More than a month passed since that day.

William and Lizzie were able to act 'normal' around each other, which was most of their time at Pemberley, during meetings and occasional lunches or coffee breaks.

Lizzie still liked him and enjoyed spending time with him, but she had forced herself to think of him more as a partner and less as (an attractive) man. She was also spending more time with George, who had been incredibly sweet after their fight.

As for Charlotte, she and Mark decided to try a long distance relationship as he had accepted Collins' offer and moved to Canada.

Also, since they had officially started production of the miniseries, the auditions were taking place. Lizzie had told Lydia about them, but she had refrained from being present at the casting meetings because she did not want to influence the final decision. However, Lizzie had been partly inspired by her younger sister when she was writing the part of the politician's daughter.

Lydia had therefore stayed with Lizzie and George for a week. They had a great time, partying and also having sisterly conversations. A few days after her audition, Lydia returned to Los Angeles, hoping to hear back from Pemberley.

Later, Lizzie was able to see her sister's video and realized that she was a good actress. While growing up, Lydia had always put on amazing acts to get away with her mischiefs. And now, she was even better performing.

On the other hand, William had followed Gigi's advice and had started to ride his bike more often and swim at home (and not at Pemberley for a particular reason). He had been also spending more time with Fitz.

And that did not go unnoticed by his friend. He knew Darcy was still a little shy and tried to avoid social gatherings so he found surprising that William accepted each of one of his invitations. Before, he had practically needed to drag him out of his office, and now Darcy appeared in his cubicle to do the invites. He had tried to get information from Gigi about her brother's sudden change in behavior but she had also been suspiciously non-talkative.

Finally, on one occasion that he and William were having dinner at Fitz's favorite Chinese restaurant, he decided to get the truth.

"Darcy, you know you are my best friend, right? And that I care about you and Gigi?"

"Yes, I do."

"And you know that you can trust me, with 'anything'?"

"Yes," William had started to suspect where Fitz was going.

"So, can you explain me why did you decide to hang out with me more often? No that I complain, but even Brandon has noticed and I don't want him to get the wrong idea…"

William almost choked with his water.

"Fitz, how could he possibly get the 'wrong idea'?!"

"I'm just saying… but if you care to explain I'll feel better and my boyfriend will feel better."

"I know what are you doing, and please leave Brandon out of this."

"Okay, but something weird is going on. Gigi is awfully quiet and that makes me think that you both are hiding something."

William breathed deep but did not say anything.

"Look, after the death of your parents, your breakup with Andrea and what happened to Gigi, you only focused on work; and you seemed perfectly fine about it. And then, you started working with Lizzie, who is a great girl and surely delightful to work with. And now, all of the sudden, you don't want to spend any extra time at Pemberley even though you take work home or you are with me. I don't understand…", Fitz stopped talking and was pensive for a while.

William stared at his friend and saw the wheels turning.

"Unless something changed. You don't want to spend more time than necessary with her. And by her, I mean Elizabeth Bennet."

"You got it right, Fitz."

"Oh…"

"Yes, I fell in love with her, again."

"Ha! I knew that would happen by the way you were looking at her during her first day. Redheads are your type."

"Well then Brandon should not be worried…"

Fitz almost laughed, but was too concerned about his friend.

"But why are you avoiding her? You have improved your game; you should use your sweet moves to woo her."

"That's not going to happen."

"Why not?"

"Because she is in a relationship."

"I did not know that. I never asked her and she never said."

"She keeps it private, I only found out by accident."

"Sorry, man."

"Thanks?", William replied hesitant.

"But why you did not confide in me? I'm hurt…"

"When I asked you not to question her about our past, you did just that. And you being you, you could have had a slip of a tongue and hint her about my unrequited feelings." Fitz knew William was right.

"Any chance we could make her drop her boyfriend for you? You would be perfect together."

William snorted, "You and Gigi sure are alike. But no, don't even think about doing anything like that. I had followed Gigi's advice and it seems to be working."

"Her advice was to hang out with me? Thanks Gigi!"

"It was that or having baking lessons with Kate."

"In that case, I'm honored you chose me over Kate's delicacies."

"So, can you please 'promise' me that you won't say anything to her? It's already difficult to keep my façade and work with her as it is."

Fitz held his hands in front of him and promised.

"Whatever you need, I will help, okay?", Fitz offered, "If you need to be set up in dates, I will be happy to do that. I might have some candidates already."

"I'm fine, Fitz. If I require anything, I'll tell you. Now, let's just finish our dinner."

At the end of the day, William felt a little relieved because he was not keeping a secret from his best friend, any more. But his night was haunted by the unattainable woman he loved.

It was a cool evening in the first days of October and Lizzie and William were once again together, working.

The final casting had been made and the shooting was meant to start soon. Lizzie had been pleasantly surprised when she learnt that Lydia had gotten the role and asked to be the one to inform her. Of course, Lydia had screamed for about two minutes over the phone. She promised Lizzie that she would not disappoint her and do her best.

William and Lizzie were discussing possible locations when Mrs. Reynolds interrupted.

"Excuse me William, but Elaine's sister just called. Elaine went into early labor and Patrick wanted both of you to know."

"Did she say more? Is she and the baby allright?", Lizzie asked worried. She knew that a cesarean had been scheduled for Elaine.

"Yes, she is. Her doctors were ready in case this happened."

"Thanks, Ann", William said as he turned off his computer, "I will be gone for the rest of the day, so please handle any calls."

Ann nodded and left the office.

"Your car or mine?", Lizzie said, grabbing her bag.

"Mine, it's closer to the exit." And so they drove together to the hospital.

Elaine's sister, Lara, met them in the waiting room and explained what had happened, and that Patrick was with his wife in the OR. Lizzie and Darcy sat with her and waited.

Soon after, Lizzie heard her phone and walked away to answer it.

"Hi George."

"Peach, where are you? I'm thinking in cooking dinner. What do you think?"

"Oh, that is nice. But I am in the hospital."

"What?! Are you okay?!"

"Yes, yes! It's my boss, Elaine. I was working with William when her secretary told us that she went into labor and so we came to see her. So I might stay here for a while. Sorry about dinner."

"Okay."

"I have to go! A nurse is talking to William. Bye", and she hang up.

She ran towards her and listened as she said that the cesarean was underway and that everything looked fine. She felt relieved.

A hour later, the same nurse and Patrick came out and announced that his son was in perfect health and that Elaine was in recovery. Lizzie was very happy for her boss and effusively hugged Patrick, Lara and a very perplexed William.

William did not know to react to that. He had imagined having her in his arms before, but in extremely different circumstances. By the time he was able to think something coherent, because feeling her body against his was overwhelming, Lizzie had let go.

Lizzie was embarrassed. Should she apologize to her boss for hugging him? It was obvious that he had not see that coming, because he had not return the gesture. In addition, she had been able to feel his muscles underneath his clothes and that was not good for her sanity. She had finally managed to see him as a parter, even a friend. Yes, she considered William a friend.

They all went to see the baby, whose name was Nathan. He was chubby and really cute. When they were told that Elaine finally was at her room, Patrick and Lara went to see her while Lizzie and William stayed in the nursery.

"This is a good way to finish the day, don't you think?", William said.

"Oh, yes. I am glad that Elaine and her son are well, specially after what she had to endure during the rest of the pregnancy."

Lizzie yawned and excused herself.

"If you are tired, I can take you home now."

"No yet, I want to see Elaine, but thank you."

Lara went to get them so they could see Elaine. They spent some time with her before congratulating her family again and saying good bye.

On the way to her apartment, Lizzie and William chatted lightly about the events of the day. He sadly left her on the door of the building, knowing that her boyfriend was waiting for her.

"George?", Lizzie said as soon as she opened the door, but no one answered.

She thought that maybe he was already in bed, but it was not that late. She went to the bedroom, and there she found him.

"Hi George." He was lying on the bed, with his laptop.

"Hi," he replied dryly.

"Sorry about today. It was crazy, first with work and then with Elaine's baby", she said as she sat on the bed next to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"How is she?"

"She is great and his son too."

"Cool."

"Well, I'm going to eat something. Did you have dinner already?"

"Yes, I ate."

"Okay." She got up and head to the door.

"Wait, Lizzie. We have to talk."

"Does it have to be now? I'm really hungry."

"Yes. It's very important", he said with all seriousness.

"Okay", Lizzie responded, wary.

George closed his laptop, and rose from the bed.

"Sit, please."

Lizzie returned to the bed and sat down.

"I think it's time you know what happened between William Darcy and me."