Fitzwilliam/Fitzwilliam ~ Section XXIX

    By Judy-Lynne

    Beginning, Previous Section, Section XXIX, Next Section

    Lizzy returned to William a few minutes later with Mrs. Reynolds at her heels. William endured a cursory examination of the five tiny incision sites on his abdomen and a brief conversation in which he had no say. Assured that William was probably fine, Lizzy went to sit in William's massive armchair while he attempted to sleep. After about fifteen minutes, however, Lizzy gave up her pretense of reading the newspaper and she climbed onto the bed and curled up beside him once more. The phone rang and she quickly sat up and reached over William to pick it up. William stirred, but Lizzy had the phone before he had a chance to make a grab for it.

    "Hello?"

    "Hello, Bright Eyes. I understand that the 'English Patient' is home and resting comfortably."

    "Very funny, Richard," Lizzy smirked.

    "May I speak with my cousin, if he's up to it?"

    "He's resting--." William reached over and took the phone from Lizzy's hand.

    "He's bored to tears," William drawled, with an amused glance at Lizzy.

    "Hey cousin, how are you feeling, boredom aside?" Richard said, relieved to hear the energy in William's voice.

    "I feel as though someone drilled a few holes into my gut and mined for my appendix."

    "What? Couldn't they find it on the first try?" William laughed and explained the surgical procedure.

    "All in all, I feel a lot better than I thought I would at this point," he admitted.

    "That's great to hear, but is it really wise to have Bright Eyes in bed with you?" Richard asked.

    "How the--."

    "I heard the mattress creak."

    "She's fully dressed, alas, and so am I."

    "You really are sick," Richard chuckled. "So how's the Dragon Lady treating you?"

    "She's not. I'm in Lizzy's capable hands," William replied. Lizzy looked up.

    "If you make another Saint Bernard crack..." William patted Lizzy on her head and she snarled and bit his hand.

    "Ouch!"

    "I knew it," Richard smiled. "Don't say you weren't warned."

    "All this time I thought her bark was worse than her bite," William laughed as he leaned over and planted a brief kiss on Lizzy's lips.

    "Hey! How come you get to avoid the Dragon Lady and I got the full treatment?"

    "I've actually had to endure the ministrations of both Lizzy and Mrs. Reynolds today. I think I'll be going back to work tomorrow just to get a bit of peace." Lizzy looked at William in alarm and he smiled to let her know he was joking.

    "By the way, I just spoke to Livy; she may have forgiven you for forgetting the package, but I haven't. You ruined my brilliant scheme."

    "What on earth was I thinking, getting sick when your love life was at stake?" William asked sarcastically.

    "Well, fortunately for you, Angel didn't care about my plans. She appreciated the gift and for some reason, she's glad that you're well."

    "With friends like her, who needs cousins?" William retorted.

    "Ouch! Look, I have to go. Stay well, cuz. I'll be back in the city by about two tomorrow. I'll come by the house to see you."

    "I look forward to it." William hung up the phone and looked over at Lizzy. He reached out and she snuggled up in the space under his arm. "I am a very, very lucky man, you know that?"

    "Mmm. Any particular reason?" Lizzy asked as she nuzzled his neck.

    "Because I--have you any idea how difficult it is to think with you doing that?"

    "No, not in the least," Lizzy giggled, but did not cease her nibbling. William gave Lizzy a sidelong glance.

    "Well, if I weren't in so much pain right now, I would be more than happy to show you." His ploy worked. Lizzy sat up immediately, her face evidence of her concern. William simply smiled at her. Lizzy slapped him on the shoulder.

    "Cruel, Mr. Darcy!" Lizzy cried. "And after all that time I wasted crying and worrying myself sick over you yesterday!"

    "Oh, so that's what she meant?" Lizzy frowned.

    "Who?"

    "My nurse. She came into the room yesterday evening mumbling something about having to evacuate the floor due to flooding." William gently settled himself more deeply into the pillows. Lizzy continued to stare at him, open-mouthed.

    "William! I'm shocked at you! I was really worried, you know!" William moved to cup Lizzy's cheek in his hand, but Lizzy evaded him. "It was all Grandma Bess could do to keep me from turning into a complete basket case," she pouted as she took hold of William's hand and looked at it glumly.

    "I know you were worried and don't think for a moment that I don't appreciate your concern, Lizzy. I was only trying to lighten the mood a bit." William pulled Lizzy into his arms. "Now, tell me: why were you close to becoming a basket case?" he asked gently. Lizzy stopped sulking and tried to find the right words.

    "I don't know...it just overwhelmed me to see you like that...the thought that you..." She sniffed away a tear. William rolled his eyes as he pulled her a wee bit closer. "I know that you weren't seriously ill, but you easily might have been. Just that thought...the thought of possibly losing you--."

    "Ssh, Lizzy. You aren't going to lose me," William said softly between kisses on her hair.

    "Promise?" Lizzy said almost inaudibly.

    "Just try and get rid of me," William smiled. Lizzy looked into his eyes and found that she was able to smile as well. There was a knock on the door and Mrs. Reynolds entered with a tray bearing lunch for the couple. William rose eagerly as Mrs. Reynolds placed a plate of sandwiches on the table near the window. Lizzy also rose and took a chair opposite William at the small table.

    "PBJ's? William asked the surprised housekeeper with a wink at Lizzy.

    "Chicken salad with a Dijon mayonnaise. I had no idea you liked peanut butter, sir," Mrs. Reynolds said as she placed two tall glasses of iced tea on the table beside the plate. "If you'd prefer that, I'll see if I have any. Georgiana and Richard--."

    "That's all right, Mrs. R," Lizzy interrupted. "William is just teasing." The housekeeper looked doubtful, but she left nonetheless. Lizzy gave William a stern look. "That was bad, William," she smiled as she watched William bite into a sandwich.

    "What? I just asked a simple question!"

    "In a very Richard-like manner. I'm surprised at you! According to Grandma Bess, you were always the polite and respectful grandson and Richard was always the mischievous and charming one," Lizzy smiled.

    "What Grandma Bess thinks and what I actually am are not necessarily one and the same," William replied enigmatically. "And what possessed her to dig up that particular myth?"

    "She was trying to keep me from crying, remember?"

    "Oh, right...well, she must have been desperate. Generally, she regales women of my acquaintance with tales of my wit and intelligence."

    "Well, she probably knew those wouldn't work with me," Lizzy deadpanned. William regarded her for a minute, then reached out with his foot and lightly kicked Lizzy in the shin. She gasped in surprise.

    "Told you it was a myth," he quipped. He set his glass aside and picked up another half sandwich with a smug smile.

    "Is that how you think of me?" Lizzy asked a few minutes later. "A woman of your acquaintance?"

    "Well, actually, I am more inclined to think of you as the love of my life, except on cold nights when you get into bed with ice cold feet. Then I tend to think of you as the bane of my existence." Lizzy gasped in surprise once more. "How do you think of me?" William asked calmly.

    "You're very brave to ask at this moment," Lizzy replied archly.

    "I trust you not to lie," William replied with an equally arch tone. When she had thought a moment, Lizzy found that he was right. She could not say anything but the truth.

    "As much as I hate to admit it at the moment," she pouted after making her confession.

    "So?" William prodded.

    "So, I don't think I'll answer you at all. You're entirely too sure of yourself."

    "Admit it, you adore me," he persisted, with a smug smile.

    "No."

    "You love me more than anything or anyone you've ever known, save for Patches." Lizzy's mouth fell open.

    "I love you more than Patches!" Lizzy cried as she threw a napkin at him.

    "Good," William smiled triumphantly. He'd coaxed the truth out of her without her even realizing it. "I'd hate to play second fiddle to a rabbit."

    "You're impossible today! What's got into you?" Lizzy laughed.

    "Playing hooky always makes me giddy," William replied. Lizzy shook her head.

    "You aren't playing hooky, William. You had surgery yesterday, remember?"

    "Oh, yes," he said, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. "I had quite forgot." Lizzy folded her arms and William looked up at her and smiled.

    "I always thought that it hurt to laugh after abdominal surgery," Lizzy frowned.

    "It does, a bit. But I'd rather make you laugh than sit here worrying about splitting my gut. I don't want to see you cry anymore, okay?" William reached over and cupped Lizzy's cheek in his hand. This time, Lizzy placed her hand over his and leaned into it. Mrs. Reynolds knocked and entered the room.

    "I thought a blackberry-peach cobbler might cheer you up," she said as she placed two dishes before the couple and removed the empty sandwich plate. "Would you like some tea?" William declined, and Lizzy asked for coffee. The two enjoyed their dessert in silence. Then William crawled back into bed. Lizzy went down to the library and spent a few hours working. At around 4:00 p.m. she went upstairs to check on William. He wasn't in his room. Lizzy looked around for him becoming more frantic as she failed to find him in the bathroom, the game room, parlor, dining room or kitchen. She reluctantly took a break from her search and went into the library to answer the phone.

    "Hi, Charles. Yes, that's what I thought when I looked at the site specs. I...Charles, can I call you back in a while? William--." Lizzy fell silent as her eyes caught sight of the missing man, who had wandered down to the library to keep her company. He was curled up on the couch sound asleep. "Never mind, Charles. Go on," Lizzy said as she sat down at William's massive desk. She stared at William as she discussed her project with Charles, watching the steady rise and fall of William's chest as she spoke. When the call was done, she left the desk and went to kneel at William's side.

    "I do love you more than anything or anyone else I've ever known--including Patches," she said. She kissed William's brow and went back to her work.

    Part 26

    Lizzy and William had just settled into the front parlor after dinner when guests arrived. Mrs. Reynolds ushered Jane and Charles into the room, much to William's surprise and pleasure.

    "William! How are you feeling?" Jane exclaimed as she hugged him tightly. "I was so worried about you when I heard you were hospitalized yesterday."

    "I'm fine," William replied, a little taken aback by the fervor with which she spoke. "I'm still feeling the effects, but I'm definitely well on the mend."

    "I'm so glad to hear that," Jane said softly, slightly misty-eyed. William glanced at Lizzy; something in Jane's reaction was uncannily like her younger sister's. He asked Jane and Charles to sit as Mrs. Reynolds brought in refreshments.

    "If I had known you were coming, we would have held dinner for you," William said to Charles, who quickly assured him that he and Jane would only stay briefly and had plans for a late dinner.

    "So how long will you be home?" Jane asked.

    "The doctor said I could return to normal activities--within reason, of course--as soon as I feel up to it."

    "He said you should rest for a few days," Lizzy reminded him.

    "He said I should rest as much as I need to over the next few days. No strenuous activity, though, and I should also eat carefully."

    "Did he give you a restricted diet?" Jane asked. William sighed and looked at Charles for an escape.

    "How are the wedding plans coming along?" William asked. Charles launched into an animated discussion about the caterer that had been contracted to do the wedding supper. Jane and Lizzy continued to discuss William's prognosis. William rose to sit closer to Charles, finding himself keenly interested in the dilemma of how many desserts to serve at a wedding.

    "Really, Lizzy, William ought to stay in bed for the rest of the week," Jane offered.

    "I know, but he's already chomping at the bit to get out of the house--and it's only been one day! I don't know what to do with him," she said with a pointed look at William. He looked back at her, perplexed.

    "It does beat the alternative, you know." William turned to Charles, who had offered the unusual comment. "Having someone to care about you and fawn over you, I mean."

    "Yes," William agreed. "And I suppose I don't really mind having Lizzy fuss over me. I just wasn't expecting Jane to come over and help her." Charles smiled apologetically.

    "I'm here to help as well." Four heads spun around to greet a beaming Richard, who stepped into the room, dropping a briefcase and two-suiter on the floor.

    "Richard! What are you doing here?" Lizzy gasped in surprise.

    "Simple, really. I hopped on an airplane in Denver, and when it landed in New York, I got off," he replied as he strode over to William and regarded him carefully. "How are you, cuz? Still enjoying Lizzy's ministrations?" he asked with a wink. William smiled tightly.

    "What are you doing here?" Lizzy repeated. Richard opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "And don't tell me about the plane again. What I meant was why aren't you home with Livy?"

    "Well, first of all, I wanted to see my cousin. And secondly, Bright Eyes, Livy's not home. She had some girly thing to do tonight."

    "Oh, that's right! I completely forgot about our dinner with Kristin, Lynn, and Saffron," Lizzy replied. "I hope she made my apologies."

    "Under the circumstances, I'm sure she did," Jane said.

    "You had plans for this evening?" William asked. "You should have gone. I'm perfectly all right, Lizzy," he said, earning a frown.

    "William, you just got out of the hospital!" she countered as if his assertion was absurd.

    "Don't they let people out of the hospital because they're well enough to be on their own?" Richard asked innocently.

    "Weren't you the guy who fell out of a chair the minute he was left alone?" Lizzy accused.

    "I'd suffered a head trauma, Lizzy. Fitz has a bellyache," Richard reasoned.

    "Well, I'm still not leaving his side until I'm sure he's well." Richard smiled at William, who looked slightly alarmed at her declaration. "Livy and I were supposed to get together with some friends from Pratt tonight, but even if it hadn't completely slipped my mind, I wouldn't have been able to leave him all alone."

    "Don't worry, I'm sure Livy will get you caught up on all the dirt," Richard said as he accepted a glass of iced tea from Mrs. Reynolds. "I can't stay long; I want to be home when she gets there." Richard turned to Charles. "So, Bings, how are the wedding plans coming along?"

    Olivia was quite angry by the time she stepped off the elevator. She turned the key in the door and entered the apartment and froze. A noise was coming from the exercise room. Her heart in her throat, she peered into the room and saw Richard midway through a set of bench presses.

    "Richard!" she squealed. He immediately lowered the weight and stood, just as Olivia rushed into his arms.

    "I'm sweaty," he observed, but that didn't prevent them from clinging tightly to each other and sharing a passionate kiss.

    "I missed you so much," Olivia whispered as she buried her face in his shoulder.

    "Me, too," Richard whispered, as he waited for Olivia to register the fact that he was home a day earlier than planned. But when she looked up at him tearfully, he quickly shifted gears. "What's wrong, Angel?" She shook her head and rested it on his chest.

    "It's nothing. I just really, really needed you right now," she said softly. Richard stroked the back of Olivia's hair and sighed.

    "Want to talk about it?" She shook her head again, but Richard sat on the workout bench and pulled Olivia onto his lap. "Tell me." She sighed heavily.

    "I went out with my friends tonight," she began, as she entwined her fingers in Richard's. "It was awful."

    "What happened?"

    "Well, Saffron was her usual self, but Kristin and Lynn were really nasty to me. I'm kind of glad Lizzy missed it. I'm sure she would have gotten the same treatment."

    "What do you mean they were 'nasty' to you? Why?" Olivia sighed again and wrapped her arms around Richard's neck.

    "Well, I've kept in touch with Saffron regularly and she's known about us for some time, but Lynn and Kristin only found out about our relationship today, and--."

    "Us? As in, 'you and me' us? What about us?" Olivia nodded.

    "We were having appetizers and Kristin asked me what I'd been up to. So I told her. I said that I'd gotten a phenomenal career opportunity, and then met the man of my dreams and moved to New York." Richard smiled briefly. "When she and Lynn found out that I was living with Richard Fitzwilliam--that Richard Fitzwilliam--they went a little nuts."

    "Why?"

    "Oh, they asked me how I managed to snare you, and I made the mistake of telling them that you were seeing Lizzy at the time we met. That led to accusations of my stealing you from Lizzy, and I had to explain the whole mix-up--they weren't too thrilled to find out that Lizzy was involved with William, either."

    "I still don't understand."

    "I guess it was just jealousy. They started saying things like they were surprised we're still interested in hanging out with our old Pratt friends. They asked me about that photo of you that appeared in People magazine and didn't believe me when I told them that the two pretty blonds you were standing between were your sisters...as if they didn't read the caption. Saffron kept trying to change the subject but they kept asking about your money and how much of it I had gotten hold of. They wanted to know if we'd be spending the summer in the Hamptons, or going to Europe, or whatever," Olivia threw up her hands in defeat. "By the time we were halfway through dinner I was sorry I didn't just cancel. I started to, you know, after Will went into the hospital. But Saffron is leaving town the day after tomorrow, so..." Richard kissed Olivia's brow and squeezed her tightly. "When the check came Lynn even remarked that I should pay the bill because I could best afford it. Saffy was so annoyed she just grabbed the check and paid it herself. Oh, and get this--Kristin had the nerve to say to me as we left the restaurant that she looked forward to getting an invitation to our wedding. As if I'd ever want to set eyes on her again! I can't believe I roomed with those women for two years." Olivia pouted.

    "I'm sorry." Richard was at a loss to think of anything else to say. Olivia kissed his cheek.

    "No, I'm sorry. I felt so bummed after I left them that I came home in a sour mood, and here you are, home a day early and I'm too--." Richard silenced her with a kiss.

    "You can make it up to me later" he said with a wink. Richard lifted Olivia into his arms and carried her down the hall. They took a shower together and then shared a dessert of champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries that Richard had brought home before they retired for the night.

    "No!"

    "Lizzy--."

    "No, William, you are not going out today." William sighed patiently. Lizzy was standing in front of his closet and he had to suppress an urge to laugh at the spectacle of her trying to stop him with her tiny frame.

    "Lizzy, I am going to the office. I will not work a whole day, I will not over-exert myself and I will not end up in the hospital again. Promise." Lizzy didn't budge. "You aren't going to talk me out of it. If you don't let me get dressed I'll simply go in dressed as I am," he said evenly.

    "You wouldn't dare!" William turned and strode over to the nightstand and picked up the phone.

    "Bates, would you have the car out front in ten minutes? Thank you."

    "You haven't eaten breakfast yet!" William sighed.

    "Make it twenty." He hung up the phone.

    "And you're not going out!"

    "Enough, Lizzy! I am going to the office. Please?" He stared at Lizzy until she relented and backed away from the closet doors. William fought a smile as he opened the closet and pulled out a cashmere sweater. "See? Non-meeting clothes," he said, finally allowing a hint of a smile to reach his lips. Lizzy crossed her arms and glared back at him. "Jeans. Loafers." He held them up for inspection. Lizzy remained unimpressed. William shrugged and went into the master bath leaving Lizzy to fume. She finished buttoning her blouse and tucked it into her pants as she raced down to the kitchen.

    "Won't you talk some sense into him?" she implored Mrs. Reynolds after she had explained things.

    "It's not my place to tell him what he can and cannot do, I'm afraid."

    "But you did it to Richard!" Lizzy reasoned. Mrs. Reynolds shrugged.

    "That was different. He needed looking after. He'd just had his head bashed in!" Lizzy ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. She marched back upstairs and went into the bathroom to put on her makeup. William was still in the shower and she pointedly ignored him as he sang a love song to her. He came out of the shower and wrapped himself in a fluffy robe. He leaned over Lizzy to kiss her temple, dripping water from his hair.

    "You're messing up my make up." William made a face at her and went into the dressing room.

    "Lizzy?" he called a minute later. "Can you bring the bandages when you come out?" Lizzy grimaced as she picked up the box and emerged from the bathroom.

    "They won't stick, you know," she said as she passed through the dressing room on her way back to the bedroom.

    "Excuse me?"

    "You're too moist." Lizzy sat on the edge of the bed to put on her shoes.

    "You know, you're beautiful when you're angry, but you're as ugly as sin when you sulk," William quipped, his dimples taunting her. Lizzy stuck her tongue out at him and he quickly ducked as she picked up the box of bandages and threw it at him. He waited a second and then picked it up. When he did, a box of tissues bounced off his head. "Hey!" William emerged from the dressing room in his unfastened jeans. "I don't suppose you can help me with this?"

    "William?" Lizzy asked, completely shocked by the nature of his request.

    "The bandages, Lizzy," he said reproachfully. Lizzy turned her gaze to his abdomen as she blushed. In truth, there was no wound to speak of. Rather, there were four tiny holes, held fast by one stitch each, and one slightly larger hole with three stitches holding it closed. Lizzy sighed as she took the box of butterfly bandages from William.

    "You should stay in bed, you know." Lizzy's jaw was set and William reached out and ran a finger along it as she tended to his bandages. When she was done William took her by the hands and drew her to her feet.

    "I just want to go in for a while. I promise to behave myself. I'm sure Jo wouldn't let me do anything if I tried to anyway. And I promise to come home early, okay?" William pulled Lizzy close and kissed her forehead and her temple; she continued to stare at his chest as he moved lower to kiss the tip of her ear, the spot behind it, and finally her throat. William smiled in triumph as he felt Lizzy's resolve weaken. She wrapped her arms around him and raised her face to his.

    "Can you have Bates drop me off?" Lizzy asked in the car.

    "Of course," William replied. Bates nodded in acknowledgement.

    "Good. I want to swing by the house and pick up a few things on the way to the office." William frowned.

    "For what?"

    "For me. I need something a bit more formal to wear to the office tomorrow and I don't have any clean tops at the townhouse, either." William's eyes widened but he remained silent. He kissed Lizzy goodbye when he reached the Darcy Building and emerged from the limousine in time to see Richard and Olivia get out of a limousine that pulled up behind his own.

    "Morning, cuz," Richard said.

    "Hello, you two."

    "William, good to see you back on your feet," Olivia smiled as Richard walked around William.

    "What?" he asked, knowing he'd quickly regret it.

    "No tether? No monitoring device on your ankle? No Lizzy attached at your hip? How did you manage it?" William shoved Richard out of his way and held the door for Olivia. Richard trailed behind the pair as they made conversation in the lobby. "Surveillance equipment in the office?" William shot his cousin a look as they entered the elevator.

    "Want to come in for coffee?" Olivia asked when the elevator reached her floor. William declined, but promised to speak with her later. He rode up to his office and found Jo at her desk.

    "Mr. D? I hadn't expected to see you back so soon! How are you feeling?"

    "About eighty percent, Jo," he admitted as he pulled off his blazer and tossed it on a chair on the way to his desk. "It'll be a short, light day."

    "Doctor's orders?" William grinned sheepishly.

    "Lizzy's. May I have some of your excellent coffee while I go through my mail?" Jo brought him a cup of coffee and William carefully put his feet up on the desk and began sorting through his mail. He was absorbed for several minutes before he heard a knock on his door. He looked up as Christopher strode in.

    "There's a rumor going around the building that the CEO has made a miraculous recovery," he said as he headed for the sideboard and poured himself a cup of coffee.

    "No miracle, just a testament to the wonders of modern medicine."

    "How are you feeling? When I had my appendix out I was in bed for two weeks afterwards."

    "Well, to tell you the truth, I could easily rest for another day or so, but you know me. I go crazy being home in bed," William confessed.

    "Even with Lizzy at your side playing nurse?" William smiled.

    "You know, I'm seeing a whole new side of her this week: the 'iron fist in the velvet glove' side."

    "She was very worried about you, Will. It was quite moving to see her devotion," Christopher said seriously. William smiled in acknowledgment.

    "I've been giving her a difficult time, but to tell you the truth, I have been basking in all the attention she's lavished upon me over the past two days. Of course, if you repeat that I'll have to deny it," he winked. "And speaking of devotion," William said, tossing aside the stack of mail in his hands. "Exactly what are your intentions toward my sister?"

    Amy had already made the coffee when Olivia and Richard arrived at the office. Amy frowned when she saw Richard.

    "I thought--."

    "He's back early," Olivia smiled.

    "I understand you did an excellent job taking care of your boss," Richard beamed. "And here is your reward." He placed a small shopping bag on Amy's desk.

    "What's this?" She peeked into the bag and saw an envelope containing a pair of theatre tickets and a card pinned to the paw of a stuffed bear. Amy smiled and looked up at Richard.

    "Thank you," she said.

    "Thank you!" Richard replied before he disappeared into Olivia's office. "So what's your schedule like today?" he asked as he accepted a cup of coffee.

    "I don't know. Adam and I are putting up the first installment of Charles and Jane's wedding planner this morning. If all goes well..." she paused to answer the phone. "Hello, GB," Olivia said with a smile at Richard.

    "What's this I hear about a certain errant grandson of mine sneaking into the office two days after surgery?"

    "William's fine, GB, I just saw him. Why don't you ask him for yourself?"

    "Well, I wanted an opinion from a sane member of the family first." Olivia laughed.

    "And Richard doesn't qualify?"

    "He's in Denver!"

    "He's in New York," Olivia gently corrected. "Returned last night. Would you like to speak with him?" She handed Richard the phone and slipped out of the office to speak with Amy. When she returned a moment later, she saw that Richard was wearing a pained expression.

    "I'll try and keep an eye on him, old girl, but to tell you the truth, I'll be rather busy today. Besides, he's a big boy."

    "So are you, but I'm still your grandmother and you will keep an eye on him, won't you?"

    "Yes, GB..." He looked at Olivia helplessly.

    "And if you call me 'old girl' again I'll take you over my knee next time I see you." Richard smiled.

    "I love it when you threaten me with corporal punishment. Bye." Richard quickly hung up the phone and made a face. "How did she even know about Fitz? What does she have, some kind of maternal radar?"

    "She probably spoke with Mrs. Reynolds," Olivia replied reasonably. Richard sighed.

    "I'd better get upstairs," he said putting his empty coffee cup on the credenza. "If I'm on babysitting detail, I'd better get to it." He leaned across the desk and kissed Olivia. "Lunch?" She nodded and he left her office, sparing a wink for Amy on his way out of the suite.

    Lizzy reached her office in amazingly good time in spite of the stop in Brooklyn. She left her bag in the car for Bates to take home and marched into Cherry Blossom with a smile on her face.

    "Well someone is in a good mood today," Charlotte smiled. "How's William?"

    "He's doing well," Lizzy replied as her smile faded slightly.

    "I'm surprised you came in today. I thought you'd want to be at his side."

    "He went back to work today, so there's no need for me to remain at his side," she said, none too pleased with this turn of events. She sat down at her desk and brought up her e-mail, slightly annoyed that Charlotte had followed her into the office. Her annoyance abated when she saw that Charlotte had brought her a cup of coffee and their new client's proposal specs. They turned their attention to work and discussed the project. When they were done, Lizzy was glad that the ringing of her phone did not allow Charlotte to bring up the matter of William's illness again.

    "Hey, Lizzy? How's it going?"

    "Hi, Livy. I'm fine," she replied unconvincingly.

    "Liar! If it makes you feel any better, I saw Will a little while ago and he looked well. Plus, Grandma Bess called and ordered Richard to check up on him periodically."

    "I love that woman!" Lizzy smiled.

    "She is the best," Olivia agreed.

    "So how was dinner last night?" Olivia sighed. "That good, eh? What did I miss?"

    "You missed Kristin and Lynn going off like two jealous wannabes after they found out about the men in our lives."

    "What?" Olivia recounted the events of the previous night. "But I got the last laugh. Richard was there when I got home and he more than made up for their rudeness at dinner."

    "What do you think that was all about?" Lizzy asked.

    "I think it was about two girls from hick country making all too good," Olivia smiled. "They always prided themselves as being superior to us, but Kristin is dating a lawyer and Lynn is still involved with Craig, hardly in the league with a Darcy or a Fitzwilliam."

    "Well, that's too bad. What do they think, that we went after these guys for their bank accounts?" Lizzy snarled.

    "Nope, they think that you did. I just stole Richard from you."

    "Oh, please!"

    "So," Olivia laughed at Lizzy's tone. "How are you really?"

    "I'm worried about William. I picked up some things this morning and I'll be going back to the townhouse tonight. I think I'll stay with him until he's better."

    "If I know William, he'll never recover, in that case," Olivia teased.

    "What do you mean?"

    "I mean that if he plays his cards right, you'll never spend another night in Brooklyn."

    "It's just for a few days, Livy. I know I'm probably overreacting--."

    "You think?"

    "I just want to make sure he's okay."

    "And you aren't afraid of suffocating him?" Olivia's question gave Lizzy pause.

    "You think I'm suffocating him?"

    "I didn't say that," Olivia replied carefully. "He might not want to be babied."

    "I'm not babying him," Lizzy said defensively, recalling her mini-tantrum earlier in the day.

    "No?"

    "Stop it! I'm pleading the fifth!" Lizzy smiled.

    "All right, I yield!" Livy laughed.

    "He's so stubborn!" Lizzy glared at William's picture on her desk, but in minutes her features softened.

    "Got a dictionary?"

    "Yeah, a bunch, why?"

    "Well, if you've got an Oxford English, you'll see a picture of William next to the definition of the word. If it's an American dictionary made after 1990, it's Richard. Any older, I think they have Hugh," Olivia laughed and Lizzy joined her.

    "You're right! This Random House does have Richard's picture!" she said.

    "So, since you're camping out in the city, why don't you and William join us for dinner tonight," Olivia said when she had stopped laughing.

    "Livy, William's supposed to be resting!"

    "What? Are resting and eating my cooking incompatible?"

    "No, but if he gets to go out for dinner tonight, he's going to think that everything is okay and he can just resume his normal schedule," Lizzy pouted again.

    "Lizzy, has it occurred to you that he might be the best judge of his condition?"

    "Not for a moment."

    "I see."

    "Why don't you and Richard come to dinner? I'll clear it with Mrs. R." Olivia relented.

    "Okay. I have to go. I've got a meeting."

    "Me, too. I'll talk to you later." Lizzy didn't go off to her meeting right away, however. She picked up William's picture and smiled at it wistfully.

    "I thought we had this conversation weeks ago," Christopher replied calmly.

    "Weeks ago, I didn't think you'd be sneaking around with my sister behind my back," William countered.

    "What on earth are you talking about?"

    "You've been seeing her, haven't you?" Christopher rolled his eyes.

    "I invited her to see my offices and join me for lunch afterwards, yes."

    "That's it?" William suddenly felt rather sheepish.

    "Yes. Sorry to disappoint you, but there has been no torrid clandestine affair," Christopher deadpanned. "Don't you think you're being a bit overprotective of Georgiana? She's not a child any longer, you know."

    "Do you intend to see more of her?" Christopher shrugged.

    "Why not? We've always been good friends and we enjoy each other's company."

    "That's not what I meant and you know it."

    "Oh, you meant 'see more of her' in that sense, did you?" Christopher teased. William folded his arms.

    "Well, if you aren't going to take this seriously..."

    "You've missed the point, old chap. Why are you taking it so seriously?"

    "I just don't want to see Gee hurt again," William grumbled.

    "Did you put Garren through this sort of interrogation?"

    "I never had a chance. They became involved while I was out of the country," William confided. Christopher nodded.

    "I understand." William Darcy was a man who rarely repeated his mistakes.

    "Christopher, I count you as one of my dearest friends, but if you do anything to hurt Gee--."

    "Will, you know I wouldn't hurt her for anything in the world."

    "But you are interested in her?" Christopher raised his hands in frustration.

    "William, I hardly know! It's far too soon to be thinking along those lines. Whatever happens between us--if in fact anything does--it won't be overnight. We're neither of us inclined to rush into such things. You know that." William nodded.

    "I'm sorry, Brandon--." William ran a hand over his face.

    "Are you feeling all right?" Christopher asked, frowning in concern.

    "Don't you start now," William smiled. "I can get that from Lizzy, and in a far prettier package" he said.

    "All right, then," Christopher said, rising to his feet. "I know when I'm not needed. But don't overdo it today." Christopher placed his mug on the credenza on his way to the door. He turned and fixed William with a smirk and departed. William shook his head and turned his attention back to his mail. He had read through a few things when he noticed that he had an e-mail waiting. He clicked on the icon and smiled when he saw it was from Lizzy.

    I'm keeping an eye on you, Mr. Darcy! William smiled as he typed a reply.

    And a lovely pair of eyes they are, too! I can still recall their wide-eyed glare as you threatened me this morning.

    I did not threaten you. I was just looking out for your welfare.

    And I love you for it.

    My pleasure. :)

    Do you think you can dig up a naughty little nurse's outfit for MY pleasure? ;)

    Mr. Darcy!

    Ms. Bennet?

    You are a wicked man.

    Tell me something I didn't already know.

    I cut a strand of your hair one day while you were asleep and I always carry it with me.

    I hope you took it from the back! Baldness runs in my family, you know!

    Lol! I have never seen a single picture of a bald man among the Darcys OR the Fitzwilliams!

    Ah, but did you look at the women?

    Perhaps I should take up the matter with Grandma Bess.

    Drat! Hoisted on my own petard, am I? Well, now you've learned something you never knew about me: I'm a terrible liar.

    I knew that. :) William lifted two fingers to his lips and placed a kiss on the smiley face on the screen.

    "I may barf." William looked up to see Richard sitting on the edge of his desk.

    "Be my guest," he replied easily, lifting a wastebasket and offering it to him.

    William left the office shortly after lunch, which he ordered from the dining room and ate in his office with his assistant. They didn't discuss business; rather, William got caught up on all latest exploits of Jo's college-aged sons. William offered Jo the use of his house in Vermont for her vacation, as he had done for the past several years, in return for which Jo's grateful husband had provided him with a growing collection of exquisitely hand-carved birds made from wood collected on William's property.

    "So where are you spending your vacation this year, William?" Jo asked, using his first name on one of the rare occasions when they were completely off duty and speaking as friends of long standing.

    "I'm not sure, yet, but I'd like to do something very special for Lizzy."

    "How is she holding up with your surgery and all?" Jo asked as she picked at her salad. William smiled.

    "You should ask how I am doing," he teased. "Seriously, she's doing all right, except that she's needlessly worrying about me."

    "...And worrying you to death in the process?"

    "It's quite touching, actually. I can't wait to see her making a fuss over one of our kids one day when he catches a cold," William said with a dreamy smile.

    "Oh? I didn't know things had progressed that far."

    "They haven't, yet. But eventually..."

    "I hope so. She's the right one," Jo said confidently. William rested his chin on his hand.

    "You think so?"

    "William, how long have we been together now, nine years?"

    "Nine and a half wonderful years," he replied, taking hold of Jo's hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze. She pulled her hand away, blushing slightly.

    "You spend entirely too much time with your cousin," she said. "What I'm trying to say is that over the better part of the last decade I have seen virtually every woman you've dated, at one time or another. Lizzy Bennet is the only one I'd say is worth settling down with."

    "I glad we agree on that," William said. "Didn't we order dessert?" Jo rolled her eyes and rose to her feet.

    "I canceled your dessert order. I baked last night." William smiled as Jo left the room and returned a moment later with a small container. She opened it and pushed it toward William.

    "You know, between your chocolate chip cookies and Olivia's oatmeal cookies--."

    "You could gain thirty pounds in a heartbeat, like my Eric?"

    "I ought to be like Richard and work out incessantly to keep my figure."

    "Is that what he does?"

    "He lives with a woman who uses him as a human Guinea pig to test recipes. Last time we were in Connecticut she made all of us test four different kinds of peanut butter cookies."

    "I don't hear him complaining," Jo smiled.

    "No," William smiled, "Just as you won't hear me complaining about having Lizzy stay at my place this week to take care of me."

    "Why doesn't she just move in with you? She's there half the time, anyway, isn't she?"

    "I don't want a roommate, I want a wife."

    "So what are you waiting for?"

    "Lizzy has this quaint notion that we ought to know each other for a year before we begin to think about marriage. I wonder if I should start counting from the day I sent my first e-mail or the day we first met face to face?"

    "How much time passed between the two events?" Jo asked as she closed the container after William snagged a third cookie.

    "About two months." Jo was shocked, and William revealed for the first time his entire history with Lizzy. She was quite amused by his colorful tale, but she looked at her watch and announced that it was time to return to work. William shook his head.

    "I think I'm going to go home now. Why don't you take the rest of the day off and go to a movie or something. No sense in your hanging about here all alone. Let Meg cover the phones. And stop looking at me as though I've just made an indecent proposal." Jo grinned and went to her desk. She retrieved her bag while William called Bates and had him bring the car around. Then he sat down and wrote a quick e-mail to Lizzy.

    I'm doing as I promised and am going home now. When Lizzy got the message she was instantly suspicious.

    Are you feeling all right?

    I'm fine. Just want to get the mattress nice and warm for your return. Lizzy smiled when as she read the message, and just as it registered in her head that William was probably still beyond the sort of activity he was alluding to, another message appeared.

    By the way, I am insanely, wildly, irrevocably, hopelessly, and decidedly in love with you. I don't think I mentioned that this morning. Just thought you ought to know. I should be home in about fifteen to twenty minutes and I'll send Bates to pick you up this afternoon. Did I mention that I'm crazy about you?

    Richard entered Danielle's office and went straight to her CD rack. He placed a stack of CD's in the rack while Danielle spoke to someone on the phone. When he was done, Danielle gestured for him to sit while she finished her call.

    "So how was Denver?" Richard shrugged. "That exciting, eh?"

    "No Olivia."

    "Oh. How's the Boss Man? I heard he's back today."

    "Fitz is fine. He looks a wee bit less than perfect, but other than that and the fact that he's wearing jeans you can't tell that anything is out of the ordinary."

    "Less than perfect? William Darcy? This I have to see!" Danielle said as she rose to her feet. Richard reached out and grabbed her arm.

    "Very funny, D. Boss Man is on his way home. And the flaws are barely perceptible to the naked eye."

    "Says you!"

    "I know that every woman in the building spends all her free time staring at or fantasizing about Fitz, but trust me, he looks fine. Besides, who needs him when I'm around?"

    "Do I detect a note of envy?" Danielle teased.

    "Not a bit. I wouldn't trade my life with Livy for anything, even superficial perfection."

    "Those grapes are sour!" Danielle laughed as Richard rose.

    "Hey! He may be prettier, have a sexy accent and be the head of a business empire, but I have something he'll never have!" Richard said on his way to the door.

    "Livy?" Richard smiled impishly.

    "That and naturally blond hair!" He nodded triumphantly and strode away as Danielle laughed at him. When Richard reached his office he found Olivia on her way out. "Hey, Angel, I was just speaking of you." Olivia smiled.

    "I just stopped in to tell you that we've been invited to dinner at William's house," Olivia said as she walked back into his office.

    "You came up here just to tell me that?" Richard replied as he wrapped his arms around her.

    "Well, I thought I might get a chance to see that gorgeous smile of yours," Olivia said before she kissed him.

    "Wait a minute!" Richard said as he pulled away just before she reached her reward. "I just talked to Fitz on his way out and he didn't say anything about dinner."

    "Lizzy made the invitation. Now, are you going to kiss me or not?"

    "Lizzy's playing host at William's, eh? Very interesting." Olivia sighed and extricated herself from Richard's arms.

    "I should have just called," she said as she headed for the door. Richard caught her around the waist, turned her around and pulled her into a kiss in one smooth motion. When he finally released her, Olivia was quite breathless.

    "So what time are we due at Fitz's?"

    Lizzy, William, Richard and Olivia sat around the dining table a few hours later chatting amiably as they ate their salads.

    "Where's Gee tonight?" Richard asked in passing. William fell silent, as did Lizzy. Richard and Olivia looked at both of them and then glanced at each other. "What--is it a state secret or something?"

    "No, she's dining out tonight," Lizzy said tentatively, as Mrs. Reynolds entered the dining room with the entrée. "I meant to mention it earlier, Will. Gee called a little while ago and said that she's dining with Sophia Knightley and Penny Douglass tonight." William's mood immediately brightened. When the two couples moved to the parlor for their dessert, Richard pulled William aside.

    "You aren't still sulking about Christopher and Gee, are you?"

    "I'm not sulking. I'm just worried about Gee."

    "You have more important things to worry about," Richard smiled as the cousins joined the ladies. "Are we going up to Connecticut this weekend? I was practically ordered to appear in Greenwich this weekend, and I doubt if GB will be pleased if we show up without you two."

    "I wouldn't mind going up to Connecticut this weekend," Lizzy said. "It would give William a nice relaxing weekend."

    "I doubt it. The evil twins are coming east," Richard said.

    "I thought they devoted all their energies to tormenting you," Olivia teased. "They probably won't even notice William."

    "Oh," Lizzy said. "I just remembered something; Melissa's birthday party is this weekend."

    "Who's Melissa?" everyone asked in unison.

    "Melissa is Mina's older daughter. She's turning six on Saturday and they're having a party for her. I promised to attend. The party is being held at one of those play centers and I make a great referee."

    "So can't you come up for part of the weekend?" Olivia asked.

    "Oh, sure. I can go up to the house on Friday night with Will and drive down to the city for the party on Saturday afternoon."

    "Are you sure you want to go through all of that?" William asked. "Why don't we just stay in town this weekend and go up to Connecticut next week?"

    "Are you crazy? I don't dare show up at the house without you in tow!" Richard exclaimed. "Not to mention that I was rather hoping to stay at your place." Lizzy laughed.

    "All right, all right, we'll go. I really don't mind driving down to the city for the party."

    "Can't you get out of it?" Olivia asked. Lizzy shrugged.

    "I don't want to. Melissa is my buddy and I really love being around kids."

    "Then why don't we just stay in town Friday night and drive up together after the party?" William suggested. "I'll call Grandma Bess and make my apologies. That way you don't have to do all that extra driving."

    "You don't mind?" Lizzy asked.

    "Not at all. We can both go to the party, if Mina doesn't mind my presence, and then we can leave from there and drive up."

    "Oh, you don't have to do that," Lizzy said. "I can pick you up when I get out of the party."

    "I don't mind. I like children, too, you know." Richard put his arm around Olivia's shoulder and spoke in her ear.

    "Can you imagine it: William Darcy and Chuck E. Cheese in the same room?" Olivia laughed so loudly that Lizzy demanded to know what Richard had said. Olivia told her and Lizzy frowned.

    "How did you know that the party was at Chuck E. Cheese?"

    "Who's Chuck E. Cheese?" William asked. "And I should think that six year olds are a bit young for rap music." William shrugged at Mrs. Reynolds when she entered the room with the dessert tray. He was completely at a loss to explain what the others were so hysterical about.

    Richard handed Olivia a cup of coffee and took a seat beside her on the settee. He offered her a piece of his croissant, which she declined.

    "So, you're not looking forward to the weekend?" Olivia asked.

    "Three days in close quarters with the evil twins?"

    "Admit it, you've missed them, you big phony," Olivia challenged. "And look on the bright side, you'll get to spend some quality time with your nieces."

    "Hey, that's right!" Richard smiled. "Jazz and Siena! We can get in some parenting practice. Let's take the girls on an outing."

    "What kind of outing?" Richard shrugged.

    "A picnic down by the playhouse," Richard suggested. Olivia was about to comment on the likelihood of Caitlin approving of such a scheme when William knocked on Olivia's open door and poked his head into the office.

    "Mind if I come in?"

    "Of course, not William," Olivia said as she started to rise. "Coffee?" William said he'd get it himself and he pulled up a chair and joined the couple.

    "So this is where you hide out every morning," William said to Richard.

    "Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be," Richard said with an affectionate look for Olivia.

    "How are you feeling, Will?" Olivia asked.

    "Yeah," Richard said. "I see you're still in casual dress mode."

    "That's more of a necessity than anything else," Will confessed. "I would have worn a suit today, but every pair of pants I put on chafed against my surgery sites."

    "So you were forced to wear those low-slung, bum-hugging jeans Lizzy loves to see you in," Richard concluded.

    "She's not the only one," Olivia snorted, earning a stare from the two cousins. "What? Being in love with you doesn't render me blind, Fizz!" William and Richard exchanged a glance, William coloring slightly behind his coffee cup.

    "Speaking of Lizzy," Richard pressed on, "How's life with Bright Eyes?"

    "Very nice," William smiled. "I'm beginning to think I should have broken my leg," he quipped.

    "I'm sure we could arrange a little accident over the weekend."

    "And I'm sure Lizzy would rather have William whole and uninjured, Fizz," Olivia said as she rose and went to refill her cup.

    "I'd kind of like to be whole and uninjured myself," William said, offering up his cup when Olivia returned with the pot of coffee. "I'm getting rather impatient to get back to my normal routine."

    "It's only been a week, Will," Olivia cautioned. "Don't push it."

    "Yeah, cuz. Take it easy this weekend and you'll probably be back to your tight-laced, little GQ cover boy self again by Monday," Richard said. William dismissed him with a withering glance.

    "Did you and Lizzy ever finalize your plans for the weekend?" Olivia asked.

    "Yes. We'll stay in town tonight and drive up tomorrow after the children's party."

    "You're really going?" Richard asked.

    "Yes. Why is everyone so surprised to hear that I'd go to a children's party?"

    "I guess it's just hard to see you amid a sea of little ankle biters." Olivia hit Richard's arm.

    "Is that how you think of Jazz and Siena? You were just suggesting taking them on an outing!"

    "Yes, but they're family. Fitz here just wants to go to that party to make brownie points with Lizzy."

    "So? I think it's a wonderful way to demonstrate his--."

    "Readiness for domesticity?" Richard suggested. Olivia hit him again.

    "I think I'm already quite domesticated," William said, struggling with the word. "It's not as though I have anything to prove. I just want to spend time with Lizzy doing things she likes to do. Most of the time she's orbiting my sphere, so to speak."

    "Well, I think that's a great idea," Olivia smiled. "And Lizzy will get to see that 'domesticated' side of you into the bargain."

    "Well, I won't deny that I hope to impress her with my fondness for children," William said.

    "And if she's not impressed, there'll probably be a single mother or two around who will be,' Richard quipped. Olivia hit him for the third time. "That's it; I think I've worn out my welcome. Time for me to get upstairs." He rose to his feet and laid his cup and saucer on the sideboard."

    "I'd better get upstairs, too," William said.

    "See you boys," Olivia said. Richard bent to kiss her as Will made his way to the door. The two cousins walked to the elevators together.

    "I'm really glad to see that you're feeling better," Richard said as they stepped into the elevator. William smiled.

    "Is that why you're picking on me this morning?"

    "No, I'm picking on because I'm just not as enchanted by the sight of you in low-slung, bum-hugging jeans as some people are," Richard said. William laughed as Richard got off the elevator and continued to laugh all the way up to the 40th floor.

    "So, do we have to bring a gift to the party tomorrow?" William asked Lizzy as he applied his signature to another of a seemingly endless stack of papers.

    "Yes--oh no! Thanks for reminding me! I would have forgotten completely about it till tomorrow," Lizzy replied. "Thanks, Will."

    "Glad to be of use. In fact, I was thinking that you might meet me at my office and we'll take a trip to FAO Schwartz after work. Then we can have dinner somewhere on the way home."

    "William Darcy, you're a treasure."

    "I know." Lizzy laughed at his smug remark, and she teased him about it when they met several hours later in front of the huge toy store that was a New York institution. William took Lizzy's arm and guided her inside. Lizzy was immediately drawn to the stuffed animals.

    "When I was a kid I always loved to come here and see the Steiff animals, especially the giant ones," Lizzy confessed. "I always wanted that big giraffe."

    "Then you should go to Fitz's house. There's a whole menagerie in the old nursery."

    "You're kidding!" William shook his head.

    "They had a playroom on the top floor. There was a giraffe, an ape, a monkey or two, and Fitz's all-time favorite, the tiger."

    "Ooh! That's a must-see."

    "Well, the playroom is still there. My cousins use it when they visit."

    "I can't wait! Okay, okay!" Lizzy gushed excitedly, "Back to business; what are we going to get for Melissa?" William smiled.

    "Lego set?" Lizzy nodded and William led her to the escalator.

    "Wait a minute," Lizzy said as they rode to the upper level. "What do you know about Legos?"

    "You ought to see my playroom!"

    William pulled his sleek black Mercedes into a space in the mall parking lot and turned off the engine, looking around dubiously. Lizzy arched an eyebrow at him.

    "Don't worry, William. I'm sure it's safe. We're still in New York, you know." William shot her a look. "Brooklyn has been a part of New York for over 100 years now." Lizzy smiled at William's expression. He made a half-hearted attempt to silence her with a glare. "How come you never let me drive?" Lizzy asked as she reached into the backseat for Melissa's birthday present. William's expression changed to one that was clearly meant to question her sanity.

    "I let you drive," he replied slowly, certain that he was probably lying. William knew he was old-fashioned enough to still believe that the man should do all the driving while the woman should relax and enjoy the view.

    "Oh, yes. Once, after Hugh's birthday party, when you boys were throwing back whiskey as if it was Kool Aid. I took the keys from you, Will. And you complained the whole quarter mile I drove between Hugh's house and yours." William winced slightly.

    "Kool Aid?"

    "If you've never been exposed to it, consider yourself fortunate. Oh, and you let me drive for a few minutes when I was showing you around Elverson. But don't try to distract me," Lizzy said as she crossed her arms and pouted. "You know, Richard lets Livy drive his cars all the time, even his Jaguar."

    "Richard's--." William clamped his mouth shut before the epithet that sprang to his lips came out. No point in adding fuel to the argument. "Uh, does he?"

    "You know he does! He's even planning to take out his Jag convertible this weekend for her, I hear."

    "He'll never let Olivia drive that. He barely let me drive it...once," William blurted out.

    "Oh, really? Well, Mr. Know-it-all, Richard told me that the first thing he planned to do this morning after he got the car out was to have Livy drive him over to Tineke's place and look at the blueprints for the new house. So there!" Lizzy said as she opened the car door and got out. William shook his head and, grabbing his keys, got out on his side of the car. Lizzy stood waiting, looking at the party venue as William came around to meet her.

    "Are you sure you really want to do this?" she asked with a worried look.

    "What? Do you think I'd rather spend the next three hours prowling the mall alone?" he shot back. Lizzy smirked. All right, Mr. Darcy. Have it your way. She took his hand and the two headed for Chuck E. Cheese.

    "He's not a rap star, by the way."

    "I surmised that by all the laughter my comment aroused."

    "He's a rat." William stopped in his tracks. "Or a mouse, hard to tell which." He eyed her suspiciously as he held the door for her. Lizzy thought it was a good time to press her luck. "So, can I drive up to Connecticut? We can go back to the house for my Bug if you're squeamish about my driving the Mercedes. Or are you more squeamish about leaving your car in Brooklyn all weekend?" William smiled at her challenge.

    "I can always get Bates to pick it up for me...but all right, you can drive my car to Connecticut." Lizzy yanked on his hand and raised her face to kiss his cheek. "Wait a minute. I just agreed to risk life and limb to let you drive my favorite car and all I get is a bloody kiss on the cheek?"

    "That's all you'll get in front of the children, anyway," Lizzy replied as poked William in the ribs and immediately apologized as he yelped in pain. He stood doubled over for a second as Lizzy looked on, horrified. William turned and went back outside with Lizzy on his heels. "Will? Are you okay?" He smiled then, and swept Lizzy into his arms.

    "I just wanted a real kiss," he said when he released her. Lizzy was careful to aim her punch at his arm before she headed back into the play center. An arch of yellow balloons alerted Lizzy to the area Mina had staked out for her party. Lizzy found her sitting beside Charlotte, and Mina's husband, Randy. Lizzy introduced William, and Mina, in turn, introduced Lizzy and William to a few of the other mothers who were seated nearby.

    "Where is the birthday girl?" William asked as he looked around. Randy pointed out his daughter, who was currently perched atop a sliding board.

    "Guess I'd better get over there and keep an eye on things," he said, and William offered to accompany him. Lizzy sat down and added her present over to the large pile already awaiting Melissa.

    "So how did you manage to get William to come with you, Lizzy?" Charlotte asked.

    "I didn't. He insisted on coming. We're leaving from here to spend the weekend in Connecticut."

    "What's in Connecticut?" one of the parents asked.

    "Oh, William has a house there," Lizzy said simply.

    "William Darcy is the CEO of Darcy Corporation," Charlotte added. "He has houses all over the country."

    "No, he doesn't," Lizzy blushed, with a pointed look at her.

    "Which one is yours?" the young mother asked.

    "Which house?" Lizzy replied, completely confused.

    "Which child?"

    "Oh! I don't have any children."

    "Does William?"

    "No," Lizzy replied in amusement, "None that I know of, anyway. We're here because Mina and I work together and Melissa and I are good friends." The woman apologized but Lizzy just laughed it off.

    "This is your big chance to let William see what kind of mother you can be," Charlotte said.

    "Yes," Lizzy deadpanned. "Do you think I should grab a kid at random and read him a bedtime story, or should I borrow a baby and nurse?" She watched in satisfaction as more than a few mouths dropped open. "I think I'd better go say hello to Missy and check on William." She left the others and waded into the play area, where the cacophony of video games, music, and squealing children gave her an instant headache. Lizzy looked around for William and quickly found him. To her astonishment, Melissa was wrapped around him as though he was a part of the playground equipment. Lizzy waded in among the children to rescue him, but William plucked the girl from around his waist and swung her up and onto the ladder leading to the sliding board. Even more astonishing, he seemed to be laughing as he did it. Melissa turned her head to say thank you before she climbed to the top of the ladder and slid down a pole. By the time Lizzy reached William, Melissa had grabbed hold of him again.

    "Happy Birthday, Missy," Lizzy said as she carefully pried the girl's fingers away from William. As soon as her hands we free, Melissa reasserted her claim on the smiling man by resuming her hold. Lizzy frowned, causing William's smile to broaden.

    "Jealous?" he said with an arch look. Lizzy rested her hands on her hips for a moment, mouth agape. Then she turned and strode away, leaving William to fend for himself. She turned back just in time to see three other kids pile onto William's back. She gasped in horror, but William seemed to be laughing as he dug himself out from under the sea of flailing arms and legs.

    "William seems to be a very cool guy," Randy said as he came closer to watch the scene.

    "He is. I never knew he had such a way with children," Lizzy admitted as she watched William being dragged back over to the sliding board, where two little boys seemed determined to convince him to join them.

    "It's 'new meat' syndrome," Randy explained. "Kids love to play with new friends."

    "Especially adults they think they can manipulate?" Lizzy said as, to her amazement, William climbed the ladder. He did not, however, attempt the slide. "I think it's worth noting that he had appendix surgery less than a week ago. Randy let out a cry and immediately went to William's assistance. Lizzy smiled and went over to chat with Mina. She didn't see William again for about fifteen minutes and grew worried. She and Mina went in among the throng of children to find him. William was discovered a few minutes later with a four year old playing a tossing game. The little boy was focusing hard to toss beanbags into a ring. Lizzy approached and stood a short distance away and listened as William's patient tutelage resulted in success. The little boy leapt with joy and eagerly took up another bag. When the second toss also found its target he jumped up and down again as William high-fived him. Lizzy was about to join the pair when the child's mother approached William.

    "You have quite a way with him," she began. "Much better than his father was."

    "Was?" William repeated, with a sad look at the boy.

    "Yes, we were divorced a few years back. His father remarried and moved to the west coast. Hardly ever sees Jeremy." Will nodded in understanding. Lizzy sighed. She knew what was coming next, and she rested her hands on her hips as the woman began to sweet talk William. He answered her conversationally, answering her questions about his work and personal life. When she asked the inevitable question, he responded that he was not married, but "working on it."

    "Haven't found the right woman yet?" his companion asked hopefully.

    "Oh, I have found her. She's just not ready for marriage yet."

    "Are you sure she's the right one?" William looked at the woman as if her question was absurd.

    "There will never be anyone else," he said simply. The woman looked at him for a moment as if stunned by the fervor of his declaration. Then, as if conceding defeat, she thanked him for playing with her son and led the boy away. Lizzy approached then, and wrapped her arms around William's waist. He put his hands over hers and smiled.

    A sudden rainstorm forced Richard and Olivia to postpone their outing with the girls, so the foursome retired to the playroom while the twins went shopping with Kathleen. It was, after all, to be a ladies' weekend, with the twins and Caitlin's two daughters flying east to spend some quality time with the family. The shopping trip had been planned days in advance; the trip to the playroom was to be a spontaneous adventure. Richard carried the baby under one arm as he led the way. When he opened the door, the older of the two girls, Jasmine, eagerly ran toward the huge toy chest looking for a few well-loved favorites. Siena, however, had just recently learned to walk, and she held onto Richard's hands as she made her way into the room at a snail's pace.

    "At this rate, Jazz will be out of college before we get to you," Richard grumbled to Olivia, who was already helping Jasmine sort out blocks. Richard began to lift Siena from the floor but Olivia prevented him.

    "Let her walk, Richard! She'll never become good at it unless she practices. And don't lift her by the hands like that or you might dislocate her shoulders." Richard squatted behind the child.

    "Sorry, Siena," he whispered, "Didn't know babies were so flimsily constructed. That's your Aunt Livy over there. I'll tell more about her later when we get to scary naptime stories." Olivia glowered at the man across the room.

    "Would you like to sleep alone tonight, Mr. Fitzwilliam? I'm sure William wouldn't mind if I spent the night at his place," she said mildly.

    "Oh yeah?" Richard countered, as Siena fell backward onto her seat and looked up at him in surprise. He lifted her up and carried her across the room. "You wouldn't last the night without me."

    "Not in front of the children, dearest," Olivia said as Richard set the baby down and sat on the carpet beside her. Siena immediately crawled off toward the stuffed gorilla that stood a short distance away.

    "Well, you started it!"

    "That was a mature response," Olivia deadpanned as she followed the baby, leaving Richard to play with Jasmine. Richard smiled at his departing significant other and turned to immerse himself in playing with his older niece. The pair built a castle while Olivia supervised Siena's exploration of the large play space. When she grew tired of wandering, Olivia offered to read the girls a story. When the twins returned from their shopping expedition, Caitlin went up to the playroom to check on her daughters. She came back a moment later.

    "You have got to see this," she said. Kathleen, Corinne, and Bess followed Caitlin up the stairs. She pushed the door open and peered in. They saw Olivia sitting cross-legged on the floor, with Jasmine in her lap, reading a story, while a short distance away, Siena and Richard were laying on a quilt fast asleep. Olivia paused and looked up as Caitlin entered.

    "I'd better put this one in the crib," she said as she reached for the baby. "The other one is your problem," she smirked. Jasmine rose to join her mother, and Kathleen and Bess also retreated, leaving Olivia alone with Richard. Only Corrine remained in the doorway. She frowned when she saw that Olivia was still reading.

    "What are you doing?" Corrine asked when her curiosity got the better of her.

    "I want to see how the story turns out," Olivia smiled. Corrine looked at her doubtfully, and then turned and left. Olivia read the last page and closed the book. She scooted over to where Richard lay, and stretched out beside him. She bent over him and kissed his cheek before she lifted his arm and snuggled up close. She was asleep in minutes.

    Lizzy and William arrived at the house in Connecticut and found Georgiana in the living room polishing her toenails.

    "Looks like we had a far more exciting afternoon than you," Lizzy quipped as she picked up the bottle and examined the color.

    "You'd better believe it. Choosing this color was the most thrilling part of my day."

    "And you chose "Glacier Blue"? William asked as he, too, examined the bottle. "Why would you want blue toenails?" Lizzy arched a brow and exchanged a glance with Georgiana.

    "Want to borrow it, Lizzy?" Lizzy laughed but she didn't dare answer with William gaping at her. She offered to make tea and disappeared into the kitchen. "We've been invited to dinner with the family," Georgiana said to her brother, who was still staring after Lizzy.

    "Great; I'd like to see the twins. Have you been over yet?"

    "I saw them last night. Siena has grown so much since the holidays! She's walking! And Jazz is just crazy about Richard! They're so cute together!"

    "Yes, well, there has yet to breathe a female who was beyond his ability to charm," William said as he eased into a chair beside his sister's.

    "Are you all right? You look exhausted."

    "I spent the better part of the last three hours in an indoor playground surrounded by a few hundred children screaming at the top of their lungs. I toted, tussled, tangled, teased, and taunted the dozen or so five and six year olds in our group while Lizzy sat on her exquisite fanny and egged me on."

    "Liar!" Lizzy cried as she entered the room. "I played with the kids, too. I can't help it if all the mothers preferred to have their children play with you," Lizzy teased. William lifted his eyes to hers and narrowed them into slits.

    "Still jealous, are you?"

    "No, amused!" she replied. "Aren't you glad I drove us here?" she smiled. William laid his head back in the chair and chuckled to himself. "I tell you what, Mr. Mom; after you have your tea, I'll go up and run you a nice hot bath and see if I can't work out a few of those kinks, okay?" Lizzy left the room to go make the tea while Georgiana looked at her brother appraisingly.

    "Maybe you need to start working out again." William shot her a threatening look. "Really, Will! When you and Lizzy have kids, you'll need to be able to keep up." William raised his head and considered her comment as Lizzy returned with a tray.

    "Look what I found!" She placed the tray on a side table and offered William one of Olivia's oatmeal cookies. He accepted it gratefully as Lizzy went upstairs to start the bath. Georgiana sat up straight and checked to see if the tea was properly steeped before she poured out a cup for William. She poured another cup for herself.

    "Richard is so ready for fatherhood," Georgiana continued her thought. "He was great with the girls last night."

    "He's child-like, they're children--it's no stretch for him," William smiled. "But I know what you mean. I think both he and Olivia are ready for the whole American dream thing."

    "And you and Lizzy?" Georgiana assayed cautiously.

    "Not yet, but we'll get there."

    "I hope so. Corrie and I agreed that you and Lizzy would have the most gorgeous children. Livy and Richard's would merely be adorable, and mine--." William raised his eyebrows and glared at his sibling. "Well, in my case, it's too soon to tell." Mollified, William turned his attention back to his tea. Lizzy came back a few minutes later and told William that his bath was ready. He thanked her and went up to take advantage of it while it was still hot. Lizzy took William's seat and poured herself some tea.

    "So what's up, Gee?"

    "Nothing much. I was just telling Will about seeing the twins and the girls last night."

    "How is everyone?"

    "Great! The girls are so big--especially Siena--and the twins are their usual selves. By the way, Corrie is really pregnant."

    "I know, Will told me ages ago."

    "I mean really pregnant; twins!" Lizzy gasped.

    "She's really excited and she's really big for someone just five months."

    "I can't wait to see her," Lizzy smiled.

    "We were talking last night about children, and we agreed that her twins won't hold a candle to the kids you and Will are going to have someday." Lizzy's face registered a range of expressions.

    "That's an awful thing to say! I'm sure the twins will be beautiful!" she managed after only a second.

    "Of course, they will. But you and Will are both so beautiful individually that your children are bound to be heartbreakers." Lizzy averted her eyes and blushed.

    "If we have children," she said in a small voice.

    "Oh, Lizzy, you have to! I mean I know you're a vice president and all now, but you still want children, don't you?" Lizzy nodded.

    "Yes, someday. Someday, William and I will have gorgeous children," she said with a confident smile. Georgiana clutched at her heart dramatically, her pale blue fingernails glinting in the late afternoon light.

    "Thank goodness! Don't scare me like that! I have big plans to be a matronly aunt someday, you know!" Lizzy laughed for a second, but her expression turned to a frown.

    "A matronly aunt? Don't you intend to have any children yourself?"

    "Not if Will has anything to say about it. Do you know he actually cornered Christopher and asked his intentions? Twice?"

    "What are his intentions, Gee? Are you two seeing each other?" Lizzy asked. She had done her best to run interference for Georgiana, but her curiosity got the better of her. Georgiana peeked into the hall for any sign of William before she answered.

    "We are seeing each other, sort of. We've been out a few times."

    "What's a few?"

    "Oh, since the gala?" Lizzy saw that Georgiana was being slightly evasive. "Less than half a dozen times. It's not serious."

    "But you want it to be," Lizzy said, reading the younger woman's thoughts. Georgiana made a face.

    "Well, what if I did? So far he's kept everything on a friendly basis, but what's so wrong about my wanting more than that?" she said defensively.

    "There's nothing wrong with it. Your brother is just worried about your getting hurt again," Lizzy said.

    "I know, but geez, Lizzy! I'm twenty-one and if I want to make a mistake, I ought to be allowed to. Lord knows Will did when he was my age--. Sorry," she said hastily. "I probably shouldn't bring up William's past love life."

    "No, you probably shouldn't," Lizzy smiled, rising to her feet. "And speaking of William, I'd better go and check on him. I promised him a back massage."

    Later that evening, the Fitzwilliam clan assembled around the dinner table, joined by Lizzy, William, and Georgiana. Richard and Olivia had prepared the meal with the assistance of the family's full-time cook, Mr. Fong, who had never seen Richard attempt anything more ambitious than a sandwich.

    "I'm very impressed," Hugh said with a smile. "I knew Livy would be a good influence on you, Richard," he said with a wink at his future daughter in law.

    "Yes, Fizz. The chicken is delicious!"

    "I happen to know for a fact that chicken is Fitz's specialty," William smiled.

    "True. I can prepare a chicken about a dozen different ways now, but I'm still doing beef under supervision," Richard proudly admitted.

    "Do you cook at all, Will?" Caitlin asked. William froze, his fork halfway to his mouth.

    "William makes a great hamburger," Lizzy offered. "And he makes terrific omelets, too."

    "Toast. Don't forget that Will makes primo toast," Georgiana added teasingly. "Of course, he doesn't have a live-in cooking instructor like some people." Richard stuck his tongue at her, earning a swift double-barreled reproach from his grandmother and Olivia.

    "Lizzy cooks very well, Gee, and could probably teach Will plenty," Olivia said. "It's just that he'd rather make reservations than anything else."

    "That is such a corny joke," Corrine said with a roll of her eyes.

    "That's why Ricky fell for her, no doubt," Caitlin agreed.

    "The question is why did she fall for Ricky?"

    "He is rather cute, in a pathetic sort of way."

    "They're doing it again," Lizzy said to William.

    "And he's rich; that probably doesn't hurt."

    "I know, but she actually seems to like the little runt."

    "I adore the little runt..." Olivia said defiantly. Richard glared at her. "Uh...darling." The twins burst into laughter.

    "So what time is your flight tomorrow?" Richard asked crossly. "I'll be happy to take you to the airport."

    "We're not leaving tomorrow," Caitlin said.

    "William has invited us to stay on for a few more days," Corrine explained.

    "What?" Richard glared at William, stung by this apparent betrayal.

    "I thought perhaps they'd like to stay for the party I want to give for Lizzy next week."

    "Your 'Hooray, Lizzy's Going Back to Brooklyn' celebration?" he retorted, earning a kick under the table from Lizzy.

    "Will is giving a party to celebrate Lizzy's becoming a partner at Cherry Blossom," Georgiana explained. "If you promise to behave, we won't take your name off the guest list."

    "A party for Bright Eyes, eh? How come this is the first I've heard of it?"

    "Because we only decided on it an hour before we came over," William explained. "We'd like to hold it next Friday; nothing too big, maybe a few dozen people at the townhouse. You're all invited of course."

    "You mean you've asked the twin terrors to stay on for another week?" Richard rolled his eyes.

    "You know, from the way he carries on, you couldn't tell that he adores us."

    "Just like Livy." Richard rolled his eyes again and Lizzy covered her mouth with her napkin and laughed.

    On Monday, William met with Mrs. Reynolds to begin making arrangements for the party. He also put in a call to Charles to make sure that all of the Cherry Blossom staff was invited to the festivities. Olivia offered to assist Mrs. Reynolds, and Richard also offered to help out in any way he could. William asked him to put his almost encyclopedic knowledge of Lizzy to use to prepare a brief speech for the party, and reserved for himself and Lizzy the task of inviting the other guests. That evening, he called Lizzy from his library with a question.

    "Hello, gorgeous. I have a question about the guest list you just e-mailed."

    "Problems?"

    "No, no problem. I just noticed that Jade Ng is on the list."

    "Yes. What's your question?"

    "My question is who is she?"

    "Will, Jade works for you. You know, the woman--."

    "...In the picture that ticked you off, correct?"

    "Well, yes."

    "Why on earth are you inviting her to your party?" Lizzy was glad that five miles separated her and William because it meant that he couldn't see her devious smile.

    "Just to show her that there are no hard feelings?"

    "Lizzy," William drawled.

    "Yes, dearest?"

    "I'd rather not."

    "But you said I could invite anyone I wanted to, William!" she cried, infusing as much pout into her voice as possible. William rolled his eyes.

    "What is this really about?"

    "It's about proving to her that I have no animosity toward her."

    "Why would you care? How would she even know that you did, if you did?"

    "What?"

    "You know what I mean, Lizzy. I don't buy it."

    "Tell me something. Why are you opposed to her coming to the party?"

    "Well, frankly, I can't say I care for her company."

    "Even if she distracts Christopher from Gee?"

    "The possibility of her making things unpleasant for my sister is yet another reason not to invite her." Lizzy sighed.

    "All right, William. I'll come clean. She did something to me at the hospital that I can never forgive her for."

    "What did she do?"

    "When I arrived at the hospital, she was there and she made it sound as though you--."

    "I what? Lizzy?" But Lizzy was too emotional to speak for a few seconds.

    "I intend to put that little...thing in her place, once and for all."

    "I don't like this, Lizzy, whatever she did. I want to have a nice party with our good friends. It's not the place for a grudge match."

    "Trust me, William."

    "I trust you, Lizzy. I just don't want to see a repeat of what happened at my last party."

    "What happened at Christmas was nothing like this situation and I can guarantee you that after this week, Jade Ng will no longer be a thorn in your side."

    "That's just about a fait accompli anyway. Olivia has been campaigning to get Ken Hunt--the man Jade replaced--back to work after an extended disability leave. If all goes well in our meetings later this week, he'll be coming back on board within a week or two. Jade will no longer have any dealings with DARCO or Crenshaw, Ltd."

    "That's great. But--."

    "But what?" Will asked warily.

    "I already called and invited her."

    "And she accepted?"

    "Not yet; I left a message on her machine." William made a strange groaning noise and Lizzy cringed.

    "Are you very mad?" she asked in a small voice.

    "No," William sighed. "I just wish you had spoken to me about this first."

    "I'm sorry, Will, but I felt very strongly about this."

    "I still would like to know why."

    "I'll tell you later. If I tell you now, it'll only make you angry."

    "At you or Jade?" Will asked in amusement.

    "Oh, I think you'd definitely be angry with Jade."

    "She wouldn't tell me what it was about. Did she say anything to you about the incident?" Richard shrugged.

    "I was in Colorado at the time, remember? If anyone, she would have spoken to Livy about it. I didn't even know that Jade had gone to the hospital," he lied.

    "Nor did I, until last night."

    "Well, why don't you just speak to Livy about it?" William shook his head.

    "I assume that Lizzy will tell me about it, in due course. I really don't want to pry; I just wondered if you'd heard anything."

    "Sorry, I can't help you, cuz. But I must say, I'm really curious now."

    "That makes two of us," William admitted as he glanced at his watch. "I have a meeting with your lovely better half in a few minutes. Think I'll take her on to lunch with me. Do you mind?"

    "What's with you and Livy and lunch, lately?"

    "Lovely alliteration," William smiled. "I like having lunch with Olivia. I always learn something about what I'm eating. Plus, she's getting more exposure to some of the city's top chefs. You're welcome to join us, by the way."

    "Oh, gee, thanks. Think I will."

    "I'll call for you in about a half an hour then." William rose and headed out the door. Richard sat and thought for a moment about William's revelation and wondered, too, what Lizzy was planning. When Amy called and informed him that Olivia and William would meet him in the lobby, Richard threw aside the report he had been absorbed in and headed for the elevator. He reached the lobby and followed William and Olivia to the limousine, which whisked the trio across town to a restaurant off Fifth Avenue.

    "This is kind of distant for lunch, don't you think, Fitz?"

    "I want to make a stop on Fifth Avenue on the way back," William replied. "If you and Olivia have to get back, I'll have Bates drop you at Broadway and then come back for me."

    "What are you up to?" Olivia asked, seeing an odd glint in William's eye. He rewarded her with a smile for her perception.

    "I want to pick up a present for Lizzy. If you have time, you can help me pick something out."

    "What have you got in mind?"

    "Something pretty, and special, and completely indulgent."

    "Already spoken for, cuz," Richard said with a loving glance at his partner, who shook her head.

    "I think he was speaking of jewelry, Silly Man." He gave her a "no kidding?" look.

    "Say, are we talking rings?"

    "No," William answered promptly. "Actually I was thinking about something along the lines of what you bought for Olivia in the spring."

    "The necklace? Lizzy loves that," Olivia replied. "I think a necklace would be terrific."

    "Then will you help me choose one?" Olivia smiled.

    "I think I can spare a little time."

    Lizzy hung up the phone and looked up to see Charlotte standing at her door.

    "Can I do something for you?" she asked as she swung her chair around to face her computer screen. Charlotte stepped into the room and took a seat.

    "I was just wondering what I should wear Friday night. I take it that it's black tie optional." Lizzy turned back around.

    "Not at all! Where on earth did you ever get that idea?"

    "Well, I've seen some of those society parties in the papers--."

    "Char, this is not a 'society' party. It's just us and a few friends at Will's house."

    "Yeah, but--."

    "No buts, Char. It's just a regular, ordinary, Friday night party at the home of my gorgeous, beloved, wonderful...uh, sorry. I've got Will on the brain. It's just a party, Char, really."

    "You're really crazy about him, aren't you?"

    "You think?" Lizzy asked as she turned to the computer once more.

    "So when are you going to tie the knot?"

    "Oh, someday," Lizzy smiled. And she knew deep inside that this time she meant it.

    "Hello, Ken, this is--."

    "Olivia! How are you?"

    "I'm very well, thanks. How are you doing?"

    "Very well. Physical therapy is a royal pain, but I've been making steady progress since the surgery."

    "Good. Ken, I'm calling because I have been authorized by William Darcy to make you an offer: What would you say to coming to work for DARCO and my new firm?"

    "Well, I don't know if my therapy schedule will permit me to work full time for a while. Plus, I'm still under contract to the Gardiner Group."

    "Not a problem. We're willing to buy out your contract and make you the proverbial offer you cannot refuse. You'd technically be working for the Darcy Corporation, but also oversee public relations for me as well. And while you're still recovering from your accident, you can telework as much as you need to."

    "Are you kidding?"

    "Would I kid you, Ken?" Olivia laughed. "You don't have to answer right away. Talk it over with your wife and let us know."

    Continued In Next Section

    © 2000, 2001 Copyright held by the author.