Chapter 34
F: You and Lizzie are on your own for lunch. GiGi and Lydia are bonding. I'm supervising.
F: He is totes not supervising. Use this time wisely. Lydia out.
F: She is a tiny ninja and stole my phone.
G: BTW Lydia is staying with me tonight. Fitz is making me catch my plane tomorrow, so Lydia and I have to hang out while we can.
F: Tell Lizzie her video has been shot and sent to Charlotte for editing.
F: Fitz is making me do career research this week. Tell the nerd I'm not skipping.
Darcy scrolled through his recent text messages, trying to decide how he felt about Lydia and Gigi bonding. They could be good for each other. His sister was shy and struggled to make friends. Given what he now knew of Lydia she would be a loyal friend to have. Both were very energetic. Maybe Gigi could help tone down Lydia's boy crazy nature, and lead her toward responsible habits.
Lizzie appeared in the doorway. "Don't you dare pick me up," she said as Darcy started towards her.
He ignored her and picked her up anyways carrying her to the couch. "According to Fitz, our sisters are bonding and we are on our own for lunch. What would you like?"
Lizzie grinned at him and said, "Pizza."
"Pizza?" Darcy ask cautiously.
"Really greasy pizza Darcy. With all the toppings."
"All of them?"
"Most of them. Sausage, pepperoni, black olives, onions. No mushrooms or green peppers."
"Pizza it is then."
After Darcy finish ordering their pizza, talk turned to Lydia. Lizzie said, "I can't believe Lydia used my ankle injury as an excuse to skip school. She is so irresponsible."
"She is a caring sister. If Jane was injured would you have gone to her if you could?"
"Of course. It's Jane."
"And you are Lizzie. Of course Lydia came for you. She was worried about you. And me lurking around you."
"You aren't lurking around me."
Darcy eyed her skeptically, "Oh I'm definitely lurking around you. It's something I intend to always do."
"Then don't call it lurking," Lizzie said with a laugh.
"What shall I call it. Courting? I want to court you Lizzie Bennet."
"What does courting me involve?"
"The same things as lurking. Showing up wherever I can to be near you. Using lame excuse to spend more time in your company. Trying to show you my feelings."
"Courting sounds nice."
"It does," he said kissing her. The arrival of their pizza interrupted their make-out session.
"After you eat it will be time for your pain medication," Darcy told her has he cut his pizza up using a knife and fork.
"Nope. I'm not taking any more of them. Are you against finger food?"
"Lizzie you're in pain," he said in concern.
"And I'd rather deal with a little bit of pain than the word vomit that comes out of my mouth after I take them."
"I like your word vomit," he said selecting a piece of pizza with his fork.
"Seriously you're using a knife and fork for pizza?"
"Is something wrong with that?" he said his chin tucking into his neck.
"It's finger food. Like this," she said demonstrating how to eat a bite.
"This is less messy," he said with a shrug.
"Have you ever had fried chicken?"
No. It is never sounded very appealing."
"Fish sticks?"
"Fish was not meant to come in stick format."
"Nachos?"
"Fitz serves them occasionally at various parties."
"But do you eat them?"
"I, uh, well – –"
"You dislike finger food," she accused.
"I don't dislike all finger food."
"Okay, what finger foods do you like?"
Darcy thought for a moment and said, "I like various canapés."
Lizzie looked at him and raised her eyebrow. "Pretentious much? That's rich people food."
"You eat them with your fingers," he said defensively.
Before Lizzie could answer, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. "It's Charlotte," she told him as she picked it up and answered it. "Hello... Yeah she showed up... Out with Fitz and GiGi... Eating pizza with Darcy... Yes alone... He uses a fork and cuts it up Charlotte... Seriously... I'm not," Lizzie said as she glanced at Darcy.
Darcy stared at the pizza slice with determination. If Lizzie wanted him to eat messy food with his hands he would. He would show her he could be a part of her world. She said she was falling in love with him. He wasn't losing her over his eating habits. He would change them for Lizzie. He gingerly picked up the pizza slice and took a bite. He chewed. He could feel his fingers getting greasy. He wanted to drop the pizza slice and wash his hand but he wouldn't. For Lizzie he reminded himself sternly. He heard Lizzie tell Charlotte goodbye.
Lizzie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Will, you don't have to do that," she said.
"It's tasty this way," he tried to assure her.
"William Darcy put the pizza slice down and go wash your hands. You don't have to eat pizza that way for me."
"Are you sure Lizzie? Because I can. I can eat anything you want me to, however you think I should."
"You don't have to change your eating habits for me. But thank you for trying it. It was really sweet."
"Thank you Lizzie," he said with relief as he set the slice down and walked over to the sink. He glanced back at Lizzie, she had picked up his knife and fork and started to cut up her pizza. She glanced up at him.
"You tried my way, it's only fair I try yours," she said with a shrug.
He let the water run and stared at Lizzie. He had worried she was judging him and classing him as a fastidious rich guy while she was on the phone with Charlotte. Instead of pulling away from him over a difference she accepted him and went a step further. She showed she was willing to try things for him just as he was for her. It was he realized the beginning of a true relationship.
