While Elizabeth was at work on Tuesday, Jane stopped by to take her to lunch. Elizabeth quickly agreed and went to a local Mexican Restaurant who made the best burritos in town. While they were eating Jane brought up the subject that she wanted to talk about.
"So I understand that when Lydia found you on Sunday that you were at Bill Darcy's." Jane tried to read her sister's body language, "So what has changed Elizabeth, I thought you couldn't stand the man?"
Elizabeth sighed, "Bill Darcy is an incredible loving man and he's not the same person he was when I first met him."
"How has he changed?" Jane asked as she scrutinized Elizabeth's expression.
"He's not so rigid, he laughs, he's so damned sexy and he loves me." Elizabeth's face was lit up with emotion, "He wants to marry me."
"Do you love him?" Jane could see the answer in her sister's eyes but she wasn't sure if Elizabeth knew the truth yet.
"I'm confused." Elizabeth lowered her eyes in embarrassment, "Sometimes, I think I am but I don't know whether that's because when he kisses me all thoughts other than the feel of his lips against mine fly right out of my head. When he touches me, I tingle all over and I never want him to stop." She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, "I know with my head that true love and physical love are two different things but I can't separate my desire for him from what I might be feeling with my heart."
"So what happened between you two on Saturday night when you stayed there?" Jane asked.
"Nothing happened except that he kissed me." Elizabeth suddenly looked suspiciously at her sister, "Wait a minute; you're not spying for Bingley are you?"
Jane colored slightly as she managed a sheepish grin, "Charlie is so frustrated that Darcy won't tell him what happened between the two of you." Jane laughed softly, "He feels that he is entitled to know because he takes the credit for getting you guys together after he made Darcy jealous when he took you out."
"Oh," Elizabeth said as she leaned toward Jane, "You can tell him…" Elizabeth paused for dramatic effect, "to mind his own business and keep his nose out of mine."
Elizabeth sat back with a smile on her face and Jane started laughing.
When Jane stopped laughing she looked at Elizabeth seriously, "Elizabeth, as far as whether you are in love with Bill Darcy, I think you need to focus on how he makes you feel when you're with him." She shifted slightly, "Elizabeth, when you think of your future, can you imagine that future without Bill Darcy?"
Elizabeth closed her eyes in concentration and shuddered at the thought, "No, I feel sick when I try to picture my life without him."
"I think you have your answer." Jane said quietly, "You might not be in love with him yet but you are falling in love with him."
As Jane dropped her off at the showroom, Elizabeth hugged Jane and whispered, "Thank you for your help."
"Anytime," Jane said before she got in her car and left.
After she had returned to her desk, Elizabeth heard the door bell chime and she looked up to see Bill coming towards her.
There was a smile on his face as he said, "I thought I would come by and take you to lunch."
She shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, I just got back from lunch with Jane."
Bill looked disappointed but said, "Maybe I could take you tomorrow."
"It's a date." She said with one of her beautiful smiles.
Bill glanced around to make sure there were no customers in the room and he pulled Elizabeth into his arms and kissed her. He reluctantly let her go and said, "I'll see you tonight."
After Bill left Elizabeth he drove back to the job site and couldn't help but think about Elizabeth.
When he got to the job he saw Bingley talking with an attractive blond woman and realized quickly that this must be Elizabeth's sister, Jane.
He strode toward the couple and Bingley introduced them.
"So you are the famous Bill Darcy," Jane said with a slight smile curving her lips, "I have heard good things about you."
Bill's heart soared as he thought about Elizabeth telling her sister about him, "Really, that's nice to hear."
"I'm sure you deserve all of the praise, Charlie tells me you are the best boss around." Jane saw the disappointment flit across Darcy's face and she said, "My sister thinks very highly of you too."
"I'm glad to hear that." Bill said.
Jane looked at her watch and said as she kissed Bingley, "I have to go before I'm late."
Bill looked at the love struck look on Bingley's face and grinned, "She seems nice, how are things going with you two?"
"She the most wonderful woman in the world," Charles gushed as he looked at his friend, "But she's not a very good spy and only came back from her lunch with Elizabeth with a 'mind your own business'."
Darcy laughed, "So you sent your girlfriend out to coop my lunch with Elizabeth," Bill shook his head, "You're a rat Bingley, I don't know why I put up with you."
"I knew when you planned to surprise Elizabeth with lunch, so I sent Jane an hour earlier to get some information, damn little good it did me." He smirked at his boss, "You keep me around because I'm the best in the business."
Bingley walked away from his boss and Bill yelled after him, "You never let me forget it either."
Bill did his best to concentrate on work that afternoon but he found that the few minutes he'd spent with Elizabeth this afternoon just made him long for her even more. I can't wait to get home and kiss her properly. His mind wandered into a little fantasy, Elizabeth was lying in his bed with only a towel covering her and she was waiting for him. He slipped into bed beside her and opened the towel…
"Darcy, I need your help with the plumber." Bingley's voice interrupted his daydream and Bill swore, "Damn, Bingley."
On the way home, Darcy picked up pizza for the family. His Freudian slip took him by surprise because that was how he had begun to see them. Elizabeth, Anne Marie, Georgie and David, they are my family; I finally have a real family.
When he arrived at the house, Elizabeth was already there. She and Georgie were playing a board game with the kids.
As Darcy sat down the pizza on the table in the entry way, Anne Marie and David ran over to Bill as they jumped onto each of his legs. He bounced them a few times before he picked them up. Elizabeth rose gracefully and came to take one of the kids. He leaned over to kiss her as Anne Marie stretched out her arms and caught Elizabeth around the neck. Elizabeth had Anne Marie on her hip and Bill had David with one hand. The other hand snaked around Elizabeth's waist as he held her to him.
Georgiana watched the scene with a smile on her face. She crossed the room to join the group hug and saw the glint of happiness in Bill's eyes.
"I've got dinner," Bill said, "Who wants pizza."
"I do." Anne Marie's call was echoed by the other's in the room including a shy "I do," from David.
Elizabeth and Georgie got the plates and set the table while Bill played with the kids.
With Anne Marie hanging upside down from his arms and David clinging to his feet, Bill made his way to the dinner table with a mocking, "I've got them but what am going to do with them now."
Elizabeth grabbed David off his feet and he sat Anne Marie down on her chair. Georgie pulled out Anne Marie's old high chair for David. Bill sat down and caught Elizabeth's eyes and indicated the chair next to him at the round table with a raise of his eyebrows.
Elizabeth sat down and Bill pulled her chair close as he ran his hand up her thigh. He leaned down to taste her lips with a sigh.
After dinner, Bill pulled out a movie that Anne Marie had wanted to see. He set the movie to play while Georgie helped Elizabeth clean up.
Bill scooted his sister out of the kitchen so that he could help Elizabeth.
Georgie rolled her eyes at Elizabeth with a smile, "Bill going to help again, this could take a while.
Elizabeth giggled as Bill came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't listen to her; I'm very good in the kitchen."
"I remember." Elizabeth whispered as a blush rose in her cheeks.
Georgiana just shrugged her shoulders and said with a smile, "I think I'll call my boyfriend, Mark and talk for a while."
"Just keep an eye on the children for us." Her brother called from the kitchen.
"Sure." Georgie called back.
Bill turned Elizabeth around from the sink and saw that she had soapy rubber gloves on and had a plate and a sponge in her hand. "So sexy," Bill whispered in her ear with a smile, "I'm having a hard time controlling my libido." He said with a laugh as he pulled her in to kiss her and he took the items out of her hands while he tried to remove the gloves.
Elizabeth pulled away from him with a giggle. "Just let me finish, it'll only be a few minutes and then I'll be all yours."
Bill groaned, "Do you promise."
"Cross my heart." She said as she made an x across her chest.
Bill let her hands fall but he kept his hands around her waist and kissed her neck softly.
"You're not making this easy." Elizabeth moaned as he found the sensitive hollow of her throat. She loaded the last few items in the dishwasher and started the cycle.
"That was the point." He murmured with a growl as she moved out of his arms to wipe down the table. He watched her every move as she wiped down the counter and the sink. She laid down her towel after she dried her hands and slipped back into Bills arms.
She lifted herself onto her toes and pulled Bill down to kiss him. He lifted her so that she was straddling his waist and kissed her with a passionate need. He pulled out a chair and sat down with her legs wrapped around him.
With a sigh he buried his face in her hair and breathed in the sweet scent. "I missed you so much today."
In response she stroked his face and pressed a light kiss on his lips. Bill's hand ran up the curve of her hips. He pulled unbuttoned her blouse as his hand found her breast. He moved the lace fabric aside and lightly moved his fingers across her nipple until it hardened as he heard Elizabeth's breath grow uneven. He leaned down to take her nipple in his mouth when a gentle hand stopped him.
"Bill, no we can't, the kids and Georgie are in the other room and could come in at any moment."
Bill sighed as he covered her up and buttoned her blouse, "You're right, I got carried away; I just wish that I had more private time with you."
Bill's eyes caught hers as he said seriously, "Have you thought about my offer?"
"Your offer," Elizabeth giggled at his choice of words, "You make it sound like you're negotiating a business deal."
"You love to tease me." Bill sighed, "But have you thought about it."
"Yes, I've thought about it." Elizabeth said, "But I haven't made a decision, I need more time."
"I'll give you all the time you need." He said with a smile, "As long as you say 'yes.'"
Elizabeth's eyes hardened as she spoke, "You have to give me time."
There was a smile on his face but some of the light had left his eyes, "You are one tough negotiator."
Elizabeth leaned against him and snuggled against his chest. Bill held her tight with a sigh of pleasure.
Georgiana peeked around the corner, "The movie is over."
"We'll be right there." Elizabeth said as she slid off Bill's lap.
When they got into the living room, Elizabeth found that David was already asleep and Anne Marie looked like she could go to sleep at any moment.
Elizabeth looked at Bill, "I guess I should get David home."
"Don't go yet." Bill said, "We can put David in the nursery, please, I want a little time alone with you."
"Okay," Elizabeth conceded, "But just for a little while."
Elizabeth picked up David and followed Darcy to his bedroom. He opened a door that Elizabeth hadn't noticed before and it opened up into a nursery.
She put David down in the bed and tucked him in before kissing his forehead. Bill watched her with David and his heart swelled with the intensity of his love for her.
After leaving the nursery, Bill and Elizabeth put Anne Marie to bed. She insisted on Elizabeth reading to her and Bill loved listening to her. When Anne Marie fell asleep Elizabeth kissed her on the forehead and as she stood, she placed her hand in Bill's. He turned off the light as they left the room. This was so right, I hope Elizabeth realizes soon that we belong together because I can hardly wait to make her my wife.
Bill walked her back to his room and shut and locked it behind them. He saw that Elizabeth looked nervous and he said, "I haven't forgot about what you told me so you have nothing to worry about," He's eyes held hers, "I just want to ensure some privacy for us, that's all."
He sat down on the end of the bed and patted it in an indication for her to sit as well. She ignored the seat he indicated and she crawled onto his lap. His breath caught in his throat as she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair.
He moaned as he caught her lips with his and sought entrance to her mouth. She responded by kissing him back passionately. He lay on his back and pulled her until she was on top of him. He held her tight against him as he kissed her and moved his hands along her hips. He turned her over onto her back and so that he was positioned between her legs. He kissed her neck and made his way to the exposed portion of her shoulders. He started to unbutton her blouse but Elizabeth's hands stopped him as she felt his arousal against her thighs.
"Bill, we can't." She kissed the palms of his hands as she moved out from underneath him and sat up, "I should be going, it's getting late."
"Elizabeth, you don't have to leave, just stay here tonight." He saw her face and he explained, "David's asleep and you can take my room and I'll sleep in the guest room. You'll be close in case he wakes up. You can go home in the morning and get dressed."
"I guess you're right." Elizabeth conceded, "It would be silly to wake up David if I don't need to and I don't really want to leave him." She looked into Bill's eyes, "But I expect you to be the perfect gentleman."
"You have my word." Bill said as he picked her up and swung her around. When he put her down, he smiled and went to his dresser and pulled out the t-shirt she had worn on her last stay here, "When I dream about you tonight, you will be wearing this." He grinned and raised his eyebrows.
She pushed him out of the room and went to the bathroom to get changed. When she came out Bill was leaning against the door waiting for her. "I just needed to get the visual for my dream." He said as he crossed the room and took her into his arms to kiss her.
Before she could protest, he let her go and left the room with a grin. She snuggled into his bed; she could smell him on the bed cloths and sighed as she fell asleep.
Early in the morning, Bill woke up and still dazed from sleep walked to the bathroom. He walked to his room and climbed in bed. He smiled when he felt Elizabeth and slid in close to her to take her in his arms. He immediately fell into a contented sleep.
When the alarm clock went off in the morning, Bill automatically turned it off and leaned in to kiss Elizabeth as she woke slowly.
Bill's eyes flew open as he tried to remember how he got here. He realized that he must have come back here automatically after he had gone to the bathroom.
Elizabeth murmured in his ear as she woke up, "Bill." She leaned in to kiss him but stopped abruptly as she realized that they were sleeping together, "Bill, what the hell happened, what are you doing here?" Her face changed to a worried frown, "Bill, did we…" Her voice trailed off as she looked at him.
"No, we didn't." Bill said quickly, "I got confused and came here after I got up to go to the restroom, that's all. We didn't do anything but sleep together, I promise."
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"If we had made love, I would remember." He pulled her into his arms with a laugh as he winked, "And so would you because that would be very memorable."
"Bill," Elizabeth started as she felt his apparent arousal, "You're…" She couldn't finish the sentence and he followed her motion and laughed.
"That happens." He kissed her, "I must have been having a very good dream."
"Bill this is not funny." She looked stern as she began to worry again, "Are you sure that we didn't make love?"
"Darling, you have never been with a man before and there would be evidence if we had made love." He smiled, "There would be blood." Elizabeth glanced around looking for any trace, "Plus we are still fully dressed."
Elizabeth blew out the breath she didn't know she was holding. "You're right, I'm just being silly."
"I liked waking up with you in my arms." Bill said with fire in his eyes, "I would like to do it again, every day of my life."
She got up and headed for the bathroom, "I still need more time." She looked back at him through her lashes, "But I liked waking up with you, too."
Bill was delighted with her response and hummed a happy tune as he went to the other bathroom to take a shower.
He was disappointed that when he got out of his shower, Elizabeth had gone but she left a note on his bed
Bill, I have to go otherwise I will be late. I will come after work and maybe we could go out to a movie or something, I look forward to some more privacy. Elizabeth.
When Barbara got to the Darcy house, she found both children in the kitchen eating breakfast.
"Do you think that you could babysit tonight as Elizabeth and I are going out on a date?" Bill asked.
"Of course, it would be my pleasure." She looked at Bill Darcy, "I think you two are good together. She is a wonderful woman."
"I think so too." Bill smiled at her before he left to go to work.