From Pemberley to Manhattan [COMPLETED]

Chapter 41

What a lovely morning it was. For the first time since the day Nat had discovered her boyfriend and her friend together in bed, she'd woken up with a feeling it would be a great day.

There were three regulars waiting expectantly for her when she opened the bookstore. She understood why some people visited the establishment on a weekly basis; it was a preciosity in the middle of Manhattan.

Her mother had started her collection of rare books when she was seventeen. By the time she was twenty, she had so many books Nat's grandparents didn't have more space in their apartment to build new bookshelves. When she started to work at the Met, and after Julia's husband had passed away, Julia suggested they opened a bookstore, so she could sell some of the rare books she found during her travels.

"You should share at least some of your findings, honey", Julia encouraged her daughter, "Otherwise this entire building will become a library."

That was how Brown's Preciosities was created. Half of its bookshelves was filled with rare books for sale. The other half was filled with the rare books Ms. Elizabeth Brown refused to let go, but wanted to share with the world.

Some of the books, for being too old or too valuable, were only on display, protected by glass and a security system. Others were available for reading, but only inside the store.

Just by the store entrance, there was the counter where Nat or her grandmother generally stood, which they shared with a coffee maker and some pastries Carlos Estevez prepared every morning. Positioned in strategic places in the space were armchairs and ottomans so people could read comfortably for as long as they wanted. And, if they got hungry, Carlos' restaurant was literally a mere door away.

Nat was selling a rare edition of The Hobbit to a teenager with huge glasses and a Game of Thrones T-shirt when her grandma entered the store by the backdoor, used only by the family. And Darcy. Only to think of his name made Nat blush. How silly she was becoming!

"Sweetheart! Good morning!", her grandmother greeted her as if she hadn't seen Nat in ages. Her bright smile and her loving eyes warmed Nat's heart.

"Hi, grandma", she greeted back, and hugged Julia. Fortunately, for Nat, they were a hugging family.

"So, I have a surprise for you!", Julia's smile was broader by the minute. "You'll have the day off. You're spending the day at the Met. Your mother insisted. She wanted you to see the new exhibition."

"Yep!", Nat had sensed something good was expected, and she'd been right. "That's amazing! Thanks, grandma!"

"Sure, dear. Mike's coming down in a minute to take your place." Nat thanked her again and kissed her cheek. Julia was at the backdoor when she turned to say. "Oh, by the way, Fitz will be accompanying you."

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