The next couple of hours passed agonizingly slow for Mr. Darcy. He paced in his study for a while but wished to occupy his mind as well as his body. He sat down at his desk and pulled out his stationary and began to write.

My Dearest Lizzy,

Right now I am seated in my study in agony. Jane has informed me that your lying in is almost over. I am glad. When you woke me this morning with news that our babe was on the way, I was frightened. You were in pain and I was powerless – I hate the feeling, knowing you're suffering and not being able to do a thing about it. If I could take your pain away even for a moment I would do it.

It is a great comfort to me knowing that things are going well. I hope that by the time I finish, our babe will be in your arms. I cannot wait to meet him or her. I know you are certain that we shall have a son, but I will be pleased with either. You have made me so unbelievably happy. Each morning I wake beside you is a treat. I do not know when you will read this or if you will ever read this, but know that I am very happy in this moment.

I am scared as well. I know that you will be fine, I believe it to be true, but there is still fear there. I love you more than anything in the entire world and I know I will love our babe just as much. You have made my life so full and so happy. Elizabeth, each day my love for grows and –

He was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in," he said.

Jane entered with a smile on her face. "Elizabeth is asking for you."

"Is she alright?"

"Yes, she is fine. She wants you to meet your child."

He broke out in the biggest grin. "You are serious?"

"Of course. Come along."

He followed her quickly up the stairs. Had Jane not been leading the way, he would have broken out in a sprint. They arrived at the mistress's chambers and he threw open the door.

"Elizabeth!" he grinned. She was sitting with her back against the headboard with their child in her arms. She was glowing. Her hair was coming loose from the braid, but she was the most beautiful he had ever seen her.

"Fitzwilliam, I would like you to meet your son." She had the largest smile on her face.

"A son?" he asked as he joined her at the side of the bed.

"Yes, and he is beautiful." Tears were glistening in her eyes.

He took a good look at his son's face. "He is very handsome, just like his mother. Elizabeth, I am so pleased."

"Fitzwilliam, I am so happy. Wait until your son wakes up. His eyes are brilliant. He is so handsome and he is a big boy. He will be very tall, just like you."

He pressed a kiss to her temple, "Elizabeth, you have made me so happy. Now tell me, what is his name?"

"I have not decided yet. I wished to speak with you first."

"You did not have to do that," he told her.

"Yes, but I wanted to."

"What names are you to choose between?"

"Well," she began looking down at her son with a twinkle in her eye, "I believed you might want to continue with your family tradition of having the firstborn son take his mother's maiden name. I know Bennet is not nearly as old nor as important as the Fitzwilliam family line, but I thought it might be nice. The other names I like are Edmund and James."

"Those are very nice. Perhaps we could go with Bennet James or Bennet Thomas for your father."

"Bennet James," she said, "I like that. Bennet James Darcy."

"It suits him well," Darcy smiled down at his son. "Oh Elizabeth, I am so incredibly happy."

"Me too. I am happier than I ever thought I could be."

"Motherhood suits you very well."

"You flatter me," she blushed slightly.

"I am in earnest, my dear."

"I thank you," she smiled, "please, Fitzwilliam, join me on the bed and hold your son."

He nodded and climbed on the other side of the bed. He noticed that the sheets had been changed since the morning. He did not want to drop his son so he felt much better sitting on the bed.

"Put your arms out like so," she commanded before placing the tightly swaddled bundle in his arms. As he adjusted the bundle, his son's eyes opened. They were brilliant, just like his mother's. "Hello, my son," he smiled. Bennet looked up at his father, but did not cry. He squirmed a bit, but did not cry. "What should I do?" he asked his wife.

"Nothing. He is fine. If he starts to cry the wet nurse will come and take him. He ate just before you arrived so he should not be hungry. You are not doing anything wrong, he is fine."

"Good," he said, his eyes not leaving his son.

They sat on the bed together for some time just staring at their son. They did not wish to do anything else. Both were in awe over the human being they had created together and that Elizabeth had brought into the world. Only Bennet's crying disturbed the happy scene.

The wet nurse came to feed and change him and Darcy and Elizabeth were left along.

"Close your eyes," Darcy told his wife.

"Why?" she asked with a mischievous smile.

"I have a surprise."

"Alright," she said closing her eyes.

He got off the bed and quickly and went through the door connecting their rooms. He had gotten a necklace of his mother's reset for her as a present for having their child. He returned and placed the box in her lap. She opened her eyes.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Open it."

She opened the box to reveal a set of emerald earrings, necklace, bracelet, and broach. "Oh Fitzwilliam, it is so beautiful. Thank you."

"You are welcome. They belonged to one of my mother's necklaces. I thought it too bold for your taste."

"This is perfectly suited to my taste. Thank you," she kissed him. "I shall wear them when I return to society."

"That would make me very happy indeed."

"Fitzwilliam, I must confess I am exhausted. Would you mind terribly if I closed my eyes for a bit?"

"Of course not. You are understandably exhausted. I understand."

"Good," she said grabbing his hand. "Lay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Of course," he said and he climbed in bed beside her.