Disclaimer- Enjoy this chapter and remember I own nothing but my own imagination!

Chapter 14

Even though Elizabeth had to go back to work, this week was shaping up to be one of the best she had in a while. Jane and her had talked every night about what happened while she was in London; all the people she met and such. She only saw Charles once and it was in a restaurant. She was out to lunch with one of her colleagues when her friend said a man was checking her out. When she looked she realized it was Charles; they had quick chat about nothing in particular.

"It was really quite awkward; we didn't know how to act towards each other. I'm not sure if the feelings are the same anymore."

"Oh please, Jane, you know you still love him." Jane just sighed and the conversation ended.

Elizabeth then told her about Rosing's Park but didn't mention her and Darcy's little meeting or about the letter; she couldn't. But, every night before she went to bed she read the letter, even though she knew it by heart, she felt the need to read it again and again. It was her way of thinking about it without really having to think about it.

On the last night her aunt and uncle were in town, they had a huge dinner with all the girls. Her aunt cooked and they all helped except their uncle because he said he was a terrible chef. The whole night was perfect; even dessert was good and Elizabeth didn't really like cake. Then, they got on the topic of Jane and visiting London.

"She really had a wonderful time, didn't you Jane?" She nodded. "All you girls should come out and visit us, you've never seen so beautiful in your life until you've seen the English Countryside." Her aunt said, and then she looked at Elizabeth. "You especially would love it Lizzie, I know how much you used to love watching the sunrise with your father. And until you've seen it over the beautiful meadows, you have not yet seen a real sunrise."

"I'm not sure if I could afford it, honestly Aunt Amelia."

"Money is not an issue here, Elizabeth Bennet, you know that. If you needed a plane ticket, we could give it to you, no questions."

"I'm not sure how comfortable…"

"And we'd love to have you and plus England is the land of William Shakespeare; we all know how much you love literature."

"Amelia, please," her uncle interrupted, "I don't think Liz can take time off her work to come out and see us right now." She huffed and shut her mouth; her uncle winked at Liz and she smiled.

The week that their aunt and uncle stayed turned out to be a month instead. Their aunt was petrified about flying and since Mary was coming down with a cold she thought it best to stay and help along with the cooking, cleaning and making sure no one else got sick. Jane and Elizabeth did appreciate it but by the end of the second week they had had it with their aunt.

But, the up side was their Uncle. He was an exact replica of their father and they all loved it. He loved to play the piano, which pleased Mary; he sat with Elizabeth when she had time and read with her, he discussed business with Jane and listened to all of Kitty and Lydia's gossip. He was exactly what they needed.

One of the nights he sat and played the piano with Mary while Jane and Liz sung and the rest were the audience; Elizabeth felt like it was just like her childhood. She sat up half the night writing about it.

"The house is once again filled with the warmth of a true family. It always smells of fresh foods, music is always being played and laughter is always to be heard. Our family's stay has brightened and cheered us all up, which we have so desperately needed for sometime. Uncle reminds me of father…shy and sweet yet always has a joke to tell and a story for you. And he even smells like father…apples and cinnamon with just a touch of musk. It even feels like he is here…standing next to me…"

Here Liz had to stop and wipe a tear away from her eye. She had hardly let herself cry about her father's death but now it seemed fine to let one loose. She had been the closest with her father and everyone knew it and didn't seem to mind. Her father had given her the courage which she scarcely had when she was younger. He had always told her to reach for whatever she wanted as she deserved it no matter what….

"Mind your tongue young Elizabeth…for it will certainly get you into trouble. Yet, never let that go as that is the thing I love most about you."

Instincts…that is what he taught her, to go with her instincts. What did her heart tell her?

As the sun was beginning to rise, Lizzie sat up on the bench outside their home. It was beautiful. Liz had become pre-occupied with her family's visit but not so much so that she had forgotten about Darcy…how could she? Her tongue was what got her into the mess and her quickness to judge. Her father had warned her of that to…but he never told her to change it. Darcy, in a way, reminded Liz of her father. Quiet and thoughtful yet knew what and when to say the right thing. How could she have been so completely blind? Why had she been so harsh with him? She felt that familiar knot forming in her stomach…but out of her house came her Uncle, thankfully, to distract her from her feelings. He sat down next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Have you slept at all dear Lizzie?"

"Unfortunately no…" He laughed.

"I thought as much. Still writing, I see?"

"Of course."

"Good. I always loved your stories when you were younger, so did your father." Liz smiled.

"I had hoped as much."

"He always said you girls were destined for great things and he was right, you know? You should come to England with us, see the countryside, take a breath of fresh air and relax your mind."

"Oh, I don't know if I can, uncle. I have work and the house and…"
"Since when did Elizabeth Bennet become so practical? That's what your father loved best about you, your impractical nature. Flying with the wind, he always said and I had hoped you never lost it." He winked at her and got up and headed towards the door.

"Uncle?" He stopped and looked at her. "Jane told you about the internship and England didn't she?" He laughed.

"Nothing gets past you does it?"

"And the book I wrote?"
"She wouldn't let me finish it unless I got you to go." He smiled and went inside. Elizabeth sat watching the sky. What was a practical girl to do in an impractical situation?

(A/N- A little off topic but I think it needed it after all this story is about Lizzie….I don't really like her uncle in the movie or the book really…I thought he should be a lot closer and warmer towards the girls so I changed his character around a bit and since its my story I can…lol…plus I think Liz needed it…some emotional guidance and a little background information never hurt anyone…plus since I didn't put the father in the story I thought it was necessary to have a father like figure in it…and perhaps explain liz and her father's relationship and also how she had changed and such….sort of has to do with the plot…you'll see don't worry…I hope you liked it…the next one should come soon and be a lot longer… KEEP R&RING!!! Plz be nice with the reviews!! THANKS!!!)