A/N: Here I am! Back from the dead ;) I bet you thought I quit. NO WAY. I just have a lot on my plate, but I was determined to get this done for you in time for Christmas. I was planning a really long, lovely chapter, but somehow it didn't work out quite as I planned. But I will be doing my best to work on this, and keep you updated more regularly. Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me. I really appreciate your continued support!

Chapter 10: Homecoming

Lizzy leaned against the window, drumming her fingers against the pull-down tray attached to the seat in front of her. She stared out longingly, the lower left corner of her vision obscured by a part of the plane's wing.

She was impatient to get off the ground. She didn't love flying, but she loathed waiting in anticipation, simply waiting for something to happen, rather than being able to go out to get it on her own.

Jane smiled slightly, and gently covered Lizzy's hand, holding down her restless fingers. "Be patient, young one."

Lizzy frowned, "It seems like such an enormous waste of time, though. We claim to have no time in today's world to settle down and accomplish any real activities, like reading. Yet, we waste all this time, sitting in front of technology, or waiting for meetings. The whole process could be streamlined so much."

Jane smiled, "You cannot change the world with one stroke."

Lizzy glanced at her sister, "Ah, but I can just hope to do all that I can. Besides, I could form my own coalition, and we could fight this together."

Jane shrugged, "Whatever you like, dear, but it seems like rather a waste of time to create a coalition against wasting time. You won't get anywhere with your project, except promoting hypocrisy. Maybe you could create a coalition on promoting hypocrisy."

Lizzy laughed, "When did you get so pessimistic? You haven't said anything negative since you stopped practicing psychology."

Jane chuckled, "That's true… It's a little difficult to be completely optimistic if you deal with those kind of people all the time."

"How did you ever manage to do it? I don't think I could stand working with people like that."

Jane frowned, "I want to do my best to help them. Don't you even feel a little sad for them?"

"Perhaps, but no person can help all the people in the world. There are always going to be those people who are suffering from mental diseases, and you cannot help them solve all of their problems. It is just too taxing on your strength to do so."

"Ah, Lizzy, this is why you shut yourself away from people, with your internal cynic. It's just waiting at all seconds in the day to spring up and doubt the inherent goodness of the human soul."

Lizzy quirked an eyebrow, "Inherent… goodness? You can't actually believe that!"

"Of course, Lizzy. We can't all take on your pessimistic, cynical world view."

"Well, Jane, we can't all take your optimistic, naïve world view."

Jane shrugged, "You are entitled to your own opinion."

"And you, dear sister, are entitled to my own opinion," Lizzy announced triumphantly, crossing her hands across her chest. The plane began to move backwards. Lizzy instantly uncrossed her arms and peered out the window. Jane fought to stifle a chuckle. Lizzy was still such a child.

"You're such a little kid," Jane remarked.

"Am not!" Lizzy protested.

"Are too!" Jane returned.

Lizzy opened her mouth and began to say, "Am n—," but she realized what Jane was trying to do. She crossed her arms again. "That won't work on me, Jane."

Jane pouted, "Of course it will."

Lizzy scowled, "I refuse to respond."

Jane laughed, "Because you can't think of one?"

"Of course not. It's because I'm too good to respond. You are beneath my notice."

Jane patted Lizzy's head patronizingly. "Of course. That's exactly why you are talking to me right now."

Lizzy stared intently out the window, and leaned back as the plane began its taxi. The plane accelerated rapidly and she smiled; they were finally off. They would be home very soon. It seemed like a double edged sword… home. On one hand, she longed to see her father once again. It had been a very long time since she had seen him and the truth was, she missed him a lot. It would be nice to spend time with her family again, but then again, her family was… Lizzy couldn't think of a very good word to describe them. Eccentric? But again, every family was eccentric, so that word was hardly appropriate to describe the truth about her family.

She gave a little sigh. She couldn't expect her mother was very different. And with the indulgent lifestyle her sisters had grown up with, she could hardly expect them to have turned out very well. In a way, she was glad that she had grown up with more difficulties. She had learned much more that way. It was too easy to become spoilt and not learn to do anything on your own.

In fact, she reflected, her younger sisters weren't the only ones who were spoilt. Darcy had grown up extremely wealthy. If she had thought her sisters were spoiled, Darcy could only be much, much worse. He was used to getting whatever he wanted, and for that reason, was unable to cope with human interaction. She frowned.

"What are you thinking of, Lizzy?" Jane asked gently.

She shook her head, as if trying to clear her thoughts. "Nothing," she muttered.

Jane smiled knowingly. "You have a pensive expression on your face. You are never not thinking, my dear sister. Your mind is constantly whirring, analyzing. You are too much of a thinker. I might even go as far to say you are an overthinker."

Lizzy laughed, "I don't think so."

"You may continue to fool yourself Lizzy, but you are too rational, a trait you have inherited from our papa. You two are both very great thinkers. Allow yourself to free your emotions sometime, and give in to your passions rather than analyzing endlessly."

"Are you trying to tell me to 'follow my heart'?" Lizzy asked skeptically.

Jane chuckled, "Not quite, Lizzy. But at least, take risks sometimes."

"Coming from you?"

"Well, I took a risk in going to Europe and pursuing art, and look where it led me. I'm happy with what I'm doing now." She smiled.

Lizzy shrugged, "Me too."

Jane studied Lizzy very carefully. "You know what I think, sister?"

"What?" Lizzy asked curiously.

"I think you're not actually happy. You pretty everything's all right, but there's something you're missing."

Lizzy rolled her eyes, "I'm not missing anything."

"Perhaps you're only missing a ma—"

Lizzy cut her off, "If you mean Darcy, I definitely do not miss him. I don't need him. That idea is simply preposterous!"

Jane laughed. "If you say so, dear. If you say so."

Lizzy scowled and opened her bag.

November 28, 1996

Thanksgiving—the day of horrors. As if our single unit of family wasn't enough, Aunt Phillips and company arrived at our place with the latest gossip. All of their chatter went over my head. I couldn't bother listening to her latest news. The feeling of my brain cells slowly dying was too much to bear; I escaped to my room.

The worst of it was that the Gardiners weren't even there to alleviate my suffering. How I miss Aunt Gardiner! It has been forever, it seems, that I have not had intelligent conversation, besides Jane, but she spends so much time working that I hardly get to see her. It saddens to me to know that she'll be going to college soon. I wonder what I'll do without her… I hardly have any friends except her and Charlotte. If she leaves, I'll be an alien in my own house because Papa spends so much time in his study just to get away from the other females in the house. I'll be alone at school because Jane there. Thus, my only solution is to be at the library almost constantly. It sounds like a terrific plan.

Hmm. I wonder when I became so sarcastic. But anyway, Thanksgiving isn't my only grievance. That Darcy boy! I seriously want to strangle him sometimes; he frustrates me so much. He's so competitive and always has to get the best grades and argue for points. Plus, he can get better grades in classes with female teachers (and some male teachers) through ass-kissing. Is it so bad that he gets one point less than me on an assignment? Honestly…

I feel like I'm complaining too much. Am I complaining too much. Argh. I must be going insane. Nobody's ever going to answer me.

Well, anyway, back to thanksgiving. The turkey was good, the mashed potatoes were good, the pumpkin pie was good, the stuffing was good, etc. All a credit to Mama's "wonderful management skills." Whatever. It doesn't matter so much to me what skills were involved, but rather, how the end result tastes. I believe Papa was just as bored as I at the dinner table. I caught him rolling his eyes more than once. Occasionally, he caught my eye and gave me a slight smile at the frivolity of the conversation.

I can only imagine what Christmas will bring… Hopefully, Mrs. Gardiner, with some sense to the whole place, finally.

December 1, 1996

Back to school… dull… dull… dull… dull… I feel like my brain is about to whither away from disuse. I don't even pay attention anymore; I work on a new story. I'll probably be able to finish it this year. I hope that I'll be able to get it published. That would be my dream. I could be an author.

I suppose I never thought really in depth about what I want to do as a career, and it's almost a frightening aspect that I will be going to college so soon. Jane has already decided her entire career plan. Charlotte, well, Charlotte always found her calling with books, and it didn't come as too much of a surprise that she became a librarian… not to be rude, or anything.

I guess I want to be an author, but I don't know if I have what it takes to make it. There are a lot of books that are waiting to be published, but very few filter through the system. It makes the odds seem a little disheartening. Well, at least I'll have an early start… right?

Anyway, to make school even worse, we haven't had a seat change yet. I'm literally dying for a seat change. And to write ANYTHING in English is a challenge in itself. Darcy is always trying to read over my shoulder. But writing is personal for a reason. I don't think he gets it… He must be really thick. So I have to cover the pages of this journal, leaving only a small space to write each word. As soon as I complete the word, it is covered up.


Darcy paced in front of the phone. He felt so restless. It had only been a few hours since he had left Lizzy in the airport, and he was already missing her. For so many long years, his emotions had been a torrid mess. Just when they had started to cool down, Lizzy was back in his life, ready to shake things up.

Now she was gone, and he felt… dissatisfied. But he wasn't sure for what. He had pretty much given up on any hope that she would change her mind. Ten years of moping around. Sometimes accepting the truth is more important than waiting around for empty hopes to fulfill themselves. He picked up the phone. And dialed.

A hundred miles away, a phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Richard."

"Darcy?"

There was silence.

"Yes."

"Darcy? Wh—wh—why are you calling? I haven't heard from you since… well, for a long time."

"I know."

More silence on the line.

"So, uh, why are you calling, Darcy?"

More silence.

"Darcy?"

There was a sigh from the other end.

"Look, Richard, I don't know how to say this, but I'm coming back."

There was a pause, then laughter.

"Darcy! That's great. I'm so glad. So are you—"

"I don't know," Darcy cut his cousin off. "I don't know. Where is Aunt Catherine?"

"England, still. Should I tell her?"

"No," Darcy said very quickly. "I mean, I'm really not sure. I'll come back for New Year's, but I won't be staying long. And I haven't agreed to anything yet, so just keep this quiet for now. A few of my friends are coming with me too, so I just need a place to stay. But it's not fair to Georgiana that I ignore her because of other issues. It's just not fair to her. I really don't know what I'm going to do yet."

"You know that if you agree that you'll have to marry Anne," Richard said cautiously.

"I know," was Darcy's simple reply.

"And you also know that I—that I," Richard was unable to complete his statement.

"Rich, I know. I've known for a long time. There are too many difficult choices to make, and I have no idea what I'm going to do."

"How are you doing?" Richard changed the subject.

"Fine," he lied. "How about you?"

"Fine, I suppose."

"You suppose?" Darcy questioned.

"Well, I guess I'm more or less well off, but there's something missing."

Darcy swallowed. "I know what you mean."

"Do you?"

He closed his eyes, and leaned his head against the wall, feeling the cool surface against his left temple. It soothed his headache slightly, but he still felt a pounding in his head.

"Yes."

"It's Lizzy, isn't it?"

He was reluctant to answer the question.

"No—I mean yes. I guess…"

Richard made a "hmm" noise, and their halting conversation rolled to another stop.

"Rich, so is it okay if I'm back for New Year's."

"Yeah, of course, Will. I—we really miss you."

"I know. Me too."

"So, uh, I'll see you then."

"Yeah, I'll see you soon, Rich."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

He hung up, and walked into his kitchen, poured himself a glass of gin, and sat down on his couch, mulling over the possibilities. Either way he chose, the consequences were unattractive. But he couldn't put off deciding forever. He sighed.

"What do you mean you never called them?" Jane asked, panicking.

"Well," Lizzy sighed, "I guess I just forgot."

Jane slapped a hand to her head. "That's pretty much the most important thing!" But she began to laugh.

Lizzy smiled. "Sorry, but you should have expected this. You can't count on me to do the things that I need to do."

"It's okay. We'll just get a taxi, and call them on the way. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see us."

"That's a little worrisome though. Mom being thrilled isn't necessarily the best thing to ever happen to me."

"Okay, true, but let's just make the best of the situation and spend a nice Christmas with them. After all, we are mooching off them now."

"Well, Jane, I am, because of my own foolishness. You don't have to. Plus, even if you don't get your own apartment, there's always someone you could room with."

"Whatever do you mean, Lizzy?" Jane asked, blinking naively at her sister.

Lizzy snickered.

Then Jane's eyes widened in understanding. "What? No! Lizzy!"

Lizzy chuckled. "You are too innocent and oblivious, my dear sister."

Jane blushed. "You assume too much."

"I'm beginning to think that I assume too little."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Jane asked, confused.

"Nothing, nothing." Lizzy grinned.

"I'm still confused, Lizzy."

"That's good," Lizzy replied, still smiling.

"Lizzy," Jane said warningly.

Lizzy was about to reply, but she was interrupted by an announcement, letting them know that they were free to exit the plane, as long as it was done in an orderly fashion. Lizzy stood up and grabbed their carry-on luggage.

"Let's go," she suggested, pulling out her cell phone simultaneously. She quickly dialed the number, then as it rang once, she handed it to Jane.

"Maybe it is better if you talk to them. I mean, I haven't called home in ages."

Jane shook her head, pushing the phone back towards Lizzy. "No, you need to talk to them because they haven't talked to you in ages."

"But—"

"Hurry! They're going to pick up!"

Lizzy rolled her eyes and sighed in capitulation. "Fine." She held the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Papa?"

"Lizzy?"

Lizzy broke into a grin. "Papa! It's me!"

"Lizzy! I haven't heard from you in so long! How are you doing?"

"Uh, I'm okay. But listen, Papa. Jane and I are at the airport right now. We're going to take a taxi home, so you should probably tell Mama to expect us."

"Nonsense. A taxi?" Mr. Bennet protested. "Let me pick you up."

"Uh, that's okay. It won't be necessary."

"Of course it's necessary!" he objected. "If I didn't pick you up, what kind of father would I be?"

Lizzy laughed. "Fine. But if you take too long, we're just going to hail a taxi."

"Agreed, then. I'll see you soon!"

Lizzy smiled. "Bye, Papa! I'll see you soon."

She snapped her phone shut. Jane smiled.

"See, that wasn't too difficult. You've shut yourself off for too long. I know that you've been covering up a lot of pain, and anger and bitterness. But sometimes, you can't lock yourself away from the world. There are people who love you, and would do anything to see you safe and happy."

"Are you trying to analyze me now, sister?"

Jane chuckled, "It wasn't my intention. But we can have a therapy session, if you insist."

Lizzy snorted, "As if."

"You know, I am qualified."

"Sure, sure. I'll keep that in mind."

"Be sure that you do."

They stepped off the plane together, and walked towards the baggage claim area. As they watched as the carousel spun, bringing new luggage around the conveyer belt, Lizzy suddenly said, "Tell me about Italy."

Jane looked at her sister, momentarily surprised. "Well, Italy's beautiful. The air feels so fresh, and it was a nice getaway, I suppose. But you have to come back to the real world sometimes."

Lizzy smiled. "Europe is lovely."

Jane nodded in agreement. "I painted a lot, and I love it. But I think I might go back to being a psychologist."

"But don't you want to paint?"

"I can always do that, but it's helping people that is my true passion."

Lizzy nodded. "I know. You are so sweet, and gentle, and kind, Jane. I sometimes wish I could be more like you."

"Likewise. I wish I could be as forward as you."

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?"

"Of course. You take risks and live life, while I always find some ways to hold myself back."

"But that is a display of good sense. I always take risks and end up losing."

"That's not true, Lizzy."

"It is."

They spotted their first bag and picked it up. They waited in silence until they had claimed all of the bags. When they had them all, they carefully grabbed the handles, and started exiting the airport. As they walked along, Jane suddenly spotted Mr. Bennet in the crowd of people, waiting for their loved ones to return for Christmas. He was holding a giant sign. "Welcome home, Bennet sisters!"

Lizzy smiled, and ran towards her father. "Papa!" she exclaimed, dropping her bags and throwing her arms around her father.

"My Lizzy! You have come home at last! It has been too long since I last heard from you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

He smiled. "It's all right. As long as you are here now."

As Jane walked up behind Lizzy, Mrs. Bennet, and her youngest three daughters stepped out from the crowd.

Lizzy glanced at them and whispered rapidly to Mr. Bennet. "You took them along, too?"

He sighed, and glanced at them. "They insisted. I couldn't say anything to dissuade them."

"Nothing?"

"You know how they are, Lizard."

Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever."

"And I think you should know, too, that Aunt Phillips is here for Christmas."

"No!" Lizzy exclaimed.

"Yes."

"Aunt Gardiner?"

"Nope. Sorry, Lizzy."

She felt like toppling over from devastation, but she remained standing. "All right. Let's do this, then."

He laughed. "There's my good ol' Lizzy."

She smiled. "Let's go."

She gestured to Jane, who disentangled herself from her sisters and mother.

"Lizzy!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.

"Mama," Lizzy said cautiously.

"I'm so ashamed! You haven't kept in touch!"

Lizzy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mama, but you know how the life of a famous author is."

"Still, Lizzy, that is no excuse for not keeping us posted. We're your family!"

"Yes, yes, mother, it won't happen again."

"My nerves! After so long of not knowing. My own child could be dead for all I knew!"

Lizzy continued walking without a response, smirking at her mother's ramblings. Nothing really had changed…

A/N: I really did have a lovely Christmas chapter planned out! I'm really very very sorry that I didn't finish it. I'll try to get it done tomorrow. Maybe I'll have it out before or on Boxing Day? I'll do my best! Please review!

I hope all of you have a lovely Christmas/New Year. Or whatever you celebrate? Not to be uh politically incorrect?

Oh yes, please excuse any errors. I'm so sorry. No time for a lovely beta, and I barely proofread.