AN: Hi Everyone! It's finally complete! Enjoy :)

Blurb: A what-if story that picks up right in the middle of Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley with her Aunt and Uncle. During the visit, chaos ensues at Pemberley, and maybe our favorite couple, Elizabeth and Darcy, can discover what they want.

Thank You Henya Blackstar, and the other Beta Readers from CritiqueMatch for all of your valuable input and feedback.

Thank You for reading and enjoy! :D

Unexpected Invitations

By: KMarinelli2023

Epilogue

Several Years Hence

Darcy's POV

"Bennet's head is obstructing the view, Papa," a petite girl complained to her father, Fitzwilliam Darcy. She shuffled in her seat, her little figure squirming to get a better look at the scenic countryside from behind her elder brother's head.

"Is your view not satisfactory, Madeline?" Darcy inquired in a deep voice, softened by the plush velvet curtains of the carriage.

"Bennet's side has the better view," Madeline countered, her small pout reflecting a mild sibling rivalry. She pushed herself up by pressing her hands against the smooth silk seats, her head still quite a distance from the carriage ceiling.

Meanwhile, Bennet, the focus of Madeline's current discontent, pressed his face against the carriage window, engrossed in the picturesque landscape of Derbyshire that unfolded before him. The green pastures, a refreshing contrast to the bustling streets of London, were indeed a sight for sore eyes.

"Madeline, would you like to join me?" Darcy extended an invitation to his small daughter, whose vibrant chestnut hair reminded him fondly of her mother.

With a sparkle in her emerald eyes, Madeline leaned forward to be lifted onto Darcy's lap. Her father secured her with a warm embrace, his arm wrapped around her petite form as he pulled back the velvet curtain, allowing the soft hues of the setting sun to filter in.

"Mama, is it true that you fell in love with Papa upon first sight of Pemberley?" Madeline asked with wide-eyed curiosity.

Darcy turned towards his radiant wife, Elizabeth, whose soft smile and tender gaze rested on their children. His heart was awash with warmth and love, the kind he'd never anticipated he'd experience.

"Indeed, my love," Elizabeth affirmed. "Your father's devotion to Pemberley was truly admirable. I couldn't help but fall for the man behind it."

"Romance is for girls," Bennet declared. Aged only nine, he was far more engrossed in the tales of adventure spun by his Uncle Fitzwilliam than the musings of love.

A nostalgic smile crossed Darcy's face, recalling his own youthful perspective. He addressed Bennet, "Remind me to recount this when Cupid's arrow finds you."

"But, Papa, isn't the love we share as a family enough?" Bennet argued, his innocence shining through. "You love us, Mama loves you, and you love her back, right?"

"Absolutely, Bennet," Darcy replied with sincere warmth. "My love for your mother is indeed profound."

"Then why would I need more love? I'm already excited to love our new sibling. Why would I need anything more?"

Elizabeth's hands gently rested on her rounded belly, a symbol of their expanding family. This was the reason they were returning to Pemberley, their beloved home. The manor had never felt more like home to Darcy than it did after the birth of their first son. Elizabeth, the woman he loved, was to bring yet another life into their world, a notion that filled him with apprehension and joy in equal measures.

The sudden gasp of awe from Madeline snapped Darcy out of his thoughts, signaling their proximity to the family home. The majestic Pemberley Estate came into view, its grandeur standing proud against the backdrop of the sunset sky awash with shades of pink and purple. The lush gardens in full bloom further enhanced the picturesque scene.

Darcy looked at the inspiring sight over Madeline's head, his heart brimming with love for his family. As he held Elizabeth's hand in his, their intertwined fingers a silent testament of their enduring love, he whispered into her ear, "We're home, Elizabeth," the words carrying the weight of their shared past and the promise of a love-filled future.

The End

AN: It's finally completed! Thank you for sticking by and reading this! I wouldn't have finished it without the help of HeynaBlackstar and you. I know it sounds cheezy, but knowing that someone would read this kept me posting-as regularly as I could. Looking back at how this started, I feel like there are flaws to this story and to my narration that I want to improve upon for my next story. Overall, I'm proud that I finished this story.

As for my next story, it is still very much under construction, and I may not post it at all. I might try my hand at self-publishing and focus my attention on writing and not worrying about posting. My next story was meant to be another fanfiction piece, but it's growing into its own story and doesn't feel very much like a fanfiction piece anymore.

As for my writing goals, I'm adapting to life throwing curve balls at me, so I don't think I'll be sticking to it as strictly as I originated. But I'm proud to say in the past 6 months I've collectively written over 60k words. So I'm making steady progress on sitting down and writing, and that's really what matters more to me.

Thank you for reading and I wish you the very best!

KMarinelli2023