Beginning, Previous Section, Section IX

Chapter 27 Getting Down to Business

Posted on 2009-11-28

The week hurried by as Will met his thesis deadline while directing the preparations for the horses to be shown at the Williams County Fair. It amused Beth that every school in the county took the Friday of Fair week off. She had never attended the county fairs around her and had only been to the state fair once. With so much going on, Will told her this was not the year to try to become a fair veteran, so she and Callie spent their time sorting through the items that would either be moved to the farm, given to charity or thrown away. Will mentioned in passing that their horses had shown well and a few had been sold.

Before they knew it, they were back in the Pastor's living room for session number three. Their assignments included reflecting on what each felt about money's role in a marriage, to write a review of their financial history, and to communicate where they were now in terms of their financial situations. Since Will had been so busy that week, they had not talked about the assignment at all. As a matter of fact, they had hardly seen or spoken to one another all week, but since the fair was over and Beth was finished with her subbing assignment, they were looking forward to spending quite a bit of time together.

Money is a always an interesting topic to discuss no matter who the participants are in the conversation. For Beth, the lack of it growing up and her struggle as a single mom made it not her most favorite topic. She began the session expressing how hard her mother had worked for every penny they had. Yet, she conveyed her embarrassment as a teen at her home and her clothes. Detailing how hard she worked and the scholarships she received, she admitted that she sometimes spent too much on the girls but she tried very hard to keep a tight reign on her spending habits.

She had written down her checking account balance, along with her savings and the money she had in the state teachers' retirement fund. Explaining that she was looking forward to having a partner to deal with finances, she said that she didn't want to be totally ignorant of where they were financially, but she didn't really care as long as a roof stayed over their heads and they had what they truly needed.

"I know that you must have a lot of money, Will." She said tentatively, "but I fell in love with Fitzwilliam the man, not Fitzwilliam the wealthy man."

"Well, Will, that seems like the best lead in for you to start sharing with Beth, because, let's face it, you are a wealthy man." The pastor sat back wondering what would come of Will's explanations.

Will looked from Beth to the pastor and his wife. He abhorred talking about money and avoided the subject whenever he could. Taking a deep breath, he began by simply stating that his family had been very fortunate over the years in terms of material wealth. His father had diversified when Will was a teenager to include rental properties and investments in local businesses. For as small at Bryan was, the city attracted some stable companies over the years. They all laughed about the Dum Dum lollipops and Ohio Art which made their homes in Bryan.

Hesitating slightly, he locked eyes with Beth and began to talk about the accident again. He explained that his father had taken out life insurance policies on all the members of his family in response to losing his brother in a farming accident all those years ago. Beth remembered Will telling her about that and nodded her head. What he hadn't revealed before was the actual cause of the car accident. Beth had assumed that the cars had hit a patch of ice and lost control, but that wasn't it.

Still focused on her as if she were the only one in the room, he went into further detail. Apparently, the driver of a gasoline tanker had used their country road between stops as a short cut to avoid the lights in town. Picking up a little too much speed, he was attempting to slow down when he encountered the black ice of the pavement. The tanker jack knifed, spinning around and actually hit both cars as its long body whirled around. The impact coupled with the tanker finally landing on its side, caused it to begin leaking gas.

By this time in the description, Will's face was white and his stress was obvious in his speech. Beth had gripped his hands but she broke away to embrace him. "Oh my Lord, Will, that's why the cars burned and you were in so much danger." Tears slid quickly down her cheek. She could feel him tremble, so she held on to him all the more.

"Yes." He answered quietly. Stopping to take a haggard breath, he then went on. "I'm telling you this because the trucker admitted to everything at the scene. The trucking company paid out a huge settlement in order to avoid a court battle. Richard and I had no intention of suing them, but we were advised to take the money so we did. That coupled with the life insurance payouts paid off both houses, Richard's and my college debts, and I invested and set up trust funds for Seth and Georgie with the rest.

"It was all rather public due to the fact that so many lives were lost and at first, people were concerned with how we were going to get along. Then, the money hungry vultures circled constantly. Everyone from ambulance chaser attorneys to investment schemers to out and out scam artists came out of the woodwork. It was difficult to know who to trust. So on top of all the grief, I became quite cynical and judgmental about anyone who tried to befriend me or my family."

Beth had sat back up and they were again sharing intense gazes. "Is that why you kept referring to yourself as 'just a farmer'?" she asked reluctantly.

"Yes." He was searching her face to ascertain her reaction to what he just revealed.

"Will, just how much money are we talking about?"

He took out a piece of paper and handed it to her. The figures represented his net worth and the value of their properties. "That doesn't include the horses I just sold from the fair."

Staring at the astronomical amount in black and white, Beth nearly choked. She had never seen that amount of money in her life. She had no idea that Will possessed that kind of wealth. Her mind was trying to grapple with all he had just expressed as well as the implication of this wealth. Her eyes bore into him as she spoke, "I've asked you several times about your position and you blew me off every time. I wasn't sure what to make of that. But now I know: you still do not trust me, do you?"

"No, I do trust you. I just didn't know how to bring it up. It's not like you just come up to someone and say, 'hey, by the way, I have a devil of a lot of money.'" He shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm not just someone. I'm supposed to be the one you want to spend your life with. I'm the one you moved heaven and earth to get to move to Bryan, Ohio. You said the other day that you didn't mind having to earn my trust. It's obvious, though, that I have not earned yours. I don't think you would have ever revealed this to me if not for these sessions. I may have stumbled upon it or even Richard may have enlightened me at some point, but I don't believe you would have." The obvious hurt was reflected in her eyes.

The pastor had been silent during this entire interchange. Quite frankly, Beth and Will had forgotten they even had an audience. When he cleared his throat, both of them startled and looked around as if they were confused about where they were. "Beth," he began, "You are troubled by this. Can you tell Will why without accusations?"

Looking at the pastor, she began to speak, but he motioned for her to direct her speech to Will. With much difficulty, she finally raised her eyes and met his intense gaze. She could see that his expression had changed and he was struggling with, what was it – anger, pain, fear – she wasn't really sure. But she was quite sure of her anger. "Will, I have never asked you for money; as a matter of fact, I've made it a point to remain independent in that area. If you remember rightly, we even had a slight disagreement about who was paying for what for the wedding. When I have inquired about your wealth or your position in the community, it was usually following an observation or a conversation; I never brought it up out of the blue. You knew how angry I was after finding out of SKAT and the job and the house, but we talked it through and I was, am, very grateful. At any of these junctures, you could have told me about the money. Not that I would have cared…"

"But obviously you do," Will cut in, "or you wouldn't be angry now. I would have never believed this of you actually."

Beth's face changed to reflect the shock and sting of his words. "Believed what, exactly?" she countered coldly.

"You say that my money doesn't matter, but clearly by the way you are reacting now, it does. I would have never thought you to be influenced by something like one's monetary value." His affect was stiff and quite removed, as if a wall had just been erected around him.

"You are missing the entire point!" she raised her voice not caring who was listening. "I don't judge people by their monetary worth; I judge people by how open they are and how willing they are to believe in me." She then turned to the pastor. "Well, I guess it is true that the bulk of fights in a relationship revolve around money because I am in one heck of a bout right now. It is late. Our hour is up, and my daughter has homework that needs to be completed."

"Beth," Joyce spoke for the first time, "I realize you are concerned for our time and Callie's homework, but this is a very important matter and walking away right now might not be the best decision you ever make." Her soft spoken voice and gentle demeanor was not lost on Beth, but old habits die hard.

"Thank you Joyce, for you counsel, and you to, Pastor, but I'm afraid I do need to leave before I say something I may regret." She refused to turn her gaze at Will as she stood up. "Callie," she called into the other room, "Come on, honey, we need to be leaving now."

"Elizabeth," Will was exerting all his energy into sounding calm and rational when he was anything but, "Please don't leave, or at least let me drive you home. It's several blocks away."

"I know where I am, thank you. I still prefer to walk. It will serve to calm me down." Still not looking at Will, she reached for her purse and moved toward the door. Callie came bounding in, but looking at her mother's face, her smile quickly faded.

"What's wrong, momma?" she eyed her anxiously. Her face fell even more when she looked over at Will and saw the firm set of his mouth as he was digging into his hair with his hand. "Daddy Will, what happened?"

"Honey," Beth answered before Will could speak, "sometimes grown ups have disagreements and we get a bit upset. It's nothing to do with you. Momma just needs to leave now." She held out her hand to her daughter.

"But you still love him, right?"

"Yes"

"You still love momma, right?" Callie turned to Will as Beth was leading her out the door.

"Yes." Will attempted to get up, but the pastor held up his hand, so Will sat back down.

Beth headed for the door and reached for the handle. She paused and looked down at her daughter who was fidgeting with her shirt and looking every bit as miserable as Beth felt. Yet she just couldn't bring herself to turn around. She did not want to hash this out in front of people and especially in front of Callie. With every intention to call Will later, she jerked open the door and began to walk out.

"That's just great, Elizabeth. Didn't we make a deal?" Will's raised voice echoed through the enclosed porch Beth had just stepped into, and it reverberated into her very soul.

Choosing her words very carefully, she spun around and coolly replied, "I struck the deal with a clear conscience; you knew you were controlling me by leaving me clueless about an important issue. Therefore, the deal was null and void from the beginning." She let the door shut behind her and she led Callie briskly away from the house.

Again, Will rose to follow to her, but the pastor and his wife suggested that he cool off before more angry words were spoken. Then they inquired about the deal Will had referred to that seemed to anger Beth even more. When Will explained that he agreed to not try to control or fix things and Beth agreed to try not to jump to the wrong conclusions, he stopped short. "My God, we both failed miserably. The first test, and we failed." He hung his head and shook it before looking back up at the couple he had grown to respect. "It wasn't intentional, me not telling her. I just didn't think it mattered or I guess I didn't want money to become an issue somehow. I don't know. It's not like I thought she was going to run off with my fortune or something."

"Will," the pastor began, "did you hear what she said about how hard her mother struggled to keep them solvent? Did you hear her when she said that she had never asked anything of you in a monetary way? She was proud of that. She was telling you that her love for you was not because of your money or your influence. But you reacted to her like she was a gold digger. Your entire demeanor changed when she confronted you with her feelings. Why?"

Will wanted to yell, "because I'm an idiot!" but he didn't think that would be very productive and everyone in the room knew it to be truth anyway. "I reacted to her like I used to when other women would find out about my wealth. They treated me differently. Demands started being made. Expectations changed."

"Did you think that Beth was going to react that way?" Joyce asked pointedly.

"Yes. NO. I don't know. That money means nothing to me! I would trade every last cent and live in my car if it meant my family would be back – even if for just a minute to tell them how much I loved them. I don't deny it's made my life, Seth's and Georgiana's easier. I'm not saying that I don't appreciate or take for granted that I don't have to worry about my electric bill or how much the kids talk on their cells because I am grateful. But the price we paid to have these material things was too high and I refuse to be defined by blood money. Because that's what it feels like to me – blood money."

"But didn't you say that your father had diversified greatly and your family was quite comfortable before the accident?" Paul probed further as Will nodded. "Then some of what you enjoy today is the direct result of your father's planning and foresight. He learned a great deal from the calamity of his brother's death, Will. I've known your family for a long time, son. Your parents sat in this very living room when we first moved here eighteen years ago. I am here to tell you that your dad would be so proud of how you have handled everything. He is proud, I'm sure.

"I also have it on good authority that you have used your wealth to do much good, young man. Does Beth know that?" Will shook his head. "I thought not. Will, money does not define you. What you do with the gifts you have been given define you. Your heart defines you. Beth saw all of that with only a vague inclination that you had some wealth behind you. I'm not condoning her anger, mind you, but you must see the hurt she felt when she believed you did not trust her enough to share this part of who you are."

"I do, and I'm hating myself for hurting her. She's right; I did have so many opportunities to explain everything fully to her. Somehow, deep down I knew that I was controlling the situation by not telling her. That then I would never have to wonder if she loved me for my wealth." His shoulders sagged in a defeated posture.

"Do you really think that little of the love she has for you?" Joyce had moved beside him and placed her hand over his. "Or are you afraid to let someone love you so much that you would be devastated if they somehow left you?"

Will's head jerked up at her last question and his eyes flew open in total surprise. He was forming the words to refute what she was implying, but his heart suddenly signaled to his brain that she was exactly right. "Oh, God," he groaned. "I accuse her of not trusting me when all along I don't trust her with all of me. She has put her life in my hands time and time again and I am terrified that all the money in the world won't help me if she leaves me or if she someday decides she doesn't love or need me anymore." Tears were stinging his eyes as he struggled to gain some sort of composure.

There was a small commotion at the front door, but the couple figured their kids would handle whoever it was. They were surprised yet not shocked when Beth was standing in the archway to the living room. Neither was sure how long she had been standing there, as they were focused on the very broken young man in front of them. Evidently she had heard some of Will's answer because tears were streaming down her face as well. The silence was deafening.

"Fitzwilliam," Beth began with a small raspy voice. Will groaned again but didn't look up. "Fitzwilliam," she called more forcefully as she moved over to the couch. The married couple looked at one another reached for each other's hand and left the room. They could be heard ushering the kids to another part of the house. Beth sat down next to Will and cupped her hand under his chin. She lifted it up so that he was forced to reveal his face and all its misery to her. "Fitzwilliam," she said one more time, "I am so sorry I ran from you. I am so sorry that I jumped to the worst possible conclusion once again. I do love you, please believe me. I don't care how or why or what about that money. I love you," She emphasized those three words right into his ear. "I am not going to leave you. I may now reconsider your offer to pay for my wedding dress, but I am definitely not leaving you." She smiled weakly hoping he would catch her attempt at humor.

Will let out a sob that was going to burst within him if he did not release it. Beth threw her arms around him and held him as he continued to let himself weep over all he expressed and felt that evening. She whispered her words of comfort and love as his body shook with the emotion that had bottled up inside of him even more deeply than his grief over his family. He was attempting to let go of the insecurities and cynicism that held him captive for so long. When he finally looked up her, he was amazed at the love he saw in her eyes. Trying to get himself back under control he finally was able to get out, "Please forgive me."

"I do, Fitzwilliam. I do. I couldn't keep walking. Callie told me that I was acting like one of her friends at school and I realized she was right. My darling third grader is wiser than either of us, I'm afraid. Can we make our apologies and you take me home now? And by home, I mean can we go to Pemberville with you tonight? I just need to be with you. I can sleep in Georgiana's room or on the couch; I don't care. I just can't leave you tonight and I want to go home."

In answer, Will's lips sought hers and they melted together. A clearing throat was heard and they reluctantly separated. Paul said loudly that he was walking Callie out to Will's truck. The emotionally spent couple walked out of the house and sheepishly thanked him for all that he and his wife had done that evening. With a word of caution to not their emotions get the better of them, he shut Beth's door and watched them drive away saying a prayer of thanks for the divine intervention he believed he had just witnessed.

Pulling up to the house, Will slumped over the steering wheel obviously spent. Beth told him to scoot to the passenger side and she would drive them to the farm. Callie kissed his neck on the way out of the back and he attempted to smile at her thoughtfulness. He had honestly not felt this drained since the kids were toddlers. In a few moments, he heard the door close and Beth and Callie were getting back in, overnight bags in hand.

Beth literally held onto his hand as he got out of the truck to walk around. She held on to him and even closed his door. Turning the key, she teased by saying something about feeling very powerful in that position and Will just acknowledged with a nod. Callie was singing in the back seat and occasionally asking questions about passing sights. Before Beth navigated the long driveway, Will snapped to attention remembering Callie's room. Panicking, he reached for his cell and dialed Richard's number not knowing exactly what to say and noticing the looks Beth was giving him. Richard answered and Will talked over him, "Hey, remember the project we were going to be working on tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm already up to my neck in tiaras up here."

"Well, get your neck out. Callie and Elizabeth are going to stay the night."

"What? Are you daft? I'm covered in pink paint up here waiting on you to assist me with your daughter to be's room." He wanted to make sure his cousin understood his sacrifice.

"No. We're just pulling in the driveway now." Will answered with gritted teeth. "Why don't you just get a shower and we'll finish the project later?"

"Will, what's going on? Did something happen to Beth or Callie? Is Jeannie Ok? What?" Richard dropped the pink brush sensing something big was happening or had happened.

By this time the truck was pulled into the garage. Beth was again glancing at Will with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. "Fitzwilliam?"

"Rich, just stop the project and get cleaned up. We'll talk later. No one is hurt. There's no emergency. Geeze, why do you have to be so dramatic?"

"Me! Me! I'm not the dramatic around here! Fine. I'm done for the night. You owe me a big explanation, my friend. And I believe I'm hungry as well, so you had better come up with some grub." The phone clicked and Will sighed as he flipped his shut.

"Good lord, he's like a nagging housefrau sometimes." Will grumbled while Beth couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on, Fitzwilliam, I don't know what all that was about, but we need to get in the house and get you relaxed. I need to wash my face because I know I look like a raccoon."

"You look beautiful to me."

Twenty minutes later, Callie was sitting in the kitchen completing her homework while Beth was scrounging through the cupboards looking for anything like comfort food to make for them all. It was already eight thirty and Callie needed to be in bed soon. As exhausted as she knew Will was, she had not seen him since he dragged himself up the stairs. She heard his and Richard's voices, but neither man had shown himself. Giving up the search for something quick, she finally settled on making macaroni and cheese rationalizing that outside of chocolate, pasta and cheese were next on the list.

A satisfactory review of homework yielded Callie a hug and kiss from mom, and the two started climbing the steps up to the bedroom Callie always used when she stayed at the farm. The closer they climbed to the top, the louder the sounds of the two men – not quite arguing – but definitely frustrated for some reason.

"Fitzwilliam? Richard? Callie wanted to tell you two good night. Where are you guys?"'

"Hold on! Just a minute!" Richard's command was muffled through the door to Callie's borrowed room.

"What is going on?" Beth and Callie stood waiting at the door. Suddenly it burst open and the two men, spattered in pink ushered them in with a flourish. Callie's eyes grew wide as saucers at the "big reveal" of her new room. "What in the world…" Beth was speechless.

The easiest way to explain her bedroom was to call it a fairy tale princess castle land. Which is just how Callie described it from then on. Will had painted a mural of a castle complete with a likeness of Callie peering out the window of a turret. Unicorns and friendly dragons romped across green fields as the gallant prince rode his mighty steed toward the castle. It was beautiful.

Richard had fashioned a headboard in the shape of tiara which he then painted gold and it actually contained flecks of glitter to boot. Juanita had made curtains and a bedspread out of a bright satin like material. Will then used fabric paint to recreate the castle and Princess Callie. How they threw it all together in the last half an hour they would never reveal, but if there was ever any doubt if Callie loved her soon to be daddy and her "uncle" Richard, they were never to be raised again.

"It's beautiful, Daddy!" she cried, totally forgetting to add the "Will" and it would never be added again. She jumped into his weary arms and she hugged him as tight as her little arms could hug. "I love you." She gushed and kissed him repeatedly about his face.

"Hey, what about me?" Richard pouted dramatically. "It wasn't all just big daddy over there, you know!" Callie giggled and ran over to Richard planting kisses on him as well and thanking him over and over. "This is my kingdom now, right?" she asked as she twirled around. "I'm the princess and I can do what I want in my kingdom!" she declared.

"Ooops," Richard laughed, "we may have created a monster here."

"Well," Beth gently guided her daughter to her bed. "The princess has to listen to her momma, which would be the Queen, I believe. So, as Queen of this kingdom, I pronounce that the Princess needs to go to bed now."

"But momma, how can I sleep now? It is all too beautiful!" the princess protested.

"I think if you try hard enough, you will sleep peacefully in your kingdom." Beth answered while pulling back the covers.

"Have her sleep further down the bed away from the headboard," Richard cautioned. "The paint's still wet." They opened the windows and set the ceiling fan in motion to minimize the paint odors as Callie was ready to sink down into the blankets.

"Great." Beth said directing Callie to scoot down a bit. The princess then said her prayers and thanked God for her new room, for momma and daddy making up (which elicited a cough from Will and a chuckle from Richard) and for her daddy and uncle Richard who loved her so much. Beth looked over at the two proud and obviously putty- in- Callie's- hands men and she said of prayer of thanks herself.

When they finally had eaten the mac and cheese, for which Richard was eternally grateful, and the men were cleaned up, the three collapsed in the family room. Will had obviously told Richard most of what had occurred when they were up in the room, so Richard only commented to Beth that anything else she wanted to know would be answered openly. He admitted to not comprehending everything about their businesses and finances himself, but that Will could continue to teach them both. He excused himself as he watched with amusement as the two lovers stole glances at other.

"I thought he'd never leave." Will growled as he moved over to the couch were Beth was sitting.

"You owe him big, I believe" Beth laughed as she moved to accommodate him so that his head rested on her lap. She stroked his pink spattered hair and bent to shower him with kisses much as her daughter did earlier but with a much different intent. Will allowed her ministrations to continue as the fatigue from earlier set back in. "The room is amazing Fitzwilliam. I can't believe you both did this for her. She will never forget it. For what it's worth, you became her daddy tonight. I don't care when the judge makes it legal. You, Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens became the proud father of an eight year old tonight."

"Well, I guess that's why I'm so exhausted." He murmured as his body was finally relaxing under her care. "Don't leave me tonight, love. Can we just stay here?" He opened his puppy eyes to Beth and she could not refuse him.

They took off cushions and unfolded some blankets and soon they were cuddled together with Will breathing in the scent of Beth's hair as it cascaded around him. "To address your comment earlier this evening," he spoke smugly as they were both drifting off, "I will not pay for your wedding dress, madam. I will, however pay for it be fixed."

Beth chuckled then thought a minute about what he had said. "What do you mean, you'll pay for it be fixed?"

"I mean, I'll pay for the cost of the repair as I intend to rip it off of you later that evening. I am aware that most women hold their wedding dress in high esteem. I can only imagine that you do as well. But since to me it will be just acting as an impediment, I thought it only fair to pay for its damage." They both laughed sleepily as they fell into an exhausted but peaceful slumber.

The morning light was creeping in and danced across Beth's sleeping face. Will was awake and simply content to watch her breathing steadily, occasionally sighing. Suddenly her breathing became shallow and her eyes began fluttering; realizing she was dreaming, he was getting ready to awaken her and tease her if she dreaming of him when she suddenly called out his name. But it was not a cry of desire; it was a cry of panic.

"Fitzwilliam, no, no" she called "don't leave me."

Will had heard and seen enough, "Elizabeth, honey, you're dreaming." He was shaking her and rubbing her arm. "I'm right here, my love. Elizabeth…" Her eyes opened filled with fear and panic, trying to focus, she finally heard Will's words and felt his touch but she couldn't figure out where she was and if she was still dreaming. "Honey," he tried again, "Elizabeth, please sweetheart, I'm right here. It's OK. You were dreaming."

Her heart beating wildly, she tried to turn over so that she was facing Will on the generous but still narrow couch. "Please tell me you're real, that I'm not dreaming anymore." She managed to roll over with Will's help and she was instantly in his arms with her face buried in his chest.

"I'm real darling Elizabeth. I'm right here with you in our house where you belong." He soothed her by holding her tightly and kissing her hair and face.

"It started so peacefully, the dream did. We were walking by the river then we were in a city somewhere inside a store or something. I asked you for money to buy a dress and you yelled at me and said I was using you. You turned and walked away and disappeared before I could stop you. You left me because I asked for money…" her voice faded as she sobbed against him clutching onto his shirt.

"Oh, Elizabeth," Will felt a stab of guilt. "I am to blame for your nightmare. I'm so sorry for the way I've acted; for what I said last night. Please believe me, darling. I will never deny you anything. I swear to you. We should have talked more last night no matter how tired we were. We should have cleared the air right then. Please, please stop crying, love. Please…" He reached behind and pulled out a handkerchief and tried to pry her hands lose from his shirt.

"No, no," she tightened her grip even more. "Just hold me, Fitzwilliam. You don't have to say a word, just hold me."

They remained in tight embrace for a long time before Will realized Beth had fallen asleep again "I swear to you that I will never give you reason to doubt or fear my love for you again." He vowed to her sleeping form. As if she heard him, her grip loosened and this time she sighed with contentment. Will allowed his body to relax as well and soon he was dreaming of their life together.

Richard bounded into the den then stopped short as he realized they were still sleeping. He backed out quietly and retreated up the steps. Soon he and Callie were out the door and on to school. Richard treated her to a donut and chocolate milk but made Her Highness pinky swear not to tell the queen or king about her naughty breakfast.

Beth awoke with a start, 'What time is it?" She struggled to get out of Will's embrace.

"Time to kiss me." Will replied groggily wondering himself how late it was.

"Fitzwilliam, I have to get up. Callie has to get to school."

"I heard Richard and Callie leave a long time ago. He thought he was being sly but that oaf sounds like a herd of buffalo trouncing down the steps."

"The buffalo heard that." Richard snorted back from the doorway of the den. "I heard you two talking. I was in the office, working. You know, that thing you used to do way too much of cousin? Now it seems all you do is lay about."

"Richard," Beth asked not moving from Will's side. "Did Callie eat this morning?"

"What do you take me for?" He tried to evade the question.

"A man who can't say no to my daughter."

"I can say no alright. I said no to the second donut." He sniffed as he threw a bag full of the sweet treats which landed on top of Will.

The remainder of the week saw Beth packing more and more of the house and arranging for different charity organizations to come and take the boxes away. Will had assured her that she could bring whatever she wanted to the house, but most of her furniture was well worn, so she didn't feel the need to move it with her. Since the girls would be getting new bedrooms courtesy of Will and Richard, the church had arranged for a family to come and get Jeannie's set and then Callie's right after the wedding. Callie felt good that she was helping another little girl get a great bedroom set and Beth felt they were teaching the girls to share and consider others in need.

After another whirlwind weekend of settling the floral arrangements and picking out bridal party gifts, they were able to spend Sunday afternoon in Ft Wayne with the girls. Jeannie was coming along well in school and seemed to be accepting of Will in their lives. They told her that they would be living at the farm soon and that Jeannie would have lots of new and exciting things to do there. For awhile she seemed very far away from them, commenting several times that there were no more butterflies to catch and soon all the leaves would be dying.

The couple was a bit nervous entering the pastor's home for their weekly meeting. Asking only if they were OK when they saw him on Sunday, they were not too sure what to expect. The original schedule had them discussing parenting and discipline this session, but somehow they figured they would be skipping to session six's topic of conflict resolution and communication styles.

Once again the pastor and his wife sat down together. After a brief discussion about how wedding plans were progressing and inquiries on Jeannie's progress the pastor pulled out his bible and begin reading the famous "Love Chapter" in Corinthians. He read it through all the way first without comment or anyone interrupting. Then he asked for Beth to read it through substituting her name for every time the word "love" appeared. Taking a deep breath, she began "Beth is patient, Beth is kind…" Her face quickly flushed and she stopped. "I can't replace love in this passage. I'm nowhere near these things."

"I disagree" Will interrupted. "you are one of the most patient people I've ever met. You are amazing with your daughters. It takes a lot to get you riled up."

Beth laughed self consciously, "Unless you start talking about money, or how I raise my kids or accuse me of sleeping with you to get my job…"

"Weeeellll" Will laughed, too. "You certainly hit the mark more closely than I, my love."

"I disagree with you now." Beth responded as she read. "Will never gives up; Will always protects. That is clearly you."

"Well, you two seem to be able to pick out each other's strengths, but clearly have a hard time seeing it yourselves" Paul observed. 'I would also add that each of you is not selfish as evidenced by how much you give to each other, to those you love and to perfect strangers. And it seems that you have certainly persevered." He watched as they read through the verses again silently.

"But," Will confessed, "we're not so good at the easily angered, keeping records of wrongs, trusting and hoping."

"Which brings us to last week and the topic of conflict resolution and communicating with one another." He had their attention and the remainder of the evening was spent working through how to "fight fair" and to resolve issues quickly. Beth was impressed with how this couple used examples from their own marriage and tied in scriptures to solidify their points. Will couldn't help but compare what they were discussing to his memories of his parents' relationship and wishing they were there to act as guides for them now. He admitted as much to Beth which elicited a hug and kiss from her and an acknowledgment from Joyce that Will did have fantastic role models.

Holding hands as they left that evening, Callie summed up the night by stating that this week was a lot better than the last, but she missed not being able to sleep in her new room. Beth nuzzled Will's shoulder and whispered that she missed the same thing.

"Can't we just elope?!" Will cried desperately causing Beth and Callie to jump. "I mean, this is killing me!"

"Daddy," Callie walked up to him and took his other hand. "We want to get married to you. It's not that far away. We have a calendar and cross off each day, don't we, momma?" Beth nodded smiling at both of them. "You should try that." She skipped on into the truck.

"She is going to be deadly when she's a teenager. She's already smarter than I am." Will's face showed a bit of embarrassment.

"You are so adorable when you're so desperate to marry us." Beth teased, planting a tender kiss to soothe his nerves. "We're in the home stretch now, Fitzwilliam. Just a few more weeks."

Chapter 28 The Final Countdown

Posted on 2009-12-01

The next to the last marriage counseling session went very smoothly as both Will and Beth and talked many times about how they wanted to parent the girls and meld together as a family. Beth had no doubts about his love for her daughters and many times already Will had proven his level headedness and insight. Leaving the pastor's that night armed with homework to answer about their intimate past, Will was nervous of what was to come the next week and how Beth would take it.

Beth's house was stripped to the bare essentials at this point as even her bedroom suite had been picked up and donated to a family in need. She was sleeping on her mattress which bothered Will greatly, but Beth was going to bed so exhausted every night she hardly cared where she landed. Getting through the next ten days was all that mattered to either of them.

Marie picked Beth up after school for their girlfriend check up. Driving to the hospital for the mammogram, both ladies told jokes about the medieval device to calm their nerves. Marie's OBGYN was actually a childhood neighbor of Ed's and had met Beth briefly a few times over the years, including when both Justin and Rachel were born. The exam was over quickly and he answered Beth's questions professionally while still maintaining an easy manner. As a couple, they had decided to let nature takes it course, so Beth was not going on the pill. She was pleased and told Marie she saw no reason to look for another doctor. Two hours later they were joined by the men and Callie for a quick meal.

Putting Callie to bed was almost a nightly ritual for the couple. Will did his best to be there as much as possible and the three were developing a deep bond. He continued to drive to Ft Wayne at least two times per week for his sessions and always spent time with Jeannie when he was there. As a family, they continued to go over either Saturday or Sunday depending on what else was in their plans.

At last, the week of the wedding arrived. Will had planned the honeymoon just as he said he would and prayed that Beth would be happy with his effort. He had no doubt that she would love his contribution to the ceremony, and he had more than one trick up his sleeve. His attorney had questioned him extensively about a pre nuptial agreement, but Will flatly refused. There were some papers that Beth needed to sign in order for Will to compete his plan, but he didn't want her to get wise to the surprise. He elicited Richard's help and bombarded her with lots of things to sign saying it was all mumbo jumbo about her breaking the lease, the marriage license, etc. Beth thought something was a bit fishy, but she went along with it, trusting them implicitly.

Beth's personal shower was a success in that everyone had a great time, She received some beautiful along with some naughty items, and the ladies were able to express how much Beth meant to them. Her friends from Cincinnati were quite impressed when Will stopped by before the gifts were opened. They made a big deal of shooing him from the carriage house and teasing him with tales of the non existent stripper. Although he knew better, he couldn't help but gaze at Beth jealously and announce that he would carry her out of there if need be as he was only a few yards away in the main house.

"Oh my goodness, Beth," cooed a former coworker. "You certainly held out for the very best. Do they just grow them like that up here?"

After many giggles, Beth responded pertly, "There is none other like my Fitzwilliam. I have found my Mr. Darcy, and he has been so worth the wait."

"He waited a long time to find you, too, Beth" Georgiana exclaimed as she walked over to give her future sister-in-law a hug. "You two have come through so much. I know the future will be just what you wish it to be."

"Did you all know that we have Georgiana and Rachel to thank in bringing us together?" Beth continued with the story of Project Pride and Prejudice pausing for dramatic effect while delighting in the laughter and oohs and ahhs.

A forceful knock startled the group and Marie walked over to open the carriage house door. They all gasped as a man outfitted from head to toe in infantry gear strutted into the room. Beth stood up and glared at Marie who was throwing her hands up in the air and protesting that she had nothing to do with what was evidently happening. The soldier was wearing a gas mask contraption so they could not tell who he was.

Another loud rap came on the door and Marie timidly opened it again. This time a very nerdy looking man sauntered in complete with pocket protector, visor and high waisted trousers. Finally, a cowboy sashayed in wearing a bandana over his face. Beth was becoming quite suspicious as to the men's identities, but the cowboy would not look her in the eye.

The women were laughing uproariously while turning bright red. The soldier turned on the boom box he brought in and "Macho Man' blared out. Dancing around the ladies but still not maintaining eye contact, the men were obviously not professionals but were hilarious none the less. They danced up to the front of the group and suddenly ripped off their pants to reveal bright red satin boxer shorts with white hearts. They turned around and the message painted on each red satin bum read "Will loves Beth"

A chorus of boos rang out amid all the laughter and finally Richard, Ed and Will removed their assorted masks to reveal themselves. Georgiana gasped in shock at her staid brother's antics while shaking her head at Richard and Ed. Marie had no idea that her husband was planning this prank and she laughed until tears ran down her cheek. Will and Beth locked eyes and moved toward each other.

"I can't believe you just did that!" Beth hugged him and granted him a light kiss. "I had no idea at first what was going on."

"I couldn't look at you," Will admitted laughing. "I knew I'd give it away if you hadn't already figured us out. I hope you're not mad at us for crashing." Beth shook her head and giggled at his silliness. "Now, let's see what delights I have in store…" He began to walk over to the gift table.

"Oh no you don't, mister. You see nothing until the ring is right here" she held up her left hand and blocked his path.

"Ok, Ok, but you can't blame a guy for trying." He stole another kiss.

"Where in the world did you get these costumes?"

"Don't ask. I didn't. I don't want to know what kind of connections Ed and Richard have. Look at Richard; he's loving the attention. The man is a menace." Will shook his head but was grinning ear to ear.

"I only have eyes for my cowboy. I love you so much Fitzwilliam. Six more days, my love. Six more days."

The couple spent the entire day together on Tuesday as Beth traveled with Will to SKAT. They left right after Callie was dropped off at school and spent the hour long drive going over wedding details. From many other failed attempts, Beth knew better than to try to get Will to spill the honeymoon details, but he did tell her that they were staying in the US since they didn't have the time to get the passports needed to travel elsewhere. He also promised the weather would be warm and sunny but that was absolutely all he would say.

Jeannie was happy to see her momma in her session with Dr. Evans. They talked about the upcoming wedding and how much Beth wanted Jeannie to be there and to share in the happy day. Jeannie was set to come home on Friday since Will had two sessions scheduled in the early part of the day. Skipping out of his office, Jeannie informed her mother that she would see her at lunch in between her classes and recess.

"I don't know what to expect this weekend." Beth confided in Dr. Evans as she turned her attention back to him. "She hasn't been home in so long and the house is almost bare at this point. Will painted her room in such a spectacular way, and now she will be leaving it. But, I know that he and his cousin have been masterminding her new room which if Callie is any indication, Jeannie will be delighted."

"My suggestion, then, is to make Friday night a special time with just your girls." The doctor replied. "If their bedrooms are stripped at the rental house, sleep in the living room or in your room and make it like a camp out. Your daughters won't care as long as they are with their mother." Beth nodded in understanding as he continued. "Your world is going to drastically change, and so will theirs. Will has already established a great relationship with Jeannie, but the four or you have not had a lot of time to bond as a family. Jeannie is in a stable place right now, and we certainly hope that she can maintain that stability. However, this weekend is going have her senses on overload."

"But I can't imagine my wedding day without my daughter." Beth was fighting tears.

"I'm not suggesting that at all, Beth, but I am suggesting that you have back up plans and people in place to assist you if Jeannie gets too excited or agitated. No one wants anything to happen other than the festivities planned, but being prepared will ease your mind even more."

Beth was mulling Dr. Evan's suggestions over as she walked around the grounds until time to meet with Jeannie and Will for lunch. From the therapy room window, Will spotted his lovely fiancé as she was bathed in the bright autumn sunlight. An instant smile shone on his face but as he continued to observe her, the smile dimmed. He finished writing up his notes and hurried out the door to find out what was the matter.

When he walked up to her, Beth had seated herself on a bench in the courtyard and was twirling a fallen leaf with her fingers. Her head was down and at the sound of leaves crunching under Will's feet; she looked up suddenly with her tear streaked face registering surprise and embarrassment.

"Elizabeth," Will sat down beside her and gathered her into his arms. "what has happened?"

"Oh, Fitzwilliam, I'm so sorry you found me this way. Nothing has happened. I'm just…I'm just…"

"Honey, whatever it is, you can tell me. Did something happen with Jeannie?" He was wiping the tears from her eyes and looking at her intently, his eyes searching her face to determine what emotions were playing across it.

"No, she's fine. Dr. Evans gave me some suggestions to help out this weekend and I was just walking out here mulling them over. I was thinking about the wedding and picturing it all in my mind and suddenly, I was just overcome with such sorrow."

"Sorrow?" he asked incredulously.

"Fitzwilliam, I am so happy; more so than I ever thought could be possible."

"Elizabeth, you are confusing me and alarming me a bit, my love." His eyes were still searching hers and she gasped when she saw a glimmer of the old hurt that used to inhabit there.

"I'm sorry. Let me explain. Fitzwilliam, in that moment of sheer joy, I was struck by the pain of my mother not being here to see me now. She would have fought you tooth and nail to get into her heart, but I know you would have succeeded, darling. She would have loved you and our life together would have made her so happy. Then the tears kept coming as I thought of your family and what pain you must feel at times, missing all of them. Fitzwilliam, I …" Will took her words literally out of her mouth as he covered it with his. He pulled her to him and embraced her hoping his heart would not burst with the love he had for her.

Sensing she was calmer now, he released her and cupped her chin to look at him. "My God, Elizabeth, you never cease to fill my heart with your love and compassion. I'm sorry I haven't thought to ask you about missing your mother during all of these events and the planning of them. It was just you two against the world for so long, and I'm sure that the two of you would have enjoyed this time so much. I wish I could have known the woman who helped to make you the amazing creature that has captured my heart. She has my eternal gratitude. As for my family, I've said before that my mother would be on cloud nine over you and the rest of my siblings and my dad would be telling me that you are way too good for me.

"But, the loss of my family has shaped me into who I am today. I cannot wish for things to be different and I cannot waste one more day with my guilt or misapprehensions about my decisions. You have made me see that, my love. Your love and your constant forgiveness of all my blunders has brought me to this point where I know I can share my life with you, that I can let you in to who I really am. Both of our parents could want nothing more than that kind of love for us. They will be with us Saturday, just as they are with us right now."

Fresh tears brimmed from her eyes as she snuggled into his chest. "If your vows are half as good as what you just said to me, every woman in that church will be in love with you before they pronounce us husband and wife."

"My vows are only for you just as my heart and my life. Richard may have my leftovers." The sorrow was passed as an ever deeper understanding of each other was reached. As they walked across the courtyard laughing at Richard's expense, Dr. Evan's smiled from his office window. Of course he hadn't heard the words exchanged by the couple, but he was more than satisfied with what he had seen transpire.

The quick lunch with Jeannie was filled with her chattering about the leaves falling and her excitement at coming home for the weekend. Beth reminded her of her new dress and the big party they would have after the wedding. She explained that Ed and Marie would be bringing her back to SKAT sometime on Saturday and then she would be getting calls from her momma and new daddy while they were away. Jeannie took it all in with a wide grin and then just as quickly wondered over what she would do at recess. As per usual, she absent mindedly hugged them goodbye as she was off in her world.

Callie was all smiles when she saw Will standing by the truck "Hi, Daddy! Did you and momma have fun with Jeannie?" She jumped into his outstretched arms and he whirled her around as they both laughed.

"Yes, Princess, we did. She is excited about this weekend and the big party." Will opened the door and gently deposited her into the back seat of the truck.

"It's not a party, Daddy. It's our wedding. You get to marry us Saturday, right momma?"

Beth laughed every time Callie referred to it as "our wedding". 'Yes, Callie. We will become one family on Saturday. Then we'll start working on Will adopting you and Jeannie."

By then Will was in the driver's seat and steering out into traffic. He didn't want this conversation to go much further so he attempted to change the subject.. "So, where to for supper?"

Walking into the pastor's house for their last session, both Will and Beth were nervous and wishing the night was already over. Knowing the drill, Callie danced off to the kitchen table to start her homework, chatting with the older children doing the same. The married couple ushered them into the Jim's home office and shut the door for privacy – something that had not occurred in their previous sessions.

"My my," the pastor began, "it's hard to believe we're almost finished here. These six weeks have flown by it seems to me."

"Hardly" Will muttered while Beth squeezed his hand.

"Well, I guess for the two of you it couldn't have, but trust me, you'll look back on this short engagement and it will seem like a blink of an eye." The pastor's eyes were fixed on Will. "Will, it seems that you are a little out of sorts this evening."

With his eyes still downcast Will answered that he was uncomfortable with tonight's topic and didn't really see the need to bring up one's past, especially a past one was not in the least proud of and wanted to not repeat. "I don't want to hurt Elizabeth. I have not been the gentleman that she deserves."

"Will, since you've already started, let's just go ahead and move through this. I hope that you will find that by airing all this now, there will be no skeletons to haunt you later." He lead them in prayer asking for honesty, acceptance, forgiveness and love to envelope the couple and to guide them in their future. Setting the stage, he requested that Will read what he had written and for Beth to not interrupt until Will was finished.

"Honey," Beth whispered to Will, "it's alright. I'm not saying that I'm just thrilled to hear about this part of your life, but I think the pastor is right. We need never discuss this again. Our pasts should remain there, especially in this area. Please know that I love you. Right now, in this place, you have my love." Again she squeezed his hand. Both took a deep breath.

Will unfolded the paper he retrieved from his jacket pocket. He cleared his throat and began reading, never once looking up from the paper. The pastor and his wife had been witness to this exercise many times and they knew the anguish the young man before them was feeling. Exchanging glances, they sat very still and listened while never missing the inflection of his voice and the many times it broke as he was reading.

Beginning with Seth's birth mother, Will recounted his first time and the subsequent betrayal he felt when he caught her with Richard. He acknowledged that he didn't really have deep feelings for her; he just believed that lovers should be mutually exclusive. His recollection of Gloria took more time and effort for him as they had a very long history. Beth knew most of it from their previous discussions, but she noted the strain in his voice when he confessed again that he never loved Gloria.

In the last five years, Will had dated several women but again, admitted no deep attachment and the physical relationships just seemed to happen with no real planning or consideration of feelings or consequences although he did mumble about always using protection. He paused for a moment and said that he did get tested for HIV earlier in the summer and everything was OK. Beth gasped a little at that point but only because that issue had never crossed her mind. Will, however, interpreted that as her disgust in his proclivities. He finished by adding that although his parents had certainly set a great example for him, he had truly never believed he would ever fall in love and that sex was just something he had never felt remorse over until meeting Beth and trying to understand her convictions about it. He apologized again for hurting her by having to reveal all of this and he would understand if at the moment she couldn't even look at him.

Tears streaming down her face, Beth moved off the couch where they were sitting and without letting go of Will's hand, repositioned herself on the floor in front of him. Taking her other hand, she placed it under his chin and attempted to lift it so that he would look at her. "Fitzwilliam, please look at me, love. Look at me so that you can see nothing but love in my eyes. Do you need me to say that I forgive you for your past? I freely do forgive you. Honey, I never expected that you were a celibate bachelor, and I already knew most of what you just shared through our conversations in the past. What I'm not sure of is why you are being so hard on yourself."

Finally looking into her eyes and truly seeing the love there, Will's breath caught as he tried to speak, "Elizabeth, you made a decision to hold out for love. That thought never crossed my mind."

"I was also terrified of ever really giving myself to anyone. Don't forget that, Will. You have helped to break down my wall of self protection and distrust of your gender. You did that."

"You are giving me the gift of yourself and your trust. I pray to God that I can be worthy of this, Elizabeth. You are so precious to me. I never want to hurt you or take advantage of you in any way."

He drew her up as he stood as well. They encircled each other in a tight embrace, lost in their own world and forgetting that any one else was in the room. The married couple again exchanged knowing glances and remained silent. Eventually, Beth was brought to her senses and she whispered to Will that they were not alone. Both a little embarrassed, they separated and sat back down looking at the pastor and silently asking what do they need to do now.

Clearing his throat, he thanked Will for his candid and obviously heartfelt confession of his past. He also noted that Beth's eagerness to forgive and move on would continue to serve them well and they both agreed to not throw each other's past up when future disagreements would occur. Citing several scriptures about marriage and even the physical relationship, he asked them what their feelings were in terms or intimacy and what, if any expectations either one had in this area. A frank discussion followed with Beth and Will again expressing their love and trust of each other.

Later that evening when Callie was sleeping soundly upstairs, Beth and Will continued talking until late into the night. Finally convinced that Beth did not think less of him as a man, Will finally relaxed a bit and asked her if she had any further questions or issues about his past. Her only question was if any woman had ever really touched his heart; if he had ever felt truly loved himself.

"Not until you, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. Not until you told me you loved me and I could see it in your eyes. I had so foolishly bragged that I could show you how a man should be with a woman – how arrogant I was! You have shown me what love is supposed to be and if I don't blow it in the next four days, we will learn together how to love each other."

Will spent the majority of Wednesday meeting with various staff for the farm to go over operations for the next two weeks. Richard had come such a long way in understanding the business side of their holdings, but the day to day running of the farm and stables was not his strong suit. Additionally, Richard had requested that he be responsible for Callie while they were on their honeymoon. Uncle Richard was so smitten by the young girl that Beth feared he would be too lenient, but Richard assured her that he would make sure homework was completed and bedtimes adhered to strictly.

The cousins worked out the logistics for the second part of the honeymoon and again Richard insisted that he assist in any way. All kidding aside, he was so happy that Will and Beth were finally getting married and starting their new life together. He also informed Will that he had met with the architect and the demolition of the old farmhouse would be completed by the time they returned. Richard was also eager to start the new chapter in his life. Will liked the plans Richards showed him and he again informed Richard that there was no rush for him to move out of the main house.

Beth picked Callie up from school and they drove out to the farm with the car loaded to the brim with Callie's clothes and the remainder of her toys. Tomorrow night was the bachelor party and the rehearsal dinner and subsequent sleep over at Beth's on Friday made it imperative that they finish up that night moving Callie in. Beth had also filled several bags with her winter clothes to be placed in the master bedroom.

The car was emptied in short order and Callie's room was ready for her full time occupancy come Saturday. Racing down the hallway to where Beth was standing in the master bedroom, Callie exclaimed that she wanted to stay the night here and not go back to the empty house. Juanita called from the bottom of steps before Beth could answer her daughter. Callie ran out and had soon forgotten her request as she helped Juanita get ready for supper.

Standing in the middle of the room, Beth was overwhelmed. Will had all the new bedding in place along with the new decorations and linens in the adjoining bath. The walls had been painted to match the light aqua in the bedding. On the antique table by the window the floral arrangement Beth had spotted in Grand Rapids sat beautifully displayed. Gone was the dark and dreary feel of the room and as the evening sun poured in, Beth felt nothing but warmth and a promise of their love.

As he walked into the room, Will was puzzled by Beth standing there with a load of clothes in her arms. Startled out of here reverie, Beth's shining eyes met his and a huge smile spread across her face. He met her with two long legged steps and removed the clothing from her arms. Opening the double closet, he revealed an entire empty section waiting for her to fill. The items were quickly hung and Will returned back to fill her arms with his embrace.

"You were not supposed to come up here without me." He whispered into her ear.

"That stipulation was never explained to me. Fitzwilliam, this room is beautiful. I can't believe how you have transformed it!" She hugged him tighter before lifting her face to bestow tender kisses as demonstration of her happiness. "I'm so jealous that you get to be here without me," she teased after several minutes.

"I haven't slept in this room for weeks." Will answered to her surprise. "I've been in my old room cleaning it up and then crashing there. Now that Richard and I have finished it so that it awaits the lovely Jeannie, I've just slept downstairs in the den."

"That can't be good. Why are you avoiding this gorgeous room?" She was on her toes feathering Will's face with her light kisses.

"Hmm?" Will's eyes were closed as he was savoring Beth's attentions.

She laughed and nipped at his chin which brought his eyes open and his fullest attention. "I said, why are you avoiding your bedroom?"

"Our bedroom," he corrected rubbing his chin in mock discomfort. "I see that I am not the only one who has a bite." He laughed as he chomped his teeth at her while wiggling his brow.

"Answer the question you silly man." Beth had moved to snuggle into his chest.

"I have no desire to sleep here until I can be here with you. Though I like the new paint and all the trimmings, this is still a lonely place without you. We are both waiting for you to chase the rest of the ghosts away, Elizabeth." His face was brimming with the emotion of his love and his loss from his past.

"Simple enough." She removed herself from him and walked to the doorway. He stood there watching her and immediately felt her absence from his embrace. She walked out into the hall and then turned to face him in the doorway. "Alright you musty old unrelenting ghosts, OUT! We will have none of you anymore in this house! Only memories of love and happiness are allowed here, so away with you!" She made the grand gesture of sweeping her arms through the air. Looking at Will mischievously, she took off in a dead run and literally jumped into his arms. Will took hold and twirled her around as she continued repeating, "Nothing but love and happiness, nothing but love and happiness…"

Thursday was a whirlwind of phone calls to caterers, florists and the cake decorator for Beth and the musicians, his attorney and travel agent for Will. Everything seemed to be in order. Will drove into town to meet Beth for lunch and they took their favorite walk through the historic district of the town. The air was crisp and fresh and all weather reports promised a beautiful but slightly chilly weekend. Beth teased Will about the bachelor party as he grumbled and fretted over just what plans Richard and "the gang of three" as Will referred to Ed, Justin and Seth, had in store for him. Beth admonished him to relax and enjoy his last days of freedom to which Will replied that he felt just the opposite: he would not be free until they were husband and wife.

Pulling around to the back of the house, Will came out of his recollection of their bittersweet parting on Beth's porch as he recognized Seth's truck parked in front of the garage. Though the two had spoken several times in the last six weeks, Seth had remained steadfast in not coming home until the festivities. From his own mouth he had admitted to Will that he was still hurting over his break up with Rachel but that he and Justin had decided they were wasting time over it and they were "getting out there". Will decided he really didn't want to know the definition of that phrase.

Walking through the kitchen, he could hear his cousins laughing in the den as he rounded the corner into the hallway. "Hey, little man, what are you two plotting?" he called as he strode into the room.

"Fitzman!" Seth called, "It's good to see you. Are you ready to party your bachelorhood away?! I figure if we start now, we could just keep rolling 'til the rehearsal dinner tomorrow…"

"Yeah, that will happen" Will retorted dryly. "Everyone knows this party is for you guys, not me. You're the losers not getting the best woman ever."

"Ouch." Richard feigned injury. "Comments like that will negatively impact your experience this evening, my friend. As in, we could exact our revenge at any time and call Beth to come witness the debauchery…"

"Idle threat, 'my friend', as I will not be participating in any of that nonsense."

"Great. You are going to be a pain in the a- ah hello, Georgie, Rachel" Seth tried to recover as the two young women entered the den.

Will and Richard looked from Seth to the other two and cursed the timing of it all. Georgiana hugged her cousin then explained they had no classes in the morning so they decided to meet up at the farm and enjoy the house without the men about. Richard indignantly pointed out that the men were the life of the house while they ushered Seth out and into the kitchen.

"I'm OK, I'm OK" he insisted so that Richard let go of his arm. "I had to see her eventually, didn't I? Now it won't be so bad tomorrow night. I'm starving. Let's go eat and then start all the fun."

Will growled but followed the men out while yelling over his shoulder for Georgiana to lock up after them. He insisted on driving since he would NOT be getting drunk that evening and he could not vouch for the other two. Richard handed him the keys to his jeep and they sped into town to get this night over with.

As Richard was directing Will on the turns, he realized they were headed towards Rusty's, a family owned bar and grill that was definitely what Beth would call a Red necked establishment. "You've got to be kidding me." He shook his head in disbelief. "I haven't been in here since college."

"Precisely." Richard responded. "That's when you used to have fun – you know- PAAAARTY!" he laughed as Will's face contorted in spasms of agony. "Listen, Mr. Darcy, get that walking stick out of your beeehind and let us have some fun."

"Alright. Alright. Just not too much, OK? I have to go to Ft Wayne in the morning, bring Jeannie home and be at the church by 5pm. I cannot sleep in."

By now they had entered the rustic bar with its dead animals hanging on the wall along with mounted fish and hunting gear. The tongue in cheek menu even offered daily road kill and manly man stew. "Beth would die if I ever took her in here." He laughed as he ordered a beer and told the waitress he was paying for the first round. Ed and Justin ambled in followed by several of men from Juanita's family and most of guys who worked at the farm. Will couldn't believe how many were there and was genuinely pleased that so many of them offered their congratulations and spoke so highly of Beth.

Appetizers were ordered all around and soon the entire bar area was part of the party. A friendly game of darts had formed and a table of penny ante poker rounded out the rest of the men milling around talking and joking about Will's final bow.

About an hour into the party, Will began to visibly relax. He had nursed his beer and ordered an iced tea, figuring he had plenty of time before getting behind the wheel. Watching Justin, Ed, Richard and Seth arguing over the dart game, he smiled believing the two young men were finding their way and hoping that Richard and Ed would become friends since his older cousin needed to develop more relationships. His attention was turned to the door as some members of the school board came in and were making their way towards him.

"Well, Stephens," the board president clapped him on the back, "I have to honestly say I never thought I'd see the day. I hope that you are going to change your mind and run again as it has come attention that you will be an instant father come Saturday."

Will nodded and continued his conversation. The men blocked Will's view of the door and as they actually started talking about some school board issues, his focus was on them and the conversation. He was taken aback, therefore, when the owner of Rusty's stopped the blaring music and called everyone's attention to the front of bar toward the makeshift dance floor.

Four women stood with their backs to the rest of the room. Wearing trench coats and lined stockings, they stood perfectly still. Will rose from his seat swearing under his breath and searching for Richard with the intent to throttle him. Instead, Richard came from behind and put his hand on his shoulder and shoved him back down. "Shut up" Richard yelled into his ear as the whooping, hollering and cat calls began. "I had nothing to do with this." Head in hands, Will shook his head seething. "Cousin," Richard yelled again, "I think you'll want to see this."

Simultaneously, the beginning to "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" blared out of the sound system and the women turned around. No one except for Will and Ed was all that surprised to see Marie, Rachel, Georgiana and Beth standing there beginning to move to the beat. Will's head shot up as he recognized the music. Standing up with his mouth gaping open, he was transfixed by his wife to be's antics.

The four women were moving in unison and just when Pat Benatar begged to "hit me with your best shot", the trench coats came off to reveal all four in what appeared to be leather vests and shorts. Really short shorts. Spiked black heels and really short shorts. Ed literally spat out the beer he had just drawn in his mouth, Justin and Seth could not believe their eyes, and Richard was laughing uproariously and chucking Will on the chin to get him to come out of his wide mouth stupor.

"Will, I don't know whether to go up there and yank Georgiana off the stage or congratulate her for what terrific shape she's in." Richard yelled between laughter.

Continuing to stare at Beth, Will didn't move a muscle. He was actually afraid to because every fiber of his being wanted to whisk her off that stage and haul her down to the nearest Justice of the Peace which he knew for a fact was about sixty miles away in Indiana. Beth was boldly returning Will's stare even though her face was beet red and she was beginning to wonder what possessed her to go along with this stunt. She couldn't tell what Will was thinking, and she was beginning to get worried that he was angry with her for making this spectacle when she detected the slightest of smiles tugging at the corners of his mouth and his raised eye brow said all he needed to say.

The song ended and the room exploded with whistles, catcalls and a standing ovation. Acting as if they did this everyday, the ladies retrieved their coats, put them on and started to make their way toward the door. All the while, Beth and Will did not break eye contact. Still terrified to move, Richard had to push him sideways to get his attention.

"Surely, you're not going to just stand there and watch them go out the door!" he yelled.

"I think I have to" Will replied.

"You're crazy!"

"No. I'm staying out of trouble by not throwing my sister over my shoulder and locking her in the basement and not running off with my fiancé to get married tonight."

Outside in the chilly October air, the four women broke into fits of laughter and congratulated themselves on shocking the men in their lives. Marie was cautioning Rachel and Georgiana to put those outfits in the back of their closets and they had better not see the light of day for quite some time. She, on the other hand, was completely satisfied by her husband's reaction and believed she would wear hers again sometime. Beth was breathless and excited by the smoldering looks Will had given her. She, too, was wishing at that moment to have her Mr. Darcy whisk her away on his steed to their future.

The next morning an unshaved, bleary eyed Fitzwilliam Stephens was making his way to Ft Wayne. Although his head was pounding, he couldn't help but smile as he remembered the night before. After Beth and company left the scene, Will was punched and congratulated and hailed the conquering hero repeatedly. Free drinks were flowing his way and he lost track of just what he had imbibed. Seth took his keys, reminding Will that he was underage and so he and Justin were the designated drivers.

Will and Ed bragged about their women and had the room laughing with stories about each one. Ed would probably get the cold shoulder for weeks if Justin ever told on his dad and Will bristled a little at the thought of Richard or Seth getting to Beth before he could redeem himself. He chose not to think about that as it just made his head hurt a little bit more.

As they left Rusty's with Seth driving, Will insisted that they drive past Beth's to make sure she was home safe and sound. Seth was attempting a drive by when Will rolled down his window and started shouting for his Elizabeth to open her window. Richard was laughing like a school girl and Seth was attempting to silence both of them, but to no avail. Will reached over to honk the horn several times. A light came on in the front window upstairs.

"Fairest Elizabeth!" Will yelled at the top of his lungs. "Open your window so that I may climb up and rescue you from your lonely maidenhood."

"Fitzman, you are drunk! Get back in this car!" Seth had never seen Will act this silly or be this inebriated.

The window shade went up and Beth appeared. She opened the window. "Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens! What in the world are you doing?" She attempted to sound cross but she was smiling and shaking her head at his obvious foolishness.

"I am coming to rescue you Miss Elizabeth! The evil Wickham is sure to get you if I do not!"

"And you are sure to get pneumonia if you keep it up!" she replied laughing.

"Not to mention arrested for public drunkenness. Come on, Fitz, get in the car!" Seth was attempting to pull Will back to the curb.

"Never! Nothing shall stop me from marrying the woman of my dreams. Say you love me, Elizabeth. Say you'll only dance for me!"

"Will…"

"I am your Fitzwilliam, madam. Say it and I will be satisfied."

"I think I'm going to be sick" Richard muttered from the jeep.

"Oh no you don't" Seth yelled at his brother. "I'm not cleaning you up. It's not my fault you drank too much."

"I did not! I'm going to get sick from his mooning over 'his Elizabeth'. Get in the car you lovestruck fool." Richard was trying to get out of the backseat, but his long legs were not cooperating somehow.

By this time, other lights were on in the neighborhood, not to mention several dogs were barking. "Ok, alright, Fitzwilliam." Beth answered. "I love you! And I'll never dance for anyone but you. Now get in the car and go home."

"That's all I asked, fair maiden." Will bowed unsteadily, blew her a kiss and returned to the jeep. He knew he would pay for it, but he had to see her before he went to bed that night, and he had to remind her that she was his and his alone.

He only hoped that the children he met with that day got something out of his therapy because he could not remember much of the morning. By the time Jeannie was ready to leave, Will's headache was all but gone and he could recall the night before with more than a little embarrassment. Jeannie talked non stop for the hour in the car and Will's headache was back. He tried everything he could think of to calm her down, but she was rocking in the back seat and reminding him of a caged animal.

They pulled up to Beth's house by three o'clock so Callie was not quite yet home from school. Jeannie burst through the door and immediately questioned what had happened to the house. Trying to convince her that no one had stolen their belongings took both Beth and Will almost an hour. Suddenly seeing the time, Will kissed Beth quickly and ran for the truck. With a little over fifteen minutes both ways, Will had another fifteen minutes to be showered and shaved and make it to the rehearsal on time.

As Ed and Marie were leaving the house, the phone rang. Ed hollered for Marie to get in the car and he would get it. He was surprised to hear his old neighbor on the phone asking to speak with Marie. Ed explained that she had just left. The doctor hesitated and then asked when would be a good time to speak with her. Not liking the sound of his voice, Ed did something he had never done before: he pried into his wife's business and demanded to know what was the matter. He listened intently and his throat tightened for a moment before asking the doctor to repeat what he had just said. Nodding this time, Ed explained that they were on their way to Beth's rehearsal dinner. He told his old friend that he and his wife would be in his office first thing on Monday morning. Carefully placing the phone back on its base, Ed squared his shoulders, forced himself to smile and told his wife it was a phone solicitor.

Beth and the girls were sitting on the porch as Ed pulled up in their van. The girls were dancing around in their new dresses and were chattering away as they climbed into the van. Marie noticed that Beth seemed hesitant as she step in. "Are you OK?" she asked her best friend.

"I'm getting married in the morning."

"Ding dong the bells are going to chime. Yes My Fair Lady, you are getting married in the morning. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet?" Marie was laughing.

"No. It just hit me, though. By this time tomorrow, I'll be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens. I'll be Elizabeth Stephens. Oh my Lord, Marie, I'm getting married in the morning!"

"Well thank goodness Ed is driving you to the church because I don't know if you would have made it. You're a mess. Step on it, honey before she forgets and tries to get out of the van or something." The van didn't move. "Ed, did you hear me?" she good naturedly thumped her husband on his shoulder.

"What? Oh yeah, Come on, Lizzybeth, I have to get you there so that we can rehearse what everybody already knows to do anyway and then we can go to Pemberville and chow down Fiesta style." Ed told himself to snap out of it and not ruin the next twenty four hours for the two best friends.

Will believed he must have broken several land speed records to get to the house. Dashing up the steps, he nearly collided with Richard as he was preparing to descend them. "Where in the world have you been?" Richard demanded.

"Trying to convince Jeannie that they weren't robbed. Now get out of my way. I have twelve minutes to clean myself up." He jogged into the master bedroom and slammed the door behind him.

Richard stared after him, shaking his head. "I'm not even going to try to figure that one out!" He called after his cousin. "Georgie, Seth, let's go. At least the responsible side of the family will be there on time."

Everyone was milling around the front of the church as the pastor walked out from one of the side doors. He stood beside Beth and gave her a warm hug and whispered, "You two have come a long way, Beth" as he laughed a little. Looking around he then questioned, "Where is the groom?"

"I believe I saw him hightailing for the border" Richard joked as they stood waiting. "I tried to stop him but he kept saying something about 'trapped by her feminine wiles' or something like that." His eyes sparkled in amusement at Beth's flush.

"After that display last night, I would think he would be following her like a puppy dog." Ed put in dryly.

"Oh wait 'til you hear what he did on the way out of town" Seth then supplied the group with his version of Will's drunken conversation with Beth to which she only laughed and said she was going to marry him anyway.

"I'm glad to hear it" a deep voice resonated from the back of the sanctuary. "Because I would hate to cause a scene by carrying you to the altar over my shoulder." Clean shaven and clear of eye, Will gathered Beth in his arms and then dipped her to bestow quite a kiss upon his intended.

"Well," the pastor cleared his throat, "I guess we better get the rehearsal out of the way unless we should just move on to the ceremony right now?" he teased.

"Yes!" Will and Beth said together followed by a chorus of "oh no you don't" and "what's one more day" echoing around them.

The playful spirit continued through the rehearsal. Marie walked up the aisle instead of the bride as is tradition in that part of the midwest, and Will swept her up and kissed her grandly before Ed had to remind him that although Will could take him, he'd put up a good fight. Still mum on the music, Will informed the group that the ushers would know the right moment to open the doors to allow the ladies to enter the sanctuary.

Since neither side had any parents to seat, they did want to honor them by still lighting the unity candle. Georgiana would escort Callie and Jeannie up to the stand and the two girls were to light the two separate candles representing the two families. They practiced this twice and each time Jeannie did as she was directed. She promised that she would be just fine the next day. Everyone was pleased with how calm Jeannie behaved and many silent prayers were said that the next morning would see the same.

Driving back to the farm that evening, Will was ecstatic that his four favorite ladies, Georgian included, had elected to go with him. Many times he lost out to Richard as the girls seemed to love the jeep, but that night they wanted to be with their momma and their soon to be daddy. Stealing a glance at his future bride, Will's smile could have lit a runway. Beth laughed at his expression and whispered her love as they drove on to start the dinner portion of the evening.

The clear and crisp October air greeted them as they piled out of the truck. Between the houses stood a huge white party tent with colored lights dancing all around the perimeter that stood as a bright welcome to all who entered. The girls were jumping with excitement and took off running toward the music and the food with Georgiana on their heels. "She's outdone herself tonight," Will shook his head at the work of Juanita before him.

"She loves you so much Fitzwilliam. This is her gift of love to you. Juanita is an amazing woman. I hope I can take care of you half as well as she has." Beth stopped and reached up to caress his face.

"Elizabeth, outside of the obvious way that you will take care of me that Juanita never did," he wiggled his brows suggestively, "I have every confidence that you are exactly what I and this house needs. Surely you believe that, right?"

"Yes, I guess I do, but today I just felt so overwhelmed. This is really happening, isn't it? Tomorrow night we will be husband and wife…"

"In every sense of the word, my love." Will finished by covering his mouth with hers and relishing in the warmth and comfort he always found there. He brought his head up abruptly to look at her closely, "You are not worried about that, are you?"

"About what?" she asked shyly.

"Elizabeth, our love is beyond what I could have ever imagined. You have taught me to be patient and wait for the physical union to happen after the spiritual. Darling, there is no need for you to fear anything. I promise you that – "

"Hey, you two! I'm starved and Juanita won't let me eat until you two get your butts in here, so quit the lovey dovey stuff and get a move on!" Richard commanded in his best officer voice.

Will did not move as his eyes searched Beth's face. "Elizabeth?"

"Fitzwilliam, I'm not scared or worried. I do trust you. I guess I just hope that I can be all that you need me to be – in every way."

"We were made for each other, Elizabeth. Everything will be as it should. I truly believe that my love." With one more quick kiss, the two ran into the tent amid the cheers and well wishes.

Two hours later, Will was taking his "ladies" as he referred to the three, back to Beth's house for the last time. Plans were already made to move the remainder of the items to the farmhouse on Sunday before Seth and Justin went back to Purdue. The girls were excited about their sleep over/pajama party with their momma and Callie had informed Will that under no circumstances was he allowed as this was girls only. He feigned hurt feelings that only a kiss from each of his ladies could fix. Beth walked him to the front door but he seemed in no hurry to leave.

"Fitzwilliam," she murmured as he trailed light kisses on her neck and face. "As much as I love this, the sooner you leave, the sooner the night will be over and I will be seeing you at the end of the aisle."

Will's head shot up and he laughed, "Nuf said, fair Elizabeth. This is the last night that I will have to say goodbye to you. This is the last time that I will only be able to dream about you in my arms when I awake." He bent to kiss her one last time and then he reluctantly stepped onto the porch. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, Fitzwilliam. Be safe my love." She watched him as he drove away and sighed wishing the night to fly by.

When Beth walked back into the living room, both girls were sound asleep atop the pile of blankets their momma has set out for them. At least they had taken off their dresses and had their pjs on, so the only thing she had to do was pull some covers over each of them. Kissing them goodnight, Beth was saddened that she couldn't tell them how happy she was and how much she would miss them the next two weeks, but in the end she thought this way was probably best.

Sometime in the night, Callie had awakened and snuggled against her momma as she lay sleeping. "Momma, Momma" the little girl shook Beth's shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"Momma is it our wedding day finally? Is Daddy Will going to marry us today, momma?"

"Yes, honey. Today is the day, but it's still a little early, rooster girl. Snuggle with momma for a little while longer." Callie sighed and drew her momma's arm around her. Beth heard her gentle breathing which lolled her back to sleep as well.

Chapter 29 At Last

Posted on 2009-12-05

The sun was just beginning to rise as Will saddled up Magic for one more punishing ride before he left his horse for at least two weeks. He slept a little bit better than he thought he would, but it seemed as though he dreamt the night away. They were not the nightmares he had experienced for the past fifteen years. They were not the sensual dreams of Elizabeth that had invaded his slumber for over a year now. No, these were dreams like he had never conjured before.

He was happy, that much he knew, and Elizabeth was by his side. The girls were running in the front yard, laughing and playing their little games. Then he saw his parents standing there among the flowers smiling and holding hands. They turned to him and his mother said, "Well done, Fitzwilliam. Enjoy your life now." Then another would start and he would see his sister Lizzy walking beside Callie as she rode Butterscotch. She too looked over at Will and said the same thing. He wondered if he would never dream of them again. If they knew somehow now that he was starting over. Only time would tell, but he wasn't sad if that were to be the case for they would always reside in his heart.

Beth awoke to Callie singing "Here Comes the Bride" in her ear. She feigned sleepiness but then grabbed her daughter for a tickle and giggle session. Jeannie soon joined in until all were breathless. Picking up her watch, Beth jumped up and said it was 7:30 and they had thirty minutes to get showers and get to the church. The two giggle boxes were like herding cats up the steps, but eventually all were clean and waiting in the living room for Ed and Marie when they knocked on the door.

By 8:45 Beth's hair was in the middle of its styling by Marie's beautician. They had searched the internet and watched several Jane Austen movies before deciding on the style. Since Beth's dress was adorned in seed pearls and ribbons, the same was entwined and pinned throughout while three sausage curls hung down to her left shoulder. At 9:15, she was in full make up and awaiting assistance to put on the dress. By 9:30 they were all ready

Ed and Richard knocked on the door at 9:45 to see how they were faring. Looking at all the beautiful women and girls, each man sighed and declared them all magnificent. Richard walked up to Beth and nodded his head to the side of the room. Beth followed him as he took hold of her hand. "You are truly the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. You have been transformed I think. Now I know why he insists on calling you Elizabeth. Before everything gets way too hectic, I wanted to say to you how much you have changed our family – not just Fitzwilliam. I stopped believing in love a long time ago; but now I think that it is real. Welcome to our family – and God help you as you become one of us!" He laughed, kissed her cheek, did the same to Georgiana, Callie and Jeannie, and then he left the room.

"Lizzybeth, I don't know what to say. All of my favorite females are in this room and you all are like – I don't even know how to describe it. I better leave too before I say something that I will get teased about for the rest of my days." He, too bestowed kisses to all, especially his wife and the bridal party was alone again.

The caterer, who appointed himself the wedding coordinator for the service, opened the door and announced that they all needed to follow him to stand by the doors to the sanctuary. As they stood there, they could hear the beautiful music from within. Beth let out a gasp as she recognized the melody to the soundtrack of the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie that she so loved.

"Georgiana, he hired musicians to play the score to the movie!" she was awestruck at Will's thoughtfulness.

"Yes," her future sister in law answered. "And that's just the beginning of what he has planned for you Be- Elizabeth." Georgiana's eyes held the same sparkle as her brother's often held and Beth hugged her tightly telling her how much she loved her new family.

The orchestra began again and Beth realized they were playing the music from the dance scene at Netherfield between Darcy and Elizabeth; the doors opened and Rachel was motioned to step forward. When she was half way up, Georgiana made her way as the beautiful music continued. Marie looked back at Beth with shining eyes, "This is it, my friend. Finally the beginning of your new life." They mouthed "I love you" to each other and her best friend left to walk the aisle.

Callie and Jeannie had been angels all morning. They loved their dresses and the flowers that adorned their hair. They each held baskets with rose petals and they knew their jobs were to scatter them on the white runner. "Are you ready my big girls?" They nodded. "Jeannie, remember, if you get tired while standing, you go sit with Juanita. She's in the first row."

"I know momma. I know." Then they were gone. The door shut behind them. Beth stood alone in the foyer and the memory of standing at this door hearing the scathing description of Will flashed through her mind. "Oh, no." She whispered "he is the best of men." The doors opened again and she stood smiling ready to meet her Mr. Darcy.

Will and Richard chuckled as they observed Seth and Justin's reaction to the two young women as they walked elegantly towards them. "My money says they'll be back together by Christmas" Will declared.

"You're on 'cause I don't think they'll make it through the weekend." Richard responded with Ed nodding as well.

They all held their breaths as the girls began their journey down. "My God, they're angels." Will enthused. The rest of the groomsmen nodded and clearly everyone up there was struggling to fight back the tears. The petals were dropped as if by magic and two sisters separated, Callie to stand by Richard and Jeannie to stand by Marie.

As the music reached the crescendo, the doors opened to reveal clearly the most beautiful woman Will had ever seen. "I don't know whether to hold you up or hold you back" Richard laughed as he kept watching the bride and groom stare at each other.

"I don't deserve her" he said to no one in particular.

"No, you don't, but God does move in mysterious ways, cousin."

"Daddy, isn't my momma beautiful?" Callie looked up at Will's eyes brimming with tears. He could only nod as he knew he could not form any more words.

Beth felt as if she was floating toward the love of her life. The music was mesmerizing and she was trying to walk slowly so she could savor these moments. Will's face shone with his love and his desire for her. She thought that she would be nervous, but instead she felt like a magnet driven to the steel that was her Fitzwilliam. And then she was standing by his side smiling up at him noticing the tears about to spill from his eyes.

The pastor began speaking but Beth and Will had no idea what was said. Their eyes were speaking their own language and their hands were caressing the other's to remind them that all this was real.

"Can he kiss momma now?" Jeannie interrupted which brought the couple back to earth. Everyone chuckled a bit and the pastor told her not quite yet. "Then I'm gonna sit down with Juanita." She walked over and Juanita held her on her lap for several minutes.

Taking the pastor's cue, Will began his vows to his Elizabeth. "I dreamt of my mother this morning. It was a beautiful dream. She told me to be happy and to live my life. A week ago you swept through my room and told the ghosts to go away. You said that only love and happiness were allowed to remain there. This is what you've done to my heart, Elizabeth, you swept it clean of all the hurt and loneliness, and you've filled it with love, laughter, trust and honesty. I never believed that love would come to me. My illusions were shattered all those years ago, but you, you and your lovely daughters have taught me to really live again and to believe that hope can come back and live in me.

"Elizabeth, all that I am and all that I have, I gladly give to you today. I promise to listen to you and try like anything to not "fix it"." He smiled his devastatingly mischievous smile and Beth nodded her head. "I promise to be the support you need and the girls need to make you all believe that nothing is impossible. I will lead when you need me to and follow as you show me the best way to parent our children. I am yours, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth; I am yours."

"Now?!" Jeannie exclaimed as Juanita attempted to shush her. Chuckles were heard all around and it gave Beth a moment to catch her breath. She couldn't believe that Will had opened his heart in such a public way. She thought that her heart would burst at any given moment.

"Fitzwilliam, you are the most caring and steadfast person I believe I have ever met. You never stopped caring for me, even when I pushed you away. You never stopped looking out for me and my daughters. For that alone, I owe you my heart. But I owe you my trust because we began to work together. You rescued me when I didn't even know I was drowning and I refused to pick up your life line. I once said that I wanted to have children because I didn't want to be alone, then when I became a mother, I had such intense times of loneliness I didn't know what to do. Now I know Fitzwilliam that my heart was yearning for you. Now I truly believe that I will not be lonely anymore; that we will face whatever life throws at us together. I am not only giving myself to you today, I am giving you my heat and soul – my daughters. We are trusting ourselves to your care.

"I promise to call you Fitzwilliam at least once a day, so that you know how truly loved you are. I promise to keep learning how to cook like Juanita so that you will be cared for in the tradition of a farmer's wife. I promise to challenge you and to question you when you feel like you have to be in control, so that you remember that only God has that power. I promise to be your wife, your lover, your best friend and your partner. We will never be lonely again, my love."

With Will leading the way, the couple lit a candle from the two already burning and together lit the unity candle while the pastor spoke of Will's parents and the little he knew of Beth's mother. Hand in hand they walked back to their place as "the love chapter" from Corinthians was read. He spoke to the couple as if no one else was in the room, and while he was talking, Ed and Marie gazed at each other taking in his words as only married couples could. The pastor spoke of their journey to find one another and the challenges that had already come their way. He admonished them to always listen and to never walk away from the other. His additional charge to love their daughters and any other children that may come into the family warmed Beth's heart and also her cheeks as she thought of having Will's baby.

At the signal, Richard handed Will the ring and Will repeated the vows that were said in regency weddings so long ago: With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Beth repeated the same sentiment. With their hands held together, the pastor announced that they were husband and wife. And then he stepped away from the group.

"Wait a minute!" Beth implored to Will. "Aren't we supposed to kiss? I want my kiss! Where is he going?"

"You'll get your kiss, my love. Trust me now, Mrs. Stephens."

Suddenly another man stood up in front of the group dressed in what appeared to be some sort of uniform, like a deputy or something. "All rise for honorable Judge Morrison." He bellowed and then winked at Will before he stood off to the side.
Out of the side door entered a man obviously in a judge's robe with a gavel in his hand. He stood behind the pulpit and asked the bailiff to read the reason for his appearance.

"Now comes the petitioner, Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens requesting to confirm the adoption of said minors Callie Elizabeth Thomas and Jeannie Marie Thomas." An audible gasp was heard throughout the congregation and Beth stared at her new husband in wide eyed wonder.

"Mr. Stephens, will you leave your lovely bride for just a moment and declare your reasons for this petition?" The judge smiled at Beth knowing full well how this surprise was pulled off without her knowledge.

Before moving, Will brought Beth's shaking hand up to his mouth and kissed it tenderly. He turned to look at Callie and Jeannie and asked them to come with him. Both girls took a hand and the walked up toward the judge. "Your honor, today I have the privilege of marrying the woman I have waited for all of my life. But she did not come to me alone. She is the mother to these amazing and beautiful daughters who stand here with me. They have never known a father, same as their mother and grandmother before them. I do not wish to have that continue for one more minute. I love these girls with all of my heart and with all of my heart I respectfully request to become their father in the eyes of the law so that they may bear my name and be entitled to all that would come to a child of mine by natural birth." Will squeezed both girls' hands as he talked.

"Mr. Stephens, do you understand what responsibility you are accepting today? These two girls will be dependent on you and from what I have read of the file, one in particular will need specific determined assistance for perhaps the balance of her life."

Will glanced back at Beth before he answered and he watched her tear brimmed eyes spill over as she mouthed "I love you" to him. "Yes, your honor, I am fully aware of the awesome responsibility of raising my beautiful girls and all of the challenges this may mean. I gladly and willfully accept this responsibility and as I promised their momma just minutes before, I promise to love and honor them to protect them and teach them all that is in my power to do. All this, of course, with their momma by my side."

"Mrs. Stephens, would you please join your family here?" The judge nodded for Beth to approach. Marie took back her bouquet and straightened her train as Beth walked the few steps carefully. She was so emotional by what Will was doing that she was afraid she would collapse right there. "Mrs. Stephens, is it your wish and desire that your husband become your daughters', Jeannie and Callie, legal father as well as the spiritual head of your household?"

"Oh yes, your honor." Beth replied with as steady of a voice as she could muster. "In the eyes of God he already is. This just makes it all the more real to them and to me."

"Do you have any concerns about proceeding with this adoption Mrs. Stephens?

"No, your honor."

"Miss Jeannie, do you understand what we are doing here today?" the judge motioned for Jeannie to approach him more closely. He walked around the pulpit and squatted to her level.

"Daddy Will is marrying us today." Came the loud answer.

"Yes. Do you want Daddy Will to become your daddy forever today? Do you want your name to become Jeannie Stephens today?"

"Oh, yes. I would like that. What do you have in your hand?" she was now fascinated with the gavel he was holding.

"Well, I'm glad you asked that Miss Jeannie because as soon as I ask your sister the same question, the two of you get to pound this gavel on the pulpit to make this all official. Would you like that?" She nodded fiercely. " Miss Callie, will you come here to me?" Callie ran over quickly and hugged the man tightly.

"Please hurry, Mr Judge. I want him as my daddy right now. Just like you said."

"Miss Callie, do you want your Daddy Will to become your forever daddy today? Do you want your name to become Callie Stephens today?" He laughed as Callie jumped up and down saying "yes, yes, yes" over and over. "Well, then come on young ladies, one at time. He brought Jeannie up to the pulpit and then picked her up so that she could be seen above it holding the gavel. "As the elected Family Court Judge of Willliams County, I proclaim that this young lady be now and forever known as Jeannie Marie Stephens. Hit the gavel Jeannie." And she did, with relish. He set her down and Callie ran forward and leapt into his arms. "As the elected Family Court Judge of Williams County, I proclaim that this young lady be now and forever known as Callie Elizabeth Stephens." Callie twisted the gavel from his hand and hit it repeatedly on the pulpit. "One time will do it, young lady," the judge laughed in mock severity.

"I just want to make sure it sticks forever," she replied. He set her back down and both girls ran back to their parents. Will picked each girl up in turn and whirled them around kissing them and proclaiming how much he loved them. There was truly not a dry eye in the sanctuary as even the judge was choked up by the display. As he walked up and shook both the parents' hands, he reminded them that the papers to sign would be right beside the marriage certificate and that they would be filed on Monday. Will invited him to the reception while the judge and bailiff took seats in the congregation.

"Alright everyone," the Pastor was standing back in place. "Would you all please come back down so that we can finish your wedding?" he smiled good naturedly as he waited for the new family to walk back to where their attendants were waiting. "Fitzwilliam, I believe you have something yet to do?"

"Yes, sir," Will answered fishing in his pockets. Jeannie and Callie inched their way towards him as if they knew he was looking for something for them. "Hmmm, now where could I have put those things for my two girls? Hmmm…."

"Will, if you don't get on with it, man, the judge will be here to pronounce something else…" Richard threatened. He could only take so much emotion and he was at his limit.

"Ah, here they are," Will brought out each box with a flourish. "With these rings, Jeannie and Callie, I am showing the world that you are my daughters. Right now they are too big for you, so I put them on a chain. When you get older, you'll be able to wear them to remind you just how much your daddy loves you." Jeannie grabbed her box and was delighted to find a gold band with a butterfly attached embellished with tiny colored gemstones. Callie opened hers slowly, ever the drama queen. She squealed in equal delight to find a crown adorning her ring. It too had gemstones shining as the light reflected off of them. Hugging each girl closely, Will was gifted by their sincere kisses and they hugged and kissed their momma as well.

"Well," the pastor attempted to restore order once again. "It appears that we are now at the end of this incredible ceremony, so there is just but two things left. Fitzwilliam, you may now kiss your glowing bride Elizabeth." The bride and groom stared at each other for just a few seconds, taking it all in and communicating the love and desire this day symbolized.

"Will, I swear…" Richard growled as the group up front began to laugh.

Beth and Will laughed as he caught her up in his arms and bestowed a kiss upon her that the witnesses talked about for weeks.
Not even attempting to break them apart the minister declared, "And now it is my pleasure to introduce to you all the Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens' family: Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Jeannie and Callie. May God bless this amazing family!"

Will and Beth finally broke apart grinning from ear to ear. With their daughters in front of them, they made their way down the aisle while clapping, whistling and "Hallelujahs" competed with the beautiful music.

As the rest of the bridal party followed, Richard was scanning the crowd for the journalist that had called him asking for an exclusive on the wedding festivities. He didn't want the bride and groom to be bothered so he had given permission for just a few pictures and a short interview if they agreed or they could speak to him for the time in between the service and the breakfast. Looking through all of the familiar faces, he spotted the man whom he had worked with when Beth first moved to Bryan. Beside him, though, was someone Richard did not recognize. The man did not make eye contact and he left out of a side door. Thinking that to be a bit odd, Richard was going to follow after him, but he was soon attacked by two little angels wanting to show off their "wedding rings."

The jubilant crowd in the foyer barely heard the pastor announce that everyone was to go on to Masons for the breakfast and the bridal party would follow as soon as pictures were finished. Everyone then began filing out. Ed was the first to realize that Beth and Will were nowhere to be found.

Leading Beth by the hand, the groom was briskly walking through a side hallway in the church. "Will, you're walking too fast. I can't catch my breath!" Beth managed to get out.

"So we've been married like five minutes and it's already "Will"?" he laughed as he abruptly stopped and spun her around until she was against the wall and he held out his arms on each side of her. "Let me look at you, my love. You are absolutely the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld. Elizabeth, I – "

"Shut up and kiss me, Fitzwilliam" she ordered grabbing him by the lapels. He all too eagerly complied. "You are an amazing man, my love. How did you manage to pull all of this off?" She continued to trail kisses across his face, jaw and neck. "And this cravat is driving me crazy!"

"I never thought I'd say this, but you had better slow down, woman! We still have pictures to get through and if you keep this up, they won't be publishable." He broke their embrace and stood back for a moment. Beth appeared to sulk but the twinkle in her eyes was unmistakable. "To answer your question, first, from now on, you should look at everything handed to you to sign. You never know what someone may be trying to hide from you." She batted at his shoulder as they both laughed. "Second, I found that I had to take a hobby before the time of our wedding would drive me crazy; therefore, my hobby was doing everything I could to make this a day you would never forget."

"Oh, I don't believe there are any worries about that, my husband; and look, it's only a little after eleven, there's a whole lotta day left." She grabbed him again and virtually devoured his mouth in hers.

"Will, come on, let the poor woman get some air! The photographer wants us up front. For crying out loud, man, you have the rest of your lives together!" Richard yelled from down the hall as he spied the couple.

"Me? Tell it to this, this, brazen woman who has possessed my calm and collected wife. She attacked me!" They were laughing as they walked toward Richard arms encircling the other.

"Yeah, right. Like anyone would believe that, you animal!" Richard teased while clapping Will on the back. "Let's get these pictures over with. I'm starving!"

"Me, too" the couple said simultaneously but both knew they were not talking about food.

"May I introduce to you all, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Stephens!" Richard roared into the microphone as Will and Beth entered the dining room at Masons. Cheers erupted along with the tinkling sound of silverware against stemware demanding the newlyweds to kiss. The happy couple obliged quite excitedly which caused the crowd to cheer again. "Oh, here we go again!" Richard laughed. "Alright, everyone, the servers are coming around now to fill your glasses, so if they can keep their mouths off of each other for a minute, would the bride and groom come up to the table to get your drinks for toasting?"

Will lead the way through the maze of tables as he held on to her hand tightly. "I don't think I'll be able to let go of you." He growled in her ear as they each took a delicate flute in hand. Looking up at Richard he commanded, "Keep it clean, man."

Smirking directly at his cousin, Richard raised his glass. "To undoubtedly the luckiest man in world, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his loveliest of brides, Elizabeth Jane: may they truly be the happiest of couples that Jane Austen expected to them be and may we enjoy the journey with them. AND to Miss Jeannie and Miss Callie: welcome to the Stephens family! We love you both very much and Seth and Georgiana have agreed to supply anything you ever ask for!" Richard lifted the flute to his smiling lips and downed it all in one gulp. Taking the microphone again he stated, "Now, to give a more homey feel for this Wedding Breakfast, and whoever thought of this atrocious time of the day to get married, I'll never know, the servers will be placing heaping plates of food at your tables to be served home style. After a bit, Will and Beth will come around to each table to greet you all. Take advantage of that, for if I know my cousin, the bride and groom will not be here for very long today!" With that, more tinkling of forks onto the stemware occurred which was quickly acknowledged and rewarded

They walked around the table and were seated with a daughter by each. Jeannie seemed to be warming up to Will more and more and insisted on showing him the necklace multiple times. Neither bride nor groom could believe how hungry they truly were. It seemed that now that the service was over, all nerves were put aside and the family truly enjoyed their meal of fluffy eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes along with sweet breads and fruit. In no time, Will asked Beth if she was ready to "do the rounds" which made them that much closer to being able to leave. Giggling at his insinuation, Beth gladly accepted his hand and the twirled about the room thanking their guests, mugging for the camera and kissing whenever commanded by the crowd.

The small orchestra played in the background and occasionally Beth would catch the tune and again thank her husband for the beautiful accompaniment of their day. Will would shrug it off by saying he just wanted the day to be perfect for her. Richard stepped up to the microphone again and directed the couple to the small dance floor for the traditional first dance. Instead of violins playing at that juncture, "I Want to Know What Love Is" filled the room and Will swept Beth away in his arms.

"I will never forget our first dance together. The first time I held you in my arms." He whispered into her ear as his lips lingered there to tantalize her.

"Did you fall in love with me then, Fitzwilliam?" she asked coyly.

"I hardly know. But I did know very quickly that I was never going to get you out of my mind. You were and are a force to be reckoned with. But regardless, this song was so appropriate for us, Elizabeth. I truly did need you to show me what love is. And I think that I will be asking you to show me for the rest of my life."

"And I will always have the answer, my love. Right here, in my arms."