Chapter 38

Wednesday November 7

Fitz and Darcy set comfortably across from each other at dinner. Fitz was giving him a knowing grin. Darcy patiently waited for Fitz to speak.

"Can I see it?" Fitz finally asked.

"See what?" Darcy ask confused. He expected Fitz to say something about Lizzie. Perhaps about how he had driven her to work that morning, carpooling. He wanted to carpool with Lizzie every day. He wished the drive was longer.

"The ring. Lydia predicted you bought one."

Darcy blushed red and said, "No you can't." He hoped Lydia would keep her prediction to herself and not tell Lizzie or Mrs. Bennet. While Mrs. Bennet's goals and his currently aligned, he didn't think she'd be the most helpful ally.

"Just a peek?"

"No."

"Do you know how you're going to ask her?"

"I think it's too soon for that."

"Yet you bought a ring anyway."

"I wanted to be prepared. Besides it looked perfect for her."

"Lydia thinks as soon as Lizzie says yes, you'll elope to Vegas."

"That's a good idea."

"She was right, you had already thought of it, hadn't you?"

"The second Lizzie agrees to be mine I don't want to waste any more time. Nor do I want to risk her mother causing her to get cold feet. I suspect Lizzie won't want the big wedding her mother will plan. As long as the people she cares about are there it will be perfect for her. For me only the bride matters. As long as Lizzie marries me I will be content."

"I think you'll be more than just content Darcy."

"I will be," Darcy said with a soft smile as he thought of the prospect of Lizzie as his wife.

"Perhaps then you should start talking to Jane. Lizzie will need a dress."

"I'm not sure Lizzie would be pleased to have her wedding planned out for her before I ask her. I'd rather not be presumptuous."

"Darce, you bought a ring before she has even said I love you. You're already presumptuous."

"Prepared."

"Then be prepared for her to say yes. I suspect Lizzie will go along with your Vegas scheme, but make it the wedding of her dreams."

"I could do that."

"Are you going to ask her to sign a pre-nup?"

Darcy glared at Fitz. "Definitely not," he said firmly.

"What if your board of investors protest?"

"Then I'll buy them out. I won't start my life with Lizzie with a legal document like that. I want to give her everything I have. I can easily afford to buy any out that object."

"Hell, you could buy out the whole board and have money left over to buy a few third world countries."

"Please don't tell Lizzie that. It's bad enough when she thinks Pemberley is all I own."

"I take it she doesn't know about the entire Darcy investment Portfolio."

"God no, she'd leave me."

"It is a little intimidating in her defense. Pemberley alone is a multi-million dollar company. Add in the rest of where your family's money comes from and well she's Lizzie."

Darcy glared at his friend.

...

Thursday November 8

Gigi scrolled through her iPod, headphones on as she sat alone in the Student Union. She hoped Lydia would transfer to a school in the area. It felt nice to have a friend. With Lydia, what you saw was what you got. She liked that. She glanced at her phone, no new messages. She knew Lydia was probably still asleep. Fitz was probably strolling around Collins and Collins trying to look busy to legitimize her brother still being there. Her brother hopefully was making out with Lizzie in the supply closet. She sighed, that last one didn't seem very likely yet, but hopefully someday. Someday soon.

Gigi's phone went off with a Twitter notification. Lizzie newest video was up. She's switched her headphone connection from her iPod to her phone. She clicked on the link.

The video opened with Lizzie smiling brightly. "Hello you guys! Thanks for all the well wishes. And how great was Monday's video? Thank you Gigi, Lydia and Fitz. And of course Charlotte, the awesome editor for it. Today I want to do something special. Acknowledge some very special people. Obviously you guys are special to me too. But today my name is Lizzie Bennet and I'd like to pay tribute to sisters."

After the intro music ended the video cut to Lizzie and Charlotte sitting in the frame.

Lizzie said, "Today, Charlotte and I want to talk about our sisters."

Charlotte said, "you guys haven't had a chance to meet her but I want to share with you my sister Mariah." The video jump cut to a scene that included footage from Mariah's time at Collins and Collins. "That's her," Charlotte said smiling proudly. "She's intelligent, hardworking and I'm grateful to have her."

"You guys know my sisters already," Lizzie said. The video cut to a montage of footage that showed Jane, Lydia, Gigi and Charlotte. The video cut back to Lizzie and Charlotte. Lizzie said, "Obviously GiGi and Charlotte aren't related by blood, but I'm counting them anyways."

"Thanks," Charlotte said with a smile. "I consider all the Bennets to be my sisters as well. You're more than my best friend Lizzie, your family."

"Char," Lizzie said softly and the two hugged. The video jumped again to Lizzie and Charlotte and their resumed positions. "My sister Jane has an eye for beauty, she is so sweet, kind and caring. Charlotte is my anchor, she pulls me back when I get to crazy in my head. Calms me down. GiGi brings my protective instincts to the foreground. She is so sweet and fun but has a devious streak that I kind of adore. And Lydia, Lydia is perhaps the most like me, or so I have been told. She is so fierce, she doesn't take crap, which can drive me crazy. But I love her. I'm getting to know her better now. She is pretty amazing. All my sisters are pretty amazing women."

"Being a sister isn't matter of blood," Charlotte said.

"Or gender," Lizzie said and the video cut to a still frame with Fitz. It cut back to Lizzie and Charlotte. "It's a matter of feeling. Of being there," Lizzie told the camera. "Of supporting each other. Dropping everything to rush to one's side. Or calling because you can't help but worry. Diving into the deep end together."

"It's having each other's back. Fighting for each other. Fighting with each other," Charlotte said.

"So take some time today to hug your sisters. Or brothers. Let them know you love them. Tell us about them in the comments. We'd love to hear about them. Jane, Ly-di- ah! Charlotte, Gigi thank you guys for being my sisters."

The video cut to a photo montage of Charlotte, Lizzie, Jane Lydia and Gigi. Then it cut back to Lizzie. "And you Fitz," she said with a grin. The end credits rolled.

GiGi raised her fingers shakily to her eyes and wiped a tear, her face sporting a wide smile. So this is what it felt like she thought dazedly. To be a part of something more than simple friendship, she'd wanted Lizzie as her sister as soon as she had seen her vlog. Her and Lydia had instantly and easily connected. The overlooked younger sisters. Of course GiGi no longer felt overlooked by her brother but she remembered when she had and recognized herself in Lydia.

Lizzie had summoned what being a sister was up perfectly. She loved Lizzie and Lydia. Charlotte she suspected would quickly join those ranks as well. She all of a sudden couldn't wait to meet Jane. Her phone rang. Her brother's picture appeared on the screen.

"William," she said with a shaky laugh unable to hold her happiness in.

"GiGi," he said in that special way of his. He pronounced her name different then anyone, it made her feel special to hear it.

"Lizzie's video-" she said.

"I love you," he told her simply.

"I love you too William."

He let Lizzie pick the movie. She had chosen Ice Age. He had looked at a her questioningly. She defended her choice saying it was funny. He expected her to pick a Colin Firth film. When he told her so, she suggested Mamma Mia. He decided Ice Age would be just fine. Now with Lizzie in his arms, cuddling on the couch, he realized he didn't care what they watched. He wasn't even watching the movie. He was watching Lizzie. He found as many excuses to kiss her as he could.

He wanted to ask her to stay the night with him after the movie ended. He wondered how to best phrase it. To make it clear to her that he just wanted to sleep with her in his arms again.

As the credits rolled he moved her hair to the side and nuzzled her neck. Softly he whispered, "Stay. Please." Lizzie moved her head to the side, giving him better access. She sighed as he dropped kisses onto her exposed neck. She softly agreed. He held her tighter in his arms.

He shyly offered her the toothbrush he had bought for her. It was nicer then the one she had used the last time. She rolled her eyes at him and teased him about the free toothbrush from the hotel not being good enough. He reminded her of the importance of good dental habits considering her love of sugar.

When she emerged from the bathroom wearing his t-shirt and boxers he stared hungrily at her. Instead of climbing into bed next to him, she climbed on top of him and straddled him. His hands went automatically to her hips. As her lips met his he caressed her. This he decided was heaven.