Disclaimer: I do not own any of Jane Austen's characters

Summary: It had been a year since Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet had married. They were happy to be together, despite Mr. Darcy's aunt - Lady Catherine De Bourgh. She looked down upon their marriage, because Mr. Darcy was betrothed to Miss De Bourgh; Lady Catherine's daughter. Ever since the marriage, Lady Catherine has practically disowned Mr. Darcy and his new wife. But, no matter what, happiness and love win above all. So what happens when Mr. Darcy wants to have a child and Elizabeth isn't ready for a baby? Most women never survive through child birth. Could it be that Elizabeth is scared? Or could it be that she can't imagine herself, foolish Lizzy, being a mother? Or is she afraid of death, since many women die during childbirth?

Scene: The time is 1803, in the country on England. Last year, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet had wed. Before the marriage however, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy go through some extraordinary events that were guided by her prejudice sight and his haughty pride. (You'll have to read the original book by Jane Austen because I'm not going to elaborate on what events happened.) Those events shaped the rest of their lives together. Had they not found out more about each others personality, they would not have come together. Now, however, their bond is strong and life couldn't be better for the both of them. Enjoying all the comfort and civility of her new home in Derbyshire, Elizabeth has become a great wife; more than she expected to be. Pemberley estate is owned by Mr. Darcy, after his father passed away some time ago. It's spring time; the birds are chirping and the sun is shining . . . most of the time.

Chapter 1

It was early in the morning – about 5 o'clock. Elizabeth decided to go on a walk. Elizabeth had on a casual thin-white silk gown with sleeves that only came down to her elbows. She had a lovely white hat, laced with a fake purple rose. She had newly bought shoes; a present from Mr. Darcy. He bought them for Elizabeth on her birthday; when she was not but two and twenty. He knew she loved walking just as much as she loved being with him. Which, in her opinion was a great deal. Walking gave her the advantage to think about anything. The fresh, cold air filled her lungs as she exited the house.

She was very grateful to have Mr. Darcy as a husband. After all, hardly any women could afford to marry for love. It was all based on money – whether there was fortune on either the wife's or husband's side. Elizabeth was blessed with a marriage for love and for money. But, I think Elizabeth treasures the love part a little more. She herself wasn't poor, but she wasn't very wealthy either.

It truly was a beautiful morning; the sun had risen just a little over the horizon, and was casting a bright red-orange shadow over the glittering ripples of the lake nearby. Pemberley was a truly magnificent site to see; Pemberley estate was surrounded on all sides by Pemberley Woods. Visitors passed through the beautiful wood on a dirt road before approaching the large, handsome, stone building, standing tall on rising ground, backed by a ridge of woody hills. The stream was gorgeous; shadows from the trees by the banks of the lake dawned over the calm surface of the stream. It was a rather large stream – it stretched across the land like a serpent. It splits the Pemberley house from the dirt road. Visitors cross a bridge, over the stream, to get to the estate. The scene is remarkable in every way.

The weather was incredibly fine, and suited Elizabeth. She liked walking in weather such as this. Very cool, but not too cold. That's the beauty of spring. Nice weather it produces, especially when it rains. Mr. Darcy never woke up this early; it was only Elizabeth who did, if her good-nature would allow it. Elizabeth Darcy, pondering in her thoughts as she strolled through the neatly planted garden behind the estate, thought of her mother; her unreasonable, irrational mother. Oh, how she dreaded being so far away from her. Even though she can sometimes be a pain, she was still her mother. Not to mention the pain and melancholy that was bestowed upon Mrs. Darcy, when she had left her father. Mr. Bennet always favored Lizzy above the rest; not that he didn't love them all, but there was some father-daughter connection between the both of them. Being away from them all, sisters included, had made Elizabeth very depressed indeed.

As she strolled through the garden for three long hours, she was met by Mr. Darcy himself; who had certainly scared her on her on purpose. She was unaware of his presence. He came from behind her, picked her up and spun her around twice before they both fell to the ground laughing.

"Oh my goodness! Mr. Darcy, you cannot be so half-witted as to scare me like that! You nearly gave my heart a deathly fright!" cried Elizabeth, laying flat on her back with her hand over her heart. Her hat went astray and her loose hair curved around her face. Her eyes met Mr. Darcy's, and she had never been more in love with him.

"Dear, please forgive me. I saw you walking in the garden and I thought to surprise you. I can assure you, it won't happen again unless you permit it."

All she could do was laugh.

"What if I said that I liked the idea of surprises?"

"Then," said he, "I must wonder why you complain about your heart leaping out of your chest if you take pleasure in the idea of surprises . . ." He propped his head on his arm and leaned in toward Elizabeth, whose countenance flushed a warm, bright red. His lips were nearly two inches apart from hers.

"Who said I was complaining? One cannot express her feelings when she is surprised? I dare say I like your surprises." She gave him a proud smile.

He half-smiled and put his hand on her coloured cheeks. He leaned in to kiss her, but she put a finger on his lips. He looked puzzled, and at the same time amazed. Since when did she not want to kiss him?

"I won't give in that easily," said Elizabeth. She got up quickly, took her lovely hat, and ran towards the forest that bordered the left side of Pemberley estate. "You'll have to catch me!"

"Frankly," shouted a curious Mr. Darcy as he hurried after her, "I'm beginning to wonder why I married you! You're such a silly person when it comes to these things!" A smile came upon his face. He thought only of the beautiful woman in front of him.

"And I'm beginning to wonder who's the fastest runner in this race!" giggled Elizabeth.

They ran through the trees, jumped over branches and laughed the entire time. Once Elizabeth had gotten Darcy off her trail, she hid behind a tree and sat on the floor of the forest. She was breathing heavily, and it felt good. She hadn't had so much fun since the day of her wedding. Elizabeth could see it now; The silkiness of her flowing white dress, the red carpet in the chapel . . . and most importantly the handsome man who stood waiting for her beside the preacher. She couldn't have been more happier than on that day. She felt so alive! All of her friends and early acquaintances attended the huge wedding. She danced all night with her new husband, and once or twice with her father. He told her how proud he was of her and Darcy, and how much he had missed her in the time being. She even danced with Jane, her beloved sister who had married Mr. Bingley on the same day. After all, Bingley and Darcy were close friends and had decided amongst themselves to combine the two weddings and throw one extraordinary wedding. It was from that moment, when Mr. Darcy of Pemberley took Elizabeth's hand in his and said "I do", that Elizabeth gained a place for him in her heart that could neither be explained nor forgotten. It was the true feeling of love.

Amidst of Elizabeth's thoughts, she had not heard of the footprints approaching the tree she took shelter behind. She stood up and leaned her back against the tree and smiled to herself. The sun was high in the sky and was shining brightly through the roof of the forest. She didn't know what was coming. Mr. Darcy came from behind the tree and had Elizabeth in his arms before she could gasp. They both giggled and laughed and gazed at each other for the longest time. How could a couple so madly in love ever show how much they care about each other?

He kissed her ever so lightly. She put her arms around his neck and he drew her closer to him.

"What am I going to do with you?" said Mr. Darcy when they parted.

"I haven't the slightest idea. I suppose I'm just a lost cause," said she with a smile.

"Nay, you're the solution. I should be the lost cause."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I would be lost without you."