Final chapter! I should upload an epilogue tomorrow or the day after.
I hope you've all enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it :)

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Lizzy's happiness from her sisters engagement was only increased a few days later when the Darcy carriage returned to Netherfield. Colonel Fitzwilliam had had to travel directly from Ramsgate to join his regiment, but both Georgiana and Mr Darcy were then ensconced in Netherfield. Georgie had said that it only made sense to break their return journey to Pemberley where Mr Darcy was expected to carry out the remainder of his recovery. His arm was in a sling, but the doctor was confident that given time, rest and careful usage it would regain its previous strength. The Gardiners had already left Longbourn for London by this time - which was its own kind of disappointment, for Lizzy had been quite keen for them to meet Mr Darcy.

And of course, it was only natural that the day after their return they should join Mr Bingley in his visit to Longbourn, accompanied also by Mr Bingley's sister - for where Mr Darcy went, they would follow - to pay their respects to the future Mrs Bingley.

Whether Lizzy's or Mrs Bennet's excitement at such an occurrence was greater, Lizzy couldn't tell. Certainly she felt it very deeply, and she was sure that her happiness was greater - but then again, her mother did produce a vast quantity more squeals. None the less, both of their hopes were disappointed when upon their entrance Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were very fast to seat themselves very near to Lizzy and carefully kept her contained so much in conversation that even Georgiana who had managed to sit on the seat between Lizzy and Jane, hadn't been able to join the conversation. It wasn't so surprising that Mr Darcy ended up hovering somewhat awkwardly for a few minutes before Mrs Bennet drew him back into conversation with the younger Bennet sisters. He was not left there long before Mr Bennet came and requested Mr Darcy's presence in his study. Mr Bingley didn't seem to notice the exchange at all but his sisters must have, for they almost immediately stopped talking to Lizzy. They might have started only talking to each other, had Lydia let them - Lizzy might have been horrified had she realised quite how impertinently her younger sister was acting, but she was too busy finally hearing everything that Georgie had wanted to tell her to pay much attention.

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Georgiana was grateful for the attention, of course, but a part of her couldn't help but watch the door and wonder exactly when her brother would rejoin them. For Georgie was quite determined that nothing would hold apart her friend and her brother now - she cared too much for both of them - and maybe it should have been none of her business - but she couldn't quite help herself. Her joy at being back here was almost as great as had she been at home in Pemberley - and it was only increased when one of the maids quietly notified Lizzy that Mr Bennet had asked for his daughter's presence. Still, she kept her expression as neutral as possible and simply went to make conversation with Mary instead.

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Lizzy wasn't entirely sure of what to expect as she made the journey to her father's book room - but it certainly wasn't to see her father lingering outside. Still she smiled as brightly as she could in her confusion.

"My dear girl..." The words were almost worrying for her father was never prone to expressing himself so honestly. "Mr Darcy did ask for this meeting almost as soon as he entered my presence, but you must allow me my foibles that I wished to have a conversation with him first." He smiled, but gestured that she should make her way through the door. What was Lizzy to do but obey?

"Elizabeth... Miss Bennet, forgive me," Lizzy might have made some witty comment had Mr Darcy not looked so out of order and unsure of himself. Instead she simply smiled and curtseyed and waited for him to continue of his own accord. "I know I should not have asked for this so soon - I have not even courted you yet - I do not even have your permission to court you yet." He stopped for a second - as though to collect himself - for his words were tripping from his tongue in a manner one would have expected to hear from Mr Bingley, and not his friend. "I am supposed to be headed for Pemberley, to finish my recovery there - and I shall not be able to court you from there - but if we were engaged I would at least be able to write to you - and it is quite common to have long engagements. And I feel that it would still be quite - manageable... That is - if you would agree to... Marry me..."

His later words had softened, but still something brewed in Lizzy's stomach, unhappily similar to disappointment. Her thoughts of their entire acquaintance swam in her mind - she loved him so very dearly - but when had he ever hinted that he felt the same? It had been in nothing he had said - not even when he had asked to court her - it had been in every way implied, but never uttered. She almost felt like a fool. But she refused to believe it. Refused to give up on her beliefs so completely. But still, this had been noting like she had expected - like she had hoped.

"Is that all you think of me?" She flung the words with a viciousness her trembling mind didn't realise she possessed. "That I am a manageable amount - a... a practicality?" Her thoughts flew to his aunt - Lady Catherine de Bourg - she had scared Lizzy in what she might make Darcy think about her - her family and connections. But she had never thought she would endure this; she had thought... "But I suppose, sir, I should not be surprised - you have never tried to win me with words of love. You have never lied about your own affections..." She turned away from him, as though that might let him leave her mind - might let her think.

"I..." His voice was just as full as hers had been - but Lizzy hardly knew what emotion drove it. "Elizabeth... Please..." She couldn't help but turn back to him - how could she do anything else? "Surely you must know..." He looked at her so penetratingly. "I love you." The words were almost all she needed, but she couldn't quite believe it. She had been so scared for so long - how could she think that her happiness should last? But that was ridiculous of course - she had never been so pessimistic. "I can't even say where it started - it feels as though I have always loved you - and I have just grown to love you even more." He couldn't keep looking at her - once she would have thought that was pride, but now she was more sure it was simply awkwardness. "I thought I knew when I found that you hated me so terribly - but... When I woke up..." He cleared his throat and paced away from her and back again, his unease clear. "When I nearly died. I could only think about how no one would know. No one would know how much I love you - I'd never have a chance to love you as you deserve - to be your husband." He turned back to her, and Lizzy wondered if she should make him stop - she didn't need to hear such things. She had been unjust and thoughtless - as she so often was. But she couldn't halt his words, not when every one made her feel so light - so happy. Every time he mentioned love it came so much more easily to him - so much more confidently. "And they said that you'd come - on Georgie's request. And I wondered, what if it had been you - would anyone have told me? Would I have been allowed to sit by your bedside and nurse you back to health... Would I have even known of your passing except in some note from Bingley?" He sighed. Lizzy bizarrely felt tears clouding her eyes - that he should have been as scared as she had been - but on her behalf; it was almost too much. "I thought I couldn't bear to be in a world where you thought ill of me - but worse I cannot imagine a word without you."

Silence fell between them for a moment or two.

Lizzy hardly knew how she could reply to such a defense. He loved her. How could she have ever worried otherwise? She could feel more tears welling in her eyes in her happiness - soon she would be just as ridiculous as her mother.

"See - I have said too much. I have offended you..." He wouldn't meet her eye at all now. Instead he focused on the floor between them. "This is why I didn't... I didn't want to scare you... I know that I cannot expect..." He shook his head as he came to a finish.

Lizzy hardly knew what to say - how could he be so stupidly blind? But somehow she collected herself to express that she was in no way offended and in fact received his affection with great joy.

"So you will marry me?"

Lizzy laughed; she couldn't help herself. "That, Mr Darcy, I am sure you can answer for yourself."

"I should not want to assume anything of you Miss Bennet; for you delight in proving me wrong." He spoke with such teasing seriousness. Elizabeth couldn't help but express her amusement at that as well.

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Their announcement spread much cheer throughout the house. Georgiana had not thought that anyone's delight would exceed hers, but she was almost positive that she would have heard Mrs Bennet's squeals even had she been back at Netherfield. Caroline looked almost green at the news, but valiantly composed herself to offer congratulations and beg forgiveness for her sudden ill health. She and Mrs Hurst returned to Netherfield, while the rest of their party remained in Longbourn where Mrs Bennet had once more invited their presence for dinner.

Mr Bingley shortly had the idea that Darcy and Lizzy might share the wedding ceremony with Jane and himself - and having checked with his own fianc , shared the idea with the entire group. To no ones surprise the idea was met with joy by all around - although Georgie couldn't quite tell whether Mrs Bennet was relieved to only host one event, or sad that she would only have one chance to celebrate their good fortune. She knew it was wicked to have such thoughts of course, so she decided not to share them, except perhaps later with Elizabeth - who she felt might just appreciate them.

Everyone was in high spirits. Perhaps Mrs Bennet gloated too much - or Lydia and Kitty found too much mirth in Miss Bingley's dismay - but the betrothed couples seemed not to notice, too intent were they upon each other. Georgiana found it amusing she supposed, although secretly she was glad that she would not have to spend too much time with the Bennets - they were all so much livelier than herself. Mary seemed to provide a reasonable dining partner, and Mr Bennet seemed on the verge of laughing at every moment.

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After a shorter engagement than perhaps Darcy had originally supposed, the two couple were wed in what was generally thought to be the most beautiful ceremony of its kind to take place in Meryton. That the Bennets were the most fortunate family in a great long while was an undisputed fact - so much so that Mrs Bennet's gloating was unavoidable but no one could truly resent her for it. And despite all this, there was a marked difference between what her behaviour was and how bad her behaviour could have been - for no matter how much she rejoiced in her daughters luck, she made no mention of them throwing the other girls into good society - that she did have private raptures about this was another point entirely.

Lydia, Kitty and Mary performed beautifully as well. At some point over the last couple of months, Meryton had declared all three of them much improved. Mary would talk instead of sitting in her books all day, and some even declared her to be quite handsome - although nothing to the other Bennet girls. And while Lydia and Kitty were still declared to be spirited, they were no longer thought silly by anyone - in fact they were quite sophisticated in their own way - although some did worry that the two were secretly laughing at a great deal of people they met. But such fears were clearly unfounded.

Georgiana for her part was simply the happiest she had ever been - her brother was so happy, and she was gaining a new sister whom she already adored.

But most of all, what really shone out was the happiness of the two gentlemen and two ladies as they walked out of the church that day as Mr and Mrs Bingley and Mr and Mrs Darcy.