"Michel?" As Vaughn entered his house, his mother came out from the kitchen. Her smile turned to a look of concern at the girl in his arms. "Michel." Her French accent got thicker. "What has happened to Sydney?" On the way home, she had curled up in Vaughn's arms and fallen asleep.
"She's been having a rough time lately." Whispered Vaughn. He started up the stairs. "I'm going to put her upstairs. She needs to rest. We'll talk when I get back down." With a small nod to his mother, Vaughn turned and walked upstairs.
Charlotte Vaughn smiled warmly as she watched her son with Sydney. She thought back to the first time Vaughn had brought her home.
***FlashBack***
"Mom, this is Sydney Bristow." Vaughn stood between the women, his face shining. "Syd, this is my mother, Charlotte Vaughn."
"It's wonderful to finally meet you Mrs. Vaughn." Sydney was all smiles.
"Please, call me Charlotte. Mrs. Vaughn makes me feel old. I was wondering when Michael was going to bring you home. He talks about you consistently."
Charlotte sat on a chair in the living room, across from Vaughn and Sydney who sat on the couch.
"I'm not sure that's such a good thing." Laughed Sydney.
"The way he talks, it is." Charlotte smiled. Her son looked happier then he had in a long time. "So Sydney, tell me about yourself."
"I really don't think there's much to tell." Sydney looked nervous.
"What do you plan on being?" Charlotte smiled at Vaughn. "Michael makes it obvious he wants to be a hockey player…"
"I have other ambitions." Vaughn looked mock offended.
Sydney stifled a giggle. "I've always wanted to be an English professor." She ducked her head a little. "My mother, before she died, was one."
"Oh I am so sorry. When did she pass?" Charlotte looked genuinely concerned.
"When I was six." Sydney's eyes were a little misty. Charlotte noticed Vaughn squeezing her hand a little tighter.
"What a fool I am." Charlotte stood up. "Bringing up painful memories. I'll go get us something to drink. No Michael, stay here with Sydney." Charlotte said as Vaughn began to rise.
When Charlotte came back to the room, she stopped, watching Sydney and Vaughn. Vaughn had Sydney wrapped securely in his arms. They were looking at each other with such love in their eyes. Charlotte couldn't help but think back to her own love, Vaughn's father William.
***EndFlashBack***
When Vaughn came back downstairs, his mother got him a cup of tea and they sat at the kitchen table.
"What has happened to Sydney?" Charlotte looked up at Vaughn from her tea. I know the two of you have been going through a tough time. But that is not the problem, is it?"
Vaughn sighed. "Her father wasn't around for her after her mother died. She never really got the father figure she deserved. I think it's put doubts about men into her mind. She's afraid I'm going to leave her, so she's been pushing me away."
"What about that Danny fellow. He didn't leave." Charlotte watched her son. "She broke up with him."
"But she made him go away." Vaughn looked tired. "She thinks she drives them away over time. Her dad didn't want to be around her, she pushed Danny away. Sydney thinks the same thing will happen with me."
"The you'll just have to prove her wrong, won't you?" Charlotte placed her hand over Vaughn's and smiled reassuringly at him.
"Yeah, yeah I will."
TBC