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Chapter Seven

Will couldn’t get the fantasy of living in that house out of his mind. He had called Maggie and she had promised to do the best she could for him. Elizabeth had to remind him of his work several times over the next few days. He talked to his lawyer who was dealing with the divorce proceedings and came to the depressing conclusion that to buy the house at that time would not be a wise idea. He began to become depressed about it. Georgiana seemed to sense this and grew fussier.

On Wednesday evening, Elizabeth sat down with Will and began, “I’ve been thinking.”

This didn’t even provoke Will’s usual sarcastic or teasing remark.

“Why don’t I buy the house?”

Will looked at her, completely nonplussed.

“Sorry, I don’t understand.”

“What if I put the down payment on the house, the mortgage was in my name and everything, and you just lived there?”

“I still don’t think I understand you. I thought you were saying that you would buy the house so I could live there.”

“Well… buy it temporarily until your divorce is settled and you can safely buy it from me.”

“That is an incredibly risky undertaking for you.”

“Not if I consider it an investment. I’m selling the apartment here; I’m renting a place up in Chicago until I buy my own place. And I like that house just as much as you.”

“Really?”

“Yes! It’s gorgeous!”

“I still can’t believe you would do this.”

“I guess I trust you more than I thought.”

Will was inordinately touched by her suggestion and by what she had just said. It was definitely not something he could conceive any of his old friends doing for him. And she wasn’t rolling in money like they were.

But he still didn’t feel comfortable with it yet. He felt like he was taking advantage of her. So he suggested, “Let’s wait a couple of days. Think on it some more. I don’t want you regretting your decision later.”

“All right, fine.”

Nothing had changed in two days. Elizabeth still believed that it was the right thing to do. Will didn’t even have time to fully realize it before the proceedings began for Elizabeth to purchase the house.

She explained to him, “Now, I’m going to move out of my apartment up to the one in Chicago, which is already furnished. So you’re going to have to move the rest of my stuff from the apartment to the house and help sell the apartment for me.”

“All right. But you can’t expect me to furnish and decorate a house like this.”

“Why not?”

“You won’t necessarily like my taste.”

“It’s not my house – well, it is for a little while technically – but you’re the one living there. If it bugs you that much, hire a professional decorator.”

“I don’t want to waste money on a professional, I like your taste.”

“You’re acting like a child!” she exclaimed.

“And you’re resisting like one. Just help me with it.”

“Will! I’m moving to Chicago! I can’t just drop by and help you like this.”

“Why not?” But he knew she had a point. He didn’t like the idea of her going even a five-hour drive away.

“Why don’t you try and bribe Jane to go shopping with you?” Elizabeth suggested.

Things moved way too quickly for Will. He hadn’t realized she would be leaving quite so soon. He began to fear the time when she wouldn’t be there to help him. Finally, she was ready for her move. All they were waiting on was Mrs. Reynolds’ return. Will usually respected and needed his permanent personal assistant. But at this time, Will hoped she would not return. He didn’t like Elizabeth going away. Georgiana would miss her. He knew that as soon as Elizabeth left, Georgiana would begin to cry and cry and cry and he would fall to pieces.

She had promised to help oversee the continuing project of the childcare centre. It was nearly done. It would open in two weeks. That would help Will get back on his feet, but still, he really wished Elizabeth was not leaving.

“Are you going to come back to St Louis often?” Will asked one evening over dinner.

“Of course. My sister and her family are here, remember?”

“Oh yes, that’s right. But you’ll come visit Georgiana, too, right?”

“I would love to see her when I come back.”

“She’s going to miss you very much.”

“I doubt it. She’s too young to miss me.”

“How do you know? When you’re not around, she gets fussy more easily.”

“That’s just your imagination and your insecurities.”

Elizabeth drove a moving truck full of boxes up to her new apartment in the outskirts of Chicago the next weekend. She returned in time to go to work with Will in the morning.

“Has your insomnia improved any?” Will asked during the drive to work.

“A little. I can sleep about four hours a night total, now.”

“I don’t understand how you last.”

“I don’t know, either. I just do.”

“Are you a workaholic?”

“Fine question coming from you,” she retorted.

They did a good day’s work together that day, getting a lot of things accomplished. To celebrate, they went out to the St Louis Bread Company for dinner. Elizabeth got her sandwich and sat down in a booth with Georgiana in her lap and waited for Will. Finally, he sat down and explained, “They messed up my sandwich the first time around.”

Elizabeth nodded in understanding and took a bite out of her sandwich. Georgiana grabbed one of Elizabeth’s curls and yanked up and down. Elizabeth extricated herself from the baby’s hands with practiced ease and put her sandwich down.

“Tell me about Caroline,” said Elizabeth. “You never talk about her, and I can never really figure out if you’re pining for her or not.”

“Pining for her? No, I wouldn’t use that word. I regret the marriage in the first place. I think I settled. I don’t think I had an appreciation for what a good marriage ought to be, since my own parents died so young. I wish I had a happy marriage and a mother for Georgiana, but I realize that Caroline just doesn’t fit that role. I have to work hard on not judging her for it. If I get trapped in that cycle of blame, I won’t make it through in one piece.”

“Through what?”

“Through the divorce.”

“You don’t think you’d change your mind if Caroline came back begging for your forgiveness?”

“I may be tempted to try, but I don’t think it would work, really.”

“Why not?”

“Just because she would be trying to be someone she’s not. And that would make us both miserable. It’s better this way. But at the same time, I don’t want to be one of those men who have four or five wives over the course of his life. I want stability and a good relationship. I also would like what is best for Georgiana.”

“Have you ever considered just being single?”

Will paused to think. “Not really. It was always expected that I marry. I expected to marry.”

“Well, you did, and it hasn’t worked out. So why haven’t you even considered being single?”

“I just never did. I suppose I could.”

“Of course you could. You’re pretty much single now.”

“No, you’re here.”

“I don’t count.”

“Why not? You’re a constant presence in my life; that negates my being single and living alone.”

“Well, anyway, what was Caroline like?”

“I told you.”

“No, you haven’t really.”

“Of course I have.”

“I don’t know how many conversations you’ve had with yourself about her, but you haven’t had but one or two with me.”

“Oh. …Well, she can be really harsh, but that’s just a façade. She is really into the current fashions and often goes to Paris, Milan, London and New York for the season. She doesn’t like animals or, apparently, babies. She gives parties and attends them. I guess she’s a really good hostess at that sort of thing.”

“What else does she do?”

“Not much. I think at one time she painted a little. But I never liked her work.”

“Did she enjoy the arts, then?”

“Not really. Just supported them occasionally. She would sometimes do a dinner as a fundraiser for the St. Louis Symphony or something.”

“Why did you marry her?”

“It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”

“Why?”

Will shrugged. “Just did. We’d dated for about a year, she was in my social class, seemed to fit what was suitable in a wife. It meant I could stop looking. We got along really well at first.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know. I guess she just became unhappy and we began to want different things.”

There was a prolonged silence. It was a heavy and somber silence of which both were fearful yet desiring to break. Finally, Will asked her, “I’ve told you about my marriage. I think it only fair you tell me about yours.”

Elizabeth sighed, sitting back in the booth and resettling the squirming Georgiana in her lap. “I am only just starting to figure out what went wrong. For a while, I didn’t know there was anything wrong, and then after that I knew something had gone wrong but didn’t know what or at what point in the relationship. My current theory goes like this: I have always looked up to my sister Jane in everything. I admire her, respect her, and wish I could be more like her. But I’m not. We’re both very different but alike. She got married pretty early. She had met Charles and fallen in love and they had married. But I had never seen her as the marrying kind. I know that’s difficult to conceive of now since you know her as a loving wife and mother. When we were younger, however, we were both aspiring to go far in our fields and wouldn’t let men in the form of husbands hold us back. Upon meeting and falling in love with Charles, that view changed and it really threw me off. I didn’t know what to do. Here was the sister I adored and looked up to, and she was getting married. She was so happy. I envied her and I thought that maybe marriage was the way to get that happiness. I met and dated George, and when he asked me to marry him, I said yes. We married, but it wasn’t the same. There were essential elements that Charles and Jane had which George and I didn’t. Like mutual respect and … well, an unconditional love for the other. Sure we loved each other, but it was not the deep, abiding, lasting love that endures through the trials of life.”

Elizabeth really did seem like she was thinking aloud – as if she were still trying to sort out the muddle of her history of experiences.

She continued, “It started out with little things first. Just squabbling over him helping with the house duties. I resented always being the one to clean the house. I was working more than 40 hours a week and he was working only about 40, and still I was the one who cleaned the house. Then it was bigger things. He was irresponsible, in my opinion, about spending. We weren’t well off, and he was buying luxury things I didn’t think we could afford and he would do so without consulting me. When I would try and discuss it with him, he accused me of trying to control him, of trying to oppress him. And then the ‘discussion’ would escalate into an argument – sometimes with name-calling. We would apologise and make up afterwards, but the underlying problems were never solved. When I got a promotion and began to work more, we saw less of each other. There was even less respect, less consideration for the other. I wouldn’t come home until nine at night and sometimes he would have gone out with his friends or just sat in front of the television watching sports. We wouldn’t talk much.” She paused for a while, playing with the remainder of her food. “The love seemed to have soured. And I was dissatisfied – well I think we both were – but I couldn’t explain it. Couldn’t understand how to fix it. I would blame him for things, and when work got stressful, he wouldn’t be supportive so it would make me even angrier. I became jealous of Jane and even fought with her once. That was when she was telling me to get a grip on my life. Of course she had the perfect homelife, the perfect job, the perfect husband, but I couldn’t get anything right. Though she may have been right, and inside I may have believed her, my pride refused to let me take advice from her. So we didn’t talk for a few months.”

She sighed. William was a bit surprised she was telling him all this. He had asked only to get some kind of knowledge of her past, but hadn’t expected this flood of self-analysis. He understood, however, that she needed to get this out. There was still a need for her to get past it and to forgive herself – for there was quite a bit of self-deprecation and guilt in the tone of her voice and the content of what she was saying. So he remained silent, tacitly giving her opportunity to continue if she so wished.

“George and I fought more, and were uneasy and unhappy when we were together. That was when I realized that we had something major to fix, or to just separate and see if that was better. We mutually decided to separate and I moved out into a small rented apartment. I was easier almost immediately. Living for myself was so much easier than living with someone else. I was depressed about the failed marriage for a long time.” She laughed a short laugh. “Maybe it still does get to me. Though it may be a more accepted thing nowadays to be divorced, I still have this sense that I am a failure because of it. Maybe something is wrong with me. Was it my fault? If I had not taken the promotion, would things have turned out like they had? But then I have to convince myself that I did nothing wrong in taking that promotion. I enjoyed the challenge, enjoyed the people I was working with, and shouldn’t have let my husband hold me back like that. So while I wish the marriage hadn’t failed, I have to keep telling myself that I was right to take the promotion.

“It was difficult at the same time as it was easier. We had to sort through our things and argue over whose was whose, and what was what. The friends we had would feel uncomfortable hanging out with only one of us. I did try my best not to talk or gripe about the divorce as it was going on. I didn’t want to be one of those people who held all this resentment inside of them and just vented on her friends. We went our separate ways. And while I regret the failed marriage… I … I do think that divorcing was the right thing to do for us. We’re both better off because of it.”

She seemed to have finished. Elizabeth picked up Georgiana and kissed her on her soft rosy cheek, then settled the baby against her chest, soothingly rubbing her back.

Will watched her in silence. She was a really amazing woman and he admired her a lot. She was so capable and confident.

“I’ll miss you,” he suddenly heard himself say.

Elizabeth seemed startled as well at first, but then she smiled her brilliant smile of warmth, reached across the table and said, “I’ll miss you, too. You really have improved upon closer acquaintance.”

Will took her outstretched hand and replied mischievously, “Why do you sound so surprised? Besides, how do you know it wasn’t you who affected the change?”

Elizabeth laughed a little. “No, I think it was this little one who was the cause.”

“Maybe the catalyst, but there can be more than one cause to a change, right?”

Elizabeth nodded in concurrence. “Come on, Prince Charming. We have to get this little Sleeping Beauty to her castle crib.”

Will cleared their things from the table and followed her out of the restaurant.

That night, after Will had put Georgiana back into her crib after her midnight feeding, he went downstairs for a drink and discovered Elizabeth sitting on the couch, her arms wrapped around her knees, curled up in a ball. She seemed to be in deep thought as she stared down at the rug in the centre of the cold room. She subconsciously gnawed on her bottom lip as she remained in her contemplation.

Will’s bare feet padded silently on the cold tiles as he walked around the sofa. He settled down in an armchair to the side of the sofa.

Neither said anything for several minutes. Then she said, “I feel lost.”

Will didn’t speak, waiting for her to elucidate her statement.

He waited another several minutes for her to speak again. “I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. I don’t understand why I exist.” She laughed shortly. “I know it sounds like a silly, existentialist question, but it’s honestly what I’ve been struggling with lately. Now that I’m lacking a partner in life to help support both financially and emotionally, I am just living for myself. So I go to work, and I help companies fire and occasionally hire people… and I get paid… and then what? Is this all there is to life? I feel like there is some secret everyone else is keeping from me. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a cycle I can’t break free from. I’ve talked about this to Jane, and she just said that I was going through a phase because of my divorce. How would she know, though? She has plenty of purpose for living! She has a loving husband and a son. And that’s surely a worthy goal of life, to be a good employee, mother, wife, friend, sister. But does that mean I have to be married with children in order to feel fulfilled?”

“Not necessarily.”

“I’ve always wanted to be somebody. Not somebody in the usual sense, but rather… I want to be someone who has really affected another person. Like … been the catalyst for changing their life. I wish someone sixty years from now could say that I was the one to change their life around.” She stopped to think some more. “I guess it’s like giving me a sense of worth through someone else. Most people can do this with their children while others are teachers or mentors.”

“Why couldn’t you be one of those, then?”

“I couldn’t teach. I just don’t think I could make a good teacher. And I am too afraid to try mentoring. What if I fail? What if we just don’t hit it off? It’s so awkward.”

“Just think of the fears on their side.”

“I just feel like this society is all about working for something and never being satisfied with what we have. We’re always striving for more – more money, more prestige, more material things. And jobs are a means to an end, but then the end isn’t satisfactory anyway.” She stopped. “I’m confusing myself.”

“Me, too.”

She uncurled and moved her fixed stare off the rug finally. She looked at him with piercing eyes.

Will decided to respond to her. “I think you need to work on your self-appreciation. You do so much good; you just don’t see it. Just look at what you do for Georgiana and me. Especially me.”

“But you’re paying me.”

“Is that why you’re doing it? For the money?”

“Well… no… but-“

“What is your motive in helping me?”

“I don’t know. Just to help you. You need it. Or rather you did need it at the time. You’re better now.”

“You saw my need, and you stepped in. How is that not goodness personified? I actually think you’re more like your sister than you realize.”

“Really! How so?”

“You have her warmth and gentleness.”

“No,” she said in disbelief and skepticism.

“I’m serious,” Will assured her. “You can be more blunt, more down-to-earth, but I still think you have a very similar underlying love for others.”

Elizabeth was still looking at him as if he’d grown a second head.

“Like I said, your problem is self-appreciation. If the question honestly bothers you that much, maybe you should join a convent, join the Peace Corps, dedicate your life to a cause. But I believe that every person can make a difference in their own sphere. It doesn’t have to be something major. And so many times a little thing can unintentionally make an enormous impact. Perhaps you smiled at some person today and that person had been feeling so depressed until you smiled at them. And that caused them to stop their thoughts of ending their life. You just never know. Especially with your powers of deduction. Here I am telling you how big an impact you’ve had on my life in the past few weeks, and you’re not believing me.” There was a silence. Suddenly, Will stood up. “Come on. Let’s go upstairs and look at the life you’ve had a profound influence on. Obviously you need a wake up call.”

“No, no. I get your drift.”

“You may understand what I’m saying, but do you really believe me?”

She didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Will bent over in front of her until he was eye to eye with her. He stared into those piercing green eyes. “There’s a time and a place for modesty. This isn’t it. It’s alright to be modest to a certain extent, but don’t put yourself down so much. If you were such a horrible person, would I be searching for excuses to keep you here a little while longer?”

She looked startled.

“See? I value your company, I value your wisdom, I value your compassion. So should you.” A thought seemed to occur to him. “And if this is a ploy to fish for compliments, that’s just too shallow.”

She looked sufficiently insulted for Will to believe the idea honestly hadn’t occurred to her. Caroline used to do that. She would whine constantly about how fat she was and how unattractive she looked just so she could hear Will deny it and tell her how beautiful she was. But with Elizabeth, she seemed more beautiful anyway, and he felt like telling her voluntarily rather than having it fished out of him. For that matter, Caroline would never have asked the questions that Elizabeth was asking, and he thought Caroline had more of a right to ask questions about her purpose in life than Elizabeth. At least Elizabeth seemed to do something. She had some sense of purpose in her life, even if Elizabeth didn’t exactly know what it was.

“Go try and get some sleep. No wonder you’re an insomniac if this is the sort of thing that keeps you up so much.”

He left her there and climbed the stairs. He went into the nursery and looked down at his sleeping daughter. She’d grown so much since Caroline had left. She was seven weeks old and yet it seemed like it had been so much more than five weeks since he had started his journey with this little one. He leaned on the crib, gazing down with a feeling he had never had before Georgiana. It was one of complete and utter adoration, unconditional love, an affection and attachment of the deepest kind. He reached down, and with the back of his forefinger, gently stroked her warm, soft cheek. She looked like such an angel when she was asleep. She had learned, however, to terrorize him when awake. Sometimes she was an angel when awake, too. But other times, she could frustrate him when he didn’t understand why she was crying or she could tear apart his day with a simple swipe of her small arm. The most aggravating part of it for him was her ability to and – he hypothesized – her knowledge of being able to wrap him around her tiny finger.

Chapter 8

Posted on Thursday, 29 April 2004

The following day, Will received a call from Mrs. Reynolds.

When Elizabeth forwarded the call to him, he took a few seconds to orient his thoughts, to remind himself what Mrs. Reynolds looked like and what life was like back when she had been his assistant. He picked up. “Hello, Mrs. Reynolds,” he said, in a somewhat forced jovial voice.

“Hello, Mr. Darcy.”

“How are you?” This was a genuine question. He had been worried when Mrs. Reynolds hadn’t contacted him at all. Elizabeth had said she was in contact with her, but he didn’t receive any details from Elizabeth.

“I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you before this. I had a family emergency that called me away.”

“Oh no. Nothing too bad, I hope.” This was sort of a contradiction. He hoped it was nothing bad for his assistant’s sake, but at the same time, if it wasn’t something major, why had she taken so much time off?

“My mother passed on last week. She fell down a little over a month ago, which is what caused me to drop everything and go to her in the first place. Then she got sick and has been in the hospital ever since. She passed on last week and I’ve had to do the funeral and then there was the reading of the will… and it’s just been a very, very difficult time.”

“I’m so sorry,” Will said, his heart going out to Mrs. Reynolds. He couldn’t really remember his own parents’ death, but still held a lot of pain over the incident. “Feel free to take some more time off if you need it.”

“No. It would be better for me to get back into the office. Then I won’t be brooding over it. So I can come in in a couple of days.

“Oh, there’s no hurry. Ms. Bennet has been a superb replacement.”

“I’m glad. She’s always been the most capable person I know.”

“Why don’t you start back up on Monday? Ms. Bennet can reacquaint you with everything up to date and then that’ll give you time to settle down.”

“That sounds fine, as long as Elizabeth is amenable. I thought she was intending to move to Chicago soon.”

“She is. She’s flexible, I think. She’s moved a lot of her stuff up there already, but she’s settled at my house for now.”

“Your house?” exclaimed Mrs. Reynolds.

“Well… a lot has happened while you were away.”

“Obviously. So that means I’m going to have to wait until Monday to find out what’s going on between you and Elizabeth?”

“Nothing’s going on!” he said. “We’re just friends now. She’s been helping me out.”

“I see. And you’re just going to make me wait.”

Will took her cue to lighten the conversation and said, “Yes. It’ll be incentive for you to actually return in the first place.”

Georgiana began to vocalize her need for attention with little gurgles and noises.

“What’s that?” asked Mrs. Reynolds.

“Oh, didn’t you know? I have a new boss.”

“What?”

Will picked Georgiana up from her playpen.

“Eh, eh, eh,” said the baby.

“Mr. Darcy, what is going on?”

“Can you say hello to Mrs. Reynolds? Yes? Say hello. Heeeh – low.”

“Eaaah.”

Will chuckled. He caught sight of Elizabeth leaning against the doorframe watching him with a smirk on her face. She shook her head. “You’re so mean,” said Elizabeth. “Just tell her.”

“Did I just hear you chuckle?!” asked an incredulous Mrs. Reynolds.

“You have to come into the office to meet the new boss. She’s been running things around here. She has me at her beck and call; she manipulates the staff to do whatever she wants.”

“Is that your daughter?”

“Yep. Georgiana Allison Darcy.”

“What is she doing there?”

Will laughed. He saw Elizabeth scowl, but she was still smiling. He winked at her. “You’ll just have to come in the office and find out, won’t you?”

“I don’t think I could wait ‘til Monday.”

“Well, I look forward to your return. Although Elizabeth’s been doing such a capable job I haven’t missed you that much.”

“Now it’s Elizabeth, eh?” said Mrs. Reynolds in an insufferably knowing tone of voice.

Will couldn’t help but begin to be flustered.

“Until then, Mrs. Reynolds. I hope you pull through all right,” he said in a meaningful tone.

He hung up and looked at Elizabeth seating herself in the chair in front of the desk.

“You can be so cruel sometimes,” said Elizabeth.

“Then why did the look on your face condone it, huh?” Will moved the papers out of the way on his desktop, and sat Georgiana down to face Elizabeth. “Does this look like a face of cruelty to you?” He leaned down, putting his face parallel to Georgiana’s and looking at Elizabeth with as innocent a face as he could muster.

She just laughed. “Georgiana really has made the biggest transformation in you.”

“How so?”

“You don’t see it? The entire office has a subtly different atmosphere, but it’s quite remarkable. People are happier; the work environment is more relaxed and hence more productive. Companies pay me to produce effects like this.”

Will looked slightly baffled. “How did it happen?”

“My theory is that by you being happier, in a better mood – by the change in your character, you have improved the office as a whole.”

“Why would I matter?”

“You’re the boss. If you’re in a cranky mood – and I understood you to be in a cranky mood constantly before Georgiana came along – then the office walks around on tiptoe, afraid to confront you, afraid to run into you. You take on the reputation of the Big Boss who is to be feared. The new boss is relaxed, approachable, and flexible. This puts everyone else in an easier mood. It’s a nicer working environment. Plus, you have the sunshine effect of Georgiana. If you want to continue to improve your company’s morale, you could try organizing a company lunch. Informal, just book a backroom in a nearby restaurant and pay for it out of company accounts.”

“How could I justify that?”

“Boosting morale boosts production and efficiency. I’d say that’s pretty good justification. You could view it as a sort of bonus – a bonus to everyone for helping you through this difficult time.”

Will had to admit he liked the idea. He stored it away in the back of his mind. Maybe he could organize one for Elizabeth’s going away? No, it wouldn’t be fair since he had never done one for anyone before. But it was a good idea nonetheless.

To thank her for everything she had done, Will wanted to do something special for her, but lacked any ideas. In the end, he had to call Jane and Charles.

Thankfully, Charles was the one to pick up.

“Charles, it’s Will Darcy.”

“Hello, Will! How are you?” came Charles’ jolly reply.

“I’m doing well, thanks. I called to ask a favour, sort of.”

“What can I do for you?”

In another level of his mind, Will was struck by that simple question. It was so giving and selfless. He couldn’t picture any of his old friends offering their help so simply, artlessly, and bluntly.

“Um, I wanted to do something special for Elizabeth to thank her for everything she’s done. I was wondering if you had any ideas.”

“What kind of a thank you? Flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep?” Charles laughed.

Will chuckled a couple of times, wondering what the joke was.

“Sorry. I think I’ve watched Beauty and the Beast one too many times.”

“Heh. Uh… I was thinking of taking her somewhere. Maybe out to eat. Or to a concert. Or a dance. I really don’t know.”

“Oh, I see. I do know she likes piano concerts. She studied piano a little when she was younger and has an appreciation for a good pianist.”

“Okay.” That was manageable. He could do piano concerts. “So if we went out to dinner and then to a piano concert, she would like that?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. Do you want me to check with Jane?”

“No, no. She may tell Elizabeth.”

“Not if you ask her not to.”

“Well, all right. Just check and make sure Elizabeth would like it.”

Will waited a little impatiently for a few minutes. Then Charles came back on the phone. “Yep. She said that would be ‘lovely’.”

“Good, good.”

“Uh… Will?”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to take Georgiana with you?”

Will felt the damper put on his plans. He couldn’t do anything without Georgiana. He didn’t feel comfortable getting a babysitter. He didn’t know any babysitters he could get.

“Oh.”

Charles laughed a little. “Why don’t we take her for the evening?”

“Are you sure?” Will hadn’t thought of that.

“Sure! If you feel bad about it, we could arrange a trade-off. You take care of Tobin some times and we’ll take care of Georgiana occasionally.”

Will didn’t have a problem with leaving Georgiana at the Bingley’s.

“Thank you, that would work out fine. I would be glad to return the favour any time I can.”

“Why don’t you find the tickets for the concert and arrange everything, then let us know which night it is so we can plan ahead?”

“All right. Good.” Will was feeling really good about the plan. It was manageable. It would work. He just hoped she would enjoy it. Charles said she would. And so had Jane.

“You’re going to need to look a little nicer tonight.”

“What?” Elizabeth looked thoroughly confused.

“Just trust me.”

Elizabeth sighed in exasperation and went back up the stairs with a little bit of a temper in her step. Twenty minutes later she returned wearing a long flowing grey skirt, black strap sandals, a coral blouse, and a small leather jacket. Her soft, brown curls were pulled up with a couple of barrettes. Flowing gracefully around her neck was a purplish-grey silk scarf. Much better Will thought to himself.

“Now am I ready?”

Will nodded and led her out to the car, carrying a big bag of baby things on his shoulder and Georgiana in his arms. He secured Georgiana into the carseat then got in beside Elizabeth.

On the way there, Elizabeth kept trying to obtain some information about what he was up to. But he refused to give anything away. She did soon figure out that they were on the way to the Bingley’s house, but she knew they couldn’t be all dressed up for that.

When they reached the Bingley’s, Will got Georgiana out of her carseat and walked up to the door with Elizabeth following, carrying the baby bag.

Charles opened the door and grinned at them both. He held out his hands and Will handed Georgiana to him. Will then took the baby bag from Elizabeth and gave it to Charles.

“You two enjoy yourselves.”

Will gave his daughter one last kiss before turning around. He just caught a look of confusion Elizabeth was sending Charles. Will smiled at her, and gently guided her back to the car.

When they were inside and back on the road, Elizabeth said, “All right, what’s going on?”

“We’re going to dinner.”

“Where?”

“Just a place I know of.”

Elizabeth eyed him suspiciously.

“Don’t worry. I won’t take you to some dump.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m more concerned at you taking me to a really, really posh restaurant where they require you to speak French and Latin just to order.”

Will laughed. “No, I’m not taking you to somewhere like that, either.”

Elizabeth remained silent for several minutes. It seemed like she had given up when she asked him, “Are you happy to have Mrs. Reynolds return, tomorrow?”

“Yes and no. I like her and she’s always been a wonderful help to me.”

She waited. Then had to ask. “So why the ‘no’?”

“Because it means you’re leaving.”

“I see. And I am just that much better than Mrs. Reynolds, am I?” she asked with a sarcastic laugh.

“In a way.” Changing the subject, he asked, “So how do you intend to get going in Chicago?”

“I have a few contacts up there. I’ve actually gone up to Chicago a few times to do some jobs.”

“Are you going to work out of an office or at home?”

“Home, at first. Then if I really need to, I’ll move into an office. But I have no idea how this is going to work out.”

“If it doesn’t work out, you know you always have a place to stay here, right?”

“If you’re handing me an open invitation, then that means I have two in this town, since my sister would put me up if I needed it.”

“Yes, but they do have limited space. You’re welcome to stay a little longer with me if you needed to.”

“Thank you.”

They reached a small restaurant off of Delmar. Will had always liked it, but it wasn’t Caroline’s taste, so he’d never taken her. He thought Elizabeth would like it though. It was only just bigger than a small coffee house. They sold wonderful soups and sandwiches, and they made the most delicious desserts! Will parked on the curb side and he led her up to the little place. Inside, there was a counter where people could sit and eat lunch solitarily, then the rest of it consisted of tables and chairs. In one corner, there were three old-fashioned, red velvet upholstered sofas around a low, iron and glass coffee table. Along the back wall, there was a long aquarium with bright, colourful fish swimming in and amongst fake castle ruins, coral, and underwater plants.

Will and Elizabeth sat down at a small table off to the side. “Do you approve?” asked Will, daring her to disapprove.

She smiled a little. “Yes, I do. How could I ever have doubted you?”

“I wondered that myself.”

They looked at their menus in silence. Will advised her, “Leave room for dessert.”

“Why, are they particularly good?”

The look that Will gave her assured her without a doubt that this was the case.

After they had ordered, Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest, sat back in her chair and glared at him. “All right. Are you going to tell me now? What is going on?”

“This is my thank you gift to you.”

“And…?”

“And what?”

“Surely I didn’t get dressed up for this.”

“We’re going somewhere after this.”

“Where?”

He didn’t answer her, but looked at his watch and added, “We have about forty minutes to eat before we should be going.”

“Where are we going?” she exclaimed in exasperation.

“Well, I don’t exactly know.”

“What?”

“I mean, I know where it is, but I don’t know exactly what’s going to be happening at this venue.”

“Will!”

“Why don’t you just trust me and wait to be surprised? Don’t you trust me?”

She scowled, remaining in her defiant position, but didn’t pester him anymore.

“Now if you don’t mind, I would like to have some intelligent conversation, since you’re going to be leaving me all on my own.”

“You’re hardly on your own.”

“Georgiana doesn’t count, yet. I can talk to her, but she can’t talk back.”

“Well you should hurry up and teach her to talk, then shouldn’t you?”

“Come on, Elizabeth. Give me some lasting advice on how to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Raising Georgiana.”

“You’ve done fine so far.”

“Yes, but you were helping me.”

“Hardly.”

“Don’t make me beg.”

“Will, I honestly don’t understand what you want me to say. I’ve never had children. I’ve only had a little bit of practice with Tobin. You really need to get away from this idea that women will automatically be better parents than you. Yes, women have been ‘trained’ in a sense from an early age more than men have been ‘trained’ for fatherhood. But Georgiana is your daughter.” She paused. Her voiced softened a little with sympathy, “You will know what’s best. Just trust your instinct. You have it. I’ve seen it.”

“You have?”

“Sure. It’s been a subtle change to knowing what to do with her. Tell me if I’m wrong, but don’t you know by the sound of her cry what she wants most of the time?”

“Yeah, sort of.”

“See? You’re learning. How can you expect me to know what’s good for your own daughter?” she laughed.

“All right. But surely you can give me some general advice, right?”

“Ask Jane,” she replied, stubbornly, still miffed at Will’s refusing to tell her what his plans were for the evening.

Will decided not to pursue it any further. While he felt insecure about taking so responsible a role with his daughter, he sensed that Elizabeth was just as insecure.

The conversation turned to more general topics. The business, politics, international affairs. Then Will deftly turned the topic to music as their desserts arrived.

“Did you ever study music?” asked Will, as he sank his fork into the rich chocolate mousse.

“I did, actually. Took piano until I left high school. Jane played the flute. Our teachers wanted us to play duets together. We would every now and then, but I never performed that well.”

“Why?”

“I would become so nervous I wouldn’t be able to play.” She laughed a little, embarrassed. “It was pretty bad. I would be completely debilitated by it.” She took a bite of her apple cobbler. “Hmm! This is delicious!” she exclaimed.

Will grinned. “What did I tell you? They make their desserts from scratch here.” He paused to lean over to take a bite of her dessert. She smacked his hand. “Hey! I’ll let you have a bite of mine.”

“Fine.”

Will dug his fork in the warm cobbler surrounded by rich cream.

“Hey, hey, now. Don’t go taking such a huge chunk!”

Will managed to get the bite to his mouth before it dripped on the table or his suit. It was excellent. Full of a rich, apple flavour.

“And you couldn’t get over that nervousness?” he asked, returning to their conversation. He reached over with a forkload of the chocolate mousse, hoping to feed it to her.

“No, no, no,” she said, taking hold of the fork. “I don’t trust you.”

Will pretended to be insulted.

“No, I could never really get over my nervousness. It’s why I didn’t continue playing after I left high school. Once I went to college, I couldn’t find a teacher I was comfortable enough to play in front of.”

“It’s a pity you stopped.”

She nodded. “If there’s a piano around, I’ll tinker a little on it, but I can’t play like I used to.”

“Do you like listening to piano, though?”

“Yes, I do.”

Will was silently relieved to hear it, since there was still the slight chance that Jane and Charles had been wrong and she wouldn’t enjoy the evening he’d planned.

“Good. We need to go.”

Surprised at his abruptness, Elizabeth just said, “Oh,” and followed him out of the establishment.

“Thank you for dinner, Will. It was very nice.”

“You’re welcome. Just remember this is your bonus.”

Elizabeth laughed. “You’ve taken the idea I gave you the other day and manipulated it, have you?”

Will grinned at her. “Hurry up. We don’t want to be late.”

“What would we be late for?” she tested him.

“You’ll see.”

A fifteen-minute drive later, and Will pulled into a parking lot. They got out and walked toward a theatre.

“Are we seeing a play?” asked Elizabeth.

Will shook his head. They got to the hall, and walked in with the crowds of other people. The theatre itself wasn’t a very assuming one. Elizabeth still didn’t understand what she was going to see. After pestering Will a couple of times as he stood in line to pick up their tickets from the box office, she decided to walk up and grab a program. Will watched her from where he stood, and saw her look of delight as she realized what she was going to see that evening. She practically skipped back to him in her glee, grabbing his arm and whispering in delight, “Oh my gosh! This is wonderful! Do you realize how long I’ve wanted to see this pianist? I’ve had three of his CDs for two years at least! This is unbelievable! How did you know?”

“I didn’t know you wanted to see this particular guy, but I learned from Jane that you liked going to piano concerts.”

“Hurry up so we can sit down and read the program notes,” she chided him.

Her delight pleased Will to no end. He hadn’t imagined it to be so successful.

Will had got them seats about eight rows from the front to the left side of the theatre. He remembered enough about piano to remember that one could only see the pianist’s hands from a little left of centre, and he had assumed she would like to see his hands. Will hadn’t been seated for more than five seconds before Elizabeth poked him in the ribs. “Look!” she whispered. “It’s a Steinway!” When Will’s blank face indicated to her that he didn’t know what she was talking about, her own face took on an exasperated look. “Come on, you must have heard of a Steinway grand piano before.”

“Oh, the piano! I see what you mean.”

She continued looking warily at him. “And… do you know why a Steinway is so special?”

“Uh… they’re good pianos?”

“No, they’re not good pianos, they’re the best. Though some performers also prefer Bostons. But they’re historically, famously, the best makers of pianos.”

“I see.”

Elizabeth shook her head at his ignorance.

The pianist was Leif Ove Andsnes, a handsome young Norwegian in his early 30s.

The program notes described him during his off-season leisure time secluded in a Norwegian cottage in quiet study and reflection. The pieces listed included a Polonaise Fantasy by Chopin, five of Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, a couple of Etudes by Debussy, a piece by the contemporary Miyoshi, and finally a full Chopin Sonata.

The Lyric Pieces ended up being Will’s favourite, and he could tell Elizabeth was very pleased by the impressionistic pieces. They had names like “Homesickness,” “The Brook,” “March of the Trolls,” and “Bell-ringing.” Will caught a look of incredulity on Elizabeth’s face at Andsnes’ playing during “March of the Troll.” Will himself couldn’t understand how the movement of the pianist’s hands just going up and down could fall on exactly the right keys all at the right moment. It was literally inconceivable for Will. Elizabeth knowing how to play piano to a certain extent made her understand more how difficult a technique was to perfect. What Will took for granted, Elizabeth marvelled at.

“I can’t believe how much the pieces sound like their titles,” said Elizabeth during the intermission. “The Bell-ringing, really did sound like the different tones of bells ringing.”

“Andsnes looks so peaceful up there on stage.”

“It seems like the Norwegian country just exudes from him in his graceful moves. He’s so amazing! It’s so incredible to see a performer on stage that I’ve admired so much just listening to.”

“Is he that famous?” asked Will.

Elizabeth looked at him incredulously. “Yeah! This tour season includes Paris, Tokyo, London, Rome, and Carnegie Hall in New York. He’s won tons of awards, too.”

“Well, I’ve enjoyed it, but I just don’t know enough about good and bad piano playing to appreciate him as much.”

Elizabeth paused, shifting in her seat to face Will a little more, leaning her arm on the seat in front of her. “Sometimes I haven’t liked a pianist I’ve seen in concert. Like… something in their manner just seemed conceited and fake in a way. But I really like Andsnes’ performing style. He’s just so honestly into the music.”

Will nodded, not knowing how to reply.

She sat in contemplation for a few minutes, looking around her at the people in concert-going attire talking to each other around the auditorium. Will just watched her watching.

Suddenly she said, “I think it’s neat how he’s brought attention and recognition to a composer from his native land. I’d never been that familiar with Grieg before, I don’t think.”

Her monologue was cut off by a man walking onto the stage and up to the piano. Will and Elizabeth watched him as he began hitting notes in the upper register and listening, leaning over to tinker with the strings.

“What’s he doing?” asked Will in amazement and confusion.

“He’s tuning. Didn’t you hear it?” asked Elizabeth.

“Hear what?”

“There was… I don’t know. A slight twinge that was a bit off. There was something wrong with the piano.”

“Ah! You mean something is wrong with the Steinway,” Will teased.

“Only because they haven’t cared for the Steinway properly,” Elizabeth retorted defensively.

They turned to watch the tuner working his way up the register. When he was finished, he walked off the stage.

“That tuner might even travel with Andsnes.”

“Really?”

“Well, sure. The piano being in tune is really significant to his performance. It’s necessary for him to rely on a good tuner.”

“Did you want to get a CD of his? They’re selling them in the lobby.”

“Let’s go see if there’s one that I don’t have.”

Leaving their coats, they walked out into the lobby. Elizabeth ducked and wriggled her way through the crowd, then returned saying, “There’s a CD of Chopin that I don’t have.”

“Would you like it?”

“I didn’t bring any money with me. I wasn’t warned,” she accused him.

“That was intentional since this evening is my treat, my thank you. I’ll pay for the CD.”

“No, I can just borrow the money.”

Will didn’t reply but just got in line and bought it for her.

As he handed it to her, he said, “You can get him to sign it for you after the concert.”

“Thank you, Will.”

They sat down as the lights dimmed. Leif Ove Andsnes walked back onstage to enthusiastic applause from the audience. He stood at the microphone, and spoke in his clear, lyrical, accented English. “This next piece by Akira Miyoshi was written for a piano competition in Tokyo in 1980. All the contestants had to play this piece, so it uses the whole range of the piano and there are lots of changes in mood. If you will please hold your applause between the Miyoshi and the Chopin.”

Andsnes walked over and sat down on the piano bench. Will found he didn’t like the Miyoshi as much. It was modern and… messy, he thought. But it was interesting having the background explained by Andsnes. The more audibly pleasing Chopin Sonata came last.

Will found his mind wandering, thinking about Elizabeth’s imminent departure. He tried not to but he couldn’t help thinking about how lonely he would be without her. He had come to depend on her being there with him and for him. The Largo movement in particularly seemed to put him into a melancholy mood. He turned his head to look at Elizabeth. She looked so beautiful, so peaceful. She noticed him looking at her out of the corner of her eye, and turned to look at him, a small, serene smile gracing her face, her eyes lit by the lights on the stage. Will forced himself to return the smile, then they both turned back to the stage.

Andsnes moved into the final movement of his final piece. His fingers were a blur as they moved up and down the piano in runs on keyboard, the notes evenly spaced. Will saw Elizabeth shake her head slightly in awe at one point. Will could see sweat forming on the pianist’s brow as he moved back and forth, working hard on the piano in his tuxedo. The grand ending finally came and the crowd erupted in applause. He bowed a few times and walked off the stage as people stood up to give him a standing ovation. The applause increased as he came back out again. “Bravo!” came a couple of calls from the audience. He walked off again, then returned, bowing and smiling a small, modest smile. Elizabeth looked surprised when he came out a fourth time, then sat down at the piano.

The look on her face was incredible when he sat down. He turned to the audience and said, “More Chopin?” The audience chuckled and a few people said, “Yeah!”

He named the piece, but Will couldn’t catch it or recognize it. Then he turned and began playing, at first vigorously, then it moved to a more contemplative mood which seemed to suit Andsnes so much. Just as Will was beginning to slip back into his contemplations, the mood changed to a playful one, with little runs with both hands up the piano. Will liked some of the chords he heard at the end, as they were repeated softly three times, then the sounds died away and he stood up, bowed and walked off the stage. Will hoped he would return for a second encore, but didn’t think it likely. Fewer people stood up this time, but still he returned twice more. Then he sat down again!

He announced he would play some Strauss. Not the whole piece, he joked, and the audience laughed. Will didn’t realize what was funny, but Elizabeth leaned over and whispered an explanation, “The whole piece would be at least another half an hour.”

Will nodded, and sat back, listening to the wash of notes. He couldn’t focus this time. He kept having this urge to do that stupid adolescent move – to yawn, stretch, and drape his arm around her shoulders. He couldn’t think why he had this urge.

The piece ended with a couple of sweet notes in a small arpeggio in the higher notes, and then he gracefully stood up. More people stood up for an ovation, more cries heard in appreciation. He returned three times to bow in modest appreciation, then returned to the piano bench. People murmured and chuckled as they sat back down. “And another one,” he joked, evoking another laugh from his audience. Andsnes named a composer Will wasn’t familiar with, Scriabin, and began to play another short, peaceful, thoughtful piece. The applause was even louder as he bowed for the last time and walked off the stage. “Bravo!” came louder calls from the audience. But he didn’t return again and the applause soon died away and people began to leave.

“Hurry,” said Elizabeth. “Let’s go get in line to get my CD signed.”

Elizabeth walked off, leaving her jacket behind. Will picked it up, draping it over his forearm and following her at a more leisurely pace.

A crowd had already formed by the time Will made it through the crowded aisles. He found a place in the corner out of the way and waited for her. He reflected on the evening. He considered it an unqualified success. Overall, it was a nice way to end their time together.

After she had gotten her CD signed, Elizabeth excused herself to go to the bathroom. Will took the opportunity to sneak up and buy Andsnes’ Chopin CD for himself. He wanted to be able to play it and think of this evening and also think of her listening to the same CD.

He just managed to return to his post in the corner when Elizabeth came out of the ladies room and they left the concert hall, heading toward Will’s car. Will absentmindedly listened to Elizabeth’s continued chatter about the concert.

When they were in the car, Elizabeth said, “Thank you so much for this evening. It’s been an unbelievable experience.”

“You’re welcome. To be honest, I had no idea it would be this good. I just got tickets to a piano concert this weekend.”

“Well… thank you for the thought all the same.”

There was a pause, then Elizabeth continued her excited chatter. “There was an elderly gentleman standing behind me in the line to get autographs. I asked him what CD he had bought. He said he’d wanted to buy all of them but couldn’t afford them, and his wife wanted the Rachmaninov so they had gotten that one.”

Will was content just to listen to her, trying to keep his mind off of how silent it would be after she left on Tuesday.

They stopped by the Bingley’s and both Will and Elizabeth went inside.

“How did it go?” asked Jane.

Will rolled his eyes, thinking to himself that Jane really didn’t have to ask, Elizabeth would give the full account on her own.

As Elizabeth launched into an excited recount of their evening, Will snuck off to find Charles. He found him in the kitchen sitting at the table working on his laptop. Will slid into a chair, leaning on the table.

“Hey, Will. How are you?”

“I’m coping.”

“You learn that from Elizabeth?”

“What?”

“Coping. Did you learn to cope from Elizabeth?”

Will pondered the idea, then said, “Yeah, I guess I did.”

“Question is, can you keep coping after she’s left?”

“She thinks so. I don’t.”

“It might be rough at first, but then you should just fit into a new rhythm and be just fine.”

And lonely, Will thought.

“Georgie was a dear,” Charles said after a pause. “She’s asleep in the nursery right now.”

“Good. And here I was thinking you were letting her wander around outside in the yard.”

“It’s late, shouldn’t you be going?” teased Charles.

“Yeah, actually, we should. Have to get up for work tomorrow morning. Is that work you’re doing now?”

“Yeah. I try and work when Tobin’s asleep.”

“How’s Tobin doing?”

“Well. A little menace that we have to constantly keep an eye on.”

“Is that foreshadowing what is to come with Georgie?”

“Probably.”

Will stood up, slapping Charles on the back. “It was good seeing you.”

“Take care.”

Will walked back into the living room to see if he could pry Elizabeth away from her sister. Seeing Elizabeth still in full tilt, he decided to go and get Georgiana first. Maybe that would be a nice big hint for them to be going home.

The two babes were both sleeping peacefully. Will gathered his baby bag of things and then gently scooped her up, keeping her wrapped in her blanket. He cradled her against his shoulder and walked out into the living room.

Elizabeth saw Will with Georgiana and hurried her tale to the end. Jane just nodded with interest. “Sounds like you had a marvelous time,” Jane said gently.

Will nodded. “But we should be getting home now.”

“Yes. I’ll be right out,” Elizabeth said, prompting Will to go out to the car and start securing Georgiana in the carseat.

A couple of minutes after Will had started the car, Elizabeth came out and got in. Jane waved from the door as Will backed out. He had a nasty feeling of foreshadowing what was to come.

This is a link to Leif Ove Andsnes’ webpage. See more pictures of him and bios and discography.

Chapter 9

Posted on Friday, 7 May 2004

The next morning, Elizabeth and Will drove to the office together for the last time. Neither spoke. Elizabeth did doze off for a few minutes. Will was tempted to let her sleep a little longer when they reached the office, but decided she would prefer to be woken up.

Elizabeth took Georgiana with her; it was to be her first day in the new nursery. Elizabeth had spent the previous two weeks interviewing and hiring the staff for it and had eventually found a young woman of Indian descent who suited the job. Elizabeth had explained to Will that the woman had an extremely gentle, loving presence which Elizabeth had been drawn to. She was soft-spoken, but held firm views of discipline and guidance. Elizabeth had wanted to find a man to fill the other position, but only one had applied for the position, and Elizabeth hadn’t felt comfortable with his ability to fulfill the duties required of him. So the second staff position had gone to an older white woman who had had several years of previous experience with office child care centres.

When they reached the seventh floor in the elevator, Elizabeth handed Georgiana to Will. “I’ll meet you up there,” she said.

“What? Aren’t you coming with me?”

“No. I’ll go down and visit it to see how the women are getting on later, but I think this initial meeting should be just you and Georgiana.”

Will knew she was right, but still wanted to protest. He stepped out of the elevator with his daughter. He walked down the hall and into the new nursery. It had been decorated in soft pastel colours, pictures of various characters from children’s books adorned the wall below the chair rail.

A young, Indian woman dressed in a beautiful deep blue sari came forward to greet him. “Hello, Mr. Darcy. My name is Avni Patel.”

“Hi. This is my daughter Georgiana.”

Will suddenly didn’t want to hand his daughter to this woman. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but more that he realized that this was the end of a period of his life, of Georgiana’s life. From two weeks to 8 weeks, he had cared for her almost constantly. And now, he was going to be separated from her for several hours. And if he let his work consume him like it had before, he would see her very little, especially when she was awake. What if she said her first word while he was gone? What if she didn’t like being in his care after having the constant care of these better-trained women?

Will continued to hold Georgiana just a little bit tighter. He rubbed her back more to soothe himself than to soothe his daughter.

Avni smiled. “Why don’t you come in and sit down in our sitting room?”

Will followed her into a room near the back. It had a rocking chair, a sofa, an armchair, and a soft-looking rug on the floor.

“This is the place where the parents of our charges can spend time with their children.”

Will nodded. He chose the armchair and settled into it, setting down the baby bag. Avni asked, “Would you like me to put this away?”

“Sure,” Will replied absent-mindedly.

He sat back. He preferred their armchair in the nursery at home, he thought petulantly.

Georgiana looked up at him with her wide, blue eyes. She grabbed hold of his tie and proceeded to pull it towards her mouth. He teased it out of her hands with the ease of practice.

Avni returned and sat down in the rocking chair by the window with yellow curtains. “We’ll have a schedule prepared for you tomorrow. You’ll be able to visit her at certain times of the day if you are able. We prefer to keep a steady routine. If absolutely necessary, we can make some adjustments.”

Will nodded.

Avni proceeded to explain some of the other rules and guidelines of the nursery. Then, she seemed to sense Will’s need to adjust to the idea of leaving Georgiana, for she left him alone after that.

Half an hour later, Will looked up to see Elizabeth in the rocking chair by the window. He hadn’t noticed her come in. She had an extraordinarily compassionate look on her face.

“Come on, Will. You’re needed upstairs. You can leave her here. You’ll be back in just a few hours at lunchtime.”

“She’ll cry when I’m gone. She’ll miss me.”

“I’m sure she will, but she’ll also grow without you around.”

“Exactly. I don’t want to miss her growing.”

“No, it’s good for her to grow without you. You want her to become an individual, right? You have to let go at some point. This is only the beginning, Will. What are you going to do when she goes to kindergarten? What about when she gets her own car? Or how about when she goes off to college? She’ll still love you. But she’ll be her own person. Come on. Do you want me to take her and you go up to your office while I settle her here?”

“No. I’ll do it.”

Elizabeth remained seated while Will reluctantly stood up and Avni came forward to take Georgiana. Elizabeth steered Will out of the nursery as he looked back to make sure Georgiana wasn’t going to fall to pieces without him.

In the elevator, Elizabeth assured him, “It’s better off this way. Now you’ll have the office to yourself to work.”

Will didn’t reply. His throat was constricting him oddly. He avoided Elizabeth’s eyes. When she wasn’t looking, Will quickly wiped the back of his hand once over his eyes.

He was composed and putting on his comfortable stern veneer by the time they walked onto his floor.

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy, Ms. Bennet. Is dear Georgiana in the new nursery today?”

“Yes, she is,” replied Elizabeth.

“We’ll miss her.”

When they reached his office, he saw Mrs. Reynolds at her usual desk, which had been Elizabeth’s place for so many weeks.

“Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds,” Will said formally. “It’s nice to have you back.”

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy.”

“Could you just give us two minutes?” said Elizabeth.

Will was surprised to find quite a forceful hand on his back pushing him into his office. When inside, he turned around in surprise to see what Elizabeth was about. She was closing the door behind her.

“What?” asked Will, setting his suitcase down by his desk.

“No! I don’t think so!”

Will looked up at her in shock and confusion.

“Just because Georgiana has left this office does not mean you can just go back to the stiff, old, cranky, moody, Big Boss that you were the day I arrived!”

“You’re out of line,” replied Will, calmly, firmly, feeling on the defensive at this onslaught.

“Am I? What are you going to do? Fire me? I’m not doing this as an expert in the field of human resources. I’m not doing this as your assistant for the last day. I’m doing this as your friend. You must not lapse back to that gruff man. For yourself, for Georgiana, for your co-workers, and for me. I know you’re upset about making this step with Georgiana, but just because your ray of sunshine is no longer constantly present, doesn’t mean you can’t be a pleasant person around the office. Small chitchat with people to a limited extent is good. It shows you care about them. Show interest in people. Get to know them a little. Ask about their kids, how their holiday or weekend was. It doesn’t take much, but it will make a world of difference.” She paused to take a breath. “Okay. I’m done now.”

She turned around on her heel, opened the door and left his office. Will was somewhat stunned by her tirade. He hadn’t realized he was slipping back to the Big Boss persona.

He sank into his chair, depressed. He spotted the little playpen that had been Georgiana’s domain for so many weeks.

“Elizabeth!” he called out.

She came in looking somewhat subdued and … guilty?

Will waved an impatient hand at the baby things, saying, “Could you get that stuff out of my sight?”

She nodded, and Will got up to walk out of the office and talk to Mrs. Reynolds.

The rest of his morning went by quickly. He did make an effort to be more cheerful, and he was gratified that Elizabeth noticed it, giving him a couple of smiles of encouragement. He was depressed inside, though. He missed Georgiana even though his day was quieter and more productive without her.

Elizabeth brought Mrs. Reynolds up to date on the state of the office. Mrs. Reynolds commented several times in surprise at the changes made since she had left.

As soon as it was noon, Will went down to the seventh floor to the nursery. He walked in to see Avni holding Georgiana.

“Look, there he is!” Avni said to the baby. “There’s your daddy. Didn’t I tell you he would be here at noon?”

Will reached out and took Georgiana with an overwhelming surge of emotions he could only barely describe. He felt proud, relieved, happy, and loving all at once. He kissed her and held her close. She smelled clean and felt so soft.

When he looked at Avni again, she was smiling serenely at the scene he knew he must be creating. He cleared his throat gruffly. “How was she?”

“Just an angel. Really, I loved having her. She’s a real delight. It’s no wonder you were able to have her in your office so long, she’s so good-tempered.”

“Good. I’m glad she behaved well.”

“Would you like to sit down in the sitting room again?”

Will nodded and went to the same armchair. He settled Georgiana down in his lap and played with her for several minutes. Then Elizabeth came in with Mrs. Reynolds.

“Oh my goodness gracious!” exclaimed Mrs. Reynolds. “Just look at that beautiful baby!”

Will handed Georgiana to his assistant. Mrs. Reynolds held her easily, cooing over her.

“I can’t believe it! She’s just such a sweet, precious little thing! I wish I’d seen her earlier. I wish I’d seen you struggling to cope!”

Will laughed shortly, assuming that Elizabeth had filled Mrs. Reynolds in on some of his earlier difficulties. Elizabeth smirked at him, as if sharing a secret that only the two of them had.

Will spent his lunch hour with his daughter and was tempted to smuggle her back up to his office, but knew that he needed to wean himself away from her. He returned her to the loving care of Avni, and then returned to his work, feeling a little better than that morning.

When it came close to five o’ clock, there was a small gathering in the conference room to say goodbye to Elizabeth and to welcome back Mrs. Reynolds. There was soda and cake and cookies. Will had gone to fetch Georgiana just beforehand and brought her with him. A lot of his female co-workers still cooed over her, and she was passed from person to person. She didn’t seem to mind, so Will allowed it.

Finally, Will, Elizabeth, and Georgiana left the office. On the way home, Elizabeth asked, “That wasn’t so bad now, was it?”

“What? Putting Georgiana in the nursery? No, I guess not. I still don’t like it. I’m glad you had the idea of starting the nursery in the office, though. I can’t imagine what it would be like leaving her in a nursery across town or something.”

“Now you’ve had a taste of what a lot of parents feel when they put their children in nurseries and day schools away from their work. It really does give parents an ease of mind to know their children are safe.”

They stopped by the grocery store on the way home and did a big shop of things Will needed to stock up in the kitchen. He had gradually learned to cook for himself, with some help from Elizabeth’s guidance.

Then they went home and fixed dinner for the two of them. Over dinner, they discussed the arrangements for buying the house out in the country. Elizabeth’s old apartment was ready to be placed on the market as soon as Will had moved the remaining furniture to the new house.

After dinner had been cleared away and Georgiana was put to sleep, Elizabeth suggested a game of cards.

“Cards? As in, playing cards?”

“Sure. Don’t you know how to play?”

“Yes, it’s just that I don’t think I’ve played in so long.”

“What a shame! Come on, let’s dig up some old games I used to play.”

So they spent a quiet evening playing cards at the kitchen table, drinking tea and coffee and eating the orange flavoured Milano cookies they had bought at the store that evening.

The next day, Will went to work alone with Georgiana, while Elizabeth remained to finish packing. Jane was to come and help her sister and then take her back home. Then Will and Georgiana joined them at the Bingley’s house for one last evening together before Elizabeth finally moved to Chicago to start a new life.

Will didn’t know how to feel the entire evening. He felt like a little child once more, wishing he could have what he couldn’t, but not knowing what it was. He knew he feared the loneliness he would experience without her.

The enjoyable evening together with such loving, caring people ended all too soon for Will. It was time to say goodbye to Elizabeth. She walked him out to his car while Jane and Charles respectfully remained in the house to give the two friends privacy.

First, Elizabeth said goodbye to Georgiana. Snuggling her face against the baby, she cooed. “Oh, I’m going to miss you! You’re going to grow so fast while I’m away. You’ll forget me. I just know it.”

Then she put her in the carseat, strapping her in securely.

The time had come. Elizabeth faced Will. There was an awkwardness at first.

“I hate saying goodbyes,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.

“So do I.”

“I definitely enjoyed myself.”

“Good. I’ve told you numerous times how much I’ve depended on you and how deeply indebted I am to you.”

There was another pause.

“We’ll definitely be in touch. I’ll make sure to notify you when I’ll be down to visit my sister again.”

Will nodded.

“Goodbye then,” said Elizabeth.

“Goodbye.”

The awkwardness heightened for a few seconds, then Elizabeth stepped forward and Will enveloped her in a hug for a few too brief moments. Elizabeth kissed his cheek, and then they parted, Will got in his car, and drove away, waving out of the window in reply to Elizabeth’s wave.

It was difficult for Will driving back home. Somehow, Elizabeth’s absence brought back memories of Caroline. He wondered where she was and how she was doing. He wondered if she’d received the separation papers yet and what she thought about it. Did Caroline ever think about Georgiana? Did she ever regret her decision to walk out?

Georgiana was asleep when Will took her out of the carseat and put her into her crib in the nursery. The large house was eerily silent as Will went around turning out the lights and going to bed. He hoped to move into that country house as soon as possible.

Will did gradually adjust to life on his own with Georgiana. He settled into a routine, and he delighted in watching her grow and develop. He often thought about Elizabeth and would sometimes call her to talk about things: business, Georgiana, the house.

Negotiations progressed with buying the house, ending in a deal with which both parties were satisfied. A date was set for Maggie’s removal, and Will eagerly set his own moving day.

Meanwhile, the divorce proceedings were moving more slowly. There was some difficulty in getting hold of Caroline. Will actively pursued full legal custody of Georgiana, not giving in to any compromise except for maybe the occasional visitation right of Caroline. Will felt resentful of giving her even that considering how she cared so little as to leave when the baby was a mere two weeks old. But Caroline used the post-partum depression excuse, which Will did not buy for one second. Bitterness settled between the couple and would have depressed Will substantially had he not had Elizabeth’s support, Georgiana to support, and the peace haven to look forward to.

Elizabeth had been right in saying the house would be useful as a negotiating tool. It ended up that Caroline would keep the house, and Will wouldn’t have to pay her any alimony, while Caroline didn’t have to pay child support. Once this had been settled, Will was free to move to his new home.

Will had been looking forward to Elizabeth returning to help him move. But she apologized, explaining that her fledgling consultancy would not allow her the time to spare. Disappointed, Will enlisted Jane and Charles’ help. With a moving truck, he took the pieces of furniture he liked out of Caroline’s house. He took the nursery furniture, the comfortable armchair he and Georgiana had bought together, and a few pieces that had been his parents’. Then Jane, Charles, and Will went to Elizabeth’s old apartment and moved the remaining pieces to the country house. There was only the sofa, a couple of armchairs, the kitchen table and three old, mismatched chairs, the bed, a bookshelf and what had been used as her desk.

Will hadn’t realized before how simply she lived on her own. Or maybe she just wasn’t as financially well off as he’d considered her.

Jane advised him to give the ‘desk’ to charity and temporarily use the rest of the furniture.

Will was happier in his new home. It needed a lot of work to it to make it seem lived in. He couldn’t help comparing it to how Maggie had had it.

This was where Jane stepped in. He had only mentioned something to Charles about not being settled and comfortable in his new home, yet. But Jane had got wind of it, and called Will up at his office to arrange for her to come over and help him. He remembered Elizabeth’s offhand suggestion that he use Jane, so he agreed.

That following Saturday, Jane came over with Tobin. She put him down to play in the playpen set up in the long back room with the floor to ceiling windows. Jane looked around at first, assessing what could be done and what needed to be done.

In the end, she suggested he buy new curtains, paint the walls, change the light fixtures, and begin to buy furniture to match the house. Will enlisted her continued help in choosing colours. Eventually, Jane found herself making almost all of the decisions. But Will did pay her for her services against her protests.

Four months passed, Georgiana grew, and Will continued to miss Elizabeth. He was sitting in the nursery playing with Georgiana when the idea came to him to go up and visit her.

He called her at home that night.

“Hey, Elizabeth,” he said, his hand clenching in nervousness.

“Hi, Will! How are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine.”

“And Georgiana?”

“She’s doing great.”

“Good, good. Is she awake?”

“Yeah.”

“Can you put her on for me?”

Will laughed. Elizabeth always asked to hear the baby. Will scooped Georgiana up and bounced her on his knee. She squealed and laughed in her baby way.

“Say hello to Elizabeth? Say hello?”

“She sounds like she’s getting so much older,” exclaimed Elizabeth with a touch of nostalgia in her voice.

Will decided to ask her now. “Well, I was thinking. Since you haven’t been able to get down here to St Louis yet, we could make a trip up to see you. Things have finally settled down over here to the point where I could take a Friday off to drive up and visit.”

He had to consciously relax so he wouldn’t hurt Georgiana. He clenched his gut instead. He wanted to sound nonchalant, casual.

“Oh! Well, it would be nice to see you and Georgiana again.” She paused. “Um… I guess that could work. Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s not a big trip. What, five or six hour drive?”

“About that. What weekend were you thinking?”

He began to relax a little. “Whatever weekend you’re free.”

“Oh. Well, I think I could free up the weekend after next. Is that good?”

“Sure. Do you have a place for me to sleep, or should I book a hotel?”

“I … um, well if you don’t mind sleeping on the couch you could stay here. It’s not a big place.”

Will remembered her apartment in St Louis.

“That’s fine. It’s only for a couple of nights.”

“What sort of things did you want to do while you’re up here?”

“I don’t know that much of what there is to do. I’ll leave it up to you. Just as long as we can bring Georgiana with us.”

“Yeah. Okay. Fine.”

“How is your consultancy going?”

“It’s keeping me really busy.”

“Is that good?”

Elizabeth laughed. “I guess.”

Will was fully relaxed by then. He sat back in the comfy armchair, gazed out of the windows into the woods outside, and played with his daughter while he listened contentedly to Elizabeth talking.

Will found himself counting down the days until he and Georgiana made the trip up to Chicago. He decided to let Jane and Charles know just in case they would want to send something up with him for her.

He called the Bingleys’ house. Jane picked up.

“Hi, Jane. It’s Will.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“Fine, thanks. I was calling to let you know that I’m driving up to Chicago to visit Elizabeth the weekend after next.”

“Oh!” There was a pause. “That’s good.”

Will added, “I was letting you know in case you wanted to send something up with me for her.”

“That’s kind of you. I don’t have anything for her right now, but I can get a box of things that I’ve been meaning for her to have. If you come by before you leave I can give it to you.”

“That’s fine.”

“How long will you be up there?”

“Just Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday morning.”

“Are you taking Georgiana?”

“Of course. Should I do anything to prepare her for it?”

“She should be fine. Just make a checklist right now of things you should take. Be overprepared for all contingencies and you should be fine.”

“Okay. Thanks. I’ll be by next Thursday or Friday to pick up whatever you have to give to her.”

“I shall see you then.”

Continued In Next Section