One week later...

"Jeffery, are you sure this was a good idea? What if we can't stand him?"

Her husband laughed from his place at the piano, and grinned at her.

"Stop worrying, Skye. I'm sure we'll like Nathaniel. Jane has good taste. And if we don't... Well, then we can just move them to a hotel. I'm sure they'd appreciate time alone..." She frowned and sat down next to him, sighing. He looked at her, a little bit worried. "Don't you want to meet this guy? He's your brother-in-law."

"I don't know. I'm mean, if you think about it, it's a bit frightening. Jane's husband. What sort of nut must he be?"

"Skye... Give the guy a chance. You know how writers like to stick together..." She nodded, but she was still frowning. Placing his hands on her shoulders, Jeffrey pulled her around to face him. "Skye. You are going to be nice to this man. He's Jane's husband and you're stuck with him. Your family was very excepting of me, and I expect you to extend him the same courtesy." She huffed.

"You sound like you have absolutely no faith in my civility. I can be very nice if I want to."

"If you want to. But listen, Skye. Whether or not you want to, you are going to be nice to this man." She just looked at him. "Do it for me, and for your sister. Now come on, smile. They'll be here any moment."

His hands still on her shoulders, he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. Sighing softly in defeat, she slid closer to him on the piano bench. Just then, the doorbell rang. Pulling back, he stood up and grabbed her hand.

"Come along, Mrs Penderwick. Let's go meet this guy."

Watching Jeffery opened the door, Skye plastered a smile on her face. She couldn't wait to see Jane (though she would die before admitting it, she missed her sister) but she was less than anxious to meet Nathaniel Hawthorne the sixth. And yet, when the door swung open to reveal them, she couldn't help but grin. She hadn't seen Jane look this happy in a long time.

Jeffrey greeted them and Skye took the time to sum up her new family member. He was average hight, with average brown hair and an average body. What wasn't average was his face. The was no doubt that he was handsome. His bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle and gleam with humor, and his smile was contagious. Skye had a vey hard time picturing him as the author of a tragedy. And that was before he introduced himself.

As they exchanged welcomes and well wishes, it became increasing inly apparent that this man had a string sense of humor. His good nature practically radiated off of him, and the witty remarks came easily and very often.
Walking into the living room, hand in hand with his wife, he kept looking back and forth between the sisters. Finally he stopped and stared a Skye, an incredulous look on his face.

"Are you sure you aren't adopted?" Skye decided right them and there that she like this man.

"No, I'm not sure, but it seems highly unlikely. Are you sure you aren't adopted?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Well, no offense, but I've read some of your ancestor's books, and it never struck me that humor ran in your family."

He threw back his head and laughed. It was a very nice laugh.

"I think he was the exception. Besides, I can write very darkly if when I want to." Skye raised her eyebrow and looked at Jeffrey, neither of them really believing it. "No, really. I prefer to write satires but tragedies are fun, too." Skye looked skeptical, but nodded anyway.

"Do you have any of your satires with you? I would love to read one."

"I've got one in by bag. I'll get it for you."

2 hours later...

Jeffrey, Nathaniel, and Jane walked through the front door, after a tour of Boston, to the sound of hysterical laughter. For the first time that any of them could remember, Skye Penderwick had actually opted out of doing something so that she could read a book. The book that had caused this frightening turn of events? Wise Word Wizard by Nathaniel Hawthorne VI.

Coming into the living room, they were greeted by the unusual sight of Skye Penderwick, laying on the couch, completely unable to breath, with huge tears running down her face. She had a book in her hand, and looked she was trying trying very hard not to pass out from lack of oxygen. Finally catching her breath, she glanced at them, and grinned.

"Nathaniel Hawthorne, this is hilarious! Why would you ever even try to write tragedies?"

Jane was staring at her sister, unable to believe her eyes. "Since when do you like to read? Jeffrey, I think we need to call a doctor."

"Oh stop it! Have you read this, Jane?"

Jane looked a bit embarrassed as she shook her head. "No, I never could bring myself to." She looked at her husband and winced. "Sorry, love, but it was a bit too insulting." He laughed and hugged her, as Jeffrey looked at them, confused.

"Sorry, but I'm a bit lost here. Why was the book insulting?"

Skye grinned. "It's a satire about writers and how seriously they take themselves. Jeffrey, it is hysterical. The main character is a man who writes obituaries for his local paper, and he acts like he is a national best seller."

He smiled, finally understanding why Skye was actually reading it. "Congratulations, Jane. You married the only writer Skye could ever respect."

Two days later...

Skye and Jeffrey shut front door as the car drove off down the street. Grinning he, turned and looked at her.

"Well. I'd say that was a very successful weekend."

"Absolutely! He's better than I ever expected! And he and Jane are perfect for each other. I like the way our family is shaping up."

He smiled and pulled her close."Me, too. However nice he weekend was, though, it is nice to be alone again." She smiled and hugged him. "How about we go get dinner, and then go to bed a little early?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively, and leaned down to kiss her.

She wiggled out of his grasp, smirking. "You can, but I'm going to read."

He groaned banged his head against the door, watching her scamper off to the couch, back to her book. What had he gotten himself into?

Well, what do you think? The next chapter should be up soon. By the way, thank you for your more distinguishing name choices. It just makes things easier. :-) Please review!

Psuedonymperson - Haha. I always have, too. She just seems like the eloping type... :-) Thanks!

GuestIV - I wonder how that happened? We need to remedy that. :-) Thank you for the kind words!