by Aimée Avery
“I think they went to the cave,” Mr. Bennet smiled.
“Of course they did, Thomas.”
~ • ~
William and Elizabeth held each other close. A soft summer breeze drifted into the cave and cooled their sweat-dampened nude forms.
“Do you think we made another little one tonight, Lizzy?” William said in a contented voice.
“I don’t think so,” she answered happily.
“Don’t you want another baby, Lizzy?” William asked, slightly concerned at the mix of her happiness and her answer.
“William Darcy! I told you that I wanted to have a hundred children with you if it were possible. But I know we didn’t make a baby tonight because we made one about six weeks ago!” She smiled at him.
As her words finally registered, he smiled broadly and kissed her over and over until they made love again to celebrate adding to their family.
~ • ~
Almost eight months later…
“Tommy, Steph, Danny, Tricie and Elsa, meet your new baby brother,” Elizabeth said as she sat in a rocker in her hospital room.
“Good! Another boy!” Ten year-old Tommy exclaimed. “Now we’re even!”
“I’m prettier than he is,” Elsa stated as she looked at the sleeping baby, unimpressed.
“May I help take care of him, Mum?” Stephanie asked. “I’m almost nine, so I’m very responsible.”
“How long before he can play footie?” asked the serious seven year-old Danny, a carbon copy of his father in appearance.
Patrice carefully approached and studied the baby. The girl seemed to be a miniature adult instead of the five-year-old she was. “He’s bald. He better grow some hair fast, because I don’t think anyone will be impressed otherwise.”
William Darcy couldn’t help but smirk at his little girl’s grown up vocabulary; she was going to be a scholar one day, he just knew it!
“Yes, well… we are even now. Three boys, three girls, and of course you are prettier that he is, Elsa. You are a girl!” He bent down and kissed the top of the young girl’s head. “I think your Mum would appreciate some help, Stephanie.”
“I would,” Elizabeth agreed with her husband as she watched him herd his children toward the door.
“Danny, I think it will be a few years before your new brother will be playing footie, but I’m sure he will love it if you teach him. And Patrice, I wouldn’t worry about his hair. I believe you were also bald, and see what beautiful hair you have now?”
Elizabeth rocked her new son and waited for her husband to return and escort her out so they could go home as a family.
“Are you ready, Princess?” William Darcy looked at his wife with a glimmer in his eye.
“I am, Sir William of Darcy, my dashing knight!”
“And what about my new son?”
“Master Clifford Robert Darcy is ready too, love.”
~ fini ~