Hi all, well I suppose I should tell you a little of what I have planned for this story. The premise I've planned is that I will tell the story of Lizzie and Darcy from their meeting but it won't quite follow the book.

Please do tell me what you think

Millie

31st December, 2013

Will Darcy had often been lost for words around Elizabeth Bennet but it wasn't often that he was unable to describe the feelings that overwhelmed him. He watched as she command the attention of the room, smiling at her sister he noticed the minute changes that had occurred in the three years since they had last been in the same room together. The years that had been entirely the result of his pride and the irritation he had felt for her on one day, if only he hadn't tried to intervene where he shouldn't – in the happiness of others especially in the heat of anger was unwise. The consequences of that one decision had cost him dearly and as he watched his one love reach for the support of another he was reminded of the cost.

He was so absorbed in staring at him that he had missed most of Lizzie's speech it wasn't until Georgie whacked him in the ribs that he began to tune in.

"… and my father would be affronted if I didn't include a literary quote in this speech. So, even though it has taken Jane and Bingley a couple of extra years to get here for one reason or another." he knew from the moment that the words had left her tongue that the statement was aimed at him without her needing to look in his direction. "John Steinbeck teaches us that you shouldn't worry about love because '[I]f it is, it happens – The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away'. And I suspect that for two as compatible as Jane and Charles, as two of life's few true optimists they were always destined to find each other again as 'To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with' – that's two quotes daddy!" And he watched as she smiled to her sister and father before she continued "That's Mark Twain for those of you not brought up with a father whose Head of English at Queen's Uni, Belfast.

"Well let's hear it for Jane and Charles. Here's to a joyful 2014 as you make life's ultimate commitment to each other I wish you all the happiness in the world as you both deserve nothing less. To Jane and Charles"

He raised his glass and chimed with everyone else but his eyes were still trained on his ex as she smiled to the brunette she was now attached too. And he now knew the feeling that had overcome him, it was jealousy: pure, unadulterated jealousy and now as he stood four feet away from her he felt the feeling take control over his body and mind. And so as he finished with his compliments to Jane and Bingley he manoeuvred himself and his sister towards her.

"Elizabeth." He watched as her shocked features moved to face him and collapse.

"Will" she spoke with none of the love that one name had once held. "Georgie, how are you?" he watched as her face lit up as it reached her sister.

"I'm good Lizzie." Georgie replied quietly before retreating shyly behind him.

"Good, it's been a long time." And he watched as a small, sad smile played on her lips as she directed herself to his sister who just nodded in reply. "This is my partner Henry Tilney" she directed their attention to the brunette stood next to her as the conversation lulled. "Harry, this is Will and Georgie Darcy."

"Nice to meet you" Harry smiled to the brother and sister pair as he extended his hand which Will received coldly. Tall and very almost handsome his faced seemed to convey the same wit and intelligence that shone in Elizabeth's eyes and Will felt his heart drop lower as his mind envisioned Henry as the perfect partner for Lizzie.

"How did you meet?" he heard his sister pipe up and he watched as the couple both looked upon the other and heartily smiled to each other.

"Mutual friends." Lizzie replied first "We were both at a supper party and it just clicked."

"First girl in that I had meet in Luxembourg that could give as good as she gets with me" Henry added and Will felt the sudden need to be relieved of the company of the two as they smiled at each other but his sister had a sudden interest in the pair.

"You live in Luxembourg now?"

"Must be about eighteen months now." and he watched Lizzie's face turn full of warmth to his sister. "The bank offered me a great position and it seemed the right time to go."

Thankfully for Will his cousin saved him as Richard and his girlfriend who was also Lizzie's best friend Charlotte joined the pair. And soon the two women were talking about lost time and back home. And will slowly moved himself from the group through the kitchen where he grabbed one of the bottles of champagne that the carters had left on the side before he went through the patio doors and found himself a dark corner away from the two smokers who stood close to the warmth of the patio heater.

Sat on the cold brick with his back against the rough wood he popped open the bottle of Pol Roger as he contemplated the important moments within his relationship with Elizabeth Rosalind Beatrice Portia Bennet.

30th December, 2007

The plane journey had been a disaster for Will Darcy from start to finish. First, Jane and Bingley had arrived late both sharing discreet looks as they made their way to the Heathrow express, then the plane had been delayed and to top it all off it had been the worst flight of his life. The destination wasn't any better; he had no idea how Charles had managed to persuade him to spend New Year's in Belfast.

Though it wasn't like he had much choice it was either just Georgie and himself watching Jools Holland's Hootenanny or join in on Jane's kind invitation to celebrate with her and Bingley as they joined her family. But as he stood in baggage claim he couldn't help but think that this weekend was going to be a wash out from start to finish and if he didn't need another metaphor he's bag was the last to come off the conveyor belt. As a result it was a while before they made their way through to the doors to find Jane's sister.

"Janey, Charlie" came the call as soon as they reached through to arrivals and the next thing Darcy saw was a young woman run into Jane's embrace. "I can't believe you abandoned me" he watched as the brunette removed herself from Jane's embrace before again launching herself on Charles, "there are murderers that get a more lenient punishment than I've had."

"Lizzie" he watched as Jane smiled "you mustn't."

"Trinity term broke up on the first. THE first of December." The brunette joked back before grabbing Jane's bag. "We better get out the way. Charlie how are you?" she spoke as she quickly manoeuvred them into a quite part of the airport.

"I am well Lizzie." Will watched Bingley reply as he stared at Jane.

"Of course I know that.' She laughed and suddenly Darcy found himself looking deeply at the tall, brunette.

Before today the only images he had seen of Jane's little sister had been on his visit to Bingley during his friend's first year at St. Andrews where he had noted Jane's noticeboard which was full of pictures from home and the only attribute he had noticed when he had once glanced was that brunette was the more confident of the two. That and as he later found out she was now in her final year at Teddy's Hall, Oxford. But now he noticed that she was rather pretty, with dark, intelligent eyes that seemed to sparkle. He was cut out of his thoughts as the sharp, Belfast accent cut through.

"Hi, I'm Lizzie." And suddenly he noticed that she was talking to him but suddenly he lost the ability to speak and Bingley had to intervene for him.

"Lizzie, this is my best friend Will and his little sister Georgie."

"Well hello." And he watched her smile at him before she moved to his sister "We better you guys back to house." And with that she took Georgiana's shoulder bag that had been resting on the floor and then lead them towards the car park. "I've packed in parked in the Short Stay so it isn't far. I'm in mammy's Land Rover by the way, so there should be plenty of room."

It wasn't long before that arrived into the car and she quickly unlocked the car before she ran across towards the ticket machine to pay and within five minutes they were on their way to Belfast.

"I don't know why you didn't just fly into Georgie Best. It's so much closer" Lizzie spoke up after they had sat in silence for a while.

"Darce wanted to fly from Heathrow" Bingley answered from the front seat, Will watched as she just nodded her head before sneaking a glance of him in the rear view mirror as her eyes looked bewildered.

"More of a Liverpool fan I suppose" she eventually replied which made Bingley snigger and Jane smile before she offered him an apologetic look. Will was reminded of his earlier thoughts as he examined the landscape outside the window, perhaps this weekend wouldn't be a wash out but he was pretty sure he was not going to enjoy it. And he suspected Lizzie Bennet might be the cause of his displeasure.