A/N:So this wasn't the chapter I was planning to post but it wrote itself this weekend. I decided Lizzy needed some perspective and a long, significant chapter is ...coming soon...is taking me a very long time to write. As such, hopefully this will tide folks over while I work through some kinks.

I found someone - one of our readers - to help me with my Spanish so hopefully I will be reposting a corrected Chapter 15 soon.

Happy Sunday and good luck to whichever team you are rooting for this afternoon/evening in the WC!

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Lizzy left the T station with the full intention of going to Widener Library to work on a paper that was coming due. Twenty minutes later she found herself approaching the front door of the Gardiners. She wasn't sure how she ended up here but figured she could at least say hello and give a kiss to the kids. Pressing the doorbell she wasn't sure who would greet her.

"Why Lizzy, hello! It's wonderful to see you. What brings you by?" Madeleine Gardiner greeted her.

"Hi Maddy, I was, um, out walking and just thought I'd say hello while I was in the neighborhood." Lizzy offered.

"Wonderful. It's always great to see you. Why don't you come in for a cup of tea so we can catch up. Edward has taken the boys to soccer and the girls are watching a Princess ballet video so we have a few minutes I think." she said with a smile. "I'm just working on dinner. If you want to help you can join us." Maddy offered.

"Sounds like a deal. I'm not quite ready to return to my house so I'd love to join." Lizzy agreed.

They walked into the kitchen and Maddy handed her some carrots and cucumbers to peel and chop for the kids to snack on before dinner.

"So how'd your meetings go this week? Did you have a good meeting at the legal clinic? Are you going to see your parents?" Maddy asked.

"I'm actually just coming from my parents. A law student, this guy William Darcy, came with me actually." Lizzy said as she diligently peeled the cucumbers.

Madeleine stopped her work and looked over at Lizzy understanding now why the young woman had landed on her doorstep. She turned off the tea kettle and walked over to the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of wine. This conversation deserved something more than a cup of tea. Pouring out two glasses of wine, she placed them on the breakfast bar. Maddy scooped up the carrots and cucumbers into a bowl and helped Lizzy clean up the counter. "Come Lizzy. Lets have a glass of wine. I want to hear about your week. It's sounds pretty eventful." Maddy said with a kind smile.

Lizzy was grateful that Maddy had figured out what she needed, even when she didn't really know what it was. There seemed to be no one to talk to about everything happening around her and to her. "Maddy, it has been such a confusing week. I had no appreciation until now of how simple my life had been only a month ago!" she sighed. Knowing she had an attentive ear, Lizzy recapped her meeting with Professor Gilpin and William. She glossed over the tension with William sharing only the findings, the issues and the risks they had raised with regards to her family.

"Oh dear, how stressful. I'm glad you brought someone with you today. To have to worry about your family on top of your own concerns. You're taking on too much. I hope when you went to see your parents they were able to calm your concerns." Maddy said sympathetically.

"I feel awful saying this but my parents did NOT help. They were, well, disappointing, mortifying... the entire afternoon was simply terrible. And having William there only made it worse. It was a mistake to bring him. I was so embarrassed." Lizzy groaned. "Maddy, my mother spent most of her time fawning over William and criticizing me in front of him. Then my father treated the entire immigration issue as if it were a complete joke! My parents have no plan whatsoever and we couldn't have a serious discussion of it. Basically, I have no options until my sister can sponsor me. And, an adult sister is given a very low priority in the US immigration system. It could take me ten years to get a visa or green card that way! I think I'm going to have to find a way back to Mexico and try to build a life there by myself. Not that we have any family connections there at all." Lizzy sighed.

Maddy leaned over and gave Lizzy a hug. She had never seen Lizzy at such a point of despair or frustration. She'd always been so positive. Not that she could blame her for her current level of despair. "One thing I'm curious about are your comments about Mr. Darcy. You sound almost as distressed about him being with you as you are about your immigration challenges. Tell me more about him."

"He's the third year law student helping out. I'd actually met him before he started helping me. I was out at a restaurant with Charlotte and Jane celebrating my internship and we met William and his friends. Jane is now dating his best friend so I've seen him socially a few times. At any rate, when we met, I thought he was interesting and kind of cute. Then the whole immigration nightmare come up, and he was assigned to work on my case. When he first heard about the case, before he knew I was the client, he made some comments to Jane's boyfriend about the situation that were quite negative. I overheard them and it really upset me. He apologized of course when I called him out on it. Then today, he witnessed this entire debacle with my family. The whole way back to campus he was basically silent. He has this, this LOOK that quite clearly conveyed his complete disapproval of my family. It was very clear that he'll drop my case after today's fiasco." Lizzy explained.

"Did he actually say that he would be dropping your case?" Maddy asked.

"No, but why would he continue? He saw with his own eyes that it's completely hopeless. There's basically no incentive for him to keep working on my case." Lizzy shrugged.

"Lizzy, is that the only reason you think he would drop it? Because of a bad meeting with your parents?" Maddy asked.

"Well, its just, he's super wealthy and not only were my parents ridiculous but the disparity in our circumstances is extreme. Why would he want to take his free time to help someone like me? My parents proved every possible bad stereotype today with their behavior." Lizzy said.

"Lizzie, slow down. You're implying a lot to his way of thinking and you're not giving yourself any credit. You're an impressive young woman, and all the more amazing because of where you come from. I've never heard you speak so negatively before about anyone or any situation. It's very unlike you. Take some comfort in the fact that he came with you today. He didn't have to. You need think about all of the ways he has tried to be kind rather than assuming the worst."

"What do you mean?" Lizzy asked.

"Well, what did he say to you when you got back to Harvard Square?" Maddy asked.

"I guess, he offered to walk me back to my dorm." Lizzy remembered.

"Truly? And you think that means he's dropping your case? I understand how difficult this all is for you but you may want to consider that it is clouding your judgment. When are you supposed to meet with William and Professor Gilpin again?" Maddy asked.

"Tuesday, but-"Lizzy started.

"No buts young lady. You are going to that meeting. Promise me."

"Alright. Thanks Maddy. I suppose you're right. I will try to take a more positive attitude although I have to admit the outlook looks pretty grim." She agreed.

"Ok, can you set the table while I finish up dinner?" Maddy asked.

"Yes ma'am. I'll hop right on it." Lizzy smiled.

Lizzy did feel better after a relatively normal evening with the Gardiner family. Here she felt like she could simply be herself without worry. It was one of the few places she felt completely comfortable. After dinner and reading some stories to the younger Gardiners, Lizzy headed back trying to keep this relative calm. She decided to text William as she felt bad about the funk she had been this afternoon.

EB: Hey there. I don't think I thanked you for coming today so...thanks.

A few minutes passed before Lizzy's phone buzzed back.

WD: Glad to have come. We will figure this out.

EB: Maybe. But I'm glad for the help.

WD: G-night

EB: G-night

Progress? Are we getting some greater perspective in order to get closer to our goal? Comments, thoughts, all of it is soooo welcome :)