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Muddy Poodle: My Christmas was pretty quiet, but it was still a good day. New Years was a blast- barbeque out in the backyard with lots of friends, drink and fireworks. A great way to ring in the new year.

Chapter Ten:
The Paths We Choose To Lead

"How do you look at Sydney and not see her mother? And not see the lie that she was created from?"

"Simple," Jack replied without hesitation. "When I look at Sydney, I see her as my daughter."

Vaughn ran a hand through his hair. 'I am terrified by the thought that she'll be like Lauren. That she will inherit traits of her mother."

"Oh, it's impossible that she wouldn't."

"Excuse me?" Vaughn said. That wasn't exactly the response that he was looking for.

"Sydney shares traits with Irina. I won't deny that. But strength, determination, feistiness and adaptability can be channelled both ways. For good or for bad. You need to remember that."

Vaughn sighed loudly. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's anything but," Jack said bluntly. "However, I just keep in mind that even with all the lies, manipulations and betrayals, Irina gave me a daughter. A gift that words cannot describe. And because I have Sydney in my life, I don't want to change what happened. She makes it all worth it and part of me will always be grateful to Irina for bringing such a person into my life."

Vaughn could not respond. He could not believe that Jack was telling him this. He was willing to bet his life that not even Sydney had ever heard these words spoken.

"It took me a long time to come to terms with all of that," Jack continued. "I don't regret my marriage. What I regret is the years I lost with Sydney because I allowed a memory of Irina to consume me. And that is my advice to you, Vaughn. Don't make the same mistake I did. Because, I guarantee you, in the years ahead, that is what you will come to lament."

Vaughn stood mutely in the doorway of his daughter's room, his eyes gazing at the lone cot and stack of boxes that were within.

"I suggest that you spend tonight seriously considering your options… No one will judge you, no matter what you choose. But it's time that you made a decision- for this little girl's sake."

Sydney's voice was one memory that rang clear through the jumbled mess that was swimming around his head. Squeezing his eyes shut, Vaughn attempted to make sense of it all, to see if he was pointing himself in a certain direction.

"…even with all the lies, manipulations and betrayals, Irina gave me a daughter."

"It's pretty obvious that you are prepared to be become a father. What's not so obvious is whether you actually want to be a father."

"Don't make the same mistake I did. Because, I guarantee you, in the years ahead, that is what you will come to lament."

"She deserves to be loved, no matter who her mother is. And if you can't give her that, then it's time for you to let someone who can give her what she needs."

Slowly Vaughn opened his eyes. He knew what it was that he should do. It had become blindingly obvious that he had always known, but had been too scared to admit it.

Drawing in a deep breath, he stepped into the room, picked up a box and began to move them out one by one. This had to be done before he spoke to Sydney.

As dusk settled upon the sky, Sydney was more than concerned. The entire day had passed with not so much as a peep from Vaughn.

"Syd?"

The sound of Nadia's voice made Sydney turn away from the window. She was standing at the kitchen bench, Weiss by her side.

"Anything?"

Sydney shook her head. "Nothing. I keep thinking that maybe I should call him, but that would just be adding to all the pressure." She glanced over at the cot still standing in the living room. "Do I keep her here for another night? My head is screaming no, but the only other option is to take her back to Vaughn, and I have no idea if that is right thing to do."

"Maybe I should go and speak to him," Weiss suggested.

"I don't think that would help," Sydney said. "I thought that too, but what the hell are we supposed to say to him?"

Nadia took a step towards her sister. "Do you want some company? Because I'll stay home tonight if you want. Both of us will."

It was only then that Sydney realized that both of them were wearing jackets, as if about to go out. She blinked. She had been so focused on Vaughn that she had failed to notice that the flirtations between Nadia and Weiss had obviously taken a step forward.

"I'm fine. You two go out, have some fun." Sydney paused. "Where are you going anyway?"

"Eric is taking me bowling. Apparently there is all you can eat hot dogs after ten," Nadia shrugged. "Now, how was I supposed to pass up on that?"

Sydney smiled. "My sister, a woman of simple pleasures."

Weiss frowned. "You know, that could be construed as insulting towards me."

Sydney just shook her head. "Go," she laughed. But as her eyes fell upon the cot her smile seemed to falter slightly. And the change did not go unnoticed by Nadia and Weiss.

"Syd." He stepped forward, giving her a quick hug. "Don't stress. I'm sure that deep down Vaughn knows exactly what he should do. But whatever that decision is, he is going to have to come to terms with it before accepting anything."

Sydney gave a short nod. "I know…but that doesn't make the waiting any easier."

Vaughn stopped himself before ringing Sydney's doorbell. What he was about to do was going to alter his life forever and he needed several moments to collect himself.

Was he really up for this? Could he really be about to do this? Jack's talk of regret was swimming through his mind, almost taunting him.

'Stop it,' he told himself. 'You know that you have made the right decision.'

And with that, Vaughn inhaled deeply and pressed the doorbell.

Sydney gently laid the content baby down in the cot. With a belly full of milk she was more than happy to sleep peacefully. As Sydney straightened up, she doorbell rang loudly, piercing through the air. She stiffened, but the sound did not disturb the baby. Letting out a sigh of relief, she made her way to the front door, without even contemplating who might be behind it.

Throwing the door open, she froze, her heart skipping a beat.

"Vaughn."

"Hey." His voice sounded the way he appeared- exhausted.

"I…uh, how are you?" Sydney stammered, wondering what else she could say. 'Hello Vaughn. Have you made a decision on whether you want to raise your daughter yet?' She didn't think so.

"I'm ok," Vaughn cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to say thank you- for what you did. I needed to hear it and I appreciate that you could say it."

"Glad I could help," Sydney replied quietly, wondering where exactly Vaughn was going with all of this.

"And I know that you have already done more than your fair share, but I need to ask you another favour."

"Ok."

"I was wondering if she could stay here again tonight."

Sydney heart sunk. So he was still at where he had been the night before. "Vaughn—"

"And if I could crash on your couch."

Sydney looked down, seeing the small bag that he was holding. "Vaughn, I'm not sure that I understand."

"I, uh, painted the nursery this afternoon. I can't bring her home, with the fumes and all," Vaughn explained. "And I can't really expect for you to have to look after her again. That's my job."

"Vaughn…" Sydney sighed. "You're sure about this?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"Then you had better come in," Sydney gestured towards the living room. "Coffee?"

"You read my mind," Vaughn said, walking towards the couch. However, he did not sit down, instead stopping by the cot.

Sydney paused by the kitchen bench. "Vaughn."

"Hmm?"

"If you don't mind me asking, what…"

He looked up at her. "Your dad got me to see things in a clearer light."

Sydney blinked. "My dad?"

"Yeah. While she was my daughter and I loved her, I couldn't see past the fact that was Lauren was her mother- you saw what I was like. Your dad got me to open my eyes and realize that it was possible to see things is a different way. He reached into the cot, gently placing a hand on his sleeping daughter. Sydney couldn't help but feel surprised. It was the first time that she had seen Vaughn initiate contact, and not just respond to cries. "I am her father and I am not going to deny us the chance of being a part of each other's lives."

"My dad helped you realize that?" Sydney asked, flabbergasted.

Vaughn looked at her, taking in her expression. "I know," he said. "I am still trying to come to terms with that fact, as well."

The following morning Sydney woke when she felt extra weight settle itself on her bed. Opening her eyes, she saw that Nadia was sitting down on the edge.

"Sydney."

"Yeah?" she replied, sitting up.

"Why is Vaughn snoring on our couch?"

"Snoring, hey?" Sydney smiled. "He just needed to crash here for the night before taking his daughter home."

Nadia's eyebrows rose slightly. "Really?"

Sydney nodded. "Really." She paused, eyeing off her sister. "So, did you have fun last night?"

Nadia chewed her bottom lip, as if trying to stop herself from smiling. "Yes," she said. "I had fun."

Sydney let out a laugh. "And are you going to elaborate on that?"

Nadia just shrugged, a mysterious smile on her face as she stood up and walked out of the bedroom.

"You all set?" Sydney asked Vaughn a short while later.

He nodded. "I think so." He went to pick up his bag, but then stopped and pulled Sydney into a tight hug. "I can't thank you enough," he said, stepping back. "For everything."

"You don't have to thank me," Sydney replied.

"Yes, I do," Vaughn said firmly. "Come by when you've finished at work. I'll actually cook us some dinner. It can serve as a very small step in making this up for you."

Sydney smiled. "Ok then. I'll see you tonight."

"Sydney!"

She looked up to see Weiss hurrying across the JTF towards her desk. "I just spoke to Nadia. So he's…"

Sydney nodded. "At home with her now," she replied.

"Do you think that he's doing the right thing?"

"After talking to him last night, I know that he is."

Weiss let out a low whistle. "Vaughn a daddy, hey/"

"Yeah, and you an uncle Weiss."

"You know, that has a pretty good ring to it."

Sydney did not reply. Over Weiss's shoulder she had caught sight of her father walking past. He stopped as their eyes connected. There was no need for words between the two of them. A small smile from Sydney clearly read 'thank you' and the short nod, in response from Jack, was all he had to do to say 'you're welcome'.

Turning her attention back to Weiss, Sydney gave him a bright smile. "So," she started. "I didn't have much luck with Nadia, so it's your turn."

"My turn for what?" Weiss asked, his face blank.

"Last night. Details. Now."

Vaughn leaned back in his chair. "Weiss and Nadia, hey?"

Sydney nodded as she swallowed her mouthful of wine. "Uh huh. He wooed her with bowling and all you can eat hotdogs after ten."

Vaughn chuckled softly. "You know, I can't see the success rate of that technique being extremely high."

"Yeah, but," Sydney shrugged. "It obviously worked for them."

Vaughn went to reply but was cut off by a loud cry. "I think I'm being summoned," he said. "Excuse me."

It was sometime later that Sydney poked her head into the nursery, taking a second to admire the freshly pink walls before speaking.

"Hey," she whispered to Vaughn, who was standing by the cot. "I did the dishes for you."

"Thanks, but you didn't have to."

"I had to do something to keep me entertained while you were in here," Sydney replied as she approached him. "Is she asleep?"

Vaughn nodded. "Finally…I haven't quite mastered not holding her like a sack of potatoes yet," he added sheepishly.

Sydney cringed sightly. "I said that to you, didn't I?"

"You might have," Vaughn said and then fell silent for a few seconds. "I keep thinking, wondering…what am I going to tell her when she starts asking me about her mother?"

Sydney eyed him. "Was that a way of asking me what I think?"

"That obvious?"

"Just a bit." Sydney smiled, and then sobered. "I think that all she needs to hear if the barest minimum of truth. You tell her about the woman you thought Lauren was when you married her. And when she's old enough, you tell her that you separated before she was born, before she died." She paused. "She doesn't need to know anything else. Sometimes…the truth is just to hard to hear."

"But what if one day she discovers the truth?"

"Do you think that would ever really eventuate? I only found out the truth because of the spy business." Sydney looked Vaughn directly in the eyes. "Trust me. I speak from experience here. This is definitely a case where 'Ignorance is bliss' rings true."

Vaughn sighed, as he ran a hand through his hair. "Well, I've got plenty of time to mull this over. How much time before she's forming questions, do you think?"

Sydney let out a soft laugh. "No idea…but I do know what it's time for now."

"What?"

"It's time that you gave this little girl a name," Sydney said. "She's nearly a week old. You can't keep referring to your daughter as 'she' or 'her'. Keep it up for much longer and she'll come to thing they're her real names."

Vaughn's eyes fell back to the sleeping baby in the cot, his brow furrowed. Several moments passed before he spoke.

"Summer," he murmured.

Sydney cocked her head to one side. "Summer?"

Vaughn nodded. "It's the time of year when thing's appear brighter, people are happier. Everything is more relaxed, more laid back…easier, almost. That's how I want it to be for her growing up." He paused. "I want the winter's of her life to be non-existent."

"Summer Vaughn," Sydney whispered. "That's really pretty. Perfect actually."

Vaughn looked at her. "Do you think that I can really do this? Being a parent."

"Vaughn, of course you can. After all," Sydney placed a hand on his shoulder, "you handled me for two years. Rearing a child will be a cinch compared to that."

Vaughn's face broke into a grin. "You know what. You make a pretty good point there."

TWO YEARS LATER

Sydney's feet pounded on the pavement, the sound of her breathing filing her ears. She was oblivious to the park surrounding her, her focus entirely on the path before her, the pace of her steps and the feel of the wind on her face. Nothing to interrupt her, until…

"Sydie!"

Slowing to a jog, Sydney came to a stop just as a little, dark blonde haired girl threw her arms around one of her legs.

"Hey Summer," Sydney laughed, and looked up, spotting Vaughn seated on a bench several feet away. With a wave, Sydney clasped one of Summer's hands and then headed in his direction. "Hey," she smiled, sitting down beside him. She barely had a second to settle before Summer climbed up onto her lap. "How are you?"

"If it weren't for this one, I would still be in bed," Vaughn groaned. "I am still in recovery from last night. It was kind of a big one."

"Yeah," Sydney grinned. "But we can't really complain. How often do my sister and your best friend get to throw an engagement party?"

Vaughn nodded. "I'm just starting to wonder what will go down at the wedding."

Summer, who was obviously unimpressed with not being the centre of attention, wriggled out of Sydney's lap, moved across to Vaughn's and looked up at him with eyes that mirrored his.

"Tastles," she demanded.

Sydney looked at Vaughn questioningly. "Tastles?"

"Sand castles," Vaughn translated, placing Summer on the ground and pointing at the sand pit that was a metre or so in front of the bench. "There you go. Let's see how big you can get it." With a gleeful smile, Summer made her way across, planking herself on the edge of the pit and Vaughn turned back to Sydney. "Sand seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment," he said. "24/7, all week, she has been asking me to bring her here."

Sydney let out a soft chuckle. "Maybe it's time you got Summer a sand pit of her own."

"One step ahead of you there. I've already enlisted Weiss's help for sometime this week."

Sydney raised an eyebrow. "So you've managed to pull him away from the post-engagement euphoria, hey? Nice going."

Vaughn nodded, his eyes on Summer. "I try my best…" he trailed off, straightening up in his seat. "Summer, no!"

Sydney looked over to see the little girl staring at Vaughn through wide eyes, a fistful of sand hovering by her mouth.

"Don't you eat that," Vaughn said and when she made no move to drop the sand, he stood up. "Summer."

With an almost dejected look, she let the sand fall trough her fingers. However, her dismay did not last long. Seconds later she was happily piling sand into what she obviously saw to be a castle.

Shaking his head, Vaughn sat back down and turned to Sydney. "I always thought the terrible twos were a myth, but I'm beginning to see otherwise. I don't know why, but lately she's eating almost anything she can get her hands on."

"Anything? Really?" Sydney said, trying hard not to laugh. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Summer raising another fistful of sand to her mouth.

"Anything," Vaughn replied. "I have found grass in her mouth more times than I can count. Last week she got into the dirt and mud in the backyard- that was a fun day. I buy new toothpaste, and the next day it's half empty and I swear that I found teeth marks in the soap yesterday—"

Sydney snorted. "Well, that's probably the one and only time she'll try that."

"And," Vaughn continued. "Every time she's at my mother's, she has a go at her potpourri."

Sydney bit her bottom lip. "Obviously, she had inherited your culinary tastes."

"Excuse me," Vaughn was indignant. "And what about Rousseau's? And Trattoria di Nardi—"

"You know, we never did end up eating there," Sydney pointed out. "You raved about it, but I am still yet to experience it for myself."

Vaughn hesitated, his eyes bearing down on hers. "Well then, how about a consolation?"

"A what?"

"Have dinner with me."

"Vaughn, no offence, but pizza in front of a hockey game while Summer runs rings around us, is not exactly a consolation for a bona fide Italian restaurant," Sydney joked.

"I am not talking about that," Vaughn said quietly. "I am talking about actually going out to a restaurant. Just the two of us."

Sydney suddenly realized what he was getting at. "Just the two of us?" she asked and he nodded. "You mean like a…"

"Not 'like'. Definitely," Vaughn said. "What do you think?"

Sydney's face broke into a wide grin. "I think that it's about time."

A week later, Sydney found herself stretching and slowly opening her eyes, the early morning sun warming her face. Though, that was not the only thing. As memories of the night before came flooding back to her, Sydney felt a faint blush spread on her cheeks.

"Good," Vaughn's voice said from beside her. "You're awake."

Sydney rolled over, meeting his eyes, a slow smile forming on both their faces. It had been over five years since that fateful night when she had disappeared, and last night both she and Vaughn had done their best to start making up for lost time.

"Good?"

"Yeah, cos I was just about to wake you."

"Why?"

"Because I am guessing that we've got about thirty seconds."

"Until what?" Sydney asked, confused.

Vaughn out a finger to his lips. "Just listen." Sure enough the sound of little feet pounding down the hall reached her ears. "My alarm clock since the day Summer learned how to walk," he said, wryly.

"Daddy!" Seconds later Summer burst into the room, and with some struggle, managed to climb up on the bed. "Hello."

"Hey sweetie."

Summer looked to be settling on Vaughn's chest when she suddenly froze. "Sydie?"

"Good morning, Summer." Sydney couldn't help but smile. Summer's furrowed brow just made her resemble Vaughn all the more.

"Why you here?" she demanded.

Vaughn glanced at Sydney. "Now, that's what you call tact." He turned back to Summer. "Sydney's here to see me."

Summer pursed her lips. "And me?"

"And you," Sydney confirmed.

The little girl's eyes brightened. "You stay and play?"

"Yeah Syd," Vaughn chimed in, running a hand over his daughter's hair. "Are you going to be hanging around?"

Sydney's eyes went to Summer and then fell back on Vaughn. "You know what," she said. "I think I will."

THE END

As usual I want to take the time to thank everybody who supported and encouraged me throughout this fic. The small notes I put at the start of my chapters are in no way enough to truly show my gratefulness, which I why I tend to conclude my stories with these big sappy endings :) Thank you everyone!

On a more personal note, I want to let you all know that while I have a couple more stories on the go, including a sequel to this one, from the 5th January to the 1st February, I will be on a very much anticipated trip around Europe. The reason I am telling you this, is I am not sure how frequently I will be able to post chapters, or even if I will be able to at all. So if you don't hear from me over the next month, it's definitely not because I have stopped writing, I am just a little busier than usual.

So again, thank you all so much and you should be hearing from me soon.

Melissa