You guys are so amazing! I'm so thankful for you all reading my story, and reviewing. The reviews really help me continue. This chapter letting us see the difference of the family, where before in the book, they are completely different, then here now because of Lizzy's marriage. I wanted of course to keep their personalities, but make them deeper. Again, I own nothing!

Again, you guys are so, so cool and keep the reviews coming!

Chapter 3

Breakfast that morning after the assembly was a typical affair. Mrs. Bennet was in raptures over Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.

"And then he danced a third with my Jane," she sighed breathlessly, "Oh I knew she could not be so beautiful for nothing."

"Enough woman! Would that he sprained his ankle in the first set!"

"Mama please," exclaimed Lizzy

"Peese," Sophia had to put her two sense in, while William just sat and stared.

"Lizzy why do you not have a governess for them yet? They are two years old."

"They are not yet two, my dear. And do you not feel that their position is with their family?"

"Mama we never had a governess."

"Jane dear. We never had means for a governess. But Lizzy here has all the means in the world, why she will not utilize them is astonishing!"

"Mama I highly doubt that a couple years without a governess for my children, will be the end of the world."

"But Lizzy-"

"Enough!" Mr. Bennet interrupted. "They are Lizzy and William's children. This is the way they wanted to raise them, and in that we will support them in this. It is our job as grandparents to support their parents, and make sure they are loved." He tickles William's belly, and the child let out a giggle in appreciation of the attention his grandpapa gave him.

"But Mr. Bennet, surely you must know, this is unorthodox. Lizzy is a Duchess now. She has duties."

"My dear, their whole relationship was unorthodox."

Mrs. Bennet said nothing, for she could not disagree with this. "Oh how we all miss dear William, Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet was actually comforting her new favorite daughter.

"I know Mama," Lizzy looked down at her plate as Jane rubbed her back.

But soon Mrs. Bennet was in raptures again. "Their clothes were exquisite! And their manners,"

"Were horrible," Lizzy muttered.

"Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, "watch your tongue! I saw nothing unpleasing about their manners."

"Mama, they barely talked during the whole assembly. They looked down their noses at us, the whole time. And Mr. Darcy, walked away when you asked him a question, with no excuse or pardon. The only one personable was Mr. Bingley." She turned to Jane. "And I give you leave to like him, you've liked many a stupider person." She lowered her voice. "Just be careful around his sisters. They have a reputation that precedes them. They like to live above their means, and they will take anyone down in their path to get what they want."

Mrs. Bennet had heard the whole thing, and was suddenly wary. She had learnt to respect the opinion of her second daughter, these last two years. "Well maybe Jane we play this by ear. Now let me have my granddaughter, somebody must teach this girl about ribbons, and since her mama doesn't seem to want to, it falls on me." She scooped Sophia from Lizzy's lap and trounced upstairs. "Such long blonde hair, just like your aunt Jane!"

Mr. Bennet shook his head. "Lizzy, see that you don't let your mother help you interview your governess, when you go to employ one. You will be working double to make sure your common sense overpowers the governess's flakiness." with that he stood. "William and I are going to enjoy the pleasures of my library. We are not to be disturbed." He carried the toddler from the room.

"It is important, I think, that we discuss the importance of a father for two young children," Mary started.

"Thank you Mary," Jane interrupted. "But we do not need that wisdom at this point."

"Lizzy will you ever re-marry? I think that is so romantic!" Lydia was as giddy as ever, the late night before did nothing to calm her energy. "Just think, surely you can come up with an even better match."

Kitty who was less flaky, new Lydia's comments would only hurt one of her favorite sisters, so she stood abruptly, and grabbed Lydia by the hand, saying something about needing help hemming her bonnet.

"Ignore them Lizzy," Jane soothed Lizzy's hair. "You need not focus on anything other than you and your children. Please do not give credit to their insincere comments."

"I do not mind them Jane. For I know they mean well."
"They do," Jane agreed, "but sensitivity is not a strong suit with the women in this family."

"No." Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "It is not, but since we are a family of women, then we must learn to deal with their faults."

"So many faults," Jane giggled.

"Too many faults."

"When do you plan on leaving for London Lizzy? I hope it's not soon."

"I don't know, Jane. I need to meet with William's steward, and attorney to go over the will." She had heard rumors of the will but hadn't the heart to go read it. She had put it off. If she read it, then the truth was, that William was gone, and she'd have to move on, and Lizzy wasn't sure she was ready for that. She had come to Longbourn, to not only be with family, but to escape the society, which she now belonged to, but so often made her uncomfortable. She had friends, many friends to be sure, but without William, the town, the houses, the season, seemed empty. She knew for the sake of her children she needed to move on, of course she did. Sometimes she felt selfish that she hadn't, but the fact that she was going to be alone for the rest of her life wasn't pleasant to her. She couldn't bare it, and therefore avoided anything that had to do with her husband's business. If she didn't do it, it would still be there, so he would still be there.

Jane knew her sisters pain. She didn't know the extent of it, because she had never been in love. But she knew of her sister's love for William, and his for her. She had been around them the most in the time they were married, and though she often felt envious, she was so happy her most beloved sister had found happiness and love that she knew she deserved. She often didn't understand the extent of their love, being the innocent that she was, and often thought of her own life, and wondered if she might find a love like Lizzy's. Her very own William.

Comforting Lizzy was easy. Seeing her upset was hard. Seeing her forlorn over her lost love, was devastating. Out of all her sister's Jane was the most compassionate. Though all the sister's meant well, they often said the wrong things. Jane was the one that all of them turned to, to say the right thing at the right time. Though sometimes, what she said, they knew not to be true, they knew Jane meant every word.

Jane did not lie. She meant every word that came from her mouth.

Lizzy was quite her opposite. She was the temper to Jane's calm. The protest to her peace. The yin to her yang. Mr. Bennet's two eldest, and most favorite daughters, were in fact, exact opposites, but perfectly suited for each other in every way. It's no wonder that they grew up to be the very best friends that they are as adults now.

He was proud of all his girls, even if they had their quirks. Lydia was too noisy. Kitty too easily led. Mary too philosophical. All beautiful in his eyes. But Jane and Lizzy were his treasures.

While everyone was worried about Lizzy, they knew life had to move on and they were doing their best to do everything in their power to help her. If she cracked a smile at them, they accomplished a small fete, and made it worth their while.

The youngest two, while flighty, knew the significance of Lizzy's relationship, and the deep feelings she had for her husband, their brother. Though comprehending the meaning of love in a sea of officers was too much for them at this age.

Mrs. Bennet as well. She understood, but was often distracted by the fine jewels and the title that Lizzy now owned, and she wanted that for all of her daughters, and her granddaughter.

Mary, was too focused on the virtues of marriage, for she well knew the reputation of widows and unmarried men, and was determined not to let Elizabeth meet that fate. She knew her sister was a true beauty, and she knew that men were looking at her. She saw the look on Mr. Darcy's face when he was introduced at the ball. She knew he recognized her name, and she knew the look he gave her was entirely not proper.

Mr. Bennet knew that it would take his headstrong daughter time to move on and that it would be difficult. But he'd support her and his grandchildren either way.

And with all this, The Bennets knew, that something was about to happen, that would change their lives forever. They just didn't realize what yet.

I often ramble, and this chapter turned out completely different than I thought it was going to be. I wanted you all to see how their family looks now with Lizzy involved, and how protective of her they have all become! More to come soon! I'm enjoying this!