Jump to new as of June 26, 1999
Chapter 1
The summer of my 21st birthday was turning out to be like any other summer. Well almost except for one small thing; I found out something that summer that would forever change my life as well as my families. It started out typical enough, my mom and daddy sent me on the plane to my grandparents' house in Rock Springs, Colorado. Having said goodbye to mom, daddy, and William, I got on the plane that would take me to my grandparent's house. While on the plane, I started to think of what I was going to do that summer with my favorite person up there-my grandpa.
However, before I go into that I will tell you something about me, Elizabeth Bennet William. Yea, you heard right, my parents are big Jane Austen fans, So my name is the best of their favorite literary world, Elizabeth Bennet as in the famous heroine of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. And also the fact that my last name is William, kinda a weird twist of fate. Speaking of fate another interesting coincidence is that fact that my boyfriend's mother is also a big Jane Austen fan so, having her last name Darcy, she named her first son (my boyfriend) Fitzwilliam Darcy. And so you have Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth all over again, and we fight and disagree after the people we were named after.
Anyway back to me, I was born of June 21, 1978; I am 5'8'', have really long dark curly black hair, dark brown eyes that have been called "fine". I also have a sharp wit and independent streak, so in a way I look and act like that of Elizabeth Bennet. William who, looks almost like Colin Firth, (who plays Mr. Darcy in the newest version, my favorite version, of 'Pride and Prejudice'), I mean he has the same dark curly hair, dark, intense eyes, and the moods of Mr. Darcy. He was born on May 21, 1977, and we meet when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. We had a British Lit class together, kinda of ironic, and naturally we were both shocked about the amazing coincidence, so at first we sparred with each other, and then we fell in love and started to date. Just like that of the book, I know it's been a wonderful almost three years and I wouldn't give up a minute of it.
So, this past Halloween we dress up as Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, well we have been since we started to date. However, this year was special since it was William's last year at the University of Miami so, we went all out. I mean we did everything exactly like the movie, the costumes, our hair, and even the way we talked. Everyone was amazed at the similarities between William and myself and to the people we were both named after. Some people even thought we were Colin Firth and Jennifer Enhle, (Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet of the newest version) but, sadly we aren't, well hey, it sure is cool being named after two of Jane Austen's famous people in her world of nineteenth century England.
My parent's, Rebecca "Becky" and Chris, are the greatest in the world, sometimes I think I don't deserve them. I have no brothers or sisters, just me, mom and dad and secretly that's the way I like it to be. However, they say an only child is spoiled and boy are they right about that, sometimes I think they wrote the book about my parents and me. I mean, since living in Miami, we go to the Dolphin games (Go Dolphins!) and do everything together, well maybe not that much since me and William started to date. But I still have loads of fun with my parents.
Okay enough about my family and me, back to the story at hand. Rocky Springs is a small little town, no more than about two-three hundred people, where everyone knows everyone and no one's life is a secret, or so I thought. It is a great place to go hiking, tubing, and white water river rafting. I personally enjoy going hiking in the Rockies with my grandpa; he's the best. Nearby my grandparents house there is a little creek, next to a cold clear spring. I always love going swimming there, when I visit every summer.
Chapter 2
'Attention passengers, please return your trays in their upright position and buckle in'
Oh my goodness we are there, well that's daydreaming for you. As I was getting of the plane and heading
into the terminal I hear:
'Lizzy, Lizzy over here.' I see and older gentleman waving at me trying to get my attention.
'Hey grandpa, I missed you so much. How are you?' I said giving him a great big hug.
'Oh I'm fine. How's Becky? I haven't seen her since Christmas time,' grandpa asked. After picking up my luggage at baggage claim's, we started heading towards the car.
'She's fine, her and daddy are heading for the Keys for the weekend. Kinda like a second honeymoon for them and daddy really needed the rest from his job. Where's grandmother?' She never lets me call her grandma or mema like I call Grandma William.
'In the car waiting, she simply hates airports,' grandpa said with a little anger in his voice. I just wrapped my arm around him and said:
'That's ok, I much rather you be here anyway. So, when are we going hiking? I can't wait to go and get lost again in the mountains.' I looked up at grandpa and saw that he was smiling at my statement, because the last time we went hiking, we did indeed get lost, took the wrong path or something like that.
'Soon, real soon honey. There's your grandmother now.' Grandpa said pointing to grandmother who just now got out of the car, to come and greet me.
'Hello Elizabeth, you've grown since the winter, you look like you father' she said with a bit of anger in her voice. Oh and she always calls me Elizabeth, never Lizzy or Liz like everyone else I know. Also, she thinks it's ridiculous that my name is Elizabeth Bennet, I guess she never read any classical literature and enjoyed it as much as mother and I do.
'Thank you grandmother, shall we head home' I suggested.
'Yes,' grandpa said getting into the car. On the trip, which last about a half an hour, it was silent for a long while until, 'So Lizzy, how's school?'
'Its ok grandpa, I am really enjoying my classes. I really can't wait till I graduate and began teaching British Lit.' I said, oh btw I am studying to be a British Lit teacher, I love it that much.
'I can't believe that you choose British Lit Elizabeth, you are an American.' grandmother said very dryly.
'Frieda leave her alone, that is what Lizzy loves and what she wants to do with her life. I am very proud of her accomplishments even if you are not and lord knows you demonstrate that each and every summer she comes and visits us. I am even surprised that she does.' Grandpa said raising his voice to grandmother, while glancing at me to see if I am hurt by the remark. I was about to answer him that nothing would keep me away from him, when:
'Well I can hardly be proud and even call her a granddaughter, she is after all Rebecca and that god awful Christopher Williams' daughter.' She bitterly replied. I just can't understand how she could hate her own daughter and my beloved daddy.
'It's William,' I stressed the last singular syllable of my last name, 'It is not Williams please get it right if that is possible for you.' I said very angry, for she always says it that way. People are right when they say I remind them of Elizabeth Bennet, I certainly say what's on my mind whenever I want to. After that outburst of anger she did not say another word to me.
'So how are you and Fitzwilliam getting alone my Lizzy?' grandpa said winking at me.
'Um fine grandpa, he is just so wonderful, he reminds me so much of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Anyway he just finished his last year at UM and he's excited that the University gave him a job teaching World Lit, well mostly ancient works up to the eighteenth century.' Yeah, you heard me right, he is a World lit professor and I am going to be a British Lit professor. Hopefully at UM. 'Anyway he is just so sweet and perfect and I really think that we are perfect for each other. Sometimes I still can't believe that we found each other, it is fate.' I said with plenty of pride, the way I always take when people ask me about my Darcy.
'Well, I sure hope he will always be like that to you for if he hurts my little Lizzy he will regret it' grandpa replied half-serious.
'Don't worry, I don't think he will. Daddy already told him of that same little threat when we started to date, and I think William took him seriously.' I replied half-laughing at grandpa's expression.
'Just like Chris always to protect his little girl. And by the way, I have no doubt that you will be teaching there, you and William will be an asset to the University. Well here we are home sweet home.' Grandpa said pulling into the driveway.
'Thanks grandpa,' I said and like a little girl, I eagerly jumped out of the van and ran into the house up to my room and began to unpack all of my cloths and put them into the proper drawers. I just felt so alive whenever I would visit this wonderful and beautiful place.
'Lizzy, can you please come down here a minute?' grandpa's voice echoed through the large house.
'Sure thing be right down grandpa,' I said while running down the stairs, as I always do and as always grandmother would say:
'Elizabeth, please don't run down the stairs and make all that noise. It sounds like a stamped going through the house.'
And as always I would say 'sorry, grandmother it will not happen again' not! For I knew the very next time I would run up or down those very stairs, yep stubborn that's me.
Grandpa half hiding his smile began, 'Yes, now Lizzy, your grandmother and me have to go to Asheville for two or three days. I am really sorry about the timing love, but it's unavoidable.' His smile thus vanished and I saw sadness in his wonderful dark eyes.
'It's ok grandpa, I understand.' However, secretly I was very sad. 'Do I have to stay at Aunt Jeri's house?' Jeri was my grandpa's sister, I like her ok but in an odd way she reminds me of Lady Catherine from the book; well grandmother does remind me of Lady Cat also.
'No I think you are old enough to take care of yourself for a few days, but if you need anything please call Jeri. Ok?'
'Okay, I love you very much grandpa and I thank you for trusting me. So when do you have to go.'
'We have to leave now, I trust that you can take care of yourself and not behave like a spoiled little brat while we are gone.' Grandmother said getting up and starting to head out of the door.
'Yes, grandmother I am not a child or a spoiled brat. Have a good time grandpa and I hope you have a safe journey.' I said giving a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. 'Have a lovely time grandmother' I was about to try and give her a hug or even a kiss and she walked out the door without another word. Oh well it did not bother me at all, after all I was use to it. I walked out arm in arm with grandpa and after waiving goodbye and watching them leave I went back into the house, got changed and went for a swim in the spring.
When I got back to the house it was around 5pm, and my stomach was telling me one thing-to get some food in it. After dinner I cleaned up my mess and decided to go for a walk around the path that goes around one side of the mountain. It is such a beautiful walk and the peace and the scenery was well enjoyed.
Chapter 3
Just as I was walking back inside I heard the phone ring,
'Hello Callost residence, Elizabeth William speaking.' I replied politely.
'Hey, how's my little Lizzy doing?'
'Hi daddy, everything's great. How's everything there?' I was always happy to hear from my parents, especially now that grandpa was gone.
'Fine, Well, me and your mother are, William on the other hand'
'Daddy, what's wrong with William?' I said very worried.
'Nothing except now he is very silent and depressed, kinda like how Mr. Darcy got when he left Elizabeth. He really loves you, my little Lizzy.' Dad said with a hint of pride in his voice.
'I know he does, well tell him I miss him too, and don't forget to tell him to call, and so he won't be all that moody. Daddy I know William isn't the reason you called, do what's up?'
'Don't worry I will tell him, and just like my little Lizzy to get to the point. Well it's not that bad just due to bad weather our plans to the keys have been postponed. Is your grandpa there I would like to speak to him about something?' Dad said a little gloomy, I guess about the weather.
'No, him and grandmother just left for two or three days on business that could not be postponed,' I replied with a little sadness in my voice.
'Then you are there alone, well at least Frank trust you enough to leave you there alone. Well I won't talk long...'
About a half an hour later I hanged up, after first saying goodbye to mom. I glanced at the clock in the living room to find out it's only 8:30pm, so I decided to look at the many family pictures grandpa keeps in the den or his office.
I was getting down one of my favorite books, when I noticed a book jammed in the back of the case.
I picked it up, it was all dusty and dirty, weird I thought I never saw this book before and I always look at family pictures. So, I flipped the book open to look at the photos, they were pictures of a wedding. One person stood out-my grandpa, it was his wedding to grandmother, amazing the pictures weren't that old. I finally saw the wedding party and the little flower girl kinda stood out. She had a familiar smile; I didn't put it together until I saw the date of the wedding-August 1, 1961. Wait a minute mom was born on March 18, 1951, no wonder that little flower girl looks familiar it's my mother. Oh my goodness my grandmother is my mother's stepmother that would explain why she is so mean to my family. Why didn't no one ever tell me, well maybe it is a secret, well I deiced to find out by asking mom when I call tomorrow?
It was getting late so I put the book back on the shelf and accidentally hit the bookcase and a photo fell from behind the bookcase on the floor. I picked up the photo and looked at it, it was a picture of twin girls. Hmm I thought why would there be a picture of twin girls hidden behind the bookcase. I turned the photo over and read out loud the inscription with shock
'Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse William, one day old. Oh my goodness, that's me and I guess that's my twin sister. Why didn't no one tell me I was a twin, I wonder what happen to her.' I was both mad and confused at the whole issue. Emma Woodhouse, hmm I guess that one of my parents liked Emma and the other one liked Pride and Prejudice. I wonder who named who, as I pondered on this thought for a while, I began to get tired and deiced to try and get some sleep and figure what to do about this tomorrow.