A/N: thank you so much for the lovely reviews! They encourage me to keep going! Just a heads up that the posting might get a little more sporadic from now on. I'm going to try and get this complete by Christmas, but studying, working, renovating and raising three small children (currently on school/kindergarten holidays and going mad because it's just 20 more sleeps til Christmas!) pretty much singlehandedly -it's mid basketball season- might mean there's no free time for ff! Still- that's not your concern, I just want you to know that if I don't get a chapter up for a while it's not because I'm not using my weekend well enough- as one person seemed to imply! I'll do my best! :)
"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?!" Elizabeth let go of Will's hand and rushed forward to greet her parents. "You never travel! I can't believe you're here, and surprising me on top of that!" Elizabeth's eyes shone in delight. "When did you arrive? Wait- how did you arrive? How did you know I'd be here?! How long are you here for?! Oh it's all so unbelievable!"
"Take a breath, kiddo!" Laughed her dad.
"We couldn't stand the idea of being away from you for your birthday" her mother explained. "We'd been toying with the idea of flying up for your birthday week and seeing the sights around here, and finally decided to seize the moment. It was your father's idea to surprise you though."
"You know me and my sense of humour, Ellie-bear!" Chuckled her Dad.
"I remembered when a few of your classes were", continued Fran Bennet, "so I called your apartment during those times in the hope somebody else would answer. Luckily, Jane did! She told us your plans for tonight and agreed to keep our surprise a secret."
"Jane!" Cried Elizabeth laughing, "I'll never trust you again! You kept this from me?!"
Jane merely grinned at her friend in response.
"We had initially thought of contacting Lucas Long to help us out, but your father didn't like that idea."
Tom Bennet shrugged. "The kid just seemed weird, Fran. Besides, if he drove us here, we'd have to include him, and that'd be inviting more people to crash Elizabeth's party." He looked pointedly at Will and said in a low voice "Besides, I believe having Lucas here might have cramped your style, Elizabeth? Hmm?" There was a twinkle in his eye and Elizabeth knew he was teasing her.
Slightly flushed, Elizabeth gave a self-conscious smile. "Well, Lucas has a girlfriend and isn't interested in me in THAT way, if that's what you meant, but you're right. He's not exactly a friend. These guys are." She gestured behind her to the group of people sitting talking quietly amongst themselves. Will met her eye with a half curious, half nervous expression as Elizabeth turned to introduce her parents.
"Everyone? These are my parents, Fran and Tom. Mom, Dad. These are my friends. Some you've seen before on FaceTime. This is Charlotte, my house parent, and Patrick. You've met Kitty and Jane, my housemates. This is Mary, my other housemate. I think you've seen Charlie before too."
Elizabeth took a deep breath, and walked down to the end of the table.
"And this is Will."
Elizabeth's parents finished greeting everyone else at the table before joining Elizabeth by Will's side. He rose to greet them and extended his hand to Elizabeth's father.
"Oh my." whispered Fran Bennet, as Tom Bennet gripped the enormous hand of the young man that towered over him. Elizabeth was used to Will's height by now, but recalled her own thoughts on meeting him for the first time, and knew what her parents were thinking. Will was dauntingly tall.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Will."
"Likewise, sir. Ma'am. Ellie's told me so much about both of you."
As Will turned to help Elizabeth drag an extra table and chairs over for her parents, Elizabeth's parents raised eyebrows at each other. "Ellie?" They both mouthed in surprise.
Everyone sat and resumed their examination of the menu, and dinner was soon ordered. The evening passed mostly pleasant enough, as Elizabeth looked on proudly at her parents, genuinely interested in the guy's basketball season (recognising the three from the tv) to Jane's family back in the Midwest, to Mary's music, and even remembering to include Kitty. It was so nice not to have embarrassing, awkward parents. Well, almost not-awkward.
"Now Kitty," said Fran Bennet after swallowing a mouthful of dinner. "Where's your friend.. The pretty red-headed one? Linda? You two seemed inseparable when we spoke to Elizabeth in the beginning of the school year."
"Lydia." A cloud passed over Kitty's face, as she said her name softly. "Her name's Lydia."
"Lydia! That's right. Not a name you hear everyday. I thought she would be here. She couldn't come?"
"Fortunately not" muttered Charlotte, as Patrick elbowed her gently. There was no love lost between Charlotte and Lydia.
The table was suddenly silent. "Mom, it doesn't matter right now." Said Elizabeth quietly.
"No no, it's ok, Elizabeth." Kitty's voice was stronger and there was a touch of bitterness in it. "I actually haven't heard from Lydia since before Christmas. We used to be very close, but she changed when she met this guy Jeremy. I'd hardly know her now."
Elizabeth sensed Will tense beside her.
"She and Jeremy are apparently living in California, although I don't know what she's doing or when she'll be back." Kitty put on a brave face as Fran looked at her apologetically. "Luckily, these girls have rallied around me and support me. Thank goodness for friends." She smiled, and Elizabeth reached over and patted her hand.
"Here here!" Exclaimed Patrick, raising his glass of soda. "To friends!"
The mood lifted once more, everyone went on enjoying their dinner. Will leaned in to Elizabeth. "Jeremy is Jeremy Wickham, right? Lydia is the friend you told me about?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"Did you warn her about him?"
"As best I could, Will. Jane and Kitty did too. But Lydia, she's the most stubborn person I've met. She was determined not to see the bad in him. And now he's taken her to California." Elizabeth sighed, dejectedly. She often wondered about Lydia, what she was doing and whether she was happy.
Will leaned back in his chair, saying nothing, a concerned look upon his handsome face.
The dinner finished, and Elizabeth's friends began to leave. Charlotte and Patrick were the first to go, citing early classes, although Elizabeth suspected they wanted some alone time before calling it a night. Mary and Kitty followed soon after, and Elizabeth felt encouraged seeing Jane agreeing to be escorted home by Charlie.
Elizabeth and Will were left at the table with Elizabeth's parents.
"Will!" said Elizabeth's dad. "Care for a coffee? I feel the need to get to know you better." He smiled genially at the young man.
"Certainly Mr Bennet."
"Please- call me Tom. Or Sir." he chuckled. "Only kidding"
"And me Fran." Said Elizabeth's mother. "Mrs Bennet is my mother in law."
Will smiled and nodded in acquiescence.
"Tom dear, could you order me a cappuccino? I need to freshen up. Elizabeth?" Her mother gave Elizabeth a look that said 'leave the men alone for a minute, your father wants a word with this boy.' Elizabeth comprehended the hint instantly.
"Oh, uh yes. I need to freshen up too." Standing up, she felt Will's hand gently on hers.
"Tea?" He asked. "English breakfast?"
"Please." She smiled, loving the fact he remembered what she drank. "And Dad? Be nice!"
*o*o*o
"So Will." Said Tom, stretching lazily in his chair. "From what I can see, you're dating my daughter."
Will looked unflinchingly at him. "Yes, sir, I am. As of earlier this week. Although, we have known each other since the start of the school year."
Tom nodded. "I also noticed that you call her Ellie." He said. "So she must like you a lot to allow that. I know that you're a basketball player- a very good one- and we both know you're a good looking guy. Surely you must be a popular guy on campus."
Will shrugged. "I guess I get more than my fair share of attention."
"But that means nothing to you." Tom was eyeing him closely, noting the way he tensed when the word popular was mentioned. "You don't care for the attention?"
"No Sir-Tom. I don't care much for it. I'd rather have one genuine friendship than ten false ones."
"Understood. And my Ellie is a genuine one to you?"
"Very much so. She's the most honest and open person I know and I am drawn to her for that." he raked a hand through his dark hair. "Most of the time I get told what people think I want to hear. Ellie caught my attention because she told me what SHE thought- and it wasn't something I wanted to hear."
Tom chuckled. "My Lizzy knocked you down a few pegs eh? That's my girl."
"Yes, she certainly left a lasting impression." Will grinned.
Tom's smile faded and turned serious. "She's a special girl, Will. I know it's early days for you both, but treat her right. I don't want to hear about you moving on to the next girl who bats her lashes at you- yes I know what boys your age can be like, especially sought after ones like you. I'll put it plainly: break my daughters heart, and I'll break you."
"Understood, Tom. I admire your honesty." Will struggled not to smile. He could see where Elizabeth's feisty spirit had come from. "Just to put your mind at ease, I'm not that type of guy. I'm not a player. And Ellie is special- you're damn right about that. I'd be broken myself if I ever broke her heart. Her happiness means the world to me."
"Good man." Said Tom nodding again. "Now- you're a senior. Lizzie-bear's a freshman. What's going to happen once you graduate? I've seen enough of your basketball games to know that you're not going to hang around here for three more years to be with Elizabeth. What are your plans?"
Will sighed. The man had hit on the main issue that kept Will awake at night. "You're right. I'm planning on playing professionally next year, and that could be anywhere around the world. As yet, I don't know where that leaves Ellie and me."
"At least your honest." Tom said thoughtfully.
"I know Ellie wants to be a psychologist, and I fully support her in achieving that goal, even though it means her studying here for another three years." Will sighed. "I know the logical thing would be to break up when I graduate and move elsewhere, but I've experienced life without Ellie, and it's not something I want to go back to. Nor do I want her to drop out of school to be with me either." Tom's face registered relief. "I don't want her to have that regret."
"That leaves you in a bit of a mess, doesn't it?" Tom asked sympathetically. It was clear that the boy thought the world of his daughter, and was struggling desperately to find a way for him to have his dream, her to have hers, and both to have a dream life together.
"I guess we'll have to try a long distance relationship, if Ellie is ok with that." Said Will slowly, hating the sound of it. "We'll just have to hope we survive against the odds."
Tom nodded, and caught sight of the girls returning. "And you know what they say, if it's meant to be it will be."
Will nodded, watching Elizabeth and feeling his heart squeeze in pain.
*o*o*o
"Oh Elizabeth! He's so handsome! And so tall- my goodness! How tall is he?" Fran asked as she applied her lipstick.
"He's six eight." Said Elizabeth, straightening her hair in the mirror. "But don't mention it to him, he's a bit funny with it."
"The poor boy must get asked all the time. I suppose it's not much different to asking a skinny person how much they weigh, when you think about it. And you'd never do that!"
"Right!" Laughed Elizabeth at her mother's reasoning.
"So he's tall, handsome and athletic... You must be quite envied at school, Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth shrugged in denial. "Not really, Mom. Besides, we've only just started dating, so it isn't exactly common knowledge yet."
"Oh Elizabeth! It's obvious from one glance at you two! He's clearly besotted with you, and you with him. Mark my words, if the girls aren't jealous yet they soon will be!"
Elizabeth cringed at the thought- particularly once Caroline found out.
"It's lovely to see you so happy, darling. Hold on to him. He's a keeper." Fran blotted her lipstick.
"I'll try" smiled Elizabeth. "Don't worry, I know how lucky I am."
"You're just as lucky as he is, sweetheart" said Fran, squeezing her daughter affectionately. "Don't forget that. You're good for each other." She looked to the door. "Now, let's go and rescue that poor boy from your father. Goodness knows what's being said out there!"
The two walked back to the table and Elizabeth couldn't help feeling trepidation at the serious looks on the two men's faces. They noticed the girls approaching, and quickly lightened the mood, but Will took a little longer to recover.
"Is everything alright?" Asked Fran with a smile on her lips. "I hope Tom didn't scare you, Will. This is new territory for us I'm afraid. Elizabeth's not introduced us to a boyfriend before!"
"Mom!" Elizabeth's cheeks went red, and Will looked at her tenderly, reaching for her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Just man-talk. Nothin scary about that, right Will?" Said Tom.
"Right. Nothing scary at all."
"So Will." Fran took a sip of her drink. "Where are you from?"
"I was raised in New York, but I was born in England. My father still lives there actually, and I try to see him as much as I can."
"We've never been to England before." Said Fran, looking wistfully at her husband. "Although we've seen some beautiful scenery of it recently on tv. It's really got me interested in seeing the place."
"Really?" Said Elizabeth surprised. "You never travel!"
"We're here though" smirked Tom.
"True." Conceeded Elizabeth. "So why the sudden change?"
"Well, we're getting older, and you've moved out now... It just feels like time to try something new." Said Fran. "We've started watching a lot of travel and history programs on tv, and it's inspired us to start seeing some of the world."
"Mm, like the Colliseum, or the Parthenon, or Stonehenge." Said Tom enthusiastically. "All these wonderful places with so much history."
"I'd like to tour England most of all. Especially some of those grand estates in the countryside that are open to tourists. We watched a program on a few, and the stories they told about the family history are fascinating!"
"Indeed." Said Will, struggling to keep a straight face as Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably. "That is one of my favourite things about returning to England- being surrounded by so much family history."
"Oh, has your home been in your family for generations, Will? How lovely" Fran exclaimed. "I feel terrible, us rattling away on our plans when we should be getting to know you! Tell us about it."
Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Mom, dad, you've actually already seen Will's home."
Will looked at her puzzled. "They have?"
Elizabeth nodded. "We all have."
"How absurd Elizabeth! We've never been to England!" Cried Fran. "What are you talking about?!"
There was a moments silence. "Pemberley estate, Mom." Said Elizabeth quietly. "That program you just spoke of? The beautiful house with the lovely library? That's Will's home."
Three pairs of eyes looked at her astonished. "You've seen Pemberley?" Will asked quietly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was cross with you at the time. Then I didn't want you to think I only liked you because you were rich. It's a beautiful place, and I love how dear it is to you, but that's not what's important to me."
"I understand." Said Will.
"So, your father owns Pemberley?" Stated Tom stunned.
"Yes he does. And technically, I'm next in line to inherit."
"Oh my." Said Fran in a low voice. "Oh MY!"
"But please- it's not exactly common knowledge. I don't really want word to get around. I get enough unwanted attention as it is..."
"Understood, son. Well, Ellie! Quite the catch you've made here!" He joked.
"Actually, Tom" said Will looking seriously at Elizabeth. "I think I'm the lucky one." He leant over and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek, as Tom and Fran looked on with a tear in their eyes at how loved their daughter was. "She's one in a million."
"That she is!" Tom beamed. "Happy Birthday, Ellie-bear!".
*o*o*o
"Would you like to see my apartment?" Elizabeth asked her parents as the four piled in to Will's car.
"Tomorrow, kiddo." Smirked Tom, gesturing to Will, who was packing his basketball gear off the backseat and into the trunk. "I think there's a young man there who's had enough of sharing you for one night." He winked at Elizabeth. "Drop us at the hotel and spend some time just the two of you."
"Thanks Dad" smiled Elizabeth shyly.
"No problems, kiddo. It's great to see you so happy."
"I am, I really am."
*o*o*o
"Will? The turn off for campus was back there. You missed it!"
"We're not going there just yet."
"We're not?"
"Nope. We won't be too late though, if you're getting tired."
"I'm ok, just confused..."
"Good." He smiled secretively.
Will turned into a parking lot at a nature reserve and asked Elizabeth to stay in the car. He hopped out, rummaged around in the trunk of his car then disappeared into the parklands. Several times he did this, asking Elizabeth if she was still ok in the car. Elizabeth began to get concerned. Whatever was he doing?
Finally, he came around to her door and opened it, holding out his hand. He walked her down the dark path he'd trodden at least eight times, to a sharp bend.
"Close your eyes." he whispered.
"Will! It's virtually pitch black anyway! There's not even a moon- why do I need to-"
"Trust me. Please?"
Elizabeth obliged and Will placed two hands on her shoulders guiding her around the bend and forwards.
Elizabeth suddenly became aware of soft music playing.
"Open them"
Elizabeth gasped. Candles and lanterns flickered on the expanse of lawn, surrounding a picnic blanket. A beautiful cake sat in the middle of the blanket, with a single candle flickering. "I thought you might like some dancing and birthday cake to end your special day." He smiled.
"Oh Will! This is beautiful!"
"You're beautiful." He said, handing her a small box. Inside was a fine silver bracelet with a nameplate. "Ellie" It said on one side, with a date in August on the other.
"It's the first day I met you." he explained. "At Midnight Madness. My life has been different ever since that day." He slowly put the bracelet on her wrist. "I want you to always know that."
"Thank you, Will. It's perfect." She reached up until her lips met his, and he wrapped his arms around her and deepened their kiss.
"Now, which would you like next?" He murmured between kisses. "Your cake, or dancing?"
"mm, I just want to stay in your arms."
"Dancing it is then." He smiled broadly, his dimple showing.
He turned up the music, before enveloping Elizabeth once more. Her head rested against his chest, closing her eyes and breathing in time to his beating heart. She sighed in complete happiness. There they swayed to the lilting music, long after the forgotten birthday candle sputtered out.