Epilogue
Elizabeth woke to a gentle touch on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and met the laughing faces of her husband and her son of only one year old. She stretched out her arms and they both lay down next to her, trapping her in a warm embrace.
“How are you, my love?” she asked lovingly.
“Which one?” Darcy whispered, placing a soft kiss on her earlobe.
“Both,” she laughed while the boy giggled happily in his parents’ arms.
“We are ready, all dressed up and prepared to receive our guests,” Darcy declared. “We would not have awakened you if it was not late already.”
She smiled and placed a quick kiss on both father and son’s cheeks.
“Have Jane and Charles arrived?”
“Yes. They are downstairs with Georgiana, who is busy spoiling little Rose.”
“She is a beautiful baby indeed. Very much like Jane. And she has the same sweet disposition. It is impossible not to love her,” Elizabeth replied.
“I agree. But nobody is more handsome than young master Robert Bennet Darcy. He is even more handsome than I was. Mrs Reynolds herself may testify to that.”
“There is no need for testimony, as this is a truth universally acknowledged. Even the Matlocks agreed on that,” Elizabeth laughed.
“I am glad Bingley decided to let go of Netherfield and purchase an estate in Derbyshire. It was an excellent decision,” Darcy declared, holding his son, while Elizabeth rose from the bed.
“Yes, it was. Having my dear Jane only thirty miles away is pure joy."
"And fortunate for the children's future too. Having little Rose around, Georgiana will not be able to spoil only Robert. My sister is a danger to the boy’s discipline. And my cousin Richard, as his godfather, is even worse!” Darcy jested.
“Just wait until my parents and sisters arrive. Then you may well forget about discipline,” Elizabeth laughed again. “They will only stay for the winter, but the damage might be long-lasting.”
“I will take that risk,” Darcy replied. “I confess I am eager to receive your parents. Your sisters and the Gardiners were here last summer, but Mr and Mrs Bennet are visiting for the first time, and I want everything to be perfect.”
Elizabeth kissed his lips briefly. “I miss them dearly, as I have not seen them for almost a year and a half. But you must not be so nervous. They are family now; they do not need more than to be welcomed and to meet their grandson. The first boy in the Bennet family, can you imagine?”
“I confess I am nervous. I cannot forget that your mother offered me her own room and your father left his house and stayed at Netherfield for me. I want to be sure they feel at home at Pemberley.”
“I am sure they will, my love. I believe they have arrived,” Elizabeth said, looking outside at the two carriages that could be spotted entering the park. Darcy hastily took his son and left the room, while Elizabeth followed them with tearful, adoring glances.
A year and a half since they were married, she still wondered how her heart could bear so much happiness and was sure she would never have known the true meaning of felicity without him.
Elizabeth Bennet Darcy received her parents and sisters at the main entrance of Pemberley, on the arm of her husband, holding their beloved son.
Mr and Mrs Bennet exited the carriage, and for a few moments, they remained stunned and silent in front of the beauty that surrounded them.
Then they embraced each other, tearful, thrilled, joyful. And for the first time, Mrs Bennet truly kissed her son-in-law, twice, on both cheeks.
And Mr Darcy did not find it improper at all. Quite the contrary. Minutes after the Bennets arrived at Pemberley, Elizabeth had no doubts left that they already felt at home.