Chapter 2 - Meet the Darcys'

I haven't ironed my suit and it's my only suit, but whatever, I'll only stay there for an hour then I'll go. I don't want to see both my parents there with their new wife, husband and children, it's my weakness, If stare at them, my tears will shed automatically with no emotion, of course I'll not let them see it. I have to look tough in front of them just to prove that I can take care of myself without them. 

Dad told me that I have to arrive there before the service starts because the service won't start if one member of the family is not around, seriously there will be over a hundred of us in Pemberley, how could they even recognize if someone is not around. Oh I forgot to tell you that one of our tradition is if one of the family member died, the funeral is always in Pemberley where our ancestors live in, lots of paintings, portraits of our ancestors and many creepy stuffs was displayed almost every wall, the one who is current Head Master there now is my Great Aunt Sophia, Grandpa Eddie's Aunt, his father's youngest sister. Everyone called her Lady Sophia, so let's just call her that.

I borrowed Gerald's motorcycle as my mode of getting there. I arrived at exactly 8PM, lot of fancy cars outside, I think I'm the only one using motorcycle. Man, driving using a motor from Cambridge to Stockport is exhausting, so I took a rest outside the Pemberley and took some fresh air, it's evening so the wind is so cold like air conditioner with the trees and lake surrounding this house. If you wonder how big this house is, well it's actually a castle if you say, countless of rooms, this house is one of the tourist attraction in Britain. 

I saw a familiar old man outside, the guards won't let him in because he's not part of the family, he's begging and forcing himself to go in, one of my Aunt went come towards and hugged him then she let him in, must be his old friend or a crucial person for Uncle Mark.

But whatever, I should get inside by now. In the funeral, only family members are allowed to go inside, you can bring your girlfriend or boyfriend, each should vow and pay respect on the elders inside the funeral, the tables and chairs should be organized according the family where you belong, seriously?? This funeral is more like the death of a royal family member. When the service starts, no one should go out, talk and make any noises. On my way inside, they deployed guards to check your ID if you're a family, and luckily I forgot my ID so they told me that I'm not allowed to go inside if I don't have any proof that I'm part of the family, now I have a reason not to go inside, when I turned back, my mother Emily and Uncle Willie saw me and that's it, they told the guard that I'm her son, so they let me in.

I saw that the guards have our names listed, it's how they identify if all the members of the family are present and I think we are the last one to arrive. When we arrived at the hall, they all looked at us and said that all the family members are here already so they will start the service right away because it's almost 8:30. I can see how disciplined this family are, even the children is standing firm and behaved in manners or their parents are just so strict. I'm standing behind my mother and father's family, actually Grandma Wilma and Grandpa Eddie is both alive thanks God and they're behind me. They only have two sons which is my Dad and and my Uncle Willie, I really love my grandparents to be honest(both sides), I think they are the ones who is always there for me, I don't know what I'll do if they're not around anymore. 

When the service is done, each family has different tables depending on the numbers of the members. There will be a feast and meeting after so they told us to stay. I sat in the center of grandma and grandpa so that I can avoid my younger brothers. My family call me Junior of course I have the same name with my father.  Fact, my father didn't put Sr. on the end of his last name, you'll know soon.

"So....Junior, how's Cambridge? Still have those monstrous professors?" Uncle Willie jokes, "Anyway, how's your studies?" he added. Uncle Willie and Mom is actually a alumnus and alumni at University of Cambridge.

"I'm doing good, thanks" I replied

"Junior, why you didn't show up on New Year's Eve?" Grandma asked. I last met them on Christmas and on New Year's Eve, I didn't come.

"I grabbed the opportunity of double pay in my work, so I took that shift" I replied.

"You're still working there?" Dad asked with worry. "Look Junior, you don't have to work, you can stay in my place at Milton, it's near at your campus" he added. Near my ass, it's actually 5 miles away from my school.

"Yes dear, the door is always open" Princess Irina added with smile. I know she's faking it, I'm not suppose to be seen by her father the Prime Minister.

"Dad we talked about this, I want to be alone." I said while eating uncomfortably.

"Darling you should take some vitamins, you become skinny these days" Mom said with concern. 

For God's sake I'm really uncomfortable right now, why are they only ganging up on me? So I stand and asked if I can go for the bathroom for a minute.

At the restroom, I looked at the mirror and realized that my face was stained by the food.

"Shit, what am I even doing here" I said to my self.

"You don't have to pretend that you're okay y'know". Oh, it's Billy, my half brother and a cousin, Billy is 5 years younger than me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked to him.

"I followed you of course, just to check if you're actually taking a loo" he joked. 

"Please Billy, I need some space okay?"

"Why? Is my presence making you uncomfortable?"

"It's just that-"

"Hey there William, Billy". Shit, it's Jim, my father's first son of Princess Irina. He's 4 years younger than me, so basically he's 16 years old and more mature than Billy I think.

Now it's getting worst, I really want to avoid them, you know the feeling of envy and jealousy combined together? Then mixed with insecurity? That's how I am feeling right now facing my brothers.

"Um, William, you rarely talk with us, we just want some closure with you as our oldest brother" Jim told me that he really want to be close with me.

"I can talk to you guys, but that's it, I have a lot of things to do, you know, college stuffs" I said to them

"Must be hard isn't it? Studying college." Billy asked.

"Ah yeah, takes time,and, e,effort" I stumbled.

"Grandpa said that he will elect dad as the next Prime Minister this incoming October" I'm not surprised about what Jim said because I think that it's one of dad's intention of marrying Princess Irina.

"Oh, that's great" I said.

"Wow that's awesome" Billy responded. "You know William, we should hang out sometimes, the three of us" he added.

"Good idea cous" Jim said with excitement. "I'm thinking that we should have fine dining at the restaurant" he added. 

"Um.. I'll think about that, but I'll call you when I'm free" I said. "So please, can you give me some space this time? I just can't breath properly, I promise I'll follow right away." I begged them.

"Um sure.." Before they closed the door, "William, we just want you to know that we your little brothers love you" Jim added before leaving. 

I'm quite touched about what he said. It's easy for them to say that, they don't understand the feeling of being broke all the time. I looked again at the mirror and the reflection itself shows how pitiful my life is.

"Fuck this." I said.

"Ooops, language". Said the man who just came out from the toilet.

"Oh sorry" I apologize.

"What's your name son?" he asked.

"Um, William Jr., William Darcy's son" I replied.

"Oh yes, you're like his doppelganger, you really looked just like him, you remind me of him when we are young. I'm Hugh, your father is my second cousin" he shaked my hand, what the, he just got out from the toilet.

"Oh, don't worry I washed my hand properly" he added because he noticed that my eyes widen when he is shaking my hand.

"I'll be going young man because there will be a meeting." he added before leaving.

I went back to the hall and grabbed a glass of wine on the way. I sat where I sit earlier, I noticed that Grandma and Grandpa isn't around. I asked mom where they are. They're chatting with their brothers and sisters, good for them. I looked around the hall, I realized how big this family, I hardly knew their names. 

Dad and Uncle Willie talks about their plans on Grandpa's birthday next month.

"I think we should make it fancier, well who knows it might be his last birthday" Uncle Willie jokes. 

"Hey watch it, if he hears you, he'll kick your ass, but you have a point, let's make it fancy, we must make him feel that it's his best day of life." Dad said

"Should we make it a surprise to him?"

"I don't think so, he might had heart attack if we surprise him." I'm glad they maintained their brotherhood relationship after Uncle Willie married my father's ex live-in partner who is my mom.

While they're talking, Jerry secretly approaches me and asked me to fix his disassembled Lego Toy. Jerry is the youngest son of my dad and he's just 5 years old. Among all my brothers, Jerry has the most resemblance on me, like, he's the little me, or just a copy of me.

"William, can you assemble this?" he asked.

"I'll try, let's see if I can" I managed to assemble his lego toy in just a minute.

"There it is Jerry, I think it's done" I give it back to him.

"Thank you William" he hugged me and went back on his chair.

"Attention, attention Darcys! Aunt Sophia has some words for us" said Aunt Lylia the caregiver. 

Man, Lady Sophia is really old already, she's already 100 years old, no husband and children because she can't produce one as she said. She's alone in her entire life, his brothers are all dead, she's the last on her siblings.

"Aherm, good evening Darcys. First of all I want to express my deepest condolences on Mark Darcy and her family and to us... Let's get straight to the point, last week, I went to New York City, to visit a friend, actually she's a doctor. She consulted me and found that I am sick, said that I won't last till October or less. Good news for me, no more suffering and I can rest in peace." she said in a low voice while keep looking in our table.

"Now, since I don't have children to pass the responsibility on this house, I myself will chose the family to take over Pemberley by August, for now, I'm still observing and identifying the suitable family. There is no heavy or hard qualifications since all of us owned this house, I just need someone who is responsible enough to take care and maintain this house into shape. That would be it, I'm going to rest upstairs, to those who wish to remain in Mark's funeral, I would appreciate it. Good night Darcys." I noticed that Lady Sophia smile's when she's looking in our table, I wonder why.

Surely most everyone here wants to rule this house, but I think it's not gonna be easy, catering high ranked guest, accommodating guest everyday. But living here is honorable, the soul of our ancestors lived here, so basically there are lot of ghost here.

"Mom, I think I should be going now" I asked.

"Already? Can't you just stay for a bit?" she begged

"But my class tomorrow is early, so I have to sleep early too." I replied.

"Okay, go to Grandma Wilma and Grandpa Eddie and inform them that you're going home already so that they will not be surprised." 

I went to my Grandparents and asked them that I'll be going. As usual, Grandma Wilma always give me 500 pounds, she likes giving me money, and I never refuse it if it's hers.

"Don't tell your father that I gave you money" she always said that when she gives money to me. 

Mom escorted me out.

"Who's motorcycle is that?" she asked

"It's Bingley's, you met him on my 19th birthday" I replied.

"You know I can buy you one, so you could stop borrowing from your friends"

"No need, it will be a great pleasure if I'm the one who buys it". 

When I'm about to wear my helmet, dad arrives.

"You're going already?" he asked

"Yes, I have class tomorrow" I replied.

"Well at least take this" he handed me 5,000 pounds worth of check.

"No thanks, better spend it with your sons, I'm sure they need that than me" I refuse.

"Junior please, how far are you gonna keep doing this? You're pushing away my responsibility on you, you're not letting me being your father anymore. Am I still your father in your eyes?" he said in calm voice tone.

"You are my father, yes you are, would I call you Dad if you're not my father? And you think it will look like your my father when you give me that check? Dad it's not money that I want from you, same to you mom, bugger it, I can't believe I'm saying this again to you. I suggest you should go back inside already, your sons are waiting from you. Bye" I said then I saw Princess Irina on the main door looking at us, I drove away from them. As usual I leave with tears, I can't even wipe it because I'm wearing helmet. 

You know that's not the first time I said those things on them. I was just 4 years old when they broke up, and they left their responsibility on me to my Grandparents. I remembered they even fought on my 5th Birthday, they never went on my elementary graduation to hear my valedictory address and on my graduation speech at Sr. High School. I'll never forget those days when I need them and they were not around. But still I respect them, they're my parents anyway. I'm already at Milton in front of this convenience store, my tears are covering my eyes so I stopped and wipe it. A girl with groceries saw me crying and approached me.

"She cheated on you?" she said. I didn't respond nor looked at her. I just continued to weep. She handed me a tissue and a cola.

"Here, just to relieve your pain. Must've hurt, I rarely see a man crying like this." She keeps observing me.

"I'm Eliza Cleaver by the way." She reached my hand and force to shake it.

"Nice to meet you Mr......

"Darcy" I said in a cold tone.

"Good, you finally speaks, now drink that cola and wipe your tears with that tissue paper". I did what she says.

"Thank you" I said to her while wiping my tears and gave back the empty can of cola to her.

"Wouldn't you mind telling strangers like me your problem? Because I'm open to hear your story, or maybe I can help you to it." She said and I chuckled.

"Maybe, but I don't think you can help me with it." I said

"If it's about girls, I can totally help you, I'm good at advising in those things." she added.

"Thanks Ms. Cleaver, but I really think you can't help me" I said.

"Okay but at least cheer yourself up, everyone has problem too, not just you" she said with a smirk.

"Look Ms. Cleaver, I really appreciate your kindness, I hope we meet again when I can finally heal myself". I said and left.

"Thank you again" I shouted while driving away.

"No worries Mr. Darcy!"