January 13th, The Great Western Highway, New South Wales, Australia.

Skye Penderwick was excited. She was on her way to pick up her fiancé from the Sydney Airport. For the past 3 hours, she had been driving through the outback, but now she was finally there. As she pulled up to the parking lot, she paid for parking and got out of the truck. Instantly, the heat of the day swamped her. It was the Northern equivalent of July, and it was sweltering.

Locking the doors, she started the long trek to the air-conditioned baggage claim. Sighing in relief as the cool air hit her body, she glanced around for Jeffery. Apparently, he wasn't here yet. Smiling, she sat down on a bench and waited.

She honestly couldn't believe it had been seven months since she had last seen Jeffrey. If she admitted it, they had been some the best months of her life. Sure, she missed everyone, but being that ensconced in her work was an unparalleled thrill. Here she was surrounded by people who were there for the exact reasons she was. No longer was she looked at as some crazy scientist. Here everyone was a crazy scientist.

To her, there was very little that could rival laying on her back in a field in the middle of the night, looking at stars that burned tens of thousands of light years away. Those moments were her favorites; just her and her telescope, alone with the night sky and all of space. It was so peaceful and riveting, all at the same time.

"Skye!"

A voice she hadn't heard in far too long jolted her out of her thoughts. Whirling around, she saw him, running toward her with a clarinet case in hand. Laughing, she stood up and hugged him as he set down the instrument. He squeezed her so tight she thought she would burst.

For a while, they just stood there in each other's arms, until they remembered something else. Grinning harder than he had in months, Jeffery leaned down and met her lips with a longing she hadn't remembered. And she returned it. This was how it was meant to be; her arms around his neck, his hands on her waist.

"Breath, for God's sake!" An amused voice broke into their reunion. His eyes not leaving hers, Jeffery chuckled softly.

"Skye, this is my 'manager', Greg Snipe. Greg, this is Skye Penderwick, my fiancé."

"Well, seeing the manner in which you just greeted her, I would hope so."

"Oh, shut up." Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her again. "Greg, don't you have something to attend to?" The man was just standing there, watching them.

"Nope." Laughing, Skye wriggled out of Jeffrey's grasp.

"Well, maybe you don't, but I do. Let's go!"

Grabbing his clarinet case in one hand and Skye's wrist in the other, he waved at Greg.

"See you later!"

"Don't forget you have a concert tomorrow night!"

"Stop worrying! I'll be there!"

Laughing all the way, Skye dragged him to the truck. As he set his clarinet down at his feet, she frowned.

"Where's the rest of your luggage?"

"Greg said he'd take it to the hotel."

"Got it. Where are you staying?"

"Well, that depends. Am I going to get to see this star conservatory I've heard so much about?"

"I guess you could, but it's a three hour drive from here. Maybe it would be better if we just stayed in Sydney."

"You're right. Besides, Greg would kill me if I was the slightest but late for tomorrow night."

"Yeah. By the way, where are you performing?"

"The opera house."

"The opera house? As in the Sydney Opera House?" He grinned, and nodded.

"Crazy, isn't it?"

"Forget about crazy, that's insane!"

"Why? I can do it, you know!"

"I know that, Jeffrey! It's just - the Sydney Opera House?"

"Yes!" Laughing, he leaned forward and kissed her again."But enough about that - what do you want to do today?" Her eyes began to gleam.

"Soccer?"

"Did you bring a ball?" She looked at him like he had just sprouted an extra head. He winced. "Sorry, stupid question. Where do we play?"

"There's a little park by the beach, that's apparently very pretty. Do you want to try that?"

"Sounds good." He watched her thoughtfully as she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "Gosh, I've missed you, Skye."

"I missed you, too. I love it here, but it's a bit lonely."

He reached over and rested his hand over hers. She smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Listen to me; I sound like I've been on a deserted island for the last five years." He shook his head, grinning.

"Have you heard from Jane as much as I have?"

"More, probably. She's taken this wedding thing rather seriously."

"I know. I've been tempted to change my phone number." Skye laughed.

"I finally told her to do everything, and I really didn't care that much, so long as there was no pink. I did, however, reserve the right to handle the dress on my own. She's been better since then. Did you get the lecture about locations?"

"Yes. That's the one right I reserved. Good thing, too. She probably would have decided on Westminster Abbey."

"Knowing Jane, you're probably right. Where do we want to have the wedding?"

"I don't know. I thought you might have a preference."

"I don't even have any ideas!"

"Well, how about Cameron?"

"No; I don't think so."

"Boston?"

"Maybe. Where, though?"

"Good point. Besides, I'd like to go somewhere!"

"Do you think your mother would let us use Aundrel?"

"If I was marrying anyone else, maybe. Since I'm marrying you... No. Sorry."

"No, that's what I thought. Well, we're out of places."

"Wait a minute, Skye. What about Maine?"

"What about Maine?"

"What if we were to get married at Point Mouette?" She looked at him with a funny look on her face.

"Do you think we could?"

"Sure, why not?"

"We could get married on the lawn in front of Birches. I like that idea."

"Uh, huh. And I bet Alec would let us use his cabin for our honeymoon. That would be fun, Skye!"

"Yep. Okay, I'll call Jane tonight. Do we still want to do it on the 12th?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Well then, future Mr Penderwick, prepare to get married!"

"I did that a long time ago, Skye. Let's go play soccer."

Here it is. I hope no one minds that I skipped over so much time. Thanks for the reviews!

Randomsarcasam42 - Good ideas, as usual. :-)

annoymous - Thanks! Better late than never, right? :-)

Guest - Thank you! You're so sweet!

Thank you all! I will try and update soon.