Chapter 26

December had come, along with Kitty's wedding day. Georgiana and Mary were helping her get ready. Mary was happy for her sister, but wasn't happy overall. Mr. Rawlins had still not come to call and Mary had all but given up hope. But for today, she would do her best to be happy.

"I still can't believe this." Kitty smiled.

"Oh Kitty, we knew he loved you, he just couldn't see it. And re4ally he has been through so much in the past year, you must forgive him some things." Georgiana smiled.

"Yes, yes, I understand and he has been completely forgiven." Kitty laughed as Georgiana finished with her hair.

"I'm just glad you weren't serious about giving up on gentlemen." Mary added as she fixed Kitty's flowers.

"Mary, you must have known I was not being serious." she laughed.

"I admit, I was a bit skeptical when you announced. Actually I do remember thinking it was absolutely ridiculous when I heard it."

"Kitty without gentlemen? I could never imagine such a world." Georgiana laughed.

"Nor could I, I am quite happy that my life will never be without a gentleman. Someone to keep an arm around me and a shoulder to cry on."

"Alright Kitty, it's time." Mary smiled, hearing the music from downstairs.

Kitty went downstairs with Mary and Georgiana who quickly went to take their seats. Andrew stood at the later looking more handsome than ever in his dark blue dress coat. Kitty smiled at him as she began to walk toward him slowly. As she reached the altar, he took her hand tightly in his own. The fit of his hand comforted her as they listened to the minister. He was hers, forever and always, and she couldn't believe it.

The ceremony went quickly enough and was beautiful. As Andrew leaned down to kiss his new bride applause erupted. Kitty and Andrew walked though the crowd to the ball room, Lizzy and Mr. Darcy had allowed them to be married at Pemberley and the ball would be there as well.

"Kitty, I am so happy!" Sophie said, bringing Hannah over to them.

"I am quite happy as well. I hope you will not mind having another sister." Kitty said, taking the baby from her arms.

"Not at all! I am so glad Hannah has a woman to help my brother raise her." Sophie said quietly.

"I am glad I have a woman to help me raise her as well." Andrew said quickly.

"And I will make sure she remembers her mother."

"I know you will." Sophie smiled.

Just then, Mary rushed to Kitty's side. She was breathless and very pale. It almost looked as though she had just seen a ghost. "Mary, what is it? Are you well?" Kitty asked.

"I'm not sure."

"What is it? What's wrong?" Kitty was concerned, Mary never acted like this, she was always well composed.

"He's here, I just saw him."

"Who's here?"

"Mr. Rawlins!"

"He is?"

"Yes! Did you invite him? I can't believe you didn't tell me that you invited him! Then at least I could have been prepared."

"No! I didn't invite him. I didn't know where to send the invitation."

"Well, he's here, what do I do?"

"Talk to him?" Kitty said slowly, thinking it far to obvious an answer.

"Here? In front of all these people? What if he doesn't want to talk to me? I don't want to be upset for the rest of the evening."

"Mary, first of all, I'm sure he knew you would be at your own sisters wedding. He probably came to see you. And, you've been wanting to talk to him, and you have to talk to him sometimes. And really, you will end up having a bad evening if you don't talk to him."

"Perhaps."

"Come Mary, you must admit that I have a point, and a good one at that." Kitty laughed.

"Very well, you do, but it does not make me any less frightened." Kitty gave her a sympathetic look, which, gave Mary a bit of confidence. "Alright, what should I say?"

"Ask him to dance."

"Kitty! That is very improper and highly inappropriate!"

"And that is what makes it absolutely perfect."

Mary bit her lip and nodded slowly, Kitty was right. She took a deep breath and turned toward the crowd. She set her eyes on Mr. Rawlins and walked purposefully in his direction. He looked anxious, as if he was searching the room for someone. Mary knew he was looking for her, and was nervous to see her again, after what she had said to him the last time they spoke.

"Hello Mr. Rawlins." she did her best to keep her voice calm, but couldn't manage to hide all of her anxiety.

"Oh, Miss Mary, there you are." he smiled nervously.

"I was wondering, if you might like to dance?"

"It would be my pleasure." He took her hand and lead her to the dance floor. As he touched her, her breath was caught in her chest. She wanted so desperately to tell him how she felt, but knew she had to wait for the proper time.

They were practically silent as they danced. Mary had courage enough to ask how he had been, but that was all. He had answered her quickly and said nothing else as they finished the dance. And it seemed that he avoided her eyes at all cost, which made everything more awkward. As they finished, he gave a quick bow and rushed away from her. She picked up her skirt and ran after him, finally reaching him in a deserted hallway.

"Please Mr. Rawlins wait." she cried

He stopped and stood still for a moment and then turned slowly to face her. "I am sorry Miss Mary, I shouldn't have come."

"Why not?"

"I thought I could face you, but I was mistaken."

"Did you receive my letter?" she asked quickly before he had time to leave.

"Yes, I came to Longbourne and found no one home. One of your servants told me that I would be able to find you here. So I came, hoping you would tell me the one thing I want so badly to hear. But I have realized that hope to be a foolish one. I have already told you, I can not merely be your friend." he turned and began to walk in the other direction.

"Was your hope to hear me say I love you?" He stopped abruptly as she allowed the words to flow out of her mouth. "If that was not your wish than I am puzzled as to what you desire. But that is what I wanted to tell you and the reason I wrote to you." she turned quickly and began to walk away, she could not bear looking at his back any longer.

"Mary, wait." he said softly.

She stopped, unable to breathe, unable to turn. Her feet were stuck to the ground until he softly touched her arm and spun her to face him. A single tear fell down his cheek and he held onto both of her arms.

"That is precisely what I was waiting to hear."

"Then, it is not to late?"

"It would have never been to late for you." he smiled.

"Oh, how I've missed you! Life has been so dull since you've been gone." She bounced to her toes and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He laughed and placed his arms comfortably around her waist. He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered. "Isn't this improper?"

"I don't care!" she laughed.

"Well, I suppose it would be a bit more proper if we were engaged."

She loosened her grip, pulled away from him slightly and looked deeply into his eyes. "Yes, I believe it would be."

That was all it took to put an end to both of their agony. Both of them explained their feelings, and Mary apologized for her foolishness. Something she never thought she would ever have to apologize for. Mr. Rawlins was amazed that Mary's feelings had changed, he had given up hope the day he proposed for the first time. They were inseparable for the rest of the evening, and announced their condition to all of their family. Of course Mrs. Bennet was the most shocked and excited, all of her five daughters had found more than suitable husbands.

Mary Bennet was married early the next year to Mr. George Rawlins. It was a wonderful day for everyone involved. The sisters couldn't have been happier, despite everything they had ever thought, life proved to be different than expected. But someone had known better than them, and their lives could not have been any better, except of course for Lydia. Mary and Kitty were just happy that they would not have to live their lives in the constant and cold silence of loneliness.

The End

AN: Well there it is! I hope you all enjoyed it! Please please let me know what you thought! I am also thinking of continuing with these characters and writing another story about their lives some years later...what do you think, interested in reading about the Bennet Sisters children? Thanks again for reading, I appreciate it so much!