Christmas Eve and Christmas Day passed by in a happy blur. I had never been part of such a big, lively, family group before. My parents always kept the holidays very simple and while the Thompsons entertained, they were a small family unit. This, most certainly, was not. Mildred and I sat to the side, not wanting to intrude, but were pulled into the merriment and treated as part of the family anyway.

The five Bennet daughters and their Darcy sister radiated delight at being all together. Mary told them about her new home. She assured everyone it was a comfortable house in a pleasant neighborhood. She did laugh when she said the doctor had not completely been joking the day of the inventory party when he said he had only bothered to decorate his study and consulting room. While not completely empty, the decoration of the other public rooms was better described as understated than elegant. She planned to take her time and slowly bring the elegance into all the fittings. Mrs. Bennet could not quite understand why she did not want to decorate everything at once, and Lydia looked like she could agree with her mother. The others all just nodded their support of Mary. Mrs. Gardiner happily consented to spend some time window shopping with Mary after the New Year to help her plan and gather new ideas as well as point her to the shops where she could find the best deals.

The neighbors also joined into the fun as several of them dropped by for short visits sharing good wishes for the holiday. Lady Anne Darcy's bell rang frequently as each newcomer admired it. The bell often proved the bait for a kiss under the mistletoe. The other sisters teased Jane for her tendency to drift towards one of the three mistletoe balls whenever Mr. Bingley entered the room, prompting him to make good use of the excuse. She just smiled her serene smile coupled with an Elizabeth-style raise of the eyebrow when teased. No words were needed as far she was concerned.

The Gardiner boys and Teddy finally got their snowball fight in the new crisp layer of snow that had fallen since their quest for greenery the day before. Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam joined them while the doctor laughed from the entry way. It started as the boys against the men, but they quickly shifted to have one of the men partner with each of the boys for a three way battle. Mr. Darcy and Teddy made a good showing, while Mr. Bingley and Edward spent as much time falling in the snow while laughing as they did throwing snowballs. It was the Colonel and Franklin who approached the task with carefully executed battle plans and sneak attacks on the other team. Although the colonel claimed victory, no one won and no one lost. They just had fun.

It was a good thing all three men had brought a change of clothing. Mrs. Hill would not even let them in the front door when the battle was done. All six combatants, red-faced from the cold and covered head to toe in snow, were shooed around to the kitchen door to remove and shake out their outer clothes,. She sent them up the back stairs to make use of a room in which to wash up and change, the three men to a guest room and the three boys to the nursery. All six rejoined the company later to partake of hot drinks, biscuits and other treats and tales of their great victories in the side garden.

I found amusement seeing the colonel playing with the boys. I had watched the battle from a window in the music room while I knitted. The colonel spotted me at one point and waved, earning a snowball in the face from Teddy for his temporary inattention to his opponents. He took it in stride, wiping his face clean, then giving me a wink before scooping up a clump of snow to throw back at his attacker. I still recognized the unlikelihood of any serious attachment, but I knew I would miss seeing him after he returned to his regiment in just two weeks. Miss Darcy had told us he had leave only through Twelfth Night. His next winter battle could be on the continent with Napoleon's troops instead of a lark with his cousin, his friend and three young boys.

Mrs. Bennet was delighted when her mince pies made it safely to the table at dinner on Christmas Eve. She was justly proud of her family recipe. The pie was delicious. Everyone complimented her on its excellence while being kind enough not to upset her with mention of either Mr. Collins or Sir William Lucas. Even Mr. Bennet refrained from making jokes on the matter. She beamed when Mr. Darcy asked if she would share the recipe. with his cook at Pemberley.

"Truly, Mother Bennet, this is better than any mince pie I have ever been served at Pemberley," he told her.

"I understand the recipe was passed down in our mother's family for generations, although I am not sure how Fanny came by it after our mother's early death," said Mr. Gardiner. "I remember our father mentioning it for several Christmases after she was gone."

"Oh, I found several of Mother's recipes in an old trunk of hers. I have enjoyed using them over the years," said Mrs. Bennet.

"She shared them with me," Mrs. Phillips added, "but my mince pie has never turned out as well as hers. I think she has the more skilled cook."

"I am glad we can all enjoy it here together," Colonel Fitzwilliam put in. "I cannot remember a happier Christmas Eve in my life. Thank you all for allowing me to join you."

"You are always welcome," Mrs. Bennet assured him. "You are a cousin now and part of the family."

I had to agree with the colonel's assessment that this was a very happy Christmas Eve. At the same time I found his statement sad. He still had a father and brother living, but no one he felt like calling family outside the people currently gathered around the table. I took another look at each of the smiling faces and said a prayer of gratitude that both he and I were part of this Bennet and related families Christmas.

0o0o0

The church was packed full for Christmas services the next morning. It felt like everyone in Meryton was there to celebrate the holy day in company. We all worshiped together in prayer and song. After the service the air was filled with the sound of happy greetings and good wishes. I had never experienced the like in London or at Stone Landing. While the Christmas services in town were always well-attended, they lacked the camaraderie I felt this day.

"So this is what it feels to be part of a community," said the colonel softly, almost in echo to my own thoughts, as he came to stand beside me. "London is too big to draw people together and my family always felt too far above their neighbors to be part of something like this. What about your family?"

"Stone Landing was isolated and my father liked it that way. The local vicar came to us after he preformed the services in the village. We worshiped in our private chapel and then hosted him for a Christmas meal in thanks. Is the celebration at Pemberley anything like this?"

"If my aunt, Lady Anne, had lived it could have been. Unlike my father or Aunt Catherine, Lady Anne took an interest in the people around her and treated them all as her fellows, regardless of status. After her death my uncle withdrew from the world. Will and Georgie have never really known how to join. I think Elizabeth will bring something of this Meryton spirit with her. Pemberley and the villages around it will never be the same once she has taken an interest in them. Look at my cousin, there, greeting these people by name. I hardly recognize him from the shy, withdrawn man he was a year ago. That is Elizabeth's influence."

"Will you be sorry to leave Meryton next month?" I asked him.

He gave me a long look and a sad smile. "Yes," was all he said. We briefly stood together in silence, an island in a sea of cheerful noise. Then Colonel Forster walked up to greet Colonel Fitzwilliam and drew him away to a nearby group of soldiers.

Miss Lucas joined me. We spoke of the upcoming week and made plans to walk with the younger girls back to the village on Friday for a little more shopping. We agreed to meet at the turn to Lucas Lodge at around eleven that morning. I saw a red coat out of the corner of my eye and thought the colonel had come back, but it was another soldier, one I did not recognize, who was simply walking by us.

I thought about our conversation and that look he gave me. I was not sure if it helped to know he felt some attraction for me as I did for him. I decided to enjoy whatever of his company I could and worry about the inevitable parting later.

Eventually the crowd broke into family groups and began to head to their homes. Our group had come in what seemed like a parade of carriages. Several of us decided to walk back, a group headed by Elizabeth, who was well known as a great walker. Jane, Mr. Bingley, Kitty, Lydia, Miss Darcy and I joined Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy on the walk. Mildred opted to return in the carriage with Mrs. Bennet and some of the others. I had hoped the colonel might accompany us, but he remained in Meryton for a time to speak with Colonel Forster on some military issues. He did promise he would arrive in time for Christmas dinner.

We had a merry walk back in the frosty cold. Elizabeth set a brisk pace, but we all kept up. We crunched along in the latest layer of snowfall while a few errant flakes danced around us.

"I am sorry Richard could not join us," said Miss Darcy to me as we walked. "He is such good company."

"I agree," I told her, "but you know he might have turned this walk into a forced march and ended it with a barrage of snowballs."

She laughed at that, "It would not be the first time. Although it is usually only Will he hits with sneak attacks. He tends to be more chivalrous to the ladies."

"He is a gentleman, after all, chivalry should be expected." I answered lightly. I felt uncomfortably like the subject of an attempt at matchmaking. Fortunately Lydia distracted Miss Darcy with a question and the subject dropped.

Mrs. Hill met us at the door and insisted we remove our wet outer clothes and use some old cloth she provided to dry our shoes enough to go upstairs and change without making a mess. Longbourn's servants had attended services as well, but they left before our group had so they could continue their preparations for the evening meal. I am sure Mrs. Hill expected Elizabeth to lead a group of walkers, so she was ready for us to arrive as we did.

The rest of our party, minus the colonel, arrived soon after us. I returned to my seat in a corner of the drawing room to knit while enjoying the pleasant company around me. Mildred joined me and continued her embroidery project. We watched approvingly as the young ladies picked up their own hand work as they sat to chat about the walk home and the people they had spoken with after the services. They kept their agreement with us very well. While the joyful season encouraged noise, they had not exceeded a reasonable level and I had seen no wild or excessive behaviors.

The colonel did finally arrive shortly before the Christmas dinner was served. He looked more solemn than I would have expected. I hoped there had been no trouble at the camp or any change of orders that would cause him to leave Meryton early. He did not seem inclined to discuss his subdued mood, so I did not question him. It did not seem the time for quiet chats.

Dinner was superb. I think the cook may have been trying to outdo her success from the previous day's meal. At any rate, it was tasty and well served. What more could one ask?

The younger children had been allowed downstairs for the Christmas dinner and Teddy joined them at the request of the Gardiner boys and Mr. Darcy. Little Bethany sat between her mother and her cousin, Jane. They made sure she was not overwhelmed by the company. The three boys sat together, with Mr. Darcy and the colonel on either side to help keep them in order. Mr. Bingley would have joined them, but they were a little too far down the table from Jane and he preferred to sit by her side when he could.

There were two plum puddings, brought out in great state and enjoyed by all. The gentlemen offered toasts with wishes of good fortune embedded within them and thanks for the meal and the presence of family. Later that evening the more adventurous souls played Snapdragon, pulling bits of brandy-soaked fruit from the alcohol-fueled flames that flickered over the tray. I was not surprised to find Lydia and Elizabeth very skilled at the game. Miss Darcy had not played before, but she was willing to try and enjoyed popping a few hot raisins in her mouth. The three boys had more fun watching the flames than trying to get the fruit. They cheered the others on and laughed when someone put out their hand then drew back in fear.

Eventually the children started to yawn and the adults decided it was time to break up the party. Mrs. Hill collected Teddy and Mrs. Gardiner led her three up to the nursery. Mr. Bingley called for his carriage, which would take him, Dr. and Mrs. Burrows and the colonel back to Netherfield. In the midst of the hugs and good night wishes I received a small gift of my own. I had moved to head out through the music room when I sensed someone beside me. The colonel had drawn near. He took my hand and gently tugged me over to the nearest mistletoe ball. He leaned in to kiss my cheek once again.

"Happy Christmas," he said. He gave my hand a light squeeze then let go and walked away to join the others heading to Netherfield.

"Happy Christmas," I said to his retreating form. It was, indeed, a happy Christmas.