Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice or its characters. i just own this story.
Elizabeth's POV
The last couple of days I could tell William was planning something. I just don't know what it is. The only way I knew for sure were all the calls he was making and receiving. He would step out of the room every time his phone rings. I am curious about what it but I know that I will find out tonight. He told me he wanted to take me somewhere special and when I asked him where he refused to tell me. All I knew was that I should be prepared for it to be a bit chilly. I am looking forward to seeing what he has planned, but I am worried about what brought this on. I had talked to Richard to try to get something out of him, but it sounded like he was as in the dark as I. I guess William realized that would try to get it out of Richard. I don't know how to take the fact that he seems to know me so well.
It is finally time to go and I am waiting very impatiently for William to show up. He had dropped me off at my apartment earlier and told me he would pick me up at four for our date. I was shocked that he wasn't staying with me since we haven't spent much time apart since we found each other again. I think the only time we been apart have been when we have different classes, but that is even rare since there is only one that we don't share. I went into my apartment and started to get ready, deciding to wear my purple sweater dress and black leggings with my fergilicious boots. When William finally arrived, he looked amazing. It took me a few minutes to snap out of my daze, but when I did, I fully took in what he was wearing. He had a v-neck sweater that matched his blue eyes and it looked like he was wearing a white shirt under it. He was wearing a pair of black slacks and black dress shoes. He looked so handsome. I gave him a hug and kissed his cheek in greeting.
"Good evening William. I missed you. Will you finally tell me where we are going tonight?"
William chuckled before answering me.
"Good evening Elizabeth. I missed you too but no, I will not tell you where we are going. It is a surprise. You look beautiful."
I thanked him and grabbed my coat as we walked to his car. The whole way to his car, William had his arm around my waist and I resisted the urge to lay my head on his shoulder. I knew I was in love him and currently I was trying to figure out how to tell him, but I was worried about what was going to happen tonight. I knew it was big news whatever it was and that scared me more than anything. After the dinner with my family, I wasn't sure what was going on. I was very glad that my dad invited William's family but I was annoyed that it was kept from us. I know that William had been worried about that dinner and knowing his family, besides Georgiana, would be there would have let him relax, but my dad just had to have his fun and keep from us. What shocked me more than anything was that it seemed that William and I were the only ones who seemed surprised by the addition of Richard and his parents.
When we got in the car, I immediately put my hand in William's and felt complete. There are times when I just can't believe that I have only known William a few months and not my whole life. Throughout the drive to our mysterious destination we listened to music and occasionally commented on something we saw, but, overall, we just enjoyed the quiet. I was amazed when we pulled up to the Sheraton Hotel. Before I could say anything, William explained that it was just a stop and he led me to the dock behind the hotel. What I saw brought a smile to my face immediately. There was the "Aolani," a catamaran that hosts events and does small dinner cruises around San Diego Bay. Since I first heard about the different dinner cruises available as a little girl, I have wanted to go on one, but I have never been able to. I immediately turned to William and kissed him.
"William, how did you know I have wanted to go on a dinner cruise since I was a little girl?"
"Elizabeth, I didn't know that. I just wanted to take you on a special date tonight and thought this would be perfect. I had heard about them from my uncle and when I mentioned to him that I wanted to take you on one, he recommended this one since it would be easy to make it just the two of us."
I smiled up at him and we went to the boat. It was beautiful. I have always loved boats, and this one was perfect. It was a catamaran that could hold fifty people along with the crew. It was white with blue and green decals on it. The sails weren't up yet but I could tell that it would be perfect when they were. When we got on the boat, a crewmember gave us a tour of the boat. It has six staterooms and a salon. The salon was perfectly set up with a table for two. I saw that there was also a plasma TV. The benches were covered in blue fabric and the walls were in the natural wood. It was beautiful and perfect. There was an ice bucket set up next to the table with a bottle of champagne. I saw that the food was set up to be served whenever we wanted it, on the other side of the room. I was speechless and awed by all the care and time that William must have put into this. It was already absolutely perfect and we haven't even started the cruise yet. I threw my arms around William's neck and kissed him.
"William this is perfect. Thank you so much."
"I am glad you like it, but we haven't even started yet. Do you want to go on deck and watch the take off from the dock before we eat?"
"Yes that sounds perfect."
William smiled at me and led me back to the deck to watch the crew work and see the sunset. It was beautiful. Once the sails were up and we were moving smoothly, William led me back to the salon and gave me a glass of champagne as he showed me what we would be eating. I was amazed that he managed to get all my favorites. The appetizer was Oysters on a half shell. The main course was lasagna and for desert, there was molten lava cake. As we drank a glass of champagne, William led me to a window so we could view the San Diego skyline. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I felt so safe loved in his arms as I leaned back into his embrace. We stood there in silence just enjoying the others presence when William led me back to the table and held my chair out for me. I sat down and looked up at him. He looked nervous and I couldn't figure out why he would be. We had confided in each other about anything and everything. He knew me better than Jane did and that was saying something since Jane is my best friend and sister. Finally, it seemed William made a decision and sat across from me.
"Elizabeth, I was going to wait to tell you this until after we wait but I can't wait any longer. Just being with you makes me want to shout it out to the world." I was confused and I am sure it showed on my face because William took my hands in his and continued, "It is nothing to fear. It is good I just needed to figure out the right way to tell you. After having dinner with our families, I knew I needed to tell you." He smiled and squeezed my hands before he continued, "Elizabeth Bennet, I have fallen for you. I love you."
I smiled at him and got up from my chair. As I walked to him, I saw that he was scared about what I was doing. I sat in his lap and kissed him before I said anything. "William, I love you too. I think I fell in love with you that first night when we were talking all night. I have never felt as safe as I do wrapped in your arms and I never want to be without you. I didn't tell you this but at that dinner, my dad pulled me aside and told me that he could see the love we had for each other. I have just been trying to figure out how to tell you. Thank you for doing it for me."
William smiled at me and pulled me further into his embrace as he kissed me. It was perfect.
"Elizabeth, I think I fell in love with you that first night as well. I am still amazed that we have only known each other for a few months. It feels like I have known you my whole life."
"I was thinking the same thing William. I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. Now let's enjoy this food and cruise then you can tell me what this dinner will entail with Charles and his sisters next week. Jane has been freaking out all week about meeting his family."
With one last hug and kiss, I went back to my seat and we started eating. The oysters were perfect and so was the lasagna. Before we had desert, William led me to one of the benches and we curled up together. He took the opportunity to tell me about what he expected to happen at the dinner with Charles' sisters.
"I don't want you or Jane to worry but you should know that Caroline will be a bitch to you. Ever since she realized how much I am worth, she has felt like she had a claim on me. I have given her no encouragement. In reality, I try to avoid her as much as I can but she doesn't seem to take the hint. Louisa has even tried to get Caroline to see that I will never be with her but it hasn't gotten through. I think you will like Louisa. She is a very nice woman, and is married to Gabriel Hurst. They really are perfect for each other. Now in terms of Jane, I think Caroline will try to be nice to her while insulting you at every turn. She doesn't want to lose her brother's care. When their parents dies, Caroline ended up spending almost her entire inheritance on clothes and bad investments so she relies heavily on Charles for money. Charles does give it to her but makes no promises that it would continue if he married. That is why she will try to ingratiate herself to Jane so that Jane will encourage Charles to continue to support Caroline. It is, also, why she tries to get me to be with herself. She wants my money not me. I knew that right away. Please ignore her I have never been with her and she tries to convince any woman I talk to that I am engaged to her. It is a lie and has made many women run from me. I don't want to lose you."
I tightened my arms around him and saw the fear in his eyes. If he hadn't told me about Caroline before I may have run as well, but Charles and William had told me about Caroline's false hopes before. I believed in and trusted William. Nothing could harm that.
"William, I trust you. I knew that when I meet Caroline she would try to get between us. That won't happen. I love you and she will not win. I am only worried about how she will treat Jane. Jane doesn't see the lies in a persons actions and I worry that Caroline will take advantage of that. We have to protect Jane and Charles. They are still recovering from their time apart and I could see someone try to take advantage of that."
"I will help you protect Jane and I think Louisa and her husband will do the same. I had mentioned to Louisa about Jane already and she seemed happy that Charles has found someone."
"I am glad to hear that. In terms of how Caroline will act towards me, well I can take care of myself. I know you will want to help and I will welcome it but don't worry about her coming in between us. I wont let that happen."
"Thank you Elizabeth. I love you." William then tightened his embrace and we watched the passing scenery for a bit before we began our desert. It was the perfect night. After desert, we went back on deck and sat together just enjoying the cruise in each other arms. When we got back to dock, William led me to his car and we drove back to his place. As we were getting ready for bed, he shocked me with his question.
"Elizabeth, will you move in with me?"
We were practically living together already but not at any certain place. I never expected him to ask me so soon but I knew my answer. "Yes William. We practically do anyway. How about I start moving the rest of my stuff in tomorrow and I will let Jane know in the morning. I don't want to be apart from you anymore. The few hours this afternoon was horrible."
"Thank you Elizabeth. It was horrible for me too. I honestly want planning on asking you now but it just felt right. I hate being away from you. Do you think Jane will have any issues with it?"
"No I know she won't. I think she will be relieved. She asked me the other day why we just didn't live together already. It was amusing to see her so exasperated with me."
William laughed and then crawled into bed waiting for me to join him. When I did I curled up to him and asked him something that had been driving me nuts for some time, "William why do you call me Elizabeth when everyone else uses one of my nicknames? I like it but I am curious as to why."
"I don't want to be like everyone else. I like being the only one that calls you Elizabeth." I smiled at that and kissed his cheek. "I like it too William. Now lets go to sleep because we have packing to do tomorrow."
With that, we quickly fell asleep in each others arms.
A/N: The next chapter will be the dinner with Caroline. I am not sure when it will be posted but it will be in the next week or so. Please review and if there is anything you want to see let me know. Thank you!
