Notes:

My deep and eternal gratitude goes out to booknoser321, erinwert, and mamaleh6994 who all betaed and commented on this chapter and made it even better.

Uncharted may be coming to an end this week, but that doesn't mean it's entirely over. I'm planning to write some one-shots in this universe in future and I've created a form where you can request missing or extended scenes, or alternate POV's of scenes that you might like to see (you can find the form here: bit . ly / 1c12pQH [no spaces]).

Uncharted - Chapter 25

It was Christmas Day, and Lizzie woke up snuggled in William's arms. She lay there contentedly reflecting on the past few months.

As predicted by, well, everyone, Mrs. Bennet had been overjoyed at the news of Jane and Bing's upcoming nuptials and had launched into wedding planning almost immediately. After finishing her play and wrapping up her internship, Lydia had decided to remain in New York to attend acting school. She had taken over the lease on Jane's apartment since Jane had officially moved in with Bing following the engagement.

Lizzie's mother and father had flown to New York to spend Christmas with Jane, Bing, and Lydia, but Lizzie and William had chosen to remain in San Francisco for the holiday, though they had made plans to visit Longbourne in the New Year. Gigi was spending the morning in Sanditon but would be joining them later that afternoon to exchange gifts, and the three of them would be dining at Fitz and Brandon's house along with Catherine de Burgh.

Although Lizzie missed her family, the quiet Christmas was rather nice, especially after months of nearly non-stop work. Bowtie Media, while not quite solvent, was doing well. Costumed Tales views had continued to rise, and the indiegogo campaign had more than quadrupled its goal. William had helped her secure several more small business grants, and things were slowly starting to level out. In the New Year, she and William were going to start pre-production work on Bowtie Media's second project, an educational interactive website with embedded video content. The plan was for William to work out the technical details while Lizzie developed the video content. They'd earned enough through the indiegogo to start hiring employees for limited roles, which meant Lizzie felt much less like a chicken with it's head cut off, and she had time to catch her breath every now and then.

A warm kiss on the back of her neck alerted Lizzie to the fact that William was awake. She smiled and rolled over so she was facing him.

"Merry Christmas," she murmured contentedly, snuggling into the crook of his arm.

He grinned sleepily before giving her a light kiss. "Merry Christmas, Lizzie."

She sighed happily. "This is a much more relaxing wake up than Lydia bursting in and jumping on me screaming that Santa came while Dad blows his train whistle."

"She still does that?" William looked bemused.

"Every year since we were kids. It's become a tradition so she still does it even though none of us actually believe in Santa anymore." Lizzie grew more solemn as she recalled the previous Christmas when Lydia hadn't woken her because they'd been in the middle of the biggest fight of their lives.

"I never did, you know."

Lizzie looked at William, puzzled. "You never believed in Santa?"

He shook his head. "Not really. When I was very tiny I did, but I mostly just humored my parents, and when Gigi came along I pretended to believe for her sake. I never really saw the point, to be honest."

"The point is that it's magical and wondrous and unexplainable."

"That was the problem for me. I wanted the facts. I wanted explanations. I wanted to know exactly how one person could go around the world in 24 hours and deliver presents to the billions of children in the world. Magic wasn't enough for me. I needed science. So when no one could offer it, I assumed it was all just made up and I forgot about it."

Lizzie tried to picture William as a child, trying to come up with a scientific explanation for Santa Claus, and the image that formed in her head was adorable. Dark curly hair that was a tiny bit too long, impeccable clothing, and a serious expression on his face.

"What are you smiling about?" William asked, kissing both corners of her mouth in turn.

"I was just imagining you as a sceptical child. You were pretty cute."

"Were?" he raised his eyebrows. "Am I not now?"

Lizzie grinned. "Oh, you're very cute now, just in a very different way than you were as a child." She leaned forward to kiss him. "Are you convinced?"

"Hmm, not entirely."

She shook her head. "You don't need an excuse to kiss me, you dolt!"

He grinned. "I know."

She laughed and kissed him again, a little longer this time. "Better?"

"Much."

"Good." William sat up, cushioning himself with pillows as he propped himself against the headboard. Lizzie settled back into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. "So if you don't wake up to train whistles and Lydia jumping on you and screaming about Santa, what are your Christmases like?"

"I only have vague memories of when we were children, but I remember that the tree was always bursting with gifts, and Gigi would want to open them all immediately but our parents would only allow us to open our stocking until after breakfast. Then once everything was open we would have the freedom to do what we wanted until dinner time.

"Ever since Gigi and I have been on our own, we always make sure to spend at least part of the day together. It's usually just us, and we often go skiing in Aspen rather than staying in the city. It's the one time of year where we both take a break from working and just talk to each other and spend time together."

"It sounds nice. I feel bad for keeping you from that this year."

"No, Lizzie, it's fine." He kissed her lightly before continuing, "Gigi and I both had reasons for wanting to do things differently this year. We both have people we wanted to share the holiday with. Besides, we'll see her later today."

"True. I never want to keep you from your sister. Family is important."

Something about her words seemed to resonate with William. "Yes, yes it is." He bit his lip nervously and fell silent for a long moment as though trying to make up his mind about something. "Lizzie, do you remember when I decided to leave Pemberley, and I told you about the partnership between my parents?"

"Yes, of course." That conversation would be etched on her memory forever. "Why?"

"There's more to it than what I told you that day. They were not just partners in business, they were partners in life and partners in love." William swallowed hard. "You and I, I think we have that same kind of bond. We balance each other out. Where I have weaknesses, you fill in my gaps and make me stronger, make me better, and I think that I do the same for you. I love you, Lizzie, more than I ever thought possible, and I fall more deeply in love with you every day." He reached behind him, fiddling with something for a moment before continuing. "I can no longer imagine living my life without you in it."

He opened his palm to reveal a ring. It was beautiful with delicate carvings along the sides and a simple yet beautiful stone in the middle. He held it out to her. "Lizzie Bennet, we are already partners in business, but I would love nothing more than to officially be your partner in life and in love. Will you marry me?"

Lizzie had launched herself at him before he even finished talking. "Yes," she said between furious kisses. "Yes, I will marry you."

William returned her kisses, not stopping until her lips were swollen and her cheeks felt sore from smiling so much. He gently picked up her left hand and glided the ring into place on her fourth finger before bringing the hand to his lips to kiss it. Lizzie stared at her hand, admiring the new addition.

"It's stunning."

"Jane helped me pick it out. I wanted to ensure that it was something that would not make you uncomfortable."

"It's perfect." Lizzie furrowed her brow in confusion. "But wait, the last time we saw Jane was —"

"In September. She came with me to pick it out on the day when you and Lydia were sightseeing together."

"September?" Lizzie did the math in her head. "You waited three months?"

William looked sheepish. "It was not purposeful. I was waiting for the right moment, the right words, and a little while ago when you were talking about how family was important I realised that I did not want to wait any longer, that it did not matter if the setting was perfect or the words were right. All that matters is that we are together, that we can have a life together. I want everything with you, Lizzie."

"I want that too."

He kissed her again, more passionately this time. "Merry Christmas, Lizzie."

LB-LB-LB-LB-LB

William and Lizzie had spent a leisurely morning lounging around the house, just enjoying each other's company and making some tentative plans.

Around noon, Lizzie set up for a scheduled Skype date with her family. William was about to leave the room to give them privacy, when Lizzie grabbed his hand and pulled him down to sit beside her.

"Stay," she whispered. "We should tell them together."

He studied her carefully. "Are you sure? I do not want to intrude on your family time."

"You're family now, silly. Besides, Mom's reaction is going to be epic. You don't want to miss this."

"It is going to be terrifying, isn't it?" Though he had heard Lizzie talk about them, he had yet to actually witness a Mrs. Bennet freak out, and he wasn't entirely sure what he was getting himself into.

Lizzie laughed. "It's going to be hilarious. She'll be delighted."

"If you say so—" William was still skeptical.

Lizzie leaned forward to start the call. "It's Lydia's shriek you wanna fear," she teased as her computer dialled.

"I remember." William winced, recalling the ear piercing squeal the youngest Bennet had emitted in his ear when Jane and Bing had gotten engaged.

It was Jane who answered the call, her smile bright and her cheeks flushed. "Lizzie, Darc—William, Hi! It's so good to see you guys. Hold on, let me gather everyone."

She was about to leave when she suddenly paused and looked closely at her computer screen. "Lizzie, are you… did you…" she looked at William who nodded. "William, you finally did it!"

"I did. This morning."

"Lizzie, this man has been trying to ask you for three months, but he kept chickening out."

William furrowed his brow. "I did not chicken out. The timing was not right. This morning it was."

Jane shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. "That's code for chickening out." Over the past three months they'd spoken a few time regarding his lack of proposal to Lizzie and had built up a friendly rapport. He was going to enjoy having her as a sister-in-law.

"Okay, I'll be right back, let me get everyone, and you can tell them the news."

"What news?"

Lizzie stiffened beside him as her mother's southern drawl filled their ears. "Here goes," Lizzie whispered, reaching for his hand. "Just wait, Mom," she said to her mother, who had just appeared on camera. "Jane's getting everyone."

As if on cue, Mr. Bennet joined his wife in frame next, followed by Lydia, Bing, and Jane.

"Merry Christmas, everyone," Lizzie began, but Mrs. Bennet was having none of it.

"Jane said you had news, Lizzie, what news?"

Beside him, Lizzie took a deep breath, held out her left hand for the camera and said, "We're engaged!"

Engaged. William hadn't really thought of it that way yet, and the word made him smile. It was a good word; it meant they had intent to marry, that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

As Lizzie had predicted, Lydia shrieked and promptly started to babble what seemed to be hundreds of words he couldn't even begin to follow, before Mrs. Bennet cut her off.

"Welcome to the family, William," she was saying. "Two weddings in one year. How exciting. Just wait until the neighbours hear! Oh! Jane, you and Lizzie could have a double wedding! How amazing would that be?"

"I don't know, Mom," Jane said hesitantly. "I think we have very different ideas of what we want, besides, we're on opposite ends of the country. It's not very practical."

William was impressed with the pragmatic and clever way in which Jane had dealt with her mother. Beside him, Lizzie visibly relaxed, and he had a feeling that she had been about to launch into a tirade over that suggestion.

Mr. Bennet leaned forward. "Lizzie, it has always been my deepest desire that you be happy and I am delighted that you seem to have found that happiness with William. Congratulations, my dear sweet girl."

Lizzie's eyes were damp. "Thank you, Dad, I really appreciate that."

The conversation drifted on to other things after that, and by the time they were ready to hang up William felt a sense of contentment and belonging that was unfamiliar yet pleasant. Lizzie's family was loud and opinionated and they liked to joke and tease each other, but there was a deep rooted love beneath it all that William recognised and appreciated. Once, he would have had great reservations about becoming a member of this family, but now that he was seeing who they truly were, he couldn't think of a better group of people to have in his life.

Gigi arrived a short time later and had barely entered the living room before noticing the ring on Lizzie's finger.

"OH MY GOD!" she screeched, throwing herself at Lizzie. She looked over at her brother. "You finally asked her; you actually did it."

William flashed her a puzzled look. He had been incredibly careful not to mention his intentions to Gigi because he'd feared she would try to pressure him into doing it before he was ready. "How did you know I was going to?"

"Because I know you, William, and when you decide to commit to something, or someone, you do it fully and completely and without reservation. I knew this was inevitable before you did." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully and then gave him a hug. "Congratulations, big brother."

He beamed. He didn't need her approval, but it was still nice to have. "Thank you, Gigi."

Gigi turned back to Lizzie. "We're gonna be sisters!"

Lizzie grinned at her. "I guess we are."

"I always wanted a sister," his sister glanced at him, "Sorry William, I love you, but sometimes I wished there was another girl around!"

William chuckled. To be honest, it was nice to know that Gigi thought of Lizzie that way. As much as he adored and loved his sister, there was a lot about her that he didn't understand, and he liked knowing that she would have someone he trusted to go to if she ever needed anything he couldn't offer.

Gigi was peering at Lizzie's hand and studying the ring. "It's beautiful," she said, "But William, why didn't you give her Mom's ring? I'm sure Mom wouldn't have minded."

"Of course she wouldn't," William agreed, "but Gigi, that ring has always been meant for you. When the time comes, Mom's ring should sit on your finger and no one else's."

Gigi looked up at him, her eyes wide and childlike as they filled with moisture. "I can have Mom's ring?" she whispered in disbelief. "Really?"

"Of course." William sat beside his sister and pulled her into a sideways hug. "Mom would want you to have it. I want you to have it."

"Thank you, William," Gigi kissed his cheek. "You are the best big brother ever!"

LB-LB-LB-LB-LB

Lizzie could not remember the last time she'd felt so joyous. Since William had proposed to her that morning, Lizzie had been floating on a bit of a cloud. Life wasn't perfect, she still had many, many challenges ahead, but the unknown seemed much less terrifying to her than it had eight months before when she'd been finishing her thesis, starting her company, and her relationship with William had still been so new.

So much had happened in those intervening months that sometimes it felt as though years had gone by, and yet sometimes it felt like no time had passed at all. She had grown so much since last Christmas. Her relationships with her sisters and her parents were stronger than ever and her partnership with William had filled her life with new depth and self discovery.

When she had first moved to San Francisco in May, she had been so concerned about maintaining her independence and not losing herself in her relationship the way she had with previous boyfriends. The previous months with William had taught her that it was possible to stay true to herself while also being strongly connected to someone else so long as you worked at it. She no longer feared losing herself because she was free to be completely who she was when she was around William. He loved and appreciated every part of her, including her many flaws, and he supported her in the areas where she had the greatest weaknesses. His practical, measured and thoughtful nature balanced her stubborn, impetuous and emotional one, and she often felt like they made each other stronger.

Lizzie had also come to realise that maintaining a healthy relationship was not something that just happened, and she had learned that open, honest dialog was essential to ensuring that. It wasn't perfect. They were both passionate and stubborn people who fought and got annoyed with each other, but even in their worst moments they tried to respect each other and listen to each other. As awful as it had been to live through the learning of those lessons, Lizzie would be eternally grateful that they had, because it had helped them to understand each other better and had given them a solid foundation to build upon.

Despite her current elation, Lizzie still didn't know what her future held, no one did, but she was no longer frightened of it. She knew that no matter what happened next, good or bad, she would be able to face it. That William would face it with her. They would step forward into their future together, and that was all she needed.

Fin

Notes:

So this is the last chapter *sniff*. Epilogue to come tomorrow.