"You look stunning, Lizzie."
"Congratulations!"
"Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!"
"To a wonderful future!"
Hundreds of greetings swirl all around them, first in the grandiose reception at the Darcy estate, then in the cozy gathering in Lizzie's hometown. Her mother won't stop crying, her father won't stop smiling, and even Lydia, perhaps thanks to Lizzie's kindness over bridal party wear, acts relatively tame the entire time.
"Mrs. Darcy," William likes to whisper in Lizzie's ear, every other half hour, with his arm around her waist and his lips against her cheek. She shivers, every time, because there's nothing more thrilling than sharing a secret in the midst of a boisterous, crowded church hall.
"I said he had to marry her, of course. I knew it all along!" Her mother won't stop announcing.
With this being the last wedding in the family for a very long while, Lizzie lets her have it.
"Lizzie! The community is so delightful. No wonder Will loves it so much here!" Georgiana runs up to them when the guests start to leave, sparkling in her pink bridesmaid dress. Lizzie has noticed, quite quickly, the many young gentlemen who have been hovering around her new sister-in-law all day. She just figures she'll tell her husband later.
It's not quite time to burst the bubble yet.
Georgiana chats happily with the couple of the hour, and Lizzie tells her, quite sincerely, that she is glad she's enjoying herself.
The matron of honor walks up to them just as Georgiana finally traipses away.
"Should I set her up too?"
"Charlotte!"
"I would warn against that, Ms. Collins." William smiles. Lizzie leans happily against his chest. "Our family's coffers can only fund so many weddings each year."
"Whoever said they'll end up married?" Charlotte shrugs. "It's just for convenience - an arrangement, if you may."
"You're into matchmaking now, Char?" Lizzie teases. Her grin widens when William plants a smooch on her cheek.
Who knew the reserved William Darcy could be this open to PDA?
"I figured I could moonlight." Charlotte smiles. "Seems like a waste of talent if I don't. I do seem remarkably good at it, don't I?"
And the bride and groom cannot help but agree.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the story! We will be back to Regency strife with "The Child" very soon. In other news, I have tried to set up a Facebook page for my publications, especially since I am toying with the idea of writing an original series some time. I don't know if doing a page is helpful or not. Are there lots of JAFF fans on Facebook? If yes, I haven't found them. Lol.
Hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year despite it all!