Friends, to say it has been a long time is a gigantic understatement! For a while I did feel like I had wrapped up this story sufficiently. However, I, like many of you I think, do like to see more than just the resolution. I like a little post-conflict story – a peek at the happily ever after. So, I always thought maybe I would come back and give this a little of that. Who knew it would take this long? Anyway, short story long - here we are. Also – I have started to edit and revise some of my P&P stories for publication. My first, Expectations & Apologies, is on Amazon now! This story will be the second one I publish - probably in September You can find me on Amazon (Pen name: Elizabeth Squire), Facebook and Instagram ( mselizabethsquireauthor). Okay enough other stuff here's the end . . . maybe (I am also a sucker for epilogues!)

So it was that one month after Mary became Mrs. Collins, she and her husband returned to Hertfordshire to watch her sisters likewise be joined in matrimony to the gentlemen of their choosing. In Longbourn church, where they had so recently wed, the former Miss Bennet and her husband sat and awaited the brides. They were joined by most of the Bennet's neighbors as well as friends of the grooms who traveled from London for the special day. In addition, immediate and extended family of both brides and grooms filled the benches and though an imperious aunt and a wayward sister may have been missing they were certainly not missed.

Elizabeth took Jane's hand as the carriage pulled away from the house. The sisters smiled in shared anticipation and happiness. At their father's insistence the rest of the family had gone on ahead. Although some brides may have balked at their sisters and mother being given the preference of the more luxurious Darcy carriage, which was sent by that gentleman along with a gift and note for his bride early in the morning, the eldest Bennets did not. Jane because it would never have occurred to her to demand anything at all and Elizabeth because she was feeling overly sentimental about her, perhaps, final ride in her father's carriage.

Shortly after ten in the morning, the appointed time for the ceremony, the grooms were called from the room where they had been waiting together with the vicar. Bingley smiled widely bounding from his seat. He was at the door almost before either of the other gentlemen had risen. Darcy was no less eager but much less demonstrative. His smile was slight, but his eyes shone brightly as they made their way to the front of the church. When their ladies appeared at the doorway on the arm of Mr. Bennet both grooms were struck not only by the beauty before them, each having a decided opinion as to which lady had the greater share, but by the very great fortunate that was theirs. They each felt very keenly the blessing it was that they were to about to be joined to the one they loved so deeply and who loved them so deeply in return. It was, they knew, a rare gift.

The wedding breakfast was held at Netherfield. Such a large party of guests could not have been accommodated at Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet was persuaded to allow this slight deviation from traditional practice because it allowed her to crow over her daughter's new home that much sooner and she was still allowed to act as hostess both in preparation and on the day. Miss Bingley appreciated neither of these accommodations. However, Miss Bingley appreciated very little about the wedding or perhaps it was the resulting marriages that she truly resented. Whatever the case the smile she wore throughout the ceremony and the festivities following could best be described as artificial. This sour expression, which was shared by her elder sister, was certainly the exception. The other guests, family and friends alike, celebrated sincerely with the happy couples. Those who loved the ladies and the gentlemen were happy to see that they had each found their match. As for the brides and grooms themselves it would be difficult to describe the happiness they felt as they pledged their lives to one another within the walls of Longbourn church nor afterwards as they mingled among their loved ones. They did try; however, as many people asked after their feelings both on that day and during their courtships. It surprised Elizabeth to learn that it was she who grew tired first of the telling and the re-telling of the road which led she and her husband to the alter that fine February morning. Her neighbors insisted on hearing the story again and again and Mr. Darcy, it seemed, was more than obliging. Elizabeth found that Darcy's friends and family were no less eager for the tale, but they preferred herself as the narrator.

"And so he asked your entire family to assist him in winning you?" Colonel Fitzwilliam inquired when she finished one such recounting to a group which included his father the Earl, a Darcy cousin and an old school friend of Fitzwilliam's. It was the third such group where the Colonel had heard some form of the story of Darcy and Elizabeth's courtship. A story which she knew he was already well acquainted with, having heard it from Fitzwilliam himself as well as Lady Eleanor. What the Colonel loved, Elizabeth learned soon after meeting him in London weeks ago, was teasing his cousin and this included revealing his softer side to all who would listen.

"I did." The man himself declared, joining the group. "I would have asked even you for help, Stephen, if I thought you would have had some wisdom to offer. That should show you how far I was willing to go to win my bride." He smiled down at Elizabeth and she got lost in the warmth of his eyes and the sweetness of his words. The other gentlemen good-naturedly congratulated Darcy on his marriage and offered their best wishes before going off in search of refreshment. Perhaps they sensed the couple wanted a moment alone. Stephen, however, was impervious to such subtle indicators.

"Well, I am amazed that even with the help of the lovely Bennet ladies and the wise Mr. Bennet you were able to persuade this very intelligent woman to waste the rest of her life with you." He said.

Darcy laughed. It was a noise that would have sounded rusty and unusual just a month prior. By this time though Elizabeth's family, her neighbors, Georgianna and even some of Darcy's relatives had become used to the sound.

"I am amazed as well, cousin." He said. "Not quite as amazed as I am at your having convinced Lady Eleanor to marry you though."

"Touché" Stephen conceded before taking himself off to find that very lady.

Hours later the newly wedded couples were together once more. Elizabeth and Darcy had bid farewell to all of the guests and now all that remained was for the sisters to say their tearful goodbyes. The Darcys would spend a few nights in London before traveling to Pemberley where they would spend the winter while the Bingleys planned to remain at Netherfield. The separation would last until spring when they would reunite at Pemberley before traveling to the lake country together on their joint wedding tour.

"Jane, I shall miss you terribly." Elizabeth declared, taking her sister into a fierce embrace.

"And I you, Lizzy." They stepped back slightly still holding onto one another's hands and spoke softly together of topics which had been thoroughly canvassed over the past weeks, hopes and fears about their new lives, but which now seemed so very imminent.

"My love, I do not wish to rush you, but we must set off soon or we will not reach London before dark." Darcy said gently. He and Bingley had been standing together, apart from their wives, intending to give them privacy which also led to the gentlemen having their own conversation about their nascent marriages and their own hopes and fears.

The gentleness in his voice when he spoke to her never failed to cause Elizabeth's heart to stutter and she sincerely hoped it never would.

"Yes, of course." With one last hug the sisters parted. Jane and Bingley returned to their guests and Darcy handed Elizabeth into the carriage. It jerked to life almost as soon as the door was shut. Elizabeth felt all of the finality of the moment. Her life as Elizabeth Bennet was over and her journey as Elizabeth Darcy had begun. The man who had given her that name and just hours earlier, and repeatedly over the past months, promised to love her above all others slid a warm brick under her feet as she smiled contentedly at him. She thought it was a fairly auspicious beginning.