Author's Note: I LOVE REVIEWS! I must say that I was so happy because I got 15 reviews, the most I have ever gotten, and they made me really really happy so I decided to make the characters really really happy. I hope you like this chapter because I certainly do, just because Mr. Darcy is in it but there are other reasons too, Just for Lucy I decided to add more Rachel and Robert in this chapter.

Chapter 16

It was the night before the wedding and the Bennet's had been invited over to Netherfield to dine for the evening. Mr. Wilcox, Mrs. Bennet's father was also included in the party. Elizabeth hadn't been able to speak to Mr. Darcy since that one time they went walking. Ms. Bingley seemed to always be around refusing to allow Elizabeth another private conversation with him. Elizabeth suspected this night was going to be like all the others, she would look on as Ms. Bingley took all of Mr. Darcy's time. She never thought that she would be jealous of that woman, but here she was, wishing that it was her standing next to him. Although he didn't look like he was particularly enjoying her company, at least she got to enjoy his.

They were all sitting in the drawing room waiting for dinner to be served. Excitement was in the air, anticipation for the wedding tomorrow. The wedding breakfast was going to be held at Longbourn although Netherfield was larger. Mr. Bingley wanted his Mother to feel that her home was just as good as his own. Mrs. Bennet thought it was a very sweet thing and was proud that he would be her son-in-law.

"Mr. Darcy I must say it is a pleasure to see you at last. When my daughter told me that she had been reacquainted with you I was very pleased. It has been a while since I have seen you, how have you been?" Mr. Wilcox greeted Darcy.

"I am in excellent health sir, thank you for asking."

"Excellent." He smiled happily around the room. Pleased that his granddaughter was getting married tomorrow. He had hoped that soon Elizabeth would be following in her footsteps. Lizzy was standing not to far off from her Grandfather conversing with Rachel and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"Lizzy! How can you say such things? Colonel Fitzwilliam was only teasing." Rachel stated half between shock and amusement.

"Yes but if we all act like the Colonel then no one will be able to carry on any civil conversations."

"Indeed I am sorry Ms. Bennet; I will try and hold my comments to myself." He smiled knowing that none of them were serious in their jest.

"If you do that sir than we shall truly be in peril."

"And why is that Elizabeth?" Cut in Mr. Wilcox. Turning to face him she realized that she now had an audience.

"It is simple, if Colonel Fitzwilliam refrains from speaking than we will have a dull party indeed."

"Do you not find Mr. Darcy and I entertaining company?"

"You perhaps can always say something that will shock the whole room. However Mr. Darcy is a reserved and apparently incapable of saying anything spontaneous." She joked, glad that she got a little smile out from Darcy. "So you see it is all on the Colonel shoulders to entertain us with stories and other witty comments."

"I must interject Ms. Bennet, for you did not allow me to defend myself."

"Indeed I did not, how inconsiderate of me, pray do continue."

"Although I may not always say what is on my mind and I may hide in the back of the room sometimes, given the chance I think I may be able to make the conversation much more lively."

"Boasting are we Mr. Darcy? If you are such a conversationalist then why don't you indulge us more often?"

"It is simply really, if everyone found out how enjoyable my company was I would never be left alone." Elizabeth raised one eye in amusement; she had never seen this teasing side of Mr. Darcy. It was refreshing.

"Yes Darcy that would be a great tragedy." Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. "I think if I had to go through life without Darcy then my life indeed would be dull."

"We can not have that now can we?" Smirked Rachel, "After all most of our fun derives from your comments as Elizabeth said."

"If we all rely on Colonel Fitzwilliam to speak and amuse us then what will happen when we must part company? I think that we all need to find a different mode of entertainment." Mr. Wilcox added, taking the conversation in a more serious direction.

"Yes perhaps you are right, but what makes a good conversationalist. Is it what you speak of or the way something is said?" Elizabeth asked thoughtfully. Everyone thought for a moment.

"I have met with a great many people who were wonderful charmers. They could say many foul, idiotic things but they still could enrapture you with flattery words." Continued Mr. Wilcox.

"There are many people out there that may fool you into thinking that they are upstanding gentlemen just by their phrases alone. This may lead you into deception which will cause you grief and a lot of unneeded pain for those around you." Elizabeth said with a little melancholy thinking of Mr. Wickham. Mr. Darcy noted her discomfort and did not want her to feel bad for her misconceptions.

"It should be the character of a man that defines him or the character of the woman. Unfortunately there are a lot of misconceptions and masks that people wear. One can hardly tell the difference between the honest man and the dishonest man. I don't think that it matters that we make a mistake and misjudge a person as long as we realize our follies in the end and ratify them." Mr. Darcy smiled at Elizabeth to reassure her that he did not think her a fool for believing the florid language of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth blushed slightly at his implied meaning.

"That is so true Mr. Darcy, well said. Perhaps you are the artful conversationalist that you boasted to be." Mr. Wilcox praised as everyone chuckled slightly at his statement.

"If everyone will adjourn to the dining room, dinner will be served." Said Mr. Bingley loudly so everyone could hear him. Mr. Darcy wasted no time in offering Elizabeth his arm. He wanted to make sure no one beat him to her, but it seemed that everyone was more than happy to let him escort her to the dining room which he failed to notice. Once inside the dining room Mr. Darcy was once again surprised to find himself seated right next to Elizabeth. He was certain the Ms. Bingley would have arranged it that he would be as far away from her as possible. Ms. Bingley entered the room precisely at that moment and was rather confused at the new seating arrangement; she certainly hadn't set Elizabeth there.

"Ah Caroline, I am sorry to have confused you about the seating arrangements but I wanted my dear Jane to sit next to her sister so I moved you down to the other end. I am sorry if you are puzzled by this change but I thought it was for the best."

"Of course, after all, dear sweet Jane should get everything her heart desires. It is a very special occasion tomorrow." Ms. Bingley put on a forced smile and headed down to the other end of the table sitting next to Mr. Bennet and Mr. Wilcox, she was certain that no remarkable conversation would transpire between them. Bingley smiled proudly to himself at his matchmaking skills. He had a suspicion of his friend's interest in Jane's sister and would do everything in his power to help that relationship along.

"Mr. Darcy I must take this opportunity to apologize to you for my past conduct." Elizabeth said quietly halfway through dinner.

"Please Ms Bennet do not make yourself uneasy. The past is the past; let us not dwell on it. Let us think of only the future and the joys that it might bring." Blushing slightly at his disguised meaning, she continued on with her admission of guilt.

"The past may be the past but it still haunts my present. Please allow me to say this, please allow me to express my heartfelt regret for the things I said and did."

"What did you say that I did not deserve? I have been a selfish being all my life and would still be today if it hadn't it been for you Ms. Elizabeth."

"I am ashamed at the way I treated you Mr. Darcy and I can not believe that you would have forgiven me so quickly."

"Why can you not? You alone are not at fault; I did and said things in the past which I regret. Yet you seem to place no blame upon myself."

"Well…it is because most of the fault lies with me sir." Elizabeth stated, knowing that the real reason why she had forgiven him so quickly was because she loved him.

"I must object for had it not been for my stubbornness and pride then the past events would have turned out very differently." He smiled sadly realizing that this too could have been their wedding eve.

"Yes perhaps they could have." She whispered more to herself than Mr. Darcy. "Then I must conclude that we have an even blame. Although I still don't know if I can ever forgive myself."

"I wish you would Elizabeth, because I can not bear to think that you are suffering inside." He said that with so much feeling that all Elizabeth could do was stare into his deep brown eyes. She didn't even realize that he had called her by her name. Blushing profusely when she realized that she had been gazing at him for a while she quickly looked down at her plate still feeling his eyes fixed upon her.

Unable to speak or to look at him she began to talk to her sister. Once dinner was over and the men adjourned to the other room Elizabeth could have kicked herself. This was supposed to be the evening that she proved her feelings to him and yet she ignored him for the rest of dinner. Although she felt a little better knowing that he now knew that she was sorry for what happened a couple of months ago. Recalling their conversation at dinner she couldn't help but smile. He was perfect in every way; he made her feel like she could do no wrong. When in fact she had done him a great wrong.

"Elizabeth…Elizabeth are you unwell?" Elizabeth looked around quickly realizing that she was not paying attention to anything that was happening.

"Oh, please forgive me Georgiana my mind was else where."

"That is alright, I was just asking you if you would like to entertain us with some music."

"I don't know Georgiana; I really don't think that I am qualified for the task. Why don't you play something for us, I have never heard you play."

"I…am a little shy when it comes to performing in front of people" Elizabeth patted her hand in comfort, not wanting her friend to feel uneasy.

"It is alright, you don't have to." Just then the men walked into the room. They decided not to stay too long away from the ladies. The older gentleman sensed the three bachelor's desire to return to the other room. Mr. Darcy walked slowly over to where his sister and the other woman of his heart were sitting. Feeling a little more comfortable that Georgiana was sitting there.

"Ah, my dear brother I was just trying to convince Elizabeth to play for us, will you not help me persuade her?" Georgiana smiled slyly to herself, knowing now her friend would not refuse.

"Please do entertain us Ms. Bennet; I would very much like to hear you play."

"I don't think that I am the best qualified for the job Mr. Darcy."

"Nonsense, I think your qualifications go far beyond anyone's in the room." Face beet red; she stood up to oblige him.

"Alright, but it is only for you two that I give you this honor." Smiling her prettiest smile at Mr. Darcy she walked over to the piano, taking a deep breath to calm her troubled heart. Flipping through some music she picked out a piece from Mozart that she new really well. Knowing that she would have to rely on her memory more than anything for fear that she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the music before her.

Mr. Darcy sat back and watched Elizabeth play. She was beautiful when she played he mused. A smile of contentment was plastered across his face. Mr. Wilcox noticed Mr. Darcy's interest in his granddaughter and was very happy for them both. He was not the only one who noticed this, practically everyone in the room had noticed. Once Elizabeth was finished with her piece Ms. Bingley stood up to take her turn. She did not want to be outdone. Unfortunately for her she had lost the audience whose attention she was trying to capture with her playing. Once Elizabeth reclaimed her seat by Georgiana and Mr. Darcy they fell into easy conversation. The evening came to end all too soon. Elizabeth did not want to leave. She could not remember a time when she enjoyed herself so much.

Lying in her bed she could not quite go to sleep. She only wondered how Jane felt at that moment. She would miss her sister immensely. It would be so different she mused without Jane's sweet voice in the house. Just then Elizabeth's door creaked open. Jane walked in and shut the door softly behind her. Climbing in bed next to her sister, they smiled at each other and than begun to giggle.

"Couldn't sleep either Lizzy?" Elizabeth shook her head slightly in response to Jane's question. "I am so nervous. My stomach has butterflies and I can not contain my excitement yet dread. How will I survive with out you Lizzy?"

"You'll manage; in fact I am sure you won't miss me as much as I will miss you. You will be far to busy to think of poor Lizzy who will be stuck at home doing nothing but thinking of you."

"You talk nonsense. I will miss you most defiantly. You will have to come and visit me, you will won't you?"

"I dare say you'll not want anyone to come and visit you for a while. You'll be so wrapped up in that wonderful husband of yours. You will not have a care in the world." Again the door opened, this time to reveal Rachel stepping into the room. Making room for her, she snuggled in-between Elizabeth and Jane.

"I see that you two have the same problem that I have. Although I think Jane has the best reason. I will miss you Jane."

"I will miss both of my sisters. We have been together for so long, I can not believe that this day has finally come." They all stared up at the ceiling each lost in their own thoughts for a while.

"When will it be your turn Lizzy?" Rachel said breaking the silence.

"What ever do you mean?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean. Mr. Darcy, when do you think he will propose again?"

"Rachel!" Elizabeth's voice scolded, "I hardly think that is the appropriate question."

"Nonsense, I saw the way you two looked at each other tonight. Mr. Darcy could hardly keep his eyes off you while you played."

"It is true Lizzy, you two are so obvious about your affections for one another, the only ones who can't see it are you and him." Jane added making Elizabeth turn a shade of red.

"I am not the only one. I think someone desires the company of Colonel Fitzwilliam more and more every day." Elizabeth teased, making Rachel blush.

"It just so happens that he is the only one I can really talk to. Jane and Mr. Bingley are always conversing so quietly in the corner that I would feel rude interrupting. Obviously I can't talk to you Lizzy or Mr. Darcy because it seems you two have enough problems with that without me getting in the way." Rachel said trying to defend herself.

"What of Georgiana, can't you speak with her?"

"Well…I could but…"

"Rachel you are hopeless just like Jane is hopeless and I suppose just like I am hopeless. We are all hopelessly in love." The sisters giggled at that last comment, and continued talking well into the night. They never really remembered falling asleep but the next thing they realized was Robert bounding into the room.

"Get up, time to get up." He sang and he bounced up on the bed. Waking all three of his sisters up at the same time. "Get up you lazy heads, Jane is getting married. You don't want to miss it."

"We won't miss it silly, because Jane is the bride and they can hardly start without her." Elizabeth said groggily as she turned over in bed trying to get a few more minutes of sleep.

"Mother said that I had to get you up and I must not fail." Getting down from the bed he grabbed the covers and yanked them off causing surprised gasps to escape them all.

"Robert! Put that back." Rachel yelped, feeling the cold air surround her.

"I shan't," he said running out of the room before any of them decided to come after him.

Jane slowly slumped out of bed and went to her room to change. Eventually Rachel and Elizabeth did the same seeing how neither of them would get anymore sleep. Soon everyone was ready to go to the chapel.

The decorations were breathtaking. They were simple, but very elegant. The ground was covered in frost and snow heightened the contrasting colors of the flowers. It didn't seem that cold either. Elizabeth squeezed her sister's hand before giving her a kiss on the cheek. Mr. Bennet kissed both of his daughters, as little tears welled up in his eyes. He would be losing one daughter today and he was certain that it wouldn't be too long that he would lose the other one. Soon everyone who was supposed to be seated was seated. The music began to play, signaling Elizabeth's cue to walk out with Mr. Darcy, the best man. He approached her with a wide smile across his face.

She was truly breathtaking he thought, she was like an angel. Placing her arm in the crook of his they walked down the aisle, both secretly wishing that they themselves were getting married. Once they reached the end they parted. Darcy to stand by Bingley and Elizabeth by the spot where Jane would be standing.

As Jane walked down the aisle to her future husband, Bingley's jaw almost dropped. She looked heaven sent he thought. She had a simple white dress with a v shaped neck. Little roses lined the sleeves and bottom hem. As they said their vows Elizabeth turned slightly so she could see Mr. Darcy. Their eyes locked as the ceremony proceeded. They became lost in each other's gaze, and barely realized that the ceremony had ended and that they needed to walk back down the aisle.

Linking arms they began their decent.

"You look beautiful this morning…Elizabeth." He whispered into her ear. Blushing again she found the courage to look into his face. What she saw there took her by surprise. Never had she seen such a look of love and devotion from a person before. She could just feel her heart melt into a small puddle.

"Thank you." Was all she could manage to say before looking away. Darcy was encouraged by her reaction; he had hoped that perhaps she had changed her feelings for him. Last evening he had caught a glimpse of that change but when she had willingly sought for his eyes during the wedding it was at that moment he knew that she shared his feelings. He only hoped that she would accept his second proposal, for if she didn't than he would indeed be a lost and heartbroken man.

:Sigh: I love happy moments, Hehe I almost didn't add the wedding into this chapter but I am glad I did because it made for the perfect ending point. Although I had meant the wedding to take up more of the chapter it just seemed to work out better this way. Also you might think that this is almost over but it is not ha-ha, Review, Review, and Review.