Jump to new as of November 23, 1998
Jump to new as of November 24, 1998
Chapter One
"Yeah, this month and the next. All of the cottages are booked, though you never know if the people will actually show up. I don't think I would spend my whole winter season here if I booked a cottage for winter," replied Mary.
"How many do you estimate will be on the mountain?"
"Well, if you count the normal amount of one-day-skiers and the guest, I'd say we'll have about 1,115 skiers a day."
"Well then I guess we'll be busy. The patrol well probably be worked to the bone over the next two months. As for the Ski School, you never know how many people will want lessons, but it would be best to be prepared."
"Most people who need to take lessons, that don't, are afraid it will some how ruin their image."
"Yeah, well, anyway could you tell Denny I need to talk to him, I want to make sure Ski Patrol is prepared."
"Yeah, I'll tell him."
"Okay, thanks."
In the employee's lounge, Lizzy went over the number of Ski School instructors and assigned each to a trail. No one was ever really assigned to be the 'leader', but everyone always looked to Lizzy to take command. To Lizzy it wasn't really a big deal, since no one else wanted to have the responsibilities, she just did it. She assigned Mary King to The Trail, Charlotte Lucas to The Grizzly, her sister Jane to the Bunny Slope, Richard Fitzwilliam to the Lover's Trail, Emma Woodhouse to The Peak, Marianne Dashwood to The Elbow, and she assigned herself to The Mountain's Way. "The rest of the Ski School instructors work on alternative schedules so they can help out us full timers to give us breaks and such. The Raceway can be assigned to us all, since there isn't anyone else who works full time, who can be assigned to cover it," thought Lizzy.
By the time Elizabeth finished with the assignments, all the ski school instructors began filing into the room.
Along with the ski schoolers, came Andrew Denny. He was the main person in charge of the Ski Patrol for Longbourn.
"Hey, Lizzy, you wanted to see me?" asked Denny while wiggling his eyebrows.
"You know, its really amazing that you are the one in charge of the patrol," replied Lizzy.
"And why is that so 'amazing' that I'm in charge?"
"For one thing," she said. "You've never grown-up."
"I have to," he replied. "I'm taller than you."
"Ohh! I give up."
"I know I am difficult, but you love me right?"
"Yeah, right, whatever."
"You know Liz, you really hurt a man's self-esteem."
"Well go see Lydia or Kitty, and it'll get healed."
"You know between the both of them, I think they share a brain."
"I know, just your type."
"Ahhh, a hit!" Then turning serious, he continued, "So what did you want to see me about?"
"Well if you stick around, and take a seat, it will be explained," answered Lizzy.
"I'll stay anywhere just to be near you!"
"Pah-leez."
"Okay, I'll stay since you asked nicely," replied Denny taking a seat.
Lizzy just rolled her eyes and walked to the front of the room. As she did this, the room instantly went quiet.
Addressing the whole room, Lizzy said, "The next two months a going to be really busy ones. We are booked through this month and next. I asked Mary to estimate how many skiers she thought would hit our slopes. Her estimate was about 1,115 skiers a day. This is taking in account for the one-day skiers as well as the guests. I know we have never had that many people grace our slopes before, but you know how it is once a ski resort gets praised in a magazine... Its very probable that the patrol will be very busy for the next two months-"
"Like we aren't already!" interjected Denny.
"As I was saying," Lizzy continued. "Since we all have been certified to be unofficial members of the Patrol, we will all carry the minor accessories. Like walkie-talkies, first-aid kits, and so on-"
"Well we can't just leave are students on the slopes by themselves," said Rich.
"Yes, I am aware of that, but the only way I can think of working through this is: Once we take a group out on a trail, I think it would be best to pick out the best skier in the group or someone who could handle taking charge. Say within the first ten minutes. This would then be in case one of us were needed to assist the patrol. What do you all think?" After getting the okays from everyone, she continued. "This month is also going to be very strenuous on all of us. To lessen the hassle, I assigned each of us to a trail. Now I tried to pick the ones I thought you'd like best, but if you don't like your assignment, we'll figure something out. Now before I read off the list I also need to inform you that the number of lessons in the day will increase, so that from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., we'll have about seventeen lessons a day. I know this is an increase from are regular thirteen a day, half-an-hour break in between. I am sorry, but we have to make these changes to make it through the months ahead.
"Okay, now for the assignments. I'll start with The Grizzly. I wasn't exactly sure who liked this trail best, so I guessed. Which lead me to give it to Charlotte. Is that okay with you Charlotte?"
"Perfect Lizzy! I love that trail," answered Charlotte.
"Phew, I'm glad. That's one worry off my mind. If I had given you the wrong trail, I think I would have thrown myself off Snow Mountain's Cliff!" laughed Lizzy.
"Really Lizzy! The rival ski resort. You would give them too much to rid Longbourn of its best skier-employee!" retorted Charlotte.
"I say Lizzy's the best skier on the whole mountain!" exclaimed Rich as he came up beside Lizzy and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah, she's our own Picabo Street," laughed Emma.
"She'll have to prove that one on the slopes at the Annual," shouted Denny.
"Why, Andrew Denny, I do believe you are jealous!" said Emma, mocking astonishment.
"To quote our esteemed Picabo 'pah-leez'!"
Their laughing only subsided when Lizzy, falling back into a chair said, "Ohh! The Annual is another thing we'll have to contend with!"
"Don't worry Lizzy, we'll muddle through," said Jane, trying to ease her sister's anxieties. "Just think we'll have more skiers on are mountain, than Snow Mountain will have on their cliff."
"Yeah talk about a misnomer." Turning his head from Jane to Lizzy, Rich continued, "So Lizzy my love, what trail is to be mine?"
"Why the Lover's Trail but of course, Rich "loverboy" Fitzwilliam," replied Lizzy with her eyes gleaming with mirth.
Falling back into the bean bag chair and giving a huge sigh, Rich exclaimed, "Why me!"
"I am really sorry Rich, but you know how all the women, and the occasional man, ask personally for you," Lizzy replied matter-of-factly.
"I know Lizzy, but why do they ask for me?"
"Man, I haven't a clue, but I was hoping you could tell me," sighed Denny.
"I wish I knew Denny. I would gladly tell it to you. Relieve me of my burden," replied Rich.
"Probably the uniform. Women love men in uniforms, I know I do," Marianne informed them.
"Well, I wear a uniform too," exclaimed Denny.
"Yeah, but you are you, Denny, and Rich is Rich," answered Marianne.
"Well I want to know what's so special about Rich. Do you know Lizzy?"
"Sorry Denny, I can't help you," said Lizzy. "Okay well let me tell the rest of you your assignments, so we can take to the slopes before they are crowded with visitors. Mary you have The Trail; Emma you have The Peak; Marianne I gave you The Elbow; Jane you got The Bunny; I'll take The Mountain's Way and we'll somehow have to share The Raceway between the whole school. I am sorry that this is going to have us loaded, but we are the full time ski schoolers. The other schoolers will help, so it might not be so bad. I know this is going to cut into Rich's heavy dating schedule, but for the rest of us oh-so-single, I think we'll do okay. Well if there aren't any questions, let's hit the slopes."
"You mean that the only thing you wanted to talk to me about Lizzy, was the patrol? Here you got my hopes up. I thought we'd finally be taking our run down The Lover's Trail."
"Dream on, Drew! Dream on!" laughed Lizzy.
"I do, but it isn't helping me any," replied a serious looking Denny.
Author's Note: Most of the trails names are actually real. I used a few from where I ski. I don't know all there is to know about skiing and the technical terms, so if you find and error in this or other chapters, let me know. Thanks!!!
Chapter Two
"So where have you got us going to now Bingley?" asked Fitzwilliam Darcy as they both entered the limo.
"Oh come on, Darcy. It'll be fun. We are going to spend two fun filled months at the best ski resort in the state."
"Which is?"
"Longbourn Lodge Ski Resort."
"Well, I've never heard of it."
"That's easy to explain. If you would learn to loosen up and actually start having a life outside the office, you would hear of a lot of things."
"I didn't know that I didn't have a life outside of Pemberley."
"You know what I mean. You spend so much time wrapped up in Pemberley that you haven't kept in touch with anyone in your family except for Georgiana and your Aunt Catherine."
"It's not a choice with Aunt Catherine."
"Be that as it may, when was the last time you spoke with your cousin Rich?"
"Well the last time I spoke to him was when I called him to wish him well on his wedding day-"
"Which you couldn't attend because of some big businessy deal for Pemberley!"
"What's your point," sighed Darcy
"My point is that your letting Pemberley interfere too much in your life. Its just your business, not your life. You and Rich used to be like brothers-"
"Enough! Tell me more about this resort."
"I think your sister will love it."
"What about your sisters and Hurst."
"I don't really know why they had to decide to come along. After all, not one of them even knows how to ski. Besides they're all drags."
"Louisa is probably coming to help Caroline get me to marry her, and of course Hurst would come for the free beer since you and I are paying for this whole trip."
"Well I knew that well enough, but I mean come on, what are they going to do this whole trip."
"Probably be following me around like lost puppies, and Hurst will be too drunk to stand let alone try to ski. Sort of a waste if you think about it."
"Yeah, but I bet Louis and Caroline will try and be the best skiers on the slopes just to impress you. That should be funny to see. They think its going to be easy, but just wait until they try."
"Yeah well I'll go down only the difficult trails, the ones on which I know they won't follow."
"I still wish they weren't going. I don't know if there is enough Advil in the world to cure the headaches those two create." sighed Bingley. "Now you know why I was always traveling. I just had to be away from those two. I was so glad when they made mom and dad send them to private school. At least then I didn't see them during the days; during the nights I would go to friends' houses. Man what a childhood."
"Believe me Bingley, I also wish they were not going."
"Well let's talk about something else. How about Longbourn. The skiing is said to be great and they have hot tubs, pool tables, a cocktail lounge, skating rink, bar, ski shop-"
"Bingley, never mind, I think I'll just wait and see when I get there."
By this time they had pulled up to Pemberley. While the two of them were entering the building, Bingley said, "Oh, and it's where Rich works."
"How do you know that!?"
"Well I was checking out their web page and it had all of their staff members listed. It appears that Rich is no longer in ski patrol. He has switched to ski school."
"Rich Fitzwilliam? Work for the ski school, you must be joking!"
"I assure you that it's true."
"I never understood why he refused the job offer I gave him."
"Perhaps it has to do with his marriage, or maybe he really likes what he does."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Who did he marry any way?"
"I am not the right person to ask, I don't even remember when he got married. All basically I remember was calling him and that he married someone he worked with."
"Well there weren't any other Fitzwilliams listed on the staff. Do you think he got a divorce?"
"You got me, I haven't a clue."
"Which you might have, had you spent more time out of this building."
Chapter Three
As soon as Darcy arrived home, he was greeted by his sister Georgiana, running down the stairs; heading straight for him.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! William, you are my favorite brother in the whole wide world!" exclaimed Georgiana throwing her arms around him.
Putting his sister at arms length, Darcy replied, "I was under the impression that I was your only brother in the whole wide world. And what great thing have I done to receive such praise."
"Taking me to Longbourn, of course!" answered Georgiana with her hands on her hips. "As if you didn't know."
"Bingley said you would like it, but I didn't even know you had heard of it."
"Of course I heard of it. My friends Shana and Kylie just rave about it. They went there last year and they said that the skiing is awesome and that the staff members were dreamy-"
"Of course you have to rate a ski resort on whether or not their staff is 'dreamy'."
"Oh, but of course. That's the main thing. Now as I was saying, even if you they didn't tell me about it, I read about Longbourn in one of your skiing magazines. They are becoming more and more popular each year. You should read the article, since we'll be going there in a week."
"I hadn't realized it was such a great resort. Maybe I will read the article. By the way, did you know our cousin Rich works there?"
"No."
"Yeah, well, Bingley found it out by checking their web page out."
"I haven't seen Rich for about five years. It was my thirteenth birthday party, and he thought he would try and be funny so he got me a bra for a gift. I was never more embarrassed in all of my life before. To open that up in front of all of my friends," said Georgiana, turning away from her brother so that he wouldn't see her turning red from the memory of it."
"I thought you said that your friends were envious of you getting a bra from Rich?" laughed her brother.
"Yeah, well that didn't help things either!" screamed an embarrassed Georgiana.
"Well at least it wasn't as embarrassing as what he did to me seven years ago for my twenty-first birthday." replied Darcy, getting just as red as his sister.
"You never did tell me what he did."
"Nor will I ever!"
"You know," said Georgiana, walking over to sit down on a sofa. "This trip, might be able to provide you with the right place to retail Pemberley's goods. It's not out of state, and with all their annual skiing events and such, goods would probably sell to a broader age group. Instead of only selling them to more experienced skiers. And maybe you could even make a proposition with them to buy ski supplies for rental. According to the article, the way in which Longbourn is expanding, they'll need new supplies."
"I thought the whole idea of this trip was for me to relax." answered Darcy.
"Well you can't take one week off work let alone two months Knowing you, after a week you'll get fidgety. So I thought this might help. And besides if you really wanted to relax, you would have insisted that Bingley's sisters did not tag along."
"Too bad I didn't."
"Thanks for insisting that I ride with you and Bingley and telling them that there wouldn't be any room left because of all of our equipment."
"I always said I would protect my little sister from big scary monsters." laughed her brother.
"Are you sure it is not I who will protect you?"
"You had better."
"I will."
Turning serious, Darcy said, "If I do get 'fidgety' I know what will help. It does make sense perhaps I will look into it."
Georgiana grabbed the skiing magazine with the article and proceeding to lie down.
"Do you know, I have already decided how I am going to get away from The Snob Patrol."
"How? And do you think I could use your idea too?"
"I don't think you'll like doing what I am going to do."
"You never know until you tell me."
"Okay. I am going to going to take lessens almost every day."
"What! You must be joking. It would be a waste since you already you know how to ski. Also, your one of the best skiers I know-"
"Is that including yourself?"
"I don't know. I haven't been skiing for ages. Maybe we'll have to have some friendly competition to find out. They do have a racing slope, don't they?"
"Yes, but I have a better idea. Every year they have an Annual skiing competition, employees and guest combined. Why don't we sign up, and we'll find out just who is better."
Rising from his chair, and coming to stand in front of his sister with his hand extended, he said, "It's a deal. Let's shake on it."
"Okay, but just to let you know, I won't go easy on you because of your old age."
"Who are you calling old. I'm only twenty-eight."
"Yeah, but you lost your edge over the years. Yes, 'tis a pity."
"Oh, you just wait and see whose lost whose edge."
Chapter Four
Walking into the main lounge, Lizzy was too absorbed in her thoughts to respond to her sister Mary's continuous calling of her name.
Turning around, finally hearing her sister's calls. "Oh, I am sorry Mary. What did you want?"
"There is a phone call for you. A Mr. Bingley." answered Mary. "He said that he talked to you before. Something about the cottages."
"Oh. Okay, I'll take the call." said Lizzy. "Which line is he on?"
"Number four."
"Okay, I'll take it in Dad's office."
Lizzy hurried down the corridor until she reached her father's office.
Mr. Bennet's office looked more like a library than anything else. Books all around, with an mahogany desk in the middle. A big window over looking the mountain, could be found behind the desk. Letters of Mr. Bennet's correspondents cluttered the top of the desk with a computer in the center. The phone was located at the computers right.
Lizzy sat down in her father's chair, picked up the phone, and pressed line four.
"Hello, Mr. Bingley."
"Hello," was the response. "But please call me Charles."
"Okay, Charles. Though if I call you Charles, you have to call me Lizzy. Deal?"
"Its a deal. Okay Lizzy, what can you tell me about the cottages?"
"Nothing good, I'm afraid. They're all booked full. Though I do have an idea of how to work out some sort of an arrangement for your party. Since you are staying two months, I might be able to get you Netherfield House."
"What's Netherfield House?"
"Its the house about three miles up the mountain from Longbourn. Its owned by a family that only uses it on holidays. Its a big house so there would be room for everyone, and then some. The only problem is that the family is in the Bahamas right now and will not be back until next Friday. I might be able to get a hold of them before then, but I don't know. They will most likely let you use it, so that shouldn't be a problem. But will you and your friends mind staying at the lodge until then?"
"Oh, not at all. Its really nice of you to go to all this trouble for us. Its just that I know my friend. He would probably liked it better away from the others. He's sort of a shy, reclusive man."
"I understand," she said. "And think nothing of it. Its no trouble at all." It figures all the nice men are gay, thought Lizzy.
"How would this effect the packages we purchased?"
"It won't effect anything there. The only thing that it will change is that the money that you would pay for your rooms, will now be transferred towards renting Netherfield. You would probably have to pay the extra cost of renting it though. We will take care of paying for the food and the help. Is this still acceptable to you?"
"That's fine. Just let me know next Friday when we arrive, if anything has changed."
"Okay. I hope everything will suit you all fine."
"I am sure it will, thank you for your time."
"Oh, you are quite welcome. Good-bye and have a nice day."
"Thank you, you too. Bye."
As soon as Charles got off the phone, his secretary paged him.
"Mr. Bingley, your sister is on line two." Must be Caroline, thought Bingley. "I tried to tell her you were in a very important meeting, but she still insisted on being put through. What would you like me to do?"
That's Caroline for you. "Don't worry about it, Ruth. I might as well get it over with. Put her through."
"Yes, sir."
Charles picked up the phone and then prepared himself for listening to dear old Caroline, before pressing the button for line two.
"Caroline, what a--"
"Well Charles, did you get us better accommodations?"
How in the world did she know? "Caroline--"
"Because I will not tolerate being in those third rate lodgings at Longbourn."
"Longbourn is a very esteemed ski resort with--"
"I am sure they are by your standards brother dear, but my standards are far above yours!"
"We will have to stay at the lodge until Netherfield House can be ready for us."
"Well that is just not good enough! Get it fixed!"
"I did, that's how why we are most likely going to be staying at Netherfield. They can't make special arrange--"
"Oh, but Charles, Darcy won't like it!"
"I have already spoken with Darcy, he said that whatever accommodations I could get would suit--"
"Whaaat about meeee?" whined Caroline. "And Louisa too? It doesn't suit us!"
"Well don't go then!" yelled a frustrated Bingley.
"Don't go! Charles what would Darcy think if I did not go?"
"He would jump for joy. Not to mention I would throw a party." mumbled Charles.
"Charles, what was that you said?"
"Nothing Caroline."
"Well, I'll tell you what he would think! He would think that I know longer cared! Then where would I be?"
No farther than you are now. "Umm--"
"I'll tell you where I'd be! I'd be back at square one. I'd have to find someone new. Because do you know what would happen?"
Not given Charles enough time to comment, Caroline continued. "Darcy would be broken-hearted." Yeah sure he would, thought Charles. "He would be so devastated that he would throw himself off that stupid mountain! And then where would all his money go? To Georgiana that's where! What good would that do me! I ask you, what good! None at all! And then--"
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Hello! Charles are you there?" asked Caroline. "Must have been a bad connection."
Chapter Five
While Lizzy was riding along with Rich, on a chair lift, to the top of the racing slope, she asked him, "Hey Rich, when do you get off work?"
"Why, you want to have a night out on the town?"
"Like I'd have the time for that." Sighed Lizzy. "Actually I need to work late. I am trying to make all the arrangements for the Bingley party to rent Netherfield..."
"Bingley?"
"Yeah do you know any?"
"What's his first name?"
"Charles."
"Well if he's the one I'm thinking of I know him. I only met him a couple of times though. He's a friend of one of my cousins. He is a real nice, friendly sort of guy."
"Yeah, the guy I talked to fits that description. Is he gay?"
"Not that I know of." Laughed Rich, "If he is then that probably means that my cousin is gay. Though that would explain why Bingley's sister never got anywhere with Darcy. That and because she is the most annoying, big nosed b!*#&."
"Well that would keep Lydia away from them." Replied Lizzy, "Maybe we should tell her that he is."
"Yeah because if I know your sister and mom, they'll be after him nonstop."
"That's certainly true." Lizzy remembering what she wanted to ask him continued, "Since I'll be working on that (and since Dad is out of town), would you mind staying with Court until I get home? I shouldn't get home later than 11. I asked all my sisters, and they're all busy. So..."
"Liz, I'll do it. Don't worry about it. You know I'd do anything for Court."
"Thanks Rich, you're a life savor." exclaimed Lizzy.
She placed a kiss on his cheek after the got off the lift, and hurried down the slope.
"Yeah, don't mention it." Sighed Rich.
In Darcy's Home Office
"So, brother dear, when will be leaving for Longbourn?"
"Georgie, I told you ten times already. We are leaving at 5:30p.m. on Wednesday..."
"But, by the time we get there we won't have time to ski!" Cried Georgie.
"So we'll go the next day!"
"But..."
"Georgie!"
"Umm... did you read that article yet?"
"No, I haven't had time! Now can I get back to work please?"
"Umm, yeah...sure." Said Georgiana picking up a magazine.
About five minutes kept her occupied before she said, "You know I checked out their web page today."
"Really...hmmm...that's nice."
"Especially on their big racing event, The Annual."
"Mhhmmm."
"It say that for about four years the winner has been Elizabeth Bennet."
"That's nice Georgie."
"She also happens to be the daughter of the owner and works for the ski school. I checked out all the parts to their web site, and it seems to me that she sort of runs the place."
"Mhhmmm, possibly."
"She is very pretty too. They have pictures of all the employees. Do you think you would be able to beat her in The Annual?"
"Hmmm?...Yeah, sure, whatever."
"How about we bet on it. I'll bet $100 that she beats you, and you can bet $100 that you can beat her."
"If I agree to this, will you promise to allow me to get my work down without any distractions?"
"Okay."
"Then it's a deal."
Chapter 5 B
The clock in Mr. Bennet's office indicated that it was 4:45 a.m. when Andrew Denny walked in to pick up the ski patrols' injury forms. Upon retrieving the forms from the storage closet, Denny noticed Mr. Bennet's second eldest daughter. Her head down sleeping among the papers cluttered on the desk.
Denny weighed the thought of waking her against letting her sleep before he decided to go along with the former.
Though before he woke her, he decided to play a little trick. He was going to give her a hypnotic suggestion while she slept. Leaning over close to her ear, Denny whispered, "Andrew James Denny is the most handsome man you have ever seen. You will agree to go on a date with Andrew Denny when you awaken. You will worship him and become his personal slave. You will also grant him two months vacation with pay. You will remember all of this when you awake, and agree with what was said...."
Of course, through this all, Lizzy was indeed awake. Being a light sleeper she actually awakened when Denny came through the door. 'You think by doing this, I am going to do all of those things?' Lizzy said in her mind. 'You must be joking! Well we'll just wait and see what happens tomorrow Andrew James Denny! Just you wait!"
Finally finishing his suggestions, Denny decided that now was the appropriate time to awaken Sleeping Beauty. And going along with the whole Sleeping Beauty theme, Denny thought it appropriate to awaken her with a kiss. Though of course being Denny, he knocked over the pencil holder in the process. Which then brought Lizzy's head shooting up. So therefore, Denny never got his kiss.
"Aaahhhh!" Screamed Lizzy. Looking at Denny she continued, "You know Denny, there are a lot of easier ways to awaken someone."
"You're telling me!" Mumbled Denny to himself. Then out loud he said, "Yeah, well I thought you would want to be woken up, and I thought to give the process some of style my style."
"Nice style." Said Lizzy sarcastically.
"Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. We'll try it again sometime."
"Yeah well..." Started Lizzy. Then looking over at the clock for the first time, she continued, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! It's 4:55 in the morning. Rich is going to kill me."
"Now why would he do that?" Asked Denny, who was starting to worry about the competition from Elizabeth's ex-husband.
Hurrying to gather things up, and put things away into their appropriate places, Lizzy answered, "Well he was watching Court for me, and I said I would be done around 11. I must have fallen asleep. Oh, I got to go. Bye!"
Lizzy dashed out the door leaving and astonished Denny wondering if his suggestions worked.
At Lizzy's House
Lizzy fumbles with the keys in the lock until it opens, and then she rushes into her hallway, tripping over her dog, Patches.
Lizzy causes such a clatter that Rich runs out to the hall wearing boxers and a tee.
"Liz, your going to kill yourself coming into the house that way."
"I know, I know, I'll try..." Said Lizzy brushed her jeans off, "Oh, how's Court?"
"She's fine don't worry." Replied Rich, "She even managed to sleep through all the noise you caused."
Picking up the lamp and the phone that she knocked over, Lizzy apologized to Rich. "Rich, I am so sorry. I fell asleep in Dad's office and I didn't get awake until Denny woke me."
"It's okay, I understand. You've been under a lot of stress lately." Said Rich. "I got to be going; I promised Denny I'd help out with the daily runs."
Walking into the living room with Lizzy trailing behind, Rich put on his jeans, picked up his jacket, and grabbed his keys. "Why don't you take the day off.? You sure could use it, and Courtney would love it."
"I really wish I could." Replied Lizzy, walking Rich to the door. "But I just can't. There is just too much to get done. Though I think I might bring Court into work today instead of sending her to the baby-sitters. I haven't been able to spend much time with her lately."
Walking out to his car, Rich said, "Okay, I'll see you at work....Oh, by the way, when is them Bingley part coming?"
"There reservation says Thursday."
"Okay, well bye."
"Bye and thanks again."