To all of those who reviewed, thank you. I love how you all are trying to guess what the undertones within each chapter means. Sometimes you guys come up with things that I didn't even think of and cause me to go 'Hey, that could work in the story line' and I keep it in my mind to see if I can work it in. You all are absolutely wonderful.

So in response to all the guessing, I'll just say this one thing - regardless of whether or not Darcy is burying Liz with work as punishment or to keep her away from him, that amount of work is actually typical for a law firm. Just so that you guys don't have unrealistic ideas.

Wannabehermy - special note to you. Liz is in a lot of ways mirrored after myself [though I don't have the arrogant yet irresistible Darcy. Wish I did though]. So from personal experience, I can tell you that law review, moot court, a 17 credit course load and an intense internship or job while staying within the top 10% - 15% of the class is doable [although I'll profess, I don't attend Columbia . . .]

Ok, ok here's the next chapter.

Chapter 14:

Jane and I walked through the door of our parents home and were met with, well, noise.

"Aunt Jane, Lizzie!!! Aunt Jane, Lizzie!!!!!! You're here!" Logan, my four year old nephew came barreling into the front hall and plowed himself into my legs and squeezed in his attempt of a bear hug. I don't let Logan call me Aunt, I feel he normally has enough adults around him that he can use a friend, something the aunt title seems to stifle. However, I won't hesitate to discipline him if I'm the only one around and it's necessary.

"Yes, scamp, we're here. What awesome adventures have you had lately?" I asked him as I picked him up. Logan's eyes twinkled in response.

"This morning Lizzie, I was a pirate and went searching with Woof for buried treasure."

Woof is the golden retriever puppy I gave him for his fourth birthday. Logan named the puppy, I cannot take credit for such an original name.

"Really?! And did you find anything?"

Logan nodded solemnly.

"I did Lizzie." He held up a pink rose quartz stone. "And I want you to have it."

Touched I took the stone he held out for me.

"Awww, Logan are you sure?"

"Sure Lizzie. I know you'll keep my treasure safe."

"Does this mean that I can be a pirate with you."

"Yup."

"Logan," Jane interrupted tiredly. "Where is your mom and Grandma?"

"Hi Aunt Jane. Grandma is in the kitchen and Mom is in the den looking at the com-pu-ter" Logan said, sounding out the word computer, he hasn't gotten down the pronunciation of the word just yet.

Logan's mom is our younger sister Lisa. Lisa managed to get herself into a pickle when, at 15, she found herself pregnant and the dad not wanting any involvement whatsoever. At 16, Lisa was struggling to juggle motherhood with a newborn and trying to finish her high school diploma. Now, at 20, Lisa lives at home with our parents, who help to raise Logan while she attends a local community college and works part-time as a filing clerk in our dad's firm.

"My babies!! My babies are here!" Mom exclaimed as she hustled out of the kitchen. She embraced Jane first, then turned to hug me. "Lizzie, have you put on weight?"

"No, mom" I replied, a sigh evident in my voice

"Well you can do to use a few pounds"

"Mom, I'm just fine the way I am."

"You're never going to find a guy and get married if you don't watch your figure missy. Look at Jane. A doctor and a serious boyfriend!!! Jane, dear, is your beau joining us later today."

"No, Mom." Jane said wearily "Charlie is in Tokyo on business and won't be home for Thanksgiving."

"Tokyo! How important."

"Um, I think I'm going to go find Dad." I said, to nobody in particular.

I knew exactly where to find my father in the expansive house, especially with this many women under the roof. His study.

I knocked at the door.

"Enter"

I peeked my head around the door.

"Daddy?"

"Lizard!" he replied, using his odd but endearing childhood nickname for me. "I was wondering when you would get here"

I walked fully into the room.

"Yes well I had to finish my work at the office before Jane and I could head out."

I then noticed my sister, Mary sitting in one of the chairs facing Dad.

"Hey, Mary. How's school?"

Mary is 21 and brilliant. She's in her senior year of college at Yale and has already been accepted to their physics masters program, the most prestigious in the country. However, Mary tends to be, well, eccentric. She tends to dress in clashing colors and acts socially awkward. While at home, on the other hand, Mary tends to be more outgoing and not afraid to show off how much of a genius she is.

Mary shrugged.

"No different. The classes aren't really challenging, I can't wait to start the masters program next year"

"Okay. Anything new going on with you?" I asked, as I took my father's mug off his desk and took a sip of his lukewarm tea.

Mary's eyes lit up.

"Yes, actually. I've decided to become a lesbian"

I spewed the tea that was in my mouth to prevent from choking.

"You, WHAT?!"

"Exactly what I said Liz, I've decided to become a lesbian"

"Can you just decide that?"

She shrugged again.

"I never have had any luck with men, and I always feel more comfortable with women, so I figure it must be because I'm a lesbian."

"Are you sure?"

"I'll never know until I try." And with an air that was uniquely Mary, she floated out of the room.

"I swear, I'll never understand that girl."

I turned back to my father.

"Daddy, she's your daughter."

"Yes, I know that. However, it doesn't mean that I understand her."

I just smiled.

"Lizard, when are you coming home?"

"Daddy I'm home right now"

My father's eyes sharpened on me.

"You know what I mean. When are you coming to live back at home? I miss you Lizard. It isn't too far for you to commute to school from here."

"Daddy, we've been through this. I'm 23 years old. I haven't lived at home for years."

"When you were in college in D.C. it was understandable, but now that you go to school in the city . . ."

"That's just it Dad! I go to school in the city. I work in the city. My friends are in the city. It's where I belong."

"What about the firm?"

"What about it?"

"You don't have to work in the city. When are you going to come accept your responsibilities in the firm?"

"Why are we having this conversation again? Dad, the firm is your dream. I don't want to do real estate law. I want to prosecute criminals, and handle trials, with juries and evidence. That's my calling, that's my dream."

"I don't like the idea of my little girl spending her days in a courtroom with criminals, it isn't safe. What happens when the jury acquits?"

"When the jury acquits the defendant is happy and isn't coming after me. And when he is found guilty, then he is more angry at his own attorney whose job it was to keep him out of jail than the prosecutor whose job it was to get him in."

"So then come prosecute in Long Island"

"Because I don't want to live in Long Island!!!! I hated living here as a teenager, it's all about money and who has the most expensive and recent car and who wears what designer. I love the city. That's where I belong Daddy. Besides, what's the point of prosecuting crime if they only place you're willing to do it is in the upper-middle class suburbs? I want to get down and dirty with it."

My father shook his head.

"I keep hoping to change your mind."

"You aren't going to."

"I can try."

"I wish you wouldn't Dad, it only causes us to argue."

"Lizard, I'm still your father, I am always going to want you close and be concerned for your safety. Besides, if you're going to be a 'down and dirty trial prosecutor' a little arguing should do you some good."

"Not with you Daddy, never with you. That only makes me feel guilty"

"Good. Maybe the old real estate attorney hasn't lost his touch yet when it comes to arguing."

I smiled.

"So, traditional Thanksgiving tomorrow?"

He grinned back at me.

"As in avoid your mother and the kitchen, hole myself up in here and watch the parade with you after we've made bets on which balloons we think will deflate and whether they will lose control over any of them, then gorge ourselves with turkey before collapsing into bed to sleep it all off. Absolutely."

So still no Darcy. Sorry guys. However, I wanted to provide a little insight into Liz's family, because it will become important later . . . .

However, never fear! Darcy will be back all too soon. And expect some very yummy friction . . .

Ok, new contest for all you people! I love the fact that Mr. Bennett uses the nickname Lizard for Lizzie. If any of you can figure out where I got the idea from [which may actually be hard for those of you outside North America, although I do think the source is available to you guys as well], the first person to do so will win the contest. The prize is . . . the ability to rename Georgiana (I don't want to use the name or a portion thereof) and an outlook into how exactly I plan to weave her into the story line. If nobody guesses correctly, then I'll present a new contest after the next chapter with the same prize.

Of course, this means that you need to review in order to win. It also means that your review cannot just be what you think the source of Lizard is and of course you need to have an account for me to reach you at. So click that little button at the bottom and review away!!!!