Posted on Sunday, 13-Sep-98

illiam Darcy, had just walked into his den, after helping his wife (of almost two years ) put to bed their baby boy, Patrick.

It had been a long day for William. He had a meeting with Japanese executives to complete a very important business deal. Though as soon as he came through the door to his home, all his troubles seemed to melt away. Especially when greeted by his beautiful wife and son. What a change from what his life used to be like. Coming home to an empty mansion; no one to talk to, not even a dog.

That all changed when he met Elizabeth. Since the first time he saw the woman that was now his wife, he knew that his life would never be the same.

Sure he had his sister and his friends, but no one in the world could compare to his feisty Elizabeth. She taught him so much about himself that he never knew existed until the day he met her. She completed him.

Sitting down in his favorite leather chair, brandy in hand, watching the fire, William thought about how much had happened since his marriage.

He remembered the time, exactly three months after their wedding, when they bought their Dalmatian, Rupert.

It was a normal autumn day, and Darcy had been looking forward to a nice, relaxing day at home with his wife. Little did he know that she had other things in mind. She wanted to go shopping! And worse still, she wanted him to come along! To the mall of all places!

"Elizabeth dear," he had said. "I usually have Mrs. Reynolds do my shopping. I'm just not a shopping kind of guy. Don't you think you could go by yourself? Maybe invite Jane? I am sure you two would have a good time."

He would never forget the way she looked when she had scolded him.

Coming to stand right in front of him, with her hands on her hips. Eyes blazing in a way that would make anyone cower.

"William Michael Darcy, you are coming with me, your wife, to the mall, to go shopping! Stop acting like a baby! Its not like your having your teeth pulled!"

She walked over and picked up her purse the walked towards the door. Pausing at the door she said, "Get you lovely butt in gear, William. You are going shopping, and you'll do it without complaint if you know what's good for you."

She left behind one very stunned and obedient husband. Hey who was he to argue, she said he had a 'lovely' butt.

Thinking back on it now, he had to laugh. Though that was only the beginning of their adventurous trip to the mall.

"Elizabeth, I remember precisely you saying that there would be no shoe shopping." Whined Darcy, as his wife tried on her tenth pair of shoes in the ninth shoe store they had been to.

"Yes, dear, but I forgot about that diner party at the Knightlys'"

"That's all well and good dear, but you have a closet full of shoes at home. This is the ninth store we've been in, not to mention the eightieth pair of shoes you tried on." Observed Darcy, watching his wife model the shoes for herself in the mirror.

After deciding that the shoes were exactly what she wanted. Elizabeth turned to her husband and said: "Don't you think you're over exaggerating a little, William?"

"Not at all! Elizabeth, this is ridiculous. Just pick a damn pair of shoes already!"

She came over to sit in the chair next to her husband's, and proceeded to take the shoes off.

"Well you're in luck, dear. I have found a 'damn pair of shoes'."

"And I have never gone shoe shopping with her again." Said Darcy, out loud and to no one particular.

They had just about finished, and Darcy had just come back from his seventh trip to the car. He had to get rid of each armful of packages his wife seemed to place in his arms.

"Admit it Elizabeth, you married me for my money."

"Oh, but that's not the only reason. I am also very fond of your tush."

"You know dear, that is the second time today you have referred to my backside." Replied her husband. "I take it back, you didn't marry me for my money, you married me for my body."

"Of course I did, William." Giving him a kiss on the lips. "You have a very, very nice body."

"I am glad you think so, dear." Darcy returned the favor, by giving her a kiss. "I am particularly fond of your body as well." They had continued to walk down towards the exit, arm in arm.

They were almost near the exit, when Elizabeth spotted a Dalmatian puppy in a pet store.

"Oh, William, look! Isn't the cutest thing you have ever seen?"

"I thought I was the cutest thing you have ever seen?"

"No your the sexiest; he's the cutest."

"Just checking, dear. I was starting get jealous of a puppy. I am glad you cleared that up for me."

"Oh, let's go in and get a closer look?"

"Elizabeth, we are not--"

"Please?" Asked a very seductive Elizabeth, playing with the buttons on Darcy's polo shirt.

"Yeess!" Answered her husband, yanking her into the store.

Five minutes later, they came away with Rupert.

Then two months later he found out he was to be a father.

Elizabeth had just returned home from working with a bunch over rambunctious, four year olds at pre-school.

Running upstairs to their bedroom, Elizabeth started pacing the room continuously. She was anxiously awaiting a phone call from the doctor's office. According to the home pregnancy test she had performed a week earlier, she was indeed pregnant. Though she didn't tell Darcy yet; she wanted to be sure for him. 100% sure. Today was William's birthday, and she wanted the news of a new member of their family to be his special gift. Now all she needed was that call.

Little did she know that Darcy had been home for lunch today, and intercepted that call.

He had been so ecstatic that he took the rest of that day off work to start shopping for the upcoming addition. He also forgot to inform his wife.

So that's the state in which he found her. Pacing back and forth enough times to wear the carpet down.

An dozen of stuffed animals in his arm, Darcy asked: "Lizzy, dear, what are you doing?"

Seeing the animals in his arms, everything started coming together. "What am I doing!" She cried. "I am waiting for the stupid doctor's office to call! But of course they won't be calling! You already got the call!"

Darcy dropped the animals where he stood and strode over to his wife.

"Oh, darling, I am so, so sorry." Begged Darcy as he sweep his wife up in his arms. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Seeing the pile of stuff her husband had bought, Elizabeth's tears turned to giggles.

"I guess you were too busy to call me when you discovered the news." Smiled Elizabeth at her husband through her tears. "And here you told me you would never set foot in another store as long as you lived."

"It was a special occasion."

"Yes it was." Agreed his wife. "Happy Birthday, William."

"You have given me the most wonderful gift in the world."

They spent the rest of the night cuddling and discussing their baby.

Though nothing, of course, could compare to the day he actually became a father.

Elizabeth wasn't due for another three weeks and the Bingleys' were having a housewarming party. Jane and Charles had just bought a house about fifteen miles away from the Darcys'. Elizabeth had been able to convince an overly protective William that she was more than capable to attend the party.

At the party, and after they performed the niceties, the couple sort of excluded themselves from the rest of the guests. Though they did like to be by themselves, the main reason they did this was to get away from Caroline.

"You would think that she has never seen a pregnant woman before." Whispered Darcy in his wife's ear.

"'Elizabeth dear, have you gained weight?' 'William, darling, you had better watch. She'll eat you out of house and home.'" Mocked a furious Darcy.

"Think nothing of it, 'William, darling'. She's just jealous that I own you and your body?"

"As long as I get to own you and your body too, dear." Replied Darcy, kissing his wife.

Noticing his wife's flinch when he kissed her, Darcy asked her what was wrong:

"I think my water just broke." Whispered Elizabeth, looking off into space.

Of course after that all hell broke loose. At least until Darcy was certain his wife was fine and he witnessed the birth of his son.

"Push, Elizabeth!" Screamed Darcy, trying his best to help his wife.

"I am pushing, dear!" Answered Elizabeth through clenched teeth.

"Breathe!"

"I am breathing!"

Another contraction came and Elizabeth was told to push again.

"William Michael Darcy, if you ever do this to me again I'll kill you, you jerk!"

"Yes, dear. Just push. And do you think you could ease up on my poor hand?"

"I swear the feeling in my hand didn't return for two weeks." Said Darcy, looking down at the same hand that now held his brandy.

"I see the head." Yelled the doctor.

"Push, Elizabeth!"

"Ahhhhhh!"

Soon after the sound of a little baby crying filled the air.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, you have a baby boy!" Said the doctor as a nurse handed them their son.

Looking at her son, Elizabeth said through her tears: "He's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

"He's second only to his mother." Smiled Darcy at the mother of his child.

"Have you two picked out a name?" Asked one of the nurses.

Looking at each other, Elizabeth smiled at Darcy and he nodded.

"Patrick William Darcy." Answered the very proud father.

Darcy remained in his den watching the fire for ten more minutes before his beautifully happy wife peaked around the corner.

"Are you planning on keeping that fire company all night, or are you coming to bed?"

William jumped out of his chair upon hearing his wife.

"Actually, I think I'll join you. I don't like playing with fire. I'll come to bed." Answered her husband. "But I don't mind playing with you."

"Okay then, I promise to play fair." Replied Elizabeth with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'll race you."

The End