Much of this chapter is getting to know Elizabeth. She is a bit of a complicated character which is what attracts the attention of Mr. Darcy. There are a lot of ideas swirling in my head. All want to take center stage, but I think the characters deserve more than just a quick and dirty justice to their story. I'm like a kid trying not to eat all of my Halloween candy all in one night and regret later. The best I can do at this point is to drop some crumbs. They will not be as obvious as in previous chapters, but it's there. Of course, as in canon, things will have to get worse before it gets better.

Hertfordshire

In the following days she discharged her last patient and temporarily closed her Mercy Memorial office in favor of Hertfordshire. She's been splitting her time between London and Hertfordshire. In the last six months since the twins took residence at Meryton General Hospital. It is the town she chose a year in advance where the much-awaited separation of conjoined twins is to take place. She wanted it away from London to minimize the amount of publicity. It is also quite close to her father's estate Longbourn where she will be residing for this very reason. It would be so easy to dash back to the hospital as needed.

It had been a year since the parents of Tim and Titus Bailey met with Dr. Elizabeth Bennet. Through tears they beg her to take the case. She tried to dissuade them stating that the odds of survival at best 60%. Still the parents insisted. She tried to point them to other doctors, but they wouldn't relent. She did agree to examine them and give her professional opinion. When she met the boys, it was her undoing. She couldn't bring herself to refuse these two little angels. Their age was a little bit younger than what her son Thomas would have been had he lived. Her motherly heart made the decision for her.

An entire year was spent learning about this boy's body. Planning was a challenge. He searched and interviewed potential doctors that will be part of the team. Six months later, she was able to secure a team of 40 doctors and a slew of supporting staff. She had contingency plans on top of contingency plans. She will leave nothing to chance. They've virtually practiced the surgery as a team numerous times. She is quite nervous and not accustomed to failure. On her own she could cope with it, but the burden of 40 doctors is something that is not within her realm.

Elizabeth sat in the backseat of her SUV just staring at nothing. Her mind has been occupied with the same thing for about a year and the height of her career will be displayed for all the world to see. She is not ready to be in the spotlight. The burden is too great for her, but at the same time she is not one to cower from a challenge. She just wants the credits to go to the participating doctors and supporting staff and not focus solely on her and her social status. She wondered how much of her life will lay bare for the world to dissect. How much protection does a Harrington name provide her? She's existed this long without any fanfare. In a few days, she will be in the thick of a news conference. She continued to mull over it, and about an hour later was brought back to the present by Edwin's voice, "We're here Dr. Bennet. Are there any errands you need me to run while you're at work?".

"Please inform Longbourn staff that I will be in residence for about a month or so. My presence may not be spread about publicly. I must have peace to focus on my big case. Also inform the stable that I will be going on my daily ride and would like Galen and Agnodice available at my disposal. Also tell Mrs. Hill to go ahead and unload my suitcase. I want the South side of the estate closed to the public. If the stable renters complain. Remind them that they signed an agreement that closes that part of the property when the owner is present. Tighten security. I don't want to be bombarded with reporters. I can't think of anything else at the moment. Thank you for always being available to help me. I will let you know when to come.

"Well…Just give me a holler and I'll be there Doc."

"Thank you!" Then she pulled her satchel strap over her head and grabbed a garment bag with her outfit for interviews. She's eager to get her days started before the morning rush. She feels at home in this facility. The staff knows her and are quite dedicated to accommodating her needs. She reached her office and was pleased to find everything in order courtesy of her secretary Mrs. Ellington.

It's quite early yet. Her secretary will not be arriving for another couple hours. She looked at some of the piles of folders and read over things that needed to be signed and filed. Then she made herself coffee. She sat at her desk drinking her magic drink while staring at the photo of her and her father. She misses him and it's been a few days since he called her. She decided to give him a short call.

"Hello Daddy!"

"Hello my dear girl. I miss you."

"I miss you too. I've been quite busy. Remember the conjoined twin's case?"

"I certainly do. You made a mention of it a few months ago. I gather that the date is looming on the horizon. "

"Quite so. I'm increasingly getting nervous. Never have I questioned my ability. There's so much at stake. To think that the lives of two innocent little angels are in my hands and that of my colleagues. I might have bitten more than I could chew. I wish you're here. You've always been my biggest cheerleader when I take on a rather difficult case. I think what really bothers me is the media attention I seem to be generating. It is something that I'm really uncomfortable with. The expectations just went through the roof."

"Sweetheart, I never doubted your ability. You've always been my courageous girl. This time you have over forty doctors to share the burden with. Your courage has always risen when occasion demands it."

"Thank you, Daddy. You always know just how to comfort me."

"Happy to be of service my sweetling."

"How have you been?"

"I'm doing well. You know, the usual. My routine seldom changes except when I feel like hitting the waves sometimes, but mostly, home, hospital, repeat. By the way, thank you for the impressive video you sent on perfecting invisible stitches. I'm still not quite as good as you, but I'm working on it. Perhaps you could come visit and show it to me in person. Plus, it would give me a break from the monotony. Say, I have an idea. How about you and I take a sabbatical and travel the world?"

"Oh Daddy! That actually sounds wonderful! I will seriously think about it. Anyway, I will have to make my rounds shortly. I just want to hear your voice. Thank you for answering my call. I love you so much!"

"I love you sweetheart. Have a good rest of the day. Will be thinking of you and your caseload. Remember. You are a great doctor, and I'm so proud of you. I love and miss you! Sending you hugs and kisses. Bye for now."

Elizabeth reluctantly hung up. Her father's voice has always been a healing balm for her soul, like a tight embrace. Father and daughter have always been like two peas in the pod. She is every bit her father's daughter, and he will do anything for her. He was sad when Elizabeth got married and moved away to England, but he understood her desire to connect with her mother and sister Jane. He was only willing to let her go because Michael promised him that he will take great care of his girl.

Jane and Elizabeth's relationship blossomed. It is as if they grew up together, but her mother was only in it for monetary reasons. She felt that since her daughter is successful and rich, that it is her duty to take care of her needs and that of her half-sisters. When Elizabeth refused. Fanny got angry and accused her of being selfish and ungrateful. She harassed her almost weekly, demanding money from her. Michael wouldn't tolerate it and filed a restraining order against her. Thankfully, Fanny doesn't really know the extent of how rich Elizabeth and Michael are.

Fanny Forster nee Bennet believed that starving Elizabeth of love and attention would result in her daughter going out of her way to seek her approval, and thereby become malleable to manipulation. Overtime she will be able to get anything she wants from her daughter. She clearly didn't know a thing about her highly independent daughter. Mr. Bennet made sure she never wants for anything, not even a mother's love. Furthermore, Elizabeth has a very healthy mother daughter relationship with her mother-in-law who loves her like a daughter ought to be loved. Even now that Michael is gone. She dotes on her. Elizabeth plans to see her as soon as the dust settles.

Elizabeth caressed her father's picture and got up from her desk. It's still early, but she wants to take advantage of the hospital's quietness and check on her patients, beginning with the conjoined twins, Tim and Titus. She quietly opened the door to their room in case the dynamic duo was still in the dreamland. She poked her head in and was greeted by two sets of sparkling eyes. She gave them a happy exaggerated smile. The twins flail their arms and legs in excitement. Six months gave her an opportunity to get to know these precious boys. They've wormed their way in her heart, and she dedicated her time to their welfare. She strategized, begged other doctors to participate, and advocated heavily for their care. She did everything possible for them. Yet as the days of impending surgery approaches. She couldn't help but feel heaviness in her heart. Realistically speaking, she knows that the average success rate of twin separation is about give or take 60%, but she just couldn't accept that. For her, it's like choosing which twin should live and she doesn't want that job. She loves those boys.

She approached their crib with such enthusiasm adding to the boy's excitement. When she turned to the sink to wash her hands, they started fussing. She told them in a soothing voice that she would be right there in two shakes of a lamb's tail. She dried her hands and went back to them. She sang songs and hummed as she did her assessment. She stroked their faces checking the size of their scalp. The skin looked to have expanded three times its size. She was pleased with the progress. She wants to make sure there's plenty of scalp to cover two separate heads. She did some neurological checks. She gave their tummies little tickles and squeezed their chubby legs. They are both looking well. Now, all she'll have to do is make sure that neither one of them gets sick just before surgery. She bid the boys a sweet goodbye and went to the nurses station.

Dr. Bennet took the patient charts and scribbled some orders. She gave nurse Mrs. Robinson the rundown of her assessment of the twins. She ordered the final series of tests to be done before surgery. She visited a couple more patients and discharged them after seeing their smooth recovery.

She is a well-respected doctor. It wasn't at first because of how young and accomplished she's been. She was a lovely anomaly in the sea of well-educated pompous doctors. Though she was young and knowledgeable. She was also gentle and humble. It didn't take the staff long to make her their favorite. She is constantly being asked if she is hiring. Because of her caring personality. She had quite a following.

Then she went to her office, by then her secretary Mrs. Ellington had arrived and had more coffee made. They spoke of the day's agenda and asked her if all the preoperative paperwork were in order and signed. She was pleased to be ahead of schedule. She will not be doing any surgery for a couple of weeks leading to the separation of conjoined twins unless it was an emergency. Her day was mostly filled with meetings and consulting. It's been a quiet day. She decided to end her day early.

She called Edwin, but he was already at the parking lot. She was glad to be able to come home to Longbourn for a while. Even though she never grew up there. It was a place where she felt close to her father. They lived there until her parents got divorced. Her mother and Jane moved in with her then boyfriend James Forster. Her father kept the Longbourn estate, saving it for her. That became the root of Mrs. Forster's resentment towards Elizabeth. Especially now that she's living below the standard, she was accustomed to as Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennet.

Elizabeth arrived at her beloved home. She always enters through the kitchen because Mrs. Hill always made sure to have fresh scones and sheep butter. Today did not disappoint. She made a beeline for the treats like a schoolgirl. One bite into it, Mrs. Hill walked in. Elizabeth quickly put down the partially consumed scone and ran to her. She gave her the most affectionate hug and thanked her for ready treats. Mrs. Hill was touched by her display and hugged her like a daughter. She was pleased to see her girl again take longer residence in her birth home.

Elizabeth polished off the first scone. She stole one more and made her way to her room. She informed Mrs. Hill that she is not to be disturb until further notice. She reached her sanctuary and used the bathroom. She then went to her office and shut herself in. She moved a couple of books to reveal a false back panel of a bookshelf. She typed in a code and another bookshelf slid back into a wall revealing a passage. Once in, she typed in another code and a retinal scanner opened. Once the scan was complete a door opened, and lights automatically turned on. The place is a little dusty, but she had no problem doing a little bit of cleaning.

After thirty minutes of cleaning. She installed her data scrambler and reached in her desk and pushed a small button underneath. The false picture of a Derbyshire waterfall turned into a screen. A few codes and she's in. She reviewed a couple of months' worth of activity. She was pleased that her husband's work is still working. She doesn't know how long before justice will be served, but she has nothing but time and a lot of money. "I'm working on it, my loves." she muttered. She typed a short message to CRF22215: Thank you! Then she closed everything. She needs a relaxing ride. She texted Mr. Smith to ready her stallion. She left her secret room satisfied with her and her husband's project.