Previous Section, Section III
Jump to new as of April 18, 2002
Jump to new as of May 28, 2002
Jump to new as of July 6, 2002
Chapter 7
The next few days seemed somewhat dreary, but Elizabeth, Jane, and Charles expressed the need to get home, and back to their work. William understood, but was extremely reluctant to let them go. Especially Elizabeth. The two had come out of the lake feeling giddy, childish, and even more so, in love. But the next few days took a toll on them. Each day they were reminded of the need for Lizzy to get back to her job, and for William to finish his work as well. Moving back to Pemberley meant he would be working in Derbyshire, MI, as well.
Would Charles stay in Seattle? The question was on Jane's mind often. It floated around and set a damper on her happy, love-cast thoughts. If Darcy was moving into Pemberley, and Georgiana would be near by, what was the point in Charles staying in Washington?
William and Charles both knew they couldn't stay in Seattle forever, anyway.
What would happen?
In fact, when she had awoken, in the early morning, Elizabeth went to her window, to notice Mr. Darcy sitting on the hill below. He looked dreadfully melancholy, and she wished to comfort him. But she dare not leave the house, or confront him, until she had to leave. She couldn't bring herself to it, or else she might never leave. It didn't sound so bad, but she knew she had to.
Apparently no one was in good spirits that day. Nor could anyone sleep any longer.
It was about 6:30 when she had come out of her room. She heard Jane rustling about in her own room, and Darcy was outside on the hill. Charles she hadn't heard of, until she went downstairs to the study. There she found him reading, tiredly.
"Charles," she said softly, noticing him there. He looked up from his book and gave her a weary smile.
"Lizzy," he set down his book, and invited her to take a seat next to him on the couch.
She took his invitation, and went further, resting her head on his shoulder.
He didn't mind, but realized she was incredibly gloomy as well.
"William is outside," Lizzy offered.
Charles nodded. "I saw him out there when I woke up, which was about an hour ago."
"You woke up at 5:30?" Lizzy looked at him, somewhat astonished. 5:30 was incredibly early for any of them.
"Well, I couldn't get any sleep," Charles answered, then sighed. She noticed the rings around his eyes.
"You're staying here then," Elizabeth sat up and looked at him squarely, frowning.
"Yes, I must. Darcy needs help getting this place under control. Plus we both need to work. I don't think Jane understands, but this is the best I can do. I can't stay in Seattle."
Suddenly Jane walked in. "I heard you both talking, so I came down," she smiled her best. She looked incredibly tired. She was still in her nightgown, and her blonde hair was messier than ever. She also wore bags under her eyes.
"You look tired," Elizabeth commented. Jane shot Lizzy a look.
"You do," Charles agreed. Jane shot Charles a look. He gave her a look with his puppy eyes, which immediately warmed her heart exceedingly. She came and sat on his lap, burying her face in his hair.
"I'm going to miss you," she mumbled. Lizzy stood to leave, and give them some privacy.
"You don't have to go," Jane said, looking up as she heard Lizzy open the door. Elizabeth saw tears running down Jane's cheeks.
"No, its alright," Elizabeth opened the door, and closed it softly behind her, feeling tears sliding down her own eyes. Things were obviously not going as she had hoped. When she finally got Darcy, his parents died. When she finally realized she was in love with Darcy, he said he had to move to Derbyshire. She really wanted a hug, come to think of it.
Lizzy went up stairs and packed some more things up. It only took her a few minutes, considering there wasn't much to pack. Georgiana was up as well, and asked Elizabeth if she could make her some pancakes, since Georgiana didn't really know how. Elizabeth smiled and announced that she would be delighted to. Georgiana even helped, pouring the peppermints into the batter. It's very good, peppermints in pancakes, I will admit. Yum, yum.
Elizabeth flipped the perfect little round pancakes in the pan, and onto a plate for Georgie. When she turned around, Darcy was staring at her. She blushed. Still in her nightgown, as well as Jane, she was standing there with a plate of peppermint pancakes and a silly look on her face. He looked just like Jane did, gloomy, pale, and restless. She expected she looked about the same.
"I was just making Georgiana some pancakes, perhaps you'd like some?"
Elizabeth offered. Darcy looked at the plate in her hands.
"What are those little things in the pancakes?" Darcy asked curiously. She smiled.
"Peppermints, of course," Lizzy smiled. Peppermints have always been a fascination for her, as you'll remember.
"Peppermints? How curiously creative," Darcy said, warming. He liked the idea of it.. peppermint pancakes. He chuckled.
"Here. I'll make you some," Elizabeth stirred up some more batter, as
Darcy watched her intently.
"You're a pretty good cook, Liz," he laughed, as she produced another batch of her pancakes.
"Why thank you, chef William," she smiled, remembering the feast he and
Charles had prepared for her and Jane a while ago.
Darcy was obviously incredibly hungry, and dug into the pancakes, not at all daintily. "Wow, these are REALLY good!" he said. Georgiana took the same delight.
"Thank you," Elizabeth smiled humbly. Lizzy sat down and ate some herself.
Then she excused herself and went to the study to check on Charles and Jane.
When she opened the door a crack, she found the two were sitting on the couch, reading something. She smiled, as Charles wiped a tear from Jane's cheek. Closing the door slowly, she turned around. Again, a mysterious Darcy was standing behind her. She walked over to him and gave him a huge hug, fulfilling her hug need. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.
A few hours later they were all loaded in the car. Driving to the airport, the four were completely silent. They unloaded the car silently, and walked to the gate silently.
As the four stood in front of the gate, the announcer came over the intercom. "Flight 106 boarding now."
"That's our flight," Jane said. She felt like getting into that plane would separate her and Charles forever, but there was nothing she could possibly do.
"I'll write you an email when I get home," Charles smiled.
"A nice, long, juicy one?" Jane asked, sadly. She tried her best to sound perky, but of course, it didn't work.
"Of course," Charles kissed Jane passionately, and Jane turned to Lizzy. Elizabeth and Darcy just stood, opposite of each other, hands in hands. They could only look at each other. Finally Jane nudged Lizzy.
"I'll call you tonight," Darcy said.
"Bye, William," Lizzy looked at him. She quickly gave him a peck on the lips, and walked into the gate. Jane followed.
Darcy and Charles rode home in silence. They both knew they couldn't give either girl up. The minute the two walked in the door, they headed towards the computer room.
"You can get on," Darcy said.
"You sure?" Charles asked, seating himself.
"Yeah, I'm just going to go in my room. Georgiana is at Mrs. Reynolds's, fixing up her new room there. I wish Georgie could stay here, but she really wants to move in with Mrs. Reynolds. And my aunt thinks that it just isn't suitable for a young girl like her to stay with me. Georgie really wants to stay though, probably because of Marcy, Mrs. Reynolds's daughter. She is around Georgiana's age. The two are best friends, I believe," Darcy realized he was somewhat rambling, and decided to take a nap on the couch in the other room.
Charles typed away quickly, wanting to get every thought in his head out into an email. Darcy noticed all the smiley faces he placed in his email. He wished he felt that smiley. William wandered into the living room and realized how empty it sounded. Feeling incredibly alone, he curled up on the couch, and fell asleep.
Elizabeth boarded that plane with tears streaming down her face. She could feel the mascara running, and she knew she looked like a wreck. As the two found their seats, both were rather shaken, simply awaiting the future. The plane started to tip upwards, and Lizzy smacked her gum a bit. It helps your ears not to pop. I don't believe Elizabeth or Jane were really worrying about their ears popping though. Something else clouded their minds.
Jane tried desperately not to think about a certain someone, and found herself lost in a magazine, looking over the newest celebrity fashions, even though she had absolutely no interest in them whatsoever. Lizzy thought she found comfort in the guy sitting next to her. His name was Robert, he was 26, and he enjoyed lacrosse. Elizabeth thought he was an interesting guy, but nothing could take her mind of the man she was leaving behind. She kept thinking of the way he looked, sitting out there, that very morning, on the hill. He had his knees bent, and his arms folded across his knees. He just stared out to the pond, eyes squinted. Oh he looked so.. so ... sexy. She shut her eyes a moment, just thinking.
"Umm, Elizabeth?" Robert looked at her, oddly.
"Oh, yes, of course, sorry, what were you saying?"
"Is something wrong? You keep spacing out, sort of." She looked at him.
"No, I just miss my boyfriend," Lizzy said quietly. Jane looked at her; her eyes telling Lizzy to please not mention boyfriends at the moment.
"Oh. You have a boyfriend?" Robert asked, feeling all of a sudden uncomfortable. He moved in his seat.
"Hmm," Lizzy looked up, "Oh, yes." Robert looked depressed. It was even more depressing.
"Um, excuse me," he said, standing and moving towards the bathroom in the back.
Jane laughed. Elizabeth looked at her, surprised.
"Well, I suppose that kinda ruined it for him,"
"I can't help if I'm in.." Lizzy stopped, looking at Jane.
"Whaaaaaa?" Jane pressed.
"Nothing, nothing." Jane looked at Elizabeth suspiciously, but didn't say anything, just closed her magazine, as well as her eyes, and tilted her head back. Robert returned. The rest of the flight was ... long.
Jane and Lizzy practically crawled off the airplane, they were so tired, and confused. Being up early made them tired, and their thoughts of the boys made them confused. Hailing a taxi, Jane and Elizabeth got home quickly, and fell onto the couch with exhaustion. Jane looked over at the laptop, which was propped open. She realized she had mail. What joy she felt! Jumping up and running to the computer, she quickly clicked on the mailbox. She had three letters from Charles. While Jane read over his endearing messages, Lizzy plopped herself on the bed, and didn't awaken until later, much like William.
A month went by, a very boring, and long month. The sisters barely left the house, only to work, and eat. Darcy, piled with paperwork, spent much of his time at home as well, or outside, swimming in the lake. Charles, being the man that he is, decided to keep his mind as busy as possible, and was taking classes at a college nearby, for the arts of cooking. He prepared a very interesting meal every week for Darcy, and that brightened their worlds a bit, but the loss of the girls stunned them deeply. They didn't imagine that the girls were having as hard a time as they.
Elizabeth walked into the room. She had tried to write some poetry earlier, but her mind wasn't working quite right. Then she tried sleeping, which she did for an hour or so, but when she awoke, she still felt dreadful. She tried to find peace and solitude in the living room, but she only heard the water come on in the other room, and a loud sigh escape from Jane into the air.
"William called for you, Lizzy," Jane said, hearing her sister stir. Lizzy snapped to attention.
"And you didn't wake me up?!" she cried, running to the phone.
"I offered to, but he said that you were probably tired, and he would call back later,"
"No, no, no! I'm never too tired to talk to him!" Lizzy desperately picked up the phone.
"You're calling him?" Jane asked, turning off the shower. She felt clean and refreshed on the outside, but she still wanted to see Charles sooo badly.
"Of course I am!" Lizzy said, dialing. As it rang and rang, she walked out unto the balcony.
"Hello, you have reached the Darcys'. We are not able to come to the phone right now, but please leave a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible..
"Hi, um, William, its Lizzy ... just calling you back ... you know my number ...um, love you, bye."
She hung up the phone quickly, and then just realized what she had said.
"Elizabeth Bennet, did I just hear what I thought I heard?" Jane asked, coming out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her head. She looked at her sister, with her hands on her waist.
"It slipped out," Lizzy said, her face turning red.
"Oh Lizzy, you love him!" Jane rushed to her sister with a hug.
"Well, of course I do. I've always loved him ... he's one of my very best friends."
"Oh Elizabeth, don't go into denial now!" Jane frowned. Her sister was so very stubborn!
"Dear sister ... it's not denial! I've never fallen in love you know. I mean, sure, Julian was like ... an obsession. But that wasn't love. And that George Wickham fellow ... you remember him? When I was 16. Oh that man makes me sooo angry! But that's totally beside the point ... I've never been in love, and I've only known William, oh, I don't know.. how long has it been ... a few months?"
"Sure. I suppose, but Lizzy, I watch how you look at him," Jane ruffled her hair with the towel, in attempt to dry it. She sat on the bed, watching Lizzy's face. Lizzy looked determined.
"I won't fall in love with a silly boy who lives in Michigan, Jane! You know long distance relationships never work! Its only time before he finds someone else, and then I've limited myself for nothing."
Lizzy walked in the closet and began to change. Jane didn't really know what exactly to say. She knew Elizabeth was madly in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy. It was quite obvious to anyone who observed them. And if she wasn't mistaken, he was quite smitten with her as well. The phone suddenly rang. Lizzy dashed out of the closet, and jumped on the bed, to pick up the phone. "Hello?" she asked, anxiously.
"Hi, this is Jim Farewell, from Maxwell's window panes and glass repair. I was calling to inform you of out great new deal.."
"I don't want anything! Stop calling me!" Lizzy slammed the phone down with annoyance.
"Solicitors?" Jane asked.
"YES!" Lizzy stomped back to the closet. The phone rang again.
"You get it Jane, I can't stand those people!" Lizzy cried dramatically. She flung her shirt over the door and proceeded to dress herself in the cutest of cute frog pajamas.
"Hello?" Jane answered sweetly, secretly hoping with all her might it would be Charles calling.
"Hi Jane, its William," Mr. Darcy said softly. She breathed a rather silent sigh.
"Hey William, I'll get Lizzy."
"Thanks." Jane turned to the closet.
"Elizabeth! Its for you!" she called. Lizzy walked out of the closet slowly.
"If it's anybody but him, I don't want to talk to them." Jane looked at her sister.
"You hear that?" Jane asked into the receiver.
"Yeah," Darcy chuckled.
"Well, honey, it is him, so take the phone." Jane tossed it to her sister.
"Hi Lizzy," William laughed, when Lizzy took the phone. Elizabeth turned red.
"Hey William, whats ... um ... up?" she was very excited, remember, but felt rather stupid to say the least.
"I got your message."
"You did?" Lizzy looked confused somewhat, but she sat down silently on the bed.
"I love you too, Elizabeth." Lizzy's eyes grew big.
"Um, I know," she replied. He looked at Charles confused. Charles was sitting next to him, smiling at Darcy's revelation.
"You do?" he asked, kinda surprised.
"Yeah. I mean, we are best friends and all."
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I meant that I'm in love with you," he said, hoping she would reply positively.
"Oh." He felt a tear well up in his eye, but didn't cry. Heaven knows he wouldn't cry. Not now.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Um ... I gotta get up for work early so I gotta go," Lizzy said.
"Oh. Okay," Darcy felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest, and then, of course, very savagely shoved back down his throat.
"Bye."
"Bye." Elizabeth put the phone down slowly, and then slammed her head down on the pillow and cried.
"What, what, what?" Jane asked, hearing her sister's sobs.
"I'm a fool, Jane. I am. And I know it. I am sooo very aware of it."
"What happened?" Jane hugged her sister. She gently rocked her, listening, and being the comforting older sis that Jane was.
"He said he loved me. You know, like, he's in love with me. And I couldn't, I wouldn't say it back."
"Why, Lizzy?! You know you do! You know you love him!"
"I know I do too! But I can't, I told you, Jane, it just won't work.. I can't let myself be in love with him. I can't. And I can't.. I won't, lead him on, if we're both gonna get hurt."
"It seems to me you're already hurt ... not to mention what he's probably feeling at the moment.."
What was Fitzwilliam Darcy feeling, you would be asking yourself? Oh, you could only imagine! Darcy sat there, listening to the dial tone, which was humming in his ear. He couldn't bring himself to set the phone down. He was so sure she loved him. So very sure. So very. Charles immediately understood. Friends do seem to understand, you know. Charles went to the counter in the kitchen and took a bottle of wine from the fridge. Pouring two glasses, he brought them into the living room, in which Darcy was seated. He looked up, noticing Charles re-entering the room with the wine. He slowly put the phone down. Not saying a word, he downed the entire glass of wine immediately.
"Darcy, old fellow, don't be too down. I'll talk to Jane in the morning, perhaps she knows what's going on. I'm sure Elizabeth loves you."
"Are you? Well, that's certainly funny, I was sure of it myself, until just a few minutes ago," Darcy snapped with anger, then contained himself and apologized.
"Get some sleep," Charles said, patting Darcy on the back as he got up. He sighed with aggravation for his friend. "Tomorrow will be better," he tried to comfort him. Darcy mumbled something, and then waved unenthusiastically goodnight. The two parted into their rooms, Darcy taking the bottle of wine with him.
The next morning, rather early, the phone at the girls' apartment rang. Jane was snuggled happily in Charles's old room (Lizzy took Darcy's, and Jane moved into Charles's, both were cozy) as she heard the annoying ring. She wondered out loud who could be calling at ... what was it, 7:30, in the morning?
"'ello?"
"Morning sunshine," the sweet voice on the end said happily. Immediately Jane was awake.
"Oh, morning Charles! How goes it?"
"Badly, Darcy is depressed again,"
"I can only imagine why. You know she loves him right?"
"Of course I do ... but she won't admit it, and he's very upset. He took the wine bottle in his room last night, and is still in there right now."
"Hmmm, it's early here,"
"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you up.. I forgot the time difference again ... it's later here,"
"It's alright.. I suppose you should just let him sleep then? Poor William."
"Indeed. Why won't she say it Jane?" Jane sighed loudly.
"She loves him so much Charles, but you know how stubborn that girl is. She won't say it because he lives in Michigan, and she's here, in Washington. And she figures it will never work. Please don't tell Darcy that though, I mean, Elizabeth doesn't want him to know."
"Of course not. I won't. I wish I could reassure him though, such a pitiful man he is." Suddenly they both heard a sound, which sounded much like a "humph!" but softer.
"What was that?" Jane asked. They then heard a click.
"Charles, you there?"
"Yeah, sorry, I don't know what happened."
"Quite alright. So aside from the depressing soap opera story 'The Lives of William and Lizzy', what else is new?" As the two chatted away, William paced his room, distressed.
"Ah ha!" he exclaimed," I knew she loved me, I just knew it, I mean, she has to, I love her! But she's afraid to tell me ... because we don't live in the same state? If that's what it takes for her to say she loves me, I'll do something about it!" He ran to the phone and picked it up, but heard voices on the other end.. "Oh, sorry Charles. Didn't know you were on." Darcy hung up the phone, and realized he'd just lied. Of course he knew Charles was on. He had been listening earlier you know. Darcy is a sneaky guy when he has to be. For love's sake, of course. Taking out his cell phone, he called the airport. "A flight to Seattle, Washington?" Darcy asked.. He was given the information, and proceeded to pack his bags hastily. His flight left in an hour and a half.
Gone to rectify the situation, and perhaps improve my chances at a happy life
-Darcy
William scribbled the note with a blue pen, and placed it on the floor in front of Charles door. Why he felt the need to rush out without telling Charles, I don't think we'll ever know, but he did. And he was out the back door, and into a car so quickly, and with so much excitement, that he tripped three times.
As the plane took off, an hour and a half later, his nerves were fidgety and scared. His mind raced faster than he had ever thought possible. What did commitment really mean? Something many people didn't understand. Divorce rate was looming around 50%. It was tragic the family's falling apart. But could it be possible to hold a family together by just enough love, trust, and communication? Could it be possible to be this madly and deeply in love with a girl he had known, somewhere around a year? A couple months? Was he crazy to hop on a plane to Washington? And if she said she didn't love him still, oh what would he do then? Crawl in a corner and die, he supposed.
The waitress awoke him from his mindless rambling inside his head, offering him a Pepsi Twist. "Umm, thank you," he said quietly.
"Would you like a pillow sir, you look awfully tired." Tired? He laughed to himself. He had been up all night trying to understand the woman he loved. It's not possible, he decided. He just made do with what he could.
"Please," he answered her, thinking a nap couldn't hurt. But when she brought back the pillow, and he was in a sleeping position, he noticed he couldn't calm his brain down enough to even think about sleep.
The hours went by slowly, and all he wanted to do was get out and run to her, but he waited, as patiently as he could. Thank goodness the man sitting next to him was a businessman, either working away on his laptop, or asleep. William's eyes finally closed, and he began to fall asleep slowly.
Elizabeth sat in the tub, surrounded by bubbles. There were candles lit around the tub, and the lights were dimmed. It was a beautiful bathroom, decorated in gold and white. And of course assorted colors of candles, perfect for her pity party. And what a pity party it was! She had a pint of cookie dough ice cream in her left hand, a copy of "Jane Eyre" in her right, and haunting Enya music floating in the background, along with the slow drip of her bath's faucet.
"Why does this have to be so complicated?" she asked out loud. All morning she found herself walking around the apartment, wondering if she should call William, or e-mail him, or maybe go read, or take a walk in the park. Sad to say, she even contemplated calling Julian, but the idea was dismissed immediately. She rested her head back against the tub and closed her eyes.
Suddenly the door burst open, revealing an insane looking Mr. Darcy. He looked tired, yet awake, and nervous, yet enthusiastically impatient. She screamed and reached for her towel, wrapping it around her. He hadn't seen anything anyways, considering there were so many bubbles. And he was so driven, Jane couldn't even stop him.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy!" she cried, as he stood there, realizing she was in the bathtub. His face grew hot with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth, I have to talk to you, I just have to," he said. She looked a little skeptical as Jane rushed in.
"I tried to stop him, but he's apparently determined," Jane winked.
"Jane, could I have a second with Lizzy?" Darcy said, not taking his eyes off Elizabeth's face. Jane nodded and closed the door. "Elizabeth, please," he kneeled by the tub," allow me to tell you how ardently I admire, and love you," he looked at her, took a breath, and proceeded. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Lizzy. You are the most amazing, vivacious, beautiful, intelligent, girl. You are everything I've ever dreamed of in a girl. I want to grow old with you, and sit on a porch swing as we watch our children play in the yard. And I want to take our grandchildren out for ice cream when it's hot. I want to hug you when it storms outside, and assure you when you worry. I want to kiss you when we're happy, and kiss you when we're sad. Elizabeth, I just can't picture my life any further without seeing you in it."
He dug into his pocket, pulling out a small dark green box. "Elizabeth Bennet, will you marry me?" he asked softly.
She looked at the ring with amazement, and then at Darcy. And then at the ring. She didn't know what to say. It was beautiful, but at that moment, the look in his eyes could awe anyone. The look of love. His brown eyes seemed to deepen. She could see the fear in his eyes if she said no, and the joy if the answer was yes.
"William, I, I'm sorry," she said, looking at him carefully. "I'm sorry I put you through so much pain, and I'm sorry if I ever doubted you. I love you so much as well! And I certainly wouldn't dream of picturing my life without you. I love you, and.." she smiled, "yes."
He jumped up, leaned over the bath, and kissed her. She reached for her robe, and slid it on, dropping the towel from underneath. She stepped out of the tub, his hand holding her. As soon as both feet were safely on the ground, he pulled her into him, ruthlessly. And then, as fireworks shot off outside, and the music played, two more souls were united. The ring fit perfectly, as did their lips together. Hand in hand, they walked out of the bathroom.
Jane stood up, as Lizzy flashed her ring. The sisters hugged happily.
"I just got off the phone with Charles, he's flying in tomorrow," Jane said after the congratulations were said. Lizzy smiled. "I haven't been honest, Lizzy," Jane said, looking disturbed.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Charles proposed to me a few days ago, over the phone. He said he couldn't wait any longer, he had too. In fact, he was planning to fly out earlier, except Darcy was depressed, and he didn't want to leave him." William laughed.
"Charles really is a great friend to me," he smiled, hugging Jane.
"A double wedding?" Elizabeth laughed.
"Of course!" Jane replied.
Exactly two months, seven days, and seven hours after that proposal, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, Charles Bingley, and Jane Bennet, stood at an altar, and changed their lives. Elizabeth and Jane held their bouquets tightly, with anticipation, waiting for the priest to say, "You may now kiss the bride". The time did come, and the grooms were only too glad to oblige him.
The reception was beautiful, outside, in a lovely garden, in Pemberley. Everyone was there. The bridesmaids, of course, were Kitty, Lydia, Charlotte, and Mary, all in beautiful pink dresses. Their mother was incredibly excited to marry off two daughters, and to such wealthy men too. Recalling the wedding ceremony, Lizzy smiled as she remembered her father in between his lovely daughters, both wrapped in white lace.
As the music played, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and Mr. and Mrs. Bingley danced away to a favorite Frank Sinatra song. Darcy looked into Elizabeth's eyes as he mouthed the words to the song. The two rocked back and forth to the slow beat. Lizzy placed her cheek against his chest, and dared not move. When the song was over, Elizabeth excused herself from his arms for a moment, and went to the bandstand. She whispered something in the conductor's ear, and suddenly the band started up a lively and happy song.
Darcy dipped and sprung Elizabeth around and around the floor, amazing all the on-lookers. The two were certainly enjoying themselves, and had to share their enjoyment, pulling Charles and Jane unto the floor with them. The two couples danced and danced, and didn't stop. Soon the party was over, and many people returned home. Mrs. Bennet was among the last to leave, but after kissing her daughters goodbye, and with a wink of mischievousness, she was off to her car.
"Well, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, as the two walked into Pemberley, arm in arm.
"Yes, Mrs. Darcy?" William smiled. She liked the sound of that. Mrs. Darcy. She nestled into his shoulder with happiness.
"This has been a fun day, don't you agree?" Darcy laughed.
"A very fun day," he suddenly spun her around, and dipped her. As the two began walking up the staircase, Elizabeth began to get ... excited perhaps? Nervous, definitely. Here was the man she loved. Truly loved. She squeezed his hand, as he kissed her.
"I love you," they muttered, together.
Fitzwilliam slowly undressed, as his wife stood in the corner, watching him. The room was lit with glowing candles, and her heart raced, but her face showed no look of fright. Her hair tumbled across her shoulders, and she looked at him. He slowly climbed into their bed. She found his eyes were staring at hers. She came and sat by him, and snuggled herself in his strong arms.
"We're here, William," she said softly. He closed his eyes.
"Umhmm." The lights were off, and the room looked dark. He began to kiss her, and she returned the kiss with enthusiasm.
The night was long and short, the time was different than it had ever been, and the morning came softly. No bright sun in their window, but a dimmed light, not awaking either. Elizabeth stirred in his arms, a bit cold. She sat up, and realized the window was open. It had been open all night. She wrapped her robe tightly around her, and closed it, softly, so as not to disturb William. He looked so peaceful asleep. Looking at the clock, she noticed it was 6:30. And yet she realized she had all the time in the world. Kissing her sleeping prince, she laid back down, close to him, shut her eyes, and smiled.
Dear Charles,
© 2002 Copyright held by the author.