Beginning, Previous Section, Section III
Jump to new as of March 24, 2001
Jump to new as of April 1, 2001
Jump to new as of April 10, 2001
William
"June 25th..." I circled the date on the calendar. "Why does that sound so familiar?"
"It's ten months since the day Jane and I met face-to-face," Charlie replied wistfully.
Ten months since the whole catastrophe had begun to build up. Great! I rolled my eyes. Did I sound like Charlie when I had gone out with Jane? Worse, my inner voice so nicely mentioned to my denying heart. What sort of vegetable would that make me? Probably lettuce. I was simply there, existing without any true purpose. Yes, Jane. No, Jane. You're perfect, Jane. If she wasn't the benevolent being she was, she could've chewed me up and spit me out. Without getting the least bit of nutritional value either! Which really sucks as lettuce compliments so many things...
"...worried about it being too soon, but who needs to wait when you're in love? When you know the time is right, you get marry! That very second if it's possible!" If I were talking to Charlie in person, I might've been afraid a vein in his head would burst due to his exuberance. Instead, I patiently waited for the sound of his brain hitting the receiver... Do be do be do... I guess it wasn't going to happen.
"What you're trying to say is she's holding out and you just can't wait, right?"
"Uh...no, of course not."
"Good for her!"
"Whose side are you on, anyway?"
"I'm like a diamond in the ruff, Charlie." Hey, if I wasn't in love, I wasn't a vegetable, right? "You know, those rare blue ones which are hard to find and are very expensive."
"What's your point, Will?"
"I'm the odd man out, Charlie. I don't think a relationship has to be based on physical attraction and lust."
"And it's not!"
"Of course, it isn't," I replied, the sarcasm barely prevalent in my voice. "But you're pretty eager to get married, aren't you?"
"If I wanted to get into this argument, I would be talking to my significant other right now."
"Aren't I your significant other, honey?"
"I thought we already discussed this, Will!" he cried good-naturedly.
I laughed in response.
"Look, Jane was a bit reluctant about having the wedding so soon, but really, if we're ready, why not?"
"Charles... If you want to make this special for her, then you should be willing to compromise. Wait till she's ready. It could be August 25th, a year since you both met. C'mon, stop thinking about what you want. It's about Jane, isn't it?"
I could hear him groan on the other line. "I'm going to be waiting for the day when you screw up, Will. I'll be waiting..."
"I'm sure you will be, Charles. I'm sure you will be."
Jane
"You're not disappointed at all?"
"Why should I be?"
I looked at Lisa. She didn't seem particularly depressed, but there was something... I knew I shouldn't bring it up, but I couldn't help it. "If it isn't Richard, then is it Charles?"
"Charles!"
I guess not. "I'm sorry, Lisa, but I thought maybe you still..."
"No, Jane," she replied, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "Good grief, I thought we got past this a long time ago."
"Well, if it isn't Charles and it isn't Richard, then what is it?" I threw my hands up in exasperation.
"Why does it always have to be about men?"
"It doesn't always have to be about men, Elizabeth. Now, gorgeous men, that's another thing!"
"You can say that again!"
"So, are you going to tell me."
"No."
"No?"
"It's my deep dark secret, Jane."
"And even I can't know?"
"And even you can't know."
"Does anyone know?"
"When are you going to move your things from Seattle?"
I give up! "I don't know. When I need them."
"August 25th."
"Yes, August 25th. How am I going to forget?"
Elizabeth
The docks looked eerie with the morning fog rolling along its wooden planks and the boats rocking soundlessly in the sea. My own footsteps echoed in my ears as I peered through the mist. I could barely read the faded signs or understand them. I shook my head. This had been a bad idea... Gripping the picnic basket, I looked at the gray clouds. I was getting nowhere. I turned around.
Bam! I fell back as I hit a brick wall, or what felt like one anyway. Strong arms reached out to take a hold of me before I fell to the floor. Looking up, I encountered those haunting dark eyes. Figures I would make a fool out of myself in front of William Darcy.
"Hey pretty, are you okay?"
I nodded numbly. Before I could stop myself, I reached out to touch the faded baseball cap on top of his head. He rolled his eyes up to discern the object of my fascination.
"I know. I'm a traitor but who doesn't like the Yankees?"
I laughed nervously. "We have a pretty good team here, too, you know."
"I don't think you came out here to discuss baseball."
"Maybe I did," I replied saucily as I followed him down the docks, momentarily lapsing in memory. I turned to see the basket I had carried moments before gone. I looked around and turned myself full circle before I saw it swinging with William's light steps. I ran after him.
"Didn't you tell me it's tradition?"
"What's tradition?" he replied, glancing at me.
I inhaled sharply. I just wanted to grab him by the ears and kiss him! But seeing as we had a falling out which I couldn't even begin to comprehend, I didn't want to seem too rash. It would be best if I had pretended nothing happened at all. Wouldn't it?
"To go sailing on your birthday."
He stopped and smiled. Oh, that beautiful smile. "You remembered?"
"Of course, I did." Was it so very odd I remembered? Did he think I memorized every single conversation just because I knew this little detail about him sailing at dawn on his birthday? Because he certainly shouldn't! I only remembered half of those conversations we had over coffee. His half.
"Why are you here, Liz?"
I was almost afraid he would send me away. He had more important things to do. Perhaps Anne was waiting for him. No, I had to prove myself. Despite my strong resolution, I replied meekly in my own ears, "I thought I could join you. I baked a cake."
I pointed at the basket he was still holding. He looked at it. Then at me. I couldn't tell what was going through his head, his eyes being dark and indistinct in the mist.
"I thought you didn't sail."
"There's a first time for everything."
He sighed. He wanted me to leave, didn't he? "You expect to go sailing in that?"
I looked down in surprise. I had dressed in khakis and a button-down shirt. Was there anything wrong with that? I suddenly felt my hand being pulled. My eyes followed my arm down to my wrist where it was in William's possession. I scurried forward so I would be beside him, instead of dragging behind. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
"Right off the bat I know you're an inexperienced sailor."
"I've never sailed in my life! You know that!"
"At least you're not wearing a skirt."
What did he mean by that? I was entirely confused by his manner and speech, but at least he was taking me with him wherever he was going. We slowed down as we came to what I assumed was a landing. It jutted out from the rest of the dock and boats swayed softly in the water.
"How long have you lived here?"
I shrugged. "Ever since I came out here for college. Must be six or seven years by now."
"And you never took advantage of the ocean?" he scoffed.
"I'm not as particularly fond of nature as you seem to be."
"And the shoes..."
His eyes were fixed on my black sandals. "What?"
"You've got a lot to learn, princess."
"About sailing?"
"About a lot of things!"
"You're pretty arrogant, you know."
"Yeah, but everyone is always so charmed by me that they don't notice!"
I laughed. How true his statement was! Why, he had painted an accurate picture of himself which was both modest and down right conceited!
"What do you think of her?"
He clambered onto "Moonlit Glory," a dainty sailboat with dusty blue and white trimmings. I stepped forward but was uneasy that it swayed so easily in the water.
"She's cute."
"Cute?"
"Cute."
He shook his head at me. "She's not cute. She is by far not cute. In fact, it would be a shame to the word 'cute' to call this boat cute."
A riddle in an enigma. I never did understand boys, but this one was particularly confusing. Why was there always a flaw with the gorgeous ones? "What's going on in that head of yours?"
He blinked in response. Well, not really in response. It was more like something seemed to have turned on or off. In that brief second, he changed... He looked incredibly serious and I wondered if I had offended him somehow. He was staring at the horizon, somewhat wistfully. I felt as though I was intruding on a personal moment. Walking into a deep reflection which meant so much but held little understanding for me.
"You know what...I don't know."
It was my turn to blink. At him. I stood there on the dock waiting for him to offer me something. Perhaps a hand so I could get on board. Perhaps a word so I didn't feel like some sort of stranger, out of place, unwanted. He gave me the former and I stepped on board.
I could feel the sea under me and I instinctively grabbed onto him. We were incredibly close, closer than we had ever been before. Physically, at least. I could feel his heat or maybe it was my imagination since he had on two thick sweaters, occupied with a wind breaker.
"We haven't even left the dock yet," he chuckled.
I smiled weakly. Oh, this was not good...
Moving away, he disappeared into the only cabin on the boat. A mere seconds later, he called out, "Maybe we could work with socks!"
"What?" I swiveled around so I would face him when he came back on deck but my imbalance made me fall forward. Luckily, very luckily may I add, into William's arms.
"You really aren't made for sailing, are you?"
I blushed under his scrutiny. It felt so warm and comfortable to be close to him, I made no effort to move though my mind told me that it was folly. He led me to a bench where he handed me a gray sweater with MIT etched across the front. Until that moment I didn't give any thought to how cold it was during dawn...or actually, before dawn.
"Liz, you're one silly girl."
I raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he meant and how to respond. Deciding it was best not to say anything at all, I pulled the sweatshirt over my head. Burning like fire. I looked down to see his hand pulling off my sandals and then pulling men's socks over my bare feet. Softly, I murmured, "So that's what you meant by socks."
"I didn't think you could fit into my fisherman's boots."
"Do you fish?"
"Sometimes."
He stood up. "Ready to go?"
"Yes."
"I doubt it."
Make it stop... Make it stop... please! I felt my stomach heave once again. Only, there was nothing left for it to heave. Why won't this boat stop rocking? I felt like I was going to pass out. I released the railing and felt myself slide down and come to a halt. I tried to look up but I couldn't make myself turn properly. I knew it was William though. William was standing over me while I was a puddle at his feet in the least romantic sense possible.
His strong arms lifted me up, but I resisted. And I never resisted anything when it came to William Darcy! I felt his breath against my ear. "C'mon, Liz, you're not going to crawl along the deck of my boat all morning, are you?"
"Who said I was going to be crawling anywhere?" I still tasted bile in the back of my throat and swallowed hard to get rid of it. The only purpose it seemed to serve was nausea, which I already suffered from.
I tried to settle on my feet, which felt numb and clumsy. William's arm wrap itself around my waist and I was content to lean against him. "I guess this is the closest we're going to get you to standing."
I nodded slowly in reply. Any sudden movement seemed to push me back to the brink of vomiting. "I'm sorry I ruined your birthday."
"It's still early. I've got the rest of the day and anyway, the sound of you upchucking over the side of my boat kept me company."
"Thanks."
"Open your eyes, Liz. You're missing a breathtaking sight."
My eyes had been firmly screwed shut and I had no intention of opening them. I was afraid if I so much as looked at the ocean, I would feel the effects of my horrid misadventure rush back to me. While I was against him, feeling the warmth of his arm and the muscles of his chest, an entirely different sensation encompassed me. I was in a world where I could pretend he was mine. That all my stupid mistakes never occurred. That love at first sight had ran its course and he loved me in return. I could lie to my heart and fill my soul with him. And there would be nothing else but the two of us.
"You didn't come all the way over here so you could deposit your digestive juices into the ocean."
"Maybe I did."
"Keep your eyes focused on the horizon. You'll feel better."
Sighing, I cautiously opened one of my eyes, as though I was afraid to see some monster from my childhood nightmares hovering over me. I gasped when I took in the view which William shared with me. As though with determination, the soft circle of pale yellow light, otherwise known as the sun, radiated among a dissipating morning mist. It cut through the sky, chasing away any pretence of a foggy gray morning. From a quiet amber, the heavens burned with brilliance into an endless blue.
With or without my eyes opened, I could still feel him. This time, however, there were no urges to grab the side of the railing and heave with all my might. And there was this odd feeling that somehow I had a stronger connection with him. Not because of any mundane analogy that I could make about how my eyes were now open, open to him, no longer blinded to the fact that he was the one who had to charm me over but me being the one who needed to make that step forward. Though all were very applicable. I wanted to cry out to anyone who was in hearing distance, I wanted to scream like a madwoman at the sunrise, yelp at the seagulls above me that I loved this man and at this moment, this very wrinkle in time, I saw what he saw.
Anne
The cacophony of a constant ringing disturbed the pleasant slumber I was enjoying. My sleepy eyes focused on the clock. It read 7:36 A.M. Maybe if I ignored it...
My head fell against the pillow but five seconds later, I knew that I would not get back to sleep anyway. Reaching across the warm body beside me, I put an end to its miserable noise.
"Hello?" I hissed, irritated at such an early call. Especially after last night!
"Anne, I can't believe I just did that!"
It was William. He sounded frantic. His breath was heavy and labored, as though he had been running.
"What is it?" I asked, suddenly worried that something horrible might have occurred and here was me troubled by being up before eight.
"It's Liz."
Liz? Elizabeth Bennet? What could've possibly happened? As I was about to reply, Jim groaned. I shifted my weight off his back. He looked at me questioningly.
"Sorry, Jim, but it's Darce. It sounds like an emergency."
He nodded.
William's voice changed drastically from anxious to surprised wonder. It was as though nothing had happened beforehand. "Jim? Jim's there?"
"Darcy, what is it?" I asked, exasperated and unprepared to be put on the spot about my love life.
"We're talking about Jim here, aren't we? Your ex-husband, Jim?"
"Yes, but-"
"He's there pretty early, isn't he? Did something happen?"
"We're talking about you."
"Tell me this isn't an 'Oh, since you're in town' thing. Have you finally gotten yourself over Richard?"
"Yes!"
"So, what's going to happen?"
"I don't know. Maybe he can make an honest woman out of me. We've talked about starting over, you know. And this can work, I think. I mean..." I put an end to my wistful ponderings as I got myself back on track. "William Benedick Rinaldi Darcy, why did you call? And if it isn't good, then you'll be getting a licking the second I see you!"
"I screwed up."
"Darcy, you never screw up."
"Yeah, well, when I do screw up, or did, don't you think it would be something big?"
I inhaled sharply. "Explain."
"She told me she loved me."
"She did?!" I jumped up and down on my bed, much to Jim's wonderment. He simply shrugged and got out of bed before kissing me on the forehead and heading for the bathroom.
"Anne..."
"Wait," I reined in my exuberance. "What did you say to her?"
There was a moment of silence. I could almost picture him cringing beside the phone. "I told her I loved turnips?"
"What?!" I screamed into the phone. Turnips! What did he mean he loved turnips? I continued to jump on the bed but out of anger this time. I was about to bust the springs of the mattress.
"I-"
"She risked everything by revealing her feelings for you! Do you know how much courage it takes for someone to stop making mistakes and go after what is right?"
"Anne, I'm trying to-"
"Not everyone can be you, Darce. Not everyone can go through life without making hundreds of mistakes before they know what it is they want!"
"I want her!"
"What?" I ceased jumping.
"Why am I suppose to be perfect, Anne? Why am I always the voice of reason? You know what, I going to do this my way. Not because I have to but because I want to. I'm not going to patch everything up because things aren't as they should be. I'm going to make them fall my way."
The phone clicked off. I had hit a nerve with William. Something I have never done. I don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Before I would've thought there was something seriously wrong, but I wasn't so sure. William, who always tried to fix all the problems in the world, who attempted to smooth over every flaw, was stepping forward once again but for a whole different reason. He was going to be selfish. I fell back on the bed with the phone in my hand. Oh, what in the world was he going to do?
Jim's face hovered over me, and I smiled.
"Anne?"
"And I've always thought I was the one who needed counseling."
"You do."
"Darce isn't perfect."
Jim shrugged. "No one is."
I shook my head at him. "I always thought he was."
Throwing the phone aside, I reached up to kiss my husband.
Richard
The answer machine picked up. Perfect!
Carol's nasal voice came to me through the receiver. "Hello, this is Carol Bingley. Obviously, I'm too busy to pick up the phone right now so you'll going to have to leave a message until I find some time to get back to you." I rolled my eyes. She was probably sitting right next to the phone, listening to it. I guess I would have to leave my name at the end of the message so she wouldn't pick it up until it was too late.
"If I never get back to you, then you'll just have to call me back. A girl like me has too many important things to do than worry about phone messages." Yeah, like losing a date Friday night! I tuned out the rest of her self-complimenting chatter until I heard the beep. Maybe I shouldn't have called at all...
"Yo, babe, I've got better thinks to do so I'm moving on." I heard the phone being picked up. I hung up. I'm sure she could figure out who it was.
Jane
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you even more."
"No, I love you more."
"No, I love you more."
"Aww, shut up!"
I laughed at the male voice in the background as it scolded my fiancé. I gave him a smooch over the phone before sending him back to the boys. "I'll see you later, honey. Have fun at William's birthday party and pass on my greetings."
"I'll be sure to do that, dear," he replied as tenderly as ever. There was a pause before he spoke again. "Will's a bit down."
I bit my lip as I waited for him to say something, wondering if it had anything to do with the two of us. Even after all this time, I couldn't help feeling the guilt cut through me when I thought of all the pain that we caused.
"I don't think it has to do with us."
I let out the breath I was holding. "Then..."
"I don't know. I really can't say. Maybe he's feeling old."
"Old at twenty-six?"
"He's a restless guy. You know how restless people are?"
"I don't think I follow," I gave a sigh of frustration. "Try to cheer him up, won't you?"
"Of course, love."
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too."
"I love you even more."
"No, I love you more."
"Aww, c'mon, we're trying to eat here!"
Charles
This was it! This was the day I was going to marry the woman of my dreams. An exact year since I met her. I took a deep breath before I had to put my head between my knees again. I couldn't believe this! It was the most important day in my life. I was a flutter of nerves, as one matchmaking mother might say of her own distress.
Where was Will? I looked among the faces in the crowd. Not one seemed recognizable to me. My back was aching from all the time I spent at the altar bending over like a quarterback. The wedding was going to start any second now. I was going to be a married man! Me, a married man!
"Charles," I turned to see my mother.
"Yes?" I managed to squawk.
She put a hand on my shoulder. She seemed troubled. "This is going to happen, isn't it?"
I laughed. The nervous tingles subsided as I allowed myself to relax. Yes, this was going to happen! This was going to happen! "Don't worry, Mom, I won't let this one get away."
I winked at her and she kissed me on the check before she took her seat. I smiled and waited for my beautiful bride with perfect calm. Yes, this was the first day of the rest of my life.
Anne
Good Lord, look at all those smiling faces! It was enough to make me sick, except I probably had the biggest grin in the crowd. I looked over at Jim and took his hand. He seemed to be laughing on the inside, his light eyes sparkling with amusement.
"What?"
"You seem so happy," he whispered against my ear.
"I am," I replied as I moved to the edge of my seat. I intertwined my fingers with his while I leaned forward. "Isn't this so exciting?"
"You hate weddings, Anne."
"Not anymore."
Carol
There's not one hint of orange in this wedding! What was Jane Bennet thinking? Stupid girl! She didn't even make me a bride's maid. I was Charles' sister. I should've been the maid of honor. Not as though I would wear the dress she picked out!
I eyed the little teenage flirt that went by. Oh, what was her name? She was the youngest Bennet, in some peaches n' cream number. I watched as Richard eyed her as well. Ugh, she's at least ten years too young!
Now, that guy! He smells like money. Okay, so he wasn't the most handsome man around but that Armani suit with the cape definitely meant something! And what guy without money to burn would wear a diamond collar?
"Hey, gorgeous, what's your name?"
"Billy, Billy Collins, at your service."
Richard
Carol thought I was looking at Valerie Bennet. C'mon, that girl was at least eighteen! Anyway, she couldn't compare with Jane and Elizabeth. Charles, that lucky son of a gun... Now, what I would do to get my hands on his fiancée! At least for five minutes...
Shaking myself from my unlikely reverie (even I had enough sense to know that Jane wouldn't go for a little on the side with anyone), I saw Carol flirting her best with Billy Collins. Now, that's what I call entertainment. That sweaty toad was totally falling for it. Too bad, someone should tell Carol that his diamond collar was made of nothing more than plastic. Nah, this was too interesting.
Jane
I wanted to remember every moment but I was already forgetting. They say smell brings back memories unlike any other sense. I put my nose in the array of white roses and wild flowers which served as my bouquet. Lisa told me it was an odd combination but it was about memories through the senses and that was exactly what it was.
Before I even made it down the aisle with my arm on Dad's, tears were filling my eyes. I was getting married! Today was my wedding day and Charles John Bingley was standing there waiting for me. I took a deep breath. This was the first day of the rest of my life.
Elizabeth
He wasn't here.
Charles didn't seem to notice as he stared with absolute wonder at Jane and she did the same but when it came to exchanging the rings, he would probably come to the conclusion he was short a best man and wedding ring. Was it me? Was it them? Why didn't he come?
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered her today to join this couple in holy matrimony..."
It hurt to think that I would've been married by now. I wasn't jealous that Charles and Jane were together. I was jealous of the fact that they moved on and found their happiness. They gave each other their hearts and found solace in one another. I had done the same but did not get anything in return.
Did it mean I should give up? A part of me knew that I would have to let him go but another part of me, or perhaps, most of me didn't want to. I couldn't let go of William so easily. He meant too much to me and I wanted to mean so much to him. I closed my eyes. I could almost hear him say to me, "Open your eyes, Liz. You're missing something beautiful."
"...speak now or forever hold your peace."
Who would even dare say something against this union? Jane and Charles. As it should be, forever.
"Wait!"
William was running up the aisle.
Anne
I inhaled as William came up the aisle out of breath. I gripped Jim's arm with such ferocity that he flinched. What was he doing? What was he doing?
I watched as he stopped in front of the altar. All eyes were on him. He held up a black ring box and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I forgot this. I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
I leaned against Jim's shoulder to muffle my laughter as tears fell from my eyes. Sometimes, I didn't know about that boy... Oh, William, you better have a box of your own in your pocket!
Jane
"Charles John Bingley, it took me a long time to recognize that you were the right one for me. I was set against falling in love with you but I suppose my heart betrayed every rational thought in my head, and I have never been so happy that it did. I can barely say the words I need to say to convey my feelings toward you. All I can do is prove it throughout all the years of my life. I will love you for all eternity as I love you on this day, as I loved you since you made me fall for you."
I took the circle of gold and slid it on his finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed."
Charles
"Jane Rochelle Bennet, you are everything to me. You are my world, you are my stars, my moon, my sun. My life itself radiates from your beautiful presence. Because of you, I am a better man. Because of you, I will spend the rest of my life proving myself to be worthy of your love. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I promise that I will never give you any reason to leave. You complete me in a way that I cannot begin to describe. I love you beyond life itself and we will walk through this golden road forever."
I slipped the golden band through her finger.
"White roses and wildflowers," I smiled, promising her I would never stop giving her the flowers, which would from now on symbolize our love. "With this ring, I thee wed."
Author
You turn around
Then you ask me behind tears of doubt
Just what do I see in you
"Liz?"
Elizabeth looked up, her reverie broken by the intrusion. She had been consumed by the thought that William was still in love with Jane. That he had ran up the aisle to stop the wedding. That his heart, once taken, could not let go and mend once again. The feeling of losing him to another filled her with an ache that almost destroyed her. She had never lost him, she thought. She never had him.
However, as William stood over her, holding out his hand, she felt a little tug of hope and despair. She didn't want to believe it was more than what it was. But what was it, indeed... She smiled, tentatively taking his hand as he led her to the dance floor.
The dance between best man and maid of honor. Of course.
Please don't cry
I know sometimes it seems we barely get by
But you don't see how much you do
To get me through
William pulled her close, placing his hand on the small of her back. He held her trembling hand in his and slowly intertwined his fingers with hers. Elizabeth was holding her breath, her eyes closed. A single tear fell.
Leaning down, he whispered with his lips against her ear, "Open your eyes, Liz. You don't know what you're missing."
When the world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love...you give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love...you give me love
"Is it beautiful?"
I apologize
If I never told you
What you are in my eyes
William breathed against her neck and murmured into her hair, "Only if you think love is beautiful."
Oh, baby let me tell you now
Elizabeth pulled back.
Every day
Looks sweeter knowing you'll be there
In every way
Now how can you say that's not enough
She looked into his eyes. Those dark brooding eyes which she always drowned in.
'Cause when the world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love...you give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love...you give me love
She recalled falling under his spell, feeling like a schoolgirl who didn't know any better. Smiling simply because he was. Wanting to stand in place forever. Capture that wrinkle in time.
Everything my heart desires
Morning sun and midnight fires
Someone else to share my dreams with
With you I have everything
"I love you, Liz."
"More than turnips?" she asked, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
"Well, maybe not..." He replied teasingly before he bent down to kiss her.
When the world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love...you give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love...you give me love
Yeah, when my world is cold
And I need a friend to hold
You give me love...you give me love
And when my hope is gone
And I feel I can't go on
You pick me up
You give me love...you give me love*
*You Give Me Love by Faith Hill
Thank you all for reading my first full-fledged attempt at composing a story. I may have floundered a bit, but your emails, responses, threats, and suggestions have truly encouraged me. It has been a real pleasure writing this and posting it at the Guild.