Enjoy! Big thanks to FF user SOLYAHU who inspired the majority of this chapter. She's awesome! :D
Saturday finally arrived, and Lizzie woke up strangely excited to go spend the weekend with the Darcys. She attributed that feeling to the fact that she hadn't really hung out with anyone since she arrived in San Francisco, and not to the fact that she was really curious about seeing how Darcy behaved in his own environment. "Does he wear suspenders at home? Or does he have actual comfortable clothes like sweats or shorts? Hmm… guess we'll see… Wait, why do I even care? Ugh. Whatever.", Lizzie pondered as she stepped into the shower.
The Darcys also awoke feeling different. Gigi was beyond excited and hoped that Lizzie and Darcy would finally fall in love. "Hopefully with my help, that will happen in no time.", she thought to herself as she smiled knowingly.
Darcy on the other hand, was not as excited. Sure, he was glad that Lizzie was coming to visit, but he knew she was only coming because of Gigi, and he was anxious about whether or not she would like their home. "I shouldn't get too worked up over this. She's not coming to visit me; she's coming to spend time with Gigi. I can't help but imagine a day when she'll show up at our doorstep to come see me…". He shook his head to get rid of those thoughts, because he thought they would never come true.
Gigi needed to put her plans into action. She had someone at Pemberly Digital schedule a spur-of-the-moment meeting and send out an email about it (His name rhymes with Ritz Billiams). Darcy had already eaten, and was reading the news on his iPad, when Gigi arrived in the kitchen. She had put her phone on the dining table while she fixed herself a bowl of cereal and some slices of fruit for breakfast.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her phone light up on the table. It was a notification of an email from Pemberley Digital. "Gigi, you have an email from the company.", Darcy said as he went back to reading his newspaper.
Gigi smiled. "I'm kind of busy over here, William. Can you read it to me?", she said, knowing exactly what the contents of the email would be.
He put down his iPad and swiped the lock screen on Gigi's iPhone. "It says: 'As part of the Graphic Design team working on the new advertisement for one of our investor's projects, you are invited to a get-together at the Pemberley offices this afternoon from 4pm to 7pm. We will be reviewing the final draft of the ad and then refreshments will be served.' Hmm… I don't remember seeing this…", Darcy said.
Gigi quickly answered, "You can't know everything that's going on, William. Especially in the graphics department. That's definitely far from your division."
Darcy nodded in agreement and said, "I suppose. But aren't you picking Lizzie up at 6?". Gigi faked a surprised look.
"Oh my gosh, that's right! William, I don't want to cancel! I was really looking forward to this! Can you pleaseeee go pick her up? And then I'll try to weasel out of the meeting early?", Gigi pleaded.
Darcy sighed and shook his head. "No, Gigi. Lizzie was expecting you. She's going to think you're trying to throw us together again and she'll reject your next invitation.", Darcy replied.
Gigi frowned. "Fine. I'll call her and ask if she'd mind. If she doesn't care, will you go?", Gigi asked. Darcy nodded yes.
As Lizzie was eating, her phone buzzed. 'Gigi Darcy', it said. Lizzie picked up excitedly, "Hey, Gigi!"
Gigi greeted Lizzie and proceeded to explain the situation. "Please let William pick you up! I was really looking forward to this! I can't decline because if I don't show up, the employees will think I don't care about the project. I'll be out of there as soon as possible, I promise!", Gigi said over the phone.
Lizzie sighed. She was curious to see Darcy still and it sounded like a legit excuse, so she said yes. Darcy would be at her door at 6pm. Gigi laughed like a maniacal genius in her head. Her goal to get Darcy and Lizzie alone together was well on its way.
Lizzie's doorbell rang at 6pm on the dot. Punctuality was one of William Darcy's most prominent characteristics. The truth is, he'd actually arrived ten minutes ago but he didn't want to seem too eager and freak her out, so he waited in his car until the time was right. Lizzie ran to open the door. But before she did, she unconsciously smoothed down her hair.
Lizzie's hair was down; pulled back by a gold headband Jane had given her years ago. She had on little pearl earrings and she had even applied a little make up. She was wearing a white v-neck t shirt with a white cardigan sprinkled with little gold, glitter-like dust all over. She had on some black skinny jeans and some cute gold flats (thanks again, Jane).
She opened the door and there was Darcy, without a suit! He wore a white v-neck t-shirt with a light jean jacket over it. He also had on some fitted dark jeans and some cute boat shoes and… a scarf. Not very long, or very colorful but a scarf, nonetheless. "He looks so good in casual clothes! Very hipster but it fits him…", Lizzie noted as soon as she opened the door.
"Hey, Darcy. Come on in.", she said shyly. She cringed internally when she heard how her voice sounded. Her emotions were betraying her. Darcy didn't notice any hint of shyness because he was so caught up in the fact that she was inviting him in.
Part of him thought she'd slam the door in his face or something. "Hello, Lizzie.", he said as he walked in.
He followed her to the living room. "I'll be right back with my overnight bag, just give me a sec.", Lizzie said as she went to her room and got her stuff. She came back outside with her bag and started to walk towards the front door.
"Allow me.", Darcy said as he strode over and relieved her of her duffel bag, before opening the door for her.
He didn't think twice about it; it was part of his manners. He wasn't trying to impress her or anything, but it kind of did. Lizzie was one of the people who believed chivalry was dead and that it should be revived, so that little move had left her with a very good opinion of his behavior. He had always opened doors for her at Netherfield, but she mistook his steely gaze for annoyance rather than admiration.
The car ride to Darcy's home wasn't all that awkward. Darcy had on a classical station and they both silently enjoyed the musical stylings of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. They only ever spoke when Lizzie had complimented his taste and asked what radio station it was.
When they arrived, Darcy was on the lookout for Lizzie's reaction to his home. It was pretty big. Way bigger than Netherfield. It had an outdoor and indoor swimming pool/Jacuzzis, beautiful gardens, and its own tennis court with a running track around it. Oh, and the house was ginormous, of course. Lizzie's eyes dilated and she caught herself just before she let her jaw drop. It was a beautiful home.
"Wow, Darcy! Your place is not even a house; it's more of an estate, really. And it's beautiful!", Lizzie gushed to Darcy as she looked around after getting out of the car.
Darcy had Lizzie's bag in his hand and was walking towards the front door and said, "Thank you. This property was bought by my grandfather and Gigi and I have tried maintaining it as well as he and my father did."
Lizzie was taken aback. She'd never heard any of the Darcys mention their parents. Darcy gulped after mentioning his father. It just came out. He didn't like to think about them too much, but how could he not when the woman he loved was complimenting something his father had worked so very hard on?
"Follow me, Lizzie. I'll show you to your room.", he said quickly regaining his composure.
He set her bag down on the huge bed. "This is your room. You will stay here tonight and any other night, should you choose to visit again. The bathroom is just across the hall to the left. I'll let you get settled.", he said pleasantly before exiting the room. Lizzie couldn't believe what a great host Darcy was.
Just as Darcy was walking into the kitchen, he heard the front door open. "William? Lizzie? I'm back early!", Gigi shouted as she entered the house. She made her way to the kitchen and Darcy told her where Lizzie was. "Fabulous! We are going to have so much fun tonight!". Lizzie heard Gigi's commotion and quickly put her stuff away so she could go greet her.
Gigi hugged her super hard and then broke the hug to say, "I have an amazing idea! How about after dinner, we take Lizzie wine-tasting, William?".
Since Gigi had recently turned 21, she was always trying to fit in some excuse to drink alcohol. "Would that interest you, Lizzie? We have a fine selection of wine in our cellar. We have every year you can think of.", Darcy asked Lizzie.
"Geez, William, I said let's take Lizzie wine-tasting, not 'let's sound like a 5-star restaurant trying to sell our stock'.", teased Gigi.
Darcy rolled his eyes and Lizzie laughed. "Now, now Gigi. Your brother is just trying to be nice. I haven't had wine in a long time, so I gladly accept your invitation, sir.", Lizzie responded.
Darcy smirked at Gigi because Lizzie defended him. Gigi stuck her tongue out at them and sat at the table, ready for dinner. The next phase of Gigi's plan to get Lizzie and Darcy alone together was to begin after dinner.
They entered the cold, dark cellar and Lizzie gasped. She had never seen so much wine in her life. Now Gigi's comment about having a 5-star restaurant's stock made much more sense. Darcy noticed how shocked Lizzie looked and explained. "Remember when I said this property has been in the Darcy family since my grandfather's time? He brought with him plenty of European wines when he moved to the United States. Also, he made a point of collecting the best bottles on his travels around the world. It's become sort of a family tradition, I guess, because Gigi and I do the same thing."
Lizzie smiled. He looked so proud when he spoke of his family. His eyes sort of lit up and you could see the slight indication of a smile. Lizzie looked away quickly, trying not to look too interested in his face.
He asked, "Have you ever been wine-tasting before, Lizzie?" and she shook her head no. "I can explain the process if you'd like?", he asked, to which she nodded yes.
"Seriously, bro? Can't we just start drinking? It's not that hard.", Gigi said impatiently, hoping that Lizzie would come to Darcy's rescue again. And she did.
"Gigi, Darcy is just trying to teach me how to do this. You wouldn't want me to get drunk and pass out, would you? Movie night would be ruined.", Lizzie pointed out.
Darcy cleared his throat and began to explain the wine tasting process. He began with a light wine, something fruity that he thought Lizzie might like.
"Yawn, William. That wine is so boring! There are much stronger flavors over here.", Gigi commented. Lizzie had been in Darcy's corner the whole night because Gigi was acting like a brat and teasing him. She kind of reminded her of Lydia a little, and that fueled Lizzie's quarrelsome nature.
Lizzie tasted the wine he suggested, which she actually really liked, and proceeded to comment, "Wow, this is great, Darcy. Light and sweet. Very tasteful and classic. I commend your choice. Please, continue.".
Gigi shrugged, and poured herself a very full glass of wine. The wine-tasting continued in this way. Gigi would tease Darcy about his choices or about being a know-it-all and Lizzie would defend him. Also, while Darcy and Lizzie were tasting wine together, Gigi was filling up her glasses with the more concentrated varieties and she became drunk really fast. Now they had no choice but to hang out.
She was red in the face and slurring some words before Lizzie and Darcy noticed. They were wrapped up in each other's company and were having a pretty good, non-awkward time. Darcy sighed at Gigi. "Well, Lizzie. I guess our wine-tasting is over. It seems you and I have similar tastes.", he said almost smiling. "Please excuse me while I put my sister to bed. I don't know what's gotten into her today... Would you mind taking the glasses to the kitchen for me?", he said as he picked up a very lethargic Gigi in his arms.
"Sure thing, Darcy.", she said grabbing the wine glasses from the counter and following Darcy up the stairs and enjoying her view on the way up.
While Darcy was with Gigi, Lizzie was turning over tonight's events in her mind. "A pleasant car ride, tremendous attentiveness towards his guests, pride in his family, a great taste in wine, a gentle and loving attitude towards a bratty sister, and his relaxed demeanor while at home… is this even the same guy? There's no hint of robot anywhere. He's so kind and not to mention handsome and muscular and… oh who am I kidding? I shot him down, so no way I'd have a chance with him now- if I even liked him that is. Ughh. I don't know what to think."
When Darcy came into the kitchen, he saw Lizzie firing up the dishwasher and wiping off the kitchen counters. He stared at her for a little while and noted how domestic she looked. He dreamed of an alternate universe where she would do this every night because she would be home. His home would be her home… Darcy cleared his throat.
Lizzie turned around and smiled. "Sorry, I just started cleaning up. It's a habit. I always do it back at home.", Lizzie explained.
Darcy chuckled and said, "No need to apologize. You can do as you please here. You are a guest in our home and 'our casa es su casa'." Lizzie laughed at his bad Spanish pronunciation and he did too.
"When did Darcy become funny?", she thought to herself.
Darcy looked over at the clock on the wall behind Lizzie. "The night is still young, Lizzie. I believe Georgiana promised you would watch movies together?", Darcy mentioned. Lizzie nodded.
"Yeah, we were supposed to watch Season 2 of Downton Abbey together but I guess we'll just do it some other time.", she replied. Darcy was going to just nod, but her attitude towards him tonight had given him a little hope.
"I can watch Downton Abbey with you, if you'd like.", Darcy said quietly. Lizzie burst out laughing.
He didn't know what was so funny. "Is the thought of us watching television together that ridiculous to her?", he thought self-consciously.
Lizzie stopped laughing and smiled at him, saying, "William Darcy watching period dramas with me? Oh, this is going to be great."
"Ahhh so she thinks that I am not well acquainted with this genre. Well, I'd like to see her face when I prove her wrong.", he thought smirking. "This way to the theater.", he said gesturing towards the hall.
"You guys have a theater? Of course you would.", Lizzie sighed and began walking.
The theater was not like an auditorium in a movie theater. It was much smaller and cozier. There was a huge projector screen on one wall and there were multiple couches on different levels of the room. There were popcorn/cotton candy machines, a cupboard stocked with junk food, a counter with a microwave, and even a fridge against one of the walls, and old movie posters on the other two walls. Lizzie was amazed.
This room felt different from the rest of the house. As if he'd read her mind, Darcy said, "This room has been recently renovated. It used to be a sitting room." Lizzie nodded in acknowledgement of the information. Darcy set up the DVD and headed over to where Lizzie sat down, with the excuse of "This is my favorite seat.", which was a big fat lie. Lizzie had taken off her shoes and had curled her feet up on the comfortable suede loveseat.
The show began and about three episodes in, Lizzie made a comment about the difference between the house servants and the the rich folks that inhabit/visit Downton. Darcy chimed in with his own opinion and Lizzie was shocked to hear him cite the show's characters as points to back up his opinion. Darcy smiled smugly and Lizzie punched him playfully on the arm and said, "You watched Downton Abbey? Has Hell frozen over? How did this happen?"
Darcy laughed out loud, enjoying the way surprise lit up her face. "I am secretly a fan of the period romance genre. I've read many novels and I enjoy watching the BBC adaptations and miniseries.", he confessed.
Lizzie was in awe. If she did not truly find herself growing fond of him before, she couldn't deny that maybe she did like Darcy- just a little! They have so much in common and it's not like she hasn't been extra aware of the fact that Darcy's arm is close so close to hers that she can practically feel the heat emanating from his jean jacket.
She needed a break. She needed to separate herself from his company. She began feeling overwhelmed at the sudden budding of this fondness of Darcy. She got up abruptly from the couch.
Darcy felt startled, as she was just laughing, and now she looked like something was bothering her. "Is everything alright, Lizzie?", he inquired hesitantly, fearing the answer might be negative.
"Yeah, everything's fine. I just need a break—a bathroom break! Ha ha…", she answered nervously.
Darcy felt relieved. "Why don't I heat up some popcorn and get some snacks while you're gone?", he suggested.
"Sure!", Lizzie said as she opened the door and stepped into the hall. She made her way over to the room she thought Darcy said was a bathroom. It was.
She closed the door behind her and then looked in the mirror. "Get it together, Elizabeth! You were just in your feelings because of the show, that's all. And sure, Darcy is turning out to be a great guy and everything but he's probably just being extra nice because you're a guest. Ugh. What the hell?! I can't call Jane or Charlotte because they'll rub it in my face.", Lizzie confessed to her reflection.
She washed her hands, which always seemed to calm her down, and then left the bathroom. On the way over she chanted, "He's just a friend.", over and over again until she returned to the couch.
Darcy offered her some popcorn and some sweets. Lizzie immediately went towards the chocolate and relaxed further. Then, Darcy poured himself a big glass of wine and Lizzie asked for some too- she definitely needed some.
They forgot entirely about Downton Abbey as they drank. They began talking about the night's events and of Darcy's secret love of period romances. Somehow they got to talking about the accents of the actors on the adaptations, and surprisingly, Darcy can do a posh British English accent very well. Scottish, however, not so much.
Lizzie was cracking up next to him and unconsciously put her hand on his arm. The space between them was virtually nonexistent now. They had grown closer without even noticing. When they ran out of things to say, they turned back to the show. Lizzie didn't stay awake for long, though. She knocked out with her head on Darcy's shoulder and her arms unknowingly wrapped around Darcy's arm. She inhaled his scent and felt more comfortable than she had been in a long time. This felt right to her.
Darcy's thoughts mimicked Lizzie's almost exactly. When she fell asleep wrapped up next to him, he couldn't help but stare at her longingly, wishing that he could have the right to lift her up and put her to bed in their room and kiss her goodnight, only to be awakened by her stirring the next morning. He softly brushed the hair away from her face.
"She is so beautiful while sleeping; my sleeping beauty…", he imagined. His shoulder eventually fell asleep, so he pulled the lever on the side of the couch and watched as it turned into a makeshift bed. He laid himself and Lizzie down on the couch and wrapped his arms around her. Darcy fell asleep almost immediately and thought to himself as he drifted off into dreamland, "I could get used to this…".
Hmm, it seems that Miss Elizabeth is one step closer to falling for Mister Darcy (and one step closer to Lizzie getting preggers amiright? ;) *fistpump*
Next chapter we end Lizzie's weekend with the Darcy's and get back to Pemberley (around episode 82 I think).
Thank you all for continuing to read!
And please feel free to correct any mistakes! An anon told me my paragraphs were too bulky and I've tried separating the text more. Thank you.