Sydney to the Max Season 5: Episode 18 - The Next Stage of Life

Written By: "Fun But Shy Girl", Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman

2025:

Sydney and Olive were both looking through wedding dress books in the living room of Sydney's home. As they flipped through pages, Sydney said, "Ooo. What about that one?" Olive then said, "Hmm. A little too much sleeve action going on there. And like I told you, I'm preferring to going sleeveless." Sydney then closed up her book and said, "Well I think we've looked through enough today. We'll try dresses on next week." Then Olive raised an eyebrow and said, "Or maybe we both can." A confused looking Sydney then said, "What are you talking about?" Then Olive said, "Well I've seen how close you and Harry have been lately. All those picnics in the park you two have, the way your eyes get fixated on each other whenever you're in the same room, the way you two excitedly make out when any of us walk out of the room for a few seconds and you think we don't know what you're doing." Sydney suddenly had a guilty look on her face as she said, "What are you getting at Olive?"

Olive then said, "Well me and Emmy are getting married in five months. So... maybe it could be a double wedding." Sydney looking very hesitant said, "I don't know Olive. Me and Harry still have some growing up to do." Then Olive plainly said, "Sydney. He's not a stranger. You've known him since the dark times. You know... before you knew me." Then Sydney said, "Well, me and Harry haven't really discussed it much. We both love each other, but it gets kind of weird when we talk about the topic." Then Olive said, "Well make it un-weird. Talk about it with him Sydney. You two deserve to be happy and begin the next stage of your life."

Suddenly, the two door opened and Emmy walked in followed by Sophia who was holding Lauren. Sydney then said, "Hey girls. How did the wedding dress shopping go?" Then an excited Emmy said, "I found the cutest outfit ever, and put it on layaway. But then later I saw something cuter." Sophia looking a bit embarrassed said, "Oh Emmy, you don't have to show them." Then Emmy said, "I had to stop by the photo store and have it immediately developed and framed. Look!" Then Emmy took out of her bag a picture of Sophia laying on the grass outside with a big smile on her face as she held Lauren in her hands holding her just a foot over her body. Lauren had a big happy smile in the photo as she held her arms excitedly out. Sydney's face melted with happiness as she said, "Aww. Sophia, that is such a beautiful picture." Then Emmy said, "I know. That's why we printed and framed two. One for Sophia, and one for Lauren to keep as she grows up."

Then Sophia handed Lauren over to Sydney as she said, "Well, it's your turn to look after the little one this afternoon. You sure you don't need any help?" Then Sydney said, "Nah, I'll be fine. Besides, Harry is coming over in a bit to help." Then Olive, Emmy, and Sophia all grinned as they said, "Oooo." Then Sydney rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, yeah. Now go have fun at Olive's place watching movies on her big new TV set." Then as the three teenage girls grabbed their belongings, Olive winked as she said, "Have a nice talk with Harry." Sydney sighed and smirked as she said, "I will. Enjoy the rest of your day ladies."

Sydney and Harry both sat on the floor of Lauren's room as they watched Lauren playing with toys. Sydney with a happy face said, "Come on Lauren. Catch the ball." Sydney threw a ball to Lauren, which Lauren perfectly caught. Sydney and Harry both clapped, as Harry said, "Good job Lauren. Now you get to ride the horse." Harry then got on all fours, as Lauren climbed on his back. Harry then slowly walked around the room as he said, "Hold on." Lauren giggled, as Sydney smiled and said, "You are so great with kids Harry." As Harry carried Lauren around the room he said, "Well I've had experience with my cousin now, and, well... you give me confidence too Sydney. You know I wasn't sure if I could ever be a parent one day, but you and Lauren... you make me feel like I really can now." Sydney smiled, and then looked a clock nearby and said, "Ooo. It's nap-time for Lauren."

Sydney placed Lauren in her crib, and then stepped out into the hallway where Harry was waiting. A casual sounding Harry then said, "Okay. So now what do you want to do?" Then Sydney immediately pushed Harry into a wall and kissed him passionately on the lips. Harry was surprised at first, but kissed Sydney back. Then Sydney moved her face away as a pleased looking Harry said, "Wow. What brought that on?" Then Sydney looked a bit nervous but excited as she said, "Harry... do you wanna get married?" Harry had a look of confusion, surprise, and nervousness on his face as he said, "What?" Sydney began to look a bit more nervous now as she said, "I mean, not now. But... I was just thinking... one day..." Then Harry trying to look a biit more calm now said, "You mean like one day years from now?" Then Sydney looking more nervous said, "More like... right after high school like Olive and Emmy are."

Harry then headed down the stairs and towards the living room couch as he said, "Sydney... I... we're both still so young." Then as Sydney followed Harry she said, "Yeah, but our relationship isn't. We've known each other for years." Then as the two both sat down on the couch together, Harry said, "Sydney... we're about to go to college. People grow and change in college. What if we grow and change and realize we aren't compatible anymore." Then Sydney with a bold and more confidant voice said, "Well people that get married in their 30's change a lot by the time they reach their 70's, and they seem to be just fine. We can't wait for the perfect moment Harry. It's never gonna come." Then Harry said, "And I agree. But... what about the wrong moment? Sydney... both my parents were in serious and long relationships when they were in high school. But those relationships ended when they started college. I just... need to start the journey of adulthood for a little while, to make absolutely sure I'm ready to share my adult life with you."

Sydney sighed and said, "Yeah. My mom and dad waited quite awhile too. It's just... Harry, when I'm with you... I know me and you and right for each other. I want to wake up next to you forever, and raise children together. God, Harry, I want us to start a family sooner than later. I'm ready for the next stage of our lives." Harry smiled as he held Sydney's hand and said, "Tell you what Sydney. If you're so confidant in us, I'll try to be more open minded. So I'm gonna give you some time to think about it. If your mind still hasn't changed in the near future, then I'll consider us getting married sooner than later. But... if you start to realize that maybe we should wait a bit longer, then I'll wait as long as you want to. Okay?" Sydney sighed, then nodded her head, and said, "Okay."

That evening, Sydney was sitting naked in the bath tub, as Lauren swam in the bath tub wearing nothing but two little orange floaties on her arms. As Sydney washed Lauren's hair she said, "What do you think Lauren? Harry loves me, he loves kids, we're going to the same college together, we get along, we support each other's goals and dreams... why isn't he jumping at the chance to marry me as soon as possible?" Lauren reached at a toy boat in the bath tub as she said, "Ba ba!" Sydney smiled as she handed Lauren the toy boat and said, "But, contrary to what I'd like to admit, I do listen to the adults in my life. And they always tell me to be careful, because emotions can really drive you to do crazy things while you're young. But isn't it for the best that I get married when I'm crazy and young? Because if I do it when I'm older and smarter, I might suddenly realize all the reasons why I don't want to get married. Or would waiting make me realize why I should've definitely gotten married young, and then I'd be filled with regret."

Lauren waved her arms and splashed around as she giggled. Sydney giggled a bit too and said, "Look at you Lauren. You're in no rush to grow up. But if you were fully aware of how amazing being older is, would you want to rush to the next great stage of your life?" Lauren splashed some more water as she yelled, "Ba ba ba!" Sydney smirked as she said, "You're pretty good for an unlicensed therapist. Okay. Time to get you dried off." Then Sydney took the orange floaties off Lauren's arms, and held her up. Then Lauren instantly wrapped her arms around Sydney, hugging her as she yelled, "Sissy!" Sydney then held Lauren close as she hugged her gently while resting her right cheek against Lauren's young head. As Sydney had a warm smile on her face she said, "Love you too sis."

Sydney placed Lauren in her crib as she smiled and said, "Good night Lauren." Lauren smiled as she said, "Nigh Sissy!" Sydney smiled back as she stepped out of Lauren's room. Then as Sydney entered the hall, she saw Sophia and Emmy standing there. Confused, Sydney said, "Hey. Everything okay? I thought I heard you both walk in earlier, then you left, and came back later." Then Sophia with a slightly guilty smile said, "Well..." Then Emmy excitedly said, "We know it might not have been polite, but we peaked in and saw you having a bath with Lauren, and well... we took this picture and had it framed." Emmy then gave to Sydney a framed picture of herself holding Lauren in the bath tub. The picture showed Sydney's back at a slight angle as Lauren's little arms and hands reached around it, while the little smiling face peered over Sydney's shoulder. Sydney's head was turned to the side, with her eyes closed and her face looking peaceful as she gently brushed her right cheek against Lauren's head. As Sydney looked at the picture, tears appeared in her eyes as she said, "It's beautiful. Thank you." Then a smiling Sophia said, "And we got two. One for you, and one for Lauren as she grows up." As Sydney held her picture close to her, Emmy then said, "So... how was your time with Harry? Any big new changes happen tonight?" Then Sydney looked at the photograph again and said, "Yeah. And I think I've realized that... I want to enjoy life the way it is for just awhile longer before I move onto the next great stage."

THE END