"I'd love one, thanks." Vaughn winked. "I could get used to this whole you running after and servicing me thing."
"Ha!" Sydney scoffed. "One more comment like that, Vaughn, and you'll be sleeping in Donovan's bed when we get home." Blowing him a kiss, she walked off towards the poolside bar.
"Uh," Jim spoke up. "Did she just call you by your last name?"
Vaughn nodded, chuckling lightly at Jim's befuddled expression. "Long story."
Vaughn held up his wine glass as he looked at Sydney from across the table. "Here's to our last night here."
Sydney smiled as she raised her own glass. "I'll drink to that."
"Cheers," Vaughn replied with a wink.
It was theirfinal night in Thailand, with their flight leaving late the next morning. They were eating at one of the open-air restaurants along the beach road. There was an almost magical feel to the air, eating under the stars, with a live band and each other's company.
"Can you believe how fast this week has gone?" Vaughn asked."As opposed to how fast the last four months have gone?" Sydney asked, her eyebrows raised.
xxxxx
"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 it,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 knot
Letting 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."
xxxxx
Vaughn laughed. "I guess you have a point there."
Sydney smiled, taking a mouthful of wine. "You know what?" she asked.
"What?"
"I really can't wait to get back home," she said. "It's been fantastic over here, but I want to get back to the real world and start experiencing and enjoying the little things."
"Like what?" Vaughn asked, smiling at her glowing expression.
"Like…" Sydney paused. "Like receiving my first letter addressed to Sydney Vaughn, like filling out a form for whatever reason and getting to check 'married' under marital status, and like just in general conversation being able to refer to you as my husband…"
Vaughn grinned. "Well, you know what they say?"
"What?"
"Small things…"
"Vaughn!" Sydney let out an indignant laugh. "Thanks a lot!"
"I'm sorry," Vaughn laughed, holding up his hands in mock defence. " I understand completely what you're saying."
"Really?"
"Really." Vaughn affirmed, reaching across the table and clasping her hand. "Though you know what I'm excited about?"
Sydney shook her head. "What?"
"Joint bank accounts," Vaughn whispered, his eyes twinkling.
"Ok, now you are just mocking me." Sydney retorted good- naturedly. She brought her wine glass to her lips and took a mouthful, thinking of all the other things she was looking forward to.
xxxxx
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 thought 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."
xxxxx
Vaughn spoke up, as if reading her mind. "Mocking aside, we've got a lot to look forward to."
Sydney nodded, having never felt more grateful that it was Vaughn that she was going to get to enjoy her life with.
When they pulled into their driveway at home, Vaughn quickly jumped out of the car. Sydney followed suit, though less hastily.
"Wait there." Vaughn instructed as she closed the passenger door.
"But I was just going to get the bags—"
"Leave the bags for now." Vaughn said as he ran up to the front door, unlocked it and then turned and ran back towards her.
"Vaughn, what on earth are you doing?" she asked, looking at him as if her were insane. Without a reply, he came up beside her and scooped her up, cradling her in his arms. "Vaughn!"
"I do believe that when two people enter their home for the first time as a married couple, it is customary for the groom to carry his bride over the threshold." Vaughn explained with a grin as he began walking back towards the front door.
"Oh my god." Sydney laughed. "The neighbours are probably watching this."
"So what? We're newlyweds. We can get away with crazy, spontaneous and impulsive things." He stopped at the door. "Are you ready for this, Mrs Vaughn?"
"I think I might be, Mr Vaughn."
As Vaughn stepped through the door, Sydney brought her lips to his. The kiss grew more and more heated as Vaughn kicked the door shut behind them and released Sydney from his arms. As they shuffled slowly down the small entryway, their lips still connected, Vaughn pressed Sydney up against the wall.
"I think we should get the bags." Sydney said breathlessly as Vaughn's lips found their way to her neck.
"The bags can wait," he murmured, his breath tickling her skin.
"Agreed." Sydney said, grabbing his shirt collar and bringing their lips together once more.
They suddenly froze at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Looking at each other for a few seconds, Sydney and Vaughn then took a few steps forward and peered into the living room. There, standing under a huge Welcome Home banner were Weiss, Ainsley, Will, Francie, Craig and Amy.
"Well, I totally take back that whole boring married couple thing," Weiss said with a straight face. A second passed as his grin slowly formed. "Uh, welcome back guys!"
"Yeah, surprise!" Ainsley threw her hands up towards the banner, her expression sheepish. After a few awkward seconds, she let out a snort of laughter. Its effect was instantaneous and soon everybody in the room was cracking up- including Sydney and Vaughn.
After all the greetings and hugs were complete, Francie popped open a bottle of champagne and glasses were handed around to everybody.
"So who's idea was this?" Sydney asked, as they all settled down around the living room. Everybody pointed, almost accusingly at Weiss.
"Hey!" he shot back defensively. "You all thought it sounded like a good idea." He grinned. "It's not my fault that they didn't get it all out of their systems on their honeymoon."
"Get what out of our systems?" Vaughn asked, feigning seriousness.
"Do I have to spell it out…please don't make me spell it out," Weiss shuddered. "I am scarred for life after that little welcoming display."
"Ok." Francie held her hands up. "This conversation stops right now."
"All right then." Weiss said begrudgingly. "I guess we better save these two from any more embarrassment."
"Ha!" Vaughn scoffed. "Since when do you save us from embarrassment. You are usually the one causing it!"
xxxxx
"This is the police!"
Vaughn jumped as a deep voice blared over a loud speaker.
"Please remove yourself from the vehicle immediately."
"What?" Vaughn muttered, so stunned that he didn't move.
"I repeat, remove yourself from the vehicle."
Slowly Vaughn climbed out of the car. Surely this had to be a mistake. He was being treated as if he were come kind of criminal.
"Move to the front of the vehicle and place you hand on the bonnet."
Vaughn did so, humiliated by the stares coming from the cars driving past and from the people who were out on the street.
"Now shake your butt."
Vaughn almost, very nearly did. It took a second for him to register exactly what had been said.
"Didn't you hear me? Shake that butt! Show us how you do it for Syd!"
Vaughn straightened up and strode towards the police car. "Weiss!" he bellowed.
A laughing Weiss jumped out of the passenger seat. "You should have seen your face! The guys are never going to let you hear the end of it."
xxxxx
"Yeah," Sydney agreed. "You, along with everybody else."
xxxxx
"Yup," Sydney went to step out the front door, but was stopped by Ainsley. "What?"
"You have to put this on first."
Ainsley held up a small veil that looked as if it had come from a little girl's costume set. Sydney stared at it, aghast. Ainsley couldn't be serious, could she?
"No," she shook her head. "Uh, uh, no way."
"Yes way." Ainsley replied in a singsong voice as she proceeded to pin the veil to Sydney's head. "Now, that looks really cute."
"I am going to kill you," Sydney said.
"Now, if you do that, we won't let you in the car." Ainsley said with a sickly sweet smile. She stepped back out of Sydney's line of visions, revealing a shiny black stretch limousine parked out on the street.
"That's the car?" Sydney asked as Ainsley led her down the driveway.
"Of course it's the car!" Ainsley exclaimed. "We are doing tonight in style."
"Style? Uh, Ainz in case you haven't" noticed, I have netting on my head that looks like it belongs in a kindergarten dress up box."
"I know," Ainsley looked at her as she opened the limo door. "That's why I said 'we' and not you. Now come on, get in."
xxxxx
Weiss gave the two of them a wounded look. "You know, I think I speak for everybody when I say that that really hurts. We would never cause you, or anyone else intentional embarrassment."
Everybody, including Sydney and Vaughn cracked up at that. Weiss was giving the performance of his life.
Still chuckling, Vaughn leaned back into his seat. "So what did we miss while we were away?"
After a couple of hours, everybody started to leave. Francie was the last to go and after Sydney had farewelled her at the door she walked back inside.
Vaughn was standing at the edge of the living room, almost staring into space. Silently Sydney came up beside him, placing her arm around his waist.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
"Nothing. I was just going over everything that's happened since we were last here."
"Hard to believe that it was only a week ago."
xxxxx
Vaughn turned so he could face Sydney directly and cleared his throat.
"Sydney…Syd. I know that I'm probably starting to sound repetitive, but I love you and you know exactly how much. You mean the absolute world to me, and I plan on showing you that for the rest of our lives. You will always be the first thing on my mind in the morning when I wake up and be my last thought before falling asleep at night.
When we are together, everyday is significant, with moments that I will forever cherish. That cheeky smile that makes me melt every time, that quick wit that responds without fail and the beauty that you posses inside and out that somehow manages to touch all of those around you.
Sydney, you are the one who turns the lemons of my life into lemonade and I cannot wait for the moment- the moment when I get to call you my wife- when we can begin the rest of our lives."
Sydney took a moment, placing a hand on Vaughn's cheek, before the celebrant motioned towards her.
"Sydney…go ahead."
Drawing in a deep breath, Sydney started. "Vaughn, I never realized how hard it would be to put into words how much I love, cherish and respect you. How do I explain the emotions I experience every day? The awe at the fact that I have somebody like you supporting me? The joy at the laughter and happiness that you continue to give me everyday? And those tiny little butterflies in the pit of my stomach that still give a flutter when I look into those beautiful green eyes and realize that I'll be looking into them for the rest of my life?
It may be difficult to put into exact words the way I feel about you, but showing you everyday will be so easy. Never will I take you granted, never will I intentionally hurt you and my love for you will only continue to grow stronger as we go about spending the rest of our lives together.
Thank you Vaughn, for standing by me, for making me a stronger person, and for loving me as I am. I am thankful every day that we found other."
xxxxx
With a laugh, Vaughn shook his head slightly, as if to bring him back down to Earth. Turning slightly, he pulled Sydney into his arms.
"So…everybody's gone," he said, his eyebrows raised.
"Yup." Sydney smiled.
"We're alone."
"Yup."
Sydney's eyes widened as suddenly, without warning, Vaughn picked her up and spun her around in a small circle. With a laugh, Vaughn put her back down and then pressed his lips into hers.
"Now," he said, taking a step back. "Just exactly, before we were rudely interrupted, where were we?"
Sydney grinned mischievously. "I'm afraid that I've forgotten. I think I need you to refresh my memory."
"Vaughn!" Sydney burst into the house a few weeks later. "Vaughn!"
"What is it?" he asked, walking out of the study.
Sydney just grinned, holding up an envelope and Vaughn found himself laughing as he approached. "A letter for Mrs Vaughn?"
xxxxx
"We could go as Baby and Johnny!" She grabbed his hand. "Please, it wouldn't be an embarrassing costume, and you would look great…"
Sydney's voice faded to a buzz as Vaughn suddenly experienced his own epiphany. It would be a small price to pay, but…
"Ok," he said.
Sydney stopped short and looked at him, completely dumbfounded. She had thought she was going to have needed to do a whole lot of convincing before Vaughn agreed to her costume idea.
Weiss, on the other side of the room, exclaimed "What?" and Ainsley, Francie and Will were staring at him, their mouths slightly opened. But Vaughn ignored them all.
He knew how he was going to propose to Sydney.
- - - - -
Vaughn simply smiled, put his arm around shoulders and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Now was that a 'I had a good day' kiss, or a 'thank god you're home' kiss?" Sydney asked playfully.
"Umm, a 'thank god you're home' kiss." Vaughn replied.
"Good answer."
"Yeah, I thought so too." Vaughn murmured as their lips connected, not for the last time that night.
- - - - -
Sydney threw back her head as she burst out laughing. "Oh, if anybody was listening to this conversation…"
"They'd think we're nuts, hey?"
"Yup. They would say that we were completely off the wall."
"Well, at least we're both crazy." Vaughn smiled, tracing a finger down Sydney's cheek. "So maybe they'll lock us up together."
Sydney grinned as she pulled Vaughn on top of her. "Two crazy nuts locked away together, forever," she said, pressing her lips into his.
- - - - -
"Not bad." Sydney replied. "No meeting today?"
"Got cancelled." Vaughn said, reaching down, picking up a tennis ball and throwing it across the yard for Donovan to fetch.
"Oh ok." Sydney couldn't help but smile.
It didn't go unnoticed by Vaughn. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing." Sydney shook her head as she wound her arm around his waist. "It was just nice to come home and find you here."
Vaughn smiled and kissed the top of her head. "There is no other place I'd rather be."
xxxxx
"Sort of." Sydney handed the envelope over, allowing Vaughn to read it.
Mr and Mrs Michael and Sydney Vaughn"Got a nice ring to it, don't you think?" Sydney said, gleefully.
xxxxx
"Ok." Sydney smiled, resting her chin on her hands. "You wasted a roast on this one, Vaughn. Getting rid of you for a week- it should be me who's doing the fancy dinner!"
"Right." Vaughn held out his hand. "Give it back."
"Uh, uh." Sydney shook her head and held up her hand. "This baby is only being removed by force."
Vaughn raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Is that an invitation?"
Sydney stood up. "If that's how you want to interpret it."
Vaughn stepped around the bench. "I think it might be."
"Then get over here." Sydney said, gesturing with a finger. With a slow smile, Vaughn walked forward and pressed his lips into hers.
- - - - -
Vaughn leaned into her ear. "I missed you, too," he whispered.
"And just how much did you miss me?" Sydney asked playfully, wanting nothing more than to be swept up in his arms. But given that they were currently standing in his school's car park, with staff, students and parents milling about, that wasn't really an option
Vaughn, also mindful of their situation, glanced over his shoulder before answering quietly. "How about you take me home and I'll show you how much."
Sydney grinned and grabbed one of his bags.
- - - - -
"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."
- - - - -
"That's ok." Sydney said, smiling. "I forgive him."
"You do?" Vaughn and Weiss both blurted out in surprise.
"Of course I do. Vaughn, I love you."
"Even after this?" Vaughn inquired.
"Yes." Sydney stepped forward. "And do you know how much I love you?"
"How much?"
"This much!" Sydney pounced, placing kisses all over his face, and as a result smearing a considerable amount of paint onto him.
Vaughn jumped back laughing. He was still holding the brush, which he brandished like a weapon. "Care to take me on, Bristow?"
Sydney grinned, grabbing her roller. "Why certainly."
xxxxx
"Yeah, I think I could get used to it." Vaughn placed the envelope on the kitchen bench and then pulled Sydney close, his arms wrapped around her waist. "So, is this whole marriage thing as cracked up as you imagined?"
xxxxx"I thought coming home with me was your favourite part?" Vaughn asked, teasingly. "Remember?"
"It was. But now, since going home means going home to Danielle, Zambonie has moved up into first." She laughed softly at Vaughn's playfully wounded expression. "But I promise, it will go back to second as soon as Danielle moves out."
"Well, I guess I'll just have to…" Vaughn trailed off, his eyes back on the rink. "Oh come on, ref! Are you blind!"
Sydney smiled inwardly. No matter what the topic, conversations with Vaughn at hockey matches were never really all that successful.
"Where did you pull that from? This is hockey ref, not bloody ballet!"
Never.
- - - - -
"Vaughn, this isn't your fault." Sydney said, gently.
"Well, I can't blame Donovan. Who else is there to blame?"
"Nobody." Sydney said firmly.
Vaughn leaned back in the chair, rubbing his eyes. "When I saw him lying on that road…"
"Ssh." Sydney grabbed one of his hands. "Let's just wait to see what the vet has to say before you start thinking that way." But seeing the expression on Vaughn's face, Sydney knew that nothing she said could make Vaughn feel any better, and instead just wrapped him in her arms.
- - - - -
But she didn't need to wait that long. As she turned down the freezer aisle, she saw a familiar figure heading towards her.
When Vaughn spotted her, he stopped for a second, before continuing forward. "Hi," he said, positioning his trolley next to hers.
"Hi."
They smiled sheepishly at each other for a second before speaking.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
Hearing their voices in unison, both Sydney and Vaughn allowed themselves to laugh.
"Come on," Vaughn gestured with his head. "We'll get this shopping done quicker together."
- - - - -
"Well, then perhaps we should make the most of our last 'unmarried' and 'free' Christmas?" Sydney grinned, stepping back.
"What did you have in mind?" Vaughn asked suggestively.
Without a word Sydney headed into the pool room/study- specifically to the cupboard in there. Seconds later she appeared, with two water pistols in hand.
"What do you say, Vaughn?" Sydney winked as she tossed him one of the pistols and walked outside. "Shall we get it out of our systems now?"
"I don't know about you, Bristow, but I don't plan on getting anything out of my system." Vaughn shot back. "Whether we're married one year or fifty, I'll still be beating you in a water fight."
Sydney's only response was to hit him square in the face with a stream of water.
xxxxx
"Nope," Sydney replied.
xxxxxVaughn stared down and then looked at Sydney, his expression dumbfounded. "You just threw your mobile into the Pacific."
Sydney let out a short laugh through her tears. "I know."
"Syd," Vaughn stepped back and cupped her face, using the pads of his thumbs to wipe away her tears. "Listen to me. Everything is going to work out, ok. I promise. The caterers, the band, and the reception venue- they can all be sorted out. We have a month. And as for your aunts, your father is not going to be your only family there. All of my relatives see you as one of them. They love you so much. And what about Francie and Will? What about them? How many times have you said that they are family to you? And Weiss and Ainsley, they're a part of that family to. Our family."
- - - - -
"Well, you can move whenever you want," Sydney replied, bluntly. "But I'm staying home with Johnny."
Vaughn snorted. "Quickest turnaround I've ever witnessed."
Sydney smiled cheerfully. "I just figured that if we did this all the time, then it wouldn't feel half as special as it does now."
Vaughn inched his face closer to hers. "I like the way you think, Bristow."
"Well, that's good, cos here I was thinking that you were only marrying me for my body."
They were both smiling as their lips connected.
- - - - -
Sydney laughed and then winced. "Oh, my head."
"Looks like I wasn't the only one who had a big one."
"Yeah," Sydney groaned. "I keep having these flashes of me dancing on a podium."
"What?" Vaughn exclaimed.
"Don't get too excited." Sydney said. "There is no way I would do something like that. It's probably my mind playing tricks."
Vaughn allowed himself a small laugh as he shifted his position, enabling him to wrap his arms around Sydney.
"This time in two weeks, Syd…"
- - - - -
Vaughn switched the heat off and then turned to face Sydney. "I thought I wasn't, but…"
"When the subject was raised…" Sydney trailed off as Vaughn's face broke into a grin.
"You too, hey?"
"A little," Sydney admitted and then sat up straight. "But this isn't a bad thing, is it?"
Vaughn reached across the bench and clasped her hand. "Of course not. Nerves can be good. It's like when you get nervous before a big sporting final."
Sydney's eyebrows rose. "Vaughn, are you comparing our wedding to a hockey game?"
"Not just any hockey game," Vaughn replied. "A hockey final, Syd."
"Oh well, then I guess that's ok then." Sydney smiled.
xxxxx
"What?" Vaughn asked his expression slightly surprised.
xxxxx
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."
- - - - -
Sitting down at the kitchen bench, Sydney opened the envelope and pulled out a note.
Syd,
Just a little something new.
Love you,
Vaughn.
With a smile, Sydney looked back in the envelope and pulled out a tiny charm in the shape of two conjoined rings. She had to let out a small laugh. She had never told Vaughn that she would be wearing her charm bracelet, but somehow he just knew.
- - - - -
Vaughn picked up Sydney's hand, which was shaking slightly, much like his own. "Sydney, with this ring, I thee wed."
The celebrant then handed Sydney a ring. "Now Sydney…Michael, with this ring, I thee wed."
"Vaughn…" she paused as he let out a small chuckle. "Vaughn, with this ring, I thee wed."
The celebrant smiled. "I take great pleasure in now pronouncing you husband and wife. And now what you've been waiting for Michael, you may now kiss the bride."
Their lips were pressed together before the sentence was even completed.
- - - - -
Hand in hand, Sydney and Vaughn walked out to their waiting car which had been thoughtfully decorated with streamers and shaving cream by Weiss, Ainsley, Will, Francie, Craig and Amy.
As they drove off, Sydney wrapped her hand around Vaughn's. Her husband. It was so hard to comprehend.
"Can you believe that it's over?" Vaughn asked.
"To me, it hasn't even happened yet." Sydney laughed. "We're married. How weird is that?"
"I know," Vaughn agreed. "But I have a feeling that we'll be getting used to it pretty soon. Husband and wife. Has a pretty cool ring to it, don't you think?"
Sydney smiled, pressing her lips into his hand.
xxxxx
Sydney leaned up, her lips brushing his. "It's better."
THE END
A/N: Ah, it always a really bittersweet moment when you come to an end of a fic. Once again (and I know I sound repetitive, but I feel the need to say it all the time) I want to thank all of those who has supported me through this endeavour, to both those who read the fic, and especially to those who took the time to review. There is nothing more precious to a writer than hearing back from their readers, and no matter how bad my day has been, when I read what you guys think of my story, it always cheers me up.
So, again, thank you, thank you, thank you (I think that you get the picture) and I will be posting the sequel soon, so I hope to hear from you all again.
Thank you :D