And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call
She won't forsake me
I'm lovin' angels instead
The news that William was back in town spread, and even though they did not do any work, Lizzie and William still had a very busy weekend as Gigi came back from Sanditon, and Kate, Brandon and Fitz visited too.
The following Monday, William and Lizzie went to Pemberley. William had scheduled a board meeting to give the members a report of all he and Logan had done during the past months in the other subsidiaries.
Lizzie was busy writing the last episodes of the miniseries when William arrived to her office.
"Hi, love, how was your meeting?," she asked him when she saw him.
William smiled, entered the office and closed the door.
"Very good. They were very satisfied with the work we did and our results."
"Oh! I'm glad! I was sure they would be pleased."
"Thank you, sweetheart," William said, "and I have more good news."
"Yes?," Lizzie asked.
"We can take some time off, at least a couple of days," William answered.
"Yay!," Lizzie exclaimed.
"I was going to say something about it after the meeting, but my aunt and Helen suggested it first."
"They did?! That's very nice of them."
"Yes, I know. Helen and Logan offered to take charge while I am away. And then he can take some days off too," William said.
"So, where do you want to go? I can ask Ann to make the arrangements," William added.
"Actually, I want to surprise you," Lizzie answered.
"Really, Miss Bennet?," he said playfully.
"Yes, Mr. Darcy. I have an idea that I think you will like."
"And you won't tell me what it is," he noted.
"No, otherwise, it would not be a surprise. As soon as I finish writing this episode, I'll work on the preparations," Lizzie said.
"Okay, as you wish. Will you at least tell me what to pack?," William asked.
"Mmm... I'll think about it," Lizzie teased and William laughed with her.
"I have to go back upstairs. See you later love," he said.
"See you soon," Lizzie smiled and returned to her work when he left.
The prospect of a little vacation with William was incentive enough for Lizzie to complete the episodes that same day. She did not take a break, as she did not want to lose inspiration and her train of thought.
When she finished, she sent them to the TV network's representative. Now it was their turn to review them and make comments. With that sent, she had given herself some time off as well so she could leave with William.
As she had told William, she had already thought where she wanted to take him. But it was probably too late to make calls to organize their trip that evening. And she wanted to do it from Pemberley because at home, she risked being caught by William.
A couple of days later, Lizzie finally told her boyfriend that he needed to pack comfortable clothes so they could walk in hot weather. William frowned and just wondered where Lizzie had planned to travel.
He informed Helen and Logan of when he was leaving and Lizzie left her assistant in charge of the current projects in the writing department.
The morning of their travel, William woke up excited and Lizzie loved to see him like that. After they left the house, he kept asking questions about the trip. She gave him evasive responses until they parked at the airport.
"Okay, so here we are," she said and gave him a boarding pass.
William looked at it and his eyebrows rose. Lizzie looked at him, amused. He opened his mouth as he was going to say something but did not.
"Yes William?," she said.
"Sweetheart… you know how much I appreciate your parents, but visiting them was not exactly what I had in mind to spend time with you."
Lizzie could not stop laughing by the face he had made.
"William, we are not going to visit them. The things that I want you to see are in Arizona."
"What things?," he asked.
"I'll tell you later, or we are going to be late for our flight," Lizzie said and they exited the car.
Once they were at the gate, waiting to board, Lizzie explained to William why she had chosen Arizona.
"Do you remember when Gigi travelled last summer with her college friends?," she said, "They went to the Grand Canyon and you said you always have wanted to go. So, I decided to go there."
"Lizzie, thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Lizzie smiled, "I know that June in Arizona might not be the greatest idea, but when I made the reservations, they said that heat has not been that strong yet. And I hope it stays that way."
"I don't care about hot weather as long as I am with you," he replied and squeezed her hand warmly, before boarding the plane.
The flight to Phoenix was short and pleasant. Lizzie had rented a car, and after having lunch in the city; they started their way to the Grand Canyon.
They chatted and even sang during their drive as Lizzie had made a special playlist for the trip. William had missed those moments with her and was very happy to be able to have them again.
As they entered the National park, William could feel the excitement growing inside him, and could not wait to see the natural formation. Lizzie had rented a cabin for them, and after checking in, they were ready to start their "expedition".
William and Lizzie had seen countless pictures of the Grand Canyon, but knew that none of them would make it justice. And they were right.
It was magnificent, with its wide range of brown and orange hues. The canyon expanded as far as their eyes could see and it was bigger of what their brain could register. They were in awe by the power of time and nature, and also by how insignificant humans seemed in comparison.
They walked around the rim, making several stops along the way, taking pictures. William asked Lizzie if they could go down the canyon, and she answered that she had already made plans to do that the day after tomorrow. William smiled with thrill.
They had been told which spots were the best to see the sunset, but by the time they realized that the sun was getting down, they were far from those spots.
But, along the trail, they found a hidden, private spot with a bench, from where they could see the Colorado River. So, they decided to stay there and waited for the sunset.
William had never been more content and relaxed in his life.
There he was, looking at one of the world's natural wonders with the love of his love by his side. He was looking at the scenery but he was thinking of Lizzie.
He thought about all the unconditional support and love he had received from her in the past months. Lizzie had been loving, patient, considerate, and never demanding. She knew him so well that she sensed when he needed to be alone, and when he needed her. And she was always there for him.
She loved Elizabeth more that he had ever thought possible. She was everything he had ever wanted and needed in his life.
There was not reason to keep waiting, the time had arrived. He was going to ask Lizzie to marry him.
"I will."
"What?," he asked, waking from his reveries.
Lizzie just looked at him, with tears in her eyes and the biggest smile in her face.
"Did I say all that aloud?," he said with a shaky voice.
"Yes, you did. And my answer is yes, I will marry you, William Fitzwilliam Darcy," Lizzie stated.
As it had happened before, William had voiced his thoughts about her.
"I love you so much, Elizabeth," he said as he held her face.
"I love you too, William, with all my might," she replied and closed the gap between them and gave him a sweet and tender kiss.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," William sighed when he felt her tears on his fingers.
"These are very happy tears," she said, wiping them.
William took her hands in his, and he suddenly realized that he had proposed without a ring.
"Lizzie, I…," he started to say, rubbing her left ring finger.
"William, I do not care about that. It was the most perfect proposal."
"Really?"
"Yes, because I know that your proposal came straight for your heart. I couldn't ask for more."
"This is the happiest day of my life," William said again.
"Mine too," Lizzie replied before William took over her lips.
When they finally pulled apart, short of breath, Lizzie pointed to the horizon, as the sun was about to disappear behind the canyon.
They both stared at the sunset and the sudden change of colors of the rocks. They went from orange and brown to purple and blue.
They stayed there for a little while, in each other's arms, admiring the landscape.
"I think we have to catch the shuttle back now, fiancé," Lizzie said.
"That word sounds better that I expected," he replied and stole another kiss from her, "let's go, fiancée."
They arrived just in time to get on the last shuttle back to their cabin. It was already packed, but they managed to find a little space for both of them.
The closeness was affecting them more than they would want, especially because they were in public. They just could not wait to be alone.
Finally, they arrived to their stop and they practically ran to their cabin. Lizzie had barely opened the door, when William took her in his arms and carried her to the bed.
"William!," she exclaimed laughing as he dropped her on the mattress.
"I'm practicing," he said.
"But I am all sweaty and dirty," she commented but was becoming increasingly distracted by the fact that he was removing his jacket and shirt.
"I don't care about that," he said and climbed on the bed, hovering over her.
"Do you care?," he added before pulling her lower lip with his. Lizzie moaned and that was the response William was expecting from her.
"I love you, William," Lizzie sighed against his lips, locking her arms around his neck.
"I love you, Elizabeth," he replied, and proceeded to show her exactly how much.
William woke up and a smile immediately appeared in his face, remembering what had happened the day (and night) before.
The love of his life had agreed to marry him, which made him immensely happy; and then he had made love to her.
They always had passionate moments together, but something about the fact that they were engaged, had heightened their senses and emotions.
He looked at Lizzie, who had taken his arm as pillow, and his smile grew. She looked so lovely that he could not disturb her despite the fact that his arm was asleep.
Her left hand was lying on his chest and he realized again the lack of ring.
His mother's ring, which was given generation to generation, belonged to Georgiana. He knew that if he asked, his sister would gladly give the ring to him, but William did not want to take that away from her. He had seen her carrying the ring around her neck.
He was going to get a new ring for his bride, and start a new tradition with Lizzie.
Lizzie stirred a little, putting more pressure on his arm, and William let out a short groan, but that was enough to wake up Lizzie.
"Are you okay?," she asked with a sleeping voice.
"Better than ever," William replied and kissed her on the head, "I'd just like to regain blood flow in my arm."
"Oh my god! I'm sorry!," Lizzie said, sitting on the bed.
"Well, I'm definitely better now," he noted, given that the sheet had fallen off her lap, and she was bare to him.
Lizzie smacked him on the arm before hugging him again.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning," he responded.
"No that I want to leave this bed, but what time is it?," she asked.
William used his good arm to turn the alarm clock.
"Almost eight," he responded.
"Perfect. We have plenty of time," Lizzie said.
"For what?," William asked, caressing her back.
"To shower, to have breakfast, to leave for our hike," she responded.
"Our hike?"
"Yes, down the canyon, as you wanted yesterday."
"Thank you, Lizzie," he said, "But will we have time to something else?"
William's hand had moved from her back to the curve of her hip and was travelling south.
"Yes, if you take me to the bathroom now," she said and he had to oblige.
Lizzie and William arrived just in time before their hiking tour left. They walked a lot, took a lot of pictures and enjoyed the experience and the scenery.
They spent one last afternoon walking along the rim and had one last sunset at their spot.
The next day, Lizzie informed William that they were leaving for Sedona, where she had made a reservation in a resort, with a spa, with huge bathtubs,... William did not need to hear more.
After all the exercise they had done at the Grand Canyon, they just relaxed in the resort, with massages, longs baths and romantic walks.
"Love, you said that you wanted to tell everyone about our engagement when we get back to San Francisco," William said while they were having dinner in their hotel.
"Yes. It's not that I don't want to tell the world that we are getting married. I just want to keep our engagement to us, at least while we're in vacation."
"I know. But, I was thinking, since we are in the state, if we could visit your parents."
"Oh, okay...," she replied, uncertain.
"I know it's old-fashioned, but I want to talk with your father before we tell him of our engagement," William said.
"You know you don't need to ask for permission, right?," Lizzie asked.
"Yes. But I still want to talk to him. I guess I want his blessing. Do you mind?"
"Of course not. And even though it's not necessary, I'm sure he will appreciate the gesture," Lizzie replied, "and my mom will be happy to see you."
"Thank you, sweetheart," William said.
William Sr. had always said that he would want to be asked for Georgiana's hand, despite the fact that the only valid and important decision would be his daughter's. That was why William wanted to talk with Thomas, he felt as he was somehow honoring his father's wishes.
Lizzie called her parents, who were obviously happy to hear they were visiting, and Ann Reynolds so she could change their flights back to San Francisco.
They stayed in Sedona a couple of nights and then drove to Tucson. As predicted, the Bennets were overjoyed to receive Lizzie and William. Fran made one of her famous dishes for dinner, and while they ate, she and her husband asked questions about Pemberley and the Grand Canyon.
Fran did not fail to make comments about marriage and William had to hide his smile. If only she knew how close she was to the truth.
The next day, while Fran and Lizzie were at the super market, William took the opportunity to speak with Thomas.
"What do you want to talk about?," Thomas asked as they both sat on the living room.
"It is about my relationship with Lizzie."
"Oh, I see," Thomas said, sensing where the conversation was going.
"I love Elizabeth, and I would do anything for her," William said.
"Fran and I know that, and we could not be happier that she found a good man like you, William."
"Thank you, sir."
"Please, I told you to call me Thomas. Especially when I suspect we might be family soon."
William flushed a little by his words. His intent had been too obvious.
"Thomas. Elizabeth is the love of my life and I want to marry her."
"Well, she is the one that has to say yes, not me," Thomas noted.
"Of course. But I want to have your approval," William added.
"Son, you don't need it. You already have it."
"Son?," William murmured.
"Yes, I had thought of you as part of the family for a time now. And I am very glad it will become official now," Thomas replied.
"Thank you, Thomas. This means a lot to me," William said. It had been a really long time since he had been called 'son'.
"That's just the truth. Now, let me ask you something. Do you have a ring?," Lizzie's father asked.
William hesitated a little before answering negatively and wondered if he was in trouble.
"In that case, give me a second."
Thomas left William and walked into his study. When he came back, he was holding a small box.
"When Bing told me that he wanted to marry Jane, he already had a ring. So I didn't have the chance to offer him this."
Thomas opened the box and William saw a beautiful set of engagement and wedding diamond rings.
"They belonged to my mother, and I will love if they become Lizzie's."
"Shouldn't they belong to your wife?," William asked.
"My mother passed away after I married Fran, so we agreed that we would wait until one of our girls got married to give them to her. So now, you can give them to Lizzie, if you want."
"Of course, I will be honored to. Thank you."
"Welcome to the family, William," Thomas said and offered his hand to William.
William shook it and accepted the hug that came after that. He was very grateful by being accepted into his new family. He placed the ring in a safe place, and waited for Lizzie to come back.
When Lizzie returned home with her mother, she immediately looked for William, knowing that he had spoken with her father.
Obviously, William wanted to tell her that the conversation had gone well. However, he thought of a better idea and asked her to wait after dinner.
Lizzie was not satisfied with his answer, but had not choice as her parents kept them occupied for the rest of the day.
Lizzie and William were really enjoying their dinner with Lizzie's parents. Both Fran and Thomas held William in high esteem, and Lizzie was sure that they would be very happy when they learnt about their engagement.
When they finished with dessert, after a delightful meal cooked by Fran and Lizzie, William cleared his throat.
"Fran, Thomas. I want to thank you for having received us with such short notice, and for all your attentions."
"William, dear," Fran said, "You don't have to thank us. You are always welcomed in our home, and we are delighted that you made time to come here and visit."
"Thank you, Fran," he responded, "I am glad too that we are here, since there is something very important that I have to do."
He rose for his chair and walked around the table to where Lizzie was sitting. He took her left hand and dropped on one knee. Both her and Fran gasped.
"Elizabeth, you are the love of my life. I give thanks every day that you came back into my life. You make me want to be a better man, and I don't want to live without you."
William was not expecting to be so clichéd, but all his words were the truth. He stopped for a while when he saw that Lizzie was crying again.
"Your family has welcomed me with open arms. And now I want us to be one. Lizzie, will you marry me?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Lizzie exclaimed and threw her arms around him. William hugged her and soon his lips found hers. They kissed briefly, mainly because they were not alone.
"Wait," William said when he moved away and took her left hand again. He took out the small box Thomas had given her and opened it.
"You have a ring," Lizzie commented, and William laughed at their private joke.
"Yes, I have now," he replied and slid the ring on her finger.
Before she had a chance to look at it, Lizzie noted that her mother had not made a sound. She turned to where she was sitting, and saw her father holding her.
"William, I think you just killed my wife," Thomas said.
William and Lizzie were together in her parents' guest room, finally getting some rest after the eventful evening.
Salts and brandy had been necessary for Fran to be able to talk again. Seeing her daughter get engaged in front of her had been too much for her.
But after that, everything had been felicitations, hugs and other expressions of happiness.
Lizzie finally looked at her ring, and tears reappeared when she realized it was her Grandma May's ring.
She did not have a lot of memories of her since May had died a few years after Lydia had been born. However, she always felt connected to her since she had been named after her.
Lizzie obviously knew the immense sentimental value of the ring, and deeply appreciated that her father had trusted William with that heirloom.
The ring was beautiful, and it fitted her perfectly. An oval diamond was set on the band surrounded by two butterflies with diamonds in them too.
"I'm sorry, Lizzie. I wanted to include your parents in our engagement. I did not think your mother would have that reaction," William said and he got in bed with her.
"William, for the third time, it's okay," Lizzie said, "Believe me, despite what happened, this is probably the best day in my mother's life."
"I also wanted to surprise you as well," he added.
"And you certainly did, and I loved it. I mean, who else would get two proposals by the most marvelous guy?," she said, snuggling next to him.
"I don't know if I am that man," he sighed.
"You are to me," Lizzie replied.
"Well, in that case, only the most marvelous woman. The only one I could ever get married to."
"Oh, you are so corny," she said.
"Look who is speaking!," he exclaimed.
"Fair enough," she responded.
"Thank you again for this vacation, Lizzie. It was all I needed," William added.
"You are very welcome," Lizzie replied, "Ready to go back home?"
"Yes. I can't wait to tell everybody that we are going to get married," he said.
"Me neither. I'm very much looking forward to it," she said, "I love you, William Darcy."
"I love you, Elizabeth Bennet," he responded, and soon after that they both fell asleep.
Wow! I can't believe it's been a year since I started this story. Thanks to Margaret to reminding me! :)
I wish I had finished this chapter and published it on the anniversary, but at least I am posting it on the same week. XD
Thanks for reading!
Angels - Robbie Williams
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