Chapter 6
“Sydney, why are you asking me for a transfer?” Arvin Sloane looked at one of his most valued employees intently.
“I just…I need to get out of here” Sydney shrugged, “I need a change of scenery”
“Is that all?” Arvin asked again.
“Yes” Sydney nodded, crossing her hands in her lap.
“Everything seemed to be going well after that trip to Florida, you were all working as such a team” Arvin sighed.
“It isn’t a team thing, I just have some personal stuff and I need to get away” Sydney explained.
“Why not take a vacation?” Arvin retorted smoothly.
“Will you please just sign the damned piece of paper?!” Sydney glared at Arvin who was now smirking slightly.
“If it is what you want, I will, but Sydney…” Arvin began.
“Don’t” Sydney shook her head, “Please just sign it”
“We cannot do this anymore” Michael looked slightly beyond Sydney’s brown orbs, “We can’t”
“I” Sydney began to choke on her own breath, “Why?”
“It’s just…I can’t keep hurting Lauren like this, it isn’t fair to her and it’s not fair to you” Michael justified his decision more so to himself than anyone else.
“So you hurt me instead?” Sydney looked at him, her sparkling orbs fading to practically greys.
“I’m sorry” Michael murmured as he dropped his head and walked away, “I’m sorry”
*~*
“Hey mom, it’s Syd…I just…I just wanted to let you know that you have a grand daughter” Sydney whispered into the phone, it had been 8 months since she had left her job, her life, her family. “Her name is Brookelyn Valerie Bristow and she’s perfectly healthy. I just thought you and daddy should know, bye” Sydney sighed and hung up the phone after she had finished recording her message. Then her eyes drifted, they drifted over to the small incubator in the corner of the room, most mothers would probably be overjoyed at the prospect of holding their child, the prospect of showing it to all of their friends.
But Sydney wasn’t.
Sydney didn’t want to look at the child, every time that she did, she felt a pain in her stomach, something that she couldn’t make go away.
“Excuse me, Miss Bristow” a young nurse poked her head in the door.
“Yes?” Sydney looked towards the door.
“There’s a young man here to see you, his name is Julian” the nurse told her.
“Send him in” Sydney nodded, putting her head back down on her pillow.
“Well, aren’t you a site” Julian’s cool voice blew gently into Sydney’s ears, “Where is the little bundle of joy?”
“Over there” Sydney nodded towards the incubator, her head still resting against her pillow, “Brookelyn”
“You could have come up with something far better” Julian glanced at her as he walked towards the incubator.
“Thanks, I don’t recall asking for your input” Sydney closed her eyes.
“I’ve missed you too Sydney, did you want me to call Michael?” Julian retorted as he lifted the little girl.
“Julian” Sydney snapped, “This is a yes or no question, if the answer is yes, get out. If its no, please stay” Sydney glared at him, “Do you intend to tell Michael about her?”
“No”
“Good answer” Sydney nodded.
“She’s cute” Julian smiled slightly, “She has your face”
“Thanks” Sydney shrugged, “I guess that’s what happens when you spend 9 months in someone, you gain some of their attributes”
“Yes” Julian agreed, “Do you plan on looking at her, or should I put a paper bag over her head?”
“I’m just…I’m not ready” Sydney explained, still rendering her gaze on the ceiling.
“I see” Julian kissed the little girls forehead, “Well, when you are…she will be waiting”
“I know” Sydney nodded, “Thank you”
“So, Sydney on a more serious note – do I get the title of Uncle Julian?” Julian smirked.
“Do you really want that title?” Sydney laughed slightly.
“I believe I do” Julian told her, “I mean it entitles me to spoil her somewhat, does it not?”
“Yes, it does” Sydney couldn’t help but smile, for the first time in a long time someone genuinely cared about her and how she was doing. “Thank you”