This is the last chapter (I can't believe I've actually finished a story) and I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed and showed interest in this story.

I hope this has the sort of fluffy ending that you all want – I'm not very good with fluff so I hope it is okay.

Thank you all so much again, and please leave your last thoughts in a review.

Thank you – Cathy (: (See the end for the begins of my next project. To be completed after 'The Setting or the Rising of a Sun' and 'Star Siblings and Spite')

Epilogue.

"Miss Bennet" Mary looked up from her book and smiled as Mr. Darcy approached her. She had always been a little apprehensive in his company before her stay at Pemberley. Even if Lizzie informed them of his true character, Mr. Darcy had always still seemed proud and extremely intimidating. However, after everything he had done for her family she couldn't help but admire him. After everything he had done for her, she came to realise that he was nothing more than a suave cat; sophisticated and with a heart of gold.

"Mr. Darcy" She welcomed him as he sat in an arm chair opposite her. "What do I owe the pleasure?" Even her own easiness in his company shocked her.

"I have come to talk to you about your birthday" He leant back into the soft cushions and observed her in that way of his as he twisted his wedding band around his finger gently. Mary frowned in confusion. She didn't understand why this matter concerned Mr. Darcy.

"My birthday?" She was surprised further that her family had actually remembered, she had never done much for her birthday before now. For the past few years the day had passed by with little notice.

"Yes" Darcy cleared his throat and looked at his sister-in-law. All comments aside he had always quite liked Mary Bennet. She was not as silly as her two younger sisters and not as stubborn as Elizabeth. After her accident he had truly seen that she did fit in with the family. Darcy had volunteered himself as the calmest – and the best liar – to deceive Mary into believing they were to return to Longbourn. "We decided that maybe you may like to spend your birthday at Longbourn?"

"Oh yes!" Mary had many fond memories of the homely farm – even if they were solitude ones. Now that she remembered, she missed the tatty furniture of her bedroom and the faded wallpaper which peeled around the edges. She had a view over the small pond and liked to watch the swans bob along in peace. "It has been too long since I was at home, I would like to return very much" Her tone was animated. This surprised Darcy. He had never seen her speak like this. He suspected it was the result of the Dowager Countess' conversation. After spending a season much in her company, Georgiana had become slightly bolder and more willing to talk to strangers. That woman could work wonders on people, and her son had single handily managed to release Mary from awkward adolescence into amiable adulthood. If he didn't know better he would presume she was a different woman. Maybe she preferred the freedom that 'Harriet' had given her? Darcy wondered to himself as he smiled at her.

"That is what I thought. Very well then, if it is agreeable to you we will leave on Tuesday" Tuesday happened to be the day before Mary's twentieth birthday, and if they left mid-afternoon they should arrive at Frayton at dusk, and hopefully she would not know the area so well that she saw through their plan.

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy" He nodded in her direction before asking her a few questions about her book. Both persons possessed the same reserved manner that they were able to engage in a polite but enjoyable conversation. However, Mary's mind kept wondering back to the prospect of being home, so much so that Darcy had to repeat his comment a few times. Longbourn seemed like such a distant memory to Mary now. Even if she was mostly in solitude within those walls she had not been terribly unhappy. It was the one place she felt most accepted – except Frayton Abbey, of course. Within the walls of Longbourn there was routine. Everybody fitted into their own place and lived in quite peaceful harmony; besides Mrs. Bennet.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x

Tuesday came too fast for the whole household. At Frayton and at Pemberley. The Pemberley party – even if they had had the weekend to finish packing were running severely late. Mr. Darcy stood leant against his carriage listening to the distant shouts of his family within. He let out a long deep breath and agreed that he deserved a medal for living so long under one roof with all the Bennet's. Out of the corner of his eye he caught movement at the top of the stairs. He looked up and watched Mary walk slowly down the steps; muttering something under her breath.

"Mr. Darcy!" She cried when she finally noticed him. She noted he looked extremely tired – almost parallel to how she must have looked. "I am dreadfully sorry about my family, sir" She apologized as she dipped into a small curtsey.

Darcy waved a hand in dismissal after he had bowed in return. "It is of no worry, I would just like to arrive at Longbourn before midnight" And at Frayton before dark. How the Dowager Countess would worry if we were late.

"Punctuality is not a trait that my family possesses" She gave him a small smile as she looked around the carriages. She looked between the Darcy carriage, and its immaculate appearance, then at her tatty family carriage. After riding in Daniel's carriage – which was much finer then Darcy's – she would miss comfortable traveling. She had been so busy the past few days thoughts of Daniel had been somewhat pushed back in her mind. He said he would come back and visit me again, but does he know I return to Longbourn? Will I ever leave Longbourn again once I get there? He is an Earl and he would never visit – let alone stay – at my family home.

"Miss Bennet" Mr. Darcy started gaining her attention. She had been looking longingly at the wheel of his carriage for some minutes now. His voice startled her and she jumped slightly. When she looked up at him he gave her a peculiar smile she had never seen before. "You will travel in my carriage for the journey to Longbourn" Mary was shocked. Before her visit Mr. Darcy had barely spoken a few sentences together in her family's presence. Let alone to her personally. She wondered if it was because she had been looking at his carriage in that way.

"Mr. Darcy, I…I was only looking because…" She tried to choke out before giving up. She couldn't admit to the fact she had been thinking about Daniel. However, Mary suspected he already knew.

"You were just thinking how much grander Lord Greycote's carriage was. I do understand, Mary" Darcy's tone was gentle; softer then she had ever heard before. He looked at her seriously and she remembered just how obvious it was that he loved Lizzie when she still detested him. She nodded slowly, dipping her head as tears threatened to overwhelm her. She took a long breath in and Darcy tactfully changed the subject. "Elizabeth wants you riding with us, she is still anxious after your accident"

"And if something were to happen, she would want you there to" Darcy wouldn't let her finish, he was worried above anything that she wouldn't be able to – not after Lord Greycote rescuing her.

"Act as the hero, I am sure" He gave her a small smile before a voice distracted him.

"Fitzwilliam!" Elizabeth stood at the top of the stairs and had been watching her husband and younger sister converse for a few moments. Love swelled up in her chest at the ease her reserved husband seemed to be speaking with.

"Yes, my dear?" Her husband called back up the steps, taking a step away from the carriages and towards her. From behind his tall figure Elizabeth noticed Mary give a humoured smirk.

"I think we are ready to depart. Papa says if we do not leave now in our carriage we will never arrive in time" She started to walk quickly down the stairs. Mary gave a perplexed frown but didn't mention anything. It seemed awfully strange that they were all in a rush to reach Longbourn.

"I will inform Mrs. Reynolds then" Darcy gave his wife a quick wink before marching back up the steps towards the house. His driver had overheard the whole conversation and tactfully jumped down and opened the door for the two ladies. They thanked him before making themselves comfortable seated opposite each other. Elizabeth looked at Mary and gave a wide smile. Everything had gone perfectly, and her clever sister was none the wiser.

"Why are you smiling like that, Lizzie?" Mary asked with a small frown. Elizabeth fought to school her features, which was a hard task to accomplish. Elizabeth knew this was one of her many downfalls – she had never been able to keep mirth from alighting across her face.

"I will just be happy to visit Longbourn again. I haven't been there since I was married"

X—x—x—x—x—x—x

The ride to Frayton was peaceful; Mary kept mostly quiet and just observed the scenery out of the window. She didn't want to get involved in Darcy and Elizabeth's hushed conversation. It was undoubtedly private. They were still travelling along an old dusty road as the sun was starting to set. On the horizon, Mary could have sworn she could see Frayton Abbey. She smiled slowly to herself before shaking her head at her silliness. It couldn't possibly be Frayton Abbey. An hour or so ago Darcy instructed his driver to take the east roads into Hertfordshire, as the west roads were still flooded and dangerous from the rain. Mary was only able to push her thoughts aside for a few more minutes until the uncharacteristic sight of Frayton village loamed before her across the shallow valley. This time it was real and it was there. Unless she was actually going mad, her family had tricked her. Suddenly she understood why her mother had insisted she wore one of her best dresses. Why the maid had been extra careful with her hair that morning. In the falling darkness she glanced at Elizabeth's face and plainly saw anticipation displayed there as she gripped her husband's hand tightly.

We're not going to Longbourn are we? A wash of love and affection for her family filled her to the brink. She turned away from the window, wondering if they realised you could see the Abbey from the road. She suspected they did not; otherwise Darcy would have planned to avoid the giveaway. She felt happier than she had in a long time. As the carriage started to wind its way down towards the great house she pretended she did not notice anything, and instead looked out of the other window.

She was heading back to Daniel, finally.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Rebecca had been extremely busy making everything perfect. Her son had been no help what so ever. He had moped around the house all day, constantly checking the time and when it came five o'clock he suddenly panicked and rushed to get ready. It was nine now and the last flickers of sun were setting behind the lake. Every guest had arrived and was talking aimlessly with each other until Harri… Mary arrived. Rebecca did like the name Mary, but, she much preferred her choice.

Daniel had been standing by the door since seven, he had used the excuse of welcoming guests properly, but he just wanted to see the first flickering light of Darcy's carriage. He had taken up the habit of pacing recently, and found that it did not help. His nerves were no calmer than if he was sitting in his library panicking. He pulled his fingers through his hands and took deep breaths. This seemed to be working slightly, that was until he heard a carriage approaching. He jumped up and stood torn at the top of the stone steps. What am I meant to do? Shall I open the door for them? Or shall I stay up here? Yes, I will stay up here, so I can see the shock on her face better. Then I will descend and great them.

Daniel didn't even allow himself to breathe as the carriage pulled to a stop. The driver jumped down before any of his footmen had time to step forward, and he opened the door. Mary stepped out and the look on her face made him beam. She already knew where she had been headed, of course she did. Daniel was a fool to believe otherwise. She waited for the Darcys to step out of the carriage before giving a fake squeal of excitement and hugging both of them. Then she turned and spotted Daniel. In his brief thought to act nonchalant he had leant against one of the stone pillars either side of the door and looked down at her. However, when she started to run towards him – all casualness was forgotten and he pushed off the pillar and tripped down the steps to meet her half way. Before either of them could breathe they had their arms around each other in a tight embrace. Darcy and Elizabeth tactfully turned away and gave the couple some peace.

Daniel leant back slightly, without loosening his hold on her and looked her firmly in the eye.

"Mary, I missed you so much" He whispered to her, his breath condensing in front of him slightly, it was the first time he realized it was a cold night. Mary looked up at him with wide eyes. Yes, oh lord. I am Mary Bennet. I am not Harriet anymore. I have no fortune, I am plain Mary Bennet. Somehow Frayton Abbey had brought the gravity of their social differences heavily back onto her shoulders. She tried to struggle free from his embrace but he kept a tight hold. Instead she dropped her gaze and stared intently at his feet.

"What's wrong?" He whispered as he pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I am Mary Bennet. Plain, dull, penniless Mary Bennet. What were my family thinking of bringing me here?"

"No!" Daniel said quite forcefully shaking her slightly – wondering how many more times they were to have this conversation. "You are beautiful, exciting, and if I have my way, extremely rich Mary". She looked at him; her brows contracted into a confused frown which made Daniel lean forward and rest his lips on her forehead. "I love you, Mary" He muttered against her cold skin, closing his eyes and willing for time to stop completely just then.

"I love you" She muttered, her voice choked with emotion.

He dropped his grip from hers and took up her hand instead when Darcy and Elizabeth appeared at their side. He smiled at all three of them and at once become the Earl of Greycote.

"Come now, let's go inside. I am sure you didn't travel all this way to stand out in the cold. Where are the rest of your family?"

"They will arrive shortly, they are not the most punctual of family, and I would not have liked to give you the wrong impression" Darcy told him with a raised eyebrow, indicating in that one gesture all his experience with the Bennet's.

X—x—x—x—x—x—x—x

Eight Months later

Mary's eyelids fluttered open slowly when a fuzzy warm sensation tickled her cheeks and spread all the way down her spine. The winter sun had managed to crawl its way up into the sky, although a little half-heartedly as it hung lower than usual, and instead of shooting harsh light, as commonplace, it emitted a graceful whispering of warmth to the earth. Wiggling her way back down into the covers, Mary pushed her eyes open and closed a few more times before bringing herself to face the morning full on. Almost immediately she noticed the shallow cascade of leafy brunette hair before her eyes. She smiled fondly, but still cautiously at Daniel's hair; revelling in the infallible sensation that he was hers, and would be until the day they died.

He slept on his stomach, his forehead rested on his bare arm that lay on the pillow so his face was obscured from view. Mary studied the arm, downwards to the long slender fingers, complete with wedding band, which had gently traced every curve of her body, face, lips the night before. She would never understand how that arm and those fingers would be so strong yet gentle and manage to elicit such a strong emotion from her with one brush. After a few moments she turned away from him and slipped from underneath the covers. The master bedroom was large and spacious – but with a surprising amount of furniture scattered around. Her toes curled into the soft pale rug as she stepped towards the glass doors which led out towards a balcony. She passed her wedding dress, which had been thrown over a chair, it was slightly rumpled and Mary could see the slight rip down the back from where Daniel became impatient that the ties weren't loosening. She smiled at it fondly before stepping further towards the warm sunlight.

"Love" Came Daniel's hoarse voice a few minutes later; he had woken up a moment after Mary, and for a horrid pause after finding himself alone wondered if he had been dreaming everything. Mary jumped and spun back towards him, to where he had rolled into his side, the sheets dipping low across his bare chest, and was simply watching her.

"You scared me"

"Come back to bed, Mary" He held out a strong arm in her direction. She shot him a glance but followed his instructions none the less.

"I hope you will not get used to ordering me around" Mary slid back into the bed so she was rested on her knees, the bottom of his shirt just covering them. Daniel looked up at her with sleep-swept eyes and his lips pricked up at one corner; his gentle grey eyes sparking.

"On the contrary, I will think of moments like these as rare gifts" He was rewarded with a light knock to the chest as Mary turned and settled back down – resting her back into the warm confines of his chest. They lay together in silence for a few moments, the only sounds were the calls of nature outside the window, and the rustle of material as Daniel bent down to lay his lips against her temple. He watched her expression carefully, seeing her eyes flicker and focus on nothing in particular. "What are you thinking?"

"It's Elizabeth and Darcy"

"Oh?" Mary turned her head towards him, before dropping it back to stare out of the balcony window.

"They're expecting their first child…Why are you laughing? What's so amusing, my lord?" Daniel dipped his head to hide his smile against the back of her neck, giving her a quick kiss as a million different thoughts flitted across his mind.

"Forgive me, I shouldn't laugh, however, I was wondering how Darcy would keep a child with their stubbornness and Elizabeth's strong will in check"

"That is true; I wonder what the child shall be like?"

"Ridiculously attractive and far too clever for their own good, I suspect" Replied he, with a touch of mirth to his voice, already knowing exactly what their children would be like. They would be the next generation of high society – they would go on to be better than Darcy, as they would possess an easier countenance around strangers. Daniel turned his eyes back down towards Mary, moving his palm to flatten it against her stomach; his thumb starting to trace patterns there.

"Daniel?" She finally whispered after a minute's silence, in which Daniel had seen something important being tossed over in her brain.

"Yes, My love" He answered his voice still thick with sleep, as he once again moved to rest his lips against her forehead, humming at the feel of her warm skin under his touch. His hand moved up to absentmindedly trace patterns up and down Mary's shoulder where the shirt had slipped slightly – with some encouragement on his part, he had to admit.

"Which would you prefer?"

"Which would I prefer?"

"Yes, children. Would you prefer a boy or a girl?"

"I… well. I never gave much thought to which sex I would prefer. Until recently I never gave much thought to children" Daniel gave her a pointed look, letting her know exactly when the thought first struck his mind. He flopped back onto the covers, still with his arms around her and closed his eyes for a moment. He pictured them in a few years' time, no instead his mind went backwards, he thought of that day at Frayton when his cousins had come to stay. He thought of when he held Francesca in his arms and how she looked so much like both Mary and him. "I would wish for our eldest to be a girl"

"A girl?" Mary had almost counted on the opposite. No man ever wanted a girl, in-case they ended up with many and no sons; much the same with her own family. "I would have thought you would wish for a son, your heir. What with Darcy's and your, extremely competitive, friendship, I would have thought you would both want sons to further your battles"

"Of course I do wish for our heir. However firstly, I want a daughter to spoil; as you seem to accept nothing from me"

"You have already given me enough for a lifetime" It was true, Mary had never believed scarcely a year ago that her life would change so much. That she would enter into a loving marriage with a man of any consequence. Here she lay now, a gold band and a heart which linked her inextricably to arguably the polar opposite of her old self. He was easy and charming, whereas she was a wallflower and uncomfortable.

It wasn't just the material items and love he had given her, he had opened her up. He had given her enough colour to last a lifetime.

"Nonsense"

"What if I cannot give you an heir?"

"I will never stop enjoying trying" Daniel replied quickly, knowing that there hadn't been a generation in his family since the 1400s which hadn't produced at least one son that lived to adulthood. It was in his blood; and they would have their heir. They would have a piece of them which would carry on down the depths of history. "Besides, I come from a family dominated by sons; of course we will have a boy. I would not let Darcy's sons conquer society and make all the young ladies fall madly in love without competition, after all"

"If our first child is a girl, as you wish, what would be your choice of name?"

"Harriet" He said with a lot of conviction and almost no moment's pause.

She moved in his arms so she could look up into his grey eyes. "Really? I find I am quite partial to Dorothy" She smirked and he readily returned it.

The End.

Also – I'm starting to plan a massive story, based around the characters of Pride and Prejudice and their children – so if anyone has any thoughts on that, I'd love to hear your ideas.

Small spoiler: Bennet Darcy and Lord Benedict Bracken do always compete amongst themselves. And Daniel and Mary do name their daughter Harriet – and not Dorothy.