Chances and Choices

As soon as Bill had finished his work for the day he went straight home, rather than setting to his research as he usually would, and began preparing for his dinner with Elisabeth. It bothered him as he looked around his bedroom searching in vain for some type of attire that would be suitable. He wasn't a vain man, and typically paid no serious attention to his appearance beyond the need to be clean and professional for work, as such he didn't really own any clothing that was particularly impressive. This led to Bill standing there looking perplexed for several minutes before deciding on a forest green button up shirt and a pair of black slacks. It was one of the nicer outfits that he owned, so this would have to do. In truth, it was a fairly flattering combination on him, even if he could not see it. As he readied in the the bathroom, everything from showering and shaving to brushing his teeth, he found himself at a loss again. His job as a physician mean that he rarely, if ever, wore any heavy scents, but he still wanted to make an impression. More than that he wasn't sure what to do with his hair as this was also something he never bothered with. He kept it cut short so that he didn't have to worry about it, but he also remembered the interest that Elisabeth had shown in Leopold, and didn't want his appearance to pale in comparison to his rival's.

Just as he felt he may make a decision there came a knock at his door, not the front door, but the bathroom. He looked over to see that James had let himself and was watching his indecision with apparent glee. This fact vexxed the good doctor a great deal. "Is there something you wanted?" He questioned with a pointed expression.

James chuckled at his friend's response. He was still somewhat surprised to see Bill so eager to gain a Lady's affection. This fact alone was enough to bring him quite a bit of delight. Beyond that the man standing in front of him was nothing like the work obsessed Dr. he had grown to respect and admire. "What exactly are you doing?" He questioned, with a raise of his eyebrow.

Bill threw the hair brush on the counter to the left of him at James out of frustration while shouting, "if you aren't here to help then get out!" Before calming down, and looking at his friend apologetically.

James dodged the hairbrush with ease before saying "relax, would you. I came to see how you were doing. I was just surprised to see you all dressed up is all. It seems to me that if you like this girl this much maybe you should try to show her the real you, not this preening peacock that you appear to be trying to pass for is all." While his tone and words may have rang of frustration, he couldn't help but still feel humored at the sight. Bill, however, looked back at the mirror and really looked at himself. As angry as the fact made him, he couldn't deny the truth in his friends words. He hardly recognized the man in the mirror, and it was his own reflection. How could he expect Elisabeth to be impressed with his presentation when he wasn't even comfortable with it.

After a few moments he looked back at James and sighed. "What do you recommend then?" He asked, feeling more than a little lost in his current predicament.

James chuckled once more as he walked into the other room and grabbed Bill a change of clothes, came back, and tossed them to his friend. "Try this" he said. "If she's not impressed with you as you truly are, then she's not the woman you seem to believe she is." This advice was something that may not have been well received by any other man, but to Bill it had the perfect ring to it. This was primarily because what he wanted from the breeding program was far different and much more than most men would dream of. He quickly changed into the clothes that James had tossed at him, and immediately felt more at ease. the outfit was one of his nicer ones, but it was still something that he felt comfortable with wearing on a day to day basis. He looked in the mirror once again and in doing so found some wisdom in his friend's words. This may not be the appearance of the most accomplished and put together men in the kingdom, but there was no doubting that it was the real him. As he watched Bill's changing expression James added, "If she's going to choose then she may as well know what she's choosing." With this Bill fervently agreed. From what he had seen of Elisabeth, she was a woman who valued character above appearance. Even her choice to recognize Leopold as a potential match showed that. No matter what Bill's personal opinions of the man may have been there was no denying that he was a man of rigid morals, and outstanding character. He could only hope that Elisabeth saw those same qualities in him.

"Thanks." Bill responded, showing genuine gratitude for his friend's help. James simply nodded and said, "anytime" before walking away with a smile still plastered on his face. with this Bill felt as ready as he was ever going to be. He took one last look, a deep breath and headed to the Rose Palace to meet Elisabeth not knowing how the young lady waiting on him was fretting about their meeting at that moment.

By the time Bill made it to the dining hall Elisabeth had been pacing the room for 15 minutes feeling exceedingly anxious. She couldn't even tell which thought was the most nerve wracking, facing the man or the choice that she would have to make at the end of the night. Still, she was excited. She didn't know how excited until Bill entered the room. Looking at him, his appearance was no more impressive than during their first encounter, but to Elisabeth it was perfection. As self conscious as Bill had been while preparing she didn't see it, but rather the consistency in his choice to simply be himself. He knew he had made the right choice the moment he laid eyes on her as he watched her face light up from seeing him. He knew that this was a woman he would forever be helpless to resist.

The dinner went smoothly, and Elisabeth did not forget her reasoning in her choice, nor did she hide her motivation for her choice. While Leopold may have felt somewhat hurt by Elisabeth's cold calculated approach, Bill couldn't help but admire the honest thoughtfulness that she applied to her perspective offspring. She could never be a mother to her children, but the thought that she would choose their happiness above her own was a thought that brought Bill great joy.

By the end of the dinner it came as no surprise to anyone who was paying attention when Elisabeth chose Bill, for the choice was an obvious one. The only thing that outweighed the joy that Bill brought Elisabeth was the value such a man would certainly bring to their perspective children. With that They began on a journey that no one could have predicted.