Well, hello there. Long time, no write, right? Aaaanyway… it's engagement party time. ;). I think there'll only be another chapter or so before Will gets around to asking a much-anticipated question….

A huge "thank you" to my fantastic Beta reader, NotACursedChild! Without her keen eye for typos and excellent grasp of social intelligence (which my socially awkward self absolutely lacks, in case ya'll haven't figured that out yet), there would have been many more awkward moments between characters than necessary. So, yes, be sure to give her a shout-out in the comments and check out her wonderful stories!

Chapter 23

Hair and makeup products, brushes, blow dryers, clothing, and curling irons covered every available surface of my master bathroom, where my sisters and I were gathered together to do each other's hair and makeup before Jane's engagement party. I glanced around at the four of them with a sense of nostalgia. We'd done just this, countless times before, for family, community, and school events, for as long as I could remember.

As promised, Jane had brought the dress she'd held hostage. Unfortunately, the skirt was just as short and the neckline just as low as I remembered. I'd been secretly hoping she'd forget it. I'd even purchased a backup – a sensibly modest, dark blue lace dress with matching flats. I like a cute dress as much as the next girl, but not pink, and definitely not one that drew unwanted attention.

"Hold still," Lydia scolded, grasping my chin and jerking my face toward her. "The glue on these lashes is tacky and if it dries any more, they're not going to stick!"

I exhaled heavily as I obligingly turned back toward her and struggled not to blink.

After a few more minutes, Lydia stepped back and grinned. "You look amazing, Lizzy. Red carpet-worthy."

I stood and stepped over to the long vanity mirror. I had to admit, Lydia had done a great job, but it was more makeup than I was comfortable with. I already wanted to rip the annoying false lashes off. "Don't you think it's a bit much? I feel like I look like a floozie."

Lydia crossed her arms defensively over her chest and narrowed her eyes. "It's no more than most normal twenty-somethings wear for events like this. Besides, you'd better get used to it. I see more glam in your future," she raised her eyebrows suggestively and I turned to glare at her.

Mary, who was seated on the edge of the tub looked up from the novel she was reading. "Don't worry, if it's the hooker look you're going for, your skirt and neckline would need to be about three inches shorter and deeper, respectively. But the makeup is on point."

I swung my head toward Mary, her dry sense of humor eliciting a laugh from me. "Thanks for the reassurance," I grinned.

She gave me a wink and smirked before returning her eyes to her book. "Any time."

Jane huffed impatiently from her position in front of the mirror – a very un-Jane-like action, which indicated more than words ever could just how nervous she was about the evening ahead. "Lizzy, you look great," she reassured me. "You know I wouldn't have agreed with Lydia and Kate on the dress if you looked anything less than stunning in it." Her phone dinged and she picked it up to scan the text. "Mom said everyone's here, waiting in the living room, so if we're ready, let's head out there." Everyone filed out of the bathroom and through my bedroom door. I stayed behind and glanced uncertainly in the mirror once more.

"This is so uncomfortable," I muttered to my reflection as I pressed my fingertips to my temples. Then, remembering the forty-five minutes Lydia had just spent on my makeup, I quickly pulled my hands away from my face.

Just as I was trying to figure out if I could either throw a white cardigan on over my dress or use the nail clippers in the bathroom medicine cabinet to affect a popped seam, there was a knock at my bedroom door, followed by Kitty's voice.

"Are you ready yet, Lizzy? If so, come out, everyone else is ready and Mom wants to take pictures."

"Yes!" I called back. I checked the time on my phone. It was four o'clock. The party started at six, and we didn't have to be at the Durham, which was only a few blocks away, until five.

"Elizabeth Rose Bennet! Come out this minute! We're all waiting on you!" Mom's shrill voice called. Knowing she'd drag me out if I didn't get out there ASAP, I stalked to my closet, grabbed the white cardigan, tugged it on over my shoulders, fastened the top two buttons and picked the gold heels up off the floor before I headed out the door and into the living room.

Mom rolled her eyes when I appeared. "Finally. I was about to send in a search party." She paused and looked down at my feet. "Put your shoes on, girl! Mary went across the hall to Will's to get the boys and Georgiana. When they arrive, we're going to take pictures and then head out." Mom, my sisters, and Georgiana had, surprisingly, taken an instant liking to one another. Georgiana's sweet personality and enthusiasm had instantly won them over, and they had invited her along on a couple of shopping trips and over to dinner with Will, Richard and me. Georgiana, in turn, enjoyed the novel feeling of being part of a family with a mother and sisters. It was a surprising, but happy turn of events.

I took a deep breath and gave her a salute. "Aye-aye, El Capitan."

Mom gave me a warning look. "Your mouth."

"Sorry," I grinned. I dropped my shoes on the floor and slipped my feet into them before bending over to fasten the straps. "Better?"

Mom looked me over and frowned. "That cardigan doesn't match, Lizzy."

I looked down at my dress. The sweater hit just above my waist. "It's white! White matches everything." I protested.

Jane crossed the living room and came to stand beside me. "Just take it off," she whispered, giving my hand a squeeze. "Wearing it without the sweater will be a lot less painful than hearing her harp at you all night about it."

I took a deep breath and forced a tight smile. "Fine." I unbuttoned the cardigan and removed it, draping it over my arm. "But I'm taking it along," I muttered.

Jane smiled and winked.

Just then, the door opened, and Georgiana, Charles, Richard, and Will entered the room.

I felt Will's eyes on me before I mustered the courage to look up through the thick, false lashes Lydia had pasted to my eyelids. I raised my gaze just in time to see him stop in front of me and dip his head down to whisper in my ear.

"You look incredibly sexy, Elizabeth." His warm breath against my neck made goosebumps rise on my skin.

I pulled my head back to meet his eyes, surprised by the bold comment from my normally reserved boyfriend. The world melted away while we stood there, lost in our own little world until Richard cleared his throat and nudged Will.

OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO

Will and I were the first to arrive in the parking lot of the Durham. He parked the car and leaned across the center console to kiss me, his lips lingering against mine. "I love you," he whispered, ghosting his fingertips across my collarbone and shoulder and down my arm. "And, I really, really like your dress."

"I love you, too. I'm tolerating the dress, for Jane's sake," I laughed. "Are you ready for this?"

Will gave a single nod.

"Mom and Dad are going to have security outside – off-duty OPD. No press or anyone who isn't on the guest list will be allowed in."

Will sat back in his seat and breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear it, for your sake, Love."

The other vehicles carrying our friends and family members pulled up and parked beside us. Will and I exited his car and joined them, as they walked toward the main entrance.

OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO

The dinner was delicious, and the Great Hall – formerly known as the Union Station Passenger Terminal - with its gorgeous Art Deco architecture, was a perfect backdrop. Afterward, the party moved to the Swanson Gallery for the dance.

Charlotte and I were lounging in chairs for that purpose on the outskirts of the room. Will had been roped into acting as Richard's wingman, at the bar across the dancefloor. He threw me a pleading look and I gave him a small wave and a wink.

"Think we should go rescue him?" Charlotte asked.

I waved my hand dismissively and crinkled my nose. "Na, he's fine. As Richard would say, it builds character. From what I hear, he isn't able to drag Will out much, so this is good for him."

Charlotte shook her head. "You're cruel."

"Yep," I replied, popping the "p" at the end of the word, before taking a drink of my martini.

A few minutes later, Will and Richard turned from the bar and headed our way.

Charlotte tilted her head to the side as we watched them walk across the gallery. "You know, Will's cousin is really good-looking."

I'd noticed the covert glances that Charlotte had been stealing across the table at Richard after I'd introduced them at dinner. "And," I added, elbowing her in the side, "he has a great personality."

Charlotte shrugged. "Win-win."

Will was waylaid by Georgiana and Lydia and a group of her friends halfway across the room. Richard paused momentarily and then continued on his way toward us. When he finally reached us, he held out his hand to Charlotte. "Care to dance?"

Charlotte blushed and beamed up at him. "I'd love to." She took his hand and the two of them moved to the dance floor.

I glanced across the room to where Will stood, surrounded by a gaggle of teenaged girls. I couldn't see his face clearly from that distance, but his posture was stiff. I had just decided to go "rescue" him when Charles stepped into my line of sight.

I looked up and Charles flashed a friendly smile at me. "Will you dance with me, Lizzy?"

I smiled in return. "Of course." I grasped his hand and followed him onto the floor.

When my dance with Charles was over, Richard claimed me for the next. The song was slow, which I was glad for because it allowed for conversation.

"Are you having a good time?" I asked.

Richard gave a small nod. "I am. Your friend, Charlotte, is a lovely girl."

I smiled. "She's pretty great."

Richard shook his head and looked up toward the flashing multi-colored lights before meeting my eyes again, his expression solemn. "Are you happy, Lizzy?" he asked softly.

Affection for the man who held me filled my heart. "I am." I gave him a teasing look. "How about you? Any lucky ladies back home or here catch your eye?"

He laughed and shook his head. "Well, there was this one girl, once. However, she cruelly fell in love with my cousin instead. Ate all my mint ice cream and biscuits and disrupted the peaceful serenity of my MIDRATS routine while she was visiting my home, too."

I laughed at his teasing and rested my forehead against his shoulder. "I can't take you anywhere," I groaned. The dance ended and, with a wink, Richard handed me off to my next partner – a high school friend of mine and Jane's.

Afterward, I escaped to the sidelines to rest my feet. Will found me just as I was about to slip my heels off. I straightened and smiled up at him. "Hey."

The edge of his mouth lifted in return and he took my hand, gently pulling me to my feet. He rested his hands on my waist, and the warmth of them seemed to run through my entire body, like a healing current. All thoughts of painful feet vanished. "Hello, beautiful."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks and lowered my eyes to his tie.

"How are your feet holding up in those shoes? They're certainly not the flip-flops or Chucks you favor."

"Ouch," I grimaced in answer to his question.

He ran a knuckle along my jaw. "I thought as much. Come with me. There's something I want to show you." Will took my hand in his.

I gave him a puzzled look but followed. We passed through the Great Hall where a few people milled around and sat at tables talking, and into the darkened West End hall. There was no one around, and it was quiet and shadowy, though I could still hear the music that was playing in the gallery, faintly in the background.

"What did you want to show me?" I asked as we stopped in the middle of the dark, empty hall.

"Shh, listen," he whispered, pressing a finger to my lips.

Just then, the song, Something Just Like This, started playing, faintly. Will pulled me to him and leaned down to whisper in my ear, his breath warm against my neck. "I believe this is our song."

I raised an eyebrow and lifted a corner of my mouth. "We have a song?"

Will nodded solemnly. "We do, indeed. Remember when we danced to this in the garden at Pemberley?"

I smiled. "How could I forget? You know," I began, but my words were cut off by Will's kiss. He held me to him, one hand on the curve of my lower back, the other, cradling my face, as we slowly moved in time to the music and, just as he had in the garden, when the second verse began, he placed his fingers beneath my chin and raised my face until I met his eyes. Then, he began to softly sing along to the lyrics,

"I've been reading books of old

The legends and the myths

The testaments they told

The moon and its eclipse

And Superman unrolls

A suit before he lifts

But I'm not the kind of person that it fits

She said where'd you wanna go?

How much you wanna risk?

I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts

Some superhero, some fairytale bliss

Just something I can turn to, somebody I can miss

I want something just like this

I want something just like this."

At that moment, I fell in love with him all over again. "I love you, Will." His blue eyes burned into mine.

"I love you, too, Elizabeth. More and more every day." His brows drew together, and his expression turned serious. He gave a slight shake of his head. "Whenever I think I couldn't love you any more than I already do, I'm proven wrong. You are-"

Whatever he was about to say was cut off by the arrival of Georgiana and my mother.

Will exhaled sharply and dropped his chin to his chest.

"There you two are!" Georgiana exclaimed, bounding over to throw her arms around my shoulders from behind before hooking her arm through mine and leading me toward the hall. "We've been looking all over for you. They're about to do toasts, and since you two are the maid of honor and best man, you should probably make your way there, quickly."

I blinked in surprise. Mostly surprise that Georgiana had beaten my mother to the verbal punch.

Mom, for her part, gazed at Georgiana with an adoring smile. "Well," mom exclaimed, waving her hand dramatically, "you heard her, let's go, you two!"

I couldn't help but laugh. Even Will grinned as he caught up to us in a couple of strides and put his arm around his sister's shoulders.

OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO

After the toasts and more dancing, my feet were, in fact killing me. I was convinced. And it was only ten-thirty. There was still an hour and a half to go. I decided then and there, that if I ever became engaged, I would not be having an engagement party. Ridiculous things. I looked around for Will but didn't see him.

"What's up?" Charlotte asked, coming to stand next to me.

"I can't find Will. And my feet are killing me. Whoever decided heels were a practical thing to wear to a dance ought to be drawn and quartered."

Charlotte laughed. "They're not practical. That's why people wear them to dances."

I gave her a baffled look and narrowed my eyes. "You know that comment makes about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine."

Charlotte shook her head. "Anyway, I was looking for Richard, but I don't see him anywhere either. Maybe he's with Will. Come on," she gave a sideways nod of her head, "let's look for them."

We searched the gallery and the Great Hall and finally found Will in the outer hallway, next to a window by the stairs that led to the lower level.

"Everything okay?" Charlotte asked as we approached.

When Will didn't answer, I reached out and placed a hand on his arm. He jerked slightly, apparently startled by our presence. "He's okay," I reassured her, rubbing his arm. "Will's just trying to escape the maddening crowd."

Charlotte crossed her arms over her chest and grinned. "What do you expect, Will? You're a smoking hot guy with a sexy accent."

Will's cheeks bronzed. "Charlotte!"

She shrugged. "What? It's true."

At that moment, Richard approached our group. I grabbed his sleeve. "Speaking of smoking hot guys with sexy accents, Charlotte was just looking for you, Richard."

Richard smiled down at me before turning his attention to Charlotte. "Well, lucky me. Care for a drink?" he asked, offering her his arm.

Charlotte blushed and smiled in return, shooting me a good-natured glare for outing her before accepting his arm. "I think I could use more than one right now."

They walked off, arm in arm, laughing quietly together.

I'd noticed that Will had gone rather still and quiet during the exchange. For what reason, I couldn't guess. I gave a sideways nod toward the stairs that led to the lower level and took his hand in mine. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" he asked, his voice clipped.

I looked over my shoulder at him. His expression was still somber. "You'll see," I winked. I led him down the staircase and toward the railroad tracks, to the Cornhusker Club Car – a 1924 Pullman car that had been restored and was part of a permanent display at the museum. The car was unlocked, and the dim interior lights were on, so I led the way inside, sliding into one of the compartments that faced the outside wall of the building. I stood in the narrow space between the two seats that faced each other and turned to Will, who still looked miffed. "What?" I demanded wryly.

He eyed me narrowly. "You referred to my cousin as 'smoking hot with a sexy accent.' Is that really how you feel about him?"

I raised an eyebrow and gave him a mischievous smile. "Your eyes are an intriguing shade of green right now, Will Darcy."

Will's expression grew even cloudier, like a brooding storm on the verge of releasing scathing bolts of thunder and lightning. Deciding honesty was the best policy, and wanting to put him in his place, I shrugged and put a hand on my hip. "Yeah, of course, I do. He's kind. He deserves someone wonderful, and Charlotte is about as good as they come."

Will's dark expression eased a little but didn't disappear entirely. I, however, wasn't about to cater to his wounded ego. I returned his dark look with a challenging one of my own. "Fight me," I grinned.

"Brat!" Will growled, finally catching my humor. A smile spread across his face as he pulled me toward him and tickled me.

Laughing hysterically, I twisted away from him in an attempt to escape, until I found myself facing the compartment window and realized I had nowhere to go. Will's hands immediately stilled, and he stopped behind me, his palms sliding over my ribs and down my waist to rest on my hips. My eyes landed on our clear reflection in the darkened window as he dipped his head, his hair falling across his forehead. He closed his eyes and kissed the hollow of my shoulder, gently digging his fingers into my hips before his arms wrapped around me, pulling me gently against him. I could feel the pounding of his heart against the back of my head, where it rested against his chest. I tilted my head to the side and his mouth followed the line of my neck, to the corner of my jaw. There was something fascinating about watching his reflection, seeing the tiny changes in his expression.

"You are everything," he whispered in my ear.

"Hmm?"

"That's what I was going to tell you, upstairs, during our dance before we were interrupted. You are everything to me, Elizabeth."

My heart gave an involuntary squeeze. I blinked back tears, horrified by the thought of the mess tears would make of my makeup, and raised my hand to rest against his cheek. I flattened my other palm against the window for balance and shifted my weight. Pain shot through my left foot and I sucked in a sharp breath.

"What?" Will asked, turning me toward him. When he saw the pinched look on my face, his eyes dropped to my feet. "Here, sit down."

The movement of my foot made me wince again. I sat down on the plush burgundy seat and Will sat directly across from me on the facing bench. "Stupid shoes," I grumbled. Mindful of my skirt, I carefully raised my legs to rest on the opposite seat.

"Here, let me take a look," Will offered. He carefully undid the straps around my ankles, his knuckles brushing against my skin. He gently removed my heels and picked up my left foot. After a moment, he grimaced. "It looks like a large blister broke, here, on the outside of your foot underneath one of the straps."

I rolled my eyes and leaned my head back against the seat. "Ew. Super."

Will carefully set my foot down and rested his hand on my ankle. We both closed our eyes, savoring the dim lighting, the peace, and the quiet. We talked for the next hour about the party, Charles' and Jane's upcoming wedding, and our plans for the immediate future.

When we lapsed into silence again, Will leaned forward to kiss me. His hand, which still rested on my ankle, slid up my leg as he did so, coming to rest just above my knee, below the hem of my skirt.

An abrupt, deep clearing of someone's throat startled us both, and we quickly looked up to see my dad standing over us in the aisle, arms crossed over his chest, and an eyebrow raised. Will quickly removed his hand from my thigh and straightened. I felt my face flame and sank down in my seat.

"Hello," Dad said in an amused tone, that still somehow managed to sound censoring. "I saw you two head this way more than an hour ago, and I just came down to tell you that it's midnight and they're closing up. I didn't think you'd want to get locked in this train car for the rest of the night." His brow lowered over his eyes and he pursed his lips. "Although, perhaps I was wrong."

Will took a deep breath. "Of course. Thank you, Mr. Bennet."

After my father left, I bent to pick up my shoes and stood, keeping my weight on my heel so the injured part didn't touch the floor.

Will took my hand in his. "How do you feel about building a home on a remote island, where no one will be able to interrupt us?" he whispered as we exited the train.

"Perfect idea," I replied with a nod.

"I'll get on it," Will answered with a determined nod.

I wasn't sure if he was serious or not, but I decided not to ask.

It was a tired-looking party of family members that greeted us at the exit. After hugs and goodbyes were exchanged, everyone headed to their respective vehicles. Will scooped me up in his arms as we crossed the threshold of the exit. "What are you doing?" I asked with a surprised laugh.

"I don't want you walking across a parking lot bare-footed."

"I love you, Will," I murmured, snuggling into his chest as he walked across the lot toward his car.

He kissed my forehead in reply.

OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO

The rest of the night was perfect. After we got home, I cleaned and bandaged my foot and we both changed into more comfortable clothing and made our way up to the roof for a bit of stargazing, not wanting our time together for the day to end. We settled down in the hammock, a blanket wrapped snugly around us. I snuggled into Will's side and, after a while, I fell asleep.

Will must have taken me inside at some point during the night, because when I opened my eyes, I was tucked in my bed, the early morning sunlight peeking through the windows. I smiled to myself as I remembered the perfect night we'd had together at the engagement party and afterward, watching the night sky, talking about the future. I could finally envision a long-term future with Will – a lifetime with him – and the thought of it made me happier than anything I could have dreamed. Eager to see him again, I quickly got up, showered, rebandaged my foot, and dressed.

I was surprised to find Will, slumped in a chair at my kitchen table with his head in his hands, his phone on the tabletop in front of him. His hair stuck up every which way, as though he'd been running his hands through it in agitation. Everything about his demeanor and appearance seemed off and out of character. Alarm bells went off in my mind.

"Will?" I asked tentatively, coming to stand beside him.

He looked up, his defeated expression stopping me in my tracks.

"What is it?" I asked, fearful of his answer.

He took a deep breath and looked down at his phone before meeting my eyes. "My attorney phoned. I need to return to England. Richard, Georgiana, and I fly out this afternoon."

My heart plummeted. "What?! Why? For how long?"

Will shook his head. "I don't know, Elizabeth. A month, maybe two, from the sound of it. I need to return for Wickham's trial, and there have been some problems with the company's shareholders, due to my part in all of it. With the trial approaching and media attention escalating again, they're getting nervous about my absence. I need to go back to sort it all out, settle everything down."

I felt the shock register on my face, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Will pulled me down into his lap and gently cupped my cheek, turning my face toward him. "Elizabeth, I am so sorry."

I stared blankly at his t-shirt-clad chest. Two months. That was two-thirds of the amount of time we'd been together. In relation to that bit of perspective, two months seemed like an eternity. If a few weeks apart had nearly destroyed us, how would a few months affect our relationship?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

P.S. - Song of the chapter: "The Phoenix" by Fallout Boy. It doesn't have anything to do with the story...it's just really fun to play on the drums! XD