Chapter Text
Sunday, March 17, 2013
7:30 p.m. - Anniversary [*repeat event every year*]
Before he rings the doorbell, he pulls out his pocketwatch and notes the time. Is it too late to be calling on her? It's certainly too late to turn back. He takes comfort in the fact that, should he fail, none of his closest friends know what he's about to do. It won't lessen the heartbreak, but it will allow him to retreat and heal in a way Lizzie's very public rejection had prevented the last time.
Gigi has been insufferable. Not a day passes without some kind of reference to the redhead who has taken his heart and mind hostage. "She misses you, William. You're an idiot if you let her go after everything that's happened! Just call her, what's the worst that can happen?"
And now he's about to face the worst. But he rings the doorbell anyway, knowing that he may also be facing the very best. He clings to the memory of her eyes when he asked her to the theater, the way they crinkled at the corners, happy, hopeful, and a little confused. He pushes away the possibility that he was projecting his own feelings onto her. It's too late for such thoughts anyway. He can hear approaching footsteps.
In the instant before the door opens, he remembers that Lizzie does not live alone, and he prays that her father isn't about to answer the door. It is difficult to determine who is more surprised to see who - Charlotte or William.
Charlotte closes her mouth with an audible snap and leans backwards, peering down the hallway and into the house. Then she steps out onto the doorstep, closing the door softly behind her.
"It took you long enough."
"Excuse me?"
It isn't the proper way to greet an acquaintance, but he is thrown by the knowing look she's giving him, and besides, she hasn't said hello yet either.
"Listen, Lizzie's been a little...fragile lately, so if you're here to deliver bad news-"
"That depends entirely upon her."
They stare at each other for a long moment, and an understanding is reached.
"Good, then. She's through the door at the end of the hall."
He nods and she opens the door again, letting him enter first.
"Oh, and Darcy?" She's whispering, clearly trying to let him surprise Lizzie. Either that or she suspects Lizzie to be a flight risk and doesn't want to give her an opportunity to run.
He merely raises his eyebrows, waiting for her to continue.
"I know you guys are the masters of avoidance tactics, but this may be your last shot. Don't mess it up, okay? I can't be held responsible for my actions if you do."
There's no way to respond to that, so he just nods and turns down the short hallway. A parade of family pictures and school photographs line the walls, but all he can focus on is the sound of Lizzie's voice. He's missed it, and until now he hasn't realized just how much. He has listened to her message a thousand times on repeat, but it is a poor substitute for the real thing. As he nears the doorway, her words become clearer.
"Second chances are rare. I think I used all of mine up."
There's a catch in her voice. Is she crying? Is she talking about him, about them? He hesitates, tripping over his feet as he pulls up short. She's heard him, but she turns away, clearly expecting Charlotte. He takes a deep breath, and then steps into the room.
"Hey, do you need money for the tip?"
Monday, March 25, 2013
9:00 p.m. - Departure
9:47 p.m. - Arrival @ SFO
"Let me take you to the airport."
"There's no point, Lizzie, it isn't as though you can walk with me to my gate. You'd be dropping me off at the check-in, which is a wasted trip. Besides, I have to return my rental car."
She hugs him around his waist and leans her head against his chest. "I don't want you to go."
"I don't want to go, either." He ducks his head and presses his nose to her hair. She uses the most amazing shampoo, though she doesn't believe him when he tells her so. It doesn't matter to him that it costs her five dollars at CVS. The smell is distinctly Lizzie, and he knows he'll be stopping to pick some up before he gets home tonight.
She mumbles something into his chest, but she's holding on so tightly that he can't make it out. Reluctantly, he pries her loose.
"What?"
"The next few months are going to completely suck, aren't they?"
He smiles sadly and leans down to give her a gentle kiss.
"That is my assessment as well."
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
12:15 p.m. - Lunch with Gigi
Reminder: Call Lizzie 7 p.m.
9:00 p.m. - Drinks with Fitz
He would be amused by the way Gigi and Fitz insist on keeping him occupied that first day back in San Francisco except for the fact that he hasn't been able to stop thinking about the girl he left behind since he boarded his plane the night before, and he suspects the distraction is a good thing. When Gigi bounces into his office for their lunch date, grinning from ear to ear, he can't help but feel relieved.
"I would like to go on record as having totally called it," she teases, hopping up on the edge of her desk.
"Yes, you're very clever. Your gold star is in the mail."
She rolls her eyes, but can't supress her smile. "She's rubbing off on you. That was very Lizzie-esque sarcasm."
"I will accept that compliment."
Talking about the events of the last week helps somewhat, and Gigi keeps up a steady stream of questions throughout their lunch. He is freer with his feelings than he normally would be, and she takes advantage of his natural high, wringing every bit of of information out of him that she can.
He assumes that Fitz is waiting for her phone call after lunch. They've probably come up with a name for this scheme to keep him from spiraling into a post-Lizzie depression. Likely they have code words in place. Just to be sure, he checks Fitz's Twitter account before they meet for drinks.
@FitzOnTheFitz: @ggdarcy How's our boy doing? Were there hearts floating around his head?
@ggdarcy: @FitzOnTheFitz Hearts and little birds. He's twitterpated!
@FitzOnTheFitz: @ggdarcy I see what you did there.
@ggdarcy: @FitzOnTheFitz I can't get anything past you :P Keep me posted!
He sighs. Predictable.
@wmdarcy: @ggdarcy @FitzOnTheFitz You are both ridiculous. But thank you.
@ggdarcy: @wmdarcy Our pleasure. @FitzOnTheFitz