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Elizabeth watched on helpless as the paramedic's carried William from the ambulance into the hospital, she followed them into a private care room where they lay William on the small bed and pulled up the side bars to keep him secure. On the way to the room Lizzie noticed the people staring at her as she walked past, a look of pity registering on their faces as they noticed her tear stained face and shabby clothing; how dare they pity me, Lizzie thought, that makes this whole situation even worse, he is going to be fine. At the thought of the way William had looked in his bed when she found him, she began to shudder, a cold sweat breaking out across her neck and forehead; forcefully she repressed the images, she wasn't ready to face any alternative at the minute, it was denial or nothing.

A portly nurse bustled into the room and moved over to Elizabeth, gently taking her hand "sweetheart, don't worry we're going to take good care of everything." Elizabeth snatched her hand away, afraid that if the woman kept prying her with her silvery green eyes she was going to crumble to pieces. The nurse smiled and moved over to William, gently leaning across the bar to smile down at him "What's your name pet?"

"His names William . . . William Bennett," Elizabeth interjected and moved over to her sons bedside, biting the skin around her thumb, as the nurse tickled Williams tummy gently. William stayed unusually still, his eyes kept dropping shut and he kept trying to sit up but Lizzie kept restraining him; his glassy eyes looked up at her and he raised his arms out to her, begging for her attention but instead of picking him up Lizzie leaned over the railing and gave him a hug, kissing his face and taking his tiny hand in hers.

"Elizabeth . . ." The nurse interrupted the tender scene, surveying Lizzie's face as she finally looked up to meet her eyes "I'm going to need to remove the top so that we can monitor his breathing and heart rhythm, would you mind if I removed his top, we can keep the blanket over him?"

Lizzie looked at William to the nurse and nodded her head, in agreement, at that Jane rushed into the room, disturbing the peace as she ran over to the bedside, a look of wild panic in her eyes.

"Is he okay? What's going on? I rang Charles he's on his way." Jane panted as she tried to calm down and she took Lizzie by the hand as the nurse tried to take Williams pyjama top off, causing him to squirm and try to protest.

"Jane . . ." Lizzie was looking to her sister, with big glassy eyes and a smile on her lips, she was so grateful to her big sister for helping save William's life that she couldn't find the words to express her gratitude.

Call it intuition but Lizzie didn't need to say anything, Jane could fell the thanks emanating from her and besides Lizzie didn't need to say thank you, William was her family and so she simply squeezed her hand and pulled her into her side. To Elizabeth it felt so good to be close to her big sister, Lizzie even laid her head on Jane's shoulder and sighed as she kissed the top of her head, everything will be okay, Lizzie hoped.

When the nurse finally finished wiring up William, Lizzie looked to the monitor at the side of the bed, watching the numbers go up and down, it felt too clinical to watch her sons heart rate fluctuate and watch as his breathing was monitored. The nurse gently stroked away the hair from Williams eyes and moved to the two sisters "The doctor is going to be here in a few minutes, I'll be back to check on him in a bit."

Jane watched as the plump and short nurse with the friendly smile slipped out of the room to see other patients, the sisters didn't envy her job. Lizzie didn't say goodbye she just moved closer to Williams bedside taking his small chubby hand in hers and kissing his forehead, whispering "I love you" as she moved away, god she loved him sooooo much.

Elizabeth looked around at the yellow rinse walls in the room, why did they always paint hospitals foul colours, it was bad enough to be in there already but did they have to make it so depressing, then again what was she expecting hot pink walls and disco lights. The bed sheets were an off white and the floor was a dull grey with a peach diamond in the middle, it was vile, Lizzie couldn't wait to be out of there.

William's heart and breathing monitor continued to rise and fall next to the bed and Lizzie looked up to see Jane pacing the room, staring at the floor. Lizzie noted that Jane had several more frown lines etched into her normally creamy perfect forehead and although it would be plausible to say they were caused by what had happened this evening Lizzie couldn't get rid of a nagging feeling that Jane was keeping something from her, why had Jane come to Lizzie's in the first place? Jane never came late.

The minutes ticked on and the noise outside grew louder as they heard a bed being rushed down the hallway, hospitals were too morbid. Lizzie kept gazing over William, not wanting to her eyes off him just in case and delicately she began to hum a little tune, which lifted the air with its sweet rhythm, both sisters started to relax when suddenly a loud ringing began to emanate from Jane's purse. The sudden loud noise made William jump up with a start and Lizzie shot her sister a menacing glare, to tell her to turn it off. Jane looked up ashamed and she began to fumble in her purse, trying to turn it off, crap crap crap. The noise was persistent and Jane eventually excused herself from the room in order to excavate the phone, Lizzie didn't listen to see where Jane had gone she simple turned back to William and sighed.

Unaware of the commotion outside Elizabeth started to hum again and sing to William softly "In the arms of the angel fly away from here, from this dark cold hotel room and the endlessness that you feel." Elizabeth crouched down over William gently brushing her fingers across his forehead, eyes and nose, it was something she had done to keep him calm ever since he was a small baby and without fail he normally fell asleep. "You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie, you're arms of the angel may you find some comfort here."

Darcy led Georgiana over to where Jane and Charles were standing; over their heads he surveyed the main A & E desk and curtained rooms in an attempt to find Elizabeth and William but they were nowhere to be seen. As the brother and sister approached the couple standing in the waiting area Darcy's stomach leapt into his mouth as he saw Jane's mascara streaked face stare at him with blood shot red eyes. At his side Georgiana tensed and stepped in front of him, as if she were shielding him, 'hmm that's odd' he thought and he promised to question his sister again about her weird behaviour.

"Miss Bennett, Charles, how is William?" Darcy's voice was clear and left no room for small talk, he stared into Jane's eyes intently praying that little William was okay.

Jane's eyes flickered between Darcy and Georgiana; she breathed heavily trying to ignore the pointed stare of the commanding man in front of her. "William is okay, he's waiting for the doctors to check him over but he's . . . breathing" her breath came out laboured, as if she were expecting a different outcome. Darcy tried to ignore this; he couldn't face the thought of anything happening to William.

"Where is he?" Darcy couldn't keep the concern out of his voice and he followed Jane's gaze to a private room just along the corridor and without a second thought he marched off towards to Elizabeth and William.

"Will, you can't go in there you aren't family." Charles went to go after him but both Jane and Georgiana put a restraining hand on each of his shoulders, shaking their heads at him in unison; Charles grunted in submission and turned away, walking towards the coffee machines for a much needed caffeine beverage; both of Williams aunts watched silently as Fitzwilliam disappeared into the patient's room without a backwards glance.

Fitzwilliam braced himself as he listened to the most bewitching noise from the other side of the curtain, a woman was singing quietly, a soothing song he had never heard before and after listening for a few seconds he gently pulled the curtain back and took a few steps inside. At the intrusion Elizabeth turned around and jumped up, causing William to jump up with her and cast his eyes over the intruder; William promptly collapsed back down too exhausted.

"Mr Darcy! What are you doing here?" Elizabeth didn't know whether to sit down or walk over to him but it didn't matter because his eyes were arrested by William, he was taking in every inch of the little boys worn out frame as it lay on the bed.

"How is he?" Darcy walked over and stood next to Elizabeth, gently easing her back into the seat she'd vacated, she was a little unsteady on her feet and he was afraid she might pass out if she exerted herself too quickly.

Elizabeth looked to Darcy's hand as it rested on her shoulder and she smiled up at him with tears in her eyes, quickly she looked away trying to hide her broken state "He's . . . I don't know . . . a doctor hasn't been in yet!"

Darcy could hardly take his eyes off her orb-like brown eyes and they became more prominent when she was upset, so he easily noted she was close to tears and instinctively he knelt down in front of her and took her dainty hands in his, "Lizzie, what happened?"

'Did he just call me Lizzie?'

Elizabeth couldn't give him the answers he wanted, she wasn't sure what had happened, Jane hadn't told her he'd had a pen lid in his mouth so Lizzie just filled him in on the state she had found William in and what had happened since. Darcy ran his hand through his hair, clenching his jaw causing his cheekbones to become more pronounced as he ground his teeth together in annoyance and concern.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner."

"Mr Darcy, I'm surprised you came at all . . ."

Darcy looked at her in shock, did she really believe he could be heartless enough not to come to see her and William, he didn't know what to do he just stared at her but she rapidly corrected herself, nearly tripping over her words. "Don't get me wrong I'm so happy to see you but I just . . . how did you even know?"

"Charles called; Georgiana is outside with him and Jane."

"Georgiana is here?"

Darcy nodded and looked to William who lay on the bed with his eyes closed; the toddler was too exhausted to even welcome his new best friend. Elizabeth stood up still holding Darcy's warm hand in her clammy palm, the sensation of his warm skin against hers made a hot feeling rise in her stomach.

As Elizabeth stared down at William, Darcy had the sudden impulse to kiss William's little forehead, so he did, slowly he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the little boy, taking one of the boy's little hands into his own. Darcy looked down at it, his own hand eclipsed the tiny one he held, Will's hand barely covered up his palm, it was that small.

As Darcy looked from William to Lizzie a butterfly feeling fluttered about in his stomach and a feeling of love swelled his heart and when she met his gaze, her face matching his expression he couldn't contain himself any longer. Turning to her he placed his large hands either side of her face and brushed his thumbs along her cheekbones, watching her eyes flutter shut as she savoured his touch. Lizzie was in pyjamas with a swollen face from all the crying and hair that looked like it hadn't seen a brush for ages and yet he still found her the most beautiful woman he had ever met, she was adorable and seeing her with William made Darcy realise he couldn't stand to be without her. So as her eyes closed he placed a tender kiss on her swollen pink lips and all of the emotions they both felt were summed up in that kiss, it was perfect for right then.

Both Lizzie and Darcy opened their eyes at the same time staring at one another with their foreheads pressed together and that's when they heard a cough come from behind them.

Elizabeth was the first one to notice the doctor standing by the door and she went light headed when she took in the man by the door. He was slightly smaller than Darcy about 6ft 2in, with deep brown hair and arresting brown eyes, a two day old stubble spread across his face and he was wearing grey trousers, a brown jumper and a doctor's coat, he still looks good Lizzie thought.

"Doctor . . ." Darcy nodded to the man, looking to the doctor and then to Elizabeth, they were both staring at each other not saying a word, "Elizabeth?" Darcy turned to her and seeing the colour disappear from her cheeks, he tried to ease her back into the chair.

"Elizabeth, why didn't you call me?" The man glared at Darcy, sizing him up and then moved over to William's bedside, stroking his hair; Darcy didn't know what to say, who is this guy?

"I didn't see why I needed too." Lizzie spoke slowly, watching her ex boyfriend George Wickham look over her son, god he looks good, she thought, he always looked good in that doctors outfit.

"Of course you need too; I have a right to know." He answered sharply.

"No you don't, are you his doctor?"

"No!" George glared at Elizabeth, drinking in her every feature.

"Then please leave." Elizabeth removed George's hand from Williams face and moved in front of Darcy unconsciously; Darcy was bemused, he still didn't know who this guy was but his dark hair and eyes looked familiar.

"Damnit Lizzie I'm not leaving, my colleague will be here any minute, I should be here."

"Wickham please leave." Elizabeth was getting visibly distressed with the gentleman so Darcy tried to interject "Look Elizabeth's asked you to leave, this is distressing enough, and it should only be family in here."

Elizabeth looked to Darcy and smiled, George Wickham watched her look up to Darcy with an affectionate gaze so he trained his dark eyes on Darcy and clenched his fists at his side, what he said next Darcy was not expecting, "And you are? This is my son, if anyone should get out it should be you!" Darcy mentally stumbled backwards, he was dumbfounded, WHAT! He looked to Wickham, to William and realised that the reason the doctor looked so familiar was because William shared his features.

"What? George NO! NO! NO! NO! You're not Williams' father, we've been through this." Elizabeth placed a hand on Darcy's chest as she marched around the bed and tugged on George's sleeve in an attempt to get him to leave; he simply raised an eyebrow at her and fed his arm around her slim waist.

"Lizzie, you've. . ."

"It's Elizabeth to you!"

"L I Z Z I E, you can't expect me to believe that, he looks like me."

"No he looks like his father; his resemblance to you is coincidental because William IS NOT YOUR SON! I've never allowed you to delude yourself into thinking he was." Her face was red with anger and she pulled his arm off her waist, holding it out away from her as she looked into George's eyes willing him to believe her but he didn't he just smirked at her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Liz, everyone says he looks like me, even your mum thinks he looks like me, come on we've been fighting about this for years. Why can't you just admit it? I know I haven't been the best of father's but I'm here now, when it matters."

"There's a lot more to being a father than just turning up when your sons not very well."

"You didn't give me much of a choice, you broke up with me just after that conference you went too because you said you'd been with someone else. That didn't bother me Lizzie; it evened the score a bit."

"I didn't break up with you to even the score, I didn't break up with you because I slept with someone else, I broke up with you because I didn't love you, you were a womanising arsehole and I was having another man's baby."

"Conference, what conference?" Darcy chimed in, he'd been stunned to silence by the verbal parrying but the way Elizabeth was speaking was causing alarm bells to go off at the back of his mind.

"Oh some conference, she worked on a couple of years ago." George answered on Lizzie's behalf; she was just staring at Darcy now, watching as the cogs started working.

"Which conference!" Darcy demanded, the whole world was closing in on him; the room was suddenly feeling very crowded and his shirt collar was feeling incredibly tight as all the evidence stacked up.

"It isn't relevant, point is, Elizabeth, you could never tell anyone who the father was, it was all very cryptic but you have to admit he could be mine."

"He's not . . ." Lizzie spoke definitely but quietly and then she turned to Darcy and nodded gently at his earlier comment about which conference George was referring too.

"How do you know? It never had to be like this, you didn't have to feel guilty because he's my son."

"No he's not, George please, stop." Elizabeth shut her eyes and begged George to stop, it was all becoming so obvious, if Darcy hadn't figured out from the resemblance he couldn't be stupid enough not to piece it all together now.

"Okay so whose is he? Did his father not want him?" George put his hand underneath Lizzie's chin forcing her to look at him, when the third person in the room spoke.

"William is my son . . . . . . . . ."

Author's note:

There you go everyone, the chapter you've all kind of been waiting for - it might not be how you were expecting it but hey, I wasn't intending to introduce Wickham so soon but I thought hey now's a good a time as any. Just to let you know Wickham won't be like the Wickham in P+P, he's going to be a little bit nicer, he is a doctor after all.

So please send me your reviews and tell me how you think Darcy would react; it might be a difficult chapter for me to write because I'll get all emotional so need some ideas I want it to be true to how you guys perceive the characters.

Be nice . . . :) I'm manning an exhibition stand all day tomorrow so your reviews will get me through the day as my feet will kill me :(

Thanks for all your reviews, my comment last chapter wasn't snapping at anyone, I really do appreciate the time you all invest in the story and I know from my own experience I get annoyed when things are spelt incorrect etc. just didn't want you all thinking im lazy.

Kx