Hey all. Once again, thank you all for your feedback. I am forever grateful.
irionelissa: I chose Little Shop of Horrors because my school did it as a production, and it was the best one I had ever taken part in. As for your point about the fluff, the next few chapters will still be kind of fluffy. After all Christmas is coming up, and I can't do anything horrible to the characters- they've been through enough. However, I will say that after New Years Eve, things will not be all rosy. ;)
Lil Aussie Alias Chick: 6 sleeps!
VaughnIsMine: I have actually almost finished writing the story and it will eventually be about 60 chapters long. I had no idea that when I started I would have enough motivation to keep it going for so long!
Five Stories Fallen: I'm glad you're enjoying the story and thank you for all those reviews.
"Ok. Friday, 7 o'clock. I'll see you there. Bye dad." Sydney hung up the phone and looked at Francie who was sitting beside her on the couch.
"Are you having dinner with you dad again?"
"Yes." Sydney replied. "And it was he who suggested it."
"Well just remind me to remove all breakable items from the apartment before you come home."
"Francie! A lot has happened since our last attempt at dinner. Maybe this one will be less eventful."
"Sydney and Jack Bristow at the same table- uneventful, I don't think so."
"Thanks for the support." Sydney paused. "At least we keep life interesting."
"You don't keep life interesting- you make it like The Bold and the Beautiful."
"Not quite, Francie, not quite."
"Can we please take a break?" Weiss wheezed as he and Vaughn jogged through the park. Stopping at a bench the two guys sat down and Weiss pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket.
"You brought a chocolate bar? Why?" Vaughn asked, as Weiss took a big bite.
"Uh, to eat. Why else would I bring one along- to keep me company?"
"Ok, ok. I get it- stupid question."
"I have a second one if you want it."
"I'm fine."
"Hey, I was thinking..." Weiss started, through a mouthful of chocolate.
"Did it hurt?"
"Oh, haha Mike." Weiss retorted, slugging Vaughn in the upper arm. "Do you want to hear my idea or not?"
"Ok,what's your big idea?"
"Well, mum, dad and Alexis are going to my uncle's beach house over New Years. So I was thinking..." Weiss raised an eyebrow at Vaughn.
"New Year's Eve party at your place." Vaughn finished with a grin.
"That's right, with as many females as possible on the guest list. It's about time that Eric here got himself a little sugar."
"Speaking of sugar, how's about that chocolate. I could go for some now."
"I already ate it." Sure enough there were two wrappers clasped in Weiss's hand.
"What? When? I didn't even see you open it. How did you manage that?"
"You forget, Vaughn, that I am also known as Houdini."
Vaughn shook his head laughing. "Come on," he said, standing up. "We're going to finish this run."
When Sydney walked into Olivero's, a local Italian restaurant, on Friday night, she was so stunned that she almost walked into the front desk. Jack Bristow was already sitting at a table with a glass of wine. He was early- he was making an effort and Sydney struggled to believe that it was really him.
"Hello Sydney." Jack said as she approached him and sat down.
"Hi dad."
"So, how have you been?"
"Up and down. Have you seen Arvin?"
"Yes. I've been dropping by regularly. He's not yet back at work."
"How is he holding up?"
"To be honest, he is not coping at all. He, like all of us, had been preparing himself for Emily's battle with the cancer. Her dying any other way was the last thing on his mind." Jack paused and took a mouthful of wine. "I don't think that he has really started grieving, he is still in shock over what happened."
"It must be so hard for him."
"Yes, well losing a spouse suddenly is not something you get over quickly."
Sydney looked at her father. "Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"Sydney, it's alright."
"Ok." She gave him a small smile. "Um, so what do you recommend? I've never been here."
Jack picked up his menu, and pointed out a few meals to Sydney. She was debating what to order when she heard a familar voice.
"Syd?" She looked up to see Vaughn and Juliette heading towards their table.
"Hi," she smiled. Jack watched the transformation in his daughter's face, caused by the appearance of Vaughn. It had lit up instantly, her wide smile reaching her eyes. She turned to Jack, still smiling. "Dad, this is Juliette, Vaughn's mother. Juliette, this is my father, Jack Bristow."
"Pleased to meet you." Juliette said, offering her hand to Jack and then turned to Sydney. "How are you?"
"Fine, thank-you."
"Ahem." Jack cleared his throat. "Would you two like to join us."
"Are you sure?" Vaughn asked, glancing at Sydney, looking a little dumbfounded at Jack's invitation. Sydney's expression mirrored his. This behaviour was so unlike the Jack she knew.
"Yes, I'm sure." Jack affirmed. "Please, take a seat."
"Why thank-you." Juliette was delighted at the invitation. As they sat, she shot her son a questioning look. The way he had described Jack- well, she was expecting an ogre. But this man here appeared to be a perfect gentleman.
Sydney and Vaughn glanced at each other through the corner's of their eyes. This night could get very interesting.
However, it wasn't. Conversation flowed and the four seemed to get on really well. Jack ceratinly was on his best beahviour and Sydney felt really out of sorts to see her father being so friendly. She almost wished that he would begin interogating Vaughn again- just so things would feel normal.
"So what are your plans for Christmas?" Juliette asked as the waiter brought them their coffees.
"I'm spending Christmas Eve with friends." Sydney answered.
"Ah yes, Michael told me about the little get together." Juliette said. "What about Christmas Day?"
Sydney and Jack looked at each other awkwardly. They never planned on Christmas Day together. If they saw each other, it was usually a coincidental meeting.
"Uh, well...we haven't really finalized our plans yet." Sydney replied, glancing at Jack. He nodded, approving of her answer.
"Well if you don't have any definate plans, you are more than welcome to spend the day with us." Juliette offered. "I have all of Bill's family and any members of mine who can make it coming. It would be wonderful if you joined us- the more the merrier."
Sydney looked at Jack, her eyes pleading. He knew that she would love to be at a big Christmas celebration.
"Ok." He said. "We'd love to come."
"Is it just me or was that dinner completley weird?" Sydney asked.
Soon after the Christmas discussion Jack had left, with Juliette exiting not long after.
"I think you two need some time alone. I'll speak to you soon, Michael." she had said.
Sydney and Vaughn had headed straight to the pier. Both of them needed a little time to reflect on the events over dinner.
"Weird?" Vaughn repeated. "Just a little bit. What is going on with your dad at the moment?"
"I have no idea. Even though it freaked me out, I'm hoping desperately that it is not just some crazy phase. It's kind of nice having someone around who resembles a father."
"Did you see the looks maman was shooting me? I told her about what happened that day at the Sloane's. She had your dad pictured as this horrible, domineering man."
"And tonight he was the polar opposite." Sydney laughed, squeezing Vaughn's hand.
"Which now results in us spending Christmas together."
"I know." Sydney grinned.
"You look a little excited at that prospect." Vaughn teased.
"I am. I've never been to a really big family Christmas. I can't wait." She stopped walking and put a hand on his chest. "Plus it means I get to spend the day with you."
"You know what else it means?" Vaughn whispered, leaning in close.
"What?" Sydney breathed.
"You get to meet Aunt Trish."
Letting out a peal of laughter, Sydney grabbed the collar of Vaughn's shirt and pulled him in for a long kiss. "So, have the spirits told her anything about me?" Sydney asked when they broke apart.
"I'm not sure, we'll have to wait and find out."
"I think it's great that you're family had loonies in it."
"Why is that?"
"Makes me feel more normal. Dysfunctional family- yes, crazy aunt who talks to the dead- no."
"Oh, that is cheeky Bristow." Vaughn shook his finger at her and as a response Sydney poked out her tongue. "Poking your tongue out- what are you, like 12?"
Sydney grinned when he said this. "Well, I happen to believe it's very healthy to regress-"
"Come here." Vaughn cut her off and pulled her into his arms. She gladly moulded herself against his chest. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were mocking me."
"How observant of you."
"I'd be careful if I were you. I haven't decided on your Christmas gift yet."
"Ok, ok. I'll behave." Sydney smiled up at him, but inside she felt a jolt. What the hell was she going to get Vaughn for Christmas?