So Lizzie and Darcy make up and stuff.
Darcy led Lizzie to the garage and opened the door for her.
"Whoa.", she said when she saw a fancy, new car with a big red bow on it parked right in front of her.
"Do you like it?"
"What is that?"
"That is your new car.", he stated, pleased with himself. "Surely this will brighten her mood."
Lizzie's eyebrows shot up. "Oh. My new car? I wasn't aware I had bought one."
"You didn't. I did. For you… Do you like it?"
"Is it because of last night? I can't accept it.", she stated defensively.
Her mind was already accusing Darcy of trying to bribe her forgiveness with a car and how insulting that was, when he replied, "No, last night had nothing to do with it. Well, I did decide to present it to you today because of what occurred, but I had already purchased this vehicle weeks ago. I remember you saying that you missed driving when we spent that week at your parent's house. And frankly, I do not like that you take the bus. You refuse to make use of a driver and I thought this would be better."
Lizzie sighed and then was filled with guilt. "He just thinks he's being thoughtful! And look at me, accusing him of trying to woo me with money, when I know he knows that would never work on me... Assuming the worst about Will's actions is something the old Lizzie would've done. What the hell is wrong with me?"
She realized that she wasn't really angry at Darcy; she was angry with herself. In the back of her mind, she knew that she, too, had overreacted last night, but she didn't want to admit it to herself. She was having a hard time dealing with the lack of control over her emotions. For a while, she'd be normal and then something would make her cry. She'd be happy and then go on a rampage about the littlest thing. And Darcy always put up with it with no backlash. She didn't want to admit to herself that she was, yet again, the bad guy in the scenario; she wanted to feel like she had a reason to be mad at him. But she didn't really. She couldn't be bothered with him for thinking of her. She was, however, annoyed with him for buying her the car in the first place, which in turn made her angrier at herself because she should've listened to her dad and talked to Darcy about his expensive gifts weeks ago. Had she taken her father's advice, Darcy wouldn't have bought her that car.
"I'm glad it's not an apology car, Will… but I still can't accept it.", she said calmly.
"Lizzie, I really am sorry about how I behaved-", he said. This was not working out like he'd hoped.
"No, no! It's not that… And I should be apologizing for my behavior, too. I overreacted; big time. I hate to use this excuse again, but I blame my hormones. Rational Lizzie would not have stormed out on you for losing your temper. I would've talked it out with you, not left you alone… but the reason I don't want this car is because I want to buy my first car myself."
"Oh… not a problem. I will have it returned immediately.", he decided. He couldn't help but be a little disappointed. He put a lot of thought into the selection of this car.
"I appreciate it the sentiment, though! I get that you like to give me nice things to show me you care but to be honest, I don't feel right when you buy me crazy-expensive stuff."
"Why not? Lizzie, I know that you love me for me. I do not feel as if I am buying your affection and you shouldn't either."
"Flowers and chocolates are more my kind of thing; not diamonds and cars…"
"But you are worthy of the best things life has to offer. Luckily, I am in a position where I am able to give you the best. Why must I limit myself to mere flowers and chocolate?", he inquired. He had noticed before that Lizzie would shy away from gifts or turn down his offer to get her things. It bothered him that she didn't want anything from him. He wanted to know why, once and for all.
"Because that's what I like. I'm simple like that. And just because you can, doesn't mean you should... Look, I just graduated from grad school. I'm setting up my own company and doing this show in the hopes that I will be successful based on my own merit and hard work. I want to grow. I want to be able to buy you stuff and pick up the tab when we go out. I want to do things for myself. I want to be independent." Then she added with a chuckle, "Well, as independent as I can be considering I'm living with you rent-free and eating all the food."
"To be fair, I did impregnate you. It is the least I could do.", he said jokingly. The mood was no longer tense. "So you really feel like I am undermining your independence? Lizzie, I would never-"
"I know you wouldn't do it on purpose! And I know it sounds a little nuts, but that's how I feel; Like everything is too easy and I haven't earned it. Obviously, you have good intentions when you get me stuff... but until I feel like I've achieved what I want career-wise, I'm always gonna have this unease when you splurge on me. However, if I ever do need anything, I will tell you. I know you're loaded, you don't have to remind me every two seconds.", she said with a smile. She wanted to stress her point without coming across as rude.
Darcy had no idea that his gifts were being perceived negatively. "Alright... I will refrain from purchasing lavish gifts for you. I will stick to flowers and chocolates. But do you really not agree that it would be more convenient for you to have your own car?"
"Like I said, I enjoy the bus rides. If I truly had to get somewhere quickly, I'd take a cab or ask for your driver. Don't assume I need something just because you feel I need it. I know we're in a relationship, but it doesn't mean you can make my decisions for me. We should make them together. Again, I know your intentions are good, but just give me a heads up with stuff like this.", she pointed at the car.
Darcy sighed in defeat. "Fair enough. And very well, Miss Bennet. Public transportation it is."
"Mmhmm! Speaking of which, I'm going to miss my bus if I don't hurry…"
"I can drop you off at the office if you'd like."
"Thanks for offering, but no thanks. You can drop me off at the bus stop, though!"
"It would be my pleasure."
The two minute ride to the bus stop was filled with valuable information for Lizzie.
"How are you not mad at me, Will? For, ya know, just leaving you hanging last night?", Lizzie asked out of curiosity. The level of restraint this guy had was impressive.
"I was perturbed when you left. It was so sudden and I didn't exactly know how to react. One minute we were having a very pleasurable time and the next minute you were storming out of the room. I was angry that you didn't understand how important that meeting was to me and the company, but then I thought about how you tried to appease me earlier and how unfairly I lashed out at Gigi. I realized that you were not wrong and I used that alone time to reflect. I also ran this morning and I used that time to think as well. I was not sure if you were still going to be bothered with me, so I called the car dealership and requested that they bring the car over as a peace offering of sorts."
"I'm sorry... I'm not making your life any easier, am I?", Lizzie lamented.
"Not at all. Our relationship has been anything but easy.", he said with a smile as he stopped in front of the bus stop. "But my quality of life has improved tremendously. I now have an intelligent, beautiful, independent woman to spend the rest of my life with. And to top it all off, she's going to bring another intelligent, beautiful, independent woman into our lives soon."
"You're so sweet, babe!", Lizzie said. He always knew just what to say.
Lizzie removed her seat belt and leaned over to give Darcy an appreciative smooch. "Thanks for the ride. I'll text you when I get to my office… and I hope you have a wonderful day at work. Call me if you need to talk about anything…", she said as she got out of the car. She was referring to anything investor-related.
Darcy nodded and said, "I love you."
"I love you, too.", she echoed with a smile. She was happy that everything was alright between them now. They survived their first legitimate argument.
As Darcy drove away, he couldn't believe that he was letting his pregnant girlfriend take the bus to work. He shook his head at the thought and scolded himself. "She is my partner, not my possession. I do not allow Lizzie do anything."
Lizzie watched Darcy drive off and she was filled with adoration for her boyfriend. "So considerate and caring and sweet… and I treated him like crap last night… I gotta make it up to him."
Lizzie got home and went straight toward the kitchen. She had called the house earlier to let the cook know that her services weren't going to be needed tonight; that she was going to cook dinner. She was going to make a very yummy looking casserole that she discovered on the internet on the commute to her office. Despite the fact that Lizzie rarely ever felt the urge to slave over a hot stove, she was a surprisingly good cook. Well, maybe not surprisingly; she is Francine Bennet's daughter, after all.
Lizzie put the casserole in the oven and was going to start on the salad, when she decided to make her own bread rolls. She was suddenly craving hot, fluffy bread but had never made it before, so she brought her laptop to the kitchen and looked up a video online. She made a bit of a mess with the flour and ended up with some on her face.
Darcy arrived earlier than usual, which meant Lizzie was not expecting him so soon. She hadn't yet cleaned up her mess and was fixing the salad while she waited for the casserole and the bread to bake, when Darcy spotted her. He lurked behind a corner so he wouldn't be seen and watched as Lizzie chopped up tomatoes and lettuce. He grinned like a mad man. It gave him so much pleasure to see Lizzie cooking in their kitchen. Not because he was some sexist who thought women belonged in the kitchen, but because she looked so comfortable. Like the queen of their castle. Not to mention the fact that he thought Lizzie looked adorable in an apron.
He waited until Lizzie turned around to put the finished salad in the fridge to make his presence known. He held a bouquet of flowers and a large box of Ghirardelli chocolate in his hands, but he put them down on a nearby counter before making his way behind her. He bent down to wrap his arms around her middle, which elicited an "Oh!", and gave her a kiss on the cheek before resting his chin on her shoulder.
Lizzie was surprised but welcomed the embrace. "Mmmm. This is nice.", she commented as she leaned into his hug.
"Yes, quite nice.", he agreed as he guided her to the counter with the gifts. "These are for you."
She laughed. "Flowers and chocolates?"
"Well, you did say you were a flowers and chocolate kind of girl.", he said with a smirk.
"You didn't have to literally buy them for me but thank you! The flowers are beautiful and I will devour the chocolate after we eat the delicious meal I'm working on just for you. Everything should be ready soon.", she replied with a smile.
"Great, because I am famished. I didn't get a chance to eat lunch because I was surprised with a video conference with the investor from yesterday."
"Really?! I'm assuming everything went well..."
"Oh, yes. But we shall discuss that later. Let us dine first."
Darcy let her go so she could put the flowers in a vase. While at the sink filling it with water, she asked, "How did you know I love lilies? I don't think we've ever discussed our favorite flowers."
"I asked Lydia.", he answered nonchalantly.
Lizzie smiled at that response. She loved that he and her family were comfortable enough to just randomly call each other up and talk.
"I know just where to put these.", Lizzie stated before exiting the kitchen. She placed the flowers on a table in the living room.
When she returned to the kitchen, Darcy snickered.
"What's so funny?"
"Did you know that you have the ability to look absolutely beautiful in anything you wear?"
"Where's that coming from?"
"You have a bit of flour on your face, baby.", he informed her while trying to keep from laughing.
"Really? And you wait until now to tell me?", she said, a little embarrassed. She wet a paper towel and was about to start wiping her face when Darcy interrupted.
"Allow me. Close your eyes so I don't get flour in them."
He gently wiped her forehead and nose, laying a kiss on each after they were free from flour. He also placed a kiss on Lizzie's lips, which led to another and another. Darcy moved Lizzie toward the counters and lifted her up onto one without breaking their kiss. Lizzie wrapped her legs around him instinctively and they remained like that for several minutes.
One of the cleaning ladies was leaving and happened to walk by. She couldn't help but be amused at seeing Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth making out like the love-struck youths they were. Lizzie had brought so much joy into that sad man's life. And every time she saw Lizzie's bump, she would start to imagine all the liveliness that that new little life would bring into this house. She sighed quietly and went on her way.
The smell of the bread permeated Lizzie's nose and she abandoned Darcy's lips. "Will, I need to check the oven!"
Darcy reluctantly stepped back and set Lizzie on the ground.
"Yes! The food is ready!", Lizzie said excitedly. She couldn't wait to start eating. "Hey, Will, can you set the table while I get these ready to serve?"
"Gladly."
They sat down to eat and enjoyed their meal. Lizzie wanted to cry when she took a bite of the bread because it was heavenly. Nothing could compare to the feeling of finally being able to eat something she was craving.
"I think I'm going to call Francine and rave about this meal. I'm sure she'll be pleased that you picked up a thing or two from her.", Darcy declared after stuffing himself.
"I'm glad you liked it!", Lizzie said. She got up to start picking up plates, but Darcy stopped her.
"You cooked, I'll clean.", he said as he brought the dishes to the kitchen.
"Alright. While you clean up, tell me about your day.", Lizzie suggested as she leaned on the counter. "So this conference with the investor went well?", Lizzie asked. She was glad everything had worked out for him.
"Yes, very well indeed. But there is a slight inconvenience… I wanted to tell you in person... He wants me to travel to his country to discuss business face-to-face."
"Really?" Lizzie was not expecting that at all.
"I have to go to Japan this weekend. I leave Friday morning and I'll be back Monday morning."
"Japan?! Wow!"
"I know it is short notice… you are welcome to accompany me, Lizzie. I do not look forward to being so far away from you and our baby girl."
"No, I can't go. The pilot episode of my show premieres this weekend and I have to finish everything..."
"I predicted that would be your response, but I had to try anyway… Are you upset?"
"No, this is just part of your job. I completely understand. I'm not happy about it, but what can we do?"
"I am not happy about it either. To be parted from you, even for a few days, shall be a challenge. But this man is really important.", he confessed.
"Friday morning, huh?". Lizzie sighed. Not a very long time, considering it was Wednesday night. "Let's make the best of the limited time we have."
She watched him load up the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and wipe down the counters. She loved how even with these insignificant tasks he took his time and was careful. He bent down to put away the cleaning supplies under the sink, while Lizzie eyed him up and down. "My boyfriend has a cute butt.", she thought to herself mischievously.
"All done.", Darcy declared when the kitchen looked orderly again.
"Have I ever told you that I like your ass, babe?", she asked as she walked toward him.
Darcy chuckled, "Yes."
Lizzie hugged his torso and slipped her hands down to his butt.
"How about continue where we left off yesterday?", she asked as she felt him up.
Darcy frowned because when he thought of last night, he recalled their argument. But then he realized what she meant and said "Oh."
"Let's go upstairs...", Lizzie said as she led him towards the staircase with his tie.
Darcy followed her lead enthusiastically and when they reached the stairs, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, causing her to giggle. He grabbed Lizzie's butt as he walked and said, "I like your ass, too, Lizzie.", which caused more giggling.
Thursday evening, the night before Darcy's departure, Lizzie and Darcy didn't spend one moment apart. Darcy left work early and picked Lizzie up at her office. They dined together outside and watched the sun set. They showered together and Darcy helped Lizzie detangle her hair after she washed it. He even braided it for her so she wouldn't wake up with frizzy hair. Then, they stayed in their bed for the whole night. They each did their own thing- Darcy worked on his laptop and Lizzie leaned her head against his shoulder as she read a book- but they did them together.
When the time to sleep arrived, Lizzie got rid of all the extra pillows and slept with her arms around her man. She wanted to commit his breathing, his warmth, and his loving embrace to memory so that she could fall asleep without him by her side until he returned.
I wanted some conflict between Lizzie and Darcy and went a little overboard last chapter, amiright? Lol. *Cringing*
But I think I redeemed myself with this chapter. :)
Thanks for reading!