Disclaimer: I don't own Tale Of Two Cities. I have used some of these ideas in my 2 other pen names Marie S Zachary and Lovewillfindaway31 but I need to use some of the ideas for this story. The drama between Lucie and Charles was inspired by a stage version of TALE OF TWO CITIES I saw some time back.

Sydney Carton would never pretend to be perfect. On the contrary he knew and was straightforward about his flaws. He never hesitated to share knowledge of his mistakes known to the ones dearest to him. There was a reason for his being so straightforward with the ones dear to him. He knew that his friends cared about him. Lucie, Charles, Dr. Mannette and the little one had become his family. Honesty is one of the most important qualities' in friendships. Sydney rarely had self esteem. He thought of himself as a disappointed drudge. He could not understand how any man on Earth could care for him. He was not so much to think of. His opinion of himself was very low but his opinion of his family was extremely high. He loved Little Lucie as a daughter. He loved Lucie next nearest and dearest to his soul. Charles had become like a brother to him. Sydney could remember the exact moment he had become a member of the family.

It was a cold winter's night. Sydney's lodging had caught on fire and he watched his home burn to the ground. He truly did not care. There was nothing sentimental in the place where he lived. Sentiment had gone out the window when his first love, Lady Sarah passed away. She had slipped into the water when they passed the dunking pool. They had to pass it to get what they were going. She had hit her head on the tipping board and drowned. He had jumped into the water and desperately tried to save her unsuccessfully. He knew it was late at night but perhaps he could sleep in the shed of his friends' home. That would at least provide warmth. He would speak with his friends the next day. It would be rude to wake them tonight. He walked to their home. Through a twist of incredible fate they had seen him walk up. Charles and a 4 month pregnant Lucie came out to greet him.

Time seemed to speed up and slow down at the same time.

"My friend," Charles said, "What are you doing here?"

"My home burned down tonight," Sydney explained, "I apologize if I woke you."

"There is no need to apologize," Lucie said firmly, "You will stay with us."

"I concur completely," Charles said, "You're family anyway as much so as I am"

Sydney felt his heart quicken. Those words meant so much to him.

"That is very much appreciated," Sydney said, "Are you sure I will not be in the way?"

"You are family," Charles repeated firmly, "and you have been for some time now. You come in and get a night's rest. Tomorrow we will discuss the details of this arrangement. Have you eaten?"

Sydney's stomach growled answering that question for Charles.

"Come," he said opening the door, "We still have supper from tonight left. It is just stew but it's quite tasty."

Stew was one of Sydney's favorite meals so he couldn't imagine why Charles would say 'just'.

Charles and Sydney were so alike they could have been twins in appearance. There was no way to tell them apart if you were depending on their looks. They varied in personality. They both had different styles. Charles was positive and relied on sense of humor. Sydney, though not negative found it quite difficult to be positive. Charles would instantly forgive a person who wronged. He would not break off communication or weaken friendship with that person as Sydney had learned a short time before this incident. He had been drunk and fell while Charles was out of town for a day. When he hit his head he truly believed that he was Charles. Lucie had believed that too being that she had no reason to doubt it. That was four months ago—the day of Little Lucie's conception. Once Sydney realized what a wretched thing he did he immediately went to Charles and confessed his sin. He expected his friend to hate him or cut off ties with him. He begged Charles not to hold his folly against Lucie.

To say that Charles didn't react as Sydney had excepted would be the equivalent of saying that the devil is a meanie. It is the understatement of all understatements. Charles had looked at Sydney with nothing but friendship and love in his eyes. There was no disdain. There was no anger. There was no distaste.

{"Sydney I cannot pretend to be happy with what you did," Charles had said in a firm tone, "but you are like my brother. I do not hold your error in judgment against you considering that you didn't do it with malicious intent. I certainly hold no anger towards Lucie for she was ignorant of this occurrence and will remain so. Let me make one thing clear. Drink again to the point where you are that imbalanced—make another blunder like that again and we will have problems. I will cancel your offense this time. Do not err like that again. Do we understand one another?}

Sydney had understood perfectly. He had not understood how Charles could remain his friend after his wrong-doing.

Charles was clear and confident in his decisions. Sydney often doubted his choices. Charles knew that he had hope. Sydney was not often aware of his capabilities and had little confidence in his them. Charles was polite but firm when he disagreed with someone. Sydney could remember a time where Ms. Pross said something about Little Lucie needing a firm hand after the child had taken a biscuit and run off. Charles had calmly said, "I'm glad you think so Ms. Pross but I respectfully disagree. We are not savages and we do not use force or punishment to discipline. We use words and respect. Most importantly we use love."

Sydney on the other hand said something quite different when that comment was put to him another time. He had smiled sarcastically at Ms. Pross and said, "My dear Ms. Pross you are more than welcome to be wrong."

In both cases Ms. Pross was slightly offended. She got passed it shortly thereafter. She was normally a positive woman but something appeared to be bothering her at certain points. Charles and Lucie were able to remain positive in even their gloomiest hour but Ms. Pross and most other people; Sydney included didn't have that skill.

The night Sydney's house burned down turned out to be a good day for him. After eating a delicious meal he thanked them highly for it.

"Take our bedroom," Lucie told him, "You had quite a tiresome night. We will sleep in the guest room"

"Are you sure that is alright," Sydney asked throwing a glance at Charles.

"It is absolutely fine with me," Charles said, "Sleep well and tomorrow we shall discuss the arrangements. You must be aware of the house rules and other factors. Additionally certain decisions must be made"

Lucie retired to the guest bedroom as she was quite exhausted. She had a long day. The pregnancy also caused her to be weakened in energy as well. Charles walked Sydney to the bedroom.

"Charles," Sydney said, "I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for your friendship. I know I'm not worthy of it so I am all the more grateful."

"You are more worthy then you think you are," Charles said.

Charles took a seat on the bed as Sydney looked around.

"Take one of my night shirts," he said, "we are the same size after all."

Sydney accepted it gratefully.

"You know Sydney," Charles said, "You are far too hard on yourself"

"Well I have made several mistakes in my life."

"Yes you have," Charles admitted, "But the mistakes you made have brought good and joy into our lives. It was your mistake that is bringing this baby into the world for example"

A slow grin spread across Charles's face.

"I take it you love this child," Sydney said.

"Of course I do. She is my child… well I mean… in my heart she is my child"

"I do know what you mean my friend," Sydney said, "The baby is your child. I'm just a… thing-"

"Do not refer to yourself as a 'thing' ever again," Charles said with a firm tone as if reprimanding a child, "You are not a thing. You are a man. You have had misfortune which if you had not had you might have been in my own shoes today."

"That's possible," Sydney admitted, "We are the same size after all"

Charles rolled his eyes. That was a lame joke.

"I noticed that you referred to the baby as she," Sydney said, "Do you wish for a girl then?"

Charles paused for a moment before responding.

"Lucie wants a girl," Charles said, "I don't care what it is. I must admit perhaps shamefully that I would like my first child to be a son. I never shared that with Lucie. She is convinced it is a girl."

"I imagine we will find out in roughly five months," Sydney said, "By the way is everything alright. Lucie seemed a little emotional towards the end of the night?"

"It was a bad day for her," Charles said, "but I'm sure you had a worse day."

"Hardly," Sydney said, "I have friends who love me. Nothing could possibly mean more to me then that"

Charles smiled then his voice turned serious.

"Lucie and I had words yesterday," he explained, "and she's understandably upset about it"

Sydney cleared his throat.

"It's none of my business I would imagine… unless you would like to share"

"Sure," Charles said, "I'll share what happened with you. Lucie made a foolish decision. She had a craving and went into town in the dark hours in order to satisfy her craving. She put herself in a fair way of danger and while I normally don't believe in punishment I felt I had to make a point. I thought that an appropriate consequence would be that she would be banned from holding the baby for a week after the child is born. She is understandably upset that I set such a consequence but I feel it is necessary and while severe not harsh"

"You felt that wasn't harsh," Sydney asked in a tone that held disbelief.

"From that tone I gather you do not share in my opinion," Charles said.

"I… suppose it is not my place to say," Sydney replied regretfully.

"Say on anyway," Charles said

"I agree that she should not have gone into town at that hour," Sydney said, "That was not the wisest thing to do. It was a onetime offense and I do not believe it was done with malicious intent. I don't feel chastisement of that nature was necessary. I feel a calm discussion would have been enough correction in this matter."

Sydney's heart broke for Lucie. She had to have been quite distressed and understandably so.

"I understand that but she could have been killed. There are shady people at night in town," Charles argued.

"Did you warn her of the fact that there would be a consequence for going into town at night alone," Sydney questioned.

"No. I didn't think it would be an issue," Charles said, "and believe me I hated being stern with her but I panicked.

"I see," Sydney said, "I suppose you have no intentions of retracting the punishment you feel is needed."

Charles sighed.

I want to," he said, "but I fear what may happen if I do. She may not have any respect for me anymore. She may think it's alright for her to go out alone at that hour into town. She might-"

"May I say something," Sydney asked.

"Say on then," Charles consented.

"I fear the consequences of sticking to the punishment would be far worse than the consequences of retracting it."

Charles was by no means a tyrant. Back in the 1700's when this story took place it was customary for men to be in charge. Punishment, for women was no different than it might be for children in our day and there was only 2 times Charles used that responsibility.

"How do you mean," Charles asked

"It could cause her a severe amount of stress," Sydney began, "It could bring about a miscarriage. It could bring about death in childbirth. It could bring about depression. It could cause so many problems I daresay I would not do that if I were you. I know it is not my place to say but I thought I had to"

Charles gasped—tears filling his already ocean blue eyes.

"I never thought of that," he whispered as the mental image of losing his beloved Lucie or the baby or even both filled his mind, "I think I should take back the punishment"

"It is a wise decision," Sydney told his friend.

…

"Darling," Charles said tenderly touching his wife's shoulder, "Are you awake?"

She turned to face him and smiled lightly though her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"We need to talk," Charles told her gently.

She gave him her full attention.

"I know," she said respectfully.

"Darling," he said softly, "Do you have any idea how much I love you? You are the part of me I never knew I was missing and the part of me that makes me complete. I don't know what I would do if I were to lose you or our baby. That is the reason I set such a severe consequence."

Tears welled up in her doe brown eyes. She understood why she was being punished and even though she hated it she knew that he was looking out for her best interest. It's just a week after all.

"I know," she said, "and I'm sorry I got so upset with you. I just was caught off guard I suppose"

"That's understandable," he said, "I was being unfair and I retract the punishment. I want your word that you will never go into town unaccompanied at night anymore."

"I promise Charles," Lucie said, "I will never go into town at night unaccompanied anymore"

He kissed her. Everything was right again.