I guess I should have known Sydney wouldn't forget my mother's "buy milk" comment, unfortunately. However, at the time I barely even cared. For the rest of the afternoon whenever I thought about sitting at the top of the hill with Sydney my mind went off into a state of half awareness. I felt rather silly, actually. I was 34 and I was getting all dreamy about holding hands with a girl.

At about mid-night that night, when all normal people were asleep, I sat in a chair in my room feeling tired, but unable to fall asleep sleep. Even with Sydney just a few floors above me I had trouble sleeping because thoughts of her occupied my mind. Then again, maybe that was the problem. She was close, though not close enough. I shoved those thoughts away and rose up to head toward the bathroom.

*********
On my way out I heard soft footsteps out in the living room. My CIA indoctrinated suspicion kicked in as I slowly headed toward the sound, wishing that I had my gun with me.

I saw the outline of someone standing in front of the window in the living room. Somehow I just knew that it was Sydney. I made it as far as six feet from the door way before she spun around, no doubt ready to kick my ass.

"Sorry," I said holding my hands up and then dropping them.

"Vaughn?" she asked stepping closer to the doorway.

"Yeah," I said, coming into the room.

"Oh God, I'm sorry," She said pulling her sweater closer to her body, she was wearing a pair of gray sweat pants and a tank top with a sweater over it, "I suppose I shouldn't be creeping around someone else's house in the middle of the night, but I was awake."

"It's okay," I laughed.

She smiled lightly, "So...some reason you're awake?"

"Nothing in particular," I lied.

She nodded and paused for a moment before continuing, "Listen, Vaughn, I just wanted to tell that I appreciate you being there for me today. This isn't exactly the best time of year for me with parents and it only being the second year since Danny died. Well... just thank you."

I looked at her eyes for a moment before turning my gaze away. I sighed and decided that now was as good a time as any. "I have something for you," I said reaching into my pocket and pulling out a small box.

She looked at me surprised, "Vaughn, you didn't have to do that."

I did respond. I could see the start of a touched smile at the corners of her mouth. I had debated whether or not what I was doing was a good idea, but then eventually decided that it was just right. I watched as she removed the lid and her face fell.

"Vaughn...I can't take this," she said, shaking her head and starting to give it back to me.

"Of course you can Syd, it's a gift," I responded.

"But, you said this watch belonged to your father," she argued, "and my mother was the one who killed him. I can't-"

"Syd!" I interrupted, taking her hands and closing them around the watch. I hesitated before continuing, "I wouldn't want anyone else to have it."

The expression in her eyes can only be described as pure shock. She stood staring at me as I slowly slid her hands out of mine. She looked down at her hands and swallowed hard. I wondered for a moment if I had gone too far. She looked back up at me like she was going to say something, but instead stepped forward to hug me around my back. Instinctively I returned the embrace. I held her tightly as I ingrained the memory of what she felt like in my arms into my brain. That was definitely something I wanted to hold on to for a long time.

*********
I don't remember exactly when we decided to sit down, but I do know that I woke up the next morning leaning against the edge of the couch with Sydney sleeping against my chest. I wondered for a moment if anyone had seen us like that, but at checking my watch found that it was only five o'clock. I relaxed a little and glanced down at Sydney. She looked peaceful in her sleep, with one strand of hair across her forehead. I was about to brush it off when her eye lids slid open. She looked at me and sat up.

"Oh God, we must have dozed off," she said, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah," I agreed and, against my better judgment, reached up and tucked the hair behind her ear. She stopped talking to look at me; I stared back at her searching for something to say. Finally I gave her a soft smile and whispered, "Merry Christmas, Syd."

She smiled back at me with a beautiful, genuine smile, "Merry Christmas."