[For Elizabeth]

[most_ardent]

While the extreme changes in climate had not much altered Darcy's daily activities, he had been glad enough to see things revert back to something close to normal. A change to the English countryside might have been more welcome, but by that time, he was well used to tropical jungle. Furthermore, the return to a typical island environment meant

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[bennetsister]

Elizabeth was not in the bedroom, but was just returning from the compound. She had not told Darcy of her appointment there before going, for she wanted to wait until afterward, if she had the news to tell that she hoped she would. He was looking into the bedroom when she came upstairs, unfastening the ribbons of her hat. "Hello," she said, rising on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "Did you have a pleasant ride?"

[most_ardent]

Darcy responded with a low hum in the affirmative, tipping his cheek towards Elizabeth to accept her kiss. There was something about her, he was quite certain of that much, as if she were containing some great enthusiasm in order to spare him confusion or discomfort.

"Were you walking?" he asked, implying the desire for elaboration.

[bennetsister]

"Not this morning, no," she replied, crossing the room to put away her hat. She spent some time straightening the ribbons, perhaps as a manner of delay; it was not as though she was not eager to share her news with her husband, but she was more nervous than she had expected to be. How difficult it was to share good news! It was entirely contradictory. "I had an appointment at the clinic, actually."

[most_ardent]

That was unexpected, and Darcy hesitated a long moment to consider his reply. Elizabeth looked to be in good health, and had not mentioned feeling ill prior to this.

"Is everything well?" he asked, uncertain.

[bennetsister]

"Quite well, actually," Elizabeth replied, and she could no longer keep the smile from her face despite her anxiousness. "I went this morning because I suspected..." She hesitated, wondering how best to phrase it, but a glance at his face told her that he was worried there was something wrong and it was best to correct the idea to prevent further worry. "You're going to be a father," she blurted all at once, her excitement and happiness showing in every word.

[most_ardent]

For a few seconds, Darcy did not register what Elizabeth was telling him; a brief disconnect between the concept of his being a father, and her being pregnant to bring that about prevented it. He blinked, brow in an uncertain furrow, only to have the realisation strike him as forcefully as if he had been slapped.

His eyes rounded. "And you are certain?" he breathed, not daring yet to hope.

[bennetsister]

"Quite certain," Elizabeth assured him, crossing the room to take his hands, her voice quivering with excitement. "I've just come from seeing Dr Chase; the doctors here have ways of knowing such things. It will be a December baby, he says." She could not think of anything more wonderful, that her child and Jane's should be so close in age, only a year and some months apart.

[most_ardent]

So overcome with joy was Darcy that he seized Elizabeth and drew her in for an impulsive kiss upon the mouth, his hands cradling either side of her face. It was as if her news had filled him with a lightness; indeed, in his temporary delirium, he thought it amazing his feet remained on the ground.

"This is wonderful news," he exhaled upon ending the kiss, breathing against her silken hair as he wrapped strong arms about his wife.

[bennetsister]

"Oh, it is," she said happily, a merry laugh of excitement colouring her words. "I could not be any happier than I am just now. I asked Dr Chase several times, to be certain he was absolutely sure, but he assured me that there was no doubt whatsoever."

[most_ardent]

"And all was well?" Darcy asked as he pulled back to level his gaze upon the petite form of his wife. "Did Dr. Chase have any recommendations that we should follow? Any alterations that should be accomplished before the pregnancy further advances?" Already he was considering how best to accomodate Elizabeth in her condition. Perhaps they ought to move downstairs until after the birth.

[bennetsister]

"I could not possibly be healthier," Elizabeth replied in answer, beaming. "And his only instructions were to eat well and partake of a healthy amount of rest and exercise, all of which I already do." She smiled happily, taking Darcy's hands in hers and squeezing. "I am so happy, I might burst with it. I did not think it possible to be happier than I was on the day of our wedding, but today I have learned that to be false."