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Darcy looked at the sheets spread out on his desk, fighting tears in the corner of his eyes, his heart filled with love, gratitude, and pride.

They were all portraits of him, Elizabeth, and their son — Alexander Darcy, age two — painted by Georgiana.

It was his sister’s present to him and Elizabeth.

What shocked him and impressed him the most was not just his sister’s remarkable talent but the touch of love that Georgiana had put into those paintings.

It was the third anniversary of his wedding to Elizabeth, and they had celebrated it with the Bingleys, their own anniversary being less than a month earlier. The Bingleys also had a son, David, who was only a few days older than Alexander.

Their families and friends were in attendance, including Bingley’s sisters, with whom he had finally made peace.

His marriage to Elizabeth had not just filled his life with joy but had also brought laughter and liveliness to the halls of Pemberley that had been silent for too long.

With Elizabeth by his side, he now understood the real meaning of felicity in marriage, and Georgiana had learnt the meaning of sisterly affection.

Under Elizabeth’s guidance, Georgiana had managed to forgive herself for her past errors, to grow in confidence, and to smile more, and Elizabeth’s sisters had become hers too.

She had put aside George Wickham’s betrayal, but at the age of nineteen, she showed no interest in being in the company of young men, nor in opening her heart again.

The Bennet sisters were all engaged, and Mary was expected to marry in a month.

He gazed at the paintings again, caressing the one in which Elizabeth and Alexander were smiling. The sound of the door made him raise his eyes, only to see his wife walking towards him.

“What are you doing, my love?” she asked.

“I am admiring these paintings of the most beautiful woman and her son. I am taking advantage of a few minutes of privacy, as I expect your father to return at any moment,” he jested.

She smiled and leant closer, and his arms closed around her. “You have no other choice but to share the library with Papa since he gave you his blessing to marry me. And you should be content that Mama is busy spoiling Alexander and David, otherwise she would give you all her attention.”

“I have no complaints, my beloved wife. I enjoy having everyone here, especially your father and your uncle. But I still value my privacy — I shall not deny it.”

Elizabeth looked at the portraits, brushing her fingers over them. “They are painted with incredible talent and genuine love,” she said.

“I was thinking the same thing when you entered.”

His lips captured hers for a moment, then she withdrew a few inches.

“I have something for you. For our third anniversary. You always offer me wonderful gifts, so it took me quite a while to find something that we would both like.”

She pulled from her pocket a black velvet box, and he took it, surprised. Under her loving gaze, he opened it to reveal a beautiful pocket watch.

“I confess I stole the idea from your grandmother. And Georgiana helped me,” she explained. He opened it and inside saw a miniature of Elizabeth and an inscription.

‘Three years of sharing ardent love and pure bliss.’

“What do you think?” she whispered.

“I think I love the gift almost as much as I love you. Almost, but certainly not so ardently,” he said hoarsely, embracing her tighter. “It is a perfect gift, truly. It will always be in my pocket. Your portrait, your words, your love.”

“And it will remind you that a watch was the reason for our reunion,” she said, smiling, her face lifted to his.

“A watch and your perceptiveness, Mrs Darcy. But I am quite sure that, even without that lost watch and that coincidence, I would have found a way to earn your love and hand in marriage.”

“Would you have proposed a second time, without the circumstances that brought us together?”

“Absolutely. Unless you had requested that I stop trying, I would have never abandoned hope. But I admit I am grateful for the twist of fate that placed that watch in that window, before your eyes,” he said, a moment before she silenced him with a tender kiss.

They had discussed those circumstances so many times that no more words were needed, only one more kiss before they returned to their family and friends.

THE END