Chapter Four: Daddy's Little Girl

"Isn't it nice to have our whole family together?" Sydney purred, curling up next to Michael in bed.

"It is," he agreed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

She snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest. "Jack looks great, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, he does," Michael said, running a hand over her hair. "I think college agrees with him."

"God, I hope so," she sighed. "I worry about him so much, Michael."

"I know you do, baby." He pressed his lips to the top of her head, then began working his way down-- her forehead, then her nose, then he finally pressed his lips to hers.

"I'm serious, Michael," Sydney insisted, though she let a giggle escape her lips. "He just hasn't been the same since we moved here."

"I know," Michael said, brushing the hair back from her face with a tender hand. "But sweetie, you worried about him before, too."

"I know," Sydney sighed. "I can't help feeling like--" she stopped short, cocking her head to one side at the sound of the creaking of the front door. "What--"

Before she could finish her sentence, Michael was out of bed and through their bedroom door. She followed hastily.

"Stop right there, Emily Adele Vaughn."

Sydney winced at the sight of their daughter, halfway across the front lawn.

Emily turned around slowly, the expression on her face mirroring the one on Sydney's. "Would you believe I was just getting some air?"

If looks could kill..., Sydney though, taking in the glare Michael was giving their daughter. "If you were still wearing your pajamas, then maybe."

At that, the expression on Emily's face turned indignant, self-righteous. "It's not fair that you won't let me see Keith."

"What does it matter what I let you do?" Sydney had rarely seen Michael so angry. "It's pretty damned clear that you're going to do whatever you want, anyway."

"Michael--" Sydney began, at the same precise moment Emily said, "Daddy--"

Michael was having none of it. "Get inside, Emily," he ordered. "You're grounded."

"But Daddy--"

"I said get inside!"

Emily stormed back up to the house, brown eyes full of tears as she pushed past her parents.

"Go to bed," Michael demanded. "We'll talk about this in the morning."

Emily muttered something unintelligible before storming up the stairs and slamming the door to her room behind her.

"I don't know what's gotten into her," Michael fumed, once he and Sydney were back in their room.

"She thinks she's in love, Michael," Sydney said softly.

"She's fourteen!" Michael exploded. He paced back and forth across the room while Sydney perched on the edge of their bed.

"Come on, Michael," Sydney said gently. "Are you angry at her for disobeying you? Or for growing up?"

"Oh, don't give me that, Sydney!" he shouted. "I think I have a right to be angry about my fourteen-year-old daughter trying to sneak out of the house."

"Of course you do, Michael." Sydney hoped she didn't sound too terribly patronizing. "But forbidding her to see Keith-- don't you think that was a little extreme?"

"Sydney, I caught them--"

"Caught them what?" Sydney challenged. "Kissing?"

"Sydney, his hands were--"

"Come on, Michael," Sydney cut in. "You caught Jack doing the same thing when he wasn't much older, and you just hid a smile and said you thought it was time for his girlfriend to go home."

"This is different, Sydney!"

"Why?" Sydney demanded. "Because she's a girl?"

Michael sighed, running a hand back through his graying brown hair. "Don't try to make me out to be a horrible person for thinking that makes it different. It just does, Sydney."

Sydney smiled, rising form the bed to wrap her arms around her husband's neck. "I know, darling. She's your little girl, and it's sweet of you to be so concerned for her." Actually, it was absolutely adorable, but she didn't think he would appreciate her saying so.

Michael sighed, defeated. "Fourteen just seems so young."

"Come on, baby," Sydney coaxed, planting a feather light kiss on his lips. "Don't tell me you were an angel when you were that age."

Michael rolled his eyes. "Weren't you?"

Sydney laughed softly, offering him another light kiss. "Come to bed, Michael."

"No, Sydney, I--"'

Sydney pressed her lips to his again, and he stopped talking.