Chapter Twenty-Four #3
When William opened the door to Elizabeth’s bedchamber, he saw his wife sitting in the birthing chair, struggling to push with each new pain.
Rushing to her side he pulled back her matted hair and tied it with the ribbon which had come loose.
Looking around, he questioned, “Why is this room so dark and stuffy? It is oppressive. My wife is accustomed to daylight and fresh air. One of you, pull back the curtains and open a window this instant.”
The attending doctor, not happy with William’s directives, asked the maids to wait a moment. As it was, he had strong objections to the master being in the birthing room to begin with and only agreed to his presence when an additional stipend had been promised.
“Mr. Darcy,” the doctor said, clearing his throat, “it has been my experience that a darkened room with plenty of warmth will provide a more relaxing atmosphere for the mother and unborn child, and it is something which most women prefer when giving birth.”
“That may be your experience; however, my wife is not like most women. Believe me; I know what she would prefer. As you can see, she is suffering under these stifling conditions, and I insist that the curtains be pushed aside and a window be opened at once.”
“As you wish.”
“Thank you, William,” Elizabeth panted between contractions.
Taking a damp cloth, William wiped the perspiration from her brow and began massaging her lower back as instructed by the midwife. “Sweetheart, if I had known of your discomfort, I would have come sooner.”
“It is of no matter, William. I am far better, now that you are here. Please, hold my hand. I feel the urge to push again, and it is not easy.”
With each push Elizabeth could not help but cry out, and after three such attempts she looked at William, saying, “Our first child is showing no mercy, husband. It must be a boy, since his stubbornness decidedly takes after you!”
“If you say so, my love,” he replied, trying not to chuckle.
“You must push again, Mrs. Darcy,” the doctor emphatically said. “I can see the head beginning to crown.”
“William!” She screamed this time as she bore down with all of her might.
“Again, Mrs. Darcy. One more push and the head will pass through. Excellent! Now, for the shoulders.”
Continuing to squeeze William’s hand as tightly as she was able, her next efforts quickly expelled the shoulders, followed by the rest of the child’s body.
All at once the boisterous cry of the babe filled the room, informing everyone that he had arrived. “Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!” the doctor exclaimed. “You have a healthy son!”
“We have a son, William,” Elizabeth cried with tears of joy. “Please let me see him.” As soon as the cord was cut, the midwife wrapped the child in a thin cloth and handed him to William.
“Please, William, let me touch him.”
Though he had yet to be cleaned, William placed the child in Elizabeth’s waiting arms, pulling back the cloth for her to see his long and lean body and head of thick dark hair.
Kissing the child she said, “William, he is perfect.”
“Yes, perfect, my love, just like his Mama.”
At that moment, Elizabeth’s face became strained. “William, our second child is coming, I can feel it.”
William handed the babe back to the midwife and resumed his position at Elizabeth’s side, again holding her hand.
This time it was far easier, and within minutes she was able to expel the body of the second child.
Though not as robust as her brother, she also made her presence known with a cry, higher-pitched than her sibling’s.
“Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, you have a lovely daughter. She is smaller than your son, but perfectly formed.” As before, once the cord was cut, the midwife wrapped the child in a thin cloth and handed her to William.
Smiling broadly, he said, “Elizabeth, she is the image of you. Just look at her little fingers and her dark curly hair.”
Holding her daughter, Elizabeth lovingly kissed the petite little girl and exclaimed, “Dear William, we have two beautiful children, and have been blessed beyond measure.”
“Yes, my heart, we have.”
“Mr. Darcy, it would be best if you left now,” the midwife gently spoke, taking the babe from Elizabeth. “We need to clean both of the children and take care of Mrs. Darcy and the afterbirth. We shall send one of the maids to you as soon as all is ready for you to return.”
“You have my greatest appreciation and thanks, both of you,” William said to the midwife and doctor. “And to all of you who have assisted Mrs. Darcy today, I thank you as well. I shall be waiting in the music room with Miss Darcy and Anna.”
Seeing Mrs. Reynolds, who was now standing to the side weeping tears of joy, he nodded and said, “Today is a blessed day for Pemberley and for all who serve her.
Thank you. When it is convenient, I should like someone to go ‘round and inform our tenants of the births and also, if you would, please send out a short note to the rector and have someone notify the village of our good news. Then you should go and get some rest. There is no need to immediately send out the baskets of celebration we spoke of. They can wait until the morrow.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy,” the kind lady answered. “Today is indeed a blessed day, and I know your dear parents would be very pleased, just as I am.”
Before leaving, William went back to Elizabeth’s side one more time and whispered how much he loved her and how proud of her he was. “I shall return soon, my love.”
“William, please kiss the girls for me and tell them that I love them, too.”
“Yes, my darling.”
Later
The girls were overjoyed when William gave them the news about the two babes. Georgiana broke down into tears of joy while little Anna clapped her hands and then picked up her two dolls and twirled them around and began singing.
“Papa, how long must we wait until we can see Mama and my new brother and sister? Dolly and Janie and I have been waiting all day.”
“It may be one or two hours yet before we can go in and see them. First the maids need to bathe the babes, and Mama will also need much attention, not to mention she has had nothing to eat yet today.”
“Brother, I am so happy for you and I cannot wait to hold my niece and nephew.”
“Georgiana, dear sister, I could not be more pleased. Our Elizabeth is an extraordinary woman. She never faltered during the births, and our children are alive and healthy.”
“Papa, what shall we call our new babes? Do they have names?”
“Yes, Anna, they do have names, but I shall wait to tell both of you so that Mama and I may do it together when we go in to see them. The names we have chosen are very special, and I think you will like them.”
It was another two hours before William and the girls were summoned to Elizabeth’s room, since the bedchamber needed to be cleaned and aired out and the birthing chair removed.
As soon as Elizabeth was able, the midwife instructed her on how to encourage the babes to suckle so she could begin to nurse them.
For now, Elizabeth wanted to nurse both children, though she was not opposed to sending for the wet nurse to assist should the demand become too great.
Although the nursery was readied for the babes, Elizabeth would not be parted from her children and asked that their cradles be brought into her room for the time being.
On entering Elizabeth’s room, Anna hurried to her mother, who was holding out her arms, allowing the child to join her on the bed where she could more easily hug her.
“Oh, my darling girl, I am so happy to see you and Georgie.” She repeatedly kissed Anna, holding her close.
“The two of you filled my heart with joy every time I heard your beautiful music. Thank you, my sweet child, and thank you, dearest Georgie.” Elizabeth held out her hand to Georgiana, who leaned over and lovingly kissed her sister.
“William, will you please introduce the girls to the rest of our family?”
“With pleasure.” First he went to his son’s cradle and carefully took him into his arms.
“The babes have been fed and are sleeping now,” Elizabeth commented. “Even though they are asleep, I want all three of you to hold them.”
“Anna,” said William. “It would be best if you and Aunt Georgie sat on the sofa, and I shall bring the babes to you, one at a time.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Placing the child in Georgiana’s arms, he said, “Georgiana and Anna, I would like for you to meet our son, Bennet James Fitzwilliam Darcy. He is the oldest of the twins. And while he is sleeping now, he is a hearty little fellow who can easily make his presence known with his strong voice. Elizabeth and I could not ask for a finer aunt or an older sister for our son. He will love you both very much, just as we do.”
“Brother, he is so precious and looks very much like his Papa,” Georgiana tearfully said.
“I promise I shall do my best to look after him as he grows.” She kissed his forehead.
“I love that you named him after Elizabeth’s father and our father, and of course his dear Papa.
His name is perfect, and he will make a fine heir. ”
“That he will.”
“Aunt Georgie, may I please kiss him too?” Anna softly asked, sliding off the sofa and standing at her side.
“Yes, that would be nice.” Anna leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead just as she had seen Georgiana do.” Then turning to Elizabeth she said, “Mama, Baby Bennet smells so good.”
“Yes, sweet one, he does. If you would also like to hold him, Papa will help you.”
“I would like to hold him.” She returned to the sofa while William took Bennet from Georgiana and sat next to Anna.
“Here, Anna, let me help you. He is a big boy for one so young, but his neck muscles are weak and you will have to support the back of his head like this.” Placing the babe in her arms, he positioned Bennet in such a way that it was easy for her to do as he asked. “Very good, Anna.”