I had been attacked by Merlin plotbunnies, and completely forgot about this little baby right here.
But I'm back!

As always, R&R! :D

There was little to be noted around the estate for a long while, save the arrival of the Bingley's child, a son they named Evander. Darcy found his closest friend visited far more than the normally had, for Georgiana scarcely wanted to be without the young Evander, and again began to push and question her brother for a niece or nephew of her own. It was a consideration that Darcy actually began to think a very real possibility.

Then Jane mentioned a trip to Longbourn, and Darcy, refusing to let his sister out of his sight, declared that he and his family would join them after a short time. And thus they traveled to Meryton, with Georgiana hardly pausing from her excited chatter the entire trip.

"I would say I look forward to a quiet moment once inside, but this is my family, and a quiet moment is hardly possible," said Elizabeth, almost jokingly, as Darcy helped her out of the carriage.

"Perhaps we can take a quiet walk in the evening."

Elizabeth looked to her husband and smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

Without question, upon entering the house the couple was met with the sounds of the Bennet family: Mary plucking listlessly at the pianoforte, Kitty and Lydia screeching and running about the house, with the mutt at their heels, Mrs. Bennet carrying on about something, and Jane gently patting her baby, trying to calm him down.

"A quiet moment is hardly possible," repeated Elizabeth.

"You saw Lydia, correct?"

Elizabeth turned and pointed up the stairwell, "she went upstairs. Why do you ask?"

"Do you expect Wickham to be with her?"

"Unfortunately, that is probably most likely. Shall I keep an eye on Georgiana?"

"Please. I'll be back."

Elizabeth nodded and went to Georgiana's side, and once Darcy was satisified his sister was safe at his wife's side, began to walk about the house. He tried to make it seem as causal as possible, with his thumbs hooked in his pockets, and occasioning a 'hello' to a Bennet as they passed. He headed up the stairs, nearly running into Mrs. Bennet, who merely brushed him aside with a 'sorry dear' and continued along the hallway. He poked his head into a room as he passed, finally finding the youngest Bennets lying on the floor of one, rolling around with the dog.

"Hello Mr. Darcy!" exclaimed Kitty upon seeing him.

"Hello Miss. Bennet. Mrs. Wickham."

"Oh, Mr. Darcy, you just have to see what Max can do! We taught him a new trick!" said Kitty excitedly, getting to her feet.

Darcy held up a hand before the girls could get lost in their excitement. "Perhaps another time. Mrs. Wickham, I wanted to inquire if you traveled with your husband?"

"No. George said he had some business with the militia to attend to, and that he wouldn't join me here. Such a shame too, Mother was so looking forward to having him here," said Lydia.

Darcy let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding; he could stop worrying about Georgiana. He bade the girls a goodbye and headed back down stairs, letting his wife know that Wickham wouldn't be attending Longbourn, and continued about the day on a much lighter air. After Georgiana managed to convince Mary relinquish use of the pianoforte, she treated the family to one of Darcy's favorite pieces, and concluded just as they were called to dinner. After a hectic one of sorts, he took Elizabeth on the promised walk through the garden. Elizabeth took his arm and leaned into him as they started at a leisurely pace toward the lake.

"This was certainly an excellent idea. I forgot how loud my family could be."

"And apparently so did I."

Elizabeth let out a soft, breathy laugh and they continued on in a much needed silence. They reached the lake and stood for a while, before Elizabeth turned her head back toward their estate.

"Do you hear something?"

"No. Do you?"

"It sounds like horseshoes."

Then Elizabeth let go of his arm, gathered her skirts in her hands, and dashed back to the house. Darcy followed, taking his time just to relish in his surroundings: the serene feeling of the trees as their leaves blew in the gentle breeze, the few ducks that took from the lake to the sky, quacking loudly, when Elizabeth ran back to him, her face red.

"Mr. Wickham has just arrived."