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Charity a Pet Emporium Tail
by Bunnytales
November 2004
Charity Definition: The pure love of Christ; love, compassion, service, sympathy and concern for others.
Elizabeth Bennet, stood decorating her Christmas tree. The animals in Lizzy’s Pet Emporium, watched with curiosity as she hung home-made ornaments, and hummed a tune. Lizzy was their best friend. She would talk to the animals, feed them and let them know that when they left her that they would be receiving as much love as she had given them. This year had been a very busy one. It seemed as though everyone was looking for that special “best friend”, to spend the holidays and many years to come with.
"“ Hey Ralph, come over here and look, Miss Lizzy has put up a furry green thing, and it smells good”.
"The little Dachshund walked over to his buddy Fang with his tail wagging.
"“ MMM it does. Fang what is the furry thing, and why does Miss Lizzy
put stuff on it”.
"They heard a squawk from Sigmund the parrot.
"“ It’s a Christmas Tree, humans put them up so a big fat man can come down the chimney and eat their cookies”.
"“ Oh”
"Lizzy had just finished putting on the turtle doves when the phone began to ring.
"“ Hello Lizzy’s Pet Emporium. George it’s good to hear from you, are we still going to your aunts for Christmas”?
" “ Lizzy Lydia wants to hook back up, she’s a lot less frigid in bed then you. Besides it’s not like I loved you or anything”.
"The phone in Lizzy’s hand began to shake and a tear slid down her cheek. She hung up the phone and sat down on the bench next to the Dachshund puppies. She had never truly loved him, but it hurt all the same. He had used her, and now that his ex came back she was cast aside like garbage.
"The puppies let out soft barks trying to comfort her through the plexi-glass wall. She stood up and gave them each a scratch behind the ear. And then walked to the door to put up the closed sign. She fed all the animals and cleaned the cages that needed to be cleaned. She had to stop every few minutes to blow her nose and wipe her tears. She held each animal that she could reassuring them that she would always love them.
"It was almost ten o’clock when she locked the door and pulled down the security gate.
"She walked to her car slower then usual. Her heart was heavy, and the snow had gotten deep. She pulled her jacket tighter around her. The Bennet family had died last year in a terrible car accident, two days before Christmas eve. She had stayed behind to work late and escaped their fate. Now she was as she had been then, alone.
"Little did Lizzy know that while she traveled home, and had a horrible nights sleep, that her animal friends were making a resolution to help her.
"
************ Lizzy’s Pet Emporium Eleven O’clock pm***********
"“Animals and Fish , we are faced with a grave situation. Our best friend Miss Lizzy, has had her heart broken. As her friends we owe it to her to help her, the question is how”.
"“Mr. Krumps, what if we found her a new mate, one that would love her as she loves us”.
"“ Goober that is an excellent idea especially from a kitten, however we must all agree on the choice and then we must find out a way, to keep him coming back”.
"Each animal agreed that he, she. or it would find a way to keep him coming back to the store. It was also decided that Sigmund would have the final say on her mate since he was the oldest. They all had a peaceful nights sleep, knowing that they were helping a friend in need.
"Lizzy walked into the store a little more red eyed then usual. She noticed that all the animals seemed a little tired. She checked the thermostat and then went to take a look at each of the animals.
"“ Good morning Mr. Krumps, you seem a little sleepy, perhaps a nice blood worm or two”.
"The lionfish perked up immediately at the thought of a tasty blood worm.
"“I would almost think that you and all of my friends, were plotting to take over the world, one pet emporium at a time”.
"She arched her eyebrow and smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
"The bell on the door chimed and a young gentlemen walked into the store.
Lizzy turned around and blushed, he was very handsome.
"“ Can I help you find anything sir”?
"He looked her over, as he heard a parrot squawking in the background.
"“ I am in need of a Puffer Fish. I have been told that your emporium has the healthiest fish around. Is that correct Miss...”
"“ Bennet... and yes it is indeed sir. I have two Puffers. Would you be interested in the salt water one or the freshwater one”.
"“ Saltwater please, and call me William”.
"She smiled at him and led him over to the aquatic section.
"“ This is Puck he is a reticulated puffer. He has a brown reticulated pattern on a white body. He comes from the Indo-Pacific by the reefs. He likes to eat frozen prawn and requires a large tank” .
"Darcy smiled at the women in front of him. Now here is a women I could marry.
"“ Well William do you like what you see”?
"“ Yes I do Miss Bennet, I wish to adopt him immediately and take you home, I mean him home, yes that will do”.
"She had caught his slip of the tongue and couldn’t help but smile. But then again George , had taken her home and look what happened. She would have broken down right then, but she would not let him see her cry. She would be strong.
"She Put Puck in a special bag and put a special solution to help relieve any traveling stress. She then filled it with air, wrapped a rubber band around the top of the bag and lovingly placed it in Williams hands. He pulled out his platinum card to the tune of $80.00. She waved goodbye, hoping Puck would have a long, happy , healthy life.
"I shall never see him again, she sighed. A few of the animals winked at each other knowing that plan plop and poop was in action. Elizabeth had stayed busy the rest of the day, and many of her animal friends were on their way to loving homes.
"Three days later William walked up to Lizzy. He tapped her lightly on the shoulder. His hand held a Puffer Fish floating upside down. As she turned around Puck turned over and began to swim around.
"“ Miss Bennet are you in a habit of selling sick fish”.
"She looked at him and the bag he was carrying. She arched her eyebrow in confusion.
"“ William what kind of a joke is this ? Puck is swimming perfectly, he sure doesn’t look sick”.
"William looked at the fish his jaw dropping in the process.
"“ Miss Bennet I assure you that when I brought him in that he was floating upside down”.
"“ Really well I’ll test the water if you want, but really William paranoia doesn’t seem to suit you”.
"She checked the water and re-bagged Puck.
"“ The water is perfectly salted, I suggest you take him home and put him back in your tank. He must be very stressed from all his traveling”.
"William ran a hand through his hair, and you think he’s stressed.
"“ Yes Miss Bennet I shall”.
"He left the Emporium and walked back to his car and headed home.
"She shook her head as she felt the stirring of butterflies. And greeted the next customer.
"************* One Week Later**************
"William Darcy walked into the pet Emporium with Puck once again bagged. The fish was floating upside down and he was puffed up.
"Lizzy turned around to greet him once again.
"“Is there a problem William”?
"“ I told you he was ill just look at him”.
"She looked at Puck. And as soon as she did he deflated and was acting perfect. In fact if he had a legs and a skirt he would be doing the can can. He was swimming around and seemed happy.
"“ William there is nothing wrong with the fish, but you will make him sick if you keep taking him from his environment”.
"William looked down at Puck. He was now thoughly embarrassed as well as agitated. This fish was making a fool out of him. He growled quietly.
"As she was re-bagging puck, George and Lydia walked in.
"“ Lizzy here as always so typical”.
"Lizzy’s eyes filled with unshed tears . They had come in deliberately hand in hand. George whispered things into her ear and Lydia would laugh. William looked at Lizzy and noticed a deep sorrow in her eyes. He began to feel a protective rage , he decided to remain in case they needed to be removed.
"“ Lizzy I want to buy a puppy for Lydia, since I know you have nothing better to do with your sad and pathetic life, I’m sure you could help me choose one”.
"“ I’m afraid I can not, these puppies have been adopted and our waiting to be picked up”.
"“ Really Lizzy I didn’t think you had it in you to lie”.
"William decided that George’s treatment towards Lizzy was abhorrent. He felt the need to do something about it.
"“ She is not Lying. I have purchased all the puppies. Miss Bennet has been very kind to hold them for me until Christmas”.
"“ And what is it you do sir ...run a sausage factory”.
"Lizzy was getting ready to speak when William spoke up.
"“ I am William F. Darcy . I believe you are familiar with me since I own Darcy Towers and over half of this city, including your apartment building”.
"George shut up immediately, knowing he was in such powerful company. Lizzy could not believe that the man in front of her also held the deed to her shop and all of the mall. She felt very insignificant and wished to go hide in a corner. Sensing her hesitancy he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. George took Lydia’s hand in his and stormed out.
"“ Thank You William, for saving the puppies”.
"“ Miss Bennet”
"“Lizzy Please William”
"“ Lizzy I feel that this fish is making me look like a fool. Would it be to much to ask you to stop by my office tomorrow evening, to look at my tank and see if I have done something wrong”?
"“ I would be happy to check out you...your tank tomorrow”.
"She blushed as he gave her a smile and walked out of her store and into the mall. Perhaps he is the one...my soul mate, for although I hardly know him I feel like I have known him all my life. Being near him feels like coming home.
"Have yourself a Merry little Christmas
"Let your heart be light, from now on our
"Troubles will be out of sight.
"The rest of the day Lizzy felt as if she was floating. Sigmund and Mr. Krumps were feeling pretty good about the match they had made. The animals in the pet shop were happy to see their friend, Lizzy so happy, and so in love.
"The next morning Lizzy came in dressed in a pair of Denim jeans and a golden Cashmere sweater. The animals could tell that she had slept well. She fed all of them and made sure that their cages, and tanks , were clean.
"She spent the rest of the day decorating the shop and measuring some of the animals for bows. After all Christmas was two days away.
"Afternoon soon turned into evening. She checked her hair and put on her gloves and jacket to go look at William’s tank. The animals were resting with nice full tummies. She smiled at all of them. And then turned off the light and locked the door.
"The drive was not as long as she had expected, and as she walked into the building, she developed a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. She pushed the button for the top floor as the receptionist had told her.
"William was at the elevator to greet her.
"“ Lizzy it is good to see you, please come this way”
"He led her down a hallway and into an office that was beautifully decorated in Mahogany. The tank was truly magnificent.
"“ William it’s as if I was truly looking at the ocean. Truly Puck should not complain in the least”.
"“ So then you approve”?
"“ There are few who would not”
"“Have you ever seen the city at night”?
"She looked at him and he held out his hand to her, leading her up the stairs. As he opened the door to the roof she noticed that there were many blankets and a basket full of meats, cheeses, and wine. She was in true awe.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas
"Make the Yule tide gay
"From now on our troubles will be miles away
"He wrapped a blanket around her, and brought her closer to him. Not since her father had she felt so loved. She thought of him and her family and a tear slid down her cheek
"“ Lizzy you are crying, what is the matter? Have I done something wrong”?
"“ No William, it’s just been a long time since I’ve felt so loved”.
"“ I read last year about your family, I’m sorry. I lost my mother and father a few years back and sometimes I still get a little melancholy”.
"“ So you and I are not very different”
"“ No my Lizzy we are not”.
"They stayed in each others arms for many hours, each reminiscing about their past. They were grateful to have each other. And as the sun came up they knew it would be a new beginning of both their lives.
"Once again as in olden days happy golden days of yore
"Faithful friends who are dear to us , will be near to us once more
"William dropped Lizzy off at the pet emporium , promising to see her as soon as her store closed for Christmas Eve. The animals had never looked cuter. Elizabeth greeted every customer with a radiant smile, and many animals were on their way to loving homes. As the last customer left William walked in. He held in his hand a single long stemmed red rose and a jewelry box. He got on his knees in front of Lizzy, and in front of all her friends , promised his heart to her. She accepted by giving hers to him. Now they would be a family.
"Later that night Mr. Krumps reflected on all that had happened and all that he had seen. The mistress was in deed truly happy, and a Christmas miracle had happened , because of the gift of Charity, and the love of a friend. He quietly went into the light and passed away.
"Through the years we all will be together if the fates allow hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a Merry little Christmas now
Copyright held by Bunnytales- 2004
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