a/n 

Hey y'all!! I apologize for my long absence. College has been crazy and amazing, but I hope you enjoy this little bit!! 

Monday morning rolled around, and in between planning the Netherfield party, determining kitchen design elements for a house remodel, and grading papers, I carved out time to talk to Gee for our weekly phone call.

"Bess, you are saying you played tennis with one of the hottest men alive?"

"Yep. He was insulting me while we were playing, griping about how he was supposed to focus with me in front of him. We also argued and were dead silent. It was riveting. You should have been there."

"You don't think him saying how hard it was for him to focus with you in front of him was a compliment? You are gorgeous."

"Mmm, no."

She let out an exasperated sigh, "If you read it in a romance book, wouldn't you think the main character is being oblivious to the man who is hopelessly in love with her?"

"Well, duh, but this isn't a romance book. You don't know Darcy; he's probably incapable of any loving feeling. Anyways, how are you doing?"

"I'm feeling a little bit better every day. My instructors have gotten over their original shock at my being pregnant, and some of them are nicer to me now, especially the ladies. Andrew still wishes he could be here to support me, but that's just my brother being himself, always trying to help others, even if he doesn't show it very easily to strangers."

"I'm glad to hear you are adjusting. I'm still so proud of you and how you have been relying on your faith. It will truly be a beautiful part of your testimony how you have turned such an awful experience into a way to honor the Lord."

Gee sighed, and my heart ached for the British girl, "I am partially to blame. I encouraged him, and we snuck out behind Andrew's back. Like I've told you, he always said it was just because Andrew was so busy that we didn't tell him. He promised that we would once a big deal Andrew was working on went through. Why could I not see that as a red flag?"

She went quiet for a moment, then continued, "Obviously, the night everything happened, it wasn't my fault that he laced my drink and then... took advantage of me being a vegetable. But I probably could have prevented that from happening if I hadn't encouraged the relationship."

"We can't change the past, but we can change the future."

We chatted for a few more minutes about various topics, then went on with our Mondays.

On Tuesday, I headed to Mom and Dad's house for our weekly lunch a little later than usual; Jane had already driven herself over earlier to talk to Mary about something. 

As soon as I opened the door, I heard Boris' droning voice and immediately knew I had my mom to thank for his presence. Boring Boris, the annoying and insufferable man, was at our family lunch.

Can I still turn around and leave?

"Lizzy! Come on in!" I heard my mom declare.

Nope. Too late.

My mom rounded a corner, like she had been waiting to hear the door click, and grabbed my elbow, almost as if she knew I was considering fleeing the scene.

"Hi, Mom."

"We have a guest today. Now, be nice to Boris. He is quite a knowledgeable young man. You would do well to get to know him better."

Katie and Lydia latched onto me as soon as I arrived in the kitchen. "So, George said he talked to you the other day... What was that about?"

Ah great. Overbearing mother, check. Prying younger sisters, check.

My mom looked at me calculatingly, "Was that the man I was told you were with at a restaurant?"

"Yes, mom."

She nodded smugly, "It seems you might have options for once in your life. Don't mess it up."

I grimaced, "Noted."

Mom turned to my twin, "Jane, invite Charles next week."

Jane accepted the command gracefully, "I will see if he is available."

From there commenced one of the most boring family lunches I have ever been part of due to Boris talking about how great his job was and his boss, Lady Catherine. Boris' monologue was only broken by sarcastic comments from Lydia and Katie that flew over his head. Dad and I kept surreptitiously shaking our heads at each other throughout the meal. Boris sat beside me and attempted to include me in the conversation by asking questions. However, he never got around to giving me the time to answer the questions he asked. Instead, he came up with what he thought my answers would be. I didn't care enough even to be put off about it.

As soon as the meal was finished, I tried to say my goodbyes quickly and bolt for the door.

"I've got to go, Mom. I have work to do."

She maneuvered herself to escape route, "Surely you can stay for a little longer? Don't you want to hear more about Boris' job, which has him so well set up?"

"I'm sure he would appreciate that I have a strong work ethic. Isn't that right, Boris?" I asked, raising my voice at the end.

"What is that, Ms. Bennet? I was unable to fully comprehend what you asked because I only heard my name at the end of your question. If you would be so kind as to restate it so that I might better know what it is that I am being asked? I would be most willing to aid you in determining the answer to your question using the considerable amount of information I have gained throughout my life, partly due to my own experiences and those that I have had through working for Lady Catherine."

I gave him a bland smile after his speech, "You value hard work, right?"

"Of course, I believe it to be a paramount virtue in both men and women. If a person is not dedicated and fully invested in their career, that is a large drawback, or a 'red flag' as some say, that may symbolize a lack of diligence in other areas of their life, which can lead to very poor life results. Personally, I find hard work to be increasingly rare in our present society. Anyone who can hold the title of a hard worker has my respect. I think you fall into this category, Ms. Bennet. Although I have not known you for a long time, I trust you are adamant on doing your craft to the best of your ability."

I faked amazed surprise, "As a matter of fact, that is just what my mom and I were discussing. You see, I need to go home to work on things for my job. Do you mind if I go ahead and leave?"

"Oh, yes, you must go. There is no excuse for tardiness on any project. You must follow through on your word."

"Thank you! I couldn't agree more. Have a great afternoon!"

Boris nodded stoically, "Thank you for your warm wishes. I will endeavor to make the most of my time here as the Lord only gives us a finite time on earth."

Mom gave me a tight hug, "Don't think I don't know what you are doing," she whispered in my ear, "You still have to tell me about the guy you were with at the restaurant."

I gave Dad a hug goodbye, and he muttered, "Good job getting away."

With a wave and an "Adios!" I hurried out the door.

In the car, I banged my head against the headrest. I loved my family, but sometimes, Mom was too overbearing. I pulled out my phone and considered texting Geoge something but decided not to. We hadn't said anything since that first night I got his number. I just wasn't good at texting guys. Also, if Lydia and Katie were all over him, their more reserved, boring sister wouldn't stand a chance.

Back home, I spent the next few days in a busy state, alternating between teaching and grading (Locklynn asked again if she could set me up with her brother, and I said no.), gardening, remodeling and decorating houses, and planning parties, like the Netherfield party fast approaching. With Charles' approval, Jane and I created a guest list of about one hundred people and sent out cute invites.

On Friday, close to lunch, I heard a knock on the front door as I was working on a vendor order for the Netherfield party. I stuck my head around the corner to look through the glass door, then smiled and called, "Jane, your knight in shining armor is here, and it looks like he comes bearing gifts."

She rushed out of whatever room she had been in, her socks skidding on the floor, "Really?"

I approached the door, "Should I let him in?"

Jane rolled her eyes at me and waved her hand at me to proceed.

I opened the door, "Hey, Charles,"

"Lovely day, Lizzy. Is Jane here?"

I nodded, "Right over there, come on in. What do you have there?" I gestured to his hands, which were holding what appeared to be to-go food.

He grinned, lifting it up, "Do you guys like Mexican food? I got enough for three."

"Do we like Mexican food? Charles, please. We are native Texans. Mexican food is a love language to a Texan, at least for us. Come on in." I led him into the kitchen, "Jane, he brought MEXICAN FOOD. You have to marry the man. Not only that, but he brought enough for me too." I turned to Charles, "If only you had a brother."

He shook his head, "Sorry to disappoint. Darcy is the closest thing I have to a brother."

Well, I'm not marrying him.

The three of us sat down with the spread of food in front of us, and my mouth started watering.

As we ate, I couldn't help but notice how Jane simply glowed when talking to Charles. She had never lit up that much when she talked to someone else. He seemed to understand her, and they fit together so well. They were both the sweetest, kindest, most generous people, with a hidden streak of humor.

I ate my enchiladas fast and then went to the living room with my laptop to give them some time together one-on-one without me in their immediate vicinity. I was most certainly within hearing distance, though.

Hehe. Chaperones and all that jazz.

As they started cleaning up at the end of the meal, Charles said, "Besides wanting to see you today, I came to ask you for a date tomorrow. If you are open, that is... I probably should have asked sooner. You have a busy schedule, so I fully understand if you are already booked."

I turned and saw Jane with a huge smile on her face. She reached out and touched his arm to get him to stop rambling, "I would love to. What time?"

He grinned, "Oh really? Great! How does 10:00 sound?"

"Perfect. AM, right?"

Charles sounded giddy, "Oh yes, and wear something to be outside."

I zoned out on their conversation when my phone lit up with a text from George Wickham.

When can I see you again?