Thank you all so much for your feedback

specialfrog: It's my warped brain that comes up with all that stuff...

vaughnfan: I am absolutely in love with music from the 80's as well- hence my decision for Weiss's little performance

"I want a totally horrendous dress," Ainsley said as she and Sydney walked into the second hand clothing store late Saturday morning. "With puffy sleeves and a lot of frills."

Sydney laughed. "Your basic bridal nightmare."

Given the 'B' theme for the Halloween party, Ainsley had decided that she was going to dress up as a bride. "Since I never really got to be one," she had said.

And so now she had employed Sydney's help in the search for her 'bridal nightmare'.

"What are you going as Syd?" Ainsley asked, gazing over the racks.

Sydney shrugged. "I have absolutely no idea."

"Ah, you'll figure it out."

"I hope so. Everybody else seems to have it figured out." She looked at Ainsley. "Vaughn actually wants to go as a Boyscout."

Ainsley let out a snort of laugher. "Are you serious?"

"Completely."

"You have a very brave husband there."

"Tell me about it." Sydney said, picking a dress off the rack. "What about this?"

"Um," Ainsley scrutinized the dress. "Nah, it's not boofy enough."

"Not boofy enough." Sydney repeated. "There's a sentence that you don't hear everyday."

"Hey," Ainsley looked at her with a twinkle in her eye." Maybe we should start saying it everyday. Could you imagine the look on Eric and Mike's faces? Or Francie's!"

"If we did that it would only confirm to everybody that you are insane and you are finally starting to rub off on me- oh!" Sydney cut off, placing her hand on her rounded belly.

"You ok?" Ainsley asked.

"I'm fine. Boo has just started up with the kickboxing again…or hockey, as Vaughn says."

Ainsley smiled. "When are you going to give this bub a proper name?"

"When this bub is born," Sydney smiled back.

"Have you and Mike even discussed names?"

"Well, we've decided on middle names, but we want to wait until we actually meet this kid before deciding on a first name."

"So you have absolutely no idea on what you want to call this kid- apart from its middle name?"

Sydney nodded. "Yup."

"Am I allowed to know them?" Ainsley asked.

"Well, they're kind of obvious." Sydney smiled. "Vaughn's dad's name if Boo is a boy and after our grandmother's if it's a girl. William or Georgina."

"Your grandmother's have the same name?"

"Sort of. My grandma Bristow's name is Georgia and Vaughn's grandmère's name is Georgine. Combine the two and you get Georgina."

"Well, haven't you two got a pair of conveniently named grandmother's."

Sydney laughed. "I guess we do."

"And so that is it? Middle names?"

"Yeah."

Ainsley looked at her. "So what first names are you leaning towards," she pressed. "You can't tell me you haven't thought about them at all."

"Well," Sydney paused. "I always thought Dawn was a pretty name."

"Dawn?" Ainsley repeated. "Dawn Vaughn?"

Sydney grinned. "And Shaun, and Norm. I have always loved the name Norm and Norm Vaughn just has a ring to it."

"Syd!" Ainsley laughed. "Be serious."

Sydney's eyes were gleaming. "Though, I think the name that really speaks to me is Zepherelli Joe."

Ainsley's eyes lit up. "Yeah. I'd definitely go with that…" she trailed off as something big, white and puffy caught her eyes. "Oh my god, Syd. Look at that."

Sydney let out a small laugh. "Your typical tragic 80's wedding gown," she said, eying off the cream puff sleeves. "I take it we've found your dress."

"Oh," Sydney to Vaughn. "I spoke to Danielle today. This dinner thing is on for Wednesday night."

It was early Sunday night and the two of them were out taking Donovan for a walk, enjoying the last of the day's sun. it was quite balmy weather, and quite a few other people, obviously having the same idea, had ventured outside also.

"Great," Vaughn said, sounding less than thrilled.

"Oh, come on," Sydney gave him a soft shove. "I think it's really sweet that Danielle wants us to meet this guy. It's like she seeks our approval."

Vaughn laughed at that. "She's not seeking our approval, she is looking to show off whatever piece of meat is her flavour of the month." He looked at Sydney. "What is this one's name?"

Sydney shrugged. "I can't remember if she even mentioned it when the idea came up." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess we'll find out Wednesday night."

Vaughn tugged Donovan's leash. "That's if she is still going out with him."

"Give your cousin a little credit, Vaughn," Sydney said as she pat him on the shoulder. "If she wanted to dump him, she would wait until after the dinner. Like Danielle would ever jeopardize a evening where she would be the centre of attention?"

Sydney and Vaughn were a little surprised when Danielle showed up by herself Wednesday evening.

"Where's our mystery man?" Sydney asked as she returned to chopping vegetables at the kitchen bench.

"He got stuck in traffic, so I just told him to meet me here." Danielle replied, sitting down of on one of the stools. "Which is good, because I want to have a talk with you two."

Vaughn glanced at Sydney. "Sounds interesting." He turned back to Danielle. "What about?"

"I don't want you giving this guy a hard time," Danielle replied bluntly.

"Why would I do that?" Vaughn asked.

"Because, he's older than me and like every other person on the planet, he is not perfect."

"How much older? How not perfect?" Vaughn asked with narrowed eyes. What kind of guy had Danielle gotten herself involved with this time?

"Not perfect in that he has made some mistakes in the past, particularly in his relationships. But," Danielle said quickly, "he's been totally up front with me form the start and promises that he's changed."

"Yeah right," Vaughn grumbled, but was silenced by a look from Sydney, who then turned to Danielle.

"I'm sure that he's a great guy," she said, giving Vaughn's hand a light slap as he pinched a carrot stick. "So what is his name?"

"Noah," Danielle replied. "Noah Hicks."

Sydney dropped her knife and Vaughn started to choke on his carrot, both of them startling Danielle.

"Your boyfriend in Noah Hicks?" Sydney asked as she gave Vaughn a thump on the back.

Danielle nodded, looking fearful. "What is the matter? Do you know him or something?"

"Um, Danielle…" Sydney hesitated. "Noah is…he's my ex. We actually used to live together."

"What?" Danielle's eyes widened with realization. "You're Sydney!"

Vaughn stared at his cousin. "I think Syd knows who she is, Danielle."

Danielle ignored him and instead focused on Sydney. "Noah told me about a Sydney that he used to be involved with." She let out a small laugh. "Small word, hey?"

"Just a bit," Sydney said. "Did he tell you why we broke up?"

Danielle nodded. "It was awful and Noah said that it was his turning point."

Sydney glanced at Vaughn, trying not to laugh. Turning point? He looked at her, with the same amused expression.

Danielle, however, misread the look on Sydney's face. "If you are not happy about this, Sydney, I can always call him and tell him that the dinner is off."

"I'm fine Danielle. I got over the whole Noah situation years ago. Dinner will go along as planned." Sydney replied. "On one condition."

Danielle looked at her warily. "What?"

"That I get to answer the door." Sydney smiled. "And get to see the look on his face."

Vaughn chuckled as a knock on the door was heard. "Well Syd, I think you're up." As Sydney walked off he turned to Danielle. "Well, you certainly have a knack for picking them, don't you?"

Danielle grinned. "Just trying to keep life interesting."

Sydney paused at the front door, waiting for a few seconds before opening it. 'Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh,' she kept telling herself. When composed, she threw open the door.

"Hi…" Noah trailed off and the smile he had been flashing dropped. "Sydney?" he said, his jaw dropping slightly.

"Hello Noah."

Noah stared for a few seconds, taking her in. "Sydney?"

"Noah, I think we both know my name. Now," she stepped aside. "Would you like to come in?"

His brow furrowed. "You're Danielle's cousin?"

"No, you know that I don't have any cousins. I just happen to be married to Danielle's."

"You're married to her cousin?" he repeated dumbly.

"I just said that didn't I?"

"Right, yes." Noah shook his head as if trying to collect his thoughts. "So I'm having dinner with you and your husband…in your home?"

"Yes," Sydney said.

"Um…" Noah ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea. Perhaps I should go. I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Noah, I am fine with this. You are the only one who seems to be uncomfortable with the situation." Sydney said. "And you are not going anywhere. Danielle is inside, waiting for you, and for her sake we are going to have an enjoyable evening."

"But—"

"No." Sydney put up a hand. "For once you can stop being so weak. Enjoyable evening. That shouldn't be too hard, now that you are a changed man, right?"

The evening, which could had easily descended into unbearable awkwardness, did not, mainly due to Danielle who kept up a steady stream of chatter until the last of the dessert plates were cleared away.

Needless to say, Noah was eager to make an exit as soon as soon as possible. But Sydney was not going to let him get away that easy. As Vaughn walked with Danielle out to her car, Sydney pulled Noah aside.

"I want to talk with you."

"Uh, Sydney, I think Danielle is waiting," Noah said, gesturing towards the door.

"Danielle is talking to Vaughn." Sydney said. "Now, she is family to me and I don't want to see her hurt."

"Sydney, I—"

"I am talking Noah," Sydney cut him off. "All this stuff about you having changed and that you have reformed, to put it simply, I don't believe any of it."

"You don't?"

"Oh please." Sydney laughed. "Give me a little credit."

Noah's expression hardened. "Fine, is this conversation over?"

"No." Sydney replied bluntly. "You hurt Danielle and what I did to you when we split will pale in comparison to what I'll do to you now." She felt a surge of satisfaction when she saw Noah swallow hard. "And it won't only be me you'll have to contend with. Vaughn, he's very protective of his cousin, as is his mother of her niece. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Noah looked at her. "So is this the speech that you give to all the guys Danielle introduces you to?"

Sydney shook her head. "Only you."

"So I should feel privileged?"

Sydney laughed. "Not quite. I've never really felt the need to give one of these speeches before. I guess it's because I've never had such a personal history with one of Danielle's boyfriends."

Noah smiled. "I won't hurt her, Syd."

"You would be even more stupid than I think you are if you did."

"Thanks," Noah said, shaking his all head. "All I can say is that if you go to this extent for a cousin, if that kid of yours is a girl, god help the guy who she brings home one day."

"Just as long as it's not you." Sydney shot back.

"Got it." Noah looked towards the door. "Can I go now?"

"Oh, I think so. I'm pretty sure I've said everything that I wanted to. Good night, Noah."

When both Danielle and Noah had driven off, Vaughn turned to Sydney. "Want to do this again next week?"

Sydney laughed as they walked towards the front door. "Can you believe that?"

"I know," Vaughn said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "My cousin, hey?"