Thank you all so much for your lovely reviews, favourites and follows! Sorry it took so long for an update, I've had some serious computer issues, but all is resolved now! Here is the next chapter, and the following chapters are being planned out at the moment. Once again, I don't own P&P, Lizzie or Darcy, but I will take credit for Rose. Please R&R, follow and/or favourite! xx
It was a warm, and somewhat surprisingly sunny, May day at Pemberley: the gardens on the grounds were in full bloom, the trees were covered in beautiful rich green leaves that danced as a gentle breeze passed over them and the robins were nesting in the hedgerows. It was so lovely outside that Lizzie had decided to take Rose out for a walk around the grounds to their favourite spot under the willow overlooking the lake. Fitzwilliam was busy in his study attending to various pressing business matters, so Lizzie took the opportunity to spend some alone time with her daughter.
At seven months old, little Rose Georgiana Jane Darcy was the pride and joy of her parents as well as all of her family and even the staff at Pemberley. She was undoubtedly a credit to both her parents in every way. Not only was she an exceptionally beautiful little girl, she had a joyful and charming countenance to go along with it. In looks and demeanor, she took after both of her parents. Her appearance and budding personality favouring neither her mother or father. She had her mother's dark auburn curls that framed her delicate face. She also shared her mother's porcelain skin and rosebud mouth. Her eyes, which Lizzie often referred to as "fine" to tease her husband, were definitely her father's: a brilliant cerulean blue which stood out even more because of the contrast with the colour of her hair.
Rose was an extremely happy infant, who inherited her mother's love a smiles and laughter. Whenever she saw either of her parents, she always greeted them with a large, toothless grin, giggling and reaching towards whichever parent it was, wanting to be held and snuggled. Her parents were always obliging in her need for affection, wanting their daughter to grow up having no doubts about how much the loved her, and they themselves liked nothing better than to dote on her, showering her with kisses and cuddles whenever they possibly could. However, Rose could be quite a serious and focused child, especially given her age, definitely taking after he father in that sense. Some of Darcy's favourite time alone with his daughter was when she would sit at his desk with him while he was carrying out his business affairs: writing letters, checking over his accounts or even just reading a book. Both father and daughter would glance over the pages with the same serious look on their faces, deep in concentration, while slowly twirling a piece of hair around their finger. Lizzie had caught her favourite pair like this a few times, sometimes even catching them sound asleep in Darcy's favourite armchair, his arm wrapped protectively around his daughter's back, one hand resting just above his heart, the other gently wound into the hair just behind his ear. She often wished that she could capture these precious father-daughter moments forever.
After a pleasant walk through the gardens, Lizzie and Rose reached their favourite spot under one of the large willows by the lake. Lizzie laid out the soft blanket that she had brought with her and gently laid Rose down on it and shortly followed suit and laid next to her daughter. Over the past few months, Rose had grown much more aware and attentive to the world around her and loved to look around and discover what she could about the world for herself. Lizzie continued to lie there, soaking in the warmth of the sun watching and listening to her daughter babble about what she was seeing.
"Are you watching the birds, my darling?" Lizzie asked her daughter while running her fingers through her daughter's curly hair. At almost that moment, Rose started flailing her little arms and kicking her legs with a broad smile on her face. "Are you trying to fly away like the birdies? Aren't you a clever girl!" Then, Rose rolled over onto her tummy and started reaching in the direction behind Lizzie's head. "What are you seeing over there, my love?"
"Oh, nothing in particular, sweetheart," came the deep, velvety voice of her husband. "How are my two favourite girls faring on this fine morning?" he asked while scooping up Rose into his arms and sitting her in his lap on the blanket.
"Just spending a little time out of doors while the weather is still fair enough to do so. It's such a fine day that I thought I would take Rose outside for a little adventure. She adores the birds. What brings you out here, my love?"
"Well, I just finished up my business affairs for the day and I couldn't find you in the house, so I figured I would find you here at our favourite spot," he said, placing a kiss on the top of Rose's head, causing her to giggle. "Besides, I have some news for you."
"News?" Lizzie asked inquisitively. "What news would that be, Will?"
"Some of the best sort, I assure you. At least I hope you find it so. Though, I must warn you, it comes at a cost…"
"A cost?" Lizzie asked flirtatiously, cocking an eyebrow. "Oh dear, it must be very good news indeed. What do you think Rosie? Should I ask your Papa what sort of price he is asking for this news?" Rose gave her mother a large grin and started to gurgle and wave her little chubby arms. "Well if you agree, sweetest heart, well then I supposed I shall," she agreed leaning over and placing a kiss on her daughter's cheek. "Name your price, Mr. Darcy."
"Well, Mrs. Darcy," he replied using all the charm he could muster, "the price I am asking is two fold. One, allowing me to accompany you and our gorgeous daughter for the rest of the day…"
"Done."
"Patience, my Lizzie. Don't make any hasty decisions. And second, a kiss from the most beautiful woman in England."
"Well then, husband, you had best start looking for her, she may prove difficult to find," Lizzie said ardently, leaning in for a kiss.
"Indeed she may. Well, since you have agreed to both my terms, I'd best be off to try and steal that kiss form a beautiful lady," Darcy said standing up and passing Rose back to her mother. "Could be a very long day of looking," he stated plainly and walked off behind Lizzie in the direction of the trees.
Stunned, Lizzie quickly turned her head to find her husband, who had apparently already disappeared. She turned back rather quickly and closed her eyes for a moment 'Well, that was odd, very odd,' she thought to herself shaking her head. When, suddenly, to her utter amazement and surprise, she felt his lips in hers, drawing her into a tender, yet passionate kiss.
"Mmm, found her," Darcy whispered, he lips a breath away from hers. "It turned out that I didn't need to travel so far after all. And the other most beautiful girl is right here!" he exclaimed, taking Rose from Lizzie's lap, kissing her little cheek and started tickling her tummy, which caused her to squeal with delight. After he stopped tickling her, Rose wrapped her little arms around his neck, never wanting to let her dear Papa go. "Your Mama can be quite silly sometimes, my darling girl," he whispered to his daughter, "where could I possibly find any girl or lady who is more beautiful than either of you?"
"Well, dearest, I think I have paid both of the prices that you asked of me and you have had your laugh. Now, tell me, what is the news you wish to tell me?"
"Very well, sweetheart," Darcy complied, sitting back down on the blanket. "The news is that Jane and Charles will be arriving here tomorrow and will be staying for a fortnight."
"Oh, that is indeed wonderful news! Will they be bringing little David with them? He is such a dear boy, and I wish very much to see my nephew along with my sister and her husband."
"He will be accompanying them, yes. I do long to see him, and Charles and Jane as well. It will be wonderful to see them, as always, and for little miss Rose here to get to know her aunt and uncle and play with someone who is more her age for a change."
"What time will they be here tomorrow, Will?"
"They are expecting to arrive shortly after noon, depending on the roads and if they can depart at the time they desire in the morning. Charles has informed me that travelling with a toddler can prove difficult at times, even with a child as compliant and amiable as David."
"Well this is marvelous news; it was definitely worth the price I had to pay and would willingly pay again, if you would oblige me sir," Lizzie replied just before placing another gentle kiss on her husband's lips. "Thank you, my love. Now, would you and our darling daughter care to join me on the blanket and watch the birds for a little while longer?"
"Most definitely, my Lizzie."
As the little family lay together on the blanket, Rose started to drift off to sleep on her father's chest; her little eyelashes fluttering as she rose and fell with each breath he took and Darcy's arm wrapped tenderly around her tiny body. When she had finally drifted off, Lizzie slid in, snuggling even closer into Darcy's side and ran her finger across her daughter's cheek.
"She is so beautiful," Lizzie whispered to her husband, careful not to wake the sleeping infant. "I sometimes still cannot believe that she is ours."
"Of course she is beautiful," Darcy replied, "how could she not be? I will tell you this, my darling, when you marry the most beautiful woman in England, you are bound to have the most beautiful children anyone has ever seen."
"And the same goes, of course, when you marry the most handsome and wonderful man in England," she replied, stealing another kiss, then returning both of their gazes to their daughter's sleeping form.
"I suppose so," Darcy said smiling, drawing Lizzie in closer and rubbing his hand gently up and down Rose's back. "There is one thing that I have no doubt about, sweetheart."
"And what would that be, Will?"
"I am not the happiest, nor the luckiest man in England." This confession caused Lizzie to look up into her husband's eyes, completely puzzled.
"Is that so, my love? And how is that possible, might I ask."
"I am not the happiest man in England because I am the happiest and luckiest man in the world." With that, Darcy pulled Lizzie in tighter, kissed her temple and the couple joined their daughter in a peaceful slumber, probably the last private and peaceful moment they would have for at least a fortnight when their guests arrive tomorrow.
So, what did you think? I promise it won't remain this fluffy forever! Please R&R, follow and/or favourite! :)