Part I
When growing up, I don't remember my mother or father. My aunt and uncle were afraid that the family's secrets and truths would hurt me and turn me away from them. All I knew is that I had a sister, a sister that was eight years older than me. A sister named Janna.
My name is Elizabetta Franchesca Garnier, however now it's just Elizabeth Garnier. I am twenty-five years old, I was born in the United States but went to live in Greece with my aunt and uncle when I was a year old.
My momma was a real Italian princess, who became a famous model. Her name was Serna Garnier but when she was modeling it was Serna Darcy. My father was Verseli Garnier, he was born in Greece and lived in Paris and the States. He was a famous photographer and that is how my parents met.
I knew my mother was a widow she and my half-sister moved to New York City, where she became a famous model, she met my father and shortly died after I was born.
I knew very little about my sister Janna Darcy, until I was eighteen and finally allowed to meet her face to face. It was she, my most beloved sister that told me the truth behind my family. Why I was forced to be apart from her for eighteen years of my and her life. She told me that my father killed my mother. He had a drug problem and she confronted him one night about it when he was under the influence and he accidentally killed her. I wanted to hate my aunt and uncle for keeping that from me but I couldn't. They just wanted to protect me, but they knew that they couldn't keep it from me forever. After what she told me I decided to move to the United States, to Boston and live with Janna's family.
Anna's father was Brad Darcy, the second son of Thomas and Grace Darcy of Boston. They were a very high society family in Boston, went to the best schools, only socialized with the best families. In my opinion they were snobs.
Jacob Darcy was the oldest, he is a lawyer. However, not that much anymore his marriage is crumbling and well he has a little drinking problem. His wife Louisa is a society lady, very snotty and not very polite.
Brad was like I said the second son. He was planned to take over his father's place in congress, but that is what his parent's planned. Brad became a diplomat and travelled the world, it was then when he was in Italy that he fell in love with Momma and they married. Much to Grace Darcy's liking. She hated Momma and Anna, she didn't acknowledge them, or at least till Anna was eight years old.
Then there was Teddy Darcy. He became a doctor. He fell in love with a fellow doctor named Linda Lucas, and he is one of my favorite Darcy's. He proves that they are all not that bad. He and Linda took in Anna and raised here even though they already had a four-year-old son, Anna's cousin, William Darcy.
William is three years older than me and well he's smart, funny and very handsome. And he adores Anna like a brother would. But since they were raised more like brother and sister instead of cousins, I guess that is logical.
Then there is Anna, Janna Grace Darcy Brently. She married her college sweetheart, Charles Brently in 1995. I love Charlie he is a cool older brother. Anna is a college professor of history and Charlie is a lawyer. He took over Jacob's firm.
I am also a very proud aunt of twins, the latest addition to the Darcy family. Serna Beth Brently and Richard Brad Brently. Charlie didn't want both of his kids named after Anna's parents. But he agreed on Serna, for she is his little angel. They were born in 1998 and are almost five years old.
And this is where my story begins.
Part II
'Rich! Please come down.' I yelled at my nephew, who was happily situated on top of his play set.
'Please Aunt Lizzy, just a little longer.' He begged me with those clear blue eyes he got from his dad.
'No. It is time to go inside, your mom and sister should be coming home soon.' Anna had to take Serna to the doctor for her checkup, she has been a little sick this past week. So I have been watching Rich, so that he doesn't get sick.
'Not until Momma and Serna get home, until then not coming down.' He said stubbornly crossing his arms in front of him.
'Don't make me come up there.'
'Come and get me then Aunt Lizzy.' He dared back, it was then I heard a chuckle behind me. 'Hi Uncle Will!'
'Hello Rich, hello Elizabeth. Having a little trouble with our nephew there?' William smirked at me.
'No. Nothing I can't handle William Darcy.' I glared back at him and started to climb up the rope latter to get me darling little nephew.
William started to laugh and called up to Rich, 'You better come down quick or Aunt Lizzy is going to get you.'
'Ok Uncle Will.' Rich said and to my amazement he slid down the slide. I just turned on the rope ladder and glared at William.
'You know William Darcy, you could have done that before I started to climb.'
William replied smugly, 'then I wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing you climb.'
'Oh You!' I replied and while trying to climb back down, I guess I wasn't really paying attention to where he was because the next thing I know is that his hands are around my waist. He then grabs me off the rope ladder and places me on the ground in front of him.
'There you are back on the ground.' William said close to my ear. I turned around and he still has me pinned up against the ladder. 'Don't worry I can think of a way for you to repay me?'
'Oh really,' I laughed. 'And how am I to do that?'
His dark eyes sparkled with laughter, 'well by possibly going to the movies with me. We haven't seen a movie in a while.'
'Well that is because we are both working.' William is a college professor of English Lit and me well growing up in Greece surrounded by myths and legends, I also became a teacher of Greek Mythology/Ancient World Lit. William, Anna and I all teach at Boston University.
'I know.' William said softly laughing and snapping me out of my daze. 'However, it is Sunday and since we are both off I was thinking...'
'Uncle Will! Aunt Lizzy!' Rich yelled finally getting tired of us talking and not paying attention to him. That was enough to move William and I could focus on my nephew.
'Yes Rich.'
'Can we go inside now? Momma should be home with Serna by now.'
'Ok,' I agreed. 'Oh look there they are now.' I noticed two figures coming out of the house.
'Serna!' Rich yelled running to his twin. Both of them went inside which left just us adults standing on the back porch.
'Hi Will ... Lizzy, I hope he wasn't too much trouble.' Anna said pulling her dark straight hair back into a hair clip.
'Oh no Anna. It was Liz that you had to worry about.'
'Me? Whatever do you mean William?' I asked glaring at him.
'Well Anna,' he said ignoring me and turning to his cousin. 'Rich wouldn't come down so Liz tried to climb up to get him, however I got him to come down before she was halfway up there. Then she got stuck and I had to rescue her.' William finished laughing and walking over to Anna to give her a hug. Anna just laughed and hugged him back.
'Oh yea!' I challenged him. 'If I recall you didn't say a thing till I was half way up that thing. Then as I was coming back down you pulled me off it without asking me. Now if you will excuse me I have notes to prepare for my class in the morning. Anna dearest I will call you later.' I finished then went to my sister gave her a hug and walked inside to say goodbye to my niece and nephew, with out a single glance in William's direction.