"Do you know what's more unforgiving in this city than the hills?" Lizzie said breathlessly into her phone, "The weather. I'm not even kidding, Jane, it will be a miracle if I can feel my feet by the time I get to Pemberley Digital this morning."
While Jane laughed on the other end of the phone, Lizzie pushed a lock of hair out of her face for the umpteenth time. The wind was fierce this morning and chilled her to the bone, even though she had made sure she was wearing her warmest jacket. She could only imagine what her hair was going to look like by the time she got to work, but she continued walking briskly towards Pemberley Digital. Thankfully, she wasn't too far away.
"Why didn't you take a cab?" Jane asked with amusement in her voice.
"Because despite this ridiculous weather, I actually quite enjoy the walk! Plus I've heard that exercise does wonders for a girls complexion." Lizzie finished, giggling.
"I'll keep that in mind!" said Jane warmly, "So, did you like your birthday presents?"
Lizzie grinned as she walked through the gardens on the outskirts of the grounds of Pemberley Digital.
"Of course I did!" Lizzie replied, "I'm wearing the scarf right now."
Lizzie had come last night to find a package sitting on her doorstep from Jane for her birthday. Jane had written her some beautiful words on the inside of a cute birthday card, which had made Lizzie miss her sister keenly. Accompanying the card and the chunky scarf that was wrapped around her neck was also a gorgeous party dress (in case she decided to go hit the town for her birthday), and a small package of Snickerdoodles.
"I'm glad to hear it," Jane replied, "I miss you."
"I miss you too, Jane." Lizzie replied, with a hint of sadness in her voice.
This was the first birthday where Lizzie would be all by herself. Though she'd had calls, and texts and emails from her parents and friends, Lizzie still felt lonely being out here in the big city where no one knew anything about her – much less, that today was her birthday.
"Well, happy birthday little sister," Jane said finally, "I hope you have a lovely day and try not to work too hard."
Lizzie laughed.
"Thanks Jane. I'll call you tomorrow."
Lizzie hung up the phone, feeling slightly more cheerful than she had when she woke up this morning. She walked inside the Pemberley Digital building, and made her way towards the café for a hot chocolate, in an attempt to thaw out.
She had to hand it to Darcy – the Cafés and food establishments at Pemberley were exceptional. It had become a bit of a habit for Lizzie to stop by this café after she arrived at work each morning, which Lizzie had justified by telling herself that she needed something to warm her up after being exposed to the elements first thing in the morning. Truthfully though, this café made the best hot chocolate Lizzie had ever tasted, and since it was her birthday after all, she decided to treat herself to the largest size cup they had. With extra marshmallows.
She warmed her hands around the cup while she took the elevator up to her office, mentally going through all the things she had to do today. There were thankfully no meetings until later in the week, but she still had a truck load of things to do. The elevator doors slid open silently, and she made her way around the corner, and down the hallway until she arrived at her office.
Only it didn't look like her office anymore. Someone (Lizzie had a fairly good idea of who) had come in on Friday after she had left and went crazy with decorations. There was a colourful banner behind her desk that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY on it, along with some streamers, a red party hat and a small bunch of flowers. Lizzie didn't really want anyone to know that it was her birthday, but she had to admit that these decorations were amazing. They were artistic – evidently made by someone here at Pemberley Digital, and they were pleasantly understated.
As Lizzie put her purse and jacket down, she noticed a helium balloon lingering above her desk, with a rolled up piece of paper hanging from some blue string. Lizzie placed her hot chocolate down on the desk, and reached for the balloon – carefully extracting the note from the ribbon.
Dear Lizzie,
Firstly, happy birthday! I hope you like the decorations, and that it was a pleasant surprise to come to work to.
Secondly, William and I would like to invite you over to have dinner at our house this evening – a special celebration for your birthday!
Please let me know as soon as you can.
Gigi.
PS. Those flowers are not from me.
Lizzie grinned, and rolled up the slip of paper before pulling out her phone and quickly typing a text message.
Nice job on the banner – I loved it.
Not even a minute later, she got a reply.
I'm glad you liked it! Did you get the note?
I did. Very clever.
So will you come tonight?
That depends. Does your brother know about this?
Of course! He helped me with the banner actually. And like I said, those flowers weren't from me!
Well, if he knows, and he's OK with me crashing your house … then yes. I'll come for dinner.
Squee! Can't wait. Wear something pretty! x
Wear something pretty? Lizzie sipped at her chocolate again, deep in thought about what kind of plan Gigi was concocting this time. There was a good chance that there would be some awkwardness between her and Darcy tonight regardless of whatever Gigi had planned, but then again, it was better to celebrate her birthday with Gigi and Darcy rather than sit at home by herself.
There was a soft knock at her door, and she looked up to see Darcy standing in the door frame.
"Darcy, Hi," she said casually, trying to ignore the pounding in her chest. That seemed to be happening more and more frequently these days when he randomly showed up at her office.
"Lizzie," he replied by way of a greeting, "I trust the decorations are to your liking?"
Lizzie smiled as she looked at the banner behind her.
"They're perfect, thank you."
Darcy shrugged; a half smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Gigi's idea, of course. I merely supervised to make sure she didn't go overboard."
"A job well done then," Lizzie replied, jokingly.
Darcy chuckled.
"Well," he replied, "I won't impose on you any further. I just wanted to stop by and wish you a happy birthday,"
"Thank you," Lizzie replied shyly.
"Will Gigi and I be seeing you tonight?" he asked hesitantly, noticing that she had read Gigi's letter.
Lizzie smiled, and nodded.
"Yes. Thank you for the invitation," she replied, "And thank you for the flowers. You two really didn't have to go to all this effort for me."
He blushed slightly, and looked away before speaking.
"I'm glad you are pleased with everything," he said, "Well then. We will see you this evening. I'll have a car sent for you just before seven."
"I appreciate that. Thank you."
Darcy nodded once, and smiled quickly before walking back towards his office. Lizzie stared down at the flowers next to her computer, before leaning back in her chair and sipping on her hot chocolate again.
Well, thought Lizzie with some amusement, at least I'll have something to tell Jane about tomorrow ...
