My dear, dear wonderful readers! I would like to apologize for the late post. However, I finally gave in to using a beta. So it took us two days for everything. I would like to thank JrTT for editing and proofreading, she really did an amazing job! So I am hoping that this will be much better to read now. We're planning to edit everything from Chapter 1 and update!

To some of the reviewers who noticed some errors in the pronouns and tenses, thank you very much for pointing it out. You guys are making this story better!

Once again, thank you for the reviews!

Here's the new chapter! Please enjoy!

M

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS


Chapter 9: The Results are in

The week was almost over and he was already preparing to leave the office for the day. But right before he shut down his computer, Darcy's phone went off. He took out his phone from his pocket and checked to see who was calling only to be surprised at Elizabeth's name. For that whole week he had not received any calls from her. It was always he who called to check on Lucy but today she was calling him.

"Hello?"

"Hi Darcy!"

"Something the matter?"

"Erm… no, no. Everything's good. I was just wondering if you're busy tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. Well, I actually have a board meeting. I'm not sure if I'll have free time."

"Oh. It's alright. Never mind then"

"Wait, what is this about? You never call me unless it's important"

"Nothing. It's erm… nothing"

He wondered what was going on and it made him nervous.

"Clearly it's not 'nothing'. Tell me Elizabeth, please"

He heard her sigh softly on the other end.

"Well, the hospital called me and they said that the results of the paternity test will be available tomorrow. So... I was wondering if you would like to come with me to get it. But if you're busy, then I can always just mail it to you"

He was taken aback by the news, "Why would she think that this isn't important to me?" he thought.

"What time do you plan to go there?"

"I was hoping that we could do it in the morning? So I can go straight to work"

"Oh shi… my meeting is in the morning. I am sorry, but is there any way we can go there after lunch?"

"Erm… I don't know. But I will check, I'll call them right after this. I will also check my schedule here in the office to see if I can make the time after lunch. I'll text you once I find out alright?"

"Okay, please. Thank you Elizabeth"

"Sure, no problem. I guess I will talk to you later then"

"Okay. Bye"

After that phone call, all of his confidence suddenly left him. He placed both his hands on the table and rested his head down and closed his eyes. Did he doubt the results? He shook that question of his head. "No, she would never lie about this" he thought. His brain was having some sort of debate about whether he should really be nervous. After a few more minutes of contemplating, he finally left the building and went home.

When he reached his flat, Darcy found Georgiana sitting on the couch, eating ice cream while watching a movie. Apparently she was watching a comedy film for she was smiling and chuckling as well. As he walked towards where she was, she turned her head and smiled at him.

"Hey you're home! How was work?"

"It was alright I guess. Client meetings, etcetera, boring, mundane things."

"That's your world. Want some dinner?"

"It's alright. I'll just head to bed I guess"

Georgiana must be psychic or she just really knows him well, he thought, because she looked at him with a question mark on her face.

"What's wrong? Did something happen today?"

He walked to the couch and slumped himself on it beside his sister and then sighed heavily.

"It's just that…tomorrow we'll be getting the results of the paternity test"

"Oh that's wonderful! But why do you look so sad? Wait. Are you nervous about the results? You're having self-doubts that you are not the father? Because seriously William, anyone who looks at Lucy and knows you, can definitely tell that she's yours"

"I know that"

"Then what's wrong?"

"I feel like I disappointed Lizzie!"

"What do you mean?"

"Well she told me that she's planning to get the results in the morning, but unfortunately I have an important meeting around that time. So I asked if we can move it to after lunch. She said she would look into it. But up until now she hasn't texted me."

Then suddenly Georgina burst into laughter, which made him glare at her.

"I am perfectly serious here!"

"Oh my god. I am sorry. I didn't mean to, but it's really funny. Seriously Will, you're acting like a teenager and you're the grown up here. Lizzie will understand; it's not like she doesn't have a job that demands the same thing. Maybe she was just hoping that you'd be available at that time."

"Look, I am just trying to win her alright, which is why I agree to almost everything she says"

He sighed heavily once more and just gave up,

"I guess you're right."

"What do you mean you guess? I know I'm right"

He chuckled,

"Alright, alright clever girl, you're right"

He grabbed the spoon from her and took a spoonful of ice cream from her tub, when finally, his phone buzzed. He took out the phone from his pocket and it showed one message from Elizabeth,

Elizabeth: Hey, I was able to talk to them; we can get the results till four. I was also able to get some free time for a few hours, so after lunch then?"

He smiled at the text still looking at it. It was not like she sent him something sweet, but it still made him smile,

"What did she say?" Georgiana suddenly asked

"How do you know it was her?" surprised by her sister's inquiry

"You were smiling like an idiot" she said dryly without even looking at him.

"No I wasn't!"

"Ugh... yes you were, don't think I didn't see your face because I did. So what did she say?"

"Well… she was able to move the time, so now she's asking me if after lunch is good on my end"

"Great! Say yes, you're good at that time. Now, come on, reply"

He rolled his eyes at his sister and hit on reply, then looked back at G,

"So what should I say?"

"Ugh... yes you were, don't think I didn't see your face because I did. So what did she say?"

"Well… she was able to move the time, so now she's asking me if after lunch is good on my end"

"Really? Say you're okay after lunch and then thank her, but not just that. Make her feel that what she did is something that you truly appreciate. Like 'Thank you for looking into it and for understanding my situation' something like that"

He raised one of his eyebrows looking at her,

"Since when did you become an expert?"

"Just do it"

"Alright fine"

He started typing…

W. Darcy: After lunch is great. Thank you for checking it for me and for understanding.

"How's this?" he asked G, as he showed her his reply.

"That's a good start, send that, then we'll wait for another message"

"What if she doesn't reply? I mean this clearly ends the conversation"

"She will. Trust me"

As he finally sent the message, he sat there and waited. Sure enough, not long after, his phone buzzed again.

Elizabeth: you're welcome. I was thinking we could just meet there.

"So?" G asked

He showed her the message and then suddenly Georgiana grabbed the phone from his hand and started typing,

"What are you doing?!"

"Replying, obviously!"

"What are you saying?"

"You'll see" she said grinning

After his sister typed, he heard the sound of 'Sent Message' and then she gave back the phone to him. He read what she sent,

W. Darcy: Why don't I just pick you up from work, it will be much faster for you to come back instead of just waiting for each other in the hospital.

"Oh" he said as if having a realization

"Yeah" G said

Another reply came in; he immediately opened the message,

Elizabeth: I think that's a great idea. I'll be ready by 1. Thanks Darcy.

He smiled at her answer and started replying,

"Here, look at this…" he said as he showed his sister his reply.

"Alright that's good for now. Tomorrow you will have more time alone with her. Just be patient with her Will. It's not like you're competing with other men. She needs time and you have to wait."

"I'm trying."

Then he tapped 'Send.' With that, he finally stood up.

"Alright, I'm off to bed now"

"Night brother"

"Night"

He went to his room and prepared himself for bed. He placed his phone on the bedside table. Once he was settled, his phone buzzed once again that night. He grabbed it and read the message,

Elizabeth: Good night Darcy.

He smiled widely, and typed his reply,

W. Darcy: Good night Lizzie

After sending the message, he replaced his phone back on the bedside table. He closed his eyes thinking of Lizzie's smile. A few minutes later he fell asleep.


Lizzie had been working non-stop ever since she arrived in her office. She was trying to finish everything, at least before lunch, so when she returned there would not be a lot of work and she could get off early. She checked her watch from time to time. She didn't even bother going out to eat. Instead, she just had a sandwich for lunch in her office.

As she was typing, reading, and organizing everything that her company demanded of her, her phone buzzed,

W. Darcy: I'll be there in 10 minutes

"Shit" she muttered, she checked on the time and it was already 15 minutes before one. She immediately saved all her work, making sure everything will be the same for when she returned. She informed her assistant that she would be gone for about two hours and to take all messages for her. She went to the loo to freshen herself, she even applied lipstick so she would look presentable instead of looking haggard from all the work that she had been doing. When she came back to her office, she grabbed her purse and rode the lift to the ground floor.

As she got out of the main doors of her office building, Elizabeth saw that Darcy was already there standing and leaning on the door of his car waiting for her, like a prince charming with his very expensive looking suit. She walked up to him,

"Hi" she said shyly

"Hello"

"Been here long?"

"Not really. So erm… let's go?"

"Yeah. Okay"

He opened the door for her. She was surprised that he was driving today,

"No driver?"

"Not today. I told him to take a day off. I felt like driving"

"I can tell"

He chuckled, which made her smile. When they finally got to the hospital, she didn't bother to have Darcy open the door for her again, she just got out of his car.

Once inside, they walked up to the reception regarding their concern. They were directed to the laboratory where the results were to be given. They walked through the long hallway of the hospital, neither of them spoke and Elizabeth noticed the serious look on Darcy's face. Since she wanted to lighten the mood, she leaned over to him...

"You nervous?"

"Yes. I mean no. Definitely no"

"Doesn't sound so convincing" she smirked

Even though she knew that this could be something that people should be nervous about, she was truly confident about the results. She glanced at Darcy and saw that his jaws were clenched as well as his fists, she thought, "Hmmm,"

"You have doubts?"

"No, I am confident about this. It's just that I've never done this before. I don't like it."

"You think I've done this before?"

"What? No. Of course not. Unless you have another child that I don't know about"

Finally, he matched her smirk, she smiled. She felt that Darcy was nervous not because of the doubts, but just the anticipation itself.

When they finally got to the laboratory, she talked to one of the techs in charge and was informed that their name would be called. After a few more minutes of waiting they were finally called. She was given an envelope that contained a piece of paper that could change her daughter's life forever, or, at least, her name.

They settled in one of the couches in the lounge of the hospital and just sat there,

"You ready for this?"

"Yeah, I think I am"

"You think? You're not sure?"

"Oh for god's sakes Elizabeth just open the damn envelope, you're killing me here and stop smirking"

She chuckled,

"Fine. No need to be angry"

She deliberately opened the envelope in a very slow manner, but no longer smirking at Darcy. When she finally pulled out the paper, she didn't allow for him to see what it said. She read the results.


His palms were definitely sweaty; he watched for her reaction upon reading the results,

"Oh" she said

His brows furrowed, he was starting to get frustrated over whatever it was on the paper that she was not telling him.

But Lizzie wasn't answering, she just looked at the paper with somewhat of a surprised and confused look on her face. He really could not tell. So instead of dying of suspense, he grabbed the paper from her hand,

He read through it, he didn't understand the science that involves the numbers indicated except for the one at the bottom, "Probability of Paternity: 99.996%" his heart started beating so fast that he thought it would explode any minute. He looked beside him only to see Lizzie grinning at him. He was definitely speechless, all the anxiousness he felt from before made it all seem so foolish now. Although he was quite confident, the feeling of anticipation still got the better of him. He was indeed Lucy's father. Lucy was definitely a Darcy. Then his train of thoughts were broken when he felt a hand on his arm,

"You alright there?"

"Erm… yeah, yeah. Sorry kind of…"

"It's okay. I will send you a copy of it"

She stood up,

"Come on Mr. Darcy, I need to get back to work"

He was still obviously in a state of awe; Lizzie seemed more relaxed, even teasing him about it. "She was really confident about this" he thought. Then finally he decided to let go of his recent trepidation and just shrugged. He was relieved that everything was now documented; there was nothing more to worry about... at least for now.

On the drive back to Lizzie's office, they talked.

"What are you doing after work?" Darcy asked.

"I have to pick up Lucy from my aunt. I was doing so much work this morning, trying to finish everything. I was thinking if I could or at least try to finish everything, maybe I could get off early. So I could have more time with Lucy."

He became quiet, all that was in his head right now was work, Lucy, Lizzie, work, schedule, more meetings, Lucy, Lizzie. When they finally arrived at the Austen Corp building, Darcy got out to open Lizzie's door, but as she was about to walk to the building, he held onto her arm and stopped her,

"Wait. Lizzie. Don't go yet"

She looked at him quizzically,

"I just need to make a phone call, don't go yet"

He called his assistant to double check if his afternoon was free from anymore meetings. When he got the information, he hung up and turned to Lizzie,

"What was that about?" she asked

"I just needed to check my schedule for the rest of the afternoon, see if I can come with and pick up Lucy"

"Oh. So? What did your schedule say?"

"I need to stay at work till seven. I was hoping I could see her, you know," he said slightly despondently.

"It's alright. Why don't you come over this Sunday? It would be nice if we host it this time, since we were at your place last weekend. Maybe you could visit her at home this time."

"Really?"

"Yeah, sure. I don't see why not. I'll make yours and Lucy's favorite desert" she said teasingly,

He could not believe that Lizze was actually inviting him, he would usually be the one to offer or even insist. With Lizzie smiling at him after inviting him, he suddenly felt a need to grab her, hold her in his arms and just kiss the life out of her. But he controlled himself,

"Alright, I will be there. In the morning?"

"Yes. Oh and can you please tell Georgiana as well?"

"Actually, about that, she's leaving in the morning"

"Oh. Then just tell her that Lucy will surely miss her. She's been asking for G"

"I will. I'll also give her your number so she can call you later"

"Thank you, I would love that"

"Alright, see you Sunday then"

Lizzie smiled and waved at him, Darcy watched as she walked inside the building. A smile was still plastered on his face when he finally got inside his car and drove off.


When Lizzie and her daughter came home, as soon as she took off her shoes, and jacket, they immediately went into the kitchen. She allowed Lucy to scribble on the floor with her coloring book and crayons while she prepared dinner.

While they were eating...

"Mummy, where's daddy?"

Elizabeth was no longer surprised at her daughter's inquiry of her father. Over a short period of time, Lucy became very fond of Darcy and was ecstatic to find out that the same man who was playing with her in Netherfield was her actual father.

"Oh, daddy might still be at work" she replied

"Is he not coming to see me?"

"Well, he will come visit you. But not tonight my love, daddy has plenty of work to do in the office"

"Okay"

"When can I see him again mummy? I miss daddy"

"I know my love. But daddy will be here on Sunday I promise"

"Really?"

"Yes. Don't be sad anymore alright?"

"Okay mummy"

She watched as her daughter's smile reflected something of hope and excitement with the prospect of seeing her father. Lucy then happily went back to her food. Just before they were finished, she heard her cell phone ring, she ran to get her purse which was still lying on one of the tables. As she looked at the unknown number she answered right away,

"This is Elizabeth Bennet, hello?"

"Lizzie! It's G!"

"Oh hi! I didn't think you would call this soon! How are you?

"I'm great! Although I have to say that I miss the little one"

"Would you like to speak to her?"

"Yes please. If you don't mind"

"Not a problem, wait, let me go over to her"

When she got back to where Lucy was sitting, she put the phone on speaker and placed it on the table near Lucy,

"Lucy, it's Aunt G on the phone. Why don't you say hello" Lizzie said.

"Hi Aunt G!"

"Lucy! Hi! I miss you sweetheart!"

"I miss you too auntie!"

"Awww, you do?"

"Yes I do"

"How are you Lucy?"

"I'm fine. Auntie, are you going to visit me? I want to play with you. My dolls are waiting!"

"I am so sorry darling but Auntie G, needs to go back home"

"Home?"

"Yes in Pemberley."

"Pem—ber-ley? Where is that?"

"It's where your daddy and I grew up. It's beautiful over there with lots of trees and there's a large lake"

"Really?"

"Yes. The garden is soooo large you can just run around!"

She smiled as she listened to Lucy and her aunt talk. Hearing Georgiana level her way of talking to Lucy's age made her like the Georgina Darcy even more.

"Do you have horses too like Uncle Charles?"

"Oh yes we do! I have a white one and your daddy has the black horse!"

"My daddy has a horse?!" Lucy exclaimed

"Oh yes. Would you like to ride one?"

"Mmm-hmm. Auntie Janey and Uncle Charles let me ride a horse last time!"

"Maybe if you ask nicely, mummy and daddy might bring you to Pemberley!"

"Really?"

"Yes really! A good girl like you should visit Pemberley. Would you like to visit Aunt G sometime?"

"I do! I do!"

"Alright, I will try to talk to mummy for you. Why don't you give the phone back to her. Oh I will miss you Lucy!"

"Me too!"

Lucy turned to her,

"Mummy, auntie wants to talk to you!"

"Thank you darling"

She took the phone off the table and put it back to handset,

"Hey G!"

"Oh Lizzie I am really going to miss you both. I know we've only just met but I've heard so much about you and then meeting you and Lucy, I feel as if we're sisters! I wish Pemberley was near London so I could visit more often!"

"We will definitely miss you, especially your energy. So, are you just now going back to Pemberley?"

"Yeah, for now. But after week, I will leave for Germany. I will be attending this music tour, just experiencing what I love"

"Oh right"

"Lizzie, is there any chance that you and Lucy can visit Pemberley?"

"Oh I don't know, it's really up to your brother. But what I do know is he has plans about it. We just haven't talked about it"

"I see. Well I guess I will just wait for an update from you two. Text me your email address and save this number so we can keep in touch. I will send you pictures from Germany!"

"That would be lovely! Thank you G that's really sweet of you"

"Alright, I better get to bed now, I need to wake up early. It's going to be a loooooong drive tomorrow!"

"You take care and drive safely!"

"Thanks Lizzie! I am really glad to have met you! You don't know how happy that made me! Oh and please have patience with my brother. He's really nice!"

She chuckled,

"I will do my best"

"Bye for now Lizzie"

"Bye for now G!"

When the line went dead, Elizabeth sighed and smiled to herself. After that she started cleaning the table while Lucy remained seated. As she was bringing the plates to the sink she heard her daughter ask.

"Mummy, how come we don't live with daddy?"

She was so shocked to hear her daughter's question that she almost dropped the plates on the floor. She was definitely not prepared to answer that; when she finally put the dishes in the sink, she took a deep breath and went to sit beside Lucy,

"Well, that's because mummy and daddy…erm… well… we're not married so we don't live together"

Lucy showed a confused look on her face,

"What's me-mar-ried?"

"It's erm... it's when two people love each other, they walk into a church and tell everyone that they love each other. Like grandma and grandpa"

"Don't you love daddy?"

She was starting to get frustrated with her lack of answers to Lucy's curious mind. Should she tell her that she doesn't love her father? Even though she felt it might be a lie? "Why did you even come up with that answer? You idiot!" she thought to herself.

"Well... you see... mummy really doesn't know. You see, when a man like your dad, and a woman like me spend a lot of time together, when they see each other every day, that's when love happens. But your dad and I don't see each other much"

"Do you love me mummy, because you see me every day?"

Elizabeth couldn't help herself as she reached out to her daughter and hugged her and placed her onto her lap.

"Of course I love you, even before I saw you"

"Really mummy?"

"Yes. I love you my Lucy!"

"Forever?"

"Forever and ever!"

"Do you think that daddy loves me, even if he doesn't see me every day?"

"He does love you Lucy, that's why daddy always wants to see you, but daddy has to go to the office just like what mummy does. He works very hard for you"

"Really?"

"Really. Your daddy loves you. We both love you...forever"

"I love you mummy! And I love daddy too!"

As she kissed her daughter's forehead, after putting her back to the chair, Lucy didn't ask anything more. She was sort of relieved when Lucy dropped the questions... finally. And in order to prevent another question from her, she asked her daughter to continue with her coloring while she washed the dishes. After that, she picked up Lucy, gave her a wash and readied her for bed. She read her a story until she fell asleep. Elizabeth gave Lucy a kiss on the forehead and went to turn off the lights and walked out of her daughter's room.

Right after she changed to her night gown, washed her face, and brushed her teeth she placed her phone on the bedside table and got under the sheets. She stared at the ceiling thinking about Lucy's questions. What if Lucy asks her again? Elizabeth thought. What would be her answer? Did she really not love Darcy? The better question was, How does she feel about him? Did she like him? These questions floated in her head and led her into thinking about him. She realized that Darcy was doing his best to be a great father. He wanted to spend as much time with Lucy as possible. She remembered the smiles he would have on his face whenever Lucy was around, she even chuckled remembering how Darcy and Lucy would start whispering to each other like they had a secret making their daughter giggle. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and opened them again. Then she grabbed her phone and started typing.


Darcy has been lying in bed for some time now. He couldn't seem to sleep. He missed them terribly. He couldn't wait for Sunday. What he missed the most was that feeling when the three of them were together, it felt like home, like a family. He wanted that, with Lucy and definitely with Lizzie. But he didn't know how Elizabeth felt about him, if she actually felt something for him. He remembered how she would seem indifferent to his presence, but would constantly blush when he did something intimate like hold her hand or smile at her. As he was in the middle of his 'Lizzie Thoughts,' his phone suddenly buzzed. He felt a little annoyed that someone would disturb him during his moment,

Elizabeth: Can't sleep. You still awake?

His heart starting beating really fast upon seeing her message. In the silence of the night he heard his heart beating. He immediately started replying to her.

W. Darcy: Yes, still awake. Can't sleep either. Something bothering you?

Elizabeth: Nothing really. Just thinking...

W. Darcy: About what?

Elizabeth: Things. Lucy asked me how come we don't live with you and I made this stupid answer that it's because we're not married.

'Marriage' a word that had crossed his mind a million times before, but he could never seem to find the right woman, but now that Lizzie existed and a daughter existed, he had thought about it more.

W. Darcy: Did she understand that?

Elizabeth: No. I had to explain, telling her that people are married when they love each other. One more question popped in her head and she asked me if I loved you.

He blinked twice on reading her message, seeing those three words. But it wasn't as if she was telling him she loved him, he reminded himself, it was an actual question from their daughter. How could he reply to that? He didn't know. Then his phone buzzed again,

Elizabeth: Sorry for telling you this. I would usually talk to either Jane, my best friend or my dad. But Lucy has never asked me about these things before. I just thought that since we're trying to work on our friendship that we should be comfortable about these things.

He was relieved that she sent another message, now he has something to reply,

W. Darcy: I'm actually glad you told me. I never thought you'd come to me about this. I honestly wouldn't know what to say if Lucy asked me the same thing.

Elizabeth: It's never easy answering questions of a curious mind

W. Darcy: She's really smart

Elizabeth: Yes she is. I wouldn't have it any other way. I guess we really have good DNA to contribute huh?

He smiled at her words, 'We' he thought,

Elizabeth: Btw, your sister called us.

W. Darcy: Yes she did, I gave her your number. She's been telling me how much she will miss both of you.

Elizabeth: She said the same things. She's such a sweet one.

W. Darcy: Yes she is. Did she tell you something else?

Elizabeth: Only about Pemberley. She asked if Lucy and I could visit. I told her I don't know your plans.

W. Darcy: Are you willing to come with me if I plan to visit?

Elizabeth: I don't see why not. Lucy would love the place I'm sure. But of course it depends on our work demands.

W. Darcy: I understand, maybe when we're both ready?

Elizabeth: Yes

W. Darcy: So your invitation on Sunday, is there anything I can bring?

Elizabeth: Just yourself. I will do the rest

For some reason, he felt flutter in his stomach when he read that message. "What are you a teenager? You're a grown man! Stop it!" he scolded himself,

Elizabeth: Anyway, thanks for the chat. I must get some sleep now. Good night Darcy.

He actually felt sad ending their conversation; he could talk to her for hours. But he knew he has been pushy enough trying to win her heart. So he did the best he could and took Georgiana's advice of ending by saying something sweet.

W. Darcy: Good night Lizzie. I shall be thinking of you and Lucy.

He felt satisfied with his simple yet sweet reply and hit 'send.' He put away his phone and slept with a smile on his face.


On the other side of London, Lizzie lay awake still looking at the last message that Darcy sent her. "He will be thinking of me and Lucy. I'm sure it's just Lucy, he's trying to be polite," she thought. But she felt her stomach tie itself into knots at the message. "No! It doesn't mean anything Elizabeth! Go to sleep!" she said to herself. She covered her face with a pillow and groaned out of frustration. "That insufferable, gorgeous man! Making me think of him like I'm some teenager! This will not do!" Her mind would not stop battling with how Darcy made her feel. She was now even more confused. Her mind was tired and her heart was confused, she needed an intervention. She needed Jane, she needed Charlotte for this. When her mind got tired of thinking, sleep finally came to her at around three in the morning.