Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of December 20, 1999
Jump to new as of December 26, 1999
Jump to new as of December 30, 1999
Chapter 12
All through dinner and the show, Georgi was amazed how the rich and affluent could live. It was her first time in downtown New York City, and as she stared at the lights and holiday decorations all around her, she thought she never saw anything as beautiful as the city at night during Christmas time before in her life.
As William, Elizabeth, and Georgi walked out of the theater together, Georgi spotted a carriage drawn by two horses, and immediately wished she could go for a ride in it. Elizabeth saw Georgi's face and immediately knew what the little girl wanted.
"William," Elizabeth said as she touched her employer's arm to get his attention. "Can we not go for a carriage ride. I believe Georgi would like to see what it's like."
"Of course, Elizabeth. Georgi, how would you like to go for a carriage ride?"
Georgi's eyes lit up at the idea. "Really, can we? I've never been in a carriage before, and it looks real fun."
"Of course we can," William answered as he stopped the carriage. "We can even take it for a ride home." William first helped Georgi into the carriage, and then assisted Elizabeth. Just as Elizabeth was going to sit down next to Georgi, the little girl spoke up.
"No, Miss Lizzy. Don't sit here, sit on the other seat."
"Why ever for?"
"Um.. Because I want this seat for myself. Yeah, that's it." Georgi's face didn't look like she even believed herself, but there was no possible way Georgi would tell her real reason for sitting alone. There, that will get those two close together.
William, on hearing Georgi's wish to sit alone, took his seat next to Elizabeth. Soon, the carriage was on its way, and Georgi was enjoying the ride immensely, until she heard a familiar bark.
Georgi looked out the other side of the carriage and was amazed to see Sandy, who she hadn't seen since a couple of days ago at the Hooverville. Out of surprise, Georgi yelled the dog's name. "Sandy!"
Sandy, recognizing the girl's voice, ran right into the carriage and up to Georgi, where he proceeded to lick Georgi's face as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth stared at the two of them in surprise.
Suddenly remember that she needed Mr. Darcy's permission to keep Sandy, she looked up to him with inquiring eyes. "Please, Mr. Darcy, may I keep him?"
William, who knew that the little orphan had managed to wrap him around her finger, couldn't refuse. "Of course, Georgi. He seems like a well-tempered dog and shouldn't cause that many problems. I don't see why not."
A smile spread over Georgi's face, a smile of true happiness, which she had never felt until coming to Pemberley. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. And I promise you that he won't be a bother."
Soon, after leaving the downtown part of New York City, Georgi lied down and pretended to sleep with her head sitting on Sandy. Every once in a while, she would open an eye and see how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were doing. The last time she opened her eyes, she was happy to see that Elizabeth was asleep with her head on Mr. Darcy's shoulder, and his arm around her.
Finally seeing what she wanted, Georgi fell asleep with a smile on her face.
William thought he saw Georgi open her eye and then smile, but he thought it may have been just a figment of his imagination. No matter. This night has been very pleasant, indeed. Georgi has proven to be a very special girl who can get me to agree to anything, especially when her pleas are put together with Lizzy's. And now, Lizzy is sleeping with her head on my shoulder, and my arm around her. Can a man ask for anything more?
Georgi woke up a little while later to Mr. Darcy's voice softly prodding Elizabeth to wake up.
"Lizzy, wake up. We're home"
"Hmm." Elizabeth didn't manage to get up, and just murmured something as she snuggled closer to William.
"Elizabeth, we're home, and we have to get Georgi to bed."
Finally, Elizabeth woke up, and when she saw what position she was in, she could feel her face turning red and was thankful that it was dark. "Oh yes. Oh, put the poor dear is still asleep."
"Go in. I'll carry her upstairs to her room."
So, Elizabeth climbed out of the carriage, and walked into the house, as William picked up the slightly awake Georgi and got out of the carriage. Sandy, who finally realized they reached their destination, got up and followed Darcy into the house.
As he walked into the house, William addressed his housekeeper. "Mrs. Reynolds, can you please take this dog, and keep him in a confined area until I figure out what to do with him?"
"Yes, sir."
William slowly walked up the stairs to Georgi's room, slowly, to not wake the girl up. When he walked into the room, he saw Elizabeth already there, getting Georgi's nightgown out. William laid Georgi gently down on the bed, and was about to leave when Elizabeth stopped him.
"Can you stay? I'll need some help getting her changed."
William and Elizabeth managed to change Georgi into her nightgown without waking her up. When they were finished, William looked at Elizabeth in amazement.
"How did you do that?"
Elizabeth looked up with laughter in her eyes. "Do what?"
"That. Put her to bed?"
"You did it, too."
"I did?"
"Yes." Just then, Georgi woke up partially and spoke.
"Can Sandy sleep in my room?"
Elizabeth wanted to let the dog stay in the young girl's room, but knew the dog wasn't in a condition to sleep in a clean room. "No, sweetie. Sandy is very dirty, and will need a bath before he stays with you."
Mr. Darcy interjected. "I'll have a maid give him a bath right now, if you'd like."
"Oh no, Mr. Darcy, don't wake up a maid for that. It's okay."
But Elizabeth didn't want to disappoint Georgi. "I'll give him a bath. Now that I am up anyway, I won't be able to fall asleep."
"Will you be able to? Will he be too much for you?" William's concern showed clearly on his face, but Elizabeth laughed.
"I'm fine. It's only a dog!"
"Nevertheless, I'll help you. But where do you propose to wash him?"
"My bathroom is fine. If it gets messy, I won't mind until it's cleaned again."
"Very well, I'll go get Sandy."
A half hour later, Elizabeth and William were drying Sandy with towels in the bathroom. Suddenly, Sandy must have decided that their drying wasn't good enough and shook his whole body to dry himself. Unfortunately, a lot of the water landed on Elizabeth, and this caused William to burst out laughing.
"What's so funny, sir? Is getting wet something to laugh about." Saying this, Elizabeth reached into the bathtub and splashed William.
Darcy stared with incredulity at Elizabeth, but then a mischievous smile spread across his face as he took his hand and splashed Elizabeth back. They continued splashing each other until soap landed in Elizabeth's eyes. Suddenly, Elizabeth wasn't laughing anymore and her eyes were tightly shut. William panicked and grabbed a towel and gently started rubbing her eye, trying to make her eyes feel better.
Finally, Elizabeth felt like she could open her eyes and looked up to meet William's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Lizzy. I shouldn't have splashed you."
"No, no. It's all right. I'm the one who started it anyway."
They continued staring at each other until Mr. Darcy leaned down and kissed Elizabeth. They embraced for a minute, before William pulled back.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I shouldn't have..."
"No, don't be sorry. I think we both wanted it."
"You mean...?" William paused a minute, and then continued softly. "I love you, Elizabeth."
A smile spread over Miss Bennett's face as he said that. "I love you, too, William."
All at once, it seemed like William's life just began. Did she say what I just think she said? She loves me?
The moment was ruined when a bark came from Sandy, who was waiting by the door. William offered Elizabeth his arm while they wordlessly left the room and took Sandy to Georgi's room, and let him in. They then walked to Elizabeth's door, again, where William kissed the tips of Elizabeth's fingers, and opened the door for her.
"Good night, Elizabeth."
"Good night, William" Elizabeth whispered as she raised her fingers to her lips and watched William go to his room.
Chapter 13
The days passed on. Each day, Georgi was happier as she saw William and Elizabeth grow closer. Wherever Elizabeth and William walked together, Georgi would see William grab Lizzy's hand. They would always smile at each other and continue walking with their hands clasped. Georgi would also catch them giving each other quick kisses when they thought no one was looking. It's about time these two got together. They must have loved each other for a while, but never recognized it until I came. So, I must admit, it's all because of me. Then Georgi would walk around all day with a smug smile on her face.
Mrs. Reynolds was happy to see her master so happy, and in obvious love with "Miss Lizzy." At least he didn't end up marrying the sister of his best friend who always found an excuse to be here. She dressed in orange, was mean to the servants, and looked like a duck. Mrs. Reynolds chuckled at the nickname the servants at Pemberley gave the orange-clad woman.
Elizabeth was happier than ever now that she knew William loved her. She never knew a happier time than when she was with him, for when she was near him, she felt like she really found home.
William couldn't be any happier. He couldn't believe that Elizabeth loved him, even after her declaration. He was so used to having a feeling of hopelessness inside of him, that whenever Elizabeth wasn't near him, he had to go find her to get her reassurances that she really did love him. But still, William wouldn't ask her to marry him... yet. He was afraid that he would scare her, and then he would lose her. This time, forever.
Every evening, Elizabeth, William, and Georgi would sit in the music room and talk, or listen to either Georgi play what she was learned on the piano, or Elizabeth play and sing. Both William and Elizabeth grew to love the little orphan who was staying with them as if she was their own child. Georgi reminded them of what it was like to be a little girl and always believe that if something goes wrong, the next day would be better.
It was on the subject of the little girl that Elizabeth addressed Mr. Darcy one morning, while Georgi was away from them.
"William, what would you say about adopting Georgi?"
"Why should we? We brought her home for a few weeks, and after New Year's, she'll be going back." Somehow, William managed to hide the mischievous grin that was trying to appear.
Elizabeth was incensed. "How could you do that? I thought you were growing to like her! Why I never... How dare you send her back after she's grown so attached to this home and people here!" Elizabeth couldn't take anymore, and stood up to walk away. However, William's hand on hers stopped her before she could walk away. When she looked at Mr. Darcy, she saw him smiling. "And what are you smiling about, sir? This is no laughing matter."
"Elizabeth, I was planning on adopting her. I just wanted to see you angry because your eyes are beautiful when you're angry."
Elizabeth's face softened at his declaration. "You really want to adopt her?"
"Yes, I do. Why don't you go to Tiffany's and buy a locket for Georgi to replace that old one she has around her neck?"
"Yes! I'll do that right now!" And with one kiss, Elizabeth was out the door.
The children at the orphanage were washing the front window when they saw Elizabeth walk up to the orphanage.
Molly noticed her first and recognized her from taking Georgi. "Look! Isn't that the lady who took Georgi with her?"
Pepper pushed Molly out of the way to see. "Yeah, that looks like her. I wonder what she's doing here now. Let's go take a look." The orphans left the room to take a look at Elizabeth as she came through the front door.
When Elizabeth saw all the girls, she smiled at them. "Hello girls. May I ask one of you to show me the way to Miss Wickham's office?"
Pepper, the ever-outgoing one, offered. "I'll take you there, but I doubt you'll find her functioning at this time of the morning." Pepper led Elizabeth to Miss Wickham's office and left her there for Elizabeth to deal with a woman who was suffering from too much to drink.
When Elizabeth knocked at the door, a cranky voice answered. "What!?" Elizabeth took this as a "come in" and opened the door and walked in to see Miss Wickham's head on the table.
"Miss Wickham?" The woman managed to pick her head up and look at Elizabeth. "Do you remember me? I took Georgi home for the holidays."
"Yeah, so? Let me guess, you want to return her. She's always getting into trouble."
"Oh no! On the contrary. Georgi has been such a sweet girl, and an attachment has formed between her and Mr. Darcy. I came to inform you that Mr. Darcy is going to adopt her."
"You mean, the billionaire is going to adopt that little twirp?"
"Yes, they're inseparable." Elizabeth smiled as she thought of the two.
"Can you excuse me for a moment?" Elizabeth just nodded as Miss Wickham went out a door. A second later, an odd scream came from that general direction. Miss Wickham reappeared from behind the door, looking amazingly calm. "Well, then. That's interesting, but I have a lot of work to do, so if you'll please excuse me."
"Of course, Miss Wickham. Good day." As Elizabeth passed the orphans, she stopped. "Georgi wanted me to convey to you her greetings. She miss you very much and hopes she'll be able to see you soon."
"How is she doing?" Molly asked.
"She's doing very well. In fact, Mr. Darcy has decided to adopt her."
Murmurs, and exclamations were heard throughout the group. Just then, Miss Wickham came out. "I thought I told you all the windows had to be cleaned. And I thought I told you," she said as she looked at Elizabeth, "that I was busy, and it was time for you to leave."
"Of course, I was just conveying some messages from Georgi. Good bye." With that, Elizabeth was out the door.
Just as Elizabeth was entering her car again, a man and a woman passed her, and as that unknown woman passed Elizabeth, a light of recognition passed through her eyes. "George, that lady looks like my sister, Lizzy. But it can't be her; she's dressed in too fine of clothes, and she was only working in a factory when I first saw her."
George Wickham winced as he heard Lydia's annoying Brooklyn accent. "Then don't worry about it. She's probably not your sister."
"You're always right, darling. It's probably not her..." As Lydia kept talking, George tuned her out. I should've never gotten hooked up with her. But after a couple of years in prison, she looked tempting. Now, I can only regret it. She never stops talking, and nothing sensible comes out of her mouth.
"Lydia, darling. This is my sister's place." Finally, Lydia became quiet, as she wanted to put a good impression on "her darling's" sister. As the two walked into the building, nothing was said between them. Eventually, they were in Miss Wickham's office, but she was nowhere to be found.
After a couple of minutes of waiting, George's sister appeared in the doorway, and she saw them. "George! I thought you were in jail!"
Lydia couldn't keep her mouth shut. "They let him off for good behavior."
Agatha looked at her brother. "Who's that? You should really teach her how to talk with some elegance. They let him awf faw goud behaivauw." Miss Wickham apparently took delight in making fun of Brooklyn accents.
Again, Lydia didn't let George answer her. "I'm Lydia St. Regis Bennett. St. Regis is my new middle name because that's the hotel I met George at." Lydia took George's arm possessively, as George rolled his eyes.
George finally got around to his point in visiting, despite Lydia's love of talking. "Sis, I bet ten dollars on a horse, and what do you know? She came through and ran, but I got to the claims desk too late, and couldn't retrieve my prize. Could you please spare me some money?"
"Forget it George. I'm broke. This depression is not only happening to you, you know."
"Just a dime? I need some money to tie me over."
His sister didn't answer right away as she spied Lydia taking some jewelry and hiding it in her dress, but Agatha didn't want to deal with her now. Besides, the jewelry she was taking wasn't worth anything. That shows how much that girl knows. She can't even tell the difference between plastic and pearls. "No, George. I don't have any money." Miss Wickham turned around for a moment to get a drink of vodka, and that moment was all her brother, who was a professional pickpocket, among other things, to take money out of her purse which was sitting on her desk. When Agatha turned around, George changed the subject.
"Say, who was that beauty who was getting into the expensive car when I was just coming in?"
"That must have been Mr. Darcy's secretary. Mr. Darcy is apparently adopting one of my orphans, and now that little brat gets everything, and I get left with nothing. It's not fair."
Mr. Darcy's name got Lydia's attention. "Mr. Darcy, the millionaire?"
"Billionaire," Miss Wickham corrected.
"We used to be connected to him, you know, before he got so rich. He was rich before, but not this rich. My eldest sister got married to his best friend, and it looked like Darcy was in love with Lizzy, but nothing ever came out of it."
"Lizzy? His secretary's name is Elizabeth."
"George! That was my sister. Well, she's done pretty good for herself, I say."
"Wow," George's voice displayed sarcasm. "We used to live with Mr. Darcy. Our father worked with his father. That was until, both our father's died, and we were given practically nothing from William." George went back to his sister's comment. "And, you're right, it's not fair. Why should the girl get everything? Maybe the little girl is a way to get more money, and before you know it, we'll be on easy street."
"But how? I can't think of a way."
"Sis, you're brother's a con-artist. I may not have gotten much money out of our pal, William, before, but I can think of something. Just wait and see. Now, I have to go. Come on Lyd, let's go think of a plan."
Before she knew it, Agatha's brother left, and she saw her purse on her desk. She looked in it, gave a sigh of frustration and threw her purse against the wall. "He did it again!"
Chapter 14
Where is Lizzy? She should be here by now. Mr. Darcy was pacing in his study, waiting for Elizabeth to return with a locket. Finally, he heard the car pull up to the front door, and a little while later, Elizabeth coming into the house. Soon, Elizabeth came in the study with a package in her hand.
"Have you bought it? Where is it?" Elizabeth could hear the panic in Mr. Darcy's voice.
"William, relax. I have the locket here. Why don't you sit down?"
"I can't. I'm too restless. Where is Georgi, anyway?" Mr. Darcy walked to the doorway, where he asked a passing servant, "Where is Georgi?"
"Sir, she's still at her Karate lesson with the Asp."
"Okay, thank you." William turned back to Elizabeth and spoke, "Elizabeth, will you stay with me while I do this?"
"I don't think I should. She'll be your child."
"But I want you with me." William's voice was becoming dangerously close to whining. "Please stay with me."
"Okay, I will. Just for support, though. I'm not going to say anything." Just then, Georgi entered the study with the Asp.
"Look, Mr. Darcy, what the Asp taught me." With this, Georgi kicked Mr. Darcy in the knee, and he fell down. Immediately, the Asp and Elizabeth helped William to the sofa, where Punjab touched his knee, and it was mysteriously better. "I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy! I didn't think it would work."
"Well, now you know it does. Punjab, Asp, will you please leave us for a moment?" After his two bodyguards left, William got up, and went to Georgi. "Georgi, I want to tell you something, but first I should give you some background about myself.
"The Darcy family was always a very prominent family in America and in England. The first Darcy ancestor came over around 1850, and immediately started a successful business of factories. Now, I was an only child growing up, and had few friends, seeing that I'm naturally a reserved person. My parents died when I was rather young, and all at once I was thrown headfirst into running a company. I made my billions, but was never satisfied, because I didn't have someone in my life to share it with. Do you see what I'm saying?"
"Yes, I do," Georgi replied, not very confident. Then, her face looked confused and she continued, "Actually, no I don't."
"I see." Mr. Darcy paced a little while, and his mouth was opened to speak, when Georgi interrupted.
"Oh, I know! You want to marry Miss Lizzy. But I don't see why you had to consult with me about it. It is your life. I am flattered though, that you thought to tell me. I'll just leave you to it then." Georgi was about to leave, when Elizabeth's (whose face meanwhile turned bright red) voice stopped her.
"Georgi, I don't think that's what Mr. Darcy wanted to tell you."
Georgi turned around, with a questioning look, "It's not?"
Mr. Darcy spoke up, "No, it's not. I wanted to tell..."
Georgi interrupted him again, "But you love her, and she loves you; what's the problem?"
"Nothing is, at present." This time, Mr. Darcy's face turned red. "What I wanted to tell you...I mean...what I wanted to ask you...here." With this, Mr. Darcy handed Georgi the package that contained the locket. Georgi opened it, and when seeing the locket, she looked up with a questioning gaze.
"I don't understand."
"Georgi, I want to adopt you. I want you to be my child." William went around, and started to take off her old locket, when Georgi spoke up, this time angry.
"No!" William's face went from red with embarrassment to pale with shock in a matter of seconds. Georgi also managed to calm herself. "Mr. Darcy, I love my real parents, and even though I'm not with them now, I hope one day to be their daughter again. I've kept this locket, and they have the other half, so when they come back for me, I'll know it's them. I also have this letter," Georgi explained as she took out the worn letter from her pocket, "that says they are coming back for me. So you see, Mr. Darcy, I can't be your daughter. I still have parents out there somewhere."
Through Georgi's speech, William's eyes lost their gleam with the disappointment he was feeling. "I see, Georgi. If that is how you feel, I will help you find them. I need your locket and letter, however, to give to the FBI for them to trace them back to your parents. May I have them please?" Georgi looked at him, uncertain, whether to give them. "Georgi, please. It may make the search easier, if they had them." Reluctantly, Georgi put her precious objects into Mr. Darcy's hand, and went to hug him.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy." William held on to the little girl for a moment, and then let her go. He looked at where she left the room, for a moment, until he heard Elizabeth's presence behind him, and felt her take his hand.
"I'm sorry, William." As William turned around, she felt her heart break as she saw tears in his eyes. Slowly, William took Elizabeth in his arms, and just held her as tears streamed down both of their faces.
Hey,hobo man,
Hey, Dapper Dan,
You both got your style,
But Brother,
You're never fully dressed
Without a smile!
Your clothes may be
'Beau Brummelly,'
They stand out a mile,
But Brother,
You're never fully dressed
Without a smile!
Who cares what they're wearing
on Main Street or Saville Row?
It's what you wear from ear to ear,
and not from head to toe
that matters;
So, Senator,
So, janitor,
So long for a while,
Remember
you're never fully dressed,
Though you may wear the best,
You're never fully dressed
Without a smile.
The children were all gathered around the radio they stole from Miss Wickham's desk, listening to the "Iodent Hour," and singing along with the catchy jingle. They were fooling around, laughing about the song, when all of a sudden they heard Georgi's name mentioned.
"...Georgi is looking for her parents, and I, William Darcy, will give $50,000 to any couple who can prove they are Georgi's real parents..."
"Oh my goodness!" Tessie's exclamation was heard throughout all of the orphan's comments.
"Wow! Georgi is lucky to have such a rich man help her like that. She'll find her parents in no time!" Molly was excited for Georgi.
"If I were her, I would stay with Mr. Darcy. He has more money to give," Pepper replied, stating her mercenary attitude.
Just then, the jingle came on again, and the girls forgot about Georgi, and started singing and laughing again, until Miss Wickham stormed into the room.
"Do I hear happiness in here?" Miss Wickham looked around the room slowly and menacingly. "I want this room cleaned up before you all go to bed. And get to work!" With that, Miss Wickham walked into her office and sat down at her desk. She just stood there, doing nothing, because that's what she likes to do best, until an unknown couple appeared at the doorway around two hours later. The man spoke first.
"Excuse me, miss, but I was wondering if you could help us."
"Yes?"
"Eleven years ago, we left our baby here, with a promise to come back for her when we could get back on our feet. We had to leave her, you see, because we were offered a job on a farm, but we couldn't bring a child. We now own a hardware store in New Jersey."
The woman expanded on this. "We live above the store, and we have a yard. It's not much, but we could give our little Georgi a nice home."
"You mean, you're Georgi's parents?" No one could mistaken Miss Wickham's doubt that finally her parents came forward. The couple only nodded at her question. "I don't believe it!"
At the exclamation, Lydia exposed herself by taking off her wig, and saying to George, who removed his fake mustache, "See! I told you she wasn't going to buy it!"
"George! What's this all about?"
"Agatha, did you hear? Darcy's offering fifty grand to anyone who can prove they're Georgi's parents, and seeing you run the orphanage, we figured you have the key to prove it!"
Miss Wickham's eyes lit up as she thought about it, and she rushed into a closet where she started looking through all kinds of boxes. "Yes, I can prove it! I remember, five years ago, Georgi's parents died in a fire, and the police brought me all that they were saved from the building. In that pile, there is the other half of the broken locket that she keeps around her neck in an envelope. If we can find it, we can 'prove' that you are her parents."
Mr. and Miss Wickham and Lydia started to look frantically in the boxes. They were searching for five minutes when Lydia was absentmindedly holding a manila envelope in her hand and Miss Wickham saw it and grabbed it. She tore it open and took out the locket.
"George, we found the key. But what are we going to do with that little brat when we get her?"
George just smiles maliciously and took his finger across his throat like he was slitting it.
Late at night, in the orphanage, most of the young girls were lying in their beds thinking. Softly, one of them started singing the song Georgi used to sing to convey her hope that one day her parents were coming for her. Sniffles were heard all over the room, and if one listened closely, they could hear even the "cold-hearted" Pepper singing softly as tears fell down her cheeks.
So, maybe now this prayer's
the last one of its kind;
Won't you please come get your baby,
Maybe.
Chapter 15
"William, we must have read hundreds of these questionnaires, and not one of them belongs to Georgi's parents! I thought there were honest people out there, but I guess I was wrong." William and Elizabeth were in the study staring at the pile of questionnaires they just threw away in the trashcan. Hundreds of couples were lined up at Pemberley's gate early in the morning, even though it was the day before Christmas, hoping that they could 'prove' they were Georgi's parents. All that they were after was the $50,000.
William moved over and took Elizabeth's hand. "We will find them, Elizabeth. They have to be out there somewhere..." Just then, Georgi's voice interrupted him.
"Have my parents come yet? Have they come to take me home?" Elizabeth and William turned around to see Georgi standing there in her nightgown with a hopeful look.
"No, I'm sorry, Georgi. They haven't come," William said as he looked sympathetically at the little girl.
"Then, Mr. Darcy, if they haven't come, I don't think they will..." Both William and Elizabeth looked at Georgi with tears in their eyes. "Mr. Darcy..." Georgi paused for a second, "if my parents are coming back for me, I would love to be your child."
A smile spread over William's face as she said that, and he held out his arms to her. Georgi ran to him, and he hugged her tightly, and she clung to him. I may not have found my real parents, but Mr. Darcy will do just as well. He and Miss Lizzy have been the first people who were ever kind to me. I love them both as much as I could ever love my real parents.
Lizzy stood there watching them with a smile and tears of happiness running down her face. We're finally going to get Georgi. Look at them. It's as if they were meant to be together. Father and daughter.
Finally, William backed away. "Let me call Judge Brandies. We could sign the papers tonight; it's not too late."
"Yes, let's. Come Georgi, let's go get ready. You'll look like a princess by time we're through."
At the Orphanage
"George, let's do it tonight. We have everything. The locket, birth certificate, and all the facts. Lydia, stay here with the girls," Agatha ordered with an authoritative voice.
"But, I thought I was to play Georgi's mother!"
"Do me a favor and be quiet! I have a headache. And you're not going to play her mother, because you'll mess everything up. You even blew it when you were trying to trick me yesterday!"
George just ignored Lydia's complaints and agreed with his sister, "Come on Agatha. We have to get even with Darcy." George offered his arm to his sister, and in less than a minute (and before Lydia could make them deaf with her whining), they were out the door.
Pemberley, two hours later
Lizzy walked down the stairs to see the house decorated for Christmas and William waiting anxiously at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up, saw Elizabeth, and smiled. When Elizabeth reached the first floor, William took her hand and kissed it. "You look beautiful, Elizabeth." Lizzy looked down in embarrassment. "Where is Georgi?"
"She'll be down in a minute. The maid was putting the finishing touches on her hair." Just then feet pounding on the stairs bespoke the little girl's presence. There, on the stairs stood Georgi in her favorite red dress and her hair in spiral curls with her faithful dog at her side.
"Leapin' Lizards! This house looks great! How did you get it all decorated in two hours?" Georgi's eyes displayed her excitement and wonder.
"All the servants helped." At that moment, Judge Brandies was announced, and Mr. Darcy led Elizabeth and Georgi over to the judge, where he shook his hand. "Brandies, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennett, and Georgi. Elizabeth, Georgi, this is Judge Brandies."
"It's nice to meet you, ladies. Now, shall we get started?" Everybody acquiesced, and they were on the way to Mr. Darcy's office when another couple was introduced.
"Mr. and Mrs. Mudge," Mrs. Reynolds announced.
When the four turned around to look at the newcomers, Mrs. Mudge (a disguised Miss Wickham) gasped, "Georgi! Oh my little Georgiana! Look at her now!"
Mr. Darcy, who was very upset that his evening was interrupted replied in an aggravated tone, "May I help you?"
Mr. Wickham answered, "Mr. Darcy, we have come to take Georgi home. We left her at an orphanage eleven years ago. We went back there and the lady there..."
Miss Wickham interrupted, "a very attractive lady, too..."
"Told us that you had her here for the holidays."
"Well, then, Brandies, can you excuse us for a moment? Mr. and Mrs. Mudge, can you please see me in my study?"
Elizabeth, William, Georgi, and Mr. and Miss Wickham made their way to William's study. When they got there, George pulled out a tattered piece of paper. "You see here, I have Georgi's birth certificate. Dated October 22, 1922." George handed it to William.
Mr. Darcy inspected it for a moment and then looked up with sad eyes. "Everything seems to be in order. But still, I'm still not sure."
Miss Wickham thought it wise to speak up now, "When we left our little girl at the orphanage, we left her with a broken locket. We don't expect her to still have it, but..." As she was saying this, she took out the other half of Georgi's locket and knelt down beside the little girl was looking warily at her 'parents.'
They can't be my parents. I don't trust them. I can't have parents I can't trust. Miss Wickham put the two lockets together, and as William and Elizabeth watched, their faces betrayed their sadness. Just as soon as Georgi was to belong at Pemberley, she was to leave.
Mr. Darcy hesitantly spoke, "All right, Mr. and Mrs. Mudge. I believe you. I only ask that Georgi can stay here for tomorrow morning. I would like her to be here for Christmas."
A look of terror struck Miss Wickham's face. "Stay? I don't know. I haven't seen her in a long time..."
George interrupted his sister, "Darling, she can stay. It'll only be one night."
"Well, I guess I can spare her. Well, good night, Mr. Darcy." Just as they were about to leave, Mr. Darcy spoke up.
"I'll have the money for you tomorrow, also."
George faked surprise, "Money, what money?"
Elizabeth spoke before William could, "You didn't know about the reward money. Mr. Darcy offered $50,000 to anyone who can prove they were Georgi's parents."
George continued his acting, "We don't want any money. All we want is our little girl..."
Agatha, who realized that her brother could be risking their money, interrupted, "Of course, we could use the money. We are not very rich, after all, and with fifty thousand dollars, we could afford to bring Georgi up right."
"Very well, I'll have the check tomorrow. Good night."
When the Mudge couple left, Georgi turned to them. "I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed now. Good night." No longer was Georgi's voice filled with laughter; it was filled with sorrow.
As Elizabeth watched her leave, she spoke up. "I better go see if she'll be okay." William just nodded blankly.
When Elizabeth got to Georgi's room, she saw the little girl sitting at a window, with tears wetting her cheeks. Elizabeth made her way next to Georgi and sat down. "Georgi, don't cry. I bet your parents will be great. I bet they're loving, and will give you anything you want." Georgi still just stared out the window. "Georgi, things will get better, I promise. Remember what you believe: tomorrow will be brighter." This time, Georgi looked at Lizzy and immediately went into her arms. Elizabeth just held her until her steady breathing told Elizabeth the little girl was asleep. Elizabeth carried her to the bed and tucked her in. Before leaving, Elizabeth kissed Georgi on her forehead. "Good night."
When Elizabeth went back to the study, she found William sitting, staring at the fire with a brandy in his hand. "William," Elizabeth spoke softly. William silently got up, walked to Elizabeth and threw his arms around her. There they stood, Elizabeth crying into his shoulder, and William crying into her hair.
When Elizabeth awoke the next morning, she was sitting on the couch with her head resting on William's shoulder and his arm around her. She looked at her companion's face and saw that he was still sleeping, so she got up quietly and left the room. Elizabeth didn't know where she was walking; she could only think that in a couple of hours, she was going to lose Georgi. Eventually, she found herself in the picture gallery, looking at William's miniature portrait in the cabinet.
Suddenly, another miniature caught her eye; it was the one of Mr. Wickham. Hmm...it seems like I've met him somewhere, but I can't think of where... Elizabeth kept looking at the portrait for a while, until all of a sudden, she realized where she met him, and her face paled.
"Oh no! I have to go tell William."
"Tell me what?" Elizabeth spun around to see William standing there.
"William, we can't let Georgi go with Mr. and Mrs. Mudge."
"Why not?"
"Because they're not Mr. and Mrs. Mudge." Mr. Darcy's face showed confusion, so Elizabeth quickly continued, "Mr. Mudge is Mr. Wickham. I didn't realize it until I saw Mr. Wickham's portrait again, and I realized I knew him from somewhere. It just came to me where I saw him." Elizabeth was in near hysterics at her realization, so William walked over to her and embraced her.
"Shh, Elizabeth. It's okay. At least we found out before we let her go with them." William kissed her hair then pulled back and dried the tears with his thumb. "Come on. We should go and wait for the confrontation."
On the outside, William looked all calm, but on the inside, he was shaking with anger. How dare he come and try something like this after all these years! This time, I'm making sure he's going to prison for life.
Chapter 16
At the Orphanage
"Are you sure you girls haven't played poker before?" Lydia questioned the orphans. Elizabeth's younger sister was baby-sitting the orphan girls while Miss Wickham went to collect the money, and to amuse herself, Lydia suggested playing poker. She thought she could get money out of them, since they were young children, and what ten year old knows how to play poker?
But, Lydia underestimated the girls, or perhaps she overestimated her own playing abilities, and the girls were making her broke. "How much do I owe you?"
Pepper looked at the pad of paper, and told her, "Four hundred ten dollars, and ninety cents."
"$410? Where am I supposed to get that money?" But just as Lydia was about to protest her losings, she thought of what Wickham was doing at the moment. "Never mind. I forgot. After Miss Wickham and Georgi come back from Darcy, I'll be living pretty."
Mr. Darcy's name caught Duffy's attention. "Darcy? Is that where Miss Wickham went? Wait a minute! What is she planning to do?"
Lydia realized her mistake in saying too much. "None of your beeswax. I'm just going to be rich."
Meanwhile, Pepper got a hold of her purse and was looking at the many fake I.D.'s. "Hey Lydia. Wouldn't the police just love to know about these fake I.D.'s?"
"Hey! Give that back to me!" But Lydia's protests came too late. The orphans backed her into a corner.
"Tell us what Miss Wickham is going to do Georgi!"
Surprisingly, Lydia held out longer than we all thought she had in her, and for ten whole seconds, she didn't say anything. However, the little sense she had in her left, and she spilled the beans. "All right, all right! George and his sister are pretending to be Georgi's parents to get the fifty grand Mr. Darcy promised to anyone who can prove they're that scrawny little orphan's parents. And when they get back, I'll be rich!"
Unfortunately for Lydia, the orphans knew how to manipulate her simple mind into ruining the evil one's plans, and Pepper was the first to do it. "How do you know they're coming back?"
For the first time in her life, Lydia rationalized something. "You're right! I need to go make sure, I get my part of the profit."
Back At Pemberley
When Elizabeth and William reached the front hall, William thought of something. "Elizabeth, wait here. I have to go make a telephone call. I'll only be a couple of minutes." While William was in his study, making a phone call, Elizabeth kept pacing around.
I can't believe I didn't recognize him before. No wonder why Miss Wickham's name seemed so familiar.
After what seemed like an eternity, William returned to where Elizabeth was waiting. Silently they stood until Georgi quietly made her way down the stairs. At the sound of the orphan's footsteps Elizabeth and William turned around and William spoke.
"Georgi, wouldn't you like to go look under the tree and see what Santa brought you?"
Georgi just stared blankly back. "No thank you Mr. Darcy. Santa brought me my parents, and that's all I wanted."
"Actually, Georgi, we have something to tell you." Mr. Darcy glanced at Elizabeth and then looked back to the little girl. "Georgi, Mr. and Mrs. Mudge aren't your parents. In fact, they're not even the Mudges."
Georgi looked at William, confused. "What do you mean, Mr. Darcy? I thought everything was proven."
Just as William opened his mouth to speak, the "Mudges" were announced, and Mr. Darcy's face showed his anger again. When George came close enough to see his old foe's face, he went pale. All at once, he knew that he wasn't going to get away with his plan.
Silently, William walked over to Wickham and pulled George's fake mustache off. William began to speak harshly but softly so Georgi couldn't hear. "You make me sick. Did you even think you could get away with this, George? I know you. I know your tricks. And to think you raised a young girl's hope that she would have her parents. I don't even want to know what you were going to do with her after you got your money." William then moved over to Agatha and pulled her wig and hat off. "And you. What kind of orphanage are you running anyway? Do you know what kind of state Georgi was in when she came here? On top of the charges you are going to be faced with for this scheme, you are going to go to jail for not running the orphanage up to standard."
Just then, the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt was announced to everyone's (except William's) surprise, and William turned to greet him. "Mr. President, I have here the culprits. I trust that every precaution will be taken with them."
"Of course Darcy. Mr. Wickham here has been wanted for many years now, under many different names. I believe that a trial..."
The president's speech was interrupted with a high, screeching voice as Lydia stormed in the room, followed by all the orphans. Lydia searched around until she found George, and walked right up to him. "You've messed with the wrong dame! I'm here to get my share in the money too." When nobody said anything, but just stared at her, she took a look around. Finding that George and his sister were in handcuffs, she realized what she interrupted, and just stared at the president with her mouth open. Her daze was broken with a surprised voice.
"Lydia?!" The youngest of the Bennetts turned her head to see the second oldest at the foot of the stairs holding little Georgi's hand, and looking whiter than anybody has ever seen her.
Roosevelt, observing the recognition between the two sisters, and already knowing exactly who was involved in the scheme through secret investigations, broke the thundering silence. "Lydia Bennett, I presume? Seeing that your Miss Elizabeth's sister, I don't think she or Mr. Darcy would appreciate you going to jail. Since you look young and probably just made a mistake mixing with the wrong people, I'm going to make an exception for you and..."
"No!" Everybody turned in shock at Elizabeth who let go of Georgi's hand and was walking to her sister. "Lydia, as much as it pains me to see what you have done, I believe you should pay for it."
"Lizzy? Are you doing this to your own sister? I thought you loved me!" Lydia started crying in her usual spoiled youngest daughter act, but Lizzy could see through it.
Crying, Lizzy continued, "Lydia, will you ever learn? Do you know how worried we've been? Never knowing where you were, if you were safe? And now, I find you mixed up with common criminals intending to harm a little girl. No, Lydia. Mother may have babied you, but I'm not going to. You are going to realize what you have done, and until you realize it, I'm not going to accept you." Lizzy turned to the president and addressed him. "Mr. President, is there something better than a common jail for her? As much damage as she has done, I don't want to see her in such harsh conditions."
"Yes, Miss Bennett. There are many alternatives to a jail for her. The best I can think of is having her volunteer somewhere. At the trial, I will specifically ask for that as her sentence if she is convicted."
"Thank you."
Roosevelt had the criminals taken away and then wheeled himself over to Mr. Darcy. "Darcy, I have some important news for the little girl. I think it will be best if you inform her yourself." The president handed a piece of paper over to William, who read it. When he looked up, his face showed sadness.
"Georgi, come here." Until then, Georgi didn't move from her spot. She watched the whole spectacle silently from the foot of the stairs, relieved that "those Mudges" weren't her real parents, and that Miss Wickham was finally going to pay for her cruelty. As Georgi walked over to Mr. Darcy, she knew that the news wasn't good by the look on William's face, but continued walking with courage. "Georgi, they were able to trace back to your parents...but, unfortunately, your parents passed away some years ago."
At the news, Georgi's face fell, and she silently walked towards the stairs again. Suddenly, she stopped and turned around to face the president, William, Elizabeth, and the rest of the orphans with tears in her eyes. "Mr. Darcy, I guess I always that my parents were dead. I know that they would've come back for me if they were alive."
"Georgi, I am so very sorry. I am sure that they would have come back for you. But Georgi, I am sure that we all could be very happy together, as a family."
Georgi's face instantly lit up, and she ran to Mr. Darcy and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Mr. Darcy."
The president, meanwhile, addressed the rest of the orphans. "I am going to find each and every one of you a home with fine families. You won't be orphans for long." With that, the orphans cheered, and gathered round the president, thanking him.
Elizabeth stopped them from suffocating him when she said, "If you go look under the tree, Georgi picked out presents for all of you." All the children, including Georgi ran to the other room to unwrap all the gifts, and William walked over to Roosevelt.
"Thank you, Mr. President for settling this whole matter. You're a fine man... for a Democrat."
"It has been my pleasure, Darcy. And you're pretty fine yourself... for a Republican." The two men shook hands as Elizabeth stood back watching them. He's friends with the president?
"Now would you like to get settled and rest a while before dinner? I think it'll take a while for these girls to settle down anyway."
"I would love to Darcy." As Roosevelt wheeled himself away, William came to stand by Elizabeth.
"You know the president?"
"Yes, I do. I knew him before he was president. I invited him for Christmas dinner for a surprise for you and Georgi. When you figured out that Mr. Mudge was really Mr. Wickham, I remembered the president, and thought he could be useful with this case."
Elizabeth just stared at him in amazement. "You know the president?"
William just chuckled. After a moment, William became serious again, as he reached into his coat pocket. "Elizabeth."
Elizabeth broke out of her daze and looked at William. "Yes?"
"When I told Georgi that we could be a family, I meant with you too." As Elizabeth comprehended his words, a smile spread over her face, and William dropped to one knee. "Miss Elizabeth Bennett, will you marry me?"
All that Elizabeth could do was nod her head violently as tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks. William slipped the family heirloom ring onto her finger and stood up. There in the front hall, for everybody to see William and Elizabeth stood embracing, never to leave one another again.
When Georgi opened the package of the piano music she wanted, she knew she had to thank Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy right away, but when she entered the front hall, she was stopped by the sight of the two kissing in sight of everyone.
At the sight, a smile lit up the little girl's face, and as she turned back to leave the couple alone, she knew she was happy and that she found her parents at last.
Epilogue
Elizabeth and William were married two months after in a grand wedding celebrated in one of the city's grand cathedrals.
Every family member known was at the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and Jane and Charles with their two boys arrived from Europe a month before the wedding. Both Kitty and Marry with their husbands traveled to the city to attend the grand event. Even Lydia attended the wedding, for her sentence for her crimes was to volunteer at a local hospital until Elizabeth felt fit that her sister repented enough for her wrong doings.
William did not have much family left, but those who attended included the Fitzwilliam family. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and their two sons, Andrew and Richard. The family was a particular favorite of William's, Mr. Fitzwilliam being the brother of William's mother, and Richard being his favorite cousin and friend growing up. However, the distance between them decreased their chances of visiting each other, especially in the Depression.
The announcement of the engagement and the wedding two months later reached every front page in the country. At last the world's richest man was getting married, just when the world was starting to consider him a permanent bachelor with no prospective wives in sight. It seems that Elizabeth just sneaked in under the media's noses.
After the wedding, Elizabeth and William went to Europe for their honeymoon for two months. While they vacationed, Charles and Jane stayed at Pemberley to look after the business (the minor, simplistic details; Darcy didn't trust anybody to his multi-billion business), the house, and Georgi.
And Georgi? She was ecstatic as she walked down the isle as Elizabeth's youngest bride's maid. She was smiling as William and Elizabeth exchanged vows, and she was crying tears of joy, when Elizabeth and William were pronounced man and wife. During the two months of her new parents' absence, she enjoyed getting to know her new uncles and aunts and cousins. Never before did she dream that she would have such a big, loving family.
With Georgi, everybody was charmed by her. There was not one family member that she didn't have wrapped around her finger, and she knew it. But Georgi would never use that too her advantage, when she knew it wasn't right. Everybody adored Georgi for that; how she would never do anything intentionally that she knew was not right, or something that hurt somebody.
When the newly married Darcys returned back from their honeymoon, it was apparent to everybody how happy they really were. Happiness glowed from every part of their beings, and rarely would they be seen apart. Although, Elizabeth was not officially William's secretary anymore, she would still do what she used to as his secretary. William didn't want to train another person for the job, and having Elizabeth do his secretary work was a good excuse to have her near him all the time.
And so the months since the wedding passed in bliss. At least twice a week, Elizabeth would go to the hospital where Lydia volunteered and talked with her. To everyone's surprise, little by little, bit by bit, Lizzy found Lydia improving. No longer was there a ditzy, selfish young girl, but an intelligent, mature young woman who truly enjoyed working with the patients and helping people out.
And so, by mid-November, just in time for Thanksgiving, Lydia was able to stop her sentence. Elizabeth and William let her live in Pemberley, but Lydia still volunteered, although at another hospital, closer to the mansion. There, she met a nice, handsome, doctor, who in February of the next year, she got married to and became Mrs. Gregory Todd Evans.
The night after Lydia's wedding, Elizabeth and William were lying in bed, talking. Randomly, William spoke up about the room.
"Lizzy, don't you ever want to redecorate this room? I was thinking about it, and I realized it looks such like a man's room. It needs a woman's touch."
"Are you sure, William? I noticed it, too, but didn't know if you would mind if it changed a little."
" Change it a lot, for all I care! I want it to look like there is a Mrs. Darcy again."
"Well, as long as we're doing this room, we might as well redo the nursery."
"Why? We don't need to use..." William paused as he comprehended the full meaning of what his wife said. "You mean? Are you...? Are we...?"
"Yes, William. I'm going to have a baby," Elizabeth smiled.
William turned and placed his hand on his wife's stomach. "A little baby is growing inside of you?" One could hear the wonderment in William's voice.
"Yes, William. Why are you so surprised?"
William just leaned down and kissed her.
And as they slept, William held his wife with his hand resting upon her stomach.
8 Months Later
"Daddy, is Mother going to be all right?"
William stopped his pacing in front of the door, and turned to look at his daughter. "Of course Mother is going to be all right. She's strong."
"Then why do you look so worried?"
"Because I've never been through this before. I don't know what to expect."
Just then, Lydia and the doctor came out of the room. William was relieved to see them both smiling. "Well, Doctor?"
"Your wife and the baby are fine. She would like to see you."
Without another word, William ran into the room to see his wife and child.
Georgi was waiting outside her mother's door for nearly an hour before William appeared. When he saw her, a surprised look came upon his face.
"Georgi, I thought you were going to bed!"
"Daddy, I couldn't sleep. Can I see the baby?"
A smile slowly spread across the new father's face. "Of course you can. Come with me."
When Georgi entered the room, she saw her mother lying in bed, holding a little bundle.
"Mother?"
Elizabeth looked up and smiled. "Come, Georgi. Meet your new baby sister."
When Georgi looked over at her new sister, she was amazed at how tiny she was. She couldn't believe that she was once that tiny.
"Would you like to hold her?" William asked from behind her.
"May I?"
Of course." Saying that, William took the tiny bundle and placed it in Georgi's arms. "Georgi meet Brooke Marie Darcy. Brooke, this is your older sister, Georgi."
And so, for the first time in her life, Georgi held a new born child. During her childhood, she would hold three more babies as they came into the world: Christopher James, Grace Ann, and Thomas Andrew Darcy.
The End.