Disclaimer: I don't own any of the P+P characters.

"Well that seemed productive." Elizabeth turned around to face Alison, who was standing with a cup of tea in hand.

"Did you need to interrupt?"

"Kissing on the first date isn't appropriate . . . but then I guess you've already done more than that."

Elizabeth wiped the smile off her face, where she had been clutching the door of the handle she let her hand fall and turned to square up to face her aunt. All colour faded out of Lizzie's rosy cheeks and her mouth kept trying to formulate words but nothing came out.

"Don't go telling me you don't know what I'm talking about Miss Elizabeth Bennett; that boy upstairs couldn't look more like Mr Darcy if he was his clone, albeit a very young clone but a replica none the less." Alison watched as the emotion travelled across Lizzie's face and she was positive Lizzie wasn't expecting expecting it but Ali ran up to her and placed her in vice like hug, easing her nieces head onto her shoulder allowing her to gently stroke her fingers through the girls brown curls.

Lizzies shoulders started to tremble as the tears spilled down her face, Edward Gardiner, Lizzies uncle had come out of the kitchen during the exchange and was watching the tender moment from the door way; after a few seconds of looking on at them with a smile he joined in placing one hand on Lizzies back and kissing the top of her head.

"Elizabeth, now now child that's enough tears; your father wouldn't allow it and neither will I." Edward couldn't scold her, his heart ached as she cried uncontrollably into his wifes arms; Lizzies mascara had ran down her face and was cutting dark line across her cheeks, Edward thought she looked like she'd been down the mines but now wasn't the time to tell her that. "Come on sweetie, there's got a caramel macchiato in the kitchen with your name on it."

At first Elizabeth made no sign of moving but after wiping her nose she whispered, ". . . with Starbucks caramel drizzle." Edward smiled and folded her into his arm, leading her into the kitchen and sitting her onto the stool which had been occupied by Mr Darcy a few hours ago.

Taking the mug in her arms Elizabeth sighed, taking a large swig letting the hot coffee burn its way down her throat and the caramel leaves a sweet taste on her lips; it hurt but it took away the pain of what she'd down. Neither Alison nor Edward said anything; they were sat opposite each other on the pine wood table by the window reading the paper, waiting for her to come to them.

Elizabeth heart swelled with affection as she thought how lucky she was to have two people in the world that didn't push her to tell them anything, that expected the truth but felt they didn't need to ask for it; they were her surrogate parents.

Taking a deep breath, Lizzie prepared for what was bound to be a long conversation and then she began quietly, not wanting to startle them after a long silence "Your right."

Both Edward and Alison didn't look up they waited for her to elaborate.

"Mr Darcy IS Williams' biological father."

Still there was silence but they were now looking at her, Alison patted the seat next to her and Elizabeth dragged her over to join them, plopping down on the seat opposite Edward but staring at the mug between her hands; the mug gave her strength it was something real to hold onto while she shook the foundations she had grown to know.

"I first met Mr Darcy two years ago, when I was working for 'On point events' as you know they weren't my Client but on-site I was looking after the speakers and AV that's how I met him. The first time he spoke to me he was so rude if he had been anyone else but the bloody CEO I would have whacked him. GOD he was the most proud, arrogant, selfish, self important idiot I have ever met and he treated me like a servant. Anyway after being asked to take care of his every beck and call, I did, I cared for him, I did everything he asked, even to point of one day very nearly trying to push him down the stairs and over time my opinion didn't improve."

"So how if you hated him did you come to get pregnant with his child?" Alison raised a sceptical eyebrow at Lizzie.

"The last night I finished work, very late and I was in the bar ALONE when Mr Darcy came and joined me; I still don't understand why he would even assume that I wanted to spend the evening with him but he did and as the drinks kept flowing my opinion of him improved, my inhibitions lifted and hell you've seen he's gorgeous, possibly the most attractive man I have ever seen – sorry Uncle. So the next thing you know we're kissing and well one thing led to another and nine months later William Anthony Bennett arrived . . . "

"Sweet, did Mr Darcy take advantage of you?" Edward placed his hand over hers as she clutched the handle and side of the mug.

"NO, NO not at, he's not like that . . . he was the perfect gentleman . . . well minus the sex before marriage thing but that's by the by now, it's irrelevant."

"So, what happened after the bar?"

"You want details of the night?"

"NO!!!!" Both Edward and Alison said in unison and Lizzie smiled, she had only been joking; it would have been weird to tell them that – she guessed they wouldn't want to hear they had had sex three times before morning.

Twenty four months, three days, thirteen hours and twenty six minutes ago . . .

Elizabeth slowed opened her eyes, the sun was peeping in through the closed curtains casting a line of light onto her body, pushing herself up onto her elbows she saw the tanned muscular arm resting across her stomach. Her eyes traced the line of the arm to the figure of a man sleeping soundly next to her. Darcy was laying on his front, facing her with one arm wrapped over her stomach keeping her close, a small smile turning up the corner of his mouth as he slept. Elizabeth luxuriated in the warmth of his skin, it was so soft, smooth and warm against hers and she was mesmerised by the light that was glancing over his face, highlighting his defined cheekbones and square jaw; god he was so beautiful even now.

Elizabeth wasn't one of those women who woke up and couldn't remember what had gone the night, she remembered every glorious bit of it and the tension in her thighs was a reminder that it wasn't all a dream. Mr Darcy and Elizabeth had made love all night, only falling asleep; she glanced at the clock, two hours ago. Elizabeths head hurt, she had definitely consumed too much alcohol but she didn't regret what had happened, it felt too wonderful, her whole body was buzzing from experiencing the best sex of her life. Darcy was the best love, he had gently caressed her in all the right places, kissed her at the right moments and thrust into her when she wanted it the most, and they had both climaxed at the same blissful time, three times in a row.

As the morning fog lifted, Lizzie glanced around the room noticing the clock, it was 09:12, shit she was late, how could she explain why, it was hardly like she could say she'd been sleeping with the CEO; even though all of her female colleague and gay counterparts would be green with envy; all the same Lizzie didn't care for that, she'd never liked making people jealous, jealousy was a horrible emotion, all she cared about was how this dalliance might hurt her career. Struggling with the realisation that her professional career might be on the line, Lizzie tried to roll out from under his strong arm but he just snuggled her in closer, it felt so good but she had to go; he had to go he was due on stage in; she looked at the clock again, 45 minutes.

Gently Elizabeth whispered into his ear, "Mr Darcy . . ."

At first she thought he'd woken up when he mumbled her name but when he still kept his beautiful eyes from her she decided she would need to take firmer action to wake him up. Gently she began tapping his shoulder; still no response, so she tried again but this time a little harder; still no response save a little sigh, so losing her patience she pushed him with a little bit too hard and before she knew it she was diving across the bed trying to save him from rolling out unfortunately, although he woke up it was because they had crashed to the floor, his head bouncing off the floor causing a deep frown to appear on his face.

"What the hell do you think you are DOING?"

Elizabeth was momentarily stunned until she realised that he was trying to push her off him, "You're late!"

"Excuse me?"

"Your due on stage in forty . . . "she looked up at the clock that now seemed to be towering above them "three minutes and your naked."

Darcy rested his bruised head back on the floor looking up at the clock, which he read as 09:17 and shot up "Shit." Before Elizabeth could figure out what had happened he had rolled her onto the floor and was dashing into the bathroom in a wild panic trying to get ready.

"You're welcome!"

Elizabeth felt severely bruised both emotionally and physically, she stared around at the big suite that just ten minutes ago had been the most glorious place she had ever woken up in her entire life and it dawned on her how alone, naked and rejected she felt in such a big room. Mr Darcy was getting ready in the bathroom, she could hear him, getting washed and brushing his teeth; this must meet their night together meant nothing, she thought.

Elizabeth got up, pulling on the clothes she had been wearing last night, she wanted to regain some of her dignity she didn't want to hear the immortal three words 'I'll call you.' Holding her shoes in her hand, she slipped out the door, turning back to survey the room one last time, the big white bed still crumpled from last night's activities and right now it wasn't so inviting.

On her way back to the room, Elizabeth kept her head down praying that she would avoid all her colleagues and delegates; it was not good to be doing the walk of shame, especially when you prided yourself on being professional and it was even worse to be doing it when you felt your eyes stinging, with inevitable tears.

"Wait till you're in your room Lizzie," she chanted as she made her way back to her room.

After the longest elevator ride in her life, she arrived on her floor, her resolve by this point had completely broken she started off walking to her room, then power walking and then she running full pelt to end. Huffing and puffing, she threw open the door, just as the tears came cascading down her cheeks. "It was never going to be more than one night," so why did it hurt so much?

Present day . . .

Elizabeth's eyes had glazed over as she relived what had happened with Mr Darcy, her aunt had wrapped her arm around Lizzie's shoulders and pulled her in closer and Edward was giving her a compassionate and concerned look.

"So didn't you see him before you left?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "I was so ashamed of what I'd done that I called Charlotte and told her I had been throwing up all night and that I thought it was best I went home, I'd never called in sick before so they all took my word as gospel, I left the hotel within the hour; I never saw Mr Darcy before I left. That was probably my lowest point, I have never forgiven myself for calling in sick but how could I have faced him after what he did?"

Alison kissed the top of Lizzie's head as the tears started again, it was so unlike her to cry but every time she was around Mr Darcy it just seemed to keep happening and she didn't like it.

"Lizzie, why didn't you tell Mr Darcy about William?"

"I . . . I" before Lizzie could continue, Edward cut her off.

"Elizabeth, sweetheart, I think it's best we do this another day, you're tired, it must have been difficult for you to relive everything that's gone on and there is always tomorrow."

Elizabeth was so grateful to her uncle, she didn't want to tell them about why she had kept Darcy from William, especially considering how they had interacted today, she couldn't face that she might have been wrong about him the whole time. Getting up she kissed her aunt and uncle and made her way to William's room, very quietly she crept inside and tip toed over to William.

Reposing in the crib, Williams soft curls were swept across his face, his arms and legs splayed out around him as he dreamt; Lizzie loved to watch the rise and fall of his chest it comforted her and she fought the urge to lift him into her arms.

After everything that had happened, although she had never regretted sleeping with Mr Darcy, not just because of the pleasure he had given her but because at the end of it all he had given her the most precious gift in the world, their son. William was the be all and end all of her existence; everything she had done in the past two years was for him, she just hoped if she ever told Mr Darcy he would see it that way too but she knew he wouldn't.

Elizabeth rested her head on her arms on top of the crib bars, staring down at William, as she ran her finger across his exposed tummy.

Twenty three months, nineteen days, twenty hours and eight minutes ago . . .

It had been thirteen days since Lizzie had returned from the conference and aside from a few vague comments she had hardly said anything; which was highly unlike her. Jane was sat in the kitchen, pouring over a marketing plan in silence when Lizzie thudded in and proceeded to open every cupboard, clatter all the mugs as she made a coffee, empty the dishwasher and loudly wash up the pan she'd used for making eggs this morning. Jane gritted her teeth together, trying to ignore her sister but it was impossible, Lizzie was determined to make as much noise as possible.

Finally Jane snapped, "Lizzie, are you okay?" She pushed her reading glasses up onto her head and rested her hands in front of her on the table and looked over at her sister. "You don't often feel the need to wash up, why start now."

Lizzie continued to wash up, clattering the pans onto the drainer "I'm late," she offered very matter of fact.

"You're always late, what changes. " Jane didn't understand what the big deal was, Lizzie was always late why would it bother her now.

"No Jane, I'm late." Elizabeth stopped and turned to face down, staring at her intently, willing her to understand the double meaning.

"I'm sorry Lizzie; I don't get it, late for what?" Jane narrowed her eyes at her.

Elizabeth turned back to the sink, huffing out loudly; she leaned against the sink rising up onto her tip toes. "I'm late in the way women are when they think they might be pregnant."

Jane was up in a second, she pushed her chair out with such force it clattered to the floor and she rushed over to Lizzie, grabbing her by the arms and turning her room. Jane looked into her sisters deep brown eyes for any sign of mirth "be serious Lizzie."

"Jane, I am being completely serious, I'm four days late . . ."

"Have you taken a test?"

Elizabeth shook her head, releasing herself from her sisters grasp "I'm too scared."

Jane stood back and ran her arm down her sisters to her hand, "Wait here," she disappeared from the room and was back within seconds carrying her handbag, "here," Lizzie looked down into her hand as Jane, pressed a small box into it, "I'll be with you."

"But what if . . ." I'm pregnant, she finished in her mind.

Jane pressed one finger to Lizzie's lips silencing her, "No, none of that, first you take the test, then we discuss what next."

Elizabeth stared at the box in her hand for a few minutes, before feeling a gentle nudge from Jane who then followed her to the bathroom, pushing Lizzie inside and closing the door behind her.

Lizzie sat on the toilet for a long time before she took the test, as she held the test between her fingers she thought how funny it was that something so small could change her life forever . . . she supposed that would be true of the baby as well.

After about fifteen minutes she built up enough courage to pee on the stick; well that and the fact that psychologically because she was in the toilet she automatically thought she had to go but as soon as it was over set the stick on the side and opened the door for Jane.

"One step at a time I promise . . ." Jane said, squeezing Lizzie's hand on her way over to where the offending item was placed. While Jane stared at the stick, willing a faster outcome Lizzie rested her head against the door, mentally ticking away the last two minutes of her life as she knew it.

"It's negative," Jane exclaimed, turning to look at Lizzie obscuring the pregnancy test.

It was a nice try on Jane's part to try to help Lizzie see how she felt about the pregnancy but Lizzie knew Jane was lying; she'd already taken eight pregnancy tests and every single one of them had come out positive, she just wanted this to be the way Jane found out, she wanted Jane to be the one to comfort her.

"Really . . ." Lizzie played along, turning her face down as if she were going to cry.

Jane nodded slowly a few times but she couldn't keep up the pretence any longer, a huge toothy grin broke across her face, "Lizzie, I'm lying, it's positive . . . you're pregnant," Jane hurried across the room, enveloping her sister in a massive hug, "Don't worry Lizzie, we'll figure this all out, George will be so happy."

Lizzie bit her lip and stepped back from her sisters embrace, now was the time to come clean about a few things, Jane was still smiling, it was going to last a while "George and I broke up."

"What? Did he not want the . . ." Jane's face fell, she was shocked, she knew Wickham was a bit of a womaniser at times but he adored Lizzie, how could he leave her like this.

"Jane, I broke up with him because . . . because he's not the father."

Jane's mouth opened and closed in a comical fish fashion, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, her head felt like it had been submerged in water and she was only just getting her hearing back.

"George wouldn't make a very good father and I don't want him there."

"Oh my god Lizzie, how could you not tell me you finished with him, when did you make this decision?"

"The day I got back from the dArta AGM, we met up and I finished with him."

"So wait, you cheated on him? Lizzie." Jane's tone was full of disapproval, like a mothers, she had always been Lizzie's moral compass and she didn't approve of this kind of behaviour. "Who's the father?"

"Yes and it doesn't matter, it was a onetime deal, I'm not going to tell the father."

This to Jane was the most shocking thing of all "You're not going to tell the father? Elizabeth he has a right to know." Jane followed Lizzie as she walked out of the bathroom into her bedroom and lay back on the bed, letting her hair sprawl out across the covers.

"He wouldn't care . . ."

"How do you know? How did it happen? Please tell me it was romantic at least."

"It wasn't romantic" It was earth moving "I don't even remember it" I remember every touch, every caress, every thrust "he wasn't even that good looking" he was the most beautiful man I have ever seen "I was drunk" not that drunk "it didn't even last very long" we had sex three times "he probably didn't even know my name" he kept whispering my Emily "it meant nothing to either of us" to him.

Elizabeth raised herself up onto her elbows and looked at Jane who had folder her arms across her chest in a disapproving way. "Jane, we can't all be moral pillars like you."

"Don't mock me."

"I'm not, Jane until I have your goodness, I will never have your happiness and this is the life the fates have given me . . . I am not disappointed, I have a living thing growing inside of me, my baby . . . "

"Lizzie, you can't always have made as light of it as you do now?"

"I confess I didn't but what is there to not make light of? I'm going to have a baby Jane . . . a little mini Lizzie . . . that's just amazing." Elizabeth gently put her hand on her stomach, where the speck was growing and Jane after a minute's hesitation put her hand on there too.

"Well I better get married soon because otherwise I'll be stuck with two of you." The two sisters laughed, Jane sank down next to Lizzie and they held each other, in the morning Lizzie was going to have to tell her work she was leaving but for now didn't have to think about it.

Present day . . .

Elizabeth slept soundly in her bed that night, with William sleeping soundly next to her.

"I'm late." Lizzie scoffed through the bagel she had just shoved into her mouth. Rushing about the kitchen, she shifted all the papers Alison had tidied to find the one she needed and then she continued to tear the house apart looking for her phone which had gone missing, again. Grabbing the house phone, she tried ringing it but she couldn't hear it ringing "It probably has no battery; mommy's very silly isn't she William."

Lizzie glanced at the clock on the wall, she was 17 minutes late for work already but where was Alison she was never late; after waiting a few more minutes Lizzie gave up and picked up the house phone, a cheery voice answered "Ali, where are you? I have to go."

"Lizzie, I told you, your uncle and I can't babysit William today, we're seeing your mother & sisters in London." Elizabeth slapped her forehead, she had completely forgotten.

"Oh no, I forgot, sorry . . . no no it's fine I'll sort it, bye bye." Sort it, how was she going to sort it, looking over at William she mentally thought through all the people she could ask to look after him and all the people she could trust to look after him and that left Jane, but she would be at work. "Well baby, it looks like your coming to work me."

Elizabeth picked him up out his play pen hoisting him to rest on her hips then she grabbed his day bag, his favourite teddy bear, her laptop and handbag and ran out the door. Strapping him into the back child seat, she checked the belts around his waist for tightness and as she did she touched something solid that was poking out of his nappy into his chubby belly; she couldn't help but laugh when she espied her missing phone. "William, that's naughty, this is mommies."

William just laughed, clapping his hands together and wriggling in his car seat "iPoon."

It was the longest twenty minutes of her life; William didn't stop crying the whole way to work, he was only satisfied when she turned round to play with him and she couldn't do that without endangering both of their lives; that was not to mention the fact that the traffic into work was horrendous and her phone had already rung 12 times; this definitely wasn't going to be a good day.

Running into the office, laden with the baby and all their junk, she wished for once that she could look more like one of those mother's you see on the television that are all together and perfect, but in reality she knew they didn't exist, mothers hardly ever had it together, they might seem like they do but underneath their a power house of crazy frustrated emotions.

"I know I'm late" she said dashing into her office; all the girls in the office were looking up from their computers, craning their heads to see William, who was deciding now to act like an angel when five minutes again he was Damian.

"Good morning Willy Billy." Jane came over to take William out of her sisters' hands; she took him and bounced in her arms, which caused him to giggle manically. "Oh Lizzie, Charles called he wants to fly 700 delegates in from America and Craig sent through an email this morning, I don't know whether you saw it but he wants to cancel the venue and book the Four Seasons."

Charlotte came in moments later and went straight over to William, imparting her message through goo goo eyes"Oh Lizzie, the caterers for the Index event called, they haven't had sign off of the finalised menu and without that and a deposit by tomorrow they'll have to cancel."

Elizabeth put her head in her hands, it was pounding with all the information, could today get any worse; her office phone rang . . . "Elizabeth Bennett speaking."

"Elizabeth, its Richard . . ." she couldn't speak.

"Lizzie," she looked up to see the office assistant at the door, wearing a kind smile which must have looked so comical against Lizzie's shocked expressed ". . . coffee?"

Author's note:

Just want to clear up that in the last chapter I mentioned William being 13 months old, this is intentional and you'll find out why later.

I hope you like this chapter, I was a bit unsure so would appreciate your views.

Just to let you know I have posted a poll to my profile, it's a vote on the plot of the next P+P fan fic I'm going to write, so if you guys have the time check them out and vote for your favourite.

Not far off 100 reviews for this story, it's very exciting, so get reviewing guys I'd like to reach 100 in the next few chapters.

Special shout out to noukinav018; I love your reviews

Kx