Chapter 32

6 months later

"Knock, knock." I said as I opened the front door to Darcy's apartment. He left it unlocked for me, like he always does when he knows I'm coming over. He gave me a key about 6 weeks into our relationship so that I could get into the building and the apartment without having to ring the bell but I still haven't felt comfortable using it.

"Hey, babe." Will said as he came to the front door, and took my bag from my shoulder. It seems odd for him to use the phrase with his accent, but he likes to call me that and for some reason it has stuck. He then leaned in for a kiss. Mmmmmmm. Our chemistry is better than ever. "How was your day?"

"Good. I spoke to Jane today. She's going to check the availability of her bridesmaids and if most of them are available, she wants to go look for a wedding dress on Saturday." Yep. Jane's engaged. Shortly after she got back at the end of the whole Logan kidnapping saga, Charlie reached out to her. And apologized. And made it up to her. Then they started dating again, and one thing led to another and now they are getting married in the spring.

"Ok. Maybe I'll see what Charlie has planned for Saturday, spend some time with him. Then afterwards we can all meet up here for dinner. How does that sound?"

"Works for me. As long as we can order in takeout. I have a feeling the last thing I'm going to want to do after shopping for a wedding dress all day, is deal with people at a restaurant."

"All right. We'll talk to Jane and Charlie about it later." And with that he took my hand and started steering me into the dining room.

"Why are we going to the dining room? We normally eat at the breakfast bar or in the living . . ." I trailed off and just stood in the doorway to the dining room with my mouth open in shock. The room was filled with roses. Hundreds of them in a variety of colors, their scent heady. The table was set with elegant china and alongside it, a silver bucket with a bottle of champagne chilling inside.

"Happy Anniversary Lizzie." I just stared at Will, not saying anything. I stared long enough that he averted his gaze and started wringing his hands. "I know we never said we were celebrating our 6 month anniversary, but that was the time period we agreed to for a trial run when we started this and I wanted to mark it with something special. Because you're special. And our time together has been so special to me. So I know we only agreed to try this for 6 months but you make me so happy. And I hope I make you happy too. And I want more than 6 months with you Lizzie Bennett." He finished with a rush.

I just stared.

"Oh my god. You were done. You don't want this anymore. Liz, can we please talk about this?" He started to plead. I finally came to my senses, walked over to him, grabbed his hands so that he would stop wringing them together and kissed him. Hard.

"Liz. I don't understand." I shushed him.

"I was just surprised. I kind of forgot it was our anniversary. With the school semester starting up and figuring things out for my last year of law school, I lost track of time. I also forgot that we originally agreed to 6 months. Because when I took that internship with the District Attorney's office for the summer, the reason why I was worried about the relationship didn't exist anymore. You were no longer my boss and we could just be. And I've been so happy too."

Will let out a sigh of relief.

"I am so relieved to hear that. So is it safe to assume that we don't need to have a conversation about continuing our relationship?" I kissed him again and continued to wrap my arms around him.

"No. We don't. But we do need to have a different conversation." I felt him stiffen. "Relax Will. The District Attorney's office asked me if I wanted to stay on for the year as a student lawyer. They were really happy with the work I did this summer and said if I work during the year, I could get my own cases, do some criminal hearings and possibly a trial. Plus, it will mean more likely than not that they will hire me as a lawyer starting next fall after I graduate." Will leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm so proud of you. Of course you should do it. We've discussed this. This is the field you want to practice. We've also discussed my concerns about your safety in this job field . . ."

"Which you need to trust me on when I tell you security is in place."

"I do. It's just that it's still a dangerous job."

"Of course it is. I'm not unaware of that. But knowing that I know that means that you also know that I'm more aware of my surroundings and I'll be extra cautious."

"I know. It's just that I love you so much." I took a step back from him.

"What did you just say?" He gave me a sheepish grin.

"I guess it kind of just slipped out. But I do mean it. I love you Elizabeth Bennett." I sighed a sigh of contentment.

"I am so happy to hear you say that. Because I love you too Fitzwilliam Darcy." And we kissed again . . . ok, fine, we made out.

"Will you move in with me?" He asked when we finally stopped kissing.

"Honey, just because I'm quitting Darbing and will have to take out additional loans, does not mean I want you to support me."

"I never said that. You did. I don't want to have to schedule time to see you around my work schedule and your internship schedule. We know what that was like over the summer, when we didn't get to see each other at work, and now we are going to add your school schedule into the works. I love you and I want to see you and be with you. If there is an added bonus that you don't have to pay for housing, and some other expenses, during your last year, so be it. But I'm not offering to be your sugar daddy. I think that both of us know each other well enough at this point to know that wouldn't work for either one of us."

"Well, when you put it that way, yes, I'll move in with you. Because I love you Will."

"And I love you Lizzie." And we kissed again.