Even though Elizabeth hadn't got much sleep, she woke up early to check on Anne Marie. She quietly made her way to the girl's room and as she entered she saw that Anne Marie was awake.
"Elizabeth." She cried loudly, "You're still here."
"Of course I'm here." Elizabeth said as she crossed the room to sit next to her bed, "You were sick and needed me last night."
Anne Marie was delighted and she said, "Now all you need to do is kiss Daddy a lot and fall in love so that you can be my mommy."
Elizabeth turned slightly pink at the words as she remembered what had happened between her and Bill last night.
"Anne Marie," Elizabeth said gently, "It takes a lot more than a few kisses for grown-ups to fall in love." She hugged the girl to her and said, "Your Daddy and I aren't in love so we're not getting married. Do you understand?"
Bill listened to the exchange from the doorway of his daughter's bedroom and he felt a bitter disappointment until he heard Anne Marie's reply.
"You could fall in love; Aunt Georgiana says that it could happen at any moment and that you can tell by a kiss." Anne Marie leaned closer to Elizabeth and said in a loud whisper, "I give you my permission to kiss Daddy as much as it takes for you to fall in love with him."
Elizabeth laughed and kissed the girl on the cheek, "You are very determined aren't you?"
"Daddy says I'm incorrigible." Anne Marie said as she looked up at Elizabeth with a smile, "I never give up."
Elizabeth shook her head with a smile, "I need to take your temperature now."
Anne Marie complied and Elizabeth was relieved to see that her temperature was back to normal. "Do you feel like you can eat some breakfast?"
"Yes." Anne Marie said with enthusiasm, "Can you make chocolate chip pancakes?"
"Yes, I think I can manage that."
"Thank you, Elizabeth."
She left the girl's bedroom only to find Bill Darcy in the hallway outside the door.
His eyes lit up when he saw that she was still only wearing his t-shirt and she looked damn sexy in it, too.
He put an arm around her waist and guided her to the living room.
"For the record, I'll say that I agree with my daughter and I think that we should kiss a lot." Bill said as he gathered Elizabeth into his arms and pressed his lips gently against hers. He pulled her closer to him and applied more pressure as he sought entrance through her lips. Her lips parted sweetly and his tongue moved into her mouth as he deepened the kiss.
She kissed him back and he enjoyed the feel of her tongue exploring his mouth. He lowered his lips to the sensitive hollow of her neck and kissed her until with a soft purr in her throat she arched her neck to allow him more freedom.
He slipped his hands up her thighs to her bottom as he pushed his hands past the fabric and cupped her rear end in his hands. He pulled her tightly to him and moved against her. His lips found hers again and plundered her mouth until her moans of pleasure grew louder in his ear.
He moved her against the couch and lowered her gently upon the cushions. He lowered himself on her and his hand softly moved under the fabric of the shirt until he was able cup her full breast in his hand. He tenderly stroked her nipple until it came to life under his hand and she groaned as she kissed him with a fierce desire.
Bill reached to remove the shirt over her head but her hand stopped him. "Bill no, we can't do this."
"Yes we can." He coaxed as his hand reached for the shirt again.
"No we can't." She was insistent and wiggled under him to release herself from his weight.
Her actions only inflamed his desire even more, "I want this so badly that I ache for you."
"Bill, we have to think about Anne Marie." Elizabeth managed to extricate her body and slip from the couch. He turned over on his back and reached for her again.
"Anne Marie loves you and she would be thrilled to see us together because that's exactly what she wants." Bill reached for her hand to pull her down to him with a wolfish grin, "She even gave you permission to kiss me as much as it takes."
"Bill, Charles told me that you haven't dated all of these years because you didn't want a parade of girlfriends traipsing through Anne Marie's life and I respect you for that."
"Damn it, Elizabeth, Charles Bingley has no idea why I haven't dated." Bill stood up quickly and with one motion he pulled Elizabeth to him and he murmured in her ear, "Yes, it's been a long time but it's you I need, Elizabeth." He pulled her against his body where she felt his erection, "I want to make love with you, please let me." His hand moved under the shirt again and hooked her panties to tug them down off her hips. Elizabeth stopped him with her hand and moved away from him.
"I'm going to change and then make Sunday breakfast for your daughter." She said stiffly.
He watched her move away from him with a feeling of loss and regret. I pushed her too far too fast and now she's pushing me away. How could I have been so stupid? Of course she needs time to get used to having him in her life before she accepts him as her lover. I just need to take things a little slower.
Bill had a cup of coffee waiting for Elizabeth as she appeared in the kitchen wearing the t-shirt and jeans that she had on last night.
"I thought you could use a cup this morning." Bill said cheerfully.
"Yes, I could." She agreed and gratefully took it from him. She took a sip and was astonished to find that it was exactly as she liked it. "How did you know how I took my coffee?"
"In my business it pays to be observant." He lowered his eyes and glanced at her with longing, "Besides that I remember everything about you."
"Bill, I know that you have needs and that you're attracted to me." Elizabeth said with firmness, "But what happens to Anne Marie when we break up, she'll be devastated." She shook her head and said, "I think we should continue to be friends for Anne Marie's sake."
"Elizabeth," Bill's voice was husky with desire, "What makes you think that we'd break up?"
Anger suffused Elizabeth's face, "Because I overheard you telling Charles that I'm not your type."
"I…I…I…" Bill stuttered as he realized what she had heard.
"Yeah, I heard it all. Charles asked you if you were going to go out with me and you telling him that I wasn't your type."
Bill blushed and knew that Bingley had been right that day when he had told Bill that he was an idiot.
"Don't you realize that Charles asked me out just to make you jealous." Elizabeth said forcefully, "He doesn't like me in that way and never did." She looked him in the eyes, "He set out to make you jealous and it obviously worked but you don't really want me."
"Damn it, Elizabeth, do you really think I didn't know what he was doing?" His voice was calm as he smiled, "I've known Bingley for a really long time and I know his tactics."
Elizabeth tilted her head and looked at him strangely, "Go ahead." She commanded.
"He knew that I was suppressing my true feelings for you and what he did was guaranteed to reveal them even to myself." He closed the gap between them and pulled her to him, "I was in denial about how you affected me and he just made me admit it to myself."
She pulled herself away and found an apron which she pulled around herself. She felt Bill's hands on her as he tied it around her waist.
"So how do feel about me?" She had turned to him and asked the question but wasn't even sure she wanted the answer.
"Elizabeth Bennet," He caressed the silky skin of her cheek, "I love you with all of my heart."
She closed her eyes, "You just think that because I look like your late wife." When she opened her eyes there was sadness there, "You're just confusing what you had with her and transferring those feelings to me."
"Nothing could be farther from the truth." Bill said harshly, "I have been looking for you, Elizabeth Bennet, for all of my life." His eyes held the truth, "I've been dreaming about the woman I loved all of my life and that woman is you." She looked at him with incredulity, "When I met Sarah, I thought she looked like you but it didn't take me long to realize that I had made a big mistake and that there is no one else like you." His voice was soft, "She was pregnant by the time I understood that the shallow vapid girl that she turned out to be was not the beautiful, thoughtful, loving woman that I had always been looking for. By the time I knew for sure, Anne Marie was on her way and I couldn't leave Sarah."
Elizabeth just let him talk as he seemed to have a need to get the truth off his chest. "Don't you see that's the reason I fought my attraction of you for so long is because you looked like her and I couldn't take the chance of my heart getting broken again."
After he told her everything that had happened with his wife, Elizabeth reached out, pulled him to her and hugged him tight to comfort him. She looked into his eyes as she raised her lips to his and kissed him with a tenderness and passion that left them both breathless.
"It's about time." Anne Marie's voice rang out, "Now you will fall in love."
"Well what do we have here." An amused voice said from behind Elizabeth.
"Georgie," Bill raced to greet the newcomer, "It's about time you came home, college let out a month ago."
"You know I've been traveling with my boyfriend." Georgiana rolled her eyes at her brother.
Anne Marie ran to her aunt and hugged her around the legs.
Elizabeth turned around and the shock that registered on Georgiana's face was almost comical. She grabbed a chair and sat down. "When Anne Marie said that you looked like her mother, I thought it would be just a passing resemblance but you look so much like Sarah that you could have been her twin."
Elizabeth regained her composure in order to introduce herself, "I'm Elizabeth Bennet." She greeted Bill's sister by offering her hand.
Georgiana took it and sighed with relief when she saw the warmth behind the woman's eyes because if what she had witnessed when she arrived was what she thought it was, Bill had fallen in love with this woman.
Elizabeth looked down sheepishly at her apron, "I was supposed to be making chocolate chip pancakes for this young lady who should not be out of bed but your brother distracted me."
"I can see that." Georgiana laughed, "Can I get some too. I've been living off dorm food and those pancakes sound wonderful."
"Of course" Elizabeth agreed, "But do you think you can get Anne Marie back to bed while your brother helps me make breakfast."
"I'd be glad to." Georgiana laughed, "But I've seen the way Bill helps and we might not get breakfast this morning if he helps."
Bill laughed and looked sternly them, "You two scoot so I can help Elizabeth."
He watched as Georgiana picked up her niece and bounced her off to her room.
"Now where were we?" Bill asked as he reached for Elizabeth.
"I need some chocolate chips, flour, an egg, baking soda…"
"No I meant this." Bill pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly before he released her and went to get ingredients.
Once the pancakes were done, Elizabeth took Anne Marie's to her room and the three adults ate in her room with her and it was fun for everyone.
While Georgiana played with Anne Marie, Bill helped Elizabeth clear up the dishes and loaded the dishwasher.
"I like Georgiana, she is bright, motivated and she obviously loves Anne Marie very much."
"Yes," Bill agreed, "They're like best friends. Georgie never liked Sara much, I think she saw right through the façade. I can tell that she likes you."
He leaned over and nibbled on Elizabeth's ear so she turned to face him. He caught her lips under his and said in a husky voice, "Me on the other hand, I love you and hope that you will stay the night again, with me this time."
"Bill things are just moving so fast." Elizabeth stroked his jaw with her fingers and trailed soft kisses behind them, "We haven't even been on a date yet."
"We've been on lots of dates." Bill countered as he kissed the sensitive hollow of her neck.
"We haven't been on a date by ourselves." Elizabeth corrected, "We've been on outings with the kids."
"So you think we should go out on a date before you move in with me?" Bill said with a wolfish grin.
"Well that would be preferable." Elizabeth grinned back at him as she heard her cell phone ring.
"Elizabeth Bennet." She answered quickly as she found her phone.
"Where are you?" The voice on the other end said.
"I'm at Bill's, Lydia." Elizabeth answered, "Why do you ask?"
"I need to see you right away." Lydia said, "Give me the address."
"Lydia wants to come here." Elizabeth said to Bill, "Is it okay"
He nodded his head and she gave Lydia the address.
"What was that all about?" Bill asked.
Elizabeth shrugged, "I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang and Elizabeth ran to the door and opened it. Bill walked up behind Elizabeth and put his hand on her shoulders to support her.
Lydia had David in her arms and what seemed like all his stuff at her feet and Lydia barely acknowledged Bill's presence.
"Lydia what's going on?" Elizabeth asked, "What is all of this?"
"You can have him." Lydia said without preamble, "David is all yours if you want him. I've even signed a paper releasing custody of him." She handed Elizabeth a sheet of paper and David.
"Of course I will take him." Elizabeth said, "But what is this all about Lydia."
"My new boyfriend doesn't like kids." Lydia answered, "He won't be with me if I've got a child so David is all yours."
"But I thought Michael liked kids."
"Michael's history," Lydia said unemotionally, "I've got a new boyfriend now and I love him."
"Lydia don't do this for another guy." Elizabeth begged but Lydia turned and walked away without looking back, got in her car and drove away from her son.
David looked into Elizabeth's eyes and said, "Mommy."
Elizabeth heart filled with emotion and she turned to Bill who enfolded her and David into his strong arms. Elizabeth felt the tears run down her face as the emotions washed over her.
Georgiana appeared in the front room and was astounded by the sight in front of her, "Bill…" She started before he interrupted her.
"Georgie, can you take David to Anne Marie's room." He told his sister, "She will be very happy to see him."
"Sure." Georgie leaned in and took David from Elizabeth and Bill. She looked back at the couple as she carried David to her niece's room.
"Elizabeth, I'm here for you." Bill said to the woman he loved, "Everything will be fine, both of you can move in with me and Anne Marie." Elizabeth looked up into his eyes and he wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'll take care of you both."
"Thank you for that." Elizabeth said, "But I can't accept your generous offer. I need to take care of this on my own."
Later that afternoon, after Bill and Georgiana had helped Elizabeth load all of David's things into Elizabeth's car. After she put David into his car seat, Georgiana left discretely to give them their privacy.
Bill leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips before he helped her into the car and watched her drive away.
Bill felt a little sad as he watched Elizabeth drive away but he knew she would be in his life and he could live with that for now. With one glance at her disappearing car he walked back to the house.