I've been typing as fast as my little fingers can move...hate to leave you all hanging for too long and appreciate all of your reviews. They're very motivating ;)
William walked out of his uncle's office anxious to retrieve his phone, hopefully now with enough of a charge to check any voicemails. It was a bit of an illness he knew, this fear that when he wasn't reachable something terrible would happen to those he loved. Lizzy would tease him, calling him a worrywart. The fact that his fear had some basis in reality given his experiences with his father and sister didn't help. He needed to get over to campus if he was to make his scheduled meeting with his former marketing professor so said his goodbyes to his cousin and uncle and went to retrieve his coat and phone.
"Mr. Darcy, I have your phone and a message for you that came in while you were meeting with the senator. Here you go." Taking the paper and phone William glanced at the message. "Did my wife say anything in particular?"
"Oh she was quite anxious to speak with you but the Senator said you weren't to be disturbed so I didn't want to interrupt."
William went from white to red and then back to white again. Drawing a deep breath he looked at the young woman and as calmly and evenly as he could began to speak. "If my wife ever wants to reach me or any member of the Fitzwilliam family, we are to be interrupted. Am I clear?"
William managed to transfer enough of his anger without raising his voice that the young woman blanched an equal shade of white before scurrying away. Powering on his phone he stared intently at the screen to see if there was any message from Lizzy. There was. He was about to play it when the front door opened delivering Matthew's secretary. Before he could open his mouth the woman ran towards him. "Oh good you're here. Is Mr. Fitzwilliam, I mean Matthew Fitzwilliam, still here as well?"
Startled, he simply nodded, took her arm and directed her towards his Uncle's office. "Matthew, I found someone outside looking for you."
Matthew had been organizing his briefcase, putting away the documents he'd used in the course of their meeting when he heard William addressing him and looked up. A look of surprise and anxiety crossed his face. "Christine? What are you doing here? Is everything ok with Chloe and the baby?"
"Yes. Oh yes. It's just Mrs. Darcy. She'd been trying to reach you both. A man from Homeland Security showed up at her home this morning and asked her to join him at the federal offices. When she couldn't reach any of you, Chloe, gave her my number and Mrs. Darcy asked me to track you down. I knew how urgent this situation might be so when you didn't answer your cell, I came directly here."
Reaching into his coat pocket, Matthew looked at his phone only to realize he'd placed it on silent. It was a habit, obviously a bad one, for when he was in important meetings. There were several missed calls from both Elizabeth and Chloe.
William looked ready to bolt but Matthew held him back. Turning to his secretary, Matthew asked, "When did you speak with Lizzy and what exactly did she say?"
Christine filled them in on everything she knew, Matthew the only one truly listening attentively. William began repeatedly calling Lizzy only to feel the same frustration she'd experienced an hour ago.
"I'm cancelling my afternoon so I can join you at the Office of Homeland Security." Henry's time sitting on the sidelines was over. Looking at his nephew he could feel the emotions vibrating off of him. "William, it's going to be alright. You have to trust us. Elizabeth has done nothing wrong and..."
Whatever he was going to say was cut off my William, "If it's going to be alright then why would they come to the house? Why didn't they call Matthew as we asked?"
To be honest, Senator Fitzwilliam was almost as shaken as William appeared but he wasn't about to show it. "Speculation will do us no good. Let's get a car to take us over to the Federal building and we'll see what's going on. I can make a few calls but would like to understand the lay of the land before agitating."
William wanted to say he'd be happy for someone to be agitating on his wife's behalf. He was certainly agitated! An endless stream of questions and thoughts went round in his mind. Was she ok? Was she scared or worried? As he listened to her voicemails he could hear the anxiety in her voice and he ached that he hadn't been there for her. Was she angry with him? Was she wondering why he hadn't answered the phone? What if they tried to deport her? How would he find her? By the time they'd pulled up to the federal building, William had worked himself into quite a frenzy.
Matthew and Henry looked at one another and, nodding their agreement, held William back. "William. I know you are anxious about Lizzy. We all love her, obviously not as much as you do, but we all want to see this worked out. Storming around and making demands isn't going to help her. We need to be calm and not make a scene. Do you understand? Once we know what is happening I promise to call friends of mine to sort this out but we won't be able to figure anything out if you are yelling."
Gritting his teeth William tried to remind himself that his companions were on the same side, they were fighting the same battle, they just couldn't comprehend the emotions coursing through him. It wasn't malice, it was a complete lack of understanding. "Let me be perfectly clear. I am leaving this building today with Elizabeth by my side. There is no other option."
As Lizzy stepped out of the taxi she was surprised to find her legs weren't trembling, she hadn't broken out into a cold sweat, in fact, she was rather calm. It was puzzling really. Her expectation in the taxi ride over, really in every imagined scenario of this meeting, William, and by extension his family, were there to support and advocate. Today's reality was that William wasn't going to be at her side as she met with immigration. Matthew wasn't available to advocate. She was simply going to have to deal with this on her own. And, surprisingly enough, that was ok. She had handled many things on her own in her lifetime and this would simply be one more to add to the list. But this time, she wasn't truly alone. William, his family, the Gardiner's, Jane and Charlotte, were all with her. Since November really, she'd had a broad base of unwavering support and love. Team Lizzy they had joked. The support she had from her family by choice was more than she'd ever had when her parents and sisters had been around. Lizzy only had the time between the car and the door where Mr. Carson was waiting to begin to understand and process these thoughts.
Taking her by the elbow, Mr. Carson steered her inside the building. "I hope you aren't anxious about this meeting."
She wanted to roll her eyes. "Why would I be anxious?" Lizzy tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice but wasn't entirely sure she was successful. The pair bypassed the door to the waiting room she'd sat in for hours yesterday and continued on. They reached the end of the hall and Lizzy was guided through a door, past rows of gray cubicles and towards one of the many windowless rooms she imagined this building contained. It was familiar. Her prior visits had brought her to a room just like this one, if not this room exactly.
"I apologize that your appointment wasn't kept yesterday. It was unavoidable. I'd like to review some things in your file and see if we can wrap this up once and for all."
Lizzy nodded in agreement, for whatever wrapping things up entailed, she was all for it. Mr. Carson began with the list of questions she'd answered before. Who knew her life history could be so engaging? Yes, her parents brought her over to the US when she was a baby. No, she wasn't aware of the circumstances until November. Yes, she'd met William at Fire and Ice where they happened to be standing in line next to one another. The one surprise she'd let slip, that she hadn't planned, was the baby. It had come about innocently enough. Mr. Carson asked if they planned to have children. Her hand flew to her belly and she turned pink. He hadn't missed the reaction and immediately picked up on it. The story spilled out. The ski accident, her injuries, etcetera. So no, it hadn't been planned but they were happy about the baby. Lizzy wasn't sure how long the interview had gone on, hours likely, but by the end of it she was convinced this man knew her complete life story better than anyone else - beginning to end.
They'd been silent for at least a full minute when Mr. Carson closed her file and finally spoke, "You have friends in high places."
Lizzy rushed to protest. "I haven't asked for any special privileges from our uncle. And as much as it's bothered William, he hasn't either. We wanted to go through the normal process, as normal as it can be."
"I wasn't speaking of Senator Fitzwilliam. I was referring to a Senator who is a member of the committee responsible for Homeland Security. He was explicit that no one requested he get involved in your case, but he also impressed upon my boss, which was then impressed upon me, that a thorough but faster resolution for well deserving applicants would be appreciated. You were nominated as a deserving applicant," Mr. Carson watched Lizzy's reaction.
Her mind was swirling. She didn't know any other Senators besides William's uncle and as such was perfectly confused by the statement.
"Does a Senator Cooker ring a bell?"
A look of surprise was evident on her face. "I met the Senator last week at an art gallery. I had no idea he even knew my immigration status."
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit. You're in the gossip pages often enough. Your story is relatively easy to follow although after meeting you this morning I can assure you the details are better heard from you directly. Not a lot of what's been reported is very accurate. I've completed my homework and have approved your adjustment of status. You'll need to have a routine exam to screen for TB and a few other diseases, federal policy, but assuming that comes through, you'll be receiving your temporary green card in about three weeks." Sliding some papers across the table along with her file Mr. Carson added, "Congratulations. The papers contain the information on the tests required along with my contact information if you have any problems. It's been nice to meet you."
It took Lizzy a moment or two to absorb the words he spoke before she leapt up and hugged the man. "Thank you," she whispered. "Can I go?" At that moment her thoughts were fully of William and her need to be in his arms.
"Of course." Mr. Carson opened the door and guided her down the hall. This time he led her to the familiar waiting room. She was barely through the door before the sight of a haggard William, flanked by his uncle and cousin consumed her vision. Beaming she rushed forward, calling his name and folding herself into his arms.
Matthew had appointed himself as spokesperson for the group inquiring after Lizzy's whereabouts. The agent was perplexed but somehow or another Matthew managed to convince the young man to inquire whether Elizabeth Darcy was in a meeting with a Mr. Carson. It took a few, very long minutes before it was ultimately confirmed. William had been alternating between wringing his hands, pacing and trying to recount the reasons he hadn't stormed through the door in an effort to find her. It was in one of those moments when the door opened and his own personal ray of light came through it. She was glowing and so very beautiful. If he hadn't already fallen in love with Elizabeth he would have in that moment. Seconds later she was in his arms and he vowed to never, ever let her go. "Are you alright?" He managed to ask.
Looking up towards his face Lizzy's eyes were beaming bright, "Everything is perfect now. Let's go home."
While the couple was reuniting Mr. Carson was being quizzed by the Fitzwilliams. Both men were relieved to learn that Lizzy's adjustment of status had been approved. Mr. Carson apologized for the missed meeting the prior day and excused himself.
Breaking up the reunion the Senator tapped Lizzy on the shoulder, "Are we allowed to congratulate you too?" .
"I'm still in a bit of shock actually. This morning I was simply leaving for class when Mr. Carson arrived and my day has been a bit of an adrenaline rush ever since. But thanks. I can't believe it," Lizzy laughed. William seemed reluctant to allow her to leave his arms but she managed to escape for long enough to accept hugs from the men.
"I've got to call Sophia. She'll be absolutely thrilled. I think this calls for a celebration. The US is on the path to gaining an excellent new citizen."
"I do feel like celebrating but first I need food. I'm absolutely starving."
"The house isn't too far from here. I'll call over and arrange for dinner or whatever is appropriate. We can all talk and relax a bit there. I think William might need to have a drink as well. I'm surprised gray hairs haven't appeared on his head today." Henry put his hand on William's shoulder in sympathy for the remarkable day William had experienced.
William was little in the mood for a family celebration. All he wanted to do was hold Elizabeth and have all of her attention. The peaks and valleys through which his emotions had journeyed during this single day had thoroughly exhausted him. Looking down into her bright eyes he could see that she needed this celebration. The stress of the past two days had worn on her, likely had for months. She looked lighter and brighter then he'd seen her for awhile. Really since the earliest days of their first encounters. Somehow he knew, the full Lizzy was back.
When Sophia Fitzwilliam had heard that Lizzy had been called into the Office for Homeland Security she made two phone calls. The first to Richard. If Lizzy was detained, William would need Richard's support. Those boys had always been close. The second was to the airport to change her flight. She needed to get home. No fundraising or social engagements were as important as her family and everyone would simply need to understand that. It was therefore a great surprise to everyone when Henry, Matthew, William and Lizzy found Sophia and Richard huddled together at the kitchen table. Lizzy was almost bowled over by Sophia's physical expression of joy. Relief suffused Richard's face as he pulled William in towards a hug. "I think my mother loves you two even more than her own children. She's been a wreck," Richard joked.
"I have not been a wreck. Concerned and worried of course, and I do love you as much as my own children. I hope you both know that. Henry why didn't you call me to let me know you everything was alright?" Sophia rounded on her husband accusingly.
Stuttering Henry attempted to diffuse his wife's anger. "I thought you were still traveling. I called home and no one answered so I focused on ordering food in for a celebration using my meager talents to be host when my hostess wasn't at home."
"Don't sweet talk me. You could have called my cell." Sophia was up and organizing drinks for everyone, handing Lizzy some sliced apple and cheese, all the while interrogating her husband on what was ordered and when it would arrive. "Come, let's go to the family room where we can all be more comfortable. It sounds like it's been a busy day for everyone. I'm sure we all want to hear the details and I'm sure Lizzy only wants to tell her story once." Sophia was smiling as she observed William and Elizabeth walking together. He hadn't left her side and was constantly touching or holding her. Yes, they'd had a scare today but it seemed to only serve to bring them closer.
The apples and cheese managed to only whet Lizzy's appetite but it was enough to stave off her hunger crisis. The promised full spread from Maggiano's, a local Italian restaurant, would likely fully sate her need for calories. She began her story with the surprise visit this morning, discussing her decision to meet downtown rather than their apartment in the hopes that the delay would give her time to get in touch with someone from the family. William was ready to return to his uncle's office to yell at that receptionist once again. Henry held him off, promising he'd speak with her in the morning, emphasizing all of the points important to William. In fact, he'd speak with his full staff. There had been some recent turnover at the lower level positions and they all needed to understand that any calls from family warrants an interruption. Senator Cooker's involvement was a surprise to all. Henry shared the conversation he'd had with the Senator on Friday morning but had no idea that he'd planned to get himself in Lizzy's case. Once the story had been thoroughly vetted, questioned and analyzed by all of them, she excused herself.
Pulling her hand out of William's he stood as she did. "Where are you going?"
"I need to use the bathroom. As much as I want to be with you, I don't think you should join me for this. I'll be right back," she teased.
Richard replaced Lizzy sitting next to William. "I was surprised to find you here. I didn't know you were coming home for a visit."
"I wasn't. But when my mom called I knew that either you'd need me here to keep you sane or else, you wouldn't mind me joining the celebration. Either way, I wanted to be here with you. It's better than sitting behind a desk reading reports. I'm really happy for Lizzy and you. This has all worked out as it should have."
William was grateful for his cousin's support. He realized how fortunate he was to have family who would drop everything for him. It was something he hadn't appreciated enough, often focusing more on the family he'd lost than the family he still had. And it would only grow with Elizabeth. "I don't know what I've done to deserve it all, this family, your support, Elizabeth. I promise, I won't take it for granted." The pair sat in silence for a few minutes. "The other thing I've learned today, or perhaps more fully appreciate, is just how much this has all been weighing on Lizzy. Can you see it? How much lighter and more confident she is? There has been so much heaped on her small shoulders these past months. I've tried so hard to help her but the reality is, when it came down to it, the conversation with Senator Booker, the meeting today, she did it all on her own. I'm so proud of her."
"I think you're selling yourself a bit short cuz. She wouldn't have been eligible for a green card without you and you've been supporting her."
"No Richard. I'm not so sure. She was deserving of an adjustment of status on her own merits. Lizzy could have applied all on her own. There are visa programs for students and if it wasn't for our family's notoriety she likely would have had less scrutiny. At any rate, I know I'm a lucky man that she did agree to marry me. I really love her."
Richard took a long look at his cousin. He had no idea if William was right or not about Lizzy's ability to get a visa or some adjustment of status without marrying. He was lucky to find love though. Richard had certainly had no such luck. "I see Lizzy coming back so I'll give up my seat. Take care of her man."
William looked up to see Lizzy looking at him quizzically. "Everything ok?"
Kissing her, he wrapped his arm around his beautiful wife. "Perfect. I love you you know."
"I know. I love you too. As much as I wished you were with me in person today, you were with me in my heart, and that gave me all the confidence I needed."
Oh how he just wanted to sweep her off her feet and carry her away. He did love his family but he simply wanted to be all alone with his wife.
Lizzy seemed to understand. "We won't stay late," she whispered.
During the car ride home, Lizzy made quick calls to Maria, Jane and Charlotte while William called Professors Gilpin and Gardiner, all to apprise them of Lizzy's news. It was well received by all and thus the web of communication began. Jane to Charlie, Professor Gardiner to his wife and on. By the morning, between Sophia, Jane, Maria and Madeline the women proved to be more effective than a post to Facebook or Instagram.
Relaxing in bed, William had Lizzy firmly encased in his arms and was placing light kissed on her neck and shoulders. "Do you want to tell me what kept you so busy this morning? It must have been important to keep you cloistered in your uncle's office for so many hours."
Somehow William had actually managed to completely push aside the shocking conversation he'd had just this morning. "It's pretty hard to believe it was only this morning that I met with Uncle Henry and Matthew. It, the meeting that is, concerned the codicil. It um, it's just that, I don't believe my father ever intended for such a document to be drawn up. In fact, I think my aunt made it up completely and used the illness of others to give it some semblance of legitimacy. It's shocking to me how much some of my relatives care for my well being and yet others only care for their own."
Lizzy sat up abruptly. "What are you talking about. What's happened?"
William began to outline all that Matthew had learned and their suspicions about his aunt. "I don't really know how to have this conversation with Mrs. Baker's daughter. How do you ask a woman if her mother, who's been gone these four years, might have committed a crime? I can't imagine anything worse."
Lizzy turned in his arms to stroke his face. He was clearly upset by the notion and yet knew, he had get resolution. There was simply too much suspicion and innuendo surrounding the codicil at this point to let it lie. "You've already had to confront some difficult ideas you know. The concept that your father wanted to transfer custody of your sister was certainly a blow. I think you understand exactly how hard this will be and I know your empathy will guide you. And if you want me to join you for the conversation, I'm happy to. You've given me so much support these past several months. I want to support you."
William shook his head and turned off the lights. "If I haven't said it too many times today, I'm so grateful we're going through this all together."
Happy? I really hope so. But as I've responded to some of you, more to come as well. Comments, constructive criticism, questions are all welcomed :) They keep me going...