Elizabeth stood at the door to her parent's house, the day was already a warm Saturday morning and as Elizabeth took a deep breath she felt Bill slide his arm around her waist and squeezed her in a gently comforting way. Anne Marie was standing in front of her parents and she was holding David by his hand next to her.
With the support of her family, Elizabeth took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Mrs. Bennet answered the door and when she caught sight of her daughter and her family she looked shocked but recovered quickly as she took in the scene.
"Elizabeth how nice to see you and… David." Mrs. Bennet had paused a long time before she said her grandson's name. The older woman appraised Bill before she asked, "Are you going to introduce me to your gentleman friend?"
"Mother, this Bill Darcy." Elizabeth exchanged a look with Bill and she sighed before she indicated the little girl, "This is his daughter Anne Marie."
Mrs. Bennet paid little attention to the children as she wrapped her arm through Bill's. "I keep telling Elizabeth that a fine man like you might ask her out." She let out a breath, "But of course you wouldn't be interested in raising another man's child." Mrs. Bennet shook her head negatively as she took in her daughter's appearance, "She's not so awful to look at." Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled with enjoyment, "Of course Elizabeth is not beautiful like her sister, Jane. Have you met Jane, Mr. Darcy?"
"Mother," Elizabeth's voice was full of exasperation, "Jane is dating Charles Bingley who works for Bill."
"Jane is such a beautiful sweet girl and men always flock to her." Mrs. Bennet glanced at her daughter with a sigh, "But not my Elizabeth but I've told her that she just needs to get out and meet more men so that maybe she could get a husband or at least a steady boyfriend." Mrs. Bennet turned to Bill, "She can't do that while she is saddled with her sister's child." She turned to Elizabeth before she could see the dark fury that rose in Bill's eyes, "That is why I called the deBourgh's and explained to them that they should petition for guardianship of the child."
Elizabeth took Bill's hand and turned her eyes up to meet his until his body relaxed, "That is what we are here to talk to you about, Mother."
"You don't need to thank me," Mrs. Bennet said with an offhanded wave of her hand, "I was only doing my duty."
Elizabeth could not take any more and exploded, "I would never thank you for your interference, Mother." Mrs. Bennet looked startled at the harshness in her daughter's voice, "If you would stop talking for two minutes, Bill and I could tell you our news." Her mother looked confused as she looked from Bill to her daughter, "Bill and I are married and we have filed for guardianship of David with the courts."
"Mrs. Bennet," Bill said with a coldness to his voice, "I love Elizabeth but you can't get your head out of your ass long enough to notice the wedding ring that graces her finger." He lifted Elizabeth's hand and caressed her hand lovingly as he indicated the large diamond on his wife's finger.
Mrs. Bennet's eyes grew wide as she saw the ring, "My darling Elizabeth, I knew with your beauty and fine figure that one day you would catch a rich man's eye." She hugged the couple who stood stiffly for the embrace, "I can't wait to tell the women at the club that my Elizabeth is married to such a fine rich man."
Elizabeth did not seem to be fazed by Mrs. Bennet's abrupt shift in attitude toward her younger daughter but Darcy was positively fuming at the lack of propriety that Mrs. Bennet showed. He scooped up David with one arm while Elizabeth picked up Anne Marie and Bill wrapped his free arm around Elizabeth's waist possessively. "Now that we are finished here," Bill said with angry coldness, "I will take my family and leave."
When they reached the car it was obvious that Bill was furious and he turned in surprise when he heard Elizabeth laughing and he demanded as he got David strapped into his car seat, "What is so funny?"
"I was just thinking about the look on my mother's face when you told her to get her head out of her ass." Elizabeth sputtered as she laughed so hard that she had to lean over and put her hands on her knees.
Bill came around the car with a smile and put his daughter in her car seat when Anne Marie demanded just as forcefully as her father, "Who was that woman?"
"That was Elizabeth's mother." Bill supplied, "Your new grandmother."
"I don't like her and I thought grandmothers were supposed to be nice but she's not nice." Anne Marie pouted, "Can't we trade her for a different grandmother?"
Elizabeth broke out into fresh giggles and muttered, "I wish." Bill broke into laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Elizabeth kissed Anne Marie and said with a smile, "It doesn't work that way sweetie; you can't just trade in your parents much as we might wish too."
When the children were in the car, Bill couldn't help but pull Elizabeth to him. His lips pressed against hers gently before he deepened the kiss and he lifted Elizabeth up into his arms as he kissed her thoroughly, "I can't believe that woman produced such wonderful women as you and Jane." He sighed, "I would suggest this was one of those times when the children grow up wonderfully despite their parents not because of them."
Elizabeth looked into his eyes seriously, "Bill, I'm sorry that you had to hear all of that but my mother doesn't have a clue."
"That much is apparent." Bill laughed as he settled Elizabeth into her seat and pulled the seatbelt tight.
The Darcy's spent the rest of the weekend doing things that the children liked. That afternoon they went swimming in the Darcy's pool with Aunt Georgie, Auntie Jane and Bingley.
Bill's response to his wife in her bikini was the same as it had been when they were on their honeymoon. He couldn't take his eyes off her and marveled that this smart, beautiful, sexy and kind woman was his.
There were plenty of babysitter's and so when Bill stole his wife away into the house the other's in their small party just exchanged knowing glances as they watched the newlyweds go.
Sunday afternoon they took Anne Marie and David to the park to play. Bill was in his element as he began to teach David how to play catch. He had a big blue rubber ball that he would toss and he was excited for David when he caught the ball and encouraged when he missed.
Elizabeth and Anne Marie played on the on the playground. Elizabeth spun Anne Marie on the merry go round until it was going fast before she jumped on herself and enjoyed an old childhood favorite.
Anne Marie led Elizabeth through tubes and down slides before she led her to the swings. Elizabeth was pushing her on the swing when Bill came up behind her and kissed her neck. He turned to settle David in the younger kids swing and pushed him while the little boy squealed in delight. Bill watched Elizabeth in between pushes and reached out to take her hand.
When the family finally left the park the children were exhausted. Elizabeth made dinner while Bill gave the kids a bath.
When he came back, Anne Marie and David were clean and dressed for bed. When Bill got the two settled at the table to eat, Elizabeth looked at him and her eyes softened with emotion.
As the children watched a movie before bed, Bill pulled Elizabeth against him on the sofa and held her tight.
Bill sighed with contentment as he looked around at his family and kissed the top of his wife's head. He would not have believed a few months ago that he could be so happy.
When Elizabeth got home on Tuesday, she relieved the babysitter Barbara, picked up the mail that was on the desk and sifted through it until she found a letter for her from Crestview Academy. She opened the envelope and read it quickly. She was excited because they wanted her to come in for an interview to be a teacher at their school. She called the number and set up a meeting with Mrs. Haynes for Friday.
She called her employer and got permission to take a few hours off for her appointment.
When Bill got home, Elizabeth had a huge grin on her face, "I've got an interview with Crestview Academy to fill an open teaching position."
"That's great, Darling." Bill said with a smile, "That's where Anne Marie will start kindergarten in the fall."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she looked at her husband, "Did you get me this interview?"
"No," Bill denied quickly, "When I found out that you had applied for a job there, I just called the headmaster and told him what a wonderful addition you would make to their staff."
Elizabeth was annoyed, "Bill, I wanted to do this on my own without any coercion from you."
"Elizabeth," Bill said patiently, "Crestview Academy would not have sent you a letter if they didn't think you had the credentials to do the job. They have very high standards for their teachers and they would not have set up the interview, despite my recommendation, for an inferior teacher."
Elizabeth smiled as she relaxed her shoulders, "Well thank you anyway."
"May I wish you luck?" Bill asked with a raise of his eyebrow, "Not that I really think you need it."
Elizabeth nodded and Bill lifted her off her feet as he swung her around in a circle, "You are going to do great, my love."
He settled her into his arms with a kiss as Georgie walked into the house and giggled, "You two really need to get a room."
"We have a very nice one." Bill said with a wolfish grin at his bride.
"Go on," Georgie said with a roll of her eyes, "I'll watch the rug rats for you if you two want some privacy."
"I knew there was a reason I liked you." Bill said with smile as he carried Elizabeth to their bedroom.
Elizabeth's interview with Mrs. Haynes went well but when she was just about to leave the other woman stopped Elizabeth, "Miss Bennet, I know that Mr. Darcy gave you a recommendation but that will not sway my opinion even a little."
"I appreciate that, Mrs. Haynes." Elizabeth's sincerity showed in her eyes, "I want to be hired on my own merits and not because of my husband's connections."
"Your husband," The other woman was startled as she looked at her paperwork, "It doesn't say here that you are married to Mr. Darcy."
"We were just married a few weeks ago." Elizabeth admitted as she lifted her hand to show her wedding rings, "It was all very sudden."
The woman looked at Elizabeth speculatively, "Mrs. Darcy, I like you and your credentials are impeccable." Her eyes caught the younger woman's, "I would like to offer you the position of kindergarten teacher."
Elizabeth could have burst with excitement, "Thank you."
Mrs. Haynes gave her the employment paperwork to read and fill out, "Just one more thing Mrs. Darcy."
"Yes."
"In light of you marriage, we shall have to put Anne Marie Darcy into a different teacher's class." Mrs. Haynes said, "We don't want any hint of favoritism."
"I understand." Elizabeth replied before she went through the door and said goodbye.
Elizabeth stepped into her car, she dialed Bill's number and when heard him answer she said, "I got the job."
"That's great." Will said with pleasure, "I'm going to take you out to dinner tonight to celebrate."
"I'll call Jane and see if she can watch Anne Marie and David." Elizabeth said quickly, "I'll see you tonight."
"I'll see you tonight, my love." Bill said with a husky voice, "I look forward to celebrating with you."
"Me too and I can't wait to see you." Elizabeth said before she hung up the phone. As she sat there for a few minutes she realized with a start that she had fallen in love with her husband. I love Bill with all my heart.