The next month passed by without much interruption. After two weeks, Jane was confined to her bed most of the day by the physician. Only twice a day was she allowed to get out of bed. Once to bathe and the other to walk around for a few minutes. Jane held no protest as she knew it was best for her own health as well as her baby's. Elizabeth kept her company most of the day. They talked about many things that only sisters would, the way they used to when they were children. After all, Elizabeth and Jane shared a room since the day Elizabeth was old enough to walk. Since then, the pair had been inseparable until their marriages when they moved apart to be with their husbands. Even so, they maintained their close relationship through letters and visits where they would talk for hours on end. During Jane's confinement to bedrest, Elizabeth was the one companion she sought most.
"Lizzie, when did you first know that you loved Mr. Darcy?"
"Do you remember when I visited Mr. Collins and Charlotte after they were married and we went to Rosings?"
"Yes."
"While visiting, we also visited Mr. Collins's parsonage and attended services. It was there that I learned some unflattering things about Mr. Darcy from his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, so I left and ran out into the rain. He followed me and proposed."
"He proposed twice?" Jane was confused.
"Yes, he did. I refused him the first time on the basis of his actions. After which, he came to me the next day and presented a letter that explained his actions fully about the offenses I had laid against him. After reading that letter, I began to change my mind about the man he presented himself to be and the man he really was."
"Oh my!" Jane gasped.
"Afterward, when I left with aunt and uncle for the Peak District, we visited Pemberley. Our housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, stunned my impression of him with all the wonderful compliments she gave to his character. That is when I found myself truly falling in love with him. He simply was not the man I had met in Meryton. Darcy has done more for our family than you would believe, all for the sake of trying to prove his love to me."
"Lizzie, you are truly fortunate to have Mr. Darcy for a husband."
"We both are. Mr. Bingley dotes of you so and loves you more than life itself."
"And Mr. Darcy would sooner die than see you harmed."
Both sisters knew the truth of that statement. Mr. Darcy would die before he would see Elizabeth harmed in any way. It was rare that Darcy would care so much for one person other than his younger sister, so the love he had for Elizabeth was special. Nothing could ever draw him away from the woman he willingly gave his heart to. A love like Darcy and Elizabeth's was unique to the social world of England because she was of so little standing, but neither cared about that. They only cared for one another and that's all that truly mattered to them.
As Jane's time drew nearer, things became more complicated in the Bingley household. More family arrived for the birth. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, Mary, and Kitty arrived from Longbourn. Mrs. Bennett immediately took to her eldest daughter's side and while she was at it, began nagging Elizabeth at once about her own lack of pregnancy.
"Oh Lizzie! You must give Mr. Darcy a son and post haste or he shall lose interest. Jane has had such success, perhaps you should ask her for advice."
"Mama, Mr. Darcy and I are perfectly happy at the moment. We will have children in time."
"These men of great power demand an heir for their house. Lizzie, surely you should know that!"
Elizabeth realized the futility in arguing with her mother over such matters. "Yes, mama."
Upon the arrival of the Bennetts, Jane became more anxious of the impending birth. She and Elizabeth both knew that tensions would run high with their family under one roof, especially if their youngest sister and her husband were to arrive. It was not hidden knowledge among those who knew Mr. Darcy that he did not care for George Wickham, althought not many, save Elizabeth, knew the real reason why. Not even a week after the Bennetts arrived and right on cue, Lydia came to Netherfield unannounced and with her own brood, including her three children and despicable husband, George Wickham. Intending to be the center of attention, she quickly found her mother and relayed to her the latest of her misfortunes. Elizabeth and Jane, however, would hear nothing of it and remained in Jane's room. Darcy remained locked away in the library with Charles in conversation. Mrs. Bennett lingered on her youngest daughter's every word.
"Oh mama, it has been horrible these last few months."
"Do tell me, my dear." Mrs. Bennet consoled her daughter.
"Having to care for three children with no nurse! Jane is so lucky. When her child enters the world, it will have nurses to care for it while Jane recovers. I had no such luxury!" Lydia whined and lamented.
"I know child. You must implore your sisters to share their good fortune with you and your misfortunate Wickham. He is but an officer in the army while Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are men of good standing."
"I have mama! Jane does try and help, but Lizzie will not. She says I should take responsibility for my children. In her letters, she says that you raised all five of us without a nurse and so I should be able to. How could she know if she does not have any children of her own?"
"Headstrong, foolish child she is! I shall speak with her about this matter, Liddie. Do not worry. She should help her youngest sister who is in need." Mrs. Bennett walked away in a frenzy to seek out her second daughter.
Mrs. Bennett did not get the chance to chastise Elizabeth right away however, due to the fact that Jane had begun her labor. The family gathered in the parlor to await the birth of the newest member. Bingley paced the floor for hours before sitting down to a card game with Darcy. Mary occupied herself by quietly reading a book. Wickham was no where to be seen. Lydia made no attempt to keep her eldest child, George, quiet. She and Kitty were too busy holding the twins, Rebecca and Victoria, and gossiping about the latest news from London. Mrs. Bennett sat on the couch and fanned herself, complaining about her nerves and how she should be in the room with Jane and not Lizzie. No one payed her much attention. Mr. Bennett sat quietly at one end of the room, taking in the entire scene of his family awaiting Jane's first child. The hours ticked by in anticipation. Bingley once again paced the floor for a while. As he turned to go around the room once more, Elizabeth came into the room.
"Mr. Bingley, I believe there is someone waiting to meet you now." She smiled briefly in Darcy's direction before escourting Mr. Bingley to meet his child for the first time.
They walked down the hall to Jane's room. Elizabeth pushed the door open to reveal an exhausted, but delighted Jane sitting up in a clean bed with a clean nightgown on. Her usual soft, blonde curls were wet and stuck to her forehead from sweat. Bingley immediately rushed to her side and kissed her hand affectionately. Elizabeth walked over to the physician, who handed her a small bundle. She carried it over to Bingley and Jane. Mr. Bingley peered into the blankets to find a pair of bright blue eyes staring back at him. He gently took the child from Elizabeth to admire with Jane. Elizabeth stepped aside and went to the other side of the room to give the new family some privacy. A nearby chair proved to be comfortable as Elizabeth began to think about her husband, whom she had not seen in hours since Jane had gone into labor. She decided that once Jane had been settled in, she would find Darcy and spend some time with him. Silently, she wondered how everyone was faring since Lydia and Wickham's arrival. After all, Darcy disdained Wickham's very being and being under one roof with him could not be an easy task. Elizabeth was brought out of her thoughts by Jane calling her over.
"Lizzie, Charles and I have decided a name for her." Jane smiled sweetly at her sister.
"What is she to be called?"
"Elizabeth Rose. We believe that you are going to be her favorite aunt by far."
Elizabeth took her niece in her arms and looked down on the baby. She truly was a beautiful child with wisps of strawberry-blonde hair and her piercing blue eyes. The child favored Jane very much, but Elizabeth could see Bingley's kind disposition in his daughter. After a while, Jane took the baby again and Elizabeth excused herself from the room. She quickly walked down the hall in search of Mr. Darcy and all but nearly ran over Lydia, who was rounding a corner. Both jumped in fright and quickly reassembled themselves, straightening their skirts and hair.
"Oh Lizzie, you gave me a fright!"
"I'm sorry Lydia. I did not see you coming."
"How are Jane and the baby?"
"They are both well." Elizabeth did not care to elaborate for Lydia.
"Did she have a son or a daughter?"
"A daughter, named Elizabeth Rose."
"Pity, I guess she will just have to try again in hopes for a son. Not everyone can have half my good luck in producing a son."
"Lydia, this is only Jane's first child." Elizabeth was getting annoyed at her youngest sister's bragging.
"I had a son as my first child. Then again, my Wickham is a much better lover and more practiced. Perhaps she and Bingley aren't copulating correctly to ensure a son is conceived. I had better go and instruct her how best to produce an heir." Lydia started to flit away, when Elizabeth grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"You will not enter that room, Lydia! Jane is recovering from the birth and needs privacy. I will not have you gallavanting in there to 'instruct' her and Mr. Bingley on how they should conceive their children." Elizabeth had never been this stern with her youngest sister, but she had had enough of Lydia's ridiculousness and flighty behavior.
"How would you know anything Lizzie? You don't even have your own children! Yet, you're constantly telling me that I should take care of my own children without a nurse. Lizzie, Wickham and I have no money. We're almost in destitution and you refuse to do a thing to help us!" Lydia was in near hysterics.
Elizabeth lowered her tone to a warning. "Lydia, it was your own foolishness and irresponsible behavior that resulted in your marriage to Wickham. Had you listened to reason from Jane and myself, you would perhaps have a far better situation. No matter, you are married to Wickham and will have to suffer the consequences of your actions."
"Mama sympathizes with me. She says you have means and should help."
"You have always been mama's most favored daughter, so she would agree with you."
Lydia took off in an aggrivated state down the hall once again. This time, Elizabeth let her go and continued searching for her husband. The house seemed empty as most of the occupants were turning in for the night. Finally, after a while of searching, Elizabeth found him in one of the parlors. He was sitting in front of a fire, reading a book. Quietly, she walked up next to the chair and stood beside him. Upon noticing her arrival, Darcy put down the book and rose to greet his wife.
"Good evening, Mrs. Darcy."
"And to you, Mr. Darcy."
He gently embraced her and softly kissed her forehead.
"I dare to ask that all is well?" Darcy implied about Jane and the baby.
"All is well. Jane and Mr. Bingley have decided to name her Elizabeth Rose."
"A perfect name."
A few moments of blissfull silence passed between them. Elizabeth felt perfect in that moment with Darcy's arms around her, resting on the small of her back. She felt like nothing could ever hurt her. That's when it hit her. An unexplainable shock of pain through her abdomen. She gasped and let go of her hold on Darcy. Immediately, she doubled over and stepped back.
"Lizzie?" Darcy was alarmed. "Lizzie...are you alright?"
"Darcy..." she gasped, still holding her abdomen.
As she stepped back, Darcy noticed spots of blood on the floor. Elizabeth felt faint and Darcy caught her just before she passed out. Darcy cradled her in his arms and carried her down the hall, shouting for someone to fetch a doctor and quickly.
A/N: Yes, a cliffhanger...I know. Don't kill me, you shall find out what happens soon enough. Please review!!