Chapter 12
"We really need to leave now, Elizabeth," Mrs. Bennet reproached, her head peeking into the living room once more.
"I'm just submitting this application now," Liz said with a click before turning off her laptop and slipping it into her carry-on bag.
"Really, Liz," Mrs. Bennet chided as she stepped into the room, "I don't know why you are looking for jobs when Milan already offered you one. He said you're able to start teaching at his school after the beginning of the year."
"Mom, I don't need a handout from Milan Collins," Liz retorted as she put on her shoes and reached for her purse and suitcase.
"Seeing as you have no job lined up yet, Elizabeth, you should take advantage of the opportunities presented to you."
Her mother hollered for Jane and Lydia to meet them in the car, where their father was patiently waiting. Before her mother could remark any further on the topic, Liz walked outside, her haphazardly packed suitcase rolling along behind her. Time had gotten away from her, and Liz had practically lifted all of the winter clothes from her drawer, placed them inside, and zipped it shut.
Despite her mother's prying and meddling she was excited for their trip. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and snow was in the forecast. There's nothing like NYC at Christmastime, Liz thought.
They made it to their gate without much hassle, which surprised Liz given the time of year. Before she knew it, she was settled in her seat on the plane, book in hand, and Jane next to her, already asleep, head leaning against her shoulder. Her mother and Lydia were talking too loudly for her liking, but Liz had learned to choose her battles when it came to them. For Jane's sake, she just hoped her sister was actually asleep upon hearing the name Chris from across the aisle.
Liz could feel the chill in the air that only came with being in the north and bent over her suitcase, trying to find a hoodie or sweater; anything that would warm her up. Tearing through her belongings, she came across Will's hoodie. She tossed it to the side and continued searching for another one. She should burn it. After a few more moments she located her university hoodie and sat on the bed next to Jane.
"You ready?" she asked.
Jane pulled a fuzzy sock over her foot and nodded.
"I don't think it is healthy to be so competitive," Jane remarked.
"It's all in fun," replied Liz.
"Says the most competitive one of them all," Jane said slyly.
"I can't help it if I have seen the classic Christmas movies multiple times and know the words to every song."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Fine," she said, looping her arm in Liz's, "but this year, you're on my team."
The sisters made their way to the living room just as Uncle Dan began explaining the rules to the first of many holiday family games to come.
"Is it just me, or does the tree get more beautiful every year?" Liz mused, staring up at the gigantic tree in Rockefeller Plaza. The family had already braved Times Square, eyed the Macy's Christmas window displays, walked by St. Patrick's Cathedral, and were now enjoying one of Liz's favorite parts of New York City before seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City Music Hall.
"It is rather stunning this year," Jane agreed. "Lydia, what do you think?"
Lydia, who had been taking selfies off on her own, walked over to her sisters and asked, "What did you say, Jane?" as she thumbed through her photos.
"I asked what you think of the tree," Jane explained calmly.
Lydia glanced up at the Christmas tree and shrugged.
"It looks the same as every other year," she said.
Liz wasn't surprised her sister hadn't even taken the time to admire the tree. She was overly preoccupied with her phone recently and was always texting or sneaking off to chat with, what their mom supposed, was her friends. Liz and Jane knew better though, it was some new guy.
"Let's take a family photo!" Uncle Dan suggested. Standing beside her, Liz heard her father groan.
Uncle Dan walked over to a random stranger and asked if they would mind taking their photo. Given Uncle Dan's friendly disposition, the tourist smiled and happily agreed.
They all gathered in front of the large tree and the stranger told them to smile, taking several horizontal photos before changing to vertical to get more of the tree, at Uncle Dan's suggestion.
Afterwards, Dan thanked them and offered to take photos for them in return, to which he was declined.
"Oh!" Val exclaimed upon glancing down at her watch. "We need to get to Radio City for the show!"
The group wove their way through the crowds and up the sidewalk towards the music hall.
"You know," Uncle Dan said as he came up beside Liz, "forecast is predicting snow tomorrow morning."
"Really?!" Liz replied, completely overjoyed. It had been some time since she had seen snow and being the Floridian that she was, Liz loved the snow mostly because she didn't have to live with it. She had nothing but good memories tied to the fluffy white powder and it falling on Christmas Day made her even more delighted. Regardless of everything that had surpassed that year, she was determined to focus on the positives over the next couple of days.
Liz opened her eyelids and rolled onto her side. Quietly, so as not to disturb Jane, she got out of bed and walked to the window. Everywhere she looked was white and snow was still falling down. She shuffled to the bathroom to brush her teeth and change before sneaking back into her room and grabbing her socks.
Uncle Dan walked into the living room, cup of coffee in hand, just as she was donning her boots.
"I figured you wouldn't want to miss this," he commented, sipping his hot beverage.
"Not at all!"
"You know, the sun has only been up for a few minutes," he added.
"Then that is a few minutes wasted," she retorted.
Liz grabbed her scarf and wrapped it around her neck. Beaming, she reached for her red coat and said she would be back in a little while before running to the elevator, wanting to be the first one to savor the unblemished landscape. Her boots skidded across the marbled lobby floor as Liz donned her gloves and raised the collar on her coat; finally ready to take on the elements she would never experience in the south.
From her many visits north, Liz was familiar with how the perfect snow of New York City turned to disgusting brown slush. The wintry mix was sure to come as the day went on, but for now Liz walked across the street and into an unblemished winter wonderland.
The snow was dissipating upon hitting the salted sidewalk and already the brown ground was all but a distant memory the further into Central Park she looked. Her boots crunched as she continued on, admiring the blanketed park benches, fences, and trees. Liz extended her hand and watched snowflakes drift onto her glove. She could feel her cheeks reddening from the wind and she blew some air out of her mouth, watching her breath visible in the air. Smiling, she closed her eyes and savored relished the quietness of the usually bustling city. In that moment she forgot everything. What had occurred, or rather not occurred, between Jane and Chris. Georgiana's silence the past several months. Gale's refusal to talk to her. And Will… She continued on, determined not to let any of it ruin her Christmas. The path curved, and Liz followed as far she could before the salted sidewalk ended and a foot of snow blocked her way. With a regretful sigh, she turned and stopped in her tracks, her feet almost slipping out from under her. In stark contrast from his surroundings stood a familiar dark figure, clad in a leather jacket and a determined expression.
