Chapter 24:

"Please do sit down" said Mr. Bingley, motioning for the seat in-front of him. Lord Grantham entered the room, sitting down on a rather comfortable chair and shifted, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"This is a very pleasant room" said Lord Grantham, looking around.

"Thank you" said Mr. Bingley, sitting down as well. "Can I offer you a drink, Lord Grantham?"

"No, thank you" said Lord Grantham, "I came to speak with you. I came to say thank you" he began, "You saved my family, my extended family, Darcy, all of us and for that I am very grateful. If you had not gotten Darcy right away, this would have spread even further for it was Darcy who knew where to get him. I know you risked your health and your person in traveling so many hours straight to Pemberley."

"I did not do it for you, Lord Grantham" teased Mr. Bingley. Matthew raised an eyebrow, not sure the implication—was he hinting that he did it for Jane? Charles thought about putting him out of his misery but he quite enjoying seeing him uncomfortable.

"I know. I also know that our first meeting was rather uncomfortable and I may have acted territorial but I want to extend my hand in peace and to extend my help should you ever need it" he said, extending his hand to Charles, who gladly took it and shook it.

"I thank you" said Mr. Bingley, "I may call upon it some day"

"I look forward to that day" teased Lord Grantham, getting up, "Good day, Mr. Bingley", bowing and leaving the room.

Mr. Bingley watched him leave the room, his emotions tore. I loved her, you know, he wanted to say. But she was his wife now and though he loath to admit it, he knew Lord Grantham was a good husband to her.

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Lydia could not sleep. She opened her eyes and felt herself clammy. She must have had a nightmare. Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she got up from the bed and put her robe around her. Was it only yesterday that she was with Wickham? That she was anticipating his return? Silly girl! She screamed at herself. It felt like so long ago. She looked at the window, hoping for a hint of the time—was that the sun rising? She could see a small sliver of orange peeking through. Her body and mind felt heavy.

They had arrived earlier that night to be received by two children who were very eager to call her "Mama". She was not sure how to act for she herself felt like a child and quietly asked to go to her room for she was very tired from the journey and wanted to lie down. She went so quickly that she did not see the children's disappointed faces and her now husband looking as she walked away with a slight frown. He knew she needed time to adjust but hoped that she would make an effort. Lydia feared that her husband would knock on her bedroom that night but her surprise and relief, he did not. Her vanity was injured for she did not know if he found her attractive, perhaps he married her only for the dowry her brothers provided? But she could not think anymore.

She felt like a shell of her former safe. She forgot what her laugh sounded like or her what her smile looked like. She knew she ought to feel grateful but she was not sure what that felt like.

It was with these thoughts in mind that she found herself wondering the house. It was a nice house, not as big as Longbourn but had the same warm, comfortable feeling that her childhood home had. She could see the sun rising from the windows, slowly filling in the rooms with light. Lydia found herself in a small drawing room, with a piano, some old furnishings, and a cozy chair. She touched the piano delicately with her fingers and a layer of dust came with it. Why had the servants not cleaned this room? It looked dirtier than all the others she had passed by. There was something about this room that reminded her of home and not being able to contain her feelings any longer, she let herself cry. It was minutes later or perhaps hours later that she felt a small hand touching her shoulder. She turned around and saw a little girl, not older than five, looking at her with tears in her eyes.

"Mama" said the little girl, hugging Lydia tight. Lydia had never been fond of children but something about this little girl's love warmed her and so she hugged her back, stroking her hair. "This was mama's favorite room" squeaked the little girl, "Will you be my mama now?" she added hopefully.

"I do not know how to be a mama" said Lydia, crying as well, for she felt so very very young. "I am but a child"

"You are beautiful" said Lucy, giving her a smile. "I will be your friend" said Lucy, reaching for Lydia's hand. Lydia took her hand and squeezed it, a genuine smile on her face.

"I would love that, Lucy" said Lydia. They both turned around feeling someone by the entrance of the drawing room, Robert, her husband, was watching them. Lydia could not tell with the glint of the sun if there were tears in his eyes but she suspected that they were wet.

"My two beautiful girls, come, let us watch the sunrise. It is particularly beautiful in this part of the country, Lydia", reaching for both of their hands. Lydia nodded and allowed him to lead her to the outside of the house, where Robert, Lydia, and Lucy watched the sun rise, each full of hope.

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Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of Lizzy. She could now boast to having three daughters married, one of them a Countess! Lady and Lord Grantham were not able to attend, for the Crawleys were still in mourning, Mr. and Mrs. Nudell sent their answer that they would not be able to make the trip, Mrs. Bennet was quite sad about the former for she wished to meet her new son, but she felt relieved to know that she was in Kent and they could make a trip to see her in the near future. Kitty looked beautiful—Lizzy had insisted on her sisters getting new dresses as well. Kitty stood up with Lizzy, beaming as her sister and new brother recited their vows. The couple looked more at ease than they felt and though they were not as effusive in their love for each other, it was deep.

The wedding breakfast was held at Longbourn, where Mrs. Bennet once again had the chance to show herself as an outstanding hostess. Mary obliged her mother and played some music, inspiring couples to form and dance.

"May I have this dance, Miss Catherine?" asked Mr. Bingley, approaching her. She had been taking a drink with with Maria Lucas.

"With me?" teased Kitty, "Yes, I would love to" she said, giving him her hand.

Mr. Darcy, who was never comfortable in social settings, was eager to head to London. Lizzy, who could feel his tension, kept teasing him and was likewise pleased to see the effort he was making in speaking with her family and friends. After seeing him suffer for long enough, she reached for her arm and motioned with her head towards the door.

"Are you ready, Mr. Darcy?" said Lizzy, smiling brilliantly at him.

"Are you the one leading, Mrs. Darcy?" asked Fitzwilliam, smiling at his beautiful bride.

"It depends where we are going" she teased back, seeing a blush on his cheeks. After a few minutes of farewells and good wishes, the Darcys went into their carriage and enjoyed a cozy carriage ride to London, while the rest of their family and friends celebrated on.

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Sorry for not posting yesterday...the dishes won :) So there is one for more chapter for this story which will be a bit longer but will wrap this up nicely. I am considering doing a sequel, im leaning towards "A second chance for mr. bingley", but I'll take ideas/requests! I'm truly blown away by the response that this story has gotten and im really so thankful for every review, follow and favorite! let me know what you thought of this chapter!