Part One

Posted on Monday, 11 March 2002

Elizabeth looked around the room at all the flying colors, as the dresses twirled around and around, and the gentlemen clasped the women's hands to spin them yet once or twice. The room was merry and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, except for Mary, who most never had fun at a ball. Elizabeth sat by her self, seated on a comfortable cushion, starring at the door patiently waiting for her fiancée to enter the room. Yet he did not enter, and she was dismayed most the night. Elizabeth had no idea where her loved sister was, for she supposed her to be off with Mr. Bingley somewhere, preparing for their wonderful wedding. Yet, Lizzy was wrong. Her sister came to her, with a bright smile, that immediately wiped itself from her face when she saw her poor sister by her lonesome.

"What ever is wrong, Lizzy?" Jane asked looking into Elizabeth's pale face.

"Oh nothing, I'm just enjoying watching everyone having a good time, nothing's the matter at all," Lizzy said, moving over so Jane could take her seat.

"My dear Elizabeth, you do look awfully ill, and quite solemn to say the least. Would you not enjoy coming with me to talk to the dear girls over there? They look charming enough, do you not think so?"

"I suppose," Lizzy said gloomily. "I just feel a little out of place there, Jane," Lizzy added.

"Out of place?! Elizabeth, dear sister, are you quite sure you are alright? Why you love balls! I don't see you dancing either, and to tell you the truth, Lizzy, it bothers me."

"Jane, you worry an awful lot, but you mustn't, I am just happy sitting here on my little bench," she said, trying to form a smile.

"There are many handsome men here tonight, Lizzy, its dreadfully sad for you to give them up, they are very much in need of a partner," Jane said rising.

"Jane, go, go on, please, go talk to those girls over there, and get there praise, and leave me, you must trust I will be completely alright, go on," Lizzy said ushering her dear sister away.

For awhile longer, Elizabeth watched the door, her eyes fixed on every being entering the grand ball room. She saw few people she knew, and even fewer she liked, so she decided it was ideal to sit around and wait for her fiancée. Yet she could not tear her eyes from the door, fearing at any moment she would miss the grand entrance she was waiting for. Soon enough though, she saw someone who most definitely beckoned her to stare. A grand woman, not much older than herself, and a very funny and odd looking man entered the room. "Mr. Collins!" Lizzy whispered to herself.

"And, oh, oh, my, that, why, that is Charlotte! My she looks different!" Elizabeth was almost in awe the way her friend had changed. Charlotte indeed had changed, also. She wore a dress with no shoulders, and completely covered in diamonds, and her hair was wrapped up in rubies and such. "Elizabeth Bennet!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"Oh, Charlotte, is that really you?"

"Indeed darling, and don't I look wonderful?"

"Yes, but I.." Elizabeth couldn't finish her question before Charlotte grabbed her around the arm and led her to the Collins' table.

"Cousin Elizabeth, how wonderful to see you, and you look marvelous!"

"Thank you, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth curtsied as her odd cousin pulled out her chair for her to sit upon, and then pulled out his wife's.

"I am so sorry, dear Eliza, I have not written, but for the past day I have been in the shops non stop! You see, my Mr. Collins has fallen upon some unsuspected money, indeed!" Charlotte grinned.

Elizabeth looked down at her lap and back up at her friend to hear the rest of the story.

"You see Lizzy, it seems Lady Catherine DeBourgh had a little, temper tantrum, to say the least, pointed right at her nephew, you know the one, the proud one, whom you dislike so much, Mr. Darcy, it is, remember him?" Charlotte looked at her friend, who all of the sudden took an interest in the otherwise boring conversation.

"Yes," she muttered.

"Well," Charlotte said in a tone that sounded almost like Miss Bingley, "Lady Catherine, like I said, was extremely mad at the man, for who knows what, and so instead of giving him his yearly amounts, she gave it to my dear Mr. Collins! Isn't that just the most wonderful thing ever?" Charlotte laughed.

"Oh, um, yes, most wonderful," Lizzy muttered, hardly able to keep herself from crying.

"Anyway, I heard from Mr. So and So......." Charlotte's gossip was lost in Eliza's uncontrollable thoughts.

"I have done this, to my poor William! He is loosing money because I am to marry him! This is most certainly dreadful!" Lizzy thought. All of a sudden her thoughts were interrupted as the object of her affection walked into the room, and after hanging up his coat and hat, he immediately caught sight of her. He began to walk near Elizabeth and her party, when the discussion immediately stopped, because the person the group was gossiping about was walking near to them. He immediately turned right, as he had gotten the hint. He gave Lizzy a confused little shrug and began to talk to the men he met talking of business, about to head into the study. Elizabeth's face dropped as she saw her lover leave and head to the next room.

"Elizabeth, Elizabeth," Charlotte said tapping the girls shoulder.

"Oh, yes, go on," Lizzy said quickly turning around.

"All right, so anyway..." Charlotte had changed so much. Elizabeth waited 30 minutes more, and listened to the rambling. But soon Jane came to her rescue.

"Oh, Charlotte, how nice to see you, and you, Mr. Collins, also."

"Oh, dear Jane, you look wonderful, congratulations on you and Mr. Bingley, I am indeed happy for you," Charlotte smiled. Jane curtsied. Lizzy stood and explained she would like to talk to her sister awhile, and so the two left off and sat together, on the bench they hadn't sat on too long ago.

"Charlotte's changed," Lizzy started.

"Don't mind a bit, Lizzy, she is still our cousin, do not forget."

"And my friend, regardless."

"Oh, I do believe my Charles and Mr. Darcy are heading towards us, Lizzy," Jane said.

Lizzy spun around gracefully to see.

"My dear," Mr. Bingley said kissing Jane's pale hand.

"Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said formerly, not wanting to say anything about the engagement quite yet. Mr. Darcy also took her hand, and the two men left. Lizzy looked down into her hand to notice a small piece of paper in which Mr. Darcy left for her.

Part Two

Posted on Monday, 11 March 2002

The note was obviously quickly scribbled, but she could tell it was meant with lots of love.

Dear Elizabeth,

Meet me in the garden by the roses after dinner, yours forever and always,

Fitzwilliam

"Jane, darling, do me the honour of dancing with me, will you?" Mr. Bingley asked.

"But of course," she said. Mr. Bingley took the charmed girl's hand and lead her to the dance floor, but not before suggesting Mr. Darcy ask Miss Eliza.

"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said with a funny little grin, "Would you dance with me?"

She smiled and took his hand. They danced and danced, until they could no longer, or at least until the song was over. Mr. Bingley then asked Miss Elizabeth to dance, which made Jane very happy. Mr. Darcy, of course offered to dance with Jane, and she also accepted, seeing that there was some good to this proud man after all.

Jane did have a very fun time dancing with Mr. Darcy, she told Lizzy later, and said he wasn't as stiff as usual, and in fact that he acted quite friendly toward her, and they had a pleasant conversation while dancing. Finally, the dinner bell was rung, and it rang very beautifully, because in fact, it was not a bell, but a lovely silver chime. They all took their seats at the long table, and quickly finished the food. Some people started to leave, and Mr. Darcy said he must also, and quickly slipped out the door, practically unnoticed. Elizabeth understood that was her cue. She excused her self from the company of her sister and her sister's fiancée, and left also, saying she needed some fresh air, and it was getting very hot and stuffy in the large room. She looked through the garden, peering around for him.

Suddenly from behind two arms were put around her waist, and she looked up to see Fitzwilliam's shining face.

"Love," she said as she kissed him.

He kissed her and led her to a stone bench in the garden moonlight.

"Fitzwilliam, darling, you have no idea how much I have waited for you tonight," she said putting her arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry I came late, my love, but last night when I went to Aunt Catherine..."

She stopped him by saying, "William, I must know, why didn't you tell me she might take your money from you, I can't stand being the reason you lose your full years amount!" she said.

"Don't worry, we have each other now, I have told her, and now we are free to do as we please," he said smiling.

"But how will we make money?" she asked impatiently.

"I don't know, but for now, I have enough food to last me more than a year, and by then, my aunt shall for sure have forgiven me, and anyway, darling, I have much money in the bank, very much money, we shall be fine, I'm afraid from what Charles has told me, you worry as much as your dear sister, who dances well, might I add."

Lizzy giggled in spite of her short tears. "I guess it is safe now, to tell others of our plans," she said, looking into his eyes.

"Quite so, we shall begin by telling who ever is left at the ball, if you like?"

"I would like so very very much sir," and they walked arm in arm to tell everyone they were going to be wed.

Four months later

The carriage rounded the corner, and Pemberley estate was in sight. Elizabeth was fast asleep against William's chest, for it had been a long ride, and already the day was tiring enough. William pulled her curls back from her forehead and out of her eyes gently. She softly whispered in her ear that they were "home", and Elizabeth sleepily woke herself. He helped her out of the carriage, and it was nearing 11:30 by the time they both made it up to Fitzwilliam's room. He brushed her curls for her, and they conversed a bit, a little afraid of what next. When done, they both stood at about the same time, and William pulled his wife too himself, and kissed her softly.

The next morning Elizabeth awoke feeling tired, and so ordered breakfast to be brought to her and her William in bed. He was still asleep, and so she looked at him admiringly. He looked quite angelic. She ran her fingers through his thick, curly hair, and immediately he awoke. The next day they spent around the house, Elizabeth got lost only twice, and Fitzwilliam showered her all the paintings and such, which were now hers as much as his. The best part came when he decided to show her around the grounds. The lake was beautiful, because it was almost spring, and the snow had already began to melt. Fitzwilliam pointed out some snow white bunnies hopping along, and Lizzy made sure to show William the little bluebird she saw sitting on a twig. They lounged around, and even made snow angels. It was all quite fun, and Lizzy like the idea of spending the rest of her life with this sweet man.

It was nearly a year after the couple had become husband and wife. As most would expect, Lizzy was indeed with child, and her husband was overjoyed to hear the news. They day the doctor came by to see Elizabeth, and confirm her suspicions, was quite strange. Indeed, because that night they were to have a ball, and everyone, again, was invited. Even Lady Catherine came, and once she found the Lizzy was expecting, all her grief for her nephew passed. In fact, by then, most everyone was engaged, married, or had a secret someone. Georgiana greeted Elizabeth warmly.

"I'm so glad that you have decided to come into our family, and I am exceedingly happy to know I am soon to be an aunt!" She smiled sweetly, looking up at her husband, Damian.

"Georgiana, as your sister, I think it is wonderful you think so highly of me, and I'm glad to know you will be a great aunt!"

Charlotte and Mr. Collins were there also. It seems they had gone a little too hard on the money, and the whole years wage was spent by Christmas time. Charlotte became once again humbled, and Mr. Collins himself all the time. Anne DeBourgh engaged herself also, and to none other than Colonel Fitzwilliam! They were also very welcoming to Lizzy, and her new soon to be baby.

Mary had someone special in mind, who seemed to like her back, and Kitty and Mary became fast friends as soon as three sisters had left. But that had been a year ago, and since then, Kitty had become a newly wed, to Michael Mortaneo, a rich person, who, might I add, was not in the regiment. Kitty had quite giving that up.

Lizzy smiled up at her husband as they watched the guests arrive. They all danced and had quite a party. It was much fun. When the guests left the place, William and Lizzy were the only ones left. Fitzwilliam Darcy took his wife's hand and spun her around and kissed her, deeply, and he knew his rose would last forever.

The End