Title: Really and Truly, Dear

AU Inspiration: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Rating: mild T

Warnings: Rejection, family separation, hints of adultery. If you don't feel comfortable with Jeffrey being with a different Penderwick, don't read.

Disclaimer: I am not, in fact, Jeanne Birdsall, and never will be. Therefore I do not own any of the characters or plots of her lovely books.


Jeffrey's face was a mask of hurt and confusion. "It was always supposed to be us, Skye." he said, half-pleading. "Please. Tell me the truth."

Skye stared at Jeffrey's face impassively, fists clenched as she said through gritted teeth, "I am telling the truth. I. Don't. Love. You."

Even if it was the truth, Skye immediately regretted her words. Jeffrey's usually expressive face became blank like the snow covering the ground outside.

"Really, Skye? Really and truly?"

"Really and truly, Jeffrey."

:|:|:|:

Jeffrey married Batty in the spring.

Batty looked beautiful as always, with her flowy white dress and loose curls and bare feet. Jeffrey looked just as handsome, in his dress pants and white collared shirt, his feet bare as well. They looked happy. They were happy.

Skye cried for the first time in eight years that night.

:|:|:|:

They always met in the time of year when anything could happen.

Skye left her small apartment where she lived alone. Jeffrey left his cozy home in Cameron where Batty slept beside him.

They found each other each year, and as lips crashed and clothes fell away, regret and sin filled the room like a noxious gas.

But none of it mattered, because for that one blissful night each year, Skye was Jeffrey's and Jeffrey was Skye's, and neither of them had to pretend otherwise.


a/n: yikes. this was meant to be a happy reunion ficlet and turned into a depressing and semi-sinful one. sorry.

anyway, please review. i would really appreciate it.