I think this chapter might explain a couple of questions. I had decided this was how to begin this chapter when I ended the last. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Thank you to my wonderful, supportive friends, Mary, Linnea, Susan, Amy, Juliet, Betsy, Sophie, Ashley and Julie.

Chapter 38

"So, what's the deal with Jane and Chris?"

Elizabeth looked over her cup, and met Will's eyes as she sipped her coffee. "I'm surprised it's taken you this long to bring up the subject." She set her cup on the table.

Will stared blankly at the bagel within his hand before raising his eyes to hers again. "I thought about asking last night; I just thought it would be a really weird topic when we were lying in bed."

A little bit of color infused her cheeks as she looked briefly at the table. "Especially since it used to be his room..."

Since Will only looked at her and didn't reply, she continued. "When they began having problems, Jane started sleeping in the larger guest room, and eventually she just moved in there.

"Then when I moved in, she said she had no desire to move back, and pointed out that I needed the space for my computers, so that's how I ended up with the master bedroom."

Will nodded. "That answers a question I've had, but not the one I asked."

Elizabeth took a bite of her bagel and watched him as she chewed in contemplation. Finally, she shrugged, and with small smile, she said, "Jane and Chris are a long story. They met when she was a sophomore in high school and he was a senior. They started dating immediately, and were virtually inseparable.

"After he went away to college, they just sort of broke up. I'm not even sure if it was her idea or his, or if it just happened. I know Jane never seemed upset."

"Obviously they got together again," Will remarked.

Elizabeth nodded. "She saw him a couple times a year after that, usually in passing or amongst friends.

"Then about three, three and a half years ago, they started dating again, and everything seemed perfect."

Will nodded and she continued. "Well, Chris asked Jane to move in with him, and since she'd just graduated Drexel, I was the only reason for her to stay in our apartment in University City. I said I'd be fine, and Chris gave me Hamlet, so she moved in with him.

"I didn't hear about it at the time, but apparently there were a few issues even then, but they decided to buy a house, and Jane fell in love with this one." She paused and took a sip of her rapidly cooling coffee and glanced at the wall clock, 6:15.

"They moved in, and gradually things got worse. Eight months later, she was moved into her room, and in another couple, we'd worked out the deal for me to buy out his equity." She sighed. "Dad had to help me a little, but it didn't take me long to pay him back once I started at CBL."

"Anyhow, Chris has always been great to us. It seemed once they weren't living together, he and Jane got on well. Either of us could call on him day or night. I even called him when my old car died late one winter night. He came out, and we sat in his car, talking until the Auto Club came. Then when I decided on my Audi, he took me to the dealership. To me, I guess he's like my big brother." She sipped the last of her coffee.

"The only thing that threw me off yesterday was that since Jane met Charlie, he's been her 'go to guy.'"

"So, whatever happened the other night..." Will's voice trailed off.

Elizabeth nodded. "Apparently." She searched his eyes, trying to decide if she should continue. She sighed. "Jane's in love with Charlie, but she's convinced he doesn't feel the same... I guess going out Friday night and calling Chris yesterday is her way of trying to move on."

Will stared at Elizabeth, surprised. "But Charlie's nuts about her! He used to fall for a new pretty face every week or two. I don't think he's been on a date since he met her." He shook his head. "He's completely devoted to Jane."

Elizabeth looked at the empty cup she was now holding in both hands. "I tried to tell her, but she didn't want my opinion."

"Tell him." Will said, as though it was obvious.

"She made me promise I wouldn't say anything to him. She doesn't want his pity, and says she'll learn to be 'just friends.'"

Will took Elizabeth's hand and squeezed it. "They should be as happy as we are," he said sadly.

"I know," she answered. "But it's for them to figure out." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

He immediately turned his face toward hers, catching her lips, and, scooting closer, they remained thus engaged for several minutes.

Finally they pulled apart, and Will looked at the clock.

"I know," Elizabeth said. "Do you want a cup of coffee for the road?"

"You don't mind?"

Elizabeth looked at him challengingly. "You're not going to spill it, are you?"

Will smiled. "I'm not intending to."

"Okay." Elizabeth stood up, making both dogs pop to their feet. She led the way through the back door, and went to the counter to fill a travel mug.

Their little group then walked to the front door together, stopping only briefly for Will to put on his suit jacket. Elizabeth then handed him the keys to her car. "Take care of my baby," she said as he took them, handing her the Jeep keys in return.

"I promise," he replied, pulling her gently into his arms, mindful of the mug of coffee she still held. "See you about noon?" He kissed her.

She pulled back after a few moments. "Around noon."

Will then bent down and petted Hamlet's huge head, then tousled Hershey's ears. "You be good for Elizabeth," he told his dog. He then took the travel mug from Elizabeth's hand and pulled her carefully out the door, shutting it behind her.

They kissed briefly, then when Will straightened up to his full height, he said, "I love you, Liz."

"I love you too, Will. Now, get going."

"All right," he said as he backed away from her several paces before turning and walking to her car. "I'll see you soon."

Elizabeth smiled and remained on the porch, watching until he drove out of sight. When she reentered the house, both dogs greeted her happily, and followed her around as she cleaned up the dishes and got ready for church.

Forty-five minutes later, she was sitting at the kitchen table with her laptop when Jane appeared, dressed and needing only a light breakfast before they left. Wanting to talk some, Elizabeth began shutting down her computer, and had just latched it closed when Jane sat across from her.

"It was good to see Chris yesterday," she started.

"Yeah, it's been too long since we had him over," Jane replied easily.

They continued to talk about Chris, but mostly of his current wellbeing and about nothing of substance. When she realized the conversation was going nowhere, Elizabeth mentioned Charlie, but Jane deftly avoided it and opted to talk about her plans to spend the afternoon at their parents' house.

When Jane was done eating, they went to the 8:30 service, and afterwards, Elizabeth changed into comfortable shorts and did a few minor chores around the house until she decided it was time to go to Will's.

Not wanting Hamlet to feel abandoned by his mistress leaving with Hershey, Elizabeth led both dogs to the Jeep, and they jumped in eagerly. By the time she turned the ignition, Hamlet was spread out on the back seat and Hershey was sitting, alert, in the passenger seat. Elizabeth simply had to smile.

A half hour later, she pulled the Jeep beside her car in Will's driveway. Once out, she followed the eager dogs around the house and into the back yard, where Will was reclined on a chaise, reading reports while Maggie sat by the table, knitting, and Mario Lanza's Santa Lucia came from speakers hidden somewhere beneath the eaves.

"Ah, Lizzy, it is good to see you," greeted Maggie, as Will was accosted by the dogs before he could speak.

Elizabeth smiled. "Hi, Maggie. Lovely afternoon." She then walked toward Will, who was pushing back dogs and trying to stand. "Hamlet!" she scolded. As Will made it to her side, she hugged him and kissed his cheek quickly. "Hi, love."

The afternoon was spent leisurely around the house and yard, and when the time came, Elizabeth helped Will prepare dinner, which the threesome ate around the patio table.

Though Will tried to convince her to do otherwise, Elizabeth and Hamlet left in her car about 7 PM. She still had to do her laundry and needed to catch up with a few people online, something she hadn't made much time for in the last few days.

Still, by ten thirty, she was missing him. She curled up on her bed and speed dialed his cell.

"Hello, beautiful," he answered.

"Hi." She didn't want to tell him she felt lonely, so she said nothing.

"Did you get everything done?" he asked.

"Yeah," she answered. "I've still got my computer open here, but I'm thinking of turning in soon." She smiled to herself as she curled her toes under the fresh, clean sheets.

They talked for several minutes, but when Elizabeth audibly yawned, Will suggested she get some sleep.

"I love you, Liz," was the last thing she heard before she ended the call. She then set her phone on the nightstand and closed her computer. She snuggled under the sheets and after turning a few times, she reached over and pulled the other pillow – with its now mismatched pillowcase – to her chest. "I love you, Will," she murmured before drifting to sleep.