Georgiana began to cry in frustration. When she finally finished crying for Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam, and herself, she fell asleep in her chair, where Mrs. Reynolds found her an hour later.

******

Readers warning: This is a very long chapter. I suggest going to get something to eat or go to the bathroom quick.

Darcy let out a long, grateful sigh as Pemberley House came into view. He had been traveling for the past day and a half, only stopping to change horses, anxious as he was to get home.

He straightened his cravat and his waistcoat as he clambered down from the coach upon pulling up to the outer entrance, intending on finding Elizabeth in as short amount of time as possible.

Seeing Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Reynolds standing by the door, Darcy walked over to them, unable to keep a grin from spreading across his face. Calm down, Darcy, he told himself. Attend to the Reynolds, then go find Elizabeth.

"Good afternoon, Reynolds, Mrs. Reynolds," Darcy said, finally reaching the elderly couple. Before they could say good afternoon in return, Darcy continued, "Do you happen to know the whereabouts of my sister or Miss Bennet, by any chance?"

At this, the Reynolds looked at each other anxiously. This did not go unnoticed by Darcy, and concerned, he asked, "Nothing has happened, I trust?"

Mrs. Reynolds spoke. "I believe you will find Miss Georgiana in the drawing room, sir. She has been awaiting your arrival for the past two days."

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds," Darcy said, still puzzled by his servants' behavior. Inside, he took the stairs to the sitting room two at a time, his impatience growing by the second. Perhaps Elizabeth was with Georgiana in the drawing room. If not, he thought, she must be nearby.

Darcy entered the drawing room, expecting to be caught unawares by a hug from Georgiana, but this was not so. He entered the room, only to find Georgiana sitting in an armchair, with her arms crossed across her chest, glaring heavily at him.

"Georgiana?" Darcy asked, tentatively. The look on his sister's face frightened him.

"How dare you?" Georgiana hissed out. "How dare you do this to Elizabeth! To me! To YOURSELF?!"

"Of what are we talking about, Georgiana?" Darcy replied, confused. What had he done to upset Elizabeth and Georgiana besides leaving them for four or five days unannounced?

Georgiana rose from her chair, absolutely livid. "First you leave, without telling me why or even saying goodbye."

"Georgie, I can explain—"

"Do not interrupt me, Fitzwilliam. Second, you break Lizzy's heart by making her not believe that you intend on marrying her or love her, for that matter."

"I know this, Georgiana. I intend on finding her after this and--"

"And then, because of your past stupid pride and conceitedness and other so called 'society obligations,' Lizzy believes that you deserve a better wife than her and will never consider her as a proper wife."

"She is all I need in a wife. I am going to apologize to her right now and beg forgiveness, Georgie. Where is she, anyways?"

"She is gone." Georgiana said in a flat voice.

Darcy's heart dropped. "Gone?" He asked in a whisper.

"Yes." Georgiana said, her voice suddenly becoming tremulous. "The day after you left, she confessed that she loved you. She was sure that you only thought you love her and that society and other obligations would soon wipe away any regard that you had for her. Lizzy said that it was for your interest that she must leave, though I begged her not to." Here, Georgiana's voice became thick with tears. "And then…and then…" she hiccupped. "I woke up yesterday morning, only to find that she had left." Hiccups turned to sobs, as Darcy enfolded his younger sister in a hug.

He rubbed her back, comfortingly, thinking quickly. So Elizabeth had left because she thought herself unworthy, thinking he did not actually love her? Darcy wanted to hit himself a thousand times over for not asking Georgiana to wait a moment and asking Elizabeth then and there in the rose garden.

"So she did admit to being in love with me, then?" Darcy inquired of Georgiana.

Georgiana nodded her head, still unable to talk. The past day and a half had been trying for the young girl. She had barely eaten and had half a mind of writing express for Darcy to come home. Her anger and frustrations towards her brother's insecurities and foolishness had been bottled up, and now that he was here, she had let out all her pent up emotions.

The Darcys stood together for a long while. As Georgiana's sobs subsided and eventually turned into sniffles, Darcy had already come up with a plan.

"Georgie?" Darcy asked softly, gently easing the two of them onto a divan.

"Yes?" Georgie answered, wiping away her remaining tears with a handkerchief.

"How fast can you have your trunks ready?"

*******

"Lizzy?"

Elizabeth looked up at the sound of Jane's voice calling to her. She hastily stowed a letter under some other papers as Jane came into the room. Ever since arriving home, she had read Darcy's letter from Hunsford daily, as a sort of reminder of him.

"Lizzy, won't you come downstairs?" Jane asked, coming to sit next to her sister. Since Elizabeth had come home unexpectedly from Pemberley a few days ago, she had been most unusually out of spirits. While Jane was convinced Elizabeth was either ill or tired from her journeys, Bingley had confided that he believed Elizabeth to be suffering from another matter entirely. When Jane inquired after this, Bingley would change the subject.

Elizabeth smiled at her sister. Dear Jane. Upon arriving home, she could see that Jane was very happy. Her elder sister simply glowed, and whenever Bingley came to call on his fiancé, Jane was radiant and happier than ever. "I will come down with you directly, Jane." She said, getting up. "Has Mama tired you with her constant advice about which warehouses to visit when you go to London?"

Blushing, Jane looked down at her hands. "She has been quite persistent." A thought struck her as she looked at Elizabeth. "Would you care to come with us, Lizzy? It would be a comfort to me if you did, and I am sure Aunt and Uncle Gardiner would not mind. You would be much help in picking my trousseau."

"I will think about it," was Elizabeth's only reply. London made her think of Darcy. She was frightened she might see him, or hear of him, especially since the Season was soon to be under way.

The two sisters entered the sitting room, where the rest of the Bennet family, as well as Bingley and Mr. Denny, were taking tea. After declining a cup of tea, Elizabeth went to sit at the window seat, overlooking the garden and the path leading from Meryton to Longbourne.

It was nearly fall, and the leaves were changing color rapidly. Soon, too soon in Elizabeth's opinion, Jane would marry Bingley and leave home. Though Jane would be near, being situated in Netherfield, Elizabeth could not help but feel a sense of loss when thinking of her sister living under a different roof and under a different name.

Startled by a rattling noise, Elizabeth was shaken by her reverie to see a coach moving at a fast pace down the lane. After catching sight of the crest on the coach, her face went pale.

The Darcy coach was speeding towards Longbourne, and it could only mean one thing. Getting up hastily, Elizabeth stood and excused herself to the room. Not wanting to waste a moment, she hurried out the back door, without retrieving her bonnet or her spencer. After attaining the outdoors, she ran. She did not care in what direction, but away from Longbourne, from Darcy or Georgiana, whoever had come.

As she ran, she knew it was foolish of her. If it was only Georgiana, she would have to wait to see her, for she dare not venture back if Darcy himself was there. Her insecurities rose again inside of her as the cool afternoon air nipped at her face.

It had broken her heart to leave Pemberley, but it had hurt more so knowing that Darcy loved her and knowing that he could not, should not marry her for society's sake.

She stopped running, and leaned up against a tree to catch her breath. She continued to walk along the path, hoping that Jane had not seen her leave the house from the window.

******

"Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy," Hill said, moving aside to let the esteemed guests enter.

The occupants of the room were surprised. Everyone except Bingley and Jane stared at Georgiana, whom none of them had seen before. Bingley and Jane directed their attention towards Darcy, who stood looming at the doorway.

Darcy's eyes swept the room, knowing that Elizabeth would not be there. He had seen a flash of color running from the house as their carriage pulled into Longbourne, and he had had a good idea of who it was.

At this confirmation, Darcy smiled to himself. It was exactly how he had expected her to react to his coming. Afraid and nervous. He bowed low to the room.

"Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet. Miss Bennet, Miss Catherine, Miss Mary, Bingley, Denny." He intoned. "I am sorry for the intrusion."

Mr. Bennet seemed very amused by this sudden appearance of the Darcys and said, "Not at all Mr. Darcy."

Surprising the whole room (except for Bingley and Georgiana) Darcy smiled and said, "I thank you, Mr. Bennet. May I introduce my sister, Georgiana?"

While the whole party greeted Georgiana, Darcy made his way over to Bingley and Jane.

In a low voice he asked, "She's run, hasn't she?"

Jane looked confused at first, but then as Bingley nodded yes, a look of understanding crossed her face.

"Lizzy?" She asked, whispering.

Darcy merely smiled at her and said, "May I offer my congratulations, Miss Bennet?"

Jane, still shocked at the revelation coming to her, stammered out her thanks as Darcy heartily shook hands with Bingley. Bingley grinned at the sight of his friend, knowing his purpose at Longbourne. As Bingley and Jane moved to greet Georgiana, who Mrs. Bennet and the other girls had been standing in awe of, Darcy went directly to Mr. Bennet.

"Mr. Bennet, might I have a word in private with you?" Darcy asked, coming up to the older gentlemen.

Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow. "Certainly sir. Shall we go to my library?"

The younger man nodded his assent and followed his host to the library. After shutting the door, Mr. Bennet motioned for Darcy to be seated as he sank into his favorite armchair.

Darcy declined the offer to sit, suddenly nervous.

"Well, Mr. Darcy, what can I do for you?" Mr. Bennet asked, after waiting a few moments for Darcy to speak.

Deciding to get it over with, Darcy blurted out, "Mr. Bennet, I would like to ask your permission to marry one of your daughters."

Silence filled the air as Mr. Bennet processed Darcy's words.

"So you want to marry my Lizzy, now, do you?" Mr. Bennet said finally.

Darcy nearly recoiled in shock. How did Mr. Bennet know? "Yes, sir." He answered. He paused before asking, "Pardon me, sir, but how did you know it was Elizabeth I was speaking of?"

"I am not as simple as I may appear to be, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet said tiredly, rubbing his eyes. "When the Gardiners came home without Lizzy, I had my suspicions. Your coming today so soon after Lizzy's arrival home was confirmation."

Darcy scrambled for words.

"It is quite all right, my boy." Mr. Bennet said good-naturedly. "I knew that one of these days some man would be coming in to this very room asking for my Lizzy. I am just surprised that it is you."

Here Darcy found he could speak. "Mr. Bennet, while I might not have always treated Elizabeth with the respect she deserves in your presence or treated your family with honor and respect, I do ask you for your permission to marry her."

"Why?" Mr. Bennet asked suddenly. "Why do you want to marry her? Until recently, even Jane did not have any idea of your regard for Lizzy. What has induced you to even think of her as a proper wife? She no fortune and she certainly is not the kind of wife society would expect of you."

Darcy swallowed. He knew by this declaration that Mr. Bennet would not grant him permission unless he knew the truth. There was nothing for it but to say it.

"I love her."

This answer, though clearly the one Mr. Bennet had been hoping for, surprised him. The older man looked as if something hard had hit him on the head.

"Truly?" Mr. Bennet asked.

"Yes sir. Though I may not have loved her as I should have, I do so now, sir." Darcy said, with growing confidence. "She is the dearest thing in the world to me, besides Georgiana and Pemberley. You will have nothing to worry about sir. She will be provided for to the very best of my ability."

At this, Mr. Bennet snorted slightly.

Dacy continued, "I will settle far less than she deserves on her upon our marriage, and any children we might have." He took a breath. "Truly, Mr. Bennet. I do and truly love your daughter."

Mr. Bennet sighed heavily. "Have you spoken to Lizzy? I cannot help but wonder why she ran out of the house just before you arrived."

Darcy grimaced. "I am afraid that we have had a misunderstanding."

When Mr. Bennet looked confused, Darcy explained the entire story of what had occurred at Pemberley, starting from Miss Bingley's unkind words all the way to his arrival home from Matlock to find Elizabeth gone.

After he concluded his tale, Mr. Bennet looked stunned. He sighed again, standing up.

"Well, Darcy, I must say that you and my daughter have a lot to talk about." He said, walking to Darcy.

"Yes sir." Darcy said, standing up also, for by this time he had sat during his tale.

Mr. Bennet extended his hand. "You have my permission," he said, "As soon as you speak to Lizzy, I will announce it at dinner."

Darcy shook his hopefully soon-to-be father-in-law's hand gratefully. "Thank you sir. I shall go find Elizabeth now."

Mr. Bennet nodded absentmindedly and waved Darcy to the door.

*****

Elizabeth shivered as another gust of wind came sweeping down the path. She was slowly making her way back to Longbourne, determined to arrive during dinner so she could slip away to her room unnoticed.

The sun was starting to set as she rounded the bend that would lead into the Longbourne gardens. Elizabeth heard a stick break in front of her and rose her head to see the intruder.

There stood Darcy, looking just as handsome as ever, with a slightly worried expression on his face. When Elizabeth came into view, his face broke into a smile, which sent Elizabeth's heart thundering in her chest.

He moved towards her, his face set with determination. Stopping before her, he took both of her hands in his.

"Before I say anything else, I want to apologize." He began anxiously looking her in the eyes.

Elizabeth looked startle. "For what?"

"For leaving you, and Georgiana, so abruptly that day. It was very wrong of me, and I apologize." Darcy said, watching her face closely.

Elizabeth nodded slowly.

Darcy took this as a good sign and continued. "Georgiana told me of your last conversation together."

At this, Elizabeth blushed profusely. "I did not think that Georgiana would—"

Interrupting her, Darcy quieted her by saying, "I am very glad she did. I found out something very important."

So he knew, thought Elizabeth. She looked down at her feet. "I'm afraid I don't know what to say, Mr. Darcy."

Lifting her chin with a hand, Darcy smiled down at her. "Well I do, so I'm afraid, Miss Bennet, that you will have to hear me out."

Smiling a little, Elizabeth bit her bottom lip nervously.

"When I left you that day in the garden and was riding off to see my relatives, I was wishing myself back at your side the entire way there." Darcy began. "I was certain that you held me in some regard, and I was afraid of asking you again in fear of rejection once more."

Here, Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but Darcy put a finger to her lips to silence her. "When I spoke with my aunt, uncle, and Richard, I suddenly realized that I had been a fool and hurried back. Upon arriving home, I found a very displeased and heartbroken sister and no Elizabeth."

He smiled at Elizabeth's worried expression. "The moment Georgie was packed, we set off for Longbourne, not only for me to beg for your forgiveness, but to ask you the same question that I asked you this past spring in Kent." He paused, and asked hesitantly, "Would you let me ask that question again, Elizabeth?"

"I am not suitable enough," whispered Elizabeth, tears beginning to form. "Not accomplished enough, not proper or, or…."

"You are perfect just the way you are," Darcy said, cupping her cheek with one of his hands. "I wouldn't change one thing. Not even the muddy petticoats you have when you come in from walking three miles."

Elizabeth laughed despite her tears.

Wiping away her tears, Darcy continued, "I do not care what other people might think of me for choosing you. I only know that I love you, and that I might as well go back to being the proud, conceited ass that I was before I met you if I didn't tell you so."

He had said it. He really had. Elizabeth felt hope rise in her chest. Georgiana was right. Darcy really didn't care about her social standing, her family, her fortune…he loved her. And goodness knows she loved him.

"I love you, Mr. Darcy." She said, quietly, studying the effect of her words on his face.

It took all that possessed Darcy not to let out a whoop and swing Elizabeth around in circles.

"Well," he said, still grinning, "In that case, Miss Bennet, I believe there is something I must do."

He knelt to the ground, still holding onto her hands. "Elizabeth Bennet, would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?"

Laughing, Elizabeth spoke the words she had wanted to say for so very long. "Yes, Mr. Darcy. I believe I shall."

Joining in her laughter, Darcy stood. After their laughter had died, he said, "The first thing I shall ask of you as your fiancé is to call me Fitzwilliam, William, or Will. Mr. Darcy sounds too imposing."

"Very well…William." Elizabeth said, testing the name.

"And second," Darcy added, taking her face in his hands, "I should like to kiss you, soon-to-be Mrs. Darcy."

He kissed her very gently before pulling her into a tight embrace. She fit into his arms just the way he had imagined her too.

Pressing a quick kiss to her lips again, Darcy pulled away grinning and said, "Come, love. We have to tell your father the good news."

This seemed to bring Elizabeth to her senses as they moved quickly through the gardens. "What are you going to say to him?", knowing full well that she had never given much indication towards her feelings for Darcy.

"I have already spoken to him. All I have to tell him is that he can announce some very good news at dinner." Darcy said, grinning at Elizabeth's surprised face.

****

Mr. Bennet saw two figures coming towards the house in the darkening evening.

Darcy was holding Elizabeth's hand, and he could hear laughter from the couple wafting towards him.

Mr. Bennet sighed and stepped outside, waiting to greet the newly affianced couple. He was happy to see his Lizzy happy, to be sure. It had been his worry that no one was good enough for his favorite daughter, but today he had been proved wrong.

After hearing Darcy's tale of his love for Elizabeth, he had been convinced his daughter could not have found a better husband. They both were stubborn, blind, and insecure in love. Through Lizzy's help, Darcy had become a different man.

Still wondering over the couple, the pair themselves met him at the door.

"I assume that I will be announcing wedding bells at dinner?" Mr. Bennet said, ruefully.

"Oh, Papa!" Elizabeth said, throwing her arms around her father.

Patting his favorite daughter on the back, Mr. Bennet said looked over her shoulder to Darcy, who was grinning like a madman. "Well, my boy, you shall have your hands full."

"May it be so forever and always," Darcy said, letting Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet proceed him through the door.

The trio joined the rest of the party in the dining room, where Elizabeth and Darcy tried to hide their happiness from the others. Bingley, Jane, and Georgiana looked anxiously at Darcy and Elizabeth, who took seats across from each other, looking rather indifferent to each other.

Darcy and Elizabeth congratulated themselves silently throughout dinner, neither of them giving away any indication as to their present state of felicity. Georgiana kept getting distracted from her conversation with Kitty and Jane by watching Darcy and Elizabeth make remarks about the weather, the hunting, everything except themselves.

At the end of dinner, before everyone could retire to the sitting room once again, Mr. Bennet stood up and addressed the table.

"It has come to my attention that after today, I must promise off another one of my daughters," he began.

All eyes flew to Darcy and Elizabeth who were beginning to let a smile crack.

Mr. Bennet continued. "Today, Mr. Darcy has asked me for permission to marry Lizzy, and I have given them my blessing."

At this announcement, all of the women flew from their chairs to encompass Elizabeth with hugs and kisses, while the men shook Darcy's hand in congratulations.

The party moved into the sitting room, laughing and loud with chatter. One could hear Bingley saying enthusiastically to Darcy, "We shall be brothers!" and Georgiana saying excitedly to Jane, "Do not they make a fine pair?" Mrs. Bennet could be heard whispering to herself, "Ten thousand a year!" and Mr. Bennet discussing what sort of books were to be had at the library at Pemberley with Darcy.

Darcy settled himself next to Elizabeth on the divan, grinning across the room at Bingley, who had also sat down next to his fiancé. Leaning over to whisper in Elizabeth's ear, Darcy said, "What do you say, Lizzy, of accompanying your sister to Town next week? You may shop for your wedding clothes, and share our good news with your aunt and uncle Gardiner yourself."

"Oh, Fitzwilliam, that is a wonderful plan!" Elizabeth said, as Jane and Bingley crossed the room to join them. "Jane, I will be coming with you to London after all."

"It would also be a good opportunity to introduce you to my Aunt and Uncle," Darcy said, "And of course you all must stay at Darcy House while in London."

"That is so kind of you, Mr. Darcy!" Mrs. Bennet said, appearing from nowhere.

"It is indeed," Elizabeth said, quietly. "I should very much like to meet Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam."

Darcy gave her hand a squeeze. "They are very anxious to meet you, Lizzy." A thought occurred to Darcy. He left Elizabeth in her mother and Jane's care as he went up to Mr. Bennet.

"Sir, there is one more favor I would ask of you," he said.

Mr. Bennet looked amused as he nodded his assent.

"I would ask," Darcy said carefully, "That you allow me to pay for all of Elizabeth's shopping in London when she accompanies her sister next week."

Mr. Bennet began to protest at this, but Darcy intervened. "I insist sir."

Sighing, Mr. Bennet said, "If you must." Brightening considerably, he continued, "That is, you may do so, if I may have the privilege of inspecting some of your books at Pemberley."

Darcy smiled. "You are welcome at Pemberley at any time."

Mr. Bennet snorted. "You may regret that promise, Darcy." And with that, Mr. Bennet walked out of the room to his library, shaking his head.

Watching Mr. Bennet leave, Darcy had to smile. He was gaining an interesting father-in-law. He began to make his way back to Elizabeth, but was waylaid several times.

Darcy put up with Mrs. Bennet's praises and not so subtle questions as to how many carriages and servants he had. He received a rather large hug from Georgiana, who was aglow in excitement. She had already become friends with Kitty and Lydia, and was just then exchanging opinions of composers with Mary. Darcy congratulated Denny on his engagement, and was again stopped and congratulated by Bingley, who was fetching tea.

Finally, Darcy reached Elizabeth and sat down gratefully next to her. She smiled up at him, squeezing his hand gently.

He smiled at her, squeezing her hand back. She was finally his and he was hers. All was right in the world, and they were about to embark on another adventure together: planning their wedding.

YAY!!!!!! IT'S DONE!!!! I loved writing this final chapter…Part 2 (a.k.a. the sequel) will be started. It's been tough going this week, fitting in writing with homework and cross country. I hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Please review and comment, especially in regards to 1) Who your favorite character is and 2) Who you would like to see more of or be included in the sequel (for example, the Colinses or Lady Catherine)!

Thank you sooooo much for your support and encouragement. –ComeSomedaySoon