Renee! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Yes, it seems like my whole family has been sick at one time or another during the past two months! Winter! Yuck! While I may glamourize it in my story a bit, I am no fan of Ottawa winters.

While one chapter is done, I haven't been able to move on the second one in quite some time. As I mentioned before, I had to adjust my life earlier this year... well, to be honest, my three year old son was diagnosed with a disorder last August (I'd rather not go into details, we'll keep it general), and we've had to set up a lot of different therapies and appointments, not to mention changing our lifestyle dramatically. All that combined with a new daughter still not yet one year old.

You've all been so understanding about me not posting any faster, I just thought it would be best to explain a little more. No worries about my little guy, he's doing great and since we intervened at an early age, he's improving by leaps and bounds. He's quite a friendly, happy little boy so life doesn't seem to stress him too much.

Needless to say, my writing has been moved to the backburner, though I think about it constantly.

Thank you for asking, though, I'm glad you're eager to read more even though we're just about at the end. :)

Hi Renee and Tracey,

Thanks for responding so quickly to my post. Tracey I'm sorry to hear that you've been dealing with so much with sickness lately. I can definitely relate, as we've all been sick off and on the last few weeks too, although we're getting better (colds, etc), we are SO ready for Spring to arrive, only 19 more days, yay! If only the weather would improve, but that's not easy in Northeast Ohio this time of year. I'm glad to learn too that your son is getting better, poor thing. Anyway...I understand that you have been planning to post the last two chapters together but since we're all waiting on pins and needles to find out what's going to happen with our Lizzy and Darcy, would you consider giving us the one chapter that's finished? If you don't want to that's ok, but I think I can speak for many other of your fans that we're all DYING to read MORE, especially if it includes lots of D&L sappy, loving!!!! Just a thought and no pressure, but we just love your story and can't wait to read more.

Good to hear from you Tracey and thanks again!

Best, Julie

Hi Tracey

I'm so sorry to hear about your little one. I wish you all the best.

Tracey, although you didn't specify the problem, I think I can relate somewhat. I have two children, 5 and 8, both with autism. My eight year old has completely recovered, thank God, my five year old still struggles but continues to take small steps. I can imagine writing chapters is your last priority. All I did for five years is concentrate on them and feel sorry for myself. If I went through it all over again, I would have listened to the people who begged me to make some time for myself. Of course selfishly we all want you to continue writing, but you may find it to be just the thing you need to take a break from everyday life.

Tracy,

Hearing bout all your RLs makes me appreaciate and would like to thank you for listening to all of our pleading for more of your wonderful story..and actually responding to it...you r a super lady with such a great & CREATIVE mind....having 4 kids myself with all 4 being premature babies was quite an experience for me..so we mummies understand...hugs and kisses to your boy ...thanks again..I'll just reread again all the good parts..just before the angst..that will do it

Oh, Tracey, as much as I would like to know what happens next in your wonderful story, I understand what you are going through right now. I hope things get better and better soon... spring is just around the corner, take it as good sign. God bless you and your family.

Tracey,

I just found this latest chapter! Yay! I love this story. I don't care if it takes you forever to post the end of it, I'll be waiting. Seriously, weren't you pregnant with your son when you first started this thing? Yikes!

Whatever...I still remember the bachelor auction and the song 'A Little Less Conversation' by Elvis. I'd never heard it before, or if I did, I must have been just a kid, but that song makes me think of this story!

Thanks!
Jean Louise

Tracey

Just wanted to tell ypou that I'm re-reading your stories again, and what a delight I find in them. I've also recommended your stories to other people who have asked about fanfiction.

Be sure that I'll be patiently waiting for your input and I hope everything is ok with you and your little ones.

Hugs

Diana

Hi Tracey,
Although I have been blessed with healthy children(thank God). As a mother I can relate to a child not being well. They are your first priority. And still you were able to finish your story. Here again we see why God made women...lol....
I truley love your story. I like the modern twist.
Thank you. Hope all is going well at home.

Again, forgive me for not posting much lately. I do appreciate all comments but sometimes I just don't know what to say when I don't have any good news. :( I've been writing more lately but I'm not exactly pleased with it. Isn't that just my luck -- I'm writing, but it's not flowing well. Grrrrrr....

Julie -- I'm sorry I can't relieve your suffering! I can't post one chapter without finishing the other. At this point, there are tie-ins between chapters, and of course, I need to tie up any loose ends with the whole story. If I post this chapter and then realize I've missed something, I may screw up the ending. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I'm just so glad you're still sticking around to read the final two. Unfortunately, it seemed like my kids ... well, all four of us, have been sick the whole winter. My little girl couldn't have her first year shots a couple of weeks ago because, again, she had a cold. She's actually on a puffer since November... so she's prone to colds. Yes, I'm bringing out the violins here, aren't I? Actually, I feel really bad for her little body -- my son was so healthy in his first two years, and this little girl catches everything.

Alicia -- Thank you so much for the kind words. Yes, you can definitely relate and I actually bow to you. Two boys with autism is a ton of work for all of you. You must be exhausted half the time! Congrats about your eight year old and as for your five year old -- small steps are still steps, they add up. My little guy's speech has improved significantly in the past few months so we're pleased about that and we just successfully toilet-trained him! That's a very positive thing -- only one baby in diapers now! As for my own time, I do get a chance to write here and there, so I am progressing!

Ima -- Four kids! I just couldn't imagine. My mother had six kids and I just ... well, anything over two seems like too much to handle! I've passed along the hugs and kisses to my little guy -- not a tough thing to do -- I love giving them, he loves getting them! Thanks for the warm words.

Kari -- Thanks for your supportive message. I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner! Words like this really do make a difference.

Jean Louise -- You're still around? Wow, I'm so happy you haven't given up on me! An original poster! You know, when I started this story, my son wasn't even conceived!!!! Argh!!! I remember reading fics and wondering why people took three years to write something and now look at me... it's taken me much longer. Yikes! I have been told by a few people that they only think of Darcy when they hear that song... not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for piping in with a comment.

Diana -- You are lovely! Glad you can re-read my story and enjoy; and recommending others to read them to is just about the highest compliment. Thank you!

Maria -- Thanks for your thoughtful post. I am still working on my story when I get the time and really do want to get something out sooner rather than later.

Thanks again to you all! I'll be sure to let you all know when the chapters are just about ready!
Tracey

Hi Tracey!

Just checking in to find out how this story is coming along. We haven't heard anything from you in a while and I was hoping things are OK in your real life. As always, I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this great story. Hope to hear some news soon! Best, Julie

I am happy to hear that you are trying to write again!
Your fans are just concerned to know all is well with you and a bit anxious to read more of the great story that is hidden away in you mind! I know more is coming when your good and ready...

BRAVO!!! I really liked this story can't wait to see if you write more of it! Good Luck!

Dear Tracey

Now that I know the reason why it takes so long for you sometimes to post, I do understand you much better. I am so glad my kids are already going to the doctors by themselves

I love this story and look forward to reading it further. Be inspired!!!

Maria

I know this sounds demanding or like a whine... but I am so anxious to find out what happens next. Are you working on it this summer or just been busy with real life? Just wanted you to know this story has not been forgotten out here and are eager for more!!

Hi Tracey!

I'm with Christina! Please say you'll be posting the rest of this wonderful story soon! It's been so long and we've been patiently waiting since December. If it's RL issues, of course we understand and we'll wait, but we'd love to know more about what happens with D&L. Please say when you'll post more chapters! Thanks! :)

*sigh* I don't have good news. :( I haven't written very much lately. I'm afraid this past year really has been hellish... the latest? This summer, I sprained my ankle and then last week my husband broke his scapula.

All this to say, I have a lot of excuses for not writing lately, but the truth is, I just haven't had the urge. Is it almost done? Yes. Do I know when I'll post? No clue.

I wish, wish, wish, I could give you more. I know I'm not giving you much and I don't expect everyone will stick around patiently, but I do appreciate that you are all still interested. There's a mixture of absolute delight and dread when people post a comment in this thread -- delight in that I have someone still wanting to read the last two chapters, and dread about the fact I've got nothing good to tell them.

Will try write soon...

Please, please do try hard, Tracey. I look in at least 2x/week to see if new posts are already there... ... I am so hopeful and would love so much to read the end of this wonderfully written story.
Dear Tracey: fans are waiting for you!!

Hey tracey! I have to admit this, but i stumbled by your web page about three or four days ago, and then i curiously started to read, and i absoloutley loved it! Like, if real life issues hadnt interfered, i wouldve finished all 22 chapter in about a day and half. But since there's no use crying over spilt milk, I just finished them this morning. and guesse what? I'm dying for more!!! How do i contact you? How do i know if and when a new chapter or page gets posted??? I hope i found out soon! Love the story -love you for writing it! ;)

Hi Miriam!

Thanks for the lovely comment. I hope I didn't interfere too much with your daily routines! :))))

As for my next chapters, well, it's been forever since I posted, but I do intend to post again someday. I can't give a firm date, I've missed almost every deadline I give myself since I really don't have much free time lately.

Just keep your fingers crossed that I will get a chance to write soon because I really want this story to be finished! I've taken far too long!

Again, thanks for your uplifting post. They made my day! :D

Tracey

Hey Tracey, I'm so glad you answered my message :D
Don't worry, you didn'y interfere with my daily life, I went out of my way on purpose just to finish them. Well, I know this may sound really weird, but well, you said you haven't posted anything in a while. So I was wondering if you could just maybe give me a sneek peek preveiw about what happens next, pretty pleeease? It would mean so much to me. By the way, I'd forgotten to mention in my last message, but I read the short story 36D, and I loved it! I mean it was so hot
Well, I hope i hear from you soon, and thanks again for replying to my messgae. THAT really made my day

Loved the story... Have totally devoured all you have written.... will there be more? Please... if we grovel? I will keep checking back here to your page for more of this story. Again loved your work... Keep it up!

Dear Renee or Tracey,

Just wanted to check in to ask when or if Tracey will ever be finishing this story for us anytime soon? I realize RL has been hard on her for the last two years, but it has been almost one year since her last installment, and really, it's been too long a wait. I don't mean to sound harsh, but this is ridiculous. We had to wait a whole year before last December's posting of one chapter, only to learn that she still has two more chapters to write before it's completed. I had previously requested to Tracey that she please post at least one chapter that she had mentioned she had completed to satisfy our craving for more of this story until she has finished it, but she insisted that in order to keep the flow of her story intact she would only post when she finished the last chapter. So we continue to wait, wait, and wait. Has this story really been going since '04?

Forgive me if I seem horribly impatient and insensitive, and I sincerely hope that everything is going ok in Tracey's life. But if I may speak for others here, I think we've all been waiting too long for this story to resolve itself. Please, please, please give us some good news soon! We love this story, it's my personal favorite on this site and I can't wait to read more!

I have to say I have to agree completly with Julie. I know i haven't been waiting as long as other people, but I wanna know what's gonna happen in the story!!!!!!!! Please Tracy!!

My dears, even though I too crave for more Action and Reaction, and I'm sure Tracey will be flattered you love her story so much, I do have some trouble with the use of terms such as 'ridiculous', there where delays of installments of our writers are concerned. Writers who are so kind to offer their work for free, for your enjoyment, who ask nothing in return.

Tracey has a lot on her mind, unexpected matters concerning her family, and it is definitely not her fault that the conclusion of her story has been delayed. RL got in the way, and this RL has her priority now. Justifiably so, I might add.

I know Tracey is working on her story, and that she too realizes the process is slow. However, at this point there's really not much she can do about it.

So, I suggest you just wait patiently, as I do myself, and focus for the time being on the numerous other wonderful stories our beloved Jane Austen fandom has to offer.

Thank you for your understanding

Hi Tracey,
I would like to let you know that I really enjoyed your story. I became so engrossed with the storyline. You pay particular attention so that the reader can feel every emotion and become with these very familiar characters in a new way that is still the same somehow. You did a very good job. And I hope that everything is going well with you and your family.

Hi Tracey,
Although I love your storyand can't wait to read more, I understand how the real world gets in the way. I agree with Rene' that no one should be angry about the story not being complete. You are doing this on your own time. Time is very percious. We are lucky to have the opportunity to be able to read these great stories and for nothing to boot. If they are looking for a story, maybe the ones that are impatient can write one. I know I myself don't have the talent to perform for others. Take care Tracey and I hope all is well in the real world. I send you my prays.

I know I myself don't have the talent to perform for others.

hee hee You're too funny, Maria!

I so loved that scene. Your semi-quote induces me to watch P&P again soon. It has been quite a while.

Maria's words have also inspired me and I feel I must as well add something.
I did love Tracey's story and long to read further... but I do understand that sometimes life runs in a different way as we had expected or even planned. I believe Tracey has reasons that stop her to write at the moment and I do respect those reasons and refrain my curiosity until... well, until Tracey blesses us with more of her interesting ideas. Meanwhile, to you, Tracey, I wish a lot of strengh and all the very best.

Hi all,

I'm late to the discussion... but I guess that's appropriate considering the topic.

Julie, I hear you. Frankly, I feel ridiculous that I haven't finished yet... and I admit, it's not solely because of scheduling (though I certainly don't have the time and energy I had for it a few years ago). I think I'm a bit afraid of writing the last two chapters and not being satisfied, so I've procrastinated. Renée is a good friend of mine and she knows my personal life so I thank her for her kind defence of me, but I also know in my heart my story could have been completed by now if I hadn't gotten stalled.

I would love to say that if I had known when I started it would take this long, I would have waited to post. However, I'd never taken on any kind of writing of this kind before and the comments throughout the years helped me to continue. I have hit a snag in the final chapter and haven't looked at it for a long time.

I absolutely realize there have been people who have given up on my story because I post so infrequently and I'm sorry to hear it, but I totally understand. I've been there/done that too. So I know your frustration. Some of my favourite fan fics are WIPs that have been going for longer than mine, or that have been removed from the boards, or have been abandoned. I do intend to finish and hearing people are waiting is a compliment, but yes, guilt-inducing.

Thank you all for your lovely comments and I agree real life comes first and that has been my priority, but still, I feel a little silly for not having posted in such a long time. All I can say is that my story is not abandoned. I want to finish it. I'm still around. I hope you will be too.

Tracey

P.S. It's lovely to see all these "Maria"s commenting on my story as that's the name of my little girl. :)

Hi Tracey, thought I should join in :) I'm one of your devoted fans dying for the next chapter. Ready to offer any kind of help to bring this event closer :) Babysitting, cleaning, cooking - you name it :) This story is great! You cannot possibly disappoint us with the remaining two chapters, we love the posted ones so much. Your characters are realistic, charming, and believable, and also recognizable as the original characters of P&P - you are doing a wonderful job.
And if you by any chance need an extra beta reader -- please think of me :)

When I saw Marg's comment, I felt like I just had to reply!! I'm so glad that Tracy posted, and I just wanted to say that I dont think that the last two chapters could everbe bad, nor that we could be dissapointed. Oh, and I agree with Marg when she says in all that she says about the characters being lifelike and modern, but we can actually still relate to the ones in the original book. Anyways, good luck Tracy!

I love it, I want to thank Tracey sooo much for writing this, it is a lovely story!! Keep up the good work!

Hi, Tracey!! Lovely story!! I couldn´t stop reading it!!! Good luck with the writing of the two last chapters!!

Hey, Just started reading your story! I love it so far, I can't wait to read the ending. Your doing a great job!

hey there,

Just checking in to see if there was a new chapter! Hope all is well.

I didn't think when the time came I would broadcast this, but I'm too excited. Tonight, I sent my final two chapters to my betas. Chapter 23 is about 8,500 words (or 18 pages) and Chapter 24 is 10,800 words (about 24 pages). I know it's taken me forever so I hope some of you are still interested in reading. I will send it off to Mrs. Darcy as soon as I've revised it, but that may be a few weeks. I can't believe I'm done! Sorry if this is teasing... it's really not meant as such. I'm just so happy. :D

Tracey

Weeee! I am just as happy and excited that you have finished the story, Tracey! Thank you for remembering to do so! Now will be patiently waiting for Mrs Darcy to publish them

Yeaaaaa! I to will wait and be patient for the next chapters! Thank you for the update....

*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*

This is wonderful news, Tracey!

Congratulations!

Cheers,
Julia B

YESSSS!!! Tracey, I can't believe we can finally get to read the finale of this wonderful story!! Can't wait, dear!

You made my day!

Yes Tracey..that is really my goofy grins........I have always believe that you will finish your story...but I know with your wonderful kids and all...wjho are we to compete for your attention... ............but Tracey dearest IAM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED............your Lizzy & Darcy has always been my fav......... ........thank you thank you thank you Traceyyyyyyyyyyyy for your time spent to finish this fairy tale.........ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh I can't wait...........................

IMA

Tracey, I am so glad you finally did it!!!

I do believe in the power of prayer even when concerning p&p FF...

Meanwhile I restarted reading the all story...
Look forward to reading the final chapters.

Dear Renée, please do not let us wait toooooooooooooo long

Ah, you all make me feel so great. I have a huge smile reading your comments. I'm so glad you're still interested and I hope the last couple of chapters will be fun to read. While it took a long time, I had fun writing most of the chapters... a couple of spots were a bit frustrating!

Hi Tracey!

Great news! Thanks so much for letting us know. I am most definitely interested in reading the rest of your wonderful story and I cannot wait to read it! I'm sure it's terrific. I am very glad to know that you were able to finish it in spite of everything going on in your life, we all appreciate it and hope things are going better for you and your family.

Hi Tracey,

Thats great news really excited about reading the final part of your excellent story . . . you've even given me time to re-read it before the final Installment comes!!!

Tracey,
We are all so happy that you have finished this great story. Although we wanted more and quickley, we knew you would want to write the perfect ending to such a good story. I am sure we wont be disapointed. Can't wait to read it. Thanks again for taking the time to give us such great reading material.

OMG!!! Am I seeing this correctly?! Please tell me that I am. I sooo wanted to throw my arms up and scream here at work...

Cant wait to finish reading my favorite modern version of the bestest love story of all time!

WooHoo!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy, I am so excited, I got up because I couldn't sleep and now after reading this wonderful news I know it will be quite impossible to get any rest. You know I love this story so much I printed a copy of it and took it to Hawaii with me last summer to read on the long flight. OMG I am so excited, oh I already said that. Thank you Tracy for not giving up, and my God bless you and your family.

Oh, my! Thank you to you all! Julia! You took it Hawaii! My story has travelled there but I haven't! Oh, well, maybe someday.

Just an update. I have, unfortunately, not heard a word from my betas, but they are busy women, one not involved in the fandom at all, so she has no clue about how we all get stoked about new chapters. I'll start bugging them this week, but until then, I don't want to push, after all, they do their great work as a favour to me!

Thanks again ladies... you all make me feel like a million bucks!