Posting quickly today - been a bit insane here. Thank you, thank you and thank you. You know who you are! *hugs*

Chapter 21

"There's a silver Audi in the driveway, Will. Is Elizabeth here?" Georgiana asked through the door.

Will offered Elizabeth a small, apologetic smile and released his embrace. "Yes, she's here. We didn't want to interrupt your practice." He took Elizabeth's hand and walked towards the door. Glancing at her, he could see her lips were swollen, but not much. "You look beautiful," he whispered.

She smiled, her cheeks flushing a bit more, and he found her even more desirable. Evil little sister!

He opened the door, still holding Elizabeth's hand, and stepped back enough for Georgiana to enter.

Both women smiled shyly at each other as Will made the introductions. It took a moment, but Elizabeth recovered first. She held out her free hand to Georgiana. "I'm so glad to finally meet you. Will talks about you all the time."

Georgiana accepted her hand, and glanced quickly at her other, securely entwined with her brother's, but retained the shy smile. "He's mentioned you a lot lately too." A little color infused her cheeks now. "I've been eager to meet you."

"Me too. I heard you playing when I came in, and a trombone. It sounded great." Elizabeth smiled.

"That was Ryan. He's amazing. I'm not nearly as talented as he is." Georgiana's eyes darted to the carpet.

"Well, the videos I've seen of you are quite impressive. My ability, if I dare call it that, pales in comparison, for I could never be prevailed upon to practice." Elizabeth grinned and Georgiana laughed.

"Your video library is incredible," Elizabeth continued. "Will said you did most of it yourself."

"It was a big project," Georgiana answered proudly, "but I'm so glad I did it. I like to refer back to them sometimes; and I've been known to show them to some of the students I tutor. Has Will forced you to sit through many of them?"

"He's shown me a few more than when we were on the phone, but it was anything but forced."

Georgiana's grin turned wicked. "Has he shown you any of his?"

Elizabeth turned to look at Will while he feigned innocence.

"We've got his piano recitals too, and tons of hockey," Georgiana added.

Before Elizabeth could answer, Will asked, "Where's Ryan? Haven't we been ignoring him a bit long?"

"He's at the piano, working on a piece he's been composing. That's why I came looking for you in the first place." Georgiana turned back to Elizabeth. "So I take it he hasn't shown you any."

Elizabeth laughed. "No, I'll have to convince him to sometime." She squeezed Will's hand that still held hers.

"Sometime, yes," interjected Will, "but perhaps now we should check on Ryan and maybe sit out back."

Elizabeth looked up at Will, realizing how uncomfortable he was, having been put on the spot. "Sounds good."

Will let Georgiana lead the way, so he and Elizabeth could follow, holding hands. "Thank you," he whispered.

"It's only a temporary reprieve." She grinned up slyly, but after a moment, her expression softened. "I have younger sisters too."

"I never expected it of Georgie though," he grumbled.

"She's never embarrassed you?"

"Not intentionally... as far as I know."

"Well, I'll take it as a good sign that she seemed comfortable enough to tease you so. I expected her to be shier.

"So did I."

Elizabeth squeezed his hand as they stopped at the door of the music room. Georgiana was inside, speaking with Ryan as he rose from the piano bench.

Will handled the introductions, and then led the group to the backyard. Georgiana and Ryan quickly seated themselves on the bench glider, so Will and Elizabeth settled into comfortable, but separate chairs across from them.

They all sat quietly for a minute before Elizabeth asked Georgiana about living in Southern California. The two women started off well enough, and Ryan soon joined in, having grown up near Los Angeles.

"Have you ever been to L.A., Elizabeth?" Georgiana asked.

"No. My family mostly kept our travels to the east coast. We went to Walt Disney World a couple of times, and up to Boston, but with five of us girls, big vacations were a rarity."

"Five girls?" Ryan asked, so Elizabeth spoke a little of her sisters before steering the conversation back to its origin.

"I've traveled a little since I've been on my own, but the farthest west I've made it was Las Vegas a few years ago for the Interop convention. I had hoped to meet some online friends in Phoenix a couple of months ago, but there was no way I could make it the same weekend everyone else could."

"We'll have to find an excuse to get you out to L.A. then," Georgiana volunteered. "If nothing else, Will comes out to check on me every couple of months, though I suppose I'll be back here before that. Then again, he has shown up unannounced a couple of times."

Elizabeth looked at Will with a raised eyebrow, but he didn't notice as his blushing countenance was directed imploringly at his sister.

The scene was conveniently interrupted by the arrival of Maggie with a pitcher of lemonade and a tray of lemon cookies. With a little encouragement, she was convinced to join them, and though Will seemed to observe more than talk, everyone seemed to get on well.

Maggie asked Georgiana and Ryan about their summer classes and other activities out in California, and listened with great interest. She remained for nearly an hour before excusing herself to make lunch, and rejecting Georgiana and Elizabeth's offers to help.

After lunch, Georgiana insisted on taking Ryan for a walk up the hill to stretch their legs and to look out over the valley from the top of the cul-de-sac, and coincidentally providing Will and Elizabeth a few minutes alone. They quickly changed into their swimsuits and met in the hot tub, snuggling in the warm water. They kissed for a while, but were aware that they could be interrupted soon, so for the most part, they just enjoyed being together in close proximity.

Soon enough, Georgiana and Ryan returned, though they opted to go swimming. "So, how did you like the view, Ryan?" Will called over to him.

"It's great. We don't usually get such clear days in California unless the Santa Ana's are blowing," the younger man replied.

Will looked up at the blue sky. "I've noticed that. It's not always clear here, especially closer to the city, but I don't think I could give this up to live out there, even if there is no ice and the summers are less humid."

"Me either," added Elizabeth. "A couple of weeks ago, Will and I sat in my backyard looking at the stars." She squeezed Will's hand, sharing a secret memory. "I don't think I'd want to live where I can't do that."

"I love both places," Georgiana opined. "I'm glad I don't have to make a choice anytime soon."

Will and Elizabeth eventually moved to the pool and swam a few laps before getting out. Glancing over at his sister and her boyfriend, Will was glad to see they were lying in the sun and paying no attention to them. He and Elizabeth walked over to a pair of chaises nearer the hot tub, where they had left their towels, and he handed Elizabeth hers before taking his to begin drying himself. Try as he might, he couldn't help stealing glimpses of her toweling off, and he bit his lip when she pulled a bottle of sunscreen from her bag.

Elizabeth squeezed some lotion into her hand and held out the bottle. "I don't see that you brought any out, do you need some?"

"Sure. Thanks," he nearly stuttered as he accepted the bottle. He tried not to be obvious as he watched her rub the sunscreen into her toned calves, and up to her thighs, little noticing that she was watching his motions as well. As he saw her rubbing her shoulders, he found it strange he had to gather his courage. "Can I get your back for you?" He hoped his voice hadn't wavered.

It was Elizabeth's turn to bite her lip. "Only if you let me return the favor." She turned on her chaise so her back was to Will, and tried not to tense up with nervousness; there was no need for it after all, she tried to remind herself.

The sensation that flowed through her body when she felt his hands on her shoulders nearly caused her to start. She felt compelled to look towards the others, and was relieved to see they seemed oblivious to everything. Relaxing and leaning back some into his hands, she nearly felt light headed. Though the process was the same, this was certainly nothing like having Jane apply sunscreen to her back.

All too soon, she felt his hands stop on her shoulders, and felt his breath by her ear. "I love you, Elizabeth," he whispered.

"I love you too," she responded, knowing her face was flushed, afraid to look up at Will. "Your turn." She held up her hand without looking up, and didn't move until she felt the bottle in her hand and heard him move, hopefully turning away from her. When she did, she found herself looking closely at Will's well tanned, muscular back.

She took a deep breath and tried not to gasp, and closed her eyes for a moment. "Liz?" she heard him ask.

"Sorry, Will," she whispered and squeezed some lotion in her hand. She dropped the bottle in her lap and rubbed her palms together before poising them over his shoulders. With another quick breath, her hands rested on them.

Grateful that Will could not see her, she began rubbing in the sunscreen, her fingers exploring every inch of his back. Don't think about it. Just get it done! her conscious mind screamed. She forced herself to keep breathing and finally drew her hands back up to rest on his shoulders. "All done," she said in a light voice, then sat back, grabbing her towel to blot her face.

Will was no less affected, and only turned enough to sit back on the chair. He knew he'd be a lost man if he turned to look at her, and his sister was all too present. "Thank you, Liz," he murmured. He closed his eyes, and after a moment, reached to his side, hoping he would not have to search for her hand. She must have noticed, as it only took a moment for hers to join his. "It really has turned into a beautiful day, hasn't it?"

"Absolutely perfect," was her soft reply.

The foursome remained basking in the sun for nearly an hour, but eventually all straggled inside. Once dressed, they all settled into the music room, and Will convinced Georgiana to play, which she gladly did until dinner.

During the meal, Elizabeth noted that Will was becoming even more withdrawn, and when she saw him trying to stifle a yawn more than once, she realized just how exhausted he was, and began to think of how to make a graceful exit soon. When she caught Georgiana also yawning as she rose from the table; it was time.

"It's been a long day for you guys, and I really should get going." She grasped Will's hand as she turned to the others. "It's been really great meeting you Georgiana, Ryan; and I'm looking forward to taking over the mall tomorrow." She smiled slyly at the younger woman.

Georgiana stepped forward and hugged her quickly. "It's been great meeting you too, Elizabeth, and I can't wait till tomorrow."

"Are you sure you have to go?" Will spoke quietly near her ear.

"Yes, Will. It may not be late, but I know you're tired. I'll feel much better knowing you're getting some rest."

He nodded. "Okay then. Let me see you out."

After a couple of quick goodnights, she retrieved her bag, and he walked her to the front door.

"I had a great time today, Will. Georgie's great, and well, you know I love seeing you." Her voice dropped. "I'm glad you're home," she whispered.

"Me too," he answered before his lips met hers. It was a short kiss, but sweet, and expressive of their feelings.

They walked together out to her car, and Will held the door for her. They exchanged another very brief kiss before she climbed in, but all too soon, she was gone.