Shortly after Thanksgiving, Lizzie found herself attending Pemberley's End of the Year party with William. Obviously, some of the attendees remembered the events of the previous party, but they had the consideration not to mention it. Lizzie enjoyed herself greatly at the party, mostly because William was by her side.

She was amazed by how much things had changed in one year. All the pain, suffering and deception of all those months ago seemed to have happened in another lifetime. William had come and erased all of that with his care, patience and love.

When they returned home that night, Lizzie realized how lucky she was and how happy she felt by everything in her life. Family was great, job was great, and her love life was better than ever.

As planned, William, Gigi and Lizzie spent Christmas with her parents and Lydia in Tucson, Arizona. Her mother had gone all out for the celebration, making Lizzie wonder how many pounds she had gained after all the food she had eaten. But the best part was seeing her family treating William and Georgiana as part of their family too. They had not escaped Thomas' teasing and Francine's crazy comments.

The three of them stayed a couple of days in Arizona after Christmas before Gigi returned to San Francisco and William and Lizzie flew to New York to meet Bing and Jane for New Year's Eve. They had a lot of fun in the Big Apple, celebrating with the other couple.

Lizzie could not remember such a happy holidays, but after all the travelling she was happy to go back home with William. Since Gigi was moving soon to Sanditon, they spent the remaining time they had with her, and the day of her move, they helped packing her belongings and loading her car.

Before she drove away, William hugged his sister and made her promise that she would call them the moment she arrived to Sanditon. She obliged, and after saying goodbye to Lizzie, Georgiana left for her next adventure.

Lizzie was waiting nervously the arrival of Helen Forsythe, the Company Secretary. She had probably seen her four times in all the time she had worked at Pemberley, so when she received an email about a meeting with her, Lizzie did not know what to expect.

She tried to relax and her mind automatically filled with thoughts of William. For his birthday, they had had a picnic near the Palace of Fine Arts and they had gone to Ghirardelli Square, where Lizzie bought him the chocolates he liked. They returned to their house to have another round of celebration, and Lizzie gave him her present.

She had made a collage of photographs of just the two of them in different places and occasions. In all of them, they were smiling, in each other's arms, standing close together, or looking at each other. William touched by her gesture; those pictures had captured memories that he treasured, and now he could look at them anytime he wanted. He thanked her earnestly and told her that he would put it on his office at Pemberley.

Since Valentine's Day was coming very soon, William suggested going to Lake Tahoe for Valentine's Day. Lizzie knew how much that place meant to him, as he used to spend the holidays with his parents there. She had seen pictures of it, and since she had never been to that area, she happily agreed to William's proposal.

The cabin was beautiful, just by the shore, with the most amazing view of the lake. Despite the cold weather and the few time that they had, William and Lizzie managed to do some sightseeing. But most of the weekend, they stayed inside the warm cabin, enjoying of other activities.

"Good morning, Elizabeth," Helen greeted, and Lizzie almost jumped on her seat, coming back to reality. She looked up and was surprised to see Elaine with Helen.

"Good morning, Ms. Forsythe, Elaine," Lizzie stuttered and stood up.

Helen invited Lizzie into her office and she took her seat in front of Helen's desk.

"Elizabeth, I'm sure you are wondering why I requested your presence this morning," she started.

"Yes," Lizzie conceded. She was wondering if it could be related to her relationship with William.

"You don't have to worry. It's all good news," Helen said, and Lizzie relaxed.

"As you well know, the TV network was considering the idea of a second installment of the mini series that you wrote. The executives reached us yesterday and they want that to happen."

"Wow! That's amazing!," Lizzie exclaimed.

"We obviously want you to write the story," Helen added.

"Yes, Lizzie. Congratulations," Elaine said.

"Thank you, thank you so much," Lizzie answered, trying to stay calm.

"Lizzie, that's not all," Elaine said, "Despite the fact that Pemberley has a big history in storytelling, we really haven't had in-house writers, or a writing department."

"That is, until now," Helen said, "The board of directors has agreed on the creation of such department, and Elaine and other members had nominated you to be the director."

Lizzie gasped, and turned at the two women in surprise. She had not seen that coming.

"Oh… I don't know what to say…"

"Lizzie, you deserve this, you are best person for the job. You obviously know how to manage a department and you are very good at writing," Elaine said.

"What is your decision, Elizabeth?," Helen asked.

"Thank you for your consideration," Lizzie replied, "and I gladly take the job."

Helen smiled and shook Lizzie's hand.

"Perfect! Now we can start with the paperwork," Helen said.

Elaine gave Lizzie a hug, and left the office. Lizzie spent the following hour with Helen and Human Resources to discuss her new job and new contract.

When they finished, Helen congratulated Lizzie once more and let her go. Instead of going back to her office, Lizzie went in search of the one person she needed to see.

"Hello William," Lizzie said as she opened the door of his office.

"Lizzie," he replied, looking away from some papers. He stood up and went around his desk to her, with a smile in his face.

"So…," she started.

"So…," he repeated.

"Do you have something to tell me?," she asked.

"Don't you have something to tell me?," he chuckled.

Lizzie rolled her eyes; she had taught him so well how to tease that their exchange could go on forever.

"I'm the head of the new writing department," she said.

"Elizabeth, I am so happy for you," he said excited and hugged her.

"Thank you William," she replied before he broke the embrace.

"How do you feel?," he asked.

"Amazing, euphoric, trusted…," she sighed.

"As you should be. You most certainly deserve it, and you are the right person for the job."

"How long have you known about this?," Lizzie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Two weeks," William answered.

"That's why you were so weird this morning," she stated.

"Yes. I couldn't tell you anything," he said.

"I know, I understand," she replied.

"I was very happy when Elaine proposed the creation of the department to the board, and when she postulated you as the head," he explained.

"Oh, she didn't say anything," she replied.

"Let me explain," he said, taking her hand and leading her to his couch.

"I had that idea of having our own team of writers at Pemberley before you started working here, but I never had the time to make an adequate proposal. A month ago, Elaine approached me and told about her ideas."

"Oh…"

"I obviously approved of her ideas, but when the time arrived for her presentation to the board, I stepped aside. All the members of the board knew about your work and success and at the end, the decision was solely taken by them."

"Wow, now I feel more I have a larger responsibility on my shoulders."

"You have, but everyone, including me, know what you are capable of, and that you will only do your best."

Lizzie smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"So, do you want to go somewhere to celebrate your promotion?," William asked.

"What about our favorite restaurant?"

"Perfect, I'll make reservations."

Lizzie kissed him one last time before returning to her office. At the end of the day, William surprised her at the office with a single lily, and together they went to have dinner, and celebrate.

Lizzie had wrapped things up and finished her current projects at the media production department and was ready to begin working at her new position, just before her birthday. She and William did not have any plans other than spend the day together.

It was the Thursday before her birthday, and while she was reading in the library with William, she received a call from Charlotte.

"Hi Char!," she answered happily.

"Hey Lizzie! How are you?," her friend said.

"Very good. And you?"

"I'm very...fine...," Charlotte giggled, and Lizzie figured out that her friend was not alone.

"Is Ian there with you, isn't here?," Lizzie asked.

"Yeah... sorry... He's distracting me," Charlotte apologized.

"I can hear that...", Lizzie said playfully.

"Oh... Well, I wanted to know if you had plans for our birthday," Charlotte continued.

"Yes, we are going to stay in, relax, maybe watch a movie," Lizzie continued.

"Mmm, that sounds like fun," Charlotte teased.

"Yeah, right. I'm guessing you have some exciting plans..."

"Actually, yes. I was wondering if you wanted to come to LA and join me in my little celebration," Charlotte said.

"Are you having a party, Lu?"

"Not a party, just a small gathering for close friends. What do you say, Bennet?"

"What do you think?," Lizzie snorted, "Of course I will. I'll just tell William."

"Yay, thanks bestie. I knew I could count on you," Charlotte replied. She gave her friend the time and place of the party and said good-bye.

"I assume we are going to a party…," William said when Lizzie put away her phone.

"Yes… I mean if you want to. Charlotte is throwing a "small gathering for close friends" back in LA."

"Great, it sounds like fun. Do you want to drive or fly there?," William said and Lizzie just smiled by comment.

"I think that, this time, I want to enjoy your premium miles," she replied and that was enough for William to make some calls to arrange their trip.

Charlotte's party had been full of surprised.

First of all, it had been hosted at Ian's loft instead of Charlotte's cozy apartment.

Secondly, Lydia and Georgiana made an appearance. Lizzie and William were happy to see their younger siblings after a time of separation and hear their news.

On the one hand, Lydia was going to New York for an audition and to see Jane. For a while, Lydia had dreamed on being part of a Broadway musical, and thanks to her work in Pemberley's miniseries, new opportunities had opened for her.

On the other hand, Gigi's project at Sanditon was going very well, and to Lizzie's delight and William's concern (and also delight), she had started dating again. In the beach town, she had met the mayor's cousin, Sidney Parker. They had been working together a lot, and one thing had led to another.

William, of course, had demanded to know everything about Sidney. Gigi complied, and her words and sentiments revealed to her brother that she was ready to be in a relationship and she would not let anyone take advantage of her again.

But the biggest surprise of that day was that Charlotte was living now with Ian, and he had proposed.

When she heard the news, Lizzie's mouth fell to the floor, she was beyond words. Charlotte told her (and Gigi and Lydia) how, the week before, while walking on the beach, Ian had dropped to one knee and proposed to her.

"Wait, you said "proposed". What did you answer?," Lydia asked for her sister.

"Isn't the answer obvious?," Charlotte laughed as she produced a ring out of her pocket.

Gigi and Lydia squealed and reached for the ring to see it. Instead, Lizzie reached for her friend.

"I'm so happy for you, Charlotte. I really am," she said as she hugged her.

"Thank you. It means a lot that you approve of this," Charlotte replied.

"You did not need my approval. I just know how happy Ian makes you."

"And that's why you are going to be my maid of honor."

Lizzie flailed and hugged her friend even tighter.

The four of them were already making plans when Ian and William joined them in the master bedroom. Ian had obviously told William about his engagement, as he congratulated Charlotte. After a round of hugs and felicitations, they all returned to the party.

The fact that their friends were now engaged made Lizzie and William think about the future. They both knew that they wanted to be together for the rest of their lives. Since they were already living together, marriage seemed like the next logical step.

But, as Lizzie had told Charlotte before, every relationship was different. She and William were in very good place together, and did not feel the hurry to get married yet. They just knew that would happen eventually. Besides, who knew? Lizzie could end up proposing to William and stealing his moment again.

William was thinking the same thing as his girlfriend, except for the fact that he wanted to change the "eventually" part to a sooner time, and be him the one to propose.

Unfortunately, life got in the way, and after that weekend, it would be sometime before Lizzie and William felt happy and relaxed, as they were that time, and before William could think about marriage.

I am so sorry for taking so long to update! I won't bother you with excuses, but life and other priorities got in the way on writing and updating.

I will try to update again soon, and not let you waiting for months for an update.

Thanks for waiting and reading.