Chapter 45: Support

"The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
Form an eagle in his flight." – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. And he is your board and your fireside. For you come to him in hunger, and you seek him in peace. – Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet)


After the group was done with reliving their trick incident, and after a healthy dose of teasing from Vaughn and Sydney, the group was ready to settle down for the night.

Sydney was sitting next to Vaughn on the bed, and Will and Francie were sharing a comfortable chair across from the bed.

Will asked, "So, you mean people want to do dinner and a movie again tonight, or something else? Or should we go to my place and leave you in peace?"

Sydney smiled, "No, you guys are welcome to stay. What do you want to do honey?" Sydney asked Vaughn, leaving the decision up to him.

He smiled knowing exactly what she was doing, "Dinner and a movie sounds great."

Will pushed Francie off of his lap and she said, "Hey! Don't think I've forgive you for the road mishap mister."

He shook his head at Sydney and Vaughn, "Come on! Let's go make dinner, can't we just forget about it?" he asked.

The two could be heard as they went down the hall and they heard Francie say, "Yeah, right…I'm never letting you forget it…"

Sydney smiled at Vaughn and leaned down to kiss him. She lingered after the kiss, playing with his hair.

He smiled up at her.

"Didn't I tell you it would be alright?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, you did, you were correct…as always."

"See, that's what Will needs to learn…agreeability – always agree with the woman."

"Of course," he said.

"Right where you belong," she muttered as she placed her head on his chest and her hand on his heart.

Sydney and Vaughn relaxed on the bed while Francie and Will made dinner. They talked quietly and listened to the other couple talk and bicker, but it was a bickering of love, and when Will came to retrieve them for dinner, both could tell that all had been resolved.

"You too enthusiasts ready to eat?" he asked.

Sydney smiled, "Yeah, we're ready…" Will came over to the bed and helped Sydney get Vaughn out to the living room. They placed him on the couch again, reclining and Sydney sat on the edge. Will and Francie once again sat on the floor in front of the couple and they had another enjoyable dinner. Will and Francie insisted once again on cleaning up and Sydney and Vaughn relaxed on the couch. Sydney moved behind Vaughn so she was holding him in a loose embrace and she started playing with his hair. She laughed as she could make it look completely unruly, yet completely natural and sexy. They spoke softly as they watched, mesmerized by the dance of the flames in the fireplace. Vaughn yawned and Sydney looked down at him with love in her eyes.

"You tired baby?" she asked.

"Yeah…" he replied.

She moved down his head, until she was playing with the soft hairs at the bottom of his hairline. She watched happily as his eyelids started to flutter and his breath became slower and deeper. The crackle of the fire and Sydney's hands playing with his hair, eased him into a comfortable sleep. She could hear Francie and Will still in the kitchen and wanted to make sure they didn't wake him. She tried to be as quiet as she could and said in just above a whisper, "Will?" She got no response, so she said it again at the same volume, but a little more demanding, "Will!" He poked his head out curiously, eyebrows turning in a downward motion.

"Syd? Did you call me?"

"Shh!" she said.

"Sorry, " he whispered. "What's up?"

She motioned to Vaughn sleeping in her arms. "He fell asleep…I don't want to wake him up. I think we'll have to wait on the movie."

"That's fine…do you want me to help you move him?"

"Uh, I don't think so, I think he'd wake up and we might hurt him if we tried to move him without him being awake."

"Ok…Fran and I will just park it in her room, she's got a TV, and I'm sure we can find something to occupy our time."

"I'm sure you can," she said.

"I'll go tell her."

"Ok."

Will went back to the kitchen and she could hear them whispering. She went back to playing with Vaughn's hair and listening to his sleep-breathing. Sydney yawned herself but smiled when Francie came out of the kitchen. Francie took a look at Vaughn and whispered, "Is he going to be ok sleeping out here?"

"I think he should be…I'll move him in a little while once I'm sure he's sleeping soundly."

"Move him? By yourself?"

"No, I mean move him on the couch, I'll make him more comfortable right here…"

"He looks pretty comfortable right now Syd. He looks really peaceful…and awfully cute…Damn!" she smiled.

Sydney brushed her hand through his hair, "Yeah, he's a sweetie…he does look cute, doesn't he?" she said.

Francie smiled wider, "Yeah…he really does…he looks about eight…"

"I was thinking nine…" she smiled.

"Let us know if you need anything…you want another blanket?"

"Sure, thanks…"

Francie exited and came back in a minute with a fluffy blanket and a few extra pillows. "Just in case," she said as she winked at Sydney. "Just call if there's anything else."

"Ok, thanks Fran."

"You bet, Good night."

Will popped his head out again and joined his girlfriend, "G'night Syd."

"Good night Will. Thanks for all your help."

"Sure," he said smiling.

Will and Francie went off down the hall, and Sydney watched the fire dance for her for a few more minutes. She looked down at Vaughn, and he was resting peacefully. Once she was satisfied that he was in a deep sleep, she inched her way out from under him and went to the bedroom to find her pajamas. She came back with hers on and Vaughn's in her hand. She eased him into a sitting position and thanked herself once again for putting him in a button-up shirt. She took the pajama shirt out (also button-up, she noted) and got him into that. Then she removed his pants and left him in his boxers for bed.

She went to the bathroom, discarded the clothes, brushed her teeth and came back to him. He hadn't stirred, so she knew he was comfortable. She carefully moved him down so he was laying more on the couch than reclining, checked his oxygen and then lay down with him on the couch. His arm automatically moved to encase her in his grip and she nuzzled close to him while she held on to him as well. It didn't take her long before she was dozing, and before she knew it, the fire and Vaughn's warm body lulled her to sleep as well.