CHAPTER ONE: THE BOYS NEXT DOOR

Author's Note: Here is my first attempt at a stable fanfic. I have written it side by side with the movie and the book, with my own little script. I hope you enjoy and please leave some comments!
**All rights belong to the makers of any images or songs, OUAT, and Pride and Prejudice (2005)**

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."

Emma smiled to herself. It was a perfect statement of what had happened in her life as her happiness was complete.

The babbling brook by the home of the Bennet's was always Emma's solace. She would often take one of her favorite reading materials out there and consume her afternoon with another world. These books sparked her imagination of a fantasy where she could make her own life. Mrs. Bennet was constantly trying to secure the girls a great future with men of wealth.

Emma's father had no male heir and was aging himself. Having five daughters put an extreme burden on his finances and the girls were left no choice but to pursue advantageous marriages.

On several occasions, Ruby Lucas would meet Emma out in the forest and also speak her mind about how she hated being whisked around by her mother to find a suitable match. It was a never-ending frustration that could only be heated out in the middle of nowhere.

Emma and Ruby would part ways on some of these early mornings and slowly stride back to their homes.

This afternoon, Emma was not met by Ruby in the forest. Emma figured that she had other plans that weren't communicated since yesterday. She assumed that Mrs. Lucas was consuming her time with preparations for the ball that Hertfordshire was going to hold in a few days.

Mrs. Bennet was ablaze with the passion for finding matches for her girls this one time. Mary-Margaret, Emma's older sister, was getting up in age. Mrs. Bennet impose that there was a worry that disappointment would come upon their family if she wasn't matched soon.

With the pressure on all of the girls to be matched to wealthy husbands, Emma was severely pessimistic about this one. No wealthy man would want to dance with commoners at this ball. Getting away from the house was not getting her thoughts off the ball that was supposed to settle her future. She closed the book that she had been engrossed in for the past hour and walked towards the estate.

The few servants that her father owned were hard at work in the fields. She smiled and waved in appreciation at the ones she come in contact with. They generally waved back but everyone seemed to be in a better mood because balls always guaranteed some sort of good news. Emma gracefully walked through the white clothing that lined the back yard. Today was washing day for the family and the clothes swayed in the wind as they dried. Cows and chickens fussed as their daily efforts were pushed along

Emma made her way around to the front of the house because she could hear ruckus gathering in their family's personal rooms.

Mrs. Bennet was uttering some news in very loudly in Mr. Bennet's study and Emma knew it was that time. She entered the door and found Ariel and Aurora standing at the door, trying to make out the noise of what news had arrived. Emma rolled her eyes and went to find Mary-Margaret. She would make sense of what was going on. Mrs. Bennet had scolded the girls several times about listening at the door.

Mary-Margaret was knitting a bonnet at their large dining room table while Belle practiced her piano playing. Mary-Margaret was critiquing this latest masterpiece that Belle was taking great pride in. Without the restrictions of proper society, Emma would certainly agree that these two would make it just fine on their own. The servants' shanties in the kitchens inspired some of these newest musical masterpieces that Belle put into musical notes. Mary-Margaret gratefully wanted to listen to when Belle was confident that it was going to work.

"What is mother up to now?" Emma inquired. Mary-Margaret looked up and smirked.

"Something about Netherfield Park. They are bound to come storming through here any minute. I bet that father will almost trample Ariel and Aurora trying to get away from answering mother's request for information. It would not be the first time."

Emma wrapped her arms around her abdomen, just waiting for the next thrilling event to happen. The three heard Mr. Bennet's heavy study door open and their two sisters begin to squeal. Mr. Bennet was in a fervent rush to get away from the conversation that he had been sequestered into participating in.

With Mr. Bennet's surprise to two of his daughters listening at the door, he shouted, "Good heavens, people!" He rushed to the study, with the six women in his life hastily chasing him.

All family news was addressed in the parlor because squeezing six more people into his study was not Mr. Bennet's favorite activity.

"But my dear, you must go see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighborhood!" Mrs. Bennet announced as they settled into the parlor.

"It is more than I intended to engage for, I assure you."

Mrs. Bennet was fuming. It was her responsibility to marry off her silly five daughters and there was no compliance from Mr. Bennet on introducing them to the nouveau David Bingley. Emma heard the name over and over again from the mutterings of Ariel and Aurora.

"But consider your daughters!" Mrs. Bennet screamed as all seven of them shuffled into the parlor. "Indeed, you must go to Netherfield! You have made it impossible for us to go see him if you do not see him immediately."

"I have my daughters in the highest regard, but he may have consent to whichever one of the girls he chooses. My dear Lizzy, I must say, I hold in the highest regard."

"What about your other daughters? Mary-Margaret is much handsomer than your dear Emma but Aurora is more humorous. Think about our family!"

"There is no need to fret, my dear. I already have become his dear companion."

Squeals erupted.

"Will he be at the ball, Papa?" Ariel asked.

"I believe so."

Ariel and Aurora were sent in a tizzy to appease the eldest Bennet into winning her favor. Emma giggled at her sister's consent as Belle sighed. Everything felt right in order for this grand ball. The Bennet's expected a fine introduction to the Mr. David Bingley and all of his interests while he was in town.