Updated this chapter with a suggestion from a reviewer. Thanks!

The New Year had been good to Lizzie and Darcy so far. Little Isabella had just turned three months old and she was growing like a weed. Her cheeks grew chubbier and her little arms and legs were cushioned with adorable baby fat. Her wavy baby hair seemed to be thinning and converting to a straighter version.

"You love eating, don't you baby girl?!", Lizzie babbled to Isabella after breastfeeding her at noon. The baby cooed as if replying to her mother, making Lizzie giggle. She couldn't get enough of her daughter.

"Your grandmother is going to loveee having you around for the holidays!", Lizzie said with a smile and then her smile dropped a little. "Note to self: Make sure Mom doesn't force-feed Izzy."

As the day went on, Lizzie settled into her routine. Since giving birth, Lizzie rarely went out and when she did, it was to their neighbors, the Harrisons, or to one of the other moms she met at the child-birthing classes. Everything in her life was baby, baby, baby- which was fine because she loved her daughter- but she was getting a little stir-crazy.

She lived in an enormous house where she didn't have to cook or clean (she would've insisted but the employees take pride in their work and she didn't want to take that away from them) and there was literally nothing for her to do besides scroll down her Twitter and Facebook feeds, read books, work-out (which she rarely ever felt inclined to do), and wait by the baby monitor for her daughter to wake up.

Restless didn't even begin to describe what she felt. That, mixed with guilt about not wanting to be a stay-at-home mom and the cocktail of hormones her body couldn't seem to process efficiently after the baby, made her feel kind of hopeless. She didn't really feel this way in the first couple of months because motherhood was new and there was a lot of family around due to holidays, but now she felt the delayed sadness.

It was the first Thursday in February, and Thursdays usually meant Darcy came home a little later because people wanted to have an easier work-load for Friday. But this day, he felt like leaving early so that he could pick up some flowers for Lizzie. He noticed the sparkle in her eye didn't shine as bright anymore and he wanted to make sure everything was fine.

When Darcy arrived at his house, he went to his office to drop off his briefcase and headed upstairs. He figured Lizzie would be in the nursery because he didn't hear the TV on in the living room, but he found a dim room with his baby girl sleeping soundly. Her belly was full and she looked beyond content. He smiled at the sight of his little angel and kissed her softly on the forehead, making sure not to stir too much. The baby monitor was on and he was sure Lizzie was listening. He wanted to surprise her.

He walked across the hall to their bedroom and found it empty, but the bathroom door was slightly ajar and he heard water running. He walked to the bathroom with the flowers in hand. He thought it'd be a wonderful surprise but it was him who was in for a surprise.

Lizzie was sat naked on the floor of their giant shower with her head on her knees and her arms holding her legs tight. Darcy couldn't see clearly whether or not she was okay because of the fogged up glass, so he dropped the flowers and quickly slid open the door.

"Lizzie?!", he asked with equal parts worry and fear.

She sniffled and looked up. "Hey, babe. You're home early!"

"Yes… Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm not hurt, Will. Don't worry.", she said putting on a smile.

"Okay. You are not hurt. But I don't think you are doing alright, my love. It really doesn't help that you are sitting in the shower curled up…", he noted, raising an eyebrow.

She chuckled. "It does, actually. It feels like rain. I find it soothing.", she explained, defending her position.

"Noted. So are you going to tell me what's wrong? I have to admit, it is rather alarming to come home and find you like this, Lizzie.

He had a calm face but she could see the concern in his eyes.

She sighed. "Yeah, I guess. Let me just get out of here-"

"No. Stay."

Darcy removed his shoes and socks, and then his watch, which he stuffed inside one of the shoes. He set them down next to the shower and stepped in with all his clothes.

"Will! You're going to ruin them!", she exclaimed but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth because it was a hilarious scene.

"What I am wearing is of little importance to me. You are my main concern. Talk to me, Elizabeth. What is going on with you?", he said after sitting down next to Lizzie in the shower, his long legs spread out in front of him.

Lizzie felt the urge to cry rise quickly and she couldn't stop herself. Darcy pulled her to him and sat her on his lap. She cried into his chest and he rubbed her back softly and kissed the top of her head lovingly as she sobbed.

When she was done crying her eyes out, she felt much better. It was quite a while before she lifted her head up to look into Darcy's eyes.

"Gosh, Will. You have the most beautiful eyes. So full of kindness. It still hurts me to think about the horrible things I said about you for so many months…", she said while pushing his wet hair off of his forehead.

"Don't bring the past up, Lizzie. That has nothing to do with you being in here. Tell me what has you feeling so down.", he said, locking his free hand with hers.

She exhaled and then said, "I wanna go back to work."

Darcy's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Of course, Lizzie. Why haven't you said anything? Is that it?"

"It's not just that.", she said exasperatedly.

"Elaborate, Elizabeth. I wish I could read your mind, but I can't. Fill me in on what's happening in there.", he said before placing a kiss on her forehead.

She explained the mixture of feelings she'd been experiencing and the fears of going back to work and the monotony of her routine. The loss of interest in the things she used to find enjoyable. And especially the guilt of not wanting to stay at home with Izzy all the time. She thought Darcy would think she didn't love her.

That was the worst feeling of all. Her very own mother was a stay-at-home mom and she did a pretty good job raising her and her sisters and she couldn't even handle staying for three months with her new baby.

"Maybe I'm not cut out for this whole mom thing, ya know? I love her to death but I don't want to stay here following in my mother's footsteps! I want to have a career and accomplish something nobody else has ever done!", she ranted.

He remained silent until she was done speaking and explaining everything she felt.

"Do you get it?", she asked self-consciously.

Darcy hugged her really tightly and whispered, "I am sorry."

"For what? You haven't done anything."

"Exactly. Lizzie, I think you might be experiencing some mild symptoms of postpartum depression. And I've been too busy to notice. I agree that maybe you staying here with Isabella might not be the best way to do this, but that alone wouldn't make you feel like this. You are a woman of words and you are extremely opinionated so if that was your main point of consternation, you would've done something about it. Something else is definitely going on."

"No way. I'm not having suicidal thoughts and I wouldn't ever dream of hurting Isabella, Will!", she stated defensively.

"Those aren't the only signs. I remember we read all about this while you were still pregnant. I can't believe I hadn't connected the dots until now… You are going to the doctor tomorrow, Miss Bennet."

"But-"

"Look at me, Lizzie. Please allow me to leave this shower with some ounce of dignity. Just agree.", he said with chuckle.

Lizzie sighed. "Fine."

"You know… I feel like I haven't been spending enough time with her. She's always either sleeping or eating and it seems like the only time I get to see her is when I am changing her diaper."

"And I'm spending too much time with her.", Lizzie said with a chuckle and then she had an idea.

While under the soft stream of the shower, they discussed the idea of each of them taking her to work and worked out a plan. They'd buy baby stuff for their offices so that Izzy would be comfortable.

Lizzie's mood had shifted dramatically from the time Darcy had opened the shower. She was looking forward to Monday.

She looked at her hands and said, "I have prune hands! I've been in here much too long, babe."

They got up off the floor clumsily and Darcy said, "Well, since I am already in here already, I will shower."

Lizzie laughed. It really was a funny sight. Prim and proper William Darcy looking as wet and disheveled as was possible.

"That makes sense.", she agreed and then helped him strip off the soaking wet clothes.

She opened the shower door to leave and spotted the bouquet Darcy had gotten her. "Oh! Those flowers are beautiful, Will!"

Darcy smiled and was glad he was able to surprise her in the end.

The fact that Lizzie was naked didn't affect Darcy while they were having the more serious conversation but he couldn't help but notice that there was nothing between them when she turned around and kissed him. She had to tip-toe and lean into him to reach his mouth and in doing so her chest touched his for just a moment.

"Thank you, Will.", she said with a smile and stepped out of the shower.

Darcy sighed longingly and shook his head before turning the shower's temperature to cold.

When it was time for bed, Darcy held Lizzie extra close to him. He felt the need to protect her and he had been kicking himself in the butt for the past few hours for not noticing Lizzie's changes.

At Lizzie's doctor's appointment the next morning, it was determined that she did indeed have some form of imbalance. It didn't exactly fit under the criteria of postpartum depression, but it was alarming nonetheless. Lizzie made it very clear to Darcy that he was to tell no one about this. She didn't want her family worrying.

"A change of scenery and some of these medications is what I prescribe. Also, share your feelings. Be more open." , said the doctor.

On the way home, they discussed her going back to work. She decided that she'd start on Monday and that over the weekend they would baby-fy both of their offices. That way, they could both take Izzy to work with them whenever they wanted.

"So what would you like to do today? We could go shopping for the baby things now.", Darcy suggested.

"No, Will! Go to work! You've still got half a work-day left."

"I am not going to leave you alone."

"Go! I'm not gonna stay home. Izzy and I are going to go shopping."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Just drop me off at home so I can get my car."

Lizzie drove to the mall to shop for new work clothes. She was both excited and nervous about going back to work but definitely more excited. She shopped happily with her baby and was going to go home but entered a lingerie store at the last minute.

Darcy got ready for bed that night like he normally did except that that night, he was working late on his laptop because he'd missed half the day but didn't want to stay late and leave Lizzie alone. He wasn't expecting any kind of physical intimacy. He and Lizzie hadn't made love since the night before Izzy was born. So you can imagine his surprise when Lizzie opened the door to the bathroom and came out wearing a lacy little outfit.

She coughed to make her presence known and Darcy's mouth was left uncharacteristically open.

"I'm trying, Will. I blame my low libido on whatever it is that I had. But now I want to try. Do you like this?"

Darcy swallowed hard and nodded yes enthusiastically.

Lizzie smiled and felt a big confidence boost. She recognized that hungry look for what it was: desire for her.

"Are you gonna put that laptop away or…"

He quickly shut it closed and put it on the side table.

Lizzie took that as a sign to proceed and climbed onto the bed. Darcy sat with his back against the headboard and she straddled him. He automatically put his hands on her hips and couldn't help but stare at her breasts in the barely there get-up.

When he was finally able to drag his eyes away from her chest and up to her face, Lizzie smiled and her eyes twinkled with that playfulness that had been missing. That was what turned him on the most.

"Look at those fine eyes… Lizzie, you look absolutely edible but your eyes are by far the sexiest thing on you tonight."

Lizzie grinned and her face was pink with delight within seconds.

Darcy was glad he was able to elicit such a visible response from her. Lately whenever he complimented her it felt like it went in one ear and out the other.

"Then I guess there's no point in keeping the rest of this stuff on?", she asked while beginning to pull down a strap.

"I can find no reason why.", he said huskily without breaking eye contact.

They kissed softly at first but Darcy quickly deepened their kiss. Three months without sex with Lizzie Bennet and he was ravenous. His hands became reacquainted with the soft, pale skin that he had become so familiar with. He was unashamed of the way he pushed her down so that she was on her back and he was on top of her; unashamed of the way he lewdly freed Lizzie's breasts from their lacy prison; unashamed of the way he indelicately ripped her panties off; and most definitely not regretful of the way it felt when he slid into her.

For Darcy, nothing in the world could ever compare to the feeling of being one with Lizzie. It wasn't just sex with her. It always felt like they were connecting on some deeper level and that night was no exception.

Lizzie couldn't think straight. All her nerve endings were tingling and she felt like every thrust gave her her own mini orgasm. She could barely keep her eyes open but when she did manage, she was rewarded with Darcy's trademark penetrating stare that was unmistakably full of lust and enjoyment. The way he was admiring her just turned her on even more until she finally climaxed beneath him.

Darcy could usually provide Lizzie with multiple orgasms but that night he just didn't have it in him. Her climax brought him over the edge too. He collapsed on top of her but was quickly reminded that Lizzie's breasts were full of milk for their baby (well not so much anymore) and he begrudgingly removed himself from her and laid beside her. Lizzie hadn't even realized she had been leaking milk during their time together. She had been so focused on the other more pleasure sensations that she hadn't even noticed.

"Uhh, Lizzie?"

"Hmm?"

"Did I do that?", Darcy asked with a confused tone.

"Huh?"

"The milk... Did I do that?"

"Milk?"

Lizzie lazily moved her hands to her breasts and then gasped.

Darcy laughed. He couldn't help it. Number one: he was extremely satiated and two: it was just unexpected.

"William Darcy are you laughing at me?!", she said in a fake-angry voice.

"No.", he said still laughing. "I am laughing at the situation."

The fact that he didn't freak out made her feel less embarrassed. Post-coital Darcy was super laid-back. Lizzie laughed too and then said, "I'm sorry but I cannot even move right now. You did your job a little too well, babe. Clean up will have to wait."

"Don't worry. I will take care of it.", Darcy said. He felt rejuvenated from their love making and he wanted to yell from the rooftops but settled for this task instead.

"My hero!", Lizzie said with a grin, grateful that she didn't have to get up.

He got off the bed, put on his boxers that were thrown half-way across the room, and retrieved a few towels from the linen closet down the hall.

He laid them on the bed and then went to the nursery to snatch up a box of baby wipes.

"I think it's best we leave a box of these in here.", he said as he put the box down on Lizzie's night stand.

"Mmhmm.", agreed Lizzie.

After cleaning themselves up, they arranged the towels on the bed over the messy parts and agreed that they needed to have the sheets changed first thing the next day. They laid there cuddled up for a long time before either of them felt like moving. Lizzie turned towards Darcy and kissed his chest before resting her head on it. He laughed because it tickled and the sound made her melt all over again.

"I'm sorry you had to wait so long, Will. Hell, I'm sorry I had to wait so long.", she said listening to his now steady heartbeat.

"Oh, but it was worth it. You have no idea how frustrating these past few months have been.", he confessed and then he kissed her quickly on the lips.

"Mmmm", she said and kissed him back. She put her hands on his face and looked at him in the eyes as she confessed, "Thank you, babe. For being so supportive and patient with me and for taking good care of me all these months. Seriously. You are amazing."

"Of course, Lizzie. I love you. Throughout all our misunderstandings and miscommunications, that fact will always be crystal clear to me."

She smiled sleepily and said, "I know. I love you, too."

Lizzie's nervousness about returning to work was pointless. She fell right back into step and Izzy didn't interrupt much. She mainly slept like she did at home.

Darcy began taking her to work some days, too. On days that there weren't any big meetings or conference calls, he'd take her with him and she'd sleep next to his desk while he typed away on his computer and reviewed reports.

Lizzie's demeanor changed a lot after her diagnosis. She felt like her old self again. Getting back to shooting the costume theater for her show, taking care of Izzy, continuing her relationship with Darcy, and helping her sister put the finishing touches on her sister's wedding kept her busy. Before she knew it, it was summer time. Jane's wedding was just around the corner.

"Girls, I decided to change my dress. I'm stuck between these two!", Jane said as she called an emergency meeting via Domino.

"Uhhh… Jane? You know those dresses aren't white right?", Lydia asked.

"Yes.", she said blushing.

"No way.", Lydia said, getting ready to freak out.

"I like the one on the right.", Lizzie said, completely disregarding the reason for Jane's sudden dress change. Obviously Jane didn't feel right walking down the aisle with a white dress. She was much too honest to ignore that outdated rule.

"Yeah, the one on the right is totally you… So you and Bing finally binged, huh?! How was it?!"

"Thank you! You're the best! It was so nice to see you and I will be delighted to see you all in a few weeks! Lizzie, give kisses to Izzy for me. Lydia: not a word to Mom, please! Love you!", and like that Jane was gone.

Lydia and Lizzie speculated about Jane and Bing and had a good laugh about their silly theories.

"We have to get her alone before she leaves for her honeymoon!", Lydia suggested.

"Definitely.", Lizzie said smiling. She liked this more intimate relationship she shared with Lydia and she was definitely looking forward to the Bennet sister reunion.

There we have it folks. I'm gonna just stop promising things and update whenever the chapters are ready. Hope this will tide you over until the next time. Thanks for still reading! Seriously.

Cyber hugs!