The Learning Curve

by cuteej4

Lizzie Bennet Diaries: A series of significant and insignificant moments throughout William's and Lizzie's relationship.

25. Point of No Return

Summary:

Lizzie and William go on their first vacation together and they have a few things to celebrate.

Notes: Hey, you beautiful pineapples. I applaud your patience. This is literally my longest chapter to date. I won't keep you any longer. Get to reading.

Saturday, March 15th

William is the first one to wake on Saturday morning and gets out of bed to get dressed. He sees that Lizzie is still fast asleep when he turns off the closet light. Their flight to Seattle is at 10 am and they need to leave within the hour. He approaches her side of the bed and leans down, brushing the hair out of her face.

"Lizzie," he whispers. "Time to wake up."

"No," Lizzie mumbles. "Too early."

"We don't want to miss our flight," William softly chuckles.

"Let's sleep in," Lizzie says.

"We can sleep in all week," William says, resting a hand on her cheek. "But you need to get up for that to happen."

"Fine," Lizzie grumbles. "I need coffee though."

"I'll get right on it," William says, kissing her forehead. Lizzie rolls out of bed and drags herself into the bathroom. William heads to the kitchen to boil some water and set up the French press. He quickly goes back into the bedroom to grab something out of his sock drawer and hears the water turning off in the bathroom.

"The coffee is almost ready, Lizzie," William shouts and he hears a grunt coming from behind the bathroom door in response. He chuckles as he walks past the kitchen and double checks everything by the front door. Lizzie comes shuffling out of the bedroom a few minutes later, letting out a big yawn.

"Good morning," William says as he pours her a cup of coffee.

"Morning," Lizzie says, taking a seat at the counter. He slides the cup over to her and she breathes in the smell of coffee. She takes a sip of the hot beverage and William spots a tiny smile at the corners of her mouth.

"Better?" William asks, stirring his own coffee.

"Much," Lizzie replies with a genuine smile.

"I'm glad," William says, sipping from his cup. "We should probably get going soon. Do you want to grab breakfast on the way?"

"Well, I doubt breakfast would be that great on the plane," Lizzie says snarkily.

"Of course," William nods. "By the way, have you seen my college sweater? I was going to bring it because the weather will be colder."

"Can't say that I have," Lizzie says, quickly averting her eyes.

"Mmhmm," William narrows his eyes at her.

"You look really nice in what you're wearing. That sweater really suits you," Lizzie says flirtatiously.

"Thank you," William chuckles, shaking his head.

Once Lizzie finishes her cup of coffee, William rinses out the cups and cleans out the French press while Lizzie finishes getting ready to go. They are out the door with their luggage and on the way to the airport twenty minutes later. Once they park their car and make it through the hustle and bustle of airport security, they take a seat at their gate and wait to board.

"Excited?" William asks, putting his arm around Lizzie.

"Very," Lizzie smiles at him, slipping her hand in his. "A whole week with you and not having to deal with emails, cell phones or wifi? I've left D.E.P. in good hands. I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest. You?"

"First vacation together, first anniversary and first time really celebrating your birthday?" William gazes at her. "Can't wait."

Lizzie flashes him a cheesy grin and kisses him on the jaw before resting her head against his shoulder. William pulls out the schedule from his calendar and Lizzie's eyes light up just a little. She loves the fact that he's brought it with him but she finds out it's also holding all their reservation and rental information for the trip. She thinks about how nice it is that he is so organized because then she has very little worry to about during the next week. They go over their travel schedule for the day and before they know it, they are being called to board. Their flight is, luckily, very uneventful and they land in Seattle two hours later. After they wait for what seems like forever to get the last of their luggage, they head to the car rental agency.

"We have you down for returning the vehicle on Saturday the 22nd and both of you will be driving, correct?" the agent asks as she goes over the contract.

"Yes, that's correct," William replies and Lizzie nods.

"If you and your wife could just sign here," the agent points to the blank line and holds out a pen.

"Oh, um…girlfriend," Lizzie corrects, her cheeks turning slightly pink. William holds back a smile as he takes the pen to sign.

"I apologize," the agents says, looking embarrassed. Once they sign all the paperwork, she hands over the keys and gives them directions for where to pick up their car. As they're walking out to the parking lot, Lizzie glances over at William and sees a smug little smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Stop that," Lizzie says, nudging him.

"What am I doing?" William asks in amusement.

"That little gloat. I see it," Lizzie clucks.

"I don't know whose cheeks were rosier back there," William chuckles.

"You just liked the sound of it," Lizzie shakes her head.

"I'm not going to lie," William says, gazing at her. "I liked it very much."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Mr. Darcy," Lizzie says, trying to hide her own smile.

"I won't, Miss Bennet," William says. They find their car a few moments later and he helps Lizzie get her luggage into the back. He stealthily kisses her on the cheek and she gives him a playful look before tossing him the keys.

"Do we have time for lunch before we head to the ferry?" Lizzie asks.

"We can find a place to eat near the pier," William says, checking his pocket watch. "We have roughly an hour before we need to be at the terminal."

"Then let's get to it," Lizzie replies as she gets into the car. After they get situated and William punches directions into the GPS, they are on their way. Lizzie suggests picking up sandwiches which ends up helping them with time. They are able to eat in the car while waiting in the ferry lane that already has a few vehicles lined up. While they wait, William points out the few places he can spot from when he was there on his business trip. Once the bicyclists have boarded the ferry, they follow the line of cars and park. The ferry departs for the three hour route right on time and they both head upstairs to the observation deck. Lizzie finds a free bench that gives them a nice big view of the water and William joins her, taking hold of her hand.

"I already love this trip," Lizzie smiles.

"Yea? We haven't seen a lot," William glances at her.

"You forget that I am not a big traveler," Lizzie says, running her thumb across his wrist. "I've never been on a ferry and I get to experience it for the first time with you."

"I'm happy to share it with you," William murmurs, kissing her temple. Once the ferry gets out of the vicinity of Seattle and into open waters for awhile, Lizzie gets up and pulls William to the outside deck. She laughs as the wind makes her hair go in crazy directions and quickly goes back inside for a moment. William watches her with a grin on his face as she grabs a hair band from her bag and ties her hair back to make it more manageable. She rejoins him outside and she leans against the railing, William framing her with his body and covering her hands. After awhile, Lizzie pulls out her camera and takes a picture of the two of them. William gives her a hard time by making faces until she pouts at him and he stops. Her last picture ends up being her favorite (and the one they hang on the mantle) with him kissing her cheek and her leaning into him with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. They spend a little more time outside enjoying the scenery until the cold gets to Lizzie and they go back inside. The three hour voyage passes by quickly and there is an announcement from the Captain to return to their designated vehicles.

Lizzie and William finally exit the ferry twenty minutes later and find a small restaurant in Victoria for dinner. They are directed to a grocery store in Sooke where they buy enough food for the week and head out onto the twilight lit road.

"I'm sorry we're not getting to the resort while the sun is still up," William says after awhile, carefully navigating down the single lane highway.

"So we have something to look forward to in the morning," Lizzie smiles. "According to the map and the mile marker, we're about 10 minutes away."

"Thank you, Siri," William teases.

"Please continue SEVEN miles," Lizzie says, doing her best impression of the voice.

"Siri, how soon until I can get into bed with my girlfriend?" William asks with a smirk on his face.

"I'm sorry. I don't understand the question. Please ask again," Lizzie says with a slight giggle.

"Siri, how incredible will this vacation be?" William asks.

"I don't understand the question," Lizzie says, failing to hide the grin.

"Siri, you are no help. I'm going to throw you out the window," William chuckles.

"I'm sorry," Lizzie continues the voice. "I can be better."

"Siri, how soon until this long day of travel is over and I can spend some relaxing time alone with my girlfriend?" William asks, flashing a quick smile at Lizzie.

"According to my data, there is a sign up ahead on the left," Lizzie says excitedly, pointing.

"You are of some use still," William says as he turns on his blinker. He waits a moment and then turns onto the gravel road, pulling up to a small building. As they get out of the car, they both stretch for a moment before he grabs her hand and they head inside. They are greeted by a peppy brunette woman who looks no older than thirty five, her name tag reading 'Jeanette'.

"Good evening! Welcome to Point-no-Point resort! Are we checking in?" Jeanette asks with a smile.

"Yes, we are. We got here a little later than expected but we made it. The reservation is under Darcy," William says, pulling out his wallet with his free hand.

"One moment," Jeanette says, typing away on the computer. "Here we go. Cabin 2. Checking in today and checking out on the 22nd."

"That sounds right," William says, smiling at Lizzie when she squeezes his hand.

"Are you two on your honeymoon?" Jeanette asks sweetly.

"Ah, no," William chuckles. "Anniversary actually."

"Married a year? It's always nice to see love still strong," Jeanette says with a dreamy look on her face.

"Dating a year," Lizzie says quickly. "And a birthday. It falls on the same day."

"Oh gosh. I'm sorry. We have so many honeymooning and married couples coming here that I just assume. How sweet that you started dating on your birthday. What a present," Jeanette says.

Lizzie nods and tentatively smiles at her until she feels William's hand on her lower back. They share a knowing look before Jeanette continues.

"This is your first stay so here's a map of the grounds. Cabin 2 is the first cabin you'll see on the left. It's less than a minute down the gravel road and you can park right out front. You have a private hot tub with a beautiful view of the ocean. We don't serve breakfast but lunch is every day and dinner is every day but Monday and Tuesday. We also have tea in the afternoons," Jeanette explains. "We deliver wood and fresh towels to your door daily but you don't need to see us otherwise. There's a private beach and plenty of trails to check out while you're here. We also have a spa if you two decide to indulge during your stay. We don't have Wi-Fi but you're welcome to use the computer in the lobby if need be. You can also borrow any games or books from the lobby as well. My name is Jeanette and I am here most evenings. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask. I can have Alan set your fire up if you would like."

"Thank you very much but I think we'll be fine," William says, taking the map and both keys.

"Have a nice stay, you two," Jeanette smiles as they head back outside.

"Do we give off a newlywed vibe or something?" Lizzie asks once they get outside.

"You heard what she said. A lot of couples honeymoon here," William replies with a smile on his face, manually unlocking the door for Lizzie. She shakes her head at the smug look on his face before standing on her toes to give him a short kiss.

"Let's go," Lizzie says, still close to his lips. "This has been a long day."

"Yes, it has," William murmurs, opening the door for Lizzie. He closes the door for her and she unlocks his side. They check the map for the circled cabin and head slowly down the gravel road with the high beams on. Lizzie spots the cabin first and he pulls into the small cement driveway. William pops the trunk open to unload the luggage and groceries and Lizzie takes her key from him to open the door to their cabin. She lets the door swing open and feels around for the light switch, flipping it on when she finds it. She walks in and takes a short peek, excited about how homey everything looks.

"Will," Lizzie says as she joins him back outside to grab the food. "It's too dark to see anything right now but I can definitely hear the ocean. And the cabin is so nice!"

"Let's get this all inside so we can properly check it out," William smiles. He brings in the luggage while she sets all the groceries on the kitchen counter. They check out both bathrooms and the first bedroom.

"We totally didn't need a cabin with two bedrooms," Lizzie says as they walk into the living room.

"The only other cabins with one bedroom were attached to other cabins," William smirks. "This one specifically said it was very private."

"Ohhh. Good thinking, Mr. Darcy," Lizzie waggles her eyebrows.

"Thank you, Miss Bennet," William says quietly, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "Want to help me put the groceries away?"

"Not yet. I'm going to test out this bed," Lizzie grins as she takes off her shoes. She sprints over to the bed in the corner and sits down on it, before standing up on the mattress. "Are you sure you don't want to help?"

"Maybe next time," William chuckles as she starts bouncing on the mattress. He makes quick work of putting the food away and turns back around, watching her jump up and down.

"It's very soft," Lizzie laughs breathily. "It's just perfect for this week."

"Is that so?" William asks, raising an eyebrow. He casually walks over to her as she continues bouncing.

"Yep!" Lizzie says. He stands next to the bed for a moment as she jumps. She lets out a squeak of surprise as William grabs her legs and she falls on her back against the mattress. He hovers over her and places his hands on either side of her arms.

"I think you've had enough jumping on the bed for one night," William whispers, kissing each cheek. Lizzie sighs at the feeling of his lips but the smile on her face doesn't disappear.

"You know what I would honestly like to do right now?" Lizzie says after a few moments of his light kisses.

"Go to bed?" William chuckles.

"Yeeesss," Lizzie lets out a short laugh. "Today has been exhausting. Good but exhausting."

"Didn't help that you used the last of your energy to test the bed," William teases.

"It's mandatory for unfamiliar beds. I don't know what you're talking about," Lizzie says smugly. William stands back up and helps Lizzie off the bed before they both head for their suitcases. They shed their clothes and change into minimal sleepwear within moments. William pulls back the bed sheets and Lizzie climbs into bed with him before he covers them with the comforter.

"What do you want to do tomorrow?" William asks with a yawn.

"Let's figure it out tomorrow," Lizzie says as she snuggles against him.

---

Sunday, March 16th

Light is streaming through the window next to the bed as Lizzie and William are sleeping. Lizzie begins to stir in William's arms and his sleepy response is to pull her closer to him. She inhales deeply and slowly opens her eyes just moments before him.

"Good morning," Lizzie says quietly.

"Good morning to you," William replies, his voice still rough with sleep. "How did you sleep?"

"This bed is incredibly comfortable," Lizzie murmurs, resting her head on his shoulder.

"It really is," William says, kissing her forehead. "Maybe we'll just stay in bed one day this week."

"That sounds amazing," Lizzie grins and William arches his brow, giving her a cheeky smile.

"Today, though, I think we should do a bit of exploring," William suggests before turning his head to look outside. "Look at that view."

"If exploring shows us more of that then I am all for it," Lizzie says, sitting up. "We're so close to the ocean."

"It's a bit of a drop though. We're sitting on a 75 foot cliff," William says, pulling himself up and kissing her shoulder.

"I'll make sure not to wander," Lizzie says, flashing him a playful smile.

"How about we make some breakfast and then go check out this place?" William says, his fingers brushing against her arm.

"I'd like that," Lizzie nods and pushes down the sheets to get out of bed. She goes to change while William heads to the kitchen to make breakfast. After she throws on a pair of jeans and a comfortable sweater, she joins him in the kitchen as he's pulling out the eggs from the fridge. He smiles at her as he puts them down on the counter and pulls her into his body to kiss her, wrapping his arms around her lower back.

"Mmm," Lizzie hums, her hands resting on his shoulders. "I'll make the eggs and you can get dressed."

"You sure?" William asks as his hands begin to creep south.

"Mr. Darcy, you are being very forward," Lizzie grins. "I'm just here to make breakfast."

"I couldn't resist," William whispers in her ear and Lizzie feels a shiver down her spine.

"We have things to do today so I suggest you go change or we will never see the outside of this place," Lizzie smirks. William detangles himself from her and Lizzie slaps him on the butt as he starts to walk away.

"Now who's being forward?" William chuckles and Lizzie leans against the counter as she points to herself. William shakes his head as he walks away and Lizzie starts on breakfast.

Breakfast is delicious but the view out the windows of the ocean makes it spectacular. William and Lizzie put away their dishes and head out of the cabin, bundled up against the chilly weather. He slips his hand into hers as they begin walking up the gravel road to the private gate accessible with their key. As they start walking down the main path, Lizzie lets out a tiny squeal and bumps into William.

"What is it?" William asks, bewildered.

"What ARE those?" Lizzie asks, pointing at slimy creatures on the ground. William bends down for a closer examination.

"These would be banana slugs," William says, looking up at her. "I think they're a fan of the climate."

"I don't want to step on them," Lizzie winces as she inches away from one. William stands back up and lets out a little guffaw.

"They're large enough that you can avoid them. Just think of them as snails without their shells," William says.

"I'm not generally a fan of those either," Lizzie grumbles.

"Hop on my back until we get to the end of this path," William offers.

"What?" Lizzie says in surprise.

"I will give you a piggy back ride so you don't need to watch your step," William tilts his head and smiles.

"What's the price for this piggy back ride?" Lizzie asks, skeptically.

"Two kisses," William smirks. "One now and one later."

"Deal," Lizzie says quickly. She stands on her toes and pulls him towards her to kiss him. Once again, he wraps his arms around her tightly and sighs against her lips. As she ends the kiss, he rests his forehead against hers and she sees a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

"Payment accepted," William murmurs and Lizzie giggles. He bends his knees and she jumps on his back, wrapping her arms lightly around his neck as he cups his hands around her legs. "Secure?"

"Secure. Onward!" Lizzie teases before placing a kiss on his neck. William carefully he takes them down the shaded path. He takes exaggerated steps to make a point of how easy it is to avoid the few banana slugs that he comes across. He carries her along until they reach the start of two different trails.

"All roads lead to an ocean but which shall we take?" William asks, peering over his shoulder.

"Today….go right," Lizzie says and he turns them on the directed path. Lizzie slides off his back as the trail begins to wind and become rockier. He clasps her hand in his and they take their time as they make their way to the beach, never seeing another soul. Lizzie jumps onto the sand and does a little victory dance, which William enjoys, his face full of admiration and amusement.

"Stop staring at me," Lizzie laughs, blushing slightly.

"But I'm allowed to now," William says, beaming at her.

"Come on," Lizzie says, holding out her hand. "Let's check this beach out."

Lizzie and William spend the next few hours exploring and relaxing at the beach. It's far too cold to test out the water but they still enjoy sitting by it and each other. They find big rocks to climb and Lizzie takes a handful of pictures of them. At one point, William grabs the camera from her before she climbs a particularly big rock and starts taking pictures while she makes sillier and sillier faces in ridiculous poses. Finally she finally persuades him to join her on the rock and stop taking pictures. Once he climbs it, he sits next to her and she rests her head on his shoulder as they watch the ocean together. Time passes and the overcast clouds that were previously harmless are now beginning to darken.

"It smells like rain. We should head back before we get caught in it," William says.

"We're coming back here. The ocean is so beautiful from here," Lizzie smiles as she stands up.

"Definitely. There's more to see as well," William says as he helps her down the large rock. As they head back up the trail, a few drops start to fall so they pick up the pace. Just as they reach the end of the rocky path and go under the shade of the trees, it begins to pour. William grabs Lizzie's hand and he pulls her over to hide under a particularly thick branch. She leans against the tree and he hovers over her, attempting (and failing) to keep them dry.

"Whoops," Lizzie shrugs and William lets out a loud laugh.

"Do you want to make a run for it? We can probably get back in five minutes if we do," William suggests as the rain starts soaking through both their clothes. He catches a sparkle in Lizzie's eyes and he holds back a smirk.

"Or…" Lizzie starts, her voice sultry.

"Or…I can collect that second kiss," William says huskily. Lizzie unconsciously licks her lips as William slowly leans in. She sees drops of rain streaming down his face and hanging from his eyelashes and she has never seen his eyes look so blue before. He captures her lips with his own and she throws her arms around him as he pulls her in as close as he can. The rain is cold and their clothes are soaked through but she can still feel the heat of his body radiating off of him. She whimpers against his lips as he steps forward, pushing her back against the tree. Their tongues battle against each other and she rakes her nails through his hair, eliciting a throaty groan from William. The rain beats down on them continuously and mixes with the taste of each other. William finally pulls back after a few minutes and they gasp for breath as they share a heavy look with each other until Lizzie lets out a throaty giggle.

"I have always wanted to do that," Lizzie says.

"Kiss in the rain?" William asks, feebly attempting to wipe the falling drops off her cheek.

"Yea," Lizzie grins. "I'm glad it was with you."

"Me too," William says quietly. "We really should get going though. We're soaked."

"Good idea. We can get out of these wet clothes and into the hot shower," Lizzie says, grabbing his hand. They both run from the tree and up the trail, laughing as the rain starts to fall even harder. They reach their cabin and Lizzie's teeth are chattering as William fishes out the key from his pocket. He lets the door swing open and ushers Lizzie inside, both of them quickly pulling off their shoes and socks. William sprints into the bathroom to turn on the shower, turning up the hot water. Lizzie comes in a moment later and smiles at him even as their clothes drip on the floor. Steam slowly fills up the bathroom as they begin to peel each other's clothes off, leaving the wet pile on the floor. Despite their cold hands, they can't stop touching each other as they pull off their last layers and William moves in to kiss her again. He cups his hands around her bare thighs and lifts her up, Lizzie wrapping her legs around his body. She holds his face with her hands and she gazes at him until she sees an intense look of love wash over his face. William backs into the shower, holding her close against him as they share another passionate kiss. The steam overtakes the bathroom and their actions match the temperature as he closes the shower door.

When there is a break in the rain, Lizzie runs up to the main lodge to find a few books and a deck of cards to bring back. She gets overly excited when she finds a copy of Anna Karenina and has to hold back a squeal of delight. When she returns, she finds William by the fireplace putting in more wood and she practically pounces on him. They spend most of the day by the fire, taking turns reading out loud from the book and watching the rain fall. They take occasional breaks for food as well as some personal indulgences and they read to each other until the sun goes down.

---

Monday, March 17th

Lizzie is awoken in the morning by William nuzzling her neck. When he sees her eyes open, he pulls her in close to kiss her good morning.

"Lovely wake up call," Lizzie giggles, gazing at him. He smiles widely at her and rests a hand on her cheek, gently caressing it with his thumb.

"Happy Birthday, Lizzie Bennet," William says, his voice low.

"Thank you," Lizzie smiles. "Happy Anniversary, William Darcy."

"Oh but it's not just yet. We became a couple in the evening," William teases.

"You!" Lizzie laughs, lightly hitting him on chest. "Don't start that again."

"Happy Anniversary, love," William murmurs. "What do you want to do today?"

"You mean, you don't have some elaborate plan or expensive gift for me?" Lizzie mockingly pouts.

"That's tomorrow," William chuckles. "Today is whatever you want to do."

"You didn't!" Lizzie exclaims, pushing him on his back and sitting up. William continues looking at her with one eyebrow quirked until a hint of a smile twitches at his lips. "What did you do?"

"I may have something booked for you tomorrow," William says.

"Something booked…" Lizzie furrows her brows. "Do you mean those massages we were looking at when we checking out this place?"

"Exactly," William replies, half smiling.

"I should have known better," Lizzie rolls her eyes, resting her head on his chest and facing him.

"How often do you get a massage?" William asks, combing his fingers through her hair.

"Never," Lizzie mumbles.

"So why not for your birthday? We're on vacation. You knew I was going to break the rules at some point," William gives her a knowing look. "Technically, I didn't buy you a thing. It's a service."

"I hate you and your technicalities," Lizzie chuckles and William shrugs.

"So…breakfast in bed?" William offers.

"Yes, please!" Lizzie nods, sitting up so William can get out of bed. "I'm going to change while you get breakfast ready."

"Stay comfortable," William says as he walks into the kitchen. "The weather obviously wants us to spend the day indoors again."

"Or in bed," Lizzie teases as she runs on her toes across the cool wood. She grabs a few items of clothing from her suitcase and goes into the bathroom to change. She comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later and jumps into bed, wrapping the bed cover around her.

"You look like an Eskimo," William laughs as he turns around with breakfast in hand and sees Lizzie.

"I'm just being comfortable," Lizzie says satisfactorily. William brings her plate over to her and kisses her forehead.

"I'll be right back. Gotta change myself," William says and jogs off to the bathroom. Lizzie nibbles on her toast and watches the rain fall outside, still curled up under the cover. She doesn't even realize she's eaten half her toast until she's startled by the sound of the bathroom door creaking open. William comes out of the bathroom wearing a grey shirt and black lounge pants.

"How are you not cold?" Lizzie turns towards his direction.

"Because I'm…" William pauses and shakes his hips a little. "Hot blooded."

"Come join me on the bed, you dork," Lizzie laughs.

"With pleasure," William smiles. He settles onto the mattress next to her and she hands him a piece of toast. He sees a sliver of grey material on her arm as she does and he narrows his eyes. "What are you wearing?"

"Nothing," Lizzie presses her lips together. William pulls back the cover to reveal his college sweatshirt and an old pair of blue shorts.

"I knew you packed it!" William laughs.

"It's warmer than my sweatshirts!" Lizzie says defensively.

"Because it's too big for you," William says, shaking his head. "You can wear it all you like, Lizzie. It looks better on you than me anyway."

"Thank you," Lizzie flashes him a cheesy grin before taking another bite of her toast. They eat the rest of their breakfast in bed, clearing their plates of scrambled eggs and toast. When they finish, William takes the plates to the kitchen while Lizzie scurries to the bathroom to brush her teeth. William comes in a moment later and Lizzie gives him a playful look.

"I need fresh breath too," William says, eyebrow quirked. "You see, it's my one year anniversary today and I have a feeling I might be kissing my girlfriend once or twice."

Lizzie makes a gesture to continue as she finishes brushing her teeth before sauntering out of the bathroom and back to the bed. She jumps on the bed and wraps herself up in the comforter, staring out the window at the rainy view. She feels the bed shift a moment later and looks back to see William, smiling down at her. He leans down to kiss her forehead and then lies down, resting his head on the pillows near the headboard.

"Are you going to share?" William asks, tugging at the comforter. Lizzie unwraps herself from the comforter and throws it on him as she settles down opposite him. Her feet are near his shoulder and she uses the body pillow at the foot of the bed to prop up her head. William lays the comforter back down on them, covering everything but their feet and heads.

"It's definitely a day to spend in bed," Lizzie smiles, her foot nudging against his shoulder.

"It is," William murmurs, his fingers trailing slowly up and down her calf.

"Much different than last year," Lizzie says, letting out a small sigh. She gazes at him and can see the gears turning in his head, something she doesn't see as often anymore. "What are you thinking about?"

"You," William says, his face stoic. "Well, more about you and how different things are from a year ago."

"Is it what you expected?" Lizzie asks.

"Honestly, I didn't expect any of this," William chuckles.

"Is that good or bad?" Lizzie asks teasingly.

"All good," William smiles. "What about you?"

"Umm, I can say that I didn't have it right," Lizzie says.

"Oh? What did you think this would be like?" William asks, continuing to caress her leg.

"Maybe a bit more like you were when I was at Pemberley," Lizzie starts.

"Awkward?" William jokes.

"Nooo," Lizzie frowns. "Before you showed up at my doorstep, I didn't really know what would happen…if anything. I still thought about what you and I would be like together and…I was very wrong. I'm really glad I was wrong."

"Meaning?" William smiles.

"I'll tell you specifics if you tell me specifics," Lizzie grins, brushing her hand across his leg.

"This sounds familiar," William says. "A bit like our Confessions game awhile back?"

"Yea. Pretty much like that," Lizzie says.

"Ladies first," William says, gesturing to her.

"Alright, I think the first thing I thought was that it would be a constant struggle for affection with you," Lizzie says quietly. "You did say to me once that it was difficult for you to express yourself sometimes. I kind of expected that to run over even after we would get together."

"But-" William offers.

"But you proved me wrong the second you kissed me back," Lizzie says, failing to hide her growing smile. "And have continued to prove me wrong this whole year."

"I no longer had to hold back what I really wanted to do," William murmurs. "Finally being able to hold you, touch you…kiss you. I wasn't going to stop. I don't ever plan to stop either."

"Like I said, I'm glad I was wrong," Lizzie says, slightly blushing. "And since we're on the subject, I sure didn't expect you to be so…good."

"Proven wrong the first time?" William asks, smugly.

"And every time since then," Lizzie says, laughing throatily. William sits up and brings himself closer to Lizzie, hovering over her for a moment.

"It takes two people to make it as good as it is," William says huskily. Lizzie pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, staring up at him with hooded eyes.

"You know it," Lizzie whispers, pulling at his shirt until he bends down and kisses her. When the kiss ends, Lizzie watches him as he resumes his previous position opposite of her.

"Sooo," William says. "Anything else?"

"Besides being more affectionate, more loving and more amazing at sex than I expected?" Lizzie giggles.

"Yes, besides that," William says.

"You make me feel important," Lizzie says in a hushed tone.

"You are important though," William says, his brows furrowed.

"You just make me feel more so," Lizzie replies. "I know I have a place in this world. You just stabilized that place. You give me the confidence I need when I'm stuck. You encourage me every day despite us being competition and you comfort me when I'm stressed out or tired."

"You didn't expect that before? When Gigi said I take care of the people I care about?" William asks.

"I mean, I did," Lizzie pauses. "It's just different to be in a relationship that gives me that kind of strength and support. Hearing about it in theory is different from seeing it in practice."

"You deserve it, Lizzie," William says seriously. "You are a remarkable person. Intelligent, driven, creative, and stubborn. Those are the makings of a successful person. That is who I fell in love with."

"That's funny. That's who I fell in love with too," Lizzie smiles. She moves herself on the bed and rests her head against William's chest.

"You know what I anticipated a year ago?" William asks, combing his fingers through her hair.

"What?" Lizzie asks, looking over to him.

"The simple hope of you no longer hating me. I couldn't bring myself to put thoughts of a possible relationship into my head again," William replies. "I learned from my mistakes. I mean, I obviously hoped that your feelings had changed but I couldn't imagine that it was as much as you loving me back. I was never so happy to be so wrong in my life."

"If you really paid attention to my videos, you would have seen it," Lizzie says, looking away.

"I can see it now. I've re-watched them a few times on business trips," William admits. "I was just too much in my head to notice it before."

"You re-watch my videos?" Lizzie asks in surprise.

"I do," William says, his voice low. "If I can't sleep but I don't want to call you and wake you, I'll watch a few. The last few."

"Those are my favorite," Lizzie whispers, unable to contain her smile. She turns to her side and grabs his free hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Mine too, love," William says before adding. "So basically, I think we're both saying that what we expected was not as wonderful as what it is now."

"I would agree with that," Lizzie nods. "And we're both happy to have been proven wrong."

"Of course. For once," William chuckles. He brings their entwined hands up to his lips and kisses her hand.

"Anything else you'd like to confess, Mr. Darcy?" Lizzie teases.

"Nothing you don't already know, Miss Bennet," William says, lifting one eyebrow.

"Indulge me," Lizzie eggs him on.

"Are you fishing for more compliments?" Williams asks.

"It IS my birthday. You're supposed to shower me with love and affection," Lizzie says smugly.

"I am, am I?" William laughs. "You're not getting tired of me telling you how beautiful I think you are? How you take my breath away when you walk into a room? How you light up my entire world when you smile? You know I could go on for ages but your ego is just so big today."

"Will!" Lizzie buries her face in his chest, her hair hiding her features.

"You can't hide," William teases, moving her hair from her face. Lizzie giggles as she moves away from him and tries to burrow under the comforter, William grabbing her leg before she disappears.

"Where are you going? You said you wanted love and affection. You can't get away from that," William smirks. She squeals with laughter as he drags her closer to him while he sits on his knees. William leans over her and she quickly throws the hoodie of her sweatshirt over her head, pulling on the strings to hide. "We're just going to take this off so you can't use it to your advantage."

"Noo!" Lizzie yells out, still laughing. William pushes the bottom of her sweatshirt up, revealing a black tank top. She keeps her arms firm to her sides until William starts tickling her and she gives up. He pulls the sweatshirt up over her head and pushes the hair away from her face.

"There you are," William murmurs, smiling at her. He runs his thumb across her cheek and feels her smile growing against his hand. She places a kiss on his palm and he takes a deep breath. "I love you, Lizzie Bennet. I love you more and more every day."

Lizzie visibly swallows and gives him a sincere look. "I love you, William Darcy. You're it for me."

William pulls Lizzie into his lap and wraps his arms tightly around her, resting his head in the crook of her neck. Lizzie wraps her arms around his neck, breathing him in. They hold each other close while the sound of rain fills up the heavy silence. They both have so much to say but cannot find the words. Unspoken promises and their unwritten future are coursing through them and it fuels their love for each other.

"Thank you for the last year," William whispers, bringing his head up. Lizzie pulls back and beams at him which, in turn, makes his face light up.

"It's been a wonderful year," Lizzie says quietly. "I look forward to more."

"Many more," William adds, beaming at her. They share a look and it sends goosebumps across Lizzie's arms.

"Hey," Lizzie says after a moment. "Do you know what I just remembered?"

"What's that?" William asks, his hands idly moving up and down her back.

"It's also St. Patrick's Day," Lizzie says with a glint in her eye.

"Uh oh," William smirks. "You're not wearing any green I see."

"Au contraire," Lizzie grins. "But I am."

"None that I can see," William says, his eyes moving up and down.

"You're just not looking hard enough," Lizzie says, pulling aside the strap of her tank top to reveal a light green bra strap.

"The thing is," William says in an even tone. "You need to have it properly showing for all to see. You can't go flashing your bra strap to everyone."

"That's the rule? Okay then," Lizzie says, reaching for the bottom hem of her shirt and lifting it over her head. "Is that better?"

"Much," William says, admiring the bra and brushing his fingers along one cup.

"I have to turn the tables because all I see on you is grey and black," Lizzie grins. "I am more than willing to pinch anywhere I can."

"Let's see if it's under here," William jokes, pulling his shirt over his head. He looks down and then gives Lizzie a faux disappointed look. "That didn't work as well as it did for you."

"I like the view," Lizzie says, letting her fingers trail up his bare skin. "Still doesn't show me the green though."

Lizzie pushes him back on the bed and he chuckles. She crawls up his body until she comes face to face with him and leans in for a measured kiss. William's hands wander and grip her waist, pulling her towards him before he flips them over.

"Sorry, love," William smirks as he brings himself to his knees. "I'm far too curious to see if you have any more green on."

"Look for yourself," Lizzie says, biting her bottom lip. His hands move slowly up her legs and reach her shorts. He moves under the hem of her loose shorts and quirks an eyebrow when he feels lace underneath his fingers. Lizzie throws him a wicked look and he takes his hands from inside her shorts only to pull them off. She notes the satisfied look on his face as he sees the matching green underwear.

"I've got one for you," William says, his voice deep. "I never expected to love lace so much. You look absolutely sexy."

"I never expected to love it so much either. You know…you make me feel sexy," Lizzie says before adding. "I've shown you mine so I think you need to show me yours."

William laughs and Lizzie pushes him back on the bed once again.

"What have you got hiding under these?" Lizzie says playfully, tugging at his pants. She starts to pull them off and she falls onto her back in a fit of laughter as she sees that his green boxers covered in green four leaf clovers. "Where did you get those?"

"It was a gag gift from Fitz a long time ago," William smirks as he sits up, pulling his pants off and tossing them to the ground. "I thought you would get a kick out of them."

He hovers over her as her laughter subsides only to start back up again.

"I'm sorry!" she says as she laughs. "They're not even that bad! William Darcy in themed boxer briefs just for me."

"Another thing to put on the list of something we didn't expect," William laughs softly, lying on his side next to her as his fingers trace along her thigh.

"Mmmhmm," Lizzie hums, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. "I think…you'll just have to get rid of them."

"You think so?" William quirks an eyebrow as his fingers brush across the lace of her underwear. "You'll have to get rid of yours. Too distracting."

"Which is more distracting? Top or bottom?" Lizzie teases. Her eyes flutter for a moment as William's fingers get dangerously close to her center.

"Both are equally distracting," William says huskily. "But the bottoms will have to go first."

"Be my g-guest," Lizzie stutters as William teases her. He gives her a smoldering look as he peels off her green lace underwear, Lizzie lifting her hips to help. She reaches behind to unclasp her bra and William slides it down her arms before letting it fall to the floor.

"Do you think I should leave mine on?" William asks with a gleam in his eyes. He kisses her stomach and his thumbs brush against her breasts.

"I may not keep my composure," Lizzie sighs, a hint of a smile breaking through. William gets on his knees and removes his boxers before twirling them in the air. Lizzie lets out a loud laugh as he shoots them across the room before settling between her legs.

"Better?" William asks as he places kisses along her jaw line.

"I have a better view now," Lizzie smiles widely, resting her hands on his back.

"A better view, huh?" William chuckles as he hitches Lizzie's legs over the back of his thighs.

"One of my favorites," Lizzie sighs and lets her head fall back as he presses himself against her.

"Is it really?" William asks, his voice thick with lust. He drags his tongue across her neck and he hears a whimper coming from Lizzie. He feels her buck against him as he sits poised against her entrance, feeling a surge of power going through his veins.

"Y-yes," Lizzie gasps out as he brings his fingers between them. He teases her slowly and methodically until her nails are digging into his back. It's a sensation that sends him out of control and he wants her too much to even think anymore. He slides into her unhurriedly and she lets out a sigh of relief, William reveling the feeling of being inside her once more. They share a look that seems to be a mixture of pure happiness and aching need. Lizzie lets out a giddy laugh and William can't help but laugh with her. As he thrusts slowly into her, he peppers kisses across her face, which makes Lizzie giggle even more. After a few moments, Lizzie sighs out contently and kisses along William's shoulder as he keeps a slow pace. They keep locking eyes as they slide against each other, sharing kisses and moaning from their lips. Where he once wanted to hurry, William now wants to make this moment last. They are in a bubble of joy as Lizzie wraps herself tighter around him and he doesn't want it to burst. He shares his need and love with Lizzie as he keeps thrusting, Lizzie encouraging him with heavier and heavier moans. She arches her back and he pushes himself in deeper, his rhythm starting to pick up. Lizzie begins to drag her nails across his back and he knows she is making a mark. He groans, knowing it's not the first time and it won't be the last. Her breath catches in her throat as she feels the pleasure start to build up. He knows how close she is and he is not far behind. William teases her once more with his fingers and she lets out a louder moan at the extra help. She pulls her legs up high against his torso and locks her ankles, her mouth falling open at the new sensation of pleasure. Only a few more strokes from William and Lizzie falls over the edge, moaning in ecstasy. William grabs Lizzie's leg and drapes it over his shoulder as he works to join her. Lizzie clutches at his back and looks at him with hooded eyes as he pumps into her, nearing that final step. He lets out a loud groan as he finds his own release, holding onto Lizzie as the heady feeling washes over him.

He rests his head against her chest and hears the hum of satisfaction from Lizzie. She combs her fingers through his dampened hair as they stay in each other's arms, their breathing slightly labored.

"Happy anniversary," William mumbles against her skin.

"We should celebrate all our anniversaries in bed," Lizzie murmurs.

"Is there any other way?" William asks, smiling at her.

"Not that I know of," Lizzie grins.

True to their word, William and Lizzie spend nearly all day in bed. They only get up to add wood to the fire, make each other food and find entertainment. Every time it's Lizzie's turn to read from Anna Karenina, she stands up on the bed and dramatically uses a dramatically different voice for each character. William keeps laughing as she stands above him, yelling passionately as one of the characters. He finally gives in to Lizzie's plea and he attempts voices while he reads but chooses to lie beside her as he does so. Long after the sun goes down and the rain turns to a drizzle, the couple falls asleep, letting the fire slowly die out.

---

Tuesday, March 18th

William is met with cloudy skies when they wake up. While it may not be sunny, it's better weather than having it rain all day long. He has set up Lizzie's massage for mid morning, knowing that it will be almost three hours. He will have a little time to himself which he is normally okay with but he's gotten used to being with Lizzie all the time.

"What are you going to do while I'm being pampered?" Lizzie asks, tying a loose knot to close her robe.

"Maybe go up to the lodge and checks a few emails. Explore a little more," William replies, looking up from tying his shoes.

"Without me?" Lizzie pouts.

"If I find somewhere good, I will go back with you," William smiles. "Besides, you won't even notice I'm gone."

"Maybe a little," Lizzie says, holding up her thumb and forefinger.

"Just a little? That's good to know," William says, leaning in to kiss her temple. "You just relax and enjoy your massage."

"I'll try," Lizzie says.

"It comes with chocolate," William quirks an eyebrow, hearing the crunching sound of gravel under tires outside. "I do believe your masseuse is here."

"What if it's a man?" Lizzie teases.

"I specifically requested it be a woman," William chuckles, shaking his head.

"Oh you just think of everything," Lizzie grins, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge. They hear a knock on the door and turn to the noise.

"I'll get it," William says, heading to the door. He answers it and a woman wearing all white stands at the entrance.

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I'm the masseuse. My name is Rachel," she says, holding out her hand.

"Pleased to meet you," William says, shaking her hand. "She should be in the bedroom. I'm just going to head out but I should be back by the time you're done."

"Not a problem, Mr. Darcy," Rachel smiles and William ushers her in before going outside. "I will take good care of your wife."

William pauses and turns around to let her know about Lizzie but she's already closing the door and he sees that he has lost the chance. He wonders how long it will be before Lizzie corrects her and he's sure he'll hear about it when he returns. A smile plays at the corner of his lips and he stuffs his hands in his pockets, heading towards the main lodge. At the last minute, he turns away from the lodge and towards the gate to explore. A long walk sounds more relaxing than checking emails and he's pretty sure that Fitz has a handle on everything anyway.

William returns from exploring around three hours later and he sees that he has perfect timing. He walks up to the cabin just as the masseuse is coming out and she nods at him.

"Hello, Mr. Darcy! Nice timing. I was just on my way out," Rachel says, putting a few things in her car. "Mrs. Darcy fell asleep just as I was finishing. A lot of clients do. Make sure that she drinks a lot of water. Massages tend to dehydrate."

"Oh okay," William says, a smile creeping on his lips. He's slightly taken aback that she's still calling Lizzie his wife but it's definitely too late to correct her now. He pulls out his money clip and Rachel begins to protest.

"You already included the tip with your payment," Rachel says, holding a hand up.

"It's no trouble, Rachel," William says, handing her a Canadian bill.

"Thank you. That's very kind of you," Rachel says, reluctantly taking the money.

"You deserve it. You've done more than enough for Lizzie," William says, glancing inside the cabin.

"Any time. Have a good day," she replies, getting in her car. He watches her drive away and stands there for a moment. The moment she called Lizzie his wife, he felt his heart expand to exponential amounts. Of course, it has happened a few times on this trip already but it hits him differently this time. He wonders how it will feel when he can honestly call her his wife. There is another word that comes between girlfriend and wife and that word puts a huge smile to his face. He tells himself that it's only a matter of time. He can see it in Lizzie's eyes that she's almost there. He doesn't want to rush this. They just hit their one year anniversary and for now, that's enough.

William heads inside and closes the door quietly behind him. He slips off his shoes and pads softly to the kitchen to get a glass of water before heading to the open bedroom to find Lizzie lying across the bed asleep. He walks up to her and leans down, lightly brushing hair from her face. Lizzie makes a little noise and her eyelids flutter before they slowly open. Her eyes begin to focus and he sees a little smile as she notices him.

"Hey there, sleeping beauty," William says softly.

"Hi," Lizzie answers, her voice groggy.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" William asks, his knuckles brushing across her cheek.

"It was nice," Lizzie smiles.

"Mrs. Darcy?" William asks, his eyebrow quirked.

"Noo," Lizzie sighs out. "I introduced myself as Lizzie but halfway through the massage, she started calling me that. It was way too late to correct her."

"Logical," William says with amusement. Lizzie turns to her side and curls into herself.

"Stop looking so smug," Lizzie says, laughing lightly.

"I'm doing nothing of the sort," William chuckles before holding up the glass of water. "Now, she told me that you should be hydrating so drink up."

"Thank you," Lizzie says, sitting up and taking the glass from him. She takes a big gulp and her eyes follow him as he stands up, walking over to the kitchen table.

"Are these the chocolates?" William asks, lifting the box up. "They look good."

"We're sharing them," Lizzie says and William glances at her and smiles. "How was your alone time?"

"I found a new place you would really enjoy. Maybe we can go tomorrow afternoon," William says, picking up a piece of chocolate and popping it in his mouth.

"I'd like that," Lizzie grins, standing on her toes and kissing him on the cheek.

---

Wednesday, March 19th

"So, where are you taking me?" Lizzie asks, William holding her hand as they continue down the unfamiliar path.

"Patience, Miss Bennet," William smirks at her. "I have a feeling you'll like it though."

"Okay," Lizzie says, looking at him. "But only because I trust you."

"That's all I ask," William says, his face passive. Lizzie squeezes his hand and he squeezes it in return. They spent most of the morning inside the cabin because of the rain and Lizzie could see the disappointment on his face. The clouds finally parted in the late afternoon and William practically dragged her out of the cabin, happy to see the sun for once. Lizzie has fallen in love with this place and lets William know at every moment. Despite her loving their rain soaked days here, she also loves when the sun comes out. The sunshine gives her an entirely different view of the place that's even more breathtaking.

Lizzie sees something out of the corner of her eye and tugs at William's hand to stop. He turns to look at her and she puts a finger up to her mouth to stay quiet. He leans in close and wraps his arms around her waist as she points into the distance in the woods at two deer. They remain still and watch the deer for a few moments as they graze on the dew laced leaves. There's a crack in the silent air and both deer look up quickly before prancing away.

"That's not something you'd normally see in San Francisco," Lizzie says quietly, looking at William.

"Yesterday, I came across a few raccoons. The front desk said they're pretty friendly around here," William muses. "Come on, we're almost there."

They keep walking down the path a little longer and the sound of the ocean gets louder. They reach a clearing and a beach house stands in front of them. William opens the wooden door and leads them into the partially open beach house. There are a handful of chairs along with tables and benches, all facing the calming ocean. William takes the chair nearest to the open pit fireplace. He pats the chair next to him and Lizzie smiles, sitting on his lap instead.

"Hello there," William chuckles as she drapes her legs over his lap and wraps her arms around his shoulders.

"Hi," Lizzie smiles as he rests one hand around her waist and the other on her thigh. She rests her head against his and they watch the ocean for a few moments. "I'm glad you brought me here."

"I thought you would like it," William says quietly, closing his eyes as she kisses his temple.

Lizzie looks back out at the ocean, watching the sun glitter across the water. She loves the sunsets in San Francisco but there is something different about the ones up here. There's no buildings obstructing their view or cars honking in the background. It's calming to be here in William's arms, seeing the numerous colors painted across the sky. She glances at William and he smiles brightly at her, seeing on his face what she feels inside.

"I'm happy to be here with you," William says quietly.

"I am too. I love this place," Lizzie says.

"I love you," William murmurs, resting his forehead against her temple. "You make me happier than I've ever been."

"You make me so happy, it's kind of disgusting," Lizzie grins and William laughs. "We're just so nauseatingly good together."

"No wonder my sister moved out," William chuckles. Lizzie places her hands on either side of his face and smiles at him before they share a short kiss.

"I'm glad she did," Lizzie says, waggling her eyebrows.

"We are disgusting," William smirks. "I'm not changing anytime soon though."

"You better not," Lizzie says. "It's part of what I love about you so much."

William kisses her forehead and gazes intensely at her for a few moments.

"Hey. I have something for you," William murmurs.

"What…" Lizzie says, furrowing her brows. She watches him as he reaches into his pocket and her breath catches. He pulls out a small box and time stands still for Lizzie. This split second before he hands her the box, her mind goes to what it could be. In this split second, she thinks it's an engagement ring and he's going to ask her to marry him. In this split second, her mind is prepared to say yes because it's what she wants to say and not what she's pressured to say. In this split second, she has taken those last few steps and caught up to William. It's this split second that passes so quickly, she barely registers that William has opened the box and placed it in her hand. That fleeting feeling has passed with the breeze and she sees earrings in the box, but there is no disappointment and there is no confusion. She glances at him and they share a knowing look, Lizzie seeing the glint in his eyes. A genuine smile works at the corners of her lips and she examines the earrings more closely.

"I bought these in Seattle with the necklace," William says as she takes the earrings out of the box. "So I bought these before you said no presents."

"They are gorgeous, Will," Lizzie says, putting on the emerald earrings. "How do I look?"

"The sunset doesn't compare to you," William whispers.

"Cheesy," Lizzie giggles. "But I like it. Thank you."

"You're welcome," William replies as he pulls her in closer against his lap. She rests her head on his shoulder and he kisses the top of her head. They sit in comfortable silence as they watch the sun slowly set and listen to the crackling of the fire beside them.

---

Thursday, March 20th

Another sunny day for Lizzie and William opens up exploration possibilities. They pack up the car and drive to the Sooke potholes, going on a hike that takes up their whole morning. After stopping for lunch, they finally make their way back to their cabin and Lizzie collapses in the chair on the porch.

"That was fun," Lizzie says, taking the bottle of water from William.

"Glad we had the chance to go before we leave," William says, sitting in the chair next to her.

"Me too," Lizzie glances to the left of them, at the hot tub, and grins. "You know what else we haven't had a chance to do yet?"

William looks in the same direction as her and smirks. "That sounds like a perfect plan after this morning."

"I'm going to change," Lizzie says and she gets up, William following closely behind her. She looks over her shoulder and gives him a funny look.

"I have to change too!" William chuckles. Lizzie grabs something from her suitcase and runs into the second bathroom. William quickly strips down and pulls on his red bathing shorts before putting on his robe. He grabs two wine glasses from the cabinet and the bottle of wine in the fridge before heading outside and setting up the hot tub. He pours two glasses of wine and sets them on the small table besides the hot tub before removing his robe and getting in. Lizzie comes out a few moments later, her robe secured around her waist.

"You started without me, I see," Lizzie says, standing on the bottom step.

"Maybe you should join me," William quirks an eyebrow.

"If you insist," Lizzie grins and slips out of her robe, revealing a two piece blue and white string bikini. She sees the look on William's face and feels smug as she slowly dips into the water, sitting across from him.

"That is new," William says, his voice slightly husky.

"I bought it just for this vacation. For your eyes only," Lizzie says, leaning her back against the wall of the hot tub.

"How considerate of you," William smirks. He hands Lizzie a glass of wine and they toast to each other, clinking their glasses. Lizzie giggles as William loops his arm around hers and they take a sip. Lizzie places her glass on the ledge and sits back, taking a deep breath.

"This feels so nice," Lizzie says, closing her eyes and resting her head on the lip of the hot tub. "We should have done this sooner."

"The weather didn't permit us to," William says, not taking his eyes off her. She opens her eyes and catches his intense gaze, suddenly thankful that the steam rising from the hot tub hides her blush. She's pretty sure she will never get used to his powerful stare because she knows what it means now. There is absolute love in that gaze and it is mixed with unadulterated lust. She can tell what he's thinking with one look and she knows how much of an improvement it is from before. More than a year ago, a look like that would only leave her feeling confused. Now, it fills her up with happiness and excitement. Now, it makes her return the same gaze so William knows she feels the same. They can have full conversations expressed solely by certain looks and it's one of the numerous things she loves about their relationship.

"You are too far away. Come sit by me," Lizzie says, holding out her hand. He clasps her hand and glides through the water, over to her. He drapes an arm around her and she rests her head against his shoulder as she idly plays with his hand.

"I don't think I could ever get tired of this view," William says after a few minutes, staring out at the ocean.

"Mmmm. Me neither," Lizzie sighs. "I think we sound like broken records this week."

William chuckles. "At least the track is nice to listen to."

"Can't argue there," Lizzie murmurs, kissing his neck. "You need a shave soon."

"Thought you liked the scruff," William smiles.

"I do. Very much. Just sayin'," Lizzie whispers, rubbing her thumb across his stubble. She grins against his skin and kisses his neck again. William moves his head slightly to the left as Lizzie continues moving her lips across his damp skin. She moves from his right and grins as she straddles him, William cupping her waist with his hands. Lizzie's hands slide from his shoulder to his neck, flashing him a look with her hooded eyes. His fingers spread out across her waist as she leans in to give him a slow and passionate kiss. He moves his hands to her lower back and pulls her in close to his body as she sweeps her tongue across his upper lip. When she pulls back, she has captured his bottom lip between her teeth and he lets out a tiny groan. She moves her lips across his jaw line, licking the droplets of water from his skin. Lizzie revels in the feeling of his stubble rubbing against her chin. Unconsciously, William's hands move up her back and tug at the back strings of her bikini until it becomes loose.

"Cheeky!" Lizzie says, pulling back. She holds her top against her body and he smirks.

"I've come to the conclusion you bought this," William says, fingering the tie at her neck. "For easy removal."

"So presumptuous, Mr. Darcy," Lizzie says. "We're outside."

"We may be outside but it's very private," William quirks an eyebrow. "I haven't seen more than two people this whole week."

"Will you keep me warm?" Lizzie asks, pulling at her bottom lip.

"I can turn up the temperature of the tub," William offers. "But I think we may be able to keep each other warm if we continue."

"Will you think me wanton?" Lizzie asks, slightly more playful.

"Whatever you want, Miss Bennet," William answers.

"Then you came to the correct conclusion, Mr. Darcy," Lizzie says, moving her hands away from her top and placing them on his bare chest. William works to untie the strings around her neck and she lets her top fall into the water. He begins kissing across her collar bone and one hand covers a breast, eliciting a soft sigh from Lizzie. She leans back a little in his lap and he moves his lips down to the valley of her breasts while he pinches one nipple. Lizzie has a firm grip on his shoulders and her hair dips into the water as he continues. She can feel the stark difference of the cold air biting her exposed breast while William nips and drags his tongue across the other. It is oddly arousing to feel the temperature difference and she lets out a squeak as he pulls at her nipple with his teeth. His scruff rubs against the softness of her skin but it only makes her want him more. Electricity shoots straight to her core and she is hyper aware of every movement as his lips travel across each breast. She can sense his hands moving to her sides and feels the tug of her string bottoms, closing her eyes as her only layer is pulled away.

"A very convenient bikini," William rasps, pulling her bottoms out of the water. "How do you feel now?"

"Wet," she smirks as she leans in close to his ear. "Everywhere."

"Filthy," he growls as she gives him a smug look. She scoots in closer to his lap and feels his arousal straining against the fabric. William lets out a small groan and his fingers dig into the skin of her back. Lizzie moves one hand slowly down his chest until she reaches his pelvis and brushes against him.

"Off. Now," Lizzie demands, staring into his eyes. William wastes no time in removing his trunks, kicking them off and letting them float to the surface. Lizzie licks her lips and slowly wraps her hand around his arousal, grinning as William's eyes slam shut. She begins moving her hand up and down, turning her wrist in a fluid motion. He groans as she continues and his hand wanders to the apex of her thighs. She lets out a gasp as he starts to stroke her and she uses her free hand to pull him in for a searing kiss. Lizzie whimpers against his lips as their tongues battle against each other. The mixture of the hot water surrounding her body, his fingers working to pleasure her and his tongue moving along the roof of her mouth is nearly overwhelming. The feeling is intense in the best way and she breaks off the kiss with a loud moan.

"I want you so much right now," Lizzie says thickly, gripping him just a little harder.

"God, Lizzie. Me too," William replies, his voice dark and gravelly. She peers into his eyes, now black as night, and she loses all patience. He moves his hands to her hips and she guides him in gradually, both groaning at the connection. She stills for a moment, drinking in the familiar and pleasurable sensation of fullness. An ache begins to build and she pulls herself up, only to sink down on him again. William leans back against the wall of the hot tub and plants his feet against the fiberglass floor. It gives Lizzie the control and she knows how much he loves it when she is in control. She rests her arms on his shoulders and combs her fingers through his hair as she moves her hips up and down on him. The heated water splashes around them as Lizzie swivels her hips and William thrusts, clutching her body hard enough to leave a mark later on. She takes her bottom lip between her teeth as she pulls herself up once again and then slams down on him, William throwing his head back and groaning from pleasure. She grips fistfuls of his hair as she grinds hard into him and William rests his head against the lip of the hot tub, his mouth parted. Lizzie catches his hooded gaze as their pace increases and she feels more coveted now than ever before. The way he pulls her in closer with his arms wrapped around her back and groans in the crook of her neck as she rocks back and forth is exhilarating. She feels as if every nerve is slowly becoming exposed and William is meticulously covering them back up. She knows she is about to snap as the build up becomes nearly unbearable. She is unprepared for just how powerful her orgasm is and loudly cries out William's name as her entire body shakes in his arms. William feels her waves of pleasure surrounding him and he bites down on her shoulder as he finds his own release.

As her body slows down to normal, William pulls himself up and holds Lizzie close against his chest. Lizzie places slow kisses on his neck, feeling the reverberation in his voice against her lips as he whispers his love and affection for her. She moves back and softly smiles at him, brushing her thumb across his scruffy cheek. He keeps her close, wrapped in his arms a few more minutes before Lizzie realizes something and lets out a small noise.

"Do you think anybody heard me?" Lizzie asks, slightly embarrassed.

"You weren't that loud," William says, slightly smirking.

"But I was loud…" Lizzie trails off.

"I think we were both just in the moment," William assures her.

"Very much so," Lizzie murmurs, her eyes flickering between his eyes and lips. She leans in and hovers mere centimeters from his lips. They share a passionate kiss before Lizzie pulls back.

"Maybe the raccoons heard," William whispers, a smiling twitching at the corner of his mouth. Lizzie's shoulders slump and she smacks him across the chest. "Hey! I'm still sensitive!"

"You are such a tease," Lizzie says, narrowing her eyes.

"That may be so," William says. "But guess who taught me?"

"I guess I do…rub off on you," Lizzie smirks.

"You little minx," William growls and raises one eyebrow. "How about we go inside…maybe you can rub off on me some more."

"Sounds delightful," Lizzie laughs.

---

Friday, March 21st

The weather grants William and Lizzie more sunshine on their last full day of vacation. They pack up a small lunch and take a drive out to see the Fisgard Lighthouse, the first lighthouse in Canada and still in operation. Despite the sun being out, it ends up being very chilly and she is thankful for Jane's hats. She makes sure to take a picture with William as they both wear them with the lighthouse in the background. Lizzie takes delight in how William reads facts about the historical site and she is weirdly reminded of when they toured San Francisco. She sees the stark difference between the two days and she takes his hand in hers, entwining their fingers. William is surprised by her quick action but squeezes her hand before gently smiling in her direction.

Once they've enjoyed their little picnic lunch and thoroughly explored the grounds, they choose to head back to the cabin. Lizzie reminds him on the way that they still have a hundred pages to read of Anna Karenina. He is convinced they will finish before their dinner reservation at the lodge restaurant and she is determined too. When they get back, William starts a fire and grabs the book from the bedside table. He takes the reins and Lizzie lets him finish up the book as she rests her head in his lap. His fingers comb through her hair as he reads out loud, Lizzie listening to the sound of his voice and the flames licking the side of the fireplace. Late into the afternoon, William dramatically reads the last few lines of the book and slams the book shut. They share a look of accomplishment and both take a deep breath.

"Can't believe we actually finished it," Lizzie says, getting up from his lap.

"It's quite a story," William replies, putting the book down on the table.

"What time is it? When is the reservation?" Lizzie asks, looking around for a clock.

"It's um," William pauses as he pulls out his watch. "It's 4:45. Dinner is in an hour so we should get ready."

"No problem," Lizzie says, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to hop in the shower."

William is waiting by the door later when Lizzie emerges from the bathroom, modest heels on and hair all curled.

"I'm all dressed up and I have somewhere to go," Lizzie says, flashing him a cheesy grin before twirling around and showing off her black dress.

"Yes, we do," William chuckles. "You look gorgeous, love."

"Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself." Lizzie says as she straightens up his tie. "Shall we?"

"We shall," William says, holding out her coat and helping her put it on. He ushers her out the door and double checks the lock before slipping the key in his pocket. She waits for him and holds out her hand, smiling as he takes it. They slowly walk up the gravel road and reach their destination only two minutes later. The bell rings as they enter the restaurant attached to the lodge.

"Good evening," the hostess greats them. "Reservation name?"

"It's under Darcy," William answers.

"Ah yes. The table in the corner. Perfect time for it too," she smiles as she grabs two menus. "Follow me."

The hostess leads them to the corner table overlooking the steep Cliffside, trees and the ocean. William pulls out Lizzie's chair for her before sitting down himself. The hostess hands them both a menu and tells them their waiter will be there in a moment. Their waiter is prompt and informs them of the evening's specials as well as the bottles of wine available. William asks for a bottle of red wine before letting Lizzie order. The waiter takes the menus from them and retreats, leaving them alone to enjoy the view. William covers her hand with his and she gives him a small smile.

"I can't get over this view. I've been looking at it all week and it's different every time," Lizzie says, staring out the window. "And now you go and request the table with the best view just at sunset. You're tricky."

"It's definitely in my top two views," William says, watching the sun gleam over the water.

"That's impressive considering how many places you've been," Lizzie says, looking at him. "What's your other one?"

"You should know that by now," William murmurs, gazing at her. Lizzie makes the connection and looks away to hide the flush in her cheeks. His thumb moves gently across the top of her wrist and she lets out a happy sigh. "So…Would you say this was a good choice for our first vacation?"

"Will, this place was perfect. I've never felt more relaxed. We should make a point to come back here another time," Lizzie says.

"For our honeymoon?" William asks, emboldened by recent events.

"Nooo," Lizzie replies quickly and William thinks he pushed it too far. "Warmer is better. Warmer means fewer layers."

"Right. How could I have made that mistake?" William shakes his head, masking the joy in his voice.

"You're not the one helping your sibling plan a wedding and aiding her in choosing the best destination for her honeymoon," Lizzie chuckles. "I feel like I'm an expert now."

"Is that so? Where would you suggest then?" William asks, slightly amused.

"Somewhere tropical where our wardrobe would basically consist of bathing suits," Lizzie says before lowering her voice. "And each other."

"As long as that blue and white one makes an appearance," William grins.

"Maybe I'll have a few new ones as well," Lizzie teases and William quirks up an eyebrow.

"Sounds lovely," William says. Lizzie softly laughs and rests her head against her free hand, looking at him. They watch the sun slowly dip into the water, memorizing every detail of the last sunset on their vacation. From the rich pink and orange colors reflecting against the clouds to the clinking of silverware against glass plates, everything becomes engrained into one excellent memory for the two of them. It's only a few minutes later that the moment is broken as the waiter comes to the table with their food. They thank him and share a small smile before unlinking their hands and enjoying a delicious meal.

---

Saturday, March 22nd

Saturday is another day full of travel for Lizzie and William. They are both reluctant to leave and have an early breakfast outside, soaking in their surroundings for the last time. Once the car is packed up and Lizzie makes three trips inside to check everything, they are back on the road. Lizzie snaps a picture of the resort sign from the side view mirror as they drive away and then settles back into her seat.

They arrive in Victoria with little time to spare and are one of the last cars to be led onto the ferry. William and Lizzie exit the car and watch from the back of the boat as Victoria slowly gets smaller and smaller. Just before they make their way up to the lounge, the Captain gets on the loud speaker and announces that there is a pod of whales on the starboard side. Lizzie grabs William's hand and rushes over to the left side, catching a glimpse of the whales and managing to get a few pictures. They enjoy the view of the orcas peeking out at them and Lizzie thinks it's a great sendoff for their vacation. When they're sure that the whales are out of sight, Lizzie and William head upstairs to find an empty bench. Lizzie pulls out her phone, which has been turned off for most of the week and grimaces.

"How many messages do you think I have?" Lizzie asks, staring at the black screen.

"Factor in birthday messages and maybe one or two progress reports from work," William pauses and looks off to the side. "I'll guess ten."

"Let's see about that," Lizzie says, hesitating for a moment before finally turning it on. A slew of notifications come pouring in and she groans. "22 text messages and…14 voicemails?! What the heck."

"You'd better check those," William says and Lizzie narrows her eyes at him.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious. I'll be right back," Lizzie says before kissing his cheek. William watches Lizzie as she leans against the railing outside and listens to her messages. Quickly, he can tell from the look on her face that the first one is from her mother and he chuckles to himself. He pulls out his own phone and turns it on, pleasantly surprised to only find six voicemails. Two of them are from Bing, one about wedding plans and the other about enjoying his vacation. Three of them are from Fitz which pertain to work and the last one is from Gigi, reminding him to bring her a souvenir. When he finishes checking his messages, he looks up and sees a frowning Lizzie still listening to hers. She finally returns ten minutes later and flops down next to him.

"Were they work related?" William asks with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I only had two work voicemails. I knew I could trust Andrea," Lizzie says. "Four were birthday messages."

"Well, that leaves eight," William frowns.

"All from my mother," Lizzie says with agitation.

"You're joking!" William says, his eyes widening. Lizzie glares at him before holding up a hand as if to count.

"Happy birthday. My baby is so grown up," Lizzie starts, holding up a finger for each message. "I hope you're having a good time. Are you engaged yet? When am I going to be a grandmother? Are you engaged yet? It's not too late! You and Jane could have a double weddin'. Are you engaged yet?"

"Hold on," William says in a teasing tone and patting his pockets. "Did I forget to do something on this vacation? It must be around here somewhere."

"Shut up," Lizzie laughs, shoving him. William chuckles and drapes an arm around Lizzie's shoulder, pulling her in close. He kisses her and she takes his hand. The rest of three hour ferry ride goes on without incident and Lizzie feels one step closer to the vacation ending as they drive off the boat. They make it to the airport thirty minutes later and check in a little earlier than intended. After finding a decent enough place to eat in the airport, they waste the last hour of their vacation waiting to board.

Soon after the plane touches down on familiar ground, William feels the true weight of their vacation ending as they wait at baggage claim. Lizzie is exhausted and leaning against him while they watch unfamiliar bags pass them. Once they finally have their luggage in tow, they leave the airport and feel the recognizable cool San Francisco air. The drive home is very quiet as Lizzie gazes out the window, feeling at home again when she sees the fog rolling in. They exchange tired looks during the elevator ride up but William can't help the smile tugging at his lips. She leans her head against his shoulder when they reach their front door, William unhurriedly searching for the keys. He lets the door swing open and they stare at the threshold, knowing that their vacation will truly be over once they cross it.

"Ladies first," William murmurs.

"We can still go back. There's still time," Lizzie wavers.

"I can whisk you off in the company jet and go wherever you'd like," William smiles at her. "Maybe Paris? Hawaii?"

"Ooh. How about New Zealand?" Lizzie asks, her face lighting up.

"I'd love to go there too," William nods, staring at the floor. "But in order for us to go on those vacations, this one has to end."

"You're a dirty liar," Lizzie pouts in jest and William looks in her direction, chuckling. He grabs her hand and tugs.

"Come on. A shower and our bed sound like the best thing right now," William says as he steps over the threshold.

"I hate it when you're right," Lizzie grumbles good-naturedly as she is pulled inside. They bring the suitcases in and close the door behind them.

"And, we're finally home," William says, nudging Lizzie next to him.

"Home, sweet home," Lizzie murmurs.

"You know, my home is wherever you are," William says, gazing at her.

"Cheesy," Lizzie grins. "But it'll do."

Notes: Everybody thank Teresa for betaing nearly 40 pages. 25 chapters! That's crazy. People say to write what you know so I did. William and Lizzie went to a very real place and I have been there twice. If I could live there, I would. Check it out. www . pointnopointresort Be sure to tune into the blog because there will be behind the scenes stuff from this chapter throughout the next day as well as some of my own pictures from this place. I also realized that this website hates links. The blog is dizzieslearningcurve . tumblr . com Giant hint for the next chapter: It's Jane's wedding and all the events surrounding it. I ask you for patience once again because this one might take awhile.