A/N: Happy Friday! What a busy week so I feel like I'm late. The new character mentioned in the last chapter, for those who were asking, was Catherine DeBourgh. She and her daughter will be coming soon. I'm trying to make sure we make progress and also that I don't leave loose ends. The next chapter will be big on E/D development... I'll try to write quickly so I don't leave you hanging for long.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
He had been staring down the concrete path for the better part of 15 minutes when she appeared. Her chestnut curls fell around her face and over her shoulders framing her heart shaped face. A thick, dark green scarf was wrapped around her neck, the color heightening the contrast between her hair and creamy skin. He released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he watched her approach.
"Good morning William. It's a bit cold to be standing out here. I hope I'm not late." Lizzy greeted him with a brilliant smile.
"No, not at all, I wanted to wait for you. I've been, well, to be honest, I've been worried for you since Sunday evening and wanted to check in before we met with Professor Gilpin." William said a bit sheepishly.
Lizzy smiled. It was nice to know that people were worried for her. She couldn't actually remember a time when someone was worried for her. Her parents worried about many things but she never had the impression she was chief among those worries. "Thank you. I've been keeping myself very busy since Sunday so I really haven't had the opportunity to dwell on anything other than immediate issues and deadlines. That might be less true next week but I'll deal with that then, I guess."
"I'm glad to hear this week has started off normally at least. Speaking of next week, I was wondering what your plans are for Thanksgiving. We didn't discuss that on Sunday." William asked.
"Yesterday I met with my advisor, the one who put me in touch with Professor Gilpin. I brought him up to date on everything and he immediately invited me to spend the holiday break with his family. I've become pretty close with his entire family while here at school and so its a comfortable place for me. I'll be staying with them starting on Saturday." Lizzy answered with a smile.
"I'm relieved to hear it. It wouldn't do for you to spend the holiday alone." William answered.
They stood there for a few moments. Lizzy was trying to figure out what Will was waiting for. "Should we go in?" Lizzy asked.
"Yes, I guess so." They turned towards the door and William stopped again. "Actually, first, I was wondering, would you have dinner with me on Friday night."
Surprised, Lizzy wasn't quite sure how to interpret this invitation. "Well, I'd love to, its just that, I can't really afford to eat out these days. My funds are very limited and I have to watch every penny." Lizzy responded embarrassed to make this admission.
"Oh, I was actually inviting you out, like on a date, and given that I'm asking, I was planning to pay." William said nervously. He'd been thinking about this since Sunday evening and was hoping she'd say yes. He hadn't actually ever worried about asking a girl out before. Well, not in a long, long time.
A date? William Darcy is asking me out on a date? "Oh. That, um, that sounds really nice." Lizzy said a bit shyly. Her head was spinning.
"Great. That's really great. We can talk more about the details later. Let's head in." William responded as he held open the door for Lizzy.
Lizzy's would definitely need to process this more later. For now, she needed to focus on the urgent matters in front of her, specifically the meeting with Professor Gilpin. Today, she didn't even check in at the front desk. William guided her directly to the small conference room in which they'd previously met. Professor Gilpin was waiting for them and seemed pleased to see them.
"Good morning Ms. Benetez. So glad you could join us again. Mr. Darcy, its nice to see you as well." As William pulled out her chair, the professor looking back to Lizzy, "I understand from Mr. Darcy that you met with your parents last Thursday. I'd love to hear your reflections on that meeting and how you think it informs your next steps."
"Good morning Professor. It seems we have quite a bit to catch up on. Did you connect with William or Professor Gardiner since Sunday?" Lizzy asked.
"I spoke briefly with Professor Gardiner Monday morning but he didn't have any particular news to share. William and I haven't spoken since Thursday, isn't that right Mr. Darcy?"
"Yes sir. Lizzy, I thought it best if you informed Professor Gilpin of Sunday's happenings." William shared.
Lizzy briefly smiled and then, taking a deep breath, told the professor of her parents' departure, sharing her father's letter with him as well. To say that Professor Gilpin was surprised would have been an understatement. After reading the letter he looked Lizzy over trying to judge how the young student was faring. This was quite an event and while it cleared the way to move forward with a visa, it did leave this young woman quite alone. "You certainly have had an eventful weekend and I suspect you have more questions than simply legal ones at this point." Professor Gilpin wisely asked.
"Yes, my father does seem to be naive. I've been trying to think through everything from where to spend Thanksgiving to how I'll pay for my senior year of college and literally everything in between. I've figured out next week and maybe next month but not much beyond." Lizzy reached into her backpack and removed a notebook. Opening it to a page filled with fervent writings in pencil and a long list of numbers, "I've started to keep a log of everything I need to think about, questions I need to answer, and have begun to create a budget for myself." Lizzy paused again pulling the notebook back, "I'm sorry. I am running on. I am sure these aren't your concerns or what you wanted to speak about. Perhaps we should focus on my options to obtain a legal visa for the rest of my studies."
"Elizabeth, you are in an extraordinary situation. I believe I can safely speak for the Professor in saying that all of these concerns are relevant and, while they may extend beyond traditional legal advice, this entire situation is caused by the legal situation in which you find yourself. We can't solve one problem without solving all of them. We're here to help." William offered with genuine kindness.
"Indeed, Ms. Benetez. The issues you identified are very important to us." Professor Gilpin said softly.
"Ok, so where to start then. I'm worried that my sister may decide to rent out our apartment and then I won't have a place to live. Last night I woke at 2am and started worrying about paying for school. What good is it to pursue a student visa if I can't pay for school right? It appears that my father deposited $5000 into my checking account on Sunday. The good news is that I can pay my portion of the tuition through graduation, but that is only assuming my financial aid package holds. I can't locate my parents to get them to complete the annual financial aid forms so how will I get my aid for next year? Plus, I have very little money otherwise if I can't work legally in the US, so how am I supposed to support myself? It's not a crisis but its not comfortable to be sure." Lizzy said with a sigh.
"Have you discussed this with anyone else?" Professor Gilpin asked.
"I brought up some of these issues to Professor Gardiner and he suggested that perhaps we have a "team meeting" with all of us, and his wife Maddy. Beyond that I am simply grateful that I am not trying to figure this out on my own." She had really been avoiding thinking about all of these issues at once. They were too overwhelming and it was easier right now to simply take one day at a time.
"I think a team meeting is an excellent idea. Professor Gilpin, how quickly do you think we could get one organized?" William asked. His anxiety for Lizzy had risen with each issue she had shared. $5000? He paid that amount in condo fees every two months! He couldn't imagine the financial stress she was under on top of other very real and pressing concerns.
"I'll call Edward Gardiner this afternoon. We both have some homework to do with the University, and on an accelerated pace. It will be challenging with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching but hopefully we can meet the Tuesday after we return from the holiday. Will that work?" Professor Gilpin shared.
Lizzy was glad to off-load her school issues to the two professors. "I have set a goal for myself to have the outline of a plan by December 16th. It has the convenient coincidence of being the day of my last class before the holidays and my 21st birthday. Does that sound ok?" Lizzy asked.
"I think that is an appropriate goal. We should have several of the major issues in the works by that time. Ms. Benetez, if no one else has told you this, you are a truly remarkable young woman. In a very short span of time you have taken on some very startling events and yet are sitting across from us with grace and calm. I'll do all I can to help." Professor Gilpin stated, looking directly into her eyes in order to convey the full strength of his approbation.
"Thank you," Lizzy whispered. "I am so grateful that I have each of you to support me. You're the reason I'm calm. I have all of you to support me. When this first started I would walk through campus or sit in Widener Library and literally feel alone in a crowd...and now I don't." She said with a smile.
"Well, I think you have given both Mr. Darcy and myself some perspective on what we might be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Try and enjoy your holiday and I look forward to meeting you after the break." Professor Gilpin said reaching his hand across the table to give her hand a squeeze of support. "Mr. Darcy, why don't you escort Ms. Benetez out. Are you available to meet on Thursday to discuss a work plan?"
"Yes sir. I'll come by your office," William confirmed. He stood and walked around the table to Lizzy's side. He reached over to a hook on the wall taking her coat down and then held it open for her. Walking out together William was silent as he contemplated all they'd discussed.
"William, are you in there?" Lizzy teased.
"I'm sorry. I was thinking about our meeting just now. Are you sure you're ok?" he asked.
"I guess so. Having the notebook helps. Anytime I have a concern or an idea, I pull it out and write it down. Once it's there I know that I won't forget it and can start developing a plan at least." Lizzy sighed.
"We're going to figure this out for you. All of it." William stated, the wheels in his mind turning.
"I guess. One way or another it'll work out." Lizzy shrugged. "So Friday night, what did you have in mind?" She needed to turn the topic towards something positive.
"Have you been to Elephant Walk? It's one of my favorites but Bingley and Georgiana both don't like it so I rarely go." Darcy asked.
"Oh I love that place. I went once when Charlotte's parents were visiting and they took us all out. I haven't been since freshman year." Lizzy said with a grin.
"Great. I'll call for reservations and then let you know what time. Does that work?" William asked.
"That sounds good. I do have one request, if I may." Lizzy added.
"Only one? I think I can handle that." William rejoined.
"We can't talk about my family or my immigration stuff. Your family, books, geopolitics, favorite movies, are all possibilities but I don't want to talk about this stuff. Ok?" Lizzy asked.
"Agreed. Although, I'd prefer not to discuss my family either. I'm spending enough time this Thanksgiving with family, I don't need to start worrying over that before its necessary." William agreed.
"I'm looking forward to it." Lizzy smiled.
It was mid-afternoon and Professor Gardiner was enjoying the feel of the sun coming through his office windows. The pile of student papers did not seem to be getting smaller, despite his labors over the past two hours. He could see improvement in some of his students work at least. His phone began to ring and he welcomed the distraction so answered the phone himself. "Hello?"
"Edward, its Solomon. How are you today?"
"Good to hear from you. I'm just trying to get through a stack of student essays. I'm guessing you've met with Ms. Benetez?" Professor Gardiner rejoined
"Indeed. Quite a turn of events this weekend for our young student." Professor Gilpin responded.
"No doubt. When she came to see me Monday morning I was stunned by her story and her father's letter to her. How was she today? I have to admit that Maddy and I are worried for her. She had dinner with us last night and was remarkably calm."
"Then she was the same. She's keeping a notebook with her various thoughts and questions as they arise. I think its a wise idea as it will hopefully keep her spinning in circles with all of the various issues she needs to juggle." Professor Gilpin noted.
"I'm glad to hear that she's keeping the notebook. Maddy discussed that with her last night as well. She's spending the week of Thanksgiving with us so I imagine we will see more of what's in that notebook over the course of the week."
"Has she mentioned to you her concerns about next year's tuition?" Gilpin asked.
"No, but Maddy and I were wondering about her financial aid situation and discussed it last night. Lizzy doesn't take help easily but if it came to it we'd pay for her senior year." Edward said.
"Alright. I'd like to help too but first, let's explore her options with the University." Gilpin suggested.
"Yes, that would certainly be Lizzy's preference. She has achieved so much because she's so stubborn and my guess is, she's been self sufficient most of her life. Let's see if we can get appointments with the financial aid office and the admissions office. They'll be able to give us the best information on their aid policies and visas." Edward suggested.
"Yes, I'm meeting with Mr. Darcy, the law student assisting me on Thursday. Perhaps we can get a meeting with each office tomorrow. Ms. Benetez also mentioned a team meeting. The meetings tomorrow and with my student should give us helpful information for the meeting.
"Sounds good. One question, can we trust your student? Lizzy's situation is quite precarious and she doesn't need any problems." Edward asked.
"William Darcy is very trustworthy. I taught his father and uncle. He is one of the best young men I know." Professor Gilpin assured Edward.
"I'm glad to hear it. I'll email you once I've set up the appointments and we can meet up. Thank you for taking this all on. I'm glad you're helping Lizzy. Who knew it would get so very complicated?" Edward sighed.
Comments, thoughts, all of it is soooo welcome and VERY motivating...