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The moment Fitzwilliam Darcy and I were wed, Pemberly became my home. Nights were shared together. Sometimes, when the weather permitted, they were spent by the water, with the moon and stars reflecting off the water and inevitably into our eyes. Other times they were spent by the fire, reading in a comfortable silence on the furniture I still found so elegant, it felt wrong to sit on. They were more than often spent in each other's arms, in bed. The soft silk sheets on the on the mattress were hidden from prying eyes by the cascading, canopy and were were not nearly as soft as Darcy’s touch.
Days, however, were more lonely. Fitzwilliam had work to do and quite a lot of it. I often spent my time walking around the estate, reading, attempting to learn more on the piano per Georgiana’s request, and lounging around. It was relaxing, but I longed for the moment Darcy would come home.
One bright, warm summer day, I was surprised by a commission for a statue, a gift from my husband to be added to his ever-growing collection. It took days to sculpt my likeness, but it was supposed to be finished and delivered to the estate later in the week. I waited around for my bust to arrive, curious about how it would look and where Darcy ordered it to be placed in the large hall. Eventually, my boredom got the best of me and I gave up on waiting for its arrival. It was a beautiful day outside and I would take advantage of that with a long walk in the forest nearby.
The trees around the estate grew taller than most trees I’ve ever seen. The sun shined brightly through the leaves, leaving me and the rest of the forest floor painted in a green hue. The tall grass was squashed beneath my feet so many times I had made my very own trail. I loved this path I created for myself. It led me straight down to a clearing next to a small creek which was one of my favorite spots to picnic.
As I continued my walk, I found myself looping back around towards home. The trees thinned out and the mansion came into view. I had to stop and look at it from afar for a few moments. I still found it so hard to believe this was my life now. This was my home. This was my husband. A small smile fell onto my face and it only grew larger as I realized Darcy’s carriage was out front and the sculptor’s humble carriage was just leaving. I briskly walked to the front doors, eventually deciding to run inside to find my husband. He never got home that early.
The house was deathly silent. I did not call out for Fitzwilliam, hoping to surprise him as he had surprised me. I softly tiptoed throughout the corridors to not alert him of my presence through echoing steps, but I managed to hear his. The clicking of his shoes against the marble floor led me to the hall in which he kept his statues and sculptures. I poked my head very slowly through the grand entrance looking for him, and I saw him staring up at a brand new installment, me. I drew my head back in and leaned against the outside wall, blushing and trying to hold in laughter. His back was to me and my face, in statue form, was staring right back at him. I entered the hall carefully and quietly, approaching him from behind hoping to startle him. As I got closer, I noticed how fondly he was looking at my sculpture, almost too fondly.
I was so close to him as I saw him begin to trace my marble lips. I put my hand over my mouth, trying so hard not to laugh. My face must have been as red as a tomato. I got even closer and saw him close his eyes and lean in for a kiss.
“My love, what on Earth are you doing?” I called out to him teasingly.
Darcy jolted and turned around very quickly. His face flushed and he began to stutter out excuses. I just began to laugh as he tried to defend himself. I put my hand up, cutting off his embarrassment, and smiled brightly at him.
“Come here,” I said through my laughter.
Darcy, silently, walked over towards me, shoulders slightly hung and avoiding eye contact. I put his cheek in my hand and directed his gaze towards my face and let out a breathy laugh.
“I didn’t realize you missed me so much, darling.”
“I- Well. I had just-”
“Kiss me, please.”
Darcy smiled down at me and took my head in his hands. His thumbs caressed my cheeks and he leaned down. I closed my eyes and felt his lips capture mine in a sweet, soft kiss. He pulled away and I leaned into his palm against my face, smiling back.
“Always,” he said.