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

Chapter 21

Elizabeth sat outside the little café, drinking a hot chocolate, smiling as she read the newspaper. Her book was really beginning to pick up some notice and she was even interviewed in one of the small British newspapers; it was even in talks for being published in America. She couldn't believe everything that was happening, it felt surreal. She finished her hot chocolate and smiled. It was a gorgeous January day, even though it was a little on the cold side, it was beautiful out. She fixed her scarf around her neck and put her coat on, buttoning it up. She tucked the scarf in, put some money on the table and started off for home.

She made her way up the steps and through the doors to find it a madhouse. Mary was sweeping and vacuuming, Kitty was using Windex to clean the windows and Jane was running around like a chicken with no head.

"What's going on?" She asked as Jane passed her.

"Charles called and he wants to have a sort of tea party here with all of us." Mary said.

"What? Jane's Charles?"

"Yep and she turned into a madwoman and is making us clean the house spotless."

"I see." Elizabeth took off her scarf and jacket and put it on the rack. She went to go upstairs when Jane came by.

"Elizabeth Bennet, you take off those dirty shoes before you come in this house." She sounded just like their mother…it kind of scared Elizabeth and made her laugh. But, she complied and took her shoes off.

"When is he coming?"

"Noon…"

"So you have like two hours and the house already looks spotless Jane." She grabbed Jane's hands and she stopped. "It will be fine, I promise. And what happened to I don't care for him?"

"Oh, Liz, you know I was lying." She laughed nervously.

"Okay, we'll finish up, you go get all pretty for the boy." Jane nodded and dashed up the steps. Liz looked at Mary and Kitty and smiled. "Alright, you guys are done."

Elizabeth put all the cleaning stuff away and lit a few scented candles. She then went into the kitchen and prepared some sandwiches and lemonade…something very light. She was just finishing when Jane walked in. She looked beautiful.

Her hair was down and in tight little blonde curls; it made her look very elegant. She had lightly applied make-up which made her blue eyes shine. And she had on a white turtleneck with the pink stripe, which was Elizabeth's favorite, and blue jeans.

"Jane…you look beautiful."

"Thank you." She looked incredibly nervous. "I wonder if they are coming soon."

"They?"

"Yes, Charles told me he was bringing WIlliam Darcy?"

"Mr. Darcy?"

"Yes, that's his name. Can you believe it? But, I agreed anyhow."

Elizabeth looked at her outfit and sighed. She looked like garbage, quickly finishing up she darted up the stairs, to make herself more appropriate. She only had fifteen minutes before they came. She threw on her favorite white off the shoulder shirt and a pair of light colored jeans. She straightened her hair and put on some eye shadow and liner. She was just finishing when she heard the doorbell ring. She froze and heard every step Jane took and the door swing open.

"Charles…Darcy…welcome, please come in." Jane said sweetly. "Elizabeth, Kitty, Mary…our guests have arrived." Elizabeth slowly went down stairs, she felt like she was walking towards her own funeral. They were all seated in the living room. She came in and didn't even have to look for the dark figure sitting in the chair to the right; she could almost feel his eyes on her. She tried as much as possible to keep her eyes to the ground and quickly sat on the couch the farthest away from him. She smiled at Charles.

"Pleasure to see you again, Charles."

"Please, the pleasure is all mine, I assure you Elizabeth." He looked a little paler than usual. The conversation was minimal and mostly between Jane and Charles, sometimes the rest of them would pipe in, but mostly, those two. Liz finally found the courage and looked up at Darcy; he seemed incredibly focused on the floor. He glanced up for a second and their eyes met, both quickly looked away. Jane brought out the lemonade and sandwiches, though not many people ate them, the lemonade was finished quickly. It was very silent though so Liz decided to break it.

"So…Charles, what brings you back to the countryside?"

"I realized there was some business I needed to take care of here so I moved back into my house about a week or so ago. Plus, the shooting is marvelous around here, so I am only staying for a few weeks." Liz saw Jane frown a little.

"A few weeks?" Mary piped in. "I remember you saying that you would have dinner with us one night."

"I guess I shall." Then, Kitty said something and the three of them talked back and forth, Charles looking more and more nervous with each word. But, Liz wasn't really paying attention, she was so nervous herself, with Darcy in the room, she was on pins and needles, he barely looked up from the floor. She wanted to say something to him.

"Are you well, Mr. Darcy?" She hadn't even realized she had said anything out loud until she saw everyone looking at her; she then focused her attention on Darcy.

"Yes, thank you for asking."

"Your welcome." She didn't want him to stop talking. "I do hope that the weather stays fair for your hunting."

"Not necessary."

"Why is that?"

"Because I return to London early tomorrow morning; I only came to help Charles get situated in his home for the coming weeks." Liz felt her heart cry out, he was only staying the night.

"I see." They were quiet and Elizabeth looked away, she felt tears forming and didn't want him to see. Charles then stood up, after bantering with Kitty and Mary; he seemed so annoyed by them.

"Well, I must be going, Darcy, come on." Darcy looked at him then Jane, like something was supposed to happen. Elizabeth sensed something and stood up also.

"But, doesn't Jane look very well today, Charles?" He stopped and looked down at her.

"Indeed, she does…" They smiled at each other. "But, I must be going, a pleasure as always lately." He basically ran out of the house.

"Ladies, it was a pleasure." Darcy said, he glanced at Liz and then quickly departed.

They all looked incredibly confused. Kitty started laughing, Mary shook her head and went over to her piano and Jane just sat there in disbelief.

"Oh, Lizzie…what happened?"

"I don't know darling…I don't know."

They went about to cleaning up. Jane did the dishes while Elizabeth washed.

"That was such a disaster."

"It wasn't that bad Jane."

"Yes, it was. We barely talked and by the end of it, he basically ran out of here he was so scared."

"He was just nervous."

"He was more than that, he was petrified." She handed a cup to Liz and she took it, drying it. "But, I mean now we could be friends, right?"

"Please, he is still in love with you."

"Right. Well, I'm just sorry that he brought that Darcy fellow, I know how much…" Elizabeth put her hand on Jane's shoulder and she looked at Liz, whose eyes sparkled with tears.

"Don't say that…"

"What? Why not?" She shut the faucet off and turned towards Liz. She looked at the ground then back up at Jane.

"Jane…I've been so blind. I couldn't admit it to myself but…" Before she got to finish, the doorbell rang.

"Mary, get the door please." Jane yelled. "Go on…"

"Jane…I think, I know…I'm…" Mary burst into the kitchen and startled both girls.

"Jane...we have a suprise..." Behind her appeared Charles; Liz and Jane looked at each other than back at Charles.

"Jane, may I have a word with you? In private?" Elizabeth smiled.

"I need to go upstairs to look for something…Mary, could you help me?"
They quickly left. Kitty was already sitting on the steps and they joined her, trying to control their laughter. They shushed each other so they could try and listen but they were talking so low, none of them could hear until Jane squealed a yes. They all ran into the kitchen to find Jane and Charles hugging and even kissed.

"What's going on?" Kitty cried. Jane held out her hand and there was a huge blinding diamond on her finger. All the girls hugged and Mary even hugged Charles, who was laughing. Jane grabbed Elizabeth and squeezed her half to death.

"Oh, Lizzie…"

After all the celebration, and the long goodbye between Jane and Charles, he left. Kitty and Mary were already in bed and Elizabeth was up talking with Jane. They were laughing and telling stories.

"…then he got down on one knee, in a puddle of water from our washing the dishes, and took out the little box. Then, he said, Jane, I can't imagine my life without you in it. I don't even want to think of that…without you is no life at all. So , please, forgive all my mistakes and imperfections and make me the happiest man ever, marry me. I almost said yes before he was done." Liz laughed.

"Jane I approve so much, if he makes you this happy there is no one I'd like to see you with more than him."

"I'm glad you offer your blessings because you are going to be my maid of honor. We think the wedding should be next April…what do you think?"

"I love it." Even though Liz was happy for Jane, she couldn't stop thinking about Darcy…it was killing her.

"Liz…," she took her hands, "I want to see you this happy, if only we could find the perfect man for you." Liz smiled.

"Perhaps Collins has a brother…" They both laughed. Suddenly, the doorbell rang and they heard pounding on the door.

"Who could it be at this hour?" Jane asked.

"Perhaps Charles can't bear to be away from you any longer." They both laughed on threw on bathrobes. They ran down the stairs and Jane opened it.

"Hello?"

Standing there was Liz's worst nightmare.

"Lady Catherine." Liz said annoyed.

(Almost done! Are you as excited and saddened as me? KEEP R&RING THOUGH!! THANKS!!!)