Hi guys! sorry for the long delay, but I'm on vacation with family and barely have time to write anything at all...plus, i had a family wedding to plan and less than 2 weeks to do it so yeah, i've been busy..anyways, here's the next chapter, hope you like it...please review! and thanks to my awesome betas again, ladyamadaun and mab35

Chapter 9

Weeks passed and turned to months and Lizzy fell into a routine that was steady, if a little dull. She worked at Bennet Corp. overtime every day and came home usually to an empty house. Her father had spent most of his time travelling, making sure everything was stable in the overseas offices and Jane seemed to be engrossed with all things Charlie. When she wasn't busy on a shoot, she was with him. Lizzy didn't begrudge her friend her happiness, but she couldn't help but feel a little lonely. Although she had a tentative truce with Darcy, she still avoided him and that meant not seeing much of Richard either because the two of them were practically inseparable. She thought moving back meant more time with her dad but it seemed like she saw him even less now. When she was in Paris, he always made it a point to stop by on his trips, but now she'd barely seen him three times in as many weeks. Lizzy sighed as she closed her laptop and rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hand. There was just no point continuing; exhaustion was making her sloppy and if she went on, she'd just have to come back tomorrow and do it all over again. It was 8:30 and she was still at work, trying to put the final touches on the new company website. She sat back and blinked a few times, to let her eyes adjust without the glare of the laptop. Checking her watch, she stood up slowly and picked up her handbag. She made her way out of her office, switching off the lights as she walked by. Susan had already gone home at Lizzy's insistence and so everything seemed very quiet as she walked towards the elevator. Stepping in, she made her way down to the lobby, out the main doors and into her car. A few minutes later, the car pulled up at her townhouse and Lizzy got out, fishing her keys out of her bag as she walked up the stairs. As she absentmindedly turned the key to open the door, she thought about what to do for dinner. It was Nina's night off and she didn't feel like cooking anything for herself. She pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing a light on in the family room, she walked towards it in confusion. Who could be home? Walking into the room, she stopped in surprise. There sat Jane on the sofa with a pizza, soda cans and 2 bowls full of both chips and popcorn on the coffee table in front of her, holding a cordless phone in her hand.

"Where have you been?" She practically shouted, "I've been so worried about you."

"What? I was at work." Lizzy walked up the snacks and leaned down to grab a chip. Jane looked at the clock, "At this hour?"

Lizzy shrugged, "Sorry, I didn't know you were waiting for me. You should have called me."

Jane glared at her, "I did call you. I called a million times. No answer! I thought something happened to you!"

Lizzy frowned and reached into her bag, "Wha-…"she pulled out her cellphone and looked at the screen, "Oh crap 23 missed calls. Wow, you had a lot of time on your hands." She dropped the phone back in her bag and set it on the ground. She walked over to the sofa and sat down beside her friend. "Sorry about that, my phone was on vibrate and I didn't hear it." Jane continued to glare at her. Lizzy smiled at her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I promise I won't do it again."

Jane's frown dissipated and she sighed dramatically, "You better not or else I'll call the police next time."

Lizzy laughed, "Anyways, what are you doing home? I thought you'd be out with Charlie?"

Jane shook her head, "He's out with the guys tonight."

Lizzy raised her eyebrows, "So what, I'm your backup plan?" She asked teasingly. Jane smiled at her patiently, "Actually, I decided I wanted to spend some time with my best friend first and so he called Richard and Will after that."

Lizzy made a face, "Oh sorry about that. If I'd known, I would have come home earlier."

"It's ok, the night's still young. Its my fault anyways, I've neglected you for so long, it's no wonder you weren't expecting me to be home. Okay, you go change into something more comfy and I'll get the movie ready and heat up the pizza a little." She stood and picked up the box.

"Okay, I'll be back in 5." She raced upstairs and changed quickly into a tank top and yoga pants. She went into the washroom and washed her face. Tying her hair quickly into a messy bun, Lizzy ran back down to the family room to find Jane ready and waiting with a remote in her hand and hot pizza in front of her.

"Wow, that was fast!" Jane looked up at her friend in surprise. Lizzy plopped herself down on the sofa and grabbed a plate. She reached into the box and pulled out a slice of cheesy pizza. "What can I say, I'm starving." She took a big bite of the pizza and reached for a soda. "So what are we watching? Something girly I hope. It's been a while since I saw a good chick flick"

Jane nodded, "Yup, I got "He's just not that into you". I know it's not new but neither of us has seen it."

Lizzy gulped her soda and nodded, "Sounds good, play it."

The two sat in companionable silence and ate as they watched. Together they devoured most of the pizza and chips as well. Two hours later, as the credits were flashing on the screen Lizzy turned to Jane, "So how are things with Charlie?"

Jane sat back and sighed, "Amazing! He's so wonderful Lizzy. I never thought I could feel this strongly about someone."

Lizzy grinned. She leaned forward for the bowl of popcorn and set it in her lap. "So he's the One?"

Jane blushed, "I think so. When I'm with him, I feel so happy, like nothing can go wrong. He makes me feel so special. Oh! Before I forget, he's having a party this Saturday and you have to come!"

Lizzy frowned, "Party? Why?" She threw a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

Jane shrugged, "I don't know but he said he wants me to meet his sister and I'm so nervous! Please Lizzy, you have to come. You need a break too! You work too much."

"Okay fine, I'll go but Jane, be careful" Lizzy warned her friend. Jane shot her a confused look, "What do you mean?"

"Just… be careful. I don't know Charlie's sister but New York socialites can be mean. And I mean really mean. You may think she's complimenting you, but really it's an insult. Watch your back."

"How would you know that? Lizzy, you were 13 when you left New York."

"I went to like a million parties. Spent all my time hovering in the background, watching everyone. I hated the phoniness even back then."

Jane nodded, still looking confused. Lizzy sighed, "Don't worry, I'll be there for you."

Jane smiled, "Thanks Lizzy! I don't know what I would do without you."

Lizzy smiled back and then wiped her hands on a tissue. "Okay, enough mush, let's see if anything good is on tv." She grabbed the remote and switched the channels until she found a show they both enjoyed.

"So how'd you manage to tear yourself away from your girlfriend? Richard took a gulp of his drink. Charlie smiled ruefully at him, "She wanted alone time with Lizzy."

Richard and Darcy laughed out loud. The three men were enjoying drinks at their favorite bar.

"She blew you off for Lizzy? Man what a burn!" Richard shook his head.

"Well, we've spent nearly everyday together since we met so she felt bad about neglecting her 'bff' as she called her."

Darcy frowned, "Bff?"

"Best friend forever. Don't ask how I know" Richard answered him. Darcy smirked but said nothing as he drained his glass. Not a minute later a pretty waitress walked up to them. "Can I get you boys anything?"

"Yeah another round please." Charlie smiled at her. She walked off and returned with their drinks, "2 single malt scotch, and 1 Gibson." She set the glasses in front of the men and walked away after shooting them a big flirtatious smile. Charlie looked after her for a minute, "She's cute. You should go for her Will."

Darcy shot him a dirty look. But before he could say anything, Richard broke in. "I think Will is off the market at the moment." Charlie and Will both turned to look at him in surprise.

"What are you talking about? I'm not seeing anyone" Darcy practically growled at his cousin. Richard just smiled calmly at him. "Well, not yet, but only because you don't have the guts to ask her out. But you are taken. Emotionally at least."

"What's he talking about? Dude, did you hook up with anyone?" Charlie was confused.

'No I didn't." He answered through clenched teeth, his eyes still on Richard. Richard scoffed. "Listen, you have the hots for her…so what? It's understandable. She's actually the whole package. She's everything you've always said you've been looking for."

Darcy slammed his glass down. "Dammit Richard that's enough! I don't like Lizzy like that!"

"Who said I was talking about Lizzy?" Richard asked quietly, cornering his cousin. There was silence for a minute.

"I don't like her. She's too young. She's like my sister." Darcy said stubbornly as he finished off his second drink for the night.

"Bull shit. She's like my sister. I've always been like an older brother to her. Still am. But not you. It was always different for you. Maybe because of her crush, I don't know but even now you are not like a brother to her." Richard retorted. Charlie just sat watching them argue back in forth like a tennis match.

"You're only a year older than me. Why are you an older brother figure, and I'm not?" Darcy challenged him defiantly.

"Because I don't check her out like you do." Richard spat back at him. "I'm not talking age here. It's just a number as far as I'm concerned. I'm talking about relationships. The way we act with each other." He sat back, knowing he was victorious.

"I do not check her out! Just because I noticed her eyes doesn't mean I checked her out. They stand out! They're so blue…very blue…"Darcy's voice trailed off with a confused look on his face.

"Case in point." Richard smirked. "By the way man, you are drunk or almost drunk!"

Darcy didn't say anything. Charlie felt bad for his friend, even though he agreed with everything Richard said, and decided to change the subject. "So…what are you guys doing for thanksgiving this year?"

Richard looked at Charlie and, realizing what he was trying to do, decided to let Darcy off the hook for now. "Well, for the first time ever Lady C will not be hosting thanksgiving this year."

Darcy frowned at his cousin. "What do you mean?"

"She's going to be in Italy and she invited my parents and your sister along. I got out of it. Said I have too much work but you're still free to join them if you want."

Darcy laughed, "Yeah right! Oh wow, a holiday without Aunt Catherine…I've always wondered what that would feel like."

"Great so you guys can spend the holiday with me!" Charlie was excited.

"Chuck, as long as you don't cook, I'll be there." Darcy reassured him. Charlie grinned at him. "I wonder who else we can invite. I'll call Jane and Lizzy."

Darcy frowned, "I'm sure Lizzy will want to spend the holidays with her dad."

"Nope," Richard told him, "Michael won't be back by then."

"But thanksgiving isn't for another couple of weeks!" Darcy was surprised. Richard shrugged. "I know. Don't get me started. He's barely spent any time here since Lizzy came back."

"Are you serious? What is wrong with him? You'd think he would slow down and appreciate his daughter's presence after being separated for so long! Doesn't he care about her at all?" Darcy fumed.

"Whoa, calm down my inebriated cousin. Of course he cares about her but Michael's a workaholic, always has been." Richard commented lightly. Darcy blushed and looked down at his glass, trying to reign in is emotions.

"What was he like before Lizzy left?" Charlie asked, trying his best not to burst out laughing at his friend's expense.

Richard shrugged, "The same I'd say. When he travelled, Lizzy stayed with Nina and Sam. That's why she's so close to them. They're more like family than employees. Sometimes she tagged along but even then, we spent more time with her, taking her around the sightseeing."

Charlie whistled, "That's gotta be rough for the poor girl."

"She was always a good sport though, never complained. It's like she knew how hard it must have been for him to be a single father." Darcy pointed out.

"So why did she leave?" Charlie asked.

"It was her idea." Richard told him. "She wanted to go stay with her aunt and uncle. We never thought she would stay away as long as she did though."

The three men sat in silence, finishing off their drinks.

"Ok boys, it think it's time to call it a night." Richard signaled for the waitress. After paying their tab, Richard turned to look at his cousin. Darcy looked as though he was lost in his thoughts. Richard couldn't blame him. He had an idea of what kept him so preoccupied, or rather, who.