The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/n Nearly over, this was meant to be super short. It was fun. Sorry for not answering the revuews, my life is crazy at this moment.

Man and Wife

Richard was very nervous. Although a quiet affair, the small chapel was full to the brim. He was afraid this was a dream; it felt like one. He saw a gentleman who looked familiar; ah, yes, he recognized him, the small man in a very tall size. The Bennet family was there along with other of their relatives. Even Lydia came, dressed in bombazine, looking sad and pale.

Richard was surprised at how many flowers and candles there were. The chapel, bright as a sunny day, smelled like a flower garden. Richard would later find out that when the vicar opened the chapel, the place lavishly decorated it with many flowers and candles, not there the day before. The runner was also brand new, thick, and plush. Nobody knew who had decorated the chapel.

Richard stood up at the front to wait for Elizabeth. William, standing by him, teased him, "Smile, this is a wedding, not a funeral."

Lizzie came with her father; she looked more beautiful than ever, wearing an elegant pale yellow organdy dress embroidered with white silk flowers. Since Richard disliked bonnets, she wore her hair up with small flower adornment.

Everyone around them ceased to exist. She smiled, letting him know she cared.

Lizzie saw William standing by Richard, one blond and the other darker but the same height; their features nearly identical; they could have been twins. For a few seconds, she wished she could have both. The thought didn't last after she stood by Richard

The ceremony was quick. William Darcy thought it would hurt more, but seeing Richard's happiness made it easier. Besides, he believed the promises of his alleged father. He had earlier read George's letter; it made him sad for George but glad he had repented. He asked William to help his children and his young widow; he was happy to do so.

Outside the chapel, the newly married couple stood, receiving congratulations. Charles Bingley had come with the Bennet. After the congratulations, he added, "You should know that my sister is leaving for a long while. I heard she was imprudent and went to see you. I must apologize. I must assure you. She will never cause any more problems."

Lizzie was dying to ask why Miss Bingley said, but she would find out later. No need to think about the unpleasant harpy. This was a good day. Richard squeezed her hand reassuringly as if he knew what she was thinking.

The foreign gentleman came forward with two other men. He bowed, kissed Lizzie's hand, and squeezed Richard's upper arm affectionately. In a low voice, nearly a whisper, he said, "Your future will be bright and prosperous. Be happy and have many children. My lady, I hope you liked the small present I left for you. It is something for the two of you." He grinned, looking at Lizzie blushing to the tips of her ears. Richard hoped it was something naughty.

Before he walked away, he gave them a small box. "To open later; it is only a small gift. More will come later. Be advised my associates will make sure you will always be safe."

They had no time to talk about it. Richard could only whisper, "Yes, it was whoever we saw before. I guess he can be as big as he chooses."

Lizzie tapped her lips, "Mr. Darcy, and you, look a little like him. And don't ask what he gave me; you will find out later."

Richard grinned, "I am looking forward to it, Lady Fitzwilliams." He was; he hoped she was as passionate as her kisses.

The twins stayed by them, holding Lizzie's hand and the other holding Lizzie, declaring they married their parents that day.

Richard thought the little bit of sun that day was brighter. They started walking; Richards kept looking at his wife, holding the hand of one of the twins, until William talked the girls into walking with him. The wedding procession followed them to Richard's home for the wedding breakfast. Richard's memories of all the dead and dying during the grueling battles he fought, troubling him daily, had vanished; his mind was now filled with images of his wife. He couldn't stop looking at her, both with desire and love.

Lizzie was happy, whereas maybe a little regretful for what it could have been, wishing she could have the two cousins. That thought didn't last when she saw Richard's adoring eyes. Oh dear, his look made her want to they were alone. This was the best day of her life; Richard thought the same.

He whispered, "Soon we will be able to kiss without interruptions; William invited my mother and the children to Pemberley. We will see them in a week"

Perhaps, they would; maybe not. They heard two screams, "No, no, they'll be gone like the otter daddy."

One of the twins let go of William's hand and ran to Richard, "Daddy, we wanna stay." She held on to his leg. Crying hard, the deep sobs shook her small body. Richard stopped to pick her up. William was trying to pick up the other twin without success; finally, he let her go to Richard.

"Shh, my sweet, don't cry. Why all those tears?" Richard asked.

"Cause you'd be gone, and we won't have a mommy and a daddy." She patted his cheek, while she talked between sobs.

He looked at Lizzie, picking up the other twin. Richard was at a loss, not so sure what to do. His mother and William caught up with them.

Lizzie patted the small girl, trying to reassure her, "We will go a little while later…."

The screams stopped Lizzie, "Nooo, no, you'll be deader; Letia tolds my 'otter' daddy was deader. We'll be urfans again and sends to Letia." Lizzie knew they were aware of their father's death. She lifted her head and saw Richard's mother drying a tear.

Richard sighed, realizing that they might be little, but they were sad and scared after Bartlett had died. He wouldn't let his brother down; the twins had been his life. They usually accompanied him but stayed with his mother when Bartlett died. Richard sighed, let it be; he would do what was right. William was there cringing his mouth; after stretching his arms to take the twin with him, she had screamed louder, "No, I 'tay' wif my daddy." She held on to Richard, hiding her snotty face on his chest.

Elizabeth answered for him, "No darling, you will stay with us; no cousin Letitia for you, never again. I promise that." Lizzie felt the child's fear, breaking her heart. For whatever George Wickham might have been, his children cried and screamed for him at night. Lydia said the children were Wickham's life, not her. He didn't care much for her. He often told Lydia he was forced to marry her, the wrong sister. Too many tragedies; it pained Lizzie's heart.

The twin cleaned her face on Lizzie's dress, no longer crying. The stranger shook his head in sorrow; he wasn't the only one. He walked to the newly married couple, accompanied by the two men. The procession had stopped. Richard's mother was crying; Richard's pain for his father and brother's death was back, squeezing his heart, painfully. The joy of the last days, of this wonderful day, marred by sorrow.

The stranger stood in front of Richard, "May I?" He stretched his hand to touch the child Richard held. Richard nodded, tears clouding his eyes. When the stranger touched the twin, he took some of her fears away. He could only make it better. If he took it all away, the memories of Bartlett would also be gone.

She quit crying and let Richard comfort her. The stranger did the same to the other child; he said, "Don't cry, my dear Daphne, all will be well." Then he bowed and moved away. He greeted Richard's mother when he passed by her.

William said, "I will wait around; we can talk in a little while." He didn't offer to take the children away, but to Richard's surprise, the twins squirmed down.

One said, "Cuzin, we walk wif you."

William grinned, "You can take turns, and I hold one at a time if you get tired." They both nodded eagerly. He pulled out his handkerchief, crouched, and cleaned their faces. Lizzie's watched, amazed, the proud man treating the children with such care and tenderness. The twins hugged him when he was done, "Don't look surprised. That is William's gift with children; it always works." Richard explained

The day had been saved, somehow, but the recent sorrows hung in the air, clouding the bright day.

Lizzie's father wanted his child happiness; he had seen the sadness she felt looking at the children crying because their father 'left' them. They all had heard Lydia's children crying for their daddy at night; maybe Wickham had done something right. Lizzie wanted him to forgive his wife; he missed their bed; Fanny was a good, warm wife; and he had also made mistakes. He walked next to his wife and offered his arm to her. Fanny smiled, hoping he wanted to be her husband again.

Lizzie looked back and saw her parents walking together; her mother looking better made Lizzie happy. Mary walked with Mr. Bingley; Jane walked with the husband she loved. Kitty walked with Lydia, like years before. It would seem they were all happy. Well not everyone was happy, Peter, Jane's husband, kept looking at Mr. Bingley with narrowed eyes. Jane, winked at Lizzie, both knew of Peter's unfounded jealousy; it made Jane know Peter loved her.

Richard looked at Lizzie and whispered, "I love you, my wife. Thanks for caring for my nieces; they are now my children. Don't worry, we will lock our room." His heart filled with joy feeling her hand on his arm..

Lizzie stopped, "You love me?" Her eyes shone with something new.

"I do; I haven't stopped thinking about you since we danced. I asked William all he knew about you; I fell in love thinking about you." He didn't want to mention William too much; he didn't want to tempt fate.

"I feel great affection for you; I know that I am falling in love with my husband." She sighed, wanting a kiss.

"I only have a question, did you get a 'sleeping garment' as a gift," Richard stared at her, smiling.

He knew he was right when she turned bright red, "As I said, you must wait to find out."

Richard chuckled and kept walking towards his new life. The day went by quickly, finally giving the newlyweds a chance to be alone.

That night when he walked into his room; he took off his dressing gown. He wore thin Indian loose trousers and an open matching tunic, to mid thigh.

Lizzie waited, standing, looking out the window, wearing a sleeveless gauzy negligée without a dressing gown. Her long hair, still damp from her earlier bath, fell down her back. Richard half smiled; he had been right; he could see her naked body almost perfectly. Her slender body was perfect; she was perfect; goodness, he had never wanted anyone this much.

They had managed to kiss more than once this day, but the twins were attached to them like ticks, most of the day. The kisses had set him on fire; she had allowed his caresses, following his lead, making him want to go with her to their room and lock the door. No chance to be alone other than for a few minutes with the twins watching them like hawks, refusing to take a nap. The earlier kisses had set him on fire, so he was glad they were alone and the twins slept with his mother.

Richard moved behind her, holding her close to him. Lizzie felt his desire; thanks to Jane she understood how it felt when your husband wanted you. She felt as he did; so she pressed against him, meaning softly. She felt as if she was melting feeling his body and hearing his breathing.

"My wife, I don't know how much you know about tonight. Don't be afraid; it will be good for both of us. I love you." He said as he turned her around.

"I know enough; I am not scared. I hope you don't find me too slender." Lizzie bit her lip, concerned.

He moved away for a second, to admire her gown. "I declare, you looked lovely today and now even more. If I could have my wishes, you would dress like this always." He licked his lips, trying to have some restrain, remembering this was her first time with a man. He saw her looking at him as well, making his control wane.

She could see part of his naked chest and lower, confirming what Jane had told her. It made her feel strange; she already knew what it meant and wanted his embrace.

Richard didn't wait long before he held her in a close embrace and kissed her.

He stopped when they heard faint knock. Then they heard Richard's mother, "Your parents are tired; we will see them in the morning, let's go back to bed."

"But we wanna sleep wif them." Both girls complained. After a short while and much discussion, the twins went back to bed.

Richard and Lizzie grinned. He was ready for a future with Lizzie, his wife, and with his daughters. Life was full of promise.

The end

A/n This story was going to be two chapters. Time to finish the one pending, and a chapter of the new coming. I kept it rated T in deference to the readers that followed the story and might not like M rating scenes. Later on, I might write a sequel M-rated.