Beginning, Previous Section, Section III

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Chapter 11

The restaurant had a main table set up banquet-style for the wedding party and smaller tables scattered through the room for the rest of the guests and then there was a small dance floor out in the middle of the room. Everything was beautiful as each table had a centerpiece made with hurricane candle globes surrounded by flowers from Chelley's wedding bouquet. The glow from the candles gave the room a soft and romantic feeling.

Even though Elissa and Will didn't end up sitting next to each other, they were never truly apart. Each time Elissa would speak with someone around her and then look back at his end of the table, he'd be waiting for her to look. He gazed at her, even though to her it seemed as if he gazed right into her, piercing into her thoughts. She flushed at the thought that he might guess what she was thinking!

What she didn't know was that he felt the same way about her. It was like she could see into the depths of his soul. He was having difficulty remembering that they were not alone, but in a room crowded with people. He had trouble attending to the conversations people were carrying on around him and when they would talk directly to him, he'd have to ask them to repeat what they'd said. He also felt a little warm at the thought that she might understand just why his eyes were glued to her person and what he was actually daydreaming about at that very moment.

After the dinner, dancing was started up by the happy couple. As Chelley had to leave her seat to dance with her husband, there was no one sitting next to Elissa. Will didn't miss the opportunity he had been given and moved quickly to sit next to her. Elissa was paying close attention to Richard and Chel dancing and smiling at each other and did not notice right away that Will was sitting next to her. Tonight he didn't wait for a sign or a signal from her, he just put his arm around her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. For him it seemed that way, now that they were building a relationship and were looking toward the future.

For her, she was excited and thrilled, but very disconcerted about the feelings she was having toward this man. How could she keep a clear head about her when he was so close? G*d he smells so good too! Ugh! Think about something dull, anything dull, but not about Will.... he is so warm.... stop that, Essa! I wonder what kind of cologne that is?... stop that! She was desperately trying to concentrate on not breaking into her nervous giggles because she knew that he would know what kind of thoughts she was having about him then for certain. Too late! She couldn't help it and before she knew it, her shoulders were shaking although no sound was coming out.

Since Will had his arm around her, he knew the moment she started shaking, something was not quite right. He looked concerned at first because he thought she might be crying, then he just looked confused. What he saw when he looked at her was tears all right, but because she was trying hard not to laugh out loud and she was giggling so hard, she had tears in her eyes! Oh, yes, our girl was a dead give away! She was not having sad thoughts, and he really wanted to know what she was thinking.

"Elissa? What in the world is so funny? I thought you might be sad watching Rich and Chel, but you certainly don't look sad... what is it that's got you so... amused?" his curiosity was dying to know.

How do I explain this? I could tell him the truth... ' William, I was having impure thoughts about you and with you sitting next to me, I got nervous and got the giggles!' I don't think that would be a good idea Essa.... better come up with something soon!

She knew she wasn't about to tell him the truth, not that she wanted to lie, she just couldn't say what was really on her mind, not yet anyway. She did the best she could, "Oh... I .... um...I was remembering a time when Chel and I were in school. We had to go to a dance and neither one of us were very good dancers then, and we had to practice together. We never could practice without breaking into hysterics because we were always trying to make each other laugh." Whew! That may not be convincing, but it was worth a shot!

"Oh, well, I guess I can vouch for the fact that you've improved considerably since then. As a matter of fact, would you do me the honor of letting me have the next or shall I say, all of your dances? I don't feel in the mood to share tonight." he said this in a way such as to make declining absolutely impossible. Essa's mouth was beginning to feel dry again, but she managed a reply.

"How could I possibly refuse such a tempting offer and might I add man, Mr. Darcy." she said as she looked at him with eyes as dark as midnight with embers that were beginning to glow.

"Come with me then and don't call me Mr. Darcy... to you I am just Will or you could call me your highness." he said with a grin.

"Your highness?" she wasn't into thinking deeply at the moment.

"I am still your prince and you are still my lady, are you not?" he smiled.

"You are and I am." She smiled back as she put her hand into his and he took her into his arms.

As they headed toward the dance floor, the song the band was playing caught Elissa's attention. Elissa knew the song and blushed furiously as she realized the words to it matched a lot of what she was feeling about Will. How could she get through this dance with all that was on her mind and in his arms too? She was trying her best to steady her breathing and her pulse as Will pulled her tight into his embrace and started to slowly twirl her around the dance floor. She already felt lightheaded, but now she felt as if the room was spinning as she listened to the words.

I'm mad about the boy
and I know it's stupid to be
mad about the boy.

I'm so ashamed of it,
but must admit
the sleepless nights I've had
about the boy.

Elissa looked up at Will to see that he was looking at her with that intense gaze again. She felt hot under his stare and wondered if he could feel her pulse racing as he held her tight. Will was wondering the same thing about her. He could feel his heart pounding nearly out of his chest as he looked into her eyes. He wanted her and he knew he couldn't have her yet. He would wait, but it was becoming so difficult to wait. He pulled her in even tighter as they continued to dance.

Lord knows, I'm not a fool girl
I really shouldn't care.
Lord knows, I'm not a school girl
who's in the flurry of her first affair.

Will it ever cloy?
This odd diversity
of misery and joy.

I'm feeling quite insane
and young again
and all because I'm mad
about the boy.

I'm feeling quite insane
and young again
and all because I'm mad
about the boy.

Sung by Dinah Washington

They danced almost every dance and held each other close the entire time they were near. They stayed this way most of the night until it was time to go home and go separate ways, something neither of them wanted to do. It was going to be another long night for both of them.

"I'll see you in the morning. Have a good time tonight, I'll be thinking of you... Elissa." Will said these words to her quickly as the last of the ladies were piling into the limo. They were the last to exit the restaurant. He kissed her lips and then her hand, since he knew he wouldn't get the chance he usually did to do this.

"I'll see you then and I'll be thinking about you too Will." She said while her eyes were still closed. They shot open when she heard Chelley shout, "Elissa? You coming or not?"

She knew Chelley was just giving her a hard time, but Chelley's timing was unpardonable. Elissa grinned sheepishly at Will and said goodnight to him one more time as he walked her to the limo and then she did something she hadn't done in front of the others before...she got up on her tiptoes and she kissed him... right on the mouth... in front of everyone! When she stepped back she saw a look of surprise and a grin as wide as the ocean from the man she was starting to adore.

Will was surprised, if not shocked that Elissa would choose to assert herself in front of so many people, but he was not disappointed... oh no... he was pleasantly amused. He stood there grinning like a fool in love as the limo pulled away. Rich had to nudge him in the ribs to get his attention again. "Will are you ready to go? We've got a couple of stops to make before we head back to the house."

"Yes, I'm ready to go." Will said only half conscious of the snickers of his other male companions.

When the ladies got back to the house, they all went to change out of the dress clothes they were in and into more comfortable attire. Chelley had talked Elissa into wearing matching outfits for old times sake, since it was like a girl's night out for them, even though they weren't going out. Chelley had sinful foods, karaoke and a fully stocked bar set up for them down on the patio area near the pool.

As Elissa was slipping on her boots, Chel knocked on her door. "Are you dressed yet or are you still drooling over Will? By the way, that was some kiss you gave him in front of everybody! I would ask what has gotten into you, but I already know... hormones!" Chelley said as she poked Essa in the shoulder.

"Ouch! Hey that hurts... so does the poking in the shoulder! Give me a break Chel, I couldn't help myself... did you see the way he was looking at me? Besides, he had already kissed me once but no one else saw. You don't think I did something wrong, do you?"

"Not if you meant to make him want you more than he so obviously does right now, no...you do know he wants you don't you?" she teased.

"Yes, I think I've noticed something about him that told me he might want... well... me. Do you think he knows that I'm having the same feelings for him as well?" Essa asked.

"Something about that kiss in front of all those people... I think he might know that now. That's the decision you've made then?"

"I don't know that I've made a decision... I think I'll just see what happens next and take it one step at a time." Elissa sighed as she looked in the mirror. "What on earth possessed me to let you talk me into this get up?" she laughed.

"Come on... you know you look hot in that outfit! And since we've got similar outfits, that must mean I look hot too! I like that!" Chel giggled.

"Well great! We look hot and our men are at another party... tell me again how this is good?" Essa said.

"Who knows, you might see him before the night's out... besides if you look good, you feel good and we need to feel good about ourselves, right? You did remember that Will is just next door if you need him didn't you Essa dear?" Chelley was grinning wickedly.

"How in the world could I forget a thing like that... do you know how hard it is to resist the urge to put my ear to the wall to see what he's doing?"

"Why don't you just knock on the wall and find out, I'm sure he wouldn't mind!" Chelley shouted as she rounded the doorway before a pillow found its way to her head.

Elissa took another look in the mirror. Staring back at her was a woman she didn't quite recognize. She had her hair pulled into a ponytail with the ends sticking out in all directions. The black blouse she had on was semi-transparent over a black cami and had matching trim on the cuffs and collar to go with the leather looking mini-skirt she had matched to her black boots. She definitely was all dressed up with no place to go. She felt sort of ridiculous, but she kind of liked the look... it was different and Elissa felt different now.

She felt free in ways she hadn't felt in a very long time. She sighed again as she thought of Will somewhere else... was he thinking about her the way he said he would? She smiled at herself and went downstairs.

Will was on his way back to the house with Rich and the others. His body might have been in the car, but his mind and his heart were somewhere else. After Elissa had kissed him, he felt as if he was floating on thin air. It wasn't that she had kissed him, she had done that before and had allowed him to kiss her. This was different because she kissed him in public, which told him she was ready to admit that they had a relationship. They were a couple. This made him feel euphoric about her and their future together. He was more hopeful that there would be a future for them now. He also felt a little apprehensive... what was it that was bothering her earlier? Was there still something out there that could threaten the beginning they had made? He certainly hoped not, especially after tonight.

Although Elissa was having a good time with Chel and the other ladies at their party, her mind was likewise in some other place with some other person, we all know who. She sang karaoke with Chel and by herself and she drank. Elissa doesn't usually drink... not really. She has wine with dinner and an occasional social drink, but nothing serious and never too much. Tonight her mind was preoccupied and her memory cloudy. She couldn't remember how many Fuzzy Navels or Daiquiris she had consumed, so what was one or three more? Pretty soon she was the one feeling fuzzy and dizzy to boot. Chel wasn't much better, as it seems that both ladies were feeling apprehension over upcoming events in their lives, just different ones.

In the meantime, Will and Rich had set up the bar area in the game room. This was to be a night of pool and poker and risqué stories, but no strippers. Chel had threatened Rich and everyone else within an inch of their lives if a woman of that occupation stepped one toe into her house. Rich had already started in winning big at the poker table. Will saved his attention for the pool table, but his concentration was not what it usually was. He was concentrating on other things and other persons, we all know who.

After trying to sing along with the words on the karaoke machine and failing miserably, Elissa decided that she had better head upstairs and find her bed. She made her way upstairs very carefully, albeit very slowly and finally found her own bedroom door after several attempts. She went in and tried to find her bed... notice we said tried. She went to sit down to pull off her boots, which were killing her feet. She didn't find the bed, she found the floor instead.

Will in the meantime had become fed up with the rowdy group and his lack of concentration. He had sulked around the room for a while before he decided to head upstairs himself. If he couldn't be with her, he would at least be alone where he could think about her.

Will had gone into his dressing area to hang up his jacket and lay out his things for tomorrow. While he was in there, he thought he heard someone moving in the hallway. He looked at his watch and thought it might be too early for Elissa to be coming upstairs, so he went about what he was doing. A few minutes later he heard a rather loud thud on the floor of Elissa's room. He didn't wait to think about it, he rushed out his door and to hers in the hallway. Will knocked on her door, but got no answer. He became very worried as he tried the door, but it was locked. He went back in his room and thought about the balcony... she leaves her door open a lot. He ran around to her door and sure enough it was open.

When Will went in the room he didn't see anyone... at first. He heard someone moan from the other side of the bed. He looked around the side of the bed and saw her halfway sitting up on the floor. She was rubbing the back of her head and didn't seem to know he was there.

"Elissa! Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself? Speak to me, please?" Will pleaded with her.

"Will? Is that you? I...ow! My head hurts! I think I bumped my head." she managed to slur in reply.

Will could tell now that she had quite a bit to drink tonight. He'd never seen her this way and from what he heard this wasn't like her at all. This was definitely not good. He tried to help her up off the floor, but her legs didn't want to cooperate. This left him only one alternative... pick her up and place her on the bed. This was going to be a long night!

As he tried to lift her up, he said, "Elissa put your arms around my neck and hold tight so I can put you on the bed."

"What's wrong with me?" she drunkenly asked as he tried to place her on the bed.

"What do you mean?" he was confused at what she was asking.

"Am I a lovable person?" she asked.

"Of course you are." he answered as he placed her on the bed. She hadn't let go of his neck yet.

"Then why did he not love me?" She had the sound of desperation in her voice.

"I don't know what to say... I'm sure he did, maybe he was sorry for what he did." Will didn't know how to answer her. He didn't want her to think anymore about what Robert did to her.

"But why didn't he want me the way he wanted her?" she cried.

"He was stupid or blind!" Will said. "Most definitely stupid and blind!" he said as he looked her over.

"Would you want me?" she asked as she looked at him and leaned into his shoulder.

"All the time." was his reply as he laid her down on the bed and helped her take off her boots, which was no easy matter, they were on tight and she was wearing a very short skirt. He was having a very hard time concentrating.

"Oh, that's better." she said. "That's very good."

He wasn't sure what she meant by that and had to ask, "Lissa, are you all right?"

"Mmmmm.... what did you call me?" she sleepily asked.

"Lissa... why?"

"No one's ever called me that before."

"I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind." Will said.

"No... it sounds nice when you say it." She emphasized the way she said 'you'.

"Lissa?... Lissa? Goodnight my lady... have sweet dreams, you deserve them." Will kissed her forehead and smiled when he saw her smile in her sleep.

William Darcy, man in control of his life, reluctantly went back to his own room. Even though he knew it wouldn't be a restful sleep he would have, the dreams would be sweet just the same.

Chapter 12

The day of the wedding dawned with bright sunshine and birds singing. To most people, this would be a wonderful way to start a wedding day, but for our two dear girls, neither one of them were feeling very wonderful to say the least!

Chel had woken up with a very upset stomach and Rich was doing all he could to get her to try and eat something. She was not very happy with his attempts.

"Chel, please love...you've got to try to eat something!" Rich pleaded.

"Richard Henry Fitzwilliam!....if you shove that piece of toast under my nose one more time, I'll use whatever strength I have left and shove it down your throat!" Chel hissed back.

"Chelley, there's no need to get so upset, there is plenty of time before the wedding this evening. I'll leave you alone for a little while...I'll come back and check on you later, ok?" he sounded rather hurt by her outburst.

Chel now felt guilty and sick, "Richie, I'm sorry. I just feel so awful!...and on my wedding day too!" she said as she choked back a sob.

"It's all right sweetheart... everything will be fine. I'll get mom to help me keep an eye on things while you rest and try to feel better. I love you Chel." he said as he kissed her cheek and left the room.

On the other end of the house there was a battle going on as well. Elissa was not doing much better with her reward for heavy drinking. Will had not seen her and was worried, so he snuck next door to see how she was. When he thought about checking on her, he didn't think to try the other door, he just went straight around to the balcony door. He knocked on the doorframe, but got no answer. He knocked again and called out Elissa's name. This time he heard someone call to him from the bathroom.

Do I go in or not? What am I saying? She may need me...of course I go in! He was trying to convince himself he was doing the right and protective thing by checking on her, even if it was in her bedroom or her bathroom.

When Will went further into the room, he looked around. It looked as if she had slept or wrestled on top of the covers last night. He also noticed that the room resembled places that had been hit by tornadoes.What on Earth went on in here?

He stopped outside the bathroom door, which was not entirely closed. He knocked softly and tried to think of something to say.

"Elissa? It's me, Will. Are you all right? I thought you might need something." he felt very stupid and foolish.

"Will...oh...my head hurts... Will, I hate, I really hate to ask you, but now that you're here...could you help me?" she didn't sound like herself and this made him worry.

"Help you? How do you mean?...I mean, that is, yes. What do you need Elissa?" What if she asks me to come in there? Oh G*d! I hear water, what if she's in the bath?

"I thought I'd soak in the tub and I might feel better, but when I went to get up, I got dizzy. The towel I had fell on the floor and it's too far away for me to reach out and get it. Do you think you could hand it to me? And yes I am covered with the shower curtain...oh my head...can you come in here now, it's very painful for us to keep talking through the door" she nervously explained. She was so embarrassed, but what was she to do? She knew she might fall if she stood up again and she needed to get out of the tub, because the water was beginning to grow cold.

"Oh, all right... I'm coming in now." he wanted to give her time to prepare as he stepped into the room.

As Will entered the bathroom, with much trepidation, his senses were assaulted with a bewitching smell. It was a mixture of gardenia and he wasn't sure, but the other seemed to remind him of honeysuckle. It almost made him feel dizzy as he breathed it in. In a moment he recovered his senses long enough to find Essa's towel and pick it up. He hadn't gotten around to handing it to her, when she spoke to him and drew him back to the present.

"Ahem!....Will? Will? Can I have the towel now, please? It's a little cold in here." she said.

"What?...oh, sorry! Here you go." he said as he held out the towel. It was still a little too far out for her to get.

"Closer please?" she asked.

"Closer?" he sputtered.

"I'm not going to bite you...I can't reach it that's all."

Bite me? Interesting idea, Lissa...stop that, Will! Hand her the towel and get out of here!

Bite him? What is wrong with you? Are you issuing an invitation or what? Just get the towel and get him out of here! Elissa said to herself as she reached her hand out to him.

"Sorry, is this better?" he asked.

"Yes...thanks. I can reach now, but could you turn around and look the other way?" she sounded really embarrassed.

"Certainly." he said.

Elissa took the towel and pulled it behind the shower curtain with her. She wrapped herself up in it and started to step out. She quickly remembered that Will was still standing there.

"Will? I have the towel now, would you mind waiting outside for a minute?" she asked.

"Wait? Oh, yes...yes of course." he said as he started to leave the room.

Will hadn't gotten three steps away when he heard Elissa call out to him as if she were in a great deal of pain. He turned fast on his heels to help her.

"Will?...I think I'm going to faint!" Essa managed to mumble before her legs gave out on her and she started to sink into the floor.

Will had reached her in no time and managed to secure her in his arms before she fell backwards into the tub. He was very worried about the look on her face.

"Elissa, are you all right? Here, let me help you sit down." he said with great concern.

"I'm better now... I just felt so dizzy and then everything got very blurry and started to go black. Thanks for catching me... I feel so embarrassed!"

"Don't worry about that. Have you felt this way all morning? Did you eat anything for breakfast?"
He sounded like a mother hen clucking around one of her chicks and this thought of the great tycoon businessman made Elissa chuckle.

Will was not amused, "Excuse me miss, but just what is so damn funny? You could've gotten hurt this morning and you look terrible!" He knew he was being defensive, but even he knew that last remark was not being very polite and he would probably have to pay for it.

"I'm sorry... you just remind me of a mother hen, that's all. Hey, where do you get off telling me I look terrible? I thought you liked me?"

"I do like you and you do look terrible... this morning that is. Can I get you something to eat or drink? You might feel better if you had something to eat and then went to lie down for a little while. You know, I kind of like this mother hen thing, I might be pretty good at it, if the little chick would just let me help her that is." he said playfully, knowing that by teasing her she would understand that he didn't mean to insult her.

"Fine...I didn't eat anything this morning and the little chick is a little hungry. Could you hand me my robe, please?" she smiled up at him.

"I'll help you into the other room and then I'll go see about finding you something to eat, all right?"
He watched her with more than a casual interest as she wrapped the robe around her, tied it and then he almost jumped as he saw the towel fall out from under her robe.

"That sounds great... thanks for the help Will, I'm glad you came to check on me when you did."

"I am too... otherwise, you would have looked like a prune and I hate prunes!" he laughed as he lifted her up into his arms and headed for the bed.

"What are you doing?" she gasped.

"You're too dizzy to walk in here by yourself, so I'm doing what is necessary to get you here." He explained this to her as if it were the most logical explanation in the world and should cause no concerns whatsoever.

She was concerned, very concerned. Here she was in only her robe and he was helping her to her bed, by carrying her! Noooooo..... no reason to feel concerned! Hello? Those feelings were not knocking on the door to her brain, they were pounding on it! She was trying her best not to look like a scared rabbit, but that's how she felt. She also felt something else... deja vu. Why did she feel odd about him carrying her to her bed? It almost felt as if this had happened before... but that was impossible wasn't it? Why did I have to drink so much last night! First I have all of those strange, but nice dreams and then this morning... what must Will think of me now?

I wonder if she remembers anything about last night? Surely she would have said something about it before... she must not remember. What if she does and she's uncomfortable about my being here? I'd better get going... I think I might need to lie down too. "I'm going down to find you something to eat. I'll be back in just a few minutes and I don't want you trying to get up until I get back, all right?" he said in a tone that would put up with no protest.

"Ok...Ok... I'm not going anywhere! But couldn't you send up one of the servants or Chel's sister, Maria? I hate to be a bother to you and Rich may need you this morning."

"You.... are not a bother and you know it. If you would be more comfortable with Maria or one of the servants,
I could get them for you." he sounded a little hurt by what she had suggested.

Elissa didn't want to hurt his feelings anymore than she didn't want to bother him over her. She knew when to relent and let him have his way... in getting her breakfast that is.

"Thank you for saying so, and if you're sure I'm not being a bother, then I guess you can continue to mother hen me for a little while longer. If that will make you happy?" she teased.

"Very happy... now be a good little chick and try to rest while I'm gone and remember, don't get out of that bed!" he ordered.

"Yes mother, I mean Sir!" she giggled.

Will just rolled his eyes at her as he headed out the door.

For the next two hours, there was nothing that Elissa could need or want that Will wasn't prepared to get for her. He waited as she ate the breakfast he himself had prepared and he insisted on staying with her as she did her nails, which by the way, he thought was quite interesting to watch. It might have been the company that he truly found so interesting.

As they sat there together, they talked about all kinds of things. She told him about growing up in Texas, horse back riding, rodeos, and frog-gigging. He wasn't sure he believed her about the frogs, but she swore to him that she did indeed go frog-gigging when she was a child. He told her about his home in England and some of his family history, which she thought was fascinating. He told her more about his sister and their family before his parents' deaths. She really wanted to meet his sister and wished she had met his parents. They sounded like quite the pair from the way he described them.

As Elissa realized the time and the fact that she still had things to do that Will could not be a part of, she tried to make him see that she was nearly, if not fully, recovered and he could go back to getting himself ready. Before he would leave the room, he insisted that she promise to call him if she felt the least bit ill again. She promised and somewhat reluctantly he removed himself to his own room again.

As noon approached and time for the wedding preps was running down, Will decided that he needed to check on Elissa again, just to be sure she was feeling all right, you know. He also had a problem. The man who never had a stitch out of place, had managed to pull a seam out of his jacket cuff. He knew that Chelley didn't need to be bothered and he could ask one of the servants to help, but this would also give him another reason to see Elissa, maybe she could help him with it... smart boy, very smart.

As he was now becoming quite comfortable, well sort of, using the back entrance, he slipped next door to ask Elissa how she felt and if she felt well enough to help him. He saw the door was still open and knew that she would be presentable if it were and knew it was all right for him to knock.

"Will? Is that you...again?" Elissa teasingly asked, as she knew it would definitely be him.

"Uhm... yes it's me...am I disturbing you?" he felt a little silly now.

"No, I'm feeling much better now....you can come in you know... you don't have to stand out there." she felt a little odd now herself.

"Oh, thanks, I was wondering if you could help me this time... I have a problem." he said as he stepped inside the room.

"You're not sick are you? I don't think I'll be as good at the mother hen thing as you were this morning... is something wrong... what is the problem?" she said as she stepped around the end of the bed. Instead of the robe she had on this morning, Elissa was wearing a tank top and a pair of blue jean cut-offs. Will felt as if his tongue was wagging!

Elissa had her hair put up in a soft, loose bun with little curls framing her face and wispy strands hanging loose along the base of her neck. She had woven flowers into her hair and ribbon to match Chelley's wedding colors. Except for the fact that her hair did not match her outfit, Will thought she looked terrific. He didn't mind the way her hair looked either.

"I... uhm...that is... here!" he handed her his jacket as he tried to get his thoughts together. "Can you help me fix this thing? I don't know what I did to it, but it won't stop unraveling on me." He hoped she didn't think he was imposing on her to perform a menial task that one of the servants could have done.

He would have been so far off the mark, it that's what he thought she would feel. She was touched that he would come to her with something so simple to fix that one of the servants could have fixed it easily. He came to her...he wanted her help. She enjoyed the opportunity to dote on him, since he had done such a good job for her. She took the jacket and went over to the dresser. She pulled out a small box and walked back over to the bed and sat down.

Will didn't know whether to sit or stand or just go away. He was still worried she might be upset with him for coming to her with this. Just as he was about to make his apologies and excuses she spoke.

"Are you going to stand there and watch me or are you going to sit down and keep me company?" she smiled.

He felt very relieved to know she wasn't mad at him and actually wanted him to stay and keep her company. He walked over to the chair by the bed and was about to sit down when she stopped him.

"Oh no... don't sit there!" she exclaimed. He was just about to sit down on part of her wedding attire. She had draped her slip and her shawl over the chair and didn't want him to wrinkle them. She quickly had to think of an alternative.

"You could sit over here by me, if you don't mind sitting on the bed?" she felt uncomfortable sitting on the
bed with him, but what other choice did she have now, he couldn't sit on the floor!

I could just sit on the floor! Why did you suggest the bed, Lissa? Do you know how hard you're making this for me? Just think about something else Will... anything else. He felt very odd sitting so close to her on her bed, but he did the polite thing and sat down. Now he just had to come up with something to say!

"Have you seen Chel yet? Is she feeling better?" he finally managed.

"Yes, I saw her just about an hour ago and she looked much better. Richard finally got her to eat some toast and her stomach has settled down. I think she'll be fine by the time the wedding starts. Have you seen Rich? He looked a little green even though he said he wasn't sick." she laughingly replied.

"I'm glad to hear Chelley's better and yes, Richard does look a little green around the gills. He keeps asking me what time it is... he asks every five minutes or so. It is really becoming annoying, although I know why he does it. He tells everyone he's not nervous, but we all know better." he chuckled.

"There... I think this should be all right for you now. You might want to be careful not to snag it on anything though doing anymore princely rescuing of damsels in distress." she teased.

"Thank you, I'll try to keep that in mind. It's just that a ruined jacket is such a small price to pay, when rescuing such a lovely damsel in distress." he said as he headed for the door.

"Mr. Darcy, if you keep plying me with such wonderful compliments, my head won't fit through the door and I won't be of any use to Chel today! I probably won't need to use any of my blush when I do my makeup either...now go on and get out of here, so I can finish getting things ready. I'll see you later."

"Well, if that's true, we'll just have to make the doorways larger and yes... you will definitely see me later." He grinned as he walked around the corner.

Chapter 13

Author's Note: Please remember that this story is, in my opinion, PG-13.

It was finally early evening and the guests had started to arrive. The family members who were not members of the wedding party were each doing their best to make sure everyone and everything was in place. The wedding party itself, which included Rich, Chel, Elissa, Will and Rich and Chelley's parents were busy having pre-wedding pictures made.

Even though this was not the first time Rich and Chelley had gotten married, they still tried to stick with some traditions and did not want to have their pictures made together until after the ceremony.

As Elissa and Chel were having their pictures made alone and together, they didn't know they had an audience. The boys deciding that they couldn't wait to see them were hiding and spying as best they could from behind one of the large columns on the side porch of the house. The photographer had set up in one of the more beautiful garden areas of Rich and Chelley's lawn.

The first time Will saw Elissa all made up was when she was having her picture made with Chelley. Chelley was sitting on an ornate garden bench and Elissa was standing behind her. Will thought the picture must be what all Southern belles looked like as they waited for their beaus in their garden party best. They were both very beautiful and Rich kept saying, "Wow! Isn't she just...isn't she just..." Finally Will answered him, but not talking about Chelley, he simply said, "Yes, isn't she."

Rich went to see if he could sneak a closer peek at Chelley when the photographer went to take pictures of Elissa by herself. Will couldn't pull himself away from his spot, though he had quite forgotten he was trying to hide so he wouldn't be seen. The photographer had Elissa sit on the same bench and turn slightly to the side as to get more of a profile picture.

When she went to turn again, this time more to the front, there was no doubt that she had seen William and he had definitely seen her. Elissa couldn't help but smile the most gorgeous smile she had, just for him. The photographer, sensing that she wasn't just following his simple directions, looked back to see what had her attention. When he saw it was the best man, he had the idea to go ahead and get their pictures together in the soft light of the early evening. He called William over to where they were and although Will was focused on where they stood, it took two tries by the photographer to get his attention.

Elissa chuckled softly to herself as she realized Will wasn't paying very good attention...except to herself. She also felt a little nervous at having him come over to where she was. She watched him walk down the steps in what seemed to be slow motion. This gave her plenty of time to admire the fine view before her. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo and Elissa had to catch her breath when she saw the way he was looking at her.

The photographer cleared his throat to get their attention. "Can I have the gentleman stand behind the lady where she is sitting?"

Will replied with a barely audible "Certainly." as he went behind Elissa.

Even though she couldn't see him, she could feel his gaze upon her. It was as if there were a red, hot, searing light piercing through her entire body. It is agony to be sitting here and not be able to see his face! She was relieved when the photographer switched the way he had them arranged. Well, she was relieved, until he had Will sit with her on the bench, just behind her, so that his arms could go around her waist. Will had no problem with following these directions, although he did have some problems controlling a very strong urge to start layering light kisses on Elissa's neck and shoulders as they were so alluringly presented to him in this present position.

In the last picture he had them stand and face the other. then he said it, "Take her in your arms and look down into her eyes." The photographer could not have imagined the amount of heat and lack of restraint that was building between these two people. He did however make the assumption, which was not hard to make, that these two were centainly one of the most handsome couples he had photographed in a long time. His saying so made Will beam with contentment and Elissa blush profusely.

After they had finished with the pictures, Elissa turned to Will who was still gazing at her in the way that discomforted her so. "I think I'd better go back inside and see if Chel needs anything before the wedding starts. There isn't much time left."

Will was still holding onto her arm and without letting it go he replied, "No there isn't much time left. I guess you'd better go back to the house. I'll see you in a little while." He smiled at her as they approached the doorway and then stopped her before letting her go into the house. He didn't say anything to her, he just leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips and then on the forehead.

As he watched her walk away, they were both thinking about their last comments. There wasn't much time left...but they weren't talking just about the wedding. They both felt more meaning from those five words and knew that there wasn't much time left for them to spend together before they both went their separate ways, for a while at least. Will was deterimined to make it be as short a time as he possibly could and Elissa was trying to push being without him out of her mind as best as she could.

When the wedding started there was just enough late afternoon light to give everything a soft, rosy glow. Rich stood nervously at the end of the aisle as he watched the procession of his parents and then Chel's mother. He watched as Maria came down the aisle trailing petals of roses everywhere that Chelley would step. His anticipation for her made his pulse quicken.

Will was also having some trouble with anticipation. He watched as Elissa approached and even though he tried to concentrate on where he was and what was happening, he just couldn't. He couldn't help but imagine that she was his and she was walking toward him to join herself to him for the rest of their lives...how he longed for that day! He saw her look at him as she approached the last few steps to the altar.

She was smiling, but she too looked lost in her own thoughts and as if she were almost sad at the same time. He could imagine what she might be sad over as she stood here waiting to see her friends marry again. He wanted to give her what Robert could not give her. He wanted to take all of the sadness and pain away and replace it with all the joy he knew a life together could bring them.

Elissa was thinking about how different her life had turned out to be since she married. It was not what she thought it would be and that did make her a little sad, but she was also feeling anticipation at what the rest of her life might bring. She was anticipating what it would be like to live that life out with Will. She knew in her heart that he could make her happy, as little as she did know, she felt this with her whole being! She was sure she felt that way, but she was not certain how he felt. She hoped with all her heart that he felt the same way about her.

The next sight coming down the aisle was Chelley and her father. She looked absolutely radiant and was smiling so brightly that Richard felt almost blinded by the glow that surrounded her. She was smiling that way for him...she was this happy because of him. Richard looked like he was going to meet her halfway up the aisle, but Will's hand on his shoulder stayed him. He looked like a love-sick puppy but he didn't care. All he cared about was getting this wonderful, beautiful woman into his arms and away from the crowd.

The wedding was beautiful and as many of the vows were being recited, Will kept looking at Elissa almost willing her to hear him repeating them to her. She was not lost on the looks he was giving. He was sending her a message and she was definitely getting it!

After the wedding was over, it was on to the reception. They had set the reception up around the pool and patio area with some of the overflow spilling out onto the lawn and up on the verandah. The wedding party did the after wedding pictures and receiving line and soon it was time for the champagne to flow.

As champagne flowed freely, so did the speeches for the happy couple. Will made the obligatory best man speech and did so with eloquence. He also wished the happy couple many years of happiness and felicity with one another and said as a parting thought, "May you never run out of things to learn about each other and to learn together."

Elissa was not very comfortable speaking to a large crowd. It was no big deal to talk to a classroom full of kids, but adults were another thing altogether and then there was Will. He was sitting just down the table from her and seemed to be hanging on her every word. She gave her own good wishes for a happy and long life together and then added, "May you always find something to laugh about, especially after an arguement...just kidding, we all know there won't be any between you two, don't we?" Everyone laughed at this because Rich and Chel were famous for their little barbs at one another, especially when they were both convinced they were right. Elissa continued, "Seriously, always try to find a way to bring out the best in each other and encourage each other to try to learn new things everyday." After the other speeches and good wishes were doled out, dinner was served.

After the dinner was over and the bridal couple had danced their traditional first dance, it was the best man and maid of honor's turn. Elissa was nervous, not only to be dancing with Will, but also because they were dancing in front of all the other people there. The only company they had were Rich and Chelley who continued to dance. Chelley and Rich had danced to Love Wil Keep Us Alive by the Eagles and when Will and Elissa had their turn, Chelley didn't tell Elissa she had a surprise for her.

The day that Chelley and Elissa went to the spa, Elissa heard this song on the radio and it touched her so much with what she had been through and what she and Will might have together that it made her cry. Chelley knew that it had special meaning to Elissa and that this might remind her that Will was someone she could count on to be there.

When Elissa heard the first few bars of the song, she looked to Chel, who was watching she and Will and trying to gage Elissa's reaction to it. She hoped her friend would appreciate the thought. Elissa did appreciate it...she started to tear up at how good a friend she had in Chel, not to mention how the words made her feel for Will.

There for me
everytime I've been away.
Will you be there for me
thinking of me every day?

Are you my destiny?
Words I've never dared to say.
Will you be there for me?

Just think of you and me
We could never tell a lie
it's such a mystery
just to hear you say you're mine.

Draw you close to me
so close to me
just hold me.

And draw you close to me
so close to me
just hold me.

Cause you're just there for me
there for me
there for me.

Sung by Sarah Brightman with Josh Groban

Will and Elissa finished dancing as everyone else was joining in. They went back to their table and sat down. They were both very quiet, almost too quiet for people who needed to say so much and were running out of time to say it. Elissa would be leaving for Texas, day after tomorrow, so that only gave them a day and a half left.

Elissa and Will were both beginning to feel the minutes speed by them as if the hands on the clocks were moving in fast forward and robbing them of their time together. It was a situation in which they already felt desperation and despair, but they were in for more before the night was out.

After Will and Elissa had sat in silence for some time, Will's cousin Dennis came over to them and started up a conversation that neither of them were really in the mood to hear.

"Boy, you two make quite an eye catching pair out there on the dance floor cousin! People are talking about the two of you in some corners more than they are about Rich and Chel." Dennis teased.

"Thanks for the compliment Dennis, now isn't there somewhere you're needed?" Will was hinting and hoping Dennis would get it and move on.

"Well actually, I was hoping you could part with Elissa for a little bit, so I could dance with the other gorgeous woman here. What do you say Elissa?" Dennis held out his hand to her and gave her the trademark Fitzwilliam-hundred watt smile.

"Will...would you mind? I'll try not to be gone long." Elissa wasn't overly eager to dance with Dennis, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings and after all, it was just one dance.

"Well...no, I guess I don't mind...you can dance with who you want. I hope you won't be gone too long though, I think we need to talk." He stood up as she left the table to dance with Dennis. He had been obliging and polite, but right now he wanted to be where his cousin was and holding Elissa like Dennis.

He watched them as they moved on the dance floor to the music. Why did it have to be a slow and very romantic song? Doesn't he have his hands a little low on her back? What did he just whisper to her and why is she laughing and smiling at him like that? I don't think I like sharing Elissa with Dennis or anyone else...what are they talking about?

It wasn't that it was Dennis dancing with Elissa, for just one dance, it was that it was anyone at all besides William Darcy dancing with Elissa. He didn't want to admit it, but he was at this very moment bordering on being insanely jealous. Maybe it was because what they had felt so intense or because it was so new...he finally settled on what he really thought it was. It was that he felt so desperate to possess her, really and truly make her his and he knew his time was running out for being close to her and he didn't want to share her time tonight at all.

He had watched them for several minutes until he could stand it no more. He moved swiftly across the dance floor and in mere moments was pulling Dennis back away from Elissa. To say Elissa and Dennis looked shocked at William's actions would be an understatement. They both looked puzzled and bewildered at what could cause William to behave in such a rash way.

"William what is the matter with you? Why would you come over here and deliberately pull me away from Elissa?" Dennis just couldn't understand what had come over his cousin.

Will spoke in a tone that was low and warned of a fire burning just below the surface when he turned to face his cousin. "Dennis, I need to talk to Elissa right now and I think you need to find somewhere else to be." After speaking so to Dennis, Will turned back to Elissa. She was still standing there, her jaw still dropped similar to the way a fish looks,when he spoke to her.

"Elissa I need to talk to you right now! This won't wait any longer...please?" his words spoke of desperation, but he had a coldness to his voice that she remembered Janeen being on the receiving end of. That day Will had looked so angry and it had frightened her to think that he would turn that look and that voice in her direction. What on earth could make him act like this?

"Will, what is the matter with you? How can you talk to your cousin that way? I think you owe Dennis an apology as well as me!" She was beginning to get a little angry with the way he was suddenly treating them and with no good reason.

"Owe you both an apology? Ok fine, if that's what you want...I'm sorry Dennis, now will you please go away?" He nearly growled at him when he spoke.

Dennis knew when to let Will be and this was definitely one of those times. He spoke to Elissa as he turned to go, "Elissa, let me know if you need anything. Will...I...never mind."

Will had given Dennis the other look when he had told Elissa he would be there if she needed him. If she needed him, hmmph, like she would need him!

"What is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind? Will people are starting to stare at us! I can't believe you would do that...why would you do that?" She started toward the verandah where there were less people milling about. "I don't understand you at all."

"You seem to understand Dennis pretty well from what I saw." He said gruffly. He was being irrational, he knew it in his heart, but he was jealous and he couldn't help that. At least he felt helpless to it.

"What exactly do you mean by that? Never mind, I think I have a pretty good idea of what you mean by that and I don't like it! I don't deserve it either Will. You said you were all right with me dancing with Dennis and then you go crazy and act like he was all over me or something! Are you unbalanced or something because you know that doesn't make any sense at all, don't you?" She was on the verge of tears, but she was determined to let him know right then and there, how much what he had said had hurt her.

"Elissa...you're right, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me...I don't know what happened to me. I watched you dancing with him and all of a sudden I just couldn't stand to see him with his hands on you! I don't know what to say...I was very jealous and I lost my temper. Can you please forgive me?" Will was pacing back and forth and running his fingers through his hair as he spoke. He stopped pacing and took Elissa's hands in his.

"I care so much for you that I don't want to share you with anyone...not even for one single dance with Dennis. I know that may sound crazy, but I can't help it Elissa...I need to be with you so much...do you understand what I'm saying?" He wanted her to understand, but he was terrified that she wouldn't and that everything they had would be over. He didn't like the feeling of spinning out of control, but that was what was happening and it was threatening everything he had hoped for.

"Will if you cared for me so much, you would be able to trust me for a few minutes away from you! What you did back there was scary and irrational and not at all what I expected from you. I know you say you're sorry and you couldn't help it, but that is no excuse for what you said and did. I don't know what to say to you right now...I think I need some time alone to think things through. I'll see you in the morning...goodnight Will!" Elissa rushed the words out and then dashed up the steps and into the house before Will could do or say anything else. He sat down in one of the chairs for a few moments and ran his fingers over his eyes. She was right and he knew it had totally messed things up for them. Would she forgive him and want to be with him again? The thought that she might not want to, scared him worse than anything he had felt in a long time.

As Will sat there and tried to think of what he should do, Dennis came up to him. He knew that Will had cooled off and he needed to talk to him about what had happened. Will explained how sorry he was for what he had done and begged his cousin to forgive him.

"It seems to me that I'm not the one you should be begging for forgiveness. I think Elissa needs to see you on your knees and humbly asking for her to forgive." Dennis suggested.

"She doesn't want to talk to me, not after how I behaved. I just wish we had more time. She goes back home day after tomorrow and now I've screwed up the last few hours I could be spending with her. What am I going to do Dennis? I can't let her leave with things like this!" Will sighed and sat back in the chair.

"Then go make her talk to you...ask her nicely first though. If she says no, keep asking her nicely, but keep asking man! If she's as important to you as you seem to believe and your actions show, then don't give up on her until she sees that too. What are you waiting for? Go...go to her now!" Dennis could be very influential when he wanted to be.

Will was afraid to knock on her door because she might tell him to go away, so he decided on an alternate route to her room. When he walked around from his room to hers, he could hear music coming from inside the room and could see her moving around. He waited outside her doorway for several minutes trying to work up the courage to talk to her. As he waited, he listened to the music she had on. If ever a song spoke of how he felt and what they were going through, it was this one.

In every heart
there is a room
a sanctuary safe and strong

to heal the wounds
from lover's past
until a new one comes along.

I spoke to you in cautious tones
you answered me with no pretense
and still I feel I've said too much,
my silence is my self-defense

And every time I've held a rose
it seems I only felt the thorns.

And so it goes
and so it goes
and so will you soon I suppose.

Will knew in his heart that he needed her, more now than he had needed anything in his life. Would she talk to him now that he had spoken to her so? He had to find out...he wouldn't leave until he knew where things stood between them. He continued to listen and watch her as he worked up his courage.

But if my silence
made you leave
then that would be my
worst mistake

So I will share this room with you
and you can have this heart to break.

And this is why
my eyes are closed
it's just as well
for all I've seen.

And so it goes
and so it goes
and you're the only one who knows.

Elissa kept trying to find some way to explain the sudden and rash way Will had reacted, but she couldn't understand it. It was hard for her to make sense of anything, when all she could feel right now, was an overwhelming need and an impending sense of loss.

So I would choose
to be with you.
That's if the choice were mine
to make,
but you can make
decisions too
and you can have this heart to break.

And so it goes
and so it goes
and you're the only one who knows.

Song by Billy Joel

Elissa didn't know that Will was watching and listening as she stood in front of the dresser and looked into the mirror. She had taken off her shoes and put the music on to ease her mind, but the song did little to ease her mind or her pain at the thought of what had happened between them.

She stood there taking off her jewelry and taking the ribbons and flowers out of her hair. She listened to the words as tears started to run down her cheeks. She had tried hard not to cry because she knew if she started she probably wouldn't be able to stop. She put the last of the flowers down on the dresser and as the music stopped she looked back up.

At first Elissa thought she was seeing things, too distraught to have rational thoughts anymore. When she looked up she saw him. He didn't look the same as when she had left him, his jacket was gone and his shirt was untucked and undone at the collar. His hair looked windblown as well.

He was standing in the doorway and looking at her with that piercing gaze that made her insides feel like she would spontaneously combust. She thought that this was just her imagination, that he couldn't possibly be standing there.

She smiled a sad smile as she thought of what might have been and then started to shake as she saw him smile back at her the same sad smile and move to step into the room.

"Are you real or am I dreaming again?" She said barely above a whisper. She was afraid that he was just a vision and he would vanish at any time.

"You're not dreaming now and you weren't dreaming then either Lissa." He stepped toward her very slowly.

"Lissa? So... it wasn't a dream..." she stammered.

"No, my lady it wasn't." He seductively replied.

"And you would want me?" She asked with her voice choked with fear and emotion. As she spoke he put his hands on her bare shoulders, which sent shivers down her spine.

"All the time." He answered back in a low and shaking voice that spoke of his need for her.

"Oh Will, I... don't know what to say...I.." her voice trailed off into a whisper.

"Tell me you want me to stay. I'll go if you don't, but please Lissa....tell me you want me to stay." He was begging and she knew it and it hurt her and thrilled her at the same time to know how much he needed her.

She turned around to face him. He still had his hands on her shoulders and the heat coming from them was searing into her flesh. She looked him right in the eye and she said the words he so desperately needed to hear her say.

"All the time." She said and then she smiled up at him.

He smiled back at her and thought he would drown in her eyes because they were so full of her need for him. He knew that right now they needed to be together. It was this desparation that had made him so crazy earlier and so needy of her affection now.

As she stood there gazing up at him, he started to undo the pins from her hair. Once her hair was hanging loose, he ran his hands through it and couldn't believe how beautiful she was. She wanted him here and she wanted to be with him.

He kissed her tenderly at first and then with increasing ardor. He was like a man who had wandered the desert for far too long in search of water. He had found his oasis in the desert that was his life and he would drink from it until he was no longer parched.

Elissa was unused to this kind of passionate affection and it took her breath away. She felt dizzy and unable to gather her thoughts, but she didn't care. Tonight would be about the two of them and their connection with each other. He was her life line, as she had been so desperately treading water, cast out into the ocean alone. He would give her something to cling to against the uncertainty of tomorrow.

They shared a night together like no other night for either of them. They were wrapped in each other arms as the sun came up the next day. The bed they shared was still sheltering them from the outside world.

"What now?" Elissa asked as she wove her fingers through his.

"Whatever we want." He answered as he kissed the top of her head.

"I know what I want, but I don't know if you're ready for me and the boys and as you know, we're a package deal." She sighed as she looked up at him trying to read his thoughts.

"Well it sounds like I'm getting a great deal then and I should now a great deal when I see one. You did know that I am a millionaire-business tycoon, isn't that what you called me?" He was serious one minute and teasing her the next.

"Oh and here I thought you were a shoe salesman-in-training! Seriously Will, Are you sure? Really sure? I don't think I can go back to what I was before you, not now."

He rolled over so that he could look her in the eye, "I'm going to see to it that you don't have to." He kissed her and took her mind completely off of what they were discussing.

Chapter 14

Posted On: Thursday, 5 September 2002, at 11:02 p.m.

After sharing a time of quiet and loving reflection over the previous nights events, Elissa parted from the man beside her to get ready for the day ahead.

Will reluctantly let her go. He knew he needed her in his arms from the ache that started the moment she left. He also knew that they couldn't go through the day attached at the hip. He rose after she did and slipped back around to his room to shower and change. When he had made himself presentable, he returned to her room in the hopes that she was not yet.

Elissa stood at the vanity in the bathroom brushing her hair. She was just about to put it into a pony tail when Will made his presence known.

"Don't...leave it down. I think your hair is one of the most beautiful things about you." he said as he moved behind her to run his fingers through it one more time.

"Will, if you don't let me finish, we'll never get out of the room." She giggled as he reached down and put his arm around her waist, pulled one side of her hair back and buried his face into her neck.

"Never leave the bedroom? I could handle that idea...but I guess you're right though. I should let you finish...did you mean your hair or what I've started because..." here she managed to cut his speech and his thought short.

Elissa turned quickly on her toes and planted a very heavy kiss on Mr. William Darcy, who wasn't sure, but thought he could feel his toes curl up. When she finally pulled away, she said, "If you let me get down to breakfast, there could be more where that came from...hmmmm?"

"Yes, you do need to keep up your strength. Hurry up Lissa, I'm a very hungry man." He said as he held the door for her.

"William Darcy, you are an incorrigible man when you want to be, aren't you?" She grinned and shook her head at him as she walked by.

"Me? I'm quite harmless...I assure you." He said as he took her by the hand.

"Mmmhmmm..." she replied. "Let's go...I'm starving!"

As William and Elissa were headed down the stairs to the dining room, there was a great commotion in the entryway of the house. They went to find out what was going on. When Will rounded the corner of the stairs, he saw her first. A large smile spread across his face and he rushed to her and put his arms around her.

Elissa couldn't do anything but stop and stare. She wondered who this woman was that had taken Will's attention from her. She obviously had his affections as well.

After a few moments of welcome by Will and the Fitzwilliams, Will remembered that Elissa was still waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. He took the woman by the arm and led her over to Elissa. She noticed that the woman was quite young, maybe the same age as her sister Mary or possibly younger. When Will brought her over, the woman seemed nervous, almost reluctant to make her acquaintance.

"Elissa, this is a person I have really wanted you to meet. This is my sister, Georgiana. I was hoping to introduce the two of you, but I had no idea it would be this soon." Will still had his arm dangling over Georgie's shoulder in a most protective manner. Elissa smiled as he was explaining who the young woman was. She noticed that Georgie seemed very shy when Will was making the introduction.

"Georgiana, this is Ms. Elissa Bennet. She is Chel's best friend and a very good friend of mine." Will looked longingly at Elissa as he introduced them.

"I'm very pleased to meet you Ms. Bennet. If you are a good friend to Chel and Will, I hope that we too will soon be friends." Georgie spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, but seemed very sincere in her greeting.

"I am very happy to meet you Miss Darcy. Your brother has spoken of you since we met and I was very anxious to meet you. I hope that we can become friends too. I would like that very much." Elissa tried to put the girl at ease and in the process found she was giving comfort to Will who looked very relieved at the way they were getting along.

"Georgie, have you had breakfast yet? We...that is, I was just coming down for breakfast when you arrived." Will sounded nervous and looked at Elissa quickly to see if she was angry or surprised by his change in words.

Elissa wasn't angry or surprised. She felt his anxiety for him. She knew it would be difficult for him to explain himself to his sister. Georgie, on the other hand, was a shy girl, but not dense. She knew that something had happened in Will's life and was certain that it had something to do with Elissa. She knew she would have to try to find out what happened as soon as she could.

"No actually, I haven't. I was telling Rich and Chelley that I would have been here last night, but the weather was bad and my flight got diverted. I have spent most of my time in the airport and haven't had much in the way of what the airlines call food." She said with a laugh, but it wasn't a relaxed laugh, it was a nervous one. She looked to Will to see him giving her a look that spoke of his disapproval.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to come? I would have made arrangements for you. You know that you could have taken the jet." Even though Will's words spoke of concern, everyone could tell he was not happy at the thought of his little sister stuck in an airport by herself. They had all seated themselves at the table when Georgie started trying to explain.

"I wasn't sure I was going to get to come Will. I didn't know until the last minute and by then I thought it might be faster to just fly commercial. I'm sorry if I have made you upset with me..." her voice cracked with emotion as she looked down at her plate.

Will reached out and took her hand. "I'm sorry sweetheart, I just worry about you that's all. I don't like the thought of you by yourself. We'll talk about it later, now eat your breakfast."

Georgie was very quiet and withdrawn for the rest of breakfast. Elissa thought that maybe she didn't take Will's admonitions well. She seemed to be worried that she had disappointed him. Will was also quiet and Elissa couldn't tell if it was because of his being upset with his sister or if it was something else...maybe it was what had happened between them. Could he be having second thoughts? Don't be silly Essa! He's not like that...he can't be.

Will was worried about Georgie, but he was also wondering how to tell her about Elissa. He knew that he would have to explain spending so much time with her, but he didn't know how and now there seemed to be more friction between them.

Rich and Chelley hadn't left for their honeymoon getaway yet and were watching the goings on with concern and interest. They were concerned about Georgie and interested to know what had happened between Will and Elissa.

"Georgie, why don't I show you to your room? You can rest for a little while." Chelley asked as she stood up from the table and walked over to Georgie's side.

"Thank you Chelley, I am rather tired. I think it might do me some good to rest for a little while." She turned to Elissa as she stood up, "Elissa it was very nice meeting you. I hope we can talk later, if that would be all right with you?" Goeorgie looked nervous as she waited for Elissa's answer.

"I would like that very much Georgiana. Just come by my room when you've had your rest." Elissa smiled at her and Georgie seemed very relieved.

"Will I see you later William?" she asked in a shaky voice as she turned to look at her brother.

"Would you mind if I come up to check on you in just a few minutes? There's something I need to do first, but I do need to talk to you." Will hoped he wasn't worrying her too much, but he had to know she would be comfortable with he and Elissa being together. He also wanted to know if she truly was all right. It wasn't like Georgie to just show up somewhere.

"Richard, can I go over that matter I was discussing with you yesterday? Will asked as he stood up from the table.

"Certainly Will, I'll go get the information you wanted and meet you in the study." Richard left to get the information that Will wanted and that just left Will and Elissa in the dining room.

Will walked to the window, let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. He turned to look at Elissa who was obviously waiting for him to say something because she had her eyebrows arched in her usual questioning manner.

"This has happened sooner than I had imagined." he said.

"What has happened sooner than you imagined?" she asked.

"You...us...now Georgie. I have to tell her something about us and I'm just not sure how to broach the subject with her." Will explained.

"Will, you're a grown man, surely she knows that you have had and will have relationships with women. Why are you so afraid to tell her you have one with me? Do you think she won't approve of me or something?" Elissa was trying not to be worried herself, but this was still a very new situation for her and one in which she was not very comfortable.

"Correction there, Elissa, you should have said 'and will have a relationship with this woman.' I don't intend on having anymore with anyone else. I don't mean to make you worry or upset you, it's just that Georgie has been through so much in the last two years. She's eighteen but in so many ways she is still such a little girl and can be very vulnerable. There are things that I didn't tell you, about what she went through. I don't want to speak of them now, but I will tell you soon so you will understand why Georgie has her own wall of isolation. Her's is much more fragile than mine and I can't take the chance of anything hurting her. Do you understand that?" Will was walking a fine line between explaining to the extent that was comfortable for him and not trying to shut Elissa out of his life.

"Yes, I do understand that you don't want anything to hurt her. I hope that you won't take offense at the fact that I think maybe you're trying too hard to protect her. It can be smothering to feel that 'protected' when you find that you're ready to put your past behind you." She hoped that she hadn't said something to make him angry with her.

In the past Will might have been offended, but he wasn't now because he knew where Elissa was coming from. "I understand that and I'm trying not to make her feel that way. It has just been so hard to let her go out and make her own mistakes. I find myself wanting to smooth the way for her so that her path is somewhat easier. I guess it does seem like I am trying to plan her life for her. I'll keep what you said in mind though." He walked around to Elissa's chair and knelt beside her.

"I hope you'll be waiting for me later after I've talked to Rich and had a chance to check on Georgie. Will you wait for me? I want us to spend as much time together as we can before...well before you..." He couldn't finish what he was saying because his words were becoming heavy with emotion.

"I will wait for you. I want to spend as much time with you too before I...leave." It pained her to say the words as well, but she knew they had to be said. "I have to go home, you know that don't you? I wish I could stay with you, but the boys need me too. Ohhh, how I want you to meet them and soon! I wish you could come with me, but I know that you are very busy and have to get back to your company soon." She ran her hands around his neck and put her forehead to his. "Why do we have to be so far apart?"

"I promise it won't be for long...I'll come to you as soon as I can or maybe you and the boys can come to me...we'll work it out. I'd better go see Rich since he's waiting on me. I'll see you later." he said with determination as he leaned in to kiss her. He had trouble breaking away from her. He finally looked up into her eyes and with sheer will power, managed to pull himself from her. She smiled at him and his heart melted.

"I'm going upstairs to call my parents and check on the boys, but then I'll be waiting for you. Don't be too long." she said with a knowing look as he kissed her hand and then let it go.

"Not any longer than I possibly have to be...I...I..." He looked as if he were struggling with what he wanted to say. "I'll see you in a little while." He said quickly and made a fast exit from the room.

Elissa left the dining room and went upstairs to make her call. It took her three tries before she finally got through and when she did, it sounded like major changes were going on at home too.

Elissa's mother had one brother and one sister. Fred and Maddy Gardener lived in New Orleans. They were Elissa's favorites and she loved them very much. Her Uncle Fred was her mother's brother and was a man who was warm and sensible. He could hold a conversation with Elissa on anything from sports to politics, much like her father. Her Aunt Maddy was so far different from her mother that Elissa would often seek her advice on many things. They had three children of their own who were very sweet and fond of their Bennet cousins.

Her other aunt and uncle were not her favorites. They lived just a short trip away in Pasadena. Too close for Elissa's comfort, but not far away to not have to deal with them on a regular basis. Evenlyn and Walter Phillips were those relatives that everyone has and everyone hates. Uncle Walter was a two-bit attorney who never amounted to much, but that's not what Aunt Evy would let everyone think. She always tried to make it seem that they were well to do and it drove everyone in the family crazy with the way she would carry on. It didn't seem to bother her two girls though. Kitty and Lydia were two of the most loud, obnoxious teenagers Elissa had ever thought to lay eyes on. Well, Kitty wasn't so bad when Lydia wasn't around, but that wasn't often. She was always around and usually into trouble. Lydia was very like her mother in her opinion that they should have been more well off than anyone else they knew. She was a selfish and shrewish creature when she didn't get her way. Elissa and everyone else thought she got her way too much of the time, but nobody could talk any sense to Aunt Evy and Uncle Walter. Aunt Evy was usually too busy or too blind to notice and Uncle Walter didn't care as long as she didn't bother him. He was totally indifferent to everyone else's opinions on how he was raising his daughters.

When Elissa finally got to talk to her father, he told her that Kitty and Lydia had come to stay with them for a few weeks while Aunt Evy and Uncle Walter went on a missionary trip with their church group.

"Missionary trip? You have got to be kidding me dad! Since when did Aunt Evy become interested in preaching the gospel and promoting the church?" Elissa was shocked that they would take on such a task. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was not a good idea for their two girls to be staying with her parents. With her dad working and her mom oblivious to other things with all of her social commitments to the Junior League.

Elissa knew that there would not be a lot of close supervision going on of her two cousins. These two didn't need supervision, they needed to be locked in their rooms if you asked her, especially Lydia.

"Since she found out that the church group would be allowed a travel allowance and might stop in one of the resort areas on the way back. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will turn out fine. How much trouble could they be since they will only be with us a few weeks?" Her father was trying to reassure her without luck.

"More than I'm sure we can even imagine, just be careful about them ok Dad? I know Kitty is not so bad, but Lydia! Dad she is positively wild!" She was trying to make him see that Lydia would need some tight reins so that she couldn't get far enough away to cause trouble.

"Elissa is there anything else bothering you? You sound a little stressed. Surely Lydia and Kitty's being here is not that upsetting to you." He was concerned that there was something she wasn't telling him.

"Oh nothing that's bothering me...I did have some news though." She paused for a moment to take a deep breath before telling him. "I've met someone while I've been out here Dad." Elissa waited anxiously to see what her father would say.

"You've met someone?" he asked.

"Yes, I have met someone. He is Richard's cousin and he is very nice. I like him a lot and I hope that he can come for a visit soon to meet the boys and the rest of the family." As she explained, she hoped that he would understand how serious she was.

"That does sound serious. Are you sure about this Elissa? I know how much you've been through and would hate to see you so hurt again." Her father had been terribly worried about her after Robert's death.

"It could be serious Dad, but it is very soon to say that for certain. I like Will very much and I think he feels the same about me, at least I hope he does. I don't want to get hurt again either, but I can't hide away for the rest of my life. He knows about the boys and seems anxious to get to know them. I'll tell you more about him when I get back. Can you ask Mary to pick me up from the airport? I'll call and let you know my time and everything tomorrow." She wanted to put off discussing anything else until she got home.

"Yes, of course I'll tell her. I look forward to hearing more about your Will." Her dad had a way of using words to tease his favorite daughter.

"He's not my Will dad...not yet anyway." Elissa laughed.

They talked about the rest of the family and he assured her that the boys would be very spoiled when she got back. After talking to them and sharing all they had been up to, she let them know she would be home soon, gave them her love and said goodbye.

Meanwhile across the hall, Georgie put her things away and kicked off her shoes to lie down. A soft knock on the door let her know that it was time to have that talk with her brother.

"Come in." she said with anxiety evident in her voice.

Will opened the door and smiled as he saw his kid sister with her sock feet curled up underneath her on the bed. He walked in and sat down on the end of the bed.

"Did you get everything unpacked?" He knew he was stalling, but he couldn't help it.

"Yes...I did. What did you want to talk to me about? Is it about my flying out here without telling you because..." Will cut her off before she got herself upset thinking he was mad at her.

"No, Georgie, although I wish you had told me. I would've felt better at least knowing that you were traveling. I know you didn't mean to worry anyone and I am very glad your here. I wanted to talk to you about Elissa." Will stood up and paced in front of the bed.

"Elissa? What do you need to tell me about her? I can see that you like her very much and she seems to like you too from the way she looks at you so much. What's there to tell?" Georgie hoped that whatever it was, it was good news. Her brother needed some good news in his personal life.

"She and I...we are.." Will didn't know exactly what they were to be totally honest. He knew what he wanted her to be, but he wasn't ready to voice that to anyone let alone his little sister.

"I'm not sure what we are right now Georgie, but I would like to get to know her better. I really enjoy being with her and talking to her. She is a very kind and caring person and I have enjoyed being in her company." He didn't realize it, but he was turning his signet ring on his pinky so much that the finger was turning white.

Georgie noticed it though and it made her wonder if she should be worried or amused by his behavior. "Will, is there some reason I should be worried about you and Elissa? Is there something I need to know about her that you're afraid to tell me?"

"Georgie, Elissa is a widow. Her husband died about two years ago in a car accident. It was a very hard time for her. She also has two sons and I hope to meet them very soon." He walked back over and sat down on the bed again to see how she was taking this news.

"Can you tell me more about her? Where is she from? What does she do? Tell me more about her Will...you really like her don't you?" Georgie sounded like she was about to burst and the smile on her face told Will that he had nothing to worry about. He knew she would not be unsupportive of his choice.

"Wow...hold on a minute...one question at a time Georgie! Will was grinning from ear to ear. "She is from Texas and she teaches in an elementary school and yes, I like her very much. I hope you'll like her too."

"If she can win your good opinion, then I like her already! I trust your judgment Will and I hope things work out for you." Georgie leaned over and gave her brother a hug. She knew he felt relieved because he looked happier than she had ever seen him.

"I hope so too Georgie, I hope so too. Well, I'll get out of here and let you get some rest. I'll see you later." Georgie nodded at Will as he headed out the door. He knew where he was headed and he was in a hurry to get there.

After talking to her dad and kids, Elissa felt like getting some fresh air. She knew she couldn't go for a walk on the beach yet, because she told Will she would wait for him. She went out on the balcony for her fresh air instead. Elissa didn't have to wait long for Will because within minutes he was walking up behind her, trying not to let her know he was there.

He snuck up on her and grabbed her around the waist and swung her around. She shrieked and then started to laugh as she realized who it was that had grabbed her.

"Will, you scared me! I should be very angry with you for almost giving me a heart attack, but somehow I can't find it in my heart to be angry with you right now." She said as she put her arms around him.

He looked down at her with so much tenderness as he gently lifted her chin to enable him to reach the lips that he longed to kiss. As he kissed her and then brushed his lips against hers, he made a suggestion.

"But if we were to fight again, we could make up again, couldn't we?" He said as he wagged his eyebrows at her and smiled the most devilishly handsome smile she thought she had ever seen.

"I could pretend to be mad at you...I suppose." Elissa said as she started to giggle. She broke free from Will and ran toward the door. He, never being one to turn down a challenge, ran after her smiling all the way.