Beginning, Section II, Next Section

Part 7

Posted on Wednesday, 19-Aug-98

lla opened her eyes to feel brightness upon her cheeks. Comfortable, and content, she stretched her toes, and opened her eyes. She was lying in her bed, tucked in, not wearing her pajamas, but her fleece and jeans from yesterday.

She tried to remember walking up to her room, but she only remembered falling asleep in front of the fireplace the day before, before she slipped off to that wonderful world of Pemberley.

So how had she gotten up to her room? That floaty sensation…and feeling of being tucked in. But who?

Strangely enough, William was the first person who came to mind. William Darcy…that "spice of Darcy" that had…no…

She got out of bed and started to pace. Girl you will not do this to yourself. He may be playful and great to be around, but still, we're two adults who happened to be in the same house, and who will separate, going in different directions when this is over. It's not good to get involved with his type, anyway. He's rich…geez, Ella! A Massachusetts Darcy? Did you ever think you'd get to meet one of those?

The Massachusetts Darcys had been in American history since the dawn of time, and have always been a well-known established family, who lived in Hyannis, Massachusetts. A handsome family, from England, who built up themselves long before the first successful Rockefeller had even been born.

And Ella had taught one. She didn't know of it before. Georgiana Darcy was such a sweetie, and did nothing to show herself above the rest of the Longbourne sphere socially. But with the entrance of her famous brother, Ella finally realized just how much she had dipped into the sphere of Darcy.

It was odd that she never realized it before that Georgiana was rich. And it was odd she hadn't even recognized the name of her brother that day, but then again, Ella saw what she expected. When Ella heard of Georgiana's brother, she expected a nice young man, studying to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or anything. Not a world-famous American Literature professor.

What she really wanted to do was avoid him. It was horrible. Ella was from an upper-middle class family from Wisconsin. Her grandparents were immigrants here, and probably even worked for his grandparents once. Now, they all squeezed in a house in Pennsylvania, and she and two of her sisters taught in New Jersey. This was hardly the life William Darcy lived. Ella knew it was horrible to use class as an excuse, but it was so horribly true…and the more time she spent here, the harder time she'd have facing herself again.

And besides, he was used to women falling all over him. She couldn't be one of them, and yet last night he had carried her up, and she fantasized that he might actually have been her Mr. Darcy. But then again, I was dreaming. If Charlie had carried me up, I'd still think the same thing, right? She nodded yes, but her heart told her that Charlie would not do such a thing in the first place, and that the essence of the security that enveloped her last night was derived from that spice of him in her being.

And now, she was stuck in the middle of all this beautiful countryside, in New Hampshire, in some rich house in the mountains, with him. At least the landscape was wonderful. It was hell to get up here, but it was worth every minute spent freezing in the old car. She walked to the window to check the view.

Stunning. The windows were lead-lined, and the glass trapped rainbows. Strange that she had never taken note of it before. Through the window she saw a forest of pines, quilted in bright snow, so bright it almost blinded. The snow was thick, and it looked at least two feet deep. Glad of her view from the second floor, she smiled down as she saw the top half of her old red car, swimming along in the sea of snow.

Wait. She finally realized it.

It had stopped snowing.

"Jayne!" she burst into the room.

Charlie nearly jumped, and immediately let go of Jayne's hand. "Um…Ella, how are you?"

Ella was radiant, having now showered and changed. Standing in a cream and navy blue sweater, and navy blue khakis, she smiled, and twirled about the room. Her hair was let down, and tied back in a headband fashion with a navy blue scarf. "Jayne, it stopped snowing! If we leave today, we may be able to make home tonight. I mean, the snow is deep, but we may be able to navigate, and Dad misses us so much, and so does Mary, and now the weather's better…"

"Woah, woah, Ella…" Jayne began.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't think your sister is well enough to make the trip…" Charlie said, getting up.

Ella froze, looking at her sister. "Oh, dear Jayne, I'm sorry, I've been horribly selfish…"

"It's all right," Jayne coughed.

The cough chilled Ella's spine. How could she be so insensitive to her sister?

"No, I should have thought of you first, and your health but I was being selfish, and I thought of being home…and I want you well first, believe me, I simply forgot the fact that you were sick…I mean, I know you're better, but that cough is still wicked, but you still have to rest in that bed, and taking you out in this weather is not going help."

Jayne laughed, "Oh Ella…you're forgiven, just shut up!"

Ella stopped her pacing to look at the caring eyes of her sister. "Jayne, you are the best," she came forward, kissing Jayne's cheek.

"Good…" Charlie stood from the seat he had pulled up next to Jayne's bed. "I have to leave for just a minute…"

"Don't worry, Charlie, I'll keep her company and try not to talk her head off…"

"Dad?"

"Hiya Ella!" a cheerful voice saturated the phone cords. Yes, it was her father. "Tell me, how is it up there?"

"It's all right. It was snowing pretty hard when I came up the day before, and there was this terrible storm, but now it's all right, and the sun's out."

"And how's Janie?"

"Jayne's pretty sick. Although she's better now, she still has to keep to her bed. And how are things at home?"

"Your mother's whining to Grandpa Bennet about how her two daughters are stranded in the middle of New England, and Christmas is only a week away…but at night she's starting to read up those bride magazines…"

"Oh geez…Dad…"

"Just reporting the facts."

"How are you?"

"Holding up. Mary's a great joy. Don't know what happened, but she's more relaxed now, and she plays checkers with me now a lot. Brilliant girl. Never realized what a jewel she was."

Ella smiled. "No, I don't think any of us did…"

"Now, are you two going to be home for Christmas?"

"I don't know. It looks like Jayne may need a few more days to recover, and yet, I don't know if it'll still be okay to bring her out. And then, you know what the weather can be like up here…I have to say that we'll probably miss Christmas…"

"I'll make a wish for you on New Years…"

"DAD!!!!!!!"

"Be home as soon as you can. Bill Collins is driving me crazy…"

"On second thought, I might be home at around Easter…"

"Ella…"

"Take care, Dad."

"Love you, Ella."

As Ella hung up, she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. A Christmas without her family? Was it even possible?

She shook her head. Jayne will get better. She must.

But meanwhile, she had to find something to distract herself…and William Darcy was defnitely not going to be it.

"Oh can we?" Ana squealed, excited.

"I don't see why not. There's not a Christmas tree around the house, and if we wore snowshoes, I'm sure we could get around…there's this beautiful pine forest if you look from my window, and I'm sure we could find a tree in there, and we'll go into town and buy some ornaments…the ploughs are coming through right now, and I'm sure I can drive there, or we'll find someone who can if my car really is dead. And afterwards, if was still have time, we'll make our own tree decorations. I'm sure Charlie won't mind, and I bet he wanted to get a tree, but with Jayne and all…"

"Yeah! He did forget this year…he usually goes out exactly ten days before Christmas to get the tree, but he didn't do it…Caroline doesn't like Christmas trees because it's a hassle to hire the help to decorate, but if we decorate ourselves, I'm sure she won't mind…"

Ella wanted to roll her eyes. Of course Caroline would mind. She probably doesn't like Santa Claus because he would track chimney soot around the tree!

They found Charlie keeping Jayne company and informed him of their task. Glad that there was going to be a tree this year after all, he readily agreed. However, Ella refused his company. She told him to keep Jayne company while they went. He readily agreed to this as well.

Ella and Ana, however, did not let William off the hook.

"Oh William…" Ana came up to her brother, who sat in the day room, reading the latest edition of Time magazine. She knelt down next to his chair, and took his hand.

"What do you want now?" he asked her, with a teasing sarcasm.

Caroline sat across the room from him, slightly upset at having her morning interrupted by "Dumb and Dumbest". Don't get her wrong. She liked Ana, but…well, the girl could be an interference at times. Never knowing that she was interrupting a perfect scene for her and Will to talk.

Ella kept her tongue in cheek, and simply watched.

"Prof- I mean Ella and I are going to find a Christmas tree, and you need to help us chop it down and stuff…please with sugar and sprinkles and whipped cream with a cherry on top?" she teased.

William looked at Ana's glowing face. She looked like she did as a child. He looked at the woman who did this to his sister. Ella's eyes were glowing, and laughing. "I don't know…this could be really bad on my back…"

"Oh! Ella will surely give you a back rub, won't you?" she looked to Ella. "I can't give one very well, and I end up tensing up backs instead, but you gave me one once, and it was heavenly…"

Ella blushed.

"How about it, Ellayne? Toss in some of Ana's cocoa, and your back rub, and you've got yourself a deal."

"Well…" she stood considering.

"Ella…" Ana whined kiddingly.

"All right!" she smiled.

Caroline scoffed at the other end of the room. Her hands, on my Darcy!

"Caroline, wanna come along?" Ella asked.

She really wanted to say no. But there was challenge in the girl's eyes. Or was it a threat. Those eyes, some may have called them pretty, but Caroline saw there was a wicked enchantress in them. She'd go along, all right, to protect Darcy. "All right."

"Let's get up the snow gear, and then we'll get going, 'kay?" Ana smiled.

"I'm freezing!"

"Caroline. Did you really think that that coat was going to keep you warm?" Ana asked.

Concerned, Ella touched the pink beret on her head, and slowly took it off, as well as the matching scarf. "Here…." she walked toward Caroline. "Early Christmas gift…fashionable and warm…" she smiled, putting the beret on her head. "It's new. I just bought it…because I have a fetish for pretty hats, but you have it. It looks nice…with your hair and stuff…" All the flattery was not working, though. Caroline was trying to take off the beret.

William sighed, and joined Ella's campaign. "You know, Caroline, Ellayne's right. That pink is flattering with your eyes…and your hair…"

Caroline immediately stopped her struggle, and let Ella put it on her. Ella smiled to William thanking him, and they continued to walk. Caroline immediately took William's arm. "Will-eee-am, I'm so tired. How much further?"

"Christmas trees are special. We have to find the special tree…" Ana explained.

Ella veered off the path. Her ears were getting cold, and so was her neck, but was worth it, if it shut Caroline up…temporarily, anyway. She had dressed right anyway. After going back to her room to change, so put on long underwear, and a layer of sweatpants, and another layer of sweatpants. She wore five layers of shirts. Over all this, she wore snow pants, and a thick winter coat of goose down. She wore three layers of socks, and waterproof boots before putting on the snowshoes.

She looked like a snowman…

It appeared, from the huge figures of William and Ana, that they had done the same. Apparently, Caroline had not.

Now, she stopped, to take in the nice cold air. Her nose was cold. And she felt it. It would be bright red when they went in, as well as her ears, but it did not matter.

And then, she saw it.

"Oh my gosh! Come here!"

The others rushed to her side. "What is it now?" Caroline asked, as if Ella had been whining all this while.

"The perfect Christmas tree!" she ignored Caroline's remark.

It was tall…ten feet or so, and it would be horrible to carry, but not too large. The branches were perfect for garlanding and hanging things. "Come on! Ana, give me the ax!"

William shrugged off Caroline's grip, and walked toward Ella. "Let me chop it down…"

"But…" she trailed off…should she tell him that she thought he didn't know how to chop down trees?

As if he read her mind, he smiled, knowing he had the upper hand. "I've been chopping down the Christmas tree for myself and my sister since I was nine. I'll be able to handle this…"

She hesitatingly handed the ax to William. He did have a good upper body to do this…she supposed. A fine one at that.

She stood to the side, watching him carefully for any sign of fatigue or injury, but William expertly handled the ax, and chopped at the tree. She admitted that it would take twice the time for her to chop the tree, and he did it well.

"Caroline watch out!" Ella screamed, taking Caroline's arm out of the way as the tree fell to the forest floor.

Caroline shivered, and looked to Ella. "Th…Thank you…"

"Don't mention it. Let's get going…" Ella smiled, dropping the moment of tension. She knew it hurt her ego. They started to each take part of the tree to put on the sled they had brought along. "Let's bring this to store outside, while we go pick up some decorations in town…"

"Oh, that's beautiful!" Ella gestured to the small angel ornaments. "I think we should get some of those."

They had all gotten here in Ella's beat-up little car, and now, they were roaming the mall together. After they had arrived, they had promptly split up for an hour, to shop on their own, but now they were together to buy ornaments.

Ella had taken the hour to buy small gifts for Charlie, Caroline, Ana, and even William. Jayne's present waited at home, and they would celebrate Christmas there again with their family. Her father had sworn no one would open their presents until the girls came back. Lyddie was very depressed. But she dealt with it, when Mary offered to take her shopping.

Now, they stood in front of a glass case at Hallmark. William stood next to her, as Caroline had not yet come back. Ana was resting her feet at a bench at the meeting spot to wait for Caroline, and the two had gone in together to start earlier, after Ana advised them to.

"Those?" he said, pointing to some fat jolly bears, frowning.

"No!" she laughed. She took his hand by the wrist and pointed to the Angels.

He looked down at her with a warm gaze. She wanted to melt.

"Oh…" they heard a sigh. They both turned to see a young woman with stars in her eyes.

"I'm sorry…" she sighed. "It's just that I always get this kick when I see a couple so much in love. Is this your first Christmas together?"

"We're not-"

"-married yet, but engaged, and we're getting married Christmas Eve…" William expertly put a hand around Ella's waist, kissing her cheek.

Ella blushed. "William…" she looked at the young woman, whose eyes were still so hopeful. Shatter that look? "William, dear, oh, what can I do?" she asked the girl. "I love him, but he's just so impossible. Kissing me all the time in public! He made the crowd at the wedding rehearsal blush to their hair roots earlier."

The girl smiled, reassured that all was right in the world when there were people that were in love with each other as much as these two were in love with each other.

As she turned away, Ella walked away from Will's grasp, and looked back at the ornaments. "Why did you let her believe that we in love?" she began, quietly, conversationally.

"Why did you?" he asked back.

"I can't really contradict you…" she blushed. "She would have been confused. So why did you lie?"

"Did you see her eyes? She wanted to hear it. She wanted to believe, and for once, I thought that she deserved a little glimmer of hope that love existed…"

"But you don't know if it does…"

"Oh, I know it does…"

"…said the man who never fell in love before…" Ella laughed. "Come on, I want to get those angels, and we have to find a clerk to open the case…they'll be nice for the tree, but on the expensive side of ornaments…"

"Consider it a wedding present…" he teased, taking her hand, and bringing her to a clerk.

"No! You're not supposed to eat the popcorn!" Ella rolled her eyes at William.

"It tastes better than it looks. I say eat the popcorn and forget the garlands. We have enough decorations to last forever, and with Charlie's own decorations that we found in the basement, we don't need popcorn garlands."

"NO! I've never had a tree without a popcorn garland. We're going to make one, if I have to tape your mouth shut!"

"Personally, I don't think popcorn garlands are very fashionable. They are so…primitive…" Caroline yawned, lounging.

Ella sipped at the hot cocoa Ana had just made for them. "It's tradition. No one argues with tradition."

The unadorned tree was sitting in the middle of the room, since they had moved it in after coming back from their shopping expedition.

Ana entered, carrying another bowl of popcorn. "I made some more popcorn. And William, we're running the kitchen out, so you've got to stop eating the popcorn!"

He sighed, finally giving up the bowl in his lap to Ella. She smiled back, triumphant.

Ana immediately took the bowl from Ella's hands, and too the garland as well, sitting down at a chair. "I'll take over. Let's see. I made the hot cocoa. You now owe William his back rub."

The words just seemed like some mandate to die. Give William Darcy a back rub?

Her face became an unhealthy shade of crimson in the firelight, but Ana persisted. Finally, she made William sit in front of her, and looked out the window as she started to knead his shoulders.

"Ellayne, I now worship you…" he sighed, smiling.

Her fingers were tingling, and she felt…warm. Concentrating on the window, she frowned.

Aware of some tension in her fingers, he turned halfway back. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. It looks like the weather's getting bad all over again…I know it's supposed to get dark around now, since we're approaching evening and all, but the weather doesn't look good…" As she said this, there was a steady snowfall.

Caroline laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, Ella Bennet, it was just fine a few hours ago…"

"I don't know…" Ana started to say. "I was in the kitchen, with the popcorn, and the radio guy said something about a sleet and hail storm heading our way right now."

"It's just a gentle snowfall…" Caroline smirked.

"At any rate, we're going to finish this tree!" Ana proclaimed, determined.

"Then finish up the garland…" William sighed. "After that, we can add everything else…" Ella's hands must have had fairy dust on them!

Part 8

Posted on Thursday, 20-Aug-98

Christmas Eve, and I'm still here!

Ella sighed, looking out the window.

The bright side was that Jayne was feeling much better, and the storm had passed over, and ended yesterday morning.

But the bad news was the Charlie was persisting that the girls stay over Christmas. And Ella didn't want to. Because the weather was finally all right, and everything was fine. And seeing that it was Christmas, the traffic on the highways wouldn't be bad, now, would it?

But of course, Charlie, being the magnanimous person he was…

But this time, Ella persisted with a passion.

Yesterday, she had tried watching Pride and Prejudice with her sister, and Ana…which ended being a spoof, because William and Charlie soon joined them.

Jayne and Charlie sat on the floor in front of the easy chair.

Ana, with the bowl of popcorn, had sat between Ella and William on the couch, which gave them a good buffer.

But then, Ana left, saying she wanted to make some hot cocoa…seeing that it was, after all, only George Wickham on the screen, whining, and she had seen this before.

The minute Ana had left, Ella had felt that sinking feeling in her stomach. Her stomach fell, but all around her heat welled up.

And to her mortification, when William reached for some popcorn, which was now resting in her lap. She had jumped, and overturned the bowl of popcorn, which landed on his head, upside down.

Ana came back, and laughed, taking the bowl from her brother, saying she'd pop some more, but she'd take a little longer.

William had looked Ella, who shrugged, and blamed his sudden movement.

And when Ana came back, she sat on the other side of William, and therefore, he had to move close to her. Sitting in the middle, Ana gave him the bowl of popcorn.

She felt odd, reaching into his lap for popcorn, and soon lost her appetite for it altogether. She spent the rest of the movie watching William out of the corner of her, and missed the whole thing altogether…

She now was angry. Ella, you are an idiot! I'm leaving here as soon as I can, regardless of what other people say. The trip home is long overdue!

"Are you sure?" Charlie asked her, over the breakfast table.

"Yes, I know tomorrow is Christmas and all, but I'd really like to surprise my father and show up…the whole family's practically resolved to celebrate Christmas after Valentine's Day!" Ella smiled.

Ana smiled. "Geez, I wish our family was that nice. We were supposed to be at Aunt Catherine's for Christmas, but the weather got back, and now that small dinky airport half an hour away is closed down for the next week. But then again, we wouldn't miss much, anyway…just another formality."

Aunt Catherine, and her formalities? Ella's face paled. No, I didn't just hear that…

"But, then…" Charlie was still arguing. "But we still have presents to exchange…"

"That's why I thought we'd leave early tomorrow. After opening presents and breakfast. I'm quite resolved," Ella smiled.

"But your car won't make the journey…" Ana kept on protesting. "It's almost on empty anyway."

"We'll manage…" Ella said.

"No. I insist that you stay."

"Please. I miss my family…" Ella said, quietly.

"Then…I insist that my driver take you in one of my limousines. That way, you'll be safely escorted there. I insist upon that, at least."

Listening to that, Ella couldn't help but feel relief. That was not a bad idea. Not at all. "But, I don't want to trouble you, and the driver would not feel kind to you, considering you're taking away his Christmas with his family."

"My driver's celebrated Chanukah with his family two or three weeks ago. I assure you, it's no problem."

Ella wanted to laugh. Was this too good to be true?

"Please, if you're going to leave, accept my transportation. I don't want to take chances…"

"Well…" Ella considered.

"Say yes…"

"Yes."

"So we're leaving tomorrow. You might want to start packing this afternoon when you can."

Jayne's smile faded slightly, but she smiled more after thinking. "Home? With dad, and everyone?"

"Yes…" Ella smiled. "I can't wait to see the expressions on their faces. I haven't told them I'm coming back, so we're surprising them…"

Jayne smiled, letting go of her crutch, and getting down to the snow, as she attempted to roll up another ball, for the snowman's head.

Ella laughed. "You're too gentle with the snow. Do you think the snow's going to cry out in pain? Just pack it up and roll it!"

Jayne frowned, she looked at her sister, mischievously. She threw a bunch of loose snow in Ella's face.

Ella coughed, and used her mittens to wave the snow away from her face, as her sister pushed her into the show.

Ella still did not have a new hat, or scarf, so it was easy for Jayne to stuff snow down her collar.

"Jayne!" Ella yelled, voice muffled by snow. She took some snow in her mittened hand and flipped her sister off her back, and started to shove snow down her back.

"Fear not, fair lady…" Ella heard another voice. Charlie…

She scooped some more snow, and turned around, taking aim, and threw it at Charlie. He ducked, but it hit Ana, who was following him out here, unaware of a snow fight.

She was made aware when snow hit her neck, though.

She was also very aware her British literature professor was responsible, though at this moment, her British Literature professor was being shoved into the snow by her sister, who had this huge cast on with a bundle of large socks around the foot.

Ana laughed, and took some snow in her hands.

Ella, at this point, realized she was outnumbered and fought tough. She took snow and threw it in her sister's face. She started to run, and hid behind the snowman, only to be hit on the back with a snowball, but Ana. "Do you want to pass Brit Lit or not?" she asked her student, laughing.

Ana laughed as well, and took up another snowball, and threw it at Ella, "This is for all those long hours I had to stay up working on that paper you only gave me an A- on!"

"Glad there are no hard feelings…" Ella smiled, taking a snowball, and throwing at Ana.

"ACHOOOOOO!!!"

"It's only right, after going out into the snow without a hat or scarf on…" Ana scolded her gently, giving her a box of tissues.

Ella's nose was bright red, and her voice nasal. "Hey, I can still easily change my grade from the D- you currently have to an F."

"What a poor sport…" Ana smiled, as she handed her a mug of hot cocoa.

Ella sat, shivering in front of the fire, unlacing her boots.

William currently came in. "Ella, what happened?"

"Ask your sister, who was formerly my best student…" Ella said, in between sneezes.

"You didn't catch a cold, did you? I thought you wanted to go home tomorrow."

"I did, and I still will. Once I warm up, I'll be all right…" Ella persisted, still trying to get her frozen fingers to unknot her shoelaces.

"I take it it was a snow fight?" William looked to his sister.

"She started it…" Ana said, whiningly.

"Here, let me…" he knelt in front of her. She promptly tried to kick him out of the way, but he took a firm hold in her foot, and started unlacing her boots.

Once he had gotten her feet out, he started to massage some warmth back into her feet, and Ella thought she was walking on clouds. "Oh my gosh that's so good!"

"Just relax, and we'll have you better in no time…"

Oof!

Something on her stomach.

Ella opened her eyes slowly. Ana sat on her bed, a childish grin on her face. "It's still dark outside, Ana, go back to bed…"

"But it's still technically Christmas!" Ana whined.

Ella felt much better now, having tasted some of William's expertly made chicken soup, and having slept since 8:00 last night. Ella sat up in bed, and smiled to Ana. "Really? You're not joking me?"

"Look…" Ana gestured to the clock on the wall.

Ella liked digital clocks simply because they were readable even in darkness, and because you didn't have to think much when you read them. However, of course, it was a round little clock face that smiled at her when she finally turned on the light at her bedside.

It was 3 a.m.

"ALL RIGHT!!! CHIRSTMAS!!!" Ella jumped out of her bed. "Let's go wake everyone up…"

William had been dreaming of white Christmases and a beautiful wife named Ellayne when he was rudely pushed out of his dream by an unearthly clanging sound. He slowly got out of bed, and looked out to see two girls, both clad in sweats, running up and down the hallways, banging pots and pans. "Will you shut up?" he growled at them.

Ella went to him, and made a kissy face, as she took his unshaven chin in her hands. "Good morning sweetie pie. It's Christmas!!!!!"

William wanted to swear, but the idea of it being Christmas had definite appeal.

Ana and Ella ran up and down the halls some more before rushing down the stairs to the tree.

Standing impatiently, they looked at the stairs to see a slow rising bunch.

"Let's make the coffee…" Ella smiled to Ana.

"Okay, can we open presents now?" Ana whined.

"Just wait for Caroline…" Jayne sighed. "Just one more person, and we'll start."

By now, everyone sat downstairs, excited, and still in their pajamas.

Finally, Caroline arrived, all dressed in her olive green sweater and pink silk pants. She looked showered and all done up in makeup as well. Ella frowned, looking at the camera in her lap, which Jayne had brought previously for her ski trip with the Binglyns. Guess I can't get the blackmail pictures…

"All right, Caroline's here. I'll hand out presents."

Ella greedily took her presents from Ana. The first she received was surprisingly large, from Caroline.

The card was of a pretty landscape, and Ella smiled as she read the words. "Thank you again for your scarf. Caroline Bingley." She looked up to smile widely at Caroline, who smiled uncomfortably back. She tore apart the paper to smile widely. A dark red beret and a matching scarf…she smiled brightly to Caroline.

Caroline fidgeted a little, and smiled nervously. "Ana thought the color would look good on you…"

Ella jumped up and practically ran to Caroline and hugged her, who hugged her stiffly. "Thank you," she kissed her cheek. "You're so sweet!"

Caroline opened her present from Ella to find a beautiful silk scarf, of sea green color, with white water lilies on. It was done in a watercolor style, and Caroline's eyes brightened. Ella knew the color would work well with Caroline's hair and eyes. And didn't Caroline know it. "This is beautiful, Ella…" she walked over with a genuine smile, and hugged her stiffly.

Ella was touched by the effort, though. She knew that buying her that scarf was worth it, even though when she bought it, she thought perhaps otherwise. She smiled at the pile of presents at her spot.

Across the room, Ana had finished distributing presents, and had promptly opened the present from Ella first. She opened to find a delicate music box, with light blue flowers painted on the outside. When she opened it, a couple in regency fashion danced inside, and a minuet played a tinkling melody. The inside was lined with a marigold color satin. "It's adorable!" she went to her professor, and hugged her.

The card from Ana had a little fairy sitting under the shelter of a pine tree. Inside, it read, "Thank you for everything. When I saw this, I thought of you…"

She opened the small box to find a snow globe with a countryside of undoubtedly England, and an elegant manor rested on a small hill. The craft was well done, and she smiled to Ana. "You know what I love…come here. I want to give you a hug!"

Charlie had given her a box of really expensive truffles, and Ella guessed it to be a matter of courtesy, because they did not know each other well...in fact, she knew Caroline better than she knew Charlie. But he knew her tastes very well. These were her favorites, and she'd have to hoard them when she got home…her mother and sister Lyddie loved them as well. She had bought him a silk necktie of navy silk with snowflakes of cream color. So, she estimated, they were about even. She hoped. Those truffles were awfully expensive.

However, she saw the small box he gave Jayne and she saw Jayne's face brighten as she took out a bracelet of silver bells. She smiled softly as she saw her try it on.

Shaking her head, she moved to the door to get to the kitchen to start on making breakfast.

She was stopped at the door by William.

"Thank you for your gift…" he said.

She had bought him some gold angel cufflinks on a whim, simply to remind him of their Hallmark scene, seeing that she couldn't decide outside of that, what she wanted to buy him. "It was nothing…"

"And this is for you…" he said, taking out a small wrapped box as well.

She looked at him. To big for a ring, but some type of jewelry. Oh god. He bought me jewelry and the best I could do was cufflinks?

She hesitatingly ripped apart the paper to reveal a velvet box. She opened it carefully to almost drop her gift. What is that?

That was a silver necklace, and on the chain, a silver snowflake pendant, the size of an American Half Dollar piece, with a diamond at the heart. He turned it to the back, and read a small inscription. "Wedding present…"

She looked up at him, eyes widened. She was seriously ready to faint. "This is too expensive…you've got to be kidding me. Where's my real present? This is a joke, right?"

William smiled shyly. "No joke. I thought it would look nice on you."

"Oh, Ella! Will!"

Ella jumped away from William, as if caught in the act of stealing a cookie from the jar. She looked to Charlie. "What?"

"You're under the mistletoe!"

Ella's color rose. No, not now. She looked up, and saw the cursed sprig of holiday "cheer" cheerfully dangling away.

She reluctantly tiptoed to plant a kiss on his cheek.

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Come on, William Darcy. Let's see a real Christmas kiss!"

Will took her in her arms suddenly, and before she knew it, her lips were locked in William's, and she didn't want to push away.

Chocolate, clouds, sunshine, smiles…Ella couldn't get her mind clear. She felt dizzy as William's kiss took over her mind. The floaty feeling, of not really being there. Was this her, in the arms of a handsome man on Christmas day?

She kissed him back unwittingly, and put her arms around his neck putting herself into his embrace. She felt his hands on her back, gently massaging away her thoughts.

Finally, William reluctantly let her go. His eyes were dark, and so were hers, and the moment their eyes met, William let her know that she was never going to get away from him.

"We're here. Wake up, Jayne."

Jayne whined in her sleep and Ella shook her harder. "Come on. Let's go in. Technically, it's still Christmas, but it won't be if we wait another half hour or so…"

Jayne tiredly got out of the limo, and smiled to Ella. "Home…"

"Yes, home." Away from him…finally…

The driver helped them with their bags, and they walked up the icy steps and rang the doorbell. Not surprisingly, there was still lots of noise on the other side of the door, despite the late hour.

Kitty opened the door. "Oh you're home!" she fell into her sisters' arms. "I'm so glad!"

"We wanted to surprise you…"

"It's not as big as Mary's surprise, though…" Lyddie smiled, coming up behind her sister and hugging her sisters.

"What do you mean?" Jayne asked, looking at Ella.

Ella shrugged. "I bet it has something to do with her happy mood, though…"

"And mother's practically flipping!" Kitty gushed to her.

"Mary's engaged?" Ella concluded.

Her question went unanswered as Mary came through the hall and hugged her sisters. Ella was shocked to see that Mary's dark hair was cut stylishly, and she wore a pretty burgundy sweater and jeans. Mary never wore jeans, and these were cut to make her figure slim and appealing. "We missed you so much here."

"We missed you…"

"If you had time, what with all that exhausting husband-catching…" Mary teased.

Jayne laughed, confused at her sister's light humor. Ella smiled to her sister, as Mary started to walk back down the hall. "I told you she's changed."

Francis Bennet's voice could suddenly be heard saturating the walls of the house. "They're home? What do you mean they're home? They're supposed to be in that rich house up in New Hampshire!"

An exasperated Michael Bennet came through the hallway. "I'm so glad you're home girls." Ella threw herself into her father's arms, and Jayne followed. "Now come, and see Mary's surprise…"

"All this about a surprise…what is it?"

Ella followed her father, who had his arm around Jayne, who was still walking with a crutch.

As they entered, Mary smiled to them. Next to her was a young man with dark golden hair and blue eyes. "Ella, Jayne, I'd like you to meet my fiancee. He teaches at West Point…Richard Fitzwilliam."

Ella's foolish smile at the handsome, fit young man faded. "Y-you wouldn't h-happen to be a c-c-colonel, would you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, he is!" Francis Bennet smiled. "And yet, still so young. Ah, my new son in law is so accomplished and handsome, isn't he, Ella? Ella?"

But it was too late. Ellayne Anne Bennet was had fainted.

Part 9

Posted on Monday, 24-Aug-98

"Ella? Are you all right?" Jayne's concerned eyes were the first thing that Ella could see when she opened her eyes.

She gave a shaky smile which was taken as, "Yes".

"Ella, what is going on? You've been acting so strange…"

Ella slowly sat up in her bed…in her room, in her house, and she felt a feeling of home. It was in the air, which was a mixture of Jayne's sweet vanilla, Lyddie's cheap perfume, Kitty's fragrant aloe lotion, her mother's way too expensive perfume, her father's cigar smoke, and a rich fragrance she could only define as the new Mary.

Mary.

Mary's fiancee.

My sister's marrying the colonel!

Ella put a hand to her head, rubbing her temples.

"I told mother that you were just very tired. But she's concerned, and Mary's so worried and confused, and the poor Colonel thinks you're afraid of him…"

Well, YES! I am!

"Oh, Ella, Mary's so wonderfully pretty now." Jayne started to gush. "Did you see her hair? Before, she always wore her hair so long and always tied back carelessly into that ponytail. But that cut is so chick, and she's wearing makeup and the right colors for her complexion. She looks so beautiful! And she's acting so differently now. It has to be the colonel!"

"I guess so…" Ella sighed.

"What's wrong with the colonel?"

"Well…you know…Jayne. Have you noticed something really odd with our lives lately?"

"Like what, other than the fact that our sister's been replaced and we haven't been at home?"

"Well, for instance…Charlie Binglyn…well…and his sister Caroline…and a friend named William Darcy with a sister named Georgiana. And Charlie happens to teach at a Netherfield. And we're Bennet sisters. There are five of us, who happened to be named very closely to the characters of P&P. Let's see. Ellayne, Elizabeth. Jayne, Jane. Mary, Mary. Katrina, who is called Kitty, Katherine, who is called Kitty. And of course, Lydia, and Lydia. And three of us are at Longbourne University, and William teaches at Pemberley and now we meet a Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

Jayne's forehead crinkled. "Ella, don't be ridiculous! There's no George Wickham…"

"We don't know that for sure…besides, that's getting ahead of the plot…" Ella said.

"And the colonel isn't getting ahead of us in the plot? Our lives are not dictated by the book. They're what we make of them. Yes, there is a strange feeling that we are living Jane Austen, but you must remember, a book's a book. It's fiction. It only gets as real as we make it."

Ella looked at her sister. "Jayne, are you crazy? Sure, the Mary Bennet in the book wasn't that stellar, but ours wasn't either, until…well, she met someone."

"And the Mary Bennet in the book didn't fall for a Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, did she?" Jayne asked, rationally.

"No, she didn't," Ella quietly admitted. "But Jayne, don't you feel like you're missing something? After all, all these weird coincidences are not healthy, for anyone."

Jayne sat down on the bed with her, as she saw a silver chain dangle from her sister's neck. She took the silver pendant between her fingers. "This…" she said to Ella, playing with the snowflake in her fingers, "…is not any kind of written literature. This is a handsome, interesting, sweet young man who is honestly interested in you. I think it's romantic that you're living the life of Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, but also remember that you live the life of Ellayne Bennet as well, and Ellayne can decide what happens in her life. And who she falls in love with."

Ella looked at her sister.

Jayne got up from the bed and started to pace. She asked her, "You like him, don't you?"

Ella looked at Jayne. "Jayne, of course I like William. He's everything you said he was, and more, but Jayne, look at the impossibilities…the distance, his level of society. And what about that strange Aunt that we heard about? I swear it's Aunt Cathy!"

"Maybe you should learn something from Elizabeth Bennet after all…" Jayne went to the door. "I'm going downstairs. When you're ready to meet your sister's fiancee, come down as well."

"But Mary…the students at Longbourne think you're a great teacher…albeit a little to enthusiastic about math, but a good teacher…"

Mary smiled softly to Ella. They sat before a fire, and Jayne smiled, as she brushed Ella's hair. Lyddie lay sprawled out on the couch, and Kitty was playing solitaire at the coffee table and listening at the same time.

"Ella, I love Richard. I want to be with him. I'll be going to West Point with him next fall. I'm finishing up there year at Longbourne. But after, well, Ella, I'm in love…" Mary's face bloomed with warmth and a contentment.

Ella looked at her sister, who sat across the couch from her. "I just met you, Mary Bennet…I was hoping we'd be able to get to know each other."

"You always knew me, Ella, even if the others didn't necessarily. I never showed myself, because I didn't know what would happen in the family. Being the one in the middle isn't easy…especially being in between mother and father. I guess I never fit in with anybody, until I met Richard. And once I met him, well…" she smiled sheepishly.

"Well, how did you meet him, anyway?" Ella asked.

"I was at West Point, visiting a friend of mine from college. Also, I was offered a teaching position there as well. And even though I wasn't enthusiastic about it, I thought it time that I left Longbourne. After all, at the college, Jayne was the pretty Bennet, you were the witty one, and I was the gritty one. Around that time, I thought it was time to find myself. My teachings weren't that bad, so I was invited to West Point.

"And when I got to West Point, I mean, sure it's strict, but I thought it was fascinating, the people that were there. They possess that…that extra something that makes them fight. I don't know. I was interested, and I was touring the campus when I met Richard. The first time I saw him, he was running with his some of his students, and so informally dressed that I thought he was a student himself.

"He acted so above the station of student that I thought he had a huge ego, so I immediately did not like him, and I just told him so, like you do to guys sometimes. He gave me a look. I think he was laughing on the inside. I was dressed in a navy blue suit, and my glasses were sliding down my nose, and my hair was, well, never mind. Well, then my friend introduced me, and I nearly fell over myself in shame and surprise.

"Of course, I started to avoid him, but he, for some reason, was interested. And he took me to dinner at the house of the president of the university. When I found out that he was my escort, I nearly slammed the door in his face, because I thought that I'd embarrassed myself enough. Plus, my friend made me buy a new dress, so I looked different, and felt awkward. Actually, though, it was a pretty dress. And so, he took me there, and he engaged me into a really bad topic that I feel strongly about. I don't even remember what it is now, but I remember talking on forever in front of him. And I never did that before. When I was finished, he was still watching me, and well, then…" Mary sighed, hugging herself. "Ella, he makes me feel so beautiful, and interesting, and intelligent. I feel exquisite when I'm around him. Special. I mean, I've never felt that way before, to be listened to, so closely."

Ella smiled, tears in her eyes. It was so beautiful. She was so happy for her sister. To finally find that understanding that she had sought. She hugged her sister. "I'm sorry I ever looked the other way."

Mary smiled. "It's all right. You didn't know. I never said anything."

"I'm just glad Richard saw it."

"I always ask myself why I was so lucky, and he always looks at me, and says that…" Mary blushed. "He says that he looked at me, and saw a wink."

"Am I interrupting?" Richard stood at the doorway.

"No, Rich. Come on in. Meet Laynie!" Lyddie enthused.

"She won't faint this time, will she?"

"Oh no…" Ella smiled. "It's just that you reminded me of someone."

"Oh, that's all."

"Mary was just telling us how you met…"

"Did you get the part where I saw a goddess inside your glasses?"

Ella felt her heart just well up as he put his arms about Mary's middle.

He spoke to Ella, though his eyes were still on Mary. "She looked so adorable and proper, standing in front of me, berating me for acting so "belligerent", she said. But there was something inside her, too, that was just so beautiful, and she didn't seem to see it herself, from the way she was walking around. So, I thought I ought to take matters in my own hands, and pulled a few strings with the president, and got her to be my date for one evening…"

Mary laughed. Ella nearly jumped. The laugh was beautiful. It reminded her of rubies. Just hearing it made her feel rich as well. It was wonderful to see her sister so happy, and so beautiful and so perfectly true now.

Mary Bennet did not even look like Mary Bennet anymore.

"So when's the wedding?"

"Valentine's Day," Mary said, happily.

"Oh," Ella sighed. "You are too romantic for my tastes!" she smiled.

"Oh Ella, you look beautiful!" Mary sighed. "I'm glad you agreed to be a bridesmaid. You were always my favorite sister…there were times when I saw you trying, very hard to get to me, and I didn't realize until now…oh, Ella." She hugged her sister.

Mary wore cream, embroidered with gold thread. And pearls.

"You look like a princess with that pearl and lace veil," Ella played with the chiffon.

"And you look like a valentine in that dark red velvet. I'm so glad I decided that all my bridesmaids wear that color. And I love the regency style!" she played with Ella's curls. "You look nice. Rich's best man is going to flip when he sees you! So you're sure that you don't mind showing Rich's best man around tonight? I mean, Jayne can too, or Maria…but I thought you were the wittiest, and Rich said his friend likes witty interesting women…"

"Hey, I don't have a date, do I?" Ella laughed, feeling a pit in her stomach. She wasn't even asked, by William…

She had spent the last two tortuous months deleting his messages from her answering machine, and taking in the killing looks from her sister. She liked him, but why start something that would be nipped in the bud anyhow? And most of all, it was her life, wasn't it? And she was going to decide what happened. As romantic as it would be if he did end up marrying her, they were still rather…different. Though she was tempted to argue that his kiss could make up for all of that…and the flowers he sent! A single rose always sat on her desk when she got into her office each day. She'd smell it, treasure the feeling of being admired, and then get on through the day.

The man's persistent, but regardless, I'm not going to let a book dictate my life. And it'd never work out, anyhow. After all, he's got this…this…well. He's way to perfect. And though I do interest him now, I know his type. He'll drop his fancy for me once he gets to me. He doesn't love me or anything… Ah, there was the sting! He didn't love her. He was stranded with her in a house for a week, and made the most of that week. And he had tricked himself into thinking that she was good for him. And he didn't even ask her out on Valentine's Day…he didn't even ask her what she was doing, or if she was going out with anyone that evening. But then again, she never let him get more than her answering machine.

She was relieved to find out that Richard Fitzwilliam did not have a cousin named William Darcy. She had guardedly asked Mary questions about his family and found that Richard was an only child. His parents each had two siblings each, and their children were still too young to even go to high school. She took pains to see the guest list and found that William Darcy's name appeared nowhere. Jayne was right…Ella had concluded, to her relief and disappointment.

So now she was set up for a blind date on Valentine's Day. "I imagine that the colonel's best friend is some major in the army, just as handsome…" Ella teased.

"Oh no, Rich's best friend is from his childhood. They were next door neighbors."

Ella looked up at Mary. "Really?"

"Yes. Rich won't stop talking about him."

"Well, I can't wait to meet him. Any friend of Rich's is a friend of mine."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Mary said. "I only wish Rich's best man could have been here for the rehearsal. But I am told he's a very busy guy…"

"I guess so…" Ella said, continuing to absently fix the roses in her hair. "Well, I'm all done, are you?"

"I hope so…"

"Let's see. Something old."

"Check. I'm wearing the heirloom pearl earrings…"

"Something new."

"The gown," Mary replied. "And before you ask, I'm wearing something blue, but it's not showing."

Ella gave her the look, appraising Mary's trim, elegant figure. Her sister never looked so lovely. And there was an extra air in her that smelled like velvet chocolate, and candlelight… "Well, that leaves something borrowed."

"Uh-oh…I was going to borrow Maria's bracelet, but Maria hasn't given it to me…"

"Wait here."

She rushed down the halls. "Maria!"

Maria poked her head out of a room, and smiled at Ella. "What's wrong?"

"Something borrowed. I need your bracelet…"

Maria's face dawned then died.

Ella understood and just went running back the hall to Mary's room. "She doesn't have it."

Mary's eyes widened.

"Don't panic, though. I have an idea…" Ella reached into the collar of her dress to draw out a silver chain that lay underneath.

"I've seen you wear that thing everywhere," Mary smiled, marveling in the way it caught the light. "What's it say on the snowflake? Wedding present? Where'd you get this?"

"A friend," Ella said. "Just put it on. And make sure I get it back as soon as I can…I'm, well, I'm rather attached to that piece."

Mary smiled, as she put it on. Ella looked critically, but shook her head, "The silver goes against the whole pearl and creamy motif you have, so you'll have to tuck it under your dress…"

Mary quickly tucked it in, and Ella left the room in relief, to find her mother. Going down the hallway of the Bennet household, she passed Jayne, and kissed her on the cheek. "Darling, you look beautiful…"

Jayne wore the same dress that Ella did, because they were both bridesmaids, and she looked critically at Ella. "You do know that Mary chose the dress that would look best on you. And she's right. You're stunning."

"You look just as beautiful, and you should see Maria!"

"But you're the maid of honor…"

"I only wish the title fit me more. Mary and I have been close, but…"

"Mary has opened up to you more than anyone else in this family, and over the past one and half months, I've seen you two think of everything possible under the sun to talk about. If you only saw the way she looks at you. She's always looked up to you, Ella, and you never threw her aside, like mother did…" Jayne said, straightening up Ella's dress.

Lydia came rushing by with Kitty. "We're almost off. Mother's about to leave, but she's with Mary right now."

"And Dad?"

"Still getting ready, but he's leaving with you…" Lydia said. "After all, he's going with you, Jayne, Mary, and Maria."

"Right. I should call the chapel…" Ella looked at Jayne.

Kitty laughed. "Ella, will you relax? I already did, and Rich and his best man are waiting for us to go. We'll see you walk down the aisle."

"All right…" Ella hugged her sisters, careful not to kiss their cheeks with the red lipstick she now wore.

They waved and went to grab their coats, and walk out the door.

Their mother came through the halls later about a minute later. "All right, I guess I'm ready to leave. I'll see you girls later…" She gently touched a gloved hand to her rouged mouth, and pressed them to the girl's foreheads.

She happily closed the door behind her.

Jayne and Ella laughed. "She is entirely too happy." Jayne laughed.

"Her daughter snared one!" Ella smiled. "How do you think she'd be? After all, Richard Fitzwilliam is not only handsome, intelligent, and charming, but he's also a Fitzwilliam! A rich only child…not bad, huh?"

Jayne laughed. "Oh Ella, I'm gong to be sick…besides, Rich is very sweet."

Ella laughed. "Wait…where's Charlie? I thought you two were going out tonight."

"He's flying in this afternoon. We're having dinner together. Hmm…getting married on Valentine's Day, I think that's marvelous of Mary to do so! After such a dull life, she's taking full advantage of her life now. It's amazing just how many things she'll do now that she didn't do before!"

"So is Charlie coming to Longbourne in the fall?"

"Yes. He's got the papers signed, and he's all set."

Ella smiled excitedly to her sister. "I'm happy for you…"

Jayne blushed, and looked at her dark satin high-heels. "Be happy for Longbourne. We needed a good professor…"

"And you need a good husband…" she teased.

Jayne looked at her sister, eyes widened.

"You just keep that surprised look. It may work when he presents you with the ring."

"We're late…" Ella's father looked at his pocket watch, which Ella, Jayne, and Mary had presented to him with on his fiftieth birthday.

Ella laughed. "Daddy, you always put your watch ten minutes fast anyway…"

Mary looked at her watch. "Oh my gosh! Daddy's right. We are late…"

Ella turned from the window of the limo to look at her watch. "It's only two forty. The ceremony begins at three. Don't worry. We can do without the fifteen minute prep time…besides, Mary…" she spoke comfortingly. "No matter what happens today, you will be married to Richard Fitzwilliam, regardless of when. He's crazy about you, and if you arrive a year late, he'd still be at that altar, waiting. You're a very lucky girl to find that kind of love…"

Mary smiled through tears at her sister. "I know."

"She's fifteen minutes late…" William whispered.

"Don't worry, she will show."

"Okay, let me get this straight…" William said, as they continued to shake hands with other people in the lobby of the chapel. "This woman, Mary Bennet, that's her name? She came to West Point exactly five months ago, and you fell in love with her. You, proclaimed bachelor of the nation, fell in love within minutes of seeing her, and you pursued her until she said yes?"

"Ain't love grand?" Rich smiled to his best man.

"She must be a very special woman, Rich."

"She is, and you'll see. I'll introduce you to some of the family."

"Isn't it enough that I have to go out with her sister tonight?"

"William, are you absolutely sure that you don't have anyone else in mind for tonight?"

A month ago, after he'd finally returned to his office at Pemberley, he had noticed a letter from his best friend from childhood, Richard Fitzwilliam. It was postmarked a week before Christmas. It was then a whole two weeks after New Years. The news may have been old, but it's effect was not lessened a bit. Richard Fitzwilliam was going to get married to some girl he met on campus?

He immediately called Rich, to find that the girl was a professor who was transferring there, and that she had a darling of a sister he just had to meet, and would William please consider going out with her on the night of the wedding? William, of course, courteously agreed, although he knew that he'd already found the love of his life…

And then he found out that the wedding was on Valentine's Day…and he was going out with this girl that night! He was livid. But he didn't want to ruin his friend's happy mood. After all, Rich was very tense when William had called him in the first place…after all, Rich wondered whether his best man was actually still alive or not, having not heard a reply in weeks. And so, William very unhappily kept up the idea of going out on Valentine's Day with some woman he didn't know. What was worse, he was in Ella's hometown for the wedding.

He'd spent the whole of last night wondering whether or not she'd be at the wedding. But Rick was too busy to ask, and he was left pretty much on his own. But he'd find out, soon enough.

Rick now pulled on his arm to bring to his attention an aging lady, and two young ladies with her. They were sitting up on the front pew of church and all William could see was their backs, but he got the idea. "There's her mother, and two of her sisters. They're the youngest, and I haven't spent much time with them. However, I have spent some time dining with her two older sisters. When I visit my fiancee at her campus, we always eat with her sisters at least once. They're so wonderful, Will. That's why I know you'll love the oldest sister. I know yesterday, when I picked you up at the airport we hadn't much time to talk, but I'll reassure you that you'll love her. And you'll love my fiancee…my wife…" he grinned sheepishly.

At this moment, Rich's eyes flashed happily. "There's my future father in law. Hello! Is Mary here?"

"Yes, she and the girls are all preparing now, and I suggest you get up to the altar. Where's your best man? He has to escort-"

"Mike, calm down. He's right here."

Michael smiled to William. "Hey, I'm Mike, your friend's future father in law …"

"Will Darcy, your future son in law's friend."

"Nice to meet you…" He took William's friend. "Now William you will escort my daughter, the maid of honor to the altar, and the two other bridesmaids will be behind you. The flower girl proceeds you…speaking of which, where is she?" He looked to Rick.

"Cassy Gardiner is now with her mother, and I'll tell her mother to bring her to the room. You just bring William with you and introduce him to my bride and her friends."

The knock at the door was persistent, but Mary was fixing her veil, and Jayne was exasperated. Maria went to the door. "Mary's veil is not straight, and we're working on it…"

"Well you can work on it with an audience. You've all got to meet the best man."

Maria's gaze went over William. Not bad… she concluded. And he's Ella's? There was no justice in this world.

Maria smiled at William slyly anyway.

William nervously played with his fingers. This was the stellar woman he was going out with tonight? She was beautiful…with her dark hair and bright blue eyes, but…well…

"I'd like to see my daughters, please?" Mr. Bennet sighed, exasperated at the girl.

Maria scowled gently as she opened the door fully to reveal a beautiful young woman in cream with eyes shining.

William caught his breath as he saw her reflection in the mirrors she stood in front of. So this was Rich's bride? She was perfect for him! He felt it.

Two women stood behind her, and their reflections were muted in the wedding veil, as they played with her veil.

Maria smiled to the two men. "See, told you!"

Mary smiled radiantly. "Daddy!" she stepped down from her stepstool in front of the mirrors to the ground, turned around to see.

She ran into her father's arms.

Ella and Jayne looked to each other, colors raised. "There goes ten minutes' worth of effort…" she whispered.

Jayne giggled. "But she's beautiful anyway. Rich would love her in anything!"

William looked at the beautiful bride, stunned. The sheer happiness made her glow. "My daughter Mary…" Mike was saying.

"It's a pleasure!" he smiled, kissing her gloved hand.

Mary smiled. "And you must be the best man I've heard so much about! Well, this is a much anticipated pleasure!"

Jayne looked at Ella. "Well, let's see this hot date of yours…"

Ella laughed, and frowned as she couldn't see around Mary's dress. She just wanted a look of him before he saw her, but at this moment, it didn't seem possible, since Jayne now took her hand and guided her forward as Mary was speaking. "I'd like you to meet my sisters…"

Mary turned to smile at her sister, who now stood, face pale.

"Ellayne?"

"William?"

Continued In Next Section