That last chapter was so short, I just had to post more. Thank you so much for your support in reading and reviewing!
Chapter 52
Elizabeth rolled over and looked across the room at her sister, softly snoring in her own bed. If only sleep would come so easily for me! She sighed.
It had been a long day, packing in the morning, driving down with the dogs in the Jeep, getting settled into the huge house. She was tired, and the bed was comfortable. She should have been asleep long ago.
Will! she thought, knowing how much she missed him, even though his room was right across the way. I wonder if he's faring any better than I am. She turned back to face the wall, and wished she had brought Will's pillow, or something of his to snuggle.
Why, when we had the chance, didn't we make love this afternoon! Though she felt this way now, she knew that when Charlie, Jane and Georgiana had left his house before them that afternoon, there were other things to think about and do, and the mood just wasn't right then.
She frowned to herself and wondered if, perhaps, she could sneak over to Will's room; but Jane was right there, and she'd have to walk past Charlie's. Besides, Georgiana and Tiffany were right downstairs, and she and Will had agreed to wait until she had actually moved into his house before they "officially" shared a bed.
A low, rumbling snore from the floor beside her bed interrupted her reverie and she sighed again, wishing sleep would claim her soon.
Thankfully, not much later, it did, and she felt refreshed and awake when she rose in the morning. She showered and dressed, and was not surprised to find Will at the kitchen table reading the paper and talking to Maggie, who was, of course, making pancakes.
Even as they finished their breakfast, it seemed no one else was up, so Will and Elizabeth decided to take the dogs for a long walk up the beach. It was cool, but sunny, and there were few people around. Hershey eagerly led the way, and in no time was trying to pull Will into the waves. Hamlet, however, was a bit skeptical. He let the water brush his paws a few times before trying to pull Elizabeth away from the water. Will and Elizabeth couldn't help smiling at the differences.
When they arrived back at the house, they found everyone else up and eager to get started. Georgiana and Tiffany were already in their bikinis, eager to go lie out on the beach and catch some rays, and were trying to convince Jane to join them. She waffled a bit, but once Charlie decided to go, she quickly agreed.
As soon as the others were gone, Will and Elizabeth settled on the front deck with their laptops, needing to check their email at minimum, and Maggie later joined them with a book. They didn't interact much, but all enjoyed the warm sunshine and the salty breeze off the bay.
Eventually Maggie got up, declaring it was time for her to fix lunch, and Will and Elizabeth both immediately offered to help, quickly shutting down their computers. Maggie tried to say it was unnecessary, but was overruled, and found herself accompanied and aided by the couple.
Thus, less than half an hour later, Will was packing a large picnic hamper while Elizabeth and Maggie changed to go down to the beach, and join the others.
They were surprised that Georgiana had not claimed a spot directly across from the house, and scanned up and down the beach before spotting Jane and Charlie in the distance. As they approached, they noticed Georgiana and Tiffany sitting on their towels and talking to a young man and woman about their age.
"Will!" Georgiana called out and waved as she spotted them. "Do you remember the Conroys?" Pointing to a guy sitting beside her she said, "Jamie and I were in the same class in high school." Then tipping her head toward the girl beside Tiffany, added, "And Jenna was two years before."
Elizabeth and Maggie started passing out the sandwiches and sodas, but before unwrapping her own, Elizabeth stretched out on her towel. "This is a perfect day for the beach." She closed her eyes and smiled.
Will lay on his side beside her, unable to disagree, and thoroughly enjoying the image she presented before him. He couldn't help but think how much he wanted her… her smiles, her presence, forever.
A short while later, as Will and Elizabeth were finally eating, a couple came toward them from the water. Jamie introduced them as his elder brother John and his wife, Tammy, as they sat down among the group.
The rest of the afternoon was spent playing volleyball, relaxing, chatting, and swimming in the mild bay waves. While they were packing up, John invited everyone to a party at his house, just a little further up Beach St. from where they now were, later that night, and Will agreed they'd go.
Back at the house, everyone cleaned up before helping to get dinner ready, not allowing Maggie to do very much at all. Then afterward, they walked up the street to the Conroys' party.
The music was loud, but not obnoxious, and there were many people, but everyone seemed to be getting on well. As in most group situations, Will mostly stayed beside Elizabeth, but even he found someone he could talk shop with while Elizabeth chatted away with a fellow geek. When a slow song played, Will and Elizabeth danced. All of their party seemed to be having a good time.
Finally, about 10:30, Will and Elizabeth decided it was time to go - Maggie having left about a half hour before - and Tiffany and Georgiana agreed. When they finally found Charlie and Jane, who were sitting in the backyard with full glasses of wine, Will was getting anxious. Charlie and Jane, however, were quite comfortable, and decided to remain.
Tiffany and Georgiana walked ahead of Will and Elizabeth, and as soon as they arrived at their house, the girls excused themselves for the night. Taking this as their opportunity for some time alone, Will grabbed a couple bottles of Flying Fish, and he and Elizabeth snuggled on the sofa. They talked, and kissed, but mostly just relaxed and enjoyed their proximity.
As it neared midnight, they decided it would be best to turn in, so Will led Elizabeth upstairs and to her bedroom door. He pulled her close and they kissed, much more passionately than they had downstairs, but eventually he pulled away. They said their goodnights and I love yous, and Will kissed Elizabeth's temple before she slipped into her room.
Once she closed the door, Elizabeth rested her palm upon it and didn't move. She listened. It seemed Will had stood by her door for nearly a minute before walking over to his own room. Once she heard his door click though, she set to getting ready for bed.
Grabbing her computer, she climbed into bed ten minutes later. It bothered her that Jane wasn't back yet, so she picked up her cell and called her.
"Don't worry, Lizzy. I'm fine. Charlie and I are just walking on the beach. We'll be home soon." Elizabeth thought she detected a bit of a slur, but Jane seemed happy, not distressed, so there was really nothing to be done.
With a sigh, Elizabeth booted up her computer. She checked her email and started reading a story update. She could feel her eyelids growing heavy, but tried to stay awake.
She must not have succeeded though, for she felt herself jolted awake, alert and alarmed when she heard the front door SLAM!
