Jump to new as of May 16, 2002
Jump to new as of June 16, 2002
Part 1
As I look out on my 19th century rustic farmhouse I am amazed at how beautiful and serene the country life really is. All around me is the natural, the earthy, organic. I have begun to see my garden flourish now that I have begun to keep bees. The best way is always a natural one.
My husband and I have found that our spirits and souls are nourished by the dignity and beauty of the farm around us. We work hard, we sleep hard, but our natures are anything but hard. We find ourselves softened by every little breeze and also by our baby.
Cucumber is in season and we have had the best crop in ages do to the miraculous chemicals in Wonder Blossom. The natural way... only better.
Here is a recipe we have raved about since we visited Italy 2 years ago.
CUCUMBER & TOMATO SALAD
Serving Size : 6
Preparation Method
Jane Bennet shook her head as she looked down at her typewriter. Three years of writing this nonsense and it is the most read column in the New York Gazebo. she thought. She looked out of the window in her tiny cramped apartment that she shared with her sister. Why does everyone want what they don't have? She shrugged her shoulders and got up to see what was left in the fridge. She opened the door and pulled out a pre-packaged frozen dinner. She ripped the top off and stuck it in the microwave with a frustrated slam.
When I wrote for the paper in Tennessee, they wanted me to write about New York and Hollywood. Now I work for New York and all they want to read about is my Smokey Mountain Home. I guess I am just lucky that they don't want to know about England. I haven't been there since I was ten.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the locks on the doors being undone. Lizzie passionately opened and slammed the door. She walked to the middle of the room and dropped everything she had in her hands on the floor. "Aaaaaarrrrrggghhh!" She yelled.
"Was that a primeval scream, or are you really frustrated?" Jane inquired sweetly.
" I have been to another audition. Jane, why does everyone want me to be Gwyneth Paltrow? I am not sweet enough, I am not skinny enough, and I am not ... begging your pardon Jane,
A BLOND! To top it all off, Gwyneth isn't even English! I am!" Lizzie sat down with disgusted sigh.
There was a moment of silence. Lizzie tried to regain her composure. Jane walked to her and sat down beside her. " It is just the aftermath of "Shakespeare in Love." Don't worry Shakespearian type casting changes every few seasons. Next time they will want a curly-haired Ophelia." Jane softly responded.
Lizzie put her head down on Jane's shoulder and said, "From your mouth to God's ears."
FOUR MONTHS LATER...
William Darcy couldn't remember how he ended up in the hospital. He really couldn't even remember what had happened for the last 2 months. He had been in a coma. When he woke up a nice male nurse helped him by telling him what had happened. He was hit in the head by debris when a wall collapsed behind him.
He had saved a few lives. He was so glad he knew CPR. But he wished he had done more, He felt like he was a deserter. Especially when he found out that his crew had lost 5 lives. 1 of which was his best friend.
Now he was surrounded by the media. CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Even Barbara Walters had asked to interview him. But he hated to be the center of attention. He wondered how Gianna, his sister, was handling it. She went to a private school in the suburbs. And the reporters has been tailing her all month.
He had been told, and even he had read in the newspaper, that he was a hero. A hero of 911. Just like the men of WW2 he was more worried about the state of the world. Things would never be the same for him. He saw the first plane hit. He ran into the building and helped people out. And on the 30th floor there was a woman in a wheelchair. There was no way she could make it down the stairs alone. He wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hurried down the stairs. He got her to safety. It was his job.
In a traumatic situation you really don't think. If you did think, you would not help the situation anyway. You just accomplish what you have been trained to do. He had been trained to save people. He just wished he had been trained to handle the media.
After the woman in the wheelchair it got a little fuzzy. He remembered walking back up the stairs, He remembered his best friend Ronald saying, " Do you think they bombed us 'cause Kathy Lee left Regis? Hey Darce, seriously, If I don't make it, Tell Angela and the kids I love them." Those were his last words.
There was a terrible rumble and he looked up to see the walls just collapse. Oh, Jesus save me! His heart prayed. And the next coherent moment was 2 months later.
He had seen the pictures and the interview. Mrs. Rosenbaum, the lady in the wheel chair had told her story to all the major networks. Some idiot cameraman got a shot of him carrying her out of the building. Then his doctor was interviewed. Somehow they even persuaded Gianna to talk on Tv. Only she didn't talk, she just wept. Now that he was awake they wanted him to say something, but he really had nothing to say. Except maybe, that he wanted to get home and eat some home cooked vittles. He hated hospital food.
Yeah, that is what I will tell them. I don't know, I don't remember, and I wanna go home and have a t-bone. he resolved to say to the interviewers
"You have reached the voice mail of Catherine De Bourgh, the owner of Home and Yard Television. Press one to leave a message ... press two to send a page ... press three to speak to Charlotte her secretary... Stay on the line to speak to the operator."
William Collins had heard this message a million times, and never once had he dialed 3. He really wanted to. Charlotte was a cupcake. A true lady in a world of Lady C. the dragon slayer. But as usual dating was not allowed between co-workers, he did not want to lose his job. He dialed 1.
"Catherine, this is Collins. I think I have a line on Kendra Krispen. And if we work the deal I proposed to you, Martha Stewart will be jadeite with envy. I think that Mr. Darcy has signed onto do a Christmas thing. Now all I have to do is to persuade that English secretary to give me Kendra's address. Don't worry I will finesse her. Jane Bennet will receive an offer she can't refuse."
Part 2
When Jane Bennet looked through the peephole and saw Mr. Collins, she almost called the police. It wasn't that he looked grungy or anything, It was just ... well ... she was sure he was a mental patient.
He was nervous and talking to himself, and then he whipped out nose drops and gave himself five flood like squirts. Then he licked his hand and smoothed his comb over even further. She could have watched him all day but, she needed to know why he was standing in front of her door.
"Excuse me! But this is a restricted apartment. No errr- men beyond the lobby." she said.
" I know, but I only need you to come down and meet me in the lobby. I am William Collins. The associate from HYTV."
"Oh, Oh, yes! Wasn't I supposed to meet you tomorrow?"
"No, we were supposed to meet on the 5th which is today. Time is of the essence, or at least that is what Catherine De bourg says."
"Who is Catherine Debork?" she asked to egg him on.
"Catherine De Bourg is my boss, and the 26th most richest woman in the U.S., according to Forbes magazine in 1998. Now would you be so kind as to come and meet me in the lobby. I feel very foolish talking to a closed door."
Lizzie was out shopping in the garment district. She was tempted to buy a red white and blue Faux leather jacket with fringe. It was so funky. And it would look great with her little black dress. And then there were the shoes. Knee high shiny red vinyl boots that were just too cool. But was it too much? If she walked into an audition wearing it would they think she was one of the Judds?
Just as she was trying on a cowgirl hat, her cell phone rang. She answered her phone in the best professional actress tone. "Hello, this is Elizabeth Bennet."
"Lizzie, this is Jane. I need you to do me a big favor."
"Anything, did you run out of soy nuts?"
"No, this is much worse. You remember that HYTV executive that I was planning to avoid like the plague. You know, the appointment I was forgetting on purpose?"
"Yah, the pushy one."
"Yes, well he just showed up at the door."
"You're kidding! How does he know where we live?"
"He says he looked me up in the phone book."
"Yeah right! The snoopy pervert."
"Well he is desperate to find Kendra Krispen. And I told him that he was in luck because she was in New York. I need you to walk in the lobby and be Kendra. I need you to act like a tourist from Tennessee."
" Jane, you have just given me a reason to buy something extravagantly chintzy. See you in a few."
"Ok, love ya, bye!"
Jane's jaw dropped when Lizzie glided in. There she was in the Jacket, hat, and boots. Her curly hair pulled to the sides in thick curly textured braids. She really did look like a reject of the Grand Ole Opry.
"Howdy Jane! I tell you what I will never get used to this city. All those tall buildings and all the people. They just seem busy as June bugs tied to a string." Lizzie said with a mock southern accent.
"Well ermmm uhhh," Jane stammered, "Kendra Krispin, meet William Collins."
"Well hiya Mr. Collins! It's a pleasure. Aren't you with HYTV? I have passed your corporate office many times visiting a friend in Knoxville."
"Yes, but we don't film shows there, we film them all over the country. However, we are planning to do a Christmas special in Gatlinburg and the Sevierville area, If you will host it. It will have a homespun country- patriotic feel. Will Darcy has signed on and what we would like to do is film your family making Christmas Dinner for him. Our staff will come to your country house and decide how and where we should film it."
"Wait a minute! Kendra didn't say that she wanted to even think about your show." Jane said indignantly.
"Jane," Lizzie said gently, "I appreciate your protecting me, but Mr. Collins here does not seem like a man who will take an answer from you. Mr. Collins..."
"Just call me Bill, Mrs. Krispin." he said smiling.
"Yes. Well Bill, I must tell you, I just hate to do television appearances. Writing is my release. It is not my job. If I were to have to stress myself out just to please some people and press some flesh, I wouldn't be the person that was writing. It wouldn't be the real Kendra on your show. I would lose my center of gravity, and feel like an imposter. I would feel... like I was acting." Lizzie said enigmatically.
"Ummm, well, Kendra, I couldn't have put it better myself." Jane replied as she nervously shifted positions on the lobby couch.
Mr. Collins began scribbling something on a note pad. He sat it on the table and turned it to where Lizzie could read it. "This is what I was authorized to offer you."
Lizzie's eyes widened as she looked at the zeros following the number Collins had written. "That much? Wow!"
Mr. Collins smiled in self-important glee. Everybody has a price. he thought.
"ABC offered me more." Lizzie said sweetly as she returned his notepad.
"Well... I must say Mrs. Krispin, ABC must have not done their homework. There are no Krispins in Sevier County or Tennessee for that matter. I am considering mentioning this to the New York Gazebo. Now either you two are hiding something, or you want to play hardball."
Jane looked at Lizzie and sighed. "Yes, Yes, I must take you into my confidence... we are playing hardball. Hand me your pad. I will make a counter offer."
After Mr. Collins left with his signed contracts, Lizzie looked at Jane with a bewildered countenance. "Well Jane dear, how are we going to get out of this one. I can just see the lawsuit."
"What makes you think there will be a lawsuit?" Jane asked.
"What makes you think there won't be?"
"Lizzie, it is only one show, I care enough about my writing to make one good show. I- We can do this."
"Okay, if we do this, I need to read every article you have ever written. I need to find the character. Who is this person I am playing? What motivates her? What are her quirks..." at this point Jane handed over a huge pile of papers.
"I think you should watch Martha Stewart, Lynette Jennings, and HYTV to see how those ladies do things."
"Jane! What are we thinking! I can't cook! I am a regular "I Love Lucy" in the kitchen."
"Don't worry Lucy. Ethel has a plan. I just called dad and lined up a cabin and his help. All you have to know is how to mix things together. Dad will be in the background doing aaaaaallllllllll... the cooking. But I am worried about finding a husband, and a baby."
"Don't worry about the ready made family. There is this guy in my acting class, he will do anything for me. He has been trying to date me for months. I am sure I can get him to cooperate."
"What's his name?" Jane said curiously.
"Charles Bingley." Lizzie said in a bored tone.
"Do you think he could really pull it off? I mean, how good is he? These are my characters that I have pictured all my life, and I feel weird having people playing them."
"Do you remember the Doggie Dinner commercial? You know, the one with the veterinarian that you said was cute?"
"OOOhhhh Yes! That is Charles Bingley? He is perfect! Except... What if somebody recognizes him?"
" We will just say he did a few commercials, You really don't say what Mr. Krispin does."
"Yes I do, he is a brain surgeon."
"Well then he's perfect. You said that he looked hot in a lab coat. Besides he had a nose job since then.
"But I liked his old nose."
"Well his was a have to, not a want to. Baseball accident."
"Ewwww ... owww! I bet that hurt."
"Yah, but he is even hunkier now. Sandy blond hair that curls in a James Dean-ish way. He has steel grey eyes. He is kind of like an intellectual Owen Wilson."
"So why aren't you dating him?" Jane said with an arched eyebrow.
"I don't feel ... He's just not ... I don't know. Shouldn't you get some sort of utz or inkling when you love someone?" questioned Lizzie as she shrugged her shoulders.
"No, I think you run from love til it catches you. I think it is different than what you want. People only want what they can't have." Jane replied.
"I think I will turn on the telly..." Elizabeth said. What she had just said made her uncomfortable. Why didn't she want to date Charles? Was it that she was looking for mister right when she should be loving mister right now?
She turned on "The View" which had just come on. They were interviewing Will Darcy. Oh dear! No wonder they call him the Will the Wonder. He is absolutely smashing. Seems a pity he is a bit of a stuffed shirt though. Well Lizzie, this is going to be an interesting situation ... she thought as Will Darcy began to speak on the screen.
Part 3
Will Darcy had a really bad social phobia. Nobody knew where it came from. Gianna thought it set in during toddler hood because she could remember her mother referring to him lovingly as "Chilly Willy" after a shy little penguin she saw on a cartoon. But ever since kindergarten, will had one way of handling new social situations and that was to avoid them at all costs.
So as she watched Will cross the stage to be interviewed by 5 strange women... she felt like she was having an parallel universe flashback. Not that he didn't have to hop out of the car and throw-up on the way to the taping.
To call Will complex would be the understatement of the year. The year he graduated high-school was the year his parents were in a terrible car wreck. His mother died instantly. His Father lingered on for a few months. Gianna was only 10. She always knew Will not only as a Brother but also as a father and a friend.
His choice of being a fire fighter was a shock for everyone. Well, everyone except Gianna. Will always wanted to save lives. And after his father died, he knew, it was his calling.Gianna knew he was struggling with taking over the Family business. Aunt Catherine was enraged. He had been groomed to be the next CEO of De Bough Entertainment. But his heart belonged somewhere else.
He was a man who wanted to do something important with his life, He wanted to save lives. And that is why he became the spokesperson for the U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION's "Tribute to Heros." He had agreed to go on talk shows and talk about Fire Safety.
But it wasn't just duty that motivated him to face his fears and become a public speaker. He felt It was not just him standing up there. It was Ronald, Emory, Kevin, Lucy, John, who willingly gave their lives to save others. It was his way of keeping their memory alive. Somehow talking about them made his grief a little lighter.
So here he was on his 5th television show this month, The View. They sat him on the couch in between Starr Jones and Meredith Vieira. All of a sudden the panic hit him. He began breaking out in a cold sweat as his heart beat spread up uncontrollably, and his focus began pinpointing into a tiny dot. Please God, help me. Just breathe Will. In and out, breathe in and out. You can make it through this. You have done it before, you can do it again.
"Are you alright?" Joy Behr asked earnestly.
"I am fine. I just have social-phobia. I am not very good with crowds. Don't worry, I threw up on the way over here." he said with a weak laugh.
"Oh, well, we will make this quick then." she said with reassuring smile.
They counted down and Barbra Walters began reading his introduction. All of a sudden he felt the calmness set in. He focused on why he was there. He did what he was trained to do. He felt the heat, he felt the fear, but he did it anyway. He took a deep breath.... and....
"So, Will, why did you decide to be a firefighter?" Lisa Ling asked.
"Well, I guess it started with my tonka truck. I had this great red fire truck with ladders and firemen. And I guess that is what I always wanted to be..."
"Now let me ask you, honey, are you married? Because if you aren't I'm available," Starr Jones said.
"No," he laughed. " I am in between relationships right now. It is hard to put your life on the line when you have a wife and kids at home. I wouldn't want to put any women I loved through that. My friend Ron has kids and a wife. I guess I should say a widow and kids. That is why I am here."
"Yes, we want to honor the New York Firefighters. We are so proud of you." Meredith said as she clapped.
And then the whole audience stood up and applauded. Darcy looked out at all the people who were clapping, not for him, but for all of America. He felt tears come to his eyes and begin to stream down his cheeks.
He looked at all five of the women beside him and they were crying too. He would never get used to the grief that happened, but he also would never get used to the gratitude and esteem the public held him and his co-workers in.
*****
A few days later, Jane was shedding tears in front of the television set. She blew her nose and ate her klondike bar interchangeably.
"Jane, what are you watching, and why aren't you packing?" Lizzie said in an impatient tone.
"Shhhh... I am watching the Lifetime movie, "Keep it in the Family." I want to know if they cloned her son , or if her husband had an affair with her long lost twin sister." She said as her eyes were glued to the set and she took another bite.
"Why do you watch that stuff? It will melt your brain, and besides.... Holy moley! That's Ally Forbes! We went to Acting workshop together. How did she land that part?! Life is so unfair!" she whined.
"Well, she will envy you when she sees you on HYTV."
"I hope she doesn't recognize me." she replied with a flinch.
"Lizzie you have the job of a lifetime. If you pull this one off... You should win an academy award." Jane said with her mouth full.
"Jane, if mom had seen you deliver that line with your mouth full she would have said, "Kennedys don't marry girls who talk with food in their mouths."Lizzie imitated her mother perfectly.
Jane giggled, "She was dead set on me marrying John John, wasn't she? Well mom, here I am 26 and single just like you said, and it's all because I forget to swallow." she raised her half eaten klondike in a toast.
Just then the buzzer sounded and the doorman announced Charles Bingley.
"Lizzie! You didn't tell me he was coming today! I look horrible. I need some make up and I need not to be wearing my, Tweety Bird pajamas."
"It is just Charles. He doesn't even notice what I wear."
"Lizzie, if mom were here she would say, "First impressions are important, Mainly because they are first, but also because they are impressions."
"I never have understood that one..." Lizzie shrugged her shoulders. "However, Jane, if you find Charles attractive and vice versa... Have at him. We have nothing but a friendship. Cross my heart."
Jane tossed the rest of her ice cream into the trash and began throwing her clothes out of the closet. "What should I wear? What wouldn't look to obvious?"
"Wear the light blue sweater. It is very attractive, and soft. You look good in soft things, like a pastel English angel... Ooh he is at the door! Hurry Jane, I need your help."
"You know," Jane murmured to herself, "One would think she was the oldest. She's undeniably the bossiest."
*****
Charles Bingley walked in to Elizabeth Bennet's apartment. It was not at all what he expected. Somehow, he had pictured her alone with a cat named scruffy. But instead he found her apartment tastefully decorated with vintage movie and theater posters. Instead of a couch she had a daybed covered in mismatched vintage pillows. In front of that was an oversized coffee table with stacks of papers on one side and a ceramic bowl filled with party mix on the other. On the opposite wall were two old fashioned Victorian rocking chairs painted a soft yellow. It really looked like an room in "Pottery Barn" catalogs.
"Please have a seat." Lizzie said sweetly.
Now Charles has Caroline for a sister, and he knew that no man was safe when he sat on a woman's bed. So he slowly shuffled over to the rocking chair and sat down. "Nice chair. It looks really old. Is it a family heirloom?"
"No, Jane wrote in her column about looking for the perfect rocking chair and her readers . Then we received like, 330 different rocking chairs. So Jane and I picked out 4 to keep and the rest we auctioned off for charity."
"Cool" Charles said. He was feeling desperately uncomfortable. He gathered himself a handful of pretzels. His eyes roamed the room looking for... something calming. And then a ray of light walked in.
Jane had put on a fuchsia tank and thrown a black net sweater over it. She looked like Botticelli's Venus, in blue jeans as her hair trailed down past her shoulders and almost to her waist.
"Oh hello! My name is Jane. I am Lizzie's older sister." she whispered softly.
"I'm Charles...." he said rising and offering to shake her hand, "and I just spilled my pretzels all over your carpet. That is what a get for trying to be gallant eh?"
Jane laughed. "Don't worry, we will vacuum later, besides I love gallantry. I have seen "Kate and Leopold" 4 times."
"Ah, yes, don't you just love the scene where they sit out on the fire escape and listen to "Moon River? I must admit I downloaded that song after I saw that..." He said with a charmingly sheepish grin.
"Oh my gosh! So did I! I sat on the couch and played it over and over..." Jane gushed.
Just at that moment Lizzie interrupted. "Yeah, it drove me nutz. I told Jane I would rather drown in the river than hear anyone sing about it."
Everyone stared at Lizzie like she was from outer space. She smiled... she realized she was the only sensible person in a room of hopeless romantics.
"Well, I suppose we should all start working on a script." Bingley said to no one in particular. Although he hadn't taken his eyes off Jane yet. "I should tell you, My sister and my dog want to come to Sevierville. You will like Caroline. She never intrudes or anything."
"That sounds fine, doesn't it Lizzie?" Jane said wistfully.
Lizzie knew that Jane was delirious at this point, "Charles, it is very important that you can stay in character the whole trip. Now either your sister must be informed that you are playing a role and must not be disturbed... or she shouldn't come at all."
"Yes, I have told Caroline that we are working on a new form of theater for Televison. She is so excited. She has been calling me Hugh all week, I promise she will stay out of the way... pleeeesssee?"
"Yes, Lizzie Pleeeeessssee?" Jane pleaded.
Lizzie's gut instinct told her to say no. But, with Jane and Charles making Bambi eyes at her... how could she say no. Dogs, sisters, firemen, actors... Rather like a modern day Gypsy caravan. Yes sir, this should be a trip to remember. she thought.
Part Four
"So, Will, where are we going this week?" Gianna asked as she rode her mini skate board down the wood floors in the hall.
"Hey! You're scuffing up the sealant on the base boards. We are doing that Christmas thing with Aunt Catherine this week." He said as he took the skateboard and placed it up on the shelf that Gianna couldn't reach.
"Hey! That's not fair! I have to find the step stool downstairs now! I thought you hated Aunt Catherine." she said as she jumped up and down trying to reach the pink plastic wheel closest to her.
" I don't hate Aunt Catherine," he said with sigh, "She's just.... she's just..."
" A self-involved moron..." Gianna sweetly quipped as she pulled up a chair to stand on.
Darcy ignored her little comment and continued trying to voice his frustration. "I think I wish Aunt Catherine was a little more like Mom. When Mom and Dad were alive... Do you remember Holidays when Mom and Dad were around?"
She nodded. She was afraid to speak, she might lose her balance.
"Those were so great. Mom and Dad would cook an incredible meal. And then we would trim the tree." he sighed softly. "I used to search for months for the perfect gift. Remember the year we bought her the Chia Pet? Do you think things will ever be that good again?"
KA-THUNK! CRASH! "Owwwcch!" She had pulled her skateboard from the shelf and brought it halfway to her chest and then lost her grip and the wooden part smashed her foot while the wheels smashed against her ankle. "I'm ok! It's a small fracture." she said jokingly.
He grabbed the skateboard and said, "These things are dangerous. You shouldn't be throwing it around like that."
"No kidding..." she said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes. She wrenched the sticker covered toy out of his hands and placed it in her back pack. "Do you think there is a good skate park in Tennessee?"
" Don't hold your breath kiddo, and pack that dress you wear for Cotilion."
"It itches! I hate that thing. Can't I have a slinky black dress? I am 17 now. In a year you can't even boss me around. Please.... I saw one at Gap I really wanted."
He smiled at her and used the dreaded phrase, "We'll see."
He was really confused at why Aunt Catherine had invited him to spend the week of Christmas with her. She hadn't even spoken to him in two years. Now all of a sudden she was treating them like close family. He knew something was wrong. Catherine NEVER did anything out of love or charity. She usually only did things to forward her company. But when she called... It was an invitation to a nice family vacation. Somehow, he felt she wanted more from him than just being a devoted Nephew.
***
Lizzie and Jane were not morning people. But they had to get up 5 a.m. Or they wouldn't make it to Knoxville before night fall. They met Charles and Caroline at the airport car rental , but they did not expect the Bingley siblings to already be bickering.
"Why couldn't you have left that smelly mutt at a kennel?" Caroline demanded.
"Why can't you buy normal suitcases that don't cost more than my first car?" Charles replied.
" Everyone has Vera Bradley suitcases at the New Rochelle Country Club." She said arrogantly.
" I hate suburban bourgeois status symbols. They bore me." he said in his best Actors Studio manner.
"Well at least I act like an intellectual with fashion sense. How many black turtle necks do you own now? I think you practically own the whole winter wardrobe at Banana Republic." she said as she pointed to his shirt.
"Hey, if you keep it up, I will have to take issue with your Rolex." he said bitterly
"You do, and I will start in on your sneakers." she mumbled
"What's wrong with my sneakers?" Charles threw down Caroline's blue and white quilted bags.
"Nothing a cement roller can't fix!" Caroline quipped.
Just as Charles was about to really lose his temper Lizzie stepped in and said, "Alright you two calm down, we have a long trip ahead of us. Now I personally would like to make it through this gracefully. Charles, Jane and I have enough stress keeping everything straight. Now Caroline, I know I don't know you well and I really have no business saying this but... BACK OFF!"
"Li-zzie!" Jane uttered in shock while Charles chuckled.
" I'm sorry Jane, I wish I had your goodness. But I don't." Lizzie said sweetly.
"It is alright," Caroline said with a tone of arrogance. "Brothers and sisters do fight you know."
Jane and Lizzie shared a look. "We know!" they said simultaneously.
***
She was never glad to see the McGee- Tyson airport in her life. She walked in the glass door and saw her Father. She ran to his arms.
"Lizzie! My Lizzie! How is my girl!" he said.
"Much better now Papa. You look so wonderful! Such a site for sore eyes, I have missed you this last few months." she said.
"Yes. Well, Not as much as I have missed you and Jane." then he said in a whisper, "Since you've been gone I haven't had two sensible words put together." he said with a smile.
"Honestly Dad, neither have I, for the last 12 hours. I just wish the next 45 minutes up the mountain will go by as quickly as possible. I am so exhausted. All I can think about is a nice hot bath..."
At that moment a look ran across Mr. Bennet's face that was hard for Lizzie to interpret.
"Is something wrong?" she asked instinctively.
"Didn't you send that Collins fellow an invitation to come early?" Mr Bennet asked.
"Noo! Not til the 23rd. The day after tomorrow.Why?"
"He is sent a fax to the house that says he will be here at 6 a.m. tomorrow with Mr Darcy and his sister."
Lizzie felt trapped.... All she really wanted to do was rest. She was so tired she was about to burst into tears. And instead of getting a chance to have a nervous breakdown quietly in her own bed. She would have to have it while decorating the farm house. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, Lizzie. Cause at this pace there may not be a next year. she thought.
Part 5
It is a truth not so universally known that Jane Bennet is a clever woman. And when she found that their Father had borrowed the 3 story Log Chateau of an infamous country celebrity, she packed a few boxes of things that would be in Kendra's house. Including a rocking chair and a little hand canned produce .
The rest she knew could be bought at a 24 hour lifesaver that went by the humble name of Wal-mart. She was the one who picked out the rooms and made sure that everything was all correct for her early-rising guests. She had everything from the extra thick bath robes to the complimentary vintage ice buckets placed decoratively in the guest rooms before the rooster crowed at 4.
Lizzie hit the shower at about 3 a.m. She knew that she could get a good three hours of sleep if she just skipped the whole beauty queen regiment and hopped in bed. If she ever did have those fine lines and wrinkles she would blame it on forgetting the Ponds towels for a few nights running.
Charles was still angry at his sister. Why couldn't she just enjoy life like he did. Why did she bother with labels and status symbols. The more he got to know the sweetness of Jane Bennet, the more he saw the falseness of his sister. As he turned out the light, his dog, flipper , jumped on the foot of the bed. She circled twice nearly breaking Charles ankle, and then lay at his feet. Happiness is a warm puppy. the thought sarcastically.
****
The airport lost both of the Darcy's luggage leaving them only with their carry-on bags. And the Limo driver was a very stocky hillbilly. He was wearing a shirt that said "Limo drivers do it longer" and he was eating a jelly doughnut. "Howdy, welcome to Tennessee." he said with jelly running down the side of his mouth. "Hey didn't I see you on The View? My wife makes me watch that show. I darn near cried when you were on there."
They were halfway up the mountain when it got worse. The limo broke down leaving them in the middle of nowhere, in the cold. Mr. Collins and the Driver realized that the battery was dead. They couldn't call a tow truck and Mr. Collins had way to much pride to call Jane Bennet. So his brilliant idea was to push the car up through the mountian range.
Mr. Darcy, Collins and the Limo driver pushed the car half a mile before Caroline Bingey found them. She was kind enough to give them a ride up the steep and corkscrew like roads.
Mr. Darcy had lost his good nature when he began pushing a ton and a half limo up a 3,000 ft mountain. And even though He thought Caroline Bingley was a charming specimen of female, he was not in the mood to be flirted with. He sat silently in the back of the commercial van and tried to mellow. Mr. Collins had irritated him to distraction and even Gianna, who regularly didn't bother him at all, was starting to annoy with her whining about losing her skate board. The most aggravating thought of all was.... he would have to spend the whole five days in his jeans and black shirt . Thank God he wore his coat on board instead of packing it. And of coarse could always wear the NYFD shirt he brought for his Aunt as a gag gift. "So Collins," he said with a slight edge to his voice. "Why did my Aunt Catherine pick this place for a Vacation?"
Mr. Collins cleared his throat and scratched his chin nervously. "Well, there is something I must tell you, You see...."
"Oh wow! Look at that house! Will! It is, ... it's ... HUGE!" Gianna said as her mouth dropped open.
"Yes it is huge isn't it. The view from the bedroom balconies are just incredible. It makes the fact that we are stranded from any form of established society almost bearable. Then again I hate the country." Caroline said in an imperious tone, as she pulled in the drive-way.
Mr. Darcy smiled. What can I say, the chick has class, and a cute face to boot. He caught her eye as she looked in the rear-view mirror. They shared a long glance and a quick smile. Interrupted by Mr. Collin's inane rambling and the car pulling to a stop.
" As I said before, I must tell you Mr. Darcy, your aunt is coming here to film a live..."
"My aunt is coming? What do you mean? Is she not here yet?" Darcy was getting a very bad vibe. Aunt Catherine had messed him over before and he just knew that it was likely she was doing it again.
"Erm, Well, uh, no not until the 24th when we go live on cable."
"What do you mean by WE?" he said as he dug his fingernails into his armrest.
"Well you see, we means... you and the Kendra Lane family doing a cooking and site seeing Christmas special." Mr. Collins said in an altogether too cheerful manner.
Darcy got out of the van and slammed the door forcefully.
"I think that went over well...." Mr. Collins said weakly.
"Yah, you're so lucky he didn't flatten you." Gianna said frankly.
"Yes, and you deserve it too. If this is "Survivor" I am voting you off the Island ." Caroline chuckled.
I'm just mad about Saffron and she just mad about me.
Lizzie smiled as she wandered into the kitchen. It was so good to see her father singing to Donovan. Many a breakfast was eaten to the psychedelic sounds of the late 60's and early 70's. It was his Carnaby St. background. He saw all the greats including Hendrix.
"Ah, My Lizzie. Our prayers have been answered, Mr. Collins is running a few hours late. So we have some time to ourselves. Now I must know, how did you and Jane get involved in this one?"
"It's a long story."
"I like long stories."
"Well, it all started with... Mr. Collins actually. He hunted Jane down and then he sort of blackmailed us."
" So he knows that there is no Kendra Lane?"
"Knows? More like suspects."
Mr. Bennet sighed softly. "So our biggest threat is Mr. Darcy."
"Basically. Any other questions?"
"Yes, one. How long has Jane been head over heels for Bingley?"
"Oh heck! Is it that obvious?"
"Yes. I hope that Mr. Darcy doesn't notice, but I think he will have to be blind." Mr. Bennet got up and washed his hands. He then pulled some ingredients out of the fridge. "I am thinking about a southern breakfast for these folks. Eggs, bacon, biscuits, and grits served casually formal. Like a family breakfast, you know."
" That sounds great, but what about the kids?"
"Kids?"
"Yeah didn't Jane offer to babysit for the Gardiners? One 8 month old girl, and a 5 year old boy? "
"I didn't know anything about that AT ALL... That must be why she borrowed my car this morning. I will have to think of some kid friendly stuff fast."
Lizzie sipped her coffee leisurely. She looked out on the snow-covered mountain. The early morning sun came streaming through the trees. The clouds began to roll in and it started lightly snowing. " I forget how pretty it is up here at Dolly's house."
"Charles, where is Caroline headed?"
"Pigeon Forge. She heard there was outlet shopping." he said cheerily.
Suddenly the click of Flipper's toenails could be heard on the steps. And down came the thundering mass of a puppy. She looked first for Bingley and her morning pat on the head and then she directed herself to the door and sat down in front of it,whining furiously.
" Flipper needs to go out... Nature doesn't have call-waiting. Please excuse me." and with that he stepped outside and let the dog run free.
"He seems like a decent fellow." Mr. Bennet commented under his breath.
"Hmmm? Yes. Yes, he is a decent fellow. His sister on the other hand is a holy terror."
Mr. Bennet nodded as he was only half listening. There was a very calm silence for a space of time. Neither of them really saying anything. Lizzie began skimming the book her Father had been flipping through when he said rather suddenly,
"Wonder why the holy terror came back so quickly? She must have taken one look at the ice on the road and turned back. Hee hee! City girl. Oh dear! I think she found our missing guests."
****
This is all I need today. he thought as he got up from the spill.
Elizabeth found herself giggling at the site of such a large man and large dog in a tangle. She came to the front door and said. "Did ya have a nice trip?"
"Excuse me, but do you happen to have a needle and thread? Instead of running your mouth like a typical woman, you could help me."
"No thanks. I'd rather be a typical woman. You are a lot nicer looking in person than on T.V. It must be the disheveled look suits you."
" Do you expect me to return the compliment?"
"Not unless you want to."
"Good. All I could think to say is, you are tolerable, but not witty enough to attract me. May I use your telephone please?"
A few minutes later inside the house, Mr. Collins offered Mr. Darcy his cell phone while Caroline and Charles showed Gianna her room. To add to the confusion Flipper was barking and scratching on the front door.
"Don't get too attached Gianna. We aren't staying the night. I plan to be back in New York by nightfall." He said as he dialed Catherine's office.
Mr. Bennet and Lizzie started setting the table. Mr. Collins wandered in and sat down. He was a man who did not enjoy being in limbo. He let out an exasperated sigh. Aggravated at being ignored he sighed even louder. While in the background he could hear Mr. Darcy leaving a heated message on Mrs. Debourg's voice mail. He pulled out his nose drops and inhaled deeply. He stared out the window and said, "you know, I don't think anyone will go anywhere for a few hours."
Lizzie and her father looked out the window. The show that had been falling rather lightly was now coming down in sheets. It looked as if it would be a record snow this year and if it was there would be no way of getting off this mountain for a couple of days.
Just then the front door opened and Jane walked in with the kids. " I don't think anyone should try to drive on the road for a few hours. I barely made it up here." she walked to Lizzie and handed her the baby.
"Can I go watch TV?" the older brother asked Jane.
"Ask your mum." she answered.
" she's in Pittsburgh cause Grandma's sick." He said honestly.
"Ha ha, Elliot. Remember what we said about lying. Now ask your mom." Jane said as she pointed to Lizzie.
"Yes son, go watch cartoons. Breakfast will be ready in a minute." Lizzie said quickly. She didn't want Elliot to ruin the whole thing.
"I already ate at hom-errrr- my friends house." He said as he ran into the room with Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy was sitting on the couch and staring out the window. He was really trying to mellow out, but the harder the snow fell... the angrier he felt.
"Hi!" Elliot said as turned on the TV and sat down in front of it. He began removing his shoes and setting them beside the couch. Then he quickly crawled up on the sofa, bare feet and all, and began jumping to the music.
"Ummm, I know this is unconventional, but do you mind... sitting, instead of jumping. It is a very big fad with television watchers. I hear it is very soothing." Darcy said in a patronizing tone.
"Nope, I always jump on the couch while I watch "Blue's Clues." It's the rules." Elliot said in mid-jump.
"The rules..." Darcy mumbled softly. if only life were that simple, he thought as he settled back in his seat. All of a sudden the little boy came over and crawled in his lap. He felt the tension slowly leave.
Elliot settled back with his head on Darcy's chest. Mr. Darcy watched the little boy comment on the show when the host asked and had the clues figured out way before the show was over, but he would not take his eyes off the televison until he saw ending credits. Then he slid from Darcy's lap and changed to the Disney Channel.
"Wouldn't you rather play with some toys or maybe a game?" Will inquired.
"No, not right now." he said as he settled back in Darcy's lap. He placed three fingers in his mouth and sucked on them contentedly. He quickly fell asleep and so did Mr. Darcy.
*****
Mr. Darcy awakened when Lizzie tried to lift Elliot out of his lap. "Hey! What time is it?"
"Noon. You must have been very tired." Lizzie whispered. " I need to put him to bed. He was staying at a cousins yesterday so I could clean the house. I guess he didn't sleep at all."
"They must have worn him out." he said with a smile. "Here let me take him. Which room?"
"Ummm, up the hallway and to the right. His name is on the door. Thank you. I am sorry I was so rude to you earlier."
"Don't be. It wasn't your fault." he said as he went upstairs.
Part Five
If there were any other situations that could be more confusing for William Darcy, then it would be rare. He was confused, bamboozled, bewildered, and most of all hurt. But after he put Elliot in his race car bed he wondered down the hall in search of Gianna.
What he found instead was Charles Bingley with his arm around Jane. When they noticed he was looking Charles pulled his arm to his side very quickly.
"Are you Elliot's Dad?" Will said calmly.
"Elliot?" Jane jabbed him with her elbow. "Yes, Elliot is my son." Charles tried to sound convincing.
"He seems like a great kid. How old is he?"
"He is five." Jane interrupted. " I am Jane Bennet. I am Kendra's personal assistant." she shook his hand. "If you are looking for your sister she is in her room down the hall."
"Thank you." he said softly. If I didn't know better, I would think she was dismissing me. I am not so sure I like that Jane Bennet. She smiles too much. He thought as he walked down the hall.
Lizzie grunted, but it was a positive grunt. Another shovel full of snow went over her shoulder.
"Lizzie, I think I may be causing Charles to loose his focus. I know he is making it hard for me to concentrate."
Lizzie stopped long enough to roll her eyes at Jane. "This isn't Kindergarten Jane. You are a pro and so is he."
"Yes, I know but, that all seems to stop when I look at him. Am I crazy?"
"Yes, you are. It's certifiable."Lizzie quipped. "But I don't think that is one of the symptoms."
"Why, that's a terrible thing to say!" Jane said as she tossed a snowball.
"Jane and Charles sitting in a tree... Oowch!" she said as was hit in the ear, "you throw like a girl!"
All of a sudden the heart to heart talk became a free for all snowball fight. Lizzie and Jane were having fun. For the first time in a month or so, They stopped taking it all so seriously.
Will knocked on the door. She didn't answer. He called her name. She didn't answer. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He turned the knob and walked in. There was a chair in front of the window. All of a sudden he felt a rush of bone chilling fear run through his body. As he walked toward the chair he began to see her with her head phones on. And he immediately relaxed.
Gianna looked up and quickly removed the head phones. "Will! You startled me!"
"I startled you? You nearly made me jump out of my socks. Do you know how many times I yelled at your door?" he said softly.
"Sorry, I was looking at the snow."
"Humph." was his reply.
This was not the opportunity she was hoping for. But somehow it would have to work.
"I wanna stay."
"What?"
She felt her voice break and become softer. She was not going to back down no matter how scared she was.
"I wanna stay here for Christmas. This is the perfect place to stay. We are in the house of America's favorite cook and decorator. It's like we just fell into a Norman Rockwell painting."
" I wonder how Norman Rockwell would paint adultery?"
"What?"
"Mr. Lane is messing with the English Secretary or assistant."
"The Chef guy?" Gianna asked with wide eyes.
"No, the blond GIRL." he said with a chuckle.
"Oh! Her! Well I still wanna stay. I wanna ride the horse. I wanna sleep in the princess bed. I wanna play in the snow. This place is better than Disney World, and its all free. You don't realize that this is Kendra Lane! People would kill to be in our shoes, and we haven't had a vacation in so long, Will. I don't know about you, but I really need one." She knew if she looked at him with tears in her eyes she'd have him. She tilted her head and quivered her lower lip.
He looked in her face and smiled. A vacation. That is how to see it. I will miss all the television rehearsals. I 'll leave early and come in late. I'm going to take my sister to Dollywood and Ripley's and we will have one great vacation, courtesy of Aunt Catherine.She'll never know what hit her. The best way to get to her is through her check book. he thought to himself with a smile.
"Hey, look those ladies are having a snow fight! I wanna do that, Will!" and with that statement she ran downstairs and out the door.
"Gianna! Don't get in the middle of that..."he said as he ran after her.
****
1 hour later Mr. Bennet was warming four cold snow covered people. He was dolling out hot chocolate and rubbing frozen feet. He heard about what a good shot Gianna was with a snowball and how much fun it was to sled down a hill in a cardboard box. Which he learned was Mr. Darcy's own idea. He also noticed how flushed both Lizzie and William Darcy were. This might be trouble, but he seems like a decent guy. he thought.
From that snow-fight forward the Bennet's and the Darcy's became friends, almost as if they has known each other all their lives. Everyone knew that this was already a Christmas to remember.
Part Six
"Here's a story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls. All of them had hair of gold like their mother..." Lizzie sang softly.
She looked at Elyssia Gardiner who was rubbing her ears and whimpering. I hope she is not sick. she placed her hand on the baby's forehead and prayed it was cool. To her surprise it was only a little warm. She sighed. "You gave me a fright little one." she said slipping back into her English accent. "Now tell me, what will make you go to sleep? A shopping spree at Toys R Us? Nope too young for that. How about a little light book reading and a wipe for your nose?" she stumbled into the living room with baby in tow looking for a picture book and a few Kleenex.
At first she thought she was delusional from exhaustion but then she realized that someone was knocking on the back door. Who in the wide world would be insane enough to come up the mountain in the middle of a storm. she opened the front door with a little fear in her heart. The shock of seeing someone completely unexpected dumbfounded her."Lydia!" was all she could say.
"Happy Christmas Lizzie! You knew I wouldn't stay at the school for the Holidays. That is what Mary and Kit wanted to do. But I want to be with Dad. After all, I am your favourite sister." she said with a wink. "Wow! What a great house. I think I should like to stay here a great deal. Where is my room? When did you have a baby?"
"Oh Lydia! Why now? Why here?" Lizzie said.
"Why now? Lizzie, I want to be with family on Christmas. Is that such a crime?" She looked at Lizzie with a forlorn expression.
Lizzie muttered to herself, I am sure that isn't all she wants. But out loud she said, "Lydia, you can't stay here. We have too much to do and we don't have time to explain it all. Please, I beg you, stay at a hotel."
"A HOTEL! I come all the way from England, a 12 hour flight, and you make me stay at a HOTEL!"
"Shhhhhh!" Lizzie said as the baby began to howl.
"I will NOT shhhhh!" Lydia said as she sat on the couch pouting. " I wish I hadn't bought you such a nice gift!"
Lizzie watched as if in slow motion all the lights in the bedrooms came on, and people began rushing out into the hall. She racked her brain for a quick excuse... anything...
Jane was the first down the steps and she stopped in mid run. "Lydia! Oh my gosh! Lydia!" All of a sudden she looked a bit unwell. She went weak in the knees.
Charles Bingley, and Mr. Bennet were trailing fast behind and caught up just in time to steady her.
"Lydia dear girl, if you want to stay here you must abide by some very staunch rules. Now have had trouble with such things before..." He said as he pulled his protesting daughter into the kitchen.
Mr. Darcy, Caroline, and Gianna watched from the stairwell.
" I love my sister-in-law. I really do. But sometimes I think she could deal with things a little less nosily." said Caroline with a yawn.
" I think she just had an uninvited visitor." Gianna replied with a questioning look at her brother.
" It is the chef's daughter." Caroline replied nonchalantly. "Nothing worth such a hullabaloo." she waved her hand and turned to go back to her bedroom.
"Do you think the English girl is ok?" Will said softly.
"Yah, I think that Hugh guy is attending her. Why do you think it upset her so badly?" Gianna muttered.
"I think you should go to bed. I am going to go see if they need any..." Suddenly Darcy was interrupted by a sobbing noise. It was from the direction of Elliot's room. Just as they turned to look the door handle began to move and the door cracked open enough to see the 3 ft tall kid and his stuffed hippo.
"Hey, little guy. Are you frightened by all the noise?" Darcy said warmly.
Elliot nodded, and placed his fingers in his mouth.
Will and Gianna smiled at each other. Gianna went over and picked him up.
"Let's go find your Mama." Darcy said softly.
Charles was completely in the dark about all of this. Who was the strange girl in the kitchen? And How did she get up that mountain in the dark? All of a sudden he felt a chill run up his spine. He didn't know exactly how or where, but he felt some very bad luck had walked in the door with her.
He went into the kitchen to get some water for Jane. He could only overhear certain key words of the conversation, but he knew the fate of the next few days would depend on the way she acted in the next few moments. So far, from what he heard... she was refusing to cooperate.
"No, I think we can save it yet, if you can get this bubble-nosed infant to sleep." she replied as she handed the child over.
Lizzie walked into the kitchen where Lydia and her Father were arguing. Lydia was opposing him vehemently.
" I think this whole family is crazy. Why in the world would anyone pull off such a stunt?"
" To save Jane from a lawsuit. All these years she has been writing a cooking insert, she never used the money on frivolous stuff. She helped pay for you and Mary and Kit to go to school in England. So you owe her Lydia, you owe her quite a bit!" Lizzie looked her sister hard in the face. Lydia could be stubborn, but Lizzie could always back her down if necessary.
Lydia stammered for a moment. She looked to her father for comfort but instead he said, "Lydia, the world doesn't revolve around you right now. We need you to co-operate and be a bit player."
She let out a jagged sigh. With a tremble in her voice she said, "Alright, I will do it for Jane."
"Good girl, Lydia!" her father said as he gave her a hug. Lizzie came over and joined in. As dysfunctional as it all was, they were still family.
***
Elliot Gardiner was in rare form at 3' o clock in the morning. Usually a calm and reflective child, He was fighting sleep with all his 5 year old ability, and had become a rambunctious heathen. He was running around the living room, messing with anything he could. Gianna and Will had him penned in to only a few places he could cause mass destruction. But even then, they could not remove their eyes from him for even a split second.
He would not be cajoled by either Charles or Jane. He did not want to be cuddled or read to. There was nothing that could possibly be done. And then Mr. Darcy had a brilliant idea.
"Charles, When Gianna wouldn't settle down, my mom would give her a nice hot bath. It always worked."
Charles Bingley looked a Jane in terror. She responded with a shrug and turned her attention back to the baby. He realized he couldn't get saved from the duty unless...
"Let me see how Kendra feels about that." he said weakly.
He burst into the kitchen searching for anyone who would be so kind as to take his place. He asked Lizzie and she suggested that Mr. Darcy should do it himself. Mr. Bennet shot that idea down because he didn't want a stranger bathing Elliot. So Lizzie decided that she would assist Mr Darcy. Anything to get the kids back to bed. One by one everyone returned to bed. Lydia was to sleep on the couch until morning. Lizzie scooped up Elliot and grabbed Mr.Darcy's arm.
"You will help me bathe him won't you?" she asked when they reached the bathroom.
" Beg your pardon?" he replied in a bewildered tone.
But she didn't stop to explain she just began to run water into the extra large tub. Elliot had already tried to remove his spiderman pajama's and had gotten his head hung in his sleeve. Mr. Darcy stared at him, while the little guy helplessly fumbled around on the bath mat.
"Are you just gonna stand there? He needs your help." Lizzie said as she lifted her hand that had been testing the water.
" I want bubbles in my bath!" the wriggling child commanded.
" There are bubbles in there already, and I didn't forget your wash mitt this time." she said.
Mr. Darcy helped him with his shirt and set him in the tub. He couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Elliot up to his neck in bubbles. It turned to a full laugh when Elliot did his Santa imitation.
He watched Lizzie in awe. This woman could really Multi task, In some ways he felt himself pity her. She seemed to need a little rest, but in other ways she seemed like she could take on the world... and win.
"Elliot doesn't really look like you."
"Nope, he doesn't"
"Does he look like your Husband?"
"Oh geez, I hope not!"
He laughed at her thinking she was making a joke. She laughed too, hoping it would cover her mistake. She was lucky he was shy, it made him not question her too much.
" How old were you when he was born?"
" I was 19 and in college. He was our honeymoon surprise." she said with a smile " Hugh and I met when I was a junior in highschool and he was finishing up med school. No one thought that we would stay together. I guess they were wrong."
"You were very young. When I was that age I had a lot of maturing to do, but I find I still have a lot of maturing to do and I am 27."
She laughed. For the first time he realized what an attractive woman she was. He wouldn't let his mind go any further than that. She was married. That put a damper on any thoughts beyond acquaintance. He was a very moral man.
" I guess I should ask you a few questions." she said with a coy smile.
"Why do I get the feeling I am in middle school and we are playing truth or dare?" he said suspiciously.
He couldn't seem to help flirting with her. It just flowed so easily, and for a man like him, a person he could be completely himself with, was rare indeed. Hugh Lane is a lucky man he thought.
"What provoked you to be a fireman?" She asked as she scrubbed Elliot's back.
"Provoked... interesting choice of words. Remind me to ask you why, after I answer your question." he said with a tone of wonder. "But first things first. When my Father died I felt obligated to run De Bourge entertainment. I was taking business classes out the wahzoo and I was sooo unhappy. One morning I was shaving and I looked in the mirror and I said to my dorm mate. "You know what I think I wanna be a fireman." and he said back, " If you join, so will I." So off we went in search of adventure. I wonder if Ronald regretted that decision? I never got to ask him." he began to look solemn.
Lizzie tried to think of something to say, but she didn't know how to break the silence. She looked at this handsome young man who's eyes spoke of something deeper, wiser, and older in his soul. She wondered how he had coped with so much for so long. She almost wanted to hold him, but she knew she couldn't. She could only listen.
"Now, why did you use the word provoked?"
His eyes met hers. There was a look of deep compassion in her face that sent a shiver down his spine. Why her? Why couldn't some other woman make him feel this way? He knew he would have to stay away from her. He couldn't help being attracted to her. His mind kept chanting over and over, She is married, you dope! but his emotions were churning like a roller coaster.
" I don't know. It just seems... so dangerous. I would be so nervous, if I were in that kind of situation. I think I would have to throw-up."
" You don't really think about it. You have things that you have to do and you work through them. If you stop to think about yourself or anything else it could hurt someone."
"Don't you ever get scared ?"
"All the time. But as my highschool speech teacher used to say, "Feel the fear, but do it anyway." I have terrible fears of public speaking. But I find that the more I do it, the less I fear it. So I just work my way through it."
Elliot played in the tub for about 30 minutes. They took him out when he got all wrinkled up. They dressed him up in his spiderman P.j's and went to the kitchen to make him a midnight snack.
" I want some bear food, please." he said softly.
Judging from the bewildered look on Mr. Darcy's face, Lizzie knew she would have to explain. "He likes to have Teddy Grams mixed with yogurt covered raisins, nuts, Cheerio's and other stuff. We call them bear food." she explained.
" That sound's really yummy." he said to Elliot, who was about to fall asleep in his arms.
Lizzie handed Elliot a paper towel with a handful of bear food in it. He picked around for a moment before falling asleep in his chair.
" At last!" she sighed. And she and Mr. Darcy put him in his bed.
As they walked out the door, Will couldn't help but watch her go to her room. He went to his room in a confused and almost sad mood. He began to pray, but before he could finish, he was fast asleep.
1 lg Tomato
1 ea Cucumber 1 sm Onion
1 tb Fresh dill Salt
2 ea Green chili peppers, chopped
1 tb Vinegar Oil & lemon dressing
A twelve hour ride is always harrowing. A twelve hour ride with 3 girls, one guy, and a great
Dane... is a living nightmare. Lizzie tried to keep focus. But between Caroline Bingley's whining, Jane and Charles gushing, And that stupid dog barking... She was thinking of suicide by plastic fork.
Mr. Collins had scheduled everything down to the last minute. He had a limo waiting for them. And he had everything together or so it seemed... Until they got off the plane.
Mr. Darcy smiled. He really didn't know how to deal with such recognition.
When she was out of earshot Gianna whispered to her brother, "didn't we see him on America's Most Wanted ?"
***
Lizzie had slept late. She woke rather pleasantly to Mr. Bennet playing 60's music in the kitchen.
I'm-a-just-a-mad about Saffron, and she's simply mad about me.
They call me Mellow Yellow- quite right slick.
They call me Mellow Yellow- quite right slick
They call me Mellow Yellow
She heard the front door slam shut and then she saw Caroline Bingley march in the knee-deep snow to the van. A few minutes later Charles came to the breakfast table and sat by Lizzie.
Charles Bingley did not train his dog well. He really didn't train her much at all. As soon as Flipper saw Mr. Darcy leave the car she decided to run up and lick him in the face as a greeting. Not knowing her own strength the dog forcefully knocked him to the ground causing him to hit his posterior quite hard. He also ripped his only pair of pants.
****
Gianna loved her room. That was the truth. She wanted to stay so badly it hurt. It was like living in a magazine. There was a four poster bed with a gauzy canopy, tons of hand embroidered pillows, a feather duvet, and she had her own bathroom with a whirlpool tub. If this was torture, she wanted to be chained to the walls. There must be some way that I can talk Will into staying. This place is incredible, the perfect place to have Christmas. she thought to herself. I am going to try my darnedest to stay here. Where there is a Will.... there is a soft spot. She smiled and fell back on the bed.
"You should discuss this with Kendra. You know how wives are about decorating. We usually just get a fake tree. We don't even really have any ornaments." Charles said nervously. "Hello, Mr. Darcy. I'm Hugh Lane."
***
Jane Bennet wandered downstairs to find Lizzie. She found the dark haired sister shoveling the sidewalk. So Jane picked up a shovel and started to pour her heart out. "Lizzie, I think, well... I don't know how to say this."
****
Gianna had unpacked her backpack and eaten while Darcy had a nap. She was listening to her favorite Christmas C.D. and staring out the window. She had a great view of the stables. She could even see a horse every now and then. She knew before she left she would have to ride a horse.
It was the middle of the night and the Baby would not stop crying. Lizzie had moved the rocking chair into the kitchen so she would not wake the guests.
Mr. Bennet the only calm in the midst of the storm helped Jane to the couch and then attempted to pull Lydia to the kitchen.
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Jane had recovered from her dizzy spell and looked a Lizzie with humiliation. "I blew it didn't I ?" she whispered softly.
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