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                        Swans Crossing: Coming Home
                                  By J.K.
                                  © 2000

                                 Chapter 1

       * This chapter contains some profanity and some adult content *	

* We last left Sydney and Garrett after he proposed and she said no.  I 
continue now, four years later, after they've both finished school.  They 
are still in love with each other, but they haven't spoken to each other in 
those four years.  Garrett is living in his old house with his parents and 
Glory, who has just finished her junior year at Swans Crossing University.  
He's joined on to Booth Constructions as vice president and a business 
consultant to his father and is seeking his own place to live.  Sydney 
hasn't been back to Swans Crossing at all since she left for school. *

	Ralph opened the door to the Rutledge estate to find Sydney 
standing on the porch.  She smiled and hugged him tightly.
	"Miss Sydney!  It's so good to have you back!"
	"Thank you.  Mother says hello.  She's become quite the socialite 
in the U.K."  She laughed.  Ralph knelt down and looked at the little boy 
that stood next to Sydney.  
	"Hello, Master Dylan.  Do you remember me?"  The little boy nodded 
and smiled shyly.  
	"Say 'hello' sweetie," Sydney said.  Dylan looked up at his mother 
and then back at Ralph.
	"Hi," he said with a grin.  Ralph smiled and stood up.  He picked 
up the bags and brought them inside.
	"Would you like these in your old room, Miss Sydney?  Or will you 
be moving into the master suite?"
	"Put them in my room for now.  I'll rearrange things later.  Thank 
you so much for staying here all these years, Ralph.  I'd love it if you'd 
stay on with me, but I'll understand if you've had enough of it."  She 
smiled.
	"Nonsense, Miss Sydney.  I'd be honored to stay on for as long as 
you need me.  Are you hungry?  I could fix you something to eat."
	"No, that's alright.  I called Callie and she's meeting me in an 
hour for lunch."  She looked down at Dylan.  "You hungry, 'D'?"  He nodded.
	"Alright, I'll fix you something to eat," Ralph said, smiling.  
"May I ask what your plans are, Miss Sydney?"
	"I'm starting at the design firm after the summer.  Everything 
else…" She paused, looking down at Dylan.  "I'm still trying to figure 
out."  She looked back at Ralph with a nervous half-smile.
	"Have you . . .seen him, yet?"	  He asked nervously.  Sydney 
looked down and fell silent, fidgeting with the silver ring on her right 
hand.  
	"No.  We haven't talked since he left for school.  I think about 
him all the time, but I don't know how it's going to be now."  She stared 
out the window.  "I'm going to go up and see my old room before I meet 
Callie.  After Dylan eats, you can take him out to the park or something."  
She flashed a grateful smile and took Dylan's hand.  "Alright, little man.  
Mommy's going to go meet her friend.  Be good for Ralph, okay?"  Dylan 
nodded and hugged Sydney's leg.  
	"Bye Mom," he said, looking up at her.  Sydney smiled and ruffled 
his hair.  He followed Ralph into the kitchen and Sydney went upstairs.
	Sydney walked through her room, looking at all of the things that 
still littered her dresser and desk.  There were papers from high school; 
all of the crowns that she had won in school, and hanging all around the 
room were small bundles of dried roses.  She had saved every single rose 
that Garrett had ever given her.  She picked up one of the bundles 
carefully and felt her heart pulse with sadness and anxiety.  She reached 
into her purse and pulled a tattered piece of paper out of her wallet.  It 
was his letter, which she had read and reread so many times that it felt 
like cloth now.  She handled it carefully, as she read it again.  She 
looked out her window and saw that the Fabian shade had been taken down.  
Their last night together played over and over in her mind and she felt the 
tears start to come to her eyes.  She went outside and walked through the 
garden, heading toward No Man's Land.  The wall was still there, as well 
as the "crack."  She ran her hand along the wall and looked through the 
hole, half expecting Garrett to appear on the other side.  She closed her 
eyes and leaned against the wall, trying to remember how and why she 
could've possibly given him up.  A tear rolled down her cheek and she 
quickly wiped it away before heading back into the house to change and meet 
Callie.  

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	"Yes . . .That's good . . .No.  He needs the contract drawn up by 
tomorrow morning, no later. …mm-hmm…alright, have it on my desk by 8:00."  
Garrett hung up his cell phone.  He was having lunch at Swans, which was 
being interrupted by calls from the office.  He was helping his father 
expand the company and it was taking a lot of work.  He sipped his drink 
and ate his fries as he leaned over his papers.  As he scribbled notes onto 
his files, his eyes caught sight of the silver ring on his finger.  He had 
never been able to take it off.  He turned it on his finger for a moment, 
thinking.  After a second, he went back to his writing.  
	Glory saw her brother sitting at the table and joined him.
	"Hi Garrett."  Garrett looked up and smiled at his sister.
	"Hey sis.  How's your summer going so far?"
	"Okay.  I was just at home.  You'll never guess what I saw next 
door."  Garrett's eyes widened.
	"No way."  He froze for a while.  "She's back?"  Glory nodded 
slowly.  
	"I saw just before I came here.  Her car was parked in front.  I 
haven't stopped by yet."  Garrett sat still, his mind in overdrive.  He 
couldn't move.  "Aren't you going to go see her?"
	"I don't know.  I have to get home right now.  Dad's waiting for 
these forms.  Bye Glory."  He left in a rush.  

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Callie and Sydney walked into Swan's Soda Shop.  They went over to 
the counter and greeted Jazz.
	"Hey Jazz," Sydney said.  She had changed into a black, backless 
shirt and her dark indigo jeans.  At twenty-two, Sydney was a vision.  
Every male eye, turned to stare at her and Callie.
	"Sydney!  Callie!  It's been a very long time."  Jazz gave her a 
hug.
	"Too long, I know.  How have you been?"  Sydney asked.
	"Great.  The same, really.  I heard you're taking over at Crossing 
Advertisement."
	"Taking over, no…not yet.  They placed we pretty high and if 
everything works out, I'll be taking over in a few months.  I start after 
the summer is over.  I wanted to hang with my friends for a while."  
	"We missed you guys over the summers.  How's your mom?  How's 
London?"	
	"Mother's great.  She really loves it there.  She's living in the 
most beautiful house, just outside of the city.  It's so spacious.  London 
is great too.  A lot like New York.  How are things over there," she asked 
Callie. 
	"Sandy's already working with some record reps.  She's been writing 
songs a lot more and I think they're cutting a demo next year.  And Owen.  
He's been performing in all sorts of bars and clubs in the city."
	"And Saja…I mean Bobby…what's he doing?"
	"He's still around.  He's doing some part time work while he takes 
some grad courses.  He came to visit Sandy last year and stopped by my 
dorm."
	"That's so cool that they're still so close.  What about you?"  
Sydney asked tentatively, as they sat down at a table.  Callie gave her a 
brave smile.
	"I love New York.  I really thought that I would end up staying 
there forever.  But I think I've had enough of investigative reporting in 
the city.  I figured I'd come back here and do some free-lance writing."
	"What about Jimmy?  Have you guys worked things out at all?"  
Callie shook her head.
	"I don't know about Jimmy.  We were doing so great until the 
beginning of junior year.  He was so mad when I told him I didn't want to 
work here.  I had hoped he would've come out there with me."  Sydney looked 
at her sympathetically.
	"You know Jimmy's home is here," she reasoned.  Callie nodded.  
"Does he know you're here?"
	"No.  I don't think so…unless Glory mentioned something."  
	"He's still running the Tool N' Die?"
	"He bought it actually…right after he got back from Spain.  He 
cleaned it up and built an extension in the garage.  It looks like a real 
business now.  It's great." 
	"Maybe you should stop by…talk things out.  You know there's still 
something special there," Sydney suggested.  Callie studied Sydney's 
expression.
	"Maybe you should take your own advice?"  Sydney looked down.  
"He's still here," Callie said, knowing exactly what Sydney was wondering.  
"He got back a few weeks ago, according to Glory."  Sydney nodded, looking 
down.  "He interned at some big finance corporation in New York over the 
summers.  But he turned down their job offer to come home and work for his 
dad.  Have you talked to him?"  Sydney shook her head.  Callie hesitated 
for a moment.  "Does he know about Dylan?"  Sydney met Callie's stare.
	"No.  Not yet, anyway.  That's a big part of why I came back.  You 
haven't told anyone else, have you?"  Callie shook her head.  Sydney 
breathed deeply.  
	"I think you're more worried than you need to be, Sydney.  He 
won't flip out."  Sydney raised her eyebrows.
	"Really?  Yeah, there's something he hears every day: 'Hi, 
Garrett…I know I broke your heart, but I'm still in love with you…oh, and 
by the way, I had your son way back during my first year of school.'  
He'll hate me for sure, if he doesn't already."  Callie squeezed her 
shoulder supportively.
	"Garrett couldn't hate you if he tried, you know that.  Yeah, 
it'll be a shock…but your reasons for keeping it a secret are completely 
honorable.  He'll understand."
	"I hope so."

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Garrett walked up to the Rutledge door, hesitantly.  He almost rang 
the bell but then lost his nerve and quickly turned to leave.  He stopped 
in his tracks and stood on the steps, trying to decide if he should ring 
the bell.  He ran a nervous hand through his well-groomed hair, feeling 
his heart pound against his chest.  He slowly walked back to the door and 
rang the bell.  Nobody answered.  Ralph must have the day off, Garrett 
thought.  He stood at the door, hoping that it might burst open and he 
would see Sydney standing in front of him with open arms.  But it didn't.  
Slowly, he turned and headed back to the Booth house.  On his way, he 
stopped short and looked into the garden.  On impulse, he walked toward 
the wall and stopped at the hole, remembering the many, many times they 
had met there to be together.  It was such a long time ago, but he 
remembered it like it was yesterday.  Sighing deeply, he went inside his 
house.
	"Hey Dad," he said.  He handed his father a stack of files.  
"Everything's there."
	"Thanks, son."  He looked at Garrett for a moment.  "You alright?"  
Garrett looked out the window and then met his father's stare.
	"Sydney…she's back."  
	"Oh."  Mr. Booth eyed him knowingly.  "So what are you waiting 
for?"
	"She's not home right now."  Garrett looked down.  "And . . .I'm a 
little scared."
	"You know what you want Garrett.  You always did."  He smiled at 
his son and headed out the door to go to the office.    
	Up in his room, Garrett went to a drawer and pulled out a ring box.  
He opened it and stared at the diamond ring inside; Sydney's diamond 
ring.  He had kept it with him for the past four years.  He looked over 
at the picture of them on his desk.  Her image was still so vivid in his 
mind; an image of perfection.  He knew that she would always be the one 
for him, but he feared that maybe now he wasn't the one for her.  He 
placed the ring back in its box and closed it.  He had to find out if 
they could still be together.

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	"Sydney!!  Oh my gosh, I missed you so much!"  Glory ran over to 
Sydney at the Soda Shop.  Sydney hugged her tightly and smiled.
	"Glory!  How are you?  How's school?"  Glory rolled her eyes and 
smiled.
	"It's school.  I can't wait to graduate.  J.T. and I might move in 
together after school."  
	"How are things with you two?  How does he like Yale?"
	"Things are great.  We're really happy and he loves school."  
Glory smacked her forehead.  "Oh!  Did you see Garrett?  He went to our 
house just a few minutes ago to drop off some papers for Dad."
	"No.  I must have just missed him."  Sydney looked away for a 
moment.  "How's he doing?"
	"He's good.  He's . . .he's not seeing anyone right now, Sydney."  
Glory said timidly.  Sydney paused for a moment, embarrassed.
	"Was he . . .seeing anyone?"
	"He dated this one girl in college, but it never worked out.  I 
don't think he expected it to."
	"Oh."  Sydney shifted uncomfortably.  
	"It only lasted like three months.  He went on a few dates after 
that, but they were just girls that would ask him out for drinks.  He said 
they were really boring."  Glory studied Sydney's expression.  "I know 
he's still in love with you, Sydney."
	Sydney fell silent, with a distant expression on her face.  She felt 
her tears coming and her throat tighten.  She regained her composure.  
"Let's not talk about it.  I have this tendency to go catatonic when it 
comes to Garrett."  She took a breath.  "So, is there anything going on 
tomorrow?"  
	"Yeah, tomorrow night, there's a party at the country club.  Mila's 
hosting it.  She's moving back home from California."
	"Has she talked to her mother at all?" Sydney asked.  
	"No.  Ever since the countess forced Grant to break up with her, 
Mila refused to have anything more to do with her.  She took the trust 
fund that her father left her and cut all ties.  Grant was in California 
a few months ago, though…doing business for Dad.  I think they made up."  
Sydney nodded.
	"I really hope she reconciles with her mom.  Well, do you think 
she'd mind if I came?"
	"No way!  She doesn't know you're back.  She'll be really excited to 
see you."

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Callie paused in front of the door to the Tool N' Die, gathering her 
courage.  She rubbed her palms against her hips and bit her lower lip.  
Finally, she reached for the door and walked in.
	"We're closed for lunch!"  She heard Jimmy yell from the office 
inside.  She took a deep breath and walked into the small hallway.  His 
office door was wide open and he was bent over his desk, writing busily.  
She stood in the doorway and cleared her throat.
	"Hi Clayton," she said softly.  Jimmy froze and looked up startled.  
His expression was a mixture of love and pain.  He didn't know how to 
react.  After a long silence, he spoke.
	"Hi," he managed to say.  He stood up slowly and placed the folder 
he had been writing in on a shelf.  
	"How are you?"  Callie asked, hoping for some kind of sign that 
there was a chance that he still loved her.  Jimmy looked into her eyes 
for a moment.
	"Fine…I'm fine.  What are you doing here?  I thought your life was 
in the busy Big Apple?"  His tone started to bite ever so slightly and 
Callie could tell he was still deeply hurt by the way they had left 
things.
	"I decided to do some free-lance work, so I came home.  I just had 
lunch with Sydney," she replied, trying to keep the conversation friendly.
	"Sydney's back?  Lucky Garrett.  I'm sure they'll be working things 
out in no time.  He's had it rough these past few years.  He missed her a 
lot."  Callie nodded.
	"She missed him too," she said quietly, her eyes starting to water.  
"She wanted to call so many times…but she was scared, you know?"  Jimmy 
rubbed the back of his neck, catching on to the double meaning of Callie's 
words. He turned to look at her.
	"Well, at least Garrett always knew he was important to her."  
Callie gave up trying to be polite.
	"What does that mean?" she asked forcefully.
	"You made your choice, it was pretty obvious," he retorted.  "So why 
are you here now?"
	"Things change, Jimmy."  Jimmy raised his eyebrows.
	"How convenient," he said sarcastically.
	"Don't be like that.  You could have easily come out there.  I asked 
you to move in with me and you said no.  How do you think that made me 
feel?"
	"At least I didn't sell out on a four year relationship so I could 
take some high and mighty internship.  Where did they put you up again, 
Callie…Park Avenue?"
	"That is NOT fair, Jimmy.  That's not why I took the job and you 
know it.  It was a great opportunity for me…it would have been nice if you 
were there to share it with me."
	"Maybe if I felt like you wanted me there-"
	"What are you talking about?  Of course I wanted you there!"
	"Oh please, Callie!  You were too busy playing super sleuth to 
return any phone calls.  Do you know how many times I called you in that 
last month?  I called you seven times.  Do you know how many times you 
called?  None.  It became quite clear to me that you didn't have any time 
to waste on your gear head boyfriend.  Too much grease and not enough 
class, huh Callie?"  Callie stared at him, wounded by his words.
	"I'm sorry I made you feel like that, Jimmy.  I was never too busy 
for you," she said after a long silence.  Jimmy looked at her, stubbornly 
holding on to his anger.
	"I'm sorry too…I'm sorry that I wasn't enough for you."  Callie 
stood in the doorway a moment longer, holding back her tears.  She finally 
turned to leave.  She turned her head one last time.
	"I missed you…every day, I missed you.  I hope you believe that."  
With that, she was gone.  Jimmy sat down at his desk, burying his head in 
his hands.  A single tear fell down his cheek.

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	The night of Mila's party, Sydney stood in front of her mirror, 
examining her outfit.  She had put on a black knee-length dress that had 
lilies on the front for a little bit of color.  The backless dress showed 
off her figure and her black evening shoes gave her just the right amount 
of height.  She had on small diamond earrings and a single strand of 
diamonds around her wrist.  Her dark brown hair cascaded around her 
shoulders.
	She breathed nervously and fingered the locket around her neck.  
Garrett would be there tonight and she hadn't seen him yet.  She didn't 
know what to expect; if he would be happy to see her or not, and either 
way, she had to tell him.  She glanced one last time in the mirror and 
grabbed her purse.
	"Dylan," she called, as she walked down the long hallway toward his 
room.  She turned into the doorway and found her son sitting on the floor, 
on top of a pillow, pretending he was riding a motorcycle.  She smiled.  
Like father, like son, she thought to herself.  Dylan looked up at his 
mother and grinned.  "Mommy's going out now.  I'll be back soon."  Dylan 
jumped up and ran to hug Sydney.  She caught him in her arms and let out a 
musical laugh.
	"Can I go," he asked.  Sydney chuckled and kissed his cheek.
	"Not this time, 'D'.  Tomorrow, we'll go out and you'll meet your 
daddy."  Dylan's eyes widened excitedly and ran to his dresser, pointing 
to a framed picture on top of it.   
	"Dad!"  Sydney grinned, tears starting to form in her eyes as she 
stared at the picture of her and Garrett with their arms around each 
other.
	"That's right, sweetie.  Daddy."

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
 
	When she arrived at the country club, Sydney could hear the music 
playing from the ballroom.  She entered and stood in the doorway, 
searching for her friends.  Callie spotted her and waved her over.  She 
was standing with Mila, who screamed joyfully when she saw Sydney.
	"Sydney!!  I'm so glad you came!! You look great!  How have you 
been?"  They hugged tightly.
	"Good.  I'm moving back here for a while.  How was California?"  
Sydney asked excitedly.
	"It's beautiful there, but I missed home.  I got some modeling jobs, 
but I wanted to come back and do some real work.  Ever since Grant was in 
California and we got back together, I've been wanting to come home 
anyway."  They talked and laughed together for a while.
	"How'd things go yesterday?"  Sydney asked Callie.
	"Not as well as I'd hoped."  Sydney put her hand on Callie's arm.  
Just then, they spotted Jimmy coming toward them and Callie quickly 
headed to the refreshment table.
	"Hey Sydney," Jimmy said as he walked up and gave her a hug, looking 
over her shoulder at Callie.
	"Jimmy, how are you?"  
	"Good…" He glanced over at Garrett standing far behind Sydney.  "How 
are you," he asked slowly, raising his eyebrows.  Sydney got his meaning 
and looked down.
	"I've been better."  Jimmy watched as she fidgeted with her purse.
	"Do you still love him?"  He asked, after a brief silence.  Sydney 
met his eyes slowly.
	"Do I really need to answer that?"  Jimmy smiled.
	"No…but I think you should tell him."  Sydney nodded slowly.
	"I wish it was that simple."  She looked up at him.  "What about 
you?  Do you still love her?"  Jimmy held Sydney's stare and nodded ever 
so slightly.
	"More than ever."  Sydney gave him a pointed look.
	"Then fix this, Clayton.  Don't let her get away again.  Believe me, 
you'll kick yourself in the ass later."  Jimmy nodded.

	Garrett stood at the other end of the room, gazing at Sydney.  There 
was no doubt.  He was still madly in love with her and seeing her smile 
and laugh melted his heart just as it had all those years before.  He 
didn't know why she hadn't called or written while they were in school 
and the question still plagued his mind.  He thought maybe she was still 
upset about the awful things he had said to her the night before he left 
for school.  But he forgot about that the moment that his eyes landed on 
her.  She was as beautiful as ever.
	"So, little bro…what are you waiting for?"  Garrett turned to Grant 
with a sheepish grin.
	"For this debilitating fear to pass.  Am I insane?  It's been four 
years, Grant.  She's probably found someone else by now."
	"Not according to her friends.  So are you just going to stand here, 
or are you going to make a move?"  He raised his eyebrows questioningly at 
Garrett and smiled.	

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Sydney sat at the table by herself, watching her friends.  She 
suddenly caught sight of Garrett through the crowd.  He was walking toward 
her.  As he approached her, she stood up.  
	"Hi," she said nervously.  Garrett used all of his strength to keep 
from embracing her right then and there.  He gave her a small smile.
	"Hi," he replied.  "You look amazing."  He glanced down at the 
floor.  "But then again, you always did."  When he looked up, he noticed 
the locket around her neck…the one he had given her on Valentine's Day, 
the first time they had made love.  She returned his smile.
	"Thank you."  She felt her heart race at the sight of his beautiful 
eyes.  He was still the heartthrob she remembered.  He looked out at the 
dance floor and back to her again.  
	"Would you like to dance?"  She nodded.  He took her out on the 
dance floor and placed his hands gently behind her back.  It felt so 
familiar and comforting.  She draped her arms lightly around his neck, 
feeling like she was exactly where she wanted to be.  Their eyes finally 
met.
	"I missed you, Syd.  Why didn't you call," he asked softly.  She 
didn't speak right away, trying to figure out what to say to him that 
wouldn't be a lie.
	"I guess I was afraid . . .of what you'd tell me, or not tell me.  I 
didn't really know what to say.  After a while, it just got harder and 
harder to call.  Then, I went to Rome for a semester to study abroad, and 
I thought maybe I'd waited too long and it was too late."  She looked away 
to try to hide her tears.  He brought his hand to her face and gently 
guided it back to his eyes.
	"It could never be too late for us . . ." His eyes studied her.  "I 
thought maybe you were still angry with me."
	"I was never angry with you."  Silence.
	"We played Harvard a lot last year.  Did you go to the games?"
	"Yeah…a lot of them.  I almost got attacked for cheering for a non-
Massachusetts team."  They both laughed nervously.  Garrett's face became 
worrisome.
	"Did you . . .meet anyone?"
	"No.  I mean . . .I was dating someone, but it didn't work out.  I 
guess I never really wanted it to," she said.  Her voice had become so 
quiet as she stared into his eyes.
	"Why not," he asked gently.
	"He wasn't you."  Just then the music ended and they slowly 
separated.  Sydney glanced at her watch.  "Oh god.  I have to get home.  I 
told Mother I'd call her."  She looked into his eyes again and gathered 
her nerve.  "Do you think we could get together tomorrow?  There's 
something I need to tell you," she said seriously.  Garrett gazed at her, 
hearing the urgency in her voice and nodded.
	"Of course.  Is something wrong?"  Sydney's eyes darted nervously.  
	"No…I just…I really need to talk to you."  Garrett nodded again.
	"Swan's…1:00?"  Sydney nodded.
	"I'll see you then."  She turned and left to say good-bye to Mila 
and everyone else.

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Sydney left Mila's party and drove back home.  She got out of her car 
and walked up the steps to her door slowly, thinking about Garrett and his 
soft smile.  I'm so stupid, she thought.  She wished she could just tell 
him that she was still in love with him and that she'd missed him like 
crazy when they were apart.  It was like this void inside of her, like a 
piece of her soul was missing.  Now she had to figure out a way to tell him 
that he was the father of her three-year old son.  Will it even matter, 
she thought.  If he doesn't love me anymore, I don't want him to stay with 
me because of Dylan. 
	She climbed the steps to her door and looked up.  She froze.  
Garrett was sitting on the bench and looked up when he heard her 
footsteps.  She stopped and stared at him, speechless.  Without saying a 
word, he got up and pulled her into his arms for the most passionate kiss 
they'd ever shared.  She embraced him around his neck, kissing him back, 
as she started to cry.  When they finally pulled apart, he hugged her 
tightly.  She sighed against him.
	"Oh god, Garrett . . .I'm so sorry-"
	"Shh . . .It's okay."  He buried his face in her hair.  "Just tell 
me you love me . . . please," he whispered.  "Just tell me there's still 
an 'us'."  She squeezed him tighter.
	"I love you . . .I've always loved you," she murmured into his ear.  
He kissed her again, not able to let go of her.  He stroked her hair and 
pressed his forehead against hers.  
	"I've missed you so much," he murmured.  "Every day without you…god, 
it's been so hard.  I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to see you again."  
Sydney closed her eyes, squeezing back her tears, and kissed him again.  
She breathed deeply and managed a smile.
	"God, this is real.  I'm really touching you," she marveled, running 
her hand down his cheek.  "I kept having this nightmare that I would come 
back and you'd tell me that you didn't love me anymore," she whispered.  
Garrett squeezed her tighter.
	"It'd be a lie.  I love you…" He stared into her eyes.  "God, I love 
you so much."  They embraced again.  Sydney reluctantly pulled away and 
looked at him again.
	"Garrett…there's something you need to know."  She paused.  "Come 
inside." 

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Sydney led Garrett upstairs and quietly opened the door to Dylan's 
room.  Garrett peered inside and saw him peacefully sleeping.  He caught 
his breath, a million thoughts and fears running through his head.  Sydney 
walked inside and knelt next to the bed.  She gently stirred Dylan awake.  
Dylan slowly opened his eyes and looked up.  He saw Garrett and smiled.
	"Dad?" He asked, looking at Sydney.  Sydney nodded slowly, smiling at 
her son.  
	"Yeah, Dylan.  This is your daddy."  Garrett's body went limp with 
shock…and relief.  He looked at Sydney who stared at him with a mixture of 
guilt and joy.  He walked over and knelt beside her.  He stared into her 
eyes and slowly took Sydney's hand, squeezing it tightly in his own.  
Sydney closed her eyes, gripping Garrett's hand tightly.  Garrett looked 
back at Dylan.
	"Hi there," he said gently.  Dylan smiled and slowly crawled out of 
bed.  He hopped over his blanket and hugged Garrett.  Garrett embraced his 
son, tears forming in his eyes.  After a long moment, Dylan let go and 
settled back in bed.  Sydney tucked him in and kissed his head.
	"Good-night, little Booth."  Dylan closed his eyes.
	"Night, Mom.  Night, Dad."  Garrett was still kneeling on the floor 
and felt his heart swell when he heard his son call him 'Dad'.  He pushed 
back the tears before slowly standing up and following Sydney out and into 
her room.

	Sydney turned around and nervously looked at Garrett.  Garrett closed 
the door behind him and stood there, still in shock.  He looked up at 
Sydney. 
	"I think I need to sit down," he said softly.  He moved to the couch 
in the middle of her room and slowly sat down.  "He's really mine," he 
asked, his voice full of hopefulness.  Sydney sat next to him.
	"Yes.  Dylan Garrett Booth…that's what I named him."  She glanced 
down at the floor.  "Do you hate me now?"  Garrett turned to face her, his 
eyebrows furrowed, as if she'd asked him the craziest question in the 
world.
	"Of course not," he said, his eyes softening.  He took her hand.  
"Why didn't you tell me?"  Sydney ran her free hand through her hair and 
curled up on the couch.  
	"I'm not really sure why I didn't tell you when I first found out.  
But later…it was because I knew you'd eventually leave school.  I didn't 
want you to do that.  I knew how much you wanted to graduate from Dartmouth 
and I couldn't take that away from you."  Garrett held onto her hand.  "I 
think I kept it from you in the beginning…because I thought you were still 
angry.  And I didn't want you to feel obligated.  I don't want us to be 
together for the wrong reasons.  I guess that's why I never called.  If I 
called, I'd have to tell you.  I realized I was pregnant the first month 
that I got to school.  I called Mother, and she flew out to Boston to help 
me through the pregnancy.  I couldn't get rid of him…I could never get rid 
of anything that had a part of you.  I had him in May right after finals 
and got an apartment the next year.  He stayed with Mother in London while 
I was in Rome, which wasn't as great as I thought it would be because I 
missed him so much.  I came back, finished school…and here I am."  Garrett 
listened to Sydney, looking into her eyes the whole time.  He didn't feel 
anger…somehow, he couldn't.  As he listened to her explain, he realized 
that she had done this with completely selfless intentions.  
	"How does he know that I-"
	"I was never planning on keeping him a secret from you.  I showed 
him lots of pictures of you, told him stories.  Every time I look at him, 
I see you.  I tell him all the time that he's just like his father.  He 
loves motorcycles and baseball…and he's already the little schemer," she 
added affectionately.  Garrett smiled.
	"That could be something he gets from you, too," he replied, 
laughing.  Sydney laughed too.  Garrett leaned back against the couch and 
gazed into her eyes, gently brushing a strand of hair out of her face.  
"I missed doing that…brushing the hair out of your eyes…" Sydney smiled 
adoringly at him and squeezed his hand.
	"Are you angry?"  Garrett shook his head, still lost in her gaze.
	"I can't believe you lived with this for three years…for me, so I 
could finish school.  It wouldn't have mattered to me.  I could've helped 
you-"  
	"I know.  I just…I wanted you to finish.  I wanted you to have that.  
My only regret about it is that you missed out on a lot of things with 
Dylan."  
	"I understand why you did it."  He ran a hand through his hair.  
"When I saw him sleeping there, I got this feeling…like I knew he was mine. 
When he hugged me…I just…I can't even explain the feeling…"
	"You don't have to.  I know," she said softly.  "So…what happens 
now?  Does this change anything?"  She asked fearfully.  Garrett put a 
hand on her cheek.
	"Not for me."
	"I thought you'd be more freaked out than this…I'm afraid I'll wake 
up any second," she said, bringing her hand up to his.
	"Nothing can faze me if I have you in my life," he murmured.  
	Sydney pulled him close and kissed him passionately, pressing her 
tongue against his.  Garrett wrapped his arms around her as she moved to 
sit on top of him, straddling his waist.  She wrapped her arms around his 
neck and ran her fingers through his hair.  Garrett ran his hands over her 
bottom and picked her up as he stood up, still kissing her.  He made his 
way over to her bed, lowering her gently onto her back.  She cried tears 
of bliss as they made love, clinging tightly to him, feeling his touch and 
his breath on her body.  He was so gentle and loving, feeling as though 
he'd been embraced by some unknown state of happiness and peace. 
	Afterwards, they lay side by side, gazing at each other.  Sydney 
brought her hand to his face and glided it down his cheek.
	"I love you . . ."  Her eyes twinkled with adoration.  He closed his 
eyes as she touched him, catching her hand and holding it tightly.  He 
opened his eyes and looked at her, seeing a hint of a question in her 
eyes.  
	"What," he asked, concerned.  "What is it?"
	"Glory told me about the girl in college," she said slowly.  "Did 
you two . . .did you sleep with her," she asked timidly.  He looked down 
for a moment.
	"No.  I went to some parties and hooked up with some girls, but 
that's it.  I was just trying to get through each year without going 
insane.  I haven't slept with anyone else.  I couldn't."  He looked at her 
again.  "Did you and that guy…?"
	"No.  I couldn't…not after sharing it with you…it just didn't make 
sense to me.  And Dylan didn't like him very much.  I took it as a sign."  
Garrett smiled.  A thought suddenly came to Sydney and she turned 
thoughtful. 
	"Are you still moving out of your house?"
	"Yeah.  I found a place across town.  But I think I should find a 
place closer to you and Dylan…maybe those apartments along the pier."
	"Don't."  He looked at her curiously.  "Stay here."  She stared at 
him intensely and he raised his eyebrows.
	"Really?"
	"Move in with me, Garrett.  I've let you go too many times…I'm never 
losing you again…I can't.  Stay with me."  His face broke into a grin and 
he pulled her on top of him.  
	"I love you."  She flashed him the smile he loved so much and kissed 
him lovingly.  He brought his hand up and stroked her hair.  Her eyes 
noticed his ring and she put her hand up to his.
	"You never took yours off either?"  
	"That's my lifeline, baby."  She smiled.
	"Yeah . . ."
	"Hey, weren't you supposed to call your mother?"  Her eyes widened 
in realization, but she just laughed.
	"Oops.  Oh well.  She'll understand once I tell her what I was doing 
instead," she said, raising her eyebrow seductively.  They both laughed.  
Sydney rolled off of him and lay beside him again, draped in his arms.  
They lay there talking to each other until they both fell asleep . . .

                           To be continued . . .


Okay…I know it's completely farfetched that a guy would stay celibate for 
four years (not that I'm making any assumptions or judgments about men), 
but this is Sydney and Garrett, so just work with on this one!  Thanks!

If you have any feedback for J.K., send it to ChunLi24@aol.com