Author's Note:

Hi, guys!

I don't know what happened with this chapter (sorry!) I posted the epilogue last night and went to sleep so thank you for letting me know you couldn't access it. I repost it now and I hope it works this time!

Thank you so much for sticking with me for the whole month. This has been insane! When I started this story, I had only written the first four chapters and I had a very vague idea of what I wanted to write. Figuring out the rest while I had a one-month deadline (plus uni, plus life!) was crazy! I was also pretty insecure about trying a supernatural theme on a P&P fic, but you have been awesome and although it has been quite a challenge, I think it helped me grow as a writer.

I hope this chapter ties every loose end and that you're satisfied with it. I know that you might find the end bittersweet, but I thought it was the most logical ending (don't worry! It's still a HEA ending!). I know some of you want me to continue this story, but I feel it is finished, so I don't think I will. Still, I do feel some nostalgia whenever I finish a story, so I know how you feel!

Let me know what you think and thank you so much for bearing with this crazy idea of mine.

See you on HEA!

Stay safe!

Jen

Lord Matlock did return with his family a sennight later. Richard had spoken so well about Miss Bennet that he was now eager to get to know the lady and although he found Mrs. Bennet loud and crass, he could hardly complain after the scene his own sister had caused. It was not so long before Fitzwilliam's prediction came true and the whole Fitzwilliam family became enchanted with the future Mrs. Darcy.

Epilogue

September, 1812

When Fitzwilliam had imagined his wedding, he had given little thought to anything but his bride. He had let Mrs. Bennet in charge of her daughter's wedding —as she would have been at Longbourn —and had let Elizabeth decide how much money she could spend or how much power Mrs. Bennet could have over important decisions. He was only relieved that his future wife had not wished for a big wedding that might take longer to plan.

A sennight before the big day, Elizabeth's friends and the rest of her family arrived at Pemberley and soon his own relatives, except for Lady Catherine, followed. Bingley and Jane, blissfully happy and more in love than ever, made it to Derbyshire soon after and the matron of honour's presence only added to Elizabeth's happiness.

Finally, after many months of suffering and longing, the best day of Fitzwilliam's life had finally come and he could hardly count the minutes until he met Elizabeth at the altar. More than ever, he could feel his parents presence and he was elated that they would be there. He had thought many times that he should tell Elizabeth about them, for he did not wish to keep anything from her, but the fear that she might think him mad had stopped him. He could not blame her if she did, for he would have done the same in her place only a few months ago. He spoke about this with his parents, well... to his parents, for it could hardly be called a conversation. He feared that someday she might find him speaking alone and that would be even worse than confiding in her.

Seeing Elizabeth at Pemberley this last month, acting as its mistress had only increased his affections and he would not risk losing her for anything in the world. In only a few hours, they would be united and they would face the future together. With this in mind, he left Pemberley for the last time as a bachelor and went to the chapel where he would meet his fate.

He would never forget the moment he saw her walking down the aisle. Her creamy silk gown shimmered as she walked towards him. He faintly remembered her saying that she would modify Jane's gown, but he could not tell it was the same dress at all. The added lace around the neckline drew his eyes to her bosom and then down to the wonderful way it hugged her curves. But what enchanted him and held him captive was the way she glowed with happiness. Her flushed cheeks, her sparkling eyes and her beaming lips almost brought tears to his eyes. He had known she was beautiful, but now he thought she was the loveliest creature he had ever seen.

This was the moment he had been waiting for. How many times had he dreamed about this day? Oftentimes thinking it would never come.

If one were to ask him what had exactly been said during the ceremony, he would only be able to answer by his previous knowledge of what was usually said during a wedding. In truth, there were certain images and sounds he would remember for the rest of his life... The sight of Elizabeth. The way he clung to her hand in fear she might disappear if he let go. The words I will coming from her mouth. The sight of his hand as he slid the gold ring onto her finger. The words I now pronounce you man and wife. The sound of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.

This, he would always remember.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Darcy spent their wedding night at Pemberley where they found that their stolen kisses and touches had been only the beginning of the many joys and pleasures one could find on their spouse. Drunk with love and lust, they parted the next day for their bridal tour to the Lakes where they spent the happiest weeks of their lives.

Lady Anne and Mr. Darcy were now perfectly content. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth had just come back from their bridal tour and there was no denying that their love and intimacy had only increased. They found the stolen glances and slight touches quite amusing, but they soon learnt that more often than not they had to leave the room whenever the young couple was left alone with them. While they did not mind the occasional kiss, embrace, or even her sitting on his lap, no matter Fitzwilliam's age, there were certain things a parent did not wish to see.

However, seeing the affection between them was heartwarming and they watched Georgiana's own joy and confidence grow each day. They were also proud of their daughter-in-law, for, despite her young age, she was an exemplary mistress. Being able to walk around the house unnoticed allowed the elder Darcys to realise that she inspired both affection and respect in her servants and tenants. Everything was as it should be, and they were both glad and fearful to discover that they were still here. What were they waiting for?

They decided, however, that they would enjoy their time with their —now three —children for as long as they could.

November, 1812

It is common knowledge that secrets are unveiled sooner or later. It can also be deduced that when one grows accustomed to keeping a secret one might let one's guard down and become reckless. It was now a whole year since the spirits of Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne had come back to Pemberley and sitting still and not making any sound was becoming more difficult each day. By now, they were sure that they had spooked a few maids and footmen, but Elizabeth and Georgiana remained unaware.

They noticed, however, that their new daughter would sometimes gaze at their direction as if she had heard something. They thought it was of little consequence until a fateful day when she entered the library while Lady Anne was holding a book in her hands.

Elizabeth gasped and Lady Anne dropped the book immediately, but she knew she had been caught. Her new daughter turned and ran from the library to her husband's study. They, of course, followed.

Elizabeth opened the door to Fitzwilliam's study and closed it behind her while holding a hand to her heaving chest.

"Elizabeth?" Fitzwilliam startled when he saw her and grew instantly worried when he noticed the fear in her eyes. He stood from behind his desk and walked towards her. "Darling, what is it?"

His parents felt horribly guilty but could do nothing but watch as Elizabeth panted and stammered.

"Are you ill?" Fitzwilliam asked, looking more terrified than his wife. "I shall call the physician..."

"No," Elizabeth finally said. "I... I am not ill."

He cupped her face and made her look at him. "I have never seen you so affected, my love. What happened?"

Elizabeth noticed her hands were trembling and she tried to clasp them together to still them before her husband took both her hands in his and led her to the settee.

"Come, sit." He sat next to her and took her shaking hands to his lips.

"I am sorry," she said. "You are busy."

"Never to you, my love. Will you tell me what happened? Is there nothing you can take for your present relief? A glass of wine? Can I get you one?"

"No, thank you. There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well."

"Elizabeth," he merely said.

"Oh, you shall think me mad! I cannot tell you."

"You can tell me anything and I shall never think such a thing of you," he told her and now suspected what might have happened. "Did you see something that frightened you?"

Elizabeth dropped her head to the crook of his neck and he put his arms around her, cuddling her to his chest and rubbing her back.

"I believe you, my darling," he whispered in her hair. "Whatever you tell me, I shall believe."

Elizabeth laughed against his neck. "Not this, I fear. I saw a book floating in the air and then dropping to the ground."

"I believe you," he repeated. "I... I should have told you this before but I feared you would think me mad, too."

His wife pulled away so she could look at him with an expression of utter confusion in her eyes.

"Tell me what?"

Fitzwilliam sighed and brought one of her hands to his lips. "First, let me tell you that nothing shall harm you at Pemberley. You are perfectly safe."

"You know what I saw?"

"Yes. I know this shall sound strange, but... I believe... my parents' spirits are at Pemberley," he finally confessed and on seeing her look of surprise and disbelief, he added: "I know. Believe me, I know it sounds insane, and I thought, for some time, that I was losing my mind."

He then proceeded to tell her everything, from the moment he had seen the figurine angel on his desk to his dream and waking up the day he asked her to marry him only to find the ring she was now wearing along with her wedding band. She sat in astonished silence as she tried to understand her husband's words. She would have thought him quite mad had she not seen that book.

"But... Your mother died sixteen years ago and your father six years ago. Have they been here all this time?"

"I do not think so. I never had any reason to believe they were here."

"Then why now?"

Blushing and feeling quite silly, he told her the story his ancestors had told their children for many generations and was not surprised when he saw her smiling.

"That is quite adorable," she chuckled. "But do you believe it is true? And if it is, is there any reason to think that Pemberley is in danger?"

"I do not think so. Perhaps there is another reason they are here."

"Do you... do you think they are here now?" she said softly.

Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne chuckled at the way she whispered the words as if they could not hear her.

"I do not know. I never know where they are unless they let me know."

"Oh," she said and blushed as she remembered all the things they did when they were alone, or at least thought they were alone. "That could be embarrassing."

"It is," Mr. Darcy chuckled.

"But can it be true?" she asked, mostly to herself.

As if to answer her question, she saw the figurine of an angel that her husband always kept on his desk floating towards her and she could not help but jump from her seat.

"My love, do not be scared," Fitzwilliam said, standing up and taking her in his arms again. "It is them. They shall not hurt you."

Lady Anne held the angel in front of her daughter and saw the way she timidly reached out for it.

"Do you..." Elizabeth hesitated as she took the angel gently and her husband thought this was the first time she looked shy and insecure.

"Yes, darling?"

"Do you think they approve of me?"

Fitzwilliam was surprised by this, but replied immediately: "I think they like you very much."

He delighted in her bright smile and the happiness his parent's approval brought to her, but it could not be compared to her reaction the next day when they found a sheet of paper underneath the figurine with five words written on Lady Anne's handwriting.

We love you, dear daughter.

Elizabeth cried tears of joy, which surprised Fitzwilliam very much, and she saved that piece of paper for the rest of her life. They spoke about telling Georgiana in the near future, for she also deserved the opportunity to speak to her parents.

Elizabeth spent the next few weeks decorating Pemberley, preparing baskets for the tenants, and presents for the servants, and doing her best so this Christmas at Pemberley would be similar to the way it was when the previous mistress was alive. The Fitzwilliams, Bennets, Gardiners, and Bingleys were all invited and for the first time in more than a decade, laughter reigned at the Darcys' home.

Fitzwilliam received the best gift that year when his wife explained her emotional outburst the month before —she was carrying the next generation of Darcys.

July, 1813

The day Bennet George Darcy was born was the happiest, yet most frightening of Fitzwilliam's life. Mr. Bennet and Bingley had done their best to keep him calm, but Elizabeth's cries of pain were the only thing he could think about. After many hours which felt like days, his son was born. He was bright red and screaming at the top of his lungs, but he was healthy and absolutely perfect. And his father felt he was the strongest, most powerful man in the world.

That night, he kissed his wife's lips and thanked her for their miracle before he let her rest. He picked up his son, who was now fed and clean, and carried him to his nursery. He stood by the open window and felt the summer breeze for a few minutes. The light of the moon allowed him to see the features on Bennet's face —he smiled at the small, pink mouth that still moved as if suckling; the tiny, round nose; the closed, fluttering eyelids with long, dark lashes; the tiny hand resting on a chubby cheek. Fitzwilliam felt his eyes filling with tears as his heart experienced love he had never known before. A sense of protectiveness and devotion so strong he was left breathless. He wanted to hug his son tightly to his chest and never let him go so nothing would ever hurt him.

He remembered thinking he could not be happier the day he married the love of his life and he had been elated and euphoric since then. But now, as he held his son, he realised he had found a new level of joy and elation he had never suspected it even existed.

He remembered sitting on his desk a year ago, holding Mr. Bennet's letter and thinking this day would never come, and it made him feel more grateful than ever. He would have died childless had Elizabeth not accepted him. He never would have felt this love. Pemberley would have been lost to the Darcys.

This last thought made him realise how Pemberley had been in danger. He sensed a presence and looked towards the door that led to the hall. He gasped as he saw two figures standing there, basked in light but quite pale. It was not frightening, but comforting, especially when the couple walked inside the nursery and he saw the faces of his mother and father. They stood in front of him now, their eyes never leaving his, before they turned to Bennet.

"I do not know why I can see you now," Fitzwilliam whispered. "This... this is my son, Bennet George Darcy. Your grandson."

He saw his mother beam and brush a pale finger over Ben's cheek. The babe remained asleep as if he had not felt a thing. He also saw, but did not feel, his own father put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know why you are here," Fitzwilliam said. "But there is nothing to fear now. Pemberley is safe and I am holding its future master. The Darcys are safe and immensely happy. You can rest now."

His parents' proud smiles were the last thing he saw of them, for a blinding light made him close his eyes and when he opened them again, they were gone. He felt they were truly gone.

He knew he would miss knowing they were here, but they did not deserve to spend all eternity trapped here. They had to move on and so had he. He looked down at his sleeping son and knew that he was holding the future. He would teach his son not to be prejudiced, arrogant, or proud. The future master of Pemberley would be kind and honourable.

And he would know about Pemberley's guardians.

The end.

I do not own any Pride and Prejudice properties, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.

Characters and situations, created by Jane Austen, are taken from Pride and Prejudice and from the Pride and Prejudice (1995) adaptation created by Simon Langton and distributed by BBC.

This story is released under the GPL/CC BY: verbatim copying and distribution of this entire work are permitted worldwide, without royalty, in any medium, provided attribution is preserved.