Chapter 46

Having Lizzie in San Francisco was perfect. Last night they had ordered take out and after dinner Darcy had helped Lizzie set up a space to film her videos and do her remote shadowing. This morning he had woken her up with kisses before getting out of bed to shower and dress for work, running late for the first time. Seeing Lizzie saited and asleep in his bed after he finished showering took his breath away. She looked so perfect there. He didn't look forward to leaving her for the day but reminded himself she would be there when he got home. He mentally rearranged his schedule so that he could spend more time with her. With a kiss to her temple he reluctantly left the room and headed downstairs for breakfast.

He greeted his chef, Michael, and informed him he had a guest staying with him. He requested the chef make something special to be heated for dinner tonight and that he make Ms. Bennet breakfast when she came down. Michael normally prepared his breakfast, put together a meal for him to reheat that night for dinner and left the premises by 10 am.

On weekends when his chef was off, Darcy ordered out. He had enjoyed seeing Lizzie cook in the hotel's kitchennet and hoped to repeat the experience in his kitchen. He had never felt a desire to cook but the idea of making a meal with Lizzie was appealing. With that in mind he ask Michael about some beginner recipes that him and Elizabeth could try out over the weekend. Michael with a knowing smile promised to leave a few for Darcy to look over. With a lingering look towards the stairs Darcy left the house to head into work just after 7.

Lizzie woke up shortly after Darcy left. She showered and got dressed for the day. She had nothing scheduled with Gracechurch street and didn't want to sit at Darcy's house without him. She needed to edit the footage her and Darcy had shot last night so she could upload it on time. Lydia had helpfully sent her the footage from her phone of Caroline's visit. She edited the two into a coherent whole. Her and Darcy had discussed what to include and what they should leave out. Ultimately for the sake of having a continuous narrative the majority of the footage was left intact and from Darcy's home they had shot new footage to use for the introduction.

Lizzie had decided to troll her followers and while Darcy was in the footage with her she was deliberately ambiguous about where she was shooting from. Darcy had insisted that she at least let her viewers know they had reconciled. His insecurity about the internet thinking she wasn't with him had been flattering. She would never have classified herself as someone that attracted lots of male attention but Darcy had requested it be made clear to her male followers she was not in the market for a rebound.

Setting her video to upload automatically at 9 Lizzie decided to visit the kichen for breakfast. Darcy had explained last night that his chef was present from 6am to 10am. It was now 8:20. Lizzie was nervous about entering the chef's domain but her stomach rubbled and she could think of nothing else to put off venturing downstairs. Reminding herself that her courage rose with every attempt to intimidate her she bravely set foot out Darcy's bedroom door.

Thirty minutes later she was ensconced in Darcy's kitchen laughing with Michael. She was relieved that Darcy's chef was so friendly. He told her stories about his resturant and about Darcy. She was pleasantly surprised to learn that Darcy had invested in the older man's restaurant allowing him to succeed in his dream of starting his own buisness. Michael had spent almost 20 years as a personal chef for various individuals before opening his own resturant. He had opened his dinner resturant almost 10 years ago with help from Darcy and now Darcy was the only client he kept on as a personal chef. He told Lizzie that Darcy would bring her to his restaurant and he would allow her to eat in the kitchen and try everything he cooked.

After Michael left, Lizzie felt strange alone in the big quiet house. The tour Darcy had given her yesterday had made her realize just how different Darcy's background was from hers. It was something that was easy to overlook in his prescence last night but now without him here she felt like an invader. Deciding quickly she grabbed her phone, purse and put on shoes. She couldn't stay alone here. The only people she knew in this city were Will, Gigi, Fitz and Brandon. She knew Will, Fitz and Brandon were all working and wasn't sure of GiGi's class schedule but decided against calling her anyways. She would go explore on her own so she could think.

Lizzie briefly regretted her impulsive decision to go to San Francisco with Darcy. Had she of realized just what his life might be like here she didn't think she would have come. She shook her head, that wasn't true. Sleeping in his arms and waking up with him wasn't something she would have missed for anything. She would just have to deal with the rest that came with him, even if it made her uncomfortable. As the front door shut behind her, Lizzie took a deep breath and looked around. A giggle escaped her. Darcy had a freaking estate and he called it a house. She would have to be sure to clarify exactly what he meant when he said things in the future. She didn't want to agree to french food for dinner and find herself in Paris.

Lizzie eyed the gate as she arrived at it. She had assummed there would be some sort of button to open it. At a glane she didn't see anything. closer inspection finally revealed its secret. She was relieved she wouldn't have to climb the surrounding fence to escape. Once on the otherside with the gate shut behind her did it occur to her that she was effectively locked out. Her only thoughts had been on leaving, she hadn't considered that she wouldn't be able to get back in until she saw Darcy, or called GiGi. She shrugged, she would be fine until then. To the right and left the Darcy property extended so she crossed the street and decided to turn right. As she walked along she took in her surroundings. Darcy's home literally was in the middle of the city. She passed various boutiques and cafe's. Stopping at a cute coffee house Lizzie went in. She ordered and Italian cream soda to go and sipping her drink countinued on. The storefronts she passed were pricey and upscale. She eyed them dubiously.

It was official she decided, she had landed in some sort of parallel universe. She Lizzie Bennet had no buisness here, but here she was. With relief she finally spotted a store that looked promising, it sold books She went inside it with relief. The window claimed to specialize in rare and first editions. Breathing in the smell of leather and paper she closed her eyes and calmed down.

"New to the area? " a pleasant voice ask. Opening her eyes Lizzie saw a woman older then herself, well dressed in clothing that screamed designer, n her thirties smiling at her. Lizzie glanced down at her own worn comfortable jeans and sweater. She blushed. Before she could respond though the woman continued on. "I'm Anne. This little shop is one of my favorite places to visit. It has such a soothing atmosphere."

Smiling back Lizzie said, "Lizzie. I made an impulsive decision to visit someone special and feel like Dorthay must have when she landed in Oz."

"Regretting your decision?" Anne ask kindly.

"Yes and No. I don't think I quite knew what I was getting into," Lizzie said ruefully.

"I assume your someone special is more then just a friend," Anne guessed. Lizzie nodded. "Perhaps having an unbiased friend to talk to will help. Would you like to join me for the day. I have a few errands I'm running. Your company would be welcome."

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Lizzie said but she was dying to accept.

"You wouldn't be intruding. This is my first stop. Jacob, the owner takes care of my Christmas book order." Walking towards the counter she greeted the cashier and ask if the owner was in. The cashier told her he was and went to go get him. An older man with a full white beard and twinkling eyed stepped out of the back room.

"Anne!" he cried jovially. "That time of year again isn't it. How many this year?"

"There are 21 toddlers, 33 kids age 6 to10 at the shelter this year and another 24 between the ages of 11 and 16 and one 17 year old."

"Hmmm, I shall put an order in for the proper selections. What do you want to do for the Christmad book this year? Twas the night before Christmas? "

"What do you think Lizzie?" Anne ask. Turning to Jacob she said, " This is my friend Lizzie, she is helping me out today."

"Charmed to meet you my dear. What was your favorite Christmas book?"

"The Polar Express," Lizzie responded promptly.

"Perfect!" Anne exclaimed. "That one this year Jacob. I've just had a brilliant idea. The theme this year can be made around it. I can get new pyjamas for each child as part of it. Your brilliant Lizzie. It was fate that I met you today," she said beaming at her.

"I don't think you can call me brilliant for that. All I did was name my favorite Christmas book," Lizzie said laughing. She was glad she came into the book shop and met Anne.

"Much less messy then last years," Jacob said with a chuckle. "Last year Anne did If You Take A Mouse To The Movies."

"The Christmas version of Give a Mouse a Cookie?" Lizzie ask delighted. "That book is so fun!"

"I work with one of the local shelter's every year to put on a Holiday celebration," Anne explained to her.

"She doesn't just work with them during the Holidays. Our Anne here helps out year round."

"People are in need all times of the year. Do you have a copy of Polar Express in your stock that I can purchase to use as a guide for me and Lizzie?"

"I believe I do. Let me get it for you." After finding the book Jacob handed it over to Anne and wished the ladies good luck."

"Its about lunch time, I know a great little cafe. Let's head there and you can unburden yourself to me about your special someone if you want or we can strategize for planning the shelter's celebration. "