So this is the final chapter in this three shot. I never intended to write any more past this point, if you would like to see a continuation of this story, you are more than welcome to produce your own (that is what this site is all about). I never wanted this to be too serious, but thank you to everyone who is reading and has read this story - the fact that you are actually enjoying it means something, even if I find this story ridiculously embarrassing. Anyway, here is the last chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Part 3

Their stay at Netherfield was productive and enjoyable. The two couples enjoyed a great deal of each other's company and they endured much of their time engaging with one another – Darcy and Bingley frequently rode to Meryton, particularly as the warmer weather allowed for some fine days and good firm pastures to canter through. The estate itself was also a spectacle to be admired on horseback and while the Lord of Pemberley was abroad, he thought he would take the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures offered by his dear friends.

Lizzy on the other hand kept constantly to her sister. She had not seen Jane since their wedding (as both couples had been united in the same ceremony) and there was much to discuss now they were both married women, especially as her sister was for the first time with child.

"Mama did warn me," Jane said breathlessly one morning, having struggled to maintain a decent amount of sleep. "But I will not lie and say I heeded her words of the level of discomfort that comes with bearing children."

"I hear your words Jane, and I acknowledge your pains," Lizzy assured her. "But I too will not lie when I say I am anxious to begin my own."

"I can't say yet whether it is all worth it," Jane smiled, "but when the child comes I'm sure I'll change my mind."

In all truthfulness however, Jane's earliest symptoms were beginning to echo themselves in Lizzy. Throughout each day at Netherfield, she would keep to the indoors at her sister's side as she too began to feel a slight decay in her health. While Darcy knew his wife to be most affectionate towards her elder sister, he was surprised to hear his wife had been sleeping in the later hours of the morning, rather than walking about the grounds in her favourite pass time. He suspected days spent comforting an expectant sister would be tiring, but he did doubt that this was the only cause of his wife's fatigue. When Lizzy finally roused from her room at around eleven o'clock one morning, she was greeted by her husband in the hall. As he placed a gentle kiss upon her lips, his gaze suddenly shifted to her glowing complexion. "Dear Lizzy, you look awfully pale," he remarked. "I understand you have been greatly tired. I hope Jane has not worn you out too much."

"No, Jane has been excellent company," she smiled. "I think I have merely been indoors too long. The summer is almost here and I should make the most of the southern weather before we return to Derbyshire."

"Would you like me to accompany you?" He asked kindly, though he had an underlying concern for her general disposition. His wife, however, could see this and gently told him not to let her bore him with tedious walks when he would much rather be in the saddle, holding a rod or holding a gun. He remembered how Charles had said they were to have a proper shooting party today and, out of politeness towards his friend, left his wife to her solitude, but did not let her stray from his thoughts. He remained concerned for she was not so easily distressed.

She had barely walked across the main part of the grounds when she was overcome with a wave of dizziness. She swayed over to a nearby tree and clutched the branch to steady herself. Her heart was pounding and her skin perspiring. Her eyes drooped and she was initially a little frightened for herself. But she pulled her thoughts together and laughed, figuring she really must have had very little exercise for some time if something as simple as a walk could tire her so fully.

Within a few days, Elizabeth's condition had worsened, but she had done her best to hide any symptoms from those around her. She claimed merely to be tired, but she knew it was much more than that. Their stay at Netherfield was reaching its conclusion and she was to head home with her husband as he had business to attend to. She had wondered privately whether she should stay with her sister, but she trusted her brother in law to look after her in her absence.

As she climbed into the carriage, her head grew heavy again. She leaned forward to reach the seat just as her head spun severely and she practically fell onto it. Mr Darcy followed her in with an expression of mild concern. "Are you alright, my love?"

Elizabeth forced a small smile. "Quite alright, I merely tripped." Waving goodbye to their beloved in-laws, they set off for Derbyshire.

Once again, Elizabeth did her best to look out the window, but this time, she was not really admiring the scenery. She watched the little stones on the road vanished into a grey blur and followed its altering shape as their path twisted in altering directions. Her head ached horribly, but this small exercise gave her some relief. Her husband looked at her face with growing concern.

"Lizzy, are you sure you are in a fit state to travel?"

She looked at her husband and smiled kindly. "Yes sir, I am just very tired."

He moved over in his seat and invited her to sit next to him where she would be more comfortable. "You are welcome to sleep on my shoulder."

Elizabeth did her best to move without upsetting her already aching head. Upon settling in her new position beside her husband, she slipped off her bonnet and rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes closing immediately.

She did not stir again until they reached Lambton. She had slept a good length of the journey, and while she felt well rested, something else had begun to bother her. Just as her head was beginning to ease, her stomach had decided to play its part in unsettling her. They sat down to eat and despite being rather hungry, Elizabeth could not bring herself to touch food for fear of upsetting her health.

"Please, Lizzy," Darcy exclaimed, noticing this strange behaviour. "You are not at all well. You should have stayed on at Netherfield."

"And endure a month of your absence?" She retorted somewhat miserably. "We are nearing Pemberley, I shall be fine. I will rest properly once we are back." He looked at her with a deep concern, but accepted her decision.

They had only a half hour ride to Pemberley, though it seemed like forever. She decided to sit opposite her husband for the remainder and her insides began to torture her again. She was most unwell. The carriage jostled and her stomach churned and her head had begun to ache again with burning fever. She recalled the adventures of their previous journey between Netherfield and Pemberley. How contrary she felt now.

Her throat began to pinch in anticipation as the carriage heaved on further. Darcy noticed her behaviour and fluttered an expression of concern. "Lizzy?"

"Stop the carriage," she said immediately. "Please."

Her husband struck a strong fist against the roof as the horses were pulled to a sudden halt. Before the man servant could climb down from above, Elizabeth had swung the door open herself and hurried out into the woods.

"Lizzy!" Darcy cried as he leapt out and ran after her. She had not gone too far into the wilderness before she had halted and heaved, depleting her stomach against a tree. Her throat burned and her mouth was left filled with the horrible taste of sick.

"Good God!" Her husband came fast to find her balancing herself, gripping a branch. Seeing what had happened, he immediately attended to her. "We are nearing Pemberley." He held her round the waist and placed a gentle palm against her forehead. "I'll send a man into town for the doctor. We must get you home."

"I'm sorry," she whispered as she leant her burning head against his firm shoulder.

"No Lizzy," he said severely. "I'm sorry. I could see you were in no state to travel."

He held her for the brief remainder of the journey. When the carriage pulled up at the house, he called for Mrs Reynolds to take his mistress upstairs immediately.

The doctor arrived shortly after. Darcy sat outside their bedchamber and listened to the soft hum of voices from behind the door. Not long after, the doctor came out. Darcy stood quickly wearing an expression of deepest concern. He was surprised when he saw the doctor smiling. "She's fine," he assured him. "She must rest for a while, but she is fine."

"What happened?" He asked breathlessly.

The doctor smiled again, "I think I had better leave it for her to tell you." He gave the Lord of Pemberley a slight bow and left for downstairs. Darcy came into their chamber and saw his wife, though slightly pale, sitting up in bed. She smiled at his presence and he hurried over to her, gripping her hand desperately.

"You frightened me," he said quickly. She smirked at this and gently stroked his palm. "Are you feeling better?" He asked gently.

She smiled and nodded, but suddenly her grin expanded high into her cheek bones and she said "Oh my darling."

Her husband looked at her gravely puzzled.

"My darling, we are to be so very happy," she told him, her eyes glistening in ecstasy. Her husband's widened in astonishment.

"How do you mean?" He began, but then his wife's intentions registered in his thoughts. "Truly?" He was unable to make more than a few words as his face brightened and his grip on her hand tightened. Lizzy, through an unsuppressed grin confirmed it to be so.

Though their marriage had at this point only been of a short duration, they had shared some wonderful and blissfully happy moments and there were sure to be many more to come. But none, past or future, could ever surpass the glorious delight they bore in this moment – the moment they knew they were to have a family. Darcy anxiously climbed onto the bed and held his wife, placing a desperate kiss on her lips. They embraced tightly, eager to feel each other's flesh. Husband placed a gentle palm on his wife's lower abdomen, proudly holding his very own family in his arms.

They lay for some time. Their words were few but their thoughts racing on the single subject that had passed. In the length of their silence however, other thoughts and questions arose in their active minds and Darcy suddenly inquired "how long?" They had both been so overwhelmed with glee they had forgotten to mention particulars.

"The doctor says but one month," she told him. "I'm surprised he could tell at all. It would explain my recent indisposition. I am only glad it has all been in good cause."

Darcy's brow furrowed at her words. "One month?" He confirmed. Elizabeth nodded. Her husband thought hard for a moment, when suddenly his eyes widened and he began to laugh. Elizabeth looked at him bewildered. "Whatever is it that amuses you so?" She asked hastily.

Her husband leaned in close and whispered "if it, truly, has only been one month, then I can only think of one occasion that must serve as its genesis." Elizabeth's expression remained puzzled, but soon her colour changed as her eyes widened and she placed a shocked palm over her mouth. Could it have been? Really?

"Heavens!" She exclaimed aloud. "Good God, you are right!" As the awkward truth revealed itself, they wept with laughter at their actions. However, in their joy and humour, they both silently realised. While they had been married three months prior to their departure to Netherfield, they had not been truly united in the way a man and wife should be until that very incident. Though they had shared many experiences of marital practices, never, in all their endeavours, had they been so intimate, so desirous. Mr and Mrs Darcy now knew, from first-hand experience, that a wedded couple could not be truly and properly united in their thoughts, words and dispositions until both man and wife had simultaneously received the most ultimate deliverance of marital pleasure. As our beloved couple came to see this, they then too realised why such an affair was the very blessing that had established a prosperous future for their heritage. Having proven, in all respects, the depth of their love and adoration for one another, they had proven the fertility of their foundations for a happy marriage and happy future for their family.