Elizabeth was six months pregnant and had never felt more wonderful in her life. The baby kicked more often than when she first felt it the month before, but she did not mind because it indicated that the child within her was alive and well. Darcy kept his promise and rarely left her side, if only to work for a few hours of the day. She found this endearing and adored the attention being showered on her by her husband. Her belly had grown within the last month. She now actually looked like a woman with child instead of just gaining weight. It was a relief, but sometimes a hassle at the same time, especially when trying to get dressed in the mornings. None of her dresses fit anymore. Elizabeth became increasingly frustrated that she would end up crying before the morning was even begun. In order to alleviate this problem, Darcy decided to have new dresses taylored to her needs. Once they were made, Elizabeth felt better about herself and getting dressed in the mornings.

Throughout the day, Elizabeth would spend a few hours in the library devouring every book she could get her hands on. It was entertainment as well as expanding her mind. Darcy would periodically come in and check on her to make sure she was comfortable. It was a time of rest and relaxation for Elizabeth during her pregnancy. She had never allowed herself to be pampered in this manner before, especially with four sisters to live with as a child. When she had sent news to her family of her condition, the first to write back was her sister Jane, congratulating her on the wonderful news. Jane also wrote that she would come a month before the birth to help Elizabeth in any way she could and be there to assist in the birthing of the child. Elizabeth was happy to receive her letter first. Second was her mother, who wrote of all the "precautions" Elizabeth must now take to ensure the baby would survive and be healthy. In her mother's letter were the greetings from her two younger sisters, Mary and Kitty. Also enclosed was a private letter from her father. He told Elizabeth how happy and proud he was to become a grandfather once again. The last letter to arrive was from Lydia. Elizabeth dreaded opening it for she knew exactly how her youngest sister would react to the news. Grimacing, she opened it and began to read.

Lizzie,

Oh dearest sister! I was absolutely enthralled upon receiving the news that I would become an aunt in the future. But there are things I must caution you about, being that I am the most knowing sister in the matters of child bearing. First, you must not lie with your husband. Lizzie, do you understand me? If you lie with him, his thing will scare the child into not wanting to be born. You must resist your desire to give in. Second, to ensure a son, you must keep your health. It would be a shame not to bear Mr. Darcy a son the first time you give him a child, especially after waiting so long to bear one after your marriage. Why did you wait so long Lizzie? I will be sure to be there when the child enters the world!

Your dearest sister Lydia

Elizabeth put the letter down in disgust. Her baby sister, who was not even nineteen, was trying to tell her how to properly carry her child. It was absolutely frustrating and infuriating.Without anything to distract her, Elizabeth got up and paced the floor in frustration. She could feel her mind going in circles, trying to grasp all that her youngest sister had said. It was almost intolerable for Lydia to speak to her in that manner. While pacing, she tried to breath evenly to calm herself down before she hurt herself or the baby. While in her mood, Darcy happened to walk into the library. Upon seeing his wife pacing the floor, he immediately knew she was not in the best of moods. Tentatively, he approached her.

"You seem upset."

"I just received a letter from Lydia today."

Upon the words leaving her mouth, Darcy knew exactly what kind of temper she was in at the moment. Lydia definitely had a way of saying things abruptly and at the absolute wrong times. Darcy knew it was not good for Elizabeth to be in a fit of anger when she was with child. It could hurt either her or the baby. He thought the best course of action would be to calm her down.

"Lizzie, think of the baby's health and your own. Please sit down and try to remain calm. I insist."

"I know you are right, but I still cannot bring myself to allow Lydia to speak to me in this manner, even if it is in writing! She warned me of all the evils I must avoid, including lying with you. Darcy, she said that she would arrive in time for the birth. I cannot have that."

"I promise to do something about it when the time comes, but for now please just allow me to be the one to brood about the situation at hand. You need to rest."

"Darcy, promise me that the only ones permitted in the room will be yourself, Jane, the doctor, and Georgiana. I cannot cope with anyone else in my family being in that room."

"I promise if you will promise me something in return." He took her hands in his own.

"What would you have me promise?" She looked into his eyes.

"That you will leave me to distress about the situation at hand and alleviate yourself of those bothersome things."

"I will try." Elizabeth paused, almost crying. "I am truly terrified Fitzwilliam. What if a problem were to arise with the child? I do not know if I could survive losing another child."

Darcy could more than relate to his wife's fears, for they were his very own. The miscarriage had nearly taken Elizabeth's spirit out of her. Losing a child so close to knowing it would devastate her to a degree she might never recover from. Another fear, one just as looming, Darcy harbored to himself in private. He had lost his mother in childbirth and refused to allow the same thing to happen to his precious wife that he loved and adored with ever fiber of his being. He embraced her softly, mindful of her small stomach in between them.

"Lizzie, you are strong in mind and in body. You have the strength to deliver this child safely. I promise to be right outside the door if you should need me for any reason."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth felt relieved to have talked with Darcy about her fears. It was as if he absorbed them from her into his own being. She knew he bore the brunt of his own troubles, not only with her impending birth, but with the expectations of his overbearing aunt, Lady Catherine. His aunt still had not forgiven Elizabeth for marrying Darcy, even after more than two years of marriage and Elizabeth suspected that they would be receiving a visit from her fairly soon. She and Darcy parted for a while and Elizabeth went back to their bedchamber to rest. The baby became very active as she walked down the halls, causing Elizabeth to giggle because of the fluttering movements across her belly. She reached their bedchamber and laid down on their comfortable bed. Her hand rested on her stomach and was greeted by more movement from the child within. The first few months had been difficult with the constant stream of mood swings and bouts of being sick in the mornings. Now, things were getting better each day that passed by. She found that she actually enjoyed Darcy's company again and felt completely beautiful in her own skin. After all, it was under her skin that carried the child of one of the most important men in England, the love of her life: Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Elizabeth's seventh month of pregnancy passed in frustration. The child grew in size within Elizabeth and began to kick into her ribs, making breathing most uncomfortable. To alleviate this situation, Elizabeth would lie down flat on her back and stretch out, allowing the child a little more room to kick about. However, this was inconvenient at times when she was trying to read or sit and have a conversation with Georgiana. As the seventh month progressed, Elizabeth adapted to her child moving about all the time. Often she would remind herself that in a few months time she would be holding an innocent child in her arms, able to kiss its head and hold its tiny hand. This thought gave her the strength to endure each day. Darcy helped when he could and knew what to do to make his wife happier.

About midway into Elizabeth's seventh month, Pemberley recieved a most unwelcome visitor. Darcy's disdained aunt, Lady Catherine, made an unannounced visit. Darcy met her at the entrance hall. Aunt and nephew stood opposing one another, each staring at the other with absolute disgust. Neither wanted to say a word first in fear of losing some unspoken battle between them. They stood like this for several minutes until Darcy decided that he would be the first to be civil to his aunt.

"To what do we owe to honor of your visit aunt?" His body remained rigid and stiff.

"I have recieved word from you that your wife will bring a child into the world." Lady Catherine pursed her lips in discontent. "Pray, where is your wife? It is her duty to welcome visitors into the house."

"Elizabeth is resting upon my insistence. Carrying a child is no easy task and her ardor is often depleted."

"Nonsense, I welcomed visitors to Rosings until the day my Anne was born!" She loved to assert how superior she was to Elizabeth.

Darcy held his stern expression. "Every woman is different aunt."

"I suppose." Catherine dismissed her nephew's comment. "I wish to see Elizabeth as soon as she wakes. For now, I wish to be shown to my room."

Darcy called for Mrs. Reynolds to take his aunt to her room. Then he dismissed himself and went to his study. While there, he paced the floor back and forth, angry and frustrated. Lady Catherine was rude in coming to visit unannounced, especially when his wife was in such a delicate state. Any disturbances or unnecessary anxiety for Elizabeth could result in disaster for their child or her own health. He knew the reason Catherine had come was for the sole purpose to upset Elizabeth with her snide comments about how he should have married Anne. It would not do. It simply would not do. While pacing the floor, he heard the door creak and Elizabeth walked in. Her stomach protruded from under her skirts and she glowed in the afternoon sunlight. To him, there was no more beautiful a sight than his wife. He walked over and took her in his arms, kissing her forehead.

"Darling, what is troubling you?" Her voice was sweet and innocent, like an angel's.

"Tis nothing."

"You were walking about the floor in a distraught manner. Darcy, tell me the truth." Her tone changed to serious.

"My aunt..."

"Yes."

"She has arrived from Rosings unannounced and intends to see you. I would not let her wake you from your rest. She waits in her room at this very moment."

Elizabeth said nothing. She could not say anything. The anger welled up inside of her like a tiger ready to pounce its next meal. She paced the floor back and forth. How could Lady Catherine come into her home without prior warning? Elizabeth knew it was for the sole purpose of harrassing her about the impending birth of the child within her womb and to assert her authority over Elizabeth. It was rude and impolite to do such a thing. After pacing, she retreated to her husband's waiting arms.

"Darcy..." she began, but Darcy pressed his finger gently against her lips.

"Lizzie, I know her single priority is to vex you. I cannot, nor will not allow this to happen in our home. Your condition is far too delicate to trifle with and I want nothing more than for you..." He moved his hand to her belly. "...and our child to be safe from all injury."

"If she wishes to see me, then I shall go to her under the condition that I be allowed to conduct the situation alone. No harm will come to myself or this child."

"You are so stubborn Lizzie. I fear if I allowed it, you would give birth to our child and return to your wifely duties within a fortnight."

"That is why we are married darling...we're both so stubborn and similar in our manners." Elizabeth smiled innocently.

"I fear that I can do little more to forbid you from speaking with my aunt." He embraced her close. "For either she or you will find a way to confront one another."

"I will be civil Darcy, I vow not to offend her within limitation."

"I have faith in you." Darcy bent down and caught his wife's lips in a passionate kiss.

When he let go, Elizabeth walked out of his study and down the hall to seek out Lady Catherine. The walk seemed like an eternity until she reached a particular door rapped lightly on it three times. A voice within bid her enter and she opened the door. Lady Catherine was sitting on a chair, fanning herself with a beautifully decorated fan. Elizabeth closed the door behind her. She and Lady Catherine stared at one another for a fretfully long time, Lady Catherine occasionally eying Elizabeth's ever growing stomach. It seemed like a never ending stand off between two highly stubborn women who refused to be the first to speak to the other. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, one of the women spoke.

A/N: Dun, dun, dun...sorry to leave you on a cliffie! The plot thickens... Thanks for the reviews. I'm really trying to get the language of this period down, so thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate all of you!