This one picks up right where the other one left off...
"I'm very glad to be here Mr. Darcy," Lizzy grinned back. "Do you think we might walk home? Is it too far? I really need to stretch my legs after that train ride."
"If you are up for it, we can certainly walk. The girls were just rolling out of bed when I left for the train station. I think it'll be a few hours before they're ready to explore the city."
Lizzy stopped abruptly, "Oh no. We should get back right away. I forgot about Georgie and her friend."
Tugging her along, William shook his head. If Lizzy wanted to walk, then walk they would. He would find a way to balance what each of his girls wanted and needed. This was an easy one. "Why don't we walk a few blocks and find a cab when you feel like you're ready. The girls really won't be missing us if the past day was any indication. Besides, the taxi line is generally so long it might take us half an hour to get one here at the station." Emerging from Penn Station Lizzy was amazed to see the taxi line wrapped around itself. It might in fact be faster to walk home. They took it at a leisurely pace, Lizzy trying to take in the sights while peppering William with questions about the city.
"Oh, I have something to show you." Pulling off her shoulder bag off, she placed it on the ground and found her wallet. "Look! I got it."
William paused to examine the plastic card she was wielding. "Is that your green card?" Pulling Lizzy into a hug. "I'm so happy for you. When did it arrive?"
"I finally went through the mail yesterday after I submitted in my last paper. Jane and I had a little celebration last night but I wanted to show it to you in person." Lizzy was bouncing a bit on her toes, clearly happy and relieved.
William's mood lifted even more. Being in Lizzy's presence he couldn't help but feel good. To see the tangible presence that their marriage solved a problem, a real problem for her, left him with a feeling of content he'd been missing since Georgie's words about her "home," or lack thereof, the prior day. It wasn't that all was right in the world - far from it. But a piece of the puzzle had finally settled.
They walked a bit more in silence. "You're looking rather smug. What's this about?" Lizzy teased.
"Smug? Me? No definitely not smug. I've had enough reminders in the last day to keep me humble. I will admit to being satisfied that one element of our plan has actually, finally, come to resolution. It's about time something worked out as it should."
She looked at him with concern. While he was generally a serious guy, he was usually balanced, able to put issues into a perspective that she at times could lack. "Do you think we have a few minutes to sit in the park before we go up to the girls? I want to hear more about these reminders you've had."
He should've known she wouldn't let his last statements lie. And maybe he didn't want her to. Walking into the open park they found an empty bench recently abandoned by a mother and her toddler when the little boy had taken off to chase the birds. After being assured they wouldn't be returning, Lizzy and Will sat, quietly watching the little boy gleefully run after the plump pigeons. The birds moved just fast enough to escape the boy's clutches, his mother trailing closely behind.
"That will be us in about two years." Her words broke their relative silence.
"I hope so. But we still have a lot to get through between now and then."
"True. What's made you so worried? Or rather, what in particular has made you more worried than you usually are?" Lizzy teased.
A small smile turned up the corner of his lips. He liked when she teased him. Taking her hand in his, he lifted it to his lips placing a small kiss and examine the rings on her left hand. Touching them, he sighed. "I'm worried, because when I put these rings on your hand, I made a commitment to you, actually several, and I don't yet have a track record of fulfilling my commitments to family. It's come to my attention recently that I've done a rather poor job of providing a home to Georgie and now I can't figure out how I'm going to be successful at providing one to you and this little one while helping you graduate and fulfilling my responsibilities to Pemberley." William slumped into the bench after this speech.
"I think you're going to need to back and up and fill me in our your recent failures. I thought you said Georgie's been as happy as a lark this week and did quite well in her tournament."
William filled Lizzy in on the overheard conversation between Amelia and Georgie about where home was, and all the attendant worries and concerns about the challenges they'll face trying to juggle her degree in Cambridge and his responsibilities in New York, soon to be complicated by their need to provide a home to a baby.
She sat for a minute, momentarily overwhelmed with the issues he'd outlined. She wasn't blind to them but to have them listed out was daunting. But she wasn't formed for self-pity and wasn't about to let William wallow in it either. It wasn't long ago that she herself was without a home: that place, filled with people who cared about you above the world. But she'd come to appreciate that she did have one, and it wasn't any specific address. He was thinking about this the wrong way and she had to find the words to help him understand that. Lizzy started slowly but the logic fell into place for her pretty quickly once she began. "Will, I'm not sure yet how we're going to make it all work. I don't think we can know until this baby is here and we're faced with the reality of it all. You're talking about logistics though - that's all. What I do know is that this baby will be loved. And isn't that what a home is after all? The places Georgie named, are all places where she can find people who love her unconditionally. And isn't she lucky to have so many places to go where she can be loved. It sucks that her parents, your parents, died. It really, really does. But it only makes all the more important that you have so many people to support you both.
He thought about her words for a moment and kissed her. "I'm definitely lucky to have you. Thank you," he whispered.
The pair stood up and began to make their way into their New York condo. Home for this week simply because it was where they were.
Lizzy rolled over to find it was already after 9. The past three days of shopping, dining and entertaining two teenaged girls must have really worn her out. Having Amelia with them seemed to help smooth some of the remaining rough edges of her relationship with Georgie. It was as if, having Amelia so enthused about Lizzy's role in her life, and the coming baby, made Georgie see the positive side of it all a little more easily.
Despite the fun they'd had, Lizzy was looking forward to some time on her own in New York to explore. A few phone calls and she'd made an appointment to stop into the New York Times the following day in order to complete some necessary paperwork. The intern manager was also available and Lizzy wanted to talk with her about start dates and schedule. It was all finally becoming real.
She was just getting out of the shower when her phone began to ring. "Hi love."
"Hi Will. How are things in the office today?"
"Good. I just have a minute but wanted to check with you on something. Lewis stopped by and asked if we might be interested in having dinner at his home this evening. His son is going to be around and he was hoping to have us over to get reacquainted. Or at least for me to. I haven't seen George since we were seven or eight years old. Do you think you'll be up for it?"
"Of course. What time and what should we bring?"
"You say of course like it's nothing. You were sound asleep before 8 last night. Are you sure you'll have the energy?"
"The girls wiped me out but I slept until 9 this morning. I think 13 hours of sleep should keep me going past 8 tonight." Lizzy laughed.
"Wow. You never sleep that late. When Georgie comes back on Thursday we need to make sure she doesn't overly tax you. You need your rest."
"I'll be fine worrywart. So again, what time?"
"He'd mentioned 7:00 so we should plan to leave around 6:30. I don't think it'll be a late night. We all have work tomorrow so I expect we'll be home before 10."
"Sounds good. I'm heading out to explore the neighborhood and run a few errands shortly. Let me know if you want me to pick anything up while I'm out or if I should plan on making something. Just send me a text."
"Ok. Love you."
The call disconnected and Lizzy began to get herself prepared for the day. Three days of shopping had filled her closet with a wider array of clothes that actually fit her growing body. She'd been reluctant to give over to maternity clothes but the comfort really couldn't compare to squeezing herself into ever tighter pants and tops. The other benefit of the activity over the past few days was a growing familiarity with her surroundings. The neighborhood had some great little restaurants and shops and she chose a nearby diner to grab some breakfast while she read the paper. Lizzy continued her stroll, popping into some of the neighborhood stores. The community news board in a children's clothing shop gave her some ideas for prenatal classes and a new mom's group she might want to check out this summer and when they baby came. It was such a relaxing morning, exactly what she needed after the frenzy of the past few. Still no word from William about what they might bring tonight, she decided to pop into a store to grab ingredients for chocolate banana bread.
William walked in the door at 6 to a smell that was divine. This was one of the many reasons he loved being married to Lizzy. Baking was what she did to relax and he was often the happy beneficiary. "What's all this? You remember we're going out tonight right?"
Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Hello to you too. Yes, of course I remember we're going out. Pregnancy hasn't addled my brain just yet." She was busy wrapping up the bread and other baked goods so they wouldn't get stale while she continued. "I thought we should bring something and since you didn't give me any ideas I made a few things this afternoon. The chocolate banana bread is to bring with us tonight but the ginger molasses cookies are for us. I had the strongest craving for them today and time to make them."
William grabbed a cookie and placed a kiss on her nose, "Lucky me. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. I feel like I could spend 15 hours of every day in the office and yet I just want to get back here to hang out with you."
"Alright. You're forgiven. Now go change into something a bit less formal so we won't be late."
They arrived at the Wickham's with time to spare. Lewis and his wife greeted them at the door and thanked Lizzy profusely for the freshly baked bread. The apartment, though considerably smaller than the Darcy's, was warm and comfortable, matching the temperament of its owners. Mrs. Wickham fussed a bit over Lizzy and her baby belly. The maternity clothes seemed to accentuate the baby more than her old clothes did and it made Lizzy just a little self-conscious. They were relaxing in the living room when George Wickham made an appearance.
Hearing the front door close, Lewis called out. "George, my boy. Come in here and greet our guests."
All eyes turned towards the front door to greet Lewis' son. William would have recognized him anywhere. A younger image of his father, dark brown hair and eyes and of a similar height to himself, William stood to say hello. "It's been a long time. Good to see you again George."
"It's great to see you too Will. Apologies for being late to the party. One of my student athletes is having a rough time of it and I needed to stay behind and lend her an ear. When I'm in the middle of it with one of my students, I seem to loose track of the time. I hope you'll excuse me for a few minutes while I clean myself up. I'll be back shortly."
They waved him off to his shower. "I'm so proud of my boy. He's so devoted to his students. He's often at the school late helping them out with one thing or another. Those girls are lucky to have him."
Lizzy could see the pride in Lewis' face and encouraged him to talk more about George and his work at the school. Over the next twenty minutes Lewis shared stories of George's devotion to the teenaged girls at the school he was presently working: the extra time he spent with the girls, providing them counsel on the food they ate and the classes they should take. "He really gives them everything he has."
"Is my dad going on again? Sorry to leave him to bore you with my antics. Certainly not anywhere as impressive as what you've been up to. But I've never had ambitions to the corporate world." George breezed in and plopped down in an armchair next to where Lizzy and Will sat.
"I'm proud of my boy and that's a dad's prerogative," Louis beamed and raised himself up to help his wife get dinner out on the table. "I'll leave you three to catch up and whatnot."
"So Willie, my dad tells me you're about to slot into the CEO spot. You've got the pretty wife and a babe on the way. I guess that's just the way it is for some while the rest of us slog it out day by day."
William shifted uncomfortably and Lizzy looked between the two men. She raised her eyes to look directly in George's, quietly but sternly she spoke, "Walk a mile in another man's shoes before you judge." George was unable or unwilling to maintain the eye contact, she wasn't sure which.
Will didn't want Lizzy fighting his battles. Of course he didn't realize he was in one until Lewis left the room. The old sense of jealousy between the boys was familiar however and at least he knew where he stood in this conversation. He wasn't going to take the bait and decided to ignore the slight. "I've had my hands full but, like you, I love what I do. I think that's the most important thing to a good life. How do you find being back in New York after all these years. You were farther north when you first arrived in the states right?"
"Yea. I was at a boarding school when I first moved back to the States. There was a nice little school up north that peaked my interest so I cooled my jets there for awhile. That gig ended a bit abruptly so I hung out here until something opened up near dad. I've been here a little over a year now."
"Where were you up North? I'm from Boston and a lot of my friends went to various boarding schools. I might have heard of it," Lizzy asked, finally calmed down enough to engage in the conversation.
"You know I realize I should probably check on my folks and see if they need any help with dinner. I hope you'll excuse me. I'll be right back." George stood up and exited leaving Will and Lizzy behind in the dining room.
"I don't like him." Lizzy whispered emphatically.
"Lizzy, he's a little jealous. Just let it slide. He was just getting a dig in. I've heard it all before."
"It's not just the dig. I just get an icky feeling around him. I wouldn't want my daughters around him."
"I think you're being a little harsh Lizzy. He seems devoted to his job and that's admirable. Don't let a little male ego bumping get to you."
Their whispered conversation was interrupted by Lewis calling them to the dining room. Lizzy found herself seated between George and Lewis with William on the opposite side of the table next to Mrs. Wickham. Dinner started off well with a general conversation about a recent vacation the Wickham's had taken to Utah for some spring skiing. As William was helping to bring the next course out George leaned over to Lizzy, "I apologize if I upset you earlier. You're right and I shouldn't have said it. I've just, well, I've struggled to find my place. I hope we can start over."
Lizzy shrugged and agreed. She still had her misgivings but she didn't see spending much, if any time, in George's company so she decided to let it slide. "So how did you find yourself in education."
George laughed, "I guess I was a typical hormonal 18-year old boy with ok grades. All the cute girls were planning to write education at Uni and so I followed them. It was great. Always got my pick of the litter so to speak and along the way found I was a natural with the pre-teen and teen set so I focused my studies there. I was always good at sport and voila, got myself into coaching too. Only downside is that a lot of the games are on the weekends but the school vacations are a nice perk."
Lizzy gave him a tight smile. "It must be nice being able to spend time with your dad now."
"Yea. He's a great guy. Super responsible. I guess you know all about that. Willie hasn't changed a bit in twenty years. If you ever want to just go out and have fun you can always give me a call. I don't have millions but I'm told I'm a good time," George winked.
"Um, thanks, but I like William's kind of fun."
"I guess you must. He's already knocked you up. That's one way to mark your territory. I always make sure my girls are using birth control." George laughed but Lizzy didn't see what was so funny. "Alright. I guess you're the serious type too. It's nice to know Willie's found his match."
Lizzy looked around to see if there was anyone else she could talk with to get through this dinner. She no longer wondered if this guy was a creep. She knew full well he was one. How did he possibly think his comments made him see funny or attractive? Unfortunately, William and the Wickham's were engaged in some deep conversation about some old family friends and she couldn't seem to get their attention. George however was not ready to let go of her attention and she didn't want to seem rude. Taking a deep breath she prepared herself to re-engage in conversation with her table mate. "So what do you actually teach?"
"I cover all of the general health and physical fitness topics. I've added a mini-course on nutrition. These girls are so impressionable. Gotta teach them the right habits when their young. I'm happy to be the one to do it." He looked smugly at Lizzy, sure he'd impressed her with his thoughtfulness.
Lizzy figured they might move to safer ground so she asked him about England. She'd never been and was always curious about new places. George managed to talk about his experiences growing up with his mom without making too many lewd remarks. She was relieved when they retired back to the living room for dessert. Securing a seat next to William she felt a bit safer. Safe from what she couldn't say but it was certainly more comfortable.
Lizzy received several compliments on the chocolate banana bread she had brought along. "I see you've found a cook and a wife in one go Will. You've done well." George accompanied the remark with his trademark wink. William looked at Elizabeth quickly to see if she was bothered by the remark. She simply rolled her eyes in response.
"I admit that Elizabeth's talents are many, not the least of which is an ability to create some incredible food. I definitely got the better end of this bargain," William remarked. Lizzy smiled at William grateful in his attempt to defend her although she really felt no need to be defended in front of the likes of George Wickham.
"I understand you have a younger sister as well. Is she living with you two or has she already flown the coop," George asked.
"Georgiana's only 15, about to be 16. She's a freshman in high school down in Maryland and really doing well there. When she's home, she lives with us of course," William added quickly, a bit surprised by the turn of the conversation.
"Maryland? I thought dad had mentioned something about New Hampshire. I guess I got that wrong," George pressed on.
"Nope, she's at an excellent school just outside of DC. Some of my mother's family lives nearby."
"And does she give you much trouble? It can be a difficult age," George seemed to leer as he asked.
William stiffened and Lizzy squeezed his hand bringing him back. The mood changed and, knowing this was an uncomfortable conversation for William, really, any conversation about his sister had been disconcerting, she wanted to help. "We've had such a good time with Will's sister these past few days. One of Georgie's girlfriends from school had been staying with us. They completely exhausted me with shopping and sightseeing but I certainly know my way around New York better now," Lizzy added cheerfully.
"Oh so is she in New York City now? I'm surprised she didn't join you tonight?" George asked. There was something odd in his voice but Lizzy wasn't sure what it was. Lizzy was watching him closely while William responded that she was off with her girlfriend in New Jersey until Thursday evening.
It was getting late and while Lizzy was doing he best to suppress her yawns William caught her most recent one. "I think we should be going. Elizabeth needs to get to sleep and I know Lewis and I have a long day tomorrow. Thank you so much for the wonderful evening." Thanks were exchanged and a promise to get together again when they were all back in New York in May was made.
The pair settled back in the car and were traveling back home. "Are you ok?" William asked.
"Yea. I'm just tired."
"Did you have a nice time? I couldn't catch a lot of your conversation with George. It was so weird seeing him after all these years. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it but really, I felt almost nothing. Was he nice?"
Lizzy shrugged. Not quite sure what to say. "Let's just say he's not someone I'd choose to hang out with. His humor was a bit off and some of the things he said were kind of weird. I don't want to make things awkward with Lewis though. I know he's been a mentor and a real support for you these past few years."
William kissed her head. "Don't worry about it at all. I doubt we'll see much of George anyway. It's not like he's involved in the business and he seems pretty busy with his own life. It was important to Lewis to show off his son a bit and I was glad to give him the opportunity."
Once they arrived home, Lizzy quickly turned in while William checked his email before crawling into bed beside her. He thought for a few moments about the evening and Lizzy's comments about George but then dismissed them. He'd just make sure Lizzy was unavailable if the suggestion of another get together was proposed.
I hope you don't mind the little jump but I wanted to get you all to the juicy parts. You know I love your comments. They make me sooooo happy!