Chapter 1: Hello Again

It had been five years since her last party at a club, and that party took her by surprise. It left her with a positive sign on a pregnancy test. It was a graduation party that made her take a year off, instead of putting into practice what she had actually learned from the University. Elizabeth Bennet or Lizzie to her family and friends is a marketing analyst, a part-time writer and blogger, but most of all, she is a full time mother. It was because of the birthday of her best friend Charlotte, that she indulged herself to attend a party at a club. Five years ago, she would have willingly gone without hesitation, but now, ever since her daughter Lucy Eleanor Bennet, Lizzie only attended parties that involved her family and work. But she could never say no to Charlotte. Now here she was after five years, sitting and watching her best friend drink herself drunk, with of her colleagues. It's not that Elizabeth is too old for it, however, tonight, not only was it Charlotte's birthday, but Jane, her sister was coming with her new boyfriend Charles, whom she hadn't met but had only heard from Jane.

"Lizzie! Why are you just sitting here! Have fun!" Charlotte said

"I'm having fun"

"Really? You have been sitting your arse there for almost an hour. Come on Liz, we haven't had this time in a long while! We've been so busy and the only time we actually have a decent conversation is through coffee. Coffee Elizabeth! Coffee! I'm 31, you're 25! We're not 40 years old serious people who just have coffee all the time!"

"Seriously Charlotte, I am having fun. And besides I am still waiting for Jane, who, by the way, is late. And you forget I am also a mother at 25."

"Yes, to the most beautiful little girl! How is my goddaughter anyways?"

"She's lovely"

"Oh my god where did you leave her?"

"She's with her grandparents for the weekend. So I will be picking her up on Sunday. Plus mum and dad miss her."

"She's such a wonderful girl. I miss her too. Tell her I'll visit her soon"

"I will. Oh look, there's Jane!"

Jane walked over to her holding the hand of a good-looking guy with red hair.

"Lizzie!"

She stood up and gave Jane a hug,

"Oh my god! I haven't seen you for so long! I miss you Jane"

"Me too! How's Lucy?"

"She's great. She's with mum and dad"

"Oh by the way, this…" turning to the man beside her,

"Is my boyfriend, Charles Bingley"

Charles held out his hand to shake hers which she happily took,

"It's finally nice to put a face on your name Charlie!"

"Same here! I have finally met the famous Elizabeth!"

"I wouldn't say famous"

"Come on you two! Sit with us! I'm ordering more drinks!" Charlotte exclaimed

Jane took her hand and held it,

"Oh Lizzie, I have so much to tell you! I'm sorry I haven't had the time to visit you and Lucy. Surely you understand"

"Of course! Look I have been busy too! With this new job position I am in and with Lucy, you can't really expect me not to forgive you!"

"Why don't we have some bonding time, you, Lucy, me, Charles next weekend what do you say?"

"You really are an angel! I would love to! I haven't been able to take Lucy out recently because of the job demand. She was very much happy to go to Longbourn and stay with mum and dad"

Jane turned her attention to Charles, and they talked for a few moments before Jane stood up telling her that she was going to the loo, leaving her with Charles.

"So, Jane tells me you're an architect?"

"Yeah, I am. My parents' company is working side by side with my best friend's company in real estate development"

"Wow! That must be nice. It's too bad I don't work side by side with my best friend."

"Yes it is quite nice. By the way, did Jane tell you about next weekend?"

"Yes, she did. I am actually excited about it."

"That's good! I really want to meet your daughter! She looks so adorable; Jane has been showing me pictures of her. I believe she will like being there"

"Where is there anyways?"

"Oh at our country house at Netherfield Park"

"That's great!"

"Yeah. Plus I really want my best friend to come with me, he's been sulking for so long. You know just focusing on his work and all"

"Ahh I see"

"I think he needs some bloody fresh air"

"That is a good recommendation!"

"I think so too! So you live here in London right?"

"Yeah I just moved here a year ago. I got a promotion and I have had to relocate."

"That must have been quite an adjustment for you and Lucy huh?"

"Oh big time! She terribly misses my parents and the trips to the countryside"

"Then I surely believe that she will love Netherfield Park!"

"Well Charlie, I will be looking forward to the next weekend!"

The night went on like it was a breeze; she had dearly missed her sister and her best friend. Charlotte was definitely knackered from all the drinking, Jane and Charles offered to take her home, since they drove. Lizzie, however, took a cab, went home, and straight to bed.

The week went on like chaos, then it was Friday once again. She was very much excited to go with Jane and Charles. She took half a day off from work so she could pick up Lucy from the daycare and went home to pack their bags since Jane and Charles were picking them up by four.

"Mummy!"

"Yes my love?"

"Is grandpa going to be there?"

"No darling, it's just me, your Auntie Jane and Uncle Charles, and his friend"

"Oh okay."

"Now why don't you just sit on the couch while I take our bags okay? You can let mummy know if Auntie Jane has arrived"

"Okay mum"

She double-checked their things and made sure that everything Lucy needed was packed. She was very domesticated at that point and was very much diligent on preparing their things. An hour had passed and finally Jane came buzzing on their flat. She let them in, and introduced Charles to her daughter, who from the looks of Charles' face, he was very much delighted with. She's not surprised though, Lucy was a very smart kid for her age of four and very much liked listening to stories. Charles helped them with their bags and took off to his country house.

When they got there, it was already 6PM. It took them two hours to get there with all the traffic and food stops. Charles guided them to one of the guest rooms of the beautiful house in his estate. As they settled, she and Lucy went to the kitchen and helped Jane prepare dinner, as she settled Lucy in one of the stools. As she was chatting with her sister and daughter, they heard voices coming from the living room.

"Oh that must be Will. I better go there. You'll be alright here?"

"Yeah of course. We'll manage, won't we Lucy?"

"Yes mum!" her daughter answered enthusiastically

Jane disappeared as she continued preparing when suddenly she heard the voices coming nearer, "They must me in the dining room" she thought. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she could not but be curious about Charles' best friend.

"We brought Jane's sister. She's great and her daughter is adorable!"

She smiled at Charlie's comment, but then it suddenly changed,

"She brought a kid here?"

"Yeah. I don't see why not. She would love this place"

"Charles, you cannot expect me to breathe some fresh air when there is a child here!"

"Look Darcy, her kid won't be on your way. She's adorable and very smart. And besides Lizzie's here, they would just want to explore the grounds it's not like they will bother you. Don't be so grumpy about this. Lizzie's wonderful! You'll get along with her!"

"Wonderful? You barely even know her"

"Jane tells me so much about her. So that goes with knowing her, it may not be personally but I trust Jane"

"Of course she's her sister! Fine! As long as I won't be bothered. I'm going outside to get my bag"

"Make it fast, dinner will be ready soon"

She really got pissed-off with Charles' best friend. She could not believe he would say those things. As she was lost in her thought of plotting on how to murder Charlie's friend, Jane came back,

"Everything alright?"

"Oh... yeah, yeah of course! Peachy!"

"Okay. Let's go get this food on the table. Lucy darling, can you just stay here while your mummy and I set the table?"

"I'll come back right away"

Lucy just nodded at her and Jane, as they went to get the food and set the table, she could already see a dark figure coming through the door with bags in hand, as she turned around and get Lucy.

When they came back, she settled Lucy beside her, but Charles' other guest was not to be found. A few minutes later, when the said guest finally showed up and turned to at her, Elizabeth experienced the shock of meeting familiar blue eyes.

"Darcy, this is Jane's sister Elizabeth... Lizzie, this is Will Darcy my best friend"

She didn't know how to speak. It was him! After five years, she was seeing him again! The man who took her with him on the night of her graduation party; that man she slept with who she left the next morning, the man who shared Lucy's DNA,

"And that beautiful young lady over there is her daughter Miss Lucy Eleanor Bennet!"

Lizzie heard her daughter giggle at how Charlie had introduced her; she was definitely dumbfounded at the situation, as Darcy looked from her o her daughter and then back to her again. She felt Jane's hand on her arm,

"You okay Lizzie?"

Finally she recalled herself,

"Erm... yeah of course, I'm okay. Let's eat!"

She immediately prepared their plate then proceeded to eat silently. Apparently, Jane and Charles was also surprised with their reaction to each other but said nothing and concentrated on eating their food. When dinner ended, she picked up Lucy and took her to their room. She wanted to just bury herself to the ground under all the shock of seeing the father of her child. From the looks that Darcy was giving her daughter, she figured that he had an idea. She decided to put the situation to the back of her head and just focused on Lucy until she finally fell into slumber.

When Lucy had drifted off to dreamland, Lizzie went out cautiously looking for Jane, luckily she finally found her alone in the kitchen finishing the dishes.

"Lizzie, you startled me"

"Can…can we talk Jane?"

"Something wrong?"

"Yeah, big time. Can we talk somewhere private?"

"Yeah of course. Of course. Let's go to the library"

When they reached the library, she burst into tears. It has been quite some time since she cried like that. Jane immediately pulled her to tight hug and rubbed her back comforting her.

"Tell me what's wrong"

She pulled away,

"It's…it's him Jane"

"Who? Will?"

"Yes"

"What do you mean it's him?"

She took a deep breath,

"Lucy's father. It's him"

"What?!"

"Yes it's him!"

"The guy you had a one-night stand with at your graduation party?"

"Yes! I didn't even remember his name then!"

Elizabeth started pacing about the room,

"Oh my god! What am I going to do?! Jane, this can't be happening! Lucy's too young for this!"

"Do you think he figured it out?"

"I think so, I saw him looking intently at Lucy. For god's sakes they have the same eyes! Shit! Shit! Shit! This is really bad Jane! Really bad!"

"I think it would be better if you guys talk"

"And what would I say? 'Hey remember me, I was the floozy you slept with five years ago and guess what? That little girl is your daughter!' No. I wouldn't know what to say"

She sat down as Jane sat beside her still comforting her,

"Everything will turn out well Lizzie, Will is a great guy. He'll be rational about this"

"I don't think so. I heard him talking to Charles when he arrived, he obviously doesn't want kids"

"Did he give that impression?"

"He was questioning Charles about why I even brought a kid here talking about how it would only annoy him and bother him from his relaxation!"

"I'm sure he's just in a foul mood. He has so much in his hand"

"And I don't?"

"Something might have happened in the office that made him say that. But he's a really good guy"

"Jane, you never find fault at anyone. You're too nice for the likes of cruel people"

In that room, she allowed to let her tears fall once more, and allowed herself to be comforted by her beloved sister.

Meanwhile, outside the house Darcy has been pacing in front of Charles, which obviously is already annoying his best friend,

"Darcy! Will you stop, you're making me dizzy! Tell me what's going on"

"That kid is mine!"

"What?"

"Elizabeth's daughter, she's mine"

"Okay! Look mate, you just met Lizzie, Lucy can't be yours"

"Yes it can. Did you see her eyes? Her lips? Those are my eyes and my lips! But her smile, that smile, it's clearly hers. That child is obviously a combination of me and her!"

"How could it even happen? You barely even date!"

"How old is Lucy?"

"She's four? Why?"

"That sounds about right. Look Charles, I haven't told anyone about this except for G. But it's just quite embarrassing on my end. Five years ago, I met this girl at a party. We talked, we got along pretty well, she was smart, and opinionated. But we were also drinking. Everything went well with us, the conversation was great and one thing led to another and we ended up in bed together. But in the morning, when I woke up, she was gone. It's embarrassing because I didn't even get to know her name. I wanted to look for her; I tried to look for her. But there was no way I could find her. For all I knew then, she might not have even lived in London!"

"That girl is Lizzie?"

"Apparently so"

Charles slump his back on the chair he was sitting in,

"Huh?"

"What am I going to do with this?"

"You should talk to her?"

"And what would I say? Asked her why she didn't tell me I got her pregnant? Please, that's absurd."

"Well at least that's a start. Darce, she might have tried to look for you, maybe she didn't find you. Were you staying at your flat?"

"No I was staying at a hotel"

"See? How could she find you? What if when she came looking for you, and you were already gone?"

"This is not good."

"Why because you now found out you have a daughter? Look Darcy, Lizzie went through a lot. During my relationship with Jane, Lizzie is the one person she's always worried about. She knows Lizzie can handle the toughest things. But according to Jane, she had the chance of letting go of the child and start with her career. She was offered a great position back then, but she took the year off because she wanted the child. She raised her on her own. She barely even asked for her parents' help. But their father insisted. After a year she got a job, she worked hard but still made time for Lucy. And if you talk to your daughter, you will find out that Lizzie is raising her well."

"I'm not saying that it's not good because I don't want to have kids of my own…"

"But what? You just questioned me a while ago why she even brought her kid here"

"I know I said that. It's really stupid. I'm just tired from work. But that's not the reason."

"Then what?"

"It's just that how can I connect with my own daughter when I don't even know her mother? What do I tell her? Do I just create a story, that I was a military man who lost contact with his family that's why I didn't know her?"

"That's why you need to talk to Lizzie man! Why don't you get some rest for tonight and we'll settle things tomorrow? At least both of you will be less shocked."

"You're right. She probably wouldn't want to talk to me"

"I'll go see Jane now. Go get some rest. And Darcy?"

"What?"

"Be nice to her, she's been through enough okay?"

"I will, okay"

With that, Charles went back inside leaving Darcy with his thoughts. He remembered the night he met Elizabeth, he thought about her eyes which were still beautiful after all these years. But there was sadness now in them and they were somewhat tired. Then, as he recalled his daughter's face, he could not help but smile at the thought, how her daughter actually looks like him and her. He didn't want to go inside yet, so he knew to do when he had issues, which was to call her sister, Georgiana.

"Hello?"

"Hi G! How are you?"

"I'm good. Why? You checking on me? I am well-behaved, brother"

He chuckled,

"Look, there's something I have to tell you"

"What's wrong Will? You sound…sad"

"Well, I just found out today that I have a daughter"

"You…what?"

"I have a daughter, you have a niece"

"How do you even know she's yours? Is this some kind of scheme that the girls are trying to pull on you?"

"No, no. It's not like that"

"Then how?"

"She's mine, I know it. She looks like me"

"Please! There could be hundreds of kids who could look like you"

"No. This one does. You remember what I told you few years back?"

"About what? You tell me so much"

"The girl I met?"

"The one with the expressive eyes?"

"Yes"

"Okay? What about her? Wait…that's the mother?"

"Yes. It's her. Apparently she's Charles' girlfriend's sister"

"Oh shit!"

"Hey!"

"Sorry. I'm just…wow! Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. She's four, what happened between me and Elizabeth was five years ago"

"Oh my god! I have a niece! What is she like? What's her name?"

"Her name is Lucy Eleanor Bennet. I don't know what she's like, I just met her tonight. But according to Charles, she's quite smart and was brought up well by Elizabeth."

"Awwww I want to meet her"

"I knew you would. But you see, we haven't spoken at all"

"How come?"

"Well, Charles only introduced us, and then she went all silent at dinner then ran off to their room. I really don't know what to say, to be honest"

"Oh Will I am so sorry. I'm sure everything will turn out right and besides Elizabeth will like you. You're a great man Will! You are. And you're hard working, and protect the people you love."

"Thanks G, I guess I needed to hear that"

"Now stop worrying too much! You better settle things with her; I want to meet my niece!"

"I'll do my best. You take care okay?"

"I will. See you when you come back"

"Okay. Bye"

When he ended the call, Darcy sighed heavily, stood up and finally found the courage to go back inside. Once he's in the house, he went upstairs to his room; there were no signs of Elizabeth or Lucy. After preparing himself, he went to bed and just started staring at the ceiling. His mind couldn't seem to stop thinking. What he did not know was that Elizabeth Bennet was in the room next to his doing the exact same thing.