YAY! I'm Back!
I got a sudden burst of inspiration and here we go!
I promise I won't leave you for that long again!

Chapter 21

Charlotte arrived later that day and practically forced Will and Lizzie to go home.

"You two have done so much for me this weekend. I'll stay and take her home when the doctors say. Please. Go sleep in an actual bed."

"Whatever you say, Charlotte." Lizzie gave her a hug, said goodbye to Jane and she and Will drove home with Charlie.

As they were pulling into the garage, a van and a taxi pulled into the driveway.

"Shoot!" William helped Lizzie out of the car as he saw the taxi.

"Will?" She opened the door and grabbed the leash before Charlie ran after them.

"My cousin is coming this weekend. I completely forgot. I am so sorry." He touched her arm.

"Ann?"

"No. My other cousin. He's a lot better than Ann."

"Then it'll be fine. If that van has what I think it does, we'll need his help." He dropped his hand. "Its the nursery stuff." They both laughed.

"I have to tell you something about my cousin." He took her hand as they left the garage and went to the front. "He was in the military."
"So?"

"He was one of my best friends before we moved in next store to you."

"Thats nice."

"He needs to stay with us indefinitely."

She stopped and pulled his hand. "Come again?"

"He has nowhere to go. He doesn't want to stay with Ann. Please, Lizzie." He started pleading.

"Fine. But if he creeps me out..."

"I'll ask him to find an apartment." He pulled her into as close of a hug as he could. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Richard got out of the taxi to see something strange. His taciturn cousin was smiling. To a cute pregnant woman. He thought the world was ending.

"DARCE!" He got his bags out of the trunk of the taxi after paying. He hurried up to his cousin.

"Colonel Richard Fitzwilliams. How are you?" He was still holding onto the woman.

"I'm good. I hear that the great architectural firm of your fathers is still going strong and proud."

"Yes." Another smile? "Its never been better."

"Would you care to introduce us?" The woman spoke up. She had a lovely voice. And her eyes seemed to glow when she started to flash a naturally beautiful smile.

"Ma'am. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliams." He took her hand and kissed it playfully only to see Darcy's smile vanish. "And how do you know my dreary cousin? And more importantly, how do you make him smile?"

"Now listen here!" Darcy slapped him on the back of the head.

"William! Be polite!" She hit him in the chest with the back of her hand.

"Yes wife." Darcy leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"WHAT?" He practically fell over his bag as he backed up. Darcy's wife grabbed his arms and pulled him steady.

"Careful!" She laughed. "I'm Lizzie. Pleased to meet you." She cleaned off his suit and held out her hand.

"When did you guys get married?" He took it.

"One year five months three weeks two days." They said in unison.

"Wow. Thats some parlor trick." He laughed. Lizzie leaned closer.

"You should see what I can do with whipped cream." She and William laughed.

"That is something." Darcy nodded.

"Will, help me with the stuff." She hurried towards the van he followed into the driveway.

"Married?"

"Why are you so surprised? It was bound to happen sooner or later." Darcy leaned down and grabbed his bag

"And you're having a kid." He took the bag from Darcy.

"Uh..." Wait was Darcy blushing?

"What?"

"Try two."

"What!" He practically dropped his bag.

"Twins."

"Way to go!" Rich regained his composure and slapped his cousin on the back. He couldn't help but feel somewhat jealous of his cousins happiness. Lizzie... Where had he heard him mention a Lizzie before. Probably in one of the many emails Will sent him. But something was off with these two. They were hiding something and he was going to find out what.

The two cousins reached the van as the workers were lowering a wrapped blob out of the van.

"Why don't you go inside. I can handle this." William wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

She nodded. "Colonel, why don't you come inside. I can show you to a guest room."

"Thank you." Richard followed her inside.

"Oh, shoot. Where's Charlie... One second." She went into the kitchen. "CHARLIE!" She heard the feet running down the stairs. She turned to see Charlie stopped garding the steps.

"You convinced my cousin to get a pet?" She turned to see a stunned Colonel.

"Actually, he got Charlie for us. Its a long story Colonel." She motioned to the steps and pushed Charlie up the stairs.

"Richard."

"What was that?" She turned around again.
"Please. Call me Richard."

"Okay. Do you like a room with windows facing the street or the yard, Richard?" She started back up the stairs.

"Which is more quiet?" He laughed.

"Yard." She laughed with him. "Sorry I'm so slow."

"Take your time. Congratulations."

"Thank you." They reached the second floor. Lizzie looked at Richard and smiled. "You have questions."

"Excuse me?" He was caught off guard.

"You have questions for William and me." She motioned to the second door. A bay window and a bed. "I hope this will do."

He walked into the room. "This is perfect. And yes. I have questions." He smiled. She was astute.

"Well, I have questions too. But that can wait until lunch. I'll let you settle in." She left him standing there with the door open and slowly made her way back downstairs.

She found Will surrounded by blobs of bubble wrap and boxes. They shared a glance and started laughing. When they finally stopped Lizzie helped him navigate an exit.

"Just so know, I promised Richard a Q and A at lunchtime."

"I don't know if thats such a good idea. Richard has some information that might change the way you see me..." They linked hands and made their way to the kitchen.

"Really?"

"I should not have said that." He sat heavily on a stool when he saw the mischievous look in her eye.

"Are we doing the right thing?" She asked after they sat in silence for a short time.

"What?"

"Not finding out. Do you think its the right thing?" He saw her rubbing her stomach.

"Getting curious?" He teased.

"No. And please put my mind at ease. It's been five and a half months and I don't want to give in."

"But..."

"But since we found out its twins, I just don't know what to do."

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think you're worrying too much.." He placed one hand on top of hers and rubbed his thumb across her skin.

"Are you sure? Because-"

"Lizzie. I am positive. Now that that stress is gone, can I help with anything else?"

Tears forming in Lizzie's eyes. "Mother."

"You want me to call her?" She nodded. "You don't want the twins to come do you?" She shook her head. "Then I'll tell her that." Her eyes went wide. "I'll be polite. Don't worry. But do know we have to face her sooner or later."

"Thats what Mary said."

"How have things been going between you two?"

"Good. Our Monday lunches have turned into Monday and Wednesday lunches and Charlotte has joined in."

"So its turned into a club?" He chuckled.

"Hey! We're all friends. I've been asking for advice from them for five months now."

"Can I come to one of these lunches?"

"NO!"

"Why not?"

"Because..." She smiled. "If you're there what else am I going to talk about?"