Part Six

"What do you think, Em?" Sydney asks, spinning around in front of the three-way mirror. Emily sits in a chair nearby, facing the stroller so she can "watch the baby," as her mother has instructed her to do.

"You look pretty, Mommy."

"Yeah?" Sydney says, idly fingering one of the dress's spaghetti straps. It's a beautiful dress, that's for sure-- empire waisted, hemmed just above the knee. "I like it, too. I'm just not sure if I need another black dress."

"You can never have too many."

Sydney turns in the direction of the new voice, eyes widening in surprise. "Kerri!" she cries, offering her old friend a hug. "What are you doing in New York? Were you going to call us?"

"My cousin's getting married here in the city, I'm only in town overnight," Kerri explains.

"Oh, this is so great that I ran into you," Sydney bubbles. "I was just telling Mike, oh, yesterday, how much I miss having you and the boys drop by. Are they with you?"

"No, no, I left them with Eric for the weekend."

Sydney bites her lower lip. Eric and Kerri Weiss divorced shortly after Sydney and Michael moved to New York, and though they have seen Eric a couple of times, Sydney has barely spoken to Kerri. There were reasons-- Gracie, getting settled-- but Sydney knows that none of the reasons are good enough. The fact is, she hasn't been a very good friend to Kerri lately.

Luckily, Kerri doesn't let the awkward silence hang in the air for long; she crouches down to look at Gracie. "This must be the newest little Vaughn. Oh, Sydney, she's beautiful. Those pictures you sent were adorable, thanks so much."

"Thanks, we're so proud of her," Sydney says, smiling in spite of herself.

"She has your mouth, and I do believe she's going to have your nose, too," Kerri decides.

"Oh, no, she's Michael, all Michael," Sydney says dismissively.

"Nah, there's some of you there, too," Kerri says, turning to smile at Emily. "And Emily, you've gotten so big. Your hair's gotten so long," she says, reaching out to touch the girl's blonde ponytail. "You look pretty."

"Thank you," Emily says, suddenly shy.

"Emily, sweetheart, you remember Mommy's friend Kerri." Of course, they haven't seen Kerri in so long. How much does a three-year-old really remember?

"Hi, Kerri," Emily says, smiling.

"Hello, sweetheart," Kerri says warmly, straightening up to face Sydney. "So, that dress is great! Where are you and Michael off to tonight?"

"Just a dinner party with some of his associates," Sydney says, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Kerri used to be the one to keep her company at that sort of thing. She supposes that wouldn't be true anymore even if she and Michael still lived in LA.

"What are the chances you'll blow it off to come hang out with me at the wedding?" Kerri asks, eyes lighting up.

"I'm sorry, Kerri, I can't," Sydney says apologetically.

An awkward silence follows her statement, and when Kerri breaks it, Sydney wishes she hadn't. "Right," Kerri says, bitterness coloring her voice. "How would it look for you not to be there at Michael's side, his perfect little trophy?"

Sydney's eyes widen. "That's not fair, Kerri."

"You're right, it's not," Kerri says, tears rushing to her eyes. "Michael isn't Eric, he would never leave you to--" she breaks off, shaking her head as if willing herself not to cry.

"I'm sorry, Kerri, I--"

"Why didn't you call me when you were in town for Christmas, Sydney?"

Sydney looks away regretfully. "We were only in LA for a few days, Kerri, we--"

"You managed to see Eric, and Francie and Will," Kerri interrupts. "I know about Eric, because he told me when he came to drop off the boys. And I know about Francie, because she's about the only one of our mutual friends who still talks to me."

"You're not being fair," Sydney says, tears coming to her own eyes. "You act as if I haven't tried at all. I invited you to the party we had after Gracie was born."

"Don't pretend you weren't relieved that I didn't come," Kerri says, crossing her arms in front of her. "I know that Eric flew out for it, my being there would have just made things awkward for everyone, caused a scene in front of all of Michael's new colleagues."

"Look, forget it," Sydney says, feeling the anger bubble up in her stomach. "I'm sorry that I haven't been there for you enough, okay? I'm sorry. But don't pretend its because I've been deliberately trying to hurt you and not because I've been busy--"

"Busy living your perfect existence," Kerri spits out. "The house, the kids, the parties, the clothes," she says, glaring at Sydney's dress as if it had personally offended her. "I know all about it. I had it once, too. But it doesn't last forever, and when it's over, it's lonely, and it's scary."

Sydney feels feelings of dread coursing through her. Hadn't this been just what she'd been afraid of in her dream? Losing Michael? Losing everything? "Michael is not Eric," she whispers.

Some of the anger leaves Kerri's face then, anger that is quickly replaced with regret. "No, Sydney, he's not, and I shouldn't be taking all of this out on you."

"You're right, though," Sydney says, running a hand back through her hair. "I haven't been there for you like I should have been. You're one of my best friends."

It is then that Gracie begins to wail, and Sydney turns stricken eyes to the sobbing infant.

"Mommy, you need to take care of Gracie," Emily says, looking nearly ready to burst into tears herself.

"I-- I should leave you alone," Kerri says, blue eyes full of sadness. "I'll-- I'll give you a call sometime."

"All right," Sydney says, barely looking at the other woman as she moves to lift Gracie from her stroller. "What's the matter, honey? Mommy's here."

"Ma'am, the dress--" A salesgirl rushes to her side, undoubtedly terrified that the expensive garment will be covered in baby drool and vomit in a matter of seconds.

"Here," Sydney says, tearing the price tag from her side with one hand. "Ring it up. I have an account here."

"Very well, Mrs.--"

"Vaughn." Emily has begun to cry now, too, and Sydney fears that she won't be far behind. "Mrs. Sydney Vaughn."

The salesgirl hurries away, and Sydney feels the first tear crawl down her cheek.

She wishes she'd never left the house.