Again (I'm starting to sound like a parrot) thank-you so much for all your reviews. It means so much to me that people are enjoying this fic.
Lil Aussie Alias Chick: Let's hope that channel 7 stick with this date and not change it again. Oh, and I'm from the Melbourne area. It's too bad you don't get the Santa on the firetruck thing- It's a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve.
aliaslover14: Glad to hear you are enjoying the fic. The part where Vaughn helps Syd after Emily's death is one of favourite parts too- I had a great time writing it.
Sydney woke early the next morning. She'd loved how Christmas Day had the ability to make a person feel as if they were five years old again, anxious to see what Santa Claus had left under the tree. Unable to stay in bed a second longer, she climbed out, careful not to wake Vaughn and padded bare foot out to the living room.
She went to the wall and flicked a switch so the lights that adorned the Christmas tree began blinking. She took a second to admire the tree and then began picking up the remains of wrapping paper that was scattered across the floor from the night before. After putting it in the bin Sydney went and sat on the couch. The keys that she and Vaughn had given each other were on the coffee table and Sydney couldn't help but smile. She couldn't wait to see Francie's reaction when she told her about the identical gifts.
"Merry Christmas." Vaughn came out of the bedroom, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "How long have you been up?"
"Not long." Sydney answered as he sat beside her on the couch. "Can you believe that it is Christmas already?"
"I know. These past months have just flown by."
"What time do we have to be at your mum's?" Sydney asked as she curled up against the side of Vaughn's body.
"I said about eleven- so we can help her set up before the rest of the family arrives."
"Ok, I told dad we'd be at his at about nine."
"We?" Vaughn sounded surprised.
"Yeah, he asked if both of us could come around."
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
"I don't know." Sydney admitted. The way her father's mind worked was still a complete mystery to her. "I guess we'll find out."
"Hello Sydney, Michael." Jack Bristow acknowledged each of them with a nod and then opened the door wider so they could walk inside.
"Hey dad. Merry Christmas." As Sydney walked into the living room she was stunned to see a decorated tree in the corner. Her father was not exactly the kind of person who got into decorating. "Uh, dad, did you do that?"
"No. Imogene did."
"Who's Imogene?" Sydney asked, sitting down on the leather lounge and pulling Vaughn down to sit next to her.
"The new housekeeper." Jack sat down opposite them. There was an awkward pause before Sydney finally spoke up.
"So," she clasped her hands together. "Would you like to open your present dad?"
"Ok. Just wait a second." Jack stood up and picked up a flat, thin gift box off the mantle. He handed it to Sydney.
"Thank-you." She smiled and then reached into her bag, pulled out a wrapped present and gave it to Jack. "You open yours first."
It was a book of short stories by Ernest Hemingway. "I remembered that you and mum used to be always reading something." Sydney explained the gift. "After she died, you seemed to stop. It's time you started again."
"Thank-you Sydney." He gave her a faint smile. "It's your turn now."
Sydney lifted the lid of the box and was surprised to see an envelope with Vaughn's name on it inside. She glanced up at Jack and he nodded slightly, so she handed the envelope to Vaughn. "This is yours."
"Mine?" Vaughn looked confused.
"Yours." Jack confirmed. "Open it."
Vaughn ripped the envelope open and after seeing what was inside his face broke into a grin. "Thanks, Mr Bristow."
"What is it?" Sydney asked.
"Hockey tickets." Vaughn replied, holding up two tickets. Sydney smiled and then turned back to the box. There was another envelope- this one with Sydney's name on it. Opening it she discovered that is also contained two tickets. Except these were for a performance of Alice in Wonderland at theatre downtown.
"I know how much you loved the book that your mother gave you. I realise that you are probably getting a little too old for Alice, but I couldn't resist."
"I'm not getting too old, dad."
"Yeah." Vaughn interjected. "She dressed up as Alice for Halloween."
A small smile came to Jack Bristow's face as he imagined his daughter's Halloween costume. The smile wasn't lost on Sydney.
"Thank-you dad."
A little over an hour later Sydney and Vaughn were ready to leave.
"I'm just going to the bathroom before we go." Sydney said, getting up. After she had exited the room Jack turned to Vaughn.
"I want to say something to you Michael."
"Uh, ok." Vaughn glanced at the door, hoping that Sydney wouldn't take to long. Being alone with Jack Bristow was a scary thing.
"A father has high hopes for his daughter. He wants her to be happy, safe and successful. Though I have not always been there for Sydney, I still want her to have the best of all things in life. All things. " He looked at Vaughn pointedly, causing the younger man to swallow hard. "Because of this, I don't believe that I will ever be happy with whoever Sydney chooses to spend her life with."
Vaughn shifted uncomfortably in his seat, worried about where exactly Jack was taking this speech.
"What I am saying, Michael, is that, when I see Sydney with you, well, I'm the closest to happy that I will ever be."
Vaughn blinked and then looked at Jack, comprehending what had just been said. "Uh, thank-you...I think."
"You are a good man. But just know that if you hurt my daughter in any way, your life will not be worth living."
Vaughn didn't doubt that for a second.
"So this is where you grew up." Sydney commented, gazing up at the two storey red brick house.
"Yes it is." Vaughn replied as he let the two of them through the front door. "Maman! We're here!"
"In the kitchen." Juliette's voice echoed down the hall. "Merry Christmas!" she exclaimed as they entered the bright and spacious kitchen. She wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist and then enveloped both Vaughn and Sydney in a hug.
"So what do you need us to do?" Vaughn asked, when Juliette had released them.
"Could you two please set the table. All the cutlery and crockery is in the dining room, it just needs putting out."
"Ok. Come on." He led Sydney into the dining room.
"And don't forget the bon-bons!" Juliette yelled after them.
"Uh, Vaughn how many people are coming?" Sydney asked, seeing the large dining room and the tower of plates in the middle of the table.
"Lots." Vaughn grinned, and then began counting off on his fingers. "From dad's side there's grandma, grandpa, the infamous Aunt Trish, Aunt Susanna, Uncle Geoff, Uncle Nick, Aunt Jaime and my cousins Lucy, Belinda, Miles, Jenna, Parker, Sam and Natasha. From maman's side there's Uncle Edmond and Aunt Adele. They actually live here in the States. Aunt Felise, Uncle Luc and their kids Danielle and Sofie have flown in from France."
"Your mum is cooking Christmas lunch for that many people?" Sydney asked, in awe.
"Yeah, she loves it."
"So do you have Chrsitmas here ever year?" Sydney asked as she started placing a plate at each seat.
"Mostly. Every few years we spend Christmas in France, so maman can see all of her family."
"It must be great to have such a large family."
"Don't you have all the aunties and uncles?"
"Dad is an only child, so nothing from his side of the family. My mum has two sisters, but they're in Russia and we never hear from them. I guess you could say that my friends have always been my family."
"Well I can see a definate advantage in that."
"How? I'd love to have an big extended family."
"After meeting Aunt Trish you'll understand why."
Sydney was having a blast. Vaughn's family was fantastic, with every single one of them welcoming her with open arms. The best part, though, was the elation she felt everytime Vaughn intorduced heras 'my girlfriend'. She'd decided that it was now her favourite sentence in the world.
"Michael!" Sydney watched as short, thin woman with wild blonde curls crossed the living room and grabbed Vaughn by the cheeks. "How is my little nephew?"
"He's fine, Aunt Trish." Vaughn replied, rubbing the red spots her fingers had left on his cheeks.
"Now where is this young lady that Juliette has been telling me all about?"
"Right here." Vaughn gestured to Sydney who was standing next to him. "Aunt Trish, this is Sydney Brisotw. Sydney-" he took a deep breath, "- Aunt Trish."
"Give me your hand darling." Trish demanded. After clasping it, Trish closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. "Yes...yes." she mumbled to herself, while Sydney watched in confusion. Vaughn tried desperately not to laugh.
"Umm, what-"
"Shh." Trish cut Sydney off. After a few more breaths she opened her eyes. "That's enough," she said and walked off.
Sydney was still trying to understand what had just happened when Vaughn put his arm sround her.
"See what I mean?" he whispered and Sydney couldn't help but laugh.
Lunch was loud and chaotic, which could only be expected with twenty-three people sitting down to eat. After it Vaughn and Sydney headed outside so they could exchange their final gifts in private.
Sitting down under a large tree, that had entertained Vaughn and Weiss through most of their childhood, Vaughn handed Sydney her present. Opening it she discovered a beautiful antique photo frame and a jewellery box.
"Oh Vaughn, it's beautiful," she breathed, fingering the frame.
"I saw it and thought of you." Vaughn smiled. "Open the other one."
Inside the jewelley box was a delicate silver bracelet, adorned with several sliver charms. There was a heart, an eight ball, a basketball, a book, a tent and a sphere.
"A heart because I love you, the eight ball and basketball is obvious, a book because if Weiss hadn't gone to your shop we wouldn't have met, a tent because that weekend was awesome."
"What's this one?" Sydney asked, touching the sphere.
"That, Miss Bristow, is a snot bubble."
"What?" Sydney's head snapped up.
"Well you believe the reason we are together is because of a snot bubble." he grinned cheekily.
"Vaughn, I think it's perfect." She placed a kiss on his lips. "Your turn now."
Quickly unwrapping his present, he saw that Sydney had given him a watch.
"I know you don't want to get your father's watch repaired." Sydney said, placing her hand on Vaughn's. "But I though that you couldn't continue with a watch that didn't tell time, so I got you this."
"I love it, Syd."
"That's not all, look on the back."
Vaughn turned the watch over to see that Sydney had gotten a message engraved on the back.
SB&MV
October 1st
Always and
Forever
He ran a finger over the words, feeling a little overwhelmed at the enormity of them.
"I love you so much Vaughn."
"I love you too Syd." he replied, pulling her in for a long kiss.
From the kitchen Juliette watched her son and Sydney interact with a smile on her face. They were so young and appeared care-free and happy. They reminded her of what it was like when she had first met Bill.
"She's a good one." Trish's voice snapped Juliette from her thoughts.
"Pardon?"
"I said she's a good one. The spirits told me."
Juliette looked at Trish and then back out the window to see Michael and Sydney leaning against the tree trunk, in deep conversation. "You know what Trish?"
"What?"
"I think the spirits may be right this time."
Serendipity9: Please don't hate me over Vaughn's gift. I know you said that jewellery is cliche, but I've had this chapter written for a long time and to me, the gift was more than just any old bracelet