Sunday, July 29

They were headed to the Bennet home. Bing had been a little surprised when Jane suggested her backyard as the location for her photo shoot with Caroline. After all, Netherfield had plenty of picturesque settings to choose from—the sweeping staircase in the foyer, the sunlit atrium, or the arbor in the rose garden, just to name a few. But the Bennet home had several hibiscus that would be in bloom, and Jane thought they would be the perfect background. Bing was happy to go along with her plan, and Caroline acceded as well.

"I wouldn't think there would be any construction workers on site on a Sunday," said Jane as he drove them across town. "And the hibiscus are away from the house, so hopefully there won't be equipment in the way."

"There's that park a couple blocks away, right?" Bing asked. "We could go there if necessary." Jane nodded her agreement.

At first, the sight of a work truck in the Bennets' driveway made it seem that their alternate location would be necessary. Jane got out and walked around the house to talk to the workers while Bing and Caroline waited in the car.

Jane returned a few minutes later. "The house is done!" she exclaimed, beaming. "Mom and Dad signed off on the work on Friday, and the guys are just here picking up the last of their equipment."

Bing smiled and tried to share in her excitement as he should. He knew Jane was truly enjoying her stay at Netherfield, but it was only natural that she would miss her home. He suspected today's photo shoot location was as much about that as the hibiscus. She and her family's lives had been disrupted for almost a month, and of course they would be relieved to reunite in their own home.

"I'm going to let Lizzie and Lydia know," Jane said as she tapped out a text on her phone.

That task completed, she led them into the house. The living room furniture had been pushed together in the center of the room and was covered with sheet. The room also smelled faintly of fresh paint, so Bing opted to wait in in the kitchen while Jane and Caroline headed upstairs with the garment bag.

Jane returned a minute or so later. "Caroline will be down as soon as she finishes touching up."

Bing nodded, reaching for her hand as she seated herself next to him at the table. "I had a look in the backyard, and there's no equipment or tire tracks or anything next to the bushes."

"Perfect!" she said, beaming. "Oh, and I let Caroline know that I heard back from Lizzie. She's going to pack up this afternoon."

"There's no rush," he said regretfully. "We're happy to have both of you stay as long as you want."

Jane threaded their fingers together. "I know, and we've had a wonderful time and are so grateful for your hospitality. But it has been a while, and Lizzie wants to get home before the work week starts."

Bing nodded, resigned. The mention of Lizzie carried his thoughts to Darcy. His friend had been even more introspective and absorbed by work than usual during his stay at Netherfield, and it was only in the last few days that his mood had lightened to…well, not exactly happiness, but at least enjoyment. That change had everything to do with Lizzie, who seemed to be undergoing a change of her own where his friend was concerned. Bing had noticed an actual, though fleeting smile pass between them at dinner the night before and had tentatively brought it up while he and Darcy were cleaning the kitchen.

"We've had several conversations lately," had been Darcy's admission, with a hint of smile that said much more than words.

"And?"

"And she is asking me a lot of questions."

"Well that sounds promising, if she's trying to get to know you better."

"Perhaps," Darcy said, his expression solemn once more. "Though it remains to be seen whether she will like what she finds."

That was an unusual comment, coming from Darcy, and Bing frowned a little as he remembered it. Lizzie's departure couldn't come at a worse time, and Bing made a mental note to text Darcy and alert him as soon as he had an opportunity.

A couple more minutes passed in thoughtful silence, then Bing's attention was drawn by Jane's squeeze of his hand. "Is something wrong? You've been quiet all day."

"My parents called this morning to talk about school plans."

"What did you say?"

Bing shrugged. "I mainly listened." He paused, then continued, "Now that you've had a few days to think about it, what do you think?"

"Have you thought about the question I asked?"

"You mean, why did I decide to go to med school in the first place?" At Jane's nod, he frowned a little. "I didn't, exactly. I mean, I never sat down and weighed pros and cons and decided to be a doctor."

"Why then?"

"I've been trying to remember that," he said, his gaze far away. "Caroline broke her arm when I was five. When we got to the emergency room, my dad started treating her, and I was so upset that mom had to take me to another room. She finally distracted me by teaching me about different kinds of fractures and how they look in x-rays. She's a doctor too, you know. Afterward I explained what a greenstick fracture was to Caroline and anyone who asked about her cast."

"Oh, that is so sweet! I'm sorry Caroline was hurt though."

He nodded. "I don't know if my parents already wanted me to be a doctor before then, but ever since…there was never really a question about it."

"And what about now? If you weighed the pros and cons now, would you choose to be a doctor?"

"I don't know," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "Helping people, and giving back—that will always be important to me. Of course, being a doctor isn't the only way to do that. But it is a good way, and…I don't know, my parents are both so good at it. I just assumed I would be too. Then with all the classes, and the stress, I got burned out, and just…left."

Jane trailed her hand along his arm reassuringly. "Bing, there is no shame in needing a break, or taking time to reflect and make sure whether you're on the right path."

"I know," he said, though not very convincingly even to himself. After another pause, he continued, "Sometimes I think…I don't want to always wonder what would have happened if I hadn't quit during first year, if maybe I would have adjusted if I'd just toughed it out a little longer."

"So you're thinking of going back and giving it another try?"

"I don't know. Maybe. But…".

"But what? What's stopping you?"

"You," he said, looking up from his introspection. "Jane, med school is…it's all-consuming. I fell out of touch with so many people last year, even Caroline and Darcy for a while. Fortunately they understand how work can take over your life. But if I go back…I don't want to lose you. To lose us."

"You won't," Jane said, her eyes looking confidently into his. "If we're meant to be, and…and I think we are, then we'll make it through, even if we have to be apart for a little while. I know med school is demanding, and I will be understanding when you're busy. I'll visit you when I can, and when I can't…well, I've been told I make great care packages."

He smiled a little at that. Jane continued, "But Bing, no matter what you decide, I will be your biggest supporter all the way. Just like you've become mine."

Bing released a deep breath. With Jane looking at him with that depth of caring and assurance in her gaze, the decision he faced seemed…lesser, somehow. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Jane's lips curved into a smile as he dropped a kiss on her nose. She returned the gesture with a light giggle, and they would have continued had not Caroline entered the room.

"Oh Caroline, you look great!" Jane exclaimed. "I like how you put a little wave in your hair!"

"Thank you," Caroline said simply.

"I don't know that we need any last-minute alternations," she asked, examining the dress with a critical tilt of her head. "What do you think?"

Caroline agreed, and they moved outside to begin. The photo shoot proceeded smoothly. Caroline posed easily, and as Jane used only her phone without further camera or equipment, there was little for Bing to do except compliment both women whenever Jane paused to show him her latest snaps. At the end, he suggested taking a photo of both of them. The sight of the two most important women in his life arm in arm and smiling at him only added to his contentment.

"And now," he said, pocketing his phone, "may I take the two most beautiful women in town to dinner?"

%%%

Caroline sat in the seat behind Jane as Bing drove back to Netherfield. The sun was setting, commanding his and Jane's attention, but Caroline spared only a few glances at it.

Today had been…interesting. Caroline had never really believed Jane was involved in her mother's schemes to keep her at Netherfield, but if she had any doubts, today's events settled them. Jane had clearly not checked to ensure that construction was still ongoing before taking them to her home, nor did it seem to occur to her to be embarrassed that her mother had let nearly a whole weekend pass without informing her that the house was finished. Lizzie would have been mortified and noisily apologetic at the news. Caroline, had she been in Jane's position, would have simply redirected the photo shoot to the park without revealing the truth.

But Jane had done neither, and Caroline wasn't sure what to think about that.

And then there was the conversation she'd overheard between Jane and her brother. There was satisfaction, of course, in hearing Jane follow through on her promise to support Bing if he decided to return to med school, and greater satisfaction still that he seemed close to a decision to do so. After months of frustration, things finally seemed to be taking the correct course…though knowing how easily Bing changed his mind, Caroline didn't dare fully hope that she had accomplished her purpose.

Jane's professed belief that she and Bing were "meant to be" was idealistic and trite, just the kind of thing Bing would fall for. But there was also something…appealing in what she said. "No matter what you decide, I will be your biggest supporter all the way"—Caroline had never in her life heard those words. She didn't, couldn't believe Jane truly meant them. No one could, surely.

But more than anything, it was Bing's words that stayed with Caroline. She had not noticed any difference in their parents' hopes for him after she broke her arm. She did not even remember their mother taking him aside; she remembered only the injury itself, the pain afterward having mercifully faded from memory. But now memories of the aftermath trickled back to her, memories of Bing. He had followed her around constantly in the weeks after her injury, opening doors, cutting up her food, carrying things, even pleading to go to her class and help with her schoolwork. At last, she had snapped an exasperated refusal, reminding him that he couldn't even read yet and wouldn't understand the lessons. That had ended the matter, but he had still hovered quietly near until her cast was finally removed.

Caroline clasped her purse in her lap and watched Bing's profile in the fading light.

%%%

Thanks for reading my story! I'm enjoying the opportunity to explore Bing and Jane's relationship in a deeper way than was possible in LBD. I would love to hear your thoughts on them…and on Lizzie's upcoming departure from Netherfield!