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

                                 Chapter 6

         * This story contains some profanity and some adult content *

	Garrett and Jimmy were lifting weights at the gym.  
	"So the countess still hasn't talk to Mila?"  Jimmy asked.
	"No.  Grant thinks it's all his fault now.  What is it with 
parents?"  Jimmy laughed.  "It's like they know exactly what to do to 
complicate your life in the worst way."
	"No, just the parents of any girl that dates a Booth," Jimmy joked.  
Garrett laughed.  "So did Sydney like her birthday present?"  Garrett 
smiled proudly.
	"Yeah.  You should've seen her face when she saw it.  Her Beamer 
was so worn out…it was time that she got a new car."
	"I think there's a slight difference between a new car and a mint 
condition refurbished Mercedes convertible.  That car is a thing of beauty, 
man."  Garrett laughed.
	"Only the best for Sydney," he answered.  "Besides…she definitely 
showed her appreciation," he joked, raising his eyebrows.  They both 
laughed.
	"So, you guys just have to get hitched now, huh?"  
	"I'm counting the days, man," Garrett replied, as he stood up and 
they headed to the showers.
  
                    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Callie, Mila, Nancy, Glory, and Sandy, who had flown in that 
weekend, sat at Sydney's kitchen table going over the plans for the wedding.
	"Okay…I've taken care of the caterers, the flowers, and the 
orchestra.  Is that everything?"  Callie examined the list in front of her.
	"Let's see…you've got the ballroom at the country club reserved, 
you've got the cathedral, the cake, the guest list, and you've got the 
photographer…I think that's everything.  Man, you planned this thing fast!"  
Sydney laughed.
	"Mother's responsible for that!  She called in so many favors to 
get this thing done."  
	"Hey…where are you going for your honeymoon?  You never told us," 
Sandy said.  Sydney smiled.
	"Garrett and I always talked about going to Venice.  He reserved 
the tickets yesterday."  Callie smiled.
	"He really loves you Syd."
	"No kidding, did you see the new toy he bought her?"  Nancy 
exclaimed.  Sydney laughed and grinned wickedly.  
	"Trust me, he was thanked," she said.  The girls laughed.
	"Please, stop!  I beg you to stop!"  Glory stood up abruptly and 
covered her ears.  Sydney laughed and hugged Glory.
	"I'm sorry, I'm sorry.  I always forget."  
	"What's the big deal, Glory?  It's not like you and J.T. haven't 
yet," Nancy said.  Glory smiled.
	"I know.  But Garrett's my brother…it's gross!"  Sydney turned to 
her and widened her eyes.
	"Glory!  When?  Why didn't you tell me?"  
	"Because I didn't want Garrett finding out."  Sydney pretended to 
be insulted.
	"I don't tell him everything…well, yes I do."  Everyone laughed.  
"But I wouldn't have if you'd told me not to!"  Glory hugged Sydney.
	"I'm sorry.  It happened last month."  Sydney started to ask her 
something else, but she stopped her.  "I'm not saying anything else.  If I 
don't tell you anything, then you won't tell me anything…and that's fine 
with me," she said.  Sydney laughed.
	"Deal."
	"Hey, who's watching Dylan while you guys are gone?"
	"Ralph said he'd do it.  Plus the Booths will be around too.  I 
can't believe he's almost four.  He's growing up so fast."  Dylan came into 
the room then and ran to Sydney.  He hugged her around the legs and looked 
up at her.
	"Mom, when I turn four, can I get a real motorcycle?"  Everyone 
chuckled.  Dylan giggled, full well knowing the absurdity of his request.  
Sydney ruffled his hair.
	"Maybe when you're five," she answered.  She bent down to tickle 
him and he laughed hysterically.  "I love you, little man," she said.  
Dylan smiled at his mother.
	"I love you too."  He skipped out of the room to watch T.V.
	"He's got that Booth charm, Syd," Callie said.  Sydney let out a 
laugh.
	"I know…that's what I'm worried about," she joked.  Everyone 
laughed.  The song changed on the radio and Sandy's voice filled the room.  
The girls look at her and screamed excitedly.  "Oh my god, Sandy!! That's 
you!!"  Sandy laughed happily.
	"When's the album coming out?"
	"A few more weeks.  I have to shoot the video for the single 
first."  Everyone smothered her with hugs.
	"We're so proud of you!!"  Sandy grinned.
	"Thanks."

                    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
	
	Nancy entered the stables after leaving Sydney's house and took one 
of the horses out to the course.  She'd gotten a job there as a trainer.  
She took care of the horses and gave them their exercise.  She mounted up 
and rode around the track.  As she turned around again, she saw someone 
standing in front of the fence that surrounded her.  Her heart skipped a 
beat when she saw who it was.  She rode next to him and got down, staring 
at him in shock.
	"Brent…what are you doing here?"  Brent smiled at her warmly.
	"I went to Sydney's house, she said you were here."  Nancy went 
around to the gate and walked through, handing the reigns over to the 
stable boy.  
	"I mean…why are you here…in Swans Crossing?  I thought you moved 
out to Seattle."  She couldn't believe that he was standing there right in 
front of her.
	"I did.  But I wanted to come back here 'cause my mom's sick and 
everything.  I opened a vet center in town…so…" Nancy looked down 
nervously.
	"Oh…that's nice for your mom.  She must be really happy that you're 
back."
	"Is your mom still here?"
	"Yeah.  I don't live there, though.  Dad moved to Chicago, so it's 
just her and the maid.  I was staying with Sydney up until a week ago.  
She and Garrett are getting married in a few weeks." 
	"Yeah, I heard.  That's great for them.  I know how much she loves 
him."  He stared into her eyes.  "I missed you Nancy."  Her heart swelled 
at his words.  She hadn't forgotten about him since the day he had broken 
up with her.  
	"I missed you too," she said softly.  "Look, Brent…I'm really sorry 
about how I treated you before.  I was really strung out and depressed…I 
guess I didn't know how to handle it all.  So I'm sorry if I ever hurt 
you."  She looked at him again and started to walk away.  He grabbed her 
arm and made her face him.
	"I know…I'm sorry too.  I should've stayed with you and helped you 
out.  I guess it just hurt that you shut me out."  He pushed her hair out 
of her face.  "Do you think maybe we can try again?  Have dinner with me 
tonight."  She met his gaze, looking into his eyes.  Finally, she smiled 
softly.
	"Okay."  He grinned.
	"Great.  I'll pick you up at 7:00.  See you later."  He backed up 
slowly and turned as he walked away.  Nancy felt herself smile broadly with 
excitement.

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

	Garrett threw a pitch to Jimmy, who smacked it hard with his bat, 
sending it past Bobby, who was guarding second base.  
	"Nice one, Clayton," Garrett called to his friend.  Jimmy gave him 
a thumbs-up.  Sydney and Callie watched from off the field.  
	"They've still got it," Callie commented.  Sydney laughed.  Dylan 
was at the playground with Glory and the guys were all re-living one of the 
their favorite high school pastimes.  
	"Sydney."  Sydney turned around.
	"Drew," she said, stunned.  "Hi…what's up?"
	"Not much.  It seems like I'm always running into you here."  
Sydney and Callie exchanged a look.
	"Yeah…life's funny like that, I guess."  Drew looked up onto the 
baseball field.  
	"Are they playing a game?"
	"Yeah, it's called baseball," Callie said, sarcastically.  Drew 
shot her an annoyed look.
	"I meant is it a real game or are they just hitting the ball 
around?"  Sydney smacked Callie lightly in the arm and turned to Drew.
	"No, it's a real game.  Some of Grant's friends from college are 
here and we ran into some people that played with them in high school, so 
they started a game."  Drew scanned the faces on the field and found Garrett 
standing at the pitcher's mound.  He watched as Garrett threw a pitch to 
J.T.  The ball was already in Grant's mitt when J.T. swung at the air.
	"Shit, Garrett," J.T. said, laughing.  Garrett smiled and shrugged 
in fake modesty.
	"My glove is smoking bro!"  Grant yelled.  All the guys laughed.
	"Garrett, you're my hero!"  Jimmy yelled in a high-pitched old lady 
voice from first base.  Everyone laughed again and Garrett pointed at 
Jimmy, smiling.  
	"Hey…do you think you've got room for one more?"  They all turned 
to look at Drew.  Garrett's face darkened, but he was still curious.  
	"What's he doing?"  Callie asked Sydney.  Sydney shook her head.
	"I don't know."  Drew looked at Garrett.  All the other guys looked 
at Garrett for an answer.
	"You play?"
	"Yeah, I played some at BC.  I mean, it's not the IV League or 
anything…but do you mind?"  Garrett glanced around at his friends and then 
looked at Drew again.  
	"I guess not.  You got a glove?"  
	"Yeah."
	"Alright…you're up after J.T. then."  Drew walked behind the 
batting cage.  Garrett looked over at Sydney, standing off to the side.  He 
saw her shrug at him, a nonverbal way of communicating that she didn't know 
what Drew was up to, and he nodded slightly to her, telling her that he was 
okay with it.  He stared at Drew and saw him flash an arrogant smile.  
Garrett's eyes clouded.  Easy Booth, he told himself. 
 
                    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
	
	Drew swung with all his might, but Garrett's pitch was too fast.  
	"Strike three, man."  Jimmy said.  "Alright.  Drew, you said you 
pitch, right?"
	"Yeah," he answered, glaring at the back of Garrett's head.  
	"Cool…why don't you pitch."  Garrett and Drew walked by each other 
as the teams switched sides.  Garrett ignored Drew's attempt at a stare 
down.  He grabbed his bat and walked up to the plate.  Drew ground the dirt 
on the pitcher's mound and eyed Garrett warily.
	"So I guess I lost, huh?"  He called to Garrett.  Garrett looked 
up.
	"What do you mean?"  Drew nodded his head toward Sydney.
	"I lost the ultimate prize."  Garrett swung his shoulder around to 
loosen it as he continued to stare at Drew. The girls couldn't hear what 
they were saying and watched in confusion.  The tension on the field 
continued to grow.
	"She's more than a prize, man," Garrett answered.  Drew gazed at 
Sydney and then met Garrett's stare.
	"Yeah, she is pretty good," he said pointedly, with an arrogant 
smile.  Garrett kept his cool.
	"Actually, you wouldn't know, would you Drew?"  Drew smile broke 
for a second but recovered quickly.
	"What makes you think that?"
	"C'mon, I know you guys didn't get there."  Garrett felt his fists 
clench.
	"That's what she told you, huh?"  Drew grinned slyly and wound up.  
He threw his first pitch.  Garrett swung and hit the ball.
	"Foul ball," J.T. yelled.  He threw the ball back to Drew.
	"C'mon, baby!"  Sydney yelled to Garrett.  Garrett looked over at 
her and winked and Sydney flashed him her famous smile in response.  He 
turned back to Drew.
	"Whatever you try…you're not going to split us up, man.  So why 
don't you just suck it up and deal?"  Drew clenched his jaw in anger.  
Garrett took his stance again and Drew eyed him with hatred.  He wound up 
and threw the ball way off.  Garrett barely moved out of the way as it cut 
through the air, nearly hitting Garrett in the head.
	"What the fuck are you doing?"  Garrett yanked his batting helmet 
off.  Jimmy was playing catcher and saw Garrett go after Drew, clutching 
his bat.
	"C'mon man," he said.  Garrett didn't turn around and started 
walking toward Drew.  "Booth," Jimmy called after him.  Garrett advanced 
toward Drew, who was taunting him obnoxiously.
	"Oh, what's the matter, pretty-boy.  Did I almost ruin your perfect 
profile?"  Garrett shoved Drew backward and Drew shoved him back.  By now 
Jimmy had reached them and was trying to pull Garrett away.  The other guys 
crowded around trying to separate them.  Sydney and Callie were running 
toward them.
	"What the fuck, man!  You almost took his fucking head off!"  Grant 
yelled.  "I don't know what kind of baseball you played, but around here, 
we keep it clean!"
	"What the hell Drew!"  Sydney had run up beside them.  "Are you 
fucking insane?"  Drew looked down at Sydney.
	"Oh, come on Sydney.  I can't believe you fell for this rich boy!"
	"I can't believe I fell for your nice-guy routine!"  Sydney 
retaliated.  Drew took Sydney's arm and pulled her close to him.
	"Damn it Sydney.  Will you just stop?  You don't love him…you can't 
possibly be in love with this guy!  He's a loser!"  Something flashed in 
Sydney's eyes.  She yanked her arm away from his grip and her hand came up 
instinctively, smacking Drew across the cheek.  Drew was so stunned and 
angry he grabbed her shoulders and threw her back, making her stumble.  She 
hit the ground and fell on her side.     
	Jimmy saw it coming, but he couldn't get between them fast enough 
to stop Garrett's punch.  Garrett's fist collided with Drew's jaw and 
knocked him backward.  He would have pounced on him then, but Jimmy grabbed 
him and held him back.  The field echoed with the sounds of Garrett and 
Drew screaming obscenities at each other.
	"Jimmy, let go," Garrett yelled.  Drew was stumbling and his vision 
was so blurry from Garrett's punch, he was seeing double.  Garrett was 
fighting to get out of Jimmy's hold.  He almost broke free when Sydney 
stood up and ran in front of him.
	"No!  Garrett, don't!"  Garrett almost didn't see her.  He stopped 
short and stared at Drew holding his head and doubling over in pain.  
Sydney put her hands on Garrett's waist and caressed his face gently.  
"Baby…please," she whispered.  "You'll get arrested.  Please…just leave 
him alone.  I'm okay.  He didn't hurt me."  Garrett broke his stare on Drew 
and looked into Sydney's eyes.  "C'mon, baby…let's go home, okay," she 
murmured.  Sydney squeezed his sides and he put his hand on the small of 
her back looked down at Drew.
	"I swear to God, if you touch her again, your life ends."  He put 
his arm around Sydney and headed toward the playground to get Dylan and 
Glory.
	"Holy shit," Grant muttered under his breath.  "I have NEVER seen 
my brother that angry before."  
	"I have," Jimmy said.  "Drew was lucky, man."  
	"Glory, can you take Dylan with you and J.T.?"
	"Sure, Sydney."  Glory buckled Dylan up in the back seat of the 
car.  Sydney walked to the passenger side of Garrett's black Porsche as he 
opened the door for her.  He closed it and got behind the wheel.  His 
engine roared and they drove out of the park.
 
                    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

	Nancy sat down nervously next to Brent as the waiter took their 
orders. 
	"So, are you working at the stables now?"  Brent asked when the 
waiter had left.  Nancy took a sip of her water and nodded.
	"Yeah…just something to tide me over so I can find an apartment.  
Sydney and Garrett already have a kid, they don't need to baby-sit me too."
	"They have a kid?"  Nancy nodded again.
	"Yeah.  A son…his name's Dylan.  Sydney had him during her first 
year of school, but Garrett didn't find out until she came back…it's kind 
of complicated."  Brent nodded.
	"I'm sure.  Wow…but they're happy?"  
	"Yeah…finally."  Nancy chuckled.  "So…are you…disappointed?"
	"What do you mean?"
	"Well," she began nervously.  "You always did have that thing for 
Sydney."  Brent smiled.
	"That was years ago."  He looked into her eyes.  "Is that what 
you've been thinking this whole time…that I'm pining over Sydney?"  Nancy 
looked down as her tears sprang from her eyes.  
	"My dad…he…he never cheated on my mom or anything…but, I don't 
think she was the one, you know?  I overheard one of their arguments before 
they told me they were splitting up…my mom mentioned some other woman…she 
called her his first love.  I just…I guess I was afraid.  I don't want to 
be second choice…even if it is to Sydney."  Brent's eyes looked at her with 
tenderness and he took her hand.
	"You were never second.  God, Nancy…I never thought that's what was 
bothering you.  I've never known another girl with so much ability but with 
such little confidence.  You're so much more than you think you are Nance…
you have to believe that.  I NEVER thought I was settling when I was with 
you."  Nancy looked up and gave him a brave smile.
	"I know that…now."  She squeezed his hand and gazed into his eyes.

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

	"So are you pissed at me?"  Garrett asked as he stripped his shirt 
off.  He threw it into the hamper and looked over at Sydney as she came out 
of the bathroom.
	"No, why?"  Sydney looked at him surprised.  
	"I know you hate it when I get into fights."  Sydney looked down, 
taking his hand gently.
	"Well…yeah, I do," she said as she bandaged his bruised hand.  
Garrett gazed into her eyes for a moment and Sydney glanced at the floor.
	"Hey…did you sleep with him?"
	"No!  I wouldn't lie about that."  Garrett nodded.
	"No, I know you wouldn't.  I just thought…maybe you thought I'd get 
angry or something so you just…" He ran a hand through his hair and then 
shook his head as if clearing his brain.  "I'm sorry…of course you didn't.  
You told me you didn't…" Sydney put a hand on his chest.
	"Baby…you're my first and only…and I love that."  
	Garrett gazed into her eyes lovingly and put his hand to her cheek.  
"You're my angel, you know that?" he murmured.  Sydney smiled and leaned in 
for a long kiss.
	"Now why do you always think I'm mad at you?"  Sydney asked 
teasingly.  She looked up with a grin.  Garrett shrugged his shoulders 
jokingly.
	"I don't know…habit?"  Sydney smacked him playfully and started to 
walk away from him.  Garrett laughed and pulled her back and guided her 
over to the bed.  "Of course…that's not as fun now that our little war is 
over," he said softly.  Sydney cocked her eyebrow and sat up, straddling 
his stomach.
	"Did you want the war to start again?"  She asked teasingly.  
"Cause I kinda like that we've made nice and everything."  Garrett grinned.
	"You better," he replied.  "It's better when we're on the same 
team."  Sydney leaned down and kissed him lovingly.
	"You and me against the world, right?"  She said softly.  Garrett 
smiled and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.
	"Always."

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

	"What are we doing for Sydney's bridal shower?"  Sandy asked as the 
girls, minus Sydney, strolled through the shopping mall.
	"I was thinking we should have one last big slumber party, like 
back in the day…but this time, no boys crashing.  Jimmy's throwing Garrett's 
bachelor party on the same night."
	"What are they doing?  Stripper?"  Nancy asked wickedly.  Callie 
raised her eyebrow.
	"He'd better not.  I'll kill him," Callie said, grinning.  "And I 
don't think Garrett will be into having a stripper, either.  They'll 
probably just go to a bar or something."
	"If Grant watches a stripper, he's sleeping on the couch tonight," 
Mila added.  Everyone laughed.  Callie turned back to Nancy.  
	"Hey, how was your date with Brent last night?"  Nancy smiled.
	"We're back together…I think.  It was nice and we talked things 
out.  We're going out again tomorrow night."  Everyone smiled.
	"That's great, Nancy," Glory said.  "It seems like everyone's 
getting back together."  She looked at Sandy and felt embarrassed.  "Oops.  
I mean…"
	"It's okay, Glory," Sandy said smiling.  "Saja…I mean, Bobby and I 
broke up a long time ago.  We're still really great friends."  
	"Plus, you have Owen now," Mila added.  "He worships you Sandy."  
Sandy smiled.  

* Flashback *

	"Whoa…where did that come from?"  Sandy pulled away slowly but Owen 
gently held on to her.  Her lips still tingled from his kiss and he could 
feel his heart beating loudly in his chest. 
	"I'm not really sure…but I don't think it was a mistake," he 
answered softly.  Sandy gazed into his eyes.
	"Do you know how many times I wanted this to happen back in high 
school?"  Owen brushed her hair back.
	"Really?  I never knew-"
	"Of course you didn't.  I never said anything…and by the time I was 
ready to…you had your eye on Mila.  And then Saja and I hooked up…so…" Owen 
smiled. 
	"Well, I guess this might be our chance to do things over again…MY 
chance to do things over again.  For a while now…every time I look at you…I 
see everything that's good in me.  When you sing…it's like I'm hearing an 
angel sing.  Sandy…I'm in love with you.  I have been for a months.  You 
make me a better man."  Sandy smiled shyly.
	"I love you too, Owen.  For as long as I can remember…I've always 
felt something for you."  She looked around with a nervous laugh.  "So what 
happens now?" Owen grinned.
	"Dinner…maybe a movie.  We just spend time together.  Is that okay 
with you?"
	"That's better than okay with me," she answered.  Owen pulled her 
in for another kiss.

* End Flashback * 
	
	Suddenly they heard a scream.
	"Oh my God!! You're Sandy Swan!!  See, I told you she grew up 
here!"  A teenage girl smacked her friend in the arm as they approached 
Sandy nervously.  Sandy smiled at them warmly.  "We love you! You have the 
most…amazing voice.  We saw your video premiere last night too.  Is that 
your real boyfriend?"  Sandy let out a good-natured laugh.
	"Thank you so much.  Yes, he is.  His name's Owen."  The girls 
squealed excitedly.
	"Oh my gosh, he's SO cute.  Can we have your autograph?"  
	"Yeah, sure.  What are your names?"
	"Lindsay and Karen."  Sandy scribbled on the notepad they handed 
her and smiled.
	"Here you go.  Thanks for listening to the album.  Take care, 
okay?"  The girls walked away excitedly.  When they had gone, Sandy looked 
at her friends with wide eyes and they hugged her happily.
	"Sandy, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen," Callie 
exclaimed.  Sandy took a deep breath.
	"Oh my gosh, I'm shaking.  That's the first autograph I've signed, 
you guys.  I can't believe it.  Did that just happen?"  Sandy had tears of 
joy in her eyes.  Callie hugged her tightly.
	"You were great Sandy.  You were charming and confident and 
friendly.  Oh, I'm so proud of you!"  
	"Thank you all so much for being so supportive all these years.  I 
really love you guys," Sandy said through her watery eyes.  The girls 
hugged her again.  "Okay!  We better start getting stuff together for 
tomorrow night.  I still haven't gotten them a wedding present and I have 
no idea what to get for them.  What do you get for the power couple, in 
love?  They pretty much have everything they'd ever want," Sandy said.  The 
others laughed.  

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

	The Booths had decided to throw a party after the rehearsal dinner 
at their estate before the wedding.  Since the wedding was going to hold a 
good part of the town, they had decided to keep the dinner down to a 
minimum, which for the Booths…wasn't excluding a whole lot of people.  
Their dining room was busy with people mingling and chatting with each 
other across the table.  After dessert, Mr. Booth gave a speech, as did 
Mrs. Booth.  Then the guests all moved into the ballroom where the band was 
waiting.  Music drifted out onto the grand patio and all the guests danced.  
Sydney stood outside on the patio balcony with Garrett, looking out into 
the beautiful garden.
	"Well, the guests of honor have managed to sneak out, have they?"  
Mr. Booth came out with a wide grin.  Sydney and Garrett laughed as they 
snuggled close together.  "Garrett, your aunt and uncle would like to 
congratulate you…I tried to save you, but they insist that you go in and 
speak to them."  Garrett laughed and downed the rest of his champagne 
glass.
	"Thanks Dad."  He leaned down and gave Sydney a kiss.  "I'll be 
right back."  He disappeared, leaving Sydney and his father out on the 
balcony.
	"Are you enjoying yourself?"  Sydney looked up and smiled.
	"Yes, I am.  This was so nice of you to do," she said gratefully.  
	"Well, it was the least we could do.  Since your mother threw the 
engagement party, we figured it was our turn to throw a party."  Sydney 
laughed and sipped her champagne.  She thought for a moment and then looked 
up at Mr. Booth.
	"Are you really okay…about Garrett and I?"  Mr. Booth looked at her 
in surprise.
	"What brought this into your mind?"  He asked with a smile.  Sydney 
laughed in embarrassment.
	"I don't know.  Family feuds…they sink in pretty deeply."
	"They can also last far too long, Sydney."  He turned to face her.  
"Sometimes the biggest lessons you learn in life…are from your children.  
Garrett…came alive when the two of you started dating.  I just didn't see 
it.  His concentration went up, his priorities, his drive…you made him wake 
up.  Before his junior year of high school, I don't think a week went by 
when I didn't get a call from one of his teachers, or pick him up late 
because he was in detention.  That all changed when you two got together."  
Sydney chuckled softly and then looked up at Mr. Booth again.
	"You know…Garrett used to screw up his tests on purpose," she said 
suddenly.  Mr. Booth raised his eyebrows.  "Not all of them, just a few 
here and there.  He also used to start fights in front of the teachers, you 
know, made sure they were watching."
	"Why?"  Sydney smiled knowingly.
	"To make you angry, maybe.  I guess…he wanted to prove to people 
that nobody could control him…not even you…that he wasn't living for anyone 
else's expectations.  You know, his life was his and no one else's.  He 
wanted to show you that…if he succeeded, it was because he wanted to…not 
because he was afraid of you.  And maybe…to test you…to see if you'd still 
love him…even if he failed.  That's the Garrett I always knew.  He won't 
answer to anyone but himself.  That's why I love him."  Mr. Booth fell 
silent and then smiled slowly.  
	"There's still so much that I learn about him every day," he 
commented.  "But the one thing I've known about him…the one thing I've been 
positive about…is that he loves you.  With all his heart, he loves you…and 
he always will."  Mr. Booth straightened up.  "So don't worry about the 
feud, Sydney…it's dead and buried.  You gave me a second chance at 
fatherhood…and a beautiful grandson.  As far as I'm concerned, I am 
eternally indebted to you."  Sydney smiled broadly and hugged Mr. Booth.  
Just then, Garrett came back outside.
	"Now that's a Kodak moment," he quipped.  All three of them 
laughed.  
	"So…son…what happened to your hand?"  Garrett glanced down at his 
bandaged hand and looked back up at his father.
	"I…uh..."
	"A fight?"
	"He's this guy that I used to date in school, Mr. Booth.  Garrett 
was just trying to protect me," Sydney quickly came to Garrett's defense.
	"Well, I know how that goes.  Let's try to keep those moments to a 
minimum, huh Garrett?"  A smile broke out on Mr. Booth's face and Garrett 
let out a laugh, realizing that his father wasn't angry at all.  
	"Yeah…I will."  Mr. Booth disappeared into the house.  Garrett met 
Sydney's eyes and they both laughed.  "How about that?"  Garrett said, 
surprised.  Sydney wrapped her arms around his neck.
	"How about…you dance with me?"  
	"Any time, anywhere."  He held his hand out to her.  Sydney grinned 
and followed Garrett back inside. 

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

	Callie showed up with Sydney at Swans Crossing Royal Embassy Hotel 
and led her to the party room.  
	"Hey Sydney!"  The girls laughed excitedly.  Sydney smiled happily.
	"You guys are so sweet to do this."  The girls showered Sydney with 
gifts and she started opening them.  A lot of it was lingerie, but there 
was some jewelry and bath products mixed in.  
	"I love everything.  Thank you!"
	"So tell us, Sydney-o.  How do you feel?  You're about to marry 
the man of your dreams!"  Sydney smiled.
	"It's weird.  I was telling Garrett how I feel like we're already 
married.  It feels…right.  It just makes sense."  They all smiled as Sydney 
spoke.  "God knows, it was hell getting to this point.  I like that it all 
feels so natural now."  The girls laughed.
	"It's a perfect match!  You two are going to rule the world 
together!"  
	"So whatever happened to that Andrew guy?"  Sydney's eyes narrowed.
	"He's history…long gone and I for one, am very grateful."  
	"What happened?"
	"He happened.  He was born."  The girls laughed.  
	"Alright, Syd…this toast is for you," Callie held up her champagne 
glass and everyone stood up and did the same.  "May this both unlikely, yet 
destined union last for eternity…and not make the rest of us cry anymore!"  
Sydney laughed heartily.
	"Was it really that bad?"
	"Yes!"  The girls cried.
	"Are you joking?"  Glory asked.  "Every time you guys split up, I 
had a nervous break down.  Garrett's such a crab when you're not around," 
she said.  Sydney giggled.
	"I recall I was very crabby myself before Garrett and I got 
together.  Love makes you do the unexpected, I guess…like not acting like 
a bitch all the time."
	"We still loved you, Syd…even when you stopped being a bitch," 
Callie joked.  The girls laughed and drank some more champagne.

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

	Laughter filled the bar as the guys sat around drinking beer and 
reminiscing about the crazy things that they had done in high school and 
college.
	"Remember the time you fooled Sydney into thinking Callie was 
Mila.  And she ran up to the stage with her on Fourth of July…"  Garrett 
laughed as he remembered.
	"Man, she freaked!"
	"Hey guys!  Am I too late?"  They all turned to see who was 
shouting and saw Neil standing at the entrance to the bar.  They yelled to 
him and he came over and shook their hands and hugged everyone.
	"Glad you could make it, Buckyball," J.T said.  They sat back down 
and passed Neil a beer.  They went back to their storytelling.
	"I never told you guys about this one night.  Sydney and I were at 
the park, after it was closed.  We'd both been drinking and we were fucked 
up.  It was summer, so it was so hot that night.  Anyway, Sydney got this 
fucking crazy idea and jumped into the lake…naked!"  They all busted out 
laughing.
	"There's Sydney for you!"  Jimmy yelled.
	"Well, I jumped in after her and we were swimming for a while and 
then we saw lights coming.  We both panicked and grabbed our clothes and 
ran stark nude through the trees.  We were still soaking wet and collapsed 
on the ground, laughing hysterically.  Man, we were so close to getting in 
some deep shit with the cops!!" Garrett held his stomach as he laughed.  
"She still gets crazy ideas like that."
	"What about you Mr. Player.  You did a complete 180.  I remember a 
time when you couldn't keep your frickin' eyes off anything in a skirt!"  
Garrett shoved Jimmy jokingly, laughing.  "Now look at you.  You've been 
domesticated!"
	"Those other girls…it was all just to piss Sydney off.  I knew it 
then, too.  Gentlemen, once you fall, there's no going back."  He raised 
his beer and they clinked their bottles together, taking a sip.  
	"I think we're witnessing the greatest phenomenon in history, 
boys," J.T. said.  "Garrett Booth is settling down!"  


                              To be continued . . .

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