Jane Austen is a Badger

Summary: A Sequel to More Fine Carriages, although it can stand independently on its own. Emma Hudson is going to a Big-10 college ready for adventures and freedom. Join a whole cast of Austen's beloved characters as they come out to play in a modern mix of everything Jane.

Quick note: Addie and Jake Hudson are based off of Elizabeth and Darcy. The setting of this story is UW Madison in Wisconsin, the mascot being Bucky Badger. Woo Woo!

PROLOUGE - If you want to be a Badger....

Emma was well aware of the fact that she had her father wrapped around her little finger. There wasn't much that Jake Hudson wouldn't do for his only little girl. Her mother, however, was a different story altogether. And it looked like that was who she was going to be dealing with.

But don't get it wrong. Emma was never one to be afraid of a little challenge; with four older brothers, she had learned very quickly how to be tough. And how to quickly run away.

And now, at the age of eight, she wasn't about to back down. She was willing to put it all on the line. After all, Christmas was only four months away.

"Mom," Emma began, little arms folded directly in front of her, her stance straight.

Her mother turned away from the laundry she was separating to look at her youngest child. "Yes, Emma?" she asked, as she shoved some curls out of her face, curls that Emma had also inherited, much to the little girl's displeasure.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking, and well, I think since I'm eight and all, I'm big enough to have a pet." Emma's face was grave, and Addie could see her resemblance to her father. Addie struggled to fight off a smile. Ever since her eighth birthday, Emma had determined that she was 'all grown' and 'would be a woman in no time'.

"Well, love, puppies are a lot of responsibility," Addie said softly.

Emma visibly blanched. "I don't want a puppy!"

Addie was shocked. "What's wrong with dogs?"

"Everybody has dogs." Emma looked so upset by her mother's guess, that Addie cracked a smile.

"Alright, peanut. What do you want then?"

Addie was thinking along the lines of the following; a kitten, bird, or maybe even a mouse.

Instead Emma reached into her pocket excitedly, pulling out a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it rather quickly with her nimble little fingers and exclaimed quite proudly "I want THIS!" as she displayed the image for her mother to see.

It was a picture of a badger.

Addie had busted out laughing.

The memory was playing through Adeline Marie Hudson's mind as she set down the last cardboard box from the truck. A little bit of blanket was sticking out of the top of the box, and she could see Bucky Badger staring up at her. Today was the day that her last child and only daughter left the nest to begin a whole new life of her own. While Addie was never one to be extremely sentimental, she was feeling quite a lot. Mostly, she felt old.

To think she was nearing 53. She snorted. At least she still looked young. She thanked Fanny now daily for the good genes she had passed along. Her father, sadly, was no longer there to be thanked, but he remained alive in memory.

To be quite honest, Addie was looking forward to having the house completely empty and to being alone with her husband. They had already made all sorts of plans, mostly falling under the categories of renovation and travel, but there were a few random things that Addie still wanted to do.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Emma barging rather loudly through the dorm room door.

"We almost forgot the other bin of shoes!" Emma cried, placing the pink bin on the floor near one of the closets.

"That certainly would have been a tradgedy," Jake commented, smirking as he entered the room.

Addie laughed. "Hey now, a girl needs her shoes."

"Yeah dad," Emma retorted. "They are vital."

"So what now Em? Do you want me fix up that TV in the corner?"

Emma bit her lip, and Addie knew the expression in an instant. Call it a mother's instinct, but everything told her that Emma would be just fine setting up her room on her own. In fact, judging by Emma's expression, she was more than ready for her parent's departure. Addie wasn't offended. She could still remember feeling exactly the same way when she was a freshman. She had been so excited, ready to be on her own.

"Actually, sweetie, she should probably wait until her roommate gets here. They need to decide the layout together," Addie commented, sharing a knowing look with Emma. She was already sensing that Jake was going to have a hard time leaving his little girl. He hadn't had any problems with the boys, but Addie knew that Emma was different.

Jake looked a little disappointed, but recovered quickly. "I forgot about the roommate. Hopefully she can fit all of her stuff in here too… you've got so much."

Emma giggled, while Addie made a move to grab her purse.

"I think we should probably be off then, Jake. I'm sure Emma wants to head off and meet some people from her hall."

Jake nodded, although he didn't look very happy about it.

The goodbyes were tearless, but still heartfelt. Embraces and kisses were exchanged, as well as an envelope full of money and an emergency credit card from Jake when Addie wasn't looking, who whispered in his daughter's ear, "Don't tell your brothers."

"You better stay in touch, hon," Addie said as they were heading out.

"I'll call every Tuesday just like I promised."

"Only Tuesdays?" Jake blanched.

"Jake, let her be. Once a week is fine. She's going to be busy."

More hugs were exchanged, as were tidbits of advice from Jake which consisted of 'Don't walk by yourself anywhere' and 'study hard'.

When they finally left, Emma let a out sigh.

She knew she was letting an old part of her go, a part that she would miss, but at the same time she was so excited to find this new part. She had always loved her parents, but she was so excited to finally be her own person. She hadn't been stifled growing up, but she hadn't really been free either. All of that was now about to change.

She shoved some boxes to the side of the room that she was going to officially declare hers. She knew that she should probably wait for her roommate, but patience had never been Emma's strong point. She got that from her mother.

However, the truth must be told; she had also gotten a bit of arrogance from her father. It was hard not to be a little big-headed. She had a huge loving family, an attorney father, and a famous authoress for a mother. Emma knew she was kind of a big deal.

But college has a way of humbling people and rest assured Emma was not going to be excluded from this rather funny rule.

Those thoughts were far from Emma's mind however. She simply couldn't stop smiling. She crossed the room to look out the window. Madison, WI was sprawled out before her. She had finally arrived. She was finally a Badger.