“Jane?” she asked. Lifting a towel and placing it into the pail she had brought in, she slowly leaned forward, and began to gently pat it against her sister’s forehead.
Jane opened her eyes for a moment, her lips forming a tired grin as she peered up at her sister. “Lizzy,” she murmured, “Oh, Lizzy, I do not know how much more I can withstand,” she admitted.
Elizabeth sighed and looked down at her mother who lifted the blanket that dangled over Jane’s legs. “Oh, I can see the child’s face! Oh, hurry come bring a towel!” she stated. Elizabeth held out a towel to her mother who began to wipe at the child’s face and glancing up at Jane once more she urged, “Push down hard, Jane. One more big push and you should have a healthy baby!” she muttered.
Jane glanced at Elizabeth for strength, closing her eyes tightly as she sucked in a deep breath, and began to push with all her might.
“Yes, there we are!” Mrs Bennet beamed as she pulled the baby free, and began to wrap it in a towel. “Lizzy, hurry take the baby! There is another head!” she stated in shock.
Elizabeth shook her head in confusion, and took the baby from her mother as she approached Jane. “Here is your baby, Jane,” she remarked in awe.
Jane’s eyes flickered when she felt another wave of pain overtake her; her eyes searching for the baby Elizabeth placed before her. “Is it a boy or a girl?” she asked.
Elizabeth lifted the towel and smiled brightly upon the realization that she was holding her firstborn niece, for the very first time. “She is a girl,” Elizabeth happily announced, as Jane bellowed aloud, and pushed yet again. Elizabeth placed the baby in her mother’s arms, and stepped forward just in time for her mother to hand her yet another swaddled baby – only this time, before Mrs Bennet was able to wrap the babe, Elizabeth could clearly see he was male. She stepped up to her sister, and held out Jane’s son for her to see. Jane moved her daughter to her other arm, and held the two infants closely. “And this is your son,” she remarked with pride, her hand falling to grace her own belly as she peered back at them.
“They are truly lovely,” Mrs Bennet stated, gazing lovingly upon her daughter with her children.
Elizabeth nodded. “Indeed, and soon enough Darcy and I, too, shall know that feeling. After seeing Jane with her babies, I must admit, I cannot wait to have one of my own,” Elizabeth announced.
Mrs. Bennet’s eyes widened as she clapped once with delight. “Oh, how lovely! Three new grandchildren instead of just one!” she exclaimed.
Elizabeth smiled, and nodded with satisfaction. There was nothing that she would ever adore more than the love of her new and beautiful family. And the tender smile on her husband’s face when he called her his dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.
The End
Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth Page 11