Chapter 11: Growing Up and Growing Apart
Oxford
October 2003
"Willllll! This party is for girls. You have to go and watch films with Thomas like you promised."
"Ok, ok, I'm going! I just wanted to check you were alright."
"I'm fine! Please! Before my friends get here."
Darcy found it hard to believe that Georgie was eight already; he definitely wasn't ready for her tween-age attitude. He had become the least cool companion on the planet in the last few months. Luckily, his sister still adored Lizzy, who was hosting, and Jane, who had come up from Exeter especially for this weekend. They were doing some kind of makeover party for her school friends. Darcy had suggested ponies, but apparently that was so last year. He sighed and trudged off to find Thomas, who had also been excluded.
-x-
When Lizzy found him a few hours later, he was demolishing a huge portion of curry in the kitchen.
"Where did you get that?"
"Your Mum felt sorry for me, so she made my favourite."
"That sounds about right. I spend 3 hours babysitting, but she's sorry for you having to watch TV!"
"I think there's some in the fridge, if you're hungry?"
"It's ok, I ate my own body weight in pizza and sweets tonight."
"Was it awful?"
"No, it was lots of fun actually. You know I love Georgie, and her friends are cute, if a little hyper!"
He pulled her onto his lap for a cuddle.
"Thank you so much for doing this for her. She was so thrilled to have a grown up party."
"It's cool. You can be in charge of Thomas' birthday. If Mum lets you." She hugged him closer. "Are you really upset she wouldn't let you come?"
"I don't mind missing the painted nails, I just feel sad that she's already feeling too grown up to want me there."
"It's a phase. She is just as excited to go to G&D's with you and Thomas tomorrow. And Jane has just put her to bed cuddling a teddy, so she's not exactly ready to throw off childhood forever."
He laughed, but still looked a little down.
"What's really wrong?"
He sighed. "I always thought I'd be ready to take over as Georgie's guardian once I finished uni. Now she doesn't even want me to come to her birthday party. Will she really want to live with me next year? And how will I cope with her as a teenager?"
"Will, did you notice that Victoria wasn't here either? She didn't even want your Nan today. Who she wants at her girly party doesn't reflect who she loves."
"She definitely loves you. She would be thrilled if you were her guardian!"
"Won't I be, in a way?" Lizzy asked.
Darcy looked relieved. "You will? It's not too much to ask?"
"Well, you haven't actually asked..." she teased, before giving him a serious look. "I love you Will. As far as I'm concerned, your life is my life."
"Lizzy..." he breathed, and kissed her deeply, trying to convey how lucky he felt to have her.
"We do need to discuss how it would work," she cautioned him, once they came up for air. "We need to be sure we're doing what's best for Georgie."
"Do you think living with us might not be a good idea?"
"I think it's a great idea in the long term. But we can't just take over one day and hope for the best. We need jobs and somewhere to live for one thing."
"Mum and Dad left me the house, you know."
"It's not Victoria's?"
"No, she just moved in when she started taking care of us. It's paid off, so we wouldn't need to worry about that. And there's a trust, from the insurance money; it covers things like school fees. Of course, it means staying in Oxford. We've never really talked about that before."
"I assumed we'd have to stay here anyway, since Georgie is at school here."
"You wouldn't mind?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "All my family is here."
"You won't miss the adventure?"
"I'm happy with the adventure you bring into my life, love."
He beamed at her. "You're amazing."
"You're not so bad yourself, my dear!"
"No, I mean it. You're the most amazing person I've ever met. No matter what is happening, or how bad or worried I feel, you always make it better. And if something good happens, you make it even more wonderful. I never expected to find someone who could make me as happy as you do."
"Oh, Will..." She had tears in her eyes.
"I love you with all my heart and soul. I want to be with you always. You know that, right?"
"Is that a proposal?" she asked, with a cheeky laugh.
"If you want it to be. I'd marry you tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow might be pushing it a bit, love, but tell you what... ask me again once I'm in my twenties and I promise I'll say yes."
That meant next year, thought Darcy. If she was expecting him to be scared off by this, she was heartily mistaken. Will was so thrilled that their kisses became a little heated for the kitchen.
"Hmmm, if that's the reaction to a no, then what will you do when I say yes?"
"That was a reaction to you not tearing me a new one, like the original Elizabeth Bennet!" Darcy laughed, and Lizzy giggled.
"Well, you're much better at proposing than Mr Darcy was…"
The door slammed, and the both turned to see Jane looking furious.
"Proposing? Darcy, don't be ridiculous."
Lizzy was indignant. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean you're nineteen Lizzy, you're far too young to be this serious."
"I realise we're young Jane, but that doesn't mean we don't know how we feel."
"Now, maybe."
"What?!" spluttered Lizzy.
You shouldn't be making that kind of commitment. It's just easier if you're not married, Lizzy."
"Easier to what, Jane?"
Lizzy's voice was cold, and Darcy was getting worried. He realised that Jane thought they meant to get married immediately, so he tried to intervene.
"I don't think Jane meant that the way it's sounds... right?" He looked at Jane.
"I... " Jane looked at Darcy briefly, then back at Lizzy. "Sorry, but I do mean it. It's easier break up, if you're not married."
Darcy's mouth dropped open in shock.
"We're going to be together forever, Jane. I don't need it to be easy to break up."
"And can you trust him?" she asked, bluntly.
"I would trust him with my life. We don't all jump between partners you know. Some of us are faithful."
"Ok, whoa!" Darcy held out his hands between them, as if he could physically hold back the hurtful words. "Jane, I think you…"
"Don't!" hissed Lizzy, looking mutinous. "If that's how she feels, then she doesn't deserve to be given any more information."
"Sweetheart…" he soothed, "I think Jane was just surprised. This is a misunderstanding. I'm sure she has your best interests at heart. Right, Jane?"
Jane was standing on the other side of the kitchen, looking equally mutinous.
Darcy had never seen the sisters look so alike. She stayed silent.
"And Lizzy, you didn't mean what you said either. Did you?"
Nothing.
"Jane, you clearly didn't hear everything..." he began again. Lizzy gave him a dirty look, but he ignored her. This was important. "We agree we're too young right now. We're not engaged yet, but we will be. We're sure we want to be together forever and neither of us would do anything to jeopardise that, no matter how young we are. You're important to Lizzy, I would really like to have your support."
"And if I don't support you?"
"See if I care!" spat Lizzy.
"I hope to doesn't come to that." Darcy added, more calmly.
"Well I hope for your sake that you know what you're doing, Lizzy. Don't come running to me when it falls apart." Jane retorted, and stalked out of the kitchen.
Lizzy jumped up and started pacing, muttering under her breath.
"Are you ok? I don't think I've ever seen you fight with Jane before."
"Not like that," she replied. "I can't believe she'd say those things! Why wouldn't I trust you?"
He stood up and hugged her close.
"I'm glad we're not actually engaged, that would have been even more horrible." Lizzy started to sob. "But Jane thought we were! And she didn't care if she ruined it! Why are you not angry?"
"I don't think what she said has anything to do with either of us, sweetheart."
"She's changed so much this year. I feel like I hardly know her."
"She's still your Jane. You need to make up with her."
"I do?! But she said those horrible things!"
"What she said wasn't true, sweetheart. It doesn't matter if she thinks that about me now, I'll prove her wrong in time. But what you said back was hurtful too, and it was true. I don't think she'll say sorry if you don't."
"Maybe tomorrow. I'm too angry right now. She's spoiled a lovely evening."
"She hasn't spoiled anything, sweetheart. We made a commitment to each other in our hearts, and then we affirmed it by defending our relationship."
Lizzy's eyebrows rose. "Will Darcy putting a positive spin on things? You must be really worried about me..." He laughed. "Come on, let's go to bed. We can affirm our love in a nicer way."
Darcy didn't have to be asked twice.
-x-
Lizzy and Darcy spent the next day caught up with the kids, and she returned home in a much better mood. Lizzy went looking for Jane, but she was out on a date of all things! So much for Greg, thought Lizzy... and said Lizzy, to Jane, about two hours later.
"What business is that of yours?"
"Oh, so you can stick your oar in my love life, but I should shut up?! I can't believe I was going to apologise to you!"
"So you admit I was right?"
"No! I was going to say sorry for fighting, but only because Will asked me to. Not that you deserve his good opinion."
"Give over, Lizzy! He's not God. How well do you really know him?"
"I know him a bloody sight better than I know you at the moment. What is wrong with you, Jane?"
"There's nothing wrong with me, Lizzy. I am a perfectly normal twenty year old."
"Well if it's normal to cheat on your boyfriend, I'm glad I'm weird."
And on that parting shot, Lizzy left Jane's room, slamming the door. Jane went back to Exeter the next afternoon, without saying goodbye.
xXx
Michaelmas Term 2003
Darcy didn't know how to make it better. He was a bit distracted by Davies who was also acting strangely, and by the start of his third and most important year of college.
Lizzy didn't want to think about her sister. She threw herself into college activities, in the happy position of being well settled and still having a year until finals. She had gained a part in a musical being out on at Keble, played netball for New College, and went out most nights, while keeping on top of her lab work and tutes. When she had a spare minute, she enjoyed distracting Darcy, who was writing his dissertation. The next thing she knew, it was the Christmas Vac.
xXx
December 2003
Jane arrived home with Greg in tow, scuppering the plans Lizzy had to discuss things with her sister. She suffered through more of Mrs Bennet's effusions, this time about Greg, escaping to Will's whenever she could, often bringing Thomas to play with Georgie. When she was at home, Lizzy spent most of her time hanging out in her Dad's study with him and Will, trading silly jokes and playing chess.
She had the most wonderful Christmas Day surprise when Will and his family joined the Bennets for lunch, before whisking her back to Summertown for Victoria's annual Christmas cocktail party. Will had gifted her the most beautiful dress, and she felt amazing in it.
Lizzy floated home the next day, and was quite oblivious to Jane's dirty looks for the rest of the week. That's partly why she was so shocked at what happened on New Year's Day.
-x-
The Bennets normally had a family party to celebrate, but this year Onslow had insisted on hosting. He had told Lizzy and Jane to bring some friends, if they liked. Fiona wasn't thrilled about introducing Lizzy's "posh friends" to her family, and her Mum's snobbery wound her up as usual. So she invited some girls she knew from school, as well as some college friends. If Lizzy had been thinking more clearly she might not have included Jamie and Gemma, but she wasn't, so she did.
The party was actually pretty fantastic. Onslow and some of his neighbours had created a dance floor in the street, while Daisy had made the old sofa in the front garden look like an intentional seating area. They even had fairy lights and a fire pit! Rose was seeing a DJ at the moment and he put on a very professional set from across the road; luckily, it didn't rain and dancing kept everyone warm. Best of all, in Lizzy's opinion, was that Mrs Bennet got drunk on mulled wine and relaxed dramatically. At one point, she and Onslow did a foxtrot.
Lizzy was also happy to see that Jane seemed quite exuberant. Maybe they could have a fresh start for the new year. She resolved to talk to her sister once they were clear of house guests; the college crew had been promised sleeping bags in the den that night and a roast dinner the next day.
Darcy had fun too, though he was still worried about Davies He had been uncharacteristically withdrawn this term. Gemma said she thought he was ok if a bit stressed, but Darcy knew his best mate. This was more than finals could account for, especially in Michaelmas. Even Richard agreed. Like Lizzy, he resolved that New Year's Day was the time to confront the problem. But before he could ask what was wrong, everyone found out quite dramatically; they were all unceremoniously woken by Fiona screaming at Jane, who had been found half naked in the bathroom with Jamie.
Suddenly everything became clear.
Amidst the confusion of voices (Fiona and Greg, mostly), Jane broke down in tears. Next thing Darcy knew, she was in Lizzy's arms being comforted, and they were the best of friends again. Jamie walked out, leaving a remarkably composed Gemma behind. Apparently, they were in an open relationship (Seriously, Davies?! Again?) and she wasn't surprised about Jane. Greg did not feel the same way, and made sure they were all aware of it.
The awkward dinner that followed these revelations was starting to feel like a Bennet tradition. Even Thom was uncomfortable; he actually paid Greg's new train fare so he could leave first thing in the morning. Darcy was almost happy to leave, even though he had to kiss Lizzy goodbye and go home and deal with Jamie. Happy New Year, indeed!
