Beginning, Previous Section, Section VII, Next Section
Down and in...one more pitch-down and in. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth blew the air out slowly and stepped onto the mound. It was the ninth inning...two on, two out, up by one. She had to keep it down and in. Glancing at her opponent, Elizabeth knew at once that any pitch up in the strike zone would be taken for a ride over the fence. This hitter had power. Down and in...it was as simple as that. The batter took a few swings and then got into position. Down and in...
"Elizabeth!"
Trying to ignore the voice, Elizabeth shook off her catcher's first pitch choice and then nodded in assent at the second. She pulled back her arm-in perfect form-and hurled the pitch down the lane.
"Elizabeth! Would you get up?"
The batter eyed the ball, flying swiftly home plate, and prepared to swing. The bat was back and swinging forward just as the ball neared her catcher's glove in perfect position. It seemed to move in slow motion as the bat rounded forward...
"We're going to miss our plane!"
Elizabeth's dream quickly dissolved into darkness as the words registered in her mind. Opening one eye, she glared at the offender. He was showered and dressed and smelled faintly of coffee. Just great. She had married an early riser.
"I was having a good dream," she scowled, "and you interrupted me."
Will rolled his eyes and sat down on the bed next to the bundle of covers that was his wife. Someone was certainly surly in the morning-or afternoon.
"I heard."
"You heard what?"
He smirked. "You must have said 'down and in' just about a hundred times. World Series?" Will kept poking her on the arm until she finally huffed her irritation and sat up.
"I'm not sure what it was because somebody decided to wake me up. I'm not even sure I got him out." She was pouting and knew it.
"Curve?"
Elizabeth gave him a look that obviously questioned his intelligence. "Of course not. Fast ball..."
"Down and in," Will finished for her.
She nodded and then happened to catch sight of the diamond glittering on her left hand. Man, it was a gorgeous ring. She really wasn't sure she would ever get used to seeing it. Suddenly she remembered.
"What plane?"
Will smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He laughed as Elizabeth grabbed her pillow and whacked him with it.
"What plane?" she repeated, holding the pillow up to him in warning. He laughed again and then completely surprised her by leaning down quickly and kissing her.
"Why don't you get up and take a shower and then I might tell you," he said softly, a teasing smile on his lips.
Lifting an eyebrow in response, Elizabeth shoved him off the bed and stood up. Stretching her arms high in the air, she took in a deep breath. "It's too early."
"Early?" Will sputtered with a grin.
"Yes, early. Don't I have time to take a quick nap?"
"Elizabeth, it's eleven in the morning."
"Exactly. Still early." Elizabeth yawned, saw he wasn't going to let her get back into bed, and headed for the bathroom.
"Want me to order you some coffee?" Will called after her.
Elizabeth shook her head. "No way. I don't touch that stuff. It's addicting, you know," she said pointedly, obviously trying to make him feel guilty for his early morning indulgence. "Just order me a Dr. Pepper, please."
"Oh, that's really healthy!"
When Elizabeth came out of the shower, she was dressed in a simple pair of shorts and a tank top. Grabbing her soda from Will's hands, she sat down on her bed to put on her shoes. Just as she reached over to grab one of her Nikes, Will stole the soda back from her hand.
"Hey!"
Will looked at her attire. "I think you might want to change into something a little more...professional." He nodded to her bed where he had laid out a skirt and shirt.
Elizabeth stood up, confusion etched onto her face. "Where did you get those from?"
"Your sister is a wonderful woman. Will you get changed? We do have a flight to catch."
"But...what..." Elizabeth turned her gaze from her clothes, to her suitcase, and to her husband. She narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what you have planned, but I better be back on Thursday. I have to work."
Will laughed. "Yes, I know you do, Elizabeth. And I promise you will be back home Wednesday."
"I don't get it...I thought last night was the honeymoon ruse."
Shrugging his shoulders, Will picked up her clothes, put them in her arms, and gave her a not-so-gentle shove towards the bathroom. "Just get dressed, sweetheart, and try not to think." Smiling, he shut the door on her outraged shriek.
He was good. Strike that, he was better than good. William Darcy had gotten Elizabeth Bennet-no, Elizabeth Darcy-to the airport in plenty of time. No small feat. Especially with her incessant questioning. And her bags. And the fact she had only been up for under two hours.
"Are we going to a beach?" she asked again for the seventh time.
Chuckling and shaking his head, Will simply grabbed Elizabeth's hand and pulled her through the terminal. "What did I tell you the last times you asked?"
She sighed and sent a scowl his way. "You are so mean."
"Right," he stated, flashing her a smile, dimple out in full strength. "I'm horrible."
"Wi-il-l-l!"
His smile never left his face at Elizabeth's childish display. In fact, it grew wider. "You're pretty good at that."
An eyebrow lifted in query, Elizabeth asked, "Good at what?"
"Whining. My mother always told me anyone who could take a one syllable word and make it three was a professional."
Elizabeth laughed. "Your mother must have been one smart lady, Will."
He stopped, smack dab in the middle of the terminal, and turned to look at her. The sudden sadness in his eyes was almost more than Elizabeth could stand. Right now he reminded her of a little boy who had just lost his puppy. She had to say something.
"I wish I could have met her, Will," she said softly, her hand settling on his arm in comfort. "I wish both of them could have been here."
His brown eyes turned lighter as the sadness slowly broke. "They would have loved you, Elizabeth. Truly." As an afterthought, Will added, "I wish Lydia could have been here for you."
The pain that flickered in Elizabeth's eyes was there and gone so quickly Will almost thought he had imagined it. But the tight line of her lips betrayed the fact that she was keeping her emotions at bay. Suddenly she smiled-a small smile, but a smile nonetheless.
"Me, too," she said quietly and then chuckled softly. "Except for the fact that she would have ordered her dress a size too small, giggled through the whole service, and danced with every man in existence at the reception."
"She was a little wild?"
Elizabeth snorted. "That would be the understatement of the year. But...underneath it all, she was the best of sisters."
Will, not able to stare at the pain in her eyes anymore, lifted up his hand and gently brushed his fingertips across her cheek. At first Elizabeth was a little self-conscious at the people staring at them, but the look in her husband's eyes soon put all other thoughts immediately out of her head. His gaze was so warm Elizabeth felt herself flushing under the heat.
A wolf whistle broke through her reflection. "Hey, why don't you two get a room?"
With a smile and a blush, Elizabeth glanced over Will's shoulder to see Rich, Charles, Ana, Stephen, and all her family. Looking up at Will in surprise, she stilled when she noticed he had not taken his gaze off her.
"Can't two newlyweds get a little peace and quiet?" he threw behind his shoulder, still smiling so gently at her.
The presence of Richard was the only thing that caused him to look away. "We're here to see you off, cuz."
Elizabeth glanced up at Will in surprise again. "You knew?"
Smiling, Will nodded. "Of course. Somebody had to tell them when our flight was leaving."
"Aw," Richard said, throwing his arm around Elizabeth, "what a good husband." With his arm still around her, Richard began to lead her towards her family. "So...how was last night?"
Elizabeth gave him a good jab in the ribs but couldn't help laughing at Will's cousin. "Richard, you need some manners!"
"Yes, mother," he grinned, gazing at Will and pulling her closer to his side. His grin grew wider at his cousin's scowl.
Oblivious to the cousins, Elizabeth was smiling at her parents and Leah. Shrugging Richard's arm off her shoulder, she held out her hands to Leah and the baby nearly dove into her arms. Laughing, Elizabeth righted the baby and gave her a squeeze. Leah obviously had no clue how close to peril she came everyday, as testified by the giggle and clap of her hands. Shaking her head in amusement, Elizabeth held tighter as she made a beeline for the floor.
"You're going to have your hands full this weekend," she told her parents, holding the baby close to her chest like football and limiting her movement.
Thomas laughed. "Well, we have raised five of them. I think we'll be all right, Ace."
"Yes, and we had a lot of practice raising you, Elizabeth," her mother put in, smiling at her second eldest.
"She does take after her aunt, doesn't she?" Elizabeth smiled down at her niece.
"Why, thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Darcy," Jane stated, siding up to her sister and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Ana and Charles had followed her.
"Ha!" Sue exclaimed. "You were the perfect baby, Jane-so calm and so serene." Turning to Elizabeth, she raised her eyebrows. "You, on the other hand, were a terror. You would laugh and scream like nobody's business. And no matter where you were or what you were doing, you could not sit still for more than five minutes."
"Some things never change," Will stated from behind her. Normally, she would have smacked him for such words, but the feel of his warm breath on her neck really stopped her brain from functioning for at least ten seconds. Once he noticed this, he kept baiting her. "I'll have to teach her to act more like me. I was the perfect baby."
Hearing a snort next to her, Elizabeth turned towards Richard. "Don't listen to anything he tells you," he told her conspiratorially. "I could give you a few Will baby stories..."
Will laughed at that comment. "That would be impressive...since you were only two at the time."
Richard winked at Elizabeth and whispered in her ear, "Mrs. R."
"Excuse me?"
"Mrs. Reynolds. Just ask her. She'll know every story there is to tell."
Before she could respond, Will grabbed Richard and gave him a friendly shove. "If I didn't know better I'd think you're after my wife, Rich."
Hearing Will's voice, Leah let out a cry and struggled in her aunt's arm to turn toward him.
"Whoa, kid," he stated softly, grabbing the little girl before she flopped onto the floor. Leah immediately began to laugh and tried to stick her fingers into his mouth.
As Elizabeth watched, Will smiled and pretended to bite those fingers-which, of course, made Leah laugh even harder. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth calmed the emotions that threatened to spill over. Bringing up Lydia earlier had brought some feelings out she just hadn't felt in awhile. She loved Leah-she loved her more than anything in the entire world; she knew that. She loved being Leah's mother; it gave her a feeling that covering baseball games or pitching or interviewing did not and never would. But if it meant that Lydia would be back, giggling and snorting next to her-that she would see her little sister's smiling and carefree face again-Elizabeth would give up her place in a heartbeat. Still, as continued to watch Leah and Will interact-the baby was now pinching his ear-things had worked out for the best. Leah would now have the family she deserved, with two parents who loved her to pieces. Elizabeth smiled. Will would certainly make sure Leah did not want for anything.
"Are you listening to me, Elizabeth?"
Shaking her head out of her thoughts, Elizabeth smiled at her mother. "I am now."
Sue Bennet, in pure Bennet form, raised her eyebrow impertinently at her daughter. "Good riddance to you, Elizabeth. I pray Darcy will be able to put up with you." The smile on her face and the hug she gave her second oldest softened her jesting words. The tears hovering in her eyes betrayed the fact that she would, in fact, miss Elizabeth. Handing her the newspaper, she gave her one more kiss.
Mary and Kitty were next in line of hugs. Adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose, Mary smiled at her sister. "It was a lovely wedding, Elizabeth." Giving her a hug, she snuck a look at Will, who was still playing with Leah. An uncharacteristic gleam shone in her staid sister's eye. "Will's quite a catch, Lizzy. I wish there were some librarians who looked like him."
Kitty laughed as Elizabeth gaped at her younger sister. Mary grinned. "What? Just because I look at books all day doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good piece of male flesh when I see one."
"Well...I...uh-" Elizabeth was speechless.
In Elizabeth's moment of weakness, Kitty laughingly kissed her sister on the cheek. "Thank you for letting me help with the dresses. It was a beautiful wedding."
"You two were beautiful. Thank you for being in it." Elizabeth beamed at the two.
"Was it anything like the wedding you planned on when you were twelve?" Kitty couldn't help but ask.
Elizabeth smiled and then tapped her sister's nose. "Better."
"Ouch!"
Turning towards her husband, she laughed as she watched him dodge Leah's fingers. Apparently the baby found it quite entertaining to try and shove her fingers into his eye sockets. Finally taking pity on him, Elizabeth grabbed her niece from behind and started tickling her before she could figure out what had occurred. Giving Elizabeth a salute and a grin, Will turned toward his sister.
"Ana, you are okay staying with Jane?"
The young woman smiled and nodded. "Of course, Will. Jane is so nice."
"That she is," he nodded in agreement.
"Not to mention Sammy's there. I haven't seen him for awhile, you know."
Lifting up his eyebrows, Will laughed. "You can baby-sit him and Mac. Make sure they don't kill each other. Although I'm sure," he said with a wink, "Elizabeth wouldn't mind if Sammy somehow got lost."
Ana laughed. "Is it his name?"
"Yeah, she really does not like Sosa."
Knowing they were talking about her, Elizabeth turned from Charles and Jane and scowled at Will. "Maybe if he'd stop hopping after every home run..."
"Elizabeth..." Jane said with a smile, turning her sister's attention back to the previous discussion.
"Okay, Georgiana, make sure you clean up after yourself, do everything Jane says, and" he said over her groaning and rolling of eyes, "remember to brush your teeth."
"You forgot to tell me to change my underwear."
"I figured you would do that without my reminder."
"Elizabeth!" Ana wailed. "Could you take your husband away, please?"
Walking over to them, Elizabeth looked at her sister-in-law questioningly. Will took that chance to grab Leah from Elizabeth again.
"I've got to cherish this time with her," he said out of the blue. "Pretty soon she'll be that age." He looked at Ana with his eyebrows raised.
"There is nothing wrong with this age-as long as there are no annoying older brothers!"
"Oh yeah?" He asked and with warp speed had his sister in a headlock with one arm and Leah in the other.
"You better give me a hug or I'm not paying tuition next semester. Julliard's pretty expensive, you know."
"I have a scholarship, Will," she reminded him sweetly, trying to elbow him in the gut.
"Yes, that's right." He freed his sister, handed Leah to Elizabeth, and then wrapped Ana in a bear hug.
"Have a wonderful time, Will."
"I will, sweetie." A mischievous smile broke across his face. "And don't forget to-"
"Get out of here!" she not quite yelled, giving him a shove towards the boarding gate.
"Please take him far, far away, Elizabeth," the younger girl teased, giving her new sister-in-law a hug.
Laughing, Elizabeth stated, "I'll try. But I don't actually know where we're going."
After an extra long hug from her dad (who was a little misty-eyed again), a noogie from Richard and Stephen, and a cheerful farewell from Charles and Jane, Will grabbed Elizabeth's hand and started dragging her towards the entrance. When Leah noticed her two favorite people were leaving her, she began to wail. Shaking off his grip, Elizabeth ran back to the baby.
Giving her a kiss on the cheek, she ran her hand over her soft baby curls. "We'll be back soon, cutie. Have fun with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Jane and Aunt Georgiana."
With one last look at the crying baby, Elizabeth had to turn away. Will was watching her.
"Are you sure we can't take her with us?" Elizabeth asked hopefully, the image of Leah with tears running down her cheeks a little hard to bear.
Will gave her hand a squeeze and kissed her forehead. "Five minutes from now she won't even remember we're gone."
With a small smile, Elizabeth nodded. "I know."
Taking her hand, Will walked her to the plane. It wasn't until she was entering when she realized she had not bothered to read their destination.
"I still don't know where we're going! I forgot to look," she admitted.
Will smiled maliciously. "Good. And don't expect me to tell you."
As they found their seats in first class, Elizabeth beating him for the window seat, she turned and gave Will an appraisal.
"Not that I'm complaining about first class, but I'm a little surprised Mr. CEO doesn't have his own jet."
Looking at her as if she were an idiot, Will shook his head slowly. "Of course I do. Melanie is using it."
"Melanie?"
Will went on as if he hadn't heard. "Of course, I could use the second one, but Joe has it."
"Who is Joe? And who is Melanie?"
"Two of my presidents," he stated, as if that explained everything and opened up his briefcase.
"You have more than one?"
"Well, yes," he said absently, "I've got one for every company."
"Every company?"
Sighing, Will looked up from his work and was surprisingly met by a pair of interested-and very beautiful-eyes. He had given up talking about his company years ago. Usually it tended to put any listeners into a catatonic state.
"You want to hear about my company?"
Elizabeth shrugged and nodded. "Sure."
"Really?"
She laughed. "Why wouldn't I? We're married now and your business is important to you."
"So?"
"So..." she said with a smile, "it's important to me, too."
Digesting her words, Will nodded slowly and smiled. "Okay then." Glancing quickly at her again to make sure he didn't catch any hesitation, he again saw the curiosity in her countenance.
"The company my grandfather originated, Darcy Department Stores, is still our number one priority. However, a few years ago, I got a little...bored simply working with stores, so I decided to branch out."
Checking for the glazed over look he was used to, he went on when her eyes continued to convey interest.
"It was then when I began to buy out companies that had good potential but were floundering. Right now we've got about ten other companies under our belt."
"And you have individual presidents for each company?"
Will nodded. "Most of the time we'll give the original CEO the option of staying on as president; of course, only as long as they were not the reason for the company's original demise."
"And what do you do?"
"Well, technically, I'm listed as the CEO and President of the department stores, but I am also in control of the entire corporation. The presidents report to me."
Elizabeth paused a moment, taking in the information. "That seems highly efficient."
Will shrugged. "It usually is. Unfortunately, we have had a couple of bad presidents and let me tell you, it was not much fun trying to work it all out."
"I can see why they would pick you for Businessman of the Year."
To Elizabeth's complete surprise, Fitzwilliam Darcy, CEO and multi-millionaire, blushed to his roots.
"It's really the whole corporation that does it. Honestly, I don't really do that much."
Elizabeth laughed. "I have a feeling you're being too modest. It is really quite amazing."
Will shrugged again and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It's not exactly what I wanted to do with my life quite yet, but I get by."
Placing a hand on his arm, Elizabeth raised the eyebrow. "What are you talking about? You're not proud of all you've done? You don't think your family would be proud of how the company has grown?"
"Of course I do...I-I guess I just don't think of it that way. Life just kind of dictated what I had to do, so I did it."
Realizing that the topic was making him completely uncomfortable, Elizabeth let it go for the moment. Opening her newspaper, she handed Will the business section and began to read the front page.
Will, assuming she was reading the sports, bit his tongue from impertinent comments. Why Elizabeth read the sports pages she wrote for he would never be able to figure out. At her outraged gasp, he turned towards his wife.
"What's the matter? The Cubs win? Barry Bonds say something you didn't like? One of the Cardinals hurt?" Will racked his brain for any other information that would have caused a gasp like that one.
"Listen to this..." she hissed. "'The former Miss Bennet's dress was designed by Julia Flowers, seamstress to the stars, and sister, Kitty Bennet.'" Elizabeth looked up at Will with horror on her face. "Why is our wedding on the front page?"
Leaning around her to look at the paper, he chuckled at the title. "'St. Louis Sports Queen Weds Business King.' Where do they come up with these titles?" He looked again. "That's a nice picture of us."
"How can you laugh about this?" Elizabeth looked as if she had been struck hard on the face.
"Sweetheart, don't you think you're overreacting just a bit?"
The fire that flamed up immediately in her dark eyes was Will's warning.
"I...uh...think I have to use the restroom. Maybe I should check on the pilot..."
"Fitzwilliam Darcy!" Elizabeth said tersely. "You had better not move." All Will could do was nod and stay in his seat. "You think I'm overreacting? Is that what you think I'm doing?" With each question, her voice rose until people were beginning to stare at them.
"Elizabeth," he started gently until she whacked him in the side of the head with the paper.
"Don't 'Elizabeth' me, buddy! I'm not used to being on the front page of any newspaper!"
Will tried to keep his voice low and accommodating. "Well, I think you're going to have to get used to it."
"Used to it?" Her voice could only be described as a squeak.
"Yes, used to it. You will too. If I can, you can." She was looking at him as if she didn't believe him. "Elizabeth, I am a lot more reserved than you are and I've come to terms with the fact that my life is for some reason a hot topic to the press. It'll wear off now, probably."
Elizabeth took a calming breath. "Why will it wear off?"
Will shrugged and started to turn red again. "I tended to be very interesting to...women mostly. I'm married now."
"And you think that will keep you from the headlines?"
"Maybe."
"But it puts me in them."
"Sorry," he said with a shrug of his shoulders and a smile of apology that was sincere.
Elizabeth sighed again. "That's all right. I guess I am overreacting-a little." She shot Will a blinding smile. "Any way, it was just in the St. Louis paper. I highly doubt it'll be anywhere else."
Will made a non-committal grunt, not willing to let her know how wrong she was. "I never understood why anyone paid so much attention to me, anyway. I'm a business man for goodness sakes, not a movie star."
When Elizabeth remained silent, Will looked up at her. She was barely repressing laughter and failing miserably at hiding her smile.
"What?"
"You're rich, Will."
"Yeah, well...there are a lot of rich people."
"Not many are as handsome as you," she stated succinctly, turning back to the paper and cringing at one of the pictures.
It was Will's hand on her shoulder that brought her attention back to her husband. His eyes were twinkling and that mischievous grin she was slowly becoming accustomed to covered half his face.
"What?" She asked, suddenly self-conscious.
"You think I'm handsome?"
Elizabeth gulped and then smiled weakly. "Well...yes." She then hurried on, "And don't pretend you don't know it! I've seen the way women look at you."
His gaze was freezing her. She absolutely could not tear her eyes away.
"That might be true, but I don't much care what they think."
"Oh." She knew she was about the color of a tomato.
"There's only one person's opinion I truly care about."
Not quite meeting him in the eye, Elizabeth quipped, "And I'm sure Georgiana thinks you're a very handsome man as well."
"Ha. You can't fool me now that the truth is out." Will was shaking his finger in her face, a cocky grin plastered on his face. Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"Oh, go check your stocks," she muttered, turning back to the paper, mostly to hide to her embarrassment.
It was when she was in the middle of reading the description of her wedding dress (she really had not noticed it was so intricate!) that she felt the feather light touch of Will's fingers brushing across her neck. The touch was so soft normally she would not have noticed it. Normally. No, she admitted to herself as goose bumps broke out on her arms and a shiver ran down her entire spine, I think I would have even noticed during the ninth inning of a tied Game Seven.
Glancing nonchalantly out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Will, with one arm thrown across the back of her seat, engrossed in his section of the paper. He was absolutely unaware of anything but the business world at that moment. Looking back down at what she was reading, Elizabeth felt herself blushing. Why in the world was she jumping to such stupid conclusions? Sure, she knew he wasn't opposed to outward displays of affection (the dreaded blush crept up her neck as she remembered the post-wedding make-out session in the limo), but that didn't mean he was going to be touching her every second he got. Taking a silent deep breath, Elizabeth willed herself back to reading about their wedding. She was actually getting a twisted sort of pleasure over it.
She had just began to examine the pictures more closely when she felt his fingers on her neck again, this time playing with the hair at her nape. Elizabeth literally stopped breathing. The gentle ministrations were more than she could take and when she began to feel lightheaded from lack of oxygen, she turned accusatory eyes toward the man sitting next to her.
"Must you do that?" she spit out.
To her mortification, Will looked up from his reading with a confused face. "What?"
Elizabeth had to stifle a groan. She wished the plane windows opened so she could dive out, hopefully landing on her head. Not that she could actually squeeze through, but the thought had merit. His innocence was for real. It was obviously an unconscious move she had taken to be deliberate. And now he was looking at her as if she had grown a second nose.
"Never mind." Turning back to the paper, she missed Will's smile of amusement as he removed his arm from behind her.
Elizabeth checked her watch. "I hope Jane remembers Leah's feeding schedule."
"Is there any reason why she wouldn't?"
She shrugged. "No." Then she grinned. "Unless Charles distracts her."
Shooting her an equally pleased look, Will stated with feigned shock, "Why, Elizabeth, what are you talking about? You know that they only talk about the case."
Snorting, Elizabeth nodded. "Right." But thinking about the case sobered her up. Glancing at Will, trying to keep the trepidation out of her eyes, Elizabeth asked, "Do you think we have a chance?"
Instantly grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze, Will smiled. His wife might try to hide her anxiousness from him, but it was clearly there in the tight line of her lips and those adorable lines she got between her eyes when she frowned. Gently giving her palm a kiss, Will spoke. "I think we have more than a chance. We will win, Elizabeth."
Her smile was a bit wobbly. "Thanks."
"Anytime." Before she could go back to the article on their wedding-she wasn't even pretending not to read it by this point-Will kept her attention on him. "About the case..."
Elizabeth looked at him expectantly. Licking his dry lips nervously, Will finished his thought.
"Does this whole quitting your job thing have anything to do with that?" Seeing the fuming look arriving on her face, Will hurried on. "I mean, do you think the judge will give us custody if you're home more?"
"Darcy, I swear, I do not know what goes on inside that head of yours!"
"Inside my head? Well, Mrs. Darcy, why don't you explain this decision then? Because I have to say...I for one do not understand!"
Sparks were nearly flying from her eyes as she spoke. "I am not quitting my job. I'm quitting one of my jobs." Elizabeth did not even wait for Will to speak before she explained herself. "I'm still going to be writing for Sports Illustrated and I'll have my free-lance work, as well."
"But Elizabeth-"
"Don't 'but Elizabeth' me, Darcy! This isn't your decision to make, so I really don't see why it's much of your business."
"Well, don't even begin to tell me that you are not making a blind decision and not thinking about the repercussions. You love following the Cardinals."
"And I still can!" Elizabeth insisted adamantly. "Do you know how wonderful it's going to be to actually go to a game and be a fan?" At Will's incredulous look, Elizabeth shook her head. "Obviously you don't. Trust me, I am going to love going to the ball park with a hot dog in one hand and a bag of cracker jacks in the other and not have to worry about statistics or deadlines."
"Don't even pretend you aren't going to miss it," Will warned.
She laughed. "Of course I'm going to! I will miss it-dreadfully at first, probably. But it's not like I'm leaving. I'll still be in St. Louis; I'll still keep up my relationships. And most likely I'll get involved in it again sometime."
Will was shaking his head. "I can't believe this."
"Well, believe it, buddy. I want to be the kind of mother Leah deserves." The determination on Elizabeth's face was enough to convince Will he was not going to change her mind. She was one stubborn woman. Still, he hadn't exactly liked that last part.
"The kind of mother Leah deserves? And why exactly do you think you haven't been?" Will paused, eyes narrowing. "You don't think that by not working you'll be a better mother, do you?"
Elizabeth gave him her look. "No, of course not. I know plenty of working women who are wonderful mothers. But," and here she sighed, "Leah definitely needs some stability in her life. And I want to give it to her. Didn't we already go over this?"
"But I just don't see why-"
"Then don't."
"Excuse me?"
"This is my decision to make, Will. Not yours. So maybe you should just stay out of it." Her arms were crossed across her chest and her eyes were boring holes into the seat in front of her. Elizabeth Darcy was definitely angry. But then, so was he. In fact, he was furious.
"No, maybe I should not just stay out of it. You're my wife, Elizabeth; we're married now."
Lifting up the eyebrow, Elizabeth pinioned him down with her eyes. "And what difference does that make? Are you going to consult me on every decision involving your company?"
"That's completely different, Elizab- "
"Yeah, why didn't you ask me if I wanted to fly in your private jet instead of Melissa?"
"Melanie."
"Whatever."
"Elizabeth," Will stated softly, trying to come from another approach, "you're my wife. Whatever is important to you is important to me. And I know this job is important to you."
Shooting him a look of spite, Elizabeth stated, "Don't throw my own words back at me, Darcy."
"Why not? They're true."
Silence reigned for a full three minutes. Will could see the wheel's turning in his wife's head. Finally, she turned to look at him again.
"Okay. I guess I could have talked to you about it before I made my decision." The resignation in her voice was almost humorous. Almost. "But I still made the decision and I still stand by it one-hundred percent."
Will nodded. "Okay, then. I agree with it, too."
Elizabeth looked stunned. "Just like that?" He nodded his answer. "Just like that you agree with me?"
"Elizabeth," he started, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and smoothing it down gently, "I just wanted to make sure that it was what you wanted."
She nodded vehemently. "It is."
Cracking a smile, Will quipped, "I think I've figured that out by now."
"Did we just have our first fight?"
Will stopped and thought for a moment before he answered. "Do you think we could just label it a discussion?"
Laughing, Elizabeth responded. "If that was a discussion, let me know when we're having an argument."
"I think you will know. We've already had enough experience to know the difference."
"That's true." Elizabeth paused again before a sly smile spread across her face. "So, Will, where are we going?"
Will pretended to zip his mouth closed and throw away the key. Elizabeth was not amused, but the smile on her face betrayed that fact. "Are you seven?"
Shaking his head, Will was unable to stop the question that was on the tip of his tongue. He didn't want to ask it-afraid of her reaction-but he simply had to know. "Why do you think you don't deserve Leah?"
As predicted, Elizabeth froze in her movements. The captivating smile on her face turned down into a frown in the matter of a breath. Eyes narrowing, lips pursing, Elizabeth met Will's question with her guards up.
"What do you mean?" The question was, of course, a ploy to cover up the fact that Elizabeth did not want to answer the question. Will would play along.
"You said you have to be the mother Leah deserves, which, of course, means that you do not think you deserve Leah now. What I want to know is why the single aunt who took the baby in, who loved her and gave her a caring home, even though she had to work and was dealing with the death of her youngest sister, is undeserving."
Jane's warning rang through his head. He was being aggressive. He was pushing her-perhaps too far. Will would be patient; he knew that. But he also realized that the not knowing was starting to eat away at him. And if he could just get one or two answers now, he could wait for the rest until Elizabeth was ready to tell him. He just needed to hear the answer to this one question and he would wait patiently for the rest.
"I still don't understand, Will," she said softly, her eyes shifting away from his.
"Yes. Yes you do. Why did you not allow your parents to take Leah in? Why don't you allow Jane to have more responsibility with her? Why do you have this desire to care for her yourself?" With each question, Will felt the walls coming up and the door closing. He had to get through before it was too late and she was absolutely unresponsive. "Elizabeth, you act like it is your fault."
Will saw his wife flinch outwardly at his last comment and the pain etched through her clenched muscles, tight jaw, and tear-filled eyes were almost more than he could take. He was reaching his hand out to cup her cheek when she suddenly turned on him. The self-loathing in the dark eyes he was used to seeing filled with sarcasm and wit startled him. It was gone within moments, replaced only by pure hurt. Still, it had been there. He had seen it. And it scared him down to his designer shoes.
"It is my fault." She had whispered. But he had heard.
"That's ridiculous, Elizabeth. You did not get your sister pregnant."
"Not in the biological sense, no," she said bitterly. Her hair had swung forward and was covering most of her face, but he could see that her hands were still clenched.
"What are you talking about?" he prodded gently, taking one of her hands in his own, prying it open, and bringing it close to his chest.
"Exactly what I said."
"Elizabeth, please-"
"Look," she stated, not quite angry, but more softly as if even answering his question was painful. "You asked me a question. I answered it. I'd appreciate if you just let it go."
Sighing, Will nodded, but did not relinquish her hand. It was not quite the answer he had been looking for. Confusion was apparently a side effect of conversation with Elizabeth. And he was even more confused than ever. Still, she had answered him-kind of. It was better than nothing. She trusted him. She had told him. But apparently trust did not mean sharing deep, dark secrets-yet, at least. She would. Even if he had to wait for years, she would.
"Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen," a voice cackled over the loudspeaker. "This is Captain Carmichael and I will be your pilot on this non-stop flight from St. Louis to Chicago. We will be leaving in exactly three minutes and should arrive at O'Hare in approximately forty-five." The rest of the speech was lost on both of them.
"What did he just say?"
"I know," Will concurred, "I doubt we'll be leaving in three minutes exactly, either-ow!" He finished as Elizabeth smacked him on the chest.
"Did he say Chicago?" Her eyes were like two saucers staring at him. For goodness sakes, one would think the woman had never been to a baseball game in her life.
Will nodded, effectively keeping the smile off his face and appearing ultra-serious. "Yes, he did. I've got a lot of business to finish up there before I permanently move. I was hoping you would help by typing up some reports."
The eyebrow was up. "Did you bring my pass?"
"What pass?" He asked nonchalantly, and then felt in his front pocket. "Oh, you mean this pass?"
Elizabeth grabbed it as if it was the cure for the common cold. The last he had checked, it was the same pass she'd had all season. He wasn't quite sure why the wonderment over it.
"I didn't actually think I'd get to come! I thought we'd end up watching it on television!"
Will laughed. "Oh yes, that would have been an enjoyable evening...with you whining your head off to me." His sarcasm was not lost on Elizabeth, but she chose to ignore it in favor of her excitement. She would be at the All-Star game!
"Thank you, Will!" The hug and kiss on his cheek were purely impulsive and it didn't seem as if Elizabeth had even noticed what she'd done. But Will had certainly noticed. And he had certainly liked it.
"It wasn't any problem. But," he started gravely and was amused to see Elizabeth's immediate serious expression, "I have strict orders to make sure you get your sleep tonight. And for you to rest your arm."
The excited gleam in his wife's eyes grew even more ecstatic-although he really hadn't known it was possible.
"Jim?"
Will nodded. "Apparently Edmonds thinks he has a decent chance at the Home Run Derby if you're throwing for him."
Watching the smile on her face grow, Will settled back in his seat knowing Elizabeth was already off in the land of fastballs and curveballs, figuring out exactly what type of pitch she needed to throw tomorrow night for maximum damage.
"Curveball," he stated, with a smile on his face as his eyes closed.
"Hmm?"
"A hanging curveball."
When his wife didn't respond, Will opened one eye and caught a glance of her smiling out the window, still deep in thought. Sighing and feeling sleep overtake him, he knew Elizabeth wouldn't be offended if he took a little nap. Actually, she probably wouldn't even notice he was there. With a smile on his face, Will fell asleep-most certainly not to dream of baseball. Eighty-yard touch down passes would be much nicer.
Posted on Friday, 18 July 2003
Will was awakened by a very bad rendition of "Sweet Home, Chicago." Cringing at the off-key notes strung together and resisting the urge to cover his ears, he slowly opened his eyes. Elizabeth was grinning at him.
"Put your seatbelt on, sleeping beauty," she told him as she hooked hers, "and wipe the drool off your chin."
"Funny, very funny." Just to double-check, Will very nonchalantly rubbed his jaw-at least he thought it was nonchalant. Apparently, judging by Elizabeth's snort, he was not as suave as he thought. Putting on his seatbelt, he prepared for the landing by grabbing his wife's hand.
"Ouch," she muttered exaggeratedly eyeing his big hand squeezing hers.
"Sorry," he apologized, but did not lessen his grip. He was staring in front of him and swallowing repeatedly. In fact, now that Elizabeth got a closer look at him, he looked a little green around the gills.
"Will, are you okay?"
Flashing her a quick and painful smile, Will shook his head. "I have this problem with landings."
"And what problem would that be?"
He shrugged. "You know...landing gear not coming out, gas leak, bursting into flames..." He swallowed. "The usual."
"This coming from a man who owns two personal jets?" Elizabeth muttered with a smile and then turned serious. Squeezing his hand, she tried to reassure him. "Do you know how many planes I've been on, Will? Planes to Boston, planes to New York, planes to San Francisco, Arizona, Seattle, even Australia. Want to know how many planes crashed?"
Shaking his head ruefully, Will said, "I know...I know-none. It's really an unfounded fear-"
"But a fear nonetheless," Elizabeth interrupted, patting his hand with her free one, "so don't feel embarrassed about it."
Slowly, Will unfolded Elizabeth's hand from his own. "But fears need to be faced." Taking a deep breath, he looked directly at her. "And I suppose I will always fear landings if I always hide behind it."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. If I just make myself sit in my seat and kind of clench my teeth, I'll get through the landing. I'm getting much better. But only because I work on it."
Her eyebrow was lifted. "And just what are you implying?"
Will shrugged and couldn't help squeezing the armrest as the plane began its descent. Fiery images of the plane nose-diving into the ground pretty much took over the majority of his thinking capacity.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"What did you mean?"
"Elizabeth...honey...I can barely remember what my own name is right now let alone what I said thirty seconds ago." His teeth were clenched so hard it took Elizabeth a few moments to even understand what he had said.
"You really are scared, aren't you?" Prying one of his hands off the seat, she gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Yeah." Will paused to give her a tight smile. "Do you think it takes away from my manliness?"
Elizabeth chuckled. "Oh no, you're quite the man, Will." The wheels touched the ground and she watched his face whiten under his tan. Within a few seconds, however-probably when he realized that they were safe and were not going to burst into flames-Will let out a breath and smiled.
"We made it." Looking as if the past few minutes had not even happened, Will let go of her hand, unbuckled his seatbelt, and stood. "Welcome to Chicago."
Elizabeth had been to Chicago countless times. Every time the Cardinals had played either the Cubs or the White Sox, she had been there ready to work. When she was young there had been the occasional road trip up to see the Cardinals play at Wrigley. The realization hit her as Will led her out of the airport that she'd never actually taken the time to look at Chicago as anything besides a city that happened to house two major league baseball teams.
"It's so big," she breathed, as she caught sight of downtown on the horizon.
Will made a grunting noise as he scanned the cars waiting for pickup. Suddenly he smiled and waved a greeting. Elizabeth knew instantly which vehicle was theirs. The black limo pulled up to the curb and a young man got out and grabbed their luggage.
"Hello, Mr. Darcy. Did you have a nice trip?" Storing the luggage in the limousine, he turned to get a good look at Elizabeth and then sent a smile in Will's direction. Something about the boy was awfully familiar.
"Yes, Philip, it was a nice flight." Will took Elizabeth's hand and pulled her close to his side. "Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet Philip. Philip, this is my wife, Elizabeth." Smiling, Elizabeth shook the outstretched hand and met the twinkling eyes.
"Yes, I've heard about you already, ma'am."
Elizabeth was taken aback. "From who?"
Opening the door for the two, Philip grinned. "From my father, of course." Shutting the door on them, Elizabeth could see Philip moving towards the driver's seat.
"He looks young," Elizabeth commented, still trying to put faces together.
"He's working his way through school. He's at U-IC majoring in business," Will explained and then pulled out his phone to check his messages.
"Straight home, Mr. Darcy?"
"Yes, I believe Mrs. R will be waiting for us."
The two men exchanged grins and it was then that Elizabeth realized Philip reminded her of Geoffrey. It was the eyes and that smile.
"Does Philip happen to be related to Geoffrey, Will?"
A grin was her answer. "Philip happens to be his son. Geoffrey is my main driver and was willing to move with me to St. Louis, so Philip is now my driver when I'm here."
"And a good driver, as well, if I may say so myself!" Philip added from up front.
"Yeah, just keep your eyes on the road, kid." Will was quiet for a few moments as he listened to his messages, but then looked up at Elizabeth and smiled.
"Anything important?"
Will shrugged. "Not really."
"Who is Mrs. R?"
By the smile that grew immediately on his face, Elizabeth realized that the woman was quite important to her husband. He didn't smile that way over everyone.
"She's my secretary." He was still smiling.
"Do they still call them secretaries nowadays?" Elizabeth wondered aloud, poking Will in the arm because she wanted a better explanation.
"Personal assistant, then. Mrs. R became my dad's secretary by accident, but was so good that he kept her and then she volunteered to stay with me."
"And she's going to be at your apartment?"
Will's smile stilled. "After my mother died, my dad asked if she and her husband would move into the adjoining apartment. My sister...well, all of us, really, were so upset at that time I don't think we would have made it without her help."
"How exactly did she become your father's personal assistant by accident?"
Laughing, Will relaxed against the upholstery and pulled Elizabeth down next to him. He looked comfortable and happy and content. To her surprise she realized that she felt exactly the same way. Somehow being with Will took all the stressors from her life-Leah, her next article, deadlines-and put them on hold.
"The Reynolds were friends of the family, actually. Stan is an author and Mrs. R at the time wasn't working." Elizabeth nodded, trying to think of a book written by a Stan Reynolds. "Right then my father's secretary quit to start a family and Stan was in the middle of writing a book. Apparently he was rather unapproachable when working and Mrs. R was getting bored, so she decided to fill in until my father hired someone new."
"And she enjoys it?"
Will shrugged. "She doesn't like it that much; she just likes telling people what to do. And she happens to be really good at it."
"Telling people what to do?"
"No," Will answered but then smiled. "Well, yes, but I meant she's good at what she does. I couldn't ever imagine replacing her."
"And she's at your apartment right now?"
"I thought I already answered that question. She'll have a late lunch ready for us."
Immediately, the eyebrow went up. "You make her cook for you, too?"
"I don't make her, Elizabeth. She likes it." Her snort was the only comment he received in return. "Well, I certainly didn't want to leave you in charge of lunch. We're fresh out of frozen pizzas."
The smack his wife gave him on the arm was almost hard enough to hurt. She was warning him. If she wanted to, she could inflict some damage. Will dimpled at the thought. But she never would.
"I can cook, you know. I really don't know where you get all these ideas." She was scowling at him, a look he actually found quite adorable. Let her think she was intimidating; he would keep on purposely irritating her, purely to see that face.
"Then it is just too bad that Mrs. R will have the meal ready, isn't it? I won't be wowed by your cooking." Out of the corner of his eye he saw her shaking her head at him.
"What's your favorite dessert?"
Will was taken aback by her question momentarily, but then answered quickly, "Apple pie."
"I wouldn't have pegged you as an apple pie type of guy," she remarked impertinently, eyeing his suit and expensive shoes.
"What do you mean? I'm almost as American as you are."
Elizabeth blinked. "Almost?"
Smiling, Will shrugged. "It just so happens that baseball is not my favorite sport and if that makes me less of an American than a fanatic like you, then so be it."
The scowl was back.
"First of all, partiality to any type of sport does not make one more American than another. And while it's true that baseball is and always will be 'America's Pastime'," she stated loudly, over his derogatory snort, "other sports may be tolerated." Crossing her arms across her chest, she added, "And I'm not a fanatic."
Pulling her back to his side, Will nodded. "Whatever you say, sweetheart." He paused, letting her get comfortable before he spoke again. "But there is nothing more exciting in all of sports than a tackle at the goal line with mere seconds to go in a Superbowl. Nothing."
She was shaking her head again. "Yes, that was an exciting play, I'll admit. I was very excited for the Rams and St. Louis when that happened, of course...but there is no way that beats a walk-off home run by a groundball hitter in a playoff game." Elizabeth smiled cheekily. "Go crazy, folks, go crazy."
"I'm a Cubs fan, remember?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "How could I forget? You poor thing," she added underneath her breath before suddenly straightening up. "Wait a second...does this mean you're a Bears fan, too?"
"You might say that," he stated enigmatically, a smile plastered on his face.
Looking at him quizzically, Elizabeth asked, "And what exactly does that mean?"
Will gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I have certain ties to the Bears."
Before Elizabeth could ask any more questions about his statements, the cars on the highway caught her eye. They were speeding up, braking, switching lanes without signals, and disobeying seemingly every highway rule.
"No wonder you drive like you do," she muttered out loud. "It's a matter of survival out there."
"I don't really see what the difference is between Chicago drivers and any other city," Will scoffed, pulling Elizabeth's eyes away from the window. "I think it's all in your mind."
The raising of the privacy screen interrupted Elizabeth's sardonic laughter. Immediately her eyes narrowed on her husband, who was giving her a very innocent look.
"Did you do that?"
"Do what?" he asked, his hand snaking out to grab hers.
Eyebrow lifted, Elizabeth shook her head as she saw the look in Will's eye. "What is it with you and the back of limos?"
Laughing, Will pulled Elizabeth close enough to smell the shampoo in her hair. Breathing in deeply, he answered. "Too many lonely treks in them, I guess." He was gently running his fingers through her hair, smoothing out the tangles traveling had created. Elizabeth seemed unresponsive, but not quite as stiff as usual.
"Better me than Geoffrey, I suppose," she murmured, trying not to think about how Will's hot breath on her neck felt deliciously ticklish.
Will's deep, rumbly laughter startled her until he effectively shut up her murmurings.
Mrs. Reynolds was everything Elizabeth expected and more. The older, gray-haired woman who threw open the door to greet them radiated kindness and gentleness. The smile that lit up her face when she caught sight of Will warmed Elizabeth's heart. "William!" she nearly shouted, the love of a mother shining through her eyes.
Dropping their luggage, Will scooped Mrs. Reynolds into a hug that brought her feet off the floor. For some reason, Elizabeth actually felt tears tugging at her eyes. Although he hid it well, she had seen glimpses of the pain he buried deep down inside of him, the pain of his parents' death. Mrs. Reynolds was obviously much loved. Hitting him affectionately on the arm, she straightened her hair and skirt once he had put her down.
"You rascal," she stated softly, patting his cheek warmly before turning towards Elizabeth. If she had expected a spiteful perusal, Elizabeth was absolutely wrong. There was nothing but graciousness in the older woman's beautiful blue eyes. "Are you going to introduce me, William?"
Smiling, Will introduced two of the most important women in his life. As he knew she would, Mrs. R instantly warmed up to his wife. After giving her a hug, she kept Elizabeth's hands in her own.
"I was so sorry not to be able to come to the wedding. My husband, the idiot, did something rather stupid." Smiling, Mrs. Reynolds sized up the young woman positively.
She was beautiful; there was no doubt of that. But she was more than beauty. There was intelligence in her eyes; they seemed to sparkle with wit. And compassion. By the smile on her face, Mrs. Reynolds could tell she was a lively one-which was what her William needed, of course.
"How is Stan, Mrs. R?" Will had picked the luggage up and dropped it in the foyer. Taking a glance around, he smiled and then sniffed the air appreciatively. "Smells wonderful, as usual."
Mrs. Reynolds gave his hand a squeeze and led them both into the dining room. "Stan is doing as well as he can-for a broken leg and two ribs. I told him rollerblading at his age was ridiculous, but you know my husband..." The two shared a knowing grin.
"Is he in the hospital, Mrs. Reynolds?" Elizabeth asked with concern, as her eyes took in the lovely room.
"Yes, but not for long. The old coot is getting out tomorrow."
Elizabeth smiled at the description of Stan Reynolds. "And who did Mr. Reynolds go rollerblading with?"
Mrs. Reynolds caught Elizabeth's eye with a smile. "Why, me, of course. I suppose I have more natural balance than my husband."
"I'm sure you do." Eyes sparkling, Elizabeth turned to her husband. "Will, could you show me to my room? I'd like to freshen up."
Immediately, Mrs. Reynolds burst into action. "Of course. William, you show Elizabeth to her room and then come back here. I'll have a light meal ready."
Smiling, Will placed a kiss on Mrs. R's cheek. "Of course. Thank you."
If Mrs. Reynolds thought it odd that the two were sleeping in separate bedrooms, she did not remark as she made her way into the kitchen. Probably Will had explained the situation to her. Better yet, she was his personal assistant-most likely she knew about Elizabeth before Will had even come to St. Louis.
"Here you go, Elizabeth," Will said, pushing open a door and dropping her suitcase on the bed.
It was the most feminine room she had ever seen. Frozen, with one foot in the door, she stared at the lilac-colored room with lace curtains hanging in the window. All it needed was a canopy bed and a few dolls strewn along the floor. When she finally glanced up at her husband, he was obviously trying to hide his grin.
"Uh...it was either this or the pink room," he stated with mock seriousness, laughing at Elizabeth's widening eyes.
"Shut up. I can't believe I married you! You're so...obnoxious." Walking full circle around the room, she blanched. However girly the room was, at least there was a beautiful watercolor to redeem it. Stopping at the window, she had to acknowledge that the view was also rather nice.
"It's crazy down there," she muttered, looking down onto the hordes of people walking along Michigan Avenue.
"You get used to it."
Elizabeth hadn't realized he'd come so close and his gentle breath on her ear startled her. Turning around, ready to berate, she then realized she was corned between Will's solid frame and the window. Cursing herself mentally for the blush she could not help from creeping onto her cheeks, Elizabeth glanced up at Will. She really wished she hadn't.
"What's the matter?" he asked softly, still keeping his hands at his sides and away from her.
Shrugging, Elizabeth inwardly cringed. What could she tell him? That the sight of him looking down at her with such caring in his eyes practically tore her heart into two? That when she looked up at him she felt instantly safe and protected and possibly even loved? That somehow he was getting past her guards...and under no circumstances could she let him continue? Sighing, Elizabeth focused her eyes on his chest. She couldn't tell him anything of the sort. Fitzwilliam Darcy was a dangerous man. And Elizabeth was very much in danger of baring her heart.
"Elizabeth." The murmuring of her name brought her back to earth. Glancing up at him once again, his soft eyes seemed to smile at her, beckoning her heart to open. Shaking her head, she forced her head to turn until she was staring at the periwinkle painted wall. Look at anything-anything--besides that tender look Will was giving her. She should have known Will wouldn't give up so easily.
Gently, he placed a finger under her chin and turned her face towards his. Once her dark eyes were staring directly into his, he reached down and softly traced that same finger around her eyebrow, over her eyelashes, and underneath her eye. Elizabeth could not look away and closed her eyes against the sensations her heart and body were feeling. How was she supposed to keep Will at arms length when he was this gentle and loving with her?
"Elizabeth," he murmured again, holding her face between his large and callused hands. They were such beautiful, strong hands.
Her heart skipped a beat and then rose to a steady staccato as his lips traced the same path his finger had previously forged. She should really push him away, should move away from him. She was treading on very perilous ground. Her eyes suddenly opened and she pulled back as a thought occurred to her. Normally being in this position with any man would have caused a certain kind of panic-she was getting too close, she was letting him get too close, more than likely a barrage of images of the last time she had gotten too close would hit her full force. This time seemed to be different. She had not thought of Wickham once.
"Elizabeth?" This time Will did not murmur. He saw the change in her face and body language. She looked incredibly surprised and thoughtful, but then a slow smile crept onto her face. Will felt as if had just swallowed his lung or esophagus or some necessary organ. The smile she was giving him was absolutely free of any worry or any fear; it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Smiling, for he really couldn't help himself, Will tugged Elizabeth back into his arms where she belonged.
"Elizabeth?" He tried again.
She only smiled before reaching up and pulling his head down toward hers. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he certainly hadn't been expecting her lips. Elizabeth was kissing him. That thought was jumbled in the feelings of the world spinning around him and the feel of Elizabeth's soft hair in his hands. He had kissed Elizabeth plenty of times-true, not quite enough to satisfy him, of course-but enough to understand what it felt like to kiss the woman he loved. But she was standing on her tiptoes and kissing him. Elizabeth. His wife. Kissing him...When she finally pulled away Will thought he had it all figured out.
"You just kissed me!" Apparently, he had not.
Smiling cheekily up at him, she went up on her toes and placed her lips briefly against his once more. "And I just did again."
Before he could even respond to the impertinent gleam in her eyes-or the enticing smile on her lips-Mrs. R magically appeared in the doorway. Acting as if she was not seeing the two of them embracing, she calmly stated, "Your meal is getting cold."
"We'll be right in," Will answered, not taking his eyes off Elizabeth once. When he heard Mrs. R turn and leave the doorway, Will lifted up an eyebrow at Elizabeth and waited. Seeing how he mirrored her look so perfectly, Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. Very slyly, she pulled out of his grip and dodged his grabbing hands.
"Come on, let's go. Aren't you hungry?" Elizabeth shot those words over her shoulder before she smiled and walked out the door.
"Oh no," he muttered to himself, "you're not getting away that easily."
Charging after her, he was waylaid by the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. Elizabeth was helping Mrs. R bring out the food as the older woman filled drinking glasses. Smiling, Will asked if there was anything he could do to help.
"Of course not, dear. Just sit down."
Will smiled-an affliction he believed would never leave his face-and sat down to have his drink pushed in his hand. Iced tea with a hint of lemon, just the way Mrs. R had always made it. As Elizabeth brought out the sizzling pan of lasagna, she gave Will a crooked smile.
"This is a light meal, huh?" The question was asked as she gazed around the table at the two different types of salad, three choices of bread, and the large serving of lasagna. Mrs. R looked up at her with surprise.
"Well, of course. There will be plenty of room for dessert." Mrs. Reynolds watched until Elizabeth sat down, then nodded her head, and made for the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" Elizabeth stopped her, looking at Will quizzically.
Mrs. R smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. "I thought I'd give the two of you some time alone. From the looks of what I burst in on, you might want it." To her delight, she watched as Will blushed. Leaning down she whispered conspiratorially in Elizabeth's ear, "Make sure we have some time together without William, dear. I'm sure there are some things you'd like to know." Winking, Mrs. Reynolds stood up to full height and gave Will a smile.
"Why, Mrs. Reynolds I was hoping you'd say just that," Elizabeth told her on a laugh, giving Will a cheeky smile.
He was looking a little wary. "And what did you tell my lovely wife, Mrs. R?"
Mrs. R shrugged and then exclaimed, "Oh, no, I think I smell the dessert burning."
Laughing at her quick escape, Will turned his eyes toward Elizabeth. She smiled innocently at him and took a bite of lasagna, effectively ruining any chance for a response. Will wanted to pout, but the food in front of him was much more of an attractive alternative. After the meal, which included ribbing from Elizabeth about her ultra-girly room, Will called Mrs. R in.
Turning to Elizabeth he asked, "Would it be all right if I went to visit Stan? I won't stay long and then we can head out to dinner."
"Dinner?" Elizabeth wondered, more concerned with the latter half of his statement than the former.
"Yes, dinner. There is a wonderful restaurant I want to take you to."
"But we just ate dinner!" Elizabeth protested.
Mrs. Reynolds broke in. "Of course not, Elizabeth. That was a light meal. I already knew beforehand that William was taking you out so I did not cook too much."
Eyebrows raised, Elizabeth began to laugh before putting her arm around the secretary. "Will, go visit Stan. I have some visiting to do myself." Giving Mrs. R a mischievous smile, she added, "I think we can manage on our own."
Trying to peg her with his intimidating stare did not work as his wife laughed in his face. Still suspicious, he shrugged, gave Elizabeth and Mrs. R each a kiss on the cheek, and made his way to the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he turned around to look at Mrs. Reynolds.
"Nice stories, Mrs. R. Nice ones."
"Of course, William. I only know nice stories."
Eyebrows lifted in disbelief, he shook his head and smiled ruefully before exiting. Both women waited until the door was firmly shut before they turned to each other.
"Well, my dear, let the fun begin."
Grinning at Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth grabbed her hand and nodded her approval.
"So just where would you like to begin?"
Her smile widening and her eyes sparkling, Elizabeth said, "Photo albums. Definitely photo albums."
Smiling her agreement, Mrs. Reynolds silently led her into the hall and opened up the closet door. Elizabeth couldn't have been more surprised.
"The closet?" she muttered before realizing it was loud enough for Mrs. Reynolds to hear.
With half her body in the closet, Mrs. Reynolds voice was slightly muffled. "I know it seems odd, but Mr. Darcy packed them all up after Anne died."
"Will Mr. Darcy or Mr. Darcy Mr. Darcy?"
Pulling her head out into the hall and dragging a rather large box behind her, Mrs. Reynolds answered. "George." Elizabeth, seeing the older woman struggling, grabbed the box, barely lifted it, and carried it into the living room.
"Phew," Mrs. Reynolds muttered, pushing a strand of hair behind hear that had loosened from her bun. "That box is heavy."
"I see why!" Elizabeth exclaimed, opening the box and seeing the numerous photo albums. There were at least ten albums set aside. "Why didn't Will ever get them back out?"
Mrs. Reynolds smiled gently. "He doesn't like looking at them, either. I believe he likes to remember Anne for what she was, but looking at the four of them as a happy and perfect family is too upsetting."
Pondering that statement for a moment, Elizabeth couldn't help but thinking about her parents' house and the pictures they had taken down of Lydia. Although their pain was fresher, just under a year, Elizabeth understood Will's want to separate himself from the pictures of his childhood. However, that did not mean Elizabeth was going to. She had to even up the stakes. Will had heard stories and seen pictures of her growing up. It was now time for her to do the same.
"Here, Elizabeth," Mrs. Reynolds said, handing her a green photo album. "I believe this is William's baby album."
For the next fifteen minutes, Elizabeth laughed and smiled over the very adorable baby Will. His parents looked so happy and proud in the first few pictures. In fact, they seemed to be staring at him in wonderment. As Will grew, Elizabeth noted the type of child he seemed to be. Every single picture showed the little boy with a huge smile on his face.
"Was Will a happy child?" Elizabeth asked nonchalantly, while turning a page.
"Oh yes, Elizabeth, a little chatterbox. Anne always used to say that the only time William stopped talking was when he was sleeping."
Taking the words in, Elizabeth stared at a picture of Will getting his first haircut. Only she wasn't really looking at it. She noted the acute terror on the little boy's face and chuckled but that was all. In her mind she was trying to reconcile Mrs. Reynolds' description of the boy Will with the man she knew. There was quite a difference.
Sure it was true Will had changed in the few months she had known him. He seemed happier somehow...less tense. Still, there were times when he was so reticent and so distant Elizabeth knew the pain continued to engulf him. Knowing that he had once been a very joyful child made her feel so sad.
"Elizabeth?" Mrs. Reynolds' voice broke through her thoughts. "Are you done with this one?"
Nodding her head absently, Elizabeth began to pore through the next album. She remained silent until a certain picture grabbed her attention. Looking up, she gave Mrs. Reynolds a bright smile.
"I need this in an 8 by 10 for sure."
Mrs. Reynolds glanced down at the picture she was pointing at and smiled. An eleven-year old Will glared back at them, hat pulled down low, bat resting on his shoulder. Will Darcy was a baseball player.
"I'd forgotten he told me he played baseball."
"What little boy doesn't play Little League? Now, when he was old enough to play football, that's where William really shined."
Something about that information tugged at the deep recesses of her brain. "Will played football?"
Mrs. Reynolds faltered just a little, but recovered quickly. "Yes, he did play football. I would have thought he would have told you."
Elizabeth shrugged. "I guess it wasn't that important." Continuing her perusal of Will's childhood, she missed Mrs. Reynolds look of complete surprise.
"His mother looks like she was a very nice woman."
Mrs. Reynolds blue eyes suddenly took on a sad edge. "Yes, she was. One of the best."
Placing a comforting hand on her arm, Elizabeth saw that she was into Will's high school years.
"Wow," she whistled, as she checked out a picture of Will and a girl posing before a dance.
"What's that?"
"I think if I had gone to high school with Will I would have been crazy about him."
Laughing, Mrs. Reynolds filled Elizabeth in about the girls that had chased after Will during high school, how they had followed him wherever he went, and how the Darcy's phone had rung off the hook as she continued to look through the pictures. Feeling extremely amused over the idea of Will handling hordes of adoring girls, she absolutely stilled as her eyes took in one certain picture.
Will Darcy wearing a football uniform.
"He looks awfully handsome in that uniform, doesn't he?" Mrs. Reynolds stated in a motherly voice, smiling proudly at how Will's commanding physique filled in that uniform to perfection.
Elizabeth shook her head. More likely, Mrs. Reynolds was smiling in pride over Will's athletic abilities. She was the one smiling over Will's rather nice and rather revealed figure. Wondering if he still had a pair of football pants lying around, Elizabeth turned the page and was again struck immobile once again.
The camera had caught Will at midfield, arm positioned back ready to strike, gazing confidently at the receiver down field and out of the picture. She suddenly had no doubt in his mind that Will had hit his man. The recesses of her mind were working overtime.
Will Darcy. Football player. Quarterback. Florida State. Heisman Trophy. Drafted in the First Round. Chicago Bears. MVP. It all came back to her in a quick flash of memories. She had been interning under a writer for NFL magazine. Of course her internship was practically the equivalent of slavery. Dave had claimed that by her interviewing and writing his articles she would be gaining great experience. Elizabeth had jumped at the chance to be on her own instead of fetching coffee and sandwiches. Unfortunately, she ended up writing articles published with Dave's name on the front and fetching sandwiches on top of it all.
She had been in a rush to get his interview finished with; she remembered that. Dave had loaded her up with multiple articles and stories and she had been getting extremely close to the wire. In all actuality, she might have been a little rude to Will. His twenty-one year old self-assured smile suddenly rooted itself in her mind.
Drat. She had been incredibly stupid. Quickly thinking back, Elizabeth realized with a sinking feeling that Will had known the whole time. He had remembered her and she had had absolutely no idea who he was. After this thought, a revelation hit her. Will had known and never told her.
"Certain ties to the Bears, my foot," she muttered fiercely, shutting the album with more force than was necessary.
"Are you all right?" Mrs. Reynolds asked, but was interrupted by the sound of the front door being unlocked.
Elizabeth smiled and a devilish gleam lit up her bright eyes. "I will be, Mrs. Reynolds. I will be."
"Let me run my proposed schedule for tomorrow by you," Will stated as they stood in his building's elevator.
Dinner had gone rather well. The restaurant was a fancy but charming place and Elizabeth had seemed to appreciate the cuisine. Actually, now that he thought about it, Elizabeth had picked at her meal. Will's steak and potatoes had been wonderful. The double fudge cake hadn't been too bad, either. Frowning, he hoped Elizabeth's salad had been good enough.
"Okay. That sounds good."
Will looked at Elizabeth and tried to remember what he had been talking about.
"The schedule?" she prompted, hiding a smile behind her hand.
"Ah, yes. Of course." Will cleared his throat and, since they were alone, pulled his wife into his arms. "I have to head to the office pretty early tomorrow for some meetings. I figured you could sleep in and then meet me later and I could show you around. Then we could catch a quick bite to eat and leave for Comiskey straight from my building."
"It's U.S Cellular Field, Will."
"Whatever. Don't expect me to change a twenty-eight year habit."
"So you were talking when you came out of the womb?"
"Elizabeth, what about my plan?" he asked, resignation tinting his voice.
Laughing, Elizabeth squeezed his middle and nodded. "That sounds perfect. But I do need to be there early."
"I know, I know," he stated with a sigh. "Jim will be waiting for you."
After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth looked up at Will and smiled. He smiled back.
"Hey, I was thinking...since you like the Bears so much we'll make the trek up here for an odd game every now and then, won't we?"
Will was not at all surprised by her abrupt and random question. She had been asking them all evening. The weirdest was when she had asked if he could throw their half loaf of French bread across the room to the opposite wall.
"Sure, Elizabeth, that would be great. Especially if it's Green Bay."
"Oh yeah, it would. Brett Favre is cute!"
Surprised at her shallow summary of a great quarterback, Will raised his eyebrows mockingly.
"What?" Elizabeth asked innocently. "It's the skin-tight pants. A girl is victim to the pants."
"So you mean to tell me that if we go to this theoretical Bears/Packers game, you'll be staring at Favre's butt the entire time?"
Elizabeth's shrugged. "Unless I find a better one. I don't keep up with either the Bears or the Packers, you know."
"That's it. We're not going."
Laughing, Elizabeth gave Will a peck on the cheek. "I'm sure you already know the effect those pants have on the female population, don't you, honey?"
Narrowing his eyes at her, Will turned to see how close they were to his floor. Elizabeth was looking a little too smug for his liking.
"You know, Elizabeth, I've been thinking..." Will whispered, turning her face upward and lowering his face to within an inch from hers, "You know that thing I have with limos?" At her nod, he slowly smiled. "Well, I think I might have the same inclination with elevators."
"You think?" Elizabeth managed, intent on the warm look in his eyes.
"I'm not sure. I think I'll have to check it out. Do you mind?"
He didn't give her a chance to answer, and if her response to their kiss meant anything, he didn't really need one.