A/N: I feel I have to start by saying I do not really plot my stories out, chapter by chapter. I have an idea and start writing and let the characters direct me. Sometimes it's easy sometimes it's hard. I've already had to edit two major story lines out of my story in order to keep the pace. When this happens chapters become shorter and it may feel choppy in some areas.

I've thought about the rating as well. Someone mentioned what they've read so far not worthy of an M rating, and this is as graphic as it gets. If more of you agree I will change the rating.

Well, tata for now!

Chapter 20

He was there, as she knew he would be. She had been determined to stay in doors the morning after the wedding, but a restlessness had pulled towards the outdoors. The wedding had been marvelous, and Jane and Mr. Bingley were on their way to being the happiest married couple in all of England. The bustle of the day did not allow Elizabeth time alone and was therefore free of Mr. Darcy. She had been helping her Mother where she could, and found herself needing to rest. When she awoke the next morning her legs were restless and she knew a brisk walk would do her good, so against her better judgment, she left Longbourn, the sole inhabitant awake, and found her path blocked by Mr. Darcy.

"Elizabeth," he said, dark eyes boring into her very soul. "You are avoiding me."

Afraid to say anything, she cast her gaze down at her gloved hands. He strode to her quickly and pulled her into himself. Helpless against his strength she allowed the embrace, mentally berating herself.

"You are crying," he stated, pulling away.

Indeed, her eyes had pooled, causing two small streams to cut a path down her cheeks. "We cannot meet again," she managed to say.

Mr. Darcy pulled further away, "Why?" He demanded.

Elizabeth raised her head and pulled her shoulders back. She had to be strong, strong enough for the both of them. "I am a married woman. Married to a good man."

"He does not deserve you!"

"Mr. Darcy...I am his wife. The child I carry will be his child."

"No!" He shouted, pacing in front of her like a wild beast. "We can leave together, you and I. Somewhere where we are not known."

Elizabeth sighed deeply. She had fantasized him saying these words and of herself accepting them. They could go to a foreign country and live as man and wife and raise their family and be happy... Except she could never truly be happy. Forced to live away from the her parents and sisters, knowing the shame she would bring upon them. It was a beautiful dream, but simply that...a dream. It was time to wake up.

"Mr. Darcy, we cannot meet again." She repeated herself, forcing her gaze upon his anguish. "You cannot hurt your sister in that way, and I would never ask it of you. You will marry and have a family of your own. I pray you will find happiness and be content."

He stared at her, unable to say a word. Elizabeth went to him and on tiptoe, placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek, then left him, afraid to look back.

When Elizabeth returned to Longbourn Mary and Kitty were the only two who had awoken and were seated at the table. She ate in silence, allowing the familial actions of the house flow around her, though not truly participating herself.

"Lizzy did not look well today," Mrs. Bennet said to her husband that evening. "I hope she is not becoming neurotic."

Mr. Bennet stifled a guffaw, "My dear, Lizzy is simply going through a change of life. She will be a new Mother soon."

"Yes," Mrs. Bennet glowed, "I suppose her lying in will happen soon and she will have to call for me."

Elizabeth's sadness lasted throughout the rest of her pregnancy, and when Mrs. Bennet did come to visit her daughter, dragging Lydia with her, she tried to cheer Lizzy by saying many women felt out of sorts when carrying a child. Mr. Collins took things in stride, allowing Mrs. Bennet full run of the household, thinking it wiser to let her have her way instead of arguing.

The seasons changed, the weather growing colder, and the Christmas season nearly upon them when Mr. Collins came home one afternoon after having spent time at Rosings with what he thought strange news.

"My dear, you will never guess!" He shouted as he took off his gloves, coat and scarf.

Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were in the back parlor where it was much cozier with a warm fire burning. They were preparing linens and garments for the new babe, which seemed to cheer Lizzy more than anything.

"What is it?" She asked, wondering what Lady Catherine could have said to upset her husband so.

"Mr. Darcy is engaged!"

Elizabeth's hands stopped mid stitch, her work falling into her lap. Her eyes were wide with shock and she looked up at Mr. Collins. Surely she misheard.

"Engaged?" Lydia snorted, "who would marry that stodgy old man?"

Mr. Collins looked about ready to rebuke Lydia for her disparaging remark, when Mrs. Bennet asked to whom was he engaged.

"That is the strange part." He continued, "Mr. Darcy and Miss de Bourgh were intended for each other practically since the cradle! Lady Catherine received a missive while I was attending her which stated that Mr. Darcy had recently engaged himself to a Miss Coleman from Lancashire. Apparently they are a very wealthy family, and she is an only child, not even twenty years old."

Elizabeth felt herself to be sick. She rose from the chair, intending to dash to the water closet, but as she rose a terrible pain shot through her back and abdomen. She yelled out in pain, falling back upon the chair. Mrs. Bennet rushed to her daughter's side, with her hand feeling the hardness of her daughter's stomach. Lydia's eyes were wide with fright, not knowing what to do, while Mr. Collins kept asking if the child was coming.

"Yes, Mr. Collins, go fetch the midwife!" Mrs. Bennet yelled. "Lydia, help me get Lizzy up the stairs."

Slowly, Mrs. Bennet and Lydia pulled Elizabeth off the couch and to the stairs. They were half way up when Lizzy screamed out, and a gush of water trickled down her leg. They managed to get her up the stairs, Mrs. Shaw having helped them. Once Elizabeth was in bed Mr. Collins had returned with the midwife.

"This babe will not be waiting much longer," she said after inspecting Elizabeth. "I need clean linen and boiling water immediately."

Mrs. Bennet stayed in the room with the midwife and told Lydia to keep Mr. Collins company below stairs. She was only too glad to get out of that room, vowing never to become with child herself. Mr. Collins paced the room, cringing every time he heard his wife cry, afraid to go upstairs, and feeling useless below.

Two hours later Mrs. Bennet came downstairs, a bundle in her arms. "It's a boy." She beamed, presenting him to his Father.

Collins stared at the babe in Mrs. Bennet's arms and wondered at his perfect features. He took his boy in his arms, his eyes overflowing with tears. "Lizzy asked to name him William."

Mr. Collins stared at Mrs. Bennet. "After me?" She nodded. "Hello William," he cooed.

Lydia also stared at her nephew, surprised that such a large baby could have fit within her sister, but felt prudent to keep that observation to herself. Collins was told that Elizabeth was resting and the babe, though early, seemed in perfect health. After a while Mrs. Bennet took little William back up the stairs with her so that he might suckle from his Mother. Upon entering the room the midwife turned to Mrs. Bennet, fear clouding her eyes.

"You must fetch the physician, quickly."