A/N- Lots of thanks to all reviewers! You all really cheered me up like anything. Analyn d'Ettore, I absolutely agree that this story could be a lot better if a more skilled author had written it. I read through it after reading your review, and I think you're right. This is sort of dull, but trust me, I have some exciting stuff planned up ahead that should make it a lot more fun.

Anne Darcy was a wonderful listener. Everyone said so. They could tell her exactly what they felt, and never once did they feel as though they were being judged. People often ended up telling her a lot of things that they would not tell anyone else, and never regretted it.

Today, however, Anne heard the most intriguing confidence ever. Her son had just explained that he had cared about an admirable young lady for quite some time without the carefulness he usually exhibited, and was now deeply in love with the one woman who would not jump at a chance to marry him like any other would.

And now, he was waiting for his mother's advice.

'So', began Anne,' what will you do now?'

'That is what I would like to know, mother.'

'So would I, son.'

'Mother! You know that I need advice from a hopeless romantic like you.'

'I would not affront anyone I needed advice from, my dear William. Though yes, I am rather a hopeless romantic, but if I wasn't, I dare say I would be married too some extremely wealthy Lord right now.'

'Wasn't Father wealthy? I thought your marriage was planned anyway, regardless of affection.'

'That does not mean I could not remarry the way likes of Caroline Bingley undoubtedly expect me to.'

'You wouldn't.'

'I think that it is your own concerns that you need to bother about. Does Lizzy love you?'

'I don't know! But I do know that nothing in the world would make her accept me if she didn't, so the sensible thing to do should be to simply tell her how I feel. But this is Lizzy we are talking about, and it would be just like her to misunderstand my meaning and hate me for all eternity. Unless, of course, she does love me in which case she might accept me, and I really should talk to her and tell her about it.'

Anne looked amused.

'You're rambling.'

'I tend to do that when I'm nervous.'

'I know, I've seen it far too often.'

There was silence for a moment, and then Darcy spoke.

'What should I do?'

'Wait.', said Anne simply.

'How long?'

'Till you can't take the silence anymore and just have to speak your heart out.'

'That could be a long time.'

'Let it be a test to your love. And William?'

'Yes?'

'I think we need to apologize to a certain George Wickham. Such issues are best resolved soon.'

Darcy nodded, and left to write to the said gentleman. Anne smiled to herself a she watched him go. If only Lizzy could feel for her son what he did for her. They were both rather reserved, and Anne knew that she had to let time work its magic. For now, she would wait.

William Darcy wrote to his old childhood friend, asking him to meet up at Netherfield. Wickham agreed, and at the appointed time, they were both there.

'Its been a long time since we met.', said Darcy.

'I know. Why did you want to see me?'

'Straight to the point? That used to be me.'

The attempt at lightheartedness was met with silence. William tried again.

'I'm sorry. I've been an idiot, flaring up like I did and then not getting back to you all for no reason.'

'You have.',said Wickham with a wry smile.

'I just wanted to know, if there was any way things could be back to normal, if I could make it up somehow...'

Wickham cut in.

'You really are an idiot.'

William looked apologetic. And then, just like that, George said,

'I've missed you.'

After that, it was like an invisible barrier had been broken, and just like that, things were all right again.

'I've missed you too.'

'It was Ms Elizabeth Bennet, wasn't it?', asked George.

'What?', stammered William.

'It was her that made you reconsider, wasn't it?'

'Yes, it was. How do you know?'

'She made me rethink things too. You weren't the only one who was an idiot, you know.'

'How could I not, having grown up with you?'

They laughed, and it was just like the old times, when they were fourteen.

'You love her, don't you?', questioned Wickham.

Darcy nodded.

'You are one lucky man.'

'That remains to be seen, my friend.'

A/N- Don't hate me for making Wickham a good guy. Trust me, things are not always what they seem to be. As always, I request you all to review. Suggestions really are appreciated.