"Charles!" called Jane to her husband of a few years.
"Charles, If we don't leave now we'll be late!"
"Coming Jane!" Charles Bingley, tenant of Netherfield, called back to his wife. They were attending a ball at Pemberley, the home of Jane's sister Lizzie and her husband Mr Darcy. Mr Bingley appeared at the doorway and was stunned. He had never seen his wife look so beautiful, except, perhaps, from their wedding day. They left Netherfield in their most splendid carriage and as they left the estate Mr Bingley commented
"You look splendid my dear"
"So do you, my love" Jane replied.
"It will be nice to see Lizzie again, it has been so long"
"Yes, I quite agree. It has been far too long since we have seen Mr and Mrs Darcy." said Mr Bingley
"and young Remmington" Jane added.
"oh yes, and Remmington too" Mr Bingley said, grinning. The journey carried on thus far. When they reached Pemberley, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy were waiting at the door with their 7 year old son Remmington. Jane and Bingley's children Livingston and Georgiana were first to leave the carriage. They immediately ran off with Remmington. Jane embraced her sister once she had left the carriage, her husband a few paces behind her. Once they were in the drawing room and settled, Livingston entered the room with his sister Georgiana and cousin. He interrupted the conversation and started to talk.
"Betsy said that you would like it if we picked you some roses, and she helped us make these bouquets for you. We hope you like them" They could tell this speech had been rehearsed. This was also Georgiana and Remmington's cue to give their mothers their bouquets. Georgiana gave her mother a bouquet of red and cream roses while Remmington gave his mother a bunch of pink and white roses. The ladies thanked their children for the flowers while their husbands invited the children to join in the conversation. Remmington sat next to his father while Livingston and Georgiana squeezed in between their parents. With everyone settled, Fitzwilliam and Lizzie revealed that Remmington was to become an older brother. Lizzie was to have another baby. She, Fitzwilliam and Remmington were bombarded by congratulations. Later that evening, at the ball, Fitzwilliam told his sister Georgiana the news, and that if it was a girl, the middle name would be after her. She squealed and hugged her brother. He returned to dancing with his wife. The ball was a long affair and Lizzie retired early. Mr Darcy danced with his sister, his niece and his mother-in-law (Brave!). He then drew the evening to a close and retired to his chambers, where his wife was sleeping soundly.