I regret not being able to post yesterday or the day before. I've been under the weather. Which means, we may come to the end of things next weekend instead of this one.

Thanks to all my betas who contributed in different ways: lovingyouisbest, JD Bell; Joy Booth and Fredrica.

Final tweaking is my own.

Dreams

The next morning, Lizzy awoke consumed with a need to finish her piece. She knew that she should attend to other work, but couldn't stop her creative flow. After a text to William about her general plans for working that day, Lizzy took her toolbox and bag of goodies and went back to the studio.

She started the enamel process of her last butterfly and as she waited, Lizzy started molding the metal frame and another plate of metal to fit the front of the corset where she had cut a piece out. She then attached the frame to this hole. The plate of metal was embellished with milagro hearts, pomegranates, eyes, hands, and other symbols* then it was given a fastener and hinged with the frame. The corset now had a doorway.

Lizzy fastened the antique heart shaped lock to it, attaching the key to a chain she'd made, the other end of which was attached to the corset. Similarly, she attached the flask and a silver comb with other chains she'd made.

When her enameling process was done, Lizzy left this piece and started on the frame for wings. First she took out some boning in the back of the corset and outfitted this so it fit with wings which she shaped. Lizzy then attached leather pieces to the frame and set the feathers to the leather pieces.

By this time, Lizzy had found the studio was closing so she went home with her piece. She stayed up until the wee hours sewing beads to the corset until her fingertips were raw and she was finally- at least for now, done. Lizzy set the piece on an old wire dress form to stay for the night. There was a flirty late night phone call from a certain dark lover. She wasn't entirely sure when the call left off and her dream began.

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She was running, hand in hand with William- he had those wings again. She felt a veil trailing behind her and a garland of flowers in her hair. They were laughing and seemed to be celebrating as their circuit led them through these sorts of barns that had celtic frescos inside their walls, they ran through one, and another and another- each barn had doors on either side for the purpose. People met them as they went, cheering them on. A woman in white she recognized only in her dreams set them on their way.

Through the second barn Maeve, and The Tailor greeted them laughingly. Through the next barn, Aunt Phil and Brigitte urged them on in each woman's characteristic no nonsense good humor. Then, Maya was there, whooping and clapping with Tia Magdalena as they passed through the third barn. Lizzy was shocked to see her mother with Catalina with Ina enthusiastically encouraging them through the next barn.

They emerged into the light and were met with green rolling hills and the woman in white reached out to gift them with some shiny objects in each hand, bells chiming and unearthly sitar like music playing when…

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"Lizzy! You have a Fed Ex package from Albuquerque." Lizzy was awakened as Kitty called to her. She had slept so late in the morning, the mail had already come. What is Aunt Lena doing sending me packages? Lizzy pondered. Then she noticed the mail stamp said Albuquerque but the address- Santa Fe- Pemberley Studio. Her heart started racing, heedless of her mind. Lizzy opened the package to find an antique blade and a small oil lamp of some kind of Eastern origin. She was stunned and dialed his number.

"How did you know?" She demanded.

"Well hello to you too. It's very nice to talk to you this morning." There was a pause and Darcy quipped: "Usually when people are on the telephone conversation is made. For example you can start by talking about the weather…"

"You know very well I have little use for such trite conversation." Lizzy teased back in her best haughty voice. "Seriously. Why did you send me a blade and an old oil lamp? Are you using your Jedi mind tricks to invade my mind, now? This is just to creepy."

"I hope in a good way."

Lizzy didn't answer him directly. "How did you know? Its impossible. Seriously. What's with the gift? Is this another one of your synchronicities?"

"Actually, it was a gift from my mother to me before she died. She said she'd be in Heaven, watching over me and protecting my heart until someone else was fit for the task. After you called the other night I had a dream that she told me I didn't need them anymore. So I made a logical guess as to who else would need them. After all, when we are together again, you may need light to check on me in my cave and if I'm a monster you'd have to defend yourself." He joked.

She sniffed. "As if I'd need a blade to defend myself. You know how sharp my tongue is."

"There you go trying to seduce me again. Siren." He was about to say more when she interrupted.

"Will. Really. You sent the perfect thing for the piece I'm working on now. I pretty much finished it last night. It is so freaky how you seemed to know. And, how it fit in with my dream." There was an intensity to her voice.

The back of his neck prickled. "Will you tell me about the dream?"

"I can't even begin to explain. Maybe later. You will get the idea when you see my newest pieces anyway." After hanging up the phone, Lizzy lingered on the objects that had been sent to her. She had kept them in the original package they came in; saving them for the moment came for the pieces to complete her composition. As she pulled these treasures out, a photo fluttered down to the table, landing face up.

Curious, Lizzy held it up, studying it intently. It was familiar. She undeniably had a tired, delicate look, and yet her luminosity beamed through the photo. Of course, both Darcy men looked like their Spanish mother, with those coal eyes and curly dark hair. But it was more than that. The photo was taken in a familiar Santa Fe background. But no, it wasn't just the back ground or her sons' resemblance. Images sifted through her mind, memories, dreams…. The recollection dawned and Lizzy located it, an heirloom in her mental attic.

*Milagros:

.

Early Summer, 1994

The Dance that Changed Everything

"Que Bonita! You are beautiful young women." Magdalena Gardiner cried. "You will be the belles of the cotillion. Your dance cards will be full in no time." Auburn haired Magdalena looked like a sister to the 3 young women, her glowing shoulders set off by a peasant style scarlet gauze top and classic carnelian and turquoise squash blossom necklace.

Even though she was petite, 14 year old Lizzy's already womanly curves accentuated by an age appropriate, modestly cut black lace dress corset dress with a black butterfly feature and full short skirt. The color contrasted with her long mahogany waves and berry stained lips.

16 year old Jane's straw colored mane was pulled back in a pompadour ponytail, wearing new Indian made silver Eagle feather earrings. She was a Nordic vision in a silvery white asymmetrical confection of a dress.

19 year old Charlotte's willowy frame was highlighted by a bias cut crimson dress bearing a neoclassical spiral print motif. She wore a fresh red Orchid in her hair, calling attention to her doe eyes and glossy new highlights.

Lizzy and the others chatted animatedly as they dined on tapas. The day had already been full of shopping on the Plaza, and pampering at the spa. They stayed in a suite at the elegant Inn of the Governors right off of Santa Fe's plaza and tonight Lizzy and the others were to attend Santa Fe's last cotillion of the year which included Santa Fe's oldest families. The weekend was in celebration of Lizzy's birthday and Charlotte's graduation.

With the light supper finished, the ladies made their way to a hall decorated in fresh flowers, piñatas, and strewn with fairy lights and lanterns. The hall was already lined with middle and high school kids some sitting in chairs or milling about. Others were making their way through the crowd, dance cards in hand, seeking out partners. Guests checked in and Tia Lena introduced them to a few of her friends' children.

Jane and Charlotte were instantly approached by several young men to fill their dance cards. Lizzy purposefully stood back and watched the scene playing out before her, fascinated by the elegant woman who had captured her Tia's attention.

"Que Milagro!" Magdalena suddenly spoke. Her aunt and this arresting woman caught each other's eyes, and then warmly embraced. "What are you doing here so early, Aphrodite? I usually don't see you in town until June."

"What are a few days? My sisters suggested we come to this little cotillion, just like we went to as girls. Look, Jorge and Will are here. Jorge was so excited to come and Will is gritting his teeth as usual. Of course he thinks he's too old to come to this, but I dragged him here anyway."

Studying this woman closely, Lizzy noticed the dark circles under the woman's eyes. The woman seemed to intuit Lizzy's fascinated stares and her eyes caught Lizzy's boring into her. It felt like the woman could see through her. After what seemed like an eternity of a moment, a handsome young man rushed over to his mother and took her arm. "Mom! I've been looking for you! Why don't we sit down?"

The regal woman told the young man to run off and try to have fun. "You are only 21- there should be some older sisters here, eh? Now Go! Have FUN!"

"Not until I find you a place to sit. And I'm almost 22, mom! I'm a man!" He wouldn't let go of her arm. Tia Lena assisted the party in finding a table as far away from the noise as possible. "Aphrodite, I let's catch up- what are the Darcys doing these days?"

"Taking pity on a sick woman? I see you're falling for my son's tricks."

"Nonsense! You know I love to visit. I plan on telling you all about the newest arrivals in our shop all the way from Teo." *Aphrodite laughingly agreed.

Lizzy wasn't surprised, although the other woman was quite formidable, her aunt had an easy charm. Meanwhile, the young man- either Jorge or Will, Lizzy didn't know which- worked his way through the crowd, finding refreshments and bringing them back to his mother. Although Lizzy assumed he was quite a bit older than her, she couldn't help admire him and had difficulty keeping track of both his movements and her Tia's conversation.

"Such a son! Look at him; any other son would be looking for a dance partner. Well, my consolation is that he will look after me in my old age." At times, The Woman involuntarily clenched the arms of the chair, conversing with Tia. Then it would pass and she would act as if nothing had happened. Seeing this gave Lizzy a cold pang, causing her to feel that she was looking at an apparition rather than a woman.

Lizzy soon was distracted from her observations, learning which Darcy was which when Jorge introduced himself. Even though this was his first year in cotillion as a 13 year old, Jorge was a social butterfly and danced with Lizzy, Jane and Charlotte.

They shared many laughs between sets. At one point, Jorge fluttered off to talk to some other friends and Charlotte was occupied with her dance card.

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Meanwhile Lizzy was sat, half observing her peers and half watching her Tia and the Woman when she was startled by a screech:

"You Clumsy Bitch! You almost spilled that all over my dress." An older teenage girl stood while Lizzy's clearly mortified sister knelt at her feet, apologizing, dabbing up what appeared to be sprite from the girl's shoes. An eager blonde young man who looked about college age approached and doted over both women.

Lizzy saw that the screeching one looked a lot like this guy and figured they were related. Soon after, she huffed, turned on her heel and pranced away. The guy chuckled and Lizzy figured that with an interaction like that, the two must be brother and sister. She was gratified to see her sister smiling and nodding, and that he had gallantly lead Jane to the dancefloor.

Afterward, Jane located Lizzy and introduced Charles as her knight who saved her from embarrassment. Lizzy could see her sister had a crush on the older Charles but Jane's placid demeanor was everything appropriate to their relationship of acquaintances too distant in age to be of any real interest in each other.

They took turns entertaining Lizzy about how his sister Caro bumped into Jane, spilling sprite on herself. He joked about his sister's moods, how big his sister's closet was at home, and how many party dresses she owned. At one point Lizzy's skin prickled and she noticed the serious Darcy guy- Will- awkwardly, watching his friend, standing a few feet away. Charles excused himself and went to his friend, leaving Lizzy moon with Jane over their eventful night. Everything was magical. "There's something about the night," Lizzy whispered. Jane asked what she meant and Lizzy said she didn't really know. It just felt different.

She continued to feel it when she got home- a vague sense of determination- which caused her to admit everything to her mother about the secret sewing lessons from Aunt Phil. Mama had raged until Lizzy pointed out that she could custom make Fair Queen outfits for Jane. Mama soon made peace with Aunt Phil and Lizzy was able to pursue in peace her love of all things sartorial.

While the events of that day- that week- so many years ago were not all known to Lizzy, she was able to piece her memories and subsequent discussions and events together to form a more complete picture. She could see herself and the others as players in scenes of a narrative that stretched years into the future. That vision filled her lungs as if she had just awakened from a coma or had emerged from a deep pool. She audibly gasped at the realization seeming to make an inner sound like the climbing symphonic cacophony at the end of A Day in The Life.

She knew what to do, when to do it. She had the keys.

Maybe Lizzy is finally ready for her HEA?

comments are welcome