Disclaimer: I am not Jane Austen and I do not own Pride and Prejudice... :(

ok now that, that is done, only a few more chapters and EWO will be finished. I thought about finishing it here but I just couldn't do it, I felt that there is something more that can come about. Tell me what your thoughts are, where and what would you like to read through the end. I am also thinking maybe I could do a sequel... not too sure yet... I would really have to contemplate what you, my readers, would like to read :) thanks for reading :) r&r if you can to let me know what you think :)

Chapter 20

Eight days, actually eight days, nineteen hours, thirty-five minutes and seventeen seconds, the exact time that he had not seen his Elizabeth open her beautiful green eyes. His trust was in the Lord but his resolve was beginning to crumple. He felt the loss of his wife's vitality and it scared him.

He had not left her side since the chaotic night that was their children's birthday. Pandemonium, shouting, babies crying and blood, so… much… blood… The faint and frantic conversation of Dr. Philip, Dr. Abbott and his uncle Francis, and the making of a small incision into his unconscious wife's lower abdomen and then hearing the scalpel cut into her skin and her muscle was almost too much to bear. Her body ice cold and trembling in his arms and her faint breath against his cheek. Moreover, her small moans of pain. He could still hear them. He could not sleep for fear of dreams of the horrific night and the panic he felt for his Lizzy's life.

The women of the family took care of the babies. All in which looked just like their father. Lizzy was going to awaken with a house full of small Fitzies. They would bring them to Elizabeth and him for little visits. Darcy took Dr. Philips advice and chose to allow the four daughters and the two sons to have mommy time against bare skin. Darcy became surprised when their smallest child and last-born son was lying awake silently on Lizzy's chest and he gravitated to her breast and began to suckle. Dr. Philips, Dr. Abbott, Ms. Virginia and Ms. Rose thought it was the most remarkable sign that Lizzy would be with them soon. Dr. Philips had been attending Elizabeth when the newborn was visiting his mama. He guided Darcy, who was already rubbing his very tiny son's small back, to continue to do so. He began to tell Darcy of his many trips around the world. How he has observed how well a mother could recover just by small gestures as these. He had related to Darcy already that the loss of blood was due to the fall that Lizzy had suffered before. She had lost a massive amount of blood and Darcy could not reconcile the amount that was lost with why her heart was still beating. The doctor also reiterated that the self-comatose state that Elizabeth was in was helping her to recover. Her body knew what it needed and it desperately needed rest to recuperate and strengthen. Dr. Philips was examining Lizzy around the clock as was both other doctors and midwives. The risk of infection was the greater evil that needed to be first priority. Thus far, there was no indication that gangrene contaminated her.

Lady Anne and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett had communicated the need for nourishment. The good Doctors reassured them that if she had not awoken in two days time that they would begin to feed her but not in way that was conventional. So began Elizabeth's feedings intravenously. Throughout Europe, intravenous blood transfusions were against the law. However, since they were only feeding her a water and sugar based solution the exact law was invalid. Darcy was quite the skeptic but trusted the good Doctor and his practices since he believed that the good Lord would not send someone to hurt his wife. Thus far, each decision was right and worked to save her life.

Polly entered the room to ask about her Mistress. Darcy was sincere in his relay about Elizabeth and knew that Polly and Job were to be here in the main house for a few more hours before going back to the cottage that the Mistress and Master had gifted them for their wedding. It was only a mile and half from the main house. When the Mistress and Master needed them both her and Job would attend them again. Darcy did not need a full time valet and Lizzy certainly did not need a full time abigail for the time being. Darcy appreciated the concern, interacted with the couple, and answered questions that had inquired about. The conversation progressed appropriately before the couple took their leave down and behind stairs. He was happy for the couple and he knew his Lizzy would be.

Darcy began to doze off in the chair that he had been sitting in on and off for the past week. As he sat in the soft, high back chair, he laid his head down on the counterpane beside his comatose wife. His fingers intertwined with his loves. "Lizzy come back to me my love" was the only thought he had before he fell asleep.

He felt he was at peace. He was standing in the back garden of Pemberley and the sun was beginning to set. He felt her presence so he turned; she was smiling at him. He pulled her into a hug and just held her to him. She was the peace he felt; she projected it. She was the strength that he felt.

She began to talk to him. "My dearest William please do not be sad. I am to recover and come back to you. I have been with our babies, Annalise and you the whole time. I have not opened my eyes for the fear of pain. My body has been through so much. It just needed time to heal and my mind needed time to settle."

He had tears coming down his face. "I miss you Lizzy. I love you with my entire being. I am nothing without you. Please come back to the children and me soon. I need you."

He wanted so much to kiss her when he pulled back from her and looked into her eyes, but she began to talk again. "I have had company these past few days and I have learned so much about you and our family"

Just then, as the sun went to sleep behind the trees, James Darcy walked beside the roses. William looked at Lizzy and she nodded knowing he wanted and needed to go to his father.

He hugged his father and James hugged his son back. "Fitzwilliam, you have made a lovely choice. I knew the moment she came through to our side. She radiates the pure love she holds for you. She loves you with her entire being son. I am so very proud of you"

"Thank you Papa." Lizzy came to stand next to her William and held his hand.

"You have become the man you needed to be even through the trials that were against you in this life. Little Annalise is beautiful in her own right and will grow to be a wonderful young lady as will your two new sons and four new daughters. The Lord has given you a gift of life six times over. The Lord is the only reason Lizzy was able to carry so many babes without succumbing to death. Remember they are gifts. Teach them, accept them, and love them beyond the point of pain. I know that you will be a wonderful father, as you were before. You were a wonderful son in life and you still are. You will always be my son Fitzwilliam and I will always love you." They began to walk along one of the many paths in the garden as he squeezed his father's hand.

"The birth was so difficult for Elizabeth papa. Will she recover physically from it?"

"Yes she will make a full recovery. It is not for me to say if the Lord will allow you to have more children."

He looked at Lizzy as they walked the paths with his Papa. She was serene and happy. His papa began to speak again.

"I miss your mama Fitzwilliam. However, it is not time in this life for her to come to me. She will get to watch her grandbabies grow in this life. I will visit in her dreams and visit when she is alone. Please do not think ill of her if she says I have come to her. She is not mad, no need to send her to Bedlam." They all chuckled. "You two will have to be the one to reassure the family of this. Now I must take my leave. I will be near, just keep looking for the signs my boy. Know I will be guarding my family." James hugged William and then hugged Lizzy and kissed her hand. He waved goodbye and walked away down the path. They watched until he was gone. The couple began to walk back to their home. Pemberley was waiting for the Mistress and the Master would bring her home. He was holding her hand when they ascended the steps. William opened the massive doors to Pemberley… He awoke still holding Lizzy's small hand. He sat up and just looked at her. She was still and very silent. She was still away. However, he had hope, faith and love and knew she was not that far away.

Hours had passed before she squeezed his hand. "Lizzy open your eyes my dear. I am here." She moaned because of the pain. His brow knit and when he reached up and caressed her cheek, she finally opened her eyes.

She tried to speak but her mouth was too dry for words to be articulated. Darcy seen her open and close her mouth. "Do not speak just yet my love; let me get you a fresh drink." Walking over to the table in front of the bed, he poured her a fresh new glass of cool water. Mrs. Reynolds had been bringing him a fresh pitcher every few hours on previous days and this one was quite new. Bringing the cool glass of water, holding it for her and helping her sit up he encouraged her to drink.

When she had enough, he sat the glass down on the side table and then slowly sat beside her. He picked up her hand and kissed it softly. "I missed you my love."

She had just awoken but she felt the need to tease him. Softly she spoke "Did you not just see me in the garden my husband? I enjoyed our time there with your Papa. Is that not what you wanted?"

He kissed her and then chuckled. "I am glad to have you back with me here in our home. I miss you teasing me and laughing with me." She winced as a pain struck. "Let me summon the Doctors my dear." He began to get up but she held his arm.

"Let us have a few more minutes alone. Medication will be administered and I will likely go to sleep. I want to enjoy this time with you and I want to see our babies and Annalise. I believe that our parents and family will be wanting a visit as well." He nodded and agreed to stay with her for a few more moments.

Three quarters of an hour passed and then Darcy summoned the Doctors. They came into the room cautiously but then seen the mistress was happy and alert. They were shocked at the turn of events but were glad nonetheless. An examination was performed and nothing was found that would alarm the doctors or concern them. Disconnecting the intravenous hose was severely painful but Lizzy bore it gracefully. The wound on her abdomen was healing miraculously well. Doctor Philips and Doctor Abbott were astonished at the progress that the wound was healing. They had put a medicated salve on her incision four times a day but knew usually it did not heal this fast. Everything about Lizzy's anti partum, birth and post partum progress was cataloged into a book of notes. This specific notation was studied thoroughly with other notes the doctors had brought with them.

Before any pain medication could be administered, Lizzy requested to see her babies, Annalise and the other members of the family. It was dinnertime at Pemberley but she and Darcy believed that dinner would be left for a bit once the family knew of her awakening.

Since Polly and Job had yet to leave the premises of Pemberley for the evening, he summoned both to the Master's chambers. Both were ecstatic to see their Mistress awake. Polly and Job both were given permission to hug her softly and then were given orders to help the Mistress and Master prepare for visitors. Darcy managed to get a bath and dress as casual as a Master could. Lizzy received a sponge bath and Polly washed her hair before putting it into a loose bun. Once she was changed into a clean gown, she thanked Polly; she was so happy to feel clean again.

Finally, when Darcy took his place beside his wife again, the babies were brought in. One by one, their Mama held the small infants. Lizzy cried happy tears to finally be united with them.

"They have been coming to visit you every day and have been nursing from your breast. They each have found your breast on their own. I would lay them on your naked chest and then in turn they would feed. It was natural to see them eating." Darcy smiled at his wife when he seen the tears form in her eyes. "Do not fret my dear they are well."

"Thank you William for helping all of us, when I could not."

"Lizzy I was only doing what I felt would help each of you."

All six of their babies were lying between their parents. "William, have you named them?"

"I was waiting for you, but I have some suggestions if you would like to hear them." Their smallest son was holding his pinky finger.

"I would like to hear them."

"Well this little man here is the smallest but he's a fighter. I would like to name him Michael Elijah James Darcy." He paused. "We almost lost him when you became comatose. He stopped breathing and became unresponsive. We did not know about him. We thought only five babes would be born." He stared at his son.

"I like that name and I believe that it would be most appropriate to use it. So he will be Michael Elijah James Darcy." She smiled at her husband.

They began to name their babies; the first-born son was Bennet Fitzwilliam Andrew Ashley Darcy and the first-born daughter was to be named Rose Anne Cecilia Chelsea Darcy. The smallest daughter was named Alexandra Elizabeth Constance Darcy. The middle girls were named Emma Victoria Isabel Darcy and Claire Jane Georgiana Darcy.

Once the names had been chosen they both decided that they would not reveal the names until their Christening. But they figured out that the babes would have to be called something so they each picked out a nickname for their little family, Ben, Mica, Cc, Liz, Issy, and Ana they were peculiar but necessary if they were to keep their names secret for a bit longer. Since they were identical in appearance, the nurses began to tie a different colored ribbon to their tiny clothes. "I believe this is going to work." Lizzy declared to her husband.

Once the babes went back to the nursery, their parents and Annalise convened. All were happy to hear her speak. The tears shed were happy tears and they enjoyed the visit. While they were speaking, Mrs. Reynolds brought in a tray with broth and crackers for the Mistress. The doctors had given specific directives for meals. The elder family members were so happy see a tray for her they had her eat while they were there with her. Annalise expressed happiness that her "Mama Ellibeth" was awake.

Lady Anne studied Lizzy while she ate. She was still quite pale, but her eyes shined happily. When she spoke, she spoke cheerfully. When she moved, she moved slowly yet elegantly. It was like seeing a miracle before her. She could not explain the blissful feeling she felt when watching her but she felt a tremendous amount of thankfulness to the Lord that she came back to them in high spirits and thriving.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet agreed with the assessment of Lady Anne but even though the discussion did not take place, they were aware of the intuition each felt. Expression would be made at another time though, for now, she finished her meal and the reassured parents expressed the need for rest for them but also for their son and daughter. The visit ended with each giving Lizzy a kiss, a hug,"Praise the Lord" and a promise of a visit on the morrow.

Jane and Charles Bingley entered the room with tears in their eyes. Jane was overwhelmed yet ecstatic that her closest sister survived and Charles was very happy of the outcome. There were no words just embraces. Darcy considered Charles more than an in law. He considered him a true brother. Charles and Darcy began a conversation in the two chairs close to the window to let their wives chat privately. Jane would not move from embracing Lizzy or her side. When the two sisters began laughing their two loves smiled first at each other and then their wives with relief. They knew all would be just fine.

Once Charles pried his wife from Elizabeth, Georgi and Senor Dominic visited. Then subsequently all of Lizzy's sisters came to see her and Darcy's Godparents, the royal family assembled. Once all of the Aunts, Uncles and cousins had been to visit that was when Lizzy expressed a need for pain relief. Darcy had mentioned between visits if she need something. She continued to deny the fact that anything was of need. Now she knew that she could not hide from the pain any longer.

Doctors Philip, Abbott, and Darcy gathered in their chambers. Another examination executed and oral medication dispensed.

Once all was well with the Pemberley household Darcy laid down beside his beautiful sleeping wife thanking God that he was once again given a gift; the gift of his wife Elizabeth. He finally was able to sleep peacefully with her beside him and knowing that the blessings bestowed upon him were obtained humbly and through humility.