Chapter 20:

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy stood there, holding hands, for what felt like an eternity. The sun rose, the birds chirped, animals traveled to and fro, and they stood there oblivious to the movements around them, enjoying what felt too precious to let go of.

Mr. Darcy opened his eyes and saw that Elizabeth's, though closed, were swollen with tears, softly dropping on her beautiful cheek. He reached for his cheek and wiped it away, the motion stirring Elizabeth and she opened her beautiful brown eyes and stared into his.

"I am so sorry, Elizabeth" he whispered. Lizzy gave him a weak smile.

"I know" she said, amidst sobs. "I do not blame you" she added, now looking up at him.

"I know" he said, giving her a weak smile. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. Elizabeth took a deep sigh and gave him an honestly enchanting smile.

"I should go back—my family will be wondering where I have gone" said Elizabeth, feeling lighter and happier than she had in a very long time.

"I shall walk you back" said Mr. Darcy firmly, offering her his arm.

"Mr. Darcy! You musn't! My family, nay anyone that sees us, will wonder and then…I do not know then what" said Elizabeth.

"I left you once—I will not do it again. I know we cannot officially engaged until half mourning. We are a few months away from that and then the announcement will be made officially and befitting of you, my darling" said Mr. Darcy.

"And my family?" asked Elizabeth.

"I shall speak with your father today, though we cannot be officially engaged, I have no reason to hide my intention from your family. It is my hope, and wish, that we could be married as soon as it is reasonable" said Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth felt her chest fill up with hope and love—she knew how to respectful he was of conventions and this was surely, all for her.

Elizabeth nodded, her genuine smile giving him all the affirmation he needed and they walked in a comfortable silence back to Longbourn.

When they arrived at Longbourn, the house was eerily quiet. Elizabeth was half expecting her sister and even her mtoher to see her coming from afar and peek through the window out of curiosity. But there seemed to be none of htat. Elizabeth entered from the backdoor, followed by Mr. Darcy, who had been resolute in meeting her parents that very day. She made her way to the drawing room, where surely the family was gathered, if any of the servants gave her or Mr. Darcy questioning looks, neither registered it.

"Papa!" said Elizabeth, when she entered and found her family gathered, looking down and distraught.

"Lizzy" said her father, looking solemnly at a letter that had been delivered that very morning in an express, "Jane's husband has passed."

Elizabeth gasped and took a step backwards, almost tripping on herself if it was not for Mr. Darcy who reached for her elbow and sustained her up, helping her catch her balance. It was only then that the family who was still in night clothes, looked up and see the imposing Mr. Darcy in their drawing room, at such a moment.

"Lizzy" said Mrs. Bennet, looking up at her, hoping she would explain for she had no words come to mind to ask what she wanted to know.

"Papa, Mr. Darcy had hoped to speak with you this morning" said Elizabeth, "Mr. Darcy, you remember my family?"

"Yes, do not stand" he added quickly, motioning for them not to stand, "I see this is a bad time. I am sorry for your loss and for Mrs. Bailey's loss."

Mr. Bennet did not even know what nor how to respond, he kept thinking of Jane, how he had failed her and now she was alone in the world. He did not know in what state Jane was in, nor how sudden this way, nor if she was secure financially. They had not spoken, not truly spoken, she had left, feeling she needed to make her own way after her parent's lack of action and responsibility with Lydia. He had endured Elizabeth's judgment, though more subtle, but from Jane, who had always been sweet and quiet, it had come as more difficult to endure.

"Will you go see your sister?" asked Mr. Bennet, coming out of his depressing train of thought, where he had every reason to see himself as a failed father. Alas, he knew that now.

"Of course" said Elizabeth, "I shall pack my things."

"I will see that the carriage is ready" said Mr. Bennet.

"I shall accompany her" said Mr. Darcy, reminding everyone that he was in the room.

"But Mr. Darcy, surely you cannot, if we are seen, you are still in mourning" said Elizabeth in a whisper.

"I left you once, I shall not leave you again. I do not care what is said, I only care about you" said Mr. Darcy, never more sure of anything in his life. "I shall go pack my things and meet you here with my carriage. I shall ride on horseback" he added to Mr. Bennet, so he should not be worried of them being in a carriage alone. "I had hoped to discuss with you an important matter, Mr. Bennet, it is my wish to marry Miss Elizabeth when the time permits, we ask for your blessing" said Mr. Darcy, making it clear he was not asking for permission, but rather informing him of their plans.

"I see" said Mr. Bennet, "My sole wish Mr. Darcy is for my daughters to be happy."

"Thank you, papa" said Elizabeth, kissing him lightly on the cheek. She reached for Mr. Darcy's hand and pulled him out of the drawing room, when they were alone by the entrance hall she hugged him, closing her eyes as her head rested on his head.

"I love you" he said, taken aback but pleased. "I shall make haste."

"I thank you" said Elizabeth.

"You will never be alone, again, my darling Elizabeth" he said, taking a step back and reaching for her hand and kissing it lightly, before bowing and leaving Longbourn.

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I think I need to stop making excuses for short chapters that are far apart lol, sorry! I do intend on finishing this story and I hope to have more time to finish it. Reviews are always encouraging :) For those that felt Mr. Darcy needed to make amends, let me know if this chapter helped with that!

p.s. loved that someone enjoyed the draw "love like the galazy"...guys...its amazing! but dont check it out unless you have 50 hours of extra time on your hands lol