Chapter Thirty-One

Our Lady of the Rosary – New York City.

May 18th – 1912.

Lizzy stood at the back of the church and her heart pounded.

Pricilla Smith, her maid of honor, turned and placing a hand on her shoulder, gave her a reassuring smile as she whispered.

"It's alright, Lizzy. You're going to be fine. The organist's playing the song now. It's time we make our way up the aisle."

"Thank you." Lizzy replied but she felt as if the whole world was staring at her.

When Pricilla gave her another firm touch, she thanked her but she kept her eyes focused forward. The doors of the church were closed but Lizzy knew it was her turn to process down the aisle. The song, which was a favorite of hers, sang through her soul as the two ushers opened the door and her heart pounded. As Pricilla walked forward, wearing her gorgeous gown, Lizzy inwardly inhaled when she peered up and noticed the handsome man standing to the side of the pew. Ignoring Pricilla, Lizzy stared at Fitzwilliam as he brushed a hand to his suite. She smiled when one of the men, who was one of the pirates, was at the back of the church when he whispered.

"Apparently, Mrs. Soon to be Darcy… he's nervous."

"I can see that." Lizzy whispered as the doors closed. It would be her turn to process after Pricilla but Lizzy knew Fitzwilliam was nervous. Who wouldn't be when it was their wedding day? As the doors shut, Lizzy held her bouquet of flowers in front of her belly. The baby was alive but 4 months and Lizzy was showing. Most of the wedding guests' arrived and standing beside her was her uncle. Replacing her father, who passed away a long time ago, Lizzy held her other hand on his elbow and when he leaned forward, he whispered in her ear.

"I'm proud of you, Elizabeth. You did the right thing for Fitzwilliam and his sons'."

Then the organist began Canon in D and when the pirate ushers opened the doors, Lizzy heard the Congregation rise and when she looked up, she smiled when she met Fitzwilliam's eyes. As she and her uncle processed up, Lizzy felt her heart beat when she continued to gaze into Fitzwilliam's eyes and he, likewise, did the same for her. All nervousness vanished as the two approached each other. Father Andrew stood at the center of the altar and he too was smiling. Feeling humble, Lizzy moved her eyes over to another figure and trying not to laugh, she was charmed when John held the cushion for his parents' rings. And to when Lizzy looked to the side, standing behind his father, was William. In replacement of Albert, who would have been best man, Fitzwilliam asked his oldest son to stand in as best man. When Father Andrew gave permission it was one of the happiest moments of William's life! 2 weeks after the capture and killing of Morgan Kingston as well as the arrest of the mates, Lizzy found herself standing on the altar with Fitzwilliam Darcy. The last successor of the original Darcy pirate and she – another descendant. When her uncle gave her hand away to Fitzwilliam, she felt him smile his love towards her as he stepped over as Father Andrew began.

"Dearly beloved…"


"Mama? Can I sit on your lap?" John asked.

Later that afternoon, Lizzy was the humble bride of Fitzwilliam Darcy. As planned: their wedding was held at eleven in the morning at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and all of their relatives and family came to celebrate their union! Drosselmier was in attendance and he was a part of Fitzwilliam's groomsmen. Though both disliked recalling the betrayal of Albert General, the couple was happy to know that William was the replacement and now, the reception was hosted at their manor. The Darcy Manor as Lizzy later called it.

And if Ginger, Heather, and Emma could attest: the tables and chairs were set out prior before the wedding Mass. The guests, which were 175, were there and Lizzy marveled only relatives were allowed to stay with them. They had arrived a week after Fitzwilliam was released from the hospital but his healing of the jaw progressed fast. It was also because of prayers from all his family members which made him speed the recovery quicker. The day as fresh and the sun was high when Lizzy looked over and answered.

"Yes, John. You can sit here."

Fitzwilliam sat beside her and once John was on her lap, he leaned over and gave his son's nose a jiggle as he asked.

"You want to stay by papa and your new mama?"

"Yes." John replied but Lizzy could tell he wasn't in the mood to answer questions. Already – all of the wedding guests were approaching and congratulating the two. Lizzy, as well as Fitzwilliam, thanked them and Lizzy never saw how happy she'd ever be in her life! They were outside on the lawn, though it was optional for the guests to celebrate inside Darcy's manor, but she paid little attention to this. As she bounced John on her lap, Lizzy became aware of movement in her womb. When John was occupied with some of the cake, Lizzy reached over and touching Fitzwilliam's hand, made her look at her with a questionable brow.

"Here." She whispered and guiding his hand, placed his fingers on the movement inside her. When she looked up, his eyes grew and he smiled.

Feeling how his fingers playfully moved as the baby kicked, Lizzy stared into Fitzwilliam's eyes as he leaned over and whispered.

"Our baby."

"Yes." Lizzy replied.

Then the couple resumed speaking with the guests who approached the table and as the afternoon went on, Lizzy was never happier or grateful to God! Remembering how she'd endured the Unsinkable, losing Edward, witnessing how Rachel too died, the way William bullied John, the history of their pirates and Morgan Kingston… it should be mentioned that his son was taken to live with his relatives out of state… the death of the final pirate… how Edward was a successor of them… Lizzy never imagined the adventure God let her go through to find herself here! When she peered over at Fitzwilliam, she felt a miracle occurred when she felt, that trusting in God was her only way of receiving graces as well as depending on the One who took care of her in any situation.

John was on her lap when he turned and surprising her, gave her a hug as he whispered.

"I can't wait to be a big brother, mama!"

"Me either, mama." Another voice answered.

When she looked from the son hugging her to the one who stood to the right, who smelled of horse, Lizzy smiled as she replied.

"Neither can I."

"Don't forget me." A teasing voice to the left chided. When both sons' and new mother looked at their husband and father, they all laughed when he made a face at them but winked at Lizzy when John and William both exclaimed.

"Papa!"