William didn't leave the room for three days. He wouldn't let anyone see Jack until Lizzie woke up. He wouldn't let anyone else care for either. He ate, slept, and shaved in her room. He only left once to bathe and that took less than five minutes. He and Lizzie had determined that they would not have a nurse for their child early on.
"Will, I just don't think-" She sighed. "I want that connection with our child."
"I just said it was a strange concept for me to grasp." He wrapped her in his arms. "But if this is what you want, then it will never matter to me."
She wrapped her arms around his lower back. "Thank you." She murmured into his chest.
"Have you thought about names?" He asked.
"If it is a girl, I want her to be named after your mother."
"Are you-"
"I am positive, William." She gave him a weak squeeze.
William heard a little moan from the crib. He went over and picked up the little boy. "Soon, Jack." He bounced him in his arms and whispered. "You shall see your Mama soon." The boy smiled at the mention of Lizzie. "Until you remember, I will tell you the story of how your Mama and I met. How we have had to endure." He sat carefully in the chair next to Lizzie's bed. "When I first saw your mother," he sighed and smiled, "she was quite the fearsome thing to behold. She was wielding a stick as a sword and she was the Queen of Camelot, defending it fearlessly. We became fast friends. She came back every summer, here to the house where you will grow, and soon that friends ship grew into something more. But then your Mama and I were separated and we did not see each other for quite some time. They next I saw her, she was even more lovely than what I remembered. But a man tried to hurt her and she did not feel safe, so she came running to me. It was then she agreed to let me court her, but we were soon separated again. For almost an entire year we did not see each other, until we both arrived at the house of your great aunt who, if I have any say in the matter, you will never meet. There I asked your Mama to marry me and she said yes. We were separated again for a short time and when we were reunited, we married. Shortly after are marriage, your Aunt Wickham got into some trouble and I left for two months to try and save her. But from the day I returned to this day now, your Mama and I have not spent one day apart." He smiled and took the small hand in his. "And I hope that will never change."
"If you are to tell that story to our children, you had better add a dragon or two." He practically leapt out of the seat, and he would have if it wasn't for Jack.
Lizzie heard William move into a chair. She wanted to call his name, but he started speaking. He was telling a story, their story. And when he was finished she had enough strength to try to talk.
"Lizzie?" He sighed.
"William." She moaned. Her eyes had not yet opened and she had not moved, but she was talking to him.
She felt him sit on the bed. "Lizzie."
"Who are you talking to?" She asked feebly.
"Jackson Bennet Darcy." She heard him say proudly before he softly added, "I like to call him Jack."
She moaned and opened her eyes slowly. "Jack?" She saw an outline of Will's face and body and a light colored bundle in his arms.
"Careful!" He yelled softly, putting the bundle down and helping her sit up slowly. She felt his hand on her cheek and put as much strength as she could leaning into it. His thumb brushed over her eyelid and moved down to stroke her cheek.
She opened her eyes again and this time saw his face clearly. "William. You look so tired."
"I am fine." He sat next to her on the bed. "Are you alright? Can I get you anything?"
"I am just a little tired." She fell a little into his body. "I love you."
"I was so afraid, Lizzie. I was so afraid that our last words to each other would be apologies." He hugged her. "I love you too much to see you in that sort of pain. To see you that frail."
"I promised I would stay with you." She said breathily. "Where is he?"
"Jack?" She nodded. "He is over here. I haven't let anyone else see him. I wouldn't until after you had seen him."
She held her arms out weakly and he placed the boy into her arms. For the first time in three days, she smiled. "Hello Jack." She cooed lightly. "It's your Mama." He started babbling lightly.
"Every time I mentioned you he would smile like that." Will said lightly.
"It's so good to meet you." She traced a finder down his cheek. Jack yawned and promptly fell asleep.
"Here," Will took Jack in his arms and moved him over to the crib.
"Could you hold me?" She asked lightly.
"You need never ask." He moved to the bed and took his place above the sheets with her in his arms. "I am so sorry Lizzie. You were right to be angry. I said stupid things. I was just worried for you."
"I know." She took his hands lightly in hers. "I love you so much." She yawned.
"You should sleep." He went to move out from their positions.
"No. Stay." She whispered and gripped his hands. He re-situated himself. "Will you be here when I wake?"
"Every day, Mrs. Darcy."