May 24th...
Skye Penderwick was standing in her front hall, holding a letter that had just came in the mail, and shaking her head in disbelief. It was as if all of her dreams from the past year had come true. She had just been accepted for a grant. One she had been hoping and praying to get. One that was an all expenses paid, fourteen month long grant to go stargazing in New South Wales, Australia. In that time, she could gather all the research she would need to write her dissertation, and get to see some of Australia in the meantime. The downside, she had to leave next week.
Well, time to break the news to Jeffrey. By accepting this, she had also accepted the fact that she wouldn't return to the US until one month before her wedding. Now, she just had to hope that her fiancé would okay that timeframe. Sighing she fished her phone out of her pocket, and realized that she was receiving a call from the very person she wanted to talk to. Raising her eyebrows, she answered.
"Hey, I must have beamed you up! I was literally just about to call you."
"Odd how that happens isn't it? Hey look, can you do dinner here tonight?"
"Sure! That would be perfect. I have some news for you, actually."
"Yeah, I have some for you to."
"Okay. See you at, say, seven?"
"Sounds good. Love ya."
"Love you, too."
Smiling, she dialed another number. Time to let the grant committee know that she was coming.
"So. What's your news." The were standing on the balcony of Alec's apartment, each anxious to find out what the other had to tell them.
"I'd really rather you go first, Skye."
"Okay, then. Jeffrey, this isn't going to be easy. You know that ever Ph.D. student has to do loads of research for their dissertation, right?"
"Uhh, yeah."
"And you know that star gazing conservatory that I'm always going on about."
"The one in Australia?"
"That's the one. And you know how I applied for all of those grants this fall?" Looking exasperated, Jeffery nodded.
"Skye, what are you trying to say?" Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes tight.
"I'm going to New South Wales for fourteen months of research on a full-ride grant to study stars and light pollution."
"Okay, then. When do you leave?"
"Next week." Jeffrey face split into a grin the size of Texas.
"That's wonderful, Skye! Congratulations!" Skye smiled.
"You're certainly taking this better than I expected."
"Only because it makes my news so much easier to break."
"Your news being?"
"I'm going on a year long tour, and I leave next month." She laughed, and launched herself into his arms. He welcomed her gladly.
"Wow! That's awesome! Where are you going?"
"Where aren't I going would be a better question."
"Well, where aren't you going, then?"
"Australia. I'll have to try and change that, though."
"You certainly will." She laughed, resting her head on his shoulder. "When did you find out?"
"Well, I've known it was a possibility for about a month now, but it was just finalized this morning. How about you?"
"I got the letter of acceptance in the mail today. I still can't believe it! I've wanted this for so long!"
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her, hard. She went up on her tippy-toes to move into it. As they broke apart, Jeffery frowned.
"You know, Skye, this does leave us with an unplanned wedding on our hands. How are we going to handle that?"
"Easy. All I have to do is make a call to Jane, and the whole thing will be planned before you can shake your head. She's been begging me since Christmas for the position of head planner, so I'll just tell her she can have it. All that's left after that is the dress, and that wouldn't have concerned you anyhow."
"No? Who says it wouldn't have?"
"I do."
Chuckling, he leaned down and kissed her again. He had to get it in while he still could.
One week later, the curb at General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (can you believe it's called that?), Boston...
He buried his head in her hair, breathing her in one last time. "Have fun, Skye." She chuckled.
"Thanks. You, too. And good luck. I'm proud of you."
"Same here."
Leaning down, he met his lips with hers in a searing, yet soft, kiss. It was a kiss full to the brim with goodbyes and promises.
"I'll see you in January. Only seven months... And I promise I'll write."
"I won't." They both laughed.
"Skye!"
"What? I won't, and we both know it, so there's not point in my lying."
"Alright. I love you."
"I love you, too, Jeffery."
As she stood by the sliding doors, she turned around and waved. She was going to miss him. But there was no point in moping. She was going to Australia!
Okay; unexpected plot twist. Sorry to do that to you, but I really didn't want to have to write a ton more chapters before the wedding. I'm getting anxious! :-) Thanks for the reviews, but please don't stop here. :-)
Randonsarcasam42 - As I said in the PM, awesome ideas, and Thank You!
Mahogany night - hahaha. Thanks!