Disclaimer: I don't own Pride & Prejudice.

When Lizzy and Darcy rejoined the party, a space had been cleared and couples were dancing to a slow waltz. Jane and Charlie were among them as well as the bride and groom. Lizzy was in search of her parents, more specifically her Da. She and Darcy had thought it best to confront the situation as fast as possible, not wanting a long drawn out drama of hiding the fact that they would be dating. The pair found their target sitting next to his wife and discussing politics with a guest.

"...we're offering you more freedom, so long as you stay part of the UK. I don't see what's so bad about that?" The guest was a Londoner, on Mr. Collins's side of the guest list.

"Look," Mr. Bennet began, "it's clear that you only understand it from the point of view that you're being diplomatic, however, imagine it was you wanting your countries freedom; you would't be so quick to jump to what's fair."

Lizzy knew her Da could go on for hours, so she walked up when there was a short break of speech.

"Excuse me, Da, but may we speak with you?" Mr. Bennet craned his neck to see Darcy standing behind his daughter and mentally groaned. The man he had been arguing with, excused himself and left his side of the table free for Lizzy and Darcy to take a seat. Mrs. Bennet sat up in her chair and gave a smile to the newcomers, which they found encouraging. Mr. Bennet noticed that they were holding hands as they sat down and knew what was coming, though, he planned on staying dumb for as long as possible.

Lizzy hesitantly looked to Darcy before facing her Da.

"We have something to tell you," she cleared her throat and plunged. "Will and I are dating."

Mr. Bennet's plan of staying dumb was ruined, he didn't expect Lizzy to be so blunt.

"Oh, that's great news Lizzy. I had a feeling for a while you know; and Will, you might have thought you were being discreet in the looks you gave my daughter, but a mother catches everything." Darcy blushed but gave a small smile.

Mr. Bennet was still sitting quietly, chewing the inside of his cheek.

"Da?" Lizzy tentatively asked. He looked to her and then relaxed.

"Och. There's no use fighting it," he threw his arms in the air as a sign of defeat. "I will not give the pair of ye any trouble, but ye," he pointed a threatening finger at Darcy, "if ye dare hurt my lass, I'll do more than fail you in my class. Ye understand?"

Darcy felt the cold gaze and had to resist gulping. "I understand completely, Sir. But, believe me, I would never hurt Lizzy." He held Mr. Bennet's gaze, showing that he meant what he said. Lizzy's Da sized Will up for a second longer before saying, "alright, off with ye."

They stood and Lizzy ran to the other side of the table and kissed both her parents on the forehead. "Thank you." She whispered before taking Darcy's hand and leading him to where Jane and Charlie were still dancing. They didn't know it, but they passed a jealous Caroline who had heard the whole conversation. She sat with tears in her eyes, barely listening to what her sister and brother-in-law were saying, she was only capable of torturing herself by watching Lizzy and Darcy laughing and dancing next to her brother and Jane.

"Jane! Charlie!" Lizzy called excitedly. The couple turned from each other and looked to their approaching friends. Lizzy and Darcy stood in front of them for a second, laughing at their happiness.

"Yes?" Charlie prompted. Lizzy and Darcy tried their best to calm their giggles but it was to no avail. Jane gave her sister an exasperated smirk before saying, "let me guess, the two of you have finally realized that you're crazy for each other and are dating. Close?"

Lizzy and Darcy stopped their antics to give Jane a serious look.

"How did you know?"

Jane and Charlie shared a look and scoffed.

"Ah, you amateur lovers, just in the first stages are we? You don't expect that your charades with each other fooled anyone else, do you?" Charlie bemusedly inquired. He tut-tutted them and grabbed Jane's hand to lead her into the next dance. Darcy did likewise with Lizzy, who shrugged at their friends' reaction.

The drawing room was aglow with the sunset reflecting in tiny spectral gleams through the many champagne glasses and crystal adornments that the women were wearing. The cake had been cut and Charlotte and Mr. Collins had fed each other a bite from their plates giving the latter a relaxed demeanor that Lizzy had never seen him express before; it was quite pleasant to see him happy. The guests buzzed with chatter and were put out when the time for fair farewells came. The bride and groom would be staying at Gunsgreen for a couple of days in the tower and were having a job of kindly letting Lady Lucas know that it was time to go home. Lizzy gave Charlotte a hug and wished her the best of luck; the latter would not be returning to St. Abbs, but was travelling straight to Kent with her new husband. The majority of Charlotte's possessions were already ahead of her in England. Jane was next in line to say goodbye and the two promised to keep in touch.

The heartfelt goodbyes were eventually over and while Mr. and Mrs. Collins retired to the tower, the Bennets drove home. Lydia and Kitty were fast asleep in the back, having been the social butterflies at the wedding. Mary was quietly humming a melody to herself and the two eldest sisters were talking with their parents.

"Any wagers?" Lizzy joked. "I myself say that the marriage will last a year. What about you Jane?"

"Forever." She countered. Lizzy deflated as Jane would decidedly not play along with her. She squinted her eyes at her sister. "Fine. What about you mum?"

"I have to agree with Jane; Mr. Collins and Charlotte seem to be perfect for each other." Mrs. Bennet said.

Lizzy sighed. "You people are no fun. I'm not being serious when I say a year, just give me a rough estimate. Anybody."

"If you don't pipe down in one second, I'll come up there and tie my scarf around your mouth." Lydia threatened in grumbles from the back seat. Lizzy exasperatedly slumped against the side of the car, her face mushed together from the glass of the window. The drive home was a quick one and Moochkie greeted them with kisses and some yelps. Dragging their feet down the hall, Lydia and Kitty changed out of their dresses and into their jim-jams but left everything else on, too tired to worry about it. Without barely saying goodnight, they fell asleep and could be heard snoring from the kitchen where the rest of the Bennets conjoined for a last snack before bed.

"That cake got me feeling sick." Jane said as she searched the fridge for something healthy.

"Yeah, it was a wee bit too sweet." Mary agreed.

Lizzy sat next to her Da at the table with apple pieces on a plate. She munched on a piece as she thought of the reception.

"I don't think I had any cake. How did that happen?" She asked in astonishment. Jane only laughed.

"You were too busy canoodling with Will, remember. I even offered you a piece and you didn't spare me a glance." Jane was loving the fact that she could now openly tease her sister; it was new territory for Lizzy, having a boyfriend, and Jane was going to make the most of it. When Mr. Bennet heard this he made an almost inaudible grumble, but Lizzy heard as well as Mrs. Bennet, who was standing right behind him. She tapped the back of his head.

"You be nice." She warned. "Lizzy knows how to pick them, don't you. I mean, it was you who had that bad feeling about Wickham and turned out you were right; trying to get you in his car. He should be ashamed of himself." Mrs. Bennet was too engrossed in what she was saying to see that Lizzy was staring at her mum wide eyed, violently shaking her head.

"What!?" Mr. Bennet barked. His wife realized her mistake a second too late, she closed her eyes in annoyance that she forgot to hold her tongue. Mr. Bennet was looking at Lizzy who was looking at her mum.

"Well, is any one going to explain?" He broke the silence again. Mary and Jane looked just as shocked, never hearing this tale of Wickham before. Curiously they looked to their sister who was intently eating her apple.

"Blast, Lizzy," her Da slammed his hand against the table causing her to jump, "what is this about Wickham?!"

Very rarely did the girls see their Da lose his temper but one of the main triggers was lads - especially with his Lizzy, his baby girl. He was expecting an answer out of her and she knew she eventually have to give one, but she was trying to think of the best way to form her words. Her mum tried to intervene, meanwhile.

"Dear, it was all long ago. Nothing has come of it, why don't we just bury it and forget it ever happened. Lizzy came out unscathed and in my opinion learned a very valuable life lesson."

"I have no doubt in my Lizzy handling herself, it's those of the opposite gender of whom I don't trust. Now tell me Lizzy, I'm not mad at you, but I need to know who to ward off with a ten foot pole. You said it was this Wickham fellow; what did he do?"

Lizzy looked up to her Da and tried to shrink in her seat.

"Well - it was. It - it happened awhile ago, you were working late at the school and Jane was out with Charlie, so I was walking around Dunbar by myself when Wickham approached me and tried to get me into his car. I-I struck him and then Lady Catharine interrupted us to get me to join Kids for Sick Kids. - I haven't seen him since." Lizzy added as her Da had a storm billowing in his eyes, he clicked his tongue behind his teeth and stood.

"Well, your mother was right, Lizzy; you handled yourself very well in the situation you were placed. Let us hope that William Darcy is not the same - so until I find out more about him, I don't want you seeing him. Now, I wish you all a good night." He walked out of the kitchen and down the hall. Lizzy's mum and sisters looked at her in anticipation; she sat, staring straight in front of her with tears streaking down her face. Her shock didn't last much longer as she sprung up out of her chair and ran after her Da.

"No. Wait! Wait!" She found him in his study. "Da," she choked. "Why? I-I. You don't do this with Jane?!" She cried. "Why isn't Charlie suspect number one? Da, I've never felt this way before, I've never had a boyfriend, I'm not likely to go wild and - and...you know." Lizzy was breathing hard and not steady on her feet, so her Da directed her to a chair.

"Lizzy, the reason I don't do this with Jane is because, Charlie is an open book. Will, however, there's some mysterious quality about him. I guess that's what women find attractive, but me, no, I don't trust it."

Lizzy shook her head. "But he's not mysterious - he's shy! You don't know him like I do, he's incredibly shy. That's it." Her Da expressed his feelings with an arched eyebrow. Lizzy sighed. She knew that the only way to get her Da to give in is if she told Darcy's story.

'Please understand Will. It's so we can see each other.'

"Da, the day the incident happened with Wickham, I ran into Will,"

'Literally.'

"and he saw that I was upset so wanted to know if he could help. I told him what had just happened and he revealed to me his history with Wickham."

Lizzy proceeded in telling her Da about old Mr. Darcy, Georgie, the money and finally the attempted elopement that was thwarted by none other than her William Darcy.

"Ye do realize that he could have spun that story for ye." Her Da stated.

"Even involving his sister, who is practically as sweet and docile as Jane." She countered. "No Da, he didn't make it up."

Mr. Bennet sighed. "What would ye have me do? Yer growing up too fast for me. Can't ye slow down a wee bit?"

A shadow of a smile crossed Lizzy's face. "Da I've never brought a lad home, for the first time I'm feeling what it is that Jane gets excited about. I never understood it; can't you be happy for me?"

"Go to bed, goosey. We'll talk about it more in the morning."

Seeing that he would go no further, Lizzy nodded and exited the room.

Jane was waiting on Lizzy's bed to hear what the outcome was. Lizzy merely shrugged at her sisters questioning look but then broke down into tears. Jane jumped up and held her, gently rocking back and forth.

"He d-didn't give m-me an a-answer. I t-tried telling him but h-he wouldn't l-listen." Lizzy cried into Jane's shoulder making it moist with tears, mucous and saliva.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Jane looked and told Lizzy not to worry about it. She sat her down on the bed and gave her a pillow to hug whilst dutifully brushing away the loose strands of hair that was sticking to Lizzy's face from the tears. The only noise that broke the silence was Lizzy trying not to wail into the night but containing it to small hiccuping sobs. After a time, Lizzy yawned and was exhausted from all the work her eyes had been doing; they were now red and swollen. Jane was still mindlessly brushing her sisters long hair.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jane asked once Lizzy was silent. In a thick voice, Lizzy answered. "I don't know."

"But Lizzy, stop me if I'm wrong, once Da looks up Will and finds that nothings out of place you'll be able to see Will again. Surely it can't take that long."

"It's not that. Da had a hard enough time allowing me and Will to date in the first place; imagine if he finds the slightest thing to his disliking, he'll blow it up out of proportion and create it as a reason to not let me see Will." Lizzy explained.

"Come, give Da more credit than that." Jane said. Lizzy got annoyed at her sisters remark.

"Jane, you have Charlie. No ones interfering with that" Lizzy snapped. "I'm sorry. I just don't no what happening to me; one moment I'm at the top of the world and the next - nothing."

"I understand, you have many emotions crowding you at once." Jane said. "I think it best if I left you to yourself, I don't want to make it worse. Besides you should get some sleep." She kissed Lizzy good night and retired to her own room.

Lizzy sat mad at her self for saying what she said to Jane, annoyed with her Da, furious with Wickham, none to pleased with her mum and all in all utterly confused with crying over a bloke.

The weak December sun shone through Lizzy's window and danced in front of her eyes. She went to rub them but that made it worse, they were still swollen and puffy from last night. She lay still in her bed staring at everything and nothing. It was the first time she admitted her feelings about Darcy and now she couldn't see him; she longed to see him more than ever, mostly because she was told that she couldn't.

'Why did I have to meet Wickham?'

She looked at her clock and saw that it was ten in the morning. Supposing that she should get up, she slid from under her covers and walked down the hall; she could smell breakfast being prepared. She was passing the sitting room when the phone rang, she reached for it but her Da beat her to it.

"Hallo? Hi, William. No, I'm sorry but Lizzy isn't available. You too. Bye." Mr. Bennet lightly dropped the phone on the receiver and continued into the Kitchen. Lizzy indignantly stared at him as he passed in front of her.

"Da!"

"Now, Lizzy don't fuss about it before we get anything in our stomachs." Her Da sat at his spot at the table and enjoyed his breakfast. Lizzy gave a last huff and joined her family, taking the seat farthest from her Da. She didn't have much of an appetite and mostly played with her food.

"Are you going to eat that?" Lydia finally asked of her. She was pointing to Lizzy's potato scone which sat untouched alongside her toast beans and hash. Having fallen asleep before the drama occurred, Lydia and Kitty were oblivious to Lizzy's plight. Soundlessly, she shoved her plate across the table and rested her head on her hands. Mr. Bennet observed all this with quiet consideration and fought a battle within himself. Though he would never admit it outwardly, Lizzy was his favorite child, therefore the hardest to see grow up. However, seeing her miserable, and being the cause of her misery, he couldn't stand for that either. A decision had to be made and once he came to it it was the obvious one.

With a last dab to his mouth from a napkin, Mr. Bennet pushed away from the table and addressed Lizzy.

"I have an idea for us today. We both need to clear our heads on this matter; fighting about lads never made any one happy - or wiser. Let's go for a drive and see what happens. Hmm? Do I still have yer love?" He asked with eyebrows raised. Lizzy rose from her seat and nodded.

"Of course you do, Da."

The pair prepared for the cold weather and were assaulted by the youngest Bennet girls.

"Why are you fighting about lads? Is it to do with Lizzy's fellow? What's his name again?"

"Darcy, I think it was. Right Lizzy, isn't it Darcy?"

"Yes Kitty, it is. I'll see you two later."

"But you haven't told us why -"

The door closed on their protests and Mr. Bennet and Lizzy walked to the car. She didn't know where they were going and didn't ask; she had seen her Da ringing someone before they left and wondered if that had anything to do with their day out. They were heading in the direction of Dunbar and soon the familiar streets and buildings were passing by. They turned onto Newhouse Place, a road that Lizzy hadn't traveled on before. Houses lined the pavement rather than an assortment of shops and restaurants as they did deeper into the city.

Lizzy looked around in curiosity.

'Do we know people here?' She wondered.

They pulled up in front of a house and Mr. Bennet turned off the car. He didn't move to get out so Lizzy stayed where she was.

"Lizzy," he started in an almost reluctant way, "I know yer eighteen and that it's natural for ye to have these emotions, but ye have to understand how hard it is for me to see ye growing up."

"But Jane has had more than one boyfriend -"

"Jane has always been closer with yer mum. Of course I worry about her with the lads but she is always in discussion about it with yer mum. You on the other hand are as new at this as a bird learning to fly. Be patient with me and know what I do is because I love ye. Can ye do that for me?"

Lizzy nodded and reached across the seats to give her Da a hug. He returned it but was soon patting her head.

"Alright, alright. Enough of that. Let's go in, they're expecting us."

"Who is?"

"You'll see." He answered with some mystery.

The house that they were approaching was blue and had several wind chimes decorated all along the front. In Lizzy's opinion it was tad much. Mr. Bennet tapped a tune on the door and a second later it was opened by a woman who looked vaguely familiar. She smiled when she saw them and waved her hand motioning for them to enter.

"Come in, come in. Sorry for the mess but with three boys to look after it's a miracle I can keep track of my head. Not that they're boys, they're more young men, but I've found that with men it doesn't matter what age, you still have to clean up after them." She smiled sweetly at Mr. Bennet who gave her a grin.

"Yes I remember me mam nearly having a heart attack every time she did a wash." Lizzy followed along, still not sure if she knew this woman or not, but this woman definitely seemed to know who they were. She had short black hair and a rather mousy looking face, she was young yet was caring to three young men. Lizzy was confused.

"I have the kettle on. Would you care for some?" She asked.

"Yes, thank you."

"One lump or two?" She inquired as to the amount of sugar.

"One."

"And you Lizzy?"

"Uh - two, please. Thank you." Their hostess nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. This gave Lizzy the chance to question her Da.

"Who is she?" She whispered. Her Da looked surprised.

"Harriet. Harriet Forster. Wickham's aunt. Surly you remember, she came to the house and has kept in contact with Lydia." Lizzy's eyes widened.

"What are we doing here?" She fiercely whispered.

Just at that moment Harriet rejoined them with a tray laden with tea and cakes. She set it on the table in the centre of the room and with all the grace of a hostess, served her guests. Thanking her, Mr. Bennet and Lizzy took a sip and decided that they had had quite enough with that.

"So tell me Harriet, is your nephew Wickham home?" Mr. Bennet asked. Lizzy looked to her Da.

"Yes, he's upstairs in his room. Shall I call him down?" Harriet offered.

"That would be best."

"George! Come down, some friends are here to see you."

"Da, what are you doing?" Lizzy whispered. He only smiled.

The stairs could be heard creaking as a pair of jelly legs stumbled down the steps.

"What? I was sleeping."

Harriet ignored him and pointed to the couch where the two Bennets were sitting.

"Look who's come to see you."

Wickham ran a hand through his disheveled hair and strutted towards them.

"Lizzy, it's good to see you but do you think we could catch up later? I 'm busy with some things and -"

"Ye are not, we just heard you tell yer aunt ye were sleeping. We aren't deaf." Mr. Bennet informed him.

"Besides we haven't come here for ye to 'catch up' but for an apology." Lizzy could feel her cheeks turning red.

"About a month ago, ye tried to force my daughter into yer car without her permission. This made her feel extremely uncomfortable, so much so that she was actually brought to striking you." Wickham involuntarily rubbed his face as his expression turned dark. Harriet hurried forward.

"You must be mistaken, Wickham doesn't have a car."

"He informed my daughter that he was borrowing it from a friend. Does he have any friends that own a Lamborghini, I'm only asking since that's the car Lizzy saw him driving."

Harriet's brow furrowed as she looked to her nephew. Wickham was shooting daggers at Mr. Bennet.

"George? Can you explain this?" She quietly asked. He shoved his hands in his pocket and scoffed.

"Of course I can. Lizzy is trying to get back at me because I wouldn't take her out, she created this story to get her father over here and create a problem for me."

"That's a lie!" Lizzy burst. "Harriet everything my Da said was true; Wickham did try to force me into his car and that car was a Lamborghini. I even have a witness." Wickham was daring her to continue, his body was tense and he was trying to convey a threatening glance through his eyes.

"Who?" Harriet asked. Her breathing was becoming laboured as she was realizing that some way, some how, Wickham must have stolen a car.

"Lady Catharine De Bourgh." Lizzy could hear Wickham let out a breath. In the next moment he was running up the stairs and a loud raucous could be heard.

"I do believe he's trying to run." Mr. Bennet said. The three ran to the bottom of the stairs just as Wickham came rushing past, pushing his aunt to the ground. She screamed in fright and Wickham didn't even turn to see if she was alright. He was out the door in another instant. Mr. Bennet and Lizzy helped her up and asked if they could do anything to help. She asked them to stay until she contacted her husband. They did so, and when Forster heard the news the Bennets could hear his shouts through the phone.

"He's on his way." Harriet shakily said.

"Yes, we heard."

"Thank you for staying with me and I'm sorry about all this. I just never thought that George would do something like that. I suppose he feels he has a right to be rebellious, having had that whole incident with the Darcy's." Lizzy looked up and said, "I wouldn't believe everything Wickham tells you."

"No, this is with the family that had taken him in but the son -"

"Believe me," Lizzy interrupted, "I know the story well. If I may say, hear it from a different side before coming to conclusions." Harriet's breathing became even more laboured and Mr. Bennet had to find her a paper bag. They stayed with her until Forster arrived, which wasn't for another fifteen minutes. He heard the story from them and barked out all the threats he had learned in the army. Some of which were extremely inappropriate for Lizzy to hear.

"Excuse me," Mr. Bennet cleared his throat, "if you don't need us any further for today, I think we'll be leaving now."

"What?! Oh, yes. Of course. And listen lass, I'm sorry for the cads behavior."

Lizzy and her Da got back into the car and started down the street.

"Are we going home?" Lizzy inquired.

"Not yet."

That's all the answer she got from him until she saw that they were in Ratho.

Pemberly was as beautiful and stately as ever; Lizzy found it hard to believe that she had been here only a few weeks ago. Upon entering the gates and stating their names, Lizzy sat up in her seat and kissed her Da.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Mr. Bennet was going to say something to contradict her thinking, but seeing her happy face he could only smile.

"Father versus lover. Lover wins." He muttered softly to himself, driving up to the front of the grand manor. A figure could be seen watching from an upper window wearing white. Lizzy mistook it for a ghost at first until she recognized it as being Georgie, jumping and waving. Lizzy exited the car and waved up to the girl with as much enthusiasm. Boots clapped against the stone steps and then warm arms enveloped Lizzy in a hug, lifting her off the ground.

"Whoa!" Lizzy exclaimed. Darcy set her down and was about to kiss her when he saw Mr. Bennet getting out of the car.

"Hallo William. I thought an afternoon together would suit ye both. I have some business back in Dunbar, can she stay until 4:00?"

"She can stay for as long as she wants." Darcy said smiling.

"Alright, laddie. Don't get too eager. 4:00 it is then."

Mr. Bennet bid Lizzy and Darcy adieu and drove down the snow covered gravel path, past the property gates. Lizzy turned to Darcy and smiled. He escorted her in and showed her up to the room where Georgie was waiting. Lizzy decided to keep the drama of the previous night and morning to herself. No good would come from telling him and she really didn't want to talk about Wickham.

"Lizzy!" Georgie ran up and gave her a hug. "I feel as if we haven't seen each other for ages and this time it's as Will's girlfriend!" She clapped her hands together, causing Lizzy and Darcy to blush.

"So, how long are you here for?" She asked.

"Until 4:00." Lizzy answered.

"Ooh. We could go for a proper ride this time. If you want."

"I don't mind. Will?"

"Whatever you want."

Lizzy was fitted into a pair of Georgie's jumpers once more as well as a pair of boots. She pulled her hair back into a pony-tail, to keep from flying in her face. She and Georgie met Will in the entrance hall of the manor and they continued together in the direction of the stables. The snow was piled high in areas where they passed and Lizzy couldn't help but scooping a handful of it and throwing it at Will. A detour was now inevitable and they held a snow-ball fight. None of them knew how long it lasted and none of them really cared. Lizzy was crouching around snow banks thinking that Georgie was on the other side; what she hadn't expected was being gently tackled to the ground by Will.

"Hey!" She laughed. She was in his arms and he wasn't letting her go.

"Georgie's going to wonder where we are." Lizzy pointed out.

"That's okay." He mumbled before kissing her. They lay deep in the snow, snogging each other until a voice shouted.

"Oi. Quit it you two. We're in the middle of a snow-ball fight. No mushy stuff in the middle of a snow-ball fight." Georgie hollered. To make her point clearer, she bombarded them with snow. The two laughed and parted and in turn sent a volley of snow-balls at the younger girl.

Eventually they made it to the stables and mounted their horses; Lizzy rode the same one she did last time. With more time to spare, Will and Georgie showed her the extent of their land. They told her that in the Spring and Summer was the best time to see Pemberly with the geese swimming in the lake and the Lark singing its song in the mornings. Throughout the tour Lizzy caught Will looking at her several times and would give him a shy smile at being the target of his gaze.

The weather was starting to turn foul and flecks of snow came tumbling from the sky, signaling it time to enter the warmth of the manor. The grooms took care of the horses and the party of three talked and laughed as they walked to the front steps. They each took a warm shower and Georgie once again lent Lizzy clothes, this time far less fashionable.

"I didn't know they could make jim-jams this soft."

"Jim-jams?" Georgie questioned.

Lizzy smiled. "Oh, it's what my mum calls them so, naturally it caught on."

"I like it. Jim-jams." They laughed.

"Come on, let's go find my brother."

They found him in the music room, sitting in front of a fire. He was adjusting pillows and blankets on the floor making quite a cozy atmosphere. Lizzy even spotted hot cocoa. He looked up when Georgie exclaimed at the area he was making; she ran over and bundled herself under the covers near the fire. Lizzy walked slower, not sure if she should sit next to Will or not. He, however, took care of that. Grabbing her hand, Will pulled her down next to him and handed her a mug of cocoa and then offered one to Georgie who took it eagerly. They drank in peace and watched the silent progress of the snow building up on the window sills. The fire cackled and sparked, lulling its victims to sleep. Lizzy snuggled closer to Darcy who wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. Georgie lay curled like a cat in front of the warmth of the fire; the three were all soon asleep and didn't wake up until Mr. Bennet came to collect Lizzy.