Author's Note: I've told stories for a long time, but this is my first time putting one to paper. Please be kind!
"Oh, that's great", replied Elizabeth.
Only, it wasn't great — it was awful.
No, that wasn't fair. It wasn't awful. If Will had found someone and was happy, it was great. For him. It certainly was not his fault that she had completely obliterated any chance they ever had of being together with her angry words. Besides, if this woman in bright orange was truly his type, it never would have worked anyway.
The woman standing in front of Elizabeth was a tall, thin-to-the-point-of-emaciation, overdressed blond who probably spent more time applying the pounds of makeup she wore in one day than Elizabeth spent in a month. It was not Elizabeth's first encounter with Caroline Bingley. Elizabeth's sweet, near perfect sister, Jane, had been dating Caroline's twin brother, Charles, for almost six weeks. They had been a part of the same party at least twice in that time, even though Caroline had not bothered to say more than ten words to Elizabeth in either instance. She was far too busy trying to get the attention of Fitzwilliam Darcy.
As these thoughts flew through Elizabeth's mind, Caroline had also given her the once over. Obviously she was not impressed with the Carribean blue scrubs and arch saving tennis shoes Elizabeth was sporting. Caroline's already snobbily raised nose inched impossibly higher.
Someone's name was called to the counter to get their latte, breaking their perusal of each other. Instantly Caroline began, again, her campaign to make Elizabeth believe that William was hers now.
"Yes, we are just as happy as we could possibly be. We dined last night by candlelight at Romano's. Who knew William could be so romantic? I am just here to get us both a mocha latte. We love the coffee here. It is our favorite", she said looking around the little hole in the wall with obvious distaste.
At these words, Elizbeth's head jerked up from where she had been staring at the toes of her shoes, lost in her regret. What Caroline said was a blatant lie. True, Elizabeth and Will had frequented Java Mama often in their time together. It was conveniently located to both City General hospital and the local offices of FD Design. The lie was in the fact that British Will despised American coffee and always ordered the Java Mama's special blend green tea.
These thoughts had no more than flashed through her mind when the small brass bells above the door rang announcing the arrival of another customer. Only it wasn't just another customer. It was Will. She had avoided coming in for coffee for over a week just to avoid this very moment. There were at least two other places between his office and here where he could have gotten tea much more easily. Dread and sadness fought for dominance in the pit of her stomach.
Scanning the room quickly, Fitzwilliam Darcy startled slightly at the sight of the most beautiful woman of his acquaintance. Without conscious thought, his feet led him toward her.
Caroline looked over her shoulder to see what had drawn Elizabeth's gaze. She instantly preened and reached for his hand as he got closer.
"William, darling. You must be psychic, I was just bringing you your favorite coffee."
Her words were lost on Will as he walked right past her to stand just a little too close to Elizabeth. As he looked into her gorgeous green eyes they both spoke at once.
"I am sorry"
"Can you ever forgive me?"
"Why would you be sorry?" Elizabeth asked quickly. "I am the one who owes you so much more than an apology."
Taking her hand in his, much to the vocal displeasure of Caroline Bingley, Will lowered his voice so that only Elizabeth could hear him.
"No, Elizabeth, I lost my temper and was completely irrational. When I heard the things Wickham had said to you, all I could see was a haze of red. It took me two days to consider the things you asked me about my relationship with George Wickham. It has taken me almost a week to work up the courage to approach you and ask for forgiveness, or at least a chance to explain. There is so much I want, no, need to say to you. Please, tell me you will listen, that I have not lost you over that man."
At this point Caroline Bingley, in all her orange-clad glory, could stand it no longer.
"Just what do you think you are doing, Eliza? Let go of his hands. I told you we were together. You had your chance, now back off!"
Will slowly turned to face Caroline. "Pardon me, why exactly do you think we are "together"? I have never and will never choose to be attached to you. I have tried very hard to be polite to you without encouraging this obsession you have with my money and status. This I did for your brother, for our friendship. Understand, madam, that I will continue to be the gentleman my parents raised me to be, but that does not in any way indicate a preference for you or your company. I am completely gone over Elizabeth and intend to make sure she knows and feels it every day that she will give me."
"But William, just last night we dined together, drank expensive champagne together in a romantic restaurant."
"Yes, Caroline, we did. However you are conveniently forgetting that you interrupted the celebration of a successfully completed project and the fact that Charles and my complete management team were there by invitation. Please, save your dignity and our ability to be in company as polite yet indifferent persons. Go home."
Turning back to Elizabeth who was fighting a large smirk, he once again lowered his voice and said "Might we talk now? Do you have the time?"
Both were staring so deeply into the others eyes that neither acknowledged Carolines squeal of frustration as she stomped out the door.
Finally able to gather her words, Elizabeth glanced at her watch and responded, "No, Will. I have about 15 minutes left on my lunch break. However, I do have a pan of lasagna and a salad in my refrigerator. Perhaps we could have this discussion at my apartment tonight."
His heart leapt at the thought that she was willing not only to talk through their disagreement but that she would allow him to come to her home and share a meal. It was even more than he had dreamed of when he came to Java Mama, hoping against hope that she would be there on her break as she had been so many times before.
"Yes, my love. I would love to share your supper, and I want more than anything I have ever wanted to make amends and hopefully move past the problems that I allowed Wickham's words to cause."
Totally lost to the fact that they were in a public place, she reached up and brushed a lock of his dark, unruly hair from his forehead. Placing what was meant to be a soft, quick kiss on his lips, she quickly acquiesced when Will deepened the kiss for a moment.
With a sassy smile she said, "I'll be home no later than 6:30. I believe you know where I keep the spare key in case you beat me there."
"Oh, I will be there early. I doubt if I will accomplish anything this afternoon in anticipation. May I walk you back to the hospital, Dr. Bennet?"
"You certainly may, Mr. Darcy."
Feeling the zing race up their arms as their hands joined, they both took the first deep, free breath in many days. It was going to be okay. They would talk, and all would be right once again. There was still much to learn about each other, but now that they had the chance, they were each determined to make the most of it.
10 months later…
Java Mama was jumping. Elizabeth was glad she had used the new app to place her order online before she left the hospital. It had already been a brutal day at work, and she really needed her caffeine. Reaching the pick up counter, she hailed a server and gave her name. With a smile and a thanks, she turned to go. As she did, what should have been a cup of coffee rattled. A puzzled look on her face, she removed the lid and peered into the cup. Her eyes widened, and she looked up in time to see Will appear and get down on one knee.
In his very formal, British way he began, "Please allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Almost from the first moment we met I knew somewhere deep in my heart that it was you. You are my one and only, my present and my future. Please, Elizabeth, will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man in the world?"
Speechless, she nodded, pulled him to his feet, and kissed him thoroughly.
He never learned to drink American coffee; however, Java Mama would forever be a place of change and new beginnings for them. It would be where she told him he was to be a father. It would be where he told her of his father's illness and his need to return to England for at least a month. Many things large and small began or ended at Java Mama. One thing, however, remained steady and strong — and it wasn't the coffee.
