Georgiana shyly peeked her head out from behind the tree trunk where she had climbed up quickly on the side of the Netherfield gardens. “I heard noises and I thought it might be time for the babe to arrive. I did not mean to invade your privacy.”
Lizzy let out a deep breath, “I know, Georgie. Come down and I promise not to harm you.” She rubbed her very large abdomen and took several deep breaths. “I believe it is time soon for the babe to come out. Your brother is mortified that you caught us in the middle of... Oh, dear Georgie,” she waited until her thirteen-year-old sister reached the ground, “your brother and I love each other very much and I should have locked the doors but it was rather... unplanned.” Lizzy wrapped her arm around Georgiana’s shoulder, “Your nephew or niece is arriving soon but I have no intention of ceasing what we enjoy as a married couple and Will helps me with my spasm pains. I promise to tell you the sordid details of married life when you are older but remember that Will and I love each other very much.” Lizzy groaned as she wrapped her arms around her unborn baby. “I believe this child is to arrive today.” She fell to her knees as she took several deep breaths. “Go and fetch your brother, Georgie. I ran here too fast and the babe disagrees with my exercise. I will need the midwife, too.”
Georgiana’s eyes broadened with fear but she relaxed as soon as she saw William running outside. “I will tell Mrs. Nicholls to call for the midwife, William. I am sorry that I made Lizzy run out to the gardens and I will not intrude on your privacy again. I am very sorry, brother.”
William lifted up Lizzy from the ground to carry her up to their rooms. He leaned and kissed Georgiana’s temple, “It is all well, Georgie. I will take Lizzy to her bed so she can rest. Be happy, sister.” He smiled tenderly at the woman in his arms. “Our child is arriving today.”
Georgiana nodded and ran to the housekeeper while William kissed Lizzy’s forehead and carried her inside as she moaned in pain. “It is time, my love. I should not have allowed you to chase after my sister but I was a coward to hide in our rooms instead. I am sorry.”
Lizzy smiled after her contraction passed. “Allow me? Fitzwilliam Darcy, when have you allowed me to do one thing or another?” They laughed. “It is fine. Your sister might have seen us joined but we were fully dressed and I had begged you to relieve my suffering. It is all well. I could not go a day without your love and after our babe is born, we will have to suffer without it until the baptism but I hope we will continue to sleep together. I would miss you if I did not have you by my side.”
“You will always have me. Do you wish for me to stay with you through the birthing process? Father said he nearly fainted with me and dared not enter the rooms with Georgiana’s birth, but I will stay with you if you wish.” William kissed her forehead.
“Oh, your mama and mine will both be with me and I will be fine, Will. I wish Aunt Madeline were here but she will join us next month.” Lizzy heard the knock at the door. “That will be your mother. Go, Will. I will be fine. Sit with Papa Darcy and try to relax.” She smiled.
Lady Anne ran inside and dabbed Lizzy’s forehead with a wet cloth, “I will take good care of her, William. Your father is pacing and you must help him, son. He will wear out the rug!” She laughed as Lizzy smiled.
William kissed his wife’s lips and left their rooms. He joined his father in the study and paced along together, praying for the health of his beloved wife and wishing for a dear daughter in her mother’s image.
After several hours of labour, a baby’s cries could be heard throughout Netherfield. Jane arrived a quarter hour later to inform William of the birth of his firstborn and after the excited father ran to his wife’s side, Jane announced to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet of their grandchild’s gender. The gentlemen toasted each other and grinned broadly, already busily making plans for the babe’s future and happily chattering until their wives joined them.
~*~
William and Lizzy were fruitful and very blessed in their married state. They did not have nine children but spent their merry days with their three daughters and two sons. Their first-born daughter was as much a hoyden as they had hoped and although William did grow a whole patch of grey hairs on each temple, Lizzy thought it most distinguished and adored her husband, apparent for everyone to see during their long marriage.
Their adventures did not cease but rather increased after the Napoleonic War ended and they were able to travel to the continent several years later. Although travelling with a caravan of servants and nurses for their children, Lizzy was incredibly excited with every place they saw and every museum and gallery they visited. She eagerly taught her children to ask ‘why’ and to dig deeper for answers and to never take learning for granted.
Jane and Charles Bingley married as soon as he was of age and Mrs. Bennet planned the grandest celebration that Hertfordshire had ever seen. She had certainly outdone herself and only fretted that Mary was so disinterested in marriage that she did not know when she would be able to repeat the service for her third daughter. Only after Lizzy reminded her mother that there were at least two more years until Mary’s coming out and two additional younger daughters to look after, that Mrs. Bennet came
