by MK McGowan
Elizabeth walked through the door just then and Darcy’s exhaustion evaporated. She watched as Elizabeth approached the table and said hello to everyone. Charlotte got up and waved Elizabeth into the vacant chair next to Darcy.
“Would you like a drink?” Charlotte asked.
“I’m still on call, but I’d love a soda or some juice,” Elizabeth said. For some reason, it took both Charlotte and Jane to get her drink. Their absence afforded Darcy and Elizabeth a little bit of privacy in the crowd.
“I’m glad you came tonight,” Elizabeth said.
“I wasn’t given much choice in the matter,” Darcy replied, half-teasing. “Charlotte practically kidnapped me.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Remind me to thank her, would you?” Elizabeth slid her arm along the back of Darcy’s chair and leaned closer to Darcy. “Would you like to dance?” she asked.
Darcy nodded, and Elizabeth led her out on to the dance floor. Despite the fact that both women were exhausted from work and travel, they stayed out on the dance floor for almost half an hour. The first few songs were loud and fast, but by the end of the second slow dance, Darcy wanted to take Elizabeth back to her hotel room and rip her clothes off. With her teeth, if need be.
It was fairly obvious that Elizabeth felt the same way. If the nonverbal cues weren’t enough, the whispered, “Can we go back to my place, please?” confirmed it for Darcy.
Darcy pulled away slightly. Ever practical, she said, “My hotel is closer. But are you sure? I need you to be sure. This back and forth is killing me,” she said with a hint of desperation. “Because I think I’m actually starting to like you, Dr. Austin,” she added with a smile.
Elizabeth’s responding smile was almost triumphant. “Good.” She tugged Darcy’s arm. “Let’s go.”
The two women stopped by their table of friends on the way out. Darcy told Charlotte she was leaving and that she would call her in the morning. Elizabeth winked at Jane and put her arm around Darcy to escort her from the bar. Elizabeth’s truck was parked down the street from the bar. Elizabeth struggled to unlock the door. Even in the dark, Darcy could see that Elizabeth’s hands were shaking. She found that immensely reassuring.
Elizabeth finally unlocked the door and flung it open. She slid over to where Darcy was leaning casually against the side of the truck. She pressed herself up against Darcy and, bracing her arms on either side, kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Darcy had to pull away to breath.
“Weren’t we on our way to my hotel?” she asked in a husky growl.
“Oh yeah,” Elizabeth said, trying to get her breath under control. Elizabeth stepped back, but she waited until Darcy climbed into the truck before she walked around and got in the driver’s seat. Once seated, she turned and pulled Darcy back into her arms.
Elizabeth ran her hands over Darcy’s sweater. It was soft but not nearly as soft as the skin underneath. They continued necking until the windows fogged up. They probably would have had sex, but Darcy’s elbow hit the horn when she tried to unbuckle Elizabeth’s belt. The noise startled the two women and several couples leaving the bar. The ensuing laughter broke the tension, and, flushed and breathless, they agreed that they should go to the hotel, if only in the interest of keeping the peace.
Elizabeth drove fast, keeping only one hand on the wheel. Darcy was amazed at the amount of heat a single hand could generate. Nevertheless, she stopped Elizabeth’s right hand as it was sliding under the waistband of her jeans. She knew it wouldn’t take much more than one touch and she’d be coming right then and there. As much as that thought appealed to her, the thought of having Elizabeth naked in her bed appealed to her more.
“Drive faster,” she commanded.
Elizabeth grinned. She pressed the gas pedal and prayed they wouldn’t get stopped by the deputy sheriff. He was her third cousin, and he had never been able to keep his mouth shut. If he stopped her tonight, she’d never hear the end of it.
Luckily, they made it to the hotel without incident and rushed up to Darcy’s room. It was Darcy’s turn to have trouble with the key. When she finally opened the door, they burst into the room and kicked the door closed.
Darcy slammed the deadbolt in place. She learned her lesson the last time. There would be no interruptions by room service tonight.
***
Darcy headed straight for the bed, but Elizabeth grabbed her hand and stopped her. “I love this sweater,” she said seconds before she pulled it over Darcy’s head. She tossed it casually aside. With one hand, she cupped Darcy’s left breast. She was rewarded with such a heartfelt groan that it made her nipples tighten in sympathy. With her free hand, she reached for the button on Darcy’s jeans.
The ringtone of Elizabeth’s phone startled them both. “God damn it to hell,” Elizabeth exclaimed in frustration. She yanked her phone out of her pocket. She wanted to fling it against the wall and watch it explode into a million pieces. Instead, she took a deep breath and then another. Darcy, chest heaving, stepped back as Elizabeth dialed the hospital.
Elizabeth reached out and stopped Darcy from moving too far away. She slipped her arm around Darcy’s waist. She didn’t want her going anywhere. There would be no second thoughts, not tonight. Elizabeth rested her head on Darcy’s shoulder while she waited for someone at the hospital to pick up the phone.
“What’s the emergency?” she demanded. Elizabeth’s body slumped but her hold on Darcy tightened.
“I’m on my way,” Elizabeth said, regret evident in her voice.
Elizabeth shoved her phone back into her pocket. She pulled Darcy closer and said, “You have no idea how sorry I am, but I have to go to the hospital.”
“I understand,” Darcy said. “I do. You’re a doctor. You can’t always control the hours you work. It’s enough that you want to see me again.”
Elizabeth squeezed Darcy tight. “Thanks for understanding,” she whispered. She reached up and kissed Darcy lightly on her neck. “Will you be here when I get back?” she asked. “Please?”
Darcy grinned. “Well it is my hotel room,” she said. She pulled away and then pushed Elizabeth toward the door. “Now go,” she ordered, “so you can hurry back. Hopefully, it won’t take as long as the first time you abandoned me.” Darcy smiled to take the sting out of her words.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. I swear,” Elizabeth said, before she dashed from the room.
Chapter Forty
Despite her best intentions, Elizabeth wasn’t able to leave the hospital until the next morning. She got back to the hotel a little before 9 and knocked softly on Darcy’s door. Elizabeth was relieved when Darcy opened the door immediately. Darcy’s welcoming smile almost made the separation worthwhile. Almost.
Elizabeth rushed in. She stopped suddenly when she noticed that Darcy was dressed in a business suit and was finishing breakfast. “Where are you going?” Elizabeth asked desperately.
“I have a meeting with the mayor and several members of the town council today,” Darcy said. She calmly poured herself another cup of coffee.
“Cancel it. Call in sick. Do something to get out of it,” Elizabeth whined.
“Carolyn is expecting me,” Darcy said. “Don’t worry. It’s an informal meeting. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. Then I’m all yours,” she said with a suggestive twinkle.
Darcy put her hand softly on Elizabeth’s cheek, examining her face closely. Darcy kissed her tenderly but refused to let Elizabeth escalate the kiss. When Darcy pulled away, Elizabeth started to pout. “You look exhausted. Now, why don’t you crawl into my bed and get some sleep while I go make nice with your cousin and the mayor?” Darcy suggested. “That way, you’ll be rested for when I get back.”
“That’s certainly an attractive idea,” Elizabeth said, her pout fading. Besides, she decided it wasn’t fair for her to make Darcy feel guilty about going to work, especially after her abrupt departure last night.
Elizabeth leaned in and kissed Darcy fiercely. “Go, netwo
rk. Wake me when you’re done,” she said. It was her turn to push Darcy toward the door.
As the door closed, exhaustion hit Elizabeth like a ton of bricks. She’d been up for more than 24 hours. I’m getting too old for this, she thought before she stripped naked and climbed into Darcy’s bed. She could smell Darcy’s shampoo on the pillow. She hugged it tight and fell asleep in seconds.
***
A ringing telephone woke Elizabeth up. She reached out and answered it without thinking. “Hello?” she said, her voice hoarse from sleep.
“Darcy?”
It was Carolyn on the phone. Elizabeth looked around for Darcy and heard the shower running in the bathroom.
“No, Darcy’s in the shower. Can I take a message?”
“Elizabeth?”
“Yeah, it’s me, Carolyn. I’ll tell Darcy you called,” she said trying to get her off the phone.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at your mom’s house helping to set up for the party tonight?” Carolyn asked.
“Shit!” Elizabeth looked at the clock. She was late, very late. “I’m heading over there soon. Will I see you there?”
“Yes. I’m going. I understand that my mother will be there,” Carolyn said. Her voice wavered.
Even through the phone line, Elizabeth could hear the anxiety in her cousin’s voice. “Yeah, she usually spends Christmas week over there. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you. I know Mom and Dad will be,” Elizabeth said encouragingly. “You’ve been away from the family long enough. I’ll tell Darcy you called,” she added, trying to wrap up the conversation before Darcy finished her shower.
“Is Darcy going to be there?”
Elizabeth nodded to herself and said, “I hope so. I know Jane and Charlotte are coming, so you’re guaranteed a few friendly faces.” She hadn’t discussed it with Darcy yet, but Elizabeth wanted to introduce her to the family.
“Great. We can all ride over together. I’ll be there in 10 minutes,” Carolyn said, viciously squashing any hope Elizabeth still had of joining Darcy in the shower.
Elizabeth sighed as she hung up the phone. When she heard the water turn off, her stomach sank. She had to laugh at herself. She’d always loved sex, but it had never seemed so important before.
Darcy came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel and a smile. The look on Elizabeth’s face drew her up short. Elizabeth looked like she was about to cry. “What is it? What’s happened?” Darcy asked.
“It’s Carolyn. She’s on her way up here right now. She wants a ride to my parent’s party,” Elizabeth said glumly.
“Thank God, I thought somebody had died,” Darcy said.
“I’m going to die if I don’t get to have sex with you soon,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy smiled. “You say the sweetest things,” she said casually. She put her arms around the frustrated blonde. “Now tell me about this party.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “It’s my folks annual Christmas party. I have to put in an appearance and I would like you to come. If you want to, no pressure,” Elizabeth said nervously. She half expected Darcy to refuse.
“Okay,” Darcy said agreeably.
“Okay? I spring a party invitation on you at the last minute, and you say okay?” Elizabeth was pleased but puzzled. “You don’t have any qualms about meeting my parents?”
“Well, I did have some warning about the party. Carolyn, Jane, Charlotte, and, even your cousin Tom, have all mentioned it today, so it wasn’t a complete surprise,’ Darcy admitted. “I’m off until after New Year’s, and I’d like to spend as much of that time with you as possible. If that means meeting your parents first, so be it.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “I don’t work another shift for three days. I’m not even on call,” she paused. “How would you feel about spending the next three days in bed?” Elizabeth asked. “With me, I mean,” she clarified.
Darcy’s smile was answer enough.
“Okay, let’s get this party over with,” Elizabeth said, moving in for a kiss that was, of course, interrupted by a knock on the door.
“That must be Carolyn,” Elizabeth said with a snarl.
Darcy laughed. “I’ll get dressed and entertain her while you take a shower.”
***
The trio arrived well after the party had started. They could hear the music inside the house before they reached the door. Darcy marveled at the huge tree draped in blinking lights in the front yard and the plastic Santa and reindeer perched precariously on the roof. It was all garishly bright.
As they entered the house, each woman had her own set of fears. Carolyn was afraid that even after all these years, her mother would still not accept her. Darcy was afraid to meet Elizabeth’s parents, and Elizabeth was afraid that Darcy would find the whole chaotic scene too much to handle. As if on cue, a small army of children ran up to them screaming, “Aunt Lizzie’s here! Aunt Lizzie’s here!”
Elizabeth almost disappeared under a squirming mound of children. Darcy was taken aback. It was obvious that Elizabeth loved the children and that the children loved her. Darcy found that unexpected and more than a little unsettling. Carolyn’s comment that Elizabeth would make a great mother didn’t ease Darcy’s discomfort. Darcy didn’t want kids. She didn’t even like kids. Not that she knew any. All her friends were childless.
When Elizabeth worked her way to the top of the scrum, her cheeks were pink from exertion and excitement. The look of joy she tossed Darcy’s way made Darcy’s heart skip a beat. Just then a small, round woman approached them.
“Aunt Mary?” Carolyn said.
“Carol Lynne! It’s so good to see you, girl,” she said. She threw her arms around Carolyn and squeezed for all she was worth. Darcy saw tears in Carolyn’s eyes, and she didn’t think it was from the force of the hug. Elizabeth had tears in her eyes, too.
When Mary finally let Carolyn go, she said, “Your Uncle Bob’s out back minding the smoker, and your momma’s in the den, girl. She’s anxious to see you. Go say hello.” It wasn’t a request.
Carolyn nodded docilely. “I will. Thanks Aunt Mary.”
Mary turned to greet her own daughter. “Where have you been, Lizzie? You were supposed to help me set up.”
“Sorry, Mom, I had to work all night, and I fell asleep,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy noticed she left out the part about falling asleep in someone else’s bed, but, then, no one tells her mother everything.
“Mom, this is Darcy Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth said proudly, slipping her arm around Darcy’s waist. Nobody missed the significance of that gesture.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Austin,” Darcy said. She held out her hand.
Mary shook it politely. “Likewise, Miss Fitzwilliam. Now y’all come on into the kitchen and get something to eat.” She herded them toward the back of the house. There were a surprising number of women gathered around a huge table. Every square inch of the table was covered with food. They were all talking about kids and husbands and recipes. Darcy immediately felt out of place. The only thing that kept her from bolting in terror was the comforting heat of Elizabeth’s arm clamped firmly around her waist.
Elizabeth introduced her to everyone in the kitchen. They were all friends, neighbors, or relatives, and Darcy knew that she would never remember all their names. They were all polite but a little reserved with her. Mary filled a plate with a little bit of everything and handed it to Darcy. “Eat up, now. There’s plenty.” Mary turned to her daughter and said, “Elizabeth, go say hi to your daddy. And tell him we’re ready for that turkey.”
Elizabeth turned to Darcy and winked. “I’ll be right back, darlin’. Don’t try to run off.”
Darcy grinned. Elizabeth had read her mind. “You’ve got five minutes…darlin’,” she said, copying Elizabeth’s drawl. This earned her another smile from Elizabeth before she disappeared out the back door.
“How do you like those sweet ‘taters?” asked a thin, woman with unnaturally red hair.
/> She was a cousin of some sort, Darcy remembered. “I haven’t tried them yet,” she said right before she took a bite. She quickly found out that she didn’t like the combination of brown sugar, sweet potatoes, and toasted marshmallows.
Everyone watched her chew.
“Wow, those sure are sweet,” she said, hoping to appease the audience with a simple truth. The dubious looks she got made her quickly take a bite of something else.
“Oh my God! This is awesome.” She eagerly took another, bigger bite of cheese grits, which made all the women smile. They resumed their conversations as if there’d never been a pause.
Darcy stood there eating and let the voices wash over her. She was surprised when Elizabeth slipped back into the kitchen quietly. “How’re you doing?” Elizabeth asked.
“I’m fine,” Darcy said. She was surprised, but it was true. “And the food’s great.”
“Are you okay here for another minute? I want to find my brother Davey,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy nodded bravely. After Elizabeth melted into the crowd, Darcy decided she’d better check on Carolyn, who had been a basket case on the drive over. Darcy wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t seen it for herself. She walked through the rooms of the house and finally spotted Carolyn sitting next to an older woman with a walker parked beside her chair. Carolyn looked up and saw Darcy peeking in. She smiled and nodded to let Darcy know she was okay.
Darcy withdrew quietly to give Carolyn and her mother some privacy. She turned around and bumped right into Elizabeth’s mother. Darcy wasn’t sure exactly who Mary was checking up on.
“How’re they doing in there?” Mary asked.
“I think they’re doing okay,” Darcy said.
Mary nodded and slipped her arm through Darcy’s. She led her into the dining room and sat down. Darcy followed suit. “It’s a shame when parents and children fight. No matter what, blood is blood,” she said. “Now tell me, how long have you known my daughter?”