Chapter 20

Darcy stood outside Lady Anne Hall, his arms wrapped protectively around his wife.

"I'm anxious to see my sisters, but I am sorry to go," she admitted.

He knew how she felt. Rosings would not provide the same privacy they had cherished the past several weeks. After the memorials and a brief period of mourning, he was happy to whisk her away but their return would only bring the memories to the forefront once more.

"Don't worry," he whispered into her hair, sensing her dismay. "We'll come back."

"Promise?" she asked, turning up to face him.

"I promise," he answered before bringing his lips to hers. Taking her hand, he assisted his wife into he carriage before following.

He had always hated riding in carriages. Being cooped up, unable to see the surrounding landscape. It made him vulnerable having to rely upon others due to the confining carriage and minimal windows. Not to mention there was no escape, especially from any unwanted prattling. If given the choice he would much rather be on Combat, riding about the lands enjoying the silence, feeling the wind in his hair, able to see potential threats approaching with his own eyes. But now, sitting next to Elizabeth, feeling her warm hand within his, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, he wouldn't change it for anything.

"What's wrong?" he asked after feeling her stiffen.

"Nothing," she replied all too quickly.

"Elizabeth," he urged softly. He cupped her chin and forced her face towards him. He had become quite good at reading her expressions, and she was definitely hiding something. She had been quieter than usual. Maybe she was feeling ill. They could turn back and he could call for a physician.

"Please…" he urged

He heard her sigh.

"I'm just worried about my sisters," she admitted finally. "Where are Mary, Lydia and Kitty going to live? Pemberley is in crumbles. Would they all stay with Jane and Charles at Netherfield? Your aunt…"

"Our aunt," Darcy said corrected her.

"Our aunt," she corrected, "has been so kind taking them in for so long, but we cannot encroach on her kindness any longer. And I don't want them to be a burden, but Jane shouldn't take all the responsibility. Besides, Kitty and Lydia would hate to be parted and it is good for Mary to have strong feminine influences. She keeps to herself too much."

Elizabeth sighed again.

"Anyways, this isn't for you to fret about," she concluded.

"You're my wife," he responded. "Your worries are my worries. We will get it all sorted out when we return to Rosings. But in the meantime, agonizing over it isn't going to do any good."

"Relax," he breathed into her hair, "and try to enjoy these last hours of peace together."

"You're right," she admitted, placing her hand on his knee and giving it a squeeze before smiling up at him.

He gently put his arm around her, pulling his wife closer, and kissed her. She settled her head against his chest once more and he thought yes, there was no other place he would rather be.

"Lizzy!"

Darcy could hear his sisters-in-law shouting from the front of Rosings as they traveled up the gravel drive. He would miss the quite of the last weeks, more so than Elizabeth. He had grown used to the silence but it was a small price to pay, as he was anxious to see his sister.

Glancing out the window, he saw them all standing in a line as the carriage pulled to a stop. Lizzy didn't wait for the servant to open the carriage. Disregarding her leg, she hopped from the carriage, and ran into Jane's waiting arms, her three other sisters circling them to form a larger embrace.

Darcy was met first by his sister after emerging from the carriage.

"I missed you," she whispered into his chest. He smiled and voiced his agreement.

She stepped aside and Charles walked over, griping his hand firmly. His friend was as jovial as ever. Asking questions about their journey and honeymoon. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Aunt Catherine begin to approach his wife. She and Elizabeth had been civil since she returned, however he knew Elizabeth still harbored feelings of hatred and resentment towards her after all that had passed between them. Deciding it was best to intervene, he excused himself and made his way over.

"Ah!" she exclaimed as he joined them. "My favorite nephew."

Lady Catherine affectionately kissed his cheeks and then turned back to face Elizabeth. "I was just telling your wife what a joy it has been having her sisters here this past month."

He was stricken speechless. His aunt had never approved of Elizabeth's sisters before and had found their presence to be, in her words, exhausting, deafening, and overbearing. Now she sang a different tune. She praised them for their fighting skills, despite their Chinese training, and mentioned at least once that they were charming young ladies. He didn't know what shocked him more, the fact that his aunt genuinely had come to care for his sisters-in-law or the change in her overall character.

Darcy then thought of his cousin, Anne. His aunt had suffered dearly in loosing her only child and now she was desperately clinging to those girls for they were everything she wanted Anne to become but would never be. Elizabeth was going to have a difficult time dragging them from here now.

They all settled in one of Rosing's lavish parlors. During his walk through the gardens, up the main stairwell, and then through the hallway, Darcy noticed almost everything was back to normal, apart from the presence of his aunt's Black Guard. The blood had been cleaned from the marbled floors, broken glass had been removed, and everything had an eerie calmness that he was still trying to get used to.

Darcy sat with Charles at one end of the room. From his position, he saw Elizabeth chatting quietly with Jane on the opposite couch. His aunt was glancing between Lydia and Kitty, demonstrating a better sword technique. Mary sat quietly by one of the large windows reading a letter she had just received. His sister was reading as well and throwing occasional thoughtful glances in his direction every few minutes. He knew she was itching to ask him about his honeymoon, but that was not a subject he would share with his sister. Glancing back towards Charles, he reinvested himself in the conversation.

Charles told him how there had been no zombie sightings on the grounds since they had left. He asked his friend about Lady Catherine's spirits and Charles sobered.

"She was down for at least a week after you had left," he stated. "Georgiana tried to coax her outside and failed. She either just sat atop her chair in her throne room, her head turned to the right, gazing longingly at her daughter's chair, or walked through Anne's room, absentmindedly picking things up and placing them back down."

"What changed?" Darcy inquired, leaning back in his seat.

"She was standing by the window in Anne's room one day and saw Lydia and Kitty in their training clothes walking towards the dojo, swords in hand, their heads thrown back in laughter. From then on, she clung to those girls. Mary too."

"And, naturally," Darcy said thoughtfully, "you learned all this from Jane."

"Of course," Charles said with a smile. Raising his glass he said, "To our wives."

Darcy chuckled.

"To our wives," he echoed, clinking his glass to Charles'.

"So how was that honeymoon of yours?" Charles inquired. Darcy smiled amusingly at him before answering.

"Worth the wait."

Charles laughed and nodded in agreement as he took another sip of his drink.

"How was Georgiana after we left?" Darcy asked, knowing his friend had been tasked with caring for her in his absence.

"As kindhearted as ever," he replied. "Granted, she too was somber for the first few days after you left, but she perked up. Especially whenever a certain gentleman visited."

Darcy knew all too well whom he meant.

"Ashton is a good man," Darcy admitted, rolling the remaining liquid around in his glass. "He loves my sister and protects her even when I cannot."

"So you will give him your blessing then?" Charles prodded. Darcy downed what remained in his glass and glanced at his friend.

"I already have," he answered with a smile. "I wrote to him before we parted Lady Anne Hall."

"You should know Georgiana came to me asking if I thought you would do him in upon your return."

Darcy laughed, which drew the attention of the room for a few moments.

"I want my sister to be happy," he said after everyone had resumed their conversations. "And he makes her happy. It's as simple as that. He has proven himself time and time again to be a worthy sort of man, and who am I to deny Georgiana this when she has never asked anything else of me?"

At that moment, a servant announced Ashton's arrival. He entered the room and, after polite greetings, asked Georgiana if she would walk with him in the gardens. His sister looked to him for his blessing, anticipating what was to come. He nodded at her with the hint of a smile.

After the couple had left the room, they joined Jane and Elizabeth.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Elizabeth asked him all-knowingly.

He answered by placing a kiss atop her head.

"She will be close to Rosings and Aunt Catherine can keep an eye on her. Besides," he added, "he knows I will have no trouble putting a sword through his brains should he hurt my sister."

They all chuckled, unsure just how serious he was being.

"No!" shouted Mary suddenly in disbelief as she finished reading her letter. She stood and ran to the window that overlooked the gravel drive. Everyone was stunned at her sudden outburst, for Mary had never raised her voice except in the midst of battle.

"What is it?" Jane asked.

Mary didn't answer. Instead she turned round and ran past them all, fleeing out the door. The letter fluttered to the floor.

Darcy watched his wife pick it up and quickly scan the two pages for answers. Expecting the worst, his hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his katana, only to meet the empty air. Hoping no one noticed, he moved his hand to Elizabeth's shoulder instead.

"What is it?" he asked, repeating Jane's original question.

Her eyes widened as she reached the end. After glancing up, she burst into a fit of laughter. Her hand flew to cover her mouth and minimize the sound but it was no use. Tears began streaming down her face.

"Lizzy!" shouted Jane. "What is it?"

Elizabeth tried to calm herself and explain but she only broke into another fit of uncontrollable laughter.

The normally patient Jane sighed exasperatedly and tore the letter from Elizabeth's hands. After reading it she gasped.

"This cannot be!" she cried. "Lizzy how can you laugh at something like this?!"

"What is going on?" Bingley asked.

"One of the Scots that aided us in the final battle against Wickham has been corresponding with Mary," Jane began explaining. "He has asked her to marry him and according to the letter he's come to whisk her away..."

"No!" gasped Lydia and Kitty at the same time. They both turned and looked at each other before dashing to the window.

"There he is!" shouted Kitty.

The girls ran out the door and the rest followed.

As Darcy descended the main stairwell he saw the lone man on horseback riding quickly towards the house.

"What's going on?" Georgiana asked him when they reached the gardens, Ashton at her side.

"Mary is running away with a Scotsman!" Lizzy answered gleefully. She laughed once more.

"I didn't see that coming," Georgiana responded.

"Neither did I," added Elizabeth. "This is the most un-Marylike thing she could possibly do."

The continued through the gardens and approached Mary just as the Scot was nearing the gardens. He could now see he was a strong, burly man. His jacket was a bit worn and his brown and gray kilt flapped in the breeze. His unkempt auburn hair blew into his eyes. His face was stern, but appeared to soften once Mary began running towards him, her hair falling out of her usually tidy bun.

"Yes!" Darcy could hear her shouting as the Scot, who he now recognized as Alastair's son, closed the distance.

The man flashed a brilliant smile and leaped off. Mary ran in his arms, and he kissed her passionately. They released their embrace, and he mounted his steed once more. Offering her his arm, he hoisted her up behind him.

"I'll write! I promise!" Mary shouted back at them with a wave as the Scot nodded his regards. Before he knew it, they took off back up the drive.

Elizabeth made her way to his side and he could tell she was trying hard not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation they found themselves in.

"I cannot believe that just happened!" Lydia said in disbelief as soon as they were out of sight. "Who knew she had it in her?!"

"I find their northern way of doing things very agreeable," added Kitty with a grin.

"I'm surprised she left all of her books behind," Lydia commented with a chuckle.

Darcy could feel Elizabeth laughing under her breath. He then glanced at Jane, who still looked dumbfounded. And Charles was making quick glances between his wife and the rest of the party trying to figure out how best to proceed.

"We can't just let her leave!" Jane shouted suddenly. Darcy jerked back, surprised at his sister-in-law's sudden outburst.

"We don't even know his name!" Jane continued. "Or where he is taking her!"

"Charles," Jane pleaded, "go after them!"

"No," Elizabeth said firmly.

"Lizzy!" Jane retorted.

"Jane, Mary is the most sensible of us all," she reasoned. "She has never done anything rash in her entire life. So if she is willing to leave with him, then he must be trustworthy. There is more to this than we have seen here today."

"Lizzy is right, Jane," Lydia said after a brief silence. "Mary would never do anything impulsive without thinking everything through first."

"Jane, if it makes you feel better," Darcy began explaining, "Alastair's son is a righteous and just man. She will be all right. I do not care for the Scottish way of taking brides, but rest assure, Mary will be safe."

He watched Jane's face change from worry to her normal happy disposition. Elizabeth offered him a smile.

"I admire her," said Georgiana after no one else spoke up. "She did what she had to do to find her happiness."

She beamed up at Ashton with a look Darcy had never seen upon his sister's face before. She was radiant and poised for she was in love. Everyone else seemed to sense the change in Georgiana for soon Kitty and Mary squealed with delight and everyone took turns congratulating the couple.

Darcy heard Elizabeth mention something to Jane under her breath about engagements in their family always occurring in pairs, to which Jane chuckled with laughter.

"Well, shall we head back inside and celebrate?" suggested Lady Catherine.

Darcy began making his way to the stairwell with the others, but Georgiana tugged his hand, silently asking him to remain behind.

Tears began pooling in her eyes, and she wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"I'm going to miss you so much," she cried. "Whatever will I do without you?"

"You'll never be without me," he replied. "If you need anything, I will come. I am, and always will be, your brother."

"Thank you," she said.

He felt the weight of the words. They weren't just for his blessing, but for everything. Teaching her to fight. Giving her an education. Showering her with gifts just because he wanted to express how much he cherished her. For never raising his voice even when she was being quite irritating. For being her protector and confidant. For raising her after their parents had passed. For refusing to let her ever feel like a burden. For all these reasons and more, she was grateful.

He closed his eyes, treasuring this moment they had together for soon she would be married and gone. She would no longer be his to protect, and although he knew this day would come, he was hardly ready for it to come to fruition.

"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked him as he entered the throne room. They stood alone in the corner by one of the massive windows lining the wall.

Much to his surprise, it was a throne room no longer, for his aunt had transformed it into a lavish parlor. Various sitting areas occupied the space, mixtures of inviting couches and chairs made for more intimate sitting areas. Candelabras stood on ornate tables and rich rugs framed each sitting area. A pianoforte sat where her seat once stood, and her artifacts from Japan were displayed throughout the space.

He felt Elizabeth run a hand through his hair, and she gazed worriedly into his eyes, waiting for his reply.

He nodded in response and kissed her palm.

"Are you?" he asked tenderly. She had just lost yet another in her family. Not in the same way as her parents, cousin, and best friend, but who knew when or if Mary would ever return to England.

"Yes," she responded quietly. Her thumb idly caressed the scar along his cheek. "She is happy, and so am I. My only concern now is for Kitty and Lydia."

Darcy watched his wife cast a worried glance in their direction. Her wrapped her in his arms, wishing to shelter her; to let her know that he would be her rock, a constant presence for her to confide in and lean on. To take some of the weight off of her shoulders, for he knew Elizabeth's anxieties for her sisters echoed his own for Georgiana.

His aunt glided over at that moment. Her black eye patch matched her dark training clothes that she had not yet changed out of from her earlier training session with Kitty and Lydia. Ever since his cousin's passing his aunt had taken to wearing only black clothes. She declared that her mourning period would last the number of months she had spent with her daughter.

"I do hope I'm not interrupting," Lady Catherine said calmly, "but I have something I wish to discuss with you both."

He glanced curiously at his aunt, unsure of what she was up to.

"As you can see, I have become quite attached to those sisters of yours, Elizabeth," she began, addressing his wife. "And I was wondering… how you would feel…. about them staying at Rosings with me… Permanently."

Elizabeth had never hesitated at giving their aunt her honest opinion regarding anything, and he readied for whatever she would say. But shockingly Elizabeth remained silent, probing their aunt to continue.

"You see, they are so much like myself at their age, and I would be able to care for them. Provide them a motherly influence and a sort of teacher. Not that you and Jane wouldn't be able to care for them," she added quickly. "I would raise them to be good, proper girls, and teach them to harness their warrior spirit. Something my dearest Anne could never be."

He had never seen his aunt flustered before. It almost appeared as if Elizabeth intimidated her but then Darcy realized her character wasn't stemming from apprehensiveness but rather from love. He knew Elizabeth loved her sisters and his aunt had come to care for them in the same way as well. And the risk of his wife denying her request had put more fear in his Aunt Catherine than any other obstacle she had ever taken head-on throughout her life thus far. Darcy, more than anyone, understood that what his aunt feared most of all was finding herself alone.

"I shall have to discuss it with Jane," Elizabeth replied. He raised his eyebrows in surprise at his wife's response.

"Thank you," Lady Catherine responded, reaching out to give Elizabeth's arm an affectionate squeeze.

"What did Jane say?" Darcy asked Elizabeth later that night.

His wife's head rested on his bare chest, her legs tangled in his. Her brown hair cascaded down her creamy back, he moved his hand gently back and forth over it. He could feel her breathing on his skin and it awakened all his senses.

"Oh, you know Jane," she responded matter-of-factly. "She seemed agreeable to anything that would make them happy. We're going to discuss it with Kitty and Lydia in the morning."

"That's wise," he responded.

"How long will it take for Pemberley to be rebuilt?" she asked him.

"Some time," Darcy responded sadly.

He missed his home; the memories and familiar surroundings. He missed the ability to see the sweeping countryside in every direction, and the feeling of being close to his parents. The books his father cherished so much and the flowers in the garden his mother had tended. Training in the dojo with his father at such a young age. He would never be able to share any of this with Elizabeth. At least not in the way he truly wished to.

"What are you thinking?" she asked after he said no more.

"I just wish… I wish that we were there. Living in Pemberley," he admitted. "Don't get me wrong, I would destroy all my worldly possessions all over again for the chance to save you and the whole of mankind, but it's just occurring to me exactly what I lost. I could have shown you what the boy in me experienced. Trekking down to the pond to sneak in an afternoon swim, laying in the stable loft reading or playing with a sword my parents didn't know I kept hidden up there, where I fenced with my father on the grounds out back or where I would hide when sneaking hot pies out of the kitchens. Wickham may not have taken you away from me, or the others that I love, but he took my home. He knew how much it meant and understood that I would have to sacrifice so much to get it back. It was my identity, and the only other thing besides Georgiana that links me with my parents. It will never be the same. And I will never completely get to share that with you."

Elizabeth leaned up on her elbows and faced him. He fought back the tears pooling in his eyes. Forcing himself to be strong, he sniffed and sighed, trying to reset his mind.

"Then let's go there," she said, her face determined. "Show it to me. Show me everything."

"Elizabeth…" he began protesting, but she cut him off.

"I'm serious," she maintained, sitting up on her knees. "Why should we wait ten years after it is rebuilt before you can share all these memories with me? Who knows what will happen between now and then."

"I love you," she said, taking his head between her two small hands, "and I want to know everything you're willing to share. And I don't want to wait."

He had never loved his wife so much than in this moment. He raised himself up, bringing their faces closer together until all he could see was her. He could feel her move her hands to the back of his head and he quickly closed the remaining distance.

The following day it was decided, with the affirmation of Lydia and Kitty, that the girls would remain at Rosings. Darcy had never seen his aunt so happy, a smile consuming her entire face. She had lost one child in the war but had gained two as a result. Lydia and Kitty looked equally happy, giggling about living in such a house, fighting over what rooms were to be theirs, and hugging Aunt Catherine as if she had been their guardian for years.

His aunt glanced up at him and smiled. He saw her eye was tearing up. She was one of the fiercest women he had ever known and wondered if his mother would have exhibited the same strength as her sister had she survived. Seeing the three of them now, embracing and clinging to one another, he realized how everything had worked out for the better. The Bennet sisters had lost both parents, but they had a guardian in his Aunt Catherine. He knew from experience she would love them unyieldingly and look after them as if they were her own for she had done that for him after his father had passed on. She was his guardian and mentor. And now she would be able to be the same for those girls.

After the Kitty and Lydia had settled on the new arrangements, Darcy and Elizabeth announced their plans to make a journey northward to Pemberley. Despite it being met with some complaints, primarily from Georgiana, Jane, and Charles, they assured everyone it would not be a long journey, and should return within fortnight.

"Good," Jane replied, "because I don't want you missing a thing."

Jane touched her stomach tenderly. Elizabeth shouted in joy as his best friend and sister-in-law formerly announced their pregnancy.

Darcy smiled and took Charles in an embrace, congratulating him. Never would he have imagined that stepping into the dance room at Meryton would have taken him to this moment. He and Charles wed, Wickham dead, the undead being all but extinct. Now was the time to rebuild and remember those they had lost. To leave the pain of what was behind and look to the future, as it was full of possibilities.

He felt Elizabeth at his side and he wrapped his arm protectively around her waist.

"That will be us someday," she said quietly, leaning her head against his arm.

"And it will be one of the happiest days of my life," he responded, kissing the top of her head. He heard her sigh contentedly.

"Promise me something," Elizabeth said after some time. Turning to face him, she placed he palms against his chest.

"Anything," he responded anxiously, enclosing her hands with his. For he loved this woman with all his being and he would give her anything, should she just ask. She was what he didn't know he needed or was searching for until he found her. He would protect and serve, honor and cherish her until his last breath, and whatever she uttered now he would do so without question.

"Promise me," she said, "that whatever the future holds, we conquer it together, side by side."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, my love," he replied. "For you and I are one."

He moved a hand beneath her chin, and lifted her face to meet his. Her fingers grasped the lapels on his coat and drew him closer towards her. Disregarding propriety, he kissed is wife passionately. Her warmth was like a fire, consuming him. He wove his hands in her hair and down her back, pulling her closer. He never wanted to let go. One of her hands pressed against the nape of his neck while the other cupped his cheek. They pulled back slowly, foreheads touching, neither wanting to be apart, but not wishing to draw any attention from the others in the room. Staring down at her, he knew that whatever the good Lord held for them in the future, he could conquer it with her by his side.

The End

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! You have no idea how much time and love went into every word of this story. I can only hope I did Elizabeth and Darcy justice and that you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it. I have decided to dedicate this story to ladyofthewoo, who told me to start writing this in the first place. Love you!