Gentle Reader,

We've come to the end of this story. What a bittersweet time this is. I've enjoyed so much of writing this, especially the comments! People who commented multiple times or in another language, you've got an extra special place in my heart. This is more than twice as long as my thesis paper, for which I blame you. :)

I am tossing around ideas for another P and P story and/or a sequel, but I'm going to finish my Lizzie Bennett Diaries fanfiction first, rather than continuing to bite off more than I can chew. If interested, keep your eyes out for it-COVID's given me plenty of creative time.

As a final note, what happens to Wickham in this chapter is happening to real people in today's US prison system today with COVID. While we may be less than upset regarding Wickham's fate, real people do not deserve to be punished with this horrible disease. Call your senator.

Thank you for all your support.

Love,

RobinDesBois

Epilogue

Three years later

This time, Darcy was there when Elizabeth realized she was with child. He was no less attentive than the first time, and she was no less tenacious.

Eventually, Ben and Gwen were also told, and were repeatedly caught fighting over whether the new arrival would be a boy or a girl, and what names would be good for "their" baby. Their parents were cautious to never let the children see them having the same teasing discussions behind closed doors.

Both Elizabeth and Darcy were far less nervous this time, since news had reached them that a tuberculosis outbreak at the prison had relieved the world of George Wickham prematurely. Tragically, it had also affected quite a few students at a school near the prison named Lowood, many of whom also died. This series of events proved to be a catalyst for the Darcys to become advocates of prison and school reform, and they were successful in replacing the management of the school and increasing its funding.

Getting social support for prison reform proved much more difficult, but they persisted; while neither could find it in them to regret Wickham's passing, they did believe that the nature of it was morally reprehensible for a society that claimed to be "civilized."

Between their parental duties, social obligations, and reformation efforts, Darcy and Elizabeth always found time and space to love one another. Some things never change.