So, chapter two. As you might have guessed I'm not a native spaeker or writer but I loved the movie and actualy I loves some of the fics here on this page (read Emails from austenland, it's fantastic!), Somehow I just wanted to try writing fanfiction, but I struggle a little with the language. So please comment and give me some tips. I would like that.
This chapter starts right where the movie stops. I just had to envision Molly walking in...
"What the heck is going on here?" Molly stood in the doorway, her baby belly pointing accusingly at them. Her voice was harsh and Jane and Henry broke apart, caught like some teenagers.
"Oh, hi Molly, this is Henry. Henry, this is Molly, my best friend."
Jane could tell that Henry's mask he wore so often at Austenland was back into place, his back rigid and face unreadable. He extended his hand "Nice to meet you, Molly."
Molly took his hand, not really looking at him but at Jane. "Yes, hi. Ah, Jane, could I talk to you for a minute. " She dragged Jane into the bedroom.
"Sorry, we'll be right back" Jane tried to tell Henry before Molly closed the door.
"ARE YOU COMPLETELY INSANE. You can't bring one of the actors back here. What were you thinking? This whole trip had the purpose to finally get this Austen stuff out of your system."
"Molly, wait, I…"
"And now you bring one back to New York? Jane, get a grip. This is not real. They are ACTORS!"
"Molly, stop! Henry is not an actor. I know, I told you how awful it was but apparently he wasn't acting. He is actually a history professor and he flew here to tell me he is mad about me. ME! Not my character."
"Jane, you can't be serious. This is not a RomCom. This is reality."
"Molly, I know that. The only thing I'm saying is, give him a chance. I mean, I owe it to myself and to Henry to at least get all the facts straight. And I want to know the real guy, not the person I thought he was."
"Jane…"
"Molly, he flew across the freaking ocean to see me and when I told him that he could have mailed my sketchbook, he was willing to just walk away. He is not pushing me or anything."
"What? What are you talking about? Jane, this guy could be a lunatic, maybe someone dangerous."
"He isn't. I know that. Admittedly, I don't know a lot about him but I know that he will take care. Molly. He is not dangerous. I actually WANT to get to know him better."
"But, Jane, that sounds insane. This is not you."
She took a deep breath and wanted to keep on persuading Jane to kick Henry out of her apartment when she looked around Jane's bedroom and realised the change. She stopped talking, a shocked expression on her face.
"Jane, what DID happen in England?" she asked in a low voice.
Jane could see that Molly was really worried, but now was not the time to explain how everything went upside down. Heck, she even didn't understand half of it herself.
"Molly, I'm fine. I had a rough time at the end but that was actually my own fault. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
There was a soft knock on the door.
"I made some tea, … and I just wanted you to know that the door is not as soundproof as you may think it is."
Oh my God! "Listen, Molly, I know I owe you a profound explanation but right now," Jane lowered her voice, hoping that Henry wouldn't hear her from the other side, "right now there is this awesome man standing in my kitchen, who flew half around the world. And I actually would like to talk to him."
Molly snorted.
"I promise we'll talk tomorrow."
Molly scrutinized Jane, only now realising that she seemed to be a little flustered. She gave in. "Ok, tomorrow you and your Prince Charming will come to our place. 10.30. Brunch. No excuses!"
"Ok," resigned she nodded. "Can I go back now…?" She went to the door.
"Sure, but I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions." Molly followed her in the living room. Henry stood next to the small table, cups and teapot already set. He smiled awkwardly.
"So, Henry," Molly sat down, getting herself a cup. "Jane here tells me you are not an actor. What do you do for a living?"
"Actually I am a history professor. I teach at Cambridge University."
"So you're smart guy?"
"I suppose so." He gave Molly a funny look.
"Then you'll admit that all this," she showed around the apartment and at Jane and Henry, "is a little strange and fast. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Somehow I feel like I'm having a job interview."
"No, no, not a job interview. Try something along the third degree. Much more painful when one is lying." She looked down at her phone where she had written something earlier.
She whistled. "But I see you are quite a busy little professor." She read out loud "Author of four books concerning the Napoleonic Wars, the German Movement of the Vormärz and the Polish Liberation Movement; voted four times best lecturer on campus. Oh my, there is even a Facebook-site."
"What?" Jane looked over Molly's shoulder, pretty impressed by what she could see about Henry on the Internet.
"Wow, quite impressive. Ok, I'll leave you two alone. Don't forget our brunch tomorrow." She grinned cheeky at Henry "I'm not quite finished with my questions."
"Fair enough. It's been nice meeting you, Molly." He smiled his gentle smile and Molly nodded.
"See you, Doc. Bye, Jane."
After Molly left, the silence between the two of them was crushing. Going back to kissing was not an option, as much as both of them regretted that, they knew it was time for a little talking.
"Do you want to grab something for lunch?"
"Yes, please. I'm actually starving. Couldn't quite manage to eat something on the plane. I was just too nervous. " He grinned sheepishly and Jane's heart fluttered. She grabbed her cardigan.
When they were about to leave the apartment, Henry's eyes fell on the cardboard Darcy, the boxes and the doll house. "Um, Jane, what's that about?"
Jane ducked her head. She knew she had to tell him about her crazy Darcymania, but not today.
"Can I take a rain check for the explanation? I swear you'll understand."
"That's okay." They walked towards the elevator.
"Come to think about it, with all the drama involved, maybe we should pretend – at least for a day – that we hadn't met at Austenland?!"
She looked at him. The way he behaved in all this relationship stuff made it evident that both of them had a rather bad history in the love department. She nodded.
When they had entered the elevator, Jane turned to Henry. "Hi, I'm Jane. I live at 54c. I haven't seen you here. Have you just moved in?"
He smiled. "Very nice to meet you, Jane. No, I was just visiting a friend."
"You're not from the US. Is it your first time here in NYC?"
While they talked, their grins got bigger and bigger, but they both stared mostly at the digital display, watching the numbers descending.
"I have been here already twice, but always for work. It's the first time I actually have some time off to look around. I was hoping my friend would show me the city, but I must just have missed him."
"If you don't think it's a little too pushy, I could show you around." She pointed at her chest. "New York gal and proud of it."
"I'd love you to. Would you accept a lunch invitation as compensation for your troubles?"
"You're on!" They left the lift, each trying to hold in the giggle.
When they entered the street, Jane hummed the melody of The Police's Englishman in New York.
Henry laughed out loud and took her hand.
