Hoping to see her beloved for possibly the final time before the wedding, Elizabeth trudges up Oakham Mount, smiling softly as she sees that Fitzwilliam has once again arrived before her. She takes a moment to admire his strong physique as the glow of the rising sun surrounds his form. Noticing his ungloved hands, Elizabeth slips off her own kid gloves, stowing them away in the pocket of her thin coat. She approaches him slowly, sliding her hand into his while wrapping the other around his arm for warmth, and emitting a sigh of contentment as she leans her head against his shoulder.
Grinning widely, Darcy takes a deep breath and opens his eyes. Looking down, he notices Elizabeth shiver lightly as the chill seeps through the fabric of her coat and the morning sun forms a halo around her. In response, he slides his arm out of her hold and places it around her shoulders, pulling her into his open greatcoat and holding the sides together to keep her warm. Trying to calm his racing heart, he looks down amused at the sight of her small form wrapped up in his large overcoat, "Perhaps, I shall have my tailor oversize all of my greatcoats if this is to be my reward for such endeavors."
Elizabeth turns her head to meet his eyes, "oh no, for then your tailor may gain a reputation for making your garments too large and then your valet will be laughed out of town for placing you in them. No, I could not allow my husband to be seen in public attired as such."
Loving how the word husband rolls off her tongue so naturally when referring to him, he tightens his grasp and turns her in his arms replying, "but what do I care for how others perceive me? Perhaps I shall begin a new fashion."
Looking down, Elizabeth laughs and grabs ahold of his lapels. "Hmm, perhaps a better compromise would be to enlarge your robes. For you shall rise with me each morning anyway and I shall be the only one to see you in such garments thus protecting the reputations of both your tailor and your trusty valet." Glancing up shyly, she sees Fitzwilliam's eyes glaze in response.
Heart racing, he imagines her greeting him as she did today, but this time wrapping her arms around him as they both stand on the balcony of their shared chambers; him tugging her around him and tucking her into his oversized robe as they watch the sunrise crest over the hill at their home, at Pemberley, together. How I yearn for such a time, Darcy thinks, readjusting his hold, so he may not frighten her with how deeply he truly desires such a future. Returning to the present, he hoarsely agrees, "ah yes, I do believe that would be best."
Elizabeth laughs, "indeed, you should learn to trust my judgment in all things."
Darcy quirks a brow and laughingly asks, "in all things, my dear?"
Looking up at him with a sly smirk, Elizabeth flattens her hands against his broad chest, leans up, and kisses him softly. Darcy, smiling widely against her plush lips, replies, "perhaps you are correct once again, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth," pecking her lips as he utters each endearment.
Elizabeth grins and leans in once again. "I'm glad you agree, my handsome, charming Fitzwilliam," she replies, kissing him once, twice, then a touch longer as she says his name.
Pulling back slightly, Darcy's chuckles, "Charming, my dear? I dare say you may be the only woman, nay the only person, to have ever referred to me as such."
"Ah yes, but I do believe I have come to know a side of you no other has ever met before and that Fitzwilliam can be quite charming when he wishes to be," she says against his lips, sliding her fingers into his unruly curls as he tightens his hold around her waist. As most of their entanglements are wont to do, what starts out as a gentle kiss quickly turns heated, as both lose themselves in the moment.
As the kiss slows in intensity, but not passion, Elizabeth slides her hand down to gently caress Fitzwilliam's cheek as he sighs and whispers, "two days, my love."
"Two days and then a lifetime to come," Elizabeth replies softly, smiling against his parted lips. She finally leans back for one last glance at her beloved, then snuggles her head into his chest, listening to his slowing heartbeat, as she returns her stare to the now risen sun, imagining a future where mornings such as this would become a daily occurrence.