Brides and Prejudice

And So They Meet

"I hate family reunions." Lissa said when she saw what seemed like a never ending line of people coming out of her childhood home.

"Lissa!" Jean admonished though half heartedly, feeling rather tired of all the people taking over her wedding. That was also one of the reasons why she was so glad that Lissa was back. Her personality alone was not enough to take on their mother and their relatives but with Lissa, she'd have the courage and back up to say no.

"Elisabeth, you're here!" Their mother said coming out to greet both her daughters. "I told you to lay off the breads while you were in Italy." Mrs. Bennet admonished not even a breath after.

"Miss you too Mom." Elisabeth said dryly as her mom literally patted her stomach, tsking all the while. She looked back at Jean, rolling her eyes at their mother. Jean could only try not to laugh at her sister and mother whom always had a strange relationship.

"How are we ever to get you married," Mrs. Bennet continued tsking.

"I'm already married." Elisabeth said dryly.

"What?!" The whole row of people practically chorused in horror.

"To who?" Mrs. Bennet demanded.

"Some broke musician that played on the street where my café was."

"What?!" everyone chorused once again.

Jean couldn't contain her laughter anymore as she knew her sister better than anyone else and knew that Lissa was only pulling on their mother's chain.

"Kidding Mom," Lissa said giving her mother a quick hug then escaping before she could lash out at Lissa's joke.

"Dad!" Lissa said immediately running to hug her father.

"My darling." He said kissing her temple. "Your mother was about to have a heart attack." He said chuckling.

"Mother wouldn't dare have a heart attack before she married one of us off first." Lissa said laughing.

"True," Mr. Bennet replied, amused.

"Do I really have to hug the rest of the family or can you help me make my escape now?"

"I would but it's been too long since they all last saw you my dear."

Elisabeth groaned before letting go of her dad.

Elisabeth finally made it through the family, including her remaining sisters, some neighbors including her best friend Charlene, or Char for short. It was only after she finally greeted Char did she meet her sister's fiancé and his best man.

"Chase Brigham, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Jean's told me so many stories!" Chase said.

"And I have heard several too," Lissa smiled back initiating a hug from the person that was going to be her brother-in-law. "It's great to finally meet you."

"And this here is my best friend and the best man, Will Darcy." Chase said as he gestured to Will.

"Please just call me Will," Will said giving a very brief uplift of his lips, not really smiling and then immediately a look of boredom reappeared on his face.

"Okay... Will." Lissa said stepping back from him, feeling like as if she gave the guy a hug, he'd flee or cringe.

~~~

"Jean's sister is quite pretty isn't she?" Chase prodded his best friend as the two retreated back into the house.

"Shouldn't you only be looking at your fiancé?" Will commented nonchalantly.

Chase rolled his eyes at his friend. "I meant for you,"

"She's okay, but Jean's really the only one worth looking at. They are all rather plain."

Chase shook his head at his best friend. "They are sisters, and Elisabeth is quite a different pretty than Jean." He simply stated.

"And Jean also has three more sisters but I don't see you praising their beauty..." Will trailed off as the door opened and Elisabeth strode into the library, the boys' place of sanctuary since none of the women had entered or had any urge to enter with all the wedding planning that was happening.

"Sorry I have to get my father's glasses so that he can see the gift I got him from Italy." Lissa said tersely, not even giving them a look.

"Wait, Elisabeth how much did you hear?" Chase asked weakly.

"Not much." Lissa said but the stony expression on her face told the two otherwise. She was about to leave the room, the door already open when she whirled back around to face the two males.

"Hey Will is it?" Lissa asked sarcastically.

"Yes?" Will said just waiting for the girl to burst into tears or some other dramatic at his words.

"So how's the weather up there?"

"Up where?" Will asked confused.

"Where your nose is?" Lissa said angrily before she slammed the door shut.

~~~

Chase couldn't help but laugh at the expression on his best friend's face. "She told you," He said still laughing.

Will said nothing as he gave his ginger haired best mate a brief glare.

~~~

That night at dinner, Will couldn't help but glance at the new addition to the table, not that he could avoid looking at her as she was the only one talking whilst her family asked her questions. He found that despite appearances of a struggling waitress, Elisabeth or Lissa as her family fondly called her, was highly intelligent and somewhat articulate. She also had a laughter that he wanted to immediately look up from his food to find out why she was laughing. It was captivating...

"You're staring mate." Chase whispered to him just as Lissa looked up and glared at Will, having noticed that he was staring.

~~~