Disclaimer: Jane Austen stuff not mine

Chapter 8: Greetings, stranger.

There was a rustle in the bushes. Annabelle stood up immediately, ready to run, should a stranger appear. The rustles grew louder, and Annabelle backed up some more, looking wildly around in case someone was able to help her. To no avail – her aunts had returned to the house, as had the rest of her family.

From the bushes, a woman emerged. Her hair was dark brown and slightly askew. Her eyes were downcast and her dress was muddy at the hem. She coughed, a hacking cough, and started forward. Her gaze landed on Annabelle and both froze.

Then Annabelle was running, running as though her life depended on it, towards the woman and embracing her. The woman – Elizabeth – backed away slowly.

"Why has he brought you here?" She asked. "You have no place here."

Annabelle looked at her mother.

"Mother… Mother… wake up. It's me. It's Annabelle!"

Watching that weary face light up with recognition was like watching the sun light up a dark room.

"Annabelle?" She whispered wonderingly. "Annabelle… my daughter?"

"Yes Mother. Annabelle. Your daughter."

And then Annabelle was encased in a tight hug and her mother's tears fell and mingled with hers.

--------------

Charles Bingley raced back into the house, followed by, after a moment's hesitation, Darcy. Charles thundered up the stairs.

"Jane!" Charles bellowed. "Jane!"

He wrenched open the nursery door and found his wife kneeling over four-year-old Christine's prostrate body.

"What happened?" Charles gasped, running to his wife's side. "Christine!" Jane collapsed into her husband's arms, crying hysterically.

"Christine was swinging on the shelf and it collapsed on her." Charles and Jane's older daughter, Susan, answered, as composed as her mother wasn't. "Mother wasn't in the room – she had left with Nancy. Nancy went out for a moment – she said she would be back soon."

Darcy greatly pitied this Nancy at the moment – Charles' face was black with a fury rarely seen on his genial face. Darcy stood up.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No… no…" Charles spoke distractedly. "Go to your sister and find your wife…"

Darcy turned and fled from the scene of such unhappiness.

------------

"Mother… please come in." Annabelle implored.

"Where is your father?" Elizabeth asked, ignoring the question.

"He went to look for you. He will return soon."

"Very well then." Elizabeth smiled – a tired half smile. "Thank you, Annabelle."

The two made their way up the slope. Annabelle could tell that her mother was very apprehensive… but excited as well. Upon reaching the back door, she smiled.

"Home, Mother. We're home… you're home."

Elizabeth looked at her daughter for a moment.

"Yes…" She breathed. "I'm home." With that, she flung the door open and half-ran, half-walked into the house. Annabelle could hear her calling to its inhabitants and laughed aloud before running in after her mother.

"Lizzy?" Kitty asked, wondering. "Lizzy!" She rushed to her sister and embraced her, laughing hysterically.

Grumbling relentlessly, Mary strode into the room. "Stop making that racket, Kitty! I am trying to –" Seeing Lizzy, she stopped, speechless.

"Hello Mary." Lizzy said smiling.

"Oh, Lizzy…" Mary ran forward to give Lizzy a hug. This was possibly the first time Lizzy had seen Mary run. She dimly registered Kitty pounding up the stairs, shouting for her mother.

"Where have you been?" Mary asked. Then she placed a finger to her lips and said, "No, don't tell me. Tell Papa. He deserves it the most."

--------

Mr. Bennet heard the commotion outside as a mere rabble of noise and girlish exclamations, so he tuned it out and ignored it. He was really quite adept at that. He had to be, after so many years of marriage. He heard someone pounding up the stairs and winced. The noise went to his head. Then someone starting pounding on his door.

"Come in." He said, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. As Mary burst in he raised an eyebrow at her. This was very unlike Mary to be so… loud. He nodded brusquely at her to show that she could speak, but said nothing. She stood there, desperately trying to catch her breath for a moment.

"Lizzy." She gasped, and his heart leapt. "Lizzy's home, Papa!"

Mr. Bennet jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair in the process. He strode to the door then paused.

"Where?" He asked. Mary wrenched the door open and flew out.

"This way, Father!"

As he propelled himself after her, he pondered on the fact that he hadn't seen Mary move that fast in years… in fact… ever.

--------

Mrs. Bennet looked at Kitty, uncomprehending.

"Lizzy? She's in Venice."

"No, Mother." Kitty replied impatiently. "She's here. In Longbourne. Waiting for you."

"Nonsense, Kitty. She's in Venice."

"Mother!"

And for the first time, Kitty clutched her mother's arm and dragged her from her seat.

"Come on, Mother!"

--------

It was a strange scene, Lizzy reflected as she stood there silently. Her father was exactly as she had remembered… except… so old. He didn't rush to her like her sisters; he merely stood there, impassive. A huffing noise attracted her attention and she turned to see her mother being dragged along the corridor by Kitty. Upon seeing Lizzy, Kitty blushed and dropped her mother's arm.

"Kitty, that was quite…" Mrs. Bennet looked up and saw Lizzy. "…quite… quite…" Her voice trailed off. For the first time in her life she had nothing to say. Lizzy smiled at her mother, but looked back at Mr. Bennet.

Slowly, he held out his arms and Lizzy, choking back a sob fell into his arms.

A/N: Short, yes, but hopefully sweet? Lamb chops (it's Australia Day) to bobmcbobbob1, ionalama, kamalchemy88, forgotten-kiss, FutureFamousMovieDirector, Serindipity9, cancat90, lasswithadelicateair45, icefirestar,Nautica7mk, Kyra3, WhiteCamilia, Allison, misseri44, BecReader, Jess, insert name here and EllaBella87. I will do review replies later, parents call. Happy Australia Day, guys!