Chapter Text
January 1814 - Pemberley
It was a cold, yet sunny day in January 1814 when the first child of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy was born. It was a son, and they named him William.
The birth in itself had been relatively easy, only taking a few hours from beginning to end, and both mother and baby had been healthy. Darcy, meanwhile, had had help from Mr Bingley downstairs, and by help meant Bingley poring him a glass every once in a while, and making comments of affirmation while Darcy himself was pacing the room without saying much.
In the end, Jane had come downstairs, having assisted during the birth, and told them that a baby boy had been born. Darcy barely let her finish the sentence before he was halfway up the stairs. Elizabeth probably heard his steps from afar, because she merely looked up calmly as he opened the door with an unnecessary amount of force.
As soon as his eyes fixed on her, it was like all the worry melted away from his person. She sat up in the bed, a pile of pillows behind her head. And there, in her arms was a small bundle, wrapped up very carefully.
“I heard it was a son…” Darcy stuttered in disbelief. Elizabeth grinned at him.
“Is that all Jane managed to say before you ran up here?” she said, a hint of a laugh in her voice.
“Yes…” He was in awe at the sight before him, and with small steps, he made his way over to them, his wife… And his son…
He sat himself at the edge of the bed and Elizabeth carefully lifted the baby so that he could hold him.
“Oh, hello there.” Darcy whispered, the baby opening his eyes and looking up at him. He was old enough to remember when Georgiana had been born, but he didn’t recall her ever being so tiny. Though it made sense because he had grown a bit since then as well.
“It’s our son, Lizzy… I can’t believe we have a son.” Darcy let his finger touch the soft cheek. He pulled away just as quickly though when the baby made a noise that sounded like the beginning of crying.
“I think someone is hungry, don’t take it personally.” She smiled at him as he handed back the little boy. The room was quiet as Elizabeth started to feed him.
“I think we should call him William.” Elizabeth said thoughtfully.
“William?” Darcy asked.
“Well, I thought we should name him after you, but Fitzwilliam felt too grand for me to call him. So I thought that even if he will be christened Fitzwilliam, that we may just call him William.”
Darcy looked lovingly at her as she finished up.
“I think that is a wonderful idea my love,” he moved closer to her and looked down at their son.
“Welcome to the family, William Darcy.”