Dinner

by Julie Elizabeth

October 2002, Firthness Challenge Entry

Rated PG

Author's Note: Hi everyone. I know this is last minute again but I seem to write better under pressure. Also please excuse any typos. My computer is having serious problems and I can't open word perfect so I'm tying this directly into the field on a library computer.

Lizzy Bennet was going to marry Will Darcy. She wasn't sure how she was going to accomplish that though. He avoided her since she'd decked him when he kissed her three years earlier. They hadn't even spoken since. But she was certain he still liked her. She often caught him looking at her. He always looked away and acted as if nothing had happened but she knew he was looking at her. Some day, she knew, he wouldn't look away.

Elizabeth was pulled out of her reverie by the door bell. She knew it was Will. He never looked away now. Smiling she opened the door and found Will in a tuxedo looking debonair.

"Oh, Will," she said after he kissed her, " you look marvelous. Will I be alright?" Will had told her the evening would be very formal and she was nervous about the dress she had chosen. Jane had helped her pick it out but neither of them knew exactly how formal "formal" was.

Will stepped back and looked Elizabeth up and down with a critical eye. Elizabeth flushed nervously but soon Will grinned and said, "You look fabulous, as always, Lizzy. Are you ready?"

"Yes. Where are we going?"

"Nope. I'm not telling. You'll just have to wait and see."

"Please, Will," she pouted.

Will kissed the pouting lips but would not give in. He led her outside and Lizzy gasped when she saw the parking lot. "A limo, Will?"

"I told you," he said, "tonight is very fancy."

In the limo, Will had sparkling grape juice and caviar.

"Please tell me where we are going, Will." Lizzy begged again.

"No, Lizzy. You'll know soon enough."

Elizabeth sighed in defeat. She leaned back into the plush seat and gazed out the window hoping for a clue. But that quickly led to puzzlement and more curiosity for they soon headed out of the city and into the country. She practically had to bite her tongue to keep from asking Will again where they were going.

After about half an hour the car turned onto a narrow road that wound around a small but high hill. The top was flat and grassy and provided a magnificent view of the city. But Elizabeth's attention was caught by the picnic arranged in the grass. There was a soft blanket in Elizabeth's favourite shade of blue, elegant china and crystal was laid out perfectly, and candles flickered on each corner of the blanket.

"Oh, Will," Elizabeth breathed, "it's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," said will as he helped her from the car and settled her on the blanket. He then retrieved a basket from the car and sent the limo away. "Close your eyes, Lizzy, while I arrange the food." Elizabeth complied and heard him rummaging for a few minutes until she was given permission to open her eyes again. She laughed when she did for there on the elegant china was her favourite turkey sandwich from Subway and potato chips.

Will grinned. "I wanted to be sure you would like the meal. You don't mind do you?"

"Not at all," she replied as she took a large bite of her sandwich. She smiled as she realized that Will had remembered that she liked lots of mayonaise. They laughed and talked as they ate.

After the dessert of cookies, also from Subway, Will got serious. He moved beside Elizabeth and took her hand in his.

"Lizzy," he said, "you know I've loved you for a very long time."

"I know, Will. I've loved you for a long time too. Maybe not quite as long as you but almost."

"Really, since elementary school?"

"Yes," She told how she had planned to marry him in the third grade. "I was just thinking about that earlier today."

"Really! That is something of a coincidence, Lizzy, for I have something to ask you."

Elizabeth gasped and turned to look at him. He had a soft look on his face but there were hints of nervousness around the edges.

"Elizabeth Bennet," he said, gently cupping her cheek, "would you marry me?"

Tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes and she couldn't speak for a moment. Finally she whispered, "Oh, yes, William Darcy. I've wanted to marry you since I was eight years old."

Will slopped a simple solitaire on Elizabeth's finger. "I know there are more elaborate rings with bigger diamonds but I thought this one suited you best."

Elizabeth looked at the ring then back at Will. "It's perfect, Will. Just the sort of engagement ring I've always wanted."

"I'm glad you like it," Will whispered then kissed her to seal the engagement.

Copyright held by Julie Elizabeth - 2002