Chapter 11

When William got to work on Monday two months after the show, and he was sure nothing could ruin his day, or his life for that matter. He and Lizzie had gotten back together in the best possible way, and that was all that mattered to him. He made a call to the florist last night to send something to Lizzie at work, it was their anniversary after all. But when his cell vibrated in his pocket in the middle of a meeting and he quietly excused himself, his entire day changed.

"Mr. Darcy?"

"Yes."

"This is the hospital. We have your wife, Lizzie, here. Earlier today she was attacked in your home by a Mr. George Wickham." William was pretty sure the entire office heard him swear. He opened the glass door, explained what happened, and left the building. He got to the hospital and looked through the window of Lizzie's room. Charlie was sleeping at the bottom of the bed. The doctor told him that she was fine, just a beat up and nervous, and that she would be okay, but she needed sleep.

"Did they arrest him?" He turned and faced the doctor.

"Yes, sir, they did. He's in the prison hospital. You should see what your wife and that dog did to him. They made a good pair those two. I have to admit, having the dog her is not exactly, well... But he wouldn't leave her side, not even in the ambulance. Fortunately, one of the spare EMT's grabbed a leash on the way out. When he isn't in the room, I expect him on a leash."

William laughed a little and smiled."That's my Lizzie. Always a fighter. And I would have been surprised if the dog wasn't here. I understand about the leash too. Can I go in?"

"Yes sir."

He quietly opened the door to her room and pulled up a chair next to her bed. He gently took her hand and stroked her bruised, bloody knuckles with his thumb. The ring he had bought for her felt like a weight in his pocket, ripping the seams trying to break free.

He leaned forward so that he was about an inch from her ear and whispered softly to her. "I am so glad we didn't get a divorce." He leaned back and closed his eyes in a sigh. "Lizzie," he spoke softly, "I want you to know how much I love you." He held her hand even tighter. "Every second since that art show, I have fallen more and more in love with you. Your smile, your laugh, the way you speak your mind, everything about you. You have made me so happy, from the very start. I'm so glad you came into my life." His voice cracked as he felt tears in his eyes.

"I am too." His eyes shot open and he looked down at her. She smiled as much as her bruised mouth would allow and groaned.

"Really? After I've failed you. After I put you here?" He hated seeing her like this.

"You didn't fail me." Her voice was croaking. "Besides, you should see what I did to him.'" She laughed a little. That laugh spiked his interest.

"What happened?" He smiled at her and moved the chair closer to the bed.

"He knocked on the door. I saw it was him and didn't answer. He broke it open. I grabbed the phone and started calling the police. He broke the door down. I ran upstairs and tried to lock myself in the studio. He found me and broke that door down too. Charlie had followed me up and started biting at his ankles and he kicked him down the stairs. He came at me, saying how he knew I secretly was still in love with him and that I liked to tease him by saying no. He pushed me down against one of the tables, I got off a few hits, and hit me a couple times right back. I punched him and grabbed a wet paintbrush and jammed it in his eye. I got up and ran back downstairs, told the operator what was going on. He came after me again and Charlie started going for his legs again. I got off a few more punches and ran into the kitchen. He followed and pinned me to the counter. I took the bread knife and put it through his shoulder." She smiled a little more.

He laughed and shook his head. "I love you, Elizabeth Darcy."

She looked at him and smiled. "That was the first time you ever said that to me, with your last name and all." She blushed. "I like it." She propped herself up a little more. "I love you too, William Darcy." He leaned forward and gently kissed her. "You should have been a poet. That was beautiful."

"Really?"

"Beautiful. And sappy. And completely wonderful. I love you, William."

"I love you too, Lizzie." He rested his forehead on hers. The door opened and they both looked at the doctor standing there.

"Your blood work came back, Mrs. Darcy."

"Blood work? You said she was fine!" William's hand tightened around hers.

"She is. Standard with cases like your wives. I have some news for you though." He stepped into the room and closed the door. "Mrs. Darcy, you're six weeks pregnant."

William, Lizzie, and Charlie's heads all turned to look at the doctor at the same time.

"Well Lizzie," William said, "happy anniversary." He smiled and kissed her again one more time before his phone rang.