"Sydney! Dinner's ready!"
"I'm coming!"
Jack and Irina were careful not to look each other, but when Sydney came into the room, they both held their breath. Sydney was wearing a white, soft cashmere pullover, a pair of pale blue jeans, her hair was brown again, and falling to her shoulders, and she was smiling to them.
Irina spoke first
"You are Sydney."
Sydney nodded happily, and Jack spoke, "Sweetheart, I really missed you." And they hugged; Sydney was smiling like a child.
"I decided to dye my hair just for today! This is my night, isn't it mom?"
Irina smiled and nodded, and then Sydney hugged her too.
"I'm glad you're here. It's a dream comes true."
Irina looked at Jack, and turned to Sydney.
"No sweetie, my dream came true."
Sydney smiled to that, and Irina spoke.
"Ok, to the table. Now."
Jack murmured something to Sydney like "did you miss her in that way too?" and Irina was happy that when she saw that Sydney nodded.
------
"And then dad yelled me not to-"
"Let me guess. You did, didn't you?" asked Irina
Sydney nodded with a giggle, and Jack rolled his eyes to that, Sydney went on"When I got back, he was crazy. C-r-a-z-y. I literally ran away from him!"
Irina smiled to them and sadly spoke,"I wish I could be there."
While taking a fork, Sydney nodded.
"I wish that too sometimes.. Especially after the operation we went all together... We work great as a team..."
Sydney looked at the two of them and smiled
"You guys would be perfect partners, you know?"
Irina smiled and looked at Jack, and playfully spoke,"Yes honey I know, don't you agree Jack?"
Jack growled something to that, and Irina pressed further
"Do not run away from the question Jack."
Jack looked at her and blatantly answered,"Yes, yes I do. Are you happy?"
Irina just smiled at him.
---------
While sipping from her after dinnercoffee in the living room, Sydney asked,"Where's dad?"
Toanswer her, Jack appeared with two presents, and Sydney started shouting like a little girl.
"Presents?! For me?!"
Jack nodded and held out one to her, and Sydney jumped up from the couch, snatched the present out of Jack's hand, and nearly tore apart the package trying to get the wrapping paper off.
"Dad... this is beautiful..."
She was looking at the necklace she was holding, and after a moment, she put it on.
Jack smiled and kissed her, then held out the second one
"This is from both of us."
To that, Irina stood up too, looked at him surprised, but went along and smiled, Sydney opened the present with curiosity, and fell silent.
"Oh my God... "
Irina was dying to know what it is, and Sydney jumped up andhugged her
"Mom, this was your idea wasn't it? Thank you!"
Irina was holding a crying Sydney, and looked at Jack horrified, what did you buy?! As if reading her mind, Sydney showed it to her.
"Thank you Mom. It means a lot to me."
Irina looked below, and saw it. Alice In Wonderland, The First Edition.
---------
When Sydney went to bathroom to clean her face, Irina turned angrily to Jack.
"Why did you do that? It is at least $60,000!"
Jack shook his head.
"It was more." Irina was both touched and angry.
"You didn't have to spend your wealth. Or tell her that it was from the both of us."
Jack smirked a little.
"She's not unhappy."
Irina looked at him and frowned.
"I know. Jack, this means so much to her. It's something from her childhood." Irina straightened up and held his hand, then whispered, "You gave her childhood back to her. I appreciate it."
Irina smiled a little, and spoke softly.
"Thank you."
Feeling her warm hand for a moment, Jack stood still, and looked at her.
"You're welcome."
---------
Exiting from the bathroom, Sydney couldn't believe her eyes. Oh God. Her mom and dad were holding hands, and speaking in hushed tones. Oh Goodd. This can't be good, can it? At that moment, they separated, and while her dad was sitting on the couch, her mom was coming to her way, and Sydney acted like she'd just came out of the bathroom.
"Oh, hi mom."
Irina smiled, and spoke. "I got a present for you too."
Sydney smiled with surprise.
"You do? There's really no need to after the boo-"
"Sydney." Irina's tone of voice silenced Sydney's protesting, and she followed her mother to her room. When they got into Irina's room, Irina gave her a small package.
"Here it is."
Sydney smiled at the package.
"Why does it have so much ribbon on it?"
Irina smiled, but didn't answer right away. After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she spoke.
"These are special to me, you know that. After the fire in your house, my men found them. I was holding them in a bank in a safety box, but I think it's time for you to have them back."
Sydney opened the package, and smiled.
"Mom..."
Irina smiled, and spoke.
"They're yours."
Sydney hugged Irina and silently thanked again, and looked at her hand. The earrings.
---------
When Irina and Sydney got into the living room again Jack was nowhere to be found...
"Jack?"
"Dad?"
Jack yelled from the kitchen, "Stay there Sydney! Irina, come here!"
Irina walked into the kitchen and asked.
"Jack, what are you up- oh..." Irina smiled at the sight. Jack was lighting the candles on the cake. As she grabbed some plates and silverware, Irina spoke.
"Bossy much?"
Jack growled something unintelligible, and Irina smiled, then let him lead the way, and spoke.
"You're really enjoy this evening, aren't you?"
Jack turned to her with the cake he's holding, and asked, "Honestly?"
Irina nodded, Jack answered.
"Yes, I'm enjoying it. As I've said, this is the perfect night. I forgot everything."
Irina watched him for a few seconds, and nodded.
"The candles... we have to go..."
Jack nodded and they went to the living room, to an awaiting Sydney.
---------
Sydney yawned and murmured, "This was wonderful, thank you."
Gathering up the empty plates and silverware, Irina answered.
"It was a pleasure darling. Going to bed?"
Sydney stood up and nodded, then kissed her dad, and murmured, "Thanks for everything dad."
Then she turned to her mother and spoke.
"Mom... This night was nearly perfect. There's only one thing missing."
Irina didn't understand, and looked at her confused. Sydney ended her confusion by asking, "Would you read to me?"
---------
When Irina came out of the room, Jack was waiting for her in Irina's room.
"Is she asleep?"
Irina nodded and closed the door behind her.
"She fell asleep during the first chapter."
Jack nodded and Irina spoke again.
"Jack, thank you." Jack waved his hand and stood up.
"Goodnight then."
Irina didn't know why, but she couldn't let him go.
"Jack." She pleaded.
Jack turned to her, not knowing what to say, Irina said, "Stay."
