Disclaimer: I don't own Tale Of Two Cities

Sydney was clearly nervous. Charles could tell that by the way he was pacing about.

"Sydney," Charles as placing a hand on his friend's shoulder the way he had seen Sydney do to calm people who were upset, "Are you alright?"

"What? Oh I'm fine—fine I just need to ask you two something and I hope you might say yes."

"Well we might," Lucie said, "and then again we might not. We would have to know what it is first."

Charles laughed. He loved his wife's sense of humor. She was a sense of humor type of person and she was now 9 months pregnant for the second time so the fact that she could be with Little Lucie only 3 ½ years of age and mood swings rampant was amazing to him to say the least. For the most part he was as positive as she was but he wouldn't pretend he had never lost his cool. He never acted negative but he had fussed at times or given a sharp word. He always regretted it but after all he was human and people do err sometimes. He would apologize before any damage was done but he always wished he could be more like her and do without the negative. Sydney was like that for the most part too although Sydney had gotten mad at one point in the heat of the moment when his fear and emotions were running high. He was wrong in getting mad but it wasn't a choice so much as a reaction and he had realized that.

Little Lucie had been playing too near to the water. Sydney feared that she would fall in. His fiancée had drowned in the water years ago so he had an irrational fear of the water. He had grabbed her up sharply and said in a scolding tone almost yelling "No Little One you must never play by the water". He quickly got her involved in another activity and did not act hurtful.

"Um Sydney," Lucie asked, "What is it that you wanted to ask?"

"Alright. Well I am going to New York for 3 weeks. I have to go there because an old client of mine invited me to his twin son and daughter's birthday party. They are turning 3. Anyway I um… well I know how Little Lucie is always looking at picture books of NYC and I think that she would enjoy the trip. I would love to bring her with me."

Charles and Lucie exchanged a glance. If anyone else had requested that; outside of the family of course, they would have refused. Sydney was a dear friend and he was quite trustworthy.

"Alright," Charles said, "If it's alright with Lucie I am alright with it."

"It's alright with me," Lucie said, "As long as you follow these words very carefully. Do not touch anything with alcohol in it for the duration of the trip. Do not act in a way that can hurt her; no hitting allowed. She is a very bright child so a word or two gets her in line. You must phone every day to let us know how she is doing."

"All of those demands are more than fair and those are demands I would put upon myself as well."

Little Lucie came in from playing outside.

"Paapa can I have some milk and cookies please," she asked politely.

"You may have 2 cookies," Charles said, "and a glass of milk. It's too close to dinner to have any more than that and I don't want you to spoil your appetite."

"Thank you paapa," Little Lucie said politely.

"Darling I have wonderful news for you," Lucie told her, "Sydney is taking a trip to New York City and taking you with him"

The look on Little Lucie's face reminded them of a child on her birthday lit with anticipation and excitement.

"That's so great," she said hugging Sydney and then both her parents.

"We leave tomorrow," Sydney said, "We'll be gone for 3 weeks"

"YAY," Little Lucie said excitedly