Skye was staring at the three with what could only be described as amused fascination. Her mother-in-law was standing off to the side, smirking and looking a bit like a child on Christmas morning - all excited and full of anticipation. The dark-haired young woman who had made up the rest of the greeting party currently was currently sauntering up to them, smiling coyly at Jeffrey. He, in turn, was wide-eyed and appeared to the struggling to fight the urge to run away.

It was the brunette who spoke first. Her voice was silky and dark. "Why, Jeff, darling. I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?" Her arms began to slink around his neck.

Glancing hurriedly towards Skye, Jeffrey pushed the offending limbs away and stepped back, again. "Oh, well, we've been sort of busy."

Grabbing Skye by the wrist, he pulled her to his side, smiling a bit like someone who had been waiting for their picture to be taken for 10 minutes. "Skye, honey, I'd like you to meet Lili Spencer." Her eyebrow flew upward. She knew that name very well. "Lili, this is my wife, Skye."

"Oh, Jeff, you poor sick baby."

"What?" That was a bit of a shocker.

"Your mother told me all about your head injury."

"I didn't have a head injury!" Oh, lord. What was his mother up to this time?

"She also told me about the amnesia, and how you took this silly woman into your home because she told you that you were her husband. You were always to generous for your own good, Jeff."

'Jeff' was only vaguely aware of his wife rolling her eyes and stalking off towards the main house. All he could focus on was his mother, still standing off to the side and smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

"Mother." His voice was only a growl as he walked towards her slowly, trying very hard to keep his temper. "Why would you tell Lili a thing like that?"

"Because, darling, it's true, and it's about time you accepted it. That sneaky blonde took advantage of you. You never married her!"

This was getting ridiculous. "Mother! You were at the wedding! And no, she certainly didn't take advantage of me. Why can't you just accept that I love her?!"

"Jeffrey, you don't love her. You just think you do because that's what she told you. And you certainly aren't married."

"You had better hope we're married! She's five months pregnant with my child, so make up your mind!"

At this point, Lili placed a hand on his arm. "Jeff, dear, don't exert yourself. It isn't good for your head."

His mother, however, didn't seem the least bit phased. Her voices was calm and she was acting like she was talking to a five year old. "Jeffrey, you aren't married, and the child isn't yours. It's as simple as that."

Now he was really mad. "What do you mean the baby isn't mine?! What are you trying to say?"

"Well, let's face it, dear. Certain things happen when a girls a sneaky sarcastic blonde."

He just laughed in disbelief. Shaking his head, he stared at her. "Oh, come on. You are being absolutely ridiculous, do you know that? I can't believe we're even talking about this. In fact, we aren't going to talk about this. I'll see you later when, hopefully, you'll have come to your senses!"

Five minutes later...

Skye smiled as her husband plopped down next to her in the grass. "Wow. You look even more mad than I do. That's a switch."

He groaned and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Yeah, well, you left before I did."

"Then the conversation didn't improve any in my absence?"

"Hardly."

"Want to talk about it?"

"No." Well, that was definite.

"Want to scream about it?"

"Yes, but not with you in earshot."

She chuckled. "I don't know whether to be honored or offended by that remark. Is that really Lili Spencer?"

He groaned, again. "Sadly, yes."

"As in the girl that your mother was practically about to force you to marry when we were twenty?"

"The one and only."

"Apparently she didn't seem to get the memo that you are taken."

"Oh, she got it alright."

Great. Just what they needed right now. "So, is it that she honestly believes that we aren't married, or that she just doesn't care?"

"With Lili? Probably both. She didn't believe that I got married, and now that she knows she probably doesn't care."

"Brilliant. I now have to spend three days in a house with a creepy step-father-in-law, a mother-in-law who hates my guts, and a super model who wants to steel my husband."

"Just thank heaven you have Churchie to support you."

"You mean you won't support me?" She smirked at him.

"I will certainly support you, but only in between boughs of desire to murder my mother." He pecked her on the lips. "Come on, let's go see if we can steal any gingerbread from the kitchen."

The next afternoon...

Jeffrey was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Oh, why did Skye have to go on a stupid walk? It was raining, for heavens sake! She should have known better! Instead, she had left him alone. Alone, stuck in the house with a girl. A girl who was determined to steal him away from his wife, and who had his mother behind her all the way.

"Jeff, why don't you come sit by the fire? It's much warmer over here."

That's right: he was being isolated with Lili, in a freezing cold living room. His mother couldn't have been more obvious if she tried.

"No, thanks. I think I'll just sit over here. I'm still trying to get this chord progression right."

Liar. He knew the chord progression by heart, but it was the only excuse he could think of to stay at the piano. That was the key. Lili wouldn't stray from the fireplace because the room was so cold, so if he could just stay at the piano, he didn't have to get near her. Because, if he got close, he had a pretty good idea of what she would do.

"But you must be so cold, all the way over there in the corner."

"Yeah, but music warms the soul." Yuck. Did he really just say that?

"Oh." And he was left in peace for a few more minutes. And then...

"Jeff?"

"Yeah..."

"Could come stoke the fire?"

"Can't you do it?" Really, couldn't that girl do anything for herself?

"No, the stoker's too heavy for me to lift."

Seriously? How stupid did she think he was? "Really? It only weighs about 5 pounds."

"Please? It's getting so cold in here. If the fire goes out, we'll have to warm ourselves with body heat."

Jeffrey thought that she sounded immensely pleased at the thought. "Fine."

Sighing, he walked over to the fire. As he was leaning forward to stir the coals, he felty he pressure of a hand on his back. The slight addition of weight was all it took to make him stumble forward, his hand brushing dangerously close to the flame.

Yelping from the slight pain of the heat, he jumped back, holding his hand. Lili, who he guessed was the owner of the offending hand, looked shocked and hurried forward.

"Here, let me look at it. Is it burned, you might -"

"No, no, it's fine."

But it was too late, she was advancing and he was retreating, and his foot caught on one of the ridiculously ornate rugs on the floor. Before either of them could catch themselves, they were falling.

The landing left much to be desired. He was on his back, and she was flat on top of him. Their noses were mere centimeters apart, and her long brown hair was brushing his face.

Before he had time to react, the room was filled with the noise of an disbelieving squeak. Jeffrey could only groan. He knew that sound well. It was the warning call of a very angry Skye. He was in trouble.

Sorry to make you wait again. Remember: Patience is a virtue. Don't worry, though, I don't have it either... :-) Thanks for your reviews.

Randomsarcasm42 - :-) Glad you liked it.

The One You Never Suspected - Haha. I don't like her either, but she does add an interesting layer... :-) And she's very fun to write.

Smokepaw - Thanks!

Babybeluga747 - :-) Thank you! I'll try to update sooner this time.

Sherlock Lives - Thanks! Believe me, I am very, very glad it's over! :-)

Guest - Thank you!

BabyBubble262 - Yes, I did guess that there was some sort of connection there. :-) How fun!