A/N: Please forgive my long absence. Life and other BS got in the way.
Thank you for everyone who reads, follows, favs. and reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I really hope I got all of my typos, forgive me if it seems a little rushed, I just want to get to the next chapter. I hope that I can post the next chapter quickly, but I will not promise anything.
Disclaimer: All rights of Pride and Prejudice belong to Jane Austen. OC are all mine.
Ch. 49
"Jane do you think you could help me get ready for my date?"
"Of course Lizzie, I'd be happy to."
"Wow, we haven't done this in a long time." Lizzie smiled.
"I know, a lot has changed," Jane said a bit solemnly.
"We'll always have each other." Lizzie smiled.
"Always," she smiled. "So, any idea where he is taking you?"
"He said he was taking me to a restaurant and a movie."
"That's nice, are you nervous?"
"No, yes." She giggled.
"Well we've been out with him before."
"I know, but it's different. What do we talk about?"
"Your likes and dislikes. Just relax, you know he likes you." Jane giggled.
"I hope so." Lizzie laughed.
"I'm happy to see you so happy Lizzie."
"You seem happy Jane. Is everything ok?"
"Everything is great." She said sounding like her old self.
"Jane, you know you can talk to me about anything right? I miss having our late night chats, and doing our homework together. I miss you." Lizzie said sadly.
"I miss you too Lizzie. I'm sorry. I just miss Alexa." She said a bit fearfully.
"What about dad? Don't you miss him?" Lizzie asked a bit angry.
"Yes, of course. But I just wish we could all be together again."
"Jane, Alexa is happy with her new lifestyle. She could have helped us, but she didn't. She's moved on, so should we." Lizzie responded defiantly. Jane's smile fell. "Jane I'm not saying this as a bad thing, all I'm saying is that she's a different person now." She amended.
"I'm just happy that she's happy." Jane said with a small knowing smile.
"Where are you going all dressed up?" Her mother asked her as she waited in the living room for Will to pick her up.
"I'm just going out with a couple of friends." Lizzie answered.
"Oh, well have fun." She turned her attention to Jane. "I wish you would get out more Jane. How are you supposed to meet a man being locked indoors all day? All that beauty wasted behind books."
"Look's aren't everything mom." Kitty said curtly.
"Of course you would say that. I'm surprised you managed to get that handsome boys attention."
"I'm going to go out to mom." Lydia beamed. "I'll be back around 12," she said walking towards the door.
"Just be careful." Rose smiled.
"HEY! That's my shirt! And jeans! MOM!"
"It looks so much better on me!" Lydia whined.
"Just like old times; huh Jane?" Lizzie giggled.
"Oh Kitty! Just let her borrow them you know you are so selfish! They won't even fit you with all the weight you've been gaining!"
A stunned look came across Kitty's face. "I'm selfish?" She asked incredulously.
"You have a whole bag filled with designer clothes. It's not fair!" Lydia whined.
"I have seen that tart's apartment Kitty. While we're stuck here you're off living in a room bigger than this living room!"
"Why don't we all calm down?" Jane began and there was a car honking.
"My ride's here. I'll see you later." Lydia said angrily. "Don't worry mom, at least I won't come back pregnant like some people!" She glared at Kitty.
A pained look came into Kitty's face, but she turned her attention to her phone leaving Lizzie with a shocked expression.
"What did she mean?" Lizzie asked frightened.
Kitty sighed, and stood up. "I found out I was pregnant." She said filled with shame.
Lizzie went pale.
"I can't wait! I'm going to have a grandbaby! Hopefully it's a boy." Rose beamed unaware of the tension in the room.
Lizzie's phone went off; Will was texting that he was here.
"I-um my ride is here. We'll talk later ok?" Lizzie said staring at Kitty who just nodded.
"Wow so you didn't get into any trouble?"
"No, well they didn't give it back to me and they kept my tin. They must have thrown it away."
"Crazy, I know I would have been grounded for the rest of my life."
"Well the only places I go are either with my mom and grandma or here. So they couldn't really ground me. And they know that I do not get to see you. I cannot however go out with Kevin and Louis, but I see and speak to them every day."
"So do you want to smoke? I have chronic." Gina shyly asked with a smile.
A smile crept into Lexie's face and she nodded. "Can we do this outside? I get paranoid being indoors. Plus the walk back will help me calm down. Oh we have to listen to something awesome. Like mind blowing and chill." Lexie said thinking about what would be good to listen to.
"Great, I'll be right back. Wait here."
Gina took off and Lexie started to play with Runt and Snuggles.
"Please bring my car around to the front." She heard Will say and the puppies ran up to him. She whistled for Runt to come back and he followed. "I suppose you had no problem training him." He smiled.
She smiled, "No some things are simple enough. He's a quick learner though. I just wish he would take to potty training. He's getting there though."
"What about this little guy?" He asked indicating to Snuggles.
"I came to help Gina train him. His name is Snuggles."
"Gina?"
"Yes Will?" She asked entering back into the room. "Oh I see you've met the newest member to our family. Be nice to him, his name is Snuggles. Isn't it just so cute?"
"You almost want to squeeze it to death." Lexie picked up Runt and stared into its eyes. "They're so adorable!"
"Ha like in *K&P!" Gina giggled.
Lexie burst out laughing and Gina couldn't help but join in. "Yes, exactly! But don't worry Runtnerd I could never hurt you." She hugged Runt.
"Looking good Will. Going somewhere nice?" Gina asked noticing Will was dressed in a maroon button up shirt and black Dockers.
"Yes, I have a date with Elizabeth. I'm on my way to pick her up."
"Going anywhere nice?" Gina asked smiling.
"I was going to take her to the Bingley's restaurant, and a movie."
"Oh that's nice. I'll think she'll like that. We should go tomorrow for lunch Lexie." Gina turned to look at her and saw that Lexie was too engrossed with fighting Runt. She was making him angry by roughhousing with it.
"What are you doing Lexie?" Gina giggled. "He's going to bite you." She warned.
"I'm trying to make him tough. I was even thinking of giving him a Mohawk and a little tie." She laughed.
"So would you want to go out for lunch tomorrow?"
"Sure, where would you like to go?"
"The Bingley's reastauanrt."
"Will I see Caroline there?"
"Nope, they're out of town."
"The car is ready Mr. Darcy."
"Thank you Cedrick. Ok well wish me luck."
Gina hugged him tightly and smiled at him. "Good luck."
"Good luck Will." Lexie smiled. "Why were we wishing him luck?" She asked Gina as Will walked away.
"Will has a date with Lizzie."
"That's cool. So what's the plan for tonight, for I am at your disposal?" Lexie giggled and dramatically bowed.
"Well let's go smoke before it gets dark."
Lizzie would have been nervous as she made her way to Will's car. She saw him standing outside his car smiling showing off his dimples and his hand was behind his back.
When she approached him she couldn't help but smile. He gave her a peck on the cheek told her she looked beautiful and pulled out some flowers from behind his back.
"Thank you Will, these are really lovely." She smiled and kissed him.
"Is everything ok?" He asked worried.
"Yea, I just found out some pretty shocking news that's all."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"How about I tell you later?" She asked and he just nodded.
The car ride to the restaurant was pretty quiet. It was evident that there was still an unspoken awkwardness between them. They mostly just caught up on each other's day.
They arrived and were seated immediately in a more private section of the restaurant. Lizzie felt so out of place but she remained confidant, she had been to these places with Will before, the only difference was that they were alone and on a date.
"How is your family?" Will asked breaking the silence once there order was placed.
Lizzie's eyes widened a bit. "They're ok. Kitty is visiting for the break." She softly responded.
"Yes, Lexie told me that she came down with her, but they split up. So she knew you were in the state but did not know where you lived. For a while I kept seeing you everywhere after that day."
"Really?"
"Yes, I was even going to ask Richard to help track you down." He looked nervous. "I just wanted to know that you were ok." He said reassuringly.
"What else did Alexa tell you?"
"Nothing. Georgie is the one who told me about Cat staying with Lexie, but either she doesn't know the other details or she just didn't tell me."
Lizzie nodded and looked down. "Wow this isn't really first date conversation, at least over dinner." She breathed out a laugh.
"How about we change the topic? How's school, have you thought anymore about what you plan on doing after you graduate?"
"I'm going to get a full time job for the summer and go to community college for my basics. What about you?"
"I'm going to go to be working at my father's office here in Colorado, and I got accepted into Stanford."
"Congratulations." She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. Where does that leave us? She shook the thought from her head; they just started dating.
"Thank you. It was my father's alma marta." He stated. "If I could have gone anywhere, I would have preferred Harvard or Yale."
"Did you get accepted there?"
"I didn't apply, but I believe I would have been."
"Did you enjoy the movie?" He asked as they walked back to the car.
"Yes, it was funny. I would have never imagined you watching let alone liking it."
He chuckled and grabbed her hand. "Neither did I, but Rich recommended it, and he is a huge movie buff."
"I'm glad you liked it." She smiled and squeezed his hand.
They got to the car and before he opened the door for her, she leaned up and kissed him. At first he was stunned again, but got over it quickly. They broke apart for air, and she entered the car with a goofy smile playing on her lips. He entered and gave her another knee wobbling kiss.
"Would you like to go home now?"
Hearing that brought everything with Kitty back into her mind, and her smile fell.
"No, but I do need to speak to Kitty." She said solemnly.
"Would you like to talk about what was upsetting you? We can go get ice cream."
She smiled and nodded, not wanting to leave him. She was surprised at how well they got along, and that she enjoyed his company.
"You know how I told you Kitty is visiting?" She asked not knowing where to start. He nodded and didn't say anything encouraging her to continue. She grabbed his hand afraid that once she told him, he would run and not want anything to do with her.
"I just found out that she is pregnant before you picked me up." She said looking down.
"Pregnant?" He whispered. "From Wickham?" He said through clenched teeth.
"I believe so, I haven't spoken to her."
He just nodded. "Is that why Lexie is looking after her?"
"I don't know why. No one knows why, but maybe she feels responsible."
A confused look came upon Will's face. "Responsible for what?"
"Who knows how she thinks." Lizzie shook her head.
"I don't think she has anything to feel responsible for."
"I didn't either." She snapped.
He took a deep breath. "Of course not," he smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
"Will you please play something for us?" Mr. Darcy asked Lexie as they drank tea.
"Of course." She stiffly smiled and relaxed as Gina stood up with her and made her way to the piano. "How about Tchaikovsky-Valse Sentimentale?"
Everyone in the room watched Lexie with great awe as she played full of emotion and swayed fluently with the music. They all felt the music: happiness until it turned shifted and turned blue. Lizzie was too busy glancing at Will looking at Lexie, with adoration.
She tried telling herself that Alexa was with John, and that Will was hers but all that came to her mind were the times she had seen the two of them them together. The song did not help. She remembered them laughing and smiling together, that it looked as if he was going to kiss her. The way she touched Will's arm the other day and stared at him, there was no question she was jealous of Alexa.
She turned her attention to look at her half-sister. From her perfectly manicured fingers to her diamond earrings, the blouse she wore today was at least more modest, but her jeans were skin tight. She wore Jimmy Choo 'Lapris' Pointy Toe Pump high heels, and Lizzie wanted to roll her eyes. Why wear high heels!?
*Vehicle-Ides of March played through the Beats speaker.
Lexie went back to the bowl trying not to step on Runt and Snuggles while beginning to move to the beat and started to sing. Gina listened for a while and then joined in dancing.
Will and Lizzie were going to get something to drink and heard music. By the time they reached the kitchen they were treated with a handful of women dancing. Gina would do some moves and then Lexie would copy her, and then they would dance together. Towards the end of the song they had a whole dance routine.
Will was staring at Georgie in awe, and he couldn't help but smile brightly watching her. Yes he indulged in calling her Gina, but she will always be Georgie to him. She was giggling and smiling having a carefree time. Mixing something and covered in flour. He was happy to see her this way; happy.
Lizzie watched Lexie as she danced. At first she felt angry Lexie was dancing just as she remembered and looked up at Will. She saw his smile of adoration and misunderstood who he was staring at. She looked back at Gina and Lexie. It was clear who the star was, it was Gina. But she notice Lexie's smile in between her lip syncing. She was too into the song; it was hard not to want to dance in her presence. But Gina was coming up with all of the moves.
The song changed and the puppies started barking and making their way to Lizzie and Will. Gina looked up and stopped dancing. Lexie saw them and started to move side to side and kept lip-syncing.
"Would you guys like some cookies?" Gina asked.
Mrs. Reynolds and the maids noticed that they had an audience and all excused themselves embarrassed at being caught dancing.
Will looked around and noticed the dozens of cookies all around the kitchen. It seemed as if Lexie and Gina were mixing, and baking. Mrs. Reynolds had been keeping track of the cookies cooling, and the maids were placing them in white boxes.
"There's plenty to go around." Lexie added as she kept working and moving. "I got the recipe from John's grandmother."
"No thanks." Lizzie said.
"You have to try them." All three of them said in unison and Lexie and Gina broke out giggling and Will just chuckled. Lizzie felt hurt being left out of the joke.
"I'm actually thirsty." Lizzie said politely, "Perhaps later."
"Don't mind if I do." Will went over to ones close to the oven. He picked one up and dropped it at how hot it was. The puppies ran towards him.
"Runtnerd. No!" She playfully scolded and then giggled. "You're going to get sick!" She tried to say seriously.
Lizzie laughed at her. "It's a dog Lexie, it doesn't understand."
"Runt! Come here!" She commanded sharply, Runt slowly walked over to Lexie and sat at her feet. Lexie smirked and then bent down to pet Runt. "Good boy." She said sweetly, "Come." It followed her to her purse. She pulled out a bag and gave Runt its contents. Snuggles came over quickly and tried to get Runts treat.
Lizzie started giggling. "You named your puppy Runt?"
"Rutnerd, but he responds to Runt." Lexie stated.
Lizzie laughed again. "Remember when dad used to call you Runt?" Lizzie asked Lexie. "You see even when we were smaller; Lexie was always the short one. I think you were only taller than Lydia for two years." She laughed.
Lexie fought against trying to keep down the feeling it brought up. "Don't forget to mention fatter. Remember Rose would always say that too? In fact I was the only one who couldn't get hand-me-downs." Lexie said as if in a daze.
Lizzie blushed from embarrassment.
Runt and Snuggles started fighting over the treat Runt was eating.
"Snuggles stop." Gina giggled nervously. Snuggles didn't listen and Lexie handed her a treat with a smile. "Snuggles," she called teasingly waving the treat close to the ground. "Good boy, now sit. Sit. Sit. Sit!" It sat and Gina rewarded him. "Good boy."
Will had already picked up the cookie, and gotten another and leaned back on the counter. Lizzie walked over to him, and placed a protective arm around the back of his waist.
"What's with all of the cookies?" He asked trying to change the topic.
"May I tell them Lexie?" Gina asked.
"Of course my horse. You are only helping me." Lexie giggled and then stopped and turned to Lizzie. "Don't worry I know she isn't really a horse." She said seriously and then Gina giggled and Lexie joined in.
Will felt Lizzie's grip tighten around him and he placed an arm around her. He looked down at her and she leaned up and kissed him. He was happy at how easy being with her was. He thought that they would be a bit shy, but they just seemed to fit together.
"What are friends for?" She smiled, "It's a thank you for the Bell's, Sarah, some for the Burton's and the guards, some for us, and we wanted to have more than enough."
Lexie and Gina washed their hands when the alarm went off to replace the batch of cookies. Mrs. Reynolds walked back in and put on an oven mitt. Everyone started to get back to work.
"Would you like something William?" She asked after taking out the cookies.
"No thank you Mrs. Reynolds we just came to get something to drink."
"Oh you must try the lemonade." Gina smiled brightly again.
"It's the best I ever had." Lexie smiled.
"Gail's lemonade?" Will asked with a small smile. Lexie giggled and nodded her head.
"It really is the best." Gina smiled.
Will poured Lizzie and him a cup. "It really is delicious."
"Is Gail your maid?" Lizzie asked Lexie.
"No, she's the Drake's cook. She's amazing. She even helped Mrs. Drake with her cookie recipe."
"And John with his chocolate shakes. I would kill for one right now! Can you make us some?" Gina asked.
"Sorry G, can't help you there. He won't share, he always kicks me out of the kitchen. Cat has tried to a couple of times to sneak in but he's so big he blocks out this much." She extended her hands over the counter."
"Ok but next time I go visit, he has to make them!" Gina giggled and grabbed a cookie.
"Oh you're still with John?"
"Yes," she said confused and then looked at her naked finger. "I just took the ring off so I could make the cookies."
"Aunt Maddie told me you weren't going to get married at the end of the school year anymore."
"No, we decided to wait." Lexie smiled brightly thinking of John.
Her phone started to ring and she lit up as the song played. Lizzie and Will recognized it as the song she was dancing to in the woods.
"Hello John, hold on. Excuse me." She beamed and ran excitingly out of the kitchen as quickly as she could in high heels towards the outdoors, Runt ran to follow while Snuggles was enjoying his treat.
"That's her ringtone for him?" Lizzie giggled.
"You'd have to listen to the song." Gina said in a clipped tone.
"I-"
Lexie could be heard laughing out loud and Gina giggled. "It's perfect for them."
"It smells delicious in here." Mr. Darcy said entering the kitchen.
"Daddy, you must try some cookies!" Gina ran up to him giving him a tight hug.
He smiled and returned it. "Hello William, Elizabeth." He said walking with Gina towards the counter.
"What's with all the cookies?"
"I'm helping Lexie bake them."
"Wow these are delicious. She made these?"
"We made them." Gina said.
"Mr. Darcy, the doctor said you are not to have too many sweets." Mrs. Reynolds reprimanded after Mr. Darcy ate two more.
"What are the two of you up to?" Mr. Darcy asked Will.
"Playing video games."
"I see." He said, and smiled as Lexie walked back in. "Hello Alexa."
"Hello, Mr. Darcy. Have you tried the cookies?" She beamed.
"Yes, they are delicious." He said taking another.
"Thank you, though I cannot take any credit."
"Try the lemonade daddy." Gina smiled handing him a glass. "Lexie made it as well."
He took a sip and smiled brightly. "I hope you make some more before you leave." He smiled noticing the pitcher was more than half empty.
"Yes, I would love to; I did use your kitchen after all."
"Or you could just give me the recipe." Mrs. Reynolds tried.
"Sorry but I am sworn to secrecy. Not even John knows the lemonade recipe." Lexie giggled.
"If I make you a batch of my cookies before you leave, will you please pass them onto Mrs. Drake and ask her to consider trading cookie recipes?" Mrs. Reynolds asked.
""I would be happy too." Lexie smiled. "I will deliver them myself." She giggled, knowing John would eat them before they reached his grandmother.
"Our next girl is Elizabeth Bennet." Lizzie stepped up and blushed smiling.
Will of course was going to make sure he danced with her, and was the first to bid on her. But he had competition; he finally won the dance at $1,700 the highest bid so far.
Next was Gina, who looked really nervous and uncomfortable. She looked back at Lexie who smiled at her. Gina relaxed knowing that Louis would make sure that they danced together and he won for $1,800. There were a few other girls before Lexie and the lowest bid for anyone seemed to be $1,500. Last but not least was Lexie.
She stiffly made her way up and stood there tall and poised. She was in her mask and looked impassive. The whole time her perfectly manicured nails were digging into her palm. The bidding started at $1,000 and she was at least happy someone bid on her. she wished this was over someone raised it to $1,300.
"Remember this is for charity." The announcer said and was about to laugh but he felt a coldness.
Motherfucker! Just be happy to be getting anything! And that I'm up here! Douche! She then started to calculate how much they must have already made on the plates alone, along with what the other's girls got to keep her mind distracted. Although she was a Burton, that didn't have a huge influence on the boys around her age, and the older men wouldn't bid thinking it too creepy.
"$1,500" was heard followed by gasps that this person would pay 200 more than the asking price. She just wished someone wouldn't outbid him. She hated standing there, like a lobster in a restaurant from the fish tank awaiting its death. She wasn't even aware of how long she had been standing there.
The person won her and she was happy to finally have it over with. The guy came to get her as she got off the stage and she smiled when she saw him.
His name was Clark Peterson; he was 19 tall and skinny kind of lanky but muscular. He was dressed immaculately, and handsome with jet black hair and powder blue eyes. She had met him the second day she came to the country club. He was having tea with his mother and grandmother, who happened to be friends with her grandmother. Unfortunately for the rest of the female population he was attracted to his own sex. They had conversed a few times, he was very flamboyant and friendly. She was quiet and reserved, but they had quickly become friendly all thanks to him and his bubbly personality.
"Thank you for ending my misery."
"I knew no one would outbid me."
"You could have paid less. But I suppose it's for a good cause." She smiled at him.
"And you're worth every penny. Besides that's what my grandmother gave me to bid for you." He said nonchalantly and smirked.
"I'll be sure to thank her." She smiled brightly on the verge of laughter.
"Don't get all nervous on me but all of these people are staring. Do you think they have like a gaydar?"
Lexie laughed out loud causing several more people to look at them. "I think they are trying to figure out why someone so handsome would pay more, especially for me."
He rolled his eyes at her and spun her. She was smiling brightly and he couldn't help but smile despite the fact that people were looking at them. He wasn't found of any attention, it unsettled him greatly. It was how they connected. Both hated attention, but once they were both comfortable they relaxed. When he met her though, he couldn't help but be friendly with her. He could tell she was different than other girls. She was a bit cold towards him, and he could tell she had no interest in him what so ever, but she was never rude to him.
It was because of her they were all staring, but even if he told her she would make a comment to bring herself down. At first he thought she had developed it from growing up with her grandmother. But each time Mrs. Burton would say something about Lexie or towards her, Lexie took it as constructive criticism with a big smile. He learned this in the short amount of time, but he realized so much more when he Googled her. He first read the article that James had sold, and the second was the one with her interview. He of course believed the latter.
Everyone was trying to figure what happened to the Alexa before the dance. She had been a mirror image of her grandmother. She had been stiff and rigged ever since she found out that they were going to be auctioned off for a dance. She didn't want to do it, she had John and it seemed so wrong, almost like cheating. She was going to end up with a complete stranger for a whole dance. Tiffany had Kevin, Gina had Louis so she was alone and she did not want her father, Sawyer or grandpa to bid for her. She would give small smiles, but remained in her mask and it was making her family nervous. She would give monosyllable answers, and she sat and stood with perfect posture, her head held high. They had never seen her this way, she seemed a bit more relaxed when Gina and Louis would speak to her, but her appearance never faltered.
"You should have smiled up there. I am sure you would have gotten the highest bid."
She giggled and shook her head no.
"Who are you looking at?" Will asked her breaking her gaze.
"Do you know who Alexa is dancing with?" Lizzie asked.
He turned them to look and waited until they turned to get a good look at him. "His name is Clark Peterson. He lives a couple of houses down, and he's in college."
"Oh, they seem to know each other well."
"You look beautiful." He kissed her, with her short heels he didn't have to lean down. Without them she was just under his eyes.
"Thank you. My mom helped me buy it. It was fun, Jane and I went shopping together. We haven't done that since Alexa left." She said a bit sadly.
"I'm sure Charlie breaking up with her didn't help matters."
"No, but I think she's over him. She seems happy now, like her old self." She smiled.
"I see."
Lexie and Clark were speaking to Gina and Louis when Will and Lizzie walked up to them. "Clark I'd like you to meet William Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Will, Elizabeth. Clark Peterson."
"Hello, it's nice to meet you." He smiled and shook their hands. "I think I remember you from school. You're friends with the Bingley's aren't you?"
"I am acquainted with them." Will answered.
"How long have you known Alexa?" Lizzie asked.
"For a while." He smiled and wrapped his arm around Lexie's shoulder affectionately.
Lizzie's eyes widened a bit. She found Lexie's green eyes staring at her, observing but she didn't give any clue to what she was thinking.
"I would say it's been about four days."
"Being forced to hang out for hours and two days it was only natural we bonded so well."
Lexie giggled, "I can see how that makes sense, it took us what? Less than two days G?" Lexie giggled and placed her hand on Gina.
"Yes, that was the fastest I'd ever made friends with anyone, along with Anne and Mary."
"Awe yes, the famous Anne and Mary." Clark chuckled.
Will and Lizzie felt like outsiders, and they had known Lexie longer than any other person in their group. They were about to excuse themselves but Lexie jump and got excited.
"Nu Shooz! We have to dance! Excuse us!" She got out from under Clark's arm and pulled him along quickly.
They all watched as Lexie set the rhythm of the dance before Clark joined in. Louis was looking at his phone. "Nu Shooz-I Can't Wait." He chuckled and put his phone away. "How does she remember all of that? It's from 1986!"
"Let's go dance!" Gina pulled Louis with her next and they made their way to where Lexie and Clark were. Will smiled brightly at them as he watched Gina dance.
"It seems as if you are in a better mood." Will told Lexie as they danced after several minutes of silence.
"Do you always speak while dancing?" She asked. "Personally I like to listen to the music and allow my body to move with it." She smiled. "But if you insist, what would you like to talk about?"
He smiled showing his dimples, at the irony of how he had this very conversation with Lizzie once. As if understanding he was thinking of Lizzie she spoke.
"I am happy that she has made you so happy Will. You deserve it."
"I don't think I deserve her, but I will try my best to be the man she would like me to be."
Lexie smiled brightly. "I know exactly what you mean. I use to think that way also, but I found that I do deserve John, and I like the attitude and feeling I get from it. It's hard to explain." She smiled at her private joke.
"You deserve to be happy Lexie, I am glad that you found John." He said recognizing the look in her eyes.
The song ended and he escorted her to the table and they sat, as Lizzie wasn't sitting down where he left her. Several minutes passed and Gina and Louis came to tell him Lizzie went to get some air outside.
He walked out into the garden and saw her looking off in the distance. He approached her and as if she sensed him she softly spoke.
"Is there something going on between you and Lexie?"
"How can you think that?"
"The way you two look at each other and touch, it seems as if you are more than just friends."
"We're not friends." He said.
"You didn't answer the question." Was her reply.
He felt his temper rising, but he took a deep breath, "No. We have never been anything more than friends. She was distant with me after I tried to kiss her."
She turned around sharply, her eyes wide and sad. "You liked her?" She asked in disbelief.
"Yes, but she never reincorporated those feelings. She has John after all." He face dropped and he went to hug her. "Do not question my feelings for you. I love you, and I always have. Before her, it's just that I find it is easy to speak to her, but I never loved her." He said sincerely holding her tightly.
She wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Will you please not speak to her anymore? I just get so jealous, it breaks my heart to see you together." She said honestly.
"I-I don't know if I can do that." He said truthfully, not wanting to lie. "But I will try… I love you Elizabeth." He whispered in her ear.
"Me too."
"I'm going to miss you so much G, remember to stay in touch." Lexie told her as she hugged her tightly.
"I'm going to miss you too, and I will." She smiled.
"I was hoping to speak to you alone." Will asked her when Gina was speaking to Louis. She nodded and walked into the patio overlooking the pond.
"What would you like to talk about?" She asked confused.
"Elizabeth told me about Kitty… and her baby." He deadpanned.
She nodded. "Yes, she has decided to give it up for an open adoption. I think it is a really great thing she is doing. I am so proud of her."
"You convinced her to give up her child?"
She sighed and walked up to the rail. He couldn't help but look at her ass as she leaned over it. "Of course not. I support any decision she wants to make, but it is her choice alone." She said tersely. "Why do you care?" She spat. "Sorry, it is just…. I don't like how you assume the worst of me." She said quietly.
"I am sorry-"
"Its human nature I suppose." She said shrugging him off.
"Do you need any help?" He asked truly concerned. She laughed at him.
"Sorry, I know that no one knows how much money I inherited. I'm still not use to it." She explained. "No. Catherine and I have an arrangement. I am more than capable of taking care of her and a child without it putting a strain on me, but she knows my boundaries. As I said she has decided to give it to a loving and caring family."
He nodded in agreement, though she could not see him. "There was something else I wished to speak to you about." She didn't say anything but continued to look at the pond. "I do not think I can be your friend anymore." He said sadly which she immediately picked up on.
All she could do was nod. "It is for the best," was her response and he could not help but get angry.
"What!?"
"John would also prefer if we were not friends, but he was able to put aside his feelings for mine. It is not as if we were friends anyways. You are too judgmental for me. But at the same time I never minded."
"Elizabeth-"
"You do not need to explain," she said nonchalantly.
"Do you really feel so little over the loss of our friendship?"
"Yes." She honestly answered. "Like I said, we were never truly friends. Though I have known you longer than Rich I am a lot closer to him than I am to you." She shrugged. "If it ensures your happiness, who am I to deny you that?" She asked rhetorically.
"Lexie-"
"Alexa. Only my friends call me Lexie." She interrupted him causing him to sigh in frustration.
"It isn't that I don't want to-"
"Look, what does it matter? We are not going to be friends either way."
"Oh, my gosh like how cute!" Kitty said getting down on the floor to play with the puppies.
"We will be taking off in about an hour Cat. Would you like some tea Elizabeth?" Lexie said standing up.
"No, I should be taking off. I don't want to leave Will waiting. Plus I'm going to say bye to Gina before she leaves." She said. "I'm going to miss you Ki-Cat." Lizzie said and Kitty stood up to engulf her in a hug.
"I'll see you around Lizzie, we gotta keep in touch."
"I promise."
"I'll show you out." Lexie said, Lizzie and Runtnerd followed her. "Thank you for bringing Catherine."
"I hope we can keep in touch." Lizzie told her as she stood awkwardly by the car.
"No we cannot." Lizzie looked at her shocked.
"Why not?"
"If Will doesn't want to be friends with me, you expect me to believe you want my friendship?" She stated.
"Lexie-"
"It's Alexa." She spat and then sighed. "I remember one Christmas, I did not receive anything for being a bad girl. Cat received a rag doll, and she came over to me and handed it to me to play with. Lydia started crying that the doll was hers causing Rose and James to come into the room. I tried to explain the doll was Cat's but you swore that you saw me take it from Lydia. I threw the stupid thing at her, hitting her in the face. She screamed bloody murder, over a fucking rag doll." She said vehemently.
"Would you like to know what happened after that?" She asked rhetorically. "James took me to his study to instill the lesson of not taking things that do not belong to me."
"Lexie-" Lizzie said sadly.
"Look. I don't want to be your friend, nor do I want to be Will's." She stated stubbornly to drop the topic. "Be happy with Will, he deserves to be happy." She said and turned to leave.
Lizzie sadly got in the car and headed towards Will's. Lexie stopped before she reached the door and sat on a chair outside. She took a big calming breath, happy that she was able to keep the monster at bay. It wanted to let Lizzie know that Will confided in her about ending their friendship. It would have loved nothing more than to rub it in her face that Will wanted to be her friend, and that he tried to kiss her several times. But that wasn't who she was.
Lexie opened the door to the apartment and Runt, Dali, and Ivory ran in excitingly. Happy to be taken out of the carrier. She hurried after them afraid they would start marking their territory.
"Wait! You have to wait till I put the pad on the floor!" She laughed and entered the living room.
Luckily the puppies were greeting John who was sitting on the couch. She stopped in her tracks and he looked up at her and gave her a soft smile.
"John." She whispered his name. He stood making his way to her, staring at her with his dashing smile causing her to look away and blush. Her hair was parted down the middle, and she had no makeup on. She wore a simple red blouse and really tight dark jeans with Salvatore Ferragamo Pimpa C Cacao Rubens Calf high heels.
She wrapped her arms around him when he was close enough, still looking away.
"I had to see you." He whispered in her ear. "I like when you wear high heels and I don't like it at the same time." He chuckled.
Pulling back to kiss him, she moaned as one hand held her in place as the other traveled down her spine. "Me too," she gave him a deep kiss. Smiling against his lips she giggled and pulled away to touch his face. He waited for her to tell him what she was thinking of. "I just came in to change, then I was going to go over."
"Luckily I came here then."
"Very lucky." He pulled her in for a deep kiss. He was about to lift her in his arms and take her to the room, but was interrupted by Cat giggling. They broke apart smiling.
"Where should I put the pad?" Cat asked Lexie.
"I guess somewhere in here. Quick! They're starting to sniff and cry." Lexie ran to pick up two puppies as Cat picked up another and they placed them on the pad. Once they were finished, Lexie rewarded them with a treat as Kitty replaced the pad.
"You figured out how to potty train them?" He chuckled.
"Almost," she motioned for him to follow her into her room. Cat giggled and turned away blushing as John walked eagerly behind her.
She walked into her restroom and he heard the water running. "I brainwashed them by rewarding using the restroom on the pad, and whenever they used the restroom anywhere else, I would reprimand, and place them in the carrier. The last part was really heartbreaking." She said walking back in.
He pulled her back in for a kiss, squeezing her body tightly against his. His hand travelled to her butt to caress it. He loved how it was too big for his big hands. "Are you not wearing any underwear?" He asked pulling away.
She giggled, "I wouldn't call them that. But yes." She smiled brightly. "It's a thong," she whispered shyly as a light blush spread across her cheeks.
"Really?" He smiled his panty dropping smile, causing her body to press up against his.
"These jeans are really tight, can you help me out of them?" She asked breathlessly becoming dizzy from just being in his arms, his smell, taste, she dind't mind the fact that her panties were becoming uncomfortable as her arousal spread.
He lifted her bridal style and carried her to the bed. He placed her gently on the edge and gave her a chaste kiss. He went to lock the door. Making his way back he pulled out his IPod and turned on the stereo.
Both of their phones going off woke them up. Lexie lazily searched for her phone. She picked up John's and handed it to him and sat up to reach her phone. It was 6 in the morning and she had a message from Anne.
Anne:*Sorry I know you're probably still asleep;) But you need to see the paper*
Lexie pulled the covers off and got up in a daze. It felt as if she hadn't slept all night, which would be the half-truth. She made her way to the restroom and grabbed some sweats. John was still in bed looking through his phone and he looked as if he had been given heartbreaking news.
Hurst had sent him a link to a web page, Burton Heiress Caught in Love Triangle. He looked at the pictures and cursed. She was going to be devastated, and hurt. He could tell that Will wasn't looking at her with any affection, it was pity. He saw that she was wearing his jacket and the ring could still be seen. He knew deep down she would never do this, but he worried about how she would react to it, especially since they would be going back to school today.
"What is it?" She asked sitting on the bed. He handed his phone over to her. It was on an article but she didn't bother reading the headline. There was a picture of her and Will holding hands. She looked at him and then threw the phone on the bed and went running into the living room straight for the door.
She walked back in letting the rest of the paper fall behind her as she looked at the front page.
This photo of Alexandra Burton was taken during her stay in North Park Colorado over Spring Break. Sources tell us that she is with no other than Fitzwilliam Darcy.
In case some of you are confused yes Alexandra has a big rock on her left finger, but Mr. Darcy is not her fiancé. Sources say that Alexandra has a history of being promiscuous and they felt it was their duty to let the affair made public so that Alexandra doesn't break anymore hearts.
We were also able to obtain this photo of Alexandra with another man at the Jackson's fundraiser. Nothing is known about this man other than he paid $200 more to have the privilege of dancing with Ms. Burton. They spent the rest of the evening in each other's presence.
She looked at the picture. This article showed her smiling brightly but Will was no longer holding her hand and the other showed Will and her holding her hand but he was looking at her with sadness and sympathy. The other photo was of her and Clark dancing. She felt John come into the room and he sat next to her forcing her to look at him.
Before she could say anything his soft pouty lips met hers and his hands wrapped around her face. "I know it's not true." He said confidently.
She shook her head no, "This was the day that Gina set us up, and that is my friend Clark."
"This was taken after you told him about being resentful?" he asked remembering the conversation she told him that day.
She nodded letting the paper float to the floor she hugged him tightly. "I would never hurt you John, or betray you. I love you. I want you, only you. Always you."
He pulled away and grabbed her chin to kiss her. "I know Lexie, I love you too and as long as our families and friends know the truth; most importantly if we know the truth, that is all that matters." He said looking into her eyes.
