A/N – Hello! So, it's that time of year where I say A belated Happy Christmas. If you do not celebrate this holiday, then may I pass on my best wishes for whichever holiday you celebrate. If that happens to be none, then happy 25th of December…I hope it was a fun day for you all! :-)

I would like to give my biggest apology for the lag in getting this chapter out. Life has been throwing a lot at me over the last few months and it's been hard enough getting everything else completed, let alone finding time to write, re-edit, re-edit some more, rip it all up and start the cycle again. But please do know that I read every review, every PM that you guys send me and each and every one of them encourages me to keep trying to get something out. Lately the muse has flown the nest, so everything I write has just sounded like garbage. However, it seems with the PSN down over the Christmas period, my muse has had nothing better to do than come back and help me write. With that being said, this chapter is a little bitty. There are a few scenes included that span a day or so. So please bear with them. I'm trying to get to Georgiana's debut, which is looking to be the next chapter (Yay!) I'm currently writing that one, so as long as the muse is behaving herself, I'm hoping to have the whole write, edit, re-edit cycle done by New Years. But please do not hold me to that. I keep making plans only for life to jump up and gleefully announce that it's got a new surprise for me…and lately the surprises are not that much fun.

Gosh, the above sounds so very depressing and serious and considering it is blooming Christmas (for some) as well as New Years, well that just will not do. So I will leave you with the image of pink bunny rabbits, on a beautiful purple lawn with a gorgeous lilac sun shining. Oh and if you really want me to, I'll add a few blue clouds for shits and giggles.

Thank you, as always, for all the reviews, follows and favourites. You guys are just amazing and I love each and every one of you. Thank you. I hope you enjoy this chapter. As always, please let me know what you think, I love hearing from you guys, be it a review or a PM.

Chapter 8 – The final preparations

"Are you quite sure you my continued presence at your residence is not just another burden Darcy? I could, of course, reside with the Earl but if I have a choice…you are acquainted with the last conversation the Earl and I had are you not?" The two gentlemen were just leaving Darcy's office after a long afternoon of discussion regarding Georgiana's upcoming debut.

"Indeed Richard, you have nothing to despair over. It is Georgiana's debut tomorrow and I know she would prefer to have you here than anywhere else. And while you are in town, you are a most welcomed guest of this house." Darcy smiled at his cousins obvious discomfort, patting him on the back jovially he continued with an evil smirk "Considering the past few days have been primarily focused on muslin, shoes and hair, I am surprised you have not yet abandoned us and found yourself at the Earl's door begging for his forgiveness."

"That day shall never come Darcy; I will happily submerge myself in such discussions with obvious enthusiasm if it allows me to stay out of the rays of the Earl's disappointment."

"Did I hear you just promise to aid me in my time of need cousin?" a soft feminine voice sounded from down the hall "for if heard correctly, I have some gowns that would greatly benefit from a gentleman's eye. Elizabeth and I have managed to reduce my choices down to a humble three, but we are falling at the last hurdle. We are in dire need of a male's opinion and whilst I do love my brother dearly, I cannot trust that he would be overly unbiased." Georgiana appeared as if from nowhere, a mischievous smile, remarkably similar to that of Elizabeth's, adorned her features. The similarity made even more obvious by the original standing at her side.

"For you cousin, I am at your mercy. Show me what you must and let us be done with it." Stepping forward and offering his arm, the two cousins begin to depart, stopping only to turn back when they realised Elizabeth had not joined them.

"Will you not be joining us in this final decision cousin?"

"I shall leave Georgiana and this task in your very capable hands Colonel. I have not seen my husband all day due to your insistence in engaging him in frivolous activities." Elizabeth smiled sweetly at them both before turning to Darcy "unless my absence has been a blessing?"

Moving to Elizabeth's side, taking her hands in his, Darcy smiled down at his beautiful wife. "Your absence my dear is one that leaves me bereft at the best of times and desolate at the worst. Your presence is all I require to bring me true happiness." Sealing his speech with a kiss he felt his wife choke back her laughter.

"Such honey falls from your lips Mr Darcy it is hard to remember a time when all I received was disdain." Clutching at his heart Darcy turned to the two onlookers "What arrows my wife shoots me with. What words she speaks to wound me."

Laughing Georgiana shook her head. "The two of you are as unruly as one another. I fear any child brought into this marriage will suffer from too much wit and not enough sense" The realisation of her words came too late as Elizabeth's smile faltered before disappearing completely. Not knowing how to proceed without causing further pain Georgiana's eyes flew to her brother. Upon seeing him gesture for them to depart Georgiana turned to her cousin. "Come Colonel, let us leave these two jesters and attend to the more important task of choosing the gown most appropriate for my debut" her words hollow and empty of any true jest. The Colonel glanced briefly at the white face of Elizabeth, a small part of him desperate to console her, before following his cousin's lead and leaving the couple alone.

Watching the two of them leave Darcy turned to his wife. "Georgiana meant no harm" he said softly "she would do anything to please you"

"Do not fear Darcy. I do not doubt Georgiana's intentions. She was merely teasing. It is my fault for allowing such simple comments to affect me so severely." Elizabeth directed her response to the backs of the departing figures. Knowing Darcy wished to discuss her current state, both mental and physical, had Elizabeth wishing she had taken the Colonel up on his offer and joined them in their task.

"Elizabeth." His soft voice pulled at her heart strings, but still she could not turn her head to look at him. "Elizabeth please, please do not shut me out." He took Elizabeth's arm and gently manoeuvred her into his study. "I beg you Elizabeth" he began again, once he was assured of their privacy. "I cannot truly understand the grief you feel at not being with child, but I wish for you to know that I too wish for nothing more than a child to bless our marriage and it pains me also that we must be made to wait"

Upon hearing his words Elizabeth felt a tear escape her defences. His very ownership of his misery at not having even a glimmer of a family made her own melancholy the deeper for it. The knowledge that she had failed to provide him with an heir prayed on her mind constantly. That she had been found to be incompetent in carrying out, what was seemingly so easy for others of her sex, kept her in a continued state of wretchedness. "I cannot beg for your forgiveness enough" she began, her throat constricting as more tears threatened to fall "I…"

"Beg for my forgiveness?" Darcy stood in shock at Elizabeth's emotional confession, his mind full of multiple possibilities that could explain away her current state. "What on Earth would lead you to believe you require my forgiveness?" He placed his forefinger lightly under her quivering chin and lifted until she was looking at him, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "Elizabeth, you must know I would forgive you anything, but I cannot imagine what you could have done to cause such pain as I see present in your eyes"

"I have failed you as a wife" came her stuttered response "I cannot bear your children" Dropping her head down once more so she would not have to see Darcy's disownment of her she was startled to feel a pair of strong arms wrap around her and pull her close. The warmth of Darcy filled her heart and soul as she felt him reign kisses down upon her crown.

"Elizabeth. My darling Elizabeth" choking on his own words, Elizabeth felt herself drawn further into Darcy's embrace as words failed him. Protected within his arms, Elizabeth found herself responding in kind, raising her own she encircled them around his waist, turning her head to rest upon his chest.

"Elizabeth" Darcy tried one again, emotion heavy in his voice "I shall say this only once and I beg that you will believe me utterly in this. I love you. Not the children you have yet to bear and you will bear them, of that I have no doubt. I love you. I will happily live out my days with only you in my life and feel none the poorer for it. To know you, to love you, to live my life with you is all that I could ask for. Anything other than what we have at present is superfluous" Tightening his hold even further Darcy continued to reign soft kisses upon Elizabeth's crown. Feeling her begin to shake he gently pulled away. Trailing his hands down her arms, he clasped them in hers before leading her to an empty chair in front of the fireplace. Crouching down slowly, he encouraged her to sit, himself remaining crouched, looking up at her. "Know that whatever life may deem to throw at us, I will forever stand at your side. If need be I shall stand in front of you. For when you hurt I am in agony." Bringing her hands to his lips he pressed a kiss into each palm. Hearing her exhale softly he looked up to find her staring at him in wonder.

"How have I been so lucky as to have found you" Elizabeth said almost inaudibly. Her eyes filled with emotion she could not justly express.

"I could ask the same question of you my love" Darcy smiled up at her. Removing one of her hands from his grasp she cradled his cheek. "You truly are the best of men Mr Darcy" she said softly as she leaned in for a gentle kiss.

ooooOOOOoooo

"I am well aware of the significance of tomorrow evening brother; I do not require your constant reminders." Georgiana was standing in her brother's study glaring at her older brother, who was quite rightly hiding behind his desk. Looking to his right, he pleaded with his chuckling wife to intervene on his behalf.

Elizabeth and Darcy had spent the remainder of the afternoon ensconced in the library, savouring the company of the other. Slowly but surely Elizabeth's spirits had rallied until Darcy was convinced she had put her destructive thoughts behind her. The first glimmer of a smile had Darcy reaching for her favourite poems. After that, a soft chuckle had him recounting their earlier interactions, lamenting his own behaviour. Once he had seen a full smile blossom and her eyes begin to shine with the faintest shadow of their usual merriment, Darcy had felt it safe to leave her to read as he attended his own business. Both content to sit in silence in the company of one another, the occasional chuckle from his wife all the confirmation Darcy needed to be reassured that they were going to survive the earlier misunderstanding.

Georgiana's sudden appearance had shattered the peace but Darcy was overjoyed to see it had roused Elizabeth's interest and with that brought her back to her usual level of merriment.

"Of course you are very much aware of your situation Georgiana, but tell me, what has your brother done to incur such wrath?" Elizabeth looked from her husband to her sister wondering what it was Darcy had unthinkingly done this time.

For the last few days the Darcy townhouse had been awash with gownmakers, shoemakers and artists, all vying for time with the young socialite. The quartet had had to be booked, the invite list had had to be finalised. The, much anticipated, invitations sent out and the RSVP's counted. The silver had to be cleaned as well as the choosing of an acceptable dinner set for the evening meal. They had finally settled on Georgiana's gown design, now in the final stages of being made. For Georgiana, a young woman who shunned the spotlight, the demands on her time, for fittings, visits from well-meaning relatives, posing for her portrait, were all beginning to drain on her. She was heartily sick and tired of all the fuss currently being made. She was not one of those who had long thought of her entrance into society, if truth be told; if she had been given her way she would not have had a ball at all. Only at the insistence of her brother and Elizabeth did she condescend to have a small one. It was the humiliation of her brother's latest brainstorm though that had brought her into his study in such a fury, something she would never have dreamed of doing only a year or so ago.

"He has arranged for a tutor to advise me of how to make my entrance. They are to teach me how to walk down stairs. Walk down stairs. The same stairs I have walked down my entire life"

"Your entire life?" Darcy enquired, seeing Elizabeth's eyes flash in amusement "If my memory serves for the best part of your early life you ran…" Darcy had to fight to keep his face stoic as he watched Elizabeth attempt to thwart a chuckle from escaping.

"That is neither helpful nor the point brother" Georgiana argued back.

"My apologies Georgiana, all I meant to convey is that if you wish to put across a point, you would do well to choose one that is slightly more accurate…" Again he had to press his lips together as Georgiana's scowl deepened. Under any other circumstances he would never have considered teasing his sister, especially so close to her debut. However, having such a fortuitous opportunity to amuse his wife seemingly dropped into his lap, he would have been a fool to ignore it.

"I do not require a tutor in this regard!" With a final flourish Georgiana stormed out, leaving both Elizabeth and Darcy in shocked silence.

"Well…" Darcy started. "That was most..." he paused as if looking for the most acceptable explanation.

"Understandable?" offered Elizabeth innocuously "Expected? About time?"

"Pardon?" Darcy asked "Do you mean to say you understand what all that was about?" he asked, genuinely perplexed, as he gestured to the door Georgiana had just disappeared through.

"Of course Darcy" Elizabeth gently admonished. She beckoned for him to take the chair opposite her own. "You gave me comfort when I required it. Allow me to return the favour by bestowing wisdom when you do" pausing she took in Darcy still hiding behind his mahogany desk. "Now that your sister has departed, I do believe it is safe to come away from your desk." She smiled as she spoke; knowing everything Darcy had arranged for his sister was purely out of love and the need to protect her.

"She is growing up Darcy, becoming a woman" she continued once Darcy had seated himself across from her. "Yet you treat her like she is still your ten year old sister, someone to protect at all costs." Raising her hand, cutting Darcy off before he could argue, she continued "and before you start trying to reason with me as to why Georgiana most definitely does need protection, you must first look at how she has grown this last year." Sighing Elizabeth leant forward and took her husband's hands in her own. "Georgiana is a woman now Darcy, she needs to learn to stand on her own."

"This behaviour, if you haven't noticed, is becoming more and more of a regular occurrence." Grumbling Darcy began to lace his fingers with his wife's. "In truth I believe her temperament began to change the day you agreed to be my wife" looking up, he caught his wife's eyes, a smile playing around his mouth. "My quiet, unassuming sister has, without a doubt, become a great deal more vocal in her wishes and wants."

"I would hope so husband" Elizabeth responded with a smile of her own. "For while subservience in a sibling more than ten years your junior may be acceptable, such behaviour in a happy marriage would be unthinkable. A good match my love, as evidenced by ourselves, must be of an equal pairing." Touching his face gently Elizabeth smiled. "This change in Georgiana is indeed one we should feel obliged to encourage."

Smiling at his wife Darcy shook his head slowly. "Indeed my love, I cannot think of you and I on equal terms. You are by far a better person than I shall ever be. I shall forever be looking up at you."

"I fully believe Mr Darcy that we are stronger when we stand side by side" Standing up she smiled down at her husband. Holding out her hand she waited for him to grasp it in his own. Once he had risen she touched his cheek. "May I tell Georgiana you will write to revoke the invitation for this tutor?"

"You may" he begrudgingly conceded as he walked her to the study door. "You may also advise her that from this moment on I shall listen to her when she speaks."

Kissing her husband on the cheek Elizabeth chuckled. "I believe Mr Darcy that you are a better man than you give yourself credit for." As Elizabeth walked off in search of her sister she heard Darcy mutter to himself, something that sounded very much like "would you mind awfully informing Georgiana of that?"

ooooOOOOoooo

With all of the activity over the last few days it was a shock to find the actual day of the ball required very little effort from the family. Other than making sure they were dressed on time to receive their guests, the hard work was being completed below stairs. Knowing this Elizabeth had already visited the kitchens to thank everyone for their hard work. She knew today would not be easy on her staff and therefore had insisted on speaking to them all.

Sitting in her dressing room as her maid arranged her hair, she stared in askance at her image in the mirror. She had slowly put her fears and worries from the day before behind her. Darcy had continued to show her, in small but meaningful ways, that he loved her, with or without children. Each small touch, smile, and kiss that he bestowed, aided Elizabeth in banishing the vile voice that tried to convince her she was no longer good enough for such a man as Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Separate from her own personal demons, Elizabeth had spent much of the night before convincing Georgiana that tonight would be a monumental success. Her sister had become so distraught at one time that Darcy was all in favour of cancelling the debut there and then. Only with the calm words of Elizabeth, backed by the all too real consequences laid out by the Colonel, did common sense prevail. Darcy had quickly been enticed away with promises of billiards, leaving Elizabeth to compose the young debutant without the emotional inputs from her older brother. Eventually Elizabeth had gotten Georgiana relaxed enough to contemplate sleep, however with the sun dawning on her debut Georgiana had once again fallen victim to worries. Therefore it was with no little surprise to Elizabeth when her sister came in with obvious haste. "I do not think my gown is right" Georgiana announced. Looking at her sister's reflection in the mirror she smiled. "What brings you to such a conclusion Georgiana? We reviewed many a gown before choosing your present one. What could possibly have changed between then and now?"

"It is too white Elizabeth; the pattern is too much but yet, at the same time, not enough. The style is all wrong and I truly feel we have chosen badly." She sat down on Elizabeth's bed with a sigh. "I do not think I can go through with tonight Elizabeth, my stomach is all a flutter."

"Of course it is Georgiana; it would be extremely odd if you did not feel that way. Tonight of all nights such nerves are to be expected. But you shall not be enduring tonight alone. You will have your brother and I with you at all times and I believe Colonel Fitzwilliam has already offered his services for the first dance?"

"Yes, but what about all of the others…" Georgiana begin, tailing off as her face began to flush.

"By others, may I assume you mean the young men that have been invited?" Looking at Georgiana's face, Elizabeth could tell she had found the real reason as the faint reddish blush on Georgiana's normally pale complexion deepen.

"What if no-one asks me to dance Elizabeth?" Looking up at her maid Elizabeth was grateful to receive the nod that she was now ready. Standing up and walking over to her sister she held out her hands. "Come now Georgiana, how can you ask such a question?"

Leading her over to a full length mirror Elizabeth stood behind her. "Look in the mirror and tell me what you see my dear."

"Somebody who has nothing interesting to say and no voice to say it with" Georgiana's gaze was downtrodden and Elizabeth's heart broke.

"Shall I tell you what I see Georgiana? I see a strong, kind, intelligent and beautiful young woman who is extremely accomplished in life. You have such a wealth of qualities that most men will be dazzled by you…"

"A wealth is exactly what I have Elizabeth but I want a love like yours. I want to experience the same overwhelming emotions that both you and my brother have. How can that ever come to pass when my most defining quality is the money I shall bring with me?" Georgiana's expression was so pained that Elizabeth almost cried at the injustice of it all.

"Georgiana, surely you see by your own example that such a love can be found. You must be aware that before I ever met your brother rumours of his wealth were already circulating. Yet that did not induce me to marry him. It took me to realise his true self before I would consent to be his wife." Hugging Georgiana to her, Elizabeth continued. "If I can see past your brother's flaws to whom he truly is, you should have no concerns in regards to finding someone who can see you, for who you truly are."

"Do you truly think so Elizabeth?" Georgiana's voice was so very quiet that Elizabeth had to lean in just to catch her words. "I would not say anything to you if I truly did not believe it. Your soul mate is most definitely out there and together we shall find him." Smiling she nodded towards the door. "Are you willing to return to your room to dress?"

"If it is acceptable to you Elizabeth, I would be grateful if you were to come with me."

"I would not wish it any other way Georgiana. Let us make sure that Cinderella is ready for the ball." Holding hands the sisters returned to Georgiana's room to a very concerned and very flustered maid.

A few hours later both women were gowned and ready for Georgiana's debut when a knock sounded at her bedroom door. "Ladies, the men of the household request an audience." Colonel Fitzwilliam's voice boomed through the closed door making Georgiana giggle, music to Elizabeth's ears. "Of course good sir, please, you have my permission to enter."

Opening the door Fitzwilliam froze. Standing in front of him, dressed to perfection in a beautifully hand sown ivory muslin gown, with eyes that seared into his very soul was the most beautiful creature he had ever beheld. Her dark hair had been arranged in a way that had allowed a few strands to escape and curl at the nape of her neck, while others were left to frame her face. Clearing his throat he moved to stand in front of her companion. Bowing he extended his hand to hold hers while barely able to place a kiss on its back. "You look the picture of beauty cousin" The smoothness of his speech belied the tumultuous behaviour of his stomach. He vowed, if he managed to survive this night, he would beg forgiveness from the Earl and return home. If that did not work then he would lodge at the officer barracks in town, anything to create some distance between himself and one Elizabeth Darcy.

A/N – Okay, so a pretty heavy chapter. I know, apologies for that. I would blame it on my current mental state but the bones of this one has been written for a while so ummm, yeah…sorry about that! Good news though, Debut up next! Lots of Darcy and Colonel angst (for different reasons…obviously), Lizzie fun and Georgiana cuteness. I'm looking forward to the lighter tone, and as a quick teaser we will be having some familiar faces turn up. Some Austen beloved and some, well some just Lixpix beloved. Happy days had by all! Hope to see you all there! :-) x