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

                                 Chapter 2

       * This chapter contains some profanity and some adult content *	

	Sydney woke the next morning, feeling Garrett's lips on her 
shoulder.  She smiled and turned to face him.  
	"Morning," she said.  "I was afraid that last night was a dream."  
He put his hand on her back and ran his fingers down her spine.
	"No.  I'm still here," he murmured, smiling back at her.  She 
leaned over and they shared a long sweet kiss.  "God, you're still so 
beautiful," he said lovingly, tracing his finger over her cheek.  Sydney 
smiled and ran her hand down his chest.  She was silent for a brief moment. 
	"Garrett…" She looked into his eyes, pressing his hand against her 
cheek.  "I'm so sorry that I hurt you.  I promised myself I wouldn't ever 
hurt you like that again, but I did.  And every second of every day after 
that has been absolute hell.  But you have to know…it wasn't that I didn't 
love you-" Garrett kissed her full on the lips.
	"I know.  I hurt you too…and I didn't mean any of it."  He kissed 
her hand.  "You were so afraid after you found out about your dad…I was 
just upset because I thought…maybe I wasn't enough to keep you strong.  And 
that made me crazy…to think that I wasn't enough for you."  Sydney pulled 
him closer and kissed him passionately.
	"You are the only one who is enough for me.  You kept me from going 
crazy that year, Garrett.  Even in different countries, we were stronger 
than ever.  It wasn't you.  It was what it did to ME…not us."  Garrett 
kissed her forehead and brushed her hair from her eyes, smiling.
	"So what do you want to do today," he asked.  She smiled 
mischievously.
	"Move all your stuff in here."  He laughed.
	"Sounds good to me."  He started to get out of bed, but Sydney 
pulled him back on top of her.
	"I didn't say right now," she said suggestively.  Garrett grinned 
widely and leaned down to kiss her again.  "Actually," Sydney said, as they 
pulled apart, "we should probably introduce your parents to their grandson 
first."  She looked at Garrett worriedly.  "Do you think they'll be angry?"  
Garrett shook his head.
	"I don't care, anyway," he said.  "If Dad gets angry…what can I do?  
He'll be angry…and then he'll get over it.  Everything will be fine, I 
promise."  He kissed her forehead.  Just then there was a light knock on the 
door.
	"Mom?" 
	"Just a second, sweetie."  Sydney pulled her robe on and Garrett 
pulled his boxer shorts back on.  She opened the door and smiled down at her 
son.  "Good morning, little man."  Dylan smiled.
	"Good morning."  Garrett walked over and stood beside Sydney.  Dylan 
looked up.  "Are you going to live with us now?"  He asked, tilting his head 
up to look at Garrett.  Garrett smiled.
	"Yeah, kiddo.  We'll have plenty of time to catch up."
	"Mom said that you like baseball too."  Garrett nodded.  
	"Yeah…I love baseball," he said, with a distant smile.
	"Mom used to watch you on T.V. when you played.  Will you teach me 
to be good…like you?"  Garrett's eyes started to water and he smiled warmly 
at his son, nodding his head.  Sydney scooped Dylan into her arms. 
	"You and Daddy are going to do everything and anything that you 
want."  She turned to Garrett.  "You hungry?"  Garrett nodded.  Sydney 
looked down at Dylan.  "Alright, 'D'…you need to get washed up and dressed.  
We're going to have breakfast with your grandparents today."  She set him 
down and he looked up at her with his big blue eyes.
	"Aw, Mom…do I have to take a bath?"  Sydney raised her eyebrow at 
her son, playfully.  "Okay, I'm going," he said, pouting.  Sydney smiled.
	"And wetting your hair and splashing water on your face does not 
count as a bath!"  Sydney yelled to him.  They could hear Dylan giggling in 
the bathroom.  Garrett chuckled.
	"I used to do that to my mom," he said.  Sydney looked up at him 
and smiled.
	"I know."  Garrett smiled.
	"Smart kid," he commented.  Sydney hugged Garrett around his waist.
	"Very smart.  He watches me do things for him and then two weeks 
later, he says he can do it himself…and he can.  He's in a big hurry to be 
a man."  Garrett kissed her softly.
	"We should get washed up too, huh?"  He grinned suggestively.  
Sydney coyly raised her eyebrow and reached over to shut the door.

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

	"Hi Mr. Booth, Mrs. Booth," Sydney greeted Garrett's parents as she 
came into the dining room.  Cornelia Booth smiled and stood up to hug 
Sydney.
	"Sydney, it's so good to see you again…together," she added with a 
smile.  Sydney laughed.  Mr. Booth smiled down at Sydney and kissed her 
cheek.
	"You look beautiful, Sydney."  
	"Thank you," she replied.  Garrett put a hand on her back as he 
pulled her chair out for her.  They all sat down and Ralph brought out 
breakfast.
	"So is there a particular reason for this little reunion?"  Mr. 
Booth asked, taking a bite out of his bagel.  Sydney looked at Garrett, who 
gave her an encouraging smile.
	"Yes.  I…uh…I wanted you to meet your grandson."  The Booths 
stopped eating and stared at her in shock.  
	"Could you repeat that," Mr. Booth asked.
	"Your grandson, Dad," Garrett said.  
	"I had Garrett's child in May of my first year of school.  His name 
is Dylan Garrett Booth…he's three years old."  Sydney watched their 
reaction nervously and Garrett took her hand.
	"Before you freak out, Dad, just listen to her."  Sydney took a 
deep breath.
	"I didn't realize I was…pregnant…until after I had already started 
school.  Things were already so rocky between Garrett and I…I just couldn't 
call him right away.  Mother helped me out.  After Dylan was born, I just…
I thought keeping it a secret would be better for everyone.  I knew what 
Garrett would do if I told him…I couldn't do that.  I wanted him to-"
	"You wanted him to finish school," Mr. Booth finished, putting his 
napkin on the table.  He nodded his head slowly, beginning to understand.  
He looked a little dazed.  Cornelia reached out for Sydney's hand and 
squeezed it.
	"Oh, you brave girl," she murmured.  Sydney gave her a small smile 
as tears collected in her eyes.  Mr. Booth looked at her reassuringly.  
	"I'm sorry," she said quietly.  Mr. Booth shook his head.
	"No…don't be sorry," he replied.  That was the confirmations she 
needed.  Sydney stood up and hugged them both.
	"Thank you," she whispered.  Cornelia held Sydney's chin and smiled 
warmly.  Sydney regained her composure.  "You'd probably like to meet him, 
wouldn't you?"  She disappeared and returned a few minutes later, holding 
Dylan's hand.  "Dylan, these are your grandparents."  Mr. Booth marveled at 
how much Dylan looked like Garrett as a child.
	"Hi there, Dylan," he said.  Dylan smiled and slowly walked over 
to Mr. Booth.  Garrett stood next to Sydney with his arm around her waist 
and watched his father hug his son.  Sydney squeezed Garrett's hand, just 
as he felt his tears come.  He looked down at her and kissed her temple, 
wrapping his arms around her.	

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

	"Garrett's moving in with you?"  Callie asked, surprised.  "When did 
this happen?  Did I miss something?"  Sydney laughed as she tried to 
explain.  She and Callie were at the Soda Shop while Garrett and Jimmy were 
at Garrett's house moving all of his things to the Rutledge mansion.
	"Last night at the party-,"
	"Yeah, I saw you guys dancing.  But I didn't see any kissing, so I 
figured it didn't work out," Callie said with a teasing grin.  Sydney hit 
her playfully.
	"Well, we were just talking then.  When I came home, he was sitting 
on my porch and . . .well, we . . . 'made up', I guess you could say." 
Sydney said, smiling.  Callie's eyes widened in joy.
	"Finally!!  Will you do me a favor and just marry the guy soon.  I 
can't take this suspense!"  They both laughed.  "So how'd he handle finding 
out about Dylan and everything?"
	"Surprisingly well."  Sydney sighed contentedly.  "I'm so happy, 
Cal," she said, her throat tightening as joyful tears began to collect in 
her eyes.  "I haven't been this happy since…"
	"Since the last time you were together?"  Callie asked knowingly.  
She smiled warmly at Sydney and squeezed her hand.  

	Garrett carried the last box into Sydney's house and set it down.
	"Is that it," Jimmy asked.  
	"Yeah.  I'm not sure where to put everything.  Sydney said she might 
move into the master bedroom.  So just leave it here for now."  Garrett 
looked at Jimmy and saw him smiling at him.  "What?"
	"Two weeks ago, you came back from school and were moping around 
here, waiting for her to call you.  Now you're moving in with her.  You 
don't waste any time, do you?"  Garrett shoved Jimmy jokingly.
	"Very funny, Clayton."  They sat down on the couch.  "So what about 
you?  I saw Callie there last night too."  Jimmy's expression faltered.
	"I don't know, man."
	"You still love her?"  Jimmy nodded slowly, leaning his head back 
against the couch cushion.
	"Suck it up, man.  Whatever it is you're still angry about, let it 
go," Garrett advised.  "There is no excuse in the world that's good enough 
to justify being a coward, believe me."  Jimmy looked at Garrett.  If there 
was anyone who understood loving someone that much, it was Garrett.  And he 
knew that Garrett had gone through much worse.
	"Yeah…Sydney said that too."  Garrett nodded his head.
	"Sydney knows what she's talking about."  Jimmy sighed and nodded.
	"Hey, do you still have the ring?"  Garrett looked up at the 
ceiling before he responded.
	"Yeah," he replied.  "I'm not sure if it's the right time for that, 
though.  We just made up, you know?"  
	"But you know it's going to happen soon.  Plus, now there's Dylan 
and everything.  Why not just give her the ring and plan it all out when 
the time is right?"  Garrett thought about it.
	"I don't know.  We'll see."  
	The door opened as Sydney and Callie came in.
	"We'll see, what?"  Sydney asked, walking in and giving Garrett a 
deep kiss.  He put his arms around her waist.
	"Uh . . .we'll see about what room we're moving into," he lied, 
smiling at Jimmy.  Callie stood awkwardly in the entryway, not knowing what 
to say to Jimmy.  Jimmy looked every bit as uncomfortable, shifting his feet 
and avoiding eye contact.
	"Oh! Right!"  Sydney exclaimed.  "I am going to move into the master 
room after all.  All the closet space is empty in there, but I have to sort 
through my clothes so I don't end up taking it all up."  She smiled.  
"Being the clothes horse that I am."  They all laughed.  Sydney went 
upstairs to get Dylan.  She appeared a few minutes later, carrying Dylan in 
her arms.  She set him down, holding onto his hands and looked at Callie 
and Jimmy.  "Guys, this is my…our son, Dylan."  Garrett looked at her and 
smiled, coming around her and wrapping his arms around her waist.  Dylan 
smiled at Callie and Jimmy, recognizing their faces from the pictures he had 
seen.  "Dylan, this is Callie and Jimmy."
	"Hi Dylan," Callie said turning to Dylan.
	"Hi," he said quietly.  
	"I'm Callie."  Dylan nodded, indicating that he knew who she was.  
	"You're my mom's best friend," he said, looking at her intently 
with his big blue eyes.  
	"That's right."  
	"And this is Dad's best friend, Jimmy," Sydney motioned to Jimmy.  
Dylan smiled.
	"Hi there, kid," Jimmy said with a friendly smile.  Dylan looked up 
at Sydney.
	"I like them," he whispered, thinking that no one could hear him.  
Everyone chuckled softly.  Garrett picked Dylan up and raised him above 
his head.  Dylan laughed hysterically.  Sydney looked on with a broad smile 
on her face.  Jimmy smiled as he watched Garrett with Dylan.  Dylan looked 
exactly like his father…same hair, same eyes, same mannerisms, same playful 
smirk.
	"Do you guys want to come out to the cliffs with us?  We were going 
to call everybody."  Sydney said to Callie and Jimmy.  They looked at each 
other for a second, not knowing how to respond.
	"Sure," Callie finally said, turning to Sydney.  Jimmy nodded.
	"Yeah…that sounds great.  I'll wash up and meet you guys there."

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

	Jimmy reached the cliffs and saw Callie sitting alone on the rocks.  
He stopped for a second, trying to decide what to say to her.  He still 
loved her…with every part of him.  There'd never been anyone else for him.  
Sydney's words echoed in his mind:  'Don't let her get away again'.  He 
slowly made his way over to her and took deep breath.  
	"Hey," he said.  Callie looked up and got to her feet. 
	"Hi," she answered hesitantly.  She looked into his eyes for a 
moment.  "Jimmy, I-"
	"No, wait…let me go first."  He touched her soft auburn hair and 
sighed.  "I'm sorry.  Not just about yesterday…but for everything.  I could 
have come with you, I know that…I was just stubborn.  When I saw you 
standing there yesterday, I just…I didn't know what to do.  You looked so 
beautiful…I forgot about all the fighting we had gone through.  I've never 
stopped thinking about you and my life's been so empty since we split up.  
I miss you, Walker Woman," he said, his voice shaking slightly.  Callie 
smiled through the tears that had gathered in her eyes.  "I don't know if 
there's a chance that we can fix this, but I love you.  And I-" Callie 
caught his lips in a deep passionate kiss.
	"Shut up," she said softly as they pulled away.  She looked up at 
him and smiled.  Jimmy's lips spread into a grin and he leaned down for 
another kiss.
	Just then, Sydney and Garrett appeared with Dylan.  
	"Well, well," Garrett said teasingly.  Callie and Jimmy separated 
and turned to them with a smile.
	"Looks like we're interrupting something," Sydney said, her eyebrow 
raised.  Jimmy looked at Sydney.
	"Thanks, Syd.  I owe you a big one," he said, gratefully.  Sydney 
smiled and put a hand on his arm.  
	"No…thank you," she said, glancing at Garrett.  Jimmy smiled. 
	"He was pretty miserable without you, you know." Jimmy said.  
	"What are you saying about me?" Garrett asked as spread a large 
blanket on the ground.  
	"Was I talking to you?"  Jimmy answered jokingly.  Garrett laughed 
and they sat down on the blanket.  A few minutes later, everyone else 
started showing up.
	"Hey Garrett," Bobby said.  "Hi Sydney."  He stopped, finally 
noticing Sydney leaning back against Garrett, holding Dylan in her arms.  
"Hi…I missed something important, here," he said confused.  Sydney laughed.
	"No.  You just missed a very long overdue reunion."  She kissed 
Garrett's hand.  Glory and J.T. showed up with Mila and Grant.  Sydney and 
Garrett introduced everyone to their son and Sydney told everyone about her 
very unique college experience.  Glory smiled widely and Sydney gave her a 
wink.  Garrett looked at his brother, sitting with Mila, and gave him a 
grateful look.  Grant just smiled and looked away. 
	"We should come up here next month for Fourth of July," Garrett 
said.  Everyone nodded in agreement.  They sat there talking and catching 
up on each other's lives.  As the sun started to set, they were still 
laughing over old memories.
	"Anybody hungry," asked J.T.  
	"Yeah, definitely," Garrett answered.  

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

	Sydney and Garrett came back to the house that night and Garrett 
carried Dylan to bed.  Just as he came back down stairs, the phone rang.  
Sydney reached over and picked it up.
	"Hello?"
	"Sydney?"
	"Yeah . . .who's this?"  There was a pause on the other end.
	"It's me."
	"Nancy?"  Sydney's eyes widened in shock.  Garrett looked up, 
waiting to hear the rest of the conversation.  "Where are you?"  Sydney's 
voice filled with concern.
	"I'm in Newport."  She was crying.  "I'm sorry . . .can you come 
and get me?  I'm in front of the train station . . .I don't have any money 
and I have no place to go-"
	"Don't move.  We'll be right there."  She hung up the phone and 
turned to Garrett who was already reaching for his car keys.  
	"Where is she?"
	"Newport train station.  Ralph!"
	"Yes, Miss Sydney?"  Ralph appeared in the entryway.
	"Can you watch Dylan for a while?"
	"Of course."  Sydney turned back to Garrett.  
	"Let's go." 

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

	Callie blindly reached for her doorknob as she and Jimmy kissed 
passionately.  She finally got the door open and Jimmy carried her to her 
bedroom, closing the door with his foot.  He laid her on her back and 
stripped his shirt off.  
	"I missed making love to you," he murmured as he gazed down at her.  
Callie smiled up at him and pulled him on top of her.
	"I did too."  She undid his pants and he unbuttoned her shirt, 
throwing it on the floor.  They kissed lustfully, feeling each other's 
heart beat quicken.  "Make love to me Jimmy," Callie moaned.  Jimmy leaned 
down and kissed her breasts, feeling her body with his hands.  He stared 
down into her eyes and kissed her as his body plunged into hers.  Callie 
groaned and her breath started to quicken.  She held him tightly as their 
bodies rocked back and forth.  "I love you," she said breathlessly.  Jimmy 
started kissing her neck.
	"I love you," he answered.  When they had climaxed, they collapsed 
next to each other.  Jimmy rubbed Callie's back as she gazed at him.  
"Promise me we'll never fight like that again," Jimmy whispered.  Callie 
brought her hand to his face.
	"I think I can promise that.  I don't think I'd survive it if we 
do."  She paused as she smiled at him.  "Do you think we'll make it…like 
Sydney and Garrett?"  Jimmy rubbed her shoulder and brought his hand to her 
neck.
	"I know it."  Their eyes locked and Callie leaned in to kiss him.  

                *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
 
	Nancy sat in front of the train station waiting for Sydney.  How 
did I get like this?  She asked herself.  She had been doing so well up 
until they graduated from high school.  She and Brent had fallen in love 
and school was even something to look forward to, even if she was staying 
in Swans Crossing.  But then after that first summer, her parents had 
decided to get a divorce and her life had just collapsed.  She pulled away 
from Brent and spent all her time in her room or in bars.  Brent tried to 
help her, but Nancy just didn't want to talk to him.  He broke up with her 
before their last year of college and Nancy dropped out, just one year shy 
of graduating.  She left Swans Crossing tried to find work, but no one was 
hiring.  She ended up taking a job as a waitress at a strip club outside of 
Providence.  She quit after a few months and tried to find another job.  
But there was nothing.  Now she was broke and she was sitting on the ground 
of a dirty train station, crying into her hands.  
	She saw headlights flash as Garrett's car pulled in front of the 
station.  Sydney jumped out and ran over to her.  Nancy lost it and started 
sobbing.  Sydney hugged her tightly.
	"It's alright, Nancy.  Everything's going to be fine.  C'mon."  She 
led her to the car and helped her into the back seat.  They drove away and 
headed back to the Rutledge estate.

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

	Sydney poured more coffee into Nancy's mug as Garrett and Ralph went 
upstairs to put Nancy's bags in the guest room.  Nancy smiled tearfully.
	"Thanks for letting me stay here."  Sydney reached out and touched 
her hand.
	"Sisters forever, remember?  What happened?"  
	Nancy started to cry again.  "I just . . .I ran away . . .I ran 
away from everything that was making me crazy, but it was stupid."  She 
told Sydney about everything that happened.  "I feel so foolish."  
	"Don't feel foolish, Nancy.  You don't have to run away, okay?  You 
can stay here until you get back on your feet."  Nancy smiled gratefully.
	"So you and Garrett . . .you guys made it, huh?   I always knew you 
would.  A kid and everything…it's really great." 
	"Yeah.  It took us a while, but we made it."  Nancy stared at her 
friend.
	"You look great, Sydney-o.  You really do.  You turned out exactly 
the way I thought you would.  My whole life, I just wanted to be you.  I 
should have known I was just fooling myself."  Sydney's eyes filled with 
regret.
	"No, Nancy.  For a long time, I knew that you admired me and I just 
used it to get you to do things for me.  But it wasn't right.  Deep down, 
I was always scared that you would stop admiring me, because the truth is, 
I wasn't a very nice person."
	"No, but you were honest.  You never made apologies for how you 
were.  People always respected that part of you, whether or not they liked 
it.  I never had that.  But I wanted it so much."  Sydney squeezed her hand.
	"Well, that was high school.  You can change things Nance."  She 
smiled encouragingly.  Nancy held her hand tightly.
	"Thank you, Sydney," she whispered.  "I'm pretty tired now.  I 
think I'll go to bed."  Garrett appeared at the doorway.
	"It's the second door to the right," he said kindly.  Nancy smiled.
	"Thank you."  She went upstairs and closed the door.
	Sydney turned to Garrett and he wrapped his arms around her.  She 
leaned against his chest and sighed.
	"She's so scared," she said.  "I hope I can help her."  
	"You're there for her.  I think that's all she really needs right 
now."  She looked up at him with her sleepy eyes.  "You tired?" he asked.
	"Yeah, a little.  Do you mind if we just sleep tonight?"
	"Not at all," he said shaking his head.  They turned out the lights 
and headed upstairs.

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

	Nancy stepped into Swan's with Sydney and Garrett, feeling nervous 
and timid.  Sydney gave her a little push and they walked to the table where 
all their friends were sitting.  
	"Hi Nancy," Callie said warmly.  "We missed you around here."  She 
gave her a hug.  "What brings you back?"  Sydney looked at Nancy's 
embarrassed expression and spoke up.
	"Nancy thought she might like to finish school, so she's checking 
it out.  Plus, she wanted to see all her old friends," Sydney said smiling.  
"She's staying with me right now."  Nancy flashed her a grateful smile. 
	"How come you're not staying at home?"  Glory asked innocently.  
Nancy regained some composure.
	"Why stay at home with your parents, when your friends will put you 
up?"  She managed to smile and everyone laughed.  They all sat down.  
Garrett set Dylan down in the chair next to him and he peered over the 
table, his eyes barely seeing over the top.  Garrett chuckled and ruffled 
his son's hair.
	"We were just talking about the Fourth of July celebration," Jimmy 
said.  "Sandy, Neil, and Owen are all coming back for it."  
	"Yeah, it's going to be stellar," J.T. said.  "Neil designed these 
new fireworks and they've been using them for the past three years."
	"Yeah, he told me about that.  I had forgotten," said Sydney.  "Are 
we still going to cliffs to watch them?"
	"Yeah, definitely," Jimmy chimed in.  
	Nancy sat with her friends, feeling secure and safe for the first 
time in months.  She felt comforted by the familiar faces around her town 
that was her childhood home.  Most of all, she was grateful for Sydney's 
friendship; her real friendship.  It had been years since they had shared 
a friendship like this and she felt happy, knowing that she had her to lean 
on.

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

	The Fourth of July celebration was bouncing with people.  Everyone 
in town was there.  Sandy walked on stage to sing the national anthem, 
wearing fitted black pants and a tube top with a design of the American 
flag.  Some of the gang let out soft gasps.  Not many of them had really 
seen her for a few months.  She had straightened her blond hair and added 
highlights.  Her usual preppy style had evolved into a subtle mixture of 
glamour and modesty.  As she started to sing, it was clear that her vocal 
styling had changed as well.  She busted out a bluesy, rhythmic version of 
the song, shocking the crowd with her unbelievable stage presence.  When 
she finished, everyone gave her a standing ovation.
	"Thank you very much," she said into the microphone.  "Alright 
people of Swans Crossing…give it up for my favorite jazz man in all of New 
York City…Owen Fowler!"  The curtains opened and Owen was seated on a stool 
with an electric guitar.  He played a self-arranged patriotic medley that 
had the crowd on their feet, dancing along.  Owen had changed too.  He'd 
grown considerably since high school and he wasn't the skinny little film 
geek anymore.  His hair was a bit longer and he was wearing small wire 
framed glasses. As he strummed the last chord, the crowd jumped to their 
feet and the gang nearly fell over when they saw Sandy come on stage and 
Owen swept her in his arms and kissed her deeply.  As they came off stage, 
the group intercepted them at the stairs.
	"You've been keeping secrets from us," Callie said with a smile.  
Sandy laughed and kissed Owen again.  
	"Sorry.  We would've filled you all in, but Owen's been touring for 
the past month and I've been recording.  We just didn't have a chance."  
Owen kissed Sandy on the cheek and left to talk to the guys.
	"Wicked, Fowler," Jimmy said, referring to his performance.  
	"Here, here," Garrett said.  Owen grinned and slapped everyone's 
hand.  "And congratulations, by the way," Garrett added, gesturing toward 
Sandy.  Owen smiled.
	"Thanks, man."  He looked over at Sandy.  "Best thing that ever 
happened to me," he said.  He noticed Sydney talking to them, holding onto 
Dylan's hands and lifting him off the ground. He turned back to Garrett.  
"But you obviously know what that's like."  Garrett smiled.  Bobby joined 
the guys and Owen looked at him awkwardly.  "Hey Bobby…I hope there's no-" 
Bobby held up his hand.
	"Not even, man.  Forget about it.  I know how she feels about you…
it's totally cool."  The two shook hands and then the guys walked back to 
join the girls.

	After the entertainment had finished, the friends met on the cliff 
and waited for the fireworks to start.  Blankets were spread on the ground 
and they laid down, staring up at the sky.  When the first firework shot 
through the sky, the town lit up with color.  As Dylan sat with Glory, 
watching the fire works with everyone, Garrett took Sydney's hand and led 
her away from the others, off to the side.  He took a deep breath as Sydney 
waited for him to speak.
	"I have something to say to you and it's going to be hard for me 
to get it all out so just bear with me."  She nodded.  He took another deep 
breath.  "When I look back on my life, when I think of all the times that 
I've been truly happy, there's only one thing that's consistent… I always 
had you."  His heart began to race.  "I have loved you . . . my entire 
life.  There isn't another woman on this planet that could make me feel 
even a fraction of the love that I feel for you.  And I know that we're 
meant to be, I know that we were destined to love each other forever."  He 
let out a nervous laugh and continued.  "These past four years, all I could 
think about was how much you've changed my life.  Everything good in me is 
because of you, and I would be the most foolish man on earth if I didn't 
see how beautiful and strong and amazing and perfect you are.  You have 
owned my heart since we were five years old, Sydney . . .and to this 
day . . .your voice, your eyes, your hair, your smile . . .the mere thought 
of them still takes my breath away.  And I can't live one more day without 
knowing that you…and Dylan…will always be there when I wake up in the 
morning."  He stared into her eyes as he knelt down on the ground, pulling 
the black velvet ring box that he had been carrying from his pocket.  
Sydney gasped softly in amazement.  He opened the box and looked up at her.
	The others had turned just in time to see Garrett kneel and fell 
silent, waiting for her response.  Sydney stared at him in shock as she 
slowly lowered herself to her knees, holding his gaze.  Tears began to well 
up behind her eyes.  Garrett's voice became shaky and quiet as his throat 
tightened.  
	"I know your scared, Sydney," he said intensely.  "I know that 
knowing what you do about your parents makes you afraid of this.  But I 
also know that you love me.  I know that you understand how perfect we are 
together.  What happened to your mother won't happen to you.  You just 
have to trust me."  A single tear fell from Sydney's eye as he spoke.  "Do 
you trust me?"
	"Yes," she whispered.  Garrett gazed adoringly into her eyes.
	"Will you marry me?"  She closed her eyes for a moment before 
looking at him again.
	"Yes."  She took the box in her hand.  "Yes," she said again, 
flinging her arms around him.  Everyone yelled and cheered when they saw 
her hug him.  She squeezed him tightly, still holding the open box in her 
hand.  "I love you Garrett," she whispered in his ear.  Garrett felt his 
eyes begin to sting as he grasped her.
	"I love you."  
	"Took you guys long enough!!"  Jimmy screamed from the edge of the 
cliff, making the others laugh.  Sydney and Garrett looked over and laughed 
with them.  Garrett took the box from her and removed the ring.  He slipped 
it onto her finger and held her hand in his as he kissed her.  He hugged 
her again, standing up and lifting her off the ground.  They walked back 
to the their friends, who were still cheering wildly.
	"I thought I was going to have to kill you both!"  Callie said.  
She hugged Sydney.  "Congratulations," she whispered.  Sydney hugged her 
back.
	"Be my maid of honor."  They pulled apart and Callie smiled.  
	"Of course."  The girls crowded around Sydney to get a look at her 
ring.  Sydney held her ring out to them, her other hand still holding on to 
Garrett's.  She looked up at him and winked.  Dylan looked up at his mother 
questioningly.
	"What's going on?"  He asked.  Sydney smiled.  
	"Mommy and Daddy are having a wedding, sweetie," she answered, 
kneeling in front of him.  Dylan looked confused, but just smiled and 
hugged his mother.
	Garrett turned to Jimmy and the guys.
	"Congrats, man."  They shook his hand and patted his back.  Grant 
approached Garrett and shook his hand firmly.
	"Would it be too brotherly to tell you that I'm proud of you?"  
Grant smiled.
	"No," Garrett said with a laugh.  "Thank you Grant.  Really."   
	They turned back to the fireworks, watching the sparks fly through 
the sky.  Jimmy took Callie's hand, squeezing it lovingly.  She looked up 
at him and kissed him softly, resting her head on his shoulder as he 
wrapped his arm around her waist.  Garrett wrapped his arms around Sydney 
and held her tightly.  She leaned back against him and relaxed against his 
strong body, holding Dylan's hand.  She was finally home, back in the arms 
of the love of her life.

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

	Sydney walked into her bedroom that night after kissing Dylan 
goodnight.  Her eyes were dancing with happiness and she saw Garrett 
sitting in bed, watching television.  She glanced down at her diamond ring, 
a wide smile spreading across her face.  She walked over to Garrett and 
grabbed the remote.  Then she went back to the door and shut it.  Garrett 
looked at her with an amused expression.  Sydney raised her eyebrow 
seductively and turned the television off, throwing the remote on the 
floor.  She walked to the foot of the bed and stared down at Garrett.  He 
watched, hypnotized, as she slowly untied the string of her dress, letting 
it fall around her feet.  She was braless and a strand of her dark hair 
fell in her eyes as she held Garrett's gaze.  Garrett caught his breath at 
the sight of her flawless body: her tiny frame and her curves.  
	"Ready for some real fireworks?"  She asked, her voice lowering to 
a husky whisper.  Garrett was speechless.  She crawled toward him slowly 
and pulled his legs forward so that he was lying down.  She started kissing 
him up his stomach and chest and pulled his boxer shorts off.  Garrett 
slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, moaning in pleasure at the touch 
of her mouth on his body.  She caught his lips in a passionate kiss, 
feeling his tongue press against hers.  Garrett gently caressed her back 
and Sydney's breath quickened as she kept kissing him.  "God, I love the 
way you touch me," she whispered.  She sat up on his hips and felt him 
enter her.  She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of being joined with 
Garrett and slowly began to rock back and forth.  Garrett leaned his head 
back as Sydney pleasured him and quickly sat up, pulling her body close 
to his.  Sydney wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him breathlessly 
as they continued to move together.  Her throat moaned and she started to 
gasp softly.  
	"Oh god, baby," Garrett moaned softly.  "You're amazing."  Sydney 
grasped him tightly, feeling his heart beat inside of her.  Garrett held 
her and rolled her over so she was on her back.  He caressed her body and 
continued to pleasure her, making her cry out.  She clung on to his back as 
they both climaxed.  Garrett's body collapsed and he kissed her deeply as 
their breathing became normal again.  He rolled off of her and she lay 
draped in his arms.  He turned to look at her with a smile.
	"You hungry?"  Sydney laughed.
	"Starved.  Ice cream?"
	"Oh yeah."  He got out of bed and put his boxer shorts back on as 
she pulled her robe on.  They headed downstairs and Sydney turned on the 
kitchen light.  She opened the freezer and took out a tub of ice cream.  
Garrett opened the drawer and got two spoons.  Sydney hopped and sat on 
the counter and dove into the ice cream.  They looked at each other and 
laughed.  
	"Delectable…that's my word to describe this," Sydney said as she 
put the spoon in her mouth and pulled it out slowly.  Garrett grinned as he 
dug some more ice cream out.
	"The ice cream or the sex?"  Sydney giggled.
	"Both."  She put her spoon in the ice cream tub and wrapped her 
legs around his waist.  Garrett smiled widely and placed his hands on her 
thighs as she pulled him in for a long kiss.  Garrett sighed contentedly as 
they pulled away.
	"I promise you," he murmured softly.  "You will never regret saying 
'yes'.  I'm going to make you so happy."  Sydney ran her hand through his 
hair and smiled.
	"You already did that…the day I walked off the field with you."  
She pulled him close and kissed him again.  As Garrett pulled away, smiling, 
he caught sight of Ralph standing in the doorway.  They both turned their 
heads to look at Ralph, who stood with a surprised expression.
	"Oh, I'm sorry…I thought I heard something.  I thought perhaps 
someone was breaking in," he said sheepishly.  Sydney and Garrett smiled.
	"It's alright, Ralph," Garrett said.  "It's just us…no burglars."  
Ralph laughed with embarrassment.
	"I'm terribly sorry," he said.  "I'll just go back upstairs now."  
When he was gone, Sydney and Garrett turned to each other and chuckled 
softly.  Sydney pulled Garrett into an embrace and he buried his face in 
her hair.  
	"So," he said.  "You want some more delectable pleasures?"  He 
raised his eyebrows slyly.  Sydney grinned.
	"The ice cream or sex?"  She asked coyly.  In one motion, Garrett 
pulled her into his strong arms, bridegroom style and stared into her eyes.
	"What do you think?"  Sydney giggled as he carried her back 
upstairs.    


                           To be continued . . .

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