Darcy stood in his place with a slight smile on his face. He had thought he might be nervous when the moment came. He was not. He felt calm, happy and ready to take this final step into a new life.

Richard and Bingley both fidgeted in their places as best man, but Dr. Burrows appeared as calm as Darcy. Darcy wondered if Jane, who would be maid of honor for Elizabeth, and Georgiana, who was standing up with Mary, were as nervous in their roles as Richard was for him and Bingley for Burrows.

The guests took their places with a happy hum of conversation. Finally, the moment arrived. Darcy beamed as Bennet escorted Elizabeth and Mary to the two grooms. His smile became even brighter as Elizabeth's hand was placed in his and the ceremony to bind their lives together began.

He could not have properly explained how time passed. It felt like each word was spoken slowly and distinctly, to be embedded in his memory forever with every nuance of tone and expression. Yet it also felt like no time at all before the vicar was presenting them to gathered guests as Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. Dr. and Mrs. Burrows were presented to those assembled immediately after and Darcy heard Mrs. Bennet sigh, not shriek, "Two daughters married." He almost burst out laughing.

The register was soon signed by both couples. The Duke of Montrose insisted on signing as a witness and instructed Darcy to be sure mention of his role was listed in the wedding announcements when published for both marriages. That would be one more show of approval and give the two new brides a lift in society.

The wedding party headed to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast. On arrival, and before the well-wishers could surround the new couples, Mrs. Bennet hurried up to Darcy and surprised him with a quick hug. She had tears of joy in her eyes as she said, "I am so happy to welcome you as my son! I also want to thank you for allowing Lizzy to loan us your mother's beautiful jewelry for the day. I feel as good as a queen with such finery on." She turned the bracelet on her wrist so it sparkled in the light and an answering sparkle was in her eyes.

"It suits you, Mother Bennet," he said with a bow. "My mother would be delighted to see your joy."

"Oh, Mother Bennet," she clapped her hands with glee, "I do like that. Thank you, Will." She hugged him again, kissed Elizabeth's cheek, then bustled off to see to the guests.

"All the ladies in my family were pleased with their borrowed finery," Elizabeth told him with a happy smile. "I am so glad you thought to send for enough pieces that I could share with them all."

He smiled in return but was unable to answer before Bennet walked up and clapped him on the back saying teasingly, "Are you trying to steal away my wife too?"

"Just making my wife and new mother happy," Darcy shot back in the same tone. Any further conversation was cut off as the neighbors gathered around to wish both couples joy.

Before he met Elizabeth, the gathering that followed would have been overwhelming to Darcy. He was still not very comfortable in crowds, but he had his wife by his side to lend him confidence and he knew these people meant him no harm. The difference between this celebration and the affairs he had attended among the Ton were like day to night.

The duke spent time with both couples and expressed his approval of the beauty and intelligence of the new brides. He assured them the duchess would be happy to make their acquaintance and would see them made welcome in society. Darcy smiled as he watched his godfather flirt a bit with Mrs. Bennet before engaging in what appeared to be a very amusing conversation with Bennet.

Miss York stayed close to Kitty and Lydia he noticed, but both girls behaved well. They and Jane also thanked Darcy for the loan of his mother's necklaces. He did not correct them by telling them he had given the pieces to Elizabeth. He guessed she had left out that information to ensure the pieces would all come back to her safely.

The buffet which Mrs. Bennet had provided appeared to meet the approval of all who partook. Darcy complimented "Mother Bennet" on her planning and the excellence of the food, much to her joy.

The snow had begun to fall a little more thickly and was starting to stick. Dr. and Mrs. Burrows decided to leave early. They wanted to reach London while it was still safe to travel. Mary hugged all her sisters, including Georgiana, and promised she would write often.

Eventually Darcy felt that he and Elizabeth could leave as well. First he, Richard, Bennet and the duke had a brief meeting in Bennet's study to discuss the disposition of Collins and the meeting with Lady Catherine. They decided to ride in the duke's carriage with Richard's horse tied behind for his later use. They intended to do a bit of team threatening of the prisoner, who they would have restrained so he could not cause problems. Darcy wondered if Richard and his godfather were having a bit too much fun with the situation, but he decided to leave them to it. By the time they were done it would be very unlikely he would have problems with either Aunt Catherine or her parson again.

After the meeting concluded Darcy found Elizabeth bidding her own farewell to all her sisters. It was not as tearful as with Mary because she was currently only traveling to the edge of the property. They still hugged and cried, but when Darcy walked up to them Elizabeth was ready to leave. They went outside and boarded the carriage for the brief ride to the dower house.

Darcy surprised Elizabeth when he picked her up just outside the front door and carried her in when Mrs. Evans opened it for them. They were both laughing as they entered the house. He hoped it was an omen of joy to come. He set her down and she started to head for the drawing room. Before she reached the door she saw the bell hanging there.

"Is this one of your mother's bells?" she asked him.

"Yes, I had six sent from Pemberley at the same time I sent for the wedding gifts and the necklaces. Richard, Georgie and your father helped hang them yesterday."

"It is lovely," she said.

"You are lovely," he said in return. "I was such a fool the night we met. Thank you for giving me a second chance and showing me how to be be a better man. You said you would give me consequence. You have done better. You have given me love."

"How far we have come since that assembly," she said.

"We now have a lifetime to see how far we can go." Together they headed into the drawing room. As they entered, Darcy reached up to ring the bell suspended there. Its sweet tone filled the air.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Darcy," he said, then taking her in his arms he kissed his wife.

Not the end, only the beginning...

*AN: I know there are some loose ends hanging out there. I intend to write a sequel from Miss York's point of view and the outstanding questions should be answered there. I will start posting soon. I need to shift my mindset and do some preliminary writing first, but I hope to post the first chapters of "Miss York's Match" by Saturday. As I've mentioned in some of the PMs, I also intend to do a full re-write of this story which will tie things together better and address some of the issues that have been brought up in the comments. I expect that will take some time. Anyway, THANK YOU ALL for reading. I have enjoyed this trip together and look forward to our next excursion. Best wishes! - Lady Jaeza