Free My Pride, His Prejudice by Jenni James

bad.”      
    “Ha!” He shrugged. “It’ll be good for the boy to meet his biggest fan.”
    She’d never heard Will called a boy before. It made her grin.  “I guess if he can survive Mom, he can survive anything.”
    He hollered up the stairs. “Melissa, Eliza’s here! Were you gonna come down, or were you planning on sleeping all day?”
    “What?” her mom answered. “How long’s she been here? Why doesn’t anyone tell me anything anymore?” Eliza could hear her moving around above their heads and then walking down the stairs.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Let’s get going.” Melissa brushed at her hair with her fingers. “I’ve just had a bit of a beauty rest. Now it’s time to party.”
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay here and celebrate with Dad?”
    “Ha! And miss out on the chance of seeing my daughter elope? Heck, no.”
    “Hey, now. What’s this about eloping?” Her dad winked at her. “I didn’t survive cancer just to find out about some wedding later. I’d better be walking you down the aisle, or you’d better believe your young man won’t have legs to walk around with!”
    Eliza shook her head. “I’m not eloping with anyone. You two are certifiably crazy, you know that?” She stood up and gave her dad a hug.
    “Yep.” He chuckled. “And remember, you’re part of our gene pool. You don’t stand a chance.”
    “Besides, Dad and Jane have a weekend of chess planned without us.” Mom said as she walked over to the door and scooped her purse off the floor.
    “Yep.” Dad patted his stomach. “Pizza, movies, chess, and Oreo ice cream.”
    Mom wagged her finger. “You promised you wouldn’t eat too much junk food.”
    He laughed. “I promise only to eat enough to truly celebrate your birthday without me.”
    Suddenly, her mom gasped. “Michael Martin Bennet! Get off my luggage now! What in the world do you think you’re doing, sitting on it like it’s living room furniture?”
    “Well, isn’t it?”
    “Oomph.” She pushed against him. “I can’t believe this. It’s like you’re still a ten-year-old boy sometimes.”
    He nearly split a gut laughing at her outraged face as he stood up.
    Eliza just shook her head and began hauling the nearest suitcase out to her car. “One of these days, I’m sure I’ll need therapy.”
    “Ain’t good enough upbringing if you don’t!” her dad hollered after her as he brought the other suitcase with him. He gently nudged her away and loaded them both into the trunk. Then he shut it and said seriously, “Take good care of her.”
    “I will.”
    He nodded and gave her a big hug. “Love you. Be safe.” Then he turned, caught his wife up, and dipped her in a movie-style kiss. One foot popped up above them both.
    “Michael!” she gasped and giggled as he kept kissing her.
    “What? I have to get as much as I can now to make up for all the days I can’t while you’re gone.”
    Eliza got in the car and chuckled. No one could ever say that those two didn’t deserve each other. And thank goodness for that.
     

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
     
     
    Eliza’s mom chattered happily the whole way to the local airport, and while they were ushered onto the tarmac—via Will’s instructions—and onto the awaiting plane. The pilot met them at the door, introducing himself and the other crew member on board, a flight attendant who was also a certified pilot in case of an emergency.
    Both men were cordial and professional and quick, and soon they were zooming thousands of feet in the air. The whole flight wasn’t expected to take more than an hour or so. After snacks had been served, and her mom satisfied, the attendant left them alone.
    “Wow. This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!” Mom gushed.
    “Me too,” Eliza said with a small grin on her face.
    “So now that we’re alone, tell me what happened. I thought we weren’t going because you were mad at Mr. Darcy, and then the next thing I know, we are going, and he’s