My Mr. Darcy

Chapter 4

(Friday night)

Lizzie was already dressed and ready for this little date adventure. Since she was ready early, she went over to her desk, turned on her laptop, and Googled this Darcy guy. After a few seconds of waiting for information to come up on him, she saw Hope for You with his name linked to the hospital. She clicked on the article, and found out that he was the one responsible for this wonderful place for children. The more she read, the more she became attracted to this man whom she had never met. Unfortunately, there was no picture for her to put a face with a name. She was excited that she would be able to meet him tonight, and thank him personally for all that he had done for this special place where Lizzie was able to meet and fall in love with so many children.

There was little girl, Gracie, that Lizzie had an attachment to. She knew that it was not good to form an attachment with any of the children, but Gracie held a special place in her heart. Gracie had come to Hope when she was 2 years old. She was now 4. Her leukemia had gone from a stage 3 to a stage 1. So much progress had been with her. The doctors had been astounded! She will remain there until the cancer is gone. Gracie's parents had been killed in an automobile accident a year ago. When Lizzie found that out, her heart ached for the little girl. She knew that once Gracie was well enough to leave, she would be turned over to the state until she was placed in a home. Lizzie knew that the state wanted a two-parent home when adopting, but Lizzie was determined to make sure that Gracie had a good home to go to....hers!

(Janet)

Janet was so nervous preparing for her date with Charlie. Did she wear her hair up, down, in a ponytail, curled, straight...oh decisions, decisions! She finally decided to curl her hair. She chose to wear a peach-colored sundress, with white sandals. Earrings:check....make-up:check.... DING DONG!

Janet smiled, as she looked one more time in the mirror, and then went to answer the door. When she opened the door...there stood Charlie. He was wear khaki pants, a navy blue polo shirt, and smelled really good. He stood there with a single rose, and a smile on his face. As she took the rose, he leaned in, and gave her a hug.

(Charlie)

Okay man, this is it! The night you have been waiting for, Charlie thought. He had counted down the minutes until he got off work. He could not wait to see Janet. The more time he spent with her on the phone, the more time he wanted to spend time with her and get to know her. He could not believe that in just seconds, she would open the door! DING DONG! He stepped back a bit, and then waited. When the door opened...there she stood, like a princess. He handed her the rose he brought, and gave her a hug. And she hugged him back! Whew! "Come on in", Janet said. "Thanks. You look beautiful. But then you always do. Well, mean you did look beautiful at the coffee shop, and that's the only time you've looked beautiful other than tonight..er...well, I mean not that you probably don't look beautiful everyday...oh ugh...I'll just shut up for now!" Janet smiled and said, "Charlie, it's okay. I knew what you meant. If it helps any, I'm just as nervous as you are." "Whew! Then we can be nervous together."

Janet led Charlie to a couch. "Please, make yourself at home. I'll go upstairs and get Lizzie." "Does she know that Darcy's not comming?" "Oh,Charlie, I kept meaning to tell her, but I forgot. Oh no! She's dressed and everything. In fact, I think she was ready before I was." "Maybe we can tell her before we go." "Good idea." "I tried one more time to get Darcy to come, but he was dead-set on staying in. I know this would do him some good, but there are things from his past that keep him away and running in the other direction."