Not even bothering to knock, Skye threw open the heavy wooden door of Aundrel and stumbled into the elaborate foyer. The muscles in her legs burned as she scrambled up the stairs three at a time. Her feet pounded the hallway as she ran, finally sliding to a stop in front of Jeffrey's door. She closed her eyes for a brief second, took a deep, calming breath, squared her shoulders and opened the door.
Jeffrey sat at his piano, with his back to her. Without turning around he cocked his head to one side, sighed, and ventured a guess. "Skye?"
"Jeffrey, I'm leaving. I'm going back to Cameron tonight." This announcement caused his to turn around abruptly, surprise written all over his face.
"Look, Skye, if this is about my mother - "
"No, it has nothing to do with that. Rosie just called saying that Daddy and Aunt Claire were in car accident. They are both hospitalized and the doctors aren't sure that everything is okay."
"Oh - Skye! I'm so sorry. But look - you don't have to worry - "
"Shut up!" Skye yelled, tears suddenly leaping from her eyes of their own accord. "Of course I have to worry! He's my father for goodness sake!" Suddenly very alarmed at the sight of Skye Penderwick in tears, Jeffrey leaped up from the piano bench and closed the space between himself and his fiancé in two strides.
"Shhhhhh," he murmured, pulling her into his arms. He held her close as the sobs began to rack her body.
"Y-you j-just d-d-don't underst-stand. I already lost o-one parent; Daddy's all I have left." Pulling away slightly, she stared at him, horror in her eyes. "Oh, God, Jeffrey. If I loose him too, I don't know what I'll do!" Her whole body shivered as a fresh flood of tears broke loose and she buried her head into his neck with such force that he stumbled backwards a bit. He nuzzled her hair with his face the way he knew she hated, and, letting her cry, rubbed soothing circles on her back.
"Skye," he murmured softly into her hair, "you aren't going to loose him. Come on, you're the math wiz. The chances of losing both your parents before age 25 is one in 70,000." She looked up at him and, unable to resist, he leaned down and planted a soft, slow kiss on her lips. When they broke apart she smirked at him, the light returning to her eyes.
"One in 69,888, but who's counting?" She kissed him again, solidly. She pulled away gently and untangled herself from his arms. "I really have to go now. I promised Rosie I would be there as soon as possible." Giving him a sad smile, she opened the door and stepped out.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Do you really think that I would let you go face that nightmare alone? Come on, let's go." And, hand in hand, the two walked out to face the night.
Sorry this is so short, guys. I really meant to wait a few days and post this next chapter then, but Mahogany night got me thinking and then I just couldn't sleep. :-) I hope you like it, and the next chapter should be up in a few days.