Beginning, Previous Section, Section V
Jump to new as of November 1, 1998
Jump to new as of November 3, 1998
Jump to new as of November 5, 1998
Epilogue Scene III
Int. Pemberley Game Room
Later that afternoon
William set up the card table for Elizabeth's amusement and proceeded to shuffle the deck. Elizabeth sat down heavily and sighed a sad sigh. He found her to be more amusing as the minutes ticked away. She nibbled on the celery and carrot sticks that William had prepared for her.
"It's not that bad, Liz. Honestly."
"Maybe this was a mistake."
He looked at her, "Playing cards?"
"No, having children. I'm no good at it. Ahhh…" she grimaced.
He continued dealing out the cards. "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You haven't even given birth yet and already your questioning your ability to be a mother?"
"But I can't even give birth on time. And then when the time comes, I'll probably be very bad at it." She tried to make herself comfortable in her seat.
"You're just nervous. Listen Liz, I'm scared too, but this child is brought forth because of two people who love each other senselessly." He threw down a card and took one from the pick-up pile. "Of course we're going to make mistakes, but we'll learn from it."
"You make it all sound so wonderful. Ooh..." William checked his watch.
He laughed. "What?"
"The baby kicked hard." She picked up a card from the pile after throwing one down also. "Why do we always play poker. I hate poker."
"Because Liz, it's the only game you know how to play." He smiled loftily to her. "And quite badly indeed. What's in your hand." She showed him a three of a kind and a queen and king, of the same suit.
"Not too badly, dear. Hmmm…" she fidgeted in her seat. William surreptitiously checked his watch again and smiled.
"Baby kicking again."
"Must have been the food I ate. The baby is having a field day in there. Oh dear…"
He wrote down her score and reshuffled the deck. "Another game." She smiled wearily to him and agreed. The sighing, the fidgeting, and the need to get up and walk around from time to time, brought a smile to William's lips. He found the need to check his watch every seven minutes.
"How long did that kick last for?"
"A long time. Very active football player in there."
"American football, love."
"Or Soccer player."
"No, footballer."
"Or ballerina. Ouch!" Elizabeth said hastily. "Oh dear, with strong toes."
William stroked her hand. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Baby is extremely active tonight. What time is it?"
"Six-thirty, love."
At that instant, Elizabeth looked at him with wide water-filled eyes, gripped the table and exclaimed, "Good God!"
"I'm phoning the midwife. I suspected you were having contractions." William dialed the midwife's number and she told him that she would be right over -- to keep her active and walking and no more food. However, small sips of clear liquids would suffice.
William helped Elizabeth walk around Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds was notified that it was time and the house went into an uproar. Georgiana, Jane and Charles were phoned in Boston. Elizabeth managed to talk for a little while to her sister.
After walking around for half-hour, the midwife showed up. She gave Elizabeth a bright smile, then admonished her for her lack of focus and breathing technique.
"William, what sort of coach are you, if you make your wife hyperventilate. Liz, take deep cleansing breaths. Like this." She showed her the correct way, and both William and Elizabeth followed. She turned to William. "What room will she labor in?"
They walked up the stairs, but after taking three, Elizabeth couldn't make it so William carried her. "I don't want to do this. I'm afraid." She whispered in his ear.
"Shhh, Elizabeth, you're doing fine. I'm scared too, love." In between contractions, she gave him a small kiss.
The midwife told William to wash up thoroughly and put on clothes that he didn't mind getting ruined. He would be a helpful participant in the birth of his child. Elizabeth laid on the bed on her side, trying to master the art of breathing correctly. Had she been graded on it, she would have failed.
"The pain is too much, Will. I can't breath."
The midwife came within inches of Elizabeth. "Liz, you must focus. Go to that place that makes you the happiest and think of that. Think of warm water covering your body -- soothingly. Think of making love to your husband, and how that makes you feel."
"That is what brought me here." She cried. Both the midwife and William laughed.
"Oh, blame me, why don't you." He grinned to her.
Elizabeth rolled onto her side, and William started rubbing her back. The midwife sat in a chair reading a magazine. Elizabeth craned her neck, "At least someone is relaxing."
"Elizabeth, it's going to be awhile. Why don't you try and sleep." Mariah, the midwife commented.
"With this pain. How could I possibly relax."
The midwife got up and pulled William to the side to talk to him. He looked at her with a dumbfounded expression after she told him what he should do to help her relax. "Are you sure?"
"Will, I have been doing this for over twenty years. It works."
"And are you supposed to stay in the room?"
She laughed. "No. I will leave and give you the privacy you need. You look skeptical, you think this is farfetched?"
"Well, an ordinary obstetrician wouldn't tell me to get into bed with my wife."
"That is why I am not a doctor. Stroke her and tell her that you love her -- Softly and soothingly. If it brings her pleasure, even better."
William looked at her and laughed. A skeptical laugh, but he was willing. It was going to be a long night, and he would do anything to help Elizabeth relax.
End of Scene III
Epilogue Scene IV
Int. Pemberley Bedchamber
Two hours later
William laid beside his wife listening to her calm breathing, softly rubbing her back, talking her through the worst of the pain. She was able to handle the worst, by his soothing touch and voice. If she felt any pleasure from his soft touch, she wasn't letting on. But she was grateful that he took the time to concentrate on her back, that was where the pain had concentrated. Sometimes when she let him he would move from her back and rub her hard stomach, but most of the time she was so sensitive he dared not try.
"Do you remember Italy, Liz?" he said quietly into her ear.
"Yes."
"Remember hearing Nessun Dorma performed live. Pavarotti was magnificent, wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"Remember after walking through the square, looking at the moon, and I remarked how the moon reflected brilliantly in your beautiful eyes."
A contraction came and she couldn't answer, she breathed through it and tried nodding her head. "Do you realize that right now I love you more than anything. You're doing great, love." Contraction ended, and she lightly squeezed his hand.
"I love you, too." She uttered softly.
He continued rubbing her back. "You like hearing the story of my falling in love with you. Would you like to hear it again?" She laughed slightly, and nodded her head. "Okay. You were the first person who called me a pig to my face. You were so fresh faced and naïve. Listening to you sing way off key in the car, how could I not fall in love with you. Wait, before I continue on. Let me tell you how much you mean to me, Elizabeth. Had I not had the memories of you in Japan, love. I would've gone crazy. Is it natural that I love you more than life itself? You helped me get through the bad times with Spring."
She turned over and he saw the tears glistening her eyes. "I can't live without you, ever, Liz."
"Me too." Another contraction and this time she grabbed on to him so tightly. "Push, I have to push."
William jumped out of the bed and called for Mariah. She came up quickly.
"You guys were so quiet in here. Did it work?"
"Yeah, it worked. But now she has the need to push."
"Okay, lets have us a baby."
"She wants music on, Mariah."
"Great. Just make it good."
William laughed. "Beatles, White Album, good enough?"
"Ah, this kid will be born in style. Well go get it." Mariah took care to check Elizabeth's readiness, and she was indeed ready. William came back with CD player and CD, Mariah reminded him to wash up again. He left with a huge smile on his face. He was about to become a daddy.
End of Scene IV
Epilogue Scene V
Int. Pemberley Bedroom
Mrs. Reynolds came in as instructed and lit all the pillar candles that she and William had set up previously. Elizabeth was quite adamant about no artificial light. William had the volume to the CD player down low, but when Elizabeth commented the reason she wanted the music was to hear it, he practically blared it. Elizabeth softly started singing "Dear Prudence"
Dear Prudence let me see you smile
Dear Prudence like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence won't you let me see you smile?
"That's it, Liz." William said when he came back into the room. She looked tiredly at him but happy. She felt a second wind coming and was ready for anything.
"It's not so bad, after all. How many children did you want again?" He came over to her with a big smile and kissed her forehead.
The next song came on and the whole room started singing.
Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in the band
Desmond says to Molly-girl I like your face
And Molly says this is as she takes him by the hand.Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on.
Mariah positioned Elizabeth toward the end of the bed and told William to prop her up with pillows. She wanted her so that she was practically sitting or squatting.
Desmond takes a trolley to the jewelers store
Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing.Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
William took the cloth and wiped down Elizabeth's sweaty brow. Elizabeth took a deep breath, held, pushed then exhaled. Mariah and William cheering her on.
In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones.Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Mariah took hold of Elizabeth's hand and pulled her forward, lifting her up. "Remember when laying down you are going against nature, sitting or standing is the best and easiest position. Will, how'd you like to deliver your child?"
"What?!" said both Elizabeth and William.
"Once I get the shoulders out, you take my place and guide your child out. I'll be right beside you." William looked to Elizabeth who laid back against the pillows.
"Will, it's your call. Can you handle it?" Elizabeth said breathlessly. "Oooh, here comes another one." Again Mariah pulled Elizabeth forward and lifted her up.
"Head. I see a head!" Mariah shouted enthusiastically.
Happy ever after in the market place
Molly lets the children lend a hand
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening she's a singer with the band.
William looked to an exhausted Elizabeth, and became white. "Wait. Can we just hold off here for a moment?"
Both Elizabeth and Mariah exclaimed, "No!"
"Will, if you don't want to deliver your child, that's fine. But you have to come down here and see this."
New track started on the CD player.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
William felt as if the time stopped and slowly headed toward the edge of the bed. He saw Mariah grinning like a Cheshire cat. He took a look. "Oh, God." He groaned.
Mariah turned to him. "Will, don't you get all green on me now. You've been doing wonderfully. Just buck up and take it in stride. This is the creation of life and your child."
Elizabeth held out her hand for him, "Will, I love you."
He shook his head, swallowed and smiled to Elizabeth. "Why not."
Mariah clapped her hands. "In my bag are some rubber gloves, go put them on. Quickly, I've got one shoulder on the way out now." William fumbled around with her bag, put the gloves on and watched as Mariah rotated the baby's head.
"Elizabeth, I see it." He said happily.
"What is it?" she said tiredly.
"Not that far yet, love."
Mariah finished her part and let William take over. He firmly grasped under the shoulders, encouraged Elizabeth to give one more push, and watched the child come into the world.
End of Scene V
Epilogue Scene VI
Int. Pemberley Bedroom
10.57pm
William gasped as he held his son in his arms. Mariah was ready with warm blanket and syringe to clean off the newborn. Elizabeth relaxed against the pillows. Tears streaming down her face. A small, but fierce cry emanated from his small frame.
"What is it?" she asked.
"A boy, Elizabeth. A beautiful baby boy."
"Your son." She said sleepily. "Happy?"
William handed his son to Mariah who instructed him how to cut the umbilical cord. Finished with that, the baby was placed in Elizabeth's arms and allowed to nurse, and William took his place beside Elizabeth.
"I know this is going to feel weird, Liz, but I still need you to push. Not quite so hard as earlier." Mariah pushed down on Elizabeth's stomach. "Good girl, Liz. All done. You did a great job, both of you did a wonderful job."
Mariah took the baby to attend to it. William rang the bell twice notifying the servants that a boy was born, and Mrs. Reynolds came in moments later with a big grin and clean clothes for Elizabeth and baby. Mariah returned the baby to the wanting arms of his mother.
"Look at how small he is." Elizabeth looked at William. "Did you count the fingers and toes?"
William slapped his brow, "I completely forgot." Both parents put the child down to count. When finished, Elizabeth scooped him up close to her.
"He's ours, Will. Yours and mine." Her eyes blazed with love for her husband and child. "Will, thank you. You are the best man a woman could want. You did an incredible job. I won't ever forget your soothing caresses, you birdlike kisses, and your gentle voice."
William held back tears, and smiled the gentlest smile. Softly stroking his wife's brow and his son's back. The child nursed contentedly. "I told you, I would go to the ends of the earth for you and with you. That is how much I love you."
"What I would do without you? What did I do without you." She reached up and touched his face. "You complete me, too."
"So in about six weeks how about we start in on another child?" he said enthusiastically, she stroked him suggestively. "Elizabeth, you must be famished. I had Mrs. Reynolds specially make your favorite, macaroni and cheese."
"You do think of everything, don't you."
"You know I don't just make a bazillion dollars running the hottest bond fund in the world. I also deliver infants and tell people to make macaroni and cheese!"
"We need to call the states and give them the news."
"Before we do that, I have something that I want to give to you."
She smiled to him. "What?"
"I'll be right back." And true to his word he was right back. He presented her with a piece of paper and told her to read it.
Today is the day that changed my life
Today is the day that my wife
brought forth a life
Love, happiness and harmony
Are all that we choose
And to never lose.Today is the day that I realized how much
That everything I thought was important
and such is not; you are my life
and always my wife
that brought forth this life;I christen him Christopher William Darcy
"William!"
"I know it's really bad. But I thought Christopher was a great name. Oh Liz, Christopher Darcy has a wonderful ring to it."
Tears poured down her cheeks again. "Not the name, you dummy. The poem. I love it -- as corny as it is!"
"So do I get Christopher William Darcy."
"Yes, you get Christopher William Darcy. But I get Isabella Constance Darcy in about ten months!"
"I say you have a deal." He kissed her again and again and again.
End of Scene VI
Epilogue Scene VII
Int. William and Elizabeth's bathroom
Eight weeks later
Elizabeth allowed the warm water and the steam to engulf her senses. The aromatherapy candles helped soothe her. Christopher was a bit colicky and difficult at times, but it was well worth it. He was such a beautiful baby. Looking exactly like his father with dark fine curls and his eyes a deep brown, also just like his father. However soaking in the tub, Elizabeth was tense. William as upset with her for not wanting to resume their marital duties, before Christopher she was more than a willing participant; but now, it was excuse after excuse. Too tired, the baby will wake. I'm not ready. That one had particularly hurt him, because the gynecologist told him that everything was fine and she could resume her conjugal duties whenever she wanted. Whenever she wanted, she wasn't sure what she wanted right now.
Soft music came out of the speakers that William had installed in the house. She hadn't turned on any music and looked around in annoyance. She slid deeper into the water, cascading it over her stomach and legs. She completely immersed herself and didn't hear the door open. William came in and saw his wife under the water -- eyes closed, and hair fanned out beautifully. She looked like a mermaid. She came up quickly, wiped the water from her eyes and tossed her hair back. William looked at her lustfully.
I want you the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Want you to want me, baby
Just like I want you
"Is something wrong with Christopher?" she said anxiously.
"He's fine, sound asleep, dry and well-fed." He dropped his robe.
"What are you doing?"
I give you all the love
I want in return, sweet darlin'
But half a love is all I feel
It's too bad, it's too sad
You don't want me now
But I'm gonna change your mind
Someway, somehow, oh babyI want you the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Want you to want me, baby
Just like I want you
"Taking a bath with my wife." He growled as he went into the warm water.
"I wanted to be alone for a little while."
He sat opposite her in the huge tub and sank down to his shoulders. She picked up the washing cloth and soaped it up. She lifted her leg and placed it on the edge of the tub. He watched as she took the cloth and washed her leg. She stretched her leg higher and higher. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She took her leg off the side of the tub and submersed it. She did the exact same thing with the other leg. Again he watched with fascination.
This one way love is just fantasy, oh sugar
To share is precious, pure and fair
Don't play with something you should cherish for life, oh baby
Don't you wanna care
Ain't it lonely out there
"Who's watching Christopher? I asked you to listen in on him." She sank back down in the water.
"He's… ah… You know… Mrs. Reynolds is listening for him."
She looked at him. "Why are you not cleaning yourself? You said you wanted to take a bath. I thought it was to get clean."
He sat up and submerged his hands in the water, taking her leg into his hands. He softly started stroking it. Working his way up to her thigh. "What are you doing?" she gasped as his hand went higher and higher.
"I want my wife." He said huskily and pushed his face close to hers.
I want you the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Want you to want me, baby
Just like I want you
"In the tub?" He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her close to him.
"You've been teasing me for way too long, Liz. I need you and I want you." He nuzzled her neck and started kissing her shoulder.
"Don't you think we need more time?"
"Time for what?" he said angrily. "No, I don't think we need time. What we need is each other. Liz, this is ridiculous. What the hell are you afraid of?"
She sunk back into the water. "Maybe you should leave and take your bath later."
William looked at her sadly, then suddenly pulled her into a passionate kiss. He pulled her as close as she could possibly get and refused to let her go. He felt her give in to the kiss. He moved his hands to her back and gently stroked the outline of her shoulder blades. She brought her hands up to his face and traced the outline of it.
"Want me, Elizabeth." He said softly.
I want you the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Want you to want me, baby
Just like I want you
She nodded her head.
Next day
Elizabeth awoke with her curly hair cascading over her husband's bare chest. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and pulled her close beside him.
"I'm sorry, Will."
"For?"
"Being so incredibly stubborn and difficult at times." He smiled and kissed her nose.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I need to work on my fears." He propped himself on his arm and looked down to her. He lightly brushed her curly tendrils off her forehead.
"I think we just need to communicate our fears to each other better than we have since Christopher has been born. Liz, you and Christopher are my life. I want the three of us to be happy, healthy and well-seen to."
"I've decided against Isabella Constance, by the way." She said suddenly.
"Why?"
"I thought we could name her after this house."
"You want to name your daughter Pemberley?" he asked in shock.
"No. Not Pemberley. Kimberley Elizabeth Darcy."
"I love it. Kimberley Elizabeth. Well should we start in on making Kimberley Elizabeth?" His eyes glinted suggestively. Before she responded verbally, she had already taken matters into her own hands.
Mrs. Reynolds looked after Christopher for most of the day. William and Elizabeth finally emerged from the sanctity of their bedroom around dusk.
Kimberley Elizabeth Darcy made her appearance on December 26, 1992. And again, Mariah midwifed the delivery and William, again, delivered his screaming daughter. She made her presence known the minute she hit the cold air.
William's white hot bond fund fizzled during the 1994 collapse of bonds. But with his quick wit and cunning practices, the Emerging Markets Funds made him the most well-respected Investment person, surpassing his former boss, Peter Lynch.
Elizabeth continued to freelance for the county newspaper and even sold some articles to the Boston Globe. Her column was called A Yankee in Derbyshire.
Christopher grew up to be a spitting image of his father, but with his mother's mannerisms. His acceptance to his mother's alma mater, made her very proud. He became a intensely popular journalist for the Washington Post.
Kimberley Elizabeth Darcy was as blonde as you could get and her serenity came from her both her aunts Georgiana and Jane Bingely. She was accepted to Cambridge University, dropping out to get married.
William and Elizabeth enjoyed their later years traveling back and forth to Chicago, Boston and Italy, where Kimberley had taken up residence.
Elizabeth never did get over her fears, but with the love and support of her husband, they didn't come up as often as they once did.
Both William and Elizabeth never had to worry about the passion fizzling out in their long marriage. With all the different positions and techniques they learned, they had quite an interesting sex life!
And now without further to do…
THE END, Really!