"Oh, Lydia, darlin', I missed you so much! Let me tell ya, I've grown quite attached to that cat of yours! I never knew that pets are just babies that never grow up and leave ya! Ha ha…".

"I missed you too, mom. Even though it's only been like two weeks I've been gone."

"But now I have fewer mouths to feed! Your father won't do second helpings because he's watching his weight… Is that Elizabeth over there?! Lizzie!"

Lizzie cringed at the high pitched squeal. "Lydia gets that from our mother as you can see…", Lizzie said apologetically to Darcy, who was helping her out of the car.

"We haven't even entered the house and you're already apologizing? I hope that is not a bad omen.", he said with a smile. That was a lame attempt at a joke. He would not let Lizzie see just how terrified he was to meet the Bennets again.

"Nice try. You'll get better with time. Especially if you hang around my dad. He is the wittiest person I know."

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I see…", he said, attempting to be funny again. He was rewarded with a quick kiss which did not escape Mrs. Bennet's eyes.

Mrs. Bennet just thought that Darcy was an assistant driver or something, trying to get extra tips by helping Lizzie, but when she saw the kiss and then when he turned around and she saw who he was, her eyes nearly popped out of her head. The couple was too wrapped up in each other to notice, however.

When they reached the front door, Mrs. Bennet cleared her throat, implying she needed an explanation.

"Hi, mom! I missed you, too!... You remember William Darcy? He's, umm, my boyfriend now.", she said with a nervous chuckle.

She stayed quiet. She wasn't angry, she was just in shock. Her middle child is in a relationship with a rich, handsome man! "Praise the Lord!", she prayed internally.

"Good morning, Mrs. Bennet. Allow me to reintroduce myself. William Darcy. Very nice to see you again.", he said while extending his hand.

She immediately grabbed it and shook it really hard. And then started mumbling apologies and then she moved out of the way and invited them in.

"THOMAS! Your daughters have arrived and one with a handsome surprise!", she called out to her husband.

"Please, make yourself at home. Here, have a seat! Lunch will be ready soon!", she said as she scurried to the kitchen. She was glad she always made extra food because she hadn't been told he was coming.

Darcy sat next to Lizzie and held her hand as he looked around. He had been inside the Bennet home a couple of times when Bing still occupied the Netherfield estate, but he had dismissed it as an inferior middle class home that was trying too hard to fill up the large rooms in the house. But now he saw it in a new light. Everything was charming like Bing had suggested. All the little knick-knacks were memories; all the plants brought life and color into the house; all the goofy family portraits conveyed a home filled with love. "If only the Darcy estate had had such personality when I was growing up…", Darcy thought sadly.

But his thoughts were interrupted by Lizzie's voice.

"Dad!", she said as she let go of Darcy's hand and ran to her father, who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. Although it had only been two weeks, it felt like eons. So much has happened since she was last at home.

They stood in a tight embrace for about a minute. Darcy couldn't help but look away due to a twinge of jealousy. His father never really hugged him. He hugged Gigi lots but not Darcy. Not because he wasn't proud- he said he was proud all the time- but the intimacy of a hug came so rarely that he cherished them very much. The last time he hugged his father was on his deathbed.

His morose thoughts were conveniently interrupted by Lizzie's voice again. Mr. Bennet, with his keen eyes, had caught sight their interlocked hands before making Lizzie aware of his presence. After their bear hug, he looked pointedly at Darcy, which prompted Lizzie to speak.

"Dad, this is William Darcy. You remember him, right?", she said with a nervous chuckle at the end.

Darcy got up and made his way to Mr. Bennet in a couple of strides.

Mr. Bennet nodded and extended his hand, which Darcy took and they shook hands strongly. Thank goodness he'd had plenty of practice at this with his business meetings. This was easily the most nerve-racking handshake he's ever given. "Yes, maybe I should just look at this from that perspective: a business meeting. Except instead of hundreds of thousands of dollars, we're talking mine and Lizzie's feelings for each other… and our baby!", he almost forgot about the baby. If he hadn't already put himself in business mode, he'd have frowned at himself.

Mr. Bennet looked him square in the eye and said, "A handshake says a lot about a person. Yours is very telling."

Mr. Bennet's comment made Lizzie nervous. He was always ambiguous so he could try and determine one's character by how they interpreted the things he said. Right now, she wasn't sure whether or not Darcy had given him a good impression, so she took charge of the conversation.

"So, Dad. Darcy- I mean William- is now my boyfriend... Crazy huh?"

Mr. Bennet raised his brows in surprise but there was a twinkle in his eye that was his tell-tale sign. Only those of the Bennet house could tell whether his reactions were genuine or not. Mrs. Bennet could best of all, but she pretended not to be able to tell when it suited her interests.

"How did he know?", Lizzie asked herself as Mr. Bennet continued with Darcy.

"Darcy, my good man, how tall are you?"

Darcy's only sign of confusion was the lightning fast rise of his brows.

"6 feet 3 inches, Mr. Bennet."

"Ahhh, only 3 inches taller than myself. And please, call me Thomas. You're family now, right Lizzie?"

Lizzie groaned. Her dad was asking weird questions to try to throw Darcy off his game. He was doing this to mortify her, not Darcy. This was revenge for not telling him sooner. They had always been close and she told him about all her previous boyfriends.

He continued, "You see, Darcy, height can be a great advantage in a fight. But a mere three inches is nothing to fear. Also, I'm pretty sturdy for an old man; I can take you. But that's only if I had to fight for my daughter's honor, of course."

Here, Darcy gulped. He had already crossed that line and there was no turning back because Lizzie was carrying the result in her womb. Mr. Bennet, being the perceptive man he was, took this as a sign that he and Lizzie had been together and that they must be serious, so he eased up him.

"I'm kidding of course! Any man that my Ellie judges as a good man must be the very best of men. Even if it took a while to realize it because I clearly remember that the last time I saw you two together, she couldn't stand you."

"Dad! Can we please let the past stay in the past?"

"Alright, alright! Sorry! Let's just say I'm not completely surprised seeing the two of you together. You definitely were not indifferent to this young man and I couldn't decide on which side on the love-hate line you stood."

"I think she had a foot on each side.", Darcy said trying to be say something clever.

He was rewarded with Mr. Bennet's hearty laughter and a pat on the back.

Just as Lizzie was about to protest, Mrs. Bennet called that lunch was ready.

The party of three made their way to the dining room, where Mrs. Bennet set out her best china in order to impress Darcy. She made her famous chili that she learned from her grandmama, served with some mixed salad and her famous strawberry cheesecake for dessert.

"Now, I know you rich folk probably don't eat stuff like this but I promise you it is delicious." Mrs. Bennet said as she served Darcy.

"No worries, Mrs. Bennet, I have eaten chili before. And yours smells exceptionally good."

"Oh hush with that 'Mrs. Bennet' business. Call me Francine! Or Mom! Either one is fine."

Darcy said, "Alright, Francine it is for now.", and then he looked at Lizzie with a smirk. He knows who to have on his side when the time comes to ask Lizzie for her hand in marriage.

"Yeah, Francine is perfect.", Lizzie added. She pictured marriage as an abstract thing; something that would just happen eventually. But then again, she thought the same thing about children. "They'll happen eventually." And now look.

The table seated six, so Mr. and Mrs. Bennet sat at the opposite ends of the table; Darcy and Lizzie sat across from each other, closest to Mr. Bennet, and Lydia sat beside Darcy in order to serve as a sort of blockade for eye contact and questions from Mrs. B.

She started asking all kinds of questions like how long they had been dating, has he taken her out to any fancy restaurants and if he did, did she act accordingly? And at one point, she asked if they'd been intimate.

"Alright, fine, ignore my other questions. But just tell me this: have you two already 'knocked boots'? Ya know 'done the nasty'? Like-"

"MOM!", Lizzie yelled after almost choking on her chili.

"It's just that, well, you look different. I can't put my finger on it so I'm narrowing down the possibilities!"

Mr. Bennet laughed because he knew the answer and he thought Lizzie deserved a little more hazing. If he hadn't known the answer, he would've called her out on such an inappropriate question. Lydia couldn't help but snicker. Darcy was turning as beet red as Lizzie already was.

Darcy cleared his throat and said, "We can discuss that after lunch, if you'd like, Francine."

This time it was Mrs. Bennet who was without words and she just nodded. She didn't think they'd actually tell her. Lydia sensed this as her cue to break up the awkwardness. Darcy had never so relieved to see her energetic personality resurface.

Mr. Bennet was impressed. Not many had the skills to accomplish such a feat; Quiet Franny Bennets were rare. Sure, Wickham charmed the pants off of them all, but there was no real substance there. And he could see that in Darcy, there was. No person should meet their partner's family without fearing they would make a bad impression. That fear shows that they actually care for their partner and want their family to like them too. "If only I had noticed it sooner with George. But oh well. Everything happens for a reason.", he thought to himself as he watched Lizzie smile nervously at Darcy from across the table.

After they all had dessert, Darcy offered to help Mrs. Bennet clean the dishes. He was repulsed by this woman the first time he met her but now she was sort of endearing in an annoying way. He actually liked her. And her cooking wasn't too shabby.

"Dad, let's all meet up in your library to talk after mom and Will finish the dishes, okay?"

"Sure thing. You've been jumpy since you got here… is everything alright?"

"Yes. Everything is going wonderfully. My independent study will be done in a couple of weeks. I'll be graduating. And then there's Will and some other stuff that I want us all to discuss together… so hold off all questions until then, okay?"

"Alright…"

"Good. Now excuse me. I have to pee really badly."

"Soooo… Darcy? You said we'd talk later. Tell me, how's my Lizzie been treatin' ya? I know she's a bit rough but she would make a great wife and mother, I'm sure.", said Mrs. Bennet while she rinsed off a dish.

She handed it to Darcy and he dried it while replying, "I agree, Francine. She's been perfect. But actually, we'd like to speak with you and Thomas together."

"Ooooo some big news, huh?! Oh boy! Alright, well let's finish up here quickly so y'all can spill the beans!"

Darcy felt kind of guilty about saying the things he said about her family. He'd been extremely wrong about Jane, he judged Lydia too quickly, and he thought their mother was a gold-digger. But he now sees that Jane is a doll, Lydia is a cool girl that reminds him so much of his own sister, and that Mrs. Bennet, although annoying and pushy, is actually very caring and nurturing and only wants the best for her girls. He didn't really think too much of Mr. Bennet before, only that their financial status was most likely caused by his inability to manage their money. But he could see that Lizzie's father was a wise, witty man who was very easy-going and that whatever troubles had befallen them, were out of his control.

The huge difference in social class didn't seem all that important anymore. They were just nice people now.

When they'd finished up the dishes, Mrs. Bennet led Darcy to Mr. Bennet's library. On the short walk she boasted about how smart Lizzie was and how most other men would be intimidated by her brain. "But not you, Darcy dear. You are the right kind of man for her!"

Darcy just smiled and nodded. He found that it was easier to have a conversation with Mrs. Bennet because she did most of the talking. Also, he didn't have to go into business mode with her. He wasn't intimidated by her anymore now that he understood that she's just really proud of her family and has already accepted him.

When they got to the library, it was empty.

"Let me go find Thomas and Elizabeth. I'll be right back."

Darcy took this opportunity to look around. His library wasn't huge, but he did like a lot of the titles he saw. There were all kinds of books, spanning many centuries, and of all genres. There were a lot of philosophical titles and that made him wonder what line of work Mr. Bennet belonged to.

"Lizzie and I never really speak about that kind of stuff…", he thought as he picked up a thick volume of a book he recognized from high school.

Darcy was facing the bookshelf and had his back to the door, so he didn't see when Mrs. Bennet returned with the missing pair.

"What do you have there?", asked Mr. Bennet.

Darcy quickly returned the book to its spot and answered, "My apologies. It's just I recognized that volume from when I was in high school-".

"It's okay, son. You are free to look at anything in here. Not many people appreciate my collection."

Mrs. Bennet was excited about the news so she interrupted, "So, kids, what's all the hubbub? What's so important we needed to talk together like this? Hmmm?"

Lizzie gestured towards the only couch in the room and her parents sat down and looked up at the couple.

Darcy made his way to her side and grabbed her hand.

Lizzie cleared her throat and said nervously, "Well, mom and dad. I have some major news. And I just found out it last weekend so please understand why I didn't tell you sooner."

Her parents awaited curiously. Mrs. Bennet thought they were engaged or something.

"Will and I haven't been dating too long. A couple of weeks, maybe. But he and I had been together before that. And now… well… *gulp*… I'm pregnant."

Darcy squeezed her hand in support. He looked at her and saw the fear in her eyes. She was scared of what her parents would think.

Her parents were quiet. Mr. Bennet's jaw dropped in genuine shock while Mrs. Bennet was starting to hyperventilate.

"Say something! Yell at me for being dumb or whatever but seriously, the suspense is killing me!", Lizzie exclaimed.

Mrs. Bennet shot up and hugged her daughter so hard. She began weeping tears of joy. Darcy let go of Lizzie's hand so she could hug her mom and he was standing there awkwardly awaiting Mr. Bennet's response. He couldn't read his expression and it made him really nervous.

"Oh Lizzie, dear! I knew you looked different! A mother knows these things! How far along are you?"

Lizzie smiled and said, "10 weeks on Monday! Look at this ultrasound picture, mom!". She always carried it with her in a pocket or something.

Her mother saw it and squealed and said, "I never thought this day would come! I thought you'd be the last of my girls to give me a grandbaby! Oh, thank God! I'm so happy for y'all." She rubbed Lizzie's belly excitedly.

She made her way to Darcy and gave him a hug. He stiffened at first but then melted into the hug. He was much taller than her, her head reaching just under his chest, but she was so tender and the love just radiated off of her.

"Oh, I'm so happy I could fly! I'm gonna go bake a cake now! Oh my, I didn't expect such a big surprise when you girls said y'all were comin' over!"

"Mom, please, please, please don't tell anyone! Like nobody. Don't you dare pick up a phone!"

"Alright, alright!", she said before making her way to the kitchen.

Mr. Bennet just sat there.

"Dad?…", Lizzie asked anxiously.

"Wow, Elizabeth. I'm just in shock, is all. I never expected this from you."

"I'm sorry, Dad! But things just happened. Honestly. And it wasn't some one-night-stand type of thing. We do have feelings for each other."

"Yes- and Lizzie and the baby will have everything they need. There's no need to worry. It's unexpected, but we'll manage it.", Darcy added trying to sound reassuring to Lizzie.

"No, no, kids. You've got it all wrong. I'm not disappointed. Lizzie, you are 23 going on 24 soon and you're graduating with a Master's degree. It's about time your life started. Of course I wish you two would've gotten to know each other more and maybe even gotten married before some news like this, but sometimes this is just the way it is. "

Then he turned to Darcy and added, "And I'm not worried for her, Darcy. I know you can handle supporting Lizzie and my new grandchild. But you better not hurt my daughter or else I will take you up on that fight I joked about earlier."

Mr. Bennet got up off the couch and gave Lizzie a big bear hug. "Now, now, Ellie don't cry."

But Lizzie couldn't stop the tears from flowing. She had been so worried that her parents would think badly of her. She seemed to forget how understanding they could be.

"Why are you crying, Ellie?"

"It's just that I was so worried you would hate me."

"I could never hate you. I'm just a little sad I wasn't told about you two sooner, but there's no way I could hate you. Think about it, Elizabeth. You're an adult and you're responsible. It's not like you're 14 or something. There's no reason for me to be upset. This is fantastic news!"

Lizzie sniffled and stopped crying.

Darcy watched the whole exchange and was relieved that Mr. Bennet was happy for them. It got him thinking about what his parents would have said.

He didn't get to finish his thought, because Mr. Bennet came over to him and gave him a hug. Like with Mrs. Bennet, he was stiff, but he didn't ease up. He hadn't been hugged by a father in so long and this man was going to be his father-in-law one day. He was trying not to break down during the hug, so he didn't really hug back.

Mr. Bennet thought it was just that Darcy was still scared of him or something, so he didn't really make a big deal about it.

"Great news, you two. Who else knows?", Mr. B asked after separating from Darcy.

"Lydia, Will's sister, our friend Fitz, and you two. That's it. We have to tell everybody else later. I already know Charlotte is gonna kill me."

"Not even Charlotte knows? Wow.", was all Mr. Bennet said before sitting down at his desk.

Lizzie wiped her tear-stained face and chuckled. She looked over at Darcy who had recomposed himself and when he caught her eye, he smiled. She walked to him and grabbed his hand in order to lead him out of the library and up to her room.

This was only the third or so time Darcy had ever set foot in Lizzie's home, so she decided to give him a tour on the way to her room. The tour wasn't nearly as long as the tour that Gigi gave her the first time she stayed over at their house, but it was just as interesting for Darcy as it had been for Lizzie.

He saw glimpses of Lizzie's past and her growing up and it was fun to see how she was before he met her. She had all kinds of crazy stories like the loose floorboard that they hid their extra Halloween candy in each year (and to this day their mother wasn't aware of its existence). And like the time all three of the girls were fighting and throwing shoes at each other, with one high heel hitting the wall in the upstairs hallway between Jane and Lydia's rooms, causing a crack in the wall.

"Jane isn't as innocent as she looks! While Lydia and I were freaking out, she quickly devised a plan to cover our asses. She covered the hole in the wall with one of her framed paintings. When mom and dad got home, she asked if it was alright to 'display her artwork' in the hall because she was 'so proud'. Ha!"

They arrived in Lizzie's bedroom (which her mother hadn't turned back into a meditation room yet) and she shut the door behind her.

"This is it. My bedroom. Where I raved and ranted about you for months."

Darcy looked around and although he had no idea what to expect, he thought it was so Lizzie. She had her bookshelf filled to the brim with books and knick-knacks. She had pictures all around and he recognized a younger version of each of the Bennet girls and Charlotte.

He was glad that she allowed him to know this part of her and he was reassured that their child would have a fun childhood with a mother like her, but he couldn't help feel that twinge of jealousy again. It was something that kept happening. "Maybe I should tell her? But wouldn't it be strange to be jealous of her if I'm in love with her?"

He decided it'd be best to clear this with her now instead of letting it bubble beneath the surface.

"Your room is very charming indeed. I have no difficulty imagining you had a very fulfilling childhood in this house…"

"But?"

"But… I cannot help but be a little envious of you. Don't misunderstand me, I'm glad you let me into your world and this gives me hope that our baby will have all the fun I didn't."

"Hmmm? What do you mean, Will?"

"You and I grew up very differently. I think it's time I tell you more about my childhood and my parents…"

"Oh… okay. Umm, come here. Have a seat.", she said solemnly, patting the space beside her on her queen sized bed.

Hope you guys like this! More reactions coming up in the next few chapters.

And OMG you guys I'm hooked on these two awesome LBD fics titled 'The William Darcy Diaries' and 'Love me tender, love me true'. They're in my favorite stories on my page!