Author: Bookworm
Rating: T
Summary: Celebrate Vaughn & Syd, a relationship that always leaves us wanting more...
"Love is a meeting of two souls,
Fully accepting the dark & the light within each other
Bound by the courage to grow through struggle into bliss"
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Five & Ten ~ Part 7
Sunday June 22, 2014
I had no idea how late it was when I opened my eyes in our plush king-size bed, with the length of my body nuzzled against Michael's side.
My favorite sleep position.
Our anniversary celebration lasted till the crack of dawn and we finally fell into blissful slumber. I've almost forgotten what it was like to sleep past 7am since the birth of Isabelle.
I try to keep very still to not disturb him.
He looks so relaxed, I smile to myself – God knows he could use the rest.
His way to make up for not being around when our daughter was born was to do as much as possible with Jack.
Not that I'm complaining about the help – things are insane when you have a newborn and a preschooler – I'm just concerned how he wouldn't be constantly exhausted.
Still mesmerized by its exquisite features, I marvel at the face I never tire of studying.
It's a pity I don't have much time to do that with two kids.
"You up already?" He mumbles. "Want to go get some food?"
I don't get how he catches me all the time.
…
We had a simple but delicious lunch at nearby Nino and strolled through more streets of this lovely city before heading back to the hotel.
We had been here together, and separately, several times over the years on missions. But this place has so much more to offer every time we come back for pleasure instead of business.
The front desk staff approaches me as we walk in.
"This package was delivered for you, Mrs. Vaughn." She smiles politely as she brings out a large garment bag with the Gucci label on top. "Would you like us to bring it to your suite?"
"That's alright – I can manage. Thank you very much." My husband takes the bag from her with one hand and put his other hand on the small of my back to guide us back to our room.
"Is this present number two?" I ask on our way.
"You will be my present number two when you put it on." He laughs coyly.
…
Being steps away from Rome's best fashion streets meant I had time to visit a few designer boutiques before our dinner last night.
I wasn't really looking for anything in particular but he thought I could use another cocktail dress. We skipped the agency Christmas function in Virginia last year while on leave but we probably can't escape the upcoming one if we're still working.
A couple dresses caught my eye and I had tried them on but I didn't end up purchasing any. I wasn't sure I could justify the expense given it wouldn't be coming out from my CIA wardrobe budget like all the other gowns I wear on ops. I told my husband we would be more vigilant with our spending after making the decision to purchase our dream beach house last year.
…
"Should I try it on again?" I look at the garment bag now laid flat on our bed.
"As long as you're ready to perform CPR on me…" he chuckles, "But definitely yes!"
I'm not surprised about the Gucci label. I was especially smitten by the way one simple raspberry dress hugged my body when I put it on at the store. Vaughn must have bought it and asked for it to be delivered while I was in the change room.
Just as I've expected, I unzip the bag and see the full length halter dress. A note with the Gucci logo on one side tugged snuggly in front, "This dress is only as exquisite as the woman wearing it – your beauty is undeniable, amore mio."
I blush upon reading the card and I carefully take the dress out of its packaging. It slips effortlessly onto me and the detail on the halter around my neck gives the dress elegance. Putting my hair up in a relaxed twist, I apply light make up to complete the look. The bottom of the dress softly whooshes against the floor as I walk out to our balcony where Michael is sitting with his tablet and coffee.
"I hope you're not working… I don't think you want this get-up goes to waste."
"Okay, on second thought, you're never allowed out with this on." He eyes me head to toe, jumps from his seat and whisks me right back into our bedroom…
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Monday June 23, 2014
"Vaughn!" I startle awake when I didn't feel the familiar chiseled body next to me.
"Hey, sleepy head…" I'm instantly relieved as he walks in from the living area and gives me my usual morning kiss. Boy, he smells so good.
"You can't blame me for taking full advantage of not having the kids wake us." I push myself up and yawn. "What time is it?" You know life is good when you get out of bed not knowing the time.
"It's just after eight... I hear breakfast up on the rooftop terrace is quite good. We should go."
...
Sitting under the morning rays with a spectacular view – of the city and of my man – I glance up at Vaughn in disbelief of how blessed I'm.
It is not fun to be CIA operatives these days. Hot zones are everywhere, and the number of active protocols since we returned to the agency full time at the beginning of the year has been the highest in over a decade. Despite the ongoing threats, I have what I hold most dear. And for a precious few days, we can put aside all the troubles of the world to bask in the safety of our little haven.
He smiles at me, as if in acknowledgement, and passes me a small envelop across the table. "Wait till you see this."
"Number three?" I ask while picking it up.
I reach in and find a postcard that has 'I want to travel the world, with your hand holding mine' scribbled on its blank side. I smile as I flip over the card to see the glorious sceneries of Venice. There are also two train tickets for today. "I guess we should go pack."
"Enjoy your breakfast – we're in no rush." He kisses the palm of my hand before putting it on his cheek. While he looks absolutely dapper clean-shaven, I can't resist the rugged appeal of his stubble as I rub my hand against it. "We don't need to be at the train terminal till noon and I've got some of our stuff packed already."
"That's why you're up early." Did I mention how lucky I'm to be married to this man? "Vaughn, I really love all the gifts I got so far... I don't know how you're gonna outdo yourself the next couple days."
"Syd, you outdo yourself every day. Think I should at least try..." He leans over and takes my breath away once again.
...
We're riding along the Grand Canal on a water bus after another decadent dinner, taking in the sounds and sights of Venice's vibrant night scene. He puts his arm around my waist as we stand on the rear deck of the ferry. "Last time we came here was seven years ago." He says softly, "I've wanted to travel back with you ever since."
We were certainly all business last time – tracking down Sark's lead and ending up taking Anna into custody. It was successful, but not enjoyable.
"When you were in hiding, it was such a reality shift for me, I don't think I was handling it all that well. Our time together felt so distant – and I was often afraid to hope, even though I had never given up on having you back. Once you were home, things started to fall back into place - like I was able to have perspective again. I'm glad we can now look back on our lives and marvel at how much we've gone through together." I get emotional thinking about how every place we visit, every experience we share adds to the richness of our relationship. Each anniversary we celebrate carries additional significance.
"I wish things were easier, Sydney... but if our hardship gets us where we're today, then it's all worth it – you, and Isabelle, and Jack, are so worth it." He looks deep into my eyes, and my soul, before turning his attention back to the canal. "At least we don't have to retrieve any chemical bombs this time." He remarks as-a-matter-of-factly.
"And so much more pleasant for me to not have to pretend to be Lauren."
"That was awful but I thought you pulled it off nicely at the club."
Ever since Vaughn and I worked through our issues years ago, the topic of Lauren has not been taboo in our conversations. Despite her attempts, we both recognized she couldn't keep us apart then – and we won't let her memory get in our way ever.
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AN: Sorry it has taken me over a month to post this next part. I had the framework of the remaining 4 days of Syd & Vaughn's anniversary getaway but getting down to writing took quite a bit longer than I'd hoped.
This part and the next are told in present day. You will start to pick up bits and pieces about the Bristow-Vaughn family, as well as their close friends.
As usual, comments/questions are more than welcome.