Epilogue-

She extended her finger into the night sky and indicated the distant knot of stars. "And that's Cassiopeia."

He raised his eyebrows and leaned against the bench, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles. "And why do I need to know this?" he asked absently.

She smiled at him, her lips quirking slightly at the corners, before tugging her shawl more tightly around her shoulders. "Doesn't it interest you?" She studied them again for a moment. "Isn't it amazing that wrapped up in that cluster of stars is a mythological woman who was part of an epic adventure that has been passed on from generation to generation for hundreds of years?"

"I suppose." He hitched a shoulder and let it drop. "But it seems a little unnecessary and complex."

She shook her head before sighing. "Always the lazy ass."

He grinned guiltily. "You've got me pegged."

She laughed softly and bumped her elbow against his.

He angled his head to smile at the beauty next to him. Her brown hair swung gently over her cheek and she winked at him while shaking it back.

It was a breathtaking night. A sliver of the moon hung low on the eastern edge of the sky and the stars were just beginning to appear overhead. The thick darkness of the evening offered both safety and security; a strong counterpoint to the sheer vastness of the heavens that hinted at just how small a lone individual could be.

She let her breath out slowly and stared up again at the stars. "Do you believe in fate?"

He uncrossed and re-crossed his legs. When he finally spoke he voice was quiet, "Fate? No." He took a deep breath and added, "But destiny?" His smile returned. "Now there's something that I can get behind."

She blew out a soft laugh, "Is there a difference?"

"Of course there is," he assured her.

"Gee," she joked, "and all this time I thought they were synonyms."

He tucked her under his arm and rested his chin on her head. "Ah, my little grasshopper, you have so much to learn."

She sighed dramatically, "Alright, fine. How are they different?"

He thought for a moment before replying, "Well… fate is more…destiny has… well… they just are," he concluded firmly. And then, as an afterthought, "It's something you can feel."

"You're so eloquent," she laughed and cuffed him lightly on the arm.

"It's one of my better qualities," he agreed.

"Hmm," she hummed a noncommittal response. The air whispered over her skin and ruffled her hair. She inhaled slowly, breathing in the scent of fresh flowers. "So," she asked softly, tilting upward to study him, "do you think that Jake and I are destined?"

"Destined to what? Receive three or more waffle irons?"

"No," she began and then laughed self consciously. Sighing a little, she adjusted a strap on her sandal. "Destined to be happy," she asked after a minute, her face flushing at the question.

"Of course. Would I have helped your parents pay for this whole thing if I didn't think you two were going to be happy?"

"I guess not." She tapped her finger contemplatively against her chin and nodded decisively. "Thanks for your financial vote of confidence."

He patted her arm. "Anytime, kiddo."

"Uncle Eric," her lips quirked, "do I have to start calling you 'Dad' now?"

Weiss shook his head. "I don't think Mikey would like that."

She poked him in the side. "Probably not any more than he likes you calling him 'Mikey.'"

A voice from the doorway startled them both. "Hal, you had better get back in there. You are the main attraction, after all."

"Okay Mom," Hallie agreed. She shifted in the bench until she found her feet. "I'll see you later, Uncle Eric." She bent over and softly kissed his cheek. "And thanks."

"My pleasure."

Weiss followed her movement through the French doors and into the party, where she paused to offer him one last smile over her shoulder. His focus then turned toward the new arrival.

"They grow up fast, don't they?" she asked in a whisper, not wanting to disturb the cocoon that had enveloped the small patio.

"Ah, Syd, you're not going to start crying on me now, are you?"

"Maybe," she shrugged as she joined him on the bench.

"Well, stop it. I won't stand for it." His head angled toward the house and he brushed a finger under his eyes. "Only one of us can break down here, and it's going to be me," he insisted.

Sydney nudged his side with her elbow and rested her head on his shoulder. They sat quietly in the comfortable embrace until a throat cleared behind them.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he broke in with a smile in his voice.

"No." Weiss shifted slightly so that he could see the party over his shoulder. "In fact, I think I hear Natalie calling my name." He pushed himself to his feet and scanned the night sky one last time before slipping quietly back into the house.

"Hey," Sydney smiled and reached out her hand.

Vaughn took it and squeezed lightly, smiling in return. "Syd," he studied her face, searching for hints in the moonlight's shadows, "you alright?"

She angled her head back to the breeze. "Never been better," she assured him.

"Was Eric crying again?" his voice twisted on the words as he smiled.

She nodded in the direction he had disappeared and the side of her mouth tilted in a half-smile, "What do you think?" She wrapped her arms around her torso.

He shook his head. "I just hope it's not hereditary," he said grudgingly.

Sydney rolled her eyes. "I seem to recall another certain someone tearing up at the ceremony," she pointed out.

"Who, me?" he questioned, his eyebrow raised to punctuate his sarcasm.

She pursed her lips, biting the inside of her cheek to keep the smile off her face. "Among other people."

"Yeah, I guess," he admitted. "There's just something about weddings."

Sydney shivered slightly and tightened her arms around her ribs. He noticed the small shudder and slid onto the bench beside her. Wrapping his arms around her, he asked, "Better?"

"Mmm," she murmured and leaned back against him, lacing her fingers with his. A soft breeze ruffled the trees and made a set of wind chimes tinkle somewhere in the distance. She exhaled softly as she thought about the path that had led her to this moment. Her daughter's warm, happy laugh drifted from the house and she smiled. "So do you think Hallie will go back to desk duty?"

"Are you kidding?" He dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. "You were a field agent until you were six months pregnant. You think a wedding is going to stop her?"

She tried, but she couldn't stop a proud grin from spreading. "I don't think anything could stop her. Maybe when she's eight months pregnant she'll take fewer missions."

Sydney stared up at the darkness and listened to the sounds of happiness echo into the night sky.

"You do know that when we have a grandchild," his gaze followed hers, "not only will she have Eric Weiss' blood, but she will most definitely become a spy."

A star slipped out of the heavens and her eyes drifted shut to make a wish. "Of course," she laid her head against his chest. "It's destiny."