AN: Music for this Chapter (on repeat): I Don't Want to Know (Instr.) by Mario, Feelin' Love by Paula Cole, Try by Nelly Fertado, Delirium Silence (remix) by Sarah McLachlan, In My Place by Coldplay, The Russian Dervish-Marta's Dance by Celtic Dance, Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago Soundtrack, Leave No Man Behind by Hans Zimmer from Black Hawk Down Soundtrack
SIXTEEN
o
"Jack, where the hell are you?" Kendall's voice boomed over the phone as Jack took a seat on the front steps of the palace. "According to your cell phones, the three of you are all on separate continents following 'this lead,' but somehow I doubt that as the signals haven't left the airports."
"I can't discuss that at this time without jeopardizing my contact or myself."
"Your contact?" Kendall sniffed the air, having a good idea who that 'contact' was. "You mean Derevko?"
Jack remained silent on the other end of the phone.
"Your silence speaks volumes, Jack."
"I will neither confirm nor deny the name of my contact, this is nothing new, Kendall. It's standard protocol for Agents in the field to protect their contacts. I'm calling to ask what you've found out about the other nine agents Irina… Derevko has supposedly murdered."
Kendall had heard the slip up Jack made by calling her Irina but ignored it. "We've found red flags in all of their missions, some of which were acknowledged at the time as suspect but were overlooked after the agents were supposedly killed. One more of the remaining nine has been positively identified as KGB." Kendall sighed rubbing his temples at the mess this all was creating.
"Who?" Jack asked, rubbing his temples thinking much the same.
"Paul McCallister otherwise known as Peter Malkovich."
"Paul?" Jack sighed and shook his head.
"You knew him?"
"Apparently as well as I knew my wife." Jack stood and began pacing thinking about how he could have been so blind then. 'No that wasn't true' he thought. "Actually, I didn't really know him that well even under the pretense that he was 'Paul the CIA analyst.' The guy was Arvin's roommate at the Farm and we worked together with him on a few missions." Jack was quiet a moment thinking about some comments that he had made to 'Paul' on one of those missions about Laura/Irina when they were discussing their wives. He couldn't help but wonder now if 'Paul' had really known who 'Laura' was at that time and was secretly laughing at the stupid American fool gushing over his amazing 'wife.' "What about Sloane and Cuvee?" Jack suddenly remembered who he was on the phone with.
"We've learned Sloane just recently purchased fertility research and surgical equipment from a German medical supplier under the alias 'Omnifam Corporation' but from there we've lost the trail."
"I can only speculate what the hell he's going to do with that and what it has to do with Irina and the Rambaldi Prophecy." Jack's concern was growing even more now with the news.
"Actually, we think we have some idea from the decoded Rambaldi pages Sydney recovered from Cuvee's office." Kendall added hesitantly. "The documents were incomplete in their decoding but from what has been decoded, it would seem, that Sloane is going to attempt to use Derevko as a human incubator of sorts for the second coming of Rambaldi. Something about creating 'The Chosen Child' of 'The Chosen One' from the descendant of Rambaldi and apparently, it is 'that' child that will bring utter desolation to the world."
"What?" Jack practically shouted into the phone, feeling his blood pressure rising. "Good God… he's mad. Absolutely crazy." Shaking his head, "I'm coming back. I'll be in touch."
*I Don't Wanna Know (Instr) *
He pushed 'End' on the phone and clenched his fists, irate at the situation. He had to go back and find Sloane before he found Irina. He was nowhere near working out a plan with Irina on how they could make this work between them, keep her safe and get rid of Sloane and Cuvee, together; and now he had to leave. His frustrations over the situation getting the best of him, he threw the phone into the bushes.
Seconds after realizing that it was a stupid thing to do, throwing an, 'already upset' Irina's secure phone into the bushes, he climbed the small railing and began searching.
That is how Katya found him moments later. "Jack…what are you doing?"
"Getting the phone." He spat angrily, holding up the phone triumphantly, stalking out of the bushes. "What are you doing here? Too old to party with the kids?"
"No, not too old, too tired. Why was it in the bushes, Jack?" She asked sarcastically, helping him to brush stray leaves from his back and shoulders. "A telemarketer perhaps?" She laughed.
"No. Kendall." He sighed, "I am leaving in the morning."
"What? Why? You just arrived… and Sydney-" She thought about the look on her niece's face earlier in the evening and knew she needed more time with her mother.
"Is staying." Jack turned his eyes to Katya. "At least for a couple of more days… I know she and Irina need this time."
"So do you, Jack." Katya insisted.
"Yes," Jack admitted, "But her safety must come before anything else and she is not safe… I have to leave now."
"She will be very disappointed." Katya dropped her hand from his shoulder and together they made their way up the steps.
"I'll make it up to her."
"I'm sure you will." Katya smiled coyly at him and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Jack."
"Jack," She stopped in the foyer and turned suddenly, "I love my sister and her happiness is my happiness, her heartbreak is my heartbreak, we share pieces of each others' hearts… please don't break our hearts and let this second chance slip by." She smiled, feeling the tears forming in her eyes. "Remember… patience."
Jack nodded in silent agreement, afraid to speak and watched her disappear into the library before heading up the staircase in search of Irina.
"Irina," Jack tapped on her bathroom door, "May I come in?" His mind instantly flashing back to Panama and the same question he'd asked her that morning.
When he received no response, he steeled himself for entry.
*Feelin Love *
The lights were dimmed and soft candles lit the room. An enormous claw foot tub sat at the far end of the room, in what appeared to be an atrium made of glass on all sides, giving the occupant of the tub a spectacular view of the property and night sky.
Irina's dark hair could be seen hanging over the back of the tub, the rest of her surrounded by mountains of bubbles, save one knee bent sticking out.
As Jack approached, he could see that she had fallen asleep. He squatted quietly beside the tub, taking in the beauty before him.
"It's not polite to stare." Irina's voice breaking his reverie, her eyes still closed. "So, should I be packing, expecting a Delta Team storming in at any moment or can I keep sleeping in my nice warm bath?"
"No Delta Teams. You can keep your beautiful self, right where you are."
"Good. I'm too comfortable to move." Her eyes remaining closed throughout the entire conversation, avoiding eye contact with Jack, and distracted by his hands.
"Are you still angry with me?" Jack asked softly dragging his fingers lazily up and down the part of her thigh that was exposed.
"Not angry. Annoyed." Her eyes remained closed.
"Well, that's better than angry." Jack kept up his mesmerizing finger assault on her already burning flesh. "I'm sorry for being so intrusive into your life… old habits are going to be hard to break."
"I'm sorry, too," she finally opened her eyes. "I should have just told you who I was on the phone with but… it's also an old habit of mine to deflect your questioning." She pulled a wet hand from the bubbles, running her own assault on the flesh of Jack's forearm. "If you don't mind my asking," she paused meeting his eyes, "what did you tell Kendall?"
"I didn't reveal where I was or whom I was with though he guessed."
Irina's eyes immediately filled with concern knowing what associating with her could cost them.
"I neither confirmed nor denied to protect my source as standard protocol and he dropped it. He had other things to tell me."
"Like what?" She caressed the tip of his fingers with hers making it difficult for Jack to concentrate.
"Do you really want to talk about that right now?" Jack slid his hand under the bubbles into dangerous territory.
"Not really." She surprised him by forcefully grabbing his arm and pulling him to her mouth, halfway into the tub, kissing him hard, and soaking his clothes, splashing water onto the floor.
"I'm all wet." Jack backed up in mock surprise when the kiss ended.
"That makes two of us." Irina cocked her eyebrow giving him a seductive smile. "The only difference, Agent Bristow; is that you're still in your clothes… and I'm growing impatient waiting for you to join me."
Jack needed no more encouragement and began slowly and seductively removing his clothing, enjoying the reaction his strip tease was getting out of Irina.
Licking and biting her lip in anticipation, as Jack slowly climbed into the tub where they proceeded to make slow, sensual love. Jack savoring every look, every touch, knowing it might be a while before he was with her again.
"Jack Bristow is returning from wherever he is. Kendall fed him the decoded document information as well as telling him about the information you leaked about the purchasing of the medical supplies."
"Good. Then our plan is working out perfectly. If he has been with Irina, that I am positive he has, then his obsession with catching me will leave Irina unguarded and vulnerable, making it easier for us to capture her." Sloane smiled slyly to himself running his finger over a picture of Irina lying on his desk. "I've also put the word out to tail Katya Derevko. Someone has been helping to keep Irina hidden and still keep her organization running. I have to believe that even though they haven't spoken in years, the only one that Irina would trust with such responsibility would have to be her sister. So keep your ears open."
*Try *
With Jack settled behind her, Irina bent forward to shut the water off after refilling the tub with warm water. She lay back against Jack's chest, her slippery skin causing his already aching body to react with yet another round of desire.
Gently, he ran his hands down her arms and laced his fingers with her own. Irina brought them both to rest on her belly, enjoying the feel of both their hands caressing the kicking child inside. Their legs entangled, Jack leaned his cheek down to rest against the side of Irina's face, thinking about another time, another place he chuckled at their situation, the deep vibrations shaking both he and Irina.
"I know what you're thinking." She smiled.
"You do?" He asked surprised that she would remember and having a flashback to the train 'toaster' conversation.
"Yes. That trip to Santa Barbara when I was pregnant with Sydney." Irina began to giggle at the memory.
"That's right." Jack laughed and pulled her closer.
"We gave that old couple quite the show." They both laughed together. "I'll never forget the look on their faces."
"Who didn't we give a show back then, Irina? We were always getting into trouble."
"And you wonder where our daughter gets it, Jack." She turned her head to look at him raising the incredulous eyebrow.
"We were young and crazy then." He tried to reason with her, knowing he was making a muted point.
"Yes," Irina sighed turning her attention back to her belly. "Out of our minds."
Her sudden mood change did not go unnoticed by Jack. "Was that one of those times?" Jack caressed her tub-wrinkled fingers with his. "That the 'illusion of our marriage was just as powerful for you as it was for me?" Jack recited the first thing she had said to him in twenty years from that morning in her cell.
"Yes," She answered honestly, pulling Jack's arms closer to her body, one just below her breasts and the other below her belly, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "But I also knew I was playing with fire… falling so deeply in love with you, and our unborn child… leaving myself vulnerable to being caught by either the CIA… or worse the KGB because I wasn't thinking as an Agent… I was thinking as a wife and mother."
Jack's hands turned Irina's over and for the first time, he noticed the scars on her wrists from the cuffs that dug into bones while she was being gang raped. He swallowed hard and tried not to concentrate on them and alert her to the fact that was what he was looking at and thinking about. "Do you ever regret taking the assignment to marry me?" His throat tightened with her admission and his thinking about the prison and torture she had to endure and now thinking about how she was punished even after by forcing her into life as an assassin because she couldn't and wouldn't take his.
Irina once again turned in his arms to face him, letting her fingers caress his cheek and jaw. "Sometimes, I used to think 'yes' I did regret it…because of the pain and sorrow I brought into your and Sydney's lives… but selfishly… for me 'no'…because even though that assignment brought me the greatest sorrows in my life," A single tear began to roll down her cheek and she look down to Jack's chest, where her hand was now nervously twirling the hair there. "It also brought me, the greatest joys I have ever known." She finally looked up into his eyes. "Sydney… you… and now Lena."
"I feel the same way… the things in life that bring us the greatest sorrows are also that which bring us the greatest joys and vice versa." Jack nodded in agreement and once again snuggled into Irina against him protectively.
"That's in a book…" She thought for a moment, "Oh yes, I remember, 'When you are joyous, look deep into your heart, and you shall find that it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful, look again into your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.' Kahlil Gibran."
"That's right. From 'The Prophet.'" Jack grabbed the sponge and dipped it into the water, before trailing it down Irina's arm. "Your literary familiarity never ceases to amaze me."
There was a long silence, Irina knowing that Jack had something on his mind and combined with the extra attention to detail he was paying her, she had a fairly good idea what that was.
"You're leaving tomorrow… aren't you, Jack?" She'd been leaning forward as Jack washed her back. His sudden stopping of the motion was the only confirmation she needed.
"Yes." He swallowed hard at her ability to read his mind and the sadness he heard in her tone.
"And Sydney?" She turned to face him.
"She can stay a couple of more days."
Irina smiled slightly and nodded. She was quiet a moment before speaking again. "I'd like Michael to stay as well. There are some things… I would like both of them to see."
Jack was surprised by her request but nodded in agreement as he continued to wash her back. "Michael?" He asked bewildered at her choice of words seconds later.
*Delirium Silence (Remix) *
"Sophia!" Someone shouted waving frankly as they made their way through the crowd toward where they were getting drinks at the bar.
"Viktor!" Sophia shouted back, launching herself into the arms of the good-looking man.
"I didn't know you were in town." He smiled kissing her cheeks before noticing the two strangers now staring at him behind her. "Who are your friends?" He shouted. Vaughn and Viktor noticeably sizing each other up.
Though they looked different, Viktor's build more bulky muscular compared to Vaughn's slender muscular body, their dirty blonde hair and blue eyes were almost exact. Vaughn new instantly that this was his long lost cousin.
"Funny you should ask?" Sophia smiled and was about to spill the beans when Vaughn extended his hand and introduced himself.
"Mike."
Sydney, Sergei and Sophia taking notice that Vaughn wanted to keep his true identity to himself for now.
"Mike." Viktor repeated looking strangely at Vaughn. "Viktor. You are American? Yes?"
"Yes, and this is my girlfriend, Sydney."
Viktor diverted his attention briefly from Vaughn to the beautiful woman standing beside him.
"My pleasure." He smiled kissing Sydney's cheeks before stepping back to stare oddly at Vaughn again. "It's very strange…but you look. Never mind." Viktor smiled brushing off any further thoughts.
"I look what?" Vaughn probed, having an, inkling as to what the young man was going to say.
"What?" Viktor yelled over the music.
"I look what?" Vaughn repeated.
"I was going to say, that you resemble someone I used to know."
"Really." Vaughn looked to Sydney and back to Viktor, "Whom if I might ask?"
"My late uncle. He was killed… many years ago by a landmine." Viktor paid the bartender and passed out the drinks to everyone.
"I'm sorry." Vaughn swallowed hard.
"Yes… well I was only six years old at the time. I'd only met him a few times. He worked for the Soviet government overseas most of the time doing some Top Secret stuff… I don't really know." He continued waving at various people around the club, not fully into the conversation.
"I see." Vaughn nodded and Sydney squeezed his hand.
"Isn't this place amazing?" Viktor smiled leading them all back onto the dance floor. "It's run by 'The Romanov' you know? Or hasn't Sophia filled you in on all that?"
"In on what?" It was Sydney's turn to be curious.
"Well rumor has been for years that a descendent of the royal family has been the one bringing Russia back to life since the fall of the Soviet Union. She builds all sorts of things for the public like these clubs for the youth, opens clinics and hospitals, schools… does it all anonymously. No one knows for sure or not if she really exists as no one has ever seen her, but her legend is notorious anyway. You can't go anywhere in St. Petersburg or Moscow without hearing tall tales of 'The Romanov' and the conspiracy theory that they are the real power behind the government."
"Notorious… yeah." Sydney shook her head. 'You have no idea how notorious.' She thought to herself.
"Anyway, everyone loves 'The Romanov.' Especially me." He pushed his way to the center of the dance floor, grabbing hold of Sophia. "My father knows who she is but won't tell us. I used to think he was full of shit, but then my college tuition, and my sisters' both, were suddenly paid in full as well as my grandmother's medical bills for her diabetes. 'The Romanov' takes care of our family."
Sophia threw a wink over Viktor's shoulder at Vaughn and Sydney before losing herself to the current song. Viktor obviously having no idea that she was of Romanov descent.
Sydney glanced around the club spotting her cousin Sergei draped in women and he gave her a little wave. She looked at Vaughn and downed her drink as he did his… the whole scenario just too bizarre for both of them.
"Have you seen Irina?" Jack bound into the kitchen dropping his bag to the floor, packed and ready to leave the following morning. He'd awoken to an empty bed again after spending another wonderful night with her in his arms.
"She just finished with her physical therapy… and I believe, that she's in the garden now." Katya took another sip of coffee and continued reading the paper. She'd seen Irina earlier in the morning and her sister's silence spoke volumes at the distress she was in over Jack's leaving.
"Dad," Sydney and Vaughn came in behind Jack, stopping when they saw his packed bag as his feet. "Are we leaving?" She asked shoulders slumped with disappointment.
"Not you, me. You and Vaughn are staying another couple days." Seeing the confusion he continued. "There's been a development with Sloane and I need to get back as soon as possible."
"Does Mom know?"
"Yes. I told her last night."
"Well, shouldn't we go with you?" Sydney asked confused, taking a seat next to Katya at the breakfast bar.
"Or at least me?" Vaughn added.
"No. Irina wants 'both' of you to stay. And quite frankly, I feel much better about leaving her knowing that you two will be with her at least a few days longer." Jack poured himself a cup of coffee one for both Vaughn and Sydney.
*In My Place *
"Where is she?" Sydney asked looking between her father and Katya.
"I was just asking that." Jack took another swig of his coffee.
"She's in the garden." Katya nodded her head in the direction of the French doors leading to the garden.
Irina could be seen in the distance, wearing a black, form fitting, sleeveless top that left part of her belly exposed and black yoga pants, hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, standing in some various yoga position.
"I've got to get going." Jack finished his coffee and set the cup in the sink. He kissed Sydney on the top of the head. "I'll see you in LA in a couple of days."
Sydney nodded as he picked up his bag and made way for the doors. She stayed back in the kitchen, watching her parent's interaction with fascination behind the glass.
"You're leaving." Irina had sensed Jack coming up behind her.
"Yes, I have to get going if I am going to catch the next flight." He dropped his bag and stood behind her.
"I see." She nodded and changed the direction of her pose.
"Irina-"
"Jack, I'm sure you know by now that I am not good with 'goodbyes." Irina stopped, keeping her back to him. "Please, just tell me that this will all be over soon and that I will see you again."
"Yes, of course you'll see me again." He reached out placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I believe you." She felt the tears building in her eyes. She felt him moving, trying to face her but she cut him off, turning away once more. "Just go…please..."
Jack couldn't help but feel defeated and dropped his hand from her shoulder to retrieve his bag and head for the waiting car.
"Jack…"
He had walked a few steps when Irina called out his name.
He turned slowly to look at her. Tears streaming down her face, a stray hair blowing across her eyes… She looked beautiful…
They looked at each other briefly before taking steps towards each other, throwing their' arms around the other's neck, holding on for dear life.
"I love you." She breathed into his neck and he pulled her in closer, kissing her cheek before feathering her entire head with kisses. Placing both hands on her belly, he gently bent over and kissed it. His eyes locked with hers and he pulled her in for one last deep, kiss before quickly picking up his bag, making his way back towards the driveway where the car was waiting.
Sydney, Vaughn and Katya had all watched the exchange from the kitchen, both of the women with tears in their' eyes. Irina had stood there, watching Jack's retreating form before dropping to sit on the bench, staring out at the gardens.
"I'm going to go talk to her." Sydney kissed Vaughn on the cheek and headed for the garden. "Mom…" She came up behind Irina, dragging her hand across her mother's shoulders as she took a seat beside her.
"Hello, Sweetheart. Good morning." Irina smiled through her tears, honestly happy to see her daughter. She picked up Sydney's hand, holding it in her own. "Did you know that you used to sit out here with my mother, in the same spot, as you and I are now." She looked out over the gardens toward the lake and endless groves.
"Really?" Sydney was happy to hear, yet something else about her mother's past, also taking into consideration her mother had just diverted her attention away from her father's departure.
"So… did you have a good time last night?" Irina wiped the last stray tears from her face and brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, actually I did. We ran into Viktor…Vaughn's cousin."
"Really," Irina seemed mildly surprised but curious, "How'd that go?"
"Vaughn didn't tell him who he was, though Viktor had found it interesting how much Vaughn looked like his deceased uncle, Mikhail."
Irina nodded along, remaining silent and letting Sydney talk.
"It's all still so new to him… this part of his life. I think he just needs a little time to digest it all. There is so much he doesn't know about his father… There is still so much I don't know about you." Sydney squeezed her mother's hand, earning a small smile from Irina.
"Well, we're going on a little trip today. So you and Michael can learn a little bit more about your parents." Irina moved to stand, "If you want to?"
"Yes, of course." Sydney smiled brightly. "Where are we going?"
"To the country. We're going to take the train." Irina smiled and pulled Sydney to stand with her, wrapping an arm around her daughter's shoulders as they made their way inside.
*The Russian Dervish - Marta's Dance *
Sydney and Vaughn sat entranced on the train watching the beautiful Russian countryside fly by, pointing out different things they saw and even cracking the occasion smile, much to Irina's delight.
"I feel like I am in 'Dr. Zhivago." Sydney smiled, shaking her head, "Riding on this train through the country." She looked around at every stop, enjoying the various people who got on and off the train at the quaint little villages.
St. Petersburg had become so Westernized, about like any city you'd find in Europe, but the further you got from the city, the more the 'Russian' culture could be seen.
About two hours into the trip, Irina pulled the stop chain, signaling their need to get off at the next station. "We're here." She smiled taking Sydney's hand as they stepped onto the train station's small platform.
"Where's here?" Sydney followed her mother, gawking at a family loading their colorful gypsy wagon with sacks of flour. Sydney smiled at the little girl in braids, petting her pig that was tied with a rope to the back.
"Gypsies. I love the gypsies." Irina whispered with a smile and she too waved at the little girl. "Here is Gryady." Irina signaled a car and opened the door. "This is where I was born Sydney." She smiled at Sydney's stunned expression.
"But I thought you were born in Moscow?" Sydney climbed in asking in Russian as her mother had switched languages as well to tell the driver where to go, not wanting to bring any additional attention.
"No, I was born here and we moved to Moscow when my father took the job with the government. I lived here until I was almost six." She smiled watching the old familiar scenery fly by. "I haven't been here in many years. Look…over there," She pointed out the window. "That was my first school."
It was a tiny little building with rundown play equipment and children on swings; their faces were bright with smiles and laughter.
"This is all so amazing." Sydney shook her head, rolling down the window. "I'm still having a hard time remembering this is real and that you weren't born in Iowa like we've been led to believe all these years. But this is really making it real for me." She was quiet a moment then asked, "How you'd pick Iowa anyway?"
"Well, the best lie is always the one closest to the truth as you know Sydney." Irina signaled the driver to turn down a road entering the forest before continuing. "In learning the about United States, I found the middle of the country to be most like the Russian countryside, including the people and way of life. So, I chose to have 'Laura' be born in Grady, Iowa which isn't that far off from Gryady, my real place of birth."
Sydney nodded in understanding but said nothing, still feeling bizarre at hearing her mother referring to 'Laura' in third person. "What about your alias…'Laura'?" She found the courage to ask.
*Lara's Theme *
"Well, 'Dr. Zhivago' was always one of my favorites." She smiled and silence fell over the occupants in the car. "I even went there, once… to Grady, Iowa. To see what it was like. It was beautiful… made me feel at home and yet homesick all at once. Here we are." Irina smiled, when the car stopped in front of a small yellow house at the end of the road surrounded by gorgeous fields of wildflowers leading into the forest. She told the driver to wait and ushered the kids out. "This was my first home, Sydney."
The house was obviously occupied by another family now, the clothesline filled with small pairs of socks, pants and little dresses.
A woman opened the door and stood looking at the strangers observing her house, a tiny girl of about three years old with bright blue eyes and stark blonde hair was peeking out behind her mother's legs.
Irina walked up to the woman, introduced herself, and explained that she grew up in the house and was bringing her daughter back to see it. The woman smiled and nodded, allowing them inside.
It was very small, only two rooms and the woman explained that she had four children two girls and two boys, and one on the way. She reached out to touch Irina's belly and the two chatted briefly about due dates and other things.
The little girl was fascinated with Irina's long, dark hair and Irina knelt to talk to her. Something else surreal for Vaughn and Sydney too, seeing 'the mothering' Irina in action. Something Sydney only vaguely remembered.
Before leaving Sydney and Vaughn saw Irina give the woman an envelope, 'thanking' her once more for the hospitality.
As the car pulled away, the woman could be seen looking in the envelope then screaming and jumping for joy at the money it contained. Irina simply smiled and Sydney continued to look at her mother like she had two heads.
As the car drove back towards town, Irina pointed out the various places that held memories for her, such as the river she used to swim in and skate on in the winter, the very first tree she climbed and subsequently fell out of losing her first tooth.
They stopped in front of another house. It was bigger then the last one, they had visited and looked as though it was being taken better care of. There was fresh paint on the siding and the small porch even had a swing, similar to the one that Sydney grew up with. Tucked in the corner of the swing was a basket filled with yarn and knitting needles and a half made, something or other.
Irina turned to Vaughn. "Michael, this is your father's first…and last," She looked out the window briefly, "home." She watched as Vaughn swallowed hard, looking from her to the house. "This is also where your aunt and uncle live… and your grandmother, Natalia." She paused letting it sink in.
"They know who I am obviously, though I haven't seen them in many, many years… As with my parents and Sydney, they knew of your existence Michael and accepted, that they must love you from afar." She paused again, "I won't tell them who you really are. I will let you make that choice on your own." She patted his hand, "I just want to give you a chance to meet them." She opened the door and stepped out.
Sydney followed Vaughn from the car and reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze and nodding in understanding that it was going to be 'ok.'
"Irina…" A tall blonde man answered the door, obviously surprised and excited about his visitor. "Mama, it's Irina!" He called back into the house before taking Irina's face in his hands and peppering her cheeks with kisses. "Look at you, always so beautiful! And pregnant!" He laughed placing his hands on the sides of her belly dropping a kiss to it as well. "I can't believe it!" He let out a thunderous laugh as he held her face in his hands. "What a wonderful surprise!"
"Rina…" A petite, old woman with long white hair that had been tied into a bun immerged in the doorway, tears in her eyes, flashing a brilliant smile.
"Talia!" Irina smiled as the old woman took her face in her hands, kissing her cheeks in much the same fashion as Alexander, repeatedly commenting on Irina's beauty and how she had, 'missed the child.'
"And who is this beautiful girl?" The sweet old woman moved onto Sydney, cupping her face in the exact same way, admiring her face in a way that caused Sydney to smile.
"Talia, Alexander… this is my daughter," Irina's eyes were brimming proudly with unshed tears.
"This is Sydney?" Alexander exclaimed; a giant, surprised smile lighting is face, he picked Sydney up and twirled her around much to Sydney's surprise and Vaughn and Irina's amusement. "Oh, you are Irina's daughter, look at that face, Mama!" He squeezed Sydney's cheeks and moved her face toward the old woman.
"Oh, Child, do you know how much your mother has missed you?" Talia cried for Irina's happiness and kissed Sydney's cheeks.
Sydney nodded 'yes' to the old woman and looked to her mother, seeing that she had indeed let the tears flow.
"She has mourned for you every day since she had to leave you." Talia took Irina's hand and connected it with Sydney's, causing Sydney to tear up as well.
"Talia, Alexander, there is someone else I would like you to meet," Irina stepped back exposing Vaughn to them with a smile, "This is Michael."
"Oh my God, Irina," Talia gasped, her hand going to cover her mouth as Vaughn walked up the last two steps toward them.
*Leave No Man Behind*
Smiling nervously, Vaughn took her outstretched hand and kissed 'his grandmother's' cheek. With shaking fingers, she reached out tentatively to brush Vaughn's cheek with the fingers of one hand while she continued to hold the other.
"Rina… he looks just like my Mikhail." She whispered.
And with the obvious love shown in his grandmother's eyes, and seeing she felt the same sense of loss over his father that he did, he made the choice and finally spoke to his grandmother in her native tongue.
"Mikhail was my father." He whispered back, adding a soft smile.
"My grandson!" She cried out and Alexander helped to support his mother, he was certain was about to faint.
"Yes, grandmother."
Talia clasped Vaughn's cheeks and kissed them relentlessly, chanting some Orthodox prayer, all the while crying and squeezing his cheeks, thanking God for sending her a gift.
Everyone was crying now at the happy reunion.
When she finally did let go of Vaughn's cheek's she refused to relinquish his hand as she gathered Irina up in the other arm, thanking her for such a gift and kissing her as well.
Vaughn's aunt Sarvina arrived home shortly after their arrival and was promptly introduced to her long lost nephew.
There was much to talk about and explain, which they did over lunch and through dinner before finally having to say their goodbye's so that Irina, Sydney and Vaughn could all catch the last train home.
Vaughn had learned of how his father spoke of nothing else but he and his mother and how much he loved and missed them. How he longed to be with them again. When the time had come to leave, they took pictures, and Vaughn vowed to stay in contact and visit when he could. He even promised to 'try' to bring his mother for a visit as well, as soon as she learned the truth and had time to accept it. He was sure with time she would.
The car ride to the train station had been in silence as everyone was tired from the long day and absorbing all that had transpired. Sydney and Irina had shared a seat across from Vaughn, and Sydney had fallen asleep on her mother's shoulder once they boarded the train.
Irina and Vaughn sat in companionable silence for almost an hour when Vaughn turned his attention on Irina, staring intently at her for a number of minutes before she turned to smile at him.
"Thank you." He said nervously, than smiled softly when she did.
She reached across the aisle and placed her hand over his, taking hold of his fingers, and to her surprise, he let her. "It was the least I could do… for your father."
He nodded in appreciation and she released her hand from his, both missing the enormous smile forming on Sydney's 'supposedly sleeping' face at the thought everyone was finally making amends.
The last two days together had been some of the best of their lives for all three of them and it was a sad, terrible, goodbye, that left Sydney crying for the first two hours of the flight back to LA.