So, so sorry. It's the holidays and I forgot yesterday was Tuesday. Thank you for your continued support. I haven't gone through to answer any questions or respond to comments. I am going to try and get that done later. Once the day actually starts, I have a lot to do. If you want, you can skip from this point down to the normal text.
I will reply to a couple of guest reviewers who seem legit in their inquiries. If someone is outright malicious, I'll ignore them. And one of the guests were right that I do appreciate even the negative feedback. I have participated in enough book discussions to know people hold different opinions. Writing is an art, and like a drawing, painting, or sculpture, a person's life experiences cause them to see things their own way.
I have not written characters that I consider perfect, but then I am the writer, I already know their flaws. I try to convey them as my story goes. I write based from my life experiences and observations, and from my knowledge of the characters. And yes, sometimes fanfiction accepted cannon and ideas do slip in. As do modern ideas. I actually spend a lot of time researching. Like I thought everyone had to receive a special license to marry outside of the reading of the banns. Turns out, you could go to any minister or official and buy a license to marry without banns. It was just more proper. Special licenses were given by the Archbishop(?) and allowed them to marry outside the approved time and place. If you wanted to marry in the evening and at a place other than the church, you required one. I learned that from research for another story (wink).
When I went to write this chapter, I did a little research before I went and wrote about the wedding, and am I glad I did.
If anything, I think Jane and Oliver are a bit ordinary, which is almost what I intended for this story. Now, the other sisters and their partners, there will be more there. Jane and Oliver have started as a business arrangement, which does fit with the time. Love was a fantasy that all women hoped for, but it wasn't realistic. Only the lower class had the benefit of marrying more for affection. They married for status and money. I am going to let it go now. It is way too early and I have the tendency to babble. Enjoy the chapter!
Jane felt so nervous. She was dressed and ready. All but Lizzy had left her, and she didn't seem to be in a speaking mood any more than Jane did. Her younger sisters and mother had departed to find their seats and her father would be coming to claim her soon. She admired her dress once more in the mirror. It was a very lovely dress. She could hardly believe it was her dress.
All morning, one thought kept going through her mind: she was getting married. She knew brides had a mix of emotions on their wedding days, but hers seemed constant. Jane was nervous, but she was content.
She didn't know how to be married. This was a whole new world to her. Her hope was that they would not be her parents. While she was certain there was some measure of fondness there, they had never displayed much in the presence of their daughters, nagging and belittling the other instead. Jane didn't want that, and truthfully, she doubted they would ever be as her parents, but her life was unknown now. Lizzy had obviously noticed her expressions.
"Are you alright, Jane?"
"Yes, Lizzy. I am fine. I am simply contemplating my future. I wonder what our marriage will be like. I do not want to live as Mama and Papa."
"I do not believe that shall be your fate. You and Mr. Andrews are entirely too honest with each other."
"Found something you like about him?"
"It was never him, but the situation. I never wanted you to settle for practicality. However, I am more than ready to concede that you two complement each other well. I dare say you shall both be very happy. And you shall certainly never be left wanting for anything. For that, Mr. Andrews has gained my eternal gratitude. However, do not think we shall ever refer to the other by our Christian names. I believe we quite enjoy being Mr. Andrews and Miss Elizabeth. It is far too easy to tease one another that way."
Jane laughed for the first time that morning. The sisters embraced each other.
"Oh, Lizzy! I do love you!"
"And I you!"
This was how Mr. Bennet found them a moment later. He smiled at his eldest daughters and ushered them down the stairs and out the door. His Jane looked very lovely today. He had of course known she was grown, but seeing her dressed so, and having watched her interactions with the Andrews' all week, it became all the more real. After today, he would not see her or Kitty again until Christmas, and though they would all spend the winter in Town, all of his girls would likely be marrying and moving away in the coming years. Where had the time gone? He suddenly felt very old.
They were now outside the church doors. Lizzy prepared to go in first. Jane looked at her father and saw that he looked distressed.
"Papa, are you alright?"
"No. I just realized my daughters are all grown. I don't think I ever truly believed this day would come, and yet here I stand. I am handing my daughter off to another man to go off and make her home elsewhere."
"Oh, Papa," she whispered.
He smiled. "Do not fret, my Jane. I shall recover. You may find I become a better correspondent, however."
Elizabeth told them it was time and began to enter through the doors. Mr. Bennet leaned down and kissed Jane upon her brow, then he began to lead them into the church and down the aisle.
Jane felt her nerves swell again, but his time it was teamed with excitement. She was getting married! Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darker building. The first thing she saw was Oliver standing at the front of the church. He was a handsome man. She glanced at this eyes and caught his smile. She suddenly felt shy, and a bit giggly. She walked the aisle with her eyes down, except for when she would glance at Oliver, and a smile on her face.
Her father placed her hand into Oliver's and he led her to stand before the clergyman. She wondered if he had always had just a strong presence. Standing there as they were, she was very aware of him. She barely registered what the minister was saying. Thankfully, she managed to say the right things at the right time. Soon, they were signing their names to the marriage registrar and making their return to Longbourn.
It felt a bit surreal. She was married! A half hour before, she was standing in the room she had always called her own, and now she was married and about to depart for her new life. So much had changed in such little time.
They exited the church and were greeted by a few local well-wishers. Oliver led her quickly to the house after graciously accepting their congratulations. Those attending the breakfast were her own family, the Gardiner's and Phillips', his aunt, daughter, and mother, and the Lucas's.
"Oh! Mrs. Andrews! How nice that sounds! Oh, my Jane, I am so happy for you," said her mother, as she wrapped her in her arms. Her sisters and female relatives quickly dominated her attention. They complimented her dress and told her the service was lovely. Her mother looked as though she were going to cry, and not her usual tears she used to try and get her way. Jane couldn't remember the last time her mother had real tears in her eyes.
They finally sat down to eat. Amelia was sitting to her left and kept staring at her.
"Do you need anything, Amelia?"
"Are you my mother now?"
Her question took Jane by surprise, but on quick reflection, she should have seen it coming. She smiled at her new daughter.
"Yes, Amelia. I am now married to your father, and that does make me your mother in a way. You do not have to call me…" Amelia hopped into her lap and held her close. Sitting so close to the table made things a bit awkward, but Jane managed to hug her as well. Jane looked over at Oliver and found him smiling happily at the two of them.
Soon, the breakfast was over, and Jane was getting ready for the long drive to Town. She started to cry as she hugged her sisters' goodbye. She would not see Lizzy or Mary until Christmas, and she had no idea when she would see Lydia again. Kitty she would see in a couple of weeks, and she was never more grateful for that knowledge. With promises to write, the sisters made their way downstairs to see the happy couple off. Most of Jane's things would be making their way straight to Roxwood, with Kitty's.
There were many more well-wishes. Jane hugged her aunts, uncles, and mother. She greeted her mother-in-law and new aunt. She reached down and kissed Amelia on her crown, telling her to be good. Jane hugged her father last. He held on a little bit longer and a little bit tighter than the rest.
Finally, both she and Oliver climbed into the carriage and waved goodbye to the crowd of loved ones and friends who had gathered. Once they were out of sight, they both sat back with relieved sighs.
"Happy to be leaving?" she asked.
"Happy for the wedding to be over. I like weddings, don't get me wrong, however, I like them much better when I am not the groom."
She laughed at him. Thus began a very enjoyable trip to London.
Mr. Bennet watched as the carriage turned the corner and out of sight. He felt a bit bereft. He had had some very surprising emotions that day. Other carriages began to be called for. The Lucas's and Phillips' were the first to leave, giving Kitty and Lydia similar well-wishes as they had just given to Jane. Much sooner than he was ready for, Ms. Richards' carriage was brought to the front. Both Lydia and Kitty's things had been packed and loaded when Jane's had been done. He focused his attention on Ms. Richards. She had already said her farewells and waited for Lydia to join her before getting settled in her coach.
"Ms. Richards."
"Mr. Bennet. Thank you for your hospitality. You have been most kind, especially considering the circumstances."
"It has been a delight, truly. I know I have not said before, but I would appreciate regular updates on Lydia. I know this will not be easy for her. I would also like to give you my thanks for agreeing to this task. I realize we have… that I have been remiss in many things."
"Life happens, Mr. Bennet. There is not one perfect person among us. It is no problem at all to take on your Lydia. It gives me a sense of gratification to help mold the minds of young women. You are aware of the disadvantages that ladies face in our society. I find that anytime I can assist a young woman to improve herself, I am unable to turn away from it."
"Farewell, Ms. Richards."
"Mr. Bennet."
Mr. Bennet turned to see what was holding Lydia.
"I believe you envy me, Lizzy. You shall have to stay here while I have all kinds of adventures, while you are stuck here with Mary!"
"You forget, Lydia," said Mr. Bennet, "your sisters are to spend the winter in Town with Jane. It is a several months away, but I believe they shall enjoy themselves a great deal."
He watched as Lydia lost a little bit of her thunder. She quickly shook it off and embraced her father.
"Goodbye, Papa. I am sure Mama will keep you informed of the fun I shall have."
"Well, if you ever feel inclined, feel free to write to me and inform me yourself."
This shocked Lydia, but she smiled at her father and made her way to her new guardian. They climbed into the vehicle and waved and Lydia called out a few more goodbyes. Mrs. Andrews's carriage had been brought up. Mr. Bennet watch his second youngest begin her goodbyes. He felt so very tired.
"And remember to… Oh! Three of my babies!" sobbed Mrs. Bennet on Kitty. "Oh, Kitty! Be sure and write home often. Jane may not have much time to write, but I am sure you will. Tell us everything about Jane's new home and, and…. I will miss you!"
Kitty simply stood there wide-eyed. Lizzy came forward and managed to pry her mother off her sister, then wrapped her own arms around her. Once more, Mr. Bennet was the last person his daughter approached.
"Goodbye, Papa,"
"Goodbye, my Kitty. Please do write to us often. I would enjoy your notes and opinions on anything you find of worth."
"Alright," she said as she hugged him, "I will. I shall see you at Christmas." She kissed his cheek and went to climb into the carriage behind Amelia. Soon, they too were turning out of sight. He looked back at those who remained. Lizzy was no longer comforting her mother, but his sister-in-law was. His wife's brother smiled.
"Are you sure you do not wish to join the exodus?"
"No, Henry, if I return today, I have to work tomorrow," he laughed.
His wife was led into the house, followed by her brother. His nieces and nephews ran off to play. Lizzy threw an arm over Mary's shoulder and they made their way into the house. Mr. Bennet looked down the drive one more time before following after the rest.