Chapter 12: Of Christmas and family
Well hopefully you all do not hate me, I mean I did update… Eventually :D Okay So here is chapter 12. I think this may be the end for a while, depending on whether I procrastinate during exams study or not. Not to mention I am going over seas soon so, I hope you like and not to mention I swear this is the longest story I have ever written ;) okay guys here we is.
A time to be merry was near, it was Christmas very soon which meant that Pemberley and myself would be surrounded by family. I could hardly wait, following the Darcy tradition there would be no balls only a large feast with our closest family which means Mr and Mrs Gardiner with there many children, Aunt Jane and Uncle Charles Bingley with Maddison and John and of course Aunt Georgiana with her husband Mr Martin and their daughter Melissa and well if Aunt Catherine stops by then… we run. I was still not speaking with Mr Ashby and for all accounts ignoring Mr Worthington, so my days were fairly lonely and I was relishing in the idea of having my family close by, I spent a lot of time with father when he was not in town on business or with mother and I loved the idea of his company, spending time in his study by the fire with a book was all I needed right now.
"Clarissa Jane Darcy, are you avoiding someone?" My father asked, I was in the study again reading Macbeth when my father spoke up.
"What ever do you mean papa?" I feigned innocence.
"Well as much as I love you and spending time with you my dear I would expect you to be with Bennett or Mr Ashby or Eric; especially since they will not be here for too much longer, Eric will be returning to his father tomorrow and Bennett and Mr Ashby will be returning to school in less the two months." I sighed, my father knew me to well.
"He loves me papa."
"Well I would hope so, he is courting you after all." My father took his seat next to me and smiled.
"Not Mr Ashby, I mean yes he does too but Eric who is I mean father, I was in the library four days ago after a… talk with Mr Ashby and he told me that Mr Ashby does not deserve me and that he loves me."
"Is this why you are not speaking to either of them?"
"No I am not speaking with Mr Ashby for other reasons that he needs to understand, I am not speaking to Eric because I do not think I can talk to him any longer. He may be my best friend but in all honesty father I do not think I can be his friend with my knowledge."
"Oh my, some of your characteristics are much like your mothers. If you do not think you can be his friend then by all means stop, because sometimes it is okay to move on from someone or something." I thought about what he was saying to me, I understood his words.
"I think it is time papa, I need to move on."
"You will never cease to surprise me my darling Clary." I leaned into my fathers embrace and felt his comfort wash over me. I knock at the door startled us out of our embrace. "Enter."
"Mr Darcy sir, the Gardiners have arrived."
"Thank you Mrs Reynolds." He sighed and lifted himself from the couch. "Christmas has started my dear." With that my father took my hand and we exited the room together, into the parlour to find my mother, Bennett and Mr Ashby greeting the Gardiners."
"Darcy, how are you old fellow?"
"Very well Mr Gardiner and you?" Their conversation went on and as I was greeted by family and cousins I watched Bennett and Mr Ashby interact, Bennett beckoned for me to go over to him and I did as I was told longing for the contact that I had not had from my brother in days.
"Hello dear sister." He draped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in.
"Ben, Mr Ashby. Mr Ashby how are you parents?"
"They are both well, and looking forward to a festive Christmas."
"Well that is the only way we Darcy's celebrate. Oh Clary, Eric Worthington left this morning; something about a stable and a horse and a dad." Surprisingly I did not feel crestfallen with this news.
"Sometimes friends move on." There was nothing else to say, Bennett nodded to me and I smiled, this was Christmas and I was happy.
"Aunt Georgiana! Little Melissa. I am so glad you have come." They were the last guests to arrive and perhaps my favourite. "Of course I could not forget you Uncle Fredrick."
"How are you my dear Clarissa and my brother how is he?"
"He is well aunt I am sorry we are not all here to greet you, everyone has gone towards the woods for a picnic. Jane and Charles arrived with their two dear children yesterday and have all decided to bond."
"You did not go with them?"
"No, I decided to stay in, I have been dealing with a headache all morning." I felt a tug on my skirt and looked down to the darling four year old Melissa with light blonde curls and bright brown eyes. "Yes Mel -Mel?"
"Will you pway wif me Cwary?"
"Oh of course I shall darling, perhaps we shall go for a walk and join our company then we shall play chasy hmm?" Her smile absolutely delighted me. "Shall we?"
As we were walking towards our destination I watched Melissa skip down the path and looked back to see my aunt and uncle, they were in love to say the least. Mr Martin met Georgiana during her coming out and they had courted for less then five months before they were wed. Apparently father was very protective of my dear aunt, it would have been a comical sight to say the least.
"Clary! I thought you were ill?" I heard Bennett yell
"I was, but then I found Melissa Martin walking the halls."
"BENNY!"
"MELLY!" I had to laugh at my brother's behaviour. Greetings were passed between all of us and introductions were made where necessary.
"Well, I guess now it is truly Christmas and just in time for the feast is tonight." My father said.
Dinner was a joyful affair and it always will be, no matter what was happening, it would always be home. When we were taking tea in the drawing room, we started to hear rain fall, it sounded like magic.
"Miss Darcy." I looked up from the flames and saw Mr Ashby
"Mr Ashby, did you like dinner?"
"I did and as far as I can tell as did my parents. I have never been apart of such a joy filled family."
"Well perhaps one day you shall be apart of it forever." We looked at each other and I could see guilt within his eyes.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you or mistrust you I hope one day you will forgive me and that I can see your smile and kind eyes directed my way once more."
"That is all I ever wished to hear. Of course I forgive you and I need to tell you that Eric and I are only friends, not even that anymore and even though he professed his love for me and placed his lips upon mine for the briefest of seconds before I pushed him away, I finally understand that maybe, just maybe I do love you." He smiled down at me and I could not help but laugh in return. That is until we heard Mrs Reynolds walk through the doors.
"Mrs Martin. Melissa is not in her room." With that I heard the crack of thunder and the beginning of storm.