Gentle Reader,
I've mentioned this before, but I have a podcast! It's actually about books, I'm sure you're all very surprised. It's called Crooked Classics, we're on Spotify and YouTube. We're about to drop an episode on The Picture of Dorian Gray, but our next episode is Pride and Prejudice! We also have a Twitter, CrookedClassics. Come read with us! I won't be telling you which host I am.
Now that my shameless plug is over, quick note on this chapter: Would anyone want to read about their trip in a side story, and what show should they see? Also, I know this is short and sweet, I'm planning on making the next one longer.
Love,
RobinDesBois
A month after the wedding dress had been ordered, Lizzie came home from work and immediately collapsed face down on the couch.
"Your mother called about the wedding, again, I take it?" Darcy asked from the kitchen.
"Hmmm," Lizzie groaned affirmatively into the couch.
"What was it this time?
Lizzie picked up her head enough to mutter, "Cake," then dropped to her previous position.
"How can she not like the cake? We haven't even picked a flavor yet."
"I told her we're having one of those new cakes with fruit on top instead of frosting, since you don't like the texture of frosting, and she doesn't think it's going to be 'nice enough.' Her words, not mine."
"Well, if it's that important, I can just eat the–" Lizzie placed her hand over his mouth.
"William Darcy, we are having a frosting-free wedding cake. The frosting is not important to me, I want you to enjoy it, and I did not spend forty five minutes of my lunch explaining Autistic food texture issues to my mother just to let her win now."
Darcy moved the hand pressed to his lips to press a kiss to her palm and asked, "Would it make you feel better if I told you I made reservations at the Italian place tonight for your birthday."
"Ha, ha, very funny. My birthday is next weekend."
"But alas, my dear, so is our anniversary, and I want to extend the celebrations to two weekends." Lizzie pulled her head off the couch to squint at him.
"You're up to something."
"Me? Up to something? I would never."
"Mhmm. Do I have time to change."
"Reservation's in an hour."
Lizzie and Darcy were shown to a quiet, candle lit table in the corner, where Darcy ordered branzino piccata and Lizzie ordered chicken parmigiana, both of which went wonderfully with the Moet and Chandon champagne Darcy had requested with the reservation.
"So, what do you have planned for next weekend?" Lizzie asked as soon as they had placed their order.
"So impatient. What else did you and your mom talk about?"
"It was all wedding stuff. She kept reminding me about how much fun the music at the Gibson wedding was, despite me pointing out several times that you've said that gave you severe sensory overload."
"I almost wish it had given me more, if I had gone non-verbal I might not have made that comment you like to remind me of from time to time," he replied.
"I think it worked out decent enough," Lizzie winked.
"I am never going to live that down, am I."
"Of course not, and I believe you wouldn't have it either way."
"You're right. What else did she bring up?"
"She wants blinking lights at the reception."
"Oh, I actually don't think I could deal with that."
"Yeah, it's getting her to understand what Autism actually is and how it affects adults that's been the real struggle."
"Lizzie Bennet, I can't tell you how grateful I am to have a partner who is so understanding and supportive of my needs like this."
"William Darcy, you deserve to have a partner who will support you. Now what's my birthday present?"
"Very well…I got us tickets to fly to New York and see Bing and Jane next weekend. We can see the sites and you and Jane can start looking for bridesmaid dresses. I thought we could go to a Broadway show and that ice cream place you've mentioned. Happy birthday, my love."