Chapter 19

A week, well, a working week, that's how long it had been since she'd last seen Darcy, despite her best efforts. But she hoped to change that today. The office without Darcy had been so much more hectic than she'd anticipated, but not wanting to concern him, or make him come in, she and Charlie had decided not to worry Darcy by saying anything. So, she hadn't been able to get back to the hospital, until today.

On Tuesday, the first thing she'd done after arriving at Darcy Enterprises was make a beeline for Will's office, retrieving his phone from his top desk drawer, she'd been half way back to the elevators to leave and drop it off when Charles had stepped off one of them.

"Lizzie! Thank goodness you're here! I need you to come to the Peterman meeting with me! I couldn't reschedule it, and you know more about their account than I do!"

"I've got to run back to the hospital Charlie," she said,

"Lizzie, please. It's the only meeting I couldn't change today. Please, I need you!" His face was pleading with her, she knew he wouldn't ask if he didn't need her and she did know more about Marshall Peterman and his business than Charlie did.

"Okay, alright, I'll take Darcy his phone after," She'd relented, following Charlie to the meeting room where Phoebe was getting the coffee cart ready.

But she hadn't managed to get out of the office before lunchtime, which she'd worked straight through, and knowing she'd be busy all afternoon, had instead sealed Darcy's phone in a big manila envelope and send it to the hospital with a bike messenger. He texted her at four to say thank you and tell her that Georgiana was still sedated. The rest of the day he'd been silent.

On Wednesday he'd called her at the office at ten to say that Georgiana was awake now, but couldn't recall anything about the accident. Yet again their conversation had been cut short when Lily had come bustling in, in a flurry and Lizzie had had to hang up to help her.

On Thursday they'd finally had a proper conversation, on the phone again this time, while Lizzie stole a few moments alone hiding behind her desk between meetings. They'd talked about Georgiana and her recovery the whole time, never touching on the subject of their relationship, but Lizzie could sense the bridge mending itself in every word.

So now, it was Friday and Lizzie was determined to leave the office after lunch and go to the hospital and keep Georgiana company. She knew that Darcy had to go to a meeting today for one of his charity side projects. She'd have gone for him if she could have, but it was one of his personal endeavours, so she didn't know enough about it to be of any help.

At the hospital she got Georgiana's new, outside of the ICU, room number, and took the elevator to the second floor. Georgiana was lying in bed, her eyes closed when Lizzie entered the room, and she immediately quieted her steps and began to tiptoe across the room, but Georgiana's eyes flew open about a second later.

"Lizzie!" she exclaimed.

"Georgie, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Lizzie said quietly,

"Oh, no you didn't!" Georgiana assured her, "I was just resting my eyes, listening," she said, removing a small ear bud from the ear opposite Lizzie.

"I come bearing presents," Lizzie smiled, placing the flower arrangement she'd bought on the bedside table and holding up a small white paper bag.

"Brownies," she grinned, "From that little place we always go to on the river,"

Georgiana moaned, "You're amazing!" she laughed, taking the brownie Lizzie offered her. She bit into it with another moan.

"This is just what I needed, thanks Lizzie,"

"You're welcome," Lizzie smiled and took up the seat beside her bed.

"Will isn't here," Georgie said, "He had to go to a meeting, you missed him."

"I know, I came to keep you company. I know he doesn't want you to be left alone here. I'm sure this is the first time he's properly left your bedside all week."

"Just about," Georgie agreed, groaning as she laughed, lightly holding a hand to her side, "Ow."

"Oh, sorry, I should make you laugh," Lizzie smiled.

"No, probably not," she agreed, "But thank you for coming, and thanks for looking out for Will. He told me you stayed with him the first night after the accident,"

"It was no problem Georgie, and I'm all yours for the rest of the day,"

"Fantastic, I need some girl time. Will's been hovering around me like a mother hen all week. I know he means well, but it's been a little frustrating,"

"He's just worried for you,"

"I know, and I wouldn't expect anything less of him, but it's nice to have some time with you," she smiled.

They spent the rest of the afternoon together talking about anything but her accident and the injuries she was going to have to overcome, they devoured the brownies and tried not to laugh too hard because of Georgie's tender ribs.

It was nearing four o'clock when Darcy returned, Lizzie thought he looked tired, and she knew he probably hadn't slept much this past week. However, he still looked as handsome as ever, and she tried not to blush as she realised where her thoughts were headed.

"Elizabeth!" He exclaimed, surprised to see her there, "Hi."

"Hey Darcy," she said with a smiled, "I thought I'd come and keep Georgie company while you were at your meeting,"

"That's really nice of you, thanks," he said, they stood facing each other, about a meter apart, she bit her lip and he shuffled from one foot to another. In the week they'd been apart, some of the awkwardness had naturally returned, despite their phone conversations. Georgiana watched them knowingly, unable to hide the smirk on her face.

"It was no problem, your sister is always terrific company," Lizzie said, after a long silence.

"I'm sure she welcomed the change from my constant presence," he joked, taking up his spot by her bed.

"Like a breath of fresh air," Georgiana teased him.

The three of them spent the next hour in pleasant, if not slightly halting for Lizzie and Darcy, conversation until Doctor Murray entered the room.

"How are you feeling this afternoon Miss Darcy?" He asked, flipping through the details on her chart briefly.

"Much better," Georgiana said with a smile.

"That's good to hear, I bet you're anxious to get home right?" He asked,

"Just a little," she started.

"Is that a possibility?" Darcy interrupted anxiously. The doctor paused and consulted a machine by her bed for a moment before he nodded.

"Yes, if Georgiana's condition remains the same or sees any improvement overnight I think she'd be able to go home tomorrow, but she would still be on constant bed rest," he added.

"That's great!" Lizzie exclaimed, "I bet you can't wait to be in your own room again Georgie."

Doctor Murray smiled, "I think you'll recover a lot better in your own environment," then he turned to Darcy, "She'll still require constant care, she's still not going to be able to do much on her own."

Will frowned, he knew he had to go back to work soon, he'd neglected the company long enough, and there was no way he could be at home 24/7 for the next two months. And there were things Georgie would need that he couldn't help her with, showering and dressing and such. He knew she'd be too embarrassed for him to do those things for her.

"I guess we could look into a home nurse…" He trailed off as Georgiana's face flushed. She was thinking the same things as her brother, but the thought of a stranger being in such intimate contact with her made her uncomfortable. Even though she knew there weren't many other options.

"Yeah," she said quietly, staring at her blanket.

"I'm sorry Georgie, I know it's not ideal, but there's not really anything else I can do. Unless you want Aunt Catherin…"

"NO!" She cried, as much as she could without hurting her ribs.

"I'll help!" They were interrupted when Lizzie spoke up unexpectedly.

"Sorry," She apologized, "I just, I mean, I can help. I don't want to intrude…"

"Elizabeth…" Darcy started, there was nothing he wanted more than to have Lizzie in his house, but he hated to think she was being forced there out of obligation. But suddenly, it was beyond his control and he was watching the situation roll out before his eyes.

"Oh would you Lizzie?" Georgiana asked, her tone of voice suddenly much more upbeat.

"Absolutely!" Lizzie said, "If you'd be comfortable with that,"

"More than I would otherwise, but if it's too much to ask of you…"

"You didn't ask, I offered." Lizzie reminded her.

"Well, if that's settled, I see no reason you can't be discharged tomorrow then, I'll get the discharge papers ready and if you check out after rounds tomorrow, you can head home." Doctor Murray said, "I'll see you all in the morning."

The three sat and talked, or rather, Lizzie and Darcy avoided eye contact and spoke to Georgiana, for another hour until an orderly brought Georgiana's dinner in, which she ate with her good hand. After she ate, she fell asleep as they watched re-runs of Family Ties, and once visiting hours ended the silent pair, who still didn't seem to be able to look at each other, gathered their things to head home.

"I'm sorry if I was presumptuous," Lizzie said, very quietly, once they were alone in the elevator.

"No, not at all," he assured her. "I can't thank you enough really, I mean, Georgiana, she's not…"

"She's not great with strangers, I know." Lizzie finished his sentence, "I mean, that's why I offered, but I didn't really think about what it… means…" she trailed off.

"Like, staying with us…" he said, the elevator doors opened onto the lobby and they stepped out together, Darcy led her over to a small alcove out of the way.

"Yes, like staying with you. I'm sorry, I didn't think about it."

Darcy smiled, brushed his hand down her arm reassuringly. Now that they were alone, the awkwardness was dissipating and Darcy suddenly felt a lot happier than he had in days.

"It's okay, honestly." He said, and she blushed as his hand lingered on her fingertips. He couldn't help touching her. Lizzie stared at him for a long moment, her thoughts muddled again. Every time this tender side of Darcy reared its head she got lost again. Didn't know what to think about him, or them, or what she wanted. She shoved the baffling thoughts aside for the moment.

"You need a ride home?" she asked, knowing his car had been written off in the accident.

"I can get a taxi," he said.

"I can drive you, honestly, I mean, if I'm moving in to help with Georgie, I should probably know where you live right?" she teased, feeling lighter.

"Now that is an excellent point, Lizzie!" He laughed, "Alright, lead the way mi' lady,"

Lizzie laughed at his preposterous bow and stepped off to lead him to where she'd parked her car, muttering under her breath.

"What was that?" he asked, not quite catching the words she uttered as she stepped away.

"I called you a dork," She called back over her shoulder, and Darcy laughed. Really laughed, for the first time all week, since Georgie had been in the accident, he full on laughed. Then he jogged to catch up with her, grabbing a hold of her hand in his when he caught up to her, they smiled together, and Lizzie laughed with him as they left the hospital and crossed the moonlit parking lot.