Okay, so this is my longest chapter thus far! Only a few more to go, however long they may be. I might cut the next one into two chapters. Everything is getting tied together now, leading to happy ever after ending, which must include closure and of course, Aunt Catherine! I hope you enjoy, and thank you ever so much for all the positive and helpful reviews! Esp. the guest who pointed out the Georgiana inconstancies, I have fixed chapter 13.
It was decided that the Darcy family, including Georgiana, would travel to Hertfordshire for the Bingley wedding, and then to Kent for the holidays. The twins were deemed healthy enough for travel, for despite their early birth they were quite robust.
"He is positively fat" Georgiana giggled, lightly pinching Bennet's cheeks. The baby happily gurgled and drooled a bit.
"He is not. Look at William! He is clearly the larger of the two" Lizzy replied, pretending to struggle with lifting the other babe.
"Yes, but look at these fat little legs!"
"No, look at his stomach!"
The two went back and forth, wiggling and jiggling each aforementioned body part as the three month olds gurgled and drooled and happily allowed it.
"Are we ready to depart?" Mr. Darcy asked, leaning in the doorframe. "Or shall you continue to insult my sons farther on their slight baby fat?"
"Your sons?" Lizzy asked. "Well then, their baby fat clearly comes from your side of the family then. None of the Bennet girls were ever fat."
"I believe Miss Kitty is quite robust"
"Kitty is robust now, as a child she was all knees and elbows, I assure you"
"I was not a fat child" Georgiana remarked lightly.
"You were" Mr. Darcy smirked. "You were quite the robust child. Father had a difficult time holding you, in fact" Lizzy giggled into her hands while Georgiana tried to look offended while struggling not to smile.
"Here, this belongs to you" She stood and gave Bennet to him. "I shall be awaiting you in the carriage, brother, sister" She gave a curt nod and left.
"Your Aunt is quite temperamental, like most women are. You shall have to be weary, little one," He told his son.
"Oh for heavens sake" Lizzy groaned. Standing with William in her arms, she walked to her husband and son. "Do not follow your fathers advice on women, or you shall be single forever" She smirked. Mr. Darcy play scowled, earning him a kiss on the cheek from his wife.
"Come now, darling, or we shall never make it to Longbourne in time for the wedding"
It took a full week to reach Hertfordshire, while it usually only took two days at most. With the children however, they thought it would be prudent not to overtax themselves, so they stopped often and enjoyed the towns and villages they passed through.
"Does is look any different?" Georgiana asked as they pulled into the drive of Longbourne. Lizzy sighed.
"It does. It is not as big as I remember, nor does quite feel like home," Lizzy murmured.
"It looks like Bennet knows that we are here at last" Georgiana held William in her arms so that Mr. Darcy could help them down. Mrs. Bennet was eagerly awaiting them on the front porch.
"Oh, my grandbabies!" She cried at long last as they approached. She flew down the stairs, skirts flying behind her, and made a beeline straight to William. Georgiana gave him up quickly, exchanging a few words with Mrs. Bennet, and then fleeing to the safety of Jane. Kitty was quite eager to see the boys as well. Mr. Bennet hugged his daughter first, then accepting William with a few tears in his eyes.
"He is beautiful, my dear" He told her, gently rocking the slumbering babe.
"That is Bennet Edward, Papa" Lizzy murmured, leaning against her husband while watching her father with tears in her own eyes. Mrs. Bennet passed William back to Lizzy after Kitty had held him for a few moments. "And this is William Francis" Mr. Bennet balanced the two babes in his arms, a warm smile on his face.
"They are perfect," He pronounced. "And tired of travel, I am sure. Thank you, my dear, for stopping here first, but do not let us detain you any further. We shall arrive at Netherfield tonight for dinner" Mr. Bennet passed Bennet to Jane for a quick cuddle, and passed William to Mary. Mary held the babe awkwardly.
"Mary, come now, he shall not bite" Kitty jested. Mary scowled but smiled faintly as William blinked up at her in surprise.
"He has your eyes" Mary remarked.
"He does" Kitty smiled. "And Bennet looks to have Mr. Darcy's blue eyes"
"They are identical save for the eyes," Lizzy told them. "And temperaments of course. Bennet is far pickier. William is much more relaxed"
After a few more minutes spent admiring the twins, the family got back into the carriage to travel the short distance to Netherfield, where Mr. Bingley would be awaiting them.
Much like the Bennet family had, Mr. Bingley was eagerly awaiting the Darcy carriage outside his front door. He was alone, the Hurst's and Caroline had not yet arrived from London.
"Ah! Welcome, welcome!" He called softly. Mr. Darcy once again relinquished the child he held to Georgiana to help them down. He clapped his old friend on the back as the women approached.
"Bingley, mate, may I introduce my sons, William and Bennet?" Bingley smiled like a fool along with Darcy, cooing like women over the twins and remarking on how tall and strong they would grow to be.
"They act like old women fawning over their grandchildren" Georgiana remarked. Charlie had Bennet in his arms while William held the younger William.
"I cannot wait to see the look upon Caroline's face!" Charles laughed.
"Have you not told her?"
"Heavens, no! Imagine her face when she sees you have two children! It shall be priceless," He laughed.
"And when are they due to arrive?"
"The day after tomorrow, hopefully before the feast I have planned. Oh, no, don't cry little one" Bennet's face was turning red and tears were forming. It would only be a second before he started to scream. "Mrs. Darcy, I believe your son has had enough of me for the day. I shall relinquish him to your capable hands" He hastily passed the child back to its mother before the bawling started.
"Ah, did Uncle Charlie scare you, little boy?" She cooed, rubbing her nose on his smaller one. He laughed and went to grab it, but she pulled away. Charles laughed as the child giggled.
"Come now, I am sure you are tired."
Caroline and the Hurst's arrived without any difficulty. They arrived early in fact. So early that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were still out of the house, and in town. She suspected that it had something to do with Jane's wedding gift.
"Mrs. Darcy, Miss Darcy, Miss Bingley and her party have arrived" The housekeeper told them nervously. Lizzy knew her from her youth. She was only a few years older then Jane, but a capable housekeeper, despite Miss Bingley's intimidation.
"Oh, dear. Send a rider to town, if you would. And thank you for the warning, Mrs. Smith" Lizzy and Georgie had been sitting in the sunroom with Bennet since breaking their fast. William had decided to take William with him and Charles to town. Lizzy rose from the ground and smoothed her wrinkled skirts. She had regained her figure quite quickly after the birth, but was still a little self-conscious. Georgiana rose as well, quickly fluffing her own skirts.
"He looks like a little worm" She remarked as she watched the boy wiggle and squirm on the blankets.
"Yes, he does. I am afraid we do not have further time to admire his squirming little self, Miss Bingley can hardly be left waiting outside" Lizzy said dramatically, bending to pick up little Bennet.
"Little monster" Georgiana laughed as they walked. Bennet had a chunk of her hair in his mouth. He happily sucked on it.
"Bennet!" Lizzy cried, gently prying the curly locks from his toothless mouth. He smiled gummily at her.
"He is a little charmer"
"Imagine if he chews on Miss Bingley's hair, or worse, Lady Catherine's!"
The broke into a fit of giggles imagining the sight. Georgiana's cheeks turned quite red, and Lizzy knew her own face would be flushed.
"They just pulled into the drive!" Mrs. Smith called from the front door. Lizzy and Georgiana stopped on the stairs of the foyer.
"Oh, where is his bonnet?" Lizzy cried, looking for the offending garment. Georgiana shrugged.
"Let it be. He has marvelous dark curls"
"He looks like a miniature Fitzwilliam, in truth" Lizzy remarked. Bennet had his father's eyes after all.
"That he does" Georgie whispered as the party entered the foyer.
"Miss Bingley, Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst, how happy I am to see you" She said with a smile plastered to her face. "I am afraid that Charles and William are still in town, we had not expected you until dinner time"
"We made excellent time roads, Mrs. Darcy" Mr. Hurst stated. "I believe I shall excuse myself, I will allow you ladies to catch up"
"Oh, my manners! Please, allow me to introduce my son, Bennet," She said. "And of course, you all know Miss Georgiana Darcy"
"It is a pleasure to see you all again" Georgie bowed.
"And you as well, Miss Darcy" Caroline replied. Mrs. Hurst merely smiled.
"He is a beautiful child, Mrs. Darcy" Mr. Hurst remarked. She had never remembered him being so gentleman like. "I hope that Mrs. Hurst's and I's first child will be ever so healthy as this young man"
"Oh, congratulations!" Lizzy could not help herself. She hugged her future sister in law. Mrs. Hurst smiled gently.
"I thank you" She replied softly.
"If there is anything you have need of, please do not hesitate in asking" Lizzy told the woman. She nodded. Mr. Hurst took his leave then, leaving the women to their baby talk. Lizzy led them to the parlor.
"You shall be an aunt, are you not excited, Miss Bingley?" Georgiana asked demurely. "I love being an Aunt, it is so much fun. You can spoil them without respite"
"Georgiana is proving to be a very lenient Aunt, she allows her hair to be chewed and her gowns to be drooled upon" Lizzy jested.
"But he is just so darling that I cannot find it within myself to stop him" Georgiana plucked Bennet from her mothers arms, cooing at him. Bennet giggled and clapped his little hands.
"If I may ask, Mrs. Darcy, he seems to be quite older then I expected. Was he not due in September?" Mrs. Hurst asked. Lizzy remembered them telling the family that the baby was due then.
"Ah, yes, Bennet is three months old this week. He was born late July," She told them. "He is perfectly healthy though, and quite fat as Georgiana likes to point out"
"Do you plan on having more children?" Mrs. Hurst blushed at her blunt question. "I apologize, I just cannot imagine having to go through this awful morning sickness again"
"I was never much sick, I confess" She remarked. "I do want several children however, but as of now, my hands are quite full. I should like to have at least one daughter however"
"Mr. Darcy must be happy that he now has an heir" Caroline remarked. She was staring at the child from her spot on the settee.
"My husband is happy that Bennet is a healthy and happy child," She stated firmly.
"Of course" Caroline smirked.
"Mrs. Darcy, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are now arriving" Mrs. Smith announced. Caroline looked mad that the housekeeper was treating Lizzy as the mistress of the estate, but held her tongue.
"Shall we greet them on the back balcony?" Lizzy asked, "I am sure that must miss your only brother"
"Indeed" Mrs. Hurst said with a small smile. "I still cannot quite managed to wrap my head around the fact that our little Charlie will be married on the morrow"
"He is a man grown, it must be difficult to see him with another woman" Lizzy remarked.
"We raised our brother, Mrs. Darcy" Mrs. Hurst said softly. "It is indeed very difficult to watch him start his own family, without us. But it is what makes him happy, and that is what makes us happy, is that not right, Caroline?"
"Of course" Caroline replied.
"And Jane is such a wonderful, kind, loving woman. I have no doubt that Bennet and my future child shall have a playmate soon enough" Mrs. Hurst and Lizzy laughed, while Georgiana flushed a light pink color. Caroline looked emotionless.
"I believe we shall be great friends, Mrs. Hurst" Lizzy giggled as they walked towards the back entrance of the estate. Happiness in her marriage and the impending birth of her first child had apparently changed Louisa Hurst. Lizzy could not say that she not like change, for in fact it made the older woman much more amiable like her brother.
"I believe so, Mrs. Darcy. Please, call me Louisa"
"And you shall call me Lizzy, of course"
"Did they walk to town?" Caroline asked as they waited.
"Yes, it was such a lovely day. William told me it was only about a mile up the road, not taxing in the least for two young men" Georgiana told her. "May I hold Bennet, Lizzy?" The babe was fussing in his mother's arms.
"Of course" Lizzy passed the boy to his aunt. He gurgled and giggled and chewed on her curls.
"You allow him drool on your beautiful hair?" Caroline asked, shocked.
"It is just drool. He means no harm by it, do you Ben?" The baby gurgled in response. "Does he not look exceptionally like William?"
"The similarities are astounding" Caroline remarked dryly.
"Ah, here they are! Mrs. Smith told us you were waiting in the back, but Bingley here did not believe her" Mr. Darcy called from behind them. Charles and William were exiting the house.
"Caro! Louisa!" He embraced each of his sisters tightly, smiling as he did so.
"Miss Bingley" Her husband bowed, William safely in his arms. "Mrs. Hurst"
"Mr. Darcy" They both curtsied.
"May I introduce my son, William?" Caroline looked like she might faint. Mrs. Hurst smiled and laughed.
"Oh twins, how delightful" She cooed at the child.
"How blessed you are" Caroline managed to say.
"Oh, Caro, come here. This one is even cuter then the other!" Louisa cried.
"Would you like to hold him, Louisa?" Lizzy asked.
"Oh, thank you. I would be delighted" Mr. Darcy passed William to Mrs. Hurst with a confused smile.
"I believe Bennet missed you, brother" Georgiana passed him his other son. "He was quite put out that you did bring him to town as well"
"He went on the tour of the grounds. I cannot carry them both" He scowled but kissed the babes forehead with a smile.
"Louisa, where is Mr. Hurst?" Mr. Bingley asked, looking around.
"Oh, he went to freshen up. He did not want to participate in our ladies gossip"
"I do not think I would want that either" Mr. Bingley joked.
"Would you like to hold the babe, Miss Bingley?" Mr. Darcy asked, gesturing to Bennet who was now snoozing. Miss Bingley had no polite way to decline. She awkwardly accepted the child, holding him stiffly in her arms.
"You look just like my sister Mary!" Lizzy smiled. "Relax, Miss Bingley, he is but a babe"
"He is rather heavy," She told them.
"Oh, I think a little bit of baby fat is rather adorable" Mrs. Hurst remarked. "They have different eyes, how peculiar. This one has your eyes, Lizzy."
"Yes, William has my eyes, while Bennet has the Darcy eyes. Both have such unruly dark curls though, darker then mine have ever been"
"Back when Darce and I shared a room at the university, his hair was quite curly when he forwent cutting it"
"Is it, dear?" Lizzy smiled. "You have been blaming me for their unruly mops of hair all this time"
"Twas a gape, my love" He smiled. "Besides, Bennet's hair is far lighter then William's, quite similar to yours"
"Bennet enjoys the outside air much more then William. The sun surely lightens it" Georgiana remarked.
"We should probably go feed them, love" Mr. Darcy murmured. "They have a long day tomorrow, and I am sure they are quite tired"
They excused themselves and found their way to their rooms and the makeshift nursery. Their nanny was waiting for them, along with the wet-nurse. With kisses to both foreheads and all four cheeks, they left the twins in the capable hands of the woman.
"Is it unseemly that I cannot bear to be parted from them without acutely feeling it?" Lizzy asked from her spot in the tub.
"No, my dear, for I feel it too" Mr. Darcy replied, drying himself off by the fireplace. She admired his naked form. He shook out his dark wet curls.
"They shall look just like you in time" Lizzy remarked.
"Well we shall have to another, a girl, to look just like you" Lizzy laughed and attempted splashing him with water, but missed her mark terribly.
"We have plenty to handle now, we can wait"
"Of course dear" He knelt by the tub and brought the washcloth over her shoulder gently. She leaned back and shut her eyes. A moan escaped as he continued his ministrations south.
"Mhm, William"
"Yes, darling?"
"The doctor said we cannot, not yet" She managed to tell him between waves of pleasure.
"He never said this was not allowed," He told her, hands disappearing beneath the water.
Dinner was a rather dull affair. Jane and Bingley kept making doe eyes at each other, Caroline was rather barbed in her remarks, and Mrs. Bennet fawned over the twins. Louisa announced her pregnancy to her brother and the Bennet family, and then everyone left rather early in order to be in tiptop shape for tomorrow.
"Jane" Lizzy called as she was leaving. Jane turned and Lizzy captured her in a tight embrace. "I am sorry that I cannot spend the night with you, as you did for me" She told her sister. "But I shall see you bright and early tomorrow morning to help you dress for the wedding, I promise. Sleep well, dear sister" She kissed her porcelain cheek.
"Thank you, Lizzy" Jane replied. "Kitty has offered to be my bedmate for the night, and I cannot say that I will not enjoy her tittering little anecdotes and her effusive praise of Mr. Bingley's character"
"Just remember that whatever mama tells you on the morrow is quite untrue, and you shall be fine"
Jane blushed and hugged her sister one last time before departing for the carriage. Her cheeks tinted pink as Mr. Bingley handed her in.
As she entered her chambers for the night, she found her husband and sons cuddled amongst the pillows. Often the boys would sleep cradled between them. She dressed quickly in her nightclothes and joined her family on the bed.
"Goodnight, Bennet" She kissed one fat little cheek.
"Goodnight, William" She kissed another.
"And goodnight, Fitzwilliam, I love you all very much" She kissed his lips gently, savoring the feel.
"Goodnight, Elizabeth, my love" He whispered. They clasped their hands under the pillows and drifted off to sleep.
Morning came much too soon.
"Tis thicker still" Mira commented as she brushed out the tangles in her hair. Mr. Darcy had left to carry the babes back to their nursery to be prepared for the day.
"Curious thing, is it not?" Lizzy was quite certain her hair had grown thicker after the birth of her sons. It made Mira's job quite the hassle.
"No worries, ma'am" Mira told her, brushing it and styling it into an elaborate twist. She allowed it to flow freely down her back.
"Shall you like the silver clip or the gold ones?"
"The silver ones, I think" The silver ones, given to her by Lady Fitzwilliam as a belated wedding gift, were shaped as leaves with little blue and purple stones on the bottom to look like flowers on a vine.
She dressed in a lilac dress with silver embroidery on the hems and neckline to match the clips and allowed Mira to clasp a silver choker around her neck.
"You look beautiful ma'am. And if I may say so, your figure is much the same as it was before the twins" Mira told her.
"Thank you" She laughed. It was true that she had firmed up much quicker then she expected. The only difference in her form from before and after the twins was her increased bust. Jane teased her about it, for before the babes, Lizzy was quite jealous of Jane's larger bust.
"Elizabeth?" Mr. Darcy was knocking on the door. Mira curtsied and made her exit, allowing Mr. Darcy entrance as she left.
"You look radiant, are you quite ready to go?"
"Nearly, are the boys awake?" The twins would not be attending the actual ceremony, but would be present for the informal breakfast ceremony after the wedding.
"They just fell asleep" She pouted slightly, disappointed that she would not be able to see her sons before she left. "You shall see them soon. You must be going now though, Jane is waiting"
He handed her into a carriage and she arrived at Longbourne not ten minutes later. They house was chaotic. Mrs. Bennet was running from room to room, Mr. Bennet was laughing at his wife, and Mary was plucking at the piano.
"Mary, dear, come here. I brought you a new dress for the wedding" Lizzy gestured to Watkins who was holding several garment boxes. Mary stood, confused.
"My dress is appropriate for the wedding, I hardly need a new one"
"This one is ever so nice though. Georgiana picked it out herself. She would be quite put out if you neglected to wear it" Mary frowned deeper but nodded. Lizzy smiled happily and instructed Watkins to bring the boxes up the stairs and to Mary's room.
"Kitty, dear, I bought you a new gown. It awaits you in Mary's room. Help each other dress, I shall help Jane," She told the younger girl as she emerged from Jane's room. Kitty hugged her, and thanked her profusely before darting away to Mary's room.
Jane was sitting on their former bed, wringing her hands.
"Do not tell me that you are nervous" She smiled. Jane looked up and smiled back at her. "Mr. Bingley is in love with you Jane, your marriage will be full of bliss and happiness, like a fairytale, one that you deserve, I might add"
"Oh, Lizzy, I am so nervous" She admitted.
"For the wedding or the wedding night?" Lizzy teased, sitting beside her sister.
"Both. Tell me true, mama has already told me what to expect, but on your wedding night, was it like she described?" Lizzy smiled sadly.
"I will tell you the truth of it, but you must keep it a secret, dear sister" She smirked now. "Mr. Darcy and I traveled all night to Derbyshire. We both fell asleep in the carriage. I awoke to him shaking me. I had been having a nightmare. I started to sob; I could not take his pity any longer. We traveled in silence for another hour until we arrived. He showed me to my chambers, introduced me to my new maid, who dressed me in the most beautiful white silken gowns. He had gone through a lot a trouble to secure my comforts; he had gotten me several new dresses, nightclothes, etc. I sat finished exploring the room and sat upon the bed, waiting for him to come to me as mama had said he would. I was trembling like a leaf in fear by the time her arrived" Lizzy paused. Jane quirked her brow.
"I do not need the sordid details, but please, do continue"" Jane pleaded. Lizzy laughed now.
'He arrived at my door carrying a tray of pastries and hot chocolate" Jane looked very confused now. "I am sure I looked just as confused as you do now. He led me to the sitting room, and begged me to eat something. I hadn't eaten in days in truth. I was too plagued by my nightmares, too sick to hold anything down. He looked so sincere though, and so worried for my healthy that I found myself polishing off several pastries," Jane laughed now as Lizzy blushed.
"And then?"
"I asked him if food was a traditional part of the marriage bed," Lizzy laughed again. "We both blushed at that. And then he told me that he did not wish to consummate our marriage that night, and I felt ashamed and relieved. He confessed that he loved me, but he knew that I did not share such sentiments. He continued to tell me that he would not force himself upon me until I returned those sentiments. I started to cry again, I felt as if I did not deserve his kindness, not after everything he had already done."
"Oh Lizzy" Jane sighed, hugging her sister. "You did not deserve what that lecherous man did to you"
"I know that now, dear, but at the time, I was lost. William decided then that courting me properly was the best idea, so he did just that. I told him that I loved him almost 4 months into our marriage, and we finally consummated the whole thing 5 months in. And so, the moral of the story is that if your husband loves you, as Mr. Bingley loves you, he will treat with love, and tenderness. And if you should decide that you do not wish to lie with him tonight, he will respect that. But I shall tell you that it is a wondrous thing, Jane. It is nothing like mama has said. It will hurt the first time, but after that" Lizzy grinned at her sister, causing her to blush, "You shall find yourself not leaving the bedchamber for days"
'Lizzy!" Jane gasped, covering her red face.
"Oh Jane, you are much too easy to tease." Lizzy stood and grabbed the brush from the table.
"Have you any word from Lydia?"
"Last we heard she was in Liverpool. She wrote that she was unable to come to the wedding due to a scheduling conflict"
"You wish she was here," Lizzy stated softly.
"I wish that she was fooled into marriage by that cad" Jane replied.
"As do I," Lizzy replied softly. She had tried to forget about her sister, but it was near impossible. She worried constantly, especially since Lydia refused to write to her.
"She chose her path in life" Jane sighed sadly.
"Enough of this sadness. We have a wedding to prepare you for. Lydia was old enough to make the right decision. We cannot dwell on it any longer" Jane nodded slowly, but still looked quite dejected.
The wedding was simply gorgeous. Armed with almost a year to plan the event, Mrs. Bennet had spared no detail. The flowers were white and yellow, to match the yellow sash on Jane's pure white gown. It was adorned with fresh water pearls, and lace imported from India. Her veil, since she had opted against the bonnet, was made from the same lace with more pearls and embroidery. She looked like an angel.
Even Caroline Bingley managed a smile as the happy couple kissed at the end. Louisa cried, as did Mrs. Bennet. Lizzy had tears in her eyes, as Georgiana. Kitty clapped and cheered as the two exited, while Mary said an extra prayer for the newly married couple.
"I think the parson is quite enamored by Miss Mary" Georgiana whispered as they exited the church. Mary, in her new pastel colored gown, looked much more comely then usual.
"We always thought Mary would make an excellent parson's wife" Lizzy replied.
"You should not gossip so much," Her husband told them. He had Georgiana on her left, and Lizzy on his right. "But Miss Kitty seems to have attracted the notice of the Lucas boy, as well"
"William!" Georgiana laughed. Lizzy smiled at her husbands teasing. Kitty looked radiant as ever in her sunshine yellow gown. Her dark curls contrasted beautifully against it.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," Lizzy told them.
"They shall be very happy" Georgiana agreed.
"Not nearly as happy as us, though" Mr. Darcy told them, kissing her hand. Georgiana looked away.
The breakfast at Netherfield was rather short, as the Bingley's had a boat to catch for the continent for the honeymoon. The guests all fawned over the twins, and then it was time for the couple to leave. Everyone threw rice as they left, pelting Mr. Bingley, and lightly throwing it at Jane.
"Have fun, though I have no doubt that you shall be deliriously happy in your marriage, dear sister" Lizzy told her, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you Lizzy" Jane murmured. "I expect weekly letters though"
"You shall have them, I promise. It shall be you neglecting to write me weekly, I assure you" Jane flushed once again, and then the carriage was off, carrying them to their futures.
Later that night, as they lay in bed at Netherfield, the twins in the nursery for this night, Mr. Darcy brought up their impending visit to Kent.
"We do not have to go if you do wish to see them"
"I need to face him," She whispered. "He cannot haunt me for the rest of my life"
She fell into a fitful sleep, and was awoken by her husband shaking her shoulders. She panicked for the second, forgetting where she was.
"Lizzy, shush, you are safe," He whispered. She collapsed against him, sobs wracking through her body.
"You had a nightmare last night as well" She did not want him to know that she had been plagued with them ever since they returned to Hertfordshire, ever since they got one step closer to seeing him again. "I cannot watch you scream and shake in your sleep another night, Lizzy, please, I want to help you"
"He was chasing me again, through the woods," She whispered. "I was wearing my beautiful wedding dress. He would catch me near the ravine, holding me down in the mud. Whispering such hateful things, spitting in my face. He would tear the lace and muslin from me, leaving me naked and cold. I could feel the dampness of the soil, I could smell the storm approaching. He was disrobing himself, he was naked," She described her dream in a cold, detached voice. He hugged her closer to himself, sharing his warmth, kissing her neck, her cheeks, anything he could reach.
Salty tears were flowing, her body trembling with grief.
"I do not understand why I still dream of it. I am so happy, deliriously so, with our life together. I love you, and William, and Bennet, and Georgiana and everyone else at Pemberely. I had not dreamed about it for months, until we came here, not even when we visited for Easter. I thought it was over and done with. I thought I had moved on," She whispered.
"He will never touch you again, love. I will rip him limb from limb if he so much as looks at you the wrong way" He promised.
"They day we came here, we passed the copse of trees where he first accosted me. So vividly I could picture him slapping my cheek, I scant dared to breathe. And then we were gone, and I could breath, and everything was right in the world. But then I saw the dress I wore that day in Kitty's wardrobe, hanging innocently. And then the nightmares returned, and nothing could keep them at bay, not your arms, not the twins, nothing. I just want it to stop. I need it to stop. I need to see that he has no power over me, not anymore" She whispered brokenly.
"You are a strong woman, Elizabeth Darcy. That pitiful excuse of a man has no control over you, despite what you think. You are a brilliant, gentle, wonderful woman, a loving and caring mother, and the best wife a man could ever even dream of. Do not forget that," He told her firmly as he wiped tears from her cheeks.
"He inherits Longbourne when father dies, he will always hold that over me" Lizzy whispered. "He will throw my family out in a heartbeat, before my father is even cold in his grave"
"He will not inherit Longbourne, I have seen to that, my love" Lizzy looked up in confusion. "He signed over all rights to the estate to myself, who in turn, signed it over to your parents, both of them. Your father is well aware of this, though I do not believe it is common knowledge"
"When did you do this?" She whispered, looking up at him. He looked down and kissed her forehead gently.
"They day he attack you. I may have broken his nose and threatened his life"
"William!" She said, shocked.
"He hurt you, Lizzy, I could not let him leave unscathed, but I knew serious injury would cause you more pain, so he left with just a broken nose, I promise"
"You are a good man, William, an amazing husband, and an even better father. I do not know what would have become of me had you not interceded on my behalf"
"You would never have been left in the hands of that man, I can assure you that. I love you, my dearest wife"
"As I love you, Fitzwilliam"