A/N: I only dream I own these characters, but 'sadly' they belong to Jane Austen.
A/N: Please note that this story has nothing to do with my story "The Lives of the Darcys and the Bingleys"! The plot of this story has nothing to do with the plot of that story.
~October 28, 1822.
Their anniversary was a cold and rainy day. Jane was at the window, staring into their park, where the trees bowed under the pressure of the wind. She thought back on ten years of marriage to Charles Bingley. They had had many happy days, but there had been immense sad days too.
Only two years ago, they had lost their little girl, Emma. She had been 7 and by the time they realised she was sick, it was too late. She had had a high fever for days, before her body was too weak to fight any longer. Even though she and Charles had other children, the loss of Emma was something she carried with her always. Not one moment passed that she forgot.
She was crying silently, when she felt two arms embracing her from behind. "Charles…", she said, her voice broken with grief. He hugged her tightly and he placed his head on her shoulder. "I know…", he said, with a voice that sounded equally hurt. They had stood there together for some time, hugging and crying, when they heard small feet running though the corridor and high voices calling out for their 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'.
Charles kissed Jane, then dried his eyes and called out, to let the children know where they were. Jane also dried her eyes and smiled at the sounds of life in the house.
Matthew, Ralph and Lucy came running towards them, with smiles on their faces. Lucy, the eldest of seven years old, hugged Jane. "Mrs Dosett told us today is your wedding anniversary, Mamma." Jane smiled. "Mrs Dosett is quite right, darling." Lucy got a glitter in her eyes. "What was it like, Mamma?" "What was what like, dear?" "Getting married to Pappa! Were you wearing a beautiful dress?"
At this, Charles grinned. "Her dress was absolutely stunning, Luce. She looked like an angel!" Lucy's eyes got big in excitement. "Really?" Charles smiled. "Really."
Charles got distracted when little Ralph, aged 5, pulled his sleeve. "Daddy, is there going to be a party?" "A party for what, Ralph?" "For the marriage! I want a party with Aunt and Uncle Darcy! I want to play with Sarah, Joshua and Vivian again!" Jane and Charles laughed. "There is not going to be a party, no. But we shall have fun together. I say we go to the nursery and play with anything you want!" Charles said, and he lifted Ralph up to swing him through the air. Ralph laughed. "Yeah, I like that, Daddy!"
When Charles had put Ralph back to the ground, he and his siblings ran off to the nursery. Charles and Jane stood there and listened to the sounds their children made, being enthusiastic and happy. Jane went to hug Charles and they kissed for some time. "I love you, Jane." Charles said, and he hugged her tighter. "I love you too, Charles."
They stood there for some time, before their children got impatient and went to look where their Mommy and Daddy had gone. Jane and Charles went to their children and played with them the rest of the day, with Emma in the back of their heads joining them.
The End.
A/N: So, this is just some drabble I wrote in half an hour. It just popped out. My inspiration was the very rainy and windy day we had here today. If you like it, please review!
Xx ~Mrs Nomau