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“She's great. A little nausea sometimes, but other than that, she feels good.” He smiled again, making Will laugh.
“Who else knows?”
“No one. Well, except Lizzy. Jane was going to tell her today, but I don't know if she’s had the chance, so don’t say anything yet.”
* * *
Elizabeth stood in the kitchen,finishing up the last of the dishes, and reflected back on the day. It hadn't been bad. Will was right; having everyone here helped to ease the tension, at least a little, and it was nice to spend the day with loved ones.
She felt a presence behind her, and turned to see her mother there, examining the kitchen.
“This is quite a house, Lizzy. It's beautiful. And now William owns my childhood home. I still don’t understand why he bought that old place.”
Because he loves me, Elizabeth wanted to say, but remained silent.
“It's a tiny little house, no views, nothing extravagant to speak of. But here…” Mrs. Bennet ran her hand along the quartz countertop. “You've done well for yourself.”
Elizabeth grabbed a towel to dry her hands. “I know I have, but how doyouthink I've done well? In what way?”
“Inthisway,” Mrs. Bennet said, and gestured at her surroundings. “Look at this place! You have it all.”
“I had it allbeforeI moved in.”
“Oh, you know what I mean. Do you have to pick aparteverythingI say? Just don't wait too long to get a ring on his finger, mind me on that. Once a man gets the milk for free, he's less likely to buy the cow.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Do you know how ridiculous you sound when you say things like that? Will loves all the things about me that drive you crazy. He loves that I'm a nerdy scientist, that I play softball and ride my bike and work in a swamp. He loves the way I dress and that I like to take walks and go running. He lovesme. Not–not just themilk.”
“He loves you—but he left you once before.”
“You're right. And when he first tried to come back, I didn’t let him. I pushed him away as hard as I could. But then I couldn't push anymore; I didn'twantto push. Helovesme, Mom, for all the right reasons, just like I lovehimfor all the right reasons, and his wealth isn't one of them. He's the best man I know, and I can't imagine my life without him.”
Mrs. Bennet reached for Elizabeth’s hands. “I hope you're right. Idolove you, and I want what's best for you. And if you feel that William is what's best, then you need to protect what you have. Don't settle for anything less than one hundred percent of his heart, and in return, you give him one hundred and ten percent of yours.”
Elizabeth tried to puzzle out what she’d said, wondering if there was something hidden in her words, and was taken by surprise when her mother embraced her.
“I want you to be happy, Lizzy. I wantallof my girls to be happy.”
“I know you do, Mom,” Elizabeth said quietly. “I know you do.”
* * *
Georgiana and Mattwere the last to leave, and the moment Will closed the door behind them, Elizabeth sagged against him with a groan. The fire was still roaring in the fireplace, so he dimmed the lights and they sank down onto the couch, kicked off their shoes and stretched out, lying next to each other and enjoying the holiday music as it played softly.
“Long day, huh?” he asked, smoothing his hand down her back as she curled into him.
“It was, but you were right, it was okay. Most of it, anyway.”
“Did you get a chance to talk to Jane much?” he asked, trying to get a feel for whether she’d been told the Bingleys’ news.
She lifted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Yes… Did you talk to Charles?”
“Yes. We were out on the deck for quite a while, actually. By ourselves.”
Neither said anything, but they both smiled.
“He told you?” she asked, biting her lip.
“Yes. Jane?”
