"I still don't understand why we have to attend this function."
Lizzie came to a stop on the Gibson's front lawn, the hold on her boyfriend's hand causing him to stop and turn to face her. She smiled at the small frown on his face, something that didn't happen so often these days, and let go of his left hand to reach up and smooth out the frown lines.
"First of all, you are making it sound like some big fancy event, when really it's just a casual gathering of friends and family. Second," she said, grabbing Will's hand again and pulling him towards the house. "My mom has been friends with Mrs Gibson for nearly twenty-five years, which of course means they are also rivals." Lizzie shook her head and smiled fondly, thinking of when her mother and Mrs Gibson used to pit Jane and Ellen against each other; music lessons, dance classes, school plays. It never worked though; both girls were just too kind to wish that the other would fail at something.
Will shook his head at her playful tone. "I still don't understand why that necessitates our presence at dinner tonight."
By now they had reached the front door, but instead of knocking, Lizzie leaned against the door and laughed lightly. "Don't you see Will? Susan Gibson may have a married daughter, but Francine Bennet has two daughters with very rich and very handsome boyfriends. She wants to show us off."
Upon hearing this statement, Will's frown returned in full force. "Is this supposed to be making me feel better? The only thing worse than a room full of strangers is being paraded around like a trophy in a room full of strangers."
Lizzie pushed herself off of the door and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Will, relax. It's hardly a room full of strangers. My sisters and Bing will be there, as well as Charlotte and my parents; you know dad would be more than happy to sit in silence with you for the evening. And of course you have me." She added with a large smile.
This seemed to do the trick, and Will's frown faded into a small smile, his hands slowly stroking up and down her arms. He studied her, under the light of the front porch; she was just as gorgeous as ever. Her hair had taken on a fiery, red glow in the soft, yellow light, and her eyes, normally blue, had changed to green shade to match her silky blouse. Sometimes he still couldn't believe he could call her his, even after eight months together; he didn't think he would ever stopping thanking what ever God or fate or other mysterious force it was that granted him a second chance with her.
Suddenly his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Why are you not freaking out about this? Usually by now you would be ranting about people treating others like possessions and your mothers ridiculous antiquated attitudes towards…"
"OK, firstly, I object to the word ranting. I merely express my opinions very… passionately." She said with a frown. "And I guess I'm okay with my mum wanting to show you off because, well," she paused a moment, trying to find the right words, hugging his waist tighter. "I feel very proud to be able to call you my boyfriend, William Darcy, and I am so happy that I just… I just want to share it with everyone." Lizzie was blushing by the end of her little speech and buried her face in Will's chest. "Ugh, that sounded so corny." The fabric of his navy blue knit jumper muffled her voice.
She felt his arms wrap tight around her, and she could almost feel the smile growing larger on his face.
"Lizzie Bennet, I also feel very proud to be able to call you my girlfriend," he pulled back and lifted her chin up; capturing her bright, green eyes with his serious, blue ones. His voice was quiet when he spoke again, "and I have never been as happy as I have been since you came into my life." Will's hands cupped her warm cheeks and he leaned in to kiss her softly.
"Ahem!"
They jumped at the sound, breaking their kiss, to see Lydia standing on the front lawn, eyebrows raised, smug smile on her face.
"You two should really tone down on the PDA, mum and dad will be coming around the corner any second now."
"Lydia, we were hardly behaving inappropriately." Lizzie blushed.
Lydia laughed. "Yeah, I suppose it isn't anything the whole Internet hasn't already seen, am I right sis?"
This caused both Lizzie and Will to blush further. Lizzie decided to ignore her baby sister's comment and turned to knock on the door, just as her parents walked up the driveway with Jane and Bing.