Epilogue: Love cometh forth like sunshine after rain

Mrs Elizabeth Darcy was sat reading her favourite book (diary? Dream journal?) in her favourite chair, at her favourite window. To an outside observer she looked the picture of tranquility. The book in question was the unedited version of her life with her husband, written before it became her life. She loved reading of their interactions from his point of view, it gave her an insight, no woman has ever had, in to their love. She cherished his written account of how he felt on their wedding day, the first ball in the ton, his feelings when she had accepted him. She read it whenever he was from home, and whenever he was working too hard or she was feeling unwell.

Today she was not tranquil, today she was scared.

Today was the day that Darcy remembered his fall from Mars.

Today was the day he had forgotten her.

Elizabeth read his words and compared this account of their life to what their life had in fact been. The similarities were uncanny.

...

Mr and Mrs Gardiner were frequent visitors of Pemberley. They were on the best terms with the Darcy's and Elizabeth was grateful for that. Darcy had remained true to his word, he liked and respected Mr Gardiner and they were often found debating points of politics or literature over a fishing rod. They, both, truly loved them.

Jane and Bingley had married in the spring, six months before they would have otherwise. They were very happy and Bingley's new found strength had been a boon. Caroline had caused no further troubles, having decided that forming her own establishment was as good as becoming a spinster. She had, instead, decided to go north and became a leader in Newcastle's society. She rarely came to London, preferring to be in places where she was recognised and looked up to. Elizabeth did not miss her society one bit, and was pleased to hear of her marriage to a gentleman from the north, who was but rarely in town.

Jane and Bingley had bought an estate in Staffordshire. It had not been available when they had first wished to quite Netherfield and so they had stayed at Pemberley for the winter of the year twelve. The Bingleys had not questioned Darcys perspicacity when he assured them the owner would sell shortly. The sisters had enjoyed being able to live together for a short period of time, but both families were happy when their dream home had become available.

Elizabeth had never told Jane of the diary, or of the alternative path their lives could have taken. It was a secret between herself and Darcy. One they spoke of on occasion, but not often, satisfied to live the life they did.

...

Mr and Mrs Collins were content, to all outward appearances. Charlotte was able to manage her husband well and would often comment on how little time she spent in his company. Her sister visited her frequently, and both she and Charlotte enjoyed the local society and their respectable positions within it. Charlotte did visit Derbyshire on occasion, but it was rare. Her husband was not well tolerated, but had improved with the genial yet firm guidance of his wife.

They had their first baby a year after their marriage, a boy, for which Charlotte was eternally grateful as it meant she could avoid marital relations more often. Elizabeth smiled as she remembered the conversation, Charlotte explaining how she had persuaded Mr Collins that it was not really necessary any more. She did occasionally relent, and the last letter Elizabeth had received was suggestive of her being with child again. Charlotte was hoping for a girl this time and could not be unhappy with the outcome even if she disliked the act itself.

...

Elizabeth flipped through to earlier in her book, re-reading the parts about Lydia's disgrace. This was a very different story to the one she had lived.

Wickham had tried to live under the threats made by the Colonel, but old habits die hard and soon his gaming debts and debts of honour had driven him to abscond. Colonel Fitzwilliam had hunted him down and pressed him in to service. The navy officers would not tolerate poor behaviour and, after one flogging and one episode of keel hauling, his ways were quickly mended. He would never rise too high, nor earn too much, due to his general habits, but he passed a respectable enough life as a midshipman. He never married, not managing to find a woman willing to take him on, particularly after the keel hauling left him with a few facial scars. No doubt they would have lent him distinction had they not been accompanied by his bitter personality.

...

Lydia had not been allowed to Brighton, at the combined advice of Mr and Mrs Darcy and Mr and Mrs Bingley as well as Lady Catherine. She had ranted and raved and had been sent to a finishing school for her petulance. She had met girls of far more importance than her, despite her connections, and had felt her own insignificance. She had flirted with a gentleman, a brother of one of the girls. One of these occasions he had tried to take liberties, coldly informing her that was the only reason he tolerated her prattle. She had not allowed it, slapped him forcefully and walked away.

The event had shown her a new light on the desires of gentlemen and what they thought of her, more than any stern lectures had ever done so.

Luckily no one had found out about her flirtation and its end, not even the gentleman's sister, and so her reputation was intact in the eyes of society. She was now eighteen and had began enjoying life for what it was, instead of it being the relentless pursuit of men. Elizabeth finally thought she might be mature enough to bring to town for a season. She was just waiting to see if she might be expecting her second bundle of joy before inviting her.

Elizabeth sighed, passing her hand over her, as yet, flat belly. It had taken longer than she had expected to become pregnant, not for lack of trying. Their marital relations were nothing like those of Mrs Collins. Elizabeth enjoyed her time with Darcy, letting go in a way she would never have thought possible. She was able to be just herself, and he was just himself. There was no wantoness, no secrets, no propriety, no action not allowed between them.

However her first child, little Anne, had been born exactly as she had been in their other life. It was as if she was the child they were meant to have and she could not have come about except at that time. Nothing brought her joy like Anne did. A fact that also applied to Darcy, he doted upon her, lavishing attention in an almost desperate manner. She speculated that part of the reason he was so loving toward Anne was a way of atoning for his behaviour following this accident. Not that Anne would have known this

Elizabeth was startled by the clock chiming the hour. She checked outside, not seeing anyone as of yet. Darcy was out riding along a part of the estate that had flooded earlier that week. The excursion could not be avoided, but the horse was not the same. She hoped the change of horse would be enough, but she was worried nonetheless. She was a bundle of nerves and she settled herself by reading more.

...

Kitty, Mary and Georgiana had married just as they had in their previous experience. Elizabeth had stayed true, not wishing to know whom they would marry. Darcy had only confirmed the similarities after the engagements had been announced. She was excessively pleased with their choices, but was glad they had been their choices and not influenced by herself or Darcy.

...

Lady Catherine had taken the most unexpected path. She was rarely mentioned in the diary, having played so small a part in their lives previously. On this occasion, she had not maintained any animosity and had even visited them in London soon after their marriage. Mr Bennet had also been staying and Elizabeth was shocked at how well the two of them got on. Their conversations could not be called congenial, being borderline argumentative, but they both enjoyed them nonetheless, thrived on them even.

At that first meeting her father had stayed a full week longer than anticipated and Lady Catherine had visited daily. (Such an event was heretofore unheard of) After that they had corresponded with frequency. Lady Catherine found a nice young man for Anne, with the help of The Earl of Matlock and Darcy. A second son of an earl, who was the second son of a duke. Excellent connections but in need of a property. He was happy to take on Rosings and even allowed Lady Catherine to remain in residence, although her free reign was curtailed for the half year he was master.

She visited the Darcy's often, usually when Mr Bennet was there, and so she muddled along just fine. She became grudgingly fond of Mrs Darcy and actually enjoyed Lydia's company on occasion, who was now Miss Bennet, being the only girl not married.

Mrs Bennet knew of her husband's preference for Lady Catherine's company, but could not find it in herself to mind much. His temperament was so much improved that he rarely made sport of her and so her nerves became less frequently displayed. She was quite content in her environment in Meryton, being the leading matriarch with enviably settled daughters, and only visited said daughters on occasion. Elizabeth may have been boasted about the most but she remained her least favourite daughter, mainly as she was less important in her home than anywhere else. Elizabeth had too many responsibilities to worry about offending her mother by not deferring to her, and so she did not visit all that often.

...

She was pulled back to her present situation when she heard a commotion in the hall and jumped up, heart fluttering, breath coming in short sharp pants. Then she heard the welcome voice of her husband.

"I will not go above stairs until I have seen my wife, damn it!"

She laughed in relief and rushed from the room stopping short when she saw a muddy version of her husband with two footmen trying to support him. A quick appraisal suggested no blood or obvious injuries although she could see he was favouring his right leg.

She raised an eyebrow addressing one of the footmen.

"Barnes, I was certain I heard my husband out here and yet all I see is this mud monster, might you tell me what has occurred?"

Darcy chuckled "come here you wench!"

She moved over and allowed him to embrace her, mud and all.

She smiled up at him, tears in her eyes. "Are you well?" She pressed a hand to his cheek and he pressed his face in to her palm, eyes closing in contentment.

"The horse shied, despite all attempts to stop it. But I jumped before he ran in to the trees. My leg is unhappy, but my head is uninjured"

"A shame" she teased "I am quite fond of that leg"

He chuckled and then kissed her before she pushed him away exclaiming he would get her face dirty. She gestured for the footmen to help him upstairs (they were used to the master's displays of affection and had momentarily turned away).

"Well, let us see how bad your leg is then, sir"

The ankle was sprained but not broken, some bed rest was all that was required and Mr and Mrs Darcy celebrated by staying abed together for much of the time.

...

She was lying, entwined in his arms, one morning. About a week after the incident. "I am so pleased you are well. I am certain we would overcome any obstacle, but it is nice to avoid them when possible."

"Yes" he kissed he top of her hair "I would not wish to forget you for the world"

She pulled his hand to rest upon her belly.

"Am I correct?"

He frowned at her belly, then his face cleared. "I believe that there is little Bennet growing in here."

She looked delightedly up at him, "truly? Oh how glad I am that you have told me now."

"'Tis funny, is it not, how certain events seem to have followed the exact same path, whilst others have been altered."

Darcy just shrugged "I cannot pretend to understand half of what has occurred. But I am grateful I have got to live this life twice."

She smiled warmly at him and kissed him gently. "I am grateful" she kissed him again "That it was not Mars you were riding"

They both laughed softly then resumed their kisses, knowing that their tomorrow was preserved, looking forward to the continuing adventure.