By all counts, there really should be nothing special about dinner at the Bingleys' tonight. It's the same people, the same time, and the same location. They've been attending these monthly dinners for so many years, and there really is no reason to expect this particular meal to be anything special.
But walking through the front door with Lizzy on his arm, his wife in every way for the foreseeable future as well as for the rest of his life, Darcy feels a sense of pride that he can't quite smother - even when he knows he's probably grinning like an idiot just walking down the hall.
"What are the odds they'll let us leave early?" Lizzy whispers right before they meet everyone.
"If you think their permission matters, then maybe you need to know me better," he whispers back.
"Well, I guess it's good that you improve upon acquaintance." Her saucy grin is almost enough to send him hustling her back to the car.
"Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!" Bingley announces when he sees them, giving them no choice but to enter the spacious family room. "Pemberley's press has been everywhere. We're lucky you're joining us tonight."
Darcy shoots his wife a look that she returns right away. It's most definitely not work that's been keeping them home lately.
"We're lucky the recent features have been so well-received," he says with a smile. "And we have Lizzy to thank for it."
"I just announce it. You guys build the app."
"But not everyone has the talent to make an announcement sound so appealing."
"Must be a special talent." She grins.
"I think your special talents reach a little further than that." He leans closer.
A collective wave of noises rises from the rest of the room's occupants - a mixture of groaning and cooing and clearing of throats.
"And here I thought we were the nauseating ones," Richard announces, an arm hooked securely around his fiancée's waist. "Guess engaged couples have nothing on honeymooners, huh?"
Lizzy flushes, Darcy glares at Richard, and the rest of the room laughs. But Darcy's a little too happy to argue.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this atrociously unrealistic little story!