Stepping Stones

awwwwwwwwwwww poor syd
i am still wondering what laren is gonna do
thanks for the pms
sorry it took me so long my internets down
can't wait for more

luv Chicketepee ^_^
 
I found this story last night and got caught up with everyone else. I know this sounds stupid but if you think about it. Jack is the one who brought them back together. If it wasn't for that move to L.A. Sydney would never have found Michael and there was a very good chance he would never have gone back to see her. Probably thinking she would have forgotten his promise.

Now I'm wondering what Lauren is going to do? I'm pretty sure it's to publically humiliate Sydney some how.

Would you please add me to your PM list?

Chris
 
A/N: Okay, here it is. I'm probably not going to be able to update this fic, along with my others, as frequently, because school is starting soon. I'll try, though. Enjoy! :woot: :D ;)

______________________________________________________________


Chapter 19-


She was feeling much better that afternoon, when Michael had come to visit her. Just seeing him lifted her spirits, and seeing him and her father come to an understanding made her want to jump for joy.

“Michael… thank you,” Sydney said, finally calming down.

“Its okay, Syd. You know I’m always here for you,” he replied, kissing the top of her head, “And it may not always look like it, but so is your dad.”

“Yeah, I know… I just… I don’t know,” Sydney sighed.

“Well,” Vaughn said, looking at his watch, “Third starts pretty soon. I could always take the afternoon off and stay here, if you want?”

“That’s alright,” Sydney replied, “Go to school. I’ll be fine.”

Vaughn nodded, and gave her one last hug before leaving. She lay in her bed, thinking about these past few years, and the effect they’ve had on both of them, until her father came in.

“Sydney…,” he said.

“Could you… lay with me?” she asked.

He smiled, “Of course, sweetheart.”

She scooted over in her bed, giving him room to lay next to her. He wrapped his arms around her, and she rested her head on his chest. They had never done something like this before.

“Sydney… I owe you an apology,” he finally spoke.

“Oh, no. You don’t owe me anything-”

“Yes, I do. Ever since your mother… passed away… I haven’t been paying nearly as much attention as I should. This is all my fault… can you forgive me?” he asked.

Sydney smiled, “As touched as I am, you don’t owe me an apology. I understand, dad. I understand your weariness. I understand your burden… because I bare it, too.”

----------

The Next Day…


This was the best she’d felt in ten years; Vaughn was back with her, her father was finally being understanding, and everything seemed to be going her way. A little breakdown did her a lot of good.

“Are you feeling better?” Francie asked.

“Much,” she smiled into the phone, “Thanks.”

“I was worried for a second. Well, not at first, but then Vaughn came to me and said he was worried, which made me worried, and then,” she said, babbling on, “The point is, I was worried.”

“I know. And that’s why I love you,” Sydney laughed, shaking her head.

“What the hell happened anyway?” Francie asked, in her usual tone.

“I just… these past few years caught up with me,” Sydney answered.

“Ah. I see. Anything particular?” Francie pried.

“Well… when I was a little girl, and Michael left, we made a promise to each other-”

“Aww, that’s so cute!” Francie interrupted.

“Can I continue?” Sydney said, slightly annoyed.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Anyway, the promise was that if I didn’t cry, he’d come back to me some day-”

“Aww, seriously, Syd! That’s adorable! You’ve got to love puppy love!” she squealed, interrupting again.

“Francie!”

“Alright! I won’t interrupt anymore!”

“So, I never cried… not once in ten years-”

“Oh my God, Syd, that seriously isn’t good for you!”

“Francie Calfo!” Sydney shouted.

“I’m sorry! You know I can’t help myself! Continue!” she said.

“So, I realized the other night that I could cry again, since I was back with Michael. I let everything out, and while it was devastating at first, I feel better than I have in a long time,” Sydney explained.

“Well, at least you feel good. After I have a sob-fest, I usually feel like felgercarb for a few days, eat some comfort food, and gain ten pounds,” Francie replied.

“That sounds fun,” Sydney joked.

“It is. You want to? I’ve got a carton of coffee ice cream with your name on it, Sydney Bristow,” Francie tried to persuade.

“As enticing as that sounds,” Sydney said, getting off the bed and putting her jacket on, “I’ve got a date with Michael.”

“Well, that’s a reasonable excuse. Tomorrow, then?” Francie asked.

“Hmm… that sounds good,” Sydney answered.

“Good. I don’t mind if you want to play with Vaughn, but don’t forget about your home girl over here! She needs some company, too!” Francie said.

“I won’t,” Sydney laughed, hanging up.

----------

“You look well,” Vaughn said, “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you,” Sydney smiled.

“Don’t forget about your dad. He was the one that let me into the house, and didn’t kill me,” he joked.

“Yes. Well, it seems that we’ve reached a mutual understanding, as well. I hope he doesn’t go back on his word and start acting like an ass again. That would be a total waste of father-daughter bonding,” she replied.

They decided to spend Saturday afternoon at the mall. It felt good to be out and about again, and with so many people surrounding her. She just hoped that they didn’t run into any enemies… namely, Lauren.

“You know he loves you,” Vaughn said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, “That’s all that really matters.”

Sydney smiled, as they continued their walk through the mall. As they were walking, they passed a flower shop, “Daisy’s Flower,” where a tiny, old man from behind the desk called out to them, “Hey, you two!”

Sydney and Vaughn looked around, not sure if he was talking to them, “Yes, you two! Come here!”

They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and obeyed the man’s request. They walked into the beautiful flower shop, and the old man stepped out from behind the desk. He was much shorter than even Sydney!

“Hang on a second,” he said, adjusting his bottle cap glasses, and disappearing into the jungle of flowers.

“What a creepy old man,” Vaughn said, looking around at all the exotic plants.

“I think he’s cute. He just looks so… huggable,” she giggled.

“Huggable? Him?” Vaughn asked, arching a brow.

“Don’t worry,” Sydney said, “I still think you’re cuter.”

“Of course you do! He’s like 100 years old, and I’m not losing my girlfriend to a man with a prosthetic hip!” Vaughn replied, suddenly getting very defensive.

At that time, the man reappeared, holding a beautiful, white flower in his hands. It resembled a rose, but was slightly different. It still compared in beauty, though. He handed the flower to Vaughn.

“What do I want with this?” Vaughn asked.

“You don’t want it. She does. Give it to her,” he replied.

“Oh! I see!” Vaughn turned around and handed it to Sydney, “For you.”

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful flower!” she said, marveling at its beauty, “My mom used to have a garden, and she grew all sorts of different flowers! I always helped her water them.”

“That is a very rare type of flower, which you won’t find around here. It symbolizes purity, prosperity, and good fortune. Such a beautiful lady deserves such a beautiful flower,” the old man said, smiling at Sydney.

“Stop hitting on my girl, old man,” Vaughn thought, rolling his eyes.

“Thank you, sir! Its very beautiful,” Sydney said, still in awe.

“Please, call me Ted. Its nice to see such a lovely young girl around here. Usually, we only get rich little snots. You know what’s important, and that’s what I like,” Ted said.

Vaughn cleared his throat, and Sydney laughed at his jealousy. He didn’t really feel threatened, did he?

“Oh, and you! Well… you’re not so bad. As I say, “A good woman will have her effect.” Just be lucky to have her in your life,” Ted said.

Vaughn was about two seconds away from smacking him in his bald, little head, when Sydney stepped in, “You’re wrong. I think it’s the other way around; I’m lucky to have him with me.”

She smiled, looking over at him, and he started to blush, “My name is Sydney. This is Michael. Its nice to meet you, Ted.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Sydney,” Ted smiled, “And Michael.”

The two said their goodbyes, and left the flower shop, continuing their walk through the mall.

“Who does he think he is, talking to me like that! He’s just some old sack of bones who works in a girl’s store!” Vaughn grumbled.

“Michael! Don’t be so mean. His intentions were pure, and he is nice,” Sydney said.

“Whatever…,” Vaughn said.

“Are you jealous!? Of an old man!?” Sydney asked, almost bursting out in laughter.

“Just drop it, alright!?” he said, starting to get annoyed.

“You’re unbelievable!” she exclaimed, giggling.

“If you drop it right now, I’ll take you shoe shopping!” he said, doing anything to change the subject.

Sydney’s eyes lit up and sparkled, and she gave Vaughn a deep kiss, catching him off guard.

“You are God!” she shouted, before grabbing his hand and disappearing into the nearest shoe store.

“What have I done!?”
 
i'm so glad sydney and her dad are ok now.
loved how vaughn got jealous 'cause of the old guy. :lol: so funny.
and definately liked the shoe shopping line.
great job.
thanks for the pm.

~Kay :angelic:
 
I love it that Michael got that twinge of jealousy, even if it were an old man who caused it. Even the most popular guy in school feels insecure and possessive when another man pays attention to his girlfriend.

Thanks for the PM.

Chris
 
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