Two days after the party, William flew to New Haven to meet Georgiana. They had planned to spend the Holidays in their house in Buenos Aires.
Being with his sister made William feel better. This was always a difficult time for them, but the fact that they were together alleviated their lose. They only had a couple of weeks before Bing's wedding, and so they made the best of it.
William was becoming an expert on pretending he was okay. It was enough not to worry his sister. Fitz had called him to check on him. They were supposed to meet before the wedding and they agreed on telling Gigi together about Lizzie and George.
It was going to be hard to face them again; he just had to prepare for it.
Before flying to Arizona, Lizzie called Charlotte to give her the big news.
"Hey, bestie, are you ready for the big white wedding?"
"Yes, I am. What about you?"
"I am driving to San Francisco tomorrow to be with my family, and then I am meeting Mark in New York."
"Sounds good."
"So, what's up with you?" Charlotte could hear her friend breathing heavily. "You did not just call me to say hello, did you?"
"Mmm, no... I have some news."
"Oh, pray tell."
"I got engaged."
"What?! When?! I can't believe it!"
"I can't believe it either."
"Tell me all the details, please!"
Lizzie told her everything, including her initial doubts about the engagement and the discussion she had had with George.
"What made you changed you mind, then?," Charlotte asked her.
"I think, at the end, this signifies the commitment that George has for our relationship. And that is invaluable. Besides, that does not mean that we are getting married right away. We have a lot of time to decide that later."
"But you are happy about it, right?," Charlotte wanted to make sure that her friend was sure of her decision.
"Yes."
"Well, in that case, congratulations! I am very happy for you."
"Thanks, Char. Now I have to tell my family."
"Oh, man! I would not want to be in the same room as your mom when you tell her. She is going to pass out of happiness."
Lizzie laughed.
"I know! Anyway, I have to go now but I'll see you soon."
"Say hi to George. I can't wait to see you."
"Me too. Bye."
Lizzie had only spent two minutes at her parents' house when her mother noticed the bling on her hand and let out a shriek. Lizzie had forgotten to take it off; she wanted to tell her family when they were all together.
"Oh my! Lizzie! You are getting married! This is the happiest day of my life!," she screamed. After that she effusively hugged her daughter and her fiancé.
Mrs. Bennet's scream had alarmed her husband and her daughters. Mr. Bennet came running from the garage and Jane and Lydia rushed through the stairs. As this was the last holiday before their wedding, Jane and Bing had decided to spend it with their families.
"Thomas! Look!", Mrs. Bennet shook Lizzie's hand in front of his eyes.
"Oh… well, Dad… George and I are engaged," she had hesitated a little, as she was not exactly sure how he was going to react to her engagement.
"I can see. Congratulations!," he said and hugged her. Later, he extended his hand to George and he shook it.
"Lizzie, you have to tell me all about it! I need to know everything!," her mother requested.
"Fran, let the poor girl breathe. We can talk about this at dinner," Thomas Bennet said and Lizzie mentally thanked him. Fran waved her hands in defeat and went to the kitchen.
"Lizzie, why you don't go set up upstairs, and talk to your sisters? In the meantime, George, what about you come with me to the study?", Lizzie's father said.
"Dad…," Lizzie said, wary.
"It's okay, Lizzie. It's just a little chat."
"Of course," George replied and followed him to the study.
Thomas wanted to have a little talk with her daughter and her boyfriend. He knew that when Lizzie would be ready to marry, she would announce it with certainty, and not with hesitation, as she just had. Besides, he had not spent a lot of time with George as he had spent with Bing, and wanted to know more about him.
Once they were alone, Jane and Lydia finally had the chances to congratulate her sister. Lydia immediately asked to see the ring and Jane told her how excited she was for her. However, Lizzie wanted to have a talk with Jane in particular.
"Hey, Jane, did you feel any doubts when Bing proposed?"
"No," she answered without hesitation.
"Do you have them, Lizzie?," Lydia asked with suspicion.
"Not anymore, I just…" Lizzie proceeded to tell them about the party and else.
"As I told Charlotte, this engagement means that George is really committed, but I don't think we are ready to get married. Does that make sense?," Lizzie said.
"I think so. Not all relationships are the same. Besides commitment does not equal marriage. Just give it time," Jane replied.
"Jane is right. And I'm pretty sure that George loves you. I could see it when I stayed with you. But if he ever does anything to hurt you, I'll totally kick his ass."
Lizzie and Jane laughed.
"Let's hope you don't have to do that," Lizzie said, "Thank you guys for listening to me."
"Definitely," Jane answered and hugged her.
"Group hug!," Lydia screamed and joined them.
They talked a little more, making Lizzie feel more confident about her decision. Soon after that, they decided to go downstairs and helped their mother. Dinner was almost ready, and Thomas and George joined them.
"Everything is ok, peach," George murmured in Lizzie's ear and she sighed relieved.
Once they were seated, Fran did not wait to ask the couple a lot of questions. When she asked if they had thought of a date, George answered before Lizzie could.
"I think it's too soon for that, Fran. We've only been engaged for two days." Lizzie was grateful for that.
Mrs. Bennet continued with her questions until they had dessert. After a good meal, while George was helping with the dishes, Thomas called her daughter to the living room.
"Liz, are you certain about this?," he asked her.
"This? You mean George?"
"Yes. Don't you think it is too soon to be thinking about marriage?"
Afraid that George might hear that conversation, Lizzie and her father went outside the house. For the third time, Lizzie spoke of her uncertainties and how she had overcome them.
"Talking with my sisters was reassuring, and now I feel perfectly okay with my decision."
"That's what I wanted to hear, Lizzie. I did not want you to make any rush decisions. You know I only want the best for you."
"I know, Dad."
"And just remember that if it doesn't work out, your family will always be there for you."
"Thanks, Dad," she replied and kissed him on the cheek.
"Did you give the same speech to George?," she added.
"Pretty much, he knows what will happen to him if he hurts you in any way."
"Okay, okay, it seems that everyone has my back," Lizzie chuckled and went back inside the house.
All of the sudden, the wedding was upon them.
Jane and Bing had decided to have the wedding on January because it was Bing's birthday and winter was Jane's favorite season. When they were looking for locations for the ceremony, one of Jane's client had offered the manor she worked in the Hamptons. The woman was enchanted by Jane's designs and was happy to host her wedding. Besides, the wedding of the chair of a big charity foundation was always good publicity.
By the time the whole Bennet family arrived to the manor, Bing and Charlotte were already there. Jane went to meet Bing's family and Charlotte took Lizzie aside. They had not seen each other since Lizzie had moved to San Francisco and they had a lot to talk about.
Mark interrupted their long conversation to remind them that they needed to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, and so Lizzie and Charlotte went to their rooms. George was already waiting for her and Lizzie quickly changed and put on a teal one-shoulder dress.
"You look gorgeous, fiancée."
Lizzie smiled at him and gave him her hand so they could go to the restaurant.
When they entered the room, the first thing they saw was Darcy, Fitz and Gigi standing together.
"Crap, this is going to be awkward," Lizzie, thought.
After New Year's, William and Georgiana flew directly to New York when they encountered Brandon and Fitz. They rode together to the Hamptons and arrived even before the bride and the groom.
William and Fitz had agreed to talk with Gigi together before the wedding. Se was unpacking when Fitz entered the room.
"What's up, Fitz?"
"Ahh...mmm...," he said and looked towards William.
"Gigi, we need to talk," William said, very serious.
"What is this about? You guys are scaring me."
"Gigi, there is something that you need to know about Elizabeth Bennet," William continued.
"Yes?"
"Please, don't be mad," Fitz said.
"Mad? Why? Could you just get to the point?"
William breathed sharply before speaking.
"George is Lizzie's boyfriend."
Gigi gasped, "No!"
"Yes," Fitz said and put a hand on her back, trying to comfort her.
"Gigi, but that's not all. They are engaged," William finished.
"No! This could not be!," Gigi said.
"I'm sorry, Gigi. We thought you needed to know this before the wedding because..."
"They will be here," she completed Fitz's sentence.
"Since when do you know all this? And why didn't you tell me before?"
William sighed again and sank on the bed, right next to her.
"I did not want to trouble you, and bring back all those memories. After everything that happened..."
Georgiana took his hand and squeezed it gently.
"I understand, William. You were trying to protect me, but I don't like being kept in the dark."
"I am sorry."
"Please, tell me anything you know."
Fitz and William shared their side of the story, and Fitz reaffirmed his idea that William should have tried harder to make Lizzie listen to him.
"I agree with Fitz. I know how charming he can be and a letter would have not convinced that he was lying to me. We have to do something!," Gigi said.
"Gigi...", William said.
"No 'Gigi' me! If you are not going to talk to her, I will! Someone has to knock some sense into Lizzie!"
"She already knows everything, Georgiana! And she chose him! There is nothing to be done."
"William!," Gigi said, exasperated.
"Wow, let's just take a minute, everyone!," Fitz said, trying to calm his friends.
Silence filled the room for a couple of minutes.
"William, listen. If her decision is to stay with him, I'll accept it. I just need to know that she knows what she's getting herself into with all the information available," Gigi finally said.
"Fine. I'll just ask you that you talk to her after the wedding. I don't want to ruin this occasion for her," William replied.
"Okay. I won't talk to her until after the wedding," Gigi promised.
"Sooo, are we cool?," Fitz asked shyly.
"Yes, just don't keep things from me again."
"I promise, GGD," he hugged her and said, "I will leave you. I have to get ready for what's coming." And he left.
Georgiana and William stayed in silence, until he decided to speak again.
"Forgive me, Gigi. I wanted to protect you, since I did not do a very good job the last time."
"That was never your fault, it was his. And now, we have to make sure that that doesn't happen again, with Lizzie. So, please, don't give up. If you really love her, we have to do something."
"You're right, little sister," William said. He was feeling so defeated that never wondered if Lizzie had actually read his letter. Perhaps, she did not know everything.
"I know. Now let's get done with this, and try to enjoy your best friend's wedding. I have your back."
William smiled and went to the bathroom to take a shower and be ready for dinner.
A couple of hours later, Gigi, William, Fitz entered the restaurant. Brandon had stayed behind to take a work call. They had been there for some minutes when the door opened and Lizzie and George appeared together.
"Oh, well, this is going to be awkward," Fitz said.
Lizzie's dress is here:
conijito dot tumblr dot com/post/57228678155/love-me-tender-love-me-true-c hapter-37