The Aislin Chronicles

Part XVI

A/n: Oh goodness, it's been so long. I don't even know if I remember how to do this. I'm sorry this took so long, but this is my first free weekend since like… I can't even remember. Softball has been slowly killing me (literally, I think) during the weekdays and other junk has been taking up my weekends. Fortunately and unfortunately, I can no longer play softball or my cello due to a broken thumb, however I still have to go to practices and games which takes up time, though less than it used to. Hopefully I'll be able to write more often than I have been. I'm sorry for making you wait. I do miss writing a lot, I just haven't had time to do so. But here it is, long awaited Part XVI!

4-11-03

9:41 AM

Alas, we are heading home from a wonderful, glorious, perfect spring break. We've been on the road for about twenty minutes, and already I can see a huge difference in the amount of snow. There's so much less the further down the mountain we are. I just can't wait to get home. I can't wait to tell all my friends about Syd and Dad getting married and eeeek this is going to be so much fun!

9:46 AM

Wait. School. Icky.

9:49 AM

Ian… Nice.

I'll have to think about that one for a while.

4-11-03

11:24 PM

We got back around 4:30, but we all were hungry for dinner so we went and got Chinese. I had some killer chicken fried rice, I mean, it was amazing. They played this weird music at the restaurant that can only be described as They Might Be Giants in Chinese. It was funny. Anyway, I dumped out my suitcase full of dirty clothes and they're sitting in this huge ginormous pile next to my bed. Perhaps I should do the laundry. Hm. I'm too lazy to find the hamper, put all my clothes in it, carry it downstairs… Oh the effort is too much for me.

I called Jess earlier but no one was there. I guess they're not back from vacation yet. I considered leaving a message, but I stopped myself. I can just picture her overly-large family surrounding the little machine listening to a far-too-enthusiactic Irish teenager (hehe I'm a teenager!) ramble on about her dad and Syd being engaged.

Because that is what you are for, journal, not a machine. (Pause: ENGAGED! AHH!)

I hope she gets home tomorrow. I'll try her then, while Syd and Dad are at work. I know, I can't believe they have to work so soon either. It's crazy. It's cruel. It's un-American. Well, I don't know about that last one. I don't quite have myself a definition of what makes things American or not yet. Mum was half American, so I guess I'm a quarter. But like. All the immigrants. One can't really be American. Mum's Mum was from Irish immigrants anyway, so I suppose I could be good ol' 100 percent. Ah, whatever. It's too late to be thinking about such things. Night night.

4-12-03

10:19 AM

Gooooood morning, Los Angeles. We have a sunny skies with a high of a warm temperature. I think I'll take Donovan on a walk today. Went to pour myself a bowl of cereal then realized we had no milk because we drank it all before we left on vacation. So I ate me Cheerios dry. All we have are crackers. And fruit roll-ups. And some peanut-butter. This shall make for an interesting lunch later.

I'm home alone with the dog, watching some lame cartoons because there is nothing else to do. I really should get a jump on that laundry, but again, too lazy.

10:27 AM

Oh man, I just realized something. If Syd's at work today, and she's wearing the ring (and she obviously is, I don't think we could pry it off her hand), then surely Jack will find out… Oh God. Poor Dad. He better take cover and run. Though maybe he won't be that bad. Maybe he'll realize that Sydney will be happy.

10:28 AM

Hahahahahhahahahahaha, no! Sorry, I just saw the absurdity in that. Dad's a dead man walking, if he's not dead already. Nah, I think the police would have phoned by now. Haha, Jack understanding. What am I, on crack? Hahaha…

2:45 PM

AHH JESS IS HOME! Yayness! Oh my gosh I can't wait to tell her! I just called and her mom answered and she's getting her right now! Ooh, I'll record it on the pen so I can write it all down in a bit. Here she is!

2:59 PM

"Aislin, hey!"

"Jess-oh-my-gosh-you're-back-what-took-you-so-long-the-best-thing-ever-happened-on-spring-break-I-have-to-tell-you!" Silence. I was confused. "Jess?"

"Sorry. It was too fast, and you're accent, I was just like… Whoa."

"My bad. The best thing ever happened on spring break! Guess!"

"Um, you found a tap dancing chicken and you're making billions as we speak on eBay?"

Honestly, where does she come up with this stuff? "Better. My dad proposed to Syd. And she said yes!" Jess squealed in happiness and I couldn't stop smiling.

"That's awesome! Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!"

"I know, but let's keep it between us for now, we can surprise everyone in school on Monday."

"School, ugh, don't remind me."

"I really want to see Ian."

"Ooooh, Ian," she mocks me and starts to giggle. "That reminds me. I um… sort of like Adam again. Like, I really sort of like him." Great, this again. Jess's crush on Adam has been consistently on and off since fifth grade, I'm told.

That's pretty much the conversation, she blabbered on about her trip with Adam for a while, then she asked for detail about the proposal and such. Good conversation. But I think I'm going to go take a nap now. Talking to that girl exhausts me.

5:45 PM

Sydney just called, she's picking me up and we're going to Will and Francie's for dinner. She said Dad would meet us there. Apparently Jack wanted to talk with him before he left. Sydney's freaking out, she doesn't want her fiancé to die. Neither do I. I seriously hope I'm wrong about Jack. Oh my God, what if he talks Dad out of marrying Sydney? He would never do that. Would he? No. No. He wouldn't. Hm, I'm tempted to call his cell phone just to see if he's still alive.

8:40 PM

So Francie flipped out when she saw Sydney's engagement ring. I bet she already has half the wedding planned. If possible, she is more excited than I am. But first things first. I get into Sydney's car and she's holding her cell phone, just staring at it. "Tempted to call Dad, are you?" She nodded. I just laughed at her, pretending Jack wasn't slaughtering him as we spoke.

She was fine when we got to Francie's place. Then of course she asked where lover boy was, and we told her with Jack. She knew that was bad and quickly changed the subject. The best part of the evening was seeing Will's reaction to the engagement. He was like… I don't know. The look on his face for the tiniest second looked like he had just walked in on grandma in the shower. Priceless. That face shall be forever imprinted in my mind and I shall laugh hysterically. Like now. Hahahahaha!

Dinner was ready and Dad wasn't there yet. Sydney wanted to call him, I could tell, but she said we should start eating. Dad wouldn't want us to wait for him anyway. Luckily, no– miraculously, we hear someone pull into the driveway and then someone knocks at the door. And it was Dad. He was alive! Though perhaps wounded. But living, breathing, walking, nonetheless.

9:01 PM

Hm, that was weird. My eye just started twitching.

9:02 PM

Immediately Syd and I pelted him with questions (after of course Syd gave him a welcoming kiss). He didn't say anything so we led him to the table and set a plate of food in front of him. Once eating, he started to talk. "Sydney and I were about to leave when suddenly there was Jack, looming near our only exit." Okay, this isn't exactly word for word. I'm just making it sound more dramatic. "His eyes glared into mine and I felt a light sweat permeate my skin." Too over the top? "I cracked my knuckles and boldly stepped forward. I reached for Sydney's hand at my side but thought better of touching his daughter in any way, shape, or form directly in his line of vision.

"Jack said, 'I believe a congratulations are in order.' He didn't crack a smile. Or blink. I glanced at Sydney and she muttered a thank-you, flashing a smile, glanced back at me. I reluctantly tore my eyes away from her beauteous form, feeling the deathly stare of Jonathon Donahue Bristow pierce my soul. When I met his eyes again, I thought only one word: death." Hmmm, death seems too extreme, especially when Dad really said, "I was kinda worried." Let me think… Ah. "When his eyes met mine they telegraphed one thought: you're not going anywhere. And I knew I wasn't. 'Sydney, will you excuse us for a moment?' he asked so politely for such a diabolical man.

"I turned back to Sydney and pleaded with my eyes, 'Dear God don't go don't go don't leave me here to die alone.' And that little witch– that sexy little witch –she smiled at her father. 'Sure. Vaughn, just meet me at Francie's later, okay? I'll go get Aislin.' And her cunning eyes and sweet little smile made me melt to her every wish. 'Okay.' I answered innocently, momentarily forgetting the doom that awaited. And in that momentary lapse, what else could she do to piss him off but lean in to kiss me goodbye. At least she's a good kisser." That part he actually said! She blushed, giggle.

"And there I stood with fate in front of me, my eyes set straight forward locked in with his. I wished I could read his mind. I wish I had researched his past. How many methods of torture did this man know? In how many languages could he tell me to 'get the hell away from his daughter?' Then the fear set in and my body went numb.

9:13 PM

God, why is my eye twitching?

"Then he asked me a simple question in which I was completely unprepared for: So, you proposed to Sydney? I was ready to shout, 'I HAVEN'T TOUCHED HER WE HAVEN'T HAD SEX!' but thankfully answered with a casual, 'Yes, sir. During our vacation.' He was much calmer than I suspected. I didn't feel threatened by him, well, as long as I wasn't looking straight at him. However, I was speaking with Jack Bristow, after all, and there was always another way to intimidate me. And he found it. Silence. Complete. Utter. Silence. So deafening I wanted to shout, nearly did. Finally he had cornered me into looking straight at him. So I sucked in fear and stuck out my chest and succumbed to this powerful, powerful man. 'Do you love my daughter, Agent Vaughn?' I just knew he was one of those people who always surprises you. 'I love her more than anything. I love her more than life itself. My love for her is like oxygen, love is a many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love.'" Wow, way over done on that one, I'll admit. Just cut it down to 'I love her more than anything.' "Jack inhaled deeply and slowly let it out in a sigh. 'And you will take care of her and protect her?' 'Forever.'

"And now was Jack's most difficult moment, should he accept me, deny me, shoot me down and throw me to the wolves? He made his decision with confidence. At least I hope. He stuck out his hand, and I shook it firmly. Acceptance. Sweet, delectable acceptance. Now Sydney was all mine to have and to hold, among other things, til death do us part. 'Thank-you, sir," I said as I slowly inched towards the door, hoping desperately that our conversation was finished. Then somewhat hesitantly I changed my words, 'Mr. Bristow.' Then somewhat idiotically, probably because of the increased distance I tried, 'Jack.' I didn't push my luck with 'Dad.'

"'If you hurt my daughter in any way, I will kill you. And if you run, I will hunt you down and give you more pain than you have felt in your entire life, and then I will slowly slice your skin open and watch you bleed to death. Is that understood?' I gulped and nodded. 'Yes, sir.' Sir sounded good for a while."

Oh, come on. You know Jack didn't say all that. But you know that was so much more fun! Oh journal, you must think I'm positively insane. I belong in the loony bin. With the cuckoos who think their bunny slippers talk to them.

Before I forget, dinner was fantastic. Francie is an amazing cook. She is totally catering wedding too. Oh, I bet their three-to-five tier cake with the little bride and groom on top will be stunning. And extremely delicious. Mmm, cake…

Speaking of cake (not really), I can't wait until I see Jack. I want to call him Grandpa and see what happens. I'm a minor and we "bonded" so he can't kill me. I should receive a quality reaction out of that. Probably better than Will's naked grandma face, hehe.

Well, tomorrow is officially my last day of spring break before I return to school, and I intend on staying up as late as possible as this is my last non-school night for a whole five days. And all this writing is making my hand tired. I feel a cramp coming on and- ahhh, there it is. Ouchies.

A/n: I was a writing machine today. And I watched three episodes of Alias, 'twas inspiring. You gotta love those commentaries. "I love you, JJ." "I love you too, Greg." Well, I'm off to go talk to my duck slippers (I lack bunny slippers. And ducks are better anyway. Just ask Edmund and No-Name). Please leave me a lovely review to wake up to tomorrow! Happy Mother's Day too. And feliz belated Cinco de Mayo! I can't tell you when I'll get the next chapter written, life's as unpredictable as… Something. Unpredictable?