Upon Elizabeth's request, Fitzwilliam explained the situation to Charles. She would have done so, but was afraid she could not keep her composure. The doctor had warned her that getting worked up could induce labor. When she relayed the story to Fitzwilliam, he was sure to keep her calm.
Charles had been infuriated when he learned of Caroline's truly despicable behavior. He blamed himself for tolerating her cruelty for so long and set out to make it right. Jane was sad to see him leave, but knew he had to take care of the situation with Caroline and Lydia. She hoped, however, that he would return before Lizzy went into labor. She knew that Darcy would be difficult to manage when his wife was lying in, so she hoped Charles would return in time.
Elizabeth did, however, start her lying in before Charles returned. It was only a few days after his departure that Lizzy woke up in the middle of the night with a dull ache in her back. She did her best not to wake her sleeping husband, but her tossing and turning caused him to wake.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" he asked groggily.
"I am fine. You should go back to sleep."
"Not while you are uncomfortable," he said wrapped his arms around her as best he could and pulling her closer. "Where does it hurt?"
"My back."
He began to rub her back softly, "Does that feel any better?"
"Much better," she whispered before falling back to sleep.
She awoke less than an hour later with a sharp pain in her back. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The pain passed. She sat up in bed, careful not to wake her sleeping husband. She could deny it no longer, she was now certain she was in labor. She knew that this would not be a short process. For later children, she was told, the lying in progressed more quickly, but this was her first child and there would be no rush for the baby to be born.
She looked over at Fitzwilliam sleeping peacefully beside her. She knew she had to wake him and she knew that he would likely react strongly when she told him that the babe was on the way. He would likely spring from bed and have Doctor Perry called at once. That would not be disagreeable except that he would not be allowed to stay with her once the doctor and midwife arrived.
"Fitzwilliam," she whispered, gently shaking him awake.
"What's wrong?" he said shooting up, "are you alright?"
"Everything is fine. Please, do not worry yourself. However, I must tell you the babe is on its way."
A look a panic descended on his face, "I must send for the doctor at once."
"No!" she cried, grabbing his hand. "Look outside," she commanded. "It is nearly dawn. There is no need to wake the doctor at this hour. This is my first child so the process will take a long time. Fitzwilliam, once the doctor and midwife you will not be able to see me until after he is born. Please, just wait and sit with me for a while longer."
He saw the pleading look on her face and took her in his arms. "I shall hold off until after dawn. But please, you must tell me if anything changes before then."
"Thank you," she gazed up at him through the darkness.
"Now tell me, does it hurt?"
"Yes, but I know that this is not the worst of it. I feel a very dull ache and the occasional sharp pain. For now, I am fine. It is nice to have you by my side, even if it is for only a short period of time."
They spent the rest of the time before dawn in silence. He did not want to jinx anything by speaking about the impending birth. She did not want to expend unnecessary energy speaking. Her Aunt Gardiner had warned her that the birth would be very taxing; the midwife told her the same thing. She closed her eyes as her husband held her, but the pains were becoming more disruptive and she found she could not fall back asleep, even for a few moments.
When dawn broke, Fitzwilliam had a footman fetch the doctor. He dressed quickly and sat with Elizabeth in bed until the doctor and midwife arrived. He rubbed circles on her back as she tried to keep her breathing steady. She was very nervous. This was her first child and she had no real idea of what to expect. She had never attended to a female relative or witnessed a human birth. Growing up on a farm, she had seen animals give birth, but it was not the same. She had heard stories of course, but there was no substitute for experiencing the real thing. She squeezed her husband's hand tightly as they waited.
When the footman announced that Doctor Perry had arrived, Fitzwilliam kissed Elizabeth passionately before whispering a pep talk in her ear. She was blushing from his sweet words when Doctor Perry entered the room.
"Mrs. Darcy, I hear the labor process has begun."
"Yes," she responded.
"Mr. Darcy," he began, "I have to examine your wife and I will bring you updates over the course of the day."
He nodded and looked to Elizabeth. "Shall I wake Jane and Georgiana?" he asked her.
"Yes and Mrs. Reynolds should be told as well. And please, try not to worry too much. Go for a ride or read or visit the tenants. Do not put a hole in the rug from your pacing."
He smiled. Even in labor, Lizzy was still looking out for him, keeping him in check. "I promise."
He left the room and left Doctor Perry to start his examination. He saw Mrs. Reynolds and told her to wake Jane and his sister. Though he promised Lizzy he would not worry, he was already worked up. He knew that she was young and generally healthy. Her mother had five healthy children and there was no reason why she would not follow suit. Still, he was aware of all the things that could possibly go wrong. He wished he had Charles by his side at a time like this, or his cousin Richard. He could use some reassurance that everything with his wife and child would be fine. It was too early to have a drink so instead, he paced.