When they got to the clinic, they were schooled on what was going on in Lizzie's uterus.

"You see, Elizabeth, in order to accommodate the growing baby, your uterus has to expand. A baby can't grow in there without some space. As your uterus continues to grow, there's going to be some discomfort due to stretched ligaments. It's stretching out quite a bit in only 9 months. Think of it as a growth spurt of the uterus. Nothing to worry about.", the doctor reassured them, but went ahead and used the ultrasound machine so that the couple could see that their child was fine.

"Your next appointment was supposed to be your 16-week appointment, so will I still have you scheduled for the last Monday in May? Or-"

"Actually, I graduate from grad school the weekend prior to our next appointment and I'm not going to be in town then..."

"Oh! Congratulations! Well then, whenever you return, feel free to call the office to schedule your check-up. I think we may be able to determine the gender next time."

"We'll finally be able to call the baby him or her!", Lizzie said with excitement, which Darcy acknowledged with a quick squeeze of her hand.

They walked hand in hand to the car, with new ultrasound pictures of the baby. The next time they visited the doctor, they would know whether they were having a son or a daughter. They could not wait.

"I told you everything would be fine.", Darcy said as they drove away.

"You just couldn't resist saying 'I told you so', could you?"

Darcy just shrugged in response with a smug smile on his face. The ride home was a quiet one, because both had a lot on their minds. But after dinner, Darcy was finally able to translate what he was feeling into words.

Lizzie and Darcy were sitting on a big blanket spread out on the grass outside, looking at the darkening sky. They were a good distance away from the house and were shielded by a row of tall hedges. It was almost completely dark, save for the dim outdoor lighting, but in the distance you could still see an orange hue in the sky. It was a very pretty thing to look at. "But not as pretty as Elizabeth…"

Darcy cleared his throat, as he often did when he was nervous, and then lay down with his hands beneath his head and stared up at the sky.

"I don't want you to go home just yet."

"Huh?"

"It's just that with what happened today, I know I would feel restless if you were to go through something like that again and I wasn't there to at least comfort you. I've never been covetous and I don't want you think of me as being possessive, but I don't want you to travel without me… ever. I should be with you every time, just in case." He was afraid Lizzie would think that he thought her incapable of fending for herself.

"Will, I'm perfectly capable of traveling alone with this baby-"

"I know it's just-"

"But, I wouldn't mind if you tagged along wherever I went."

"So you're not going to leave this weekend? Because you know I can't leave Pemberley until next Thursday afternoon. And then your graduation is that Saturday. So you'd only have a day with your family before-"

"I know. That's okay. I'll just stay a week afterwards. No biggie. I'll find something work-related to do. I'll wait for you."

"Well if you need something to do, you're always welcome at Pemberley. I'd like for people to become accustomed to you being a presence there. You can actually bounce some tips and ideas off of the –"

"Will… I told you I want to make a name for myself-"

"Just hear me out. You can just consult with the wardrobe department, production facility, and creative writers at Pemberley. I am aware that you managed to charm everyone in those departments while you were shadowing, so it would just be you, an old colleague, asking them for advice. 'No biggie'."

Lizzie laughed at his use of a colloquialism and then nodded. "Fine. I'll go poke around at Pemberley until we leave."

"Well, that was easier than I expected."

"Yes it was. For very simple reasons. Number one: I know I'd miss you terribly, even though you'd join me shortly. And two: I feel safe with you. I know that I can count on you not to freak out when something happens. Like today. You handled the situation and you made me feel better without even trying. So yes, William, I would gladly delay my trip so that we may travel together.", she said smiling down at him.

Lizzie had used many adjectives to describe how she felt about their relationship since they'd started dating, but this was a first. He made her feel safe. A surge of masculine pride spread throughout his body. He had always been over-protective of those he cared about, but he'd never been told he made someone feel safe.

He sat up so he could be face-to-face with Lizzie. He kissed her gently at first and then the kiss grew more intense as he laid her down on the blanket they were sitting on. He was hovering over her, going down to kiss the spot where his baby boy or girl was growing and then kissing his way up to her neck, enjoying Lizzie's giggles along the way.

"So I make you feel safe?", he asked, his voice already husky with desire, as he kissed Lizzie's hypersensitive spot right behind her ear.

She moaned softly at his touch and realized this was just what she needed. After the tidal wave of feelings she'd ridden today, she needed a release that was more cathartic than just crying.

She pulled Darcy down so she could whisper something in response to his question. Whatever it was she said was potent enough to make Darcy forget they were outside and they proceeded to make love under the night sky.

The pair was absolutely giddy and filled with adrenaline for having done something so spontaneous.

"First, we make-out in front of old ladies and then we have sex in the backyard, when there are still people working around the estate! Babe, what has gotten into us?!", Lizzie exclaimed with amusement on their way back indoors.

"Next thing you know we'll…", and Darcy chose to whisper the rest of his sentence because they had entered the house.

Lizzie gasped and giggled and then hit Darcy playfully on the arm.

Gigi appeared in the hall, when they were on the way to their bedroom.

"Where the hell were you guys?! I've been searching for you two for almost an hour!", Gigi asked.

"We were… looking at stars in the backyard…", Lizzie answered.

"Well, Aunt Catherine called and said she was going to drop by Pemberley tomorrow…", Gigi said warily.

Darcy was puzzled as to why his aunt would be visiting. "Did she give a reason for her visit?"

"Nope. She just said, 'Georgiana, sweetie, I can't seem to get in touch with your brother. Will you let him and Elizabeth know that I'm going to Pemberley tomorrow?'"

"Hmmm. This will be… interesting.", Lizzie thought aloud and both Darcy siblings silently agreed. They remembered all too well how Catherine DeBourgh had treated Lizzie at the charity event a few weeks ago. She apologized, though, so all was forgiven- but not forgotten, hence the slight anxiousness they all felt about tomorrow.

Lizzie, Darcy, and Gigi all rode to Pemberley together. Darcy drove with Lizzie in the passenger seat and Gigi in the back. They were brainstorming ideas as to why Catherine De Bourgh would make a spur of the moment trip to Pemberley.

"And she didn't give a specific time of arrival?", Darcy asked as he parked in the CEO space.

"Nope. She just said 'tomorrow'. For all we know, she could be here right now."

Lizzie and Darcy shared a look of mutual panic for a second.

"Oops. Probably shouldn't have said that…", Gigi scolded herself.

They entered the building with their guard up, but were soon relieved to discover there was nobody waiting for them.

Everyone went their separate ways, and they didn't reconvene until it was lunch time.

When Lizzie came up from the wardrobe department on the third floor, Gigi was already in Darcy's office. Lizzie waved to Darcy's secretary, who had determined long ago that Lizzie and Darcy were an item.

When then door opened, both Darcys looked, but instead of their Aunt, there stood Lizzie. She made her way to Darcy, who was still sitting at his desk, and gave him a quick kiss before making herself comfortable on his lap.

"Still nothing?", Lizzie asked.

"Nope. I say we head out to lunch. I'm starving.", Gigi suggested.

"No, let's stay in the building, in case she shows up.", Lizzie countered.

"How about we-", Darcy began, but was interrupted by the opening door.

There were only select people allowed to just waltz into Darcy's office without the secretary needing to phone Darcy first: William Darcy, Georgiana Darcy, Fitz Williams, Elizabeth Bennet, and Catherine DeBourgh.

"Ah, just the three I was looking for.", she said after closing the door.

Everyone stayed quiet and stared at her. Lizzie felt particularly awkward because she was sitting on her nephew's lap.

"Well, aren't you all going to greet me? I swear this generation has no manners."

They all mumbled variations of "Good afternoon, Aunt Catherine."

"That's more like it."

"So what brings you to Pemberley so unexpectedly, Aunt?", Darcy asked.

"I know this is a bit out the ordinary, but I have a request to make and I hoped that if I showed up in person and asked, I wouldn't be rejected."

"And what might that be?"

"I would like to request an audience with Elizabeth. I've made reservations for lunch at the hotel I'm staying at, and I'd like for you to join me.", she declared with a hint of uncertainty. Was she scared Lizzie would say no?

"Huh? Me?", Lizzie asked dumbfounded. "Why would she want to have lunch with me?"

"I am still filled regret and shame at my behavior towards you when we last met. And I'd like to spend some time with you so you can see I'm not really an old witch. I can be quite lovely, you know.", Catherine replied with a little chuckle at the end.

"Umm… sure?", Lizzie accepted as she disentangled herself from her stunned boyfriend.

"I'll take good care of her and the little package, don't worry, William. If you don't feel comfortable with me just yet, Elizabeth, we can bring Georgiana along."

"Of course, Aunt Catherine.", Gigi answered obediently, and made her way to her aunt's side.

Before leaving the room, Lizzie turned back to Darcy and mouthed "Wish me luck!" before closing the door behind her.

A few seconds later, the door opened again and in walked Fitz with a very confused facial expression.

"What was that all about?", he asked, referring to the sight of Aunt Catherine walking towards the elevator with Gigi and Lizzie on either side of her.

Darcy filled Fitz in on the ultimatum he had given Catherine the night of the charity event.

"I told her if she did not accept Lizzie, she couldn't be involved in my child's life. And since my baby would have been my mother's first grandchild and everything… well, you know. She immediately came around. I believe this is her trying to make amends…"

"Whoa. Hopefully all goes well… and I'm sorry, bro, but I'm starving. Are we gonna eat lunch or what? Lizzie and GGD will fill us in later."

Yup! Aunt Catherine and Lizzie have a lunch date. What proposition will she have for our pregnant protagonist? Find out next chapter.

Thanks for reading!