Waiting for Mr. Darcy (29 page)

She took a deep breath. “I'm as ready as I'll ever be.”

They walked down the stairs and into the backyard. The reporters were in their seats and the camera people were ready to roll. Alicia looked around and saw almost everyone who really counted was there. Harrison, Kurt Jr., Lauren, Gabby, her mother and father. Then finally Nathaniel arrived.

Viola went to the podium they'd set up. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention. We're ready to start. Ms. Archer will be reading a statement and will not be taking questions at this time. Now without any further adieu, Ms. Alicia Archer.”

Alicia took a deep breath again. “Good morning, everyone. I'd like to thank you for coming.” She paused. “As many of you know it's been reported that I was seen drunk in public last Friday. I wasn't intoxicated, as has been widely reported. Almost three years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and last Friday I had an attack that caused me to become quite dizzy. I was treated by Dr. John Hubert and the wonderful people at the NYU MS Center. As many of you know, MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. There are about 400,000 people in the U.S. who are affected by the disease. I sought to keep my condition private, but I have since learned that it's best to be open and honest, which is why I'm revealing it. I'm also taking this time to announce that in accordance with simplifying my life, I am stepping down as editor-in-chief of
Everyday Elegance,
effective immediately. I'm pleased to announce that this morning our board of directors confirmed our production manager Barbara Folsom as the new editor-in-chief. Barbara has been essential to the magazine since its inception and I know I'm leaving it in capable hands. Thank you.” Alicia walked off.

Reporters crowded around her to get a comment, but Viola and her staff kept them at a distance so Alicia could get back to the house.

Her parents hugged her first. “We're proud of you.” Her father kissed her.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You go, Mom. You did great.” Kurt squeezed her tight.

Harrison was almost speechless. “You're dropping a hat. I'm proud of you.”

“You know that means I'll be around more.”

“Bring it on.” He kissed her forehead.

She walked over to Gabby and Lauren. “Surprised you, didn't I?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“But I think there's someone who's even more surprised than us.” Lauren pointed.

Nathaniel took her by the hand. “I don't know what to say.”

“Then let me say it.”

“Come on, everyone, let's go into the kitchen for coffee and give these two a chance to talk,” Harrison said.

The room emptied quickly.

“Nathaniel, after you left I had a chance to think about why I always wanted my hands in every pot, and the answer was work allowed me to escape my grief and loneliness. I had a love once that I thought would never come again, and then you entered my life and suddenly I had love again. So I have three titles instead of four. As long as I've got you, it's like my son says. It's all good. ”

He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. “I love you, Alicia.”

“I love you, Nate.”

“Did you call me Nate?”

“Yes. I'm turning over a new leaf and trying to loosen up. What do you think? Was it too much?”

“Not at all. It's perfect.” He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. “Say it again, please.”

“Nate.”

“Say the whole thing again.”

“I love you, Nate.”

“It's music to my ears.”

They joined the others in the kitchen.

“Here's the woman of the hour,” Harrison proclaimed.

“What do you mean the hour? She's the woman of the decade, maybe even the century,” Mr. Carlson said proudly.

“Though I appreciate it, that might be stretching it a bit, Dad. “

“You're certainly the woman of the century to me.” Nathaniel kissed her.

Barbara walked up to her. “My, you really know how to throw a press conference, don't you?”

Alicia put her arm around her shoulder. “I'm sorry I sandbagged you.”

“I'm still in shock. How did you do it?”

“Let's just say it was a marathon session of phone calls and some not-so-gentle persuasion.”

“I can't thank you enough.”

“There's no need to thank me. You're the only one who is as interested in the quality of the magazine as I am. I have complete confidence in you.”

“I won't let you down, Alicia.”

“I know. By the way, Ron is back, so you'll have some backup.”

“That's a relief.”

The two women hugged.

“It's the changing of the guard,” Lauren quipped.

“Yes, it is.” Alicia looked over at Viola. “I think Viola's looking for you. I'm sure she's fielded a lot of questions about
Everyday Elegance's
new editor-in-chief.”

Barbara took a deep breath. “I guess I'm on.”

“Go get em, tiger.” Alicia patted her on the back. She felt a little twinge as she watched Barbara walk over to Viola for her first official act as editor-in-chief.

“Are you okay?” Gabby asked.

“Sure.”

“You're going to be fine. You still have three other jobs.”

“I know, Lauren, but I think I might cut back a little.”

“Excuse me? Am I hearing this right? You're going to cut back?”

“Yes. I'm going to take time for me. Now, Ms. Producer, I will continue to do my duties as a host, but maybe I won't do as many appearances. Can you live with that?”

“I guess we can swing it. I'll tell PR to spin it so we'll get more out of your doing less. It can work.”

“Cool.”

“I'm glad you understood that, Alicia, because that was Greek to me,” Gabby said.

“That's because you're officially an art denizen,” Lauren said.

“What's new about that? She's always been one,” Alicia said.

“Oh, now it's official. Tell her, Gabby.”

“Thomas DiGregorio is doing an article on my new artist exhibit and the gallery.”

“You're in the big time,” Alicia said, impressed.

“You can be sure the bad ink will dry up quickly,” Lauren added.

“The bad ink? What are you talking about? What happened?” Alicia was out of the loop.

Gabby took Alicia's arm. “It's a long story. Oh, did Lauren mention how she sacked Ken today?”

“Wait a second. I'm really out of the loop here. You pulled a fast one on Ken?”

Lauren took her other arm. “Perhaps we should grab some sparkling cider and take to the gazebo so we can catch you up.”

* * *

The chairs were gone and so were the vans, cameras and reporters. Alicia, Lauren and Gabby sat in the gazebo with sparkling cider.

“Lauren, I wish you had taken a picture of Ken's face. I bet his expression was priceless,” Alicia chortled.

“I know you're not supposed to gloat, but it felt good.”

“After what he put you through? Please. You should have reveled in it.” Gabby sipped her cider.

Alicia lifted her glass. “I second that.”

“I just have to be satisfied that he'll never get what he wants from me or the show.”

“Did you do something, Lauren?”

“No, Gabby. I just know karma has a way of leveling things out.”

“Yes. I'm happy to say all's well that ends well. As it has for you, Lauren.”

“Now that's the truth,” Alicia agreed.

“My divorce is back on track and I've got a sexy chef waiting for me in the city.”

“Wasn't that the name of a show?” Gabby said jokingly.

“My goodness, Gabby, you're still corny as ever.” Lauren laughed.

“I know.” She grinned. “Umm, I have a little news to share about Nigel.”

“There's more?” Lauren asked.

“Yes. He and his ex agreed to joint custody of their son. I will be meeting Nigel Jr. during his first fall break from school.”

“Oh, that's great, Gabby.”

“Thanks, Alicia. I'm looking forward to it.”

“It sounds cozy.”

“Speaking of cozy, you and Nate looked quite cozy.”

“Now that I've gotten out of my own way, Nate and I will have more time to spend with each other.”

“Oh, my God.” Lauren jokingly cleared her ears. “Did I hear you correctly? Did you just call him Nate?”

“That's his name, isn't it?”

“You're really in love, Alicia, and I couldn't be happier.”

“Thanks, Gabby.”

“I second that.” Lauren looked up at the sky. “You know it's funny how at the end of the day, it's always the three of us.”

“We're the Austen Aristocrats. Of course we're together,” Gabby proclaimed.

“Thirty-two years and counting, ladies.” Alicia grinned.

“Let's not mention that in mixed company too often.”

“Why not? We look good.” Gabby winked.

“You're right. I think we've lived far beyond Jane Austen's dreams of romance. We've found love on our own terms. Frankly, I don't know what could be sweeter.”

“Indeed, ladies, we've each found our own Mr. Darcy, even if one of us didn't know she was looking.” Alicia reflected.

“Let's raise our glasses to our patron saint of sorts, Jane Austen.” Lauren raised her glass, as did the others.

“Here's to Jane,” Gabby said.

“And to all the girls looking for their own Mr. Darcy. Happy hunting. We sure have had a good time,” Alicia laughed.

About the Author

A native of Amityville, New York,
Chamein Canton
is a freelance writer, author and literary agent with the small literary agency that bears her name. This longtime Jane Austen fan and all-around romantic holds a degree in business management from Empire State College and lives on Long Island with her twin sons, Sean and Scott.