Darcy paced the floor, never feeling as powerless as he did now. His wife was in labor. Soon he would be a father and his dear, sweet Lizzy would be a mother. Their lives would be irrevocably changed. Nothing would be the same. No more just the two of them. Yet that worry took a back seat to the more pressing matter of the delivery. He could hear his wife's screams through the closed door. Every once in a while a maid came through the door. He'd ask about his wife and the only answer he would get was the baby would be here soon. Soon, soon, it would be soon. That's all he heard. It was driving him mad. His wife was clearly in pain and had been for hours. Yet no baby. There was no soon about it.

Today had started off well enough. A delightful breakfast, a pleasant lunch. After lunch, they had taken a walk. It was then that Elizabeth had started feeling the first pangs of labor. They had walked back to the house and the doctor had been sent for. That had been nine hours ago. But still no baby. Only screams. Only moans. Only nerve wracking unease for him. Childbirth was not easy. His own mother had passed away after giving birth to Georgiana. Elizabeth appeared strong and sturdy, but what if she was not? What if she did not survive? What if he had to raise the child by himself? How would he ever make it without Elizabeth? His mind raced through all the what ifs and unfortunate possibilities.

A loud cry broke through his anxious thoughts. Seconds later, the door opened and the doctor stepped out. "Mr. Darcy, you have a son."

A smile broke across the younger man's face. He was a father. "And Mrs. Darcy?" he asked.

The doctor smiled. "She is doing well. Very strong constitution that one."

"May I see her?" Darcy asked.

"The maids need a few more minutes to clean her and the babe. When they are finished, they shall fetch you."

"Mr. Darcy? You can come in now," said a young maid.

Darcy rushed inside the bedroom and over to his wife's side. His eyes immediately went to the tiny, red faced bundle in her arms.

A rush of pride and joy hit him, right in the chest. This was his child, his son. His eyes watered with the newfound love he felt for the tiny human he had helped bring into the world.

"This is our son," Elizabeth whispered. "Is he not beautiful?"

Darcy pressed a kiss onto his wife's forehead. "He is perfect. Just like his mother. Thank you, my love. Thank you for giving me my son."

Elizabeth's eyes were misty as she looked at her husband. "I am so happy, Fitzwilliam. So very happy," she said as she offered up her lips once more for her husband's kiss.

Darcy sat on the edge of the bed and began to gently stroke the infant's head. "So? What shall we name him?"

Elizabeth bit her lip, thinking. "Hmm...I know that we talked about Edward and John and George, but those do not seem to fit him."

Darcy nodded as if he understood, but truly, he did not. His child could have any name. He could be anyone. They did not know his personality yet, so one name was not more appropriate than the other. However, Elizabeth was a new mother and had her own thoughts on the matter.

"What name do you think suits him?" he asked.

"What do you think about Alexander?"

"Alexander Darcy," he said, trying out the name.

"Alexander Fitzwilliam Darcy," his wife corrected. "I want him to have your name as his second name."

Darcy smiled wryly. "As you wish," he replied.

"Do you wish to hold him?" Elizabeth asked.

Taken aback, Darcy was unsure of what to say. He did not know if he was ready to hold his son. He had no experience with infants. He was not even sure he knew how to hold one. What if he dropped his own child?

Not waiting for his reply, Elizabeth said, "Here," and handed him his son.

Gently, Darcy took his son in his own arms. His breath caught as his son squished his face and opened his eyes. "Hello Alexander," he cooed to his son.

For the next few passing moments, he stared in awe at his son. After a bit, his son got fussy and he handed him back to his wife. He was new at this and did not know how to calm a finicky baby.

"I think he is hungry," Darcy said.

"I think you are right," Elizabeth agreed. "Will you help me with my dressing gown so I can feed him?"

"You do not want a wet nurse?" Darcy asked, for that was the common thing for women in his wife's station to do.

"I know it is not the norm, but I want to feed him myself," she replied.

Darcy helped her adjust her dressing gown and night gown and he gazed starstruck as he watched his wife nourish their son. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. Plus, clearly he and his son already shared a common interest.

Eventually he looked up and asked, "Should we send for your parents?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Not right away. I just want some alone time with me, you and Alexander before we have to deal with my family."

Darcy fought the urge to smile. His wife loved her family, but even she was aware of the toll their presence took. It would be nice to enjoy the next few weeks just the three of them. They could inform her parents later.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," he said. Noticing his wife's yawn, he added, "I will call the nurse and have her take Alexander. You look exhausted."

Elizabeth handed over the babe without a word. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.

The next morning, Darcy awoke to a knock on his bedroom door. It was only a little after dawn. Opening the door, he found his butler standing there.

"Yes?" Darcy asked sharply, unable to conceal his annoyance with being woken up so early after having spent an exhausting evening worrying about his wife and the delivery of his child.

"I am sorry to disturb you sir, but you have visitors. Considering who they are, I did not know if you wanted me to turn them away or not."