Page 25 of Mr. Darcy's Storm of Temptation

He crossed to her, his hand joining hers on her stomach. "Our child," he said with wonder, as he did every time he touched her there.

"Our child," she confirmed. "Conceived, I believe, on our wedding night."

"Or perhaps the morning after," he said with a wicked smile. "Or that afternoon. Or perhaps that evening."

"Fitzwilliam!" she laughed, swatting at him playfully.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her. "Are you happy, Mrs. Darcy?"

"Happier than I ever imagined possible," she said honestly. "I have you, our child growing within me, Jane married to Mr. Bingley and living just five miles away. Even Mama has finally stopped exclaiming about your ten thousand a year."

"She mentioned it just yesterday," he pointed out.

"Only twice. That is progress."

They stood at the window, watching the sun set over Pemberley's magnificent grounds. Elizabeth thought of the journey that had brought them here: from pride and prejudice to understanding and love, from that first storm to this peaceful evening.

"Do you ever think about it?" she asked. "What would have happened if the storm had not brought you back to me?"

"We would have found our way eventually," he said with certainty. "We were meant for each other, Elizabeth. No storm or scandal or misunderstanding could have kept us apart forever."

She turned in his arms, reaching up to touch his face. "I love you."

"And I love you," he replied, "ardently, desperately, completely, forever."

As he kissed her with all the passion that had never dimmed between them, Elizabeth reflected that some storms were worth weathering. Especially when they led you home.

Outside, another spring storm was building. Inside, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were lost in each other, as much in love as the day they married, with a lifetime of passion and devotion ahead of them.

The storm had passed, but the fire between them would burn forever.

THE END.