Jump to new as of January 26, 2002

Prologue

Lizzy pensively looked at the engagement ring on her finger that Darcy had given her over a month ago. She rolled it around her ring finger a couple of time before she took it off to take a closer look, flicking it up and down. As much as she loved Darcy, she didn't know if he was the one for her. She cared for him and he obviously cared for her too, but for some reason it didn't seem right for her to marry him. She was only a junior in college and she felt that there was more to see in the world as a single woman before she got married and settled down. Sooner or later, she would have to break off the engagement before it was too late.

Chapter 1

"Hey Will," Lizzy said as she opened the door and headed for the bathroom. "I'll be done in a couple of minutes. Just give me a sec. Make yourself at home."

Within a few minutes, Lizzy and Darcy were on their way to the restaurant that Darcy had reservations for. Both were unusually quiet, save for a few minutes of conversation, but neither questioned the other. They both had things on their mind. Once at the restaurant, Darcy climbed out of his BMW and helped Lizzy our of the car. Tonight was going to be a long night.

Lizzy and Darcy were shown to their own private table on the upper floor overlooking the deck and were left to themselves. Dinner was ordered and the two talked as if nothing was going on, just like it was another date between the two. Dessert was finally ordered once they were done eating their food. An awkward silence filled the air as Darcy looked at Lizzy who was watching the snow fall while she gazed out towards the light coming from the garden. The light from the garden and the candles lit up Lizzy's face, giving it a warm color and causing her eyes to dance with the life that they were filled with. The way the light and shadows fell across her face made his heart stop and his breathing heavy. He didn't want to do what he had to do.

"Liz, we need to talk. I . . . um," Darcy breathed in heavily causing Lizzy to give him a quizzical look. "Look, I don't know how to say this and it's very hard right now, so please be patient. Um, I've been thinking hard for the past few days, and I, well, I think that maybe we should put the wedding off for now."

A shocked Lizzy stared at Darcy while her mouth hung open slightly. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Here she was being nervous about telling Darcy that maybe they shouldn't marry when he was feeling the exact same way.

"I know we've only been engaged a month, but I feel that if we follow through with this, we'd both be making the biggest mistake of our lives. I love you, I truly do and I would be more than willing to do anything in the world for you, but it doesn't seem right. I don't think you're the one for me, at least the one I can't and don't see myself spending the rest of my life with.

Silenced filled the air as the words registered into Lizzy's head before the silence ended with Darcy's voice.

"Please say some thing," Darcy pleaded. "I know it's all of a sudden, but . . .please don't be mad at me."

"Will, I'm not mad at you," Lizzy said as she reached across the table to touch his hands. "As a matter of fact I've been having second thoughts as well."

"Are you serious? You too?"

Lizzy nodded. "I've also been thinking and I myself just don't see myself by your side for the rest of my life. And not only that, but I'm only 20. I know we agreed that we would wait until I was out of college before we got married, but I'm not ready to be tied down just yet. I want to travel and see the world as a single woman. I'm not ready to settle down yet. Honestly, I feel that I would be making a big mistake if we did get married. It's weird because I love you too so much, but I don't think we were meant to be married too."

"I know what you mean," Darcy sighed in relief. "But I'm glad that we both thought and felt the same thing. Makes things a little better on the both of us."

"Bet I had you all scared and everything, like I might punch the daylights out of you, huh?" Lizzy's playful side started to come back.

Darcy smiled back at her and nodded as he started to chuckle a bit. His chuckle grew into a hearty laugh as Lizzy joined in with him.

"Will, let me ask you this one question? Why did you ask in the first place?" Lizzy asked once their laughing died and they both became serious again.

"I thought that it was the right thing to do at the moment. I thought that you were the one for me, but . . . yeah. Why did you accept?" Darcy questioned back at her.

"I was excited and caught up in the moment that saying no never crossed my mind. I guess you can say I had been waiting for this moment to happen somewhere down the way, that when it happened, I got too excited and couldn't believe what was happening."

Darcy and Lizzy looked at each other and faintly smiled at each other. Their dessert arrived and the two ate in silence for the first five minutes. It felt so weird that they had just broken off their engagement mutually and without a fight. The silence was awkward, so Lizzy decided to break the ice.

"I hope this doesn't ruin our friendship. You've always been a great friend to me, well, once we started getting along," Lizzy joked a little before returning to serious mode again. "I would hate to lose your friendship. You've done so much for me."

"Believe me when I say that I will always be your friend. I can't promise that things will be the same because I know that they won't. But that doesn't mean we can't be the best of friends. You're a part of my life and I would hate to lose your friendship too. Promise me you'll always be my friend."

"I promise, but only if you promise that you'll always be there for me."

"I promise," Darcy said with a twinkle his brown eyes.

The two finished their dessert and immediately left the restaurant. Feeling kind of awkward and seeing that it was getting late, both Darcy and Lizzy agreed that it was time to go home. Darcy drove back to Lizzy's apartment complex and parked the car.

"Well, here we are," Darcy whispered.

"Yeah. I probably should get going. I have to study like crazy tomorrow, especially with finals coming up."

"No kidding," Darcy said as he opened his door and headed towards the other side of the car so he could open the door for Lizzy. "Goodnight and sweet dreams. Good luck with your studying."

"Seriously. I'll need it. And thanks. Even though things didn't turn out like they should have, I still had a good time. Thanks for everything, Will. Here, I won't be needing this anymore. I'm sorry things had to turn out this way," Lizzy smiled weakly as she handed him back the engagement ring.

"Me too," he said as he took the ring back and examined it.

The two looked at each other for a short moment. Lizzy slowly stepped forward as she kept her eyes on Darcy's while his hand reached out to grab a hold of her waist before wrapping both arms around her body. In return, Lizzy cupped Darcy's face and ever-so-lightly placed a small but not short kiss on his lips before letting go and turning around to head up to her apartment. As she walked up the stairs and entered the building, a single tear fell down her cheek. Not wanting him to see, Lizzy didn't even bother to turn around as Darcy leaned his back against his car and watched.

The snow was falling a little harder and faster now than it was earlier. Flakes were all over Darcy, but he didn't care and he most certainly didn't mind the cold. He just stood their not believing what had just happened. A cold breeze swept past him and brought him back to reality. Two seconds passed by before he pushed himself off his car and headed back to his seat. As he was circling around his car, he didn't notice Lizzy watching him from her window with tears in her eyes. That night neither one slept peacefully though both their hearts and minds were now free.

Chapter 2

Graduation was just around the corner. That meant that once the ceremony was over, Darcy would be on his way back to England in a couple of days to take over the family business: some of the biggest and most famous wineries in England. It also meant that Lizzy would also be on her way back home right after the ceremony. During the ceremony, Lizzy sat with Darcy's aunt and uncle and their son Richard, Mrs. Reynolds, his sister Georgiana, Jane, and Charles. All of them were glad to see her again. They themselves were disappointed that she wouldn't be a new addition to the family. Charles was discontented when he heard that his future sister-in-law wouldn't be marrying his best friend.

Once the ceremony ended, the whole Darcy horde including Jane and Lizzy approached Darcy and congratulated him for graduating and being the top of his class in international business.

"So when do you leave?" Lizzy asked when the two finally got a chance to break away from everyone else and talk. She already knew the answer, but she asked anyway.

"In a couple days. I still need to pack and stuff. You leave tonight, don't you? What time?" questioned Darcy.

"My flight leaves at 8:15. I still have a few last minute packing to do."

"Is your sister going with you?" Darcy asked as he glanced over Lizzy's shoulder to look at Jane.

"No," Lizzy replied. "She's going to be with Charles for a couple more days before she flies back home. I'm going home by myself."

"Hey, promise me you'll stop by and say good-bye to me before you leave."

"I'll be there," Lizzy said before giving Darcy a big hug and a small peck on his cheek.

Chapter 3

On her way to the airport, Lizzy stopped by Darcy's apartment as promised. Though she wanted to stay and talk, she only had enough time to have a very short conversation and say good-bye.

"Well, I best be going," Lizzy said.

"Yeah, I don't want you to be late and miss your plane. Hey, if you're ever in England, just give me ring. Here's my number," Darcy said as he wrote his new cell phone number down on a piece of torn paper.

"Thanks. And thanks for everything. I mean it. [Pause] I'm really going to miss you, Will. It just won't be the same here on campus."

"I know, but you'll manage. I know you will. You're a strong girl. And don't let some bastard go breaking your heart, all right? Promise?"

"Promise. And the same goes for you too, but in your case, a woman," joked Lizzy.

"Guy, I'm going to miss you," Darcy said as he reached out and gave Lizzy a monstrous bear hug. "You take care now. Have a safe trip and don't get into any trouble."

"I'll miss you too," Lizzy hugged back. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Make sure to keep in touch with me. I'll e-mail you. Take cares, okay? Love you."

"Love you too."

Darcy escorted Lizzy to the door and waved at Jane who was waiting in the car with Charles. He gave her hand one last squeeze before she headed back to the car. Lizzy was almost at the car when she remembered something. She turned around and headed back to Darcy and handed him an envelope.

"Here, I forgot this. It's for you," she barely managed to say as she gave him one last peck on the cheek and handed him the envelope.

Once Lizzy was out of sight, Darcy went back inside his apartment to finish packing, but not after he read the letter first. He took a sip of his soda and found some space on the floor. He looked at the letter before ripping it open and taking it's contents out. Inside was a letter written by Lizzy that was dated that very same day.

Dear William,

Sheesh, haven't called you that in a long time. But that's besides the point. As I write this letter, I write in all honesty. Though our paths are now going their own separate ways, I would like to wish you the best of luck in all you do. You have worked so hard to be where you are right now. I have no doubt that you're family business will prosper. My thoughts and prayers are with you. In all this, I would like to thank you for being a source of inspiration to me. You always were there for me and you were always encouraging and pushing me to be the best I could. And for that I thank you.

But what I thank you the most for is the good and fun times that we shared when we were friends, especially when at one point we were more than friends. I'm so sorry that things didn't work out for us, but I'm glad that we have managed to at least remain friends. Believe me when I say that there have been times when I've wished things turned out differently, but I know what happened, happened for the best for both of us. I still love you and I don't think that I will ever stop loving you. You will always have a special place in my heart, no matter what and no matter who I love. We've been through so much, how can you not have a place in my heart? My only hope is that somewhere in your heart, you have a place for me, even though it may be the smallest and tiniest place in the world.

I do not want to say this, but I must say it now and let you know how I feel. As we are going to go our separate ways and will move on with our lives, I just want you to know that though we may be with other people, I will never look at another sunset the same. I will always think of you . . . and the day that you proposed to me on the beach while we watched the sunset together. Some things will never be the same. But I will always love you no matter what.

Love always and forever,

Elizabeth

Time, sometimes the time just slips away
And your left with yesterday
Left with the memories
I, I'll always think of you and smile
And be happy for the time
I had you with me
Though we go our separate ways
I won't forget so don't forget
The memories we made

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
While we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me

Good-bye, there's just no sadder word to say
And it's sad to walk away
With just the memories
Who's to know what might have been
We'll leave behind a life and time
I'll never know again

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
And remember, please remember me

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
While we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me

And how we laugh and how we smile
And how this heart was yours and mine
And how a dream was out of reach
I stood by you, you stood by me
We took each day and made it shine
We wrote our names across the sky
We ride so fast, we ride so free
And I knew that you had me

Please remember, Please remember

* Please Remember, LeAnn Rimes (Coyote Ugly Soundtrack)

Chapter 4

Lizzy stood up from her seat and made her way to the back of the line that was about to go through security. For some reason she decided that she wait until the last minute before she went through the security line which wasn't even that long. She guessed it was because she didn't want to board when everyone else was because it was too crowded and confusing. But deep inside she knew it was another reason.

"What am I thinking? Whatever gave me the idea that Will would follow me to the airport? I'm such an idiot!" Lizzy scolded herself. What was worse was why she was acting that way. She loved him, yes, but not in the sense of lovers. So why then had the breakup been more painful than she thought it would have been? Lizzy shook it out of her head. No, it was better this way. She could live her life and him, his life. And besides, she knew that he wasn't the man for her.

Lizzy stared down the line of passengers going through security. She was about to hand over her ticket when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She turned and surprisingly saw Darcy running towards her.

"Elizabeth! Wait!" Darcy shouted frantically over the hustle and bustle of people.

Without hesitating, Lizzy dropped her carry on bag and ran towards Darcy who was running towards her as well. As soon as he reached her, he flung his arms around her and held on tightly to her while she cupped his face once more and kissed him with all the passion that she had in her. Tears streamed down her face as they kissed. Their lips parted but their foreheads remained touching. Darcy reached up to wipe away her tears as a single tear rolled off his chiseled cheekbone.

"I love you," he whispered softly in her ear.

"I love you too," Lizzy choked back.

Nothing more was said between the two. As the two separated, Darcy kept a firm grip on Lizzy's hand and held it as long as he could, reluctantly letting it slip through his grasp. Darcy watched Lizzy who went back to pick up her carry on. She showed the security guard her ticket, took one last look at Darcy and proceeded up the escalator to the metal detectors. Her eyes danced as they swam around in her tears. She didn't know when she was going to see him again. It could be years before she saw him again.

On the plane, she took her seat by the window and stared out the window. A woman who was in her 40's sat down by her and smiled.

"That was really romantic of your boyfriend to come down to the airport to see you. He really loves you," the lady said.

"Thanks, but he's not my boyfriend. He used to be . . . he used to be my fiancé," Lizzy said as she wiped her eyes dry.

"What? What happened?"

"We broke it off. We weren't meant to be together. We were only meant to be good friends, best friends at that. Nothing more."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know," the lady apologized.

As the plane was rolling down the runway, Darcy was just getting out of his car in a nearby field when the plane started to lift off the ground. He watched the plane as if flew off in the distance. In just a couple of days he would be on a plane himself back to his home country where his parents were born and raised. When he would see Lizzy again, he did not know. In his mind and heart, he wished her the best of luck in life and in love.

Lizzy watched out the window as the plane lifted off the ground. Another single tear streamed down her cheek. She didn't understand why she felt so sad. It couldn't be because she wasn't going to marry Darcy anymore. No, it had to be because they were going their separate ways and it would be a long time before they got to see each other again. As she sat in her seat, memories of the day he proposed to her came flooding through her mind. It was the most romantic day of her life.

He had taken her out on a romantic dinner after they had spent the whole day together doing outdoor activities like kayaking on the river. After dinner, they took a walk along the beach during sunset to watch the sun set, and right as the sun disappeared, he got down on one knee and proposed. The sunset was beautiful and amazing, but the proposal was just as beautiful and amazing. As the water flowed towards the shore, Darcy had gotten down on one knee in the water and spilled the most beautiful proposal ever heard to her ears. Now it was all just a memory, not an event to come true.

Chapter 5

Five years passed. Lizzy had graduated from her class at the very top with double major in journalism and photography. She was able to find a job as a photographer and journalist for Travel and Leisure magazine. Occasionally she would do small articles for other magazines. And sometimes, her various pictures would also be seen in other magazines and even in the Chicago Times. Life was treating her good as she was able to find an apartment on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, her new home.

Halfway around the world, Darcy was busy running and overseeing the family business, making sure that the wineries were functioning properly, the vineyards were thriving, and customers were happy with the wines they were buying. He had three vineyards running in Sussex, Kent, and in the Thames Valley. In addition to the three vineyards, he had a flat in London and of course, the family house of Pemberley in Derbyshire which had been in his family lineage for generations. And it was there, in Pemberley, that he grew up as a little boy before moving to London. When his parents died, he and his sister were sent to live with their mother's sister family who lived in the United States. Now he was back in his home country. He had lost most of his accent when he lived in the U.S., but now that he was back in England, his accent was becoming thick once again.

Though she had a busy schedule writing articles, traveling the world, and taking pictures, Lizzy somehow managed to keep in touch with Darcy through e-mail alone since they were both busy people. Very rarely would they talk on the phone, but they remained faithful to answering their e-mail even though it could take weeks before a response was sent. It had been about a little more than a year and half since the two had last talked to each other over the phone. And it had been five years since they had last seen each other.

Lizzy had just gotten to work one day and was making her way to her office when she overheard her boss and someone having a conversation that caught her attention as soon as she heard the name William Darcy.

"I've been trying to get a hold of William Darcy, but every time I try I always get his secretary or machine. I don't know what I'm going to do. I was really hoping that we could do a story and photo shoot about his vineyards," Lizzy's boss said as he slammed the phone back down on the receiver.

"You know sir, he is one of the richest and most famous men in all of England," Bobby Collins interrupted.

"Yes Mr. Collins. I do know that. But that is not why I'm wanting to do the story and photo shoot about him. I want to do it because we are doing a future issue about English vineyards and he happens to have some of the best and plus he has room and board at a couple of them. People are going to flock there to taste some of the best wine, food and to hopefully catch a glimpse of one of the most handsome and eligible bachelors in the world, according to People magazine."

"Mr. Fielder, I am honored that you are giving me the opportunity to work with such a man. You do not know how grateful I am." This made Lizzy gag. What a suck up.

"Mr. Collins, I am only giving you this assignment because Dustin Walker is on another assignment. Don't push your luck," Mr. Fielder said as he walked out of his office, almost hitting Lizzy with the door. "Excuse me Ms. Bennett. I didn't know that you were outside my door. What can I do for you?"

"Mr. Fielder, I just happened to overhear your conversation with Bobby, and I was wondering if I could accompany him on the photo shoot."

"Ms. Bennett I'm afraid I can't let you go on this assignment. I'm going to need you for the assignment that was already assigned to you," Mr. Fielder said disappointingly. Lizzy was one of his best photographer and she had already been assigned another assignment, so she couldn't take up another one.

"If I can get a hold of Mr. Darcy for you, would you consider letting me go?" Lizzy asked hopefully as Mr. Fielder was heading for the coffee room.

Mr. Fielder stopped, turned, and said, "If you can get a hold of Mr. Darcy and make an appointment to meet with him to do a story and photo shoot, I'll make this your assignment instead of Mr. Collins." He knew that Collins just wanted to kiss up to him and that he really had an obsession with rich people. He had been a last resort since everyone else was or had an assignment.

Upon hearing those words, Lizzy's eyes lit up and she let out a big grin.

"Done, sir." Lizzy said as she turned around and headed straight to her office to give Darcy a call.

Collins' face, on the other hand, fell and went pale. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His dream of meeting one of the richest men in England had been shattered.

"Mr. Fielder! I . . . but . . . I am older than that woman!" he cried.

"Mr. Collins, it doesn't matter if you're older or not. Ms. Bennett is more experienced and more highly qualified than you. She would have been my first pick to take over the assignment, but she had another one. But not anymore because you've just been assigned to Hickville. I don't want to hear it," Mr. Fielder said over his shoulder as he went back in the direction of the coffee room. He left a shocked and stunned Collins standing there with his arm pointing straight in front of him with his mouth hanging wide open.

Lizzy immediately picked up her phone as she rummaged through her address book and found the phone number to Darcy's private cell number. She dialed the number, sat back in her chair and sipped her coffee as she waited for someone to pick up the phone. She was looking at the picture of Darcy in People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People when she heard a female voice answer the phone.

"Mr. Darcy's cell phone, this is Veronica speaking, how may I help you?

"Hi, this is Elizabeth Bennett. I'm a friend of Mr. Darcy. May I speak to him please?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, but he's in a meeting right now. Can I take a message?" Veronica asked.

"Yes, can you please tell him to call me back and that I need to talk to him right away? He has my office number. If I'm not there, then he can reach me at my cell phone. He has that too," Lizzy said with a hint of disappointment in her voice. She hadn't talked to Darcy in forever and she wanted to hear his voice again.

While Lizzy was speaking, Darcy emerged from his meeting in time to hear his secretary mention Lizzy's name. As soon as he heard her name, he stopped walking and stood still.

"I sure can ma'am. What's your name again? Elizabeth Bennett? Alright, I'll be sure to give the message to Mr. Darcy as soon as possible."

"I'm right here Veronica, I'll take the call in my office if you please," Darcy interrupted. He couldn't wait to talk to Lizzy again.

"Hold on Ms. Bennett. Mr. Darcy just stepped into his office. Let me transfer you to him," Veronica said happily.

Darcy hurriedly went to his office to receive the transfer. His heart was pounding and his palms began to sweat. He sat down in his leather chair and composed himself before he picked up the phone. The first thing Lizzy heard was his deep British accent that was thick again. When she had first met him, his accent wasn't as thick as it originally had been. Most of it had disappeared, but now it was back to where it used to be.

"Lizzy? Is that you? My goodness, it's been over what, a month and a half since I've talked to you on the phone. How are you? I haven't been able to reply to your last e-mail," he apologized in his deep, sexy English accent.

"I'm doing really great Will. Wow, your accent's back again. I assume you're doing well?" Something about that deep English accent just wanted to make her swoon. It wasn't that twangy accent; it was more like the accents of the nobles of the Regency era.

"I am, I am. So, what caused you to call me out of the blue, huh?" Darcy joked.

"I have a really big favor of you Will. My boss wants to do a story and photo shoot about you and your vineyards. The problem was that he couldn't get a hold of you and he really wants to do this. But he said if I could get a hold of you, then he would let me take the assignment instead of Bobby Collins. You remember him. I told you about him how he tried to make a move on me," Lizzy said as she made a face. That man grossed her out. It would be a big slap to his face if she could get the assignment over him, that nasty fart.

"Oh yeah, that greasy, grimy guy you wrote me about. That's just sick. How did your boss know that you could get a hold of me?"

"I asked if I could go on the shoot if I could get you to agree to the story and shoot. He said that if I could do that, then I could do the story and shoot myself instead of Collins. So, will you do it? Please?" Lizzy asked hopefully.

"Um, I don't know . . .let me think about it," joked Darcy.

"Will stop it. I'm serious. Please, I really want to go and see you and all that you own. Besides, who wants to do a an assignment in Hicksville?

"Okay, okay. I'll stop. So when would this photo shoot and stuff happen so I can plan around it?"

"Um, let me see. I believe it would be somewhere around late-September, when the grapes are ripe and the leaves are changing color. Oh, here are the dates. September 21 to September 30. Is that good for you?"

Darcy looked at his agenda book. Those most definitely were not good dates. That was when he was suppose to meet with the owner of couple of vineyards in France. The purchase of those vineyards would fulfill the wishes of his deceased father who always wanted those two particular vineyards in France. It had taken years, but finally Darcy was able to persuade the owner and setup a few days to few the land and do business with the owner.

"Is that the only time you can do the shoot?" Darcy asked as he flipped through his agenda. He would have to cancel his meetings or say no to Lizzy.

"I believe so. We're running on tight schedule. Is that a problem for you?"

"No, not at all. I was just asking. Those days will be perfectly fine. I have nothing planned at all, so why don't I take you on a personal tour of all three vineyards instead of you going there by yourself?" Darcy said as he crossed off the meetings with the vineyard owner. He would either have to try and reschedule or cancel the meetings completely.

"Oh thank you so much, Will! That would be great. Can you hold on a second? I need you to talk to my boss so you two can talk over everything and confirm it," Lizzy said as excitement filled her voice.

She was going to England and Bobby Collins wasn't. As she walked by him, she stuck her tongue out at him while he gawked at her with bulging eyes and a mouth that was hanging all the way down to the floor.