Hello PnP fandom!

How is life for you all?

Thursday was my 45th B-Day. I am a bit ambivalent about it. Lol!

And I got a job! Going back to teach EFL. Sort of, kind of rusty, though I hope it's similar to riding a bike? Though I guess this is gonna slow updates. Still, even if it takes longer you'll get them

Alright alright! Let's get this going! This week, many thanks to guest Colleen S, flan838, Arenae, nanciellen, anonymous guest who thinks Lady Cat will be happy with his nephew's future title, and dksais54!

See you at the bottom.

"We are travellers on a cosmic journey.

Stardust swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity.

Life is eternal,

We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other.

To meet, to love, to share.

This is a precious moment.

It is a little parenthesis in eternity."

–Paulo Coelho—

THREE

A NEW LIFE

The only thing George Darcy could think to do at that moment... No, that was not accurate, the only thing that he was permitted to do at that very moment, was fret. Fret, and pace. The only possible activity for him right then was to continue to punish the carpet with his ceaseless pacing. Mayhap threaten his own person with premature hair loss? No, that would not do either. His hands left their perch on his hair.

"Peace, old boy!"

"How can I Lewis? It is taking entirely too long!"

"Strength my man! You have been through this before."

"It does not matter, William."

"All will be well brother, you will see."

~oOo~

He himself had only been through this kind of ordeal once. Though his worry was not centered on two creatures but one, to tell the truth. After the birth of his little Anne, his wife had denied him his ever diminishing 'husbandly rights'. Not that he needed a male heir for Rosings. He adored his little girl, so he was quite content forgoing such a task.

Unknown to many, the man was in love. The lady in question had come to his life a few years later than he would have wished. Their encounters had to remain hidden. He was merely one of many cases, where these sort of arrangements within the Ton took place. Such was the joy he exuded though, many around him wondered at the reason. He was after all, married to Lady Catherine. His cheerful attitude was known to all since their youth. Since his marriage that cheer had lessened dramatically. Lately, as he reverted to a happier disposition, it perplexed his relations. After a while and suspecting the reasons, any remarks on this had stopped.

~oOo~

"...Who knows how these things go. And you are certain to wear holes in your shoes if you do not desist on that pursuit soon!" Exclaimed Sir Lewis, partly in jest, and partly in a real attempt at calming his brother in law.

After his declaration all the man received for his efforts was a half-hearted scowl from the anxious man doing the pacing. No matter though, he understood it and accepted it. His positive outlook rarely ever wavered.

There were two maids –as far as the pacing man could discern— coming in and out of the rooms, who were being sent on a number of tasks, he thought to ask them, but it was likely they did not have the information he wanted. At times it seemed, they moved in the blink of an eye. His mind was too addled to follow their movements. Though in his state, there was a chance his perception was not as accurate as it usually was.

Nevertheless, every time he tried to stop anyone coming from that room, and he asked them what was exactly going on with his wife, the only answers he was able to receive were either a sympathetic look, or an apologetic one, accompanied by a short:

"I dunno m'Lord." Or,

"The Doctor will be able to tell you, my Lord,"

Or simply, "I cannot say with any certainty your Lordship..."

Someone tell me something... Anything!

Will none in this mad house give me a good answer?

For heaven's sake! Will someone please tell me something!'

Mostly though, the answers were silent looks, accompanied by a quick curtsy.

From Dr. Barkley, who was by far a most patient man, he received no answer either, on the one time he saw him. In the case of the midwife, when Mrs. Aberdeen —who had been the one to help Anne bring their little Fitzwilliam into this world— stepped out of said rooms her reply was, albeit a moderate one, a most fearsome frown. And given the situation, his Lordship could not in all honesty feel offended. Even when he did hope for answers.

"I suppose Mrs. Reynolds will be out in a bit, she will know, to be sure..." Hearing himself say this outwardly startled him. He could do naught but laugh nervously.

Given that none of those women were willing to stop for a few seconds to enlighten him, he decided to simply sit and sulk. 'Perhaps no one has any actual knowledge to impart?' If that was the case, what else was there to do? Anyone who had the information he sought was in a hurry.

"Very well then..."

"You were saying, man?"

Sir Lewis asked, looking at him earnestly. He was indeed one of the most cheerful men in his circle. 'How ever did he end up married to my wife's termagant of a sister I will never understand... Not one jot... But then being as cheerful as he is... I suppose it is the only way to survive that woman...'

"Oh? Nothing. Nothing much, simply pondering the useless request for information from any of the women in there." George Darcy advised them, waving in the general direction of the Master's and Mistress' apartments.

"Be patient man. You will see all will be well" said Lord Fitzwilliam. "I am telling you, though Charles's birth was a fast one, Richard took his time to come to us, and little Isabella took her sweet time as well. This babe will simply arrive at the right moment, and not one moment before."

"It is all in our heavenly father's hands." consoled the parson, Mr. Kent, "Trust and pray, my friend, simply trust He knows best."

At this wise pronouncement, Theodore, the youngest of them –who had married young Amelia in January that same year— chose to say nothing. What could he say? He had no experience in this kind of affairs. But a pat on the back to the beleaguered father–to–be, spoke of encouragement all the same.

The couple had been on their wedding tour when the news about Amy's father reached them. The letter with the news had been sent to them after reaching Parnassus. The young couple had to cut their tour short. Young Amy needed to be at her mother's side.

Unbelievably, before this short exchange, George did not think to stop and talk to any of the men who were currently waiting alongside him. He should have done. The few men present, who had –for lack of better words— banded together, and who were admittedly fewer in number than the creatures of the fairer sex present at Pemberley that day, were far better company at this time of uncertainty, than he had ever hoped they would be.

The small party was made up by his Lordship William Fitzwilliam, Anne's brother, Lord Theodore Lawrence, the young Viscount who had managed to charm his niece and become her husband, Sir Lewis deBourgh, another brother in law of his through Lady Catherine, and Kimpton's parson, Mr. Kent. Four lonely men. Four useless men, given the state of affairs.

In a different world, his older brother John, and his nephew Elijah would have been with him as well. He consoled himself with the thought that they were there with him in spirit.

~oOo~

Pemberley was filled with family the Summer of 1795.

He thought back a few months, remembering when he had arrived at Hornby Castle in late February. The last thing he had ever expected, or hoped to happen was waiting for him.

At that time, he was not expecting what he had found. It had been the end of a most stressful journey, and he had been without his Anne for longer than he ever felt he wanted to be.

She had been waiting for him in a drawing room on the second floor, not at the door as she usually did whenever he returned from traveling. When he entered she was sitting close to a roaring fire. York was much colder than Derbyshire was, so she was bundled in at least two sturdy shawls. He ran to her as she stood up. They embraced fiercely. They were alone, so they kissed, making up for the time of separation.

"My heart are you alright? You look..."

Indeed there was something different about her, though for the life of him he was unable to decipher it. Should he have noticed any of this even before he left Derbyshire?

"I am well, my love." She said, but the light in her eyes promised more.

"Will you tell me what is happening? Something is amiss, I know you Anne..." He had noticed she seemed a little tired, but happy nonetheless. Also, had she gained a little weight? When he held her in his arms he had felt as much.

"Nothing is wrong , I assure you. Let us go to our chambers first. You need to refresh yourself, and have something to eat..."

"Why are you not answering. Please tell me if anything is bothering you."

"I will, my heart. Only not here. Let us have you settled first."

Their plans for conversation however, were delayed for a while. For when he had done with his bath, a more urgent hunger, a need for his wife, the need to have her close had to be sated. It was then, in the intimacy of their bedchamber, as he was holding her close to him, that he felt what the difference his intuition had told him about was, for her shape had a roundness in her middle that could not be mistaken.

He suddenly moved to look her in the eyes. There he found the answer to the question his words did not ask, but his own eyes did.

"Yes, my love. It is true." She said simply.

A much different kind of tears gathered in his eyes then.

She held his cheeks in her hands and kissed him deeply. Then the tears fell freely, mixed in with laughter and wonder. It took them some minutes to be able to speak again, after her tears had joined his.

"How..." He did not find any words at all after this short one.

"Well..." She looked at him as if saying he indeed did know how.

"I wanted to tell you. As soon as I felt the quickening, I did not want to... I mean we... Before... What if..." She hiccuped, wanting to explain, such mixed feelings did not let her explain herself as she wished.

"I know, I understand my heart. Please do not feel distressed, I understand completely!"

She took his hand in hers and placed it over her skin on her lower abdomen. He was amazed at seeing how it was not flat anymore, but round and beautiful, oh so incredibly precious. He was in the midst of marveling at such beauty, when he suddenly felt it. She did too. It had been a few weeks since only she was able to feel their babe moving. Now he could as well.

"Oh!" His voice was faint. And had he been standing, he probably might have fallen on his knees.

They looked at each other.

"Oh! My heart, my most precious Anne!"

They did not say more. He kissed her then, and she kissed him in return. With infinite passion, with abandon, but most of all with a love so great, so intense, that everything else around them was forgotten. They were so absorbed in one another, they did not leave their bed for hours. They spent the night wrapped up in each other.

It was much later, the next morning in fact, that they gathered their clothes, dressed each other lovingly —they did not want anyone, let alone maids or valets, intruding on such a moment— and walked down the staircase to join the rest of their family.

Even in such conditions as they had been through in the last month, they chose to share their news. It was a good choice in the end, for it brought light, solace, and cheer in a time the whole family was in dire need of it.

~oOo~

The Manor House in Pemberley had received a string of visitors since the ending of May and the start of June. Now with July just beginning, it had been almost five months since John Darcy's passing.

It had been a busy time. Therec had been many changes.

Traveling from Pemberley to Newark–on–Trent, taking care of the tasks related to burials, and traveling back North to Hornby Castle to achieve this, had taken the fortnight he had anticipated, and half a sennight more. To be sure, the events of the last few months had made them all feel as if they lived in a swirl of activity and expectations.

After those tasks were dealt with, there was the matter of the succession. The Writ of Summons to the House of Lords, and all pertinent steps to claim the title. He could have not gone through any of it, but he would still have the title. And it was a duty he could not avoid. There were many who depended on his taking the responsibilities associated with the Earldom.

His tasks were done. His brother and nephew's remains occupied their rightful place by Hornby's Chapel.

"Thank you brother."

"Do not thank me Margaret."

She understood what he did not say. It was his brother, and it was his duty. She held onto his hands and tightened them. It was enough.

Margaret tearfully pressed a handkerchief to dab at her eyes with one hand, while the other squeezed the hand she kept holding. She was supposed to have stayed away. These were manly endeavors. A widow should not be present., but she needed to be.

She looked up at two headstones.

There were no titles chiseled on, no adornments. Nothing but their names, a date, and flowers at the foot of each stone.

John Brooke Darcy

Elijah Benjamin Darcy

~oOo~

It was time to move on. And the birth of a child had brought much needed joy to the family.

His brother's widow and his nieces were in attendance –thank goodness. Lady Anne's sister, Lady Catherine was here also –God help him. Soon after her arrival, she had dared to mention a cradle engagement between his son and her daughter! Of course, such an idea was cut in the bud as soon as Fitzwilliam's parents heard of it.

"Cathy, you are my sister and I love you."

"So you agree that..."

Lady Anne held out her hand, with the palm facing in the direction of her domineering sister to stop her from further discussing the issue.

"However," she continued in a calm and assured tone, "Neither George nor I will agree to this plan of yours. You will forget about such nonsense right this instant!"

"But ..."

"No, Cathy! To begin, it is too soon, Fitzwilliam is not even one and ten yet! But when the time comes, my son will choose his future wife out of love. It is my dear wish it will be a love match he finds. Just like his parents did. Nothing else will do!"

As Lady Catherine tried to speak again, her sister added:

"Fitzwilliam, and now this child deserve a right to find love, Cathy. I will not change my mind."

Any other attempt by her twin was cut with a look so resolute, it silenced even the Mistress of Rosings Park. But as was her usual wont, she kept trying to dictate how things should be done. A pale recompense after failing to impose her wishes about their children being promised to one another. If anyone paid her any mind, it was another matter altogether. She may instill fear at Rosings, however, Pemberley's staff felt no such threat.

Two of their older sisters, Lady Charlotte, and Lady Dorothy had come just last sennight, without their husbands, as they thought they should not be needed. All of the women at this moment, were inside the Mistress' chambers.

Little Josephine, thinking of herself as a grown woman –she had just turned one and ten— had begged to stay with them. To no avail. Her mamma had a way to convince her she could help in other ways.

"Josephine, you will help me much better if you stay with your cousins and Miss Trueba." Said Margaret.

"Are you certain mamma?" She asked, still hoping she be allowed to remain.

This was how Josephine found herself in the nursery, visiting with her cousins Richard and Fitzwilliam. Little Wickham was also with them, and he remained as quiet as a mouse –impressed as he was by the little Lady who had joined them.

The young girl got along incredibly well with Miss Trueba. She was well on her way to be a bit of a bluestocking. In her eyes this was a privilege. As such, she considered her new friend to be one of the greatest examples she had to follow, and the best role model possible. For someone so young, she had a tendency towards independence. She may well prove to be a handful for her mother. There was so much of her father in her, a stubborn nature was surely one of those traits.

They had been similar in this, Lord John Darcy and her. When those two were together... Well, nothing much happened in reality, but they could indulge in dreaming of big changes. She missed him dearly. In a different way her Mamma did, but missed him all the same.

Presently, the young girl began reading 'Vindication of the Rights of Woman' by Mary Wollstonecraft, published three years prior, simply because she saw the book lying close by. Miss Trueba was worried about such reading material falling in such young hands, she ought to have been more careful. She owned the book, and had forgotten to take it to her rooms, Josephine had found it and began to peruse it quite happily.

"Do not fret Miss Trueba. She is more likely to forget about it if we do not take it from her, she may forget it easily enough that way." Her mother told the worried governess.

In the long run, little Josephine did not forget. That book became the compass for her every single action, all her future pursuits began with what she learned from it. She did not know it then, but that book changed her life.

~oOo~

Thomas Darcy... If only George knew where his brother was at the moment, if he was safe, or if he was well. Letters from India were slow to reach England, if they arrived at all. The last news they received from him were from months ago. Having to travel around the African coast, no wonder mail took so long to arrive.

It had also been sad for Thomas to be so far. Unable to be there for the former middle brother when he received the letter telling him about Robert. If ever there was a time when he rued being this far away from his Country, it was then. To fail being there, in his remaining brother's time of need, was not one of his better moments. So he had written a letter instead, it was poor consolation, but what else could he have done?

The conflicts in France caused unrest ever since the French Revolution. Though at the time, trouble with England was not dire, the former's war with Austria and Prussia sent ripples of unrest all over Europe. By force, any movement in Mediterranean waters was fraught with peril. And though such perils were not the same on the route around the African continent, there were others, it was nonetheless a long and dangerous voyage. Not to mention that even when the third Anglo–Mysore war had ended a few years past, it did not mean a peaceful reception of English people in those lands was guaranteed. Many suspected another war was brewing, and it may happen soon.

The new Earl Holderness wished his younger brother could be with them today.

He would not stop worrying about his wayward brother until he heard from him again.

~oOo~

Margaret had come almost two fortnights past, along with her youngest daughter, Josephine. Of course Amelia –who was older than her sister by almost seven years– and her husband Theodore, were also present. They had arrived but a few days later. All in the party were still in mourning, but they came nonetheless, to help Anne during her confinement.

Such diametrically opposed situations for the Darcys of Pemberley, compared to the Darcys coming from Hornby Castle, may have seemed distressing, it was not the case thankfully. Being there for such a happy event brought solace to both parties, And welcoming so many, clearly brought the new parents to be much joy.

The Dowager Countess, now that Lady Anne held the title, had not yet found the right moment to tell her brother–in–law that after this sojourn to Derbyshire, she would no longer return North to York or to Hornby. But she would continue South–west to Staffordshire.

The decision to move into Parnassus, with her daughter and son–in–law felt timely. There were too many memories back in York, and she needed to start anew. Not to mention Hornby was the Earldom's seat, and now belonged to George Darcy. Her John would want her to move on with her life, she was sure. Staying with her daughter and the young woman's husband was a wise choice, she hoped. Besides, a new beginning without so many reminders was what she needed.

~oOo~

Among them this day, were Mrs. Reynolds, who was like family to the Darcys, along with Mr. Reynolds, though as he took care of other tasks at that moment he was not present. Anne's Lady's Maid Bisset, and two upstairs maids to help them. Doctor Barkley, and finally there was the midwife, Mrs. Aberdeen.

The first three had a high rank within the staff, it meant they spent a significant amount of time close to the family. More so today. Mrs. Aberdeen, and the Doctor lived in Lambton, and though not part of the Pemberley staff, they were highly valued individuals.

Every other person inside and outside Pemberley did what they could to help. They all waited and prayed for their Mistress and the babe's welfare.

~oOo~

Inside the Mistress quarters Anne also paced.

In a different way from her husband, she paced to somehow move her mind away from the pains that came every so often, ever stronger.

"How much more of this Mrs. Aberdeen? My boy did not take so much as this! He was a determined little angel..."

"I 'ave told you before m'Lady, bairns all take their different times. This babe here," the woman answered, and holding the Lady's round belly firmly, added "seems to be taking 'is time. Stubborn wee one I say..."

"She speaks the truth my Lady, do not worry overmuch. Remember to breathe..." encouraged Dr. Barkley. "Walking around the room seems to help you, let us hope it will not take much longer."

The doctor said, a little worried. He was taught women should lie down during childbirth, but recent experience had taught him that apparently, walking seemed to help instead. Contrary to his training, he followed his intuition, and let her patient walk. Anne for her part, may not have followed instructions if told not to do as she was doing. Some intrinsic voice told her it was the right thing to do.

When another pain came, she felt liquid running down her legs.

She looked up suddenly. This... This she knew.

"It is closer now." She heard someone say.

Anne's eyes shone with anticipation.

~oOo~

It had been hours already, too many hours. This business of birthing a babe was, no doubt, too much for his sensibilities. In instances such as these, he was most thankful the task was not left to men. The stress alone, when he had naught to do but wait, was excruciating.

'How much longer will it take? Our boy did not take this long...'

Pacing.

'Lord in heaven help her! I am afraid for her...'

Stopping and hesitating.

'We have come so far, let them both be safe...'

More pacing.

'Please, heavenly father, you know how it has been.'

He stopped altogether. He was frozen in place for a moment.

'You granted us our boy safely. Will you extend your favor a second time?'

By this point in time the other men in the room with him were not as sanguine either, nor were there any more jests flying about. George was offered some spirits.

"No, thank you brother, drinking will not help me now. I thank you even so," he said, pushing back the crystal back into deBourgh's hands. The man said nothing but nodded in acceptance. Then gulped the drink himself in one go.

The door to his Lady's apartments opened once more just then. And through it came Dr. Barkley. George was looking in the opposite direction, while completing another circuit of his pacing. He stopped abruptly, and none too gracefully turned around and faced the Doctor.

The latter began telling the new father-to-be, that the time was upon them. That all the time previous was only part of the process. Now it began in earnest.

Almost one and ten years past, when he was in a similar position as he was today, while Anne worked to bring Fitzwilliam to them, he simply waited. Silently and patiently, well maybe not that patiently. Outwardly, he kept his composure and his wits about him. He had been tempted to drink himself into a stupor, in the end he chose not to do so. His Anne deserved better. Instead, he prayed. Ceaselessly. Today however, he could not even begin to bring himself to quietly wait.

The good Doctor had previously, albeit just recently, explained about the birth process, and how his wife's womanly parts needed to be ready, and extend to reach a certain measure. Only then could the babe finally begin to make his or her way into the light.

As he was patiently being reminded of it, he heard his Anne's voice utter an undefined sound, it was nothing he had ever heard her utter before, it sounded painful. It was not as loud as he would have imagined it could be, but her voice was not mild either.

Without realizing what he had done, he suddenly found himself inside the Mistress' rooms. He ignored all the women who waited in the private sitting room. The ones at work were beyond the doors he just crossed.

Taking a few steps further, George found himself at the threshold between his wife's bed chamber and the smaller adjoining dressing room, where he saw a small bed and a birthing chair, "What is... Oh..." A flood of images filled his mind. He recalled the Doctor explaining the reasons for the contraption. Also that the way it was made was supposed to help somehow? Added to that, birth was a messy affair. Better the mother have a clean bed to rest afterwards.

Taking large strides he reached his wife's side. When she looked up to find he was there, Anne looked temporarily surprised, she had been too absorbed in the task ahead, she tiredly smiled at him, stretched her arm and reached for his hand.

"George..." was the only word she managed. He immediately went to her, and softly took her offered hand in both of his, understanding what was not said in words but with her eyes.

'Will you stay with me? Please?'

With a resolve previously unknown to himself, the words came out of him so naturally, he was surprised to hear his own voice:

"I am staying. Tell me what to do to help. How can I be of assistance?"

"My Lord, with all due respect..." began the midwife.

"I will not be a hindrance, I assure you." The man valiantly replied.

"Very well m'Lord" answered the aged woman. "This is not the place for men, but if you have the mettle for it, then so be it," a sigh escaped her, "If you prove to be of use, you will stay, but if you are not up to the task sir, I will be asking you to leave, and you will oblige me, am I being understood?"

Far from feeling afronted by the stark ways of the midwife, George Darcy could only feel respect for the woman. He squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, looked first at his Anne, who smiled at him despite the pain, then looked to the midwife, and simply answered.

"Yes."

I know... Cliffie... *runs and hides* But I felt it was a good place to stop.

There are a lot of O.C.s, small ones, but equally important I.M.O. In the original, the Darcy family seemed so small with just Darcy and Georgiana. I wanted to give them a bigger extended family. So they are not as lonely as in canon. Don't forget, Lady C is a twin a few minutes older. Aside from their brother, there are other siblings too, due to them not being of the Matlock variety, but a real Earldom.

In chapter 2 we discovered that the Darcys are not only landed gentry, but titled as well. It is also a R.L. Earldom that was extinct by the mid 1700s with the 4th Earl. From this point on the Earldom has our PnP Darcys to continue the line.

Alrighty! See you all soon, have a great week!