Glad everyone loved this take! Review! Shoutout to debu, Dizzy Lizzy.60, Queenbee6, Beckykat32, Julianabr, FantasyLover74, and Saralee. I swear I see you all reviewing on each chapter on each of my stories!
Chapter 2
As he watched his only son commit his life and love to the woman he loved, whom they all loved, he could not help but reflect on the last two years, and how much his life has changed. He held his wife's hand throughout the ceremony, where they sat on the right side of the aisle, across from the family of the bride.
He took a slight pause from listening to the minister and looked over at Mr. Bennet, who, he could see, was clearly fighting back tears. Though he knew the man trusted the Darcy's with his precious daughter, he could imagine he would be the exact way when he would have to give his young daughter away.
Of course this day Bennet was giving two daughters up.
Charlotte noticed his gaze and leaned over to whisper, "Lizzy and Jane, it will be weird for everyone not to see them walking the landscapes of Hertfordshire, I'm sure."
"They are very close, perhaps once they both get settled in their new roles, they can visit the other. Of course Jane has never been to Pemberley."
"I fear she would never want to leave, my dear."
"And would that be so bad a thing? Pemberley has plenty of room."
"Yes but soon there shall be a small edition, and then the room will not be so great."
His eyes widened as he gazed down at his young wife. "Truly?"
She hid a giggle. "Yes, I only assumed it, until yesterday."
His smile was wide, and for a while father and son wore an identical look on their faces for very different reasons. Son because he was about to be pronounced his beloved's husband, father because he just found out he was to be a father to another child. "You are a cruel wife, telling me here, where I cannot make a sound.
"Shush now, the ceremony is almost over. This is Fitzwilliam's time. You shall be able to release your raptures to the world soon enough." She reached over and grabbed Georgiana's hand and watched the rest of the ceremony, leaving James in stunned dismay.
Elizabeth Bennet was married to Fitzwilliam Darcy in the small church in Hertfordshire, by the exact same minister who christened her as a small child. The church was packed, naturally, the elder sisters were so well liked. And as her husband led her down the aisle behind Bingley and Jane, they followed because she was the younger of the sisters, the looks of love on the face of all who attended were not lost on her.
She would miss it here. But she looked forward to her next adventure.
"Fitzwilliam," she whispered, as they were close to the back of the church.
"Yes, my love?" He had to lean down, so he could hear her clearly.
"I do not know how to be married."
He laughed. "That is a good thing, as I do not know either. I suppose we can learn as we go."
She wrinkled her nose in a way that he always found adorable. "I do not like surprises."
"No, Elizabeth. I am not going to tell you where we are going to spend our honeymoon."
She harrumphed, a pout on her lips. "Not even a hint? Just a tiny one."
"I am surprised that Charlotte has not told you. I thought you two told each other everything."
"Not anymore," her pout was perfectly adorable. "She's too loyal to you now."
"Well I am sure I shall be ganged up on in many occasions in the future. And don't forget, my father is still so smitten with her, he is at her beck and call."
She couldn't help but to giggle, forgetting all about the honeymoon. "Who would've thought, Charlotte my mother-in-law."
He shook his head, "I'm glad you will have an ally, but, do not forget, I am your husband now. You cannot leave me behind."
"Never my love."
He kissed her then, quick so as not to cause a scene, but passionate enough for her to realize his feelings. He could not wait to get her alone, to consummate their marriage, to consummate their love, to make her his Mrs. Darcy. "Let us greet our guests, we shall have breakfast, then be on our way."
She nodded her assent, and stood in a line outside of church with Jane to her left with Bingley.
"I daresay, Bingley," Darcy laughed, "you would think we just married the jewels of Hertfordshire. It seems everyone is here today. Surely that is not the case though, and I am quite mistaken. My wife's tongue is quite sharp, and her wit quite bold. She is unyielding."
Bingley's laugh was merry, the color in his cheeks high as he saw Elizabeth hit her husband's arm. "Speak for yourself! I have no idea what you are talking about. Elizabeth has never spoken nothing but a kind word to me."
They were interrupted by the Bennet's first. "Oh! My girls! Married at last!" Mrs. Bennet's exclamations couldn't bother the men on this day.
"What do you mean at last, mama," Jane piped up, "I am but two and twenty, Lizzy is only twenty. Hardly an at last sentiment."
"My dear Jane, you jest! No matter! To think my dear girls, such illustrious families that you have married into."
"Mama," Elizabeth tried to calm her nerves, "you must come visit us once everything is settled."
"Yes," Darcy stepped forward, and bestowed a kiss to his new mother-in-laws cheek. "After a few months, of course. Elizabeth will have to get use to being mistress."
"MISTRESS?! OF PEMBERLEY?! My Lizzy! Oh my! Oh what carriages, and pin money, and oh!"
Darcy looked down at his young wife who promptly avoiding his gaze with great success, "You did not tell your mother that I was to take over the estate as soon as I married."
Elizabeth bit her lip, "I tried, she had to tell us of what to-" she cleared her throat, and Darcy noticed her and Jane wore a deep blush on their faces, "what to expect later. After I had not the will to speak at all."
He grabbed her hand and placed a light kiss to her palm. "I promise you," he whispered so no one could hear. "I promise that it is not so bad as that, and in fact, I plan to make you never want to leave my bed again." He couldn't help but smirk at her blush, and turned to greet his father-in-law.
"Mr. Darcy, I could not have parted with my Lizzy to anyone less worthy," he shook his new son's hand, and ignoring propriety pulled him in for a hug. "Do take care of her."
"You have my promise," he grinned. "I rather think taking care of her easy. And it's William. No need to be so formal among family, no?"
The elder man grinned and moved onto both his daughters, hugging them both, then onto Mr. Bingley, who looked quite nervous as Bennet imparted to him the same as he had just done to Darcy.
Next came Mary and Kitty. They looked so well today, and Darcy told them so, to which they blushed, even Mary, and thanked their new older brother. Kitty was unable to resist throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace.
Darcy hadn't minded. He did not mind Mary nor Kitty. Lydia on the other hand, but it did not matter, she was not here. "Kitty, you and Mary, must come visit us. Georgiana would love the company, as would I. And I'm sure Elizabeth would not mind, would you my dear?"
Elizabeth nodded her agreement, "of course not. "
Kitty was all exclamations, and Darcy could help but grin at her innocence, she reminded him so much of Georgiana, "Yes, but now, you must allow the people to pass through, sister, or else my wife and I may never leave, and then you would never be allowed to visit."
His father and Charlotte were next, but not before Georgiana came through them and threw her hands around both Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth, who surprised, wrapped her in the group hug. "Oh brother! I am so happy! I cannot help it! I am just so happy!"
Elizabeth giggled at her new sister's enthusiasm. "I think I can rival your happiness, dear sister."
"Sisters!" Georgiana by now had completely forgot her brother, and clung to her new sister. "I can scarce believe it! I have always wanted a sister, and now I have four! I do not know what to do with myself!"
"I imagine you will cope, quite admirably, my dear," James Darcy, responded to his young daughter, his voice deep with emotion, as he spoke to the couple. "I must admit, Mrs. Darcy," Elizabeth blushed at her new name, "that you throw a smashing celebration. Pemberley will see many balls this season, I'm sure." He winked at her, then looked back at Charlotte, "Of course Charlotte has agreed to help." At this Charlotte walked up to Elizabeth and wrapped her in a hug. "I am so happy for you Elizabeth. I cannot believe we are family!"
"Nor I," Elizabeth's giggles were infectious and the entire Darcy family soon found them in a fit of laughter, none more so than Georgiana, who was just so exuberantly happy, she could help it.
"I fear, Charlotte," James spoke to his wife, "that should we not control Georgiana's laughter now, she may never rid of it. Some tea perhaps."
"Oh leave her, she is happy."
"She shall be laughing all day, and I highly doubt you want to ride back to town with that."
Charlotte's eyes widened as they all laughed again. "She is a good girl."
"She is a very good child, she just does not know how to control her happiness."
"I think it nerves," Fitzwilliam added, smiling at his baby sister. "And besides. I thought she was to stay with the Lucas' for a month, to be close to Kitty and Mary."
Charlotte gasped, "Oh that is right, I completely forgot."
"Don't tell her that, she is so excited."
James looked at his young daughter, laughing merrily with Kitty, and even Mary to his surprise. Clearly it was improper, but to him they were just young girls, enjoying all the felicity around them. He would not spoil their fun for the life of him. "I suppose you are correct, what does a little laughter hurt? We shall see you both at the breakfast." He kissed Elizabeth's cheek. "Daughter, you are exquisite."
"Thank you." She hugged him, then he turned to Charlotte, and led her to round up the girls, for the breakfast at Netherfield, leaving the newly married Darcy's and Bingley's to meet with the rest of their guests and well wishers.