"Today is the day," Lizzie breathed as she ran her fingers over a modest white dress on the edge of a purple hotel room comforter. "Today I become Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy." The name sounded perfect to her, sweet like her favorite summer iced tea. Flawless.
Jane came up behind Lizzie, wringing her hair in a towel, fresh out of the shower.
"Hey you," She said, twisting the towel and flipping it over the back of her head.
"Hey," Lizzie smiled, still looking at her dress. In just a few hours she would be walking down a long chapel isle on her father's arm. And to think that barely two years ago she'd presumed that William Darcy was a douche bag.
Memories of the past year flowed in and out of Lizzie's thoughts, reminding her of all the times she'd been wrong about Darcy and everything he had to offer. She knew in her heart that she'd always loved him; it just took her far too long to admit it. But there she was, staring at the silver jewels and lace that graced the neckline of her wedding dress. A dress that Darcy had paid for yet never seen. He would soon enough.
"You nervous?" Jane touched Lizzie's shoulder gently, as she always did when she suspected someone was upset.
"Not at all," Lizzie turned around and smiled to Jane's face this time, "Just excited. My mind is racing all around the memories of the last year and a half." She leaned in to give her sister and maid of honor a hug.
"Today is all about you, sis," Jane hugged her back, "What can I do for you this morning?" Jane was the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful person Lizzie had ever met. Just agreeing to be a part of her wedding seemed enough. But of course, in true Jane fashion, she'd also spent the night at the hotel with Lizzie so she wouldn't be alone, ordered midnight room service when they couldn't sleep (and picked up the tab!), and given Lizzie her "something new," a dainty silver heart bracelet from Tiffany's.
"You, Jane, don't have to do anything!" Lizzie said, sitting down in a luxurious chair that matched the purple comforter on the bed. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "We just relax and wait for Lydia, Mom, and Charlotte."
Lydia and Charlotte where Lizzie's other two bridesmaids; they would be arriving in the next hour or so. She and Jane knew that getting Lydia to calm down enough to be patient with hair and makeup was going to be a challenge, so they'd set Mrs. Bennet to arrive later as to not stir up any unneeded drama.
"So what about you? How are you doing?" Lizzie said. Jane knew that Lizzie was referencing her own marriage to Bing Lee, which was to happen a month from Lizzie and Darcy's wedding.
Jane just blinked a few times before catching up to Lizzie's comment, "Oh! I'm doing great. I'm really excited, just as I suspect you are right now." She took the towel out of her hair and threw it in the laundry bin next to a writing desk. Jane continued: "But as I said before, today is your day. It's not about me at all."
Lizzie smiled slightly, then looked up at her sister. She opened her mouth a few times to speak, but lost all capability for or five times until finally getting a grip. "Jane, can I tell you something important? You have to promise that you won't tell anyone else."
"Of course, Lizzie, what is it?" Jane sat down next to her sister in another chair. She crossed her legs and leaned in to hear her sister.
"I don't even know how to say this," Lizzie whispered.
For moments, there was silence. Lizzie was sure that she would be able to hear the breakfast conversations on the first floor of the hotel - six floors below them.
"I'm," She gasped, "I'm pregnant."
"Oh, I knew that already," Jane smiled and giggled, "I've been suspecting for weeks. You've been even happier and more glow-y than usual, if that's even possible."
Lizzie was shocked. How could her sister have known? "I don't know how you figured that out. I only found out myself three weeks ago." Lizzie looked down, embarrassed that she hadn't told her sister the day she found out. But the truth was, she was still digesting it herself. She didn't feel any different, look any different. But it was different, and that was hard enough. Especially for a girl who didn't like change.
"Lizzie, look at me," Jane put her hand back on Lizzie's shoulder as her sister began to sob quietly.
Lizzie wiped her eyes quickly and looked at her sister. If there was anyone who knew how to make someone else feel instantly better, it was Jane. Jane's smile was contagious, and made Lizzie want to smile too.
"I'm so happy for you, sis!" Jane stood and took Lizzie's hands to bring her in for a hug, "This is such great news!" She shrieked as quietly as possible into Lizzie's ear.
But Lizzie wasn't so sure it was great news. She and Darcy had never discussed children. It was always career first, family later - if ever. The reason why she hadn't told Darcy about the pregnancy (and planned to keep it a secret until after the wedding) was that she didn't want him to be frightened. As strong and capable as Darcy came off, Lizzie knew that he was really vulnerable. The littlest things could catch him off guard; she knew that this type of news was bound to knock him right off his favorite reading chair.