9 ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously - chapter 13

hello, there.
“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” Funny I remembered this Lennon quote to start this post today of all days, 50 years' anniversary of the Abbey road legendary pic. 

And, as Bertha and Williams approach the end of their journey, it's also surprisingly fitting to find these Beatle's lyrics in this album.

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Have I mentioned this is the  last  chapter ?
Well, it kinda is...

Nine ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously

WIP, modern (mostly), adult (you know me...), fun, fluff, heart healing stuff.
read chapter 12 _PART 3
or START from CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 13
Make love out of nothing 

From bed they moved to the shower still glued, almost connected, very much inspired by the intense dream shared for almost two days. 

Thoroughly cleaned, highly infatuated, the idea of leaving his apartment for a meal was discarded because of the necessity of more clothes than his pjs they shared.

‘You're the first to make this machine proud.’ Williams sipped his coffee.

smells nice

‘Don't you use it?’ Bertha watched as the dark liquid drip slowly in her cup. 

‘I always preferred your coffee.’ He leaned on the counter for a kiss. ‘This machine needed you here.’

She held his chin to give him the kiss he asked. ‘I could eat something.’  Another kiss. ‘Crackers.’ Kiss. ‘Cereal.’

‘There are burritos in the freezer, my dad cooks for me. Egg, vegetables, cilantro, cheese, salsa & hot sauce.’

‘I'll take it.’ Bertha smiled.  ‘My mom never offered me frozen S.O.S. food…’ She sipped her coffee as he put burritos in the oven. ‘Although she does it for my sister.’

‘Have you asked?’

‘No…’

He raised his brows. ‘If my dad knew you wanted a stash, he'd be glad to fill your freezer.’

‘I'd be glad if his son filled me with sweet kisses…’

‘For a tiny second-’ He united thumb and index finger. ‘- thought you'd go for a dirty joke.’

She laughed, almost choked on coffee. ‘That'd be nice too.’

He pushed her to the couch chuckling. There he sat with legs apart so she'd wrap her legs around one of his thighs and sipped their hot drinks waiting for the food in the oven.

‘The belladama dream I had felt like a movie about cooking, I watched everything from afar.’ He said. ‘I was a chef; you were very critical.’  He complained, she bit her lip holding a smile. ‘I had to up my game to win you over. But I woke up before we actually hooked up.’

‘Were our kisses close to reality?’ She asked on his lips.

‘Don't know.’ He smiled and she kissed the corners. ‘There wasn't even one.’

‘I thought men only dreamt about porn.’

‘Cos we are unintelligent animals, is that why?’

She giggled. ‘Why don't we use the same cup?’ Bertha pointed at their coffees. ‘Maybe we could have continued your dream, who knows?’

‘The chaste dream came from smoked belladama. We should have tea, not coffee.’ Williams pulled a charming face. ‘I had you naked, and kissed a lot. Belladama is meant to be drank.’ 

Suddenly, there was noise on the lock, the front door moved an inch and a hand gingerly knocked three times. ‘Hello?’

‘Yes?’ Williams frowned, Bertha gaped.

‘Are you dressed, brother?’

‘Yes, sister.’

‘And your girlfriend?’

He smiled, eye to eye with the grinning girl by his side. ‘Bertha is dressed, Giovana.’

‘Good!’ The door opened all the way and two women entered. ‘Oh, still in pjs!’ The blond one sighed. ‘Damp hair. New relationships are always like this; we barely get out of bed!’

‘Your twin sister, right?’ Bertha giggled.

‘Yes, that's her.’ Williams sipped his coffee.  ‘Hello to you too. This is Bertha, and that's Anne, her wife.’

‘Hi, there. You two look lovely together. I didn't let her take a picture of you two holding hands while sleeping because that was too much, but I regret. You'd like to see it.’

‘Were you here?’ He groaned.

‘Were we holding hands?’ Bertha smiled for Williams. 

The women exchanged cheek kisses, the sister kissed the brother’s forehead.

‘The cutest!’ Giovana said from the kitchen. ‘So peaceful, so much in love!’ She returned to the living room with a plate munching half a burrito, offered to her wife and then to her frowning brother.

‘The food was ours.’

‘Don't be greedy.’

'Mr Williams' burritos are the best.' Anne said with her mouth full. ‘Cilantro, cheese and hot sauce, delicious. Gio always asks beans and chilli.’

‘These are my favorite.’  Williams gave one half to Bertha and took the other. Before he took a bite, his sister pointed at him.

‘What happened to you? Where's your diastema?’

‘Had it fixed.’ He said eating.

‘Why?’ Giovana passed her tongue on her front teeth to show the small gap, exactly the same as her brother had.

‘Broke a tooth, needed a root canal before resin, Finneas redid it all.’

‘Did you fall?’

‘I had a fight with a guy I thought was her ex.’ He tilted his head towards Bertha.

‘Me?’ She coughed.  ‘Who?’

‘That fuck up who'd always pretending to be sick so you'd take his shift at the coffee shop.’

don't talk just kiss...

‘Oh!’ Giovana pointed, swallowed fast. ‘You're the love barista!’

‘Am I?’ Bertha giggled, eyes on Wlliams.

‘My sister is a fool.’ Williams shook his head.

‘You had a fight with George? For me? Did he hit you?’

‘I gave him a black eye, at least.’

‘Your teeth must already had been weak.’ Giovana wanted to check her brother's mouth but he waved her off. ‘Or is the guy super strong?’

‘I lost my balance, hit the scissors arm of my dental chair.’ 

‘How silly, Junior, fight for a girl! Shouldn't you believe her choice? She sleeps holding your hand, moron!’

‘You know nothing, Giovana.’

‘Urgh!’

Between the brother's quarrel and the news that her brand new boyfriend had fought for her affections, unnecessarily but still very chivalrous, Bertha felt a little dazed. ‘Your father told me you live at the Keys, Giovana.’

‘She does! What are you doing here, by the way?’

‘I'm here for you, dumbass.’

‘Did I invite you?’

‘You didn't answer my calls or texts for a week, Junior! I was worried! You never took so long to call me back.’

Bertha kept him distracted, he completely forgot about his sister's and parents' calls. ‘I'm fine, we're fine.’ He shared a smile with Bertha. ‘Did you stay at mom's or at Anne's parents?’

The sister’s wife grimaced. ‘My parents. But…’

‘You'd rather stay here, as always.’

‘Yes. Can we, brother?’ The sister asked nicely.

‘We can go to my place, Dar.’ Bertha suggested. ‘It’s smaller, but it's not far.’

The girls hopeful grin decided for them.


‘So, in each box you have a different project?’ Williams marveled. Hands behind his back he perused each lid, each tag. The first two or three he opened to read the notes and documents, then decided to merely get acquainted with the amount of information she produced. 

‘Yes.’

‘All different businesses that you had?’

‘No, that I composed a business plan for.’

‘And never acted on it?’

‘It seemed there was always something missing, the plans were unprofessional… Lottie was also shocked when she saw my boxes, this is why she gave me Belladama.’ A pause. ‘My inability to decide which way to drive my life.’ Bertha twisted her lips. ‘But I dreamt of some, maybe the ones I care more?’

‘Which ones?’

‘Clothes designer.’ She pointed to a box. ‘We were lovers.’

‘Really?’ He was interested.

‘ONG to reinforce women’s role in political discussions.’ Another box.

‘Lovers too?’

‘Engaged.’

‘Ah, one step ahead.’ He hugged her. ‘In what other dreams did I take part?’

‘In all of them, I guess.’

‘Really?’

‘I have no explanation for this besides you being a regular at the shop.’ She hugged him back. ‘But there are other regulars, so I witchcraft must have some part in uniting us. Or the classical romance.’

bewitched, body and soul

‘I noticed that… Austen, isn’t it?  I read in junior high.’ He had a vague remembrance of a school play and a clear one of his ex’s favorite movie, the same ex who had given him the espresso machine. Funny coincidences. ‘Reason for me to find faith in hocus pocus.’

She raised three fingers. ‘Magic, literature and brains are inexplicable.’ She rose on her toes to reach his lips. ‘Show me some magic tricks there?’ Bertha pointed, walked backwards until they entered her bedroom and pushed him. When he sat on her bed, she climbed on him.

A few moments later, still enjoying the kisses and weigh of his girlfriend waking up his desires, he was glad to see her take off her clothes and lower his sweat pants in one swift move. It was up to him, comfortably lying on his back, to free at least one leg because once she got what she wanted and connected, her only care was to conduct his hand to her sensitive button. 

‘Here, Dar, do that thing you know to drive mad.’ She begged.

‘Low all the way down, Bee.’ He asked.

Before belladama, Bertha would never have self-confidence to dance naked on top of a new boyfriend as he lazily caressed her curves and flaws. Her body didn't bother her anymore, she wanted the pleasure Williams could share with her, offer in the form of fingers between her legs doing that twitch and rub while his kisses… Oh, heavens!

When he sensed she was close enough, she sat up, turned them and enjoyed her aftershocks in final pumps until he found his peak too.

‘Mmmm…. That was nice!’ Bertha stretched her arms over her head, Williams still on top of her.

‘Very nice.’

‘I'd like to go for a run, but now I'm too tired.’

‘I can't be with you in a run, but here we can exercise together...’

A shared chuckle. 

‘A nap, what you say?’

‘We’re good at napping together.’

‘Too good!’

This time, they spooned each other. 


Williams woke up alone with the insistent doorbell.  He got up slowly, dressed his sweat pants, searched for Bertha in the bathroom, kitchen and opened the door certain she had left for a run without her keys. 

‘Who are you?’ 

‘Excuse me.’ He said to the person on the corridor. ‘Who are you?’

‘You're in my friend 's apartment, where is she? Who are you?’ The angry girl demanded. ‘Wait, I know you…’

He waited.

‘It's you!’ She pointed at his face. ‘That little thief always dreams about you.’

Recognition loomed in his mind. ‘Are you Lottie?’

‘Do you know me?’

‘I have a fuzzy memory of your face, yes.’

‘Damn you, Bertha!’ She mumbled.  ‘Where is she?’

‘Don't know, maybe she left for a run.’ He took a step aside and waved the living room. ‘Please, get in. We need to talk; I have many doubts about belladama.’

‘I don't know what is that.’ Lottie pulled a face.

‘No need to keep secrets from me, Lottie. After two trips, I've met the effects of your grandma's herb. And approve of it.’

‘Oh. My. God.’ Lottie entered Bertha's apartment as one walks to the gallows.


Bertha opened her apartment’s door with a grin. She had had a great run, was returning to a loving boyfriend that promised to be a keeper- in the beginning they all did, right? And then they could go out for dinner.

But she realized her plans wouldn't happen when she saw that doom had reached first.

‘The thief.’ Lottie mumbled.

‘Hi, friend, what an unexpected visit!…’

‘The conniving little bitch who stole from my house and let her boyfriend have my grandma's secret!’

‘Calm down.’

‘You babbled!’

‘She didn't.’ Williams said calmly. 

‘No need to advocate for her, I know this fake friend since we were kids.’

‘He is speaking the truth, Lottie, I didn't say anything until after he had his first trip. And I didn't even know one could smoke belladama…’

‘What?'

The shout made both Bertha and Williams wince. 

‘Speak.’ Lottie ordered. ‘Tell me everything, don't you dare leave anything to be said.’

‘Let me take a shower first and we can go out for-’

‘Now!’

So she did. Bertha sat down on the floor with a bottle of water and told her childhood friend the coincidences of always having Williams in her dreams, the bag she took from Lottie's house forgotten on his car, his curiosity and their trip together.  When she finished, Lottie had her head between her knees, arms crossed holding her body in a ball.

‘My gran will kill me.’ She whined. ‘She will return from the other plane to berate me, and shout, and kill me.’

‘We didn't do anything wrong, Lottie, chill.’ Bertha got up, pecked Williams lips and walked to the fridge for a new bottle of water. 

‘Nothing wrong?’ Lottie raised her voice again. ‘You divided in several doses what I specifically told you to have only two times.’ She showed two fingers. ‘You smoked what was supposed to be brewed.’ She pointed at Williams. ‘And then you two shared a single dose in a new mug? Nothing I told you was taken seriously, B! This is something serious.’

‘New mug, old mug, tea was what was important and we did it the right way. Fill it up with boiling water then place the leaves on top, cover with a dish, let it sit for a few minutes. The mug is just the vessel.’

‘Isn't it obvious?’ Lottie asked impatiently. 

Bertha exchanged looks with Williams, he offered his hand, she took it and sat on his lap.

‘With an old mug you allowed the belladama to show you your life in a straight forward manner. A new mug…’ Lottie opened her eyes wide.

‘Not our past, but our future?’ Williams said slowly. 

‘A suggestion of it, weak minds can be persuaded to follow a projection. Off goes your free will.’

‘Or it opens our eyes to what is saved for us.’ Bertha frowned. ‘Could this be?’

Lottie shrugged. ‘Remember Belladama can never heal your life.’
They paused in deep thoughts.

‘We can't waste 8 years, Bee.’

‘No chance.’

They exchanged another look, this time a long one, heartfelt, intense.

‘What are you talking about?’ Lottie furrowed her brows.

‘You should know; you were there with us.’

Lottie shook her head. ‘No, I was in a dream of my own.’

‘With a seal officer.’

‘Yes?…’

They all kept silent for a few moments. 

 ‘Your seal was my friend Finneas, it's his the narghile I used. There might still be some belladama left in it.’

Lottie was freaked out. ‘I'll never sleep again. My gran might come to me and she'll kill me.’

---

His days started with a different taste for Williams. His morning latte was prepared by his adored girlfriend after they arrived together at the coffee house. Before the magnificent belladama tea, he had his coffee to go and arrived at the office thinking that one day he'd find a way to ask her out. Together, he took the side table, shared a French toast with her sipping slowly from his cup where she designed a heart in latte art.

fake it 'till you make it

‘When you get tired of the only trick I can pull out to decorate your morning coffee, switch to green tea.’ She joked.

‘How about you learn another thingy to draw on foam for me?’

‘I'm not a barista, Dar.’

‘How about you become one? A really fancy one.’

‘Why would I?’

‘I've been thinking about something, Bee. A sabbatical, a year away.’

Bertha tried to disguise her reaction. ‘Wow… Where are you planning to go?’ She hoped the coffee cup on her lips would hide her grimace.

‘Europe.’ He shrugged. ‘If you'd like it there. We could dedicate to a few free courses. Literature, of course. Barista, cooking, mythology.’

She was silent for a while. 

‘A year isn't that much time, Bee. I also doubt I'll know what to do with so much leisure; since my father's retirement I haven't taken more than a week away at a time. But our dream showed me that there's no use in postponing life. What do you say?’

‘You included me in your plans?’

‘Yes, Bee. Why wouldn't I?’

‘I… Well, we're together for only a while and.’ She blinked. ‘I, you. I'm speechless.’

‘Yes or no?’

‘I'd love to, but I can't afford.’ A small smile raised the corners of her lips. ‘I could sublet my apartment, have a small savings account, but wouldn’t last long.’ Bertha bit her lip. ‘I could serve coffee everywhere, I guess.’

‘Or skill up.’

‘That would be a dream coming true. New love, polishing up my being!…’ Bertha wiggled her brows.

He shook an index finger. ‘Not new love, me.’ Pointed to his chest with a thumb. ‘The one.’

She giggled. ‘Dreamier still…’ Bertha moved from her chair to his lap. ‘I can fantasize about you in Europe. Greece, Italy, all tanned and idle.’

He smiled showing his perfect teeth. ‘Let's make it happen.’ A kiss. ‘Delayed gratification is a vice.’ Another. And a few more until he had to leave for work.

Bertha was set in planning mood. 

One thing she could do was compose detailed plans for ventures she would lose interest once all variations were calculated, that was her modus operandi. The threat of letting Williams go without her made her feel extremely sad, exactly as she did in the dream they shared. 

eureka!

As she kept working mechanically, Bertha discovered she had felt that way, or similarly, in each belladama dream, every time she let that specific Mr. Darcy go. The strong fashion designer missed the retail tycoon, the demure girl of 200 years before her time suffered for the handsome gentleman, the headstrong suffragist longed for the politician she thought she couldn't love. Those women, strong, doubtful, delicate, fragile, willful, they were sides of her own personality.  

A diamond.

That was how she started to see herself, a multifaceted rock capable of reflecting light in several different directions. ‘Me!’ Bertha said softly. 

‘What?’

She winced as the male voice reached her. ‘George, hi. Didn't see you arrive.’

‘You're distracted.’ He smiled sideways. ‘Problems?’

‘Kinda.’ Bertha shook her head slowly. ‘Solutions, actually.’ A shrug. ‘What about you?’

‘Have to tell you that I'm still not ok, might need a few more days off. That crazy dentist really fucked my mouth.’ He pressed his left cheek. ‘Such lousy professional, should make a formal complaint.’
‘He can do the same, you know. At the police station. You broke his tooth. He told me you started the violence and the verbal abuse.’ The man went pale. ‘I know what happened, yes.’

‘He lied!’

‘My boyfriend has no reason to lie to me, George.’

‘Boyfriend!’

‘Yes…’ Bertha looked around the empty place at that time of the day, thought about one more time having to run everything on her own because her colleague claimed a fake reason to miss work and decided: enough was enough.  

She stood. 

‘I'm the one who'll be off for a while. It's about time you take responsibility.’

Before he could protest, she took off the apron and left. ‘My shift only starts in half an hour!’ He shouted, but Bertha was already gone.

tenor

~ to the epilogue we go... ~

9 ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously - chapter 12_ PART III

hello, there.
Darcy and Lizzy dressed in Persuasion's color was something very challenging. Lizzy is almost the opposite of Anne Elliot, but in the middle there is Bertha who is discovering herself - her new self.

Darcy and Wentworth have a few traits in common. The stares and broodness, the hidden feelings and secret loves. But, would it be degrading for a rich first son to take position in the Navy? Wasn't it a job for second or third sons?

Honored men, of course. Brandon, oh, dear! Brandon...

And how about 'meeting' your crush in a dream? Awckward? Sexy? A revelation? 
Here they are, Bertha and Williams, Lizzy and Darcy.

Sorry for the delay, btw. With all the Sanditon joy and Book fair preparations, I got caught up.

Nine ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously

WIP, modern (mostly), adult (you know me...), fun, fluff, heart healing stuff.
read chapter 12 _PART 2
or START from CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 12
VIII- Lonely Hearts - part 3 - final

That same night the sisters decided to cut short their Orlando stay and return earlier to Miami. The cousins could have whined asking to stay, but Louisa was actually injured. As the pain built up, the girl called her mother who called the family physician who suspected a bone bruise. The order was to undergo several tests and procedures in the big city to confirm the diagnosis, and could only be done in Miami.

The five women and two unhappy children left early the next morning.


The next day, Darcy met Fitzwilliam and Charlotte as he entered the hotel lobby. They were heading for the pool, he planned on a shower before going out again. But changed plans after mere 20 seconds.

‘They are all gone?’

‘Yes, even the sweet Louisa.’ Charlotte pursed her lips.

‘I'm sorry, dude. Maybe you can meet her in Miami if you accept my invitation and come stay with me during our leave.’

‘Who, Louisa? Are you crazy, she's just a girl!’

‘Much more than a girl, Darcy, 19 is a young and flirtatious woman.  You two got a good thing going, dude.’

‘No.’

‘Yes.’

‘Absolutely not. Were did you get this absurd idea?’ Darcy was adamant. ‘Was I too attentive to her?’

‘Yes!’ Both Charlotte and Fitzwilliam answered at the same time.

‘Maybe I need to apologize, then.’

‘Let it rest.’ Charlotte waved. ‘Those girls are too lively, spoiled as Lizzy says. There's a good chance she won't remember you in a few days.’

'Lizzy' among those words made him antsy. 

‘So, Miami is still out of the question, huh? Charlotte can get us tickets to a VIP party, freeload.’

She chuckled. ‘In two weeks only. It'll be the after party of the rock festival, for crew and bands. Usually the famous stars make a quick stop, even perform a song or two.’

‘Sounds fun. All crew goes to this party?’

‘Pretty much. Lizzy can name who ditches, she keeps track of everybody, manages to record great chats during the party. Her savvy interviews keep everyone on their toes.’

‘She's very pretty, but prettier on screen.’ Fitzwilliam said casually as he arranged towels over lounge chairs for them.

sun fun luv

‘Huh.’ Darcy grunted his disapproval but Fitzwilliam didn’t understand the reason.

‘She lights up on camera, has presence of mind. She has a way to make people open up, speak up. No one can do better interviews simply because she doesn’t want to attract attention to herself, she always wants to give space to others. No wonder she manages to secure exclusives.’ Charlotte smiled sideways. ‘Did you notice how Lizzy is jumpy at open spaces?’

‘Never met her before.’ Fitzwilliam shrugged.

‘She is shy! Terrified people will recognize her… Silly! Louisa has some resemblance to Lizzy, come to think of it, hasn't she?’ Charlotte thought for a while. ‘Maybe cheek bones or eyes-’

‘No, not her eyes.’ Darcy betrayed himself. Her fine eyes were a feature of hers that never faded in his memory. ‘They both have long face and dark hair, as their aunt Gardenia. It's a family trait.’

‘And you know that because…’

‘I met Lizzy years ago, when she started college and I was at Officer Training School.’

‘Dude.’ Fitzwilliam choked. ‘Dude!’ He held Darcy's shoulder. ‘She's that Elizabeth!’

Darcy nodded.

‘Dude…’

‘Elizabeth who?’ Charlotte was intrigued and a little displeased.  

Darcy shook his head dismissively.  ‘I'll be at my sister's ranch, Fitzwilliam.  You know where to reach me before I arrive in Miami in a few days.’ If it was the city where she lived, then it'd be.


‘Do you believe it'll take much longer, Mary?’ Lizzy asked her sister.  ‘I still have so much to do today…’

‘It's early. And it’s my first great job as costume designer, hang on.’ She fit the small tube in her nose for a powerful spray and inhaled deeply. 'You are come at last, after days of me calling you to try outfits for the concert transmissions! I began to think I should never see you. I am so busy I got ill, so ill I can hardly speak.' She inhaled again. 

‘You’ll get and addiction to nasal sprays, Mary.’

‘I wish. I have a serious condition, rhinitis that sparks my migraines. Sprays shrink congested blood vessels, open my clogged passages.’ A cough, two sneezes and a sigh. ‘Quick relief that lasts so little, let me look at you.’ She pressed her eyes. ‘Not pants, maybe skirts. Try this animal print denim skirt.’

‘Kind of short, isn't it?’

‘Ankle boots.’ The designer said absent minded.  ‘You've got nice legs.’

‘Ah, here you are.’ Charlotte entered the office without knocking.

‘Naked people here! Mary waved her arms. ‘I get no respect here! And I’ve been working so hard, I don’t know how you do it for so long, Lizzy!’

‘You’ll get used to it, sister.’

‘Chill, Mary, it's just me. Your assistant was not at the desk, so I thought-’

‘I have not seen him for hours. He would go out though I told him how ill I was. He said he should not stay out long; but he has never come back. I assure you, I have not seen a soul this whole long morning and I get more ill and busier by the minute.’

‘You're hypochondriac.’ Charlotte found a chair, moved clothes aside and sat. ‘Pull yourself together, we’re just starting.’

‘I am not!’ Mary bristled. ‘What are you doing here anyway? We're a week away from the concert, Lizzy has to start taping the teasers and visit the stadium… she has nothing to wear on camera simply because she refused to come here earlier.’ 

‘She asked me to come here. We have to go over the scripts and-’

‘Not here!’ Mary shook a finger.

‘Please, girls.’ Lizzy returned from the dressing room inside the outfit (minus a top). ‘Help me please, I have go home earlier. Family emergency.’ 

‘Someone is sick?’ Mary gasped. ‘No one told me.’

‘Dad didn’t want to tell you because of your condition.’ She pointed her own nose. ‘He sold the house, he is inconsolable.’ Lizzy sighed. ‘What do you want to wear with this, Mary?’ She pointed the skirt.

‘But he should have told me…’

‘He will. And you’ll both whine that the boys won’t be able to swim in the pool, learn to play golf, he’ll be more depressed… give him a break.’ She pressed her sister’s hand. ‘A top?’

‘I have a few options here…’ A bit lost, she chose several tops for Lizzy to try. ‘Why do you keep fingering your collarbone?’ Mary leaned closer and moved the bra strap to a side. ‘Something I need to hide?’

‘No.’ Lizzy waved the designer's hand away. ‘I lost mom’s scapular, that's all.’

‘The Italian one, very delicate?’ Mary took the nose spray tube from her pocket. Lizzy nodded.

‘She's got this nervous tic. Give her a necklace, something big.’ Charlotte suggested.  ‘If she does that on camera, at least it'll have a reason.’

‘Right.’ The designer opened a huge bijoux drawer. 

‘So, the old man Bennett is now a catch, huh? Loaded with the profit from the house…’

‘Dad has a few debts to pay, has to divide the money with us, so what will be left will hardly make him attractive. He's in low spirits.’ Lizzy fingered the missing necklace again. ‘At least now I'll have means to start my documentary production company, it'll be mom's last gift. Parting from her house is hard on him… all of us.’

‘Who bought it?’ Mary bit her lip.

‘The huge castle in the burbs?’

Lizzy sniggered. ‘He said something about government, his lawyer took care of details. To him, there wouldn't be a perfect buyer because my dad would rather not sell.’

‘I understand but how much does it cost to keep that estate?’ Charlotte rolled her eyes. ‘He'll be much happier at the big Brickell Avenue apartment.  Tell me again why only Jane will live there.’

‘I have my own place. Mary lives with her family.’

‘Now we all live close to aunt Gardenia, that is nice enough.’

‘But there is so much space left in 8000 square feet… even the closet has a floor to ceiling window! Oh, quite a view!’

‘Yeah, it is a good place. Dad liked it a lot.’

‘Red top, a long chain with a cross and a vintage beret!’ Mary smiled extending the items to Lizzy. ‘Try these on, please.’

Lizzy nodded.

‘I love this beret, please bring it back. It belongs to the network's collection.’ Mary observed sniffing as Lizzy dressed. ‘One can almost smell the salty air, it has this Navy thing, sea battles heroes.’

a beret with pearls!

‘Oh, no! Charlotte shook her head. I grew so weary of navy men.’
Lizzy groaned. ‘Do I need a beret? Really?’

‘No one needs a beret, Mary. Come on!’ Charlotte took the hat from Lizzy's head ruffling her hair.

‘Prada had berets in 2017's collection.’ Mary rescued the item, arranged it perfectly sideways, slightly pushed back. ‘Lovely.’ She said and sprayed her nose.

‘Urgh…’ Lizzy twisted her lips.


‘I could have gotten concert tickets as well as party credentials if not for you, fucker.’ Fitzwilliam playfully kicked Darcy's leg handing his friend a beer before seating on the couch. ‘Now we have to watch the concert on TV instead of being there!’

‘You can afford the ticket.’

‘Not the same. My girlfriend works at the network responsible for the live transmission, she has complimentary tickets. But she hated that you used her to get closer to her best friend. Thinks I knew about it and helped you.’

‘You're a fool, of course you wouldn't realize anything.’

‘Exactly!’

They both chuckled. 

‘I didn't use Charlotte.’ Darcy shrugged. ‘It was a surprise to hear you were dating a woman from the same network where my ex works. Then you invited me to an unbelievable weekend cruising theme parks with-’

‘My girlfriend's single friend, a Lizzy!’ Fitzwilliam laughed.

‘Of course I had to make sure it wasn't her.’

‘But it was.’

Darcy nodded, sipped his beer, pointed at the TV. ‘There she is.’
Lizzy appeared smiling, microphone near her lips, three handsome men on each side, all towering over her.


‘Hello, rockers! Backstage patrol again!’ She almost shouted. ‘I'm here with the Bath & Lyme guys, just before they start their magic, we can hear the final chords from the sponsors' warming up show. I guess every girl would like to be in my shoes, am I right?’ She bended a knee to show her cute ankle boot. ‘Say something to your fans!’

Something! They said together joining heads with her to reach her microphone. 

There was laughter.

‘What can we expect of tonight's concert?’ 

‘We prepared new songs from the upcoming album, our fans will be surprised.’ 

‘Spoilers, Elliot?’ She blinked to the camera.

‘The band leader smiled. Inside information just for you, Lizzy.’

‘Ah!’ She blushed.  ‘You'll put me in danger. Your groupies will be too jealous of me!…’

‘They know I welcome their love, we talk on social media all the time.’ He said to the camera. ‘When I sing Good Company tonight, everyone will know who I have in mind.’ He directed an intent look at Lizzy.

She opened a funny smile. ‘My idea of good company, Elliot, is clever, well-informed people. I've read you discuss the Js at length on Twitter. Janis Joplin, Jimmi Hendrix, Jim Morrison.  But to me, to be called a great conversation, it lacked Clapton. That is what I call good company.’

He exchanged amused looks with his band mates. ‘You are mistaken.’ Said he gently. ‘That is not good company; that is the best.’

The great sweet smile shared was long enough for Charlotte, the producer, sign the end of the interview.  

Lizzy nodded. ‘Our time is up and I don't know about you rockers at home watching me, but I'll be in the wings hoping for Old Love.’ She grinned for the camera. ‘Break a leg, guys!’ She lowered the mic to greet them with cheek kisses and chaste hugs.


Darcy was frozen watching his friend's TV. 

‘Did the guy flirt with your ex, dude?’

A grunt.

‘I can ask Charlotte if you want, to find out if there's something going on there.’

Another grunt.

‘Say something, dude. You look like you could explode. ‘

Old Love is a message. He told himself. I can only be.

‘Do you really like Clapton?’ Elliot, the bandleader asked Lizzy as she moved to a side allowing the crew more space to work.

‘Very much, yes. Do you?’

‘I can even play Old Love.’ 

‘Me too!’ Lizzy chuckled.  ‘I love the song.’

‘What do you play? Or do you sing?’

‘Piano, fairly well. But I'm not really a songbird!’

‘Good to know!’ He smiled sideways.

He was handsome, she thought. ‘Don't like competition, huh?’

With a thumb over his shoulder, he pointed where he was needed and left.


On stage, their music was ok, Darcy thought. Average pop music, one could dance to those tunes, sing along driving or overseas missing home while in inhospitable war zones. But Darcy mostly saw the guy drooling over Lizzy. Maybe it had been better to be there at the audience, he wouldn't have watched the interview, wouldn't understand why, as the band took a break to tune instruments, the guy walked off stage and returned pulling her by the hand.

‘Hey, folks! Do you know who this lovely girl is?’ Elliot spoke on the stage’s central microphone. ‘Lizzy Bennett who catch us in interviews on TV? I just learned she is a fairly proficient on the piano.’ He grinned. ‘And we have the most wicked digital keyboard!’

The crowd answered in cheers.

Lizzy answered shaking her head. ‘No, no, no!’

‘Musgrove needs a break, right?’

‘I'm ready for a break, yeah!’ The other guy said on his microphone making the crowd react again.

‘And I always wanted to perform Eric Clapton live.’

The crowd erupted in so much noise that nothing else was heard.
‘I can't!’ Lizzy waved in panic.

‘Will you let me sing a capella?’ He whispered in her ear. 

She trembled, licked her lips, blinked. But sat behind the amazing keyboard and tried a few keys. The crowd cheered. Elliot took his water bottle, walked to stand close to her while communicating with the crowd and hummed the first verses on the microphone.  There was a loud roar.

concentrate

‘Forget about them.’ He said softly very near Lizzy’s face, microphone hidden behind his back. ‘This is just you and me now.’

She nodded, eyes wide. Concentrating, Lizzy arranged the beret over her hair, took a deep breath and looked down at her hands.

The only exception was that the TV camera was close and they were absolutely not alone. 

'…And it makes me so angry

To know that the flame still burns

Why can't I get over?

When will I ever learn?

Old love, leave me alone

Old love, go on home…'

Darcy stood. ‘Let's go.’

‘Where dude?’ Fitzwilliam didn't take his eyes off screen. ‘I'm enjoying the concert, this intimate moment is great.’

‘I want to be at this damn party when she arrives.’

‘Lizzy, your Lizzy?’

‘Yes, my ex Lizzy.’


‘Hello, fellow rockers! What can you say about this year's festival, huh?’ Benwick, the show's host grinned. ‘Great bands, amazing music and our own Lizzy B hurting the keyboard!’

She bounced on her feet. ‘It was awesome!’

‘Girl, you rocked!’

‘Yeah! I couldn't believe when Elliot called me on stage, and Musgrove's keyboard is the best ever, so much responsibility, I was so frightened, I mean, I love the song, thanks Eric Clapton, by the way, but to play it for a crowd without rehearsing!…’

‘As you can see, my girl Lizzy B is still keyed up!’ Benwick chuckled. ‘You can expect the best party interviews, am I right?’

‘I'm on my way!’ Lizzy stepped off camera.

‘You rockers at home can keep with us on social media. We'll have lives, Lizzy's interviews, party insiders and more. Hope you liked this year's concert. See you soon!’

‘Cut!’ The director yelled. ‘We're off. No more live transmissions today.’

‘Aside from social media lives at the party.’ Charlotte said taking off her earphones. ‘Let's go.’


Lizzy arrived at the party still hyped in adrenaline. A big surprise for her, the participation on Bath & Lyme's gig was actually arranged with her crew, she was informed during the ride from the stadium to the party venue. The bandleader, Elliot, had an eye on her, asked about her and when he learned she played the piano, made plans.

Even a bit aggravated, she realized that if they had told her, she'd refuse the awesome experience.  The only chance she'd do it was by surprise, so they did. She appreciated the booby-trap of sorts. 

Microphone in hand, crew and camera with her, she gavotted the crowd of famous rockers hunting and taking opportunities for spontaneous interviews or few words until her eyes met his. Darcy.

She knew he was supposed to attend the party, but her performance distracted her anxiousness. So many times during the previous 8 years she had fancied she had the ability to discern him at a distance, in a crowd such as that, but he never came. Until two weeks before at the park. Since then she had been seeing Darcy everywhere, anywhere. Facing him for real brought back her insecurities and guilt. ‘Can we take a break?’ She asked, her colleagues nodded. She extended the equipment, they scattered. 

‘Hi.’ She smiled at him, a bit shy. ‘You came. Charlotte said you might.’

He nodded. ‘I watched you on TV today.’

Her smile grew. ‘Could you see how nervous I was?’ A giggle. ‘Terrified!’

‘Also how close you are with the guy.’

She blinked. Lizzy wasn't expecting that tone of voice, there wasn’t enmity between them, neither opened friendship–the past would never ever return, but something must be the matter. She expect him to be sweeter, maybe it was only her memory playing with her head. At the hotel in Orlando, he had been curt, after all. ‘We've met before, I've been following Elliot's career.’

‘Real good friends you are.’ He said gravely. ‘Are you dating him?’

‘No, I'm single at the moment.’

He exhaled slowly. 

‘You?’ Lizzy asked hating the slight shake in her voice. 

‘Single as well.’

They shared a small relieved smile.

‘I'm here in a mission.’ He said, voice clearly more gentle. ‘Can we talk somewhere more quiet?’

‘Sure.’ She pointed the balcony.

On the way, as they walked through the crowd, Lizzy felt a hand on her arm. It was Elliot's with his phone angled on his face broadcasting live on social media so his fans could envy the party. She had to stop and chat for the virtual audience, offered a cheek kiss thanking the song, blushed when he turned his face so they almost shared a lovers' kiss. 

When released, Darcy was again far out of her reach. A few steps brought her to his side, but his presence was no longer hers. ‘The end of the balcony?’ She pointed again. ‘We'll be almost alone.’
He shook his head. ‘I'm leaving.’

‘So soon?’ She asked struck by sheer anxiousness, she needed to be encouraging. ‘Stay. There'll be a few gigs, it'll be worth staying for.’

‘There is nothing worth my staying, Lizzy.’ He eyed her. ‘Is there?’

What was he trying to say? Were there any unpleasant glances? Something turned his intentions… jealousy! Could it be? ‘Yes! The music, the food, good booze.’

He shook his head, made to leave.

She held his hand. ‘Stay, you had something to talk to me.’ And pulled him towards the secluded spot on the balcony.

He let himself get directed, her hand in his was very a very pleasant feeling, one he longed for. 

A few minutes were necessary to calm both their hearts, the cool breeze helped bring them closer. Anxious, she fingered the chain around her neck; he shoved his hands in his pants' pocket.

‘Still missing your lost scapular?’

She smiled, eyes averted to the side. ‘I've lost many important things in my life.’ Lizzy looked back at him. ‘People too.’

‘Some important pillars still stand in your life. Your aunt Gardenia, for example. I understand you live close to her, enough to listen to her advice whenever you need.’

‘I learned that there’s a difference between listening and hearing.’

you pierce my soul

His breast bubbled; there was too much inside for him to keep holding in. ‘I tried to forget you, I believed I had succeeded. My pride made me believe I could be indifferent to you when we met but you…’ He swallowed to gain courage, took a velvet box from his pocket, long and thin, the size to fit a small chain. ‘You pierce my soul, Lizzy. I'm half agony, half hope.’ He opened the jewelry box. ‘Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years ago. I have loved none but you.’ 

Lizzy had no words. Her astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, colored, doubted, and was silent.

The contents of the small box made her eyes mist. This he considered sufficient encouragement.

The avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, in magnificent words and unbelievable actions, touched her heart. ‘How did you manage?’ She whispered. 

‘You move me, love, always have, always will. Selfishly, I wanted your alteration in Orlando to be for me, but it was an heirloom that broke you. I returned to the park, asked for help, remembered the roller coaster's loopings and thought about the safety net to catch flying objects. Your scapular was there. The appreciation to your mom's jewel made me believe again you'd value my mother's ring.’ 

She took her eyes from the box where the thin scapular and a vintage engagement ring rested to focus on his handsome face. ‘There's no one like you.’ Her trembling lips whispered and she jumped to his neck.

They hugged long and tight for several moments.

‘Let's get out of here?’ He murmured and felt her nod. Darcy closed the box, shoved in his pocket again, leaned forward and raised her in his lap.

They didn't notice her crew recording the chivalrous move to post on social media later that night.


‘Once you left my bed and never returned, now I won't leave yours.’ He said sexily kissing her neck where the scapular rested. 
‘From now on, we'll be together the whole time.’ She caressed his hair. ‘Unless…’

‘Unless nothing.’ He rubbed himself over her pretending to adjust their positions.  ‘Lock your feet behind my back, love.’

She giggled, the sensations of their naked bodies together, skin rubbing with such deep feelings, made her burst in happiness. And there was the ring on her finger. She locked her feet behind his back, bringing him closer. ‘The only thing between us is the navy… Could you be deployed again?’

‘Navy is bringing us closer.’ He rose on his elbows, still on top of her, to see her face. ‘I was promoted, will run a veteran center. A new programme to use our own men's expertise in special operations.’ 

She frowned.  ‘A bit vague, isn't it?’

He smiled sideways. ‘Not really…’ They laughed. ‘Just classified.’ 
‘I see… Captain, Mr spy.’

‘Actually, I considered if you'd like to produce a documentary on it.’

‘Really?’ She gasped.

‘You'll feel at home, I'm sure you'd produce a great movie.’

‘Mostly because of you’ She giggled. 

‘Mostly because the Center is to be set in your family's house.’

‘Government people is you!’ Her eyes were wide, heart pumping in high speed.

‘I suggested the place when Louisa said it was on the market, my superiors were searching for a good location. It's close to the academy,  it has the cottages for the crew…’

‘We'd live there, in my house, in one of the small cottages?’

‘Yes.’ He kissed her lips. ‘If you'd like.’

‘Yes!’ She smiled. ‘You, my documentaries, my house. So much happiness, I don't think I can handle. ‘

‘Handle me.’ He kissed her, moved to get closer so she'd feel his intentions on the back of her leg, moaned…

we heart it

Bertha was the first to wake up, maybe because she was already used to the Belladama effects on her body. Her 7th ride was by far more thrilling than all the previous ones combined, so intense and heartfelt. Slowly she opened her eyes to confirm what she remembered: she was in Darrygh Williams’ house, in his bed, with the man himself beside her.

‘Wow!’ She whispered. Asleep, two days’ beard, lashes resting on his cheeks, he was very handsome. ‘He’s still with me there…’ A small smile creeped up on her. She got up carefully, visited the bathroom, brushed her teeth and hair and returned to… hug him.

After loving each other so deeply in the Belladama dream, surely he would welcome an intimate caress. Right?

Williams felt limbs wrap around him and lips touch his skin. Returning to consciousness after living a story in real colors and love tainted with deep hurts was bittersweet, especially when finally; they had found a way to love freely. But it would be infinitely better to love Bertha in real live, outside Belladama.

‘Morning.’ His sleepy voice left his throat.

we heart it

‘Hi.’ She answered. ‘What a ride, huh?’

‘Unbelievable.’ He said in a throaty voice. ‘My parents’ house in Islamorada was a bit different.’

‘The big house? Is it yours?’

‘Similar to it, not quite the same place though.’

‘What do you think it meant, the dream?’

‘The obvious, Bee.’ His arms hugged back bringing her body to his, causing friction, further waking up sensations they lived in the dream. 

To her, it meant they should date because they dreamt well together. But instead of speaking, she considered it better to kiss him when his lips found hers and weirdly it was exactly the same kiss she had been dreaming for weeks. 

The magical tea that came from her friend’s witch grandmother had actually showed her what was in front of her eyes: the regular customer, the coffee late, was such a- oh! 

‘Dar!’ What was that move with his fingers between her legs? So pleasant!

‘We’re just starting, Bee.’

~ to next chapter ~