Let's get these two lovebirds married and having babies.

Chapter 7

John took my news with an open heart, surprising me with his acceptance. "I always knew you were special, Rachel. Your knowledge and insights have always been beyond this time. This explains so much," he said, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding.

Relief washed over me, and our bond grew even stronger. Time moved on, and soon enough, the Countess delivered a healthy baby boy, just as I predicted. The household was filled with joy, and I was honored to be asked to be godmother once again. His godfathers were Harry Bennet and a close friend of the Earl's for the house of Lords.

As my wedding day approached, the atmosphere at Netherfield and Longborn was a mix of excitement and bittersweet emotions. Elizabeth and I shared a poignant farewell. Although I would be living in Meryton with John, only a mile away, it felt like a significant chapter in our lives was closing.

"You have been like a sister to me, Rachel," Elizabeth said, her voice thick with emotion as we embraced.

"And you to me, Elizabeth. This is not goodbye. " I reassured her, though my own eyes were misty with tears.

The wedding day arrived; a beautiful spring morning filled with the scent of blooming flowers. I walked down the aisle towards John, my heart full of love and hope for our future together. The ceremony was intimate, attended by close friends and family, and it was perfect.

After the wedding, John whisked me away on a short honeymoon to London. Having seen modern London, it was a unique experience to view it through the lens of the 1770s. The city was bustling with activity, and its historical charm was even more pronounced. We visited landmarks that I had only read about, and I marveled at the differences and similarities.

As we strolled through the streets, John held my hand tightly. "Are you enjoying our adventure, Mrs. Gardiner?" he asked with a playful smile.

"Very much so, Mr. Gardiner. It is fascinating to see London in this era," I replied, squeezing his hand in return.

We explored the sights, from the grandeur of Westminster Abbey to the lively atmosphere of Covent Garden. Each moment was a blend of my past knowledge and present joy. John took great pleasure in showing me around, his excitement contagious.

One evening, as we dined in a quaint inn, John raised a toast. "To our future, Rachel. May it be filled with love, happiness, and many more adventures."

"To our future," I echoed, clinking my glass against his, feeling a profound sense of contentment.

Returning to Meryton, I settled into our new home with John. The transition was smooth, thanks to the support of the community and my previous connections. Although I was no longer residing at Longborn, I felt deeply connected to my friends and the village.

One sunny afternoon, as I was unpacking some of my belongings, little Rachel came to visit, her bright eyes full of curiosity. "Auntie Rachel, will you come back to Longborn to visit often? She asked, her tiny hands clutching my skirt.

I knelt down to her level, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Of course, my dear. I will visit as often as I can. And you can always come to see me here in Meryton."

Her face lit up with a smile, and she hugged me tightly. "Promise?"

"Promise," I replied, my heart sweetling with love for this little girl who had become so dear to me.

Elizabeth also visited, and we spent an afternoon reminiscing and planning for the future. As we sat in my cozy new parlor, I opened up to her about my lingering worries.

"Elizabeth, sometimes I feel guilty for the secrets I keep from everyone. There is so much I cannot share, and I am afraid of what those secrets might mean for our future," I confessed, my voice heavy with uncertainty.

Elizabeth took my hand, her eyes full of compassion. "Rachel, you have done what you felt was right. You have been honest with John, and he loves you for who you are. The future is always uncertain, but you have built a strong foundation with him. Trust in that."

Her words reassured me, and I felt a renewed sense of determination to make the most of my life in time.

As I embraced my new role as Mrs. Gardiner, I also took on the responsibilities of being a stepmother to Mary and Frances. Mary embraced me warmly, eager to bond and learn from me. Frances, however, was slower to accept me. Initially, she was polite, but her behavior soon took a drastic turn, becoming defiant and rebellious.

John and I struggled to understand the change. Despite our best efforts to connect with Frances, her attitude grew increasingly hostile. One evening, after yet another bout of defiance, I sat down with her, hoping to get to the root of her anger.

"Frances, we need to talk. What is troubling you?" I asked gently, hoping she would open up.

She glared at me, tears brimming in her eyes. "You think you can replace my mother, but you can't! Mrs. Turner said you wanted father for yourself, and you are the reason my mother died!"

Her words hit me like a blow. Mrs. Turner was a maid who had attended Jane Gardiner, spreading lies. I realized the depth of Frances's pain and the source of her resentment.

The next day, I confronted Mrs. Turner. "Your behavior is unacceptable, and your lies have caused great harm to this family. You are dismissed, effective immediately, without references."

John wanted to address Frances's defiance with strict discipline, but I urged a different approach. "We need to show patience and understanding, while still not allowing bad behavior to go unchecked," I suggested.

Gradually, with consistent love and boundaries, Frances began to soften. It took time, but she eventually saw that I was not trying to replace her mother but to be there for her and her sister.

A year into my marriage, I began to feel the familiar symptoms of pregnancy. When I shared the news with John, his face lit up with joy.

"Rachel, this is wonderful! Do you know if we are having a by or a girl?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I smiled, my heart full of love for this man wo had accepted me so completely. "Yes, Joh, it is a son."

He embraced me lifting me off my feet. "A son! We will have someone to leave the practice to," he said, his voice filled with dreams of the future.

I hesitated for a moment, torn between letting him believe in this future and knowing that Edward would choose a different path. "yes, perhaps," I replied gently, deciding to let him enjoy the moment without crushing his hopes.

When we told Mary and Frances about the baby, their reactions were quite different. Mary was thrilled, immediately starting to think about how she could help.

"Oh, Mother, I can't wait to have a little brother! I'll help with everything," Mary said enthusiastically.

Frances, while happy for us, had a flicker of worry in her eyes. Later that evening, she approached me quietly. "Will you still have time for me, Mother, with the new baby coming?"

I knelt down to her level, taking her hands in mine. "Frances, you are very important to me, and nothing will change that. The baby will be a new addition to our family, but you and Mary will always be my precious daughters."

She nodded, a small smile appearing on her face. "Promise?"

"Promise," I said, hugging her tightly.

Elizabeth and little Rachel visited soon after hearing the news. Elizabeth's face lit up with delight, while Rachel jumped up and down excitedly.

"A baby cousin!" Rachel exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "Can I help take care of him?"

"Of course, Rachel. You will be a wonderful helper," I said, smiling at her enthusiasm. Elziabeth and I found a quiet moment to talk while the children played. "Harry and Henry are doing well," she said. "Henry is being trained to take over Longbourn. He is really taking to it."

"I'm glad to hear that, Elizabeth. It's good to know Longborn will be in capable hands," I replied, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of the future I couldn't prevent.

As my pregnancy progressed, the household buzzed with anticipation. John was attentive and caring, making sure I had everything I needed. Mary and Frances helped as best they could, their excitement growing with each passing day.

Finally, the day arrived. With the help of Elizabeth, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The delivery went smoothly, and as I held my son in my arms for the first time, I felt a profound sense of completeness.

John was overjoyed, tears of happiness streaming down his face as he held our son. "He's perfect, Rachel. Absolutely perfect."

Mary and Frances peeked into the room, their faces filled with awe. "Can we see him?" Mary asked softly.

"Of course," I said, beckoning them in. "Meet your brother, Edward."

They gathered around, their eyes wide with wonder. Frances reached out tentatively, her earlier worries forgotten. "he's so tiny," she whispered.

Elizabeth and little Rachel arrived shortly after, bringing gifts and congratulations. Elizabeth hugged me tightly. "you have done it, Rachel. He's beautiful."

I smiled, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy. "Thank you, Elizabeth. For this moment, everything seems perfect."

As I looked around the room at my family and friends, I knew that there were challenges ahead, secrets I still kept, and a future that was uncertain. But for now, in this perfect moment, surrounded by those I loved, I decided to focus on the present and cherish the happiness we had created together.