Several of you have commented that you didn't like where the last chapter ended. Given my generous nature ;) I've decided to fix that little problem. Sooo, here's chapter 30...
"You want to get married in like a week?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes, if we have any chance of you getting a temporary green card by the summer we need to get married as soon as possible. Every day that you're here without proper documentation is a risk and there is no reason in my mind for why we should take that risk." Darcy stated.
The wheels were turning in her mind. He said WE shouldn't take the risk. And he wants to get married right away? This was crazy. When she said yes, this afternoon, what timeframe had she been thinking? She knew it would be soon but one week? She looked up and saw the worry evidenced across his face. Lizzy smiled. How could he be so insecure and yet so smart and accomplished? William Darcy was truly a puzzle. Why should they wait though. She wasn't going to be planning a big wedding. Wait, was she seriously contemplating this? Yes, yes she was. "Can Jane and Charlotte be there? I'd like to have them there with me." Lizzy asked.
He nodded yes; a broad smile emerging on his face. She was going along with his plan.
"I like it when I manage to get a smile out of you. You really should smile more often. Your pretty hot when you do." Lizzy teased. This made his smile broaden."So, married in the next week. What do we need to do? Do we need a blood test or something?" Lizzy asked.
"Actually, I've done some research. The rules differ from state to state but it will be easiest to get married in Maine, where I have a home. I am a resident and there's no waiting period or blood tests and the documentation requirements are pretty light. I know you don't have a driver's license or state issued ID card but I know all the locals and so I can probably get this done with just your Harvard ID and maybe your Mexican birth certificate." Darcy stated.
"You have researched this. Well, I've been carrying my birth certificate and my old Mexican passport, you know, just in case." Lizzy said.
"Soon, we won't have to worry about that anymore." Darcy said confidently.
"Was there anyone else you wanted to have with you at the wedding?" Lizzy asked.
"Well, I've asked my cousin Richard and my sister Georgiana to fly up to Maine next weekend. I'd like to have Charlie there too. Aside from you, those three are the only other people I really want to have there. I thought about inviting my aunt and uncle but I'd rather it be a fait accomplis when we tell them." William responded.
"Will, are you worried of what they will think of me? I know your Aunt Catherine was certainly not impressed." Lizzy commented as she looked down at her feet.
Will looked at her, took a finger and used it to lift her chin up so he could see her eyes. "I am impressed and that is all that matters. My Aunt Sophia and Uncle Henry will adore you. My uncle is very different from his sister and judges people on their accomplishments - not on who their parents are or where they grew up. That said, my Uncle Henry may have a harder time of it if he learns of our marriage before it is accomplished, professionally that is. No it is better for us to be married when he meets you." William said.
"Oh." Lizzy couldn't think of anything else she could say. She had to keep reminding herself that his uncle was the senior Democrat from Massachusetts. What was she getting herself into? She respected the Senator and had followed his positions closely. She didn't agree with all of his positions, like his support of wiretapping, but overall, she couldn't wait for the opportunity to vote for him.
"Lizzy, what are you thinking. You're not generally quiet and you haven't spoken now for a full three minutes. Is everything ok?" Darcy asked.
"Our families are so different. I had a really hard time adjusting to Harvard, and now I'm trying to figure out if I can adjust to your life. Seriously, a senior ranking Senator? My mother is a restaurant hostess. There's really no comparison." Lizzy worried.
"Lizzy, I am not marrying your mother. I am marrying the girl that graduated at the top of her class from Boston Latin School, while running varsity track, writing for the school newspaper, and working in her parents restaurant. I am marrying a woman who continues to excel at Harvard College, writes for the Crimson while she continued to work in her family's restaurant. And most important of all, I am marrying the girl who can actually make me crack a smile - a singular achievement if you ask anyone in my family." William teased.
"And let us not forget, you are marrying the girl that helps you retain custody of your sister." Lizzy reminded him. "That is why you are really asking me."
"No, Lizzy, that is why we're not simply dating now."
"We could likely discuss this for hours," she smirked. There was one other concern that she had been thinking about all day: her roommates. Maybe she could ask Will for his advice. Yes, that is what she would do.
Will smiled at her, pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Resting in his arms she looked up and asked,"Can I ask your advice on something?"
"Of course, what's troubling you?" William responded
"What should I tell Jane and Charlotte? I mean, I've told them nothing thus far. They don't know why I've been so upset. They don't know about our conversations or what we've been meeting about. And yet, everything will change in a week when we get married. They've been my best friends all through school. I don't want to hurt our friendship and yet I have been so scared to say anything to anyone."
"You should trust them. Your friends love you and care about you. They've likely been so worried about you and will want to understand what's been happening. I imagine they'll have a lot of questions about our sudden marriage too. I mean, you'll be moving out of your triple and into our condo. Do you want to tell them alone or with me there?" William asked.
"You're right. I think I should tell them. On my own. There's so much to think about and talk about. I think I should head home soon. I need to tell them...everything." Lizzy decided.
Lizzy started to clean up from dinner but William stopped her. I'll take care of this. Let me drive you back so you can have your conversation and I'll clean everything up. William helped her into her coat and the rode the elevator down to the car.
He quickly brought her back to her house and leaned over for a kiss. She seemed to welcome the kiss and they sat there for a few minutes before he realized that he should probably allow her to go in. "Call or text if you want to talk or if you want me to come get you. Ok?"
"I will. Good night Will." Lizzy smiled softly and left the car grabbing her duffle bag from the week away.
William watched her walk into the house and then decided to give Richard a call. He really wanted Rich to join him for his wedding and hoped he had managed to arrange the weekend leave on short notice. He dialed the number he knew so well.
"Rich, how are you?"
"Hey Darce. Wow. Two times in one day. You're going to get spoiled."Rich joked.
"I think you're the one who's going to be spoiled." Will retorted. "Actually, I wanted to check in to confirm you can make that quick trip up to Maine next weekend. I can get you back to Arlington by Sunday night."
"Anything happening in Maine next weekend that you want to share?" Rich returned.
"Well, I thought you'd want to be there for my wedding. I thought you could be my best man perhaps." William responded.
"You're really doing this? You're getting married." Richard stated in disbelief.
"Lizzy said yes this afternoon." William answered.
"So how'd you convince that adorable girl to marry you? She certainly wasn't impressed by our illustrious relations. Did you lock her in a wine cellar again?" Richard teased.
"Get your mind out of the gutter Richard. That's my future wife you're talking about. We actually do like one another, and we'd love for you to be here. If you're going to question us endlessly however you can skip the trip to Maine." William responded in a tone that did not invite further teasing.
"Oh, I'll be there. Will my parents be there?" Richard asked.
"No, and please, don't tell them. We want to tell them in our own way, after the wedding." William demanded.
"Ok, ok. I get the message. I won't spill the beans, although I don't understand all of the secrecy. So are you sending your plane for me or do I need to find a lift to Maine?" Richard asked.
"If you can get away, I'll send the plane for you and Georgie. Let me know once you're cleared to come. Rich, it would really mean a lot to me if you were here." Will conceded.
"Will, I wouldn't miss it for the world." Richard said sincerely. "What are you doing about Georgie?"
William sighed, "I need to talk to her therapist. That reminds me that I should email the doctor tonight to set up a time. At this point, my plan is to tell her all about Lizzy, except for the marriage part. I don't want her to think that I love her any less for getting married. I'm going to need your help though to reassure her and keep her talking."
"You should tell her about Aunt Cathy and the codicil. She needs to understand that you're doing this for her." Richard added.
"Rich, I'm doing this for Georgie, that's true, but if I'm honest, I'm doing it for me and Lizzy too. I'm lonely and Lizzy is really special. I actually want Georgie to understand all of that." Darcy responded.
"I guess that's good to hear. Give your fiancé a kiss from me. I'll talk to you later in the week."
"Alright, talk to you soon."
A/N: A lot of stuff will be happening in the next week of their lives. Interested in your thoughts as to how it should all go down...Of course, the rain in Boston yesterday gave me an opportunity to research her wedding dress online and can't wait to describe it all to you.