The Reality of Love

By Katherine

Jump to new as of March 18, 2002
Jump to new as of April 8, 2002
Jump to new as of September 6, 2002

Chapter 1

Posted on Wednesday, 2 January 2002

It had been raining for the past three days, nonstop. It was at times like these that Fitzwilliam Darcy wished he was home at his estate, Pemberley. When he was young, he had read that November contained self-pitying days, and he had to agree that the first day of November was keeping with tradition. The rain was not the terrible part, however. It was the fairy tale fog that made driving almost unbearable that afternoon, and William could have sworn that he had passed twenty-five accidents along I-15 on his way to Salt Lake City.

Only Bingley would pick the worst day of the year to move into his new house , William thought bitterly. That was why William was here - to help his best friend, Charles Bingley, move into his new home, one of the spacious homes in Olympus Cove. Netherfield was what it was called, due to the fact that Mr. Netherfield himself had built the home, intending to live in it before moving six months after it had been built. William couldn't have understood why he had bought it, even if it did have great views of the city and a good school district for his children. But the large, spacious home that everyone else in the neighborhood envied was now his best friend's home, and William was determined to like it. At least, force himself to like it.

William always preferred Pemberley, all tucked away in the mountains near Logan. The calming serenity of the mountains, the lush trees nearby, and the seclusion were all a plus. He had spent most of his 28 years of his life there, more so since the death of both of his parents six years ago. He shuddered when he though of the plane crash that had killed his parents, when the plane flew into heavy fog, much like this, and slammed nose first into the Atlantic Ocean. William forced himself to stop thinking of that day, when his life had come to a complete stop and he had been forced to be more careful in his life.

On his parents' death he had not only inherited the family billion dollar company, Darberley Inc., but became the guardian of his younger sister, Georgiana, who at the time had been 10. William had to be strong for her, and get her through life as best he could. She was now 16, and still lived at home with her brother and her tutor, Mrs. Wallace. William was glad that she hadn't chosen to go to one of the many private schools, mostly St. Cecilia's, in the area, even though all of her friends were currently enrolled there. He was just glad to have her home, where she was safe, especially since what had happened with her and George...

As he stopped his Jag at the stoplight, he noticed that Bingley's wife, Emily, was in the car in front of his. He honked his horn at her to grab her attention, and when she noticed who it was, she turned around and gave him a friendly wave. William was glad he had seen her, for she was obviously on her way home from work, and he could follow her to the Bingleys' home. William didn't want to admit it, but he was lost. What type of people label their streets with numbers! William asked himself.

Looking back, he could remember the light turn green, and time seemed to freeze. He saw her car go into the intersection, and how out of nowhere the other car slammed into the drivers' side of the mini-van. At that time, his car was driving into the intersection, and there was no time to stop it. All he remembered was his own car smashing into the back of the mini-van, and a calming blackness came over him.

"What exactly did the police tell you?" Elizabeth Gardiner asked her aunt, Fanny Bennet. Mrs. Bennet and two of her four daughters, Elizabeth's cousins Jane and Mary, quickly packed into Elizabeth's SUV, and Mrs. Bennet, in hysterics, tried to calm herself down enough to answer.

"That there had been an accident, and your uncle, my dear husband, was in the hospital with serious injuries," Mrs. Bennet said wearily as she approached the driver's side of the Bennet's Dodge Durango. Elizabeth knew that her aunt was in no condition to drive, and insisted that she sit in the back seat with Mary, while Jane sat next to her and directed her to the Young Hospital. Mrs. Bennet reluctantly agreed.

Elizabeth, who was 25, was a trained surgeon and nurse, and lived in Boston, where she worked at St. Mary's Hospital. She had grown up in Sandy until her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner, had moved to Park City when she was twelve. Elizabeth was miles away from her cousin and best friend, Jane, and after graduation began her career at the University Hospital. Jane worked at an elementary school near Olympus Cove, and was thrilled that her cousin and best friend was returning home. But this was all before the University Hospital had burned down and the Young Hospital became the chief hospital for the area, and Elizabeth accepted the job in Boston. Elizabeth had only just arrived in Sandy, to visit Jane and celebrate her aunt and uncle's thirtieth wedding anniversary.

The eldest Bennet was Jane Williams, 27, and was a kindergarten teacher. Jane had been previous married to her high school sweetheart, after her graduation from the nearby college, but he was tragically killed in a train crash a few weeks after their wedding. She currently lived with her parents, along with Mary, 22, who wrote for the local paper. Kitty, 19, and Lydia, 18, were Snow college, which forced them (so unwillingly, I might add sarcastically) to stay in a dorm. They were both in one of the sororities, which Elizabeth believed had a rule about not speaking in words larger than a monosyllable.

"But what else? Did someone hit him?" Elizabeth inquired further, and her aunt just shook her head.

"He ran a red light, and caused a five car pile up. And the police were threatening that his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit!" Mrs. Bennet sobbed. "What will we going to do? We'll be sued, I know it, and then we'll lose our house and be forced into the hedgerows! And if your parents are not good to us, I don't know what we'll do!"

"I'm sure everything will be all right, Mama," Jane comforted.

"I do hope so," Mrs. Bennet sniffed, as Elizabeth pulled into a parking space at the hospital. The group piled quickly out of the car and ran towards the ER, which was packed with people. Elizabeth noticed her friend, Charlotte Lucas, working at the counter, and hurried over to her.

"Charlotte! What can I do to help?" Elizabeth asked, and Charlotte looked at her with a sigh.

"I am so glad to see you! This place is mobbed today - what with all of the accidents due to the weather!" Charlotte said. "Take one of the badges and see who you can help!"

"Will do," Elizabeth said with a small salute, and Charlotte laughed. "By the way, have you heard about my uncle's condition?"

"I heard he was taken into surgery a while back, but he should be finished by now," Charlotte yelled over the crowd. "I'll have one of the nurses take your family to him as soon as I can!"

"Thank you!" Elizabeth yelled back, as she walked towards the elevation.

Chapter 2

Posted on Wednesday, 2 January 2002

On her way to the elevator, her eyes darted towards a young girl, no more than sixteen, sitting in a chair, sobbing profusely. Elizabeth stopped and put her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Miss? Are you all right?" Elizabeth asked, and the girl looked up at her.

"Oh, thank you! Are you a nurse?" the girl asked hopefully.

"I am. What seems to be the problem?" Elizabeth asked

"My brother. He was brought in here a few hours ago, and when I inquired as to how he was doing, the nurse refused to let me see him or tell me how he was," the girl sobbed. "I know that something terrible must have happened to him!"

"No, no, I'm sure it's nothing at all!" Elizabeth comforted.

"Then why wouldn't the tell me how he was doing?"

"I don't know, Miss..." Elizabeth trailed off, and the girl sniffed.

"Georgiana Darcy," she replied.

"Well, Georgiana, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll go upstairs and check on your brother, and if he's feeling all right, and awake, you can come up and visit with him for a few moments. Is that all right?" Elizabeth asked, and Georgiana jumped up happily.

"Oh, thank you ."

"Elizabeth Gardiner."

"Thank you, Miss Gardiner! I shall forever be indebted to your kindness!" Georgiana said happily.

Elizabeth just smiled as she inquired as to which room a Mr. Darcy was in. Luckily, there was only one Mr. Darcy - a Mr. William Darcy of room 204. Elizabeth opened the door quietly, and her breath was taken away by what she saw. He was very young looking, only a few years older than she was, and very handsome. Tall, dark, and handsome was an understatement, Elizabeth though with a laugh as she made her way over to where he was laying. His brown curled hair set off the look of utter repose on his face, and Elizabeth just sat down next to him to keep him from waking.

But she must have made a noise as she set down her folder, for his eyelids hastily fluttered open. His gaze looked around the room, and then over to Elizabeth. He looked at her for some time with a confused glance, before he asked quietly:

"Am I in Heaven?"

"No, silly," Elizabeth laughed. "You're at the Young Hospital. Whatever would give you the thought that you're in Heaven?"

"You look beautiful enough to be an angel," William said softly, and Elizabeth was afraid she was going to melt into the carpet.

"Now you see, that's the morphine talking," Elizabeth replied, and William laughed softly.

"Who are you then?" he asked.

"Dr. Elizabeth Gardiner. Your sister, Georgiana, sent me up here to check on you. She's very worried about you," Elizabeth said, looking at the information written on his charts. "It's no wonder, either. After being in a car accident, you're very lucky to only have a broken ankle."

"I'm lucky to have such a wonderful nurse as well," William said softly.

"Are you always this polite, or only when you're high on pain killers?" Elizabeth asked.

"Both."

"Well, I suppose that's good to hear, in some sad way," Elizabeth replied. "Now, lie still while I check your blood pressure and listen to your heart."

Elizabeth felt a little foolish as she pressed her stethoscope to his chest. William winced as the cold metal hit his chest, but realized it was worth it, since he had such a witty, intelligent, pretty nurse. No, beautiful, he thought with a smile. Elizabeth noticed this, and was confused by his expression.

"Why the smile, sir? Do you find this amusing?"

"I was just wondering if you keep these things in the freezer for twelve hours a day, or are they naturally cold on their own?" William asked.

"We find sixteen hours is more fitting," Elizabeth replied calmly. "Is it really that terrible?"

"Unbearably cold would better describe it."

"I'm sorry to be putting you through so much pain, sir," Elizabeth said sarcastically.

"I'm in enough pain as it is, and you have to go and try to put me into cardiac arrest," William said with a faint sigh. "What did I do to deserve such pain?"

"Poor baby. I suppose I'll have to make it up to you somehow," Elizabeth teased.

"By taking me out to dinner," William added quickly, and Elizabeth just raised her eyebrow at him.

"Boy, you sure are quick with asking a girl out," Elizabeth teased, and William just blushed.

"I'm not going to take no," he said firmly, and Elizabeth just sighed.

"I've known you for less than five minutes, and you're already asking me out on a date?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well, you'll technically be paying for dinner," William said with a laugh. "Besides, I'm the one in pain, and if you had any sympathy for me, you'd say yes."

"Fine ... I'll go out to dinner with you," Elizabeth said sarcastically, as if she did not want to be going out to dinner with this handsome patient. He really actually wants to go out to dinner with me. This must be all a dream, Elizabeth thought. "If you insist."

"You act like I'm twisting your leg," William replied, pretending to sound hurt.

"Well, you've done a well enough job on your own leg that it wouldn't surprise me if you were," Elizabeth said calmly, walking towards the door. "I'm going to send up your sister now."

"What about your phone number, or are you pulling a Cinderella on me?" William asked, and Elizabeth just smiled as she scribbled her name and number down on a napkin.

"Call me when you've recovered. I live in Park City, by the way," she replied, handing him the napkin and quickly retreating from the room.

Outside, she took a few moments to catch her breath. This was too good to be true, she thought. It almost makes me wonder what's going to cause this wonderful moment to come crashing down. But I wonder when he'll call? Or if?

Chapter 3

Posted on Wednesday, 2 January 2002

"How is she, doctor?" Charles Bingley asked impatiently. The doctor just sighed and looked at him. "Just tell me!"

"Mr. Bingley, upon arrival, your wife was in a very serious condition, going in and out of consciousness," the elderly doctor replied. "We decided to first try and save the baby by inducing labor, and we were successful."

"You ... the baby?" Charles replied, stunned.

"Yes. She will survive, as she was only two weeks before her due date, and I expect that you can take her home within a few days," the doctor replied with a smile.

"A little girl ." Charles replied, tears falling from his eyes from the joy. "But please, sir, what about my wife?"

"Mr. Bingley, that was a little bit more complicated."

"What do you mean 'complicated'?" Charles said angrily.

"Mr. Bingley, I would suggest that you go home, get some rest, and..."

"I have been in this hospital for ten hours, waiting for you to tell me the progress of my wife! I will not wait! How is my wife!? " Charles screamed.

"Mr. Bingley, she is dead."

This was not what Charles had expected to hear, and blink a few times to get it through his system. He looked at the doctor with a weird look, his face distorted with unknown pain trying to come out.

"What do you mean ... she is dead?" Charles repeated hoarsely.

"We couldn't save her. There was internal bleeding, which could only be expected as the car hit her full on. We're sorry, Mr. Bingley, but nothing could be done," the doctor said gently as Charles sunk into a chair and began to cry.

"But ... but..." Charles muttered.

"Do you have any family, sir, that we may call?" the doctor asked. Bingley remained silent. "Very well, sir. I will check in with you later."

Bingley sat there and cried for close to an hour before he stood up and wiped away the tears from his eyes. He looked around, realizing that Darcy must also be in the hospital, and searched for the closest nurses' station.

"How may I help you?" a tall brunette said as she clacked and smacked her gum loudly.

"What room is Mr. William Darcy in?" Charles asked.

"Let me look. ." The nurse replied. "Room 204. I'll have a nurse take you up, Mr ...?"

"Mr. Charles Bingley."

"Oh, so you're Mr. Bingley!" the nurse exclaimed. "We've been calling you for almost an hour. You need to fill out your baby's name."

"Can't it wait?" Charles asked angrily.

"Sorry sir, but the hospital is way too busy tonight, and we'd like to have it all filled out for the records as soon as possible," the nurse rambled.

"Very well," Charles replied as the nurse gave him the sheet of paper. On it he wrote in his best hand:

Emily Georgiana Bingley

"Pretty name," the nurse said, reading the paper upside down. "Here, this is Amy. She'll show you up to your friend's room."

"Thank you," Charles said glumly as he followed the bouncing blonde down the hall and up one flight of stairs.

"Here's your friend's room," Amy replied cheerfully.

"Thank you," Charles replied dully, and Amy just gave him a mean look as she bounced back down the hall.

"William?" Charles asked, opening up the door slightly and peering in.

"Charles! So good to see you!" William said happily. Why is everyone so happy today? Bingley asked himself. "Did you know that these beds moved up and down?"

"You really must be bored."

"There are only five channels, and three of them are morning talk shows. But what about you? I didn't expect to have any visitors so soon!" Darcy exclaimed.

"I've been here all night," Charles replied. "Emily's dead."

"You've ... what?" Darcy asked, looking at Charles with wide eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Internal bleeding, or something silly like that. She was hit head on, Darcy; she didn't even have a chance," Charles said, his voice choking up.

"Charles, I'm so sorry. Oh, it was all that other car's fault!" Darcy said, cursing as he hit his hand on the table.

"I suppose the police already came to interview you," Charles said unhappily.

"They did, if it makes you feel any better. I tell you, from what I know about law, we have a good case against the driver. Manslaughter, and possibly driving under the influence," Darcy added.

"It won't bring Emily back," Charles said angrily. Darcy just sighed.

"But won't seeing the man responsible in jail help ease the pain?" Darcy added, and Charles glared at him. "What about the baby?" Darcy asked, changing the subject.

"Fine. They induced labor, and it was a little girl."

"That's wonderful!"

"I suppose so, but right now, it feels anything but wonderful," Charles replied. "I just wish I had my Emily back."

I wish you did too, Darcy thought. Just someone to ease the pain for him.

Meanwhile...

"Oh, how is he!" Mrs. Bennet asked, jumping up from the plastic chair in the ER.

"Still out, Mama, but the doctors are certain that he will make a full recovery once he wakes up," Elizabeth replied. "But I have bad news."

"What is it?"

"He hit one car full on, and the woman in that car died a few hours ago. The accident caused a five car pile up, and seven other passengers are currently being treated for injuries, some serious and some not," Elizabeth said slowly. Her aunt just shook her head.

"This is terrible! Our insurance! All of the hospital bills!"

"Plus the manslaughter charge, which could quite possibly put him in jail for quite some time, if convicted," Elizabeth added.

"Oh, what are we to do!" Mrs. Bennet cried. "We are ruined!"

"I'm sure it will be fine," Elizabeth comforted, while her mind was thinking: There is no hope.

Chapter 4: Where do we go from here?

Posted on Sunday, 17 February 2002

It was five days after the horrible accident when William finally departed the hospital, never once looking back as he hobbled down the icy walkway on crutches. William was under the strictest orders not to overexert himself, with the most important being not to hurt himself again. William had no clue how that was possible, as he could barely move with the cast around his lower leg that kept him from doing everything and anything he wanted to. A walking cast would come later, which William dreaded. Memories of high school kept flooding back to his conscious, especially that of English, when reading A Separate Peace, and William kept making parallels between him and Finny (mentally hoping he wouldn't end up the same way). But William tried to push these memories out of his mind, and, deep down, was happy to obey any orders, even reluctantly, as long as he could go home again. Any place was better than the hospital.

But he didn't go to Pemberley. No, Pemberley was too far away, and he, at that time, needed to be by Charles' side. What else were best friends for, but to be there at a moment of grief? Charles had been there when William's own excellent parents died, showing him the deepest sympathy and remorse, and this seemed as if the universe was balancing itself out with this one action. And so, William was there when Emily Anne Douglas Bingley was laid to rest one winter's day.

That Tuesday was like no others. It seemed to be the day made for a funeral, yet it was as if Emily was shining down on the group from heaven. The smog (that dreaded inversion) that had terrorized the valley for so long had disappeared, and the sun shone proudly in the crystal blue sky. The church was too stifling for William, who sat uncomfortably next to Charles, who was motionless with grief, but tried to comfort his friend as best he could. Outside, in the cemetery, William stood by Charles, giving him a hug as his best friend dissolved into tears after merely placing flowers on Emily's casket. He played with Matthew, who was old enough to understand death but too young to understand why his mother was gone. And William watched Emily gurgle and squeal happily, and frequently held the content infant, who was too naive and innocent to realize why her father couldn't stand to look at her, and why the mere mention of her name made him cry.

No, Pemberley was too far away. William knew that he needed to be near Charles, and nothing would make him leave while he was still necessary. Besides, Sandy was much closer to Park City than Logan was. But William wasn't going to think about her ... yet. It was too soon, and besides that, the most inopportune time to be thinking about romance instead of his friend's loss. Still, he had only been with her once, but her memory kept invading his senses, and William had to show a great amount of control to keep him from picking up the phone and calling her.

William owned homes in various places, and a home in Sandy, near Wasatch, was included in that group. William had decided to move there, with Georgiana, as it was relatively close to the downtown area, close to the freeways, and close to a hospital and other necessary services. That would be his home for the next few days, weeks, or even months.

Georgiana was thrilled. Sure, she would miss her friends up in Logan, but she had never been very popular. Moving would allow her to finally go to a public school, meet some real friends, and move on with her life. She assumed this was the answer, and that her brother would soon forget the event that continued to make her a child in his eyes. Besides, the home wasn't that far away from four wonderful ski resorts, and Georgiana had longed to go skiing again.

William was determined to spend as much time possible with Charles, and the two had been going out together quite frequently, sometimes with Georgiana and sometimes with Caroline, Charles' sister. But, on this particular Wednesday evening, William and Charles went out alone, deciding to eat at a nearby restaurant, with all of the time in the world and nothing really to talk about.

"How's the house?" Charles asked.

"I can actually see my neighbor's house," William replied. "I doubt I've ever been so close to another person's establishment before."

"I bet Georgiana's happy to be around civilization again, after being isolated by her brother for so long," Charles teased, and William laughed.

"Georgie's thrilled. She's trying to get me to let her go to one of the local high schools," William replied, somewhat upset.

"That's the Georgiana I know, with some interior motive up her sleeve."

"I'm not against the plan, its just deciding which school would be best for her," William said. "She's never been the most outgoing person, and I'm afraid of what might happen to her, or what kind of people may want to associate with her."

"Heaven forbid someone without a Mercedes would want to talk to her," Charles mocked, and William glared at him.

"I've narrowed it down to Jordan, Alta, Riverton, Bingham, Brighton, Juan Diego, or the one in Murray," Darcy replied.

"So many choices."

"I'm not thrilled with the prospects of any of those schools, but I suppose I'll have to chose one for her," William replied hesitantly. "The closest public schools are Jordan and Alta, but Juan Diego is close and private."

"True."

"Yet, for a different taste of people, Riverton is a very nice school, and I've heard some positive things about Bingham and Brighton," William added.

"So now you're back to square one," Charles replied. "What does Georgiana think?"

"She doesn't care. As long as it is a school, she'll attend it. I could send her to Bountiful and she wouldn't care," Darcy replied, and Charles laughed.

"I could imagine you doing so."

"You're lucky you don't have to deal with high schools for your children yet," William replied, then immediately regretted those words.

"Yep, I'm the luckiest man alive," Charles said sarcastically.

"Charles, I'm sorry..."

"I don't want your pity, Darce," Charles spat, and then sighed. "I wish this was all a nightmare. I wish Emily was still alive."

"You'll get over it, in time, and things will get easier," William said sympathetically. "You have to be strong for your children."

"I know. But deep down, it seems impossible," Charles said slowly. "They need a mother."

"And you need a wife," William added. If only he would find love again...

Chapter 5: The Call

Posted on Sunday, 17 February 2002

Two weeks later

William's life had started to return to its muddled normality, or as normal as it ever had been or ever would be. Most of his time was occupied with meeting with lawyers, both his, Charles', and even a few of the other victims to compare notes. But as William's life became as it used to be, he kept thinking about that woman from the hospital. Elizabeth Gardiner. William had decided to wait on calling her, but soon his feelings overcame him, and within a moment he was on his phone, dialing in the number that was etched in his mind.

One ring, two rings, three rings, answering machine. Although the answering machine did not sound like her voice. It had a haunting sound to it, and Darcy was confused by its meaning.

I'm sorry. I am unable to come to the phone because I am too busy watching my Caller ID, scanning your call to see if I am interested in talking with you. From the fact that your call is being answered by the answering machine, you must realize that I didn't want to talk to you... Click

"Hello?" A voice asked, somewhat embarrassed and somewhat timid.

"May I please speak with Elizabeth Gardiner," William replied formally.

"One moment, please." With a click, the voice was gone, and William began to hum to himself. I wonder who that was? he asked himself, straining to remember if she had mentioned any sisters. Come to think of it, I don't really know anything about her...except that she's a nurse...

"Hello?" Elizabeth's voice rang over the line, startling William.

"Um, hello. This is William Darcy, from the hospital..."

"Oh?" William could hear a hand cover the receiver, as a voice yelled, "It's upstairs, next to my computer..."

"Are you busy? I can always call back at another, more convenient time..."

"Sorry," Elizabeth apologized. "It's not you. My cousins are over, and they're wreaking havoc, as usual."

"Nice answering machine," William said, trying to suppress a laugh.

"What? Oh, my cousin, Lydia, must have been messing with it again. She is forever changing the message, waiting to see how long it takes me to notice it," Elizabeth explained. "What does it say this time?"

"How you're watching the Caller ID and avoiding my call," William said. "I think it basically tells me to get a life and stop calling."

"Sounds like one of Lydia's more creative messages," Elizabeth laughed. "There have been worse messages than that one."

"Like what?" William asked, knowing that he was being a bit forward.

"The worst ever was when Lydia left a message, telling any guy who called that I had given up on men and had decided women were the way to go..." Elizabeth giggled. "If you know what I mean."

"Let me guess, an old boyfriend heard the message?"

"Worse - my aunt. She immediately started flipping out and nearly had a heart attack. She told my parents, and they decided "as a unit" to have a coming out party for me," Elizabeth continued, and she could hear William covering up his laughter on the other side of the line.

"Go on," He blurted out before covering his mouth again.

"Imagine my closest friends and family crowded around in my house, having a surprise "We're okay with your choice" party. It was not one of the happiest moments of my life. It's not that I'm prejudiced against anyone like that - I just didn't find the joke very hilarious."

"I can imagine. But I think I would have flipped out if my friends and family had done that for me."

"You can imagine how I acted, I suppose. I convinced my parents and friends that I was straight, but my aunt wouldn't believe it at first, and kept telling me I was in denial," Elizabeth added.

"Does she still think that?"

"Lydia finally came out and told her mother what she had done, but sometimes my aunt still thinks I put her up to it," Elizabeth replied. "One more reason why I dread family gatherings on holidays, or weekends."

"I wish my family was that interesting. Mine is just dysfunctional."

"Like how?"

"My aunt Catherine used to be a well-known dog trainer at an obedience school, so she believes everyone should be just like dogs - submissive and attentive. She has an adopted daughter, Anne, who can't stand her, and wants to become a nun so she can move far away from home. Catherine, on the other hand, wants her to marry me, which no one in the family is too thrilled about. My Uncle Lewis is laid back and easy going, which he has to be to be married to Catherine."

"Brave man," Elizabeth commented.

"He is," William agreed. "My other Uncle, Earl, and his family are more functional, but they have their quirks. My Aunt Carolyn has a very good sense of humor, and is always pulling pranks on the kids. Her only quirk is with her pug, Mitzy, that she insists have a room of her own. She has this large room with a queen-sized bed and full set of furniture and everything that is all for her dog, with bone shaped lamps and dog-print curtains and wallpaper."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously," William stated. "Anyway, Earl owns a pretty successful computer company, and it is his dream that one of his sons will take over the family business. His older son, Denny, was going to inherit it, but decided to give it all up and train dolphins for Sea World. We rarely hear from him anymore, but we live with the absence. His younger son, Richard, is officially called "Colonel", the reason I've forgotten. He used to teach World History at -------- High School, which he loved, but my uncle made him give it up to start working in his company."

"And I thought my family was interesting..." Elizabeth replied, and William just laughed.

"Be thankful you don't have my family," William said with an exasperated sigh, and Elizabeth laughed.

"What about your family? I know that you have a sister named Georgiana, but what about your parents?" Elizabeth asked curiously, and there was a pause on the phone.

"They're dead," William replied quite stiffly, and Elizabeth just tried to swallow.

"I'm so sorry. Excuse me for one moment," Elizabeth said, covering up the phone. All William could hear were muffles until her voice came back onto the phone. "I have to go."

"It's all right. But before you go, I was wondering you wanted to have lunch with me, sometime. Or dinner. Or coffee. Whatever fits into your schedule," William rambled, and Elizabeth laughed.

"Lunch would be great," Elizabeth replied, and William smiled on his end of the phone line.

"How about Friday at noon? We'll meet by the elevators, on the tenth floor of the Joseph Smith Building..."

"Sounds perfect, but what's there?" Elizabeth asked, quite curious.

"One of my favorite restaurants that I'm sure you'll love," William said softly. "Until then."

"I can't wait," Elizabeth replied. "Goodbye."

"Bye."

Click. Elizabeth just stood there, looking at the white cordless phone in her hand, smiling. That was how Jane found her as she walked into the kitchen.

"What are you so happy about?" Jane asked, opening the refrigerator and pulling out a soda.

"Remember that guy I told you about, from the hospital?" Elizabeth asked, and Jane nodded. "Well, he just called."

"Wonderful! I told you he would, but you were in denial...among other things," Jane said sweetly, and Elizabeth just gasped at her.

"How long were you eavesdropping?" Elizabeth said, pretending to be angry.

"That's one of my favorite stories...," Jane said, laughing. "Remind me to tell your children that one."

"You do, and I'll tell your children about the Homecoming Dance incident," Elizabeth teased, and Jane shut her mouth.

"Fine - we'll call a truce," Jane said. "So, where's the mystery man taking you?"

"Some restaurant downtown, in the Joseph Smith Building..." Elizabeth replied. "Have you ever been there?"

"You know I try to avoid going downtown at all possible costs. Too crowded for my taste," Jane said, sticking out her tongue in disgust. "Besides, even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you - you should keep a bit of mystery in your relationship."

"We don't really have a relationship, yet. I don't know much about him."

"But you'd like to," Jane stated, and Elizabeth nodded.

"He's the most perfect person I've ever met. I feel as if ... as if he's the one." Elizabeth confessed. "When you met Doug, did you know it was true love at first sight?"

"I did," Jane replied, sighing as she remembered the past. "I knew that I loved him, and that I always wanted to be with him. We were so happy..."

"I'm sorry, Jane. I shouldn't have brought those memories back. I know how hard it was for you..." Jane just sighed and looked at her beloved cousin.

"I wish you all of the luck in the world, and all of the happiness as well. I'm sure you two will be perfect for each other," Jane added.

"Well, if fate has anything to do with it, it won't be that easy," Elizabeth replied, grimacing as she tried to think positively towards her date on Friday.

Chapter 6

Posted on Friday, 15 March 2002

Thursday

Jane Bennet Williams was a very sweet 27-year-old in the prime of her life. She had a great job, a great family, great friends, and an overall great life. All that was missing from the blonde's life was love, but Jane didn't regret its absence. After everything that she had gone through after Doug's death, Jane was happy to finally have some stability in her life. She had begun to sleep regularly, in contrast to those years of insomnia. She had begun to laugh again, after going so long without any joy in her life. Jane had finally begun to care again, which was evident to all those who knew her.

Jane was a kindergarten teacher, which was the job most suited to her personality. Jane was known as the soft-spoken teacher, young and pretty, with a spark of creativity that all of her students admired. All of the boys were madly in love with her, and all of the girls loved to talk to her. Jane could be called the perfect teacher, if that was possible.

It was Jane's turn as recess monitor that day, and that job always brought mixed emotions. On the one hand, she enjoyed watching the children play, and would often join in their games. She was the most beloved teacher there, and would always be bombarded by bouquets of wild flowers and dandelions whenever she was recess monitor. But she usually felt a pang of sadness when she watched the children play. Jane had always wanted to have children, and a large family, but after Doug's death had given up that thought for good. Sure, being a teacher always put her with children, but those children she taught. To her, there would never be any picnics at the playground or stories at home.

The rest of the day flew by for her. She read to her students one of her favorite stories, and taught them how to make snowflakes and people with joined hands. Then it was free playtime, and the kids bustled off to one of the various stations around the room to play grocery store, or dress up, or teacher, or just quiet building with their blocks. School was dismissed at precisely three o'clock, and when all of the children had grabbed their coats and left, Jane hurried down to a faculty meeting.

It was about four thirty when the meeting concluded, and Jane hurried to her car, trying to beat the rush hour traffic. However, a sight caught her eye, and she peered in the direction curiously. Now, most children didn't hang around school for all hours of the afternoon, and even the latest parents only arrived ten minutes after school let out. So Jane couldn't comprehend why the little boy was sitting beneath a tree, looking out into space. Worried, she decided to find out.

As she drew closer, she discovered him to be Matthew Bingley, a kindergarten student in Mrs. Snow's class. Jane had met him once, when Mrs. Snow had been sick and the two classes had combined. Jane knew that he came from a good background - a rich family with happy parents - and that his mother was always on time with picking him up. So what was the problem today?

"Hi Matt," Jane said sweetly, and the little boy looked up. "May I sit down next to you?"

"Um, yeah-huh," Matt replied, softly and hesitantly, a guilty look on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Jane asked, hoping that she didn't sound too forward. Matt was only five, but he had been called extremely bright and gifted by all of the teachers, and most expected him to skip a few grades shortly.

"No."

"Are you sure?" Jane pressed, and Matt shook his head. "Then why are you here so late?"

Matt just gave a little sigh and put his head on his knees. Jane just looked at him as she heard him begin to cry, and her heart melted. Wrapping her arms around the small boy, she held him for a few moments until he looked up.

"I don't want to go home," Matt whimpered. "It's too sad there."

"Why? What happened?" Jane questioned.

"My daddy is always so sad, and nothing I do makes him happy," Matt quietly muttered. "It's all because Mommy's gone."

"Did she leave you?"

"Mommy died," Matt said shortly with more tears, and Jane felt that her breath had left her. What do I say to this? .

"I'm so sorry, Matt."

"She left me and Daddy, and God gave us a baby girl instead. I would have rather had Mommy instead of the baby, but Aunt Caroline said that God does things for a reason and that I couldn't question His judgment. I think God made a mistake, leaving the baby. Daddy and I miss Mommy, and the baby doesn't help very much, since Daddy can't stand to look at her without crying or cursing." Matt added.

"Oh, G*d..." Jane uttered, covering her mouth. The poor boy...no wonder he's so upset...

"Does your father go to work?" Jane asked, and Matt shook his head.

"Daddy owns a business of his own, and my Aunt Caroline is running it while Daddy takes time off to 're-coop-and-ate'," Matt answered. "My other aunt, Louisa, usually takes care of the baby during the day."

"Who usually picks you up after school?"

"Mommy did, but now Aunt Caroline does, since she lives with us now to take care of me and the baby. She had to go to the doctor's, and told me to ride the school bus home, but I didn't want to," Matt answered. "I don't ever want to go home."

"Your father will be worried if you don't," Jane added. "I'm sure you don't want to worry him even more."

"Um, hum."

"And who will take care of your sister, and love her, and teach her things if you don't go home?" Jane asked, and Matt sighed.

"I guess I could go home ... but my Aunts and Daddy will probably be mad that I didn't ride the bus home..."

"Tell you what, Matt. I'll give you a ride home," Jane offered, and Matt just gave a small smile. "If they ask, I'll tell them that you stayed after late to play with some of the other boys."

"Really?" Matt asked, in doubt.

"Really," Jane said as she took Matt's hand and led him towards the parking lot.

"Which car is yours?" Matt asked as he skipped along happily, seeming to have forgotten his previous tears and worries.

"The silver one, right here," Jane replied, pulling out her keys and pressing the opener. Matt walked around to the passenger's seat, but hesitated for a moment at a closer look.

"It's all right, Matt. You can get in the front seat," Jane replied, gesturing at the other door. "I don't mind."

"It's a Camry," Matt said bluntly.

"Yes, and it gets very good mileage," Jane joked, knowing that the little boy probably wouldn't understand the joke.

"Mommy was hit by a Camry," Matt said blandly, and Jane nearly swallowed her tongue.

"Oh?" Jane asked dryly, and Matt nodded. "Well, I promise you that nothing will happen, and you have my word on that."

"Hmmm." Matt mumbled as he warily got into the car.

The ride to Matt's house was relatively quiet, as he sat humming to himself as he stared out of the window. Jane struggled to think of something to say, but nothing seemed appropriate and all condolences would see false and late. So Jane just sat in silence as she drove through large streets until stopping outside of a spacious, modernistic home surrounded by a rot-iron gate and scattered oak trees.

"Netherfield," Jane read, and Matt nodded his head.

"I can go open up the gate," Matt said proudly, and Jane smiled.

"It would be a great help if you did," Jane replied.

Matt quickly opened the door and skipped towards a small keypad nearby. Jane watched as he pressed in a few numbers and ran back to the car as the gate speedily opened. As soon as the small boy was safely inside of the car, Jane pulled the car into the driveway, gasping inwardly at the magnificent house she saw. Much grander than what I saw from the street, Jane thought.

"What is your father's name?" Jane asked as the two got out of the car and walked towards the front door.

"Charles," Matt said softly, and Jane nodded to herself. "Can I ring the doorbell?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ring the doorbell?" Matt repeated.

"Of course. I don't see why not; it is your house," Jane replied.

Bing, bong, bing, bong, the doorbell announced as Jane and Matt stood, Jane with a bit more decorum as she watched Matt bounce and shift his weight from one leg to the other. It seemed like forever until the door opened and an angry woman stood in the doorway. She had her hair pulled back into a tight, dark brown bun, with a pair of sunglasses perched on her head. Jane noticed that she wore some type of designer dress, and the woman kept clicking her manicured nails against the door as she peered at the two with pursed lips.

"Matt, dearest, we were wondering where you were," the woman said with no emotion.

"Please forgive his tardiness, but he was playing kickball with some of the boys in the school playground, and they completely lost track of the time. I offered to take Matt home, and I did not think it was so late or I would have had Matt call you, Miss..."

"Caroline Bingley," the woman replied before turning towards the young boy. "Come along, Matt. Your father has been worried about you."
Matt nodded his head before throwing Jane a look.

"Miss Bingley, I was wondering if I could speak with your brother about Matt," Jane asked, and Caroline raised her eyebrows at the woman. "It would not take long." Jane quickly added, and Caroline sighed irately.

"I will see if he is available. Follow me." With that, Jane followed the tall prune into the most gorgeous house she had ever seen. It had obviously been decorated by someone with great taste and a lot of money, which Jane assumed would equal an interior decorator. Jane admired the paintings on the wall with a sense of awe while, in front of her, Caroline Bingley watched her with hawk eyes.

She either wants to rob us cold or find some way to weasel herself into this picture. I wonder what this 'harmless little chat' will be all about, or is she trying to pawn herself off on my heartbroken brother?

"This is a very lovely house," Jane said, speaking up.

"Yes. My brother's late wife had a very good eye for color," Caroline said snottily. "Matt, why don't you run upstairs and get ready for dinner? We're having guests tonight, so you'll have to look your best."

"Yes, Aunt Caroline," Matt said glumly, giving Caroline a quick peck on the cheek before running up one of the magnificent staircases and disappearing from view.

Caroline stood in front of a large door and knocked a few times. Jane could hear a muffled voice come from inside of the room, and she watched nervously as Caroline stuck her head in and whispered a few inaudible words. After what seemed like ages in this strange house, Caroline pulled her head out and looked at Jane.

"He's quite busy, but since you're a teacher at Matt's school he can squeeze you in quickly," Caroline replied, standing there expecting praise as if she had just allowed Jane to live.

"Thank you, Miss Bingley," Jane replied as Caroline twirled on one of her expensive high heels and thumped away. Jane just cautiously stepped into the room and walked slowly towards the figure seated at the mahogany desk.

"Mr. Bingley, I presume?" Jane asked and the figure looked up. Jane found herself looking into the deep, sparkling blue eyes of one of the most handsome men that she had ever seen, and found her knees starting to buckle. Deep breaths, Jane. It will do you no good to hit on a man who has recently been widowed. "I'm Jane Williams, one of the kindergarten teachers at Matt's school."

"Yes, I believe I've heard of you. You were a substitute for his class once, and Matt was raving about how you taught them to make paper snowflakes," Charles replied softly.

"He really did enjoy that activity," Jane added, and Charles gave her a small smile.

"As we have proof." Charles gestured towards one of his walls, where a few dozen brightly colored snowflakes decorated every remaining inch of the pale blue walls. "But I believe there was another motive for this conversation, rather than my son's snowflake talents."

"I'm worried about Matt. I've noticed that he's withdrawn from some of the games at school lately that he used to enjoy with the other boys," Jane said, trying to open up the topic as best she could.

"It cannot be too terrible, for I understand from my sister that he was playing kickball with some of the boys this afternoon at school," Charles replied. "Not to say that we weren't worried about Matt, since he was supposed to be home at three. It was quite a surprise when I arrived home to hear from the housekeeper that Matt had not arrived home, and...."

"Mr. Bingley, Matt was not at a kickball game," Jane admitted, and Charles' eyes became large and confused. "He did not want to go home. I found him under a tree as I was leaving the school this afternoon."

"He ... what?" Charles asked, stunned. "Why wouldn't he want to come home?"

"You see, from what I understand, your son is very upset over the loss of his mother and the way his life has been rearranged," Jane began, and Charles nodded.

"Yes, his life has been turned upside down, but all of ours has."

"He ... he doesn't feel like anyone cares for him, or his sister, anymore, since he is always being shuffled around between aunts. I don't believe he fully understand what happened to his mother, and, though he is a bit young, it may be for the best if you explained all of this to him," Jane added, and Charles laughed.

"Matt is fine not knowing, Miss Williams. When he is a bit older and matured, I will explain the details of his mother's death to him. But not now," Charles said firmly, and Jane nodded.

"I understand your concern, Mr. Bingley, but this is tearing him up inside. It's not just his mother's passing that upsets him. Matt is genuinely worried about you and about how you've changed in his eyes," Jane said. "He finds you quite different..."

"Miss Williams, none of this has been easy on either my son or myself, but I can assure you that we have a very good relationship. We do not need anyone meddling in our affairs; we have enough people doing that already. My son and I will get through this as best we can; as best as anyone can," Charles said angrily.

"Mr. Bingley, I understand what you're going through. I lost my husband some time ago, and I realize that this is not easy for you. I thank you for allowing me to speak with you about Matt," Jane said, with a small smile. "If you ever want to talk, I'd be willing to listen, just as a friend." With that, Jane handed Charles her business card, and walked towards the door.

"Miss Williams?" Jane turned to look at Charles. "I...I'm sorry if I appeared to be rude during this conversation."

"I thought nothing of it. This has been very hard on you, and you needn't apologize," Jane replied, and Charles just gave her a blank stare.

"You ... you've been through this yourself?" he asked, and Jane nodded. "You...you must understand what this is like for Matt and myself."

"I do."

"Miss Williams, I ... would you like to grab a cup of coffee one day, to talk?" Charles asked timidly, and Jane nodded with a large smile.

"That would be fine."

"How about tomorrow, around four. Here's the address of a café nearby," Charles said, scribbling an address on a piece of paper and handing it to Jane. "We can talk for a bit, just as friends."

"Fine," Jane said as she let herself out of the study and out of the house, oblivious to the glares that Caroline Bingley kept shooting at her.

Jane felt happy as she walked to her car that afternoon, knowing that she would be helping out Matt by helping his father cope with the loss. Jane remembered how detached she had become after Doug's death, and knew that Mr. Bingley needed someone to talk to that knew what he was feeling. G*d, what Jane wouldn't have given to have had someone like that during her darkest hours, and she knew that Mr. Bingley needed to let his feeling out. Inside the grand house, Charles was already feeling a lot better after that small conversation, and was, deep down, looking forward to the next day's meeting.

Chapter 7

Posted on Saturday, 6 April 2002

"I thought that bratty meddler would never leave," Caroline puffed as she collapsed onto one of the large white leather couches that the Bingley mansion had to offer. This one, however, was located in the large family room near the front of the house, where Charles, Louisa and Mark Hurst were currently gathered.

Louisa (nee Bingley) Hurst was an average height woman with dirty blonde hair and a face that reminded a person of a muskrat. She was not the brightest woman, nor the cleverest, yet she was not the silliest out there (that title belonged to Lydia Bennet), but she was considered very pretty (for a married woman). Being not much older than Caroline, the two were constant confidants and best friends, despite being the closest of sisters. In fact, Louisa was Caroline's most active supporter of the 'We-Must-Have-Caroline-Marry-William-Darcy-Club' (not that there is actually a club, but I'm sure if Caroline had the chance, she would start one).

The greatest mystery in Louisa's life was how she persuaded someone like Mark Hurst to marry her. Mark Hurst was a clean-cut intellectual - a renowned professor at the local university, known for his great mind and his wonderful teaching skills. Students fought each other each year for a seat in one of his few classes, while other universities fought each year to try and persuade him to join their staff. If it wasn't for Louisa and her 'I-have-to-be-by-my-sister-'cause-I'm-almost-her-shadow' whine, Mark would have taken a job long ago at another university.

"The people they allow to be teachers," Louisa stated, shaking her head. Caroline nodded furiously to show that she agreed with her sister, while Charles and Mark just gave Louisa a wide-eyed, confused stare, waiting for her to finish her sentence while wondering if she knew how stupid she sounded.

"I think they're far too picky with who they allow to be teachers," Mark stated. "That's why there's a shortage of them."

"Quite right, Mark," Charles agreed. Louisa and Caroline just exclaimed a look.

"You need not worry about teachers, Mark. You're a professor, and a very prominent one at that, with a wonderful reputation and a large salary. That woman was just a measly kindergarten teacher, which means she is not only poor, but is not smart enough to teach children anything besides finger-painting and block-building," Caroline said slowly, while Mark resisted the urge to slap his sister-in-law. Caroline could always make anyone feel as if they were four years old.

"In my mind, there is no great difference," Mark retorted. "I teach, she teaches, and all other teachers and professors teach. All teachers are important, for each teaches something substantial to the lives of his students."

"Professors profess, dear," Louisa corrected as Charles snorted out a laugh. Mark just looked blankly at his wife.

"Yes, dearest," Mark said before taking a sip of his soda. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Caroline groaned.

"I hope it isn't that snit coming back for another go at Charles," Caroline moaned, inflamed with anger. "I'd like to slap that ... girl to put her in her place. What right does she think she has to barge in and meddle in the life of my newly widowed brother."

"Caroline," Charles said in a warning tone as his sister huffed out of the room like a four-year-old who didn't get her Barbie doll for Christmas.

"Really, Charles. One day you'll thank her for everything that she does for you," Louisa said as she placed her hand on her brother's shoulder.

Caroline reached the door and flung it open with all of her might, ready to scream our insults at the first available moment. However, it was lucky for her that she showed a bit of restraint because standing at the door was William and Georgiana Darcy. Both of them had somewhat surprised looks on their faces, because in all of the years they had known Caroline, she had been nothing except prim, proper, and the biggest gossip. Caroline was always dignified whenever she was around William, and the two didn't know what to think.

"William, darling, and dear Georgiana!" Caroline exclaimed with a wide smile on her face as she returned to her normal, stately manner. She bent over to give Georgiana a quick hug before placing a lingering kiss on William's cheek. "It is wonderful to see you again. I am surprised to see you, but I suppose I have only lost track of the time."

"It's good to see you again, too," Georgiana said softly yet cheerfully.

"It feels as if it has been ages since I last saw you both, when it was only last weekend we were dining at La Calle! I have missed you both so," Caroline added.

"Yes, Caroline, it does," William replied as Georgiana just gave a shy blush.

"Come in, come in. Dinner is almost ready, and I know that you both must be famished!" Caroline added, as she surprised William by grabbing his arm and pulling him into the house. Georgiana just tagged behind her brother and gave him the occasional glance of pity and sympathy, all the time laughing inside of her head.

"William, I really wish you would allow Georgiana to come to the Club every now and then," Caroline said in a huff at the dinner table, where the entire group was seated. "Why, Maggie Monroe was just telling me how much she's missed seeing Georgie, and you, and I know that the feeling is mutual with many of the other families."

"Georgiana and I have both been busy," William murmured through a mouthful of salad.

"That is no excuse! Georgiana has not been going to school lately, so how is she to meet any proper young men? There are quite a few that I think would make an excellent match for our dear Georgie," Caroline stated while Georgiana just looked at William with wide, fearful eyes. "Let us think. There is Daniel Paterson, the judge's son, and Thomas Brewer, whose father is very prominent at that insurance company."

"Don't forget Mr. Worthing's son, Jack," Louisa added, and Caroline nodded.

"Yes, his father is very well-off as well," Caroline replied.

"It is very nice of you to care so much for Georgiana, but you must remember that she is only sixteen," William said. "I don't plan on her marrying, or dating, for at least six years." With that, Caroline began to laugh while Georgiana gave her brother a small shove.

"What do you mean I can't date for six years?" Georgiana teased as her brother gave her a one-armed hug.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean that, Georgiana," Louisa said sympathetically, not getting the hint that both the brother and sister were only teasing.

"But really, what are you doing tomorrow, Georgiana? Perhaps you can drop by for the afternoon," Caroline asked, peering at Georgiana with a demanding glance. "We could play a match of tennis, or a short round of golf, or lounge around the pool."

"I ... I have to work on my studies, and ... " Georgiana stammered, trying to think of some excuse to miss the afternoon at the Club while shooting glances at her brother for help.

"How can you spend all of your time studying when you aren't even at school?" Caroline exclaimed with a smirk to her sister. "Really, you and your brother will just have to cancel all of your other engagements for the afternoon and spend some time with the old crowd again. That should be no problem, correct? William, you're due for a sick day. After all, it is your company."

"I'm not sure if I'm able to take off tomorrow. I have some, uh, other engagements to attend to," William said with a few indiscreet coughs.

"Like what? What is more important than your friends?" Caroline asked, slightly irritated.

"William's going on a date," Georgiana said slyly, raising her eyebrows, and William kicked her from under the table. Georgiana just gave him a shy, sweet smile in return, happy to get a bit of revenge, and to get the subject off of her.

"A DATE?" Caroline and Louisa both exclaimed at once with wide eyes, before realizing their error.

"A ... a date, William?" Louisa replied, maintaining her composure and calmness. "With whom? Do we know her?"

"Just a young lady I've met. We're going out to lunch tomorrow," William replied as he (literally) shot daggers from his eyes at Georgiana.

"It doesn't sound as if you know much about her," Louisa said primly. "Relationships should be based on close intimacies."

"I met her at the hospital while I was there," William hesitantly stated, knowing what the reaction would be. "She's a nurse, and I promised her I would take her out to lunch." There, he thought. If they find any fault with that answer, then ...

"Oh, if its only lunch," Louisa said with a laugh. "You had us worried. For a moment, that you were actually going to date a (snicker) nurse." William just bit his lip.

"As far as I know at the present moment, we are just going out for lunch," William replied. And that is the truth. However, I don't think I'd be very disappointed if I did start to date her ... Elizabeth does have the prettiest eyes, and the most beautiful laugh ...

"Well, you should have seen the young lady who stopped by this afternoon, wanting to speak with Charles," Caroline said, giving Louisa a look. "Some petty gold-digging teacher, obviously after Charles' money." William just smiled. If that's true, I bet she wasn't half the gold-digger that you are.

"I thought she was quite nice," Charles argued, and Caroline just laughed.

"Poor Charles. Of course you would think that, being in mourning. But you should have seen her clothes, and her hair, Louisa! She looked almost wild, and was certainly anything from dignified and well bred. She was most definitely not the type of person we would associate with on an intimate, or regular, basis," Caroline replied with a smirk.

"As a matter of fact, Caroline, I am having coffee with her tomorrow afternoon," Charles said, somewhat agitated at his sister. "I suppose you could call that a 'regular association'." William smiled at his friend, happy that he was starting to take over his life again while wondering if it was indeed too soon for him to start dating again. After all, it hasn't even been a month since Emily died.

"Her claws have already sunk in," Caroline whispered mysteriously before taking a bite of her salad. "Really, William. You must help me talk Charles out of this 'meeting' tomorrow. Emily would be rolling over in her grave if she knew Charles was dating only three weeks after her death."

"I am not dating, Caroline. Miss Williams confessed to me that she has experienced the loss of her husband, and I think it would be beneficial to speak with someone else who has gone through the loss of a loved one," Charles disputed, and then smiled. "It's almost like free counseling."

"Call it whatever you like, Charles, but I doubt that Miss Williams is doing this out of the 'goodness of her heart'," Caroline grimaced. "She has some ulterior motives up her sleeves - most women usually do."

"And what would your 'ulterior motives' be, Caroline?" William asked as Georgiana stuffed her napkin over her mouth to muffle her laugh. "But, seriously Charles, don't you think it is a bit soon for you to be, um, meeting with other, single women?"

"Don't worry, Will. I know that you are just concerned for my well being, but you and Caroline are jumping to conclusions. All I am going to do is have a cup of coffee with Miss William and have a chat with her about losing my wife while she talks about losing her husband. It's going to be such a morose conversation that I doubt I will fall in love with her," Charles said with a laugh. "I don't think I can ever fall in love with anyone after Emily."

The group was silent for a few moments after Charles' remark, wondering if and how they could ever respond to one so ... sad and distressing. Well, all except for Matt, who kept banging his spoon against his dinner plate while he hummed to himself. It was at that moment that, almost on cue, little Emily cried from her crib upstairs (no, her lungs weren't that big - the baby monitor was nearby).

Charles just looked down at his plate, not even acknowledging that his daughter, his blood, was crying. Charles made no move to run upstairs and comfort her, to sing to her, to just be by her. William looked at his friend with sad eyes, praying that he would never have to live through what Charles was, and wishing that everything would work out okay for Charles. That one day he would be happy to be blessed with a daughter. That he would realize it was not her fault that Emily had died, but a miracle that she had actually survived the crash that had killed her namesake mother. A blessing in disguise.

"It sounds like Emily is crying yet again," Caroline said, annoyed. "I'll go tend to her."

"Can ... can I?" Georgiana asked timidly, and Caroline stopped in her tracks.

"Yes, dearest, you may. I believe you know what room she is in," Caroline replied, sitting back down in her chair. Georgiana just ran upstairs.

It was sometime after dinner that Charles and William were out on the back deck, gazing at the shimmering lights of the houses and the faint flickers of the stars in the sky.

"Do ... do you think Emily's up there?" Charles asked, pointing to the sky.

"There's no doubt in my mind," William replied. "What about yours?"

"No ... there is none. I've just been wondering what to tell Matt," Charles said quickly. "In all of the romantic, sappy movies, the remaining father always does the 'Your mother is looking down at you from heaven' line. I was going to tell Matt that, but I'm afraid that he wouldn't believe me."

"I don't think anyone really realizes how hard this has been on you, Charles," William replied after a pause. "But I don't think you realize how hard this has been on Emily and Matt."

"Their mother died. I think most people can understand that," Charles said dryly.

"That wasn't the only change in their family. Their father, for one thing, hasn't been the same since," William hesitantly said, hoping that he didn't start World War III with his best friend. "You have to admit that you and Matt haven't been as close since the accident."

"Funny. That was exactly what Miss Williams came to talk to me this afternoon about. Matt was crying under a tree at his school, all because he was worried about me," Charles said with a forced laugh. "It's heartwarming, yet saddening to think about how much I've hurt Matt. I never meant to."

"Not to mention how you've acted towards Emily. You don't even acknowledge that you have a daughter," William pointed out, and Charles just glared at him.

"I do too," Charles retorted while William laughed.

"You never take care of your daughter. You've been home for the past two weeks, taking time off since the loss of your wife, yet you still have your sisters taking care of your daughter. I doubt that you've held Emily since you've brought her home. Emily must be rolling over in her grave right now, watching how you treat your daughter," William spat, happy to finally say what was on his mind.

"I take care of my children," Charles replied through clenched teeth.

"You need to stop blaming Emily for the death of her mother, because it wasn't her fault! You should be thanking the Lord that both of them didn't die in that crash. That God granted that one of them survived. Emily didn't cause the death of her mother, and you need to accept that," William said angrily.

"I know she didn't. I did," Charles replied quietly, closing his eyes and clenching his fists.

"What?" William asked in shock as he took a step back.

"Emily was supposed to come home early that day," Charles said softly. "She wanted to help us unpack early, so that we could go out to eat that evening. I ... I persuaded her to stay at work. I told her to come home when she was done, and that I would take care of all the unpacking that afternoon. Emily didn't want to, but I persuaded her to, and now look what happened." By that time, Charles had tears falling down his cheeks and was on the verge of collapsing. William just placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Charles ... " William muttered.

"Just five minutes sooner and she would be here," Charles murmured. "Why didn't I let her come home when she called?"

"The world works in mysterious ways," William replied. "Maybe there is someone else waiting for you out there, a different fate that lies in your stars."

"There will never been anyone for me but Emily," Charles said through his clenched teeth. "Never. I owe it to her, and to Matt and Emily."

"I know," William replied as he put his arm around his friend.

Yet you never know. William thought to himself. You never know.

Chapter 8

Posted on Monday, 2 September 2002

Meanwhile, at the Bennet household...

Ding-Dong. Ding-Dong. The echo of the doorbell filled the Bennet's simple two-story home, although none of its residents made any move to open the door. Lydia and Kitty were busy watching MTV and whispering about boys, Mary was 'attempting' to play Beethoven on the piano, and Jane was occupied with trying to comfort their Aunt Phillips over the phone that Mr. Bennet was not to be executed by firing range in the morning...or ever. Mrs. Bennet, who was flopped into her favorite comfy chair near her youngest daughters while working on finishing off a box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, kept looking at her youngest daughters in hopes that she could will them to open the door. After a few angry moments and a stark realization, she realized that she herself would have to get the door, and walked in a huff to answer it.

"Elizabeth!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, putting on a happy face as she greeted her niece.

Normally, she would not be so excited to see Elizabeth. To Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth was a lost cause - a twenty-five year old girl who had never once been married, and didn't even have a secure boyfriend. It almost made Mrs. Bennet laugh every time she saw her niece, to think that she had chosen brains over marriage. Why, she had married straight at eighteen, and had immediately given her husband four daughters, some beautiful and some...disappointing. To look at Elizabeth and realize that she had done neither in her lifetime made Mrs. Bennet worry that her niece may become an old maid. And that was something that she would not have in her family.

"Aunt Bennet," Elizabeth replied, giving her a kiss before thrusting a pie at her. "My parents were detained tonight, so they will not be joining us for dinner, but Mom made a pie and sent her regards."

"Oh, how dreadful!" Mrs. Bennet wailed. "Although, I don't suppose I blame them. No one wishes to see me anymore, not after this dreadful accident." With that, she turned on her heel, the pie wobbling in her left hand as she used her right one to wipe the nonexistent tears from her eyes.

"And how is Uncle Bennet?" Elizabeth inquired, following her aunt into their kitchen.

"Do not speak of him in this house!" Mrs. Bennet ordered in a raised tone. "I do not wish to speak of that man tonight, not when he has caused our family so much pain and...and...censure!"

"I am sorry, Aunt," was all that Elizabeth said in reply.

"Mom, stop yelling! I can't hear what Carson Daly is saying!" Lydia yelled from the family room.

"Sorry, sweetheart! I'll try and be quieter," Mrs. Bennet replied to her favorite daughter, only to begin sniffling once more. "That's all I do. I make everyone else happy, yet no one cares a stick for me..."

"Mom..." Jane said, coming into the kitchen and putting down the phone. "You know that is not true. We all care for you..."

"No, that is not true, Jane!" Mrs. Bennet retorted sadly. "Just look at you, busily trying to calm down your Aunt Phillips, when I'm worried out of my mind with no one to comfort me."

"Now, Mom, Aunt Phillips is generally worried about you..."

"No she isn't!" Mrs. Bennet bitterly spat. "She's only worried about herself, and what it will be like to have a criminal in the family." With this, Mrs. Bennet covered her eyes and tried to cry out tears, while Jane and Elizabeth just exchanged glances.

"Mom, I just finished setting dinner out on the table. Why don't we eat?" Jane offered, clasping her mother's hand. "I'm sure it will make you feel better."

"I suppose..." Mrs. Bennet sniffed, raising her head to look at Jane. "You are such a good daughter to worry about me so. But I doubt anything can make me feel better at this moment."

"Come on," Jane replied, leading her mother into the dining room, leaving Elizabeth the dirty job of dragging her younger cousins away from the television. With a deep breath of courage, Elizabeth defiantly walked into the family room and turned of the television.

"Hey!" Lydia said angrily, reaching for the remote, only to realize bitterly that her cousin already had it in her left hand. "We were watching that!"

"It's dinner time," Elizabeth said blandly.

"But ... but ... it's Carson Daly!" Lydia moaned.

"You can watch Carson later."

"Come on, Elizabeth. They were just getting to number two!" Kitty whined.

"You can watch it later. Besides, now you'll be in suspense," Elizabeth said dramatically, walking back into the kitchen and secretly hiding the remote in a towel drawer. "Kitty! Lydia!"

Finally, Kitty and Lydia sulked into the kitchen, giving their cousin a hard death stare. Elizabeth had to be thankful that no one had the power to shot fire from their eyes, or Elizabeth would have been incinerated about a hundred times by then.

"You used to be nicer," Lydia stated as she stood next to Elizabeth, grabbing a plate of potatoes to bring into the dining room.

"Do this for your mother. She's in a bad mood," Elizabeth whispered to her youngest cousin, grabbing a few serving spoons and walking into the dining room with her cousins in tow.

"Where's Mary?" Kitty immediately asked upon taking her seat at the table.

"She said that she wasn't hungry," Jane replied, putting a piece of salmon on her sister's plate. "Would you like lemon with that?"

"If I had to give up Carson, she has to give up that stupid piano," Lydia spat sulkily.

"Yeah," Kitty chimed in, both agreeing with Lydia and Jane's question.

"Yes, but....Mary hasn't been in the best of spirits lately. She's been quite worried about Dad, and I think it would be best if she weren't forced...." Jane commented, hoping that her younger sisters would get the hint and leave Mary alone. They didn't.

"Mom!" Lydia said in outrage. "I'm missing Carson for this! Make Mary come down!"

"Of course, pumpkin," Mrs. Bennet said soothingly.

"But..." Elizabeth stammered, not sure of how to interfere for the better in this situation. Besides, her aunt could be quite determined when she put her mind to it.

"Don't worry - I'll get her down," Mrs. Bennet replied determinedly.

"Mama, I don't think that's necessary..." Jane began, but Mrs. Bennet didn't listen to her daughter's pleas.

"Mary, get off that confounded piano. It's time for dinner!" Mrs. Bennet shouted up the stairs to the recluse Bennet. The piano playing continued, causing Mrs. Bennet to grow quite irritated. "MARY!"

"I'm not hungry, Mother," Mary shouted back, continuing to clang on the piano.

"Mary, get down here!" Mrs. Bennet shouted once more, yet the piano continued to play.

"I'm not hungry, Mother," Mary repeated. Being defied once could be overlooked, but Mrs. Bennet grew upset at the fact that her daughter would disrespect her orders twice in a row. All four girls around the table knew that Mary had pushed her mother to the limit.

"Stop that infernal racket right this minute and get in here, Mary, or there will be hell to pay!" Mrs. Bennet shouted angrily at the top of her lungs. The piano playing instantly stopped, and minutes later Mary crept into the dining room looking like a wounded dog.

"Sorry, Mother," Mary apologized softly, sliding into her seat and trying to make as little noise as possible.

"That's better. We must stick together as a family during our troubled times, which means no exceptions. Your sisters did not think twice about making sacrifices to have a nice dinner as a family, which means that you should not have had any either," Mrs. Bennet replied, still fuming at her daughter's disobedience. Mary just moved her gaze down to her plate, not once looking up to meet her mother's eyes.

"Mom, I don't think that Mary purposefully meant to be disrespectful," Jane replied softly, and her mother gave her a sympathetic look.

"My dearest Jane, you are too good to care so for your sisters. Still, it seems as if no one wishes to be seen with me. First your aunt Phillips calls and cancels, then your aunt and uncle Gardiner could not attend (mind you, they were obviously busy), and now Mary has the nerve to refuse to eat dinner with her mother and sisters. I ask you, what is the world coming to?" Mrs. Bennet asked before shoveling a mouthful of salmon into her mouth. "Honestly."

"My parents do send their apologizes," Elizabeth said. "They really didn't mean to miss tonight's dinner."

"It is all right, my dear niece. Will they still be able to come over tomorrow night?" Mrs. Bennet inquired, shoveling more food into her mouth.

"I ... don't believe so," Elizabeth confessed, and Mrs. Bennet smacked down her fork angrily.

"How terrible that my own brother should shun me. And I had so looked forward to speaking with them," Mrs. Bennet sulked. "Very well."

"My mother mentioned that she may be able to stop by after work next week," Elizabeth added, which Mrs. Bennet blatantly ignored.

"Lydia, you must come over tomorrow evening to spend some time with your poor mother. One night a week is hardly enough to call spending time with your mother," Mrs. Bennet said to her favorite daughter.

"Mom, I am busy," Lydia replied snottily.

"I know that you are busy with your classes, but some sacrifices must be made in our time of need," Mrs. Bennet said soothingly. "Could you not take tomorrow afternoon off, and skip your class? I'm sure they would not miss you in..."

"Chemistry, mom," Lydia replied, stabbing the carrots on her plate angrily as she thought of spending another night with her mother. "And they would."

"Of course they would, Lydia. Especially since you're failing it," Kitty replied mockingly while Lydia threw down her fork and gave her sister a death glare.

"Shut up, Kitty! You're just jealous that Denny asked me out on a date tomorrow night and not you!" Lydia retorted, while Kitty gave an amused laugh.

"Like I would ever want to date that slob!" Kitty yelled back.

"You take that back!" Lydia shouted.

"Make me!" Kitty taunted, and for a minute, it seemed as if Lydia would. However, Mrs. Bennet had enough sense to intervene between her daughters, perhaps before any real bloodshed could result from her youngest daughters' quarrel.

"Girls, please!" Mrs. Bennet pleaded in a pathetic tone. "Have you no compassion on my nerves? I am so frail these days, and yet no one cares for me in my distressed state. "What if I were to be taken up in a sudden fit tomorrow and die? I believe no one would miss me for weeks." Elizabeth could see that it was a guilt trap, and said nothing as the youngest Bennets looked guiltily at each other.

"Sorry, mom," Lydia said in a small voice.

"Sorry," Kitty echoed.

"That is better," Mrs. Bennet clucked. "Really, to have such savages as daughters. Well, Lydia, I hope you enjoy your date tomorrow while your poor mother is home alone. Just be sure to call me on Saturday and tell me how your date with this Denny fellow was."

"Mom, if you are in such a dreadful state, I could stay home from my reading group tomorrow, although I am very anxious to discuss Jane Austen this week. I was reading the most fascinating passage in Emma yesterday..." Mary offered, while her mother looked at her as if she had sprouted two heads.

"You should be off trying to meet men, Mary, rather than wasting your time at those book clubs. Look at you! You're twenty-two, and you must admit that you are not the prettiest girl in this fair state, which means that you must work extra hard to secure a man," Mrs. Bennet replied, and Elizabeth was almost shocked at the way her aunt was treating Mary. Not that it was a new thing, but Mrs. Bennet was not usually this cruel to the daughter everyone knew was far from being her favorite.

"Mama..." Mary stammered, her voice quavering on the verge of tears.

"What will happen if your father goes off to jail? With the mortgage not yet paid, we will be turned out by the banks, and how will you get a man then?" Mrs. Bennet clucked angrily.

"I am sure that Mary will have no trouble finding true love, but you must be patient, Aunt. These things do not happen overnight," Elizabeth said softly. Mary threw her cousin a grateful smile, and Mrs. Bennet gave a small sigh.

"I suppose. But how are you to find any such men when you will not go out looking for one?" Mrs. Bennet asked, and Mary blushed.

"Well, there is this nice man at my reading group. He went to Brown, Mother, and he is so fascinating to listen to, especially when he speaks of the great poets," Mary replied softly, her face growing ever so red.

"Oooh, a poet," Lydia teased while Kitty giggled into her napkin. Elizabeth shot them both a look, which silenced them for a few moments.

"I think he sounds lovely, Mary," Jane replied, giving her sister a smile, while Mrs. Bennet just laughed.

"He reads poetry?" Mrs. Bennet asked in wonderment. "Well, I suppose he'll have to do. He's all we've got to work with at the moment."

"What about Jane's mysterious man? Now, he sounds like a handsome gentleman," Lydia replied, raising an eyebrow, as Jane looked at her sister in horror.

"Who?" Mrs. Bennet asked, in shock. "Who is Jane's mysterious man?"

"The man Jane is going on a date with tomorrow evening," Lydia replied in a sing-song voice, giving Jane a fake smile. "She won't tell us anything about him."

"You are going on a date tomorrow? Why was I not told of this?" Mrs. Bennet asked in annoyance, and Jane shook her head.

"It is only a meeting for coffee tomorrow afternoon, Mom. Nothing serious," Jane corrected while her mother cooed. "We are only having the meeting to talk about his son, who seems to be having some problems."

"Is the man single?" Mrs. Bennet questioned anxiously, and Jane warily nodded.

"Yes, he is single," Jane replied hesitantly. "But, he is a recent widow by only a few weeks, which is way too soon for anyone to be thinking of love again..."

"My dear, anything is possible, especially if you look radiant tomorrow. Oh, we must decide what you will wear," Mrs. Bennet said happily, clapping her hands in delight. "What about your new blue shirt?"

"Mama, really! I will not get caught up in your silliness. It is only one small discussion, and then I doubt I will ever see the man again," Jane said forcefully, which caused her mother to back down a bit, before turning her attention to her single niece.

"And what about you, Elizabeth? Are you still not seeing anyone?" Mrs. Bennet asked her curiously, while Elizabeth tried to think of what to say.

"No, I am not really seeing anyone..." Elizabeth lied, never once looking up from her plate.

"What about that man who called this afternoon?" Lydia questioned with an innocent look on her face. Elizabeth gave her cousin a hard kick under the table, but this did no good to make Mrs. Bennet forget what she had just heard.

"What man? Who called?" Mrs. Bennet asked in a frenzy. "Are you seeing someone? Really, first I do not know anything about Jane and her date, and now you! Honestly, why is everyone keeping secrets from me? Does no one have any compassion on my feelings? On my nerves?"

"I'm only going to lunch with a former patient of mine, Aunt," Elizabeth confessed, still not telling the whole truth. "It is a long story, but I promised I would buy him dinner some time, and that time turns out to be tomorrow at noon. How Lydia found out about it still baffles me."

"I'm a master at eavesdropping," Lydia replied sweetly.

"Oh, this is wonderful, Elizabeth! Now, you must be on your best behavior if you want this man to fall in love with you. You must work hard if you want him to propose," Mrs. Bennet said, waving her knife in the air. "Oh, there is hope for you still, Elizabeth! This may be your last chance to find love before you're an old maid."

"Mom, there are no such things as 'old maids' anymore," Lydia said, glaring at her mother. "Honestly, it's like you live in the 18th century."

"I bet you'll be an old maid, Lydia. Especially once Denny realizes what a jerk you are and dumps you," Kitty replied bitterly, causing Lydia to slam down her fork.

"I knew it! You are jealous!" Lydia screeched loudly.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

Jane and Elizabeth just rolled their eyes, knowing that this would be one long evening.

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