------ END OF FLASHBACK -----
"You have got to be kidding me! I cannot deal with you right now, I just can't!" Elizabeth shouted. Surprised and offended, William was about to say something, when.
"Oh Lizzy, aren't you happy? I thought it would be a charming surprise! I know you haven't met in 8 years-" here the Prince interrupted, though he instantly regretted it
"8 years 5 months and 12 days"
"… and it would be such a lovely opportunity for you two to catch up!" Jane was so happy with er plan, she didn't notice the insecure faces in front of her.
"What, they already know each other?! Why didn't you tell me so! This is such a funny coincidence!" was Bingley's comment. The two were still staring into each other's eyes, both remembering the very little but precious time they spent together.
"Perhaps it were better if I left Charles… I remember I have a very urgent document to write for tomorrow and-"
"Don't be silly Darce! You promised, and this time you are going to keep it." So he stayed, both of them did. The conversation was mainly controlled by Jane or Bingley, with the other two answering as monosyllabically as possible. Bingley, sensing this evening was not going in the intended direction, proposed an alternative plan.
"Jane, I know we promised a movie night, but perhaps we could re-schedule it? I can see our guests are terribly tired… We should just go to our place, and have a more comfortable, more intimate chat. What do you say?" he turned around to see how his idea was greeted. Jane's face instantly lit up, and the rest remained as emotionless as ever.
So, they went up, and Jane started to be busy in the kitchen, making coffee and tea and taking out biscuits… Charlie had to leave soon, to pick up something or other… And soon, the old couple found themselves alone in a comfortable room, sipping whine and thinking. Soon, neither comfortable with their situation, they started small talk.
"The weather was nice today… It almost looked as if the sun would come out…" Lizzy didn't know what to say. The weather seemed about the only safe topic they could talk about…
"Perhaps, compared to that of your home city, it was nice. However, to us, it was quite normal, thank you." ...or not… Not even the weather is safe now. How are we going to survive months and months together?
"I saw Georgiana today… She's quite the charming young lady!" Elizabeth tried to smile.
"Yes… we are all very proud of her. She has come a long way."
Silence…They say it is hard to talk to ex-s, but this is ridiculous! There mustbe something we could talk about. We have to solve this, now, especially if he is going to be the best friend of my sister's husband! That is not temporary, that will stay like that for ever! I should say something… No! no, it's his turn now. Twice. You know, that is a silly game. Ughhh, I wish Jane would come soon!!!
"Lizzy, I… You m-" and at precisely that moment, when things were about to turn sentimental between the two, William's phone went off. "Hello?" he answered grumpily. "Yes… No… Of course not, I am capable of understanding the heavy consequences of such… Yes… Yes… All right, I'll meet you tomorrow at the café to discuss the legal aspects of… Yes, 6 sounds perfect… Thank you…. You two."
"Well… Looks like you have an early appointment tomorrow at work. There is a case I am involved in, and it needs your help." William turned to Elizabeth. "So… where were we?"
"Wait, before I forget… at what time, where?"
"Museum café, at 6 am. Don't worry, I'll send you a car, just be down at the door at 5:45."
"Right, got it. Thank you." She smiled at him. "So… where were you?" however, before William could continue, the door opened with Bingley hidden behind a million bags. They spent the night drinking tea and watching a movie. When William left, Elizabeth felt good about herself. Finally, They have succeeded in a bit more intimacy… He called her Lizzy… he still remembers! And oh, the way my name left his lips! So sweet, so sour at the same time! I cannot wait for tomorrow, to see his face again! No, you have to forget about him, it is not what you think, he can never love you again… And with that debate going on ad on in her head, she went to sleep.
Next morning, she woke up early, excited about the upcoming day. She changed, and she ran down to the coffee shop nearby to buy her morning drink. Hm, I wonder whether I should… Well, can't hurt, can it?
"Oh and, give me a mocha please, extra cream no sugar and with lactose-free milk. Thank you." She ordered. When her drive arrived, she was surprised it was a limousine… and that he himself came to pick her up.
"Hey! We don't have much time, there was much traffic and we are already late…" Elizabeth looked at her watch: it was 5:46. "Here, I brought you some coffee, you need all your strength today." How sweet! He even remembered how I used to drink it!
"I brought some to you too…Don't know if it is all right, though…" and she handed him the drink. Once she was comfortably settled, they looked at each other… after a few minutes, they both burst out laughing.
"Well, it is how they say I suppose… 'Great minds think alike'…"
"Perhaps those 'great minds might want to consider closing the door?" asked the rather grumpy driver. Hey, who can blame him, having to wake up so early in the morning, only so that those two can waste time?!
The Prince closed the door eventually, blushing. No one said anything on the way… They were both immersed in their own thoughts, which later turned out to be a bad idea as Elizabeth had absolutely no idea what the meeting was about.
"But you must understand, William, bringing a child overseas isa big deal! Especially if you do not intend to adopt him!" the other person was almost shouting. William took a deep breath and answered:
"How can I adopt him? My mother would never allow me to. As crown Prince, I have certain obligations… and limitations. I am telling you, he will be well taken care of. Much better than out there in the desert, for goodness sake!" he paused a bit, to cool down, and glancing at Lizzy he added "It shouldn't be this hard to help…" and with an almost defeated sigh he stared into nothingness. Lizzy decided it was time for her to get involved.
"Look, I spent a year in Africa, if anyone knows the misery there, it is me. And trust me, being there, it was a lot easier to just pick up an orphaned baby and bring her home with me to Australia than it is for this man to legally place another orphaned child into the care of deserving, sweet natured, caring people, with whom he might actually survive to celebrate his 5th birthday, unlike thousands in Africa. Listening to you, I honestly don't know what else to believe but that you do not want a better life for those children…" she calmed down a bit, and added "and then you o not deserve the position you are in. That sort of behavior is what induces people to make this process illegally." William looked approvingly at Elizabeth; never before has he seen her so convincing, so passionate, so determined about anything. The adoption person, however, looked at Lizzy frightened and in awe.
"Well, Miss, I am sure… if what you say is true… illegally!..." the poor guy, he looks so nervous! Hehe, I bet now he will solve this thing in no time.
"Well, I am really sorry, but we must go. The Prince has a tight schedule. Let me know when you have the papers ready to sign. Thanks again for all your help!" and with that, the two left a baffled young adoption agency person behind.
"Wow, that was… truly amasing!" said William, admiringly.
"Nah, was nothing, but thank you." Lizzy was truly smiling. She really felt good with herself. Maybe coming here wasn't such a big mistake after all.
"Hey… is it true what you said? About Africa?"
"Well, sort of… I did spend a year traveling around it, places where misery was at its highest… One day, we were in the middle of a tribunal fight, while I was giving injections to a family… putting the needle in the mom's arms she was shot from the back… and then the father next to her, who dropped what looked like an empty bag… they weren't after us, so I was only hurt a bit in the shoulder… once they left, I opened up the bag, and there I found a tiny little baby girl, couldn0t be more than a few months old… I was determined to take her home, give her the best education possible, and never let her forget where she came from, who her parents were… and most importantly, why they had to die. You see, the tribunal fight was merely about a tiny bit of fertile land where they found some water and crops could grow… It was heart breaking." Lizzy's eyes were starting to swell from olding back her tears.
"I… I don't know what to say… what happened to the baby?" William asked, almost dreading the answer.
"Few weeks later, in Cairo I took her to a doctor, and it was determined she had genetically inherited HIV…she was only a couple of months old, and still she had Aids… She also suffered from a weakened immune system resulting from the famine she was exposed to… Lack of breast milk also meant she was not successfully developed… She died a few days after." Lizzy now couldn't hold it back,she was crying into his shoulder "Before she died, she said her first and last word ever… it was 'Lizzy'" she was shaking she cried so hard. She didn't know why she was telling him this; she hasn't told anyone, ever. She didn't even cry when it happened, she needed to be strong for another month of nursing duty. But here, in a luxurious car far from that in both time and space, with this man she hasn't seen in 8 years, but trusted with her own life… She finally let go of her grief.
"Lizzy… I am so sorry ,I… I didn't know… My God, the things you have been through!... Don't worry…It's ok, it's ok…" William held Elizabeth close to his chest, caressing her hair soothingly. His shirt was dampened by her tears, but he wouldn't notice; he was busy trying to process this information, and trying to hold back his own tears.
AN: At the risk of sounding very monotonous: Thank you, truly thanks for the loveliest reviews anyone could possibly receive. They charm a smile on my face for hours every day:P
Oh, and... Happy All Saints day!