Chapter 49: Dawn

A faint whirring roused Lizzy from her deep and comfortable slumber. The automatic blinds were retracting, letting in gorgeous rays of sunshine that had pierced winter gray clouds. She was enveloped in the fluffy warmth of Will's plush down comforter, a gentle breath tickling her neck pleasantly reminding her that most of the heat she presently felt emanated directly from Will's embrace.

Snuggling deeper into his arms, Lizzy thought back to the almost implausible events of the previous day. Will being on Charlotte's doorstep was one thing, but finding out that he still felt strongly for her after everything? Finally knowing that her own feelings were free to be expressed, instead of becoming a lifetime source of regret and pain? It seemed almost unbelievable that he could still love her, but here she was, and it all felt so wonderful that she almost wondered if she were about to wake from a dream.

And then of course, meeting Gianna had been another incredible experience. The moment their eyes had met, there was an instant bond between the two women; particularly after Gianna managed to stop thanking Lizzy for her role in getting Wickham to confess his shady behavior. Thick as thieves the entire dinner, Will seemed worried that he had already lost Lizzy to his sister's sweet and even temperament, until Lizzy cuddled tightly into him on the couch for their impromptu movie night.

Mmmm. Will. She missed him already. Deciding to wake him up, she flipped over determined to make his morning. Her shock was sufficient, therefore, when she discovered that a fantastic pair of grey eyes were already staring brightly at her. This time, there was a smile behind them, and as always, the difference it made was no less than astounding.

She reached up and stroked his face. "Oh god, you're an early riser. I'm the 'five more minutes' person. This is never going to work."

The smile spread across his face then, the crinkles in the corner of his eyes lending sincerity to a face that was making Lizzy melt with each passing moment. He reached up to hold the hand that was cupping his chin, bringing it to his chest and clutching it to his heart.

"Oh, I know all about your perpetual need for 'five more minutes'. Let's see," he started counting off on his fingers, "our first business meeting, the staff meeting I went to, dinner at Charlie's, countless excursions in the DR…I could keep going if you like." The corners of his eyes danced in mischief.

"I like to think of it as being fashionably late." She arched her brows and pointed her finger at him. "You know Caroline Bingley would agree with me."

The look on his face changed in an instant, and Lizzy instantly felt regret at her tease.

"I'm sorry…I guess that was too soon. You know I'm not her biggest fan either. But, trust me, she was deceived Will, just like I was…just like Gianna. Greg was really good at making a person feel like they were in control, when they never really were. I'm not saying that we're inviting her to any dinner parties, but for Charlie's sake, try not to hate her completely."

A contemplative smile toyed at his mouth. "You're too good, you know that? I'm pretty sure you're quickly becoming my better half." He leaned over and kissed her fully just then, and for a moment all thought ceased.

Resting her head back on his chest, Lizzy decided it was time to start a different topic, one that had been a source of mystery to her for some time.

She gently toyed with the hair on his chest as she began. "So, uh…Will…I was wondering…what exactly made you fall in love with me to begin with? I mean, I can completely understand what kept you going once you started…I mean, who wouldn't?" She laughed at herself and continued more thoughtfully, "No, but seriously, what…got you started?"

"I'm not sure I can answer that one for certain. From the moment I met you my world has turned upside down. When I first saw you at Toshi's I was captivated, but I fought it with every bone in my body. A vision of you in that emerald green dress has been seared into my memory as one of the most breathtaking sights of my life. It really was a losing battle from the start; every time we saw each other I found more reasons to admire you. When you turned me down for lunch that day, even though you had shown an interest in my being around, I figured you knew better than I. You had the ability to remain professional despite what I thought was a mutual attraction, and I was the one completely losing his self-control. That evening I decided to keep my distance."

She pouted playfully. "You haven't answered my question…at all!"

He looked at her earnestly and thoughtfully. "When exactly did I fall in love? I wish I could give you a straight answer, but I'm fairly certain I was in the middle before I realized I had even begun. By the time you showed up on Charlie's doorstep I was already completely lost."

"I still can't believe you didn't know that I was Jane's sister."

He laughed. "I can't either." He grew serious then, and started uncertainly stroking the fingers of her hand that rested on top of his chest. "Lizzy, just because that comment you heard wasn't directed at you, it doesn't make it any less offensive. You were right, I was a brute. I had never concerned myself with the feelings of others unrelated to me before- it's an odd thing to say, but there had been no need to. When you outright rejected me in the cave, at first I was indignant - I couldn't imagine how you had justified your words to yourself. But after I replayed our conversations over and over in my mind, I began to realize how little I had done to deserve your good opinion, and even less, your affection."

"There were times when I was downright rude to you though. That didn't make you think twice? Our argument at Charlie's, or…"

"You consider that an argument? I found it to be a refreshing debate. The liveliness of your mind was enchanting."

"Enchanting?" Her laugh danced in the air around them. "You better be careful, that's the kind of compliment that makes a woman feel like she can run the world." She looked at him archly, "Be honest though, there was a part of you that liked that I stood up to you."

"I don't think I took the time to actively consider it."

"No, I won't allow that. That's exactly it. You were tired of everyone oogling you and deferring to you just because of who you were. I came around and I was different – I was so unlike everyone else in my treatment of you. There. I just explained it all." She laughed again. "Too bad you don't actually know if I'm even a good person…but really, who thinks of that when they fall in love?"

She sighed contentedly as a chuckle escaped his lips and he captured her eyes with his own. Oh, that deep, throaty chuckle. He has no idea what it does to me.

He looked at her earnestly. "Is this how it's going to be every morning?"

"Probably."

He studied her with a huge grin. "I'm ready for it." His mind wandered back to what she had said a moment earlier, "But what do you mean I know no good of you? You manage your creative team in a fair and empowering way. You defend your sisters ferociously. You even did what you could to make sure that my sister walked free. I have to dissent and say that I know plenty good of you."

"Who would do less for the people you mentioned? I still argue that I am no superwoman, but please, tout these as my virtues as much as you like. It's your job now to make sure that I'm always seen in my best light."

He gazed at her intently. "Trust me, it won't be hard."

She felt the full warmth of his look, and gazed down briefly to compose herself.

He continued, "So, what would you like to do today? Having you here feels like a new beginning; we should make the most of it."

"I think I might leave that up to you. You are definitely the expert between us. I'm sure there are plenty of places in NYC that you have had access to, that I don't even realize exist."

He shook his head. "Trust me, you don't want to let me decide. I'm fairly certain we would never leave this room."

Pink rose into Lizzy's cheeks, but she looked at him disbelieving. "I'm sure the illustrious Mr. Darcy has a million things to do today. I was half expecting you to leave me to the mercy of your sister."

A pained look came over his face. "You still believe me capable of that? After last night?"

Lizzy was struck with a pang of guilt. "I…I didn't mean it in a bad way. I just know that you're a hot commodity, high in demand, that sort of thing."

"So even after all of this talk this morning, you still think that your effect is only secondary? That the events of yesterday haven't just completely changed everything, but especially what my schedule looks like from here on out?"

"I don't know…No?" she suddenly felt shy and slid the covers slightly higher towards her chin.

"I can't believe this. You still find me to be a complete and utter ruffian. Ok, let's have it, which one is it? 'Last man in the world,' or, 'I simply have no chance?'"

Although she could see the intended exaggeration in his mannerisms, she still felt the hurt behind the repetition of her own words. Phew. Ok, this just got oddly deep. I've got to help him let all of that go. She shifted herself up on the pillows so that she could be level with his eyes. Taking his hand, she entwined his fingers in her own. "Like I told you yesterday, I never thought that my words would have had such an effect. However, I think you would be happy to know I have since come to feel that…not only were my words excessively severe, but beneath that obnoxious exterior you had decided to display to the world, was a man who truly didn't deserve most of them. Now," a smile began to radiate from her eyes as she pursed her lips before continuing, "I wish I could say that I am sorry, but I have a nagging sensation that it was precisely that conversation in the cave that has allowed me to experience this present moment, the past day and…last night." She bit her lip and looked at him seductively for a moment before returning to her playfulness. "Since I have no desire to undo any of those things, I'm afraid to say I will just have to leave it at that." She finished her declaration with an innocent upwards glance and a poking out of her chin.

Lizzy heard a half-man, half-animal growl emanate from Will's chest just before he captured her lips and pressed her back into the pillows. Her hands slid up the sides of his back to press her fingertips into his shoulders as he descended his hips to hers. Her left hand fell onto a slight, scabbed-over scratch that her fingernail must have left the night before. Maybe he isn't the only half-animal in here, she thought satisfactorily, right before she felt him fill her body with his desire.

Will Darcy had been mostly right. She had left it up to him, and between speaking the words that had too long gone unspoken, and losing themselves unreservedly in repeated and arduous expressions of their newly shared desire, they didn't make it out of the room before dinner.

Happy was the day that Fran Bennet learned that her second eldest daughter was also potentially on her way to becoming a rich, well-respected woman.

The shock and awe of the entire family, Jane and Bingley included, when Lizzy arrived with Will on her arm was transparent. Kitty gushed at the romance of it all, and likened it to the storyline of her latest vampire novel; Bingley shook his head at knowing and still not knowing simultaneously; and Jane cried at the thought that both she and Lizzy had finally found themselves happy in love. Mr. Bennet took one glance at the joyful glow in Elizabeth's eyes and was supremely satisfied.

Of course, it was Mrs. Bennet who trumped them all in her response.

She rose and placed herself in a majestic state in the middle of the room. If the gathering hadn't been full of her own family members, her mannerisms and tone would have certainly led many to believe she was a grande dame from a southern plantation. "It is our first family game night in weeks, and what a special delight it is to have both Charlie and Will here to share in our simple tradition. I am proud to confess that I absolutely have the perfect game for this occasion!" She squealed a bit in delight at her pronouncement. Running upstairs, she returned shortly with an older game that obviously had not been played for quite some time, if ever.

She plopped it on the table with an unnatural satisfaction at herself, a thin cloud of dust rising from the vintage box. Pay Day.

Although he had never heard of it before, Will cringed even just at the title, glancing over at Lizzy to make sure she wasn't in need of some re-assurance for her mother's embarrassing behavior. It had become abundantly clear that no thought was ever left unexpressed when it came to her mother; even when not stated directly, her subtlety was the equivalent of King Kong rampaging New York. He shook his head in disbelief, and once again felt a familiar flood of gratitude that Lizzy truly was nothing like her.

However, his absolute favorite Fran Bennet comment came later that evening during dinner. Mr. Bennet had just begun discussing the weekly poker tournament he competed in at the local library when his wife interrupted with something like, "Kitty, stop coughing. No one is paying attention to you. Lizzy, get the tea sampler so our guests can select their flavors. Mr. Bennet, did I not tell you that Jane would be rich one day? I told you that all of those pennies we threw into that wishing well would come back to us!" She leaned over towards her husband and covered her mouth with her hand, although her volume did not moderate lower at all. "I'm sure it also helped that I threw in a few hundreds when you weren't looking, my dear."

The look on Mr. Bennet's face had indeed been priceless; he also turned a shade of white that made Will wonder if he should call for a crash cart.

Through it all, Lizzy had kept her chin up, frequently holding his hand or nuzzling his shoulder with her temple in an unnecessary attempt to remind him that her feelings had nothing to do with her mother's mercenary pursuits. Her presence kept him more than calm; a few more visits and he might even be able to find a thin layer of humor amidst all of the shenanigans.

However, there was one point in the evening when Lizzy had left his side for some time to speak to her father. Although he was confident in her regard for him, he could not help but feel trepidation at what their conversation might entail; Will knew that if her father had an issue with their relationship that it could influence Lizzy's comfort. When she returned therefore, Will was eager, and a little nervous, to discover what had kept her away for so long.

"Dad just wanted to hear the story from me directly. If you remember, the last he knew of you was that you were my jerk boss who managed to impress him at our family dinner. He needed me to fill in the blanks. Although…I really think he just wanted to triple-check to make sure I was truly happy."

"So you told him…?"

"That aside from him, I've never known a better man, and…" a mischievous smile danced in her lovely hazel eyes, "you're quickly beating him out for the top spot.'

Swooping her into his arms, Will planted a firm and desiring kiss on her pert mouth. She responded by wrapping her arms firmly around his waist to deepen their embrace. Pulling his head back to rest it softly on her forehead, he asked, "Does game night always go so late?"

Well, Jane and I never really had anywhere to rush off to before. But I'm sure they won't blame us if we call it a night.

"No, it's alright. I know they want to spend time with you after everything. Besides, it's not like we don't have the rest of our lives."

"I did hear you say that at Charlotte's, didn't I?"

"You did."

Lizzy's face blushed a lovely rose color. "I don't know what to say."

"My hope is that you will…one day, when the time is right."

She smiled in spite of herself, but was not willing to let him off the hook to easily. "Oh, confident now, I see."

"No, just that certain in my love for you…dearest, loveliest Elizabeth."

Her cheeks began to tingle from her blushing so hard. "Look at you going all old-English romance novel on me."

"I've never heard you complain before."

She looked up at him coyly. "And I never will. I love you, William Darcy. Don't you ever doubt it again."

"And I love you, Elizabeth Bennet. Don't you ever …

"Lizzy?!" Her mother's shrill voice was unmistakable. "Where did you go? I just landed on sweepstakes and I am determined to walk away with all this money! Come take your turn!"

Lizzy covered her eyes and gently shook her head. She felt Will pull her in close and tuck her into his chest.

"You know what?" He said, tilting his head out to the side in order to catch her profile. "There is a positive side to Fran Bennet."

She looked up at him in baffled disbelief.

"Remember what you said to me yesterday morning? That I fell for you because you're different? I'm fairly certain I might have that…" he paused to carefully consider his words, "highly insistent woman to thank. Your father provided the brains, but your character was absolutely formed in response to hers. If that's what it took to have the person you are at my side, I am happy to entertain how ever many rounds of Pay day she requires."

Overcome with emotion, Lizzy entwined her fingers in his hair and pulled him in for a second deep and enthralling embrace. Will held her close, breathing in the coconut scent in her hair and unwilling to let the moment end.

"Lizzy!"

The screeching ultimately broke their romantic reverie. Sighing in unison, they gave each other glances that communicated the deepest levels of intimacy, lovingly gripped each other by the waist, and returned to the game table ready for absolutely anything that might come their way.

No excuses, just a chapter. I genuinely hope that all my readers are staying healthy and safe in these unprecedented times! Epilogue to come VERY soon, and a COMPLETE mark will follow.

I cannot say THANK YOU enough to all of those still sticking by this story. You have truly kept me going, even in my lengthy moments of silence. You all are absolutely the best. 3