Previous Section, Section II

Chapter Four

Posted on Sunday, 18 September 2005

"You know, Lizzy, your William has excellent taste," Thomas said as he examined the antique map hanging over the commodious leather sofa in William's study.

"I assume you're not talking about his choice in women," his daughter deadpanned. Thomas's eyes twinkled as he turned around.

"That goes without saying, of course. But I was referring to his latest acquisition."

"I bought him 'his latest acquisition' as a birthday present, so technically speaking I'm the one with excellent taste--in art and in men," Lizzy said smugly. Thomas sat down and patted the space beside him.

"Wherever did you find it?" he asked as she joined him on the sofa. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her hair.

"I can't take the credit; I went to Richard and pleaded for help finding William a birthday present. I figured he had a lot more experience in that area. Turns out, William had given him a list in case I asked."

"Clever boy," Thomas chuckled.

"Too clever, yes, but I managed to thwart his attempt to steer me toward the toy radio car of his dreams. As it happens, Richard knew that William loves the maps his father collects and suggested that I start a collection for him. We went to an auction. It was great fun."

"I'm sure William would rather have gotten the car," Thomas teased.

"He got the car. Sar and Richard gave it to him."

"I see. And you now know what to give William for the next twenty or so years."

"Something like that. Sar said that Richard's mother gives him antique model sailboats for the same reason."

"What does she give Richard?"

"Oh, Sar's a whiz at finding great presents. The real fun is watching Richard trying to find something for her," Lizzy said with a smile.

"So how are the wedding plans coming along?"

"Terrific; between Sar and Charlotte, everything's running so smoothly we've had whole evenings to ourselves to just relax and enjoy each other's company."

"Who's Charlotte?"

"Oh; Charlotte Lucas; she's the wedding planner. And Sar has taken on the task of making follow-up calls and finalizing details. She's been a godsend."

"That's a lot of running around for a woman halfway through her third trimester."

"Don't worry; she's doing it on the phone or by email. I think that after she has the baby she ought to consider becoming a wedding planner herself. She's brilliant at it."

"I suspect that her husband and child may have other ideas," Thomas said sagely. "But if she's anything like Nishtha--and I know she is--it's not surprising that she excels at small detail."

"Speaking of details, what's happening with Lydia's wedding plans?" Lizzy asked with mild trepidation. Thomas sighed and shook his head.

"Everything's still on hold. I spoke with Lydia on Tuesday. She and John have decided to see a counselor."

"Do you think it will help?"

"It will probably do them both some good," Thomas said.

"I don't know," Lizzy said thoughtfully. "I guess I've always felt that if two people couldn't work things out on their own, involving a third party wouldn't do much good."

"Well, what a counselor can do for them is help open the lines of communication. I doubt that they've ever sat down and really dealt with the underlying issues that have made their relationship unstable. A counselor will help them to lay all their cards on the table."

"Like Lyd wanting to find a husband and get married just because I did?" Lizzy sniped.

"Lizzy!" Thomas said reproachfully. "For what it's worth, she truly does love John and he loves her. But yes, if sibling rivalry is part of it that should be dealt with too."

"What about all the money you've got invested in the wedding?" Lizzy asked. To her surprise, Thomas snickered.

"Your mother is the most amazing creature."

"This is not news to me," Lizzy replied, "but what does that have to do with anything?"

"She calculated the cost of Lydia's cancellation to the penny: deposits for the country club, the caterer, the cake, the florist, musicians ... She wrote up the bill and sent it to Lydia with a note saying that if she and John worked things out and married within a year she'd forgive the debt. If, however, they didn't resolve their differences, she'd add the cost of the wedding dress, bridesmaid's gowns, and our gift to her, then tack on a 10% surcharge for mental cruelty and demand full restitution."

Lizzy laughed heartily at the image of her mother doing such a thing. It took a bit of work to convince her that Thomas was telling the truth.

"Oh, dear, that wedding is bringing out the worst in everybody, isn't it?"

"I'd rather talk about your wedding, Lizzy," Thomas said seriously. "Promise me you won't do anything foolish." She leaned on her father's shoulder.

"I promise, daddy. Wild horses couldn't make me postpone our wedding."

"Well, you are Lydia's sister so forgive me if I rely on William to get you to the altar," he teased. "Thank goodness I had the foresight to choose him for a son in law."

"You?"

"I pretty much picked him as your future husband the moment I saw him dip you on that dance floor. Had you fallen for one of those young bucks Bess O'Donnell was throwing at you I would have--."

"...You would have been wasting your time and so would I," Lizzy admitted. "I didn't know it then but I'd already fallen for William."

"There's a good girl," Thomas said patting her knee. The two of them had spoken at length about the matter before. Thomas recalled Lizzy's initial ambivalence about William, but he'd known all along that she was destined to succumb to his charms. "I'm happy to have one daughter happily settled."

"Well, if everything works out you'll soon be rid of both of us," Lizzy sighed.

"But you don't believe that will happen, do you?"

"I hope for Lydia's sake that it does," Lizzy said. She squinted up at her father. "She can't afford mom's terms on her salary."

"Maybe I should wait till she gets here," Richard said, checking his watch.

"So you can give her the set of instructions you already typed up, emailed twice and then read to her over the phone?" Sarmistha asked.

"So I'm thorough."

"You're obsessed! Richard, I am a grown woman perfectly capable of managing on my own for a few days. Your grandmother is also a grown woman, a mother of two, grandmother of five and great grandmother of three. She knows more about pregnancy than you ever will."

"You think so?" Richard asked with a doubtful squint. Sarmistha rolled her eyes and picked up Richard's sweater, which she draped over his shoulders.

"Go to Vermont."

"I'm going," Richard pouted. "After Grandma Bess gets here; I don't want you left alone."

"You leave me alone every morning when you go to work!"

"That's different; I'm still in the city."

"And Grandma Bess is in the city as well. And so are Lizzy, and your mother, and--."

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you over to your mom's for the weekend?"

"You know full well that Lizzy's shower is this weekend, habib."

"She can have it there! Your shower was held there and I understand it was lovely."

"You are driving me insane. Go away," Sarmistha said. Richard pouted. She pulled him into her arms, as close as her fecund belly would allow, and kissed him deeply.

"Mmm," Richard said when she finally released him.

"Now leave."

Lizzy entered the restaurant located on the basement level of the Madison Avenue department store where Lydia was employed. She spied her sister at a table toward the back of the room and smiled. Lydia began to talk even before the waiter passed out the menus.

"You're late! I told you I had a meeting at two and I have to speak with my boss before then," she said excitedly.

"Hello, Lydia," Lizzy replied calmly. "I like your suit."

"You ought to; it's yours."

"So it is. Where did you get it?"

"You left it behind when you went to Asia. I figured that you didn't want it since you didn't take it when you moved in with William."

"Was it in my closet when I was packing?" Lizzy asked archly.

"Let's order. I'm starved," Lydia said evasively.

"Excellent idea," Lizzy said with a tolerant smile. The two sisters took a moment to examine the menu and then ordered identical salads and bottled water.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure of this invitation?" Lizzy asked when the waiter was gone.

"I wanted to give you this," Lydia said, beaming. She picked up a small shopping bag and placed it on the table.

"What is it?" Lizzy asked curiously.

"Open it, silly!"

"Oh, yes, of course." Lizzy pulled a box out of the bag and brushed aside the confetti that showered onto the table before she tore off the gaily printed paper and ribbon. Inside the box she found a teapot fashioned in the shape of an antique typewriter. "Lyd, this is amazing! Wherever did you find it?"

"I have my secrets," Lydia laughed. "Do you like it? I thought that being a writer, you--."

"I love it! Thank you, Lyd," Lizzy replied. She carefully set down her prize before hugging her sister. "But what's the occasion? You've already given me a wedding gift."

"That's not a wedding gift. It's a thank you gift."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"...For putting up with me when I was such a brat," Lydia said shyly.

"You gave me a teapot for twenty-four years of suffering?"

"No, Lizzy," Lydia said earnestly, though she smirked at her sibling's tease. "This is for putting up with me for the last couple of weeks. I know I've been a royal pain to everyone, but you and William were so kind to me and I just wanted you to know that it really meant a lot."

"Did dad put you up to this?" Lizzy asked suspiciously.

"No," Lydia pouted.

"I'm sorry," Lizzy apologized. "That was downright mean of me."

"And I suppose I've given you ample reason to think I'd need prodding to say thank you," she confessed. Lizzy leaned across the table and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for this, Lydia. I know just where I want to put it--in my office; everyone there always teases me about being both an old-fashioned girl and a teetotaler."

"Neither of which is true."

"No, but that doesn't matter. This will look perfect on my shelf with my journalism awards."

"Cool," Lydia said happily as their lunch arrived. "And don't forget to thank William for me, too."

"Oh; was I supposed to share this with him?"

"No, I got him his own teapot," Lydia announced. "His is shaped like a toaster."

"Lyd, you have to tell me where you shop."

"No way! You never told me where you got those lavender shoes."

"I tell you what, Lyd; I'll tell you where I got those shoes if you promise to do me a favor," Lizzy proposed.

"I'm not revealing my source, no matter what the enticement."

"I'm not asking you to; I want you to be in my wedding party."

"Lizzy..."

"I know it's late notice. When I initially asked you said you'd be too busy with your own wedding to take part in mine, but since yours has been postponed I thought you might find enough time to be my maid of honor."

"I thought Sarmistha was your honor attendant."

"She's willing to concede her place to someone with a higher claim to my heart," Lizzy said hopefully.

"You really want me in your wedding?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise, now would I?"

"Lizzy!" Lydia cried effusively as she reached out to hug her big sister. "I'll need the name of that shoe store right away," she said when she sat back, but she couldn't share Lizzy's laugh. "I owe you another apology. I should never have been too busy for you. You agreed to be in my wedding party without a moment's thought and my wedding was two months before yours. I really didn't have an excuse for refusing to be in your party, except... I didn't want to spend another day in your shadow."

"Lydia? What are you saying?" Lizzy asked, slightly alarmed by her sister's revelation.

"We're running out of single men," William said with a frown as he dropped his bag on the floor and gazed out the French doors leading to the backyard. Richard and Matt looked up and exchanged a glance.

"Come again?" Matt said.

"We only get to come up here when one of us marries. We're running out of excuses to borrow Lucas Lodge," William explained. Richard gestured with his head toward the grill, where Charles and John were starting the charcoal.

"We've got at least one more bachelor in the group," Richard observed. "After that, we'll have to break down and buy a piece of land up here."

"I don't suppose we could talk Charles into divorcing and remarrying," Matt chuckled. Richard threw his baseball cap at his older sibling while William nearly laughed himself in a coughing fit.

Lizzy crossed the hall and let herself into Richard and Sarmistha's apartment. She followed the sound of voices till she found Sarmistha sitting on her bed amid a sea of pillows. Bess sat at her left on Richard's side of the bed, turning the pages of a well-worn album.

"Ah! Here are Matt and William when they were four. And note the little stunner in William's arms," Bess said as she held the book out for Sarmistha to get a closer look.

"That's Richard?"

"That's probably the last time William was able to do that, I'll bet," Lizzy said as she climbed onto the bed to get a closer look of William holding his younger cousin in his lap.

"Actually, Richard didn't become the biggest of the lot till he hit his teens," Bess replied.

"Show Lizzy that baby picture of William," Sarmistha suggested. "You'll adore this, Lizzy."

"Ooh!" Lizzy crooned. She took the book into her lap and gushed for several moments as Sarmistha and Bess laughed.

"William would kill me if he knew I showed you that," Bess said.

"I want a copy," Lizzy said defiantly.

"But of course," Sarmistha said. "Look at this one. Isn't he adorable?"

"Richard was never that small!" Lizzy scoffed.

"That's your William, my dear. Richard wasn't a twinkle in his father's eye when that was taken."

"And get a load of the babe holding him in that shot," Bess said impishly.

"You're still a great beauty," Lizzy said as she leaned in to kiss Bess's cheek.

"I'll get you that picture tomorrow."

"Did you bring your album, Lizzy?"

"Yes, but you must promise never to let William see these," Lizzy said. Sarmistha and Bess exchanged a look.

"Clear the table," Richard commanded. "I have a special treat."

"Is there more pie?" John asked.

"Something even better," Richard said with a smile. "Mish sent along a photo album from when she was a girl."

"And that's a treat why?" Matt asked.

"Well, not for you, maybe, but every other man in our company will recognize the woman in his life in these shots."

"Oh?" Charles said, his interest piqued.

"Oh yeah, Mish, Lizzy, Lyd as a tiny imp, and Jane in some of the later pictures," Richard explained. "Matt, feel free to take a nap."

"Lizzy as a child? This should be very interesting," William said as he dusted off the table with his napkin. "She's flatly refused to show me any of her childhood pictures and has forbidden her mother from doing so as well."

"We fully expect the baby to look more like me than Richard," Sarmistha said. "What a pity. He was such an adorable child."

"He hasn't changed one bit in twenty-eight years, has he?" Bess said.

"Yes, he's still an adorable child," Lizzy said playfully. "I bet she'll look like her Uncle Matt, though, with Richard's features and dark hair."

"But she'd be so pretty with her father's blue eyes," Sarmistha pouted.

"Oh, Lizzy," William sighed wistfully. Matt and John exchanged a look.

"Are you going to be okay?" Matt asked, only half teasing. William slapped away the hand he'd placed on his shoulder.

"I'm fine, you idiot," he said gruffly. Nonetheless he rose and excused himself.

"Think he's going to cry?"

"I think he's going to call Lizzy," Richard said with a smile. "Which reminds me..."

"So have you chosen a name yet?" Bess asked as Lizzy went to the kitchen to make tea.

"Richard is fond of the name Aishwarya, but I suspect that it's because he thinks I resemble the actress by that name."

"It's a beautiful name," Bess said, "regardless of where it came from."

"It means 'prosperous' in Hindu," Lizzy volunteered. "And I agree that it's a beautiful name." She set the bag on the table and began to pull out cartons of Chinese food.

"Don't you think Aishwarya Fitzwilliam is a mouthful?" Bess asked.

"Unlike Sarmistha Agarwal Fitzwilliam, you mean?" Lizzy asked.

"Richard would like to name her Aishwarya Charu Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, in honor of his favorite grandmother," Sarmistha said with a smile for Bess. "I added 'Charu.' It means beautiful."

"Will that even fit on one birth certificate?" Lizzy asked archly. The phone rang and she stayed Sarmistha with a hand and went to fetch the phone. "Hello Richard! What a surprise to hear your voice."

"Hi Lizzy; is my beautiful wife available?"

"Of course," she replied. "Say, whatever happened to your ringlets?"

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind--here's your wife."

"Hello, habib," Sarmistha said sweetly.

"Ringlets?"

"Your hair; they were lovely," Sarmistha sighed. "So you arrived safely at the lodge."

"Yeah, we made good time. And your photo album was a huge hit."

"I imagined it would be. Did William like it?"

"He took the album to look at again later. I'd say he was very moved by the pictures of Lizzy. Don't know why, though; you were obviously the cutest kid in the book."

"Richard, you must allow for the fact that William is very much in love with Lizzy. It's only natural that he would be pleased to get a glimpse of her childhood."

"If you say so..."

"Richard..."

"What?" Lizzy squealed. Sarmistha gasped and covered her mouth. "What 'glimpse' of my childhood?"

"I must go, my love. I'll call you later."

"What's wrong?" Richard demanded.

"Sarmistha Rupali Agarwal Fitzwilliam, what have you done?"

"Is that Lizzy threatening you?"

"I'll be perfectly safe, I think."

"Think again," Lizzy spat.

"Grandma Bess will protect me. Bye, bye, my love."

"Mish!"

Sarmistha reluctantly set down the phone, cutting Richard off mid-shout as she turned to face her accuser.

"What did you do?"

"I did nothing," Sarmistha said cagily. "Richard asked for something to read while he was away. I must have accidentally given him one of my photo albums."

"Accidentally."

"Yes. Oh, Lizzy, what is the harm in allowing William to see you as a child?" Sarmistha reasoned as she went to sit down. She reached for the pot and poured herself some tea..

"I was fat and plain and I wore glasses!"

"You were as pretty then as you are now, Lizzy. Yes, you wore glasses, but William has seen you in glasses plenty of times. And you were not fat!"

"You were very cute," Bess agreed. "Mish showed me the album last night."

"Who hasn't she shown it to?" Lizzy pouted. "You know, I was hoping to retain something of my dignity."

"I don't think any less of you for having seen you at the age of eleven. I doubt William will, either," Bess said reassuringly. The phone rang. "That's probably Richard wanting to know if you've scratched Mish's eyes out. You'd better get it." Lizzy glared at Sarmistha and picked up the phone.

"She's still alive," she said dully.

"Who's still alive?" William replied.

"William!" Lizzy sputtered.

"You remember me! I'm so pleased. I've always wondered whether or not you thought of me when I was gone," he deadpanned.

"Don't be ridiculous! Of course I think of you," Lizzy cooed.

"Speaking of ridiculous notions, why didn't you want me to see your childhood pictures? You were a lovely child."

"Lovely? Is that the word they taught you at prep school to use when someone was pudgy, knock-kneed and--."

"I love your knees!" William declared, shocking Lizzy out of her rant. "I love every inch of you--even that spot where those hideous glasses once sat on your nose."

"They were hideous, weren't they?" Lizzy laughed.

"Do you still have them?"

"No, of course not. Why?"

"Just wondering... Halloween will be here before you know it, you know."

"Did you call to tease me about my glasses?" Lizzy said, her earlier fears forgotten as William worked his charm.

"I called to tell you how very glad I am to have you in my life," William said.

"I'm glad to have you, too, William."

"I'm also glad you discovered contact lenses."

"So you did call to tease me," Lizzy pouted.

"I called to find out why you were so vehemently opposed to my seeing you as a child."

"I was rather plain."

"And you thought I would hold it against you?"

"The last time I showed a boyfriend my childhood pictures he asked if I'd had corrective surgery."

"The lout didn't deserve you. Anyone with eyes can see that you're a natural beauty."

"I love you, William."

"I should hope so. Your father is spending a small fortune to marry you off to me. The man's a fool; I would have taken you for free. In fact, I might have paid for the privilege."

"Let's keep that as our little secret, shall we?" Lizzy laughed. "Besides, the wedding is my way of showing you off to all my friends."

"You could simply have taken out a full page ad in the Times, honey," William teased. "Of course, I show to my best advantage in a tux..."

"I know that well enough. Sarmistha threatened to have a bib made to match my wedding gown so I wouldn't drool all over the altar."

"Such a friend," William chuckled. "I suppose I should let Richard speak with his wife. What did you do to her, by the way?"

"Nothing that she could prove in a court of law," Lizzy replied.

"I'll call you later tonight."

"Promise?" After extracting a pledge out of him she handed Sarmistha the phone.

"Hello?" Sarmistha said.

"Hello, Sarmistha," William replied. "Before I let you speak to your husband I want to thank you for sending along that album."

"I have several more," she said with a defiant look at her best friend.

"I'll be home on Sunday; have them ready. Here's Richard."

"Mish? Are you okay, honey?"

"I'm fine, pumpkin. Lizzy and I were merely having a little disagreement over my decision to let William see those pictures."

"Tell Lizzy she's in for a spanking when I get back. Uh, tell Lizzy that if she promises to play nicely with you William will spank her when he gets back. What?"

Sarmistha laughed so hard that her sides began to ache and she had to sit down. She did so quietly so as not to alarm her nervous husband. When she hung up the phone a few minutes later she went to fetch more of her photo albums and together with Lizzy, she regaled Bess with stories about her childhood in New Jersey.

An hour later, Lizzy crossed the hall to her apartment and changed into one of William's tee shirts. She did her evening ritual and then settled into the massive canopy bed with Squeaks and the latest copy of Persona. The phone rang and she reached across the slumbering cat to answer it.

"Hello, beautiful," William said in a low seductive voice that sent shivers down Lizzy's spine.

"Hmmm..."

"Hmmm? Is that all the answer I'm to expect?"

"I already said hello, William," Lizzy replied reasonably.

"So you did. Did you have a pleasant evening with the ladies?"

"As pleasant as one could have without you in the tri-state area, yes."

"Oh," William said. Lizzy could hear the pout in his voice and smiled.

"How are things in Vermont?"

"Lonely."

"We'll be together again on Sunday. And after the 18th, we won't have silly things like bachelor retreats and ladies' luncheons to keep us apart."

"Thank goodness. I'm looking forward to the 'happily ever after' part of this deal."

"Me, too," Lizzy sighed.

"So how was your day? Did Lydia agree to be your maid of honor?" William asked.

"My day was hectic, and yes, Lyd agreed to be my maid of honor. I'm afraid my invitation opened a huge can of worms, though."

"Oh? What happened?"

"I found out that she rejected my previous offer because she didn't want to be upstaged!"

"At your wedding?"

"That's what she said, Will. I was as shocked as you. But since starting counseling, Lydia's begun to come to terms with her feelings. She confessed that she's always felt as though she lived in my shadow. It was so painful, Will. We sat there for twenty minutes while the poor thing poured her heart out. I had no idea she felt that way. I always thought Lyd was just being Lyd, you know? I thought she was a brat. It turns out that I was completely wrong. The monster Lydia has been the last few months is entirely my own fault."

"Wait a moment, Lizzy! That's not true and you know it!" William protested.

"But it is! Everything she's done has been a reaction to a lifetime of playing second fiddle to me."

"And that's not your doing. Lydia is twenty-four years old and it's high time she took responsibility for her actions. If she's spent her life in your shadow it's because she's never bothered to move out of it. She was perfectly capable of launching a career after college, or finding a husband, or doing any number of things she did only when she decided to try to draw attention away from you. That was her choice, Lizzy, not yours."

"She's taking responsibility now, William. That's why she wanted to talk today. She's been harboring resentment of me for years and needed to get it off her chest."

"...By dumping a guilt trip on you?" William said fiercely. "I'd hardly consider that taking responsibility."

"No, no, William," Lizzy said soothingly. "Lyd told me what she's been doing in therapy. She's learned that her behavior has not only been an obstacle in our relationship but it threatened her relationship with John as well. So she's been learning to deal with it for both our sakes."

"I'm glad to hear that Lydia is growing up and getting help. But she hurt you, Lizzy, and that I cannot condone."

"She didn't hurt me--."

"She did," William said firmly. "I can hear it in your voice. And I wasn't there to hold you."

"It was very upsetting," Lizzy admitted. "I had a long talk about it with Sar when I got home. She had Lyd figured out long ago; wish she'd spoken to me about this earlier."

"I'm sorry, love."

"Lyd and I made our peace and have agreed to move on, but promise me you'll be home Sunday and make me forget about all of this."

"I promise to do my best," William said soothingly.

"That should do it," Lizzy said tartly. She laid back and relaxed as William's soothing words warmed her. Like a balm to her soul, they worked their magic and in only a few minutes Lizzy felt better than she had all day.

Chapter Five

Posted on Sunday, 25 September 2005

"William was very angry when I told him," Lizzy told her father as she drizzled honey into her tea.

"I don't blame him! It was very wrong of Lydia to tell you those things," Thomas said.

"Why am I the only person who can see things from her side?" Lizzy said defensively. "She was only trying to be honest with me about her feelings, probably for the first time in her life!"

"And what did she accomplish by it? She did nothing but cause you pain you should have been spared, especially now. It was simply another case of Lydia putting her own needs first."

"I don't think that's fair," Lizzy protested.

"You don't think it's fair for me to be honest, but Lydia should feel free to run rampant over your feelings at will?" Thomas shouted incredulously. "How can you defend her, Lizzy?"

"You weren't there, daddy. You didn't hear what I heard. She was genuinely contrite."

"Perhaps she was, but that doesn't alter the fact that she abused her privilege. She had a golden opportunity to take a positive step and begin to look past the injustices she felt she'd suffered in the past. Instead, she couldn't resist the opportunity to sucker punch you and exact a measure of revenge on her path to maturity."

"Daddy!"

"Just because you're willing to ignore it, doesn't mean that William and I are. It was badly done, Lizzy."

"Well, if it gets Lyd where she needs to be I'd go through it again."

"She cut deep, didn't she?" Thomas said more gently.

"Her wounds were deeper," Lizzy said sadly. She listened stoically as Thomas continued to lecture her in a calmer tone. When he was done, Lizzy hung up the phone and sighed. Glancing down at her watch, she noticed the time just as someone knocked on her door.

"Are you ready? Whoa; who died?" Bess asked when Lizzy opened it with a glum expression.

"No one," Lizzy said with another sigh. "I'll be over in a second. Would you give me a minute?" Bess regarded her worriedly. "I'm fine, I promise," Lizzy assured her.
Bess nodded doubtfully and crossed the hall.

"Is Lizzy ready?" Sarmistha asked as she struggled to fasten the strap of her sandal. It was getting increasingly difficult to see her feet, much less reach them.

"She looks unwell," Bess confided. Sarmistha looked up sharply.

"Has something happened?"

"I don't know."

"Perhaps I should go--."

"She asked for a few minutes," Bess said as Lizzy opened the door and entered. Sarmistha rose and went to her.

"Are you all right? Bess said you didn't look well," she said as she pulled Lizzy into a hug. Lizzy gratefully hugged her back. Sarmistha caught sight of her reddened eyes and clucked at her. "What's wrong?"

"I told daddy about Lydia," Lizzy replied as she flopped onto the sofa. Sarmistha sat down beside her and took hold of her hand. Bess joined them and gave her free hand a squeeze.

"What about Lydia?" Bess asked. But Lizzy just shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't feel up to going into it again," she said tearfully. "I..."

"You're emotional," Bess said with a compassionate smile. "Brides are almost as bad as mothers-to-be just before the wedding." She winked at Sarmistha. "This little minx cried her eyes out this morning over a commercial."

"You promised not to tell anyone!" Sarmistha pouted.

"I promised not to tell your Richard," Bess corrected. "And that's only because he'd jump in his car and drive straight home if he knew." Lizzy laughed in spite of herself.

"He most certainly would and you've got plans for this afternoon. So let's get out of here before he watches those spycam tapes he's undoubtedly making."

"Richard didn't set up spycams," Sarmistha said as she nonetheless scanned the room with a frown. "At least not to my knowledge..."

"Come on," Lizzy said, her spirits renewed. She gently tugged Sarmistha out of her seat and pulled her toward the door.

"My purse!"

"Heavens, yes!" Bess cried. "Can't leave the house without your phone; if Richard was out of touch with her for more than an hour the poor boy would freak."

"This is lovely, Anne," Lizzy said as she surveyed the dining room table that was decked out for her luncheon. "And thank you again for hosting. With everything going on it would have been impossible at our place and I really didn't want to have my bridesmaid's luncheon at a restaurant."

"I'm happy to have you all here," Anne Darcy replied. "Ladies, do sit down. Sarmistha, why don't you sit in one of the chairs with arms? You'll be more comfortable."

"Thank you," Sarmistha replied gracefully. It was a particularly hot day and the heat, which normally never bothered her, seemed to sap her energy. As she sat down, the phone in her purse rang. "You know, maybe I should have left this thing at home."

"If you had, Richard would have a fit," Lizzy said. "Everyone get ready."

"Hello, my darling," Sarmistha said. Lizzy raised her hand.

"Hello, Richard," everyone said in chorus.

"I have no idea who that was," Sarmistha said with a wink at Lizzy. "I'm fine."

Bess sighed and took the phone from her.

"Richard, you spoke to the poor child an hour ago. Since then she's combed her hair, put on a pair of sandals, fed the dog and come over to the townhouse. If you give her another hour, she might eat something and spend a little time chatting with her friends instead of her husband."

"Who is this?" Richard asked impertinently.

"You know, grandchildren never get too old to spank, dear."

"Oh, it's you."

"Two minutes," Bess said, "and if you call again before five o'clock I will confiscate this phone." She handed the phone back to Sarmistha.

"Habib?"

"I hope she's being nicer to you than she was to me," Richard said with a pout.

"You've interrupted our luncheon, my love."

"Sorry; I just wanted to make sure you got to Aunt Anne's okay."

"I'm fine. Your grandmother and Lizzy brought me just as they said they would. Are you having a nice time with the boys?"

"Oh, it's just lovely," Richard said sarcastically.

"Good. Give them all my love. I'll call you when I get home, all right?"

"All right," Richard said petulantly. Sarmistha said "I love you" in Hindi and ended the call.

"She's going to be an excellent mother," Lizzy teased.

"Well, she's had nearly two years of practice," Kathleen Fitzwilliam said of her daughter in law.

"He's miserable," Sarmistha pouted. "Perhaps I shouldn't have insisted that he go to Vermont for the weekend."

"He's William's best man," Lizzy said. "Of course he had to go."

"He may be there physically, but his heart is here in New York with Sarmistha," Anne said. "I think it's sweet."

"There's sweet and there's cloying," Bess said. "Richard crossed the line into treacle hours ago."

"I'm jealous," Lizzy said. "William hasn't called me since he left yesterday."

"You spoke to him yesterday afternoon. And I thought he called you last night," Sarmistha reminded her.

"Oh, that first call was to tease me about those photos and last night was just a call to tuck me in. I meant the 'honey, I miss you' call."

Alva and Jane laughed when Sarmistha pulled her phone from her bag once more and handed it to Lizzy.

"Here, take a few of mine," she said. "Anyone else need one?"

"I think it's very sweet that he worries so much about you, Sar," Jane said. "But if Charles called me that often, I'd throttle him."

"Oh, I never tire of hearing Richard's voice. I'm just tired of answering the phone," she winked. "Now if we're to eat and exchange gifts before he calls again, we'd better get to it."

Lizzy absently handed the phone back to Sarmistha. Her eyes were on the doorway, where Lydia stood.

"Hello everyone," she said pleasantly. Everyone answered at once, except for Lizzy and Sarmistha, who took hold of her best friend's hand and squeezed it.

"Hello Lydia," she said.

"Hi, Lyd," Lizzy said evenly.

"Hello. Sorry I'm late. I had to try to find shoes for the wedding. Have you started without me?"

"No," Anne said smoothly. "We just sat down. Come; Mrs. Reynolds has lunch on the table and everyone else is waiting."

"Lizzy, you're at the head of the table, naturally. I'm here next to Mish. I promised your husband I wouldn't let you out of my sight," Bess said teasingly. "Lydia, you're there next to Alva."

"I'm so far from Lizzy," Lydia pouted.

"You should have been on time," Bess said with a reproachful glare. Jane made to rise from her seat, but another look stopped her before she could offer Lydia her place next to Lizzy. "We assumed you weren't coming and began seating the others. It's too late to rearrange things now." Chastised and silenced, Lydia nodded and quietly took her place as Sarmistha and Lizzy exchanged a glance.

The women in Lizzy's wedding party--Alva, Lydia, and Jane--sat down to lunch with Sarmistha, Anne, Kathleen, her daughter in law Maura, and Bess. A fifth member of the party would be arriving from the west coast just a day before the wedding. Her absence was questioned.

"Maya's just begun a residency in Denver," Lizzy explained. "She could only get three days off, so she'll come the day before the wedding and leave the day after."

"Oh, she's a doctor," Anne said approvingly. "What's her field?"

"Down girl," Bess said. "You've already caught William a wife."

"I'm just making conversation, mother," Anne replied defensively.

"Yes, of course you are. By the way, have you ever thanked me for finding Lizzy for you?"

"If anyone can claim credit for Lizzy and William's current happiness it should be me, Grandma Bess," Sarmistha said. "I'm the one who introduced them."

"Wait a moment. I think I managed to make a pretty strong impression on William long before then," Lizzy said with a wink. The room was silent for a moment. Those who were aware of Lizzy's initial impression of William smiled.

"I still think I should get credit," Sarmistha insisted. "If I hadn't fallen hopelessly in love with Richard and married him, you would never have had a reason to meet William Darcy face to face."

"In that case, I believe you actually have Richard to thank, Lizzy," Jane said. Sarmistha sighed dramatically.

"Thank goodness he's not around to hear that."

"Have I mentioned what a lucky man I am?"

"Endlessly, Will; give it a rest," Charles said.

"Why should I? You waxed poetic about Jane incessantly last time we were here."

"And now I realize how annoying I must have sounded. I'm just trying to spare you the pain of becoming the object of our ridicule."

"I for one was looking forward to that bit," Richard volunteered.

"Me, too," Matt said.

"I don't remember you being so annoying, Charles," John said.

"Thank you," Charles said, "but trust me; William will certainly be extremely so."

The Fitzwilliam brothers had a hearty laugh at their cousin's expense. William eyed them calmly.

"At least I don't call Lizzy on an hourly basis," he said.

"Lizzy isn't eight month's pregnant with your firstborn," Richard said.

"Sarmistha can take care of herself, Fitz," William sighed.

"Sarmistha doesn't have to take care of herself. She has me."

"Not this weekend; she's got Grandma Bess pinch hitting for you," Matt reminded him. "So relax."

"Wait till Maura's pregnant," Richard grumbled.

"Maura is pregnant," Matt declared. The others sat up and stared. Matt smiled smugly. "We found out a few weeks ago."

"Have you told the folks?" Richard asked.

"We're planning to tell them when I get back to town," Matt said. He smiled shyly as he collected congratulations from his closest friends. Richard caught a glimpse of John's wistful expression. He waited till the others were engaged in conversation before wandering over to him and claiming a seat at his side.

"How are things with you and Lydia, John?" he asked gently. "Lizzy said you two have made some progress."

"We've started seeing a marriage counselor," John admitted. "I was dead set against the idea. My folks did that and ended up divorcing anyway. But Lydia was willing to give it a try so I went along with it."

"And is it helping?"

"Yeah," John replied, surprise evident in his expression. "There are lots of things we've never talked about. We both knew they were there but we never brought them up directly, you know?"

"I think I know what you mean," Richard said. "Before my wedding my dad sat me down for something he referred to as 'Husband 101.' He told me that I should never hold back from discussing anything--even the little things--that might come between us. He said that they're like little grains of sand in your shoe. One or two don't bother you but if you get enough of them..."

"Yeah," John chuckled. "And Lydia and I had a lot of sand in our shoes. We always argued when things came to a head rather than dealing with the small stuff that we could probably have resolved more easily. The counselor made us sit down and make lists of the things that bugged us about each other."

"That must have been an eye opener. Long lists?"

John shook his head.

"Not as long as I thought. We were told to be as specific as possible, but when I really thought about it, I was able to narrow down my list to just two things: Lydia's spoiled and stubborn."

"How long was her list for you?"

"My list was short, too; I'm a stubborn tightwad, in her estimation."

"Ouch."

"Fortunately, the doc also asked us for lists of things we liked about one another."

"Long lists?" Richard asked again. This time, John smiled broadly.

"Yeah; really long lists."

"You know what I love about William?" Lizzy said dreamily as she smiled at the picture of him sitting on the piano in the Darcy's living room.

"Why don't you just tell us what you don't love about him?" Sarmistha suggested. "It'll save us hours."

"There's nothing I don't love about him," Lizzy pouted.

"There you go," Sarmistha replied with a wink.

"It is a beautiful picture," Alva said as she studied the image of her friend's fiancé.

"Yeah, great photography," Jane teased.

"And what a frame," Alva added.

"Heathens," Lizzy said as she went to sit beside Sarmistha. "How are you holding up?"

"Did Richard also deputize you in his absence?"

"I think he deputized everyone in the city to look after you," Lizzy replied with a smile. "But I was asking of my own volition, honest. You look a little tired."

"I am a little tired," Sarmistha admitted. "I've gotten used to taking a nap in the afternoon."

"Well, by all means, go ahead and lie down. We can put off opening my loot till you get back."

"I don't want to--."

"Go, or I'll hit the speed dial," Lizzy threatened.

"He's really got you trained, hasn't he?"

"Oh, he's really good."

"Home again, home again," Bess said absently as she closed the door behind Lizzy and Sarmistha. "Want to make a bet that Richard calls before we reach the living room?"

"Don't bother, I promised to call him," Sarmistha said as she pulled out her phone and hit a button. "Hello, dear heart," she said as she sank into the couch.

"There they go," Bess said. "You may as well go on across the hall, Lizzy. She'll be like this for a while. I saw it last night."

"Oh, I've seen this many times," Lizzy replied. "It's kind of fun to watch. They make cute faces when they talk to each other on the phone," she explained at Bess's quizzical look.

"Really? I must have missed that bit when my ears began to bleed."

Sarmistha stuck out her tongue.

"See? Want something to drink?" Lizzy asked as she headed for the kitchen. "I'm making a pot of tea."

"What kind?" Bess asked.

"Raspberry for Sar and whatever else you want; Richard's orders."

"Lizzy?" Sarmistha called. "William sends his love." Lizzy poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Why doesn't he call me himself?" she pouted. "Wait!" she cried. "Don't repeat that!" But by the time she reached Sarmistha the damage had been done.

"Richard said that he planned to call you later, when he could speak to you without fear of interruption."

"Who would interrupt?" Lizzy asked.

"I can't imagine," Bess deadpanned. "Obviously no one interrupts Richard and Mish's calls." Lizzy rolled her eyes and returned to the kitchen. When she returned with the tea Sarmistha was rubbing her distended belly.

"So how is the big lug?"

"Are you speaking of my child?" she said, aghast.

"No; not that one, anyway," Lizzy said with a wink.

"You make fun of him but you follow his instructions to the letter," Sarmistha accused.

"Hey, just because he's an obsessive nut job where you're concerned doesn't mean he isn't right," Bess said. "I think you deserve to be pampered and spoiled in every way in your condition."

"Especially by Richard, since he got you into that condition," Lizzy added.

"Wait till you become pregnant, Lizzy," Sarmistha said. "Your William will reveal his true colors." She huffed and returned her attention to her caller.

Several hours later, Lizzy poured herself a glass of wine and climbed into the bed with Squeaks and a good book for company. She got comfortable and Squeaks draped himself over her lap so that Lizzy could scratch his head absently as she read. The phone rang and the cat protested when she abandoned her ministrations to answer it.

"Hello."

William's rich, mellifluous voice filled Lizzy's ears and she smiled as she set aside the book and rolled over onto her side. Squeaks protested at this second insult and took himself off to the foot of the bed to sulk.

"William."

"Is that all you're going to say?" he asked. "From what Richard told me, you were quite anxious to talk this afternoon."

"Actually, I was just anxious to hear the sound of your voice," she replied.

"Oh, in that case I'm done here. Good; I wanted to get to bed early since we're fishing in the morning." William could see Lizzy's pout in his mind's eye.

"You're a terrible tease."

"On the contrary, I'm an excellent tease," William said in a low drawl. "You're hot and bothered, aren't you?"

"So far I'm merely bothered."

"I must be losing my touch."

"It's so difficult to tell from this distance. I wish you were here."

"If I were there this conversation would be completely unnecessary."

"Perhaps not..."

"Now who's the tease?"

"I've learned a thing or two from you over the past year and a half."

"Now I'm torn," William said thoughtfully. "Do I stay and fish in the morning or jump into a car and come home to give you a pop quiz?"

"You have a choice of cold fish or hot me and you're still in Vermont?"

"I've got four guests to think about."

"Oh, so four guests and countless cold fish, or hot me..."

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking..."

"Wrong answer, Mr. Darcy!"

"I'll give you the right answer tomorrow."

"A day late and a dime short..."

"...But so worth the wait..."

"You seem very confident of that," Lizzy challenged.

"I'll let you be the judge," William said smugly. "I'll even let you give me an oral exam."

"Okay," Lizzy said. "Study up on the species of fish native to Vermont."

"Excuse me?"

"...For your exam tomorrow."

"You're very cruel, Ms. Bennet."

"I could make the same claim, I think, Mr. Darcy--withholding yourself from me in my hours of need. And you call yourself a gentleman."

"Hours?"

"My passion for you is not the work of a moment, William; you know that."

"I'm sure you'll remind me tomorrow."

"Come this hour tomorrow you may no longer be worthy of my affections."

"Oh, I sincerely doubt that," William chuckled. His deep, throaty laugh sent a thrill through Lizzy's body.

"I doubt it, too, but it makes an excellent threat."

"Do you think so? I'd rather you refuse to ever let me out of your sight again."

"And I should tend to your desires when you'd rather fish than be here with us?"

"Us? You're entertaining company?"

"Yes; Squeaks is keeping me company tonight. You know, I should have let him take me to dinner that first night. He's never abandoned me. And he never complains about my cold feet, either."

"If he saw the fish in this lake he'd high tail it up here, too," William said. He drank in the sound of Lizzy's laughter and shifted on his bed to lie on his back. "So how was your ladies' day?"

"Oh, it was really nice," Lizzy replied. "Your mother went all out; Grandma Bess said that they used every piece of her mother's china because it perfectly matched my wedding colors."

"I've never even seen my great grandmother's china," William said. "She's never taken it out for one of my parties."

"Well, it's lovely. And the menu was perfect, the flowers beautiful--every detail was meticulously attended to. I was treated like royalty."

"Are you sure it was my mother's house you were in?"

"William!"

"Did Lydia make an appearance?"

"Yes; she arrived a little late, which didn't please your mother or Grandma Bess."

"If Lydia wants to become a social butterfly she'd better learn that 'fashionably late' doesn't apply to sit-down meals, ticketed events, or any event hosted by someone over the age of fifty."

"Is that a fact?"

"Yes; well, I actually made up the last part, but there's definitely a time and place for everything."

"Perhaps she was just caught in traffic," Lizzy said.

"Lizzy, don't make excuses for her."

"And don't you assume that Lyd was late for no legitimate reason."

"I didn't!" William shot back. "Well, yes, I did. But you have to admit that I have good reason."

"When has she ever been late for something with us before?" Lizzy asked, but she didn't wait for an answer. "Everyone is so eager to assume the worst where Lyd is concerned."

"And you're very quick to defend her all of a sudden, aren't you?"

"Well, both you and daddy always seem ready to assume the worst of Lydia."

"Lizzy, you're losing your objectivity," William said gently.

"My objectivity? She's my sister, William!"

"Yes; she's the sister who has been making your life a living hell these last few months. Look, I don't want to argue with you, Lizzy. I just want you to--."

"No, I should apologize. You're right; I do feel unaccountably defensive about Lydia. It's as though--."

"You feel responsible. Lizzy, it's not your fault. Blame your parents for indulging her. Blame Lydia, for heaven's sake, for being such a brat. But don't blame yourself for being beautiful, and accomplished, and poised, and confident, and successful, because she could have easily been all those things, too. It's not as though your parents stinted on her upbringing for your sake. She had every advantage you had and one you didn't. Unlike you, she had someone to be the scapegoat for her failures."

"William!" Lizzy sputtered for a moment, overwhelmed by righteous anger. Then she took a deep breath and sighed. "You're right, of course."

"Of course," William said.

"Is Grandma Bess taking good care of you?"

"Of course she is," Sarmistha replied, barely restraining herself from reminding her worried husband that she was perfectly capable of spending the weekend alone. Bess had been good company, however, and Sarmistha had learned a great deal more about Richard during her stay. "She's been delightful company. In fact, if you wanted to stay on in Vermont for a few more days..."

"Mish!"

"Just kidding, my sweet," she laughed. "Your daughter and I want you home as soon as possible."

"That's better," Richard sighed.

"I do miss you, my love," William said soothingly. "I do wish I was there with you; I'd erase all thoughts of Lydia from your mind."

"You'd erase all thoughts from my mind, period," Lizzy admitted with a crooked smile.

"Would I? Have I done that before?"

"Frequently."

"That would explain a great deal," William mused. "It's little wonder you're no help with the Sunday Times crossword."

"Consider yourself fortunate that I can recall my name when I'm with you," Lizzy purred. "Of course, that's only because you say it so often."

"Do I?" William asked amusedly.

"Maybe your memory slips when we're together, too."

"We're a pair, aren't we? Do you think we'll be able to manage after we're wed?"

"We've got Richard and Sar next door. They always function very well in spite of their mutual adoration," Lizzy assured him.

"Maybe we'll settle into something resembling sentience after marriage," William suggested.

"Do you think so? I'm inclined to believe that I'll always respond to you that way."

"If by 'that way' you mean a loss of short term memory, I do hope marriage is the cure."

"I agree," Lizzy said, rolling over and stretching languidly. "Marriage is the cure for what ails me. I miss you terribly."

"I miss you, too, darling."

"After this, we're out of unmarried friends, aren't we?"

"Except for John; he'll be our last."

"Do me a favor, then."

"Anything you ask."

"Tomorrow when you're out fishing? Dump him in the lake and refuse to let him out unless he promises to hold his bachelor party here in the city."

William laughed in the dark long after he hung up the phone.

Chapter Six

Posted on Tuesday, 11 October 2005

"That's exactly what you're implying, William. Don't bother trying to deny it," Lizzy said as she opened the door and entered the apartment. William followed, pausing to shut and lock the door before responding to the accusation.

"I've no need to deny it, Lizzy. You said yourself that--."

The couple froze when they saw the expressions on Richard and Sarmistha's faces. For a few seconds no one spoke. Then Sarmistha averted her eyes and Richard sighed dramatically.

"Cousin," he said firmly as he rose and strode from the room. William shook his head and followed him to the office, where Richard pounced as soon as he closed the door. "So help me, William, if you make her cry again I'll throttle you."

"Why on earth would I make Sarmistha cry?" William frowned.

"I wasn't talking about Mish," Richard replied angrily. "I'm talking about Lizzy, you idiot!"

"Lizzy?" William was stunned. "Wait; what do you mean again? When has she been crying?"

"You don't know? What the hell is going on between you two?"

"I don't know," William said, absently running a hand through his hair. "Things are fine one minute and the next we're at each other's throats. I don't understand it," he continued resignedly. "We're madly in love with each other. We're deeply committed to our future. There's no doubt in our minds about any of that, but--."

"...But you're in the middle of planning a huge wedding and the big day is less than two weeks away and your nerves are frayed and Lizzy's under a great deal of stress, too. Welcome to the real world," Richard said exasperatedly. "You're taking it out on each other. Stop it."

"How? Every little thing seems to set us off. I mean it's not as though we're really fighting, it's just a constant undercurrent of little--. What's this?" William asked when Richard handed him a card.

"Call, make a reservation. Go. Don't take a phone. Don't tell anyone where you've gone. Just be together for a few days." Richard finally smiled. "You can thank me for it later."

William returned the smile.

"I'll thank you now," he said as he went to the desk and picked up the phone. He started to punch in the number, but Richard placed a hand over his and shook his head.

"Consult with Lizzy first."

"Right," William said withdrawing his hand. "You know, Richard, I don't know which is scarier--you as the lunatic father-to-be or you as the mature adult." Richard smiled tolerantly and turned to the door.

"I'll get her for you," he said as he left the room. A moment later, Lizzy appeared.

"How would you like to get away for a few days?" William asked. "Just the two of us, no phones, no interruptions, no wedding planners... It'd be the perfect antidote for what ails us."

"When? We can't possibly get away any time before the wedding," Lizzy said immediately. "I've got a million things to do for the weeding and work to finish up before the honeymoon--. Where?" she asked when she saw William's pout.

"It's a little place in the Berkshires. Richard gave me this card." He handed Lizzy the business card for the tiny bed and breakfast Richard had recommended. She looked at it and smiled.

"I heard that place was very romantic. Rumor has it that Aishwarya was conceived there."

"Who's--who?"

"Aishwarya Charu Elizabeth Fitzwilliam," Lizzy said calmly. "You haven't met her yet." William returned her smile.

"I thought they were planning to name her 'Bump,'" William said, recalling Richard's teasing nickname for his unborn daughter. He drew a bit closer to Lizzy and pulled her into his arms.

"Really, William," she said, as she smuggled into the warmth of his body, "I can't possibly take any time off now."

"Two days."

"William--."

"I'll clear it with your office."

"No!"

William sighed and braced himself for yet another disagreement.

"I'll negotiate it myself."

"What are those two up to in there?" Sarmistha asked when Richard rejoined her in the living room.

"They're making reservations, I hope," he replied as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He knew that Lizzy's stress was upsetting to his wife, so he lightly stroked her hair as he held her to his heart. That always had a calming effect.

"What reservations?" she protested looking up. "I made dinner."

"They're making reservations for that little inn up in the Berkshires," Richard said, pausing to kiss away her pout. "They could use a little time away, I think."

"I agree," Sarmistha said somewhat mollified. "But they'd better not leave here with empty stomachs. I've been cooking all afternoon."

"Let them go," Richard chuckled. "I love your chicken tagine. It'll all be eaten."

"No way!" Lizzy said as she and William returned. "We aren't leaving till the morning and I intend to eat my fair share...and some of William's," she added with a wink. "I love Moroccan food." She leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed Richard's cheek. "Thank you," she said softly. Richard smiled and winked at his wife.

"You two be careful up there. Richard took me to the Berkshires for a weekend of antique hunting and look what happened," Sarmistha said, rubbing her ample belly.

"Oh, I think I'll be perfectly safe," William said with a grin. Lizzy poked his ribs with her elbow.

"Why don't you two sit down?" Richard asked the couple. Lizzy and William stood at the edge of the sofa and he frowned at them curiously. "What's up?"

"We'd really rather sit down in the dining room," Lizzy replied. "I'm starving."

"Ditto," William said. Sarmistha smiled and he reached out to help her to her feet.

"Follow me," she said as she led the way to the dining room. Lizzy did just that, but William grabbed Richard as he headed for the door.

"I want to thank you, too," he said.

"No need," Richard said. "I admit my motives were somewhat selfish."

"I know," William said, knowing exactly what he meant. "But I appreciate it nonetheless. I think a couple of days away is precisely what we need. Say, is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Was your child conceived up there?"

Richard shrugged and headed for the kitchen.

"Who knows? I won't argue with Mish on that point, but I couldn't honestly say. Why, are you worried?" he said with a grin as he handed William a tray of mezze.

"No, just curious." William carried the tray of appetizers into the dining room and placed it on the table. Lizzy looked up at him with a glowing smile. He felt better already.

Richard arrived home the following evening and found his wife speaking on the phone. She was speaking in Hindi, and so rapidly that Richard could only make out a few words. He had learned a good deal of the language since becoming involved with Sarmistha, although he was still too shy to speak it in front of anyone but his wife, her cousins Sharni and David, or Lizzy. But his understanding of the language had grown considerably over the past two years, so he knew that Sarmistha was speaking to her mother and trying to reassure her about Lizzy. He frowned and leaned against the doorframe to blatantly eavesdrop on the conversation.

Sarmistha turned and smiled warmly, rolling her eyes and gesturing for him to approach, even as she continued to speak. Richard kissed the top of her head as she drew him into a hug.

"I must go; Richard is home," Sarmistha said in Hindi, looking up with loving eyes. Richard kissed the tip of her nose. "Yes, I'll speak with you soon. Give daddy a kiss for me." She hung up the phone and turned her full attention to her husband. "Hello."

"Hello, beautiful," Richard said, bending slightly to reach her mouth. "What's going on? Why is your mother looking for Lizzy?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Apparently Dr. Bennet has been trying to reach her all day. When he began to worry, he mentioned it to my mother--."

"And Nishtha called you--got it," Richard nodded.

"I didn't think they'd take us so literally when we suggested they not tell anyone where they were going."

"We never suggested that they not tell anyone they were leaving town," Richard said. "William always gets carried away."

"I think this was Lizzy's doing. She's never gone anywhere before without letting her parents know, even if she didn't tell them exactly where she'd be," Sarmistha said.

"Those two ought to be spanked," Richard huffed.

"Were we supposed to be doing something else today?" Lizzy asked as she languidly ran her fingers over William's forearm.

"Let's see," William said, closing his eyes and trying not to be distracted by her teasing touch. "We drove up here, checked in... Did we eat?"

"No."

"That must be it, then. Richard's instructions weren't very detailed."

"He gave instructions? Why doesn't that surprise me?" Lizzy said with a roll of her eyes.

"They were pretty good, as Richard's instructions go. Specifically, he said--and I quote: 'Call, make a reservation. Go. Don't take a phone. Don't tell anyone where you've gone. Just be together for a few days.'"

"That is good. Oh, wait!" Lizzy said, sitting up abruptly. "I forgot to call daddy. If he calls and can't reach me, he'll freak." William pulled Lizzy back into his arms.

"I can't think of anyone less inclined to freak than your father. And if he was worried about you, he would probably call Sarmistha, right?"

"Right," Lizzy conceded. "Still..."

"No phone, remember?"

"Right." She worried her lip for a moment, but William drew her attention and she soon forgot about calling her parents. But after a few kisses she pulled away. "We really should eat, though."

William laughed at the notion, but promised to see to it that they ate something within the next six hours. Satisfied, Lizzy melted into his arms once more.

Richard was in his office working on some schematics he'd brought home when he heard the sound of glass breaking. Alpa barked and Richard leapt to his feet and ran into the kitchen. He found Sarmistha bent over, one hand on the counter, the other holding her belly. A glass of water had fallen to the floor and splashed on the tiny terrier, who'd taken fright and run from the room.

"Mish! Are you all right?"

"Yes," she gasped. "I just had another contraction." She straightened up and took a deep breath. "It's gone now."

"Another contraction?"

"It's all right, habib. It's just a--."

"I'll call your mother," Richard said firmly. He turned and strode from the kitchen.

"Habib?"

Richard sheepishly returned and assisted his wife. He lifted her over the broken glass and carried her to the bedroom.

"I am perfectly capable of walking, my love," Sarmistha said as she toyed with a tendril of his hair. She actually enjoyed being carried in Richard's arms, but she wasn't about to tell him that. "I only needed your help in avoiding the broken glass."

"You shouldn't walk around barefoot," he scolded.

"I shouldn't drop glasses, you mean," Sarmistha replied as she was set down. Richard reached for the phone. "And you need not call my mother. These contractions are perfectly normal."

"Let's let the doctor decide that, shall we?"

Sarmistha threw her hands up and turned to pick up the dog. Richard stopped her. Before she could protest, he lifted Alpa and placed her in Sarmistha's arms. Both dog and woman thanked him with a kiss to his cheek. Richard made a show of carefully wiping off the dog's kiss before reaching for the phone. He waited patiently while Nishtha was paged, ignoring Sarmistha's explanation about pre-labor contractions.

"Hello, Nishtha," he said a few minutes later as he sat beside his wife on the bed. "Mish is having contractions. I don't know... How many contractions have you had?"

"One today," Sarmistha said.

"One," Richard repeated with a frown. He leaned back against the pillows, apparently listening to a long explanation from Nishtha. It sounded to Sarmistha, who nestled under one of his arms, suspiciously like the one she'd just delivered. "Uh huh. Uh huh. Uh huh. Well, how can one tell the difference between a Braxton Hicks contraction and labor?" he asked with an embarrassed glance at Sarmistha. "Uh huh. Uh huh. Uh huh. Well, thanks, Nishtha. You've certainly put my mind at ease. Yeah, I do vaguely recall hearing something about them in childbirth classes... Mish? Yeah, she said something about them, but she was in too much pain to... Ouch!" He grabbed Sarmistha's hand to stop her assault. "Would you care to speak with your daughter? Oh, okay. We'll see you soon. Bye."

He hung up the phone and turned to gaze into his wife's eyes. She began to laugh and Richard sighed before he, too began to laugh. But his laughter ceased when she clutched at her belly again. It took Sarmistha several minutes to convince Richard that she was holding her abdomen because she was laughing so hard.

"So? How was the retreat?"

"It was great," William replied. "I feel really hungry though." He glanced up at the waiter. "Better make that a cheeseburger deluxe."

"I take it that you and Lizzy are back on track?"

"We're just peachy, thanks."

"And you'll behave till the wedding?"

"Till the wedding, yes; after that I intend to misbehave for as long as Lizzy allows...which could be quite some time," William said with a smile.

"And I suppose--?"

"Will you two stop with the questions? I came here to eat, not be subjected to an inquisition. And don't pout at me, Richard; that may work on your wife but I'm made of sterner stuff."

"Unfortunately, pouting doesn't work on my wife," Thomas admitted. "I suppose if I had your looks, William, I could get away with murder. And if I had your charm and looks," he said with a glance at Richard, "there's no telling what I might get up to."

Richard gave Thomas his best "who me?" expression and William rolled his eyes.

"I could tell you what he gets up to, but in truth, his wife is just as manipulative. I've never seen a more perfectly matched pair--myself and Lizzy excepted, of course."

"Yes, little Sarmistha always did manage to have everyone wrapped around her finger as a girl," Thomas said with a fond smile.

"So nothing's changed," William smirked. "What about Lizzy?"

"Oh she was even more devious. All the sad droolers who thought they could use my Lizzy to get to Sarmistha became her puppets. She had nearly every boy in the tenth grade dancing to her tune at one point," Thomas said with a chuckle. Richard glanced at William and smiled.

"So nothing's changed with her, either." Richard winked at William.

"Nope."

"Now, now; both girls have grown into proper young ladies," Thomas replied, ignoring the smug glances exchanged by the two cousins. "And if either of you have evidence to the contrary, I'm sure I don't need to hear it."

"I wasn't planning to say a thing," William said hastily. Thomas glanced up, relief evident in his face. The trio ate their lunch over an enlightening conversation about Lizzy and Sarmistha's childhood antics.

"Shall we move on to the matter at hand?" Richard suggested after their plates were cleared.

"Which is?"

"You, William, of course," Thomas said. "I asked Richard to help me choose an appropriate gift for my daughter and new son in law; he was kind enough to offer suggestions."

"Oh lord," William said, rolling his eyes.

"Hey!" Richard protested.

"Now, now, William; your Lizzy assured me that Richard has excellent taste. I've seen the present he helped Lizzy pick for you."

"Did Lizzy tell you about Richard's sense of humor?" William asked. "Oh, stop that," he said spitefully when Richard once again resorted to his "who me?" defense.

"Hey, if you don't want your present I'll be more than happy to take it off your hands," Richard replied.

"I want it, though I may insist that you open it so nothing explodes in my face," William shot back. Thomas chuckled in amusement.

"Shall we go outside and see?" he asked as he signaled for the check. He insisted on picking up the tab despite the protests of the two younger men. Richard led them out to the street and leaned against an SUV that stood at the curb.

"What are we looking at?" William asked as he put on his sunglasses. Richard gestured with his head at the vehicle. "This is my present?"

"I sincerely hope that Lizzy won't go gallivanting across Southeast Asia again, now that she's marrying, but the girl does have a strong streak of wanderlust. She promised me that she'd stay on this continent for at least a year. And since Lizzy has a thing for SUV's..." Thomas began.

"Kinky," Richard interjected.

"Get off my car," William spat, yanking him out of his way.

"Lizzy has a thing for SUV's," Thomas repeated. "So I thought this would be something the two of you might enjoy. I hope that you'll find your way out to western New Jersey every now and again between jaunts to Canada and Alaska and wherever else she'll talk you into going. I do warn you; she has a long list of places she wants to see on this continent."

"Thomas, this is beautiful," William said as he admired the sleek vehicle. He walked along its sides, examining every inch. "I've always wanted one of these."

"You're very welcome," Thomas said. "Richard has the keys."

"Want me to open it first and see if it explodes in your face?" Richard taunted as he drew the keys from his pocket. William glared and Richard grinned and dropped the keys into his hand.

An hour later, William returned to his apartment and found Lizzy in the kitchen. She was at the counter, rolling out dough into small circles.

"What are you making?" William asked as he wrapped his hands around her waist and nuzzled the back of her neck.

"Chapati; I'm using a recipe Dr. Agarwal taught me as a little girl."

"Does that mean you're making that lentil dish tonight?"

"You mean chana dal? You really like that, don't you?" Lizzy asked.

"Yes; it's rich, earthy..."

"...And full of beans?" she teased. "Sounds a bit like you."

"That's not what you said last night," William purred in her ear before releasing her with a pat on her butt. He opened the refrigerator and helped himself to a bottle of beer.

"Hey! Put that back! It's to go with dinner," Lizzy protested. "I made chicken curry."

"You'd serve Dos Equis beer with Indian food?" William said incredulously. "Sorry, love, but that just isn't done." He opened the bottle with a flourish and began to drink. Lizzy stared at his throat as he downed a third of the bottle. "We've got some Taj Mahal in the pantry. I'll throw a couple of bottles into the fridge."

Lizzy watched him walk over to the pantry with a smile on her face. Things had gone very well between them since their 48-hour vacation. Both Lizzy and William were relaxed and completely at ease and they were determined to make it last as long as possible. Nonetheless, her smile turned to a frown.

"Say, didn't you have lunch with daddy today?"

"Yep," William said from behind the refrigerator door.

"How did it go?"

"It went very well. Richard was there."

"Richard? Why?"

"Why not?" William asked as he closed the door.

"I was under the impression daddy wanted to have that father-son talk men have before a wedding," Lizzy said with a shrug.

"That's usually between a man and his own father, Lizzy. Your dad wanted to give me our wedding gift."

"Our wedding gift? Why wasn't I invited, then?"

"You'll have to ask him that for yourself," William said as he opened a pot and inhaled the rich aroma of the curry before Lizzy took the lid from him and hip-checked him out of the way. She covered the pot and turned around.

"He wanted to give you our wedding gift and invited Richard but not me," Lizzy pouted. William pulled her into his arms and kissed it away.

"You were supposed to be in Miami today."

"So?" Lizzy replied. "Why was Richard there?"

"I believe his role was to deliver the gift," William explained. "You canceled your plans to attend that conference at the last minute and didn't tell your dad, right?" Lizzy glumly conceded the point.

"He could have waited till I got back."

"This present would have been pretty hard to hide."

"Why?" Lizzy asked, her curiosity aroused. "What is it?"

"Come, I'll show you." William took Lizzy by the hand and led her to the door.

"Wait a minute!" she cried before running back to the kitchen and turning everything off. "Okay, lead on." William took her to the elevator and down to the lobby, and then across the street to the garage where they kept their cars.

"He gave us a car?" Lizzy asked.

"He gave us this," William said when he arrived at the spot where the vehicle was parked.

"He gave us an SUV?" she squealed. "Wow!" She eagerly walked around the large vehicle. "It's an ML500!" she said delightedly.

"I know," William said in a mimicking tone.

"Aren't you the least bit excited?"

"I've already done my gushing. Besides, I prefer a different brand of excitement," he said with a wink that froze Lizzy in her tracks. She blinked for a second, smiled back, and then continued to study the pewter metallic Mercedes.

"Isn't it wonderful, William?" she said as she came around the far side of the SUV and wrapped her arms around him.

"It's a wonder he had anything left to buy this after paying for our wedding," William teased. "I'm betting your mother will be wearing an old dress on the big day."

"My mother would sell the house first," Lizzy laughed. William smiled at her, taking in the glow of her cheeks.

"Your father said that SUV's got you hot. Want to mess around in the back seat?"

"My father said nothing of the kind!"

"Only because he doesn't know that for a fact?" William challenged. "And you haven't answered my question."

"My father--. William! No!" Lizzy said as her cheeks turned red. "Let's go upstairs." William nodded vigorously and took hold of her hand. He led her back into the building, where he encountered Richard and Sarmistha in the lobby.

"Hey there," William said amiably.

"Hello, William, Lizzy," Sarmistha said.

"Hi," Lizzy said. "Where are you two lovebirds off to?"

"We're having dinner with our parents," Sarmistha replied.

"All of them?" Lizzy asked.

"All of them," Richard sighed. "Plus grandparents; I think this is the 'last supper' for us."

"Last supper," William said. "What does that mean?"

"You know, the 'you're about to experience a great mystery of life' talk that tries to put a brave face on the reality of our immediate future of sleepless nights, wailing babies and whiney moms."

"Richard!" Sarmistha pouted.

"I adore you and will continue to do so no matter how much you whine, my love. I don't need to be plied with an expensive meal to extract that sort of promise out of me."

"I'm rather looking forward to an expensive meal," Sarmistha replied. "I just hope the baby lets me enjoy it."

"You look wonderful, Sar," Lizzy said.

"Yes," William agreed as he looked down at her sari. "I suppose Indian women never outgrow their clothes," he added ingenuously. Lizzy elbowed him hard.

"William!" she gasped, but Sarmistha only laughed.

"Yes, saris are very versatile," she said diplomatically. "They hide the baby very well."

"Hell, you can hide a whole litter inside that bolt of silk," Richard said with a wink at William.

"Oh, please don't bait him," Lizzy said as she squeezed her fiancé's hand and led him toward the elevators. "He's already in a very naughty frame of mind."

"Well, in that case we won't keep you," Richard said. He wrapped an arm around Sarmistha's shoulders. "Have fun, William!"

"Oh, and I shouldn't?" Lizzy complained. Richard released his wife and walked over to her so that he could speak softly.

"Of course you should. But we both know he won't have any fun unless you do." She reached up and pulled him down so she could kiss his cheek.

"Hey!" William complained from inside the elevator. She waved at Sarmistha and ran to catch it.

"Can't wait till we get upstairs," she said as the elevator made its way to the penthouse.

"Me either," William said emphatically.

"I want to call daddy and thank him. Then I'm going to give him a piece of my mind and find out why I wasn't invited to lunch," Lizzy said impishly as she watched William's face fall. "And by then dinner will be ready."

William firmly shut his mouth, refusing to acknowledge her taunt. He unlocked the door and let Lizzy precede him into the apartment, heading for the living room. Lizzy went into the kitchen to check on the food, but she soon wandered into the living room, where she made a show of picking up the phone. William pretended to be absorbed in the crossword puzzle as she sat down beside him and leaned against his arm.

"Hello, mom, how are you?" Lizzy said in a cheerful voice. "I'm fine...of course, your gorgeous son-in-law-to-be is fine as well, and as gorgeous as ever." She glanced up at William, who shifted slightly away from her and wrote in a word. She scooted over and resumed her position noting the tiny smile on his lips. She made small talk for a few minutes, lowering her voice a little when the topic of her sister came up. Then she asked for her father. William smiled openly as Lizzy scolded Thomas.

"Daddy, how could you give William our wedding gift without me? Well, even if you thought I was away you should have waited. Why? I like having beer and oysters, too...especially when William is around." William peered down at her with a raised eyebrow. "It is not an old wives' tale. Oysters make me--. Well, get over it. William and I have sex. We have sex often." Lizzy laughed and nestled even closer to William. "Yes, I'm tormenting you! You didn't invite me to lunch! Well, what good would it do to invite me to lunch tomorrow? All right, I'll stop talking about my sex life. Yes, I love you, daddy--and the ML500 rocks!"

William slid out of his seat and ignored her huff as he went into the kitchen. He turned on the stove to reheat the curry and heat up the oil to fry the chapattis. By the time Lizzy was off the phone, William had the dinner on the table.

"Whoa!" she said when she joined him in the dining room. "If I'd talked longer I might have gotten dessert, too."

"You no longer deserve dessert," William said meaningfully as he held the chair for her. Lizzy laughed heartily at his threat.

"Oh, I'm sure you don't mean that," she purred. "You love dessert and I know you don't like to have it alone," she added, leaning forward to look him in the eye. William swallowed hard. She sat back, satisfied, and unfolded her napkin.

Two hours later, Sarmistha and Richard stepped off the elevator and walked over to their door. Richard pulled a set of keys from his pocket and started to unlock it, when he turned to look toward William and Lizzy's door.

"Do you smell something?" he asked.

"I can't smell anything," Sarmistha said. "I have to urinate so badly that the rest of my senses are currently inoperable. Richard!" she shouted when he withdrew the key and knocked on their neighbors' door. "Please?"

Hearing no response, Richard unlocked the door to William and Lizzy's place. He cautiously stepped inside.

"Wait here," he said.

"The hell I will," Sarmistha said as she pushed past him and went into the nearest bathroom. Richard went into the kitchen and opened the oven. Inside, he found a badly burned pie. He pulled the pan out of the oven and turned it off, depositing the pan in the sink. He flipped on the exhaust fan in the range hood when the smoke alarm started to go off.

"What was it?" Sarmistha asked when she returned a minute later.

"A pie," Richard said. "I wonder why--."

"I do not," his wife replied. She took him by the hand and led him to the door.

"Shouldn't we check on them?"

"No," Sarmistha said firmly. She locked the door and handed Richard the keys. "May we go into our own place now?"

"Whatever," Richard said teasingly.

"Did you hear that?" Lizzy asked.

"Richard and Sarmistha or the smoke alarm?" William said, stretching languidly. "What are they doing here?"

"Oh lord! The pie!" Lizzy sat up and reached for her robe. She scrambled out of bed and raced to the kitchen, where she found Squeaks sitting on the counter sniffing at the pie pan in the sink. "My pie!" Squeaks gave her his best "don't blame me" look. William joined her in the kitchen, tying on his own robe.

"What happened?"

"I should think that's obvious," Lizzy said exasperatedly as she began to scrape out the pan. "It's ruined!"

"Well, one out of two ain't bad," William replied. He lifted the cat into his arms, scratched his throat and left the kitchen. "Coming back to bed?" Lizzy laughed and dropped the pan and spoon back into the sink. She followed William back to bed. "This is your fault, you know," he said as he pulled off his robe and slid under the covers.

"You're the one who wanted dessert," Lizzy protested.

"Who said anything about pie?"

"All comfy?"

"Yes, habib," Sarmistha replied with a gentle smile for her husband.

"Good," he said before he slipped under the covers and reached for his book.

"You know," Sarmistha said as she scooted over to lean against his shoulder. "There used to be a time when you'd never read at this hour."

"Ten o'clock?"

"You know what I mean," she replied with a poke to his ribs. Richard wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Soon, honey, soon..."

"Soon we'll have a baby and I'll be up to my neck in diapers and doing laundry and--."

"Hey, hey, it's too late to talk your way out of this," Richard chuckled. "And you do laundry about as often as I polish my toenails."

"I do laundry!" Sarmistha protested. "I wash out Alpa's things by hand, as well as some of my more delicate lingerie."

"What does Alpa wear that requires washing?" Richard asked, dodging his wife's tickles. "And your more delicate lingerie has never been on you long enough to require washing."

"Will you still love me when I become a housewife?" she asked as she snuggled in his arms.

"You've been a housewife for almost two months now and I still adore you, Mish."

"But when I have dishpan hands--."

"Has our dishwasher gone on the fritz?"

"You're being difficult."

"You're being silly. But I love you, anyway."

"Thank goodness," she said, and closed her eyes. Richard turned his head slightly to kiss her forehead.

"Goodnight, Mish."

"Goodnight, my heart."