The Pact

Authors: Janet (SkyGirl5) and Katy (KrazyKaty57789)

Summary: Long-time friends Sydney Bristow and Michael Vaughn have a pact to marry one another if they both turn thirty-five and are still single. Long before that age milestone, though, something happens that just might lead to a relationship between them neither expected.

Disclaimer: Characters Sydney Bristow, Michael Vaughn, etc. belong to ABC, JJ Abrams.

[30 Chapters]

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Prologue

“Vaughn?” Sydney giggled.

He looked at her. “You’re really never going to call me Michael again are you?”

“No. Vaughn is so much cuter on you.” She giggled again.

“Alright.” He sighed.

“We should do this.” She said, gesturing towards the TV.

“What?”

“This.” She said, pointing again.

“What? Argue like Ross and Rachel on Friends?” He asked curiously.

“No, make a pact.” She said.

“What kind of pact?”

“Well, like, someday if neither of us are married we should marry each other because you know we’re going to be best friends for life anyway.” She smiled.

“That’s true.” He smiled back. “Ok so what? Like when we’re forty if neither of us are married we get married?”

“No, forty is too old. I want to be able to get some kids outta you Vaughn.” She smiled as she traced his cheek lightly. “With those pretty green eyes.”

“Excuse me, did you just call me pretty?” He asked in a mock-offended voice.

“No.” She laughed. “I called your eyes pretty.”

“Ok. Continue.”

“So yeah kids.” She smiled.

“How many am I required to give you?” He asked.

“Umm two.” She said. “A boy and a girl.”

“Alright.” He nodded.

“So how about 35?” She asked.

“You’ve got yourself a deal Bristow.” He smiled.

“It’s not a deal it’s a pact!” She insisted.

“Sorry.” He laughed.

“Do you swear to abide by this pact even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming down the isle?” She asked so seriously it made him laugh.

“You won’t have to drag me kicking and screaming. I’ll just be thinking about that wedding night.” He said with an evil grin.

She smacked him on the arm. “Vaughn!”

“Ouch” he laughed, grabbing his arm.

“Vaughn.” She said warningly.

“I swear to abide by the pact alright.” He smiled.

“Good, let’s kiss on it.” She smiled.

“Ok.” He said as leaned over and kissed her quickly on the lips.

“YAY!” She cheered.

“Oh boy... what have I gotten myself into?” He teased.

Chapter 1

Sydney walked into her best friend’s apartment and was surprised to see him wearing a suit. She eyed him with an inquisitive smile. “You look nice. Where ya going? The Kings are playing. We should go.”

Vaughn took a deep breath before revealing, “I have a date with Alice.” He was referring to his on again, off again girlfriend that Sydney happened to hate. When Vaughn broke up with Alice four months earlier they both thought it was the end of them. However, when they saw each other at a mutual friend’s party they decided to give the relationship another chance.

Sydney groaned loudly. “Vaughn, why are you doing this again?”

Michael glared at her. “Sydney, don’t do this.”

“You know that she’s not good enough for you. Why do you waste your time with her?”

“You don’t listen to my dating advice, why the hell should I listen to yours?” He hissed through gritted teeth.

Sydney looked at him incredulously. “Is this about Matt?”

He rubbed his wrinkled forehead, frustrated. “I’m not going out with Alice because of him, if that’s what you’re implying.” He spat.

“Then what is this about, Michael?” She used his first name purposely. Vaughn knew she was getting angry. She only called him Michael when they were fighting.

“I don’t know. You’re the one who started it.” Vaughn screamed at her, aggravated and confused. “Are you jealous of Alice or something? Seriously, Sydney, what is your problem?”

“Me? Jealous of that whore?” Sydney spat out. “I have Matt anyways.”

Vaughn rolled his eyes. “Yeah, he’s a real winner.” Vaughn said, disgust evident in his voice. Sydney knew Vaughn hated Matt and Matt didn’t like Vaughn. She just wished the two men in her life would get along. “Now, if you’d excuse me. I have a date to get ready for.” Vaughn said rudely.

Sydney glared at him, slamming his apartment door behind her.

Vaughn sighed out loud, rubbing his temples. This was not how he imagined this night going. He was hoping that he would go out on his date with Alice, and then tell Sydney in a few... hundred years.

Vaughn returned to his apartment a few hours later, his date with Alice didn’t go as expected. He ended up coming home alone and probably would be coming home alone for a long time. Alice and he finally decided they were not going to work out and called it quits for good.

He was surprised to see Sydney sitting on his couch, waiting for him. “I’m surprised you’re not with Matt.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. Tonight has just... gone from bad to worse.” He finished.

Sydney patted the couch next to her. “I’m sorry for earlier.”

“It’s okay. I was being a jerk.” Vaughn admitted, wrapping an arm around Sydney’s shoulders.

She smiled. “Yeah, you were.” She teased.

Vaughn gave her a mock glare. “I’m sorry, too.” He said seriously. They embraced tightly, Vaughn placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

“So how was the date?” Sydney asked politely.

Vaughn cringed. “You’ll be happy to know, we’re over for good.” Sydney couldn’t hide her smile. “You could at least pretend like you care.” Vaughn chuckled, poking her sided. She giggled, moving away from him.

He playfully tickled her for a minute, stopping to let her breath. He got off the couch, leaving her to recover. “You want anything?” He called out, walking into the kitchen.

“No thanks. I think I’m going to go see Matt.” Sydney said, getting up.

Vaughn groaned and mumbled, “Whatever.”

“Vaughn.” She said warningly, following him into the kitchen.

He smiled at her. “Okay.” He hugged her and she kissed his cheek. “Are we still having lunch tomorrow?”

Sydney nodded. “Of course.” With one last hug, Sydney left to go see her boyfriend, much to Vaughn’s dislike. He sighed loudly as she walked out of his apartment. Why couldn’t she see what a loser Matt was?

Chapter 2

“Hey baby.” Sydney grinned as she walked into Matt’s apartment.

“Hey.” He kissed her sweetly. “Where have you been?”

“Oh...” She sighed and rolled her eyes slightly. “Vaughn and I had a fight.”

“You were with him?” Matt asked, a tiny speck of disapproval and disgust evident in his voice.

“Yes,” she told him. “I hate it when we fight.”

“Syd...” Matt began.

“Don’t.” She warned. “Vaughn is my best friend and you know it. Don’t start this tonight.”

“Fine.” He raised his hands in defeat. “So... it’s still early.” He grinned.

“Yeah...” She said. Matt walked over to her and scooped her up over his shoulder. She giggled as he carried her to the couch and tossed her lightly onto it.

~*~

“Hey Vaughn.” Sydney greeted him with a kiss on the cheek when they met for lunch.

“Hey Syd. How’s Matt?” Vaughn asked, trying to sound pleasant.

“He’s good.” Sydney smiled.

“You know what I was thinking about this morning?” Vaughn asked.

“No, what?”

“First day of freshmen year at UCLA.” He said.

“Ohh yeah... wow, that seems like forever ago.” She sighed.

“Fifteen years.” He told her.

“Really? Has it been that long?” She asked. He nodded. “Damn we’re old.”

He laughed. “No that old.”

*FLASHBACK*

Eighteen year old Sydney sat on a bench with her legs tucked up underneath her as she tried to quiet her sobs. Her parents had dropped her off three hours earlier and she had no friends or anyone to talk to which was why she was crying.

“Excuse me...” A male voice said from behind her. “But did you go to Nixon High?”

Sydney sniffed back her tears and wiped her cheeks dry before turning around. “Yeah, why?”

“Oh I’m sorry, are you ok?” He asked in a concerned tone.

“Yeah I’m fine...” She sighed.

“Can I sit here?” He asked. She nodded and he sat down. “I’m Michael Vaughn.”

“Student council president and captain of the hockey team?” She asked.

“Yeah that’s me.” He laughed slightly.

“I’m Sydney Bristow.” She smiled.

“Voted Best Smile and Best Personality by the senior class.” He smiled at her.

“That’s me.” She laughed.

“So.... I’m guessing by your tears you don’t know anyone here.” He said.

She shook her head. “What about you?”

“No.” He sighed. “And to tell you the truth, my roommate kinda scares me.”

She laughed slightly. “Oh no. Why?”

“Well he’s wearing shorts that have a pattern of little lizards and on his shirt there is an alligator or something.” He told her.

“Oh no!” She gasped. “That is scary.”

“I know.” Michael laughed.

“Well you can hang out with me today if you like.” She smiled.

“I’d like that very much.” He smiled back at her. “So, do you have a boyfriend?”

“Whoa slow down Vaughn.” She giggled. “Perhaps we should try being friends first.”

“No, I didn’t mean that.” He laughed nervously. “I was just making conversation... wait, did you call me Vaughn?” He asked. She nodded. “Why?”

She shrugged. “I dunno, it just suits you.”

“Uh huh...” He said suspiciously.

“Sorry, do you not want me to?” She asked.

“Not it’s fine Bristow, just fine.” He said. She smiled at him.

*END FLASHBACK*

“Wow,” She laughed slightly at the memory. “Did you ever think then we’d still be best friends today?”

“Umm I dunno. Probably not. But I’m definitely glad we are.” He smiled.

“Me too.” She smiled back.

Chapter 3
“You coming tonight?” Vaughn asked Sydney on the phone that morning.

“You know I wouldn’t miss hockey night.” Sydney said with a dimpled smile, plopping down on the couch and stretched out her legs.

“Just making sure. I don’t want you to suffer with a supreme pizza.” Vaughn smirked.

Sydney exclaimed, “Hey! I can’t help it that I don’t like all those nasty toppings.”

“Uh huh.” If they were in person, this is where Vaughn would stick his tongue out at Sydney.

She giggled slightly before asking her best friend, “Do y’all mind if I bring Matt?” Vaughn hid a groan as he answer in the negative. “Okay, we’ll see you tonight.” She let out happily.

“Bye Syd” Vaughn said, hanging up the cordless phone on its charger. He turned to Weiss who was already at Vaughn’s apartment. “She’s bringing him”

Weiss groaned, “Nooooo.” Vaughn nodded.

An hour later, Sydney and Matt arrived just as the pizza delivery boy was leaving. “Good timing.” Sydney smirked, as she plopped on the couch in between the two men. Matt sat by himself on the chair off to the side.

Within a few minutes, the Kings had scored, taking the lead. Sydney, Vaughn, and Weiss jumped up, cheering and high fiving each other.

Matt sat alone in the corner. Sensing his awkwardness, Weiss asked, “What team do you like?”

Matt gulped. “I... um... don’t watch hockey.”

Vaughn and Weiss both gasped, “What?” Sydney rolled her eyes at their reactions.

“It’s really violent.” Matt explained, cause Weiss and Vaughn to give him an eye roll. After his confession, he fell back into silence not saying a word the rest of the night.

The game ended a couple hours later, the Kings were victorious, winning 3-1. Sydney said goodbye as she hugged Weiss and kissed Vaughn on the cheek. “See ya later.” She half waved, grabbing Matt’s hand. He nodded as they left.

“What is Syd doing with that bastard? He doesn’t even like hockey!” Weiss exclaimed, taking a swig of his beer.

“I don’t know.”

“Seriously, Syd can do better. What happened to that Danny fellow? He was pretty nice.”

Vaughn smirked. “Yeah, he was real great. He cheated on her, remember.” Vaughn rolled his eyes.

“Syd needs a guy like you, instead of dating all these losers.” Weiss stated. Vaughn nodded absently, getting up to throw away the empty pizza boxes. “Seriously, I don’t know what she sees in Matty Dearest.”

Vaughn snapped, “I don’t either, okay Eric.”

“Dude, what’s wrong with you?”

Vaughn sighed, rubbing his wrinkled forehead. “It’s just... I don’t know... Syd deserves so much better then him. It makes me so mad that she can’t see that.” He admitted.

“I know, man, I know.” Weiss said, patting his friend’s shoulder.

~*~

The next day, Vaughn went to Sydney’s house to see her. Matt answered the door. With a glare, Vaughn pushed past Matt and walked inside.

Vaughn saw his best friend sipping at a cup of coffee and smiled. “Hey Syd.” He said, sitting down next to her.

“Hey Mikey.” She stuck out her tongue. She knew that he hated it when she called him that. He rolled his eyes. “So why am I being graced with your presence?”

“I can’t just come see my best friend without having a reason?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Well, I did.” He retorted, getting up to get his a cup of coffee for himself. Matt walked in, accidentally bumping into Vaughn. They glared at each other. Sydney cleared her throat and Vaughn moved away, re-taking his seat next to Syd.

Matt ignored them, and went back into the living room.

“Vaughn...” She said warningly.

“I know, I know. Be nice.” He rolled his eyes.

“At least try.” She pleaded.

Trying. It couldn’t be that hard. Could it?

Chapter 4

“Try to be nice... try to be nice.... try to be nice.” Vaughn coached himself as walked from his car to the pool hall where he was meeting Sydney, Matt and Eric. “It can’t be that hard, just pretend your acting in a school play... Right.” Michael rolled his eyes at himself.

The truth was, Michael hadn’t liked Matt from the moment he met him. Matt was just one of those people who rubbed Michael the wrong way, there was nothing he could do about it. As he neared the pool hall, Michael thought back to the first time he met Matt. It had been at a party Sydney was having...

*FLASHBACK*

“Vaughn, Eric I want you to meet someone.” Sydney smiled. “This is Matt Fisher.”

“Hey.” Matt said. He didn’t extend his hand but merely gave a macho head bob in the general direction of Eric and Vaughn.

“Hey I’m Michael Vaughn.” Vaughn said.

“Eric Weiss.” Eric nodded.

“I’ll leave you three to get acquainted.” Sydney giggled happily as she walked off to talk to more of her party guests.

“So Matt, how do you know Sydney?” Vaughn asked.

“Well we’ve actually gone on a few dates.” Matt said.

“Ah.” Vaughn nodded.

The three of them stood in an awkward silence for a few moments, each of them sipping on their drinks, before Matt said. “So Sydney says you’re a close friend.”

“I’m her best friend.” Vaughn corrected.

“Right....” Matt said shortly. Then he went to walk away after mumbling. “Excuse me.”

After he was out of hearing range Eric gave the ever so mature but completely valid in this case subtle cough that sounded remarkably like “asshole”.

Vaughn laughed. “So true.”

*END FLASHBACK*

“Ok here goes nothing.” Vaughn mumbled as he walked across the pool hall and found Sydney, Matt and Eric leaning up against one of the tables. “Hey.” He smiled to them.

“Hey Vaughn.” Sydney said as she kissed his cheek. “Where were you?”

“Oh sorry, my mom called just as I was walking out the door.” Vaughn told her.

“Oh how is she?”

“She’s good.” Vaughn nodded.

“I really need to call her; I haven’t talked to her in forever.” Sydney sighed.

“Can we play now?” Matt asked impatiently.

“Yes.” Sydney sighed as she handed pool cues to everyone.

~*~

“You were very well behaved tonight.” Sydney whispered to Vaughn as everyone was getting ready to leave.

“I do try.” He smiled.

“Uh huh. Call me.” She added with a quick kiss on his lips.

“Tomorrow.” He said. Then he watched as Sydney left with Matt and he grunted with anger.

“Chill dude.” Eric said.

“Sorry, the past two hours of smiling at Captain Jackass nearly killed me.” Vaughn said as he rubbed his forehead.

“Yeah I gotta say, I’m impressed. I mean when he ‘accidentally’ hit you with the cue even I wanted to nail him.” Eric said.

“I know.” He grunted through gritted teeth. “Can’t we make her dump him?”

“Sorry man.” Eric shook his head. “She’ll just have to see the error of her ways in her own time...” Vaughn looked at him strangely. “What?”

“Nothing it’s just.... that was very mature Eric.” Vaughn smiled.

“Well I guess we’re all full of surprises tonight then.”

~*~

“Syd, we have to talk.” Matt said as they were driving home.

“What’s up?” Sydney asked.

“I don’t like it when you kiss Vaughn.” Matt said bluntly.

“What?” Sydney gasped in disbelief.

“I don’t like it when you kiss him; don’t do it.”

“Are you serious?” Sydney laughed but then she looked at Matt’s expression and saw that he was definitely serious. “What are you, jealous?”

“I’m not jealous.” Matt said as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Look it doesn’t mean anything. Vaughn is like my best friend or a brother or something. It’s just how we say hello or goodbye.” Sydney explained.

“Well I don’t like it.” Matt said.

“I think you’ve made that clear....” She mumbled under her breath.

“What?”

“Nothing....”

~*~

The following day, a Saturday, Vaughn was cleaning his apartment when he heard the faint sound of the phone ringing. He switched off the vacuum and reached for the phone. “Hello?”

“Vaughn.” Someone sniffed on the other end.

“Syd? What’s wrong?” Vaughn asked frantically.

“My dad... he’s in the hospital.” She sobbed.

“I’ll be right there.”

Chapter 5

“My dad... he’s in the hospital.” She sobbed.

“I’ll be right there.”

Not even caring about his attire of sweatpants and an old hockey tee-shirt with holes, he threw on his tennis shoes and was out the door.

When Vaughn pulled into the hospital parking lot, he noticed Matt’s beat up pickup truck. He rolled his eyes, not even thinking about him. Right now, all that mattered was Sydney.

Matt and Vaughn run into the hospital at the same time. Sydney noticed both the men in her life running towards her. Without thinking, she ran into Vaughn’s arms. He held her as she sobbed. Matt went to mope in the corner, but Syd didn’t even notice. “It’ll be okay.” Vaughn whispered reassuringly in her ear, leading her away from the middle of the floor.

“I was visiting him, since my mom is in San Francisco and we were drinking coffee. He just clutched his chest and told me to call 911. I was so scared.” Sydney explained, moving impossibly closer to Vaughn as she continued to cry.

Sydney’s sobs gradually lessened, and by the time the doctor came out, Sydney only had a few tears streaming down her face.

“Are you Sydney Bristow?” The doctor asked her. She nodded. “I’m Doctor Bryan. I’m your dad’s doctor.”

“Is... Is he okay?” She asked, holding in a sob.

Dr. Bryan smiled. “It was just a minor heart attack. We had to do cardiovascular bypass, but we were able to remove everything clogging his artery. He’ll have to stay here for a couple more days, just for observation.”

Sydney smiled. That was the best news she had heard all day. “Can I see him?” The doc nodded and told her what room he was in.

Still forgetting about Matt, Sydney grabbed Vaughn’s hand to go visit her dad. Vaughn laughed to himself when he saw Matt there brooding by himself.

Jack was yelling at a nurse for trying to coddle him when Sydney and Vaughn walked into his room. His harsh tone immediately turned gently as he smiled, “Sydney.”

Sydney ran up and gave her father a hug, mindful that he just had surgery. Sydney whispered to Jack that she was so happy he was okay.

Jack nodded at Vaughn. “Hello Michael.”

Vaughn smiled. “Hey Jack. So Irina leaves you for a couple days for an English Professors conference and you go and have a heart attack.”

“Well, at least she gets to come home early now.” Jack smirked.

Sydney rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go get Matt.” Sydney stated.

When Sydney was out of earshot, Jack turned to Vaughn. “Why the hell did she bring him? Did she want me to have another heart attack? If he calls me grandpa one more time I’m going to kill him.”

“You can’t kill him in your position.” Vaughn stated seriously. “I’ll help.” He smirked.

“That redneck asshole better not stay here long.”

Vaughn laughed. “Redneck asshole? That’s a good one. My personal favorite is Hairy Bastard, even though Captain Jackass is great too.”

They both stopped laughing when they heard the door opening. They looked at each other and smirked.

Matt greeted Jack with “How ya doin’ Gramps?” Jack glared at him, purposely ignoring him.

Before Jack could get up and kill him, Vaughn stepped in, “Matt, why don’t you go get us some coffee?” Matt grumbled, leaving the room. Jack shot him a look of thanks.

Sydney looked from her father to her best friend. “Be nice.” She demanded, glaring at them both. They both looked away. Busted. “I don’t get why you don’t like him? He’s a really great guy.” Both men scoffed.

Vaughn’s phone saved them from answering. He rolled his eyes, and walked away to answer his phone.

He returned a moment later, his face sullen. “That... that was my boss.” He began to explain. “I just got ... fired.”

Chapter 6

“What?” Sydney gasped. “You got fired? Why?”

“I dunno.” Vaughn sighed. “Something about corporate downsizing.”

“Aw honey I’m so sorry.” Sydney sighed as she walked over and gave him a hug.

“That really is too bad Michael.” Jack said.

“Oh well... I guess now I don’t have an excuse not to alphabetize my DVDs.” Vaughn laughed.

~*~

After spending a few hours at the hospital with Sydney and Jack, Michael went home and began to contemplate the recent direction of his life. He hadn’t been entirely in love with his job, but it was still a job that he could tolerate and he was good at it. Now he needed to find a new one, a task he was most definitely not looking forward to. He hated job interviews; they were the worst. He was always so afraid he’d say something wrong or moronic he ended up hardly talking at all.

So, to take his mind off it, he went online with the intention of browsing random websites. Unfortunately, when his home page, which was the LA King’s website, loaded he groaned aloud upon discovering his favorite player would be out for the rest of the season since he had broken his leg during practice.

“That’s just great, juuuust great.” Michael groaned.

Twenty minutes of Michael sulking later there was a knock at his door.

“Hey.” She said sadly. “I just... didn’t want to be alone right now.”

“Of course, come on in.” Vaughn said.

“Matt and I had a fight.” She sighed.

“Oh?” Vaughn raised an eyebrow. “What did asshole boy say?”

“Don’t start Vaughn.” She sighed.

“Sorry.”

“It was just... stupid... whatever. You didn’t have any plans tonight did you?”

“Syd I’m jobless and Garon will be out for the rest of the season with his stupid broken leg.” Vaughn sulked.

“Aww I’m sorry.” Sydney sighed.

“No it doesn’t matter... I mean your dad’s in the hospital I shouldn’t be whining about hockey.” Vaughn said.

Sydney laughed. “Dad’s going to be fine. He was berating nurses as left.”

“Ah well its nice to see Jack back at his finest.” Vaughn smiled.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” Sydney asked.

“Honestly? I want to get drunk.” He said.

“Alright count me in.” She smiled.

“Syd you hate getting drunk.”

“Yeah but it’s been a while. Besides drunken misery loves company right?” She smiled.

“Right.” He smiled.

They started out with beers, moved on to rum and coke and finally ended up passing a bottle of vodka back and forth. By 11 pm they were both totally wasted.

“Vaughn.” Sydney slurred, half laughing.

“Huh?” He grunted.

“We should stop drinking now.” She said.

“See if you’re sober enough to think we should stop then we shouldn’t stop.” He grinned.

“Haha right.” She laughed. “So you know what I was thinking?”

“Vodka is good?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I was thinking about that night we kissed. Remember?”

“No.” He said.

“Yes you do. It was after that party sophomore year. I was sooo drunk and you were trying to put me to bed and I nearly jumped you.” She explained.

“I dunno.... I don’t think I remember.” He sighed.

“Ugh fine... let’s do something I’m bored.... let’s umm play truth or dare.”

“Truth or dare? What is this? Your tenth birthday?” He smirked.

“Bite me.” She retorted.

“Okay.” He said as he grabbed her arm and bit it lightly.

“VAUGHN!” She laughed.

“You dared me to bite you!”

“I most certainly did not. But... now you get to dare me to do something.” She smiled.

“Alright ummm strip.”

“No.” She said firmly.

“I’ll settle for a kiss.” He smiled.

“Alright.” She sighed as she slid closer to him on the couch. She pressed her lips against his gently at first but then he pulled her deeper into the kiss. With their inhibitions massively lowered, their true suppressed feelings shone through with great passion. Soon shirts were being removed and the not quite empty vodka bottle was knocked over as they two of them made their way to Michael’s bedroom not entirely aware of what they were doing but not really caring either.

Chapter 7

Sydney woke up with a groan, confused of her surroundings. Where was she? She blinked a few times, the light streaming in through the window temporarily blinding her. The birds and crickets outside were chirping loudly. Wouldn’t they just shut up? She looked down at the strong arm around her waist; this definitely wasn’t her boyfriend’s arm.

Turning on her side, she was greeted with her best friend’s sleeping face. “Oh shit,” she hissed, a lot louder than she meant to.

She hated being drunk.

Vaughn’s eyes fluttered open. Sydney’s eyes met with his bright green ones. “Syd.” He groaned.

She jumped back as memories of the previous night came flashing back.

Stumbling into his bedroom in their drunken haze.

Frantic kisses as they undressed each other clumsily.

Climbing into bed and making love.

His smile as he held her afterwards and told her that he’s secretly wanted that for a long time.

Sydney telling him she felt the same.

Rolling over and making love again.

Falling asleep in his strong arms.

“What happened last night?” He groaned again. Sydney pulled the sheet around herself. He didn’t remember. He didn’t remember one of the best nights of her life.

“We got drunk.” She stated.

Vaughn moaned. “Not so loud.” He looked down at his naked form. “Why am I naked?” He looked over at her. “Why are you naked?”

Sydney didn’t know what to do. Should she tell him the truth? Should she pretend it never happened? She quickly choice the latter. “Ummm... We just played Truth or Dare.” She stated. “We dared each other to strip... then we passed out.”

Vaughn nodded. “I’m going to take a shower.” He said, stumbling out of bed. Sydney shut her eyes as he walked towards his bathroom.

She buried her head into the pillow and forced herself not to cry. So what if he didn’t remember. It didn’t mean anything. They were drunk. It meant nothing, she kept telling herself, not believe a word of it. Just don’t cry. Just don’t cry. Just don’t cry. Just don’t cry. Became her new mantra as she stumbled around the room trying to find her clothes. “Shit.” She swore, unable to find her bra.

She eventually found it under the bed. She forced herself not to remember how it got there. She threw on her clothes, running out of Vaughn’s bedroom. Without a goodbye or even a note she left his apartment, away from him. Something she never thought she would do.

How could she let this happen? She asked herself as she walked towards her car. She was lucid enough to know she should stop drinking; she had been sober enough to know what they were doing. She could have stopped it.

But she didn’t want to stop it.

She had wanted Vaughn to tell her he loved her and he wanted her to break up with Matt. She wanted to be with Vaughn, but she knew that could never happen.

Sydney had to pretend this night had never happen and she had to make sure it never happened again.

She was going to go back to Matt.

~*~

Vaughn got out the shower and put on his clothes, his head still pounding. He didn’t remember anything last night, except that Syd had come over and they had decided to get drunk. He couldn’t figure out why she was acting so weird.

“Syd?” He called out, trying to find his best friend.

He searched the whole apartment, but couldn’t find her. Shrugging it off, he went to find some aspirin. He figured that she had left, probably to go make up with that loser boyfriend, he thought bitterly.

Laying down on the couch, he swallowed a couple Tylenol and shut his eyes, trying to make the room stop spinning.

~*~

When Syd walked into her apartment, Matt was there, waiting for her. “Why are you here?” She asked, more cruelly then necessary.

“I came by to apologize last night, but you weren’t home, so I’ve been waiting for you.”

Sydney looked down, unable to meet his eyes. “I was at Vaughn’s. We had a couple drinks, so I slept on his couch.” She lied.

“Are you sure that’s all that happened?” Matt glared at her.

Sydney nodded. “Of course. Nothing happened. Nothing will ever happen.”

Chapter 8

A month had passed since that night. Sydney still thought about it and it still broke her heart. At first, it made her question everything she had with Vaughn. Why didn’t he love her in the ‘boyfriend-girlfriend’ way? Why didn’t he want to be with her? He didn’t have a girlfriend of his own; in fact, he hadn’t for quite some time. So why didn’t he want her to be his girlfriend especially after his obvious distaste for her choice in boyfriends. Why didn’t he just come out and say “I want to be with you”?

Because he’s a guy, she answered her own question.

Since that night she had had a few very passionate dreams about Vaughn. True, she admitted that she had dreams about him that way in the past but they were rare. One week alone she had three of them.

Okay having sex dreams about a man who’s NOT my boyfriend probably isn’t a good thing... she tried to reason with herself. So she did her best to push those thoughts out of her mind for they caused her too much angst and heart break.

~*~

“Babe, is today the twenty fifth or the twenty sixth?” Matt asked one afternoon as he was looking at his checkbook.

“Uh I dunno...”

“Never mind it’s the twenty fifth.” He mumbled.

The twenty fifth? “Shit.” She swore under her breath.

“Did you say something?” Matt asked.

“No, nothing.” She said nervously as she walked quickly to the bathroom. “Oh god, oh no, oh god, oh god, oh god...” She said, hyperventilating slightly. “Ok no, think!” She groaned as she counted dates in her head. “Shit!” She said again as she came up with a number much larger than thirty. “It could be a fluke, right? Yes of course but... just in case...”

Sydney walked back out into the kitchen were Matt was. “I’m gonna run to the drug store real quick, do you need anything?”

“Uhh no I’m good.” He said.

“Alright I’ll be back in a little bit.” She told him.

~*~

The whole time Sydney was checking out with the pregnancy test she was sure people were watching her. The little boy staring at the candy, the woman with her baby, the creepy guy with the mustache behind the cash register; all of them were staring at her and judging her.

“Calm down,” She told herself as she was driving home and noticing her trembling hands. “It will be fine. Fine.”

When she got home she noticed Matt was gone but there was a piece of paper on the kitchen table. Ran to the bank, back in a few. It read in Matt’s messy handwriting.

“That’s good... he shouldn’t be here for this.” She sighed as she walked to the bathroom.

Five minutes later she was pacing the bathroom, impatiently looking at her watch. Finally it beeped and she took a few calming breaths before looking at the pregnancy test. When she saw the tiny plus sign her heart sank to the pit of her stomach and she felt as though she would be physically ill.

“Syd? You home?” Matt called from the other room.

“Uh yeah... just a second.” Sydney called. Oh well, I might as well get this over with She thought as she opened the bathroom door slowly. “Matt... I have to tell you something...”

~*~

Vaughn had barely set his grocery bags down on his kitchen counter when there was a knock at his apartment door. He walked over to it, opened it and found Sydney with tears streaming down her face. She sobbed as she threw her arms around his waist. “Vaughn...”

[9]

Vaughn had barely set his grocery bags down on his kitchen counter when there was a knock at his apartment door. He walked over to it, opened it and found Sydney with tears streaming down her face. She sobbed as she threw her arms around his waist. “Vaughn...”

“Oh my God, Sweetie, what is it?” He asked, letting her cry into his shoulder. Vaughn wrapped his strong arms around her as she sobbed.

After a few minutes she looked at him, her mascara had run and her cheeks were wet with tears, but she was still beautiful to him. “I’m... I’m pregnant.” Sydney sobbed.

“What!?” Vaughn gasped. Sydney had buried her head into the crook of his neck. She couldn’t see the shock register on his face. She was pregnant. That bastard had knocked up his best friend. He was going to pay for that. Vaughn was going to kill that jackass.

Sydney nodded. “We broke up... he didn’t want the baby.” She cried out.

“Matt... I have something I need to tell you.” She said, the nervousness seeping into her voice.

“What is it? I’m watching the Piston’s play.” He said, referring to ‘his’ basketball team.

Sydney rolled her eyes. “This is really important.” She said, letting a tear fall down her cheek.

Matt sighed. “Fine. Whatever.” He said, clicking off the television.

Sydney sat down beside him, taking his hand into her smaller one. “I was late--”

“Late for what?” He cut her off.

“My period.” She stated.

“Oh my God. You better not be pregnant.”

Sydney dropped his hand. “What if I am?” She asked, tears continuing to fall down her cheeks.

“How could you let this happen? This is all your fault.” He glared at her. “I don’t want to be a father. I don’t have to deal with this. Unless you get an abortion, we’re through.”

“I am not getting an abortion.” Sydney cried. “I can’t believe I stayed with you this long. You’re an asshole. We’re done.”

“It’s okay, Syd. I’m here.” He said, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll be here for you no matter what.”

Sydney tightened her grip around his waist. “Michael... what would I do without you?” She said, moving one hand to her face to wipe at the tears.

He shook his head. “I don’t know, but you would have made it. You’re so strong Sydney.” He told her sincerely. “You’re going to be such a fantastic mother and I’m going to be here with you every step of the way, this baby will have a daddy, even if I’m not its biological father.”

“Vaughn... I want to raise this baby with you.” She said honestly. “I should have left Matt a long time ago, before this could happen.”

“At least you know what an ass he is now.” He said, wrapping his arms around her waist again.

“I wish I had listened to you and my dad.” She said, a fresh onslaught of tears starting to fall down her face.

“No more tears.” Vaughn said, wiping away the tears. “Why don’t you go take a nice, long bath? I’ll call the doctor for you and make an appointment. We’ll get through this together, Syd.”

Sydney nodded, walking towards his bathroom. Before closing the door behind her, she turned around. “Michael”

He looked at her, “Hmmm?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Syd.” He smiled. I love you so much more than you know, he said silently to himself.

Vaughn sunk down on the couch. What had he just gotten himself into? What had Syd gotten herself into? He knew they were in for a long nine months.

~*~

Sydney moaned as the warm water surrounded her. All her problems seemed to fade away. She leaned her head against the edge of the tub. She still couldn’t believe how blind she had been. Everyone had seen what an ass Matt was, but she didn’t listen to them. She wished she had. Now she was pregnant with his child. At least she had Vaughn.

He was the one constant in her life.

Maybe there was hope for them after all.

Chapter 10

“You ready Syd?” Vaughn asked her. It was two days after she had shown up at his apartment crying and they were now sitting in the waiting room of they OB-GYN waiting for the doctor.

“Of course not.” She sighed. “But I don’t have a choice do I?”

“Hey,” he said, calling her attention as he squeezed her hand tightly. She looked over at him. He ran his finger under her gin and smiled. “We’re gonna get through this. It will be ok.”

She smiled. “I’d be lost with out you, you know that?”

“Of course.” He smirked.

“Sydney Bristow.” A nurse called.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in?” Vaughn asked as she got up.

“Vaughn, you don’t want to see this.” She told him.

“Syd I told you I’m in and I meant it.” Vaughn smiled.

“Alright come on then.” She said. Vaughn got up and followed her back to the examination room.

“You can put on this.” The nurse said as she handed Sydney a paper gown and left the room.

“Ugh this is so humiliating.” Sydney sighed as she looked to Vaughn.

He smiled slightly. “I’ll close my eyes I swear.”

“Thanks.” She rolled her eyes at him. Vaughn closed his eyes and turned around while she changed then stood up by her head when the doctor came in to examine her.

“It looks like you’re a little over a month along. Would you like to hear the baby’s heartbeat?” The doctor asked.

Sydney smiled up at Michael and nodded her head. Soon the room was filled with the sounds of a rhythmic beat. It didn’t exactly sound like a heart beat but it was steady and strong. Tears came to Sydney’s eyes as she grabbed Vaughn’s hand and held it tightly.

~*~

“The heartbeat was the coolest part, wasn’t it?” Sydney asked as they were driving home.

“Totally the coolest part.” He smiled.

Sydney was silent for a few moments before she sighed. “God Vaughn what are we doing? I mean... we’re going to have a baby. A baby! This is insane... I mean you can’t do this; you don’t have to do this. You can get out right now.”

“Syd, I don’t want to get out.” He told her honestly as he parked the car in the lot beside his apartment. “I want to do this. I love you.”

“I love you too.” She smiled.

“No Syd, I mean.” Vaughn said as he reached over and picked up her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I really love you. Not just as a friend love you. I love you.”

“Vaughn... what are you saying?” Sydney asked quietly, almost in disbelief.

“The truth is, I mean...” He paused and took a deep breath. “Ok I know we’ve been best friends since forever but... somewhere along they way I fell in love with you Sydney I did and I tried to hide it but, I can’t. I don’t want to. Not anymore. If we’re going to do this I want us to do it together, all the way together. I want to be with you and I want this baby to be the start of our new family.”

“Oh god Vaughn, are you proposing to me?” She gasped.

“No, not quite.” He laughed slightly. “I thought we might try actually dating first.”

Sydney smiled and leaned over and kissed him. “I’d love that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She grinned.

“You realize this means you may have to start calling me Michael.” He smiled at her.

“Oh I don’t think it does.” She laughed.

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “Come on, I’ll make you dinner.”

“Alright.” She giggled as she got out of the car and followed him up to his apartment. Once inside the door Vaughn paused and grinned at her. “What?”

“Well there’s just one thing I have to do.” He told her.

“What’s that?” She asked. He took a step towards her and swept her into one of the most passionate kisses she had ever had in her life. She pulled back and gasped for air half in a daze. “Wow...” She sighed.

“Yeah.” He smiled.

“Why the hell didn’t we discover that fifteen years ago?” She asked as she ran her fingers through his hair.

“I don’t know... maybe we weren’t ready for it then but... who cares...” He sighed as he kissed her once more. Then he pulled back and brushed his lips softly against one of her cheeks. “I’ll make you dinner now.”

But before he was able to walk more than a foot away from her, Sydney held tightly to his hand and pulled him back to her. “You can’t just kiss me like that and then walk away.” She smiled. He looked at her curiously. “You say you love me, so prove it. Dinner can wait.”

“Syd...” He looked at her curiously. She just smiled and nodded at him before kicking off her shoes as she disappeared into his bedroom. Vaughn followed her.

Chapter 11

Vaughn woke up the next morning, the biggest smile on his face. He had finally told the woman he loved how he felt and spent the most amazing night with her. Vaughn looked down at the beautiful woman that he held in his arms. Sydney had her head resting on his chest, her hair fanned out everywhere, tickling him slightly. Her mouth was opened slightly as she mumbled incoherently in her sleep.

He loved her so much.

They were going to be a family. Sydney, him, and the baby.

He gently brushed the hair out of her face, the simple movement waking her up. She looked up at him, those big brown eyes of hers sparkling in a way that he had never seen them. He had put that sparkle there. He couldn’t resist swooping down for a quick kiss. Sydney tried to deepen the kiss, but he gently pulled away and laughed. “Jesus Syd, are you trying to kill me?”

“I can’t help it. I just want to be with the man I love.”

Vaughn chuckled slightly. “I think you’re just horny.”

Sydney playfully slapped his chest. “Vaughn!!”

“Here we go with the ‘Vaughn’ again. I like it when you call me Michael.”

Sydney ran a hair through his messy hair. “I call you Michael sometimes.”

“MmmHmm... Like last night.” He smirked, raising his eyebrows. “Well... You screamed it... same difference.” She slapped his chest again. “Hey!” Vaughn exclaimed.

“You’re so mean to me.”

Vaughn looked at her incredulously. “I’m the mean one? Me? You’re the one who just slapped me. Twice.”

“Oh! You’re mean all the time.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

“But your still here with me; in my bed.” He teased, playfully tickling her sides.

She laughed, but still managed to squeal ‘stop it.’ He stopped, letting his hand graze across her bare stomach. He bent down to place a kiss on her flat, toned tummy. “I can’t wait to see your stomach get bigger. You’re definitely the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.” His voice serious and low.

“You’re just saying that.”

“No, I mean it.” He looked up at her, giving her one of his oh so charming smiles. He laid his head down on her belly, the pair falling into a comfortable silence. After a few moments, Vaughn placed another light kiss right above her belly button. “Ya know...” He started. “This- waking up together- hasn’t been weird at all. It feels so right... so perfect.”

Sydney grabbed his hand and pulled him up so they were face to face. She cupped his cheek, feeling the stubble underneath her hand. “I love you so much. I didn’t tell you that last night, but I do. I really love you. I think I always have.” She wiped at the tears forming in her eyes. “Damn hormones.” She laughed. “It’s just... I wished I had realized it sooner. I wish we had gotten together sooner. We’ve wasted so much time.”

Vaughn kissed her lips gently. “We’re together now. That’s all that matters.”

“But if we had gotten together sooner than we wouldn’t be in this position right now.” She argued.

Vaughn smirked. “Well, Ms. Bristow, I rather like the position we’re in right now.” He laughed, resting his head in the crook of her neck, his body covering hers.

“That’s not what I meant.” She couldn’t help but laugh at him. “I meant with Matt and the baby and everything else.”

“I know.” He placed a few soft kisses along her neck and collarbone. “But that’s okay. We’re going to be a family, who knows where we’d be if all that stuff didn’t happen.”

Sydney leaned down for a long, passionate kiss. “How do you always know how to say the right thing?”

Vaughn shrugged. “I don’t know,” He said, leaning down for another kiss.

“I thought you had had enough.” Sydney smirked.

“Never.” Vaughn whispered into her lips.

~*~

A little while later, Vaughn was bring Sydney breakfast... well lunch in bed. He placed the tray in her lap. Nudging her arm he asked, “Are you okay? You look a million miles away.”

Sydney shrugged. “I was thinking about my dad.” Vaughn raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “What?” Sydney asked with a smile.

“It’s just... we had this incredibly sweet and romantic morning and then you have to go and mention your dad.”

Sydney shook her head, turning her head to give him a quick kiss. “I was thinking about how I would tell him.”

Vaughn nodded knowingly. “I would start with telling him that you and Matt broke up, that will put him in a good mood.”

Sydney laughed. “How will he react?”

“I don’t know.” Vaughn answered honestly. “But no matter how he reacts, I’ll be right by your side.”

“I love you.” Sydney grinned.

“Right back-atcha Bristow.”

Chapter 12

Michael and Sydney had decided it would be best to tell Jack as soon as possible just to get it over with. So they went over to visit him the following Saturday.

“Sydney, Michael, come on in.” Jack smiled. “How are you?”

“Good,” Michael smiled. “How are you feeling Jack?”

“Better thank you Michael.” Jack grinned. “So Sydney, you have something to tell me?”

“Uh yes, we should all sit.” Sydney said. Jack took a seat on a chair and Sydney and Michael sat together on the couch, sitting much closer than usual, Jack noted. “Well we have some good news, some better news and some to be determined news.”

“Alright...” Jack said cautiously.

“Well I broke up with Matt.” Sydney said.

“Really? That’s fantastic, and it’s about damn time too.” Jack said.

“I know.” Sydney said. “And now I’m with Michael.”

“With Michael?” Jack asked.

“Yes.” Sydney said as she reached over and took Vaughn’s hand in hers; he squeezed hers back tightly.

Jack was silent for a moment, looking between the two of them sitting on his couch. Then he broke into a smile. “Well that’s even better. It’s definitely about time you two were together. Your mother will be pleased to hear it too.” Jack added.

“Good.” Sydney smiled. “Now um there is one more thing... I’m pregnant.” She said quickly.

This time Jack’s expression fell but he didn’t say a thing.

“It’s Matt’s baby but he doesn’t want anything to do with it so Vaughn and I are going to raise it together.” Sydney said. Vaughn nodded in agreement.

“Well, um,” Jack began. “I wasn’t expecting that but... you seem to have it planned out.”

“Yes.” Vaughn said.

“Have you been to a doctor yet Sydney? I mean....”

“Yes.” She interrupted. “The baby’s fine; it will probably come in mid-June.” She told him.

“Well it seems like you’ve got a lot planned out. Let’s eat.” Jack smiled.

~*~

“So he took that well don’t you think?” Sydney said once she and Vaughn were going home.

“Yes he did.” Vaughn said.

“Ugh...” She groaned.

“What?”

“Well I was just thinking of all the stuff I need to get. Baby books – tons of them because I don’t know anything about babies and a crib and a changing table and baby clothes and diapers and...”

“Whoa Syd slow down. You’re only like a month pregnant.” He said.

“I know.” She sighed. “It’s just... overwhelming....”

“Syd.” Vaughn said as he hugged her tightly. “It’s going to be ok. We’ll just take it a day at a time and together we’ll get through this.”

“Vaughn, thank you so much.” Sydney sighed.

“For what?”

“Everything... turning your life upside down for me... I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes you do. You deserve everything.” He said as he kissed the top of her head.

Chapter 13

“Come on Syd, get up.” Vaughn pleaded when he saw Syd lounging on his couch re-reading Pride and Prejudice for what seemed like the millionth time.

When she said no, he whined, “Syyyyyyd.”

“Because we both know that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy end up together, plus... I want to take you out for out first date.” He confessed, giving her one of those charming smiles she couldn’t resist.

She ‘bunny eared’ the page and set the book down. “We go out all the time.” Sydney reasoned.

“But this is our first real date as a couple.”

Sydney gave in, “Fine. I’ll go home and get ready, you can pick me up in an hour.”

Vaughn smiled victoriously. “Thank you, Syd!”

“You better have something special planned, I’m missing Pride and Prejudice for this.” Vaughn gave her a look. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I complain too much.” She kissed his lips quickly. “See ya later, handsome.”

“Love you.” He called out at her retreating form.

She turned around, giving him a dazzling grin. “I love you, too.”

~*~

Vaughn picked Sydney up exactly one hour later. She answered the door in a form fitting black dress that flowed down and ended right below her knees. The halter top dress had a plunging neckline that made Vaughn gulp. Maybe we can skip dinner and stay home, Vaughn thought with a wicked grin. “Wow...” He stuttered out.

“You like?” She said, spinning around.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her deeply. “I love.”

Sydney blushed. “I have to get my purse,” she whispered. He moved aside to let her into the apartment. She returned a moment later, a black clutch in her hand and a shawl around her bare arms.

“You look really beautiful,” He whispered into her ear as they walked towards his car.

“You won’t be saying that in a few months.”

Vaughn silenced her with a kiss. “I will always think that you are beautiful. Even when we’re old and grey and you have blue hair.” Sydney laughed, stepping into the car. Vaughn shut the door behind her and ran to his side.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of a quaint Italian restaurant. Vaughn put the car in park and turned it off, before rushing to open the door for Sydney. She grabbed his hand as they walked into the small building.

“Reservation for Vaughn.” He told the Maitre’d.

The man nodded, leading them towards a dimly lit area of the restaurant. Candles were everywhere, creating a romantic glow. Vaughn pulled the chair out for Sydney and pushed her in, always the perfect gentleman.

After debating over the menu for a while, Vaughn ordered the pasta primavera. Sydney got the lasagna. They also got a side of breadsticks.

“How did you find this place?” Sydney asked in awe.

Vaughn shrugged. “My mom told me about it awhile ago and I’ve always wanted to come, but I wanted to bring someone special.” Sydney smiled, taking his hand into hers.

“What are your parents going to think about us... and what we’re doing?” Sydney asked cautiously.

Vaughn gave her a reassuring look. “Syd, they love you, they’ll be happy that we’re finally together. They’ll probably be glad that I’m helping you raise the baby. They would be disappointed in me if I didn’t.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Sydney said honestly. Their moment was cut short, by the waiter bringing out their food.

They ate with a comfortable conversation; talking about Eric and his latest antics and their parents.

After sharing a piece of rich chocolate cake, they decided to call it a night and go home.

They decided to stay the night at Sydney’s. They walked hand-in-hand up the pathway. Sydney paused to unlock the door and smirked. “You know...” She giggled. “I never invite a guy inside after the first date.” Vaughn rolled his eyes. Pinning her up against the door, he kissed her passionately. “But I can make an exception for you.” She added breathlessly as they stumbled into the house.

Chapter 14

“Dear god look at me, I am a cow.” Sydney groaned as she examined her expanding figure in the full length mirror. She was wearing sweat pants on the bottom but only a bra on top and Vaughn was watching her from his bed.

“You look beautiful.”

“No I don’t.” She whined. “Look I have stretch marks, ugh that’s soooooo disgusting. And I’m huge.” She sighed as she traced her rounded belly.

“Sydney you are six months pregnant.” Michael sighed.

“I know! Wait, are you calling me fat? Did you just call me fat Michael Vaughn?!” She demanded.

“NO!” He said quickly. “God no, I would never, ever call you fat because you could never be fat.”

“I’m fat now.”

“No you’re pregnant, there is a difference.”

“What’s the difference?” She asked with a moan.

“When you’re fat it’s because you eat too much food and the fat doesn’t go away very easily. When you’re pregnant it’s not fat it’s an actual human inside you and it tends to go away once the human leaves.” He said very seriously which made her laugh.

“Thanks.” She laughed.

“Can we go to the doctor’s appointment now?” Michael asked.

“Yes.” She sighed as she pulled her shirt over her head.

“Good. Oh that reminds me. I signed us up for birthing classes. They’re on Monday and Wednesday nights.” Michael told her.

“Really?” She croaked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh nothing... it just seems soon... I mean... it like makes it more real.” She sighed.

“Right.” He laughed.

“I have to get a crib and a changing table and...”

“Whoa slow down.” Michael said. “That’s something else I wanted to talk to you about but if we don’t leave now we’re going to be late.”

“Alright,” Sydney sighed. “I guess I can wait until after the appointment...”

“That’s my good girl.” He teased. “If you’re good I’ll buy you a milkshake.”

“NOOO! Then I’ll get fat.”

“Please god not this again.” Michael groaned as he walked out the door.

~*~

“Everything looks really good Sydney.” The doctor smiled at her. “Would you two like to know the sex of the baby?”

Michael looked to Sydney who just smiled. “I’m very impatient so yes please.”

“Impatient.” Michael laughed under his breath. Sydney pinched his hand sharply. “Ouch.” He grunted.

The doctor laughed slightly before continuing with the ultrasound. “It looks like you’ll be having a little girl.”

“Ohhh a girl.” Sydney sighed. “I love girls.”

“Me too.” Michael smiled as they both admired the ultrasound.

~*~

“Can we go to Friendly’s? I’ve got an ice cream craving.” Sydney asked once they were in the car.

“Sure.” Michael said as he refrained from making a ‘getting fat’ joke.

As they sat on a picnic table eating their ice cream Michael brought up the topic he’d been wanting to talk about for weeks. “So I was thinking... if we’re going to do this baby thing we should do it all the way so, I think we should move in together.”

“Really?” Sydney smiled.

“Yeah, I mean you practically live at my place anyway.” He smiled.

“I’d love that.” Sydney grinned.

“And I don’t think we should stay in the apartment... I mean it’s tiny and the baby deserves a yard with a swing set.” Michael said. He looked over at Sydney who was grinning at him. “What?”

“You are just the sweetest thing on earth aren’t you? Well aside from this ice cream...”

Michael laughed. “Yeah, something like that.”

Chapter 15

Michael plopped down on their new couch exhausted. Eric and he had been moving boxes into the new house all day. Yes, new house. After Sydney and Michael discussed moving in together, they immediately began searching for a new home to live in.

After three weeks of looking, they still hadn’t found a house and were beginning to get very discouraged.

It became increasingly difficult to go shopping for houses as Sydney entered her seventh month of pregnancy. All the walking hurt her already swollen ankles.

One day at work, Michael had gotten a new job after being laid off; the realtor had called Michael and told him of a new house that had just been added to the market. Without bothering a very cranky Sydney, Michael went to look at the house himself.

He was instantly in love with the two-story suburban home. It had a large backyard with a pool and swing set. It had three bedrooms, an office, and two bathrooms, perfect for their growing family.

Michael knew better than to buy the house with Syd’s approval, so the next day, he surprised her by showing her the house. Sydney adored it, even more than Michael and they signed the papers that afternoon.

A now seven and a half months pregnant Sydney, Michael, and Eric managed to move all the major furniture and several boxes into the new home. Michael had already painted the nursery so the paint smell would be gone from the room by the time the baby was born. It was a pale pink and matched the Winnie the Pooh theme that they had chosen for their little girl.

“I’m pooped.” Sydney sighed, plopping down next to her boyfriend.

Michael looked at her incredulously. “You’re pooped?? You carried pillows.” Sydney glared at Michael clearly saying ‘Don’t mess with the moody pregnant woman’. Michael muttered an apology and offered to get her a bottle of water while he was getting one for himself.

On the way to the kitchen, Michael removed his sweaty shirt, giving Sydney an amazing view of his incredibly toned and muscular back. She suddenly wasn’t tired anymore as she watch him walk back. “Vaughnie, honey, have you set up our bed yet?” She asked with a seductive smile on her face.

“Syyyyd... I’m too tired.” He groaned. For the past few weeks, Sydney had been completely insatiable. Along with that she had been having several late night cravings, add moving day to the equation and Michael was completely exhausted.

“Please. Sweetie, I need you.” She practically begged, moving her hands to rub circles on his sweaty abdomen.

“Syyyyyyd.” He said again, this time more warningly. “Weren’t you satisfied from last night... then this morning?”

Suddenly, her mood shifted. “You think I’m fat, don’t you?”

Michael gaped at her. “Whh.. haa.. What?” He stuttered.

“That’s why you don’t want to make love to me anymore.” She explained, a pout prominent on her face.

He moved to cup her face. “Sweetie, you are so beautiful and definitely not fat. You can barely tell that you are pregnant. All the pregnant women in our birthing classes are jealous. I’m just worn out.” He cooed, trying to calm her.

Sydney nodded, wiping at the few stray tears that had fallen down her cheeks.

“I love you.” He added with a kiss to her forehead. Sydney smiled repeating the words to him. “Do you want to go get some ice cream?” He asked, knowing that would distract her from her sex drive. Sydney nodded vigorously with an excited ‘Yes’. “I’m going to go change.” Michael told her, running up to their room.

He searched through a couple boxes before finding a clean tee-shirt and jeans. Michael returned to see Sydney right where he left her. Shoving his wallet into his back pocket he asked, “You ready?” Sydney nodded and took Michael’s outstretched hand to pull herself up.

They went to the park where they bought the largest ice cream sundae and split it. Michael laughed at Sydney as she got ice cream on her nose. As he helped her wipe away the ice cream, Michael couldn’t help but think about how perfect his life was.

He had never been happier.

Chapter 16

“Syd,” Vaughn called down the hallway.

“I’m commin, I’m commin...” She groaned as she waddled out of the bathroom. Now eight and a half months pregnant Sydney felt like she was practically living in a bathroom. “Why does the baby like to kick my bladder so much?” Sydney whined.

“I don’t know.” Vaughn sighed. “Come on,” he said as he held open the door to their birthing class. Sydney and Vaughn smiled at the other parents-to-be and said their hellos.

“Where’s Sarah?” Sydney asked as she observed the people in the room.

“Oh didn’t you hear? She had her baby two nights ago.” One woman said.

“Oh really?” Sydney asked.

“Yeah she’s doing fine though.” The woman said.

“What did she have?”

“A little boy.”

“Oh that’s nice.” Sydney smiled.

“Ok Mommies and Daddies.” The teacher grinned. “Get your pillows set up on the floor so Mommies can have a seat.” And then she continued with class.

~*~

As Vaughn was driving home from class that day he noticed that Sydney was unusually quiet. “Do you want to stop at the store for something while we’re out?”

“No.” Sydney sighed sadly.

“What’s the matter babe?” He asked.

“Nothing....” She sighed again. Vaughn knew she was lying of course but didn’t want to press her and cause her to start crying like he had so many times before.

Finally when they arrived at the house Sydney started crying as they were walking up to the front door. “Syd what happened?” Vaughn asked. Sydney just shook her head and cried harder. Vaughn whispered comforting things into her ear as he let them in the house and guided her to the couch. He pulled her into a tight hug and rocked her gently. “What’s wrong? Please tell me?”

“All the mother’s a birthing class think I’m a whore!” She sobbed.

Vaughn was stunned. He had no clue in the free world where she had gotten that idea. “What? No they don’t!”

“Yes they do, I mean look at me. I’m a whore. I’m a single eight and a half months pregnant whore.” She cried.

Vaughn handed her a tissue and said, “You’re not single.”

“No I know but... I’m not married all because my baby’s daddy is an asshole who left me.”

“Syd, Syd listen to me.” Vaughn said in a soothing voice. “He doesn’t deserve to be here.”

“You’re right he doesn’t.” Sydney sniffed. “You’re going to be a better Daddy than him.” She smiled, her tears subsiding slightly.

“Thanks.” He smiled as he kissed her cheek. She sad silent for a few moment before a fresh onslaught of tears began to fall as she broke down once more. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Vaughn asked, trying not to sound frustrated.

“They’re all married.” She sobbed.

“Do you wanna get married Syd?” Vaughn asked. The truth was that marriage wasn’t even a scary concept for him. He had actually been thinking about it a lot over the past few months. He wanted to marry her because he knew that they were forever. They always had been and always would be.

“What?” She sniffed as she looked up at him.

Vaughn slid off the couch and down to the floor onto one knee. He took Sydney’s one hand that was slightly damp from the tears in his and held it tightly. “Will you marry me Sydney?”

Sydney didn’t react for a moment but then she started crying harder. Vaughn, who was utterly confused, slid back onto the couch. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

“You’re just saying that because you think you have to! You don’t want to marry me!!” She cried.

“Yes, I do, Syd listen. Hey look at me.” He said as he tilted her face towards his. She looked at him with her puffy eyes and running nose and he couldn’t help but smile at her. “Remember the pact we made?”

“What pact?” She sniffed as she reached for another tissue to add to the growing pile in her lap.

“Remember? It was junior year and we were watching Friends and Ross and Rachel were making that pact. The one that says if they both reach a certain age and they’re not married they’ll marry each other. And then we said that if we’re both unmarried at thirty five then we’ll marry each other. Remember that?” Vaughn asked with a smiled.

“Oh yeah...” Sydney said.

“Well I’m almost thirty four Syd and look, look at us we’re together and hell I was gonna hold you to that pact Syd. Even if you were dating someone who I thought wasn’t good enough I’d sabotage you’re relationship just so I could marry you.” He said. Sydney laughed slightly and cracked a smile through her tears. “Sydney you’ve been my best friend for over fifteen years, I could never ever love anyone more than I love you and I know that we’re meant to be together forever. Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” She grinned as she dove on him with a kiss. “I love you so much Vaughn.” She smiled when she broke from their kiss.

“I love you too. You know you might have to stop calling me Vaughn once you become Mrs. Vaughn.” He grinned.

She shook her head. “No, I won’t.”

“Alright.” He laughed.

“Let’s get married tomorrow ok?” Sydney asked hopefully.

“Tomorrow?!”

“Well yeah. Look at me Vaughn I’m gonna pop any second and I will not have this baby without being married.” Sydney said.

“Alright,” Vaughn sighed. “Tomorrow.”

“Yay!” She squealed as she hugged him.

“So do you wanna tell your dad first or shock him after words?” Vaughn smirked.

“Right now, I want to celebrate.” She sighed as she pulled him into another kiss.

Chapter 17

Sydney giggled as her and Vaughn walked into their apartment as husband and wife. Two days earlier they had driven to Santa Barbara and eloped on the beach, they stayed there for a couple nights honeymooning and enjoying their time alone together.

They just forgot to do one important thing: tell Jack. Sydney failed to mention to him that they were going away.

When they returned there were twenty messages on their answering machine, most of them from Jack wondering where the hell they were.

“Syd, you didn’t tell him we were going away?” Vaughn looked at her incredulously, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Umm.. Nooo...” She giggled, leaning in for a kiss from Vaughn. “How about we go tell him in a few hours?”

“Why not now?” Vaughn asked curiously.

Sydney grabbed the collar of his polo shirt and pulled him down for a searing kiss. “Cause I have other plans for now.” She smirked, grabbing a fistful of shirt and pulling him to the bedroom.

~*~

Sydney called Jack and asked him to dinner. They were going to meet at Outback Steakhouse. Sydney and Vaughn figured it would be best to tell him in a public place where he couldn’t kill both of them.

Sydney was dressing in a pair of dressy khakis and a button up blouse. Vaughn was already wearing a pair of dress slacks with a polo shirt. He smiled at his wife. His wife. The words flowed off his tongue. She was his wife. He had longed for the day where he would get to call her that, and that day had finally arrived and he couldn’t have been happier.

Feeling the need to touch her, Vaughn wrapped his arms around her pregnant belly and placed a soft kiss on her neck. “You’re beautiful.” He muttered into her back.

“If you keep that up, we’re going to be late.” Sydney smiled, turning her head to meet his lips for a soft kiss.

He gently rubbed her eight and a half month belly, placing on last kiss on the tip of her nose before moving away.

“Let’s go.” Vaughn smiled.

By the time Sydney and Vaughn got out of the house, Jack was at the restaurant waiting. He greeted Sydney with a hug and Vaughn with a manly handshake.

Jack looked up at the younger man when he felt the cool metal of a ring beneath his touch. Looking at Sydney’s left hand, he saw a matching ring. “Sydney Ann Bristow, start talking right now.” Jack demanded.

She grabbed Vaughn’s hand for support as they sat down in the booth. “Sit down Daddy.” Sydney started. “How’s your heart? Have you been feeling okay?” She stalled.

“Sydney” He said warningly.

“Vaughn and I eloped.” She blurted out.

“What!?” Jack exclaimed loudly, attracting attention from the surrounding tables. He quieted down. “You two what!?”

“We got married.” Vaughn stated.

“Why would you do something like that?” Jack asked with a scowl, fighting the urge to yell. Damn them for picking a public place to tell him this news.

Tears began to pool in Sydney’s eyes. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?” She sniffed, wiping at her eyes. Vaughn cursed silently, resting his hand in his head, waiting for the outburst Sydney was bound to cause. With his free hand, he tried to unsuccessfully calm Sydney by rubbing gently circles on her back.

Wanting to prevent a scene confessed, “Sweetheart, I am happy for you. I’m glad you married Michael. He’s the one man who comes even close to deserving you.” As an afterthought, he added. “Congratulations.” It was the truth, under any other circumstances, he would have never admitted that, but he was willing to quell his pregnant daughter at any cost, even if it meant being more gentle and not the hardass that he pretended to be.

“Did you mean that?” Sydney asked, her mood shifting again. Jack nodded adamantly. “I love you, Daddy.” She grinned, squeezing his hand.

Her joyful grin was soon replaced with a painful grimace. “Syd, baby, what’s wrong?” Vaughn asked, concern dripping in his tone.

“I think... I think I’m going into labor.” She told him, clutching her stomach.

Chapter 18

“Look at her, isn’t she gorgeous?” Sydney sighed contently as she cradled her baby girl who was only hours old.

“She is, just like her Mommy.” Vaughn sighed as he pressed a kiss into Sydney’s temple. He looked down at the little baby girl she was holding and saw her yawn the most adorable yawn he had ever seen in his entire life. Vaughn’s hear fluttered in his chest and in that moment he didn’t care if he wasn’t her biological father he already loved her more than he could ever say. “Syd did you pick a name yet?”

Sydney shook her head. “You pick, I’m too tired and I know I’ll love whatever you come up with.”

“I want you to choose too so how about I pick the first and you pick the middle name, ok?” Vaughn asked. Sydney nodded. “Alright let me see her,” he said as he gently took the baby from Sydney. He held her for a moment, looking at her closely and trying to find an appropriate name. “Morgan.”

“Aww I love it.” Sydney smiled. “And her middle name should be Amelia.”

Vaughn’s heart fluttered again. “Really?”

“Yes.” Sydney nodded. “Morgan Amelia, it’s perfect.”

“I love you so much you know that?” Vaughn said.

“I love you too. Hey, what’s her blood type?” Sydney asked.

“Wow that was random.” Vaughn laughed.

Sydney shrugged. “I’m just curious.”

Vaughn walked over and checked the chart that was hanging on the tiny baby bed in the room. “Ummm AB positive.”

“HOLY SHIT!” Sydney screeched as she sat bolt upright in bed.

“What?! What? What? Are you ok?” Vaughn asked frantically.

“Oh my god Vaughn!” Sydney said, her breathing growing heavy.

Vaughn placed the baby gently in her bed and rushed to Sydney’s side. “What, what’s wrong Syd?”

“The baby has AB blood!”

“Yeah...” Vaughn said cautiously.

“I HAVE A BLOOD!!” Sydney screeched.

“Yeah...” Vaughn said again, clearly having no idea where she was going with her logic or why she was freaking out.

“VAUGHN!” She said as she grabbed his shirt collar. “What kind of blood do you have?!”

“B positive why?”

“OH MY GOD!! VAUGHN!!!” She cried as she rested her head against his chest.

“Syd, you have to calm down and talk slowly, I don’t understand you.” Vaughn said very slowly.

“DO YOU SERIOUSLY NOT GET THIS?!”

“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!” Vaughn said with equal force in his statement.

Then it hit her. She understood why he looked more confused than she had ever seen any human look in her life. He didn’t remember. “Ok, ok.” Sydney said, taking a few deep breaths. “Ok Matt had O negative blood, I remember because he always made a big deal about it when he went to the blood bank to donate because he said how his blood was universal and could help everyone...”

“Nice.” Vaughn sighed. Asshole he thought.

“Vaughn, do you know how a baby gets AB blood?” Sydney asked.

“Um, from her parents?!” Vaughn offered, still clueless.

“Yes! I have A blood which means her father has to have B blood in order for her to have AB blood. Vaughn! You’re her father!” Sydney exclaimed.

Vaughn looked at her like she was a crazy person. “WHAT?! Syd, honey, I think the drugs are affecting your brain, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.” He said as he stroked her face.

“No! Ok, Vaughn think! Remember that night we got drunk and we woke up naked? Well I lied to you. We had sex that night I just didn’t tell you because it hurt too bad that you didn’t remember. We had sex and then I got pregnant and I thought it was Matt’s but it can’t be because Matt doesn’t have B blood. You have B blood Vaughn. You’re Morgan’s father.” Sydney said with one large breath. She exhaled and stared at him, waiting for a response. “Vaughn? Vaughn?!”

Vaughn’s eyes rolled back in his head and he hit the floor with a sickening thud.

Chapter 19

When he finally came to, Vaughn groaned and rubbed his head. “Ow,” he complained.

“Oh my God, honey, are you okay?” Sydney asked concerned, leaning over the bed’s railing to look at him.

Vaughn moaned again, slowly getting up and sitting down on the closest chair. “So... I’m her father.” His eyes still wide. He looked from the baby in the bassinet at the end of the bed to Sydney.

It made sense. Morgan had light blonde hair, and a dominant chin dimple. Neither Matt nor Sydney had either of those qualities. As a matter of fact, the only thing Morgan had inherited from her mother was her nose. Besides that, she was the spiting image of her father.

“You lied to me.” He stated.

Sydney looked down ashamed. “I thought it was best at the time... Michael” She said, using his first name. “I was so scared. You didn’t remember, and if I had told you the truth you would have said something about how you were drunk and it was an accident and that it could never happen again. I knew you would regret it. I couldn’t deal with that. I secretly wanted you to tell me how much you loved me and that you wanted me to leave Matt for you... I just didn’t know what to do.” She confessed, tears running down her cheeks.

“Syd...” He whispered, not knowing what to say. Instead, he crawled onto the bed and let her cry into his chest. “I never would have regretted it. And I wanted you to leave him so bad, but I was just scared. We were both scared.” He told her honestly. She nodded into his shoulder, still clutching on to him.

They were quiet for a few moments, content just to be in each other’s arms. Finally, Syd broke the silence. “I’m glad you’re the father.” She said in a quiet whisper. “I just wish I had realized it sooner.”

“Its okay, baby. We know now. That’s all that matters.” He said, before admitting, “I’m glad I’m the father, too. It wouldn’t have been any fun to tell her that I’m not her biological father when she gets older.”

Sydney smiled, “That’s true.”

“I bet your father is dying to see you, I’ll go get him.” Vaughn said, getting up.

He returned a few minutes later, Jack and Irina in tow. Apparently, Jack had called Irina. Vaughn carefully got Morgan out her bassinet and handed her to her grandmother.

“Oh my God, she’s so beautiful.” Irina gasped. She chuckled, “Michael, she looks more like you than Matt.”

Sydney and Vaughn looked at each other and smiled. “Actually... Vaughn is her father.”

“We know, Sydney. Vaughn is going to raise her.” Jack said.

“Nooo.. You don’t understand. Vaughn is her father.”

Jack and Irina looked at her confused. Vaughn explained, “Apparently, Syd and I slept together nine months ago.” He paused. “Oh God. I just said that... to her parents.”

Irina nodded in understanding. Jack asked, “Apparently?”

“We were drunk and Vaughn didn’t remember so I lied to him.” Sydney further explained.

“Isn’t that... pleasant” Jack raised an eyebrow. Irina placed a kiss on the baby’s head and handed her to Jack.

Jack held the baby gently, so uncharacteristic of him. He wasn’t awkward at all with the tiny infant in his arms.

Her parents stayed a while visiting, they said they would call Eric and Amelia for them.

Sydney and Vaughn were left alone with their baby girl. “I can’t believe she’s my baby. I loved her so much before I knew, but now... it’s just... wow.” Vaughn said, unable to describe the amount of love he was feeling for such the small child.

Sydney laid her head on his shoulder as they sat there: a perfect little family.

Chapter 20

Two days later Sydney and Morgan were released from the hospital and when they arrived home they found an unexpected house guest.

“Eric what are you doing here?” Vaughn asked as he helped Sydney into the house.

“I wanted to see the baby.” Eric said as he followed them in carrying balloons and a rather large teddy bear. “You guys didn’t even tell me what you named her yet. I’m so offended.” He fake pouted.

“Aw, sorry Eric.” Sydney sighed. “But here she is.”

“What’s her name?” Eric asked as he put his gifts down on the couch, still not looking at the baby.

“Morgan Amelia Vaughn.” Vaughn said.

“Aww that’s so – HOLY SHIT!” Eric exclaimed when he saw Morgan in Sydney’s arms.

“Eric!” She hissed. “Watch your language around the baby!”

“Sorry... It’s just...” Eric let her voice trial off as he looked down at her.

“What?” Sydney asked.

“She, um, she.... she looks like Michael....” Eric said quietly. Sydney glanced over at her husband and winked. Michael smiled back at her. On the way home they had discussed this. When Eric came over if he noticed Morgan’s resemblance to her father they were going to mess with him, just for the hell of it.

“Does she?” Sydney gasped.

“Uh yeah.” Eric said, still in disbelief.

“Vaughn, did you think Morgan looks like you?” Sydney asked him with a smile.

“Hmm let me see.” Vaughn smiled as he walked over to them and observed his baby girl. “Nope I don’t see it.”

Eric’s jaw was practically on the ground. “You’re kidding me right?”

“What?!” Sydney and Vaughn asked in unison.

“Look! Look at the child. Look her hair... her chin and just, AH! I can’t explain it but, man is it ever freaky!”

“Well I don’t see it.” Vaughn sighed.

Eric gave an aggravated groan. Sydney’s face cracked into a smile and she tired unsuccessfully to hold in a snicker. Eric looked at her quickly. “What?”

Sydney laughed harder. “We’re sorry Eric, we were messing with you. Vaughn is Morgan’s father.”

“No, I know that.” Eric sighed. “But I still don’t understand how she can look so fu-freakin much like him.” Eric caught himself before saying an obscenity that Sydney wouldn’t appreciate.

“No, no Eric, Vaughn is her father. Her real father.” Sydney told him.

Eric’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.

“Sit down.” Sydney sighed. Then she and Vaughn went on to explain the fateful events of nine months prior.

“Seriously?” Eric asked when they finished.

“Yes.” They said in unison.

“Wow...” he sighed. “But wait, how’d you figure it out?”

“Syd did actually.” Vaughn smiled.

“Yeah, through her blood type.” Sydney explained. Eric looked at her curiously. “Well, she has AB and I only have A which meant her father has to have B but Matt had O and Vaughn has B so...”

“Wow, that’s really cool. So you guys are like a family, a real family.”

“As opposed to the fake families you see now-a-days.” Vaughn smirked.

“Right.” Eric laughed. “So can I hold her?”

“I don’t know Eric, can you?” Sydney asked cautiously.

“Yes.” He said, sounding insulted. Sydney cautiously handed him the baby and he almost dropped her into his lap; Sydney and Michael jumped. “It’s ok I got it.” Eric assured them.

“She’s not an it.” Vaughn groaned.

“Sorry, I’ve got Morgan it’s fine.” Eric said. “Aww she’s so cute. She’s gonna have so much fun with her uncle Eric.”

“That’s what we’re afraid of.” Sydney mumbled to Vaughn.

“What was that?” Eric asked.

“Nothing.” They smiled.

[Chapter 21]

“Do you think we were too mean to Eric?” Sydney asked after Eric had left and Morgan had been put to bed.

Vaughn snickered. “No. He deserved it.” Michael said.

Sydney laughed. “Yeah, he did.” Sydney yawned.

“Are you tired?” Sydney nodded. “Okay, let’s go to bed.” Vaughn told her, leading her to their bedroom.

They went through their normal before bed routine, before slipping beneath the covers. “Love you.” Vaughn whispered, kissing his wife softly.

“I love you, too.” She said, snuggling against him.

They were asleep for what seemed like just a few minutes when Morgan’s cries began to come through the baby monitor.

Both overprotective parents shot up, Vaughn knew Sydney needed her rest and volunteered to go rock her back to sleep.

Vaughn briskly walked down the hallway to the room with a small light coming from it. Vaughn saw his baby girl laying there, looking so helpless. He quickly picked her up, rocking her back and forth gently for a moment. When her cries didn’t stop, he checked her diaper. “And we have a winner”, Vaughn said, carefully laying Morgan on the new changing table.

As he went to put this fresh diaper on he began to panic. He hadn’t changed a diaper before. The nurses had done it at the hospital, and Sydney had changed it earlier that day. “Syd...” He whispered frantically into the baby monitor, hoping she could hear him.

She could, and a minute later she sleepily walked into the room. “What?” She asked groggily.

“I can’t change her diaper.”

“And why not?” She questioned almost impatiently. He should have known better than to disturb a sleepy and grumpy Syd.

“I’ve never done this before.” He whispered.

Sydney sighed loudly, making quick work of the dirty diaper and showed Vaughn how to put a new diaper on.

“Got it?” She asked. Vaughn nodded. “Good, I’m going back to bed.”

Vaughn chuckled inwardly at his wife as he picked up the now quiet newborn. Sitting down in the rocking chair he began, “Baby, I know I’m your daddy and I’m supposed to know how to do all this stuff, but I don’t. I’m new at this. So... take it easy on me. I’ll get the hang of it eventually.”

With a kiss to her blonde hair, Vaughn whispered his love for the small girl and lay her back down in her crib.

~*~

Morgan slept through the rest of the night, much to her parent’s relief. At 6, Syd got up when Morgan started fussing, obviously hungry.

She had finally gotten the hang of feeding the small baby, she had a lot of trouble at the beginning.

The nurse bought baby Morgan back into the room to be fed, “Are you ready?” She asked Sydney, placing the baby in her arms.

Sydney nodded, lifting her shirt to give the small child access to her breast so she could get milk.

As much as she tried, the infant would not latch on to Sydney’s nipple. After several tries and the nurse’s instructions, the stubborn little girl still would not feed off of her mother.

Sydney sighed frustrated. “We can try again later.”

Vaughn walked into the room, confused at his wife’s sadden face. “What’s wrong, honey?” He asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“She won’t breastfeed.” Sydney said, her eyes welling up with tears.

“Syd...” He used his finger to raise her chin, so she would look at him. “Syd, look at me, okay. Do you remember in our birthing classes what the woman said? She said that it takes a few tries, don’t let it get to you.”

Sydney nodded, Vaughn softly brushed away the tears, placing a kiss on the top of Sydney’s head..

Vaughn leaned on the wall, watching his wife and daughter, both oblivious to his presence. He smiled when Sydney began to sing an old lullaby to their daughter.

Vaughn couldn’t wipe the grin on his face as he continued to watch the interaction between mother and daughter.

After a moment, he caught Sydney’s eye and she looked up at him. “What?” She asked self-consciously.

“Nothing... I love you, both of you.”

Chapter 22

It had been almost two weeks and both Sydney and Vaughn were wearing thin. Between midnight feedings, two am feedings, four am crying and daytime housework they were utterly exhausted. Plus the fact that Vaughn’s paternity leave was up at the end of two weeks which wasn’t helping at all.

Sydney felt guilty that Vaughn was so exhausted, especially when he had to go back to work and Vaughn felt guilty that he wasn’t able to give Sydney as much help as she needed.

The day before Vaughn was to return to work, he and Sydney were laying across their bed after putting Morgan down finally, both of them utterly exhausted. “We need to discuss this.” Vaughn said. Sydney grunted in response, letting him know she was listening. “We can’t keep this up. I mean, when was the last time you slept for more than an hour?”

“Sleep? What’s sleep again?” She mumbled.

“Syd, I’m serious.”

“I know.” She sighed. “But it will get better.”

“Yes but you’re going to get sick if you don’t sleep.” Michael sighed. But before he had a chance to speak again the doorbell rang. Both of them moaned in exhaustion. “I’ll get it.” Michael sighed as he stood up and slowly began walking down the stairs. “Mom?” He mumbled when he opened the front door.

“I’m away for the first vacation I’ve had in forever and you two have a baby without me!” Amelia teased as she pushed her way in the house. “Michael, sweetie, you look awful.”

“Thanks Mom.” He groaned. “Morgan isn’t sleeping all that often.”

“Morgan?” Amelia beamed.

Vaughn nodded dully. “Morgan Amelia Vaughn.”

Amelia’s breath caught in her chest. “Oh Michael...”

It took Vaughn a minute in his hazy exhaustion to realize why his mother was crying. “Oh yeah... that was Syd who named her....”

Amelia leaned over and kissed her son’s cheek. “Is she upstairs?”

“Year but we just got her t-“ Vaughn was interrupted by Morgan’s wailing. “Never mind....”

“I’ll get it.” Amelia assured him as they were walking up the stairs. “It’s so sweet that Sydney used your last name.”

“Um, well, actually Mom...” Vaughn began.

“Amelia!” Sydney gasped as she was shuffling her way to Morgan’s room.

“Oh Sydney, darling, how are you?” Amelia smiled as she embraced her daughter-in-law.

“O-okay....” Sydney said unconvincingly. Amelia just smiled and disappeared into the nursery where she picked up her wailing granddaughter.

“Oh Sydney she’s perfect.” Amelia sighed as she hugged her close.

“Some of the time...” Sydney mumbled under her breath. Vaughn laughed slightly and put his arm around her shoulders; Sydney leaned back against his chest and closed her eyes.

“Oh she’s such and angel...” Amelia sighed as she rocked Morgan, who’s cries were beginning to subside. When Amelia first picked up Morgan she noticed that Morgan looked familiar but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Then finally she realized. Morgan looked just like Michael. Amelia stopped rocking and looked up at Sydney and Michael, confused.

Vaughn, anticipating this, just smiled. “Morgan is my daughter Mom.”

“But I....” Amelia began.

“It’s kinda complicated...” Vaughn said, not wanting to repeat his faux pas with Sydney’s parents with his own mother. “But she really is mine.”

Amelia grinned broadly. “That’s wonderful. Now you two look exhausted. Go. Sleep. I’ll take care of her.”

“Are you sure because...” Sydney began.

“Go.” Amelia instructed.

“Thank you.” Sydney sighed, almost in tears from relief as she made her way back to bed with Vaughn by her side.

[Chapter 23]

After a few hours of restful sleep, Syd woke up to be greeted with her husband’s green eyes. “You should be sleeping?” She whispered groggily, burying her head into the crook of his neck.

“I just woke up.” He explained, kissing the top of her head. “Sleep is wonderful.” He sighed.

“Your mom is a life-saver.”

“I know. I think I would have gone crazy if she hadn’t shown up.” Vaughn said, and it was the truth. He absolutely loved his little girl, but why did she have to cry so much? One full night of sleep. That’s all he wanted.

They were both about to fall back to sleep when a baby’s cry resonated throughout the house. They both groaned and were about to get up, when Morgan was immediately hushed.

“She’s like a freakin’ miracle worker.” Sydney laughed, her head falling back down on Vaughn’s chest, both drifting into a much needed sleep.

~*~

After they woke up for the second time that day, the shared a completely platonic shower (The most action Vaughn got was washing Syd’s back). Vaughn didn’t know why he tempted himself so. It was going to make the next four to five weeks even more unbearable.

When they walked back downstairs, Amelia was reading the paper, a sleeping baby in her lap. “You look a lot better.” She commented, looking up at her son and daughter-in-law.

Syd and Vaughn sat across from her on the couch, his arm around her shoulders.

“You know... Michael was just like Morgan when he was a baby.” Amelia told the couple.

Vaughn shook his head. “No I wasn’t.”

Amelia gave him an incredulously look. “Oh, you remember that?” Vaughn blushed slightly. “Bill and I nearly went crazy.” She explained, “For the first two weeks, I don’t think he stopped crying for more than five minutes.”

“I know how you feel.” Sydney said exasperatedly.

“It gets better. Trust me.” Amelia told her reassuringly. “Michael has always been causing me trouble.” She smirked.

“Hey!!” Vaughn exclaimed. “That hurt, Mom.”

Amelia and Sydney laughed. Turning to the younger woman, Amelia asked, “Sydney did I ever tell you about Michael’s ‘naked stage’.”

Sydney shook her head and giggled. “No, I have to hear about this.”

“Moooooom...” Vaughn whined.

Amelia rolled her eyes. “From the time he was two to probably five years old, he hated clothes. William and I could not keep clothes on him. If we had let him, he would have gone around in the nude all the time. So, every year Bill and I threw this big Christmas party, we would invite everyone we knew. Michael was being himself, running around with the “big kids” trying to act grown up. He was probably three. Anyways, he went to the bathroom like a big boy, but couldn’t get his pants back up, so he just took all his clothes off.

”We were in the middle of dinner, and I remember I had just taken a bite of turkey when he came downstairs, happily just running around, without a stitch of clothing. I was completely horrified. I spit my food out all over Bill.” Amelia laughed.

Sydney giggled uncontrollably as she imagined Vaughn as a little boy.

“Ohh... That’s not as good as the story where Michael broke his arm.” Amelia laughed. Vaughn groaned as his mom continued to tell Sydney all his baby stories for the rest of the afternoon.

~*~

Amelia left a few hours later and made the young couple promise to call her if they were feeling overwhelmed.

They had thanked her immensely, both hugging her tightly, so grateful for all of Amelia’s help.

Syd and Vaughn went to bed that night, not completely weary. They both assumed Morgan would wake them up in just a few short hours, considering she had slept all afternoon. Much to their surprise, they weren’t awakened until 3 that morning.

Amelia was right. It was getting better already.

Chapter 24

The first week Michael was back at work was difficult for everyone. Michael was practically falling asleep at his desk from not getting much sleep at home and Sydney was stressed out trying to keep Morgan quiet so that he could sleep. Finally Amelia came up with the solution that she would take Morgan from them twice a week so they could get a full night of uninterrupted sleep which they were very appreciative of.

The next three months passed quickly for everyone.

“Vaughn come look at this.” Sydney said. She was cradling Morgan in her arms while Vaughn was putting the dishes in the dish washer.

“What?” He asked as he walked over and sat next to Sydney who had her finger in their daughter’s mouth.

“Look at this, is this a tooth?” Sydney asked.

“Hold up let me wash my hands.” He said. A minute later he returned and examined the tiny white mark on their daughter’s front gums. “Ohh yeah, what is that?”

“I think it’s a tooth. That would explain why she’s been so fussy for the past two days.” Sydney said.

“Yeah, but when are babies supposed to get teeth? I mean she’s barely four months old.” Vaughn said.

“I dunno... but I think I remember my mom saying I got teeth around that time. Maybe she’s just special.” Sydney smiled.

“Well of course she’s special.” Vaughn said as he took Morgan from his wife. “She’s our little girl.”

“Yeah.” Sydney laughed. “Tomorrow I’ll go to the store and get some teething rings or something. Those should help.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Vaughn smiled.

~*~

Before they knew it, Michael and Sydney were celebrating Morgan being six months old. They invited Eric, his girlfriend Stacie, and their parents over to celebrate with a BBQ. Sydney dressed Morgan in bright blue overalls, a white t-shirt and a matching blue sun hat.

“Aww she looks so cute.” Vaughn said as he adjusted her overly large hat.

“I know, doesn’t she? I saw this in the window of Baby Gap and I just had to get it.” Sydney smiled.

“Hold on let me get a camera.” Vaughn said as he reached to the table beside him and snapped a picture of his wife and daughter. “Perfect.”

“It’s your turn now.” Sydney said as she handed him the baby in exchange for the camera. Then she took a picture of them.

“Where are you guys?” Amelia called from around the side of the house.

“Back here Mom!” Vaughn called as he handed Morgan back to Sydney and turned back to the grill.

“Ahh there you are and oh look how cute Morgan is!” Amelia exclaimed as she gave Sydney a hug and rubbed Morgan’s arm.

Twenty minutes later everyone had arrived and they were all sitting around the picnic table eating.

“Oh watch out there’s a bee.” Eric said as he pointed towards Morgan who had a bee buzzing around her face while sitting in her high chair.

“Oh no!” Sydney gasped as she shooed the bee away and pulled Morgan into her lap. “Crap.” She groaned as she noticed that she spilled some potato salad on her in the process.

“Here I’ll take her.” Vaughn said as he took his daughter.

“I’ll be right back.” Sydney said as she disappeared from the table, trying to wipe her shirt clean.

Jack chuckled. “That reminds me of the first time Sydney got stung. Do you remember that Irina?”

Irina laughed as well. “How could I? I didn’t know it was possible for such a tiny girl to scream that loud.”

“Oh no.” Michael said. “What happened?”

“Well she was about three, three and a half maybe.” Irina said as she looked at Jack questioningly. He nodded. “And she was running around the back yard while Jack and I were setting up a little inflatable pool for her. She was wearing this cute little baiting suit too. Anyway all of a sudden she just screams like you wouldn’t believe and starts to cry. I was frantic because we didn’t know what was wrong with her until we saw the bee on her leg. She cried for like five hours it was awful.” Irina sighed.

“Aww poor Syd.” Michael sighed.

“What about me?” Sydney asked as she returned to the table.

“They just told us about your first bee sting dear.” Amelia smiled.

“Oh.” Sydney rolled her eyes. “Thank god I’ve blocked out that traumatic memory. I still hate bees though.”

“Yep, she screams and runs away from them.” Vaughn smirked. Sydney glared at him. “What? It’s cute.”

“Uh huh.... oh was that the doorbell?” Sydney asked upon hearing a faint chiming noise.

“I’ll go see.” Vaughn said as he got up, Morgan still on his hip. He made his way through the house and whipped open the front door with a smile. Immediately the smile dropped into an expression of horror.

“Get your hands off my child.” Matt said harshly.

[Chapter 25]

“Michael, who is it?” Syd asked, coming around the corner. “Matt.” She hissed, seeing her former beau.

“What is he doing with my child?” Matt spat. Vaughn muttered ‘I’m going to kill the bastard’ under his breath.

“She is not your child.” Sydney told him.

“Yes she is and if you won’t let me see her, I’ll take you to court. She is my daughter as much as she is yours.” Matt sneered.

“She isn’t your biological daughter, so good luck taking that trial to the courtroom.” Vaughn smirked, laughing in the other man’s face.

Matt let out a bitter laugh, “Like Mrs. Goodie-two-shoes would ever cheat on me. Are you that delusional?”

“Do you want a fucking test? Cause you can take one. She. Is. Not. Your. Daughter.” Vaughn screamed at him, his anger taking hold of him.

Morgan started crying when her dad yelled. “I’m sorry, baby.” Vaughn cooed, rocking her gently in his arms.

“Matt, go away. He’s telling the truth.” She glared at him. “I never want to see your face again. If you come back I will call the police.”

“You can’t keep me from her.”

“Yes I can. Matt, I cheated on you. We have the test to prove it, Michael is her father. Go. Away.” Sydney hissed.

Matt huffed loudly in defeat, Sydney called his name. “Breaking up with you was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Sydney scoffed.

Vaughn wrapped an arm around Sydney, shutting the door behind them. Sydney collapsed against the door, pulling Morgan out of Vaughn’s arms and cradled her against her chest. “Mommy loves you so much, baby. I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you so much.” She repeated, tears falling down her cheeks.

Morgan had finally calmed down, but didn’t know why her mommy was acting this way. She looked up at Vaughn. He smiled half way, sinking down on the floor, wrapping his arms around his wife and daughter.

That is how Eric found them when he came to check them. “What the hell happened? You’ve been gone ten minutes.”

“It’s nothing Eric... We’ll be there in a minute.” Vaughn reassured him, kissing his wife’s head comfortingly.

Running a hand through Morgan’s silky blonde curls then placing a gentle kiss there.

“What are we going to do?” Sydney sniffed into his shoulder.

Vaughn shook his head. “I don’t know, Syd. I guess we wait to see if he comes back. If he does then we can call the police or something.” He said with a slight shrug.

Sydney nodded. The small family composed themselves, and slowly got up to rejoin their friends and family.

“I don’t want them to know... not yet anyways.” Sydney told Vaughn.

Michael bobbed his head. “Okay, we won’t tell them.”

Sydney hugged him tightly, kissing the side of his neck softly. They slowly broke apart and walked back outside.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Syd?” Vaughn asked her, right before they walked through the back door.

She nodded. “I’m fine.” He looked at her incredulously. “I will be.” She corrected, grabbing his hand as they rejoined the group.

Chapter 26

Up until one month earlier, Matt Fisher had been working at a job he had taken across the country in Florida. That job had ended, however, and Matt decided to return to LA. On his flight back he had been flirting with a flight attendant named Sydney. She had shot him down but it made him think about Sydney Bristow. She hadn’t crossed his mind since that day he broke up with her and now he thought about her.

He quickly calculated time in his mind. She would have a five or six month old baby if she had kept it, which Matt knew she would have because she was such a damn good person. So he decided to pay her a visit.

The first place he went was her old place, but she wasn’t there. This didn’t really surprise him because when he thought about it, he realized that place would have been too small once she had the baby. He checked for a forwarding address but there was none. So, he turned to the internet.

When he searched the Santa Monica registries for ‘Sydney Bristow’ he didn’t find any matches. This confused him. For a moment he thought that she could have moved from the area, making it much more difficult for him for find her, but then he realized that she most likely wouldn’t move away from her family. Then it dawned on him; her best friend Michael Vaughn.

He searched for ‘Michael Vaughn’ and found one match. “Michael and Sydney Vaughn.” He read aloud. Son of a bitch, no way.

Matt couldn’t believe that Sydney had married Michael; then again he did believe it. He knew there was more between them that met the eye. He knew they were more than just best friends. Then again he knew Sydney was far too good than to actually cheat on him. No, he was sure they had waited until after he had left.

Matt laughed at the mental image of a broken Sydney running crying into Michael’s arms. But that amusement faded once he realized that Michael Vaughn was now raising his child. Amusement faded into fury.

Matt had never wanted his child, until he thought that he couldn’t have him or her. Now that he knew Michael Vaughn was playing daddy to his child, he wanted that baby, and he was going to get it.

Matt got the address of their home, parked across the street and waited. It was only an hour before he saw them. It was early on a Saturday morning and Michael and Sydney came out of their house; Sydney had a baby on her hip. They walked to the car and Sydney opened the back door with her free hand. Michael lifted the baby from her arms, kissed it’s head and placed it gently in the back seat. Then he playfully grabbed Sydney around the waist and kissed her too before they both got in the car and drove away. The blood boiled in Matt’s veins. Michael’s unworthy lips had touched his baby and he had to stop that from happening once more.

So that’s why he went that day to see them and his hatred for Michael grew the moment he saw him holding the baby, who he discovered was a girl. Then he laughed at the fact that Michael and Sydney had defended the baby to be Michael’s child. Matt laughed. There was no way Sydney would have ever cheated on him. Matt, of course, cheated on her, many times in fact; but that was different. Sydney had far too much of a conscience. Plus the fact that Matt wasn’t blind. If Sydney and Michael had slept together Matt knew they would have become a couple instantly, so the little girl being Michael’s baby made no sense at all.

As Matt was driving home from the Vaughn residence after his encounter with Sydney and Michael, he thought about the best way to approach the situation. He needed to do a DNA test on the little girl to prove once and for all that she was his little girl, but how? Surely Sydney and Michael wouldn’t do it willingly. No, he had to borrow her. He would never hurt her, of course, she was his little girl. He just needed her for a few hours, long enough to collect a DNA sample to be tested.

For two days Matt watched the house and finally he saw Vaughn’s friend Eric come and then Sydney and Michael left. Matt smiled to himself; this was going to be easier than he thought.

~*~

“Hey Morgan, you’re going to be good for your Uncle Eric right?” Eric grinned as he lifted the baby from her mother’s arms.

“Eric, are you sure you’re going to be alright?” Sydney asked nervously. This would be the first time Eric was left alone to baby-sit Morgan.

“Syd you’re going to be gone like two hours. We’ll be perfectly fine.” Eric smiled. “Go. We’ll be fine.”

“Alright, well Vaughn will have his cell on incase you need us.” Sydney said as Vaughn led her out the door.

“Wave by to Mommy.” Eric said to Morgan as he waved her tiny little arm. “Alright kiddo it’s just you and me, how about a beer? Haha I’m just joking.” Eric winked at the little girl. She just looked at him. “Okay then, no jokes. Let’s play with Pooh ok?”

Ten minutes later Eric and Morgan were sitting out on the back deck where he was reading her a book. She started to fuss and Eric set her down in her play pen. “Maybe you need a nap.” Eric sighed.

~*~

Matt crept silently around the back of the house where he heard Eric’s voice. Too easy, he thought. Matt picked up a large rock from the ground, aimed for the kitchen window and threw it hard. The rock shattered the window with a loud crash.

“What the hell was that?!” Eric exclaimed. “Ill be right back.” He said as he disappeared into the house.

Matt quickly darted out from his hiding spot and grabbed the baby from her pen. Luckily she was groggy so she didn’t say a word. He rushed to his car and strapped her in the car seat he had borrowed from a friend and then he sped off before Eric even knew they were gone.

[Chapter 27]

“Morgan, those stupid kids next door were throwing rocks again.” Eric rolled his eyes, walking outside onto the back deck.

One look and Eric knew something was amiss. Looking at the empty playpen he began to panic. He glanced around the backyard; maybe she had gotten out of the playpen and was crawling around. The baby was no where in sight. He knew there was no way she could move away that fast. “Shit!” He screamed in frustration, throwing down the glass of water he had bought outside with him.

He shattered onto the deck. Eric screamed again, “Fuck!Fuck!Fuck!” How was he supposed to tell Sydney and Vaughn that Morgan was missing? “Shit!” He yelled once more.

He ran around the backyard quickly, making sure he didn’t miss anything. He saw the lock to the fence surrounding the backyard had been broken. “Damnit.” He cursed, running into the house, frantically dialing Vaughn’s cell number.

“Hey.” Vaughn greeted, laughing at something Syd did.

Eric sighed deeply. “You and Syd need to come home right now.”

Vaughn began to panic, “What’s wrong with Morgan?”

“Just come home.”

~

One look at Vaughn’s panic face and Sydney knew something was wrong with their baby. “What is it Michael?” She asked forcefully.

He shook his head. “He just said we had to come home.”

“Oh God.” Syd muttered.

Vaughn threw a fifty dollar bill on the table to cover all of the cost of their meal and then some, before rushing out of the restaurant.

~

After Eric hung up with Vaughn, he immediately called 911.

“911 Dispatcher, how may I help you?” For someone that dealt with crimes and accidents, the woman on the phone was way too perky.

“Someone kidnapped my friend’s baby.” Eric said, already feeling agitated by her cheerful voice.

“What happened, Sir?”

Eric sighed, “I was babysitting her and someone threw a rock at the window so I ran inside to check it, and Morgan was in her playpen... and when I came back someone had broken the lock to the gate and she was gone.” Eric rambled nervously.

The cheerful voice that had once come from the woman was now filled with panic. “I need a full description of the baby and what is her full name?”

“Morgan Amelia Vaughn” He mumbled. “She’s six months old, blonde hair, green eyes, dimples...”

“What is the address? I’ll send someone out immediately.” Eric rambled off the address and hung up just in time to see Sydney and Vaughn rushing through the front door.

He rubbed his forehead roughly and sighed. This will be fun. He rolled his eyes.

“Where is she?” Sydney asked, the second she saw Eric.

“Syd... Mike...” He said softly. “I uhh... someone threw a rock at the kitchen window... she was in her pen... and then I came back... she was gone.”

Sydney broke down, “Oh God...” Immediately knowing who took her.

Vaughn cradled his wife in his arms. “God damn it.” He yelled. “Eric, how could you let this happen? Fuck!!! I’m going to kill the bastard when I get my hands on him.”

“I’m so sorry, guys.” Eric looked down, trying to hide the tears that were forming in his eyes. He had lost his best friend’s baby? He was the worst person ever. How could he let this happen?

Syd and Vaughn both had frustrated and worried tears running down their cheeks. “My baby...” Syd cried.

“I called the police...” Eric stated.

Vaughn nodded, giving him a look saying that they needed a moment alone. Eric walked away, giving the couple some privacy. “I can’t believe he took her.” Sydney sobbed into his chest.

“We’ll get her back.” Vaughn soothed, trying to calm Sydney when on the inside he was a wreck.

~

“She’s not my daughter. What the fuck?” Matt yelled at the poor, unsuspecting doctor who had just performed the test. “That’s not possible.” He said, a flash of anger in his eyes.

“I’m going to kill that son of a bitch. He slept with my girlfriend.” Matt yelled, roughly grabbing the sobbing baby off the examination table and slamming the door behind him.

Chapter 28

Within minutes two squad cars pulled up in front of the Vaughn residence and began interviewing Vaughn, Sydney and Eric.

“Tell us exactly what happened.” The officer said to Eric.

“She was fussing so I set her in the play pen. She was only there a minute or so before I heard this loud crash inside. I walked in the house, saw the rock and shattered glass on the kitchen counter and walked back out... I was only gone a minute... but she was gone.” He sighed heavily, mentally beating himself up for walking away.

“Did you see anyone?”

“No.” Eric said.

The officer turned to the scared parents who were holding each other tightly, looking very upset. “Do you have any idea who could have done this?”

“Yes.” Vaughn croaked. “Matt Fisher.”

“Who’s that?” The officer asked as she wrote down the name.

“He thinks he’s Morgan’s father.” Vaughn told her.

“Is he?” She asked. Vaughn shook his head. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Sydney said shakily. “He’s just a lunatic.”

“There’s a suspicious car out front.” One officer called from the foyer.

“Oh god, oh god, please let her be ok.” Sydney whimpered into Vaughn’s chest as he held her tighter.

~*~

FUCK! Matt though as he drove slowly past the Vaughn house. He had every intention of ringing the doorbell and beating the living shit out of Vaughn but now there were cops there. Morgan was screaming at the top of her lungs in the back seat.

“Shut up I’m trying to think!” Matt shouted. He thought for a moment about driving off but he couldn’t spend another moment with the screaming baby so he parked his car on the street, grabbed Morgan from her carrier and walked towards the house.

Two police officers came out of the house with their guns in hand. Matt held up the baby in front of him, trying to use her as a shield. Big mistake.

“Put her down.” The officer commanded him. Matt froze; he didn’t know what to do.

Sydney and Vaughn appeared in the doorway. “Morgan!” Sydney sobbed. Morgan started crying harder. “Please don’t hurt her Matt, let her go.”

Matt’s expression hardened as he turned to Vaughn. “You slept with my girlfriend you bastard.” Vaughn said nothing, he just looked at his helpless baby girl who was dangling in Matt’s arms. “You son of a bitch I knew this would happen. I should have taken Sydney away from you before you had a chance to fuck her you fucker.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore just let Morgan go.” Vaughn begged calmly.

“You don’t want to do this Matt.” One of the cops said. “You don’t want to do this.”

“How do you know what I want?!” he shouted, accidentally squeezing Morgan tighter causing her to wail in pain. Sydney screamed just as loud when she heard her daughter cry. She was still begging him to let her go. They stood that way for a minute before Matt slowly gave in, knowing there was no way he could win. After all, he didn’t really want to hurt Morgan. So he set her down gently on the grass and backed away.

Sydney rushed forward and picked up her daughter, cradling her close to her chest as she kissed Morgan’s head. Vaughn came up behind her and hugged them both tightly as mother and daughter cried.

The police threw Matt up against their squad car, cuffed him and then took him into custody and finally everything was over.

[Chapter 29]

Vaughn had held Morgan and Sydney as they cried and even after they had calmed down. He wasn’t ready to lose contact yet.

That was the scariest moment of his life; thinking that Matt was going to hurt his baby.

The police left shortly after they arrested Matt and Eric left a few minutes after that, only after he had apologized another hundred times.

Vaughn knew he felt bad; he also know he shouldn’t have yelled at Eric. Matt had this all planned out. They should have all been more careful. They should have at least told Eric about the threats before leaving him alone with Morgan.

Moving his family- his life- into the house, Vaughn went to take Morgan from Sydney. The baby had fallen asleep hours ago and needed her rest, especially after such a trying day.

Sydney wouldn’t let go. “Syd...” Vaughn said warningly.

“He almost hurt her. He did hurt her.” Sydney said, tears beginning to well up again.

Vaughn wrapped an arm around her waist. “Sydney, he’s going to rot in jail now. He can’t hurt us anymore. It will all be okay.”

Sydney nodded tearfully, handing Morgan over to Vaughn reluctantly.

Vaughn returned a moment later. Sydney looked like she was about to break down again, silently Vaughn wrapped his arms around her and rubbed soothing circles on her back as a new onslaught of tears and sobs started.

Vaughn held in his own; he had to be strong for her. She needed him. He couldn’t be weak.

~*~

Sydney awoke with a start. The first thing that was amiss when she woke up was that Vaughn’s arms weren’t around her. She turned to the side to see him curled up all the way on the other side of the bed.

She placed a hand on his back to wake him up so he would roll over; instead she felt his whole body shaking.

Then she heard a sniffle from his side of the bed. Sydney suddenly felt so selfish. She had been so concerned about her own fears and insecurities that she didn’t even think that maybe, just maybe, he had the same thoughts and was just being strong for her.

Sydney knew he was trying to put up a brave front now, trying to stay still so she would roll over and go back to sleep.

Instead, Sydney forced him to face her. She saw his tear stricken face and gasped. She hadn’t even given him a chance to get out his emotions, too worried about herself.

Wrapping her arms around him, one rubbing his back the other resting on the back of his head, Sydney cradled the grown man. He buried his head in the crook of their neck as they cried together for the time where they almost lost their baby girl forever.

~*~

When Sydney woke up nauseas that morning, she thought she was still sick to her stomach over what that bastard did.

But over the next few weeks, it didn’t stop. Instead it got worse and worse. Vaughn was overly concerned about her; Sydney just chalked it to being worried sick about Morgan... still.

It had been almost a month. Still the sickness continued.

So Sydney scheduled a doctor’s appointment after a lot of persuasion from Vaughn.

As the appointment approached, she knew what was wrong with her. She didn’t need the doctor’s results. She knew.

Now she had to tell Vaughn.

Chapter 30

Sydney took a few deep breaths. Why was she so nervous? She was pregnant, again. But this time was certainly better than the last. Vaughn would be happy, wouldn’t he? Of course he will, she answered her own question. Still, she was nervous.

Sydney crossed the kitchen and walked into the family room where Vaughn was sitting on the floor watching Morgan who was beginning to crawl. Sydney just stood for a watched for a bit, taking in the moment. Having come so close to loosing Morgan made Sydney appreciate moments of perfection like that one so much more and she couldn’t wait for a lifetime more of memories to begin.

Vaughn turned and saw Sydney watching them; he smiled. “Come sit.” He said as he moved over slightly, making room for her. Sydney walked over and sat next to him with her legs tucked up underneath her. Morgan saw her mother, smiled and crawled over to her.

“Hi sweetie.” Sydney smiled as she pulled her daughter into her lap. Vaughn and Sydney fussed over her for a few minutes before Sydney smiled up at her husband. “Michael, I’m pregnant.”

His face lit up. “Really?” She nodded. “That’s why you’ve been sick?” Again she nodded. “That’s amazing!” He laughed as he leaned over and kissed her.

“Really?” Sydney laughed. “You’re not upset?”

“Oh my god Syd, no, never. Why would I be upset?” Vaughn asked. Sydney just shrugged and shook her head. “Of course not, I’m so happy that we’re having another baby.”

“Me too.” Sydney smiled.

“I guess I’ve got something to tell you too.” He smiled.

“You’re pregnant?” She jokes.

“No.” He laughs. “I got a promotion at work.”

“Really?”

“Yep and a raise too.” He grinned. “Just in time too I suppose.”

“Right.” Sydney laughed. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” Vaughn said as he kissed her a few times sweetly. Just then Morgan began to fuss in Sydney’s lap. “I love you too sweetie.” Vaughn said as he lifted her up. She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck as much as she could. Vaughn laughed slightly and hugged her back as Sydney rubbed one of her chubby arms softly.

“You’re going to be a big sister Morgan.” Sydney smiled. “Do you want a baby brother or sister? Hmm?”

“Syd she has no idea what you’re saying.” Vaughn laughed.

“Yeah I know.” Sydney sighed. “Hey Vaughn let’s make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?” He asked suspiciously.

“Well if the baby’s a boy then you do all the diapers and if it’s a girl then I will.” Sydney smiled.

Vaughn raised his eyebrow at her. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“No.” She laughs. “I swear I don’t.”

“Alright, it’s a pact then.” He said with a wink.