My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey Into Love Everlasting (55 page)

"My life has altered so dramatically this past year," Darcy mused. "It is fantastic and I could almost be convinced I am dreaming it all if not for the tangible touch of you and our perfect son." He leaned to bestow a kiss to Alexander's chubby fist tightly clenched around his index finger. The baby lay asleep on the bed between his mother and father, their bodies nestled as close as possible without smothering the contented infant. Lizzy's nose brushed the fine tresses as she inhaled his innocent fragrance and planted an endless amount of soft kisses. Darcy played with her lengthy hair spilling over the pillows, knuckles frequently caressing over her face.

Lizzy smiled through her weariness. Her body ached in unmentionable places and she was utterly exhausted; nevertheless, her happiness rushed through every fiber of her spirit as a surging wave. She spoke in a bare whisper, voice hoarse from the strain of birth and fatigue, "I do know what you mean. If anyone had told me fourteen months ago that I would be joyously married to the most amazing man in the world and with a child at my breast... well, I am certain I would have laughed! Now look at us, William. Together a year and blessed with a priceless gift. What was it you said once? 'A part of you and me, created by God through our union.'" She shook her head, "I still cannot believe you are mine, and now we have a baby! It
is
fantastic."

Alexander released a soft drowsy sigh, arching his head toward Darcy with petite lips sucking on an imaginary nipple. Thick lashes lay on rosy silky cheeks, his skin fair as was both his parents. The contrast of milky skin and chestnut hair was striking and so beautiful. Naturally his parents thought him lovely beyond any child alive, but the truth is Alexander was adorable. It was indisputable that he favored his father, but there was much of his mother about his features: the curly hair, diminutive nose, rounder eyes, and bent pinkie toes. His feet overall were long and broad like his father's, but the toe was a Bennet trait. Darcy was thrilled about the little digit, already delighting in ticklish nibbles; Lizzy was less than enthused, having always been embarrassed by what she considered a flaw, but her husband adored her feet--as well as everything else.

Darcy smiled at the joy elicited by the mere presence of their infant, leaned to kiss his forehead and inhaling deeply of his clean scent. "I smell the soap, but there is something indefinable about him. It is his very skin, his essence. He is so unbelievably sweet! I never imagined it possible to love someone so newly acquainted and largely unknown to this degree. He is a miracle, Elizabeth, and I cannot thank you enough." He met her glittering eyes, leaning to now kiss her equally as tender. "I love you, my wife, beyond measure."

"And I you, beloved. My heart is filled to overflowing. My soul is dancing a lively jig even if my body is too weary to respond!"

She yawned widely, Darcy chuckling faintly. "Close your eyes and sleep, dearest. Uncle says it vital you rest while Alexander does."

"Fitzwilliam, will you stay here with us? Please?"

"Of course!" He was genuinely surprised at the question and the tone of pleading it was asked in. "My place is with you, no matter the bedchamber. I would not leave even if you begged me to do so. When you feel ready, we will return to our favored bed, but until then you are stuck with me in this smaller one."

Lizzy smiled drowsily, eyes falling shut and voice a bare murmur, "Thank you. Should we move him to the cradle? I do not wish to, but I fear squishing him."

"He will come to no harm. I do not want him so far either. Sleep, Elizabeth," he whispered, drawing the blanket further over his wife and dreaming babe, stroking over her warm skin as she promptly succumbed to her fatigue. They slept all three together, Darcy awake long after his wife and child, watching over them as they rested with emotions unnameable alive inside of him.

The first days of parenthood were tremendous. Lizzy recuperated rapidly. Too rapidly as far as Darcy was concerned, his fears at her overextending falling on deaf ears. What she could not quite communicate to him was how marvelous she felt. Yes, her feminine regions were sore and swollen, her muscles were stiff and achy for a couple days, and it took her about a week to regain her natural vigor and no longer be stricken by fatigue, but these were minor irritations compared to the joy suffusing her soul. Additionally, the simple delight at suddenly weighing about twelve pounds lighter was stupendous!

Lizzy kept to her chambers during those early days of rejuvenation, Darcy leaving rarely. Upon occasion Alexander did sleep tucked into a ball on the mattress with a parent nearby, but the bulk of his early life was spent in someone's arms. Neither mother nor father wished him out of sight, even the dozen steps to the nursery. Mrs. Hanford was constantly in residence, educating Lizzy and Darcy on the basic principles of diapering and dressing and bathing. Her knowledge was of a practical, experiential nature. Often it was the simple things that books did not teach that she readily knew and imparted with confidence that eased the Darcys.

For example, Alexander's first several bowel eliminations were decidedly odd and frightening, the new parents greatly relieved when the nanny assured them it was normal. For her part, the negligible time spent thus far at Pemberley had not fully prepared her for the intense interest both Darcys shared for all things regarding their son. Nothing escaped their notice, especially Mr. Darcy, whose eagle-eyed penetrating gaze frankly unnerved her initially, but speedily grew ordinary and was balanced by the tender devotion evident. All the rumors circulating since the Master's marriage were witnessed firsthand by the nanny, and her happiness with her new path in life was immense.

Alexander was alert more often than either of them had expected, his bright blue eyes penetrating and serious. It was a gaze, even in its infantile state, that was eerily like his father's.

Yet most of his awake-time was devoted to the all important chore of eating. There were a handful of slumbering stretches that lasted longer than three hours, but very few. The short nap followed by a voracious interlude at his mother's breast was a typical pattern during those initial days. By the end of the third day Lizzy's milk would be fully producing, allowing for longer reprieves between nursing, but for those first days he was never well satisfied. Naturally she minded not at all, generally holding him as he slept rather than placing him into his cradle. In fact, he would not sleep in his cradle for several days.

When Darcy was not present, which was rarely, and even a good portion of the time when he was, Jane or Georgiana, and often both, would be found placidly sitting nearby with a cup of tea or embroidery hoop in hand. These were episodes of pleasant conversation, one eye on the flashing needle and the other on Lizzy and new nephew. Both women possessed calm natures that pacified while also ready to jump up the instant she needed anything. Their constant vigil and serene presence soothed all of them and granted Darcy the relieving freedom to move beyond the chamber as required. Naturally the conversation often centered on Alexander and the soon-to-arrive Bingley baby, but general topics ranged wide as the women passed the hours companionably.

"I wrote to Mama and Papa a few days before I came here," Jane said at one point. "I told them about our blessed news. Caroline and the Hursts are arriving next week, so we will announce our blessing to them then."

"Are they staying for long?"

"Probably through the holidays. Do not make that face, Lizzy!"

"Forgive me, Jane, but I must confess I am happy it is you and not me! Although I suppose we shall host them a time or two. Caroline Bingley irritates me and the Hursts are boring. Sorry, but you know it to be true. Perhaps I can plead lingering post childbirth fatigue. Certainly I do not want a host of people handling our fragile infant, and William will absolutely forbid it. We have not discussed it, but what are your plans for Christmas?"

"Typical celebrations at Hasberry. I greatly anticipate a lively holiday in my new home. Yes, even with the Hursts and Caroline!" She laughed at Lizzy's harrumph. "But do not fret overly, dear sister. I assure you we will not willingly face the wrath of Mr. Darcy by invading your peace too radically."

"Don't be silly," Lizzy teased. "We want you and Charles here for Christmas dinner at the least. And for the christening in January. I can happily endure Caroline and the Hursts for a few days."

"We shall see," Georgiana muttered under her breath with a wink toward Jane that Lizzy ignored.

She continued, "Papa wrote and said they plan to arrive a week before Christmas. I think he wanted to be very sure
not
to be here during the birth, five previous times more than sufficient! I can only be grateful at that insight as I vastly preferred my husband by my side then Mama shrieking through Pemberley's halls." They all laughed, Lizzy shaking her head at the momentary vision of her mother attempting to "help" during her labor.

"Will Mary be accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Kitty? I know she is currently at home pending her wedding in February," Georgiana asked.

"I am unsure. William and I extended an invitation to her and Mr. Daniels, although I believe the poor man will sooner tread over hot coals than reside as a guest here. We do hope Mary can persuade him."

"As do I. I miss Mary, and it would be fabulous to have Mary attend the Cole's Masque with Kitty and me."

Jane laughed. "I would not set my hopes on that, Georgiana. Mary despises dancing and would need to be chained and dragged there involuntarily."

The idle chat and laughter continued until interrupted by the menfolk.

Darcy did not go farther in those early days than the hallway, his dressing room, or sitting room where he would attend to his personal needs or relax with Bingley over a cup of hot chocolate. Two days after the birth, Darcy and Bingley engaged in a handful of backgammon games in the well-appointed game room. They conversed companionably and snacked on Mrs. Langton's excellent gooseberry jam-smothered biscuits and drank hot black tea. It was an enjoyable session, but eventually Darcy grew anxious, missing his family.

"Come, Bingley," he said to his friend. "Let us see what our beautiful wives are gossiping about today. Besides, you have not gazed upon my handsome son since early this morning. He needs to recognize the face of his Uncle Charles."

Darcy was already at the door, Bingley trailing with a chuckle and privately wondering if he would be as giddy upon the arrival of his firstborn.
Most likely
, he thought with a smile.

Jane sat on a settee before the roaring fire with needlepoint in hand, talking softly as Lizzy completed burping Alexander from the pillowed comfort of a second settee while Georgiana reclined on the chaise with a forgotten book on her lap. The men joined the ladies, Darcy crossing instantly to his wife for a tender kiss and taking Alexander from her sore arms as he sat beside. General conversation ensued, Lizzy leaning gratefully against the solid strength of her husband's side. It was Darcy, sleeping baby cradled in his arms, who broached an important subject in his typical forthright manner of speaking.

"Charles, Jane." They glanced over simultaneously, brows lifting slightly at the serious tone. "Elizabeth and I have a question of extreme magnitude to ask of you. It is essential you understand that we have given this a tremendous amount of consideration and are absolutely convinced of the wisdom in our choice. Although we would make every attempt to comprehend a negative response, it would be deeply distressing as we are confident in our judgment. We in no way want you to be obligated, however, if you feel just cause to decline."