Chapter 25: The Fallout

After lunch and finishing another task, Lizzie hides in her window seat for a few moments before dinner to recharge. A knock at the door pulls her away from the story, just barely. "Come in," she says closing the book reluctantly.

Will opens the door, "Am I disturbing you?"

She smiles," Not at all."

"Really?" He grins at her.

"I might have been reading," she confesses, "but the book is closed at the moment. I didn't see you much today."

Will closes the door behind him. "Yes, well, after breakfast, I wasn't sure how the day was going to go. Jane had given me some tasks outside and I happily got to work. I take it everything is still on track."

"After some moments of hesitation, and a very convincing speech from your sister, yes." Lizzie pauses. "Georgiana told us what happened to her. I'm so sorry you both had to go through that. Now I understand why you were so protective of her when we first met. And I'm sorry I gave you a hard time."

Will takes a deep breath. "It was a rough time for both of us, but we're coming out of it now. And I have to admit that meeting you helped. Both of us."

Lizzie grins, "Really?"

"Yes. And I'm sorry too, I was so focused on keeping Georgiana safe that I wasn't listening to her and what she needed. And I wasn't listening to you either. But she and I have talked things through and we're in a better place right now."

"I'm glad. It sounds like a terrible time."

He nods to acknowledge that and quickly changes the subject, "She is however, begging me to re-decorate her room. I remember hearing something about this from you either and believe I have you to thank for this?"

Lizzie smiles at their easy banter, "It's only fair, unless you want her living in a dungeon."

"A dungeon? I think you're definitions need some work."

"Well, maybe not a dungeon," Lizzie concedes, "But it looks very stark compared to a normal teenage room."

"That's probably true. I guess you two will have to plan something."

A huge grin crosses Lizzie's face. "I'm sure that can be arranged."

"I'm not sure I'm going to like the two of you teaming up against me."

The grin widens, "Probably not."

Will shakes his head, "I was sent here to ask you about dinner."

"What about dinner?"

"There's talk about ordering dinner over cooking. I was sent to get your opinion."

"Oh. I don't mind cooking. Let's go see what's available in the kitchen that we can whip up."

"That sounds…delightful."

Lizzie snorts. "Really? Because it sounded like you were about to say terrible."

"I'm not much of a cook," Will admits, "Mrs. Reynolds does most of the cooking at our house."

"Well, lucky for you, I'm here." Lizzie extracts herself from the window seat.

"Yes it is," Will grins mischievously. He puts an arm around Lizzie's waist and tugs her close. He hesitates for moment, giving her time to reject him if she wants. When she leans forward giving consent, he captures her lips with his. She reaches up and winds her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. He moves his hand to the bag of her neck and deepens the kiss.

After a few moments, they pull apart and look at each other. They stand there for a moment and then Will grabs her hand and tugs her out of the room towards the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, Lizzie takes stock of the facilities. She's never cooked in such a fancy kitchen before, but she decides she's up for the challenge. Lizzie peaks in the cupboards and the fridge. "Well, we have a couple of options, but I think the best one is Macaroni and Cheese." She peers around the fridge door and looks at Will. "Thoughts?"

"Sounds good."

Lizzie disappears again and starts pulling out items. She grabs butter, cheeses, and milk. She places them on the counter and turns to grab the pasta from the fridge. She finds the pans she needs and gets situated. In cooking mode, she glances over at Will who's staring at her.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"Nothing."

Lizzie narrows her eyes. "No, really, what is it."

"I'm just watching you. You seem so comfortable here."

Lizzie shrugs, "I am. I like cooking. I started cooking because I hated dinners at my house. I decided if I wanted better dinners, I needed to learn how to cook. So I did. I've been doing it for so long, it's like clockwork."

"Anything I can do to help?"

A smile crosses her face, "You asked." She rummages through a cabinet and comes up with a cheese grater. "You know what to do."

"I do. It seems grating cheese is my lot in life."

"You have such a hard life." Lizzie teases.

"You have no idea," Will deadpans.

Lizzie laughs and turns back to the stove. She puts the water on to boil and starts a roux sauce. Lost in her own world, she starts humming and moving her hips to the music. She adds the milk to the sauce and stirs until it thickens. She turns around for the cheese and spies Georgianna standing in the doorway.

"Georgianna! Come on in."

"What smells so good?"

"Oh, we're just whipping up some Mac and Cheese."

"You and Will?"

"Well, mostly me, Will's just grating the cheese."

"Hey! I will have you know, it's a very important job."

Georgianna shoots him a look.

"What? It is! Without cheese, you're just getting Mac."

"True, but it's still grunt work."

Will narrows his eyes at her. "Are you challenging me to learn how to cook?"

Georgianna fights back a smile as she throws her hands up in mock surrender. "You said it, not me."

"Children, if you keep this up, you'll both be on dish duty," Lizzie scolds. She grabs the cheese from Will and adds it to the beginning of the sauce. She stirs until the cheese it's melted. When the pasta is done, she combines the cheese sauce and the noodles and places the pan in the oven.

"Not long now. Should we eat in here or the dining room?"

"Great question," Charlie says as he and Jane appear. "We followed our noses. Something sure smells good."

"Will and Lizzie made Mac and Cheese," Georgianna states.

"Well, I believe the Lizzie part. But what did you do Will?"

Will shakes his head, "I'm not having this conversation again."

Everyone laughs.

"Let's eat in here." Charlie decides, "Shall I open up a bottle of wine?"

Jane gives him a quick kiss, "That sounds great. I'll make up a quick salad."

"Shouldn't Will do that? Since he's so great in the kitchen?" his sister teases.

"Put me to work, Jane."

"Yes, Jane, put him to work," Georgianna agrees.

Jane coaches him on putting the salad together while Lizzie and Georgianna offer not so helpful critique. Will pretends to be hurt by their suggestions, but secretly loved the banter between the two of them.

When everything's ready, the five of them sit down to a lovely dinner happy with what they've accomplished this weekend – even if things didn't go exactly has planned.