When Mrs. Tifton pulled into Arundel's driveway, she discovered that Alec had just arrived. There he stood, pulling a bag out of the trunk of his car.

"You said 3:00, Jeffrey," said Mrs. Tifton.

"So he's a little early." Not much, it was 2:35.

Alec turned at the sound of their car, and he hesitantly waved, a gesture that Mrs. Tifton did not return.

"Oh just wave back," said Jeffrey. They had been divorced for more than two decades. Basic courtesies shouldn't be so hard for her.

Mrs. Tifton elected not to wave back. "Make sure I see you before your flight out."

"Like I'd leave without saying goodbye." Jeffrey leaned across the center console to give her a quick hug. "I'll see you in a couple days, I promise."

"Alright."

"And, stop fretting about me, okay?" he said.

"Goodbye, Jeffrey."

He sighed and climbed out of the car. Chances were she would continue to fret about the Penderwicks until every last one of them had been married off. Even Lydia. Even Ben.

Okay, probably not Ben. Jeffrey chuckled and shook his head. Better he make fun of his mother's paranoia than continue to be riled by it.

"There's my outlander of a son," said Alec with a big smile.

"Ich spreche kein Englisch," said Jeffrey, putting on his very best confused face.

"Nice try." Alec drew him into a tight hug. "Still set on Germany, I take it?"

"That is the current verdict, yes."

"Such a shame." Alec let him out of the hug. "I will remind you that when I took you to Europe, I didn't mean for you to move there."

"So you keep saying."

"And I'll say it again," said Alec. "Though I will also say, your accent seems to have gotten better."

"I'm trying." Jeffrey had moved to Germany years prior, and while he finally considered himself fluent in the language, his accent (though much improved) still pegged him as an American.

"And I've been working on my German," said Alec. "Ich habe dich vermisst. How'd I do?"

"Not bad," Jeffrey laughed. "I missed you too."

They hadn't seen each other in months, not since Alec had last traveled to Europe for a stretch of international shows.

"Batty was just here looking for you," said Alec.

So Jeffrey's short period of denial was over. He'd have to accept reality for what it was – and it was time for wedding music.

Jeffrey hugged his father again, because it really was great to see him, and then he left in search of Batty.

He'd had every intention of heading straight to the music room without detours. If he wandered off, there was too much wedding chaos he might get sucked into, all of which made him feel lousy. Being in charge of the music was more than enough.

His disinterest in detours evaporated at the sound of tense voices coming from a nearby room. Skye's. Dušek's.

It would be pathetic to spy on them, but his curiosity was powerful. Were they fighting? He hoped so, and instantly hated it. Still, he stopped outside the door. It was cracked open, almost like an invitation for him to listen in.

Wow. He really was pathetic.

He heard Dušek say, "Why are you bringing this up now? You've had all day."

"There are people everywhere, that's why!" said Skye. "I never had the time."

"Well, I thought you were fine," said Dušek. "You seemed fine."

"Of course I'm not!"

"Here we go," he muttered.

"Dušek! You were so rude to Jeffrey."

Oh. A smile tugged at Jeffrey's mouth, a smile that he immediately wiped off his face. He'd been wrong – Skye was defending him – but that didn't give him the right to be pleased that she was arguing with her soon-to-be husband.

Too late. He was pleased. Very. So Skye was getting married, at least she was proving that he still meant something to her. Probably, Jeffrey never should have questioned that, but his resentment had eclipsed any clear thinking.

"Whose house is this?" Skye asked Dušek.

Silence.

"Whose house are we getting married at, Dušek?"

"Do I really have to answer that?" he said, obviously uncomfortable.

"Yes. You do."

"It's Jeffrey's house," he grumbled.

He sounded so bitter about it. For the life of him, Jeffrey couldn't figure out what he possibly could have done to the guy in the two seconds he had known him.

"Yeah, it is!" Skye snapped. "So respect him in his own home. I can't believe I have to tell you that."

"Alright," said Dušek, but it wasn't enough to put an end to the discussion.

"Respect him anywhere," said Skye, before some of the irritation dropped from her tone. "Jeffrey will always be around. I really need you to get along with him."

Dušek sighed. "Why is it so important to you?"

"He's family," said Skye. "He has been forever, and if you two can't be friends, that will make everything so awkward."

"Why?" asked Dušek. "You have friends I don't like. Why's he different?"

"You don't get it." There was absolutely no anger left in Skye's tone now; she was pleading. "My family will always take his side. If you pick fights with him, sooner or later, they're not going to like you anymore – and I want my family to like my husband."

"They always take his side, Skye, or you do?"

"What does that mean?" Quickly, she was angry again.

"You're the one making a big deal out of nothing. Jane was there – she didn't say anything about it," said Dušek.

"Jane isn't marrying you! And don't say it was nothing. I've never seen you act like that before. Seriously, Dušek, what the fuck was that?"

"Jesus, you're cursing at me now?"

"Oh don't get mad at me. I waited hours to talk about this, because I didn't want to embarrass you in front of everyone. I didn't have to. I did that for you."

"And I'm sure it was very difficult," Dušek muttered.

"Yes!" Her voice rose. "You're lucky I didn't tell you off in front of Jeffrey. I was this close."

Jeffrey needed to leave. He was too old for snooping, but it was impossible for him to tear himself away. Not while they were talking about him. It was just enough to convince him that their conversation was his business.

"I just ragged on him a little," said Dušek. "I'm sure he can take it."

Skye laughed, the comment had tickled her nerves. "Holy shit, what has gotten into you?"

"What?" Dušek said defensively.

"You hadn't even met him before," said Skye. "And you know how important he is to me. You had no reason to act like that. None! So now I'm spending one of the last days before my wedding pissed off at my fiancé. That's not fun, Dušek!"

"I didn't mean to piss you off." Dušek seemed to begin understanding the depth of the hole he'd dug himself into.

"Really?" said Skye. "How do you think I'd feel if you went after Jane like that? Or Rosy, or Ben?"

A comparison to her siblings. That hurt. Jeffrey seriously needed to stop letting that stuff bother him. It wasn't like he didn't know how Skye saw him. Still, it smarted when she said it.

"Jeffrey is one of my oldest friends," said Skye. "What you did was so embarrassing. Do you realize how excited I was to finally introduce you to him? You ruined that for me, and now I have to try to explain away your attitude, but I don't even know what I can say to him."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," said Dušek, and he did sound sorry.

Jeffrey kind of doubted that Dušek had any apologies stored away for him.

"I guess he just rubs me wrong," said Dušek. "Because he was born with all this money and talent. He hasn't had to work for anything."

Sometimes, Jeffrey resented his upbringing.

"Jeffrey works really hard at what he does, and he's great at it," said Skye. "Don't take that from him. That's not fair."

"It's a hobby he gets paid for," said Dušek. "It's just true."

It was, but Jeffrey didn't see why that was a bad thing. Skye was right. He did work hard at music. That was why he was good.

"There's nothing wrong with loving your job. I do. You do."

"I know. You're right." Dušek exhaled, almost like he was laughing at himself. "I don't know why I'm being like this."

Footsteps approached behind Jeffrey.

"There you are." It was Batty. "I've been thinking—"

"Shh."

Batty narrowed her eyes. She stood next to him and whispered, "What are you doing?"

Jeffrey grimaced, but jerked his head toward the door. He whispered back, "I might be eavesdropping."

His indignity knew no bounds.

"Why?"

"Shh," he said again.

She pulled on Jeffrey's arm. "We shouldn't."

Little Batty had caused herself some problems listening in on private conversations. Jeffrey well remembered that, but he couldn't walk away now. It had just gotten good— a rare glimmer of light shining in this overwhelmingly dark weekend.

Batty sighed and leaned against the wall, giving up on him for now.

Skye said, "You have to give him a chance. I promise he'll surprise you."

Dušek said, "I'll talk to him."

"Nicely this time?"

"Nicely."

"Thank you," said Skye, at last pacified. "You'll like him when you do. Everybody does."

"Okay."

Jeffrey was sure the following silence was a result of Skye and Dušek kissing each other. That put a damper on things. He should have quit while he was ahead.

"Jeffrey, come on," said Batty. "Let's go."

This time, Jeffrey allowed her to take him away. He expected her to lead him to the music room, but instead, Batty walked to the front door.

"What was that about?" she asked once they were safely outside.

Jeffrey shrugged. "Dušek was pretty unpleasant with me earlier."

"Yeah, Jane told me." They continued walking, toward the cottage. "I'm sorry. He's not usually like that."

"I figured. I'll give him another shot, don't you worry," said Jeffrey. Part of him hoped Dušek wouldn't be any friendlier. Not that he liked it when people were rude to him, but if Dušek was, then it would give Jeffrey a reason not to like him. If he was nice, but Jeffrey disliked him, then it would just be sad.

"A fair shot?" asked Batty.

"Yeah." Alarms blared in Jeffrey's head. She had a few too many questions. "Why wouldn't I?"

Batty knelt in the grass to hold her hand out to a cricket. After some hesitance, it climbed onto her finger, twitching anxiously as she stood back up. Batty inspected the bug while she weighed the pros and cons of answering his question.

She blew gently on the cricket, and it flew away. "If you still have feelings for Skye."

So she knew. Of course she did. Jeffrey silently cursed, wondering when and how he had given himself away. He didn't want to have this conversation, so he'd have to deny it. Deny, deny, deny, until he believed his own lie.

"What?" He forced a laugh. "Batty."

"Jeffrey," she said, raising her eyebrows.

Batty was good. Too good. Shit. Jeffrey was not willing to lose his pride today. Not in the same weekend he had to officially lose Skye.

"I don't," he insisted. "Of course I don't. I haven't for years."

"Jeffrey, I know you," said Batty softly.

"If you think I'm pining after Skye, maybe you don't know me like you think you do." He had meant for that to be a joke, but it only sounded petulant. It all but condemned him.

He decided to keep walking, hoping that a little movement would help him vent this sudden stress. Maybe then he could be more convincing.

Batty quickly followed, jumping in front of him to stop him in his tracks. She held his shoulders and peered straight at him, her dark eyes roaming analytically over his face. Jeffrey smiled, but he already knew it was a wasted effort. He didn't stand a chance against such scrutiny.

Batty, at last, shook her head. "You're lying to me."

Jeffrey couldn't save himself – absolutely not, but still he tried. It was shameful, but he was helpless against his own survival instinct.

So he snapped at Batty, because that was easier than owning up to the truth. "Why does everyone think they can tell me how to feel?" He laughed harshly, despite his ever-stacking guilt about dishonesty. "I expect it from my mother, but seriously, Batty? You know how much I hate that."

She was undeterred, and a little defensive herself. It was such a rarity that they argued.

"I can see it!" Surprised by her own strong words, Batty's expression softened, her stance, her tone. "It's all over your face."

She had to be right, but he couldn't confess to Batty now. He was afraid of being exposed, pitied, criticized. That was a fear he could no longer keep off his traitorous face.

"Don't," he whispered. Gone was his previous prickly tone. If that wouldn't get her to stand down, his next approach would be to plead. "I'm really happy for her."

"Are you?"

"Batty," Jeffrey groaned, indeed pleading hard. He turned away from her, paced once in a circle to buy himself a little time to wipe the discomfort from his face. He couldn't do it. He'd too long dreaded this exact interaction.

He stopped in front of her again. He sighed, his shoulders drooping. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to know you can be honest with me," she said.

"I am!" Jeffrey slipped right back into denial. It was a deceptive comfort.

"You're not. I know you're not. You're a bad liar," said Batty. "Just talk to me, you can—"

"Stop it," he said.

"You can trust me, I want—"

"Batty, stop it."

"I want to help you."

"Stop," Jeffrey begged again. Batty was rarely so stubborn. Why did this have to be the time that she was?

"You don't have to lie anymore." Batty grabbed his hand, as if she expected him to flee and she refused to give him the chance. "I can be an outlet for you, if you let me."

Jeffrey didn't want an outlet. He wanted to bury his feelings until they died. If he talked about them, he'd feel worse. Weak and pitiful and self-obsessed. This weekend was not about him. It was about Skye and Rosalind and their happiness, which should extend to every member of their family. His unrequited feelings would put a blight on a family event that was supposed to be exciting for Batty, something she looked back on with nothing but perfect memories. He was strong enough to carry this burden on his own a little longer. He'd made it this far just fine.

"Batty, please," he said, pulling his hand out of hers. "I'm not lying. I really do want her to have everything she wants."

Thus far, that was the only truth he'd spoken. He did want Skye to be happy, even if it ripped him apart.

"Maybe," she said. "But is it what you want?"

Dammit. Damn her and her perceptiveness and relentless pushing. She was going to break him.

"Jeffrey," she whispered. "Do you love her?"

"Yes!" he blurted out. The direct question was too much, the final slam of Batty's sledgehammer against the wall around his heart. "I do, yes! I'm in love with Skye."

For how certain Batty had been that he was, she looked awfully surprised to hear him say it. Her lips parted, her eyes glossed over with tears, and her face filled with the exact pity Jeffrey had never wanted to be regarded with.

"There," he muttered, resenting the crack in his voice. "Happy?"

Batty shook her head. She reached for him, but Jeffrey pushed her hands away. He didn't want her hug.

"Don't do that," he said. "I'm fine."

Batty whispered, "But she's marrying someone else."

"Yeah Batty, I know!" Jeffrey snapped, then sighed. It was pointless to get angry with her. He had plenty of negativity in his life already. He smiled; it was a weak one, but that was better than nothing. "I'm a big kid. I'll get over it."

"But—"

"I lost Skye a long time ago." It was important for him to remember that. He had hidden from Skye and Dušek long enough. At her wedding, he'd have to see how happy she was with another man, and that would force him to let her go. He'd finally be able to give his whole heart to some other woman, whenever and wherever he found her.

"I'm sorry, Jeffrey," said Batty.

"It's fine."

"Was I—" Batty swallowed, suddenly unsure of herself. "Was I wrong to pressure you?"

"If someone has to know, I'm glad it's you."

She moved too quickly, and he couldn't stop the hug this time. Her arms wrapped around him, but her touch was unwelcome, and he stood stiffly.

Batty tightened her grip on him. "Hug me back."

"Batty, I don't need—" Jeffrey gently pushed at her arms. "I'm okay."

She held on. "I don't care. Hug me back."

Jeffrey obliged. It unlocked something inside of him, a longing for this kind of solace. He'd hurt alone and in secret so long that he'd forgotten how freeing it could be to share. He relaxed and rested his face against her shoulder, the embrace a balm on his scraped heart. Finally, he had someone in his life he hid nothing from.

"I love you," she murmured.

Jeffrey laughed through his nose. "At least somebody does."

"She loves you too, you know," said Batty. "In her own way."

"Yeah," Jeffrey said. "I think that's what hurts most."

If she didn't care about him at all, he wouldn't have to wonder what made him loveable, but only in the wrong way.

Batty rubbed her hand up and down his back quickly, then let him go. "If it makes you feel any better at all, I do really like Dušek, but I like you a lot more."

"Thanks, I think." He supposed that counted for something.

"What are you guys doing?" said a new, young voice.

They both spun around, and there was Alice, standing with her hands on her hips. Lydia was close behind.

"Having a chat," said Jeffrey. "What are you doing?"

"You were hugging for a long time. We know. We saw it," said Alice. "Why? Did something happen?"

Jeffrey laughed. Cagney's daughter was the nosiest person he knew. "So many questions."

"I didn't miss it, did I? Please tell me I didn't miss it."

"What does that mean?" said Batty.

"Nothing," said Lydia. "It means nothing. Ignore her."

"It means—" Alice began.

"Alice, you can't just say—" said Lydia.

"But they were—"

Lydia shushed her loudly with a finger to her lips.

Suspicious, Jeffrey exchanged a look with Batty, who shrugged.

She also jumped to provide inquisitive Alice with an explanation. "I'm just feeling a little upset, with Wesley here and everything. It's harder than I thought it would be."

Wesley was Batty's recent ex-boyfriend, who was chasing his destiny west. He'd stopped to hand off some wedding gifts, run into some trouble with his motorcycle, and thus, remained at Arundel Cottage. Jeffrey made a note to ask Batty about that later. He felt guilty. He'd been so distracted by his own heartache that he had neglected to think about hers.

"Wesley?" Alice sounded surprised. "Really? I was sure you were over him."

"Getting over him," Batty corrected. "Not there yet. Jeffrey's been helping me feel better."

"Hm," said Alice, her eyes narrowed as they jumped from Batty to Jeffrey. Ultimately, she shrugged. "If you say so. Come on, Lydia."

The two girls raced off, heading for the woods.

"That was odd," said Batty.

"I've learned not to question Alice. It's easier that way," said Jeffrey. The girl was a conundrum, though a fun one.

They started toward the house, and Batty nudged his arm. "Hey. What can I do?"

"You mean about Skye, don't you?"

"Yes."

There wasn't much for her to do. Jeffrey didn't want to be coddled through the wedding. He didn't need anything more from Batty than what she'd already given. It was enough to know that she was thinking about him. That was more than he'd had an hour ago.

"Just don't tell anybody," he said.

"I won't do that to you," she promised.

"Okay." Jeffrey slung his arm around her shoulders to press a quick, thankful kiss to the side of her head. "Then it's all good."