“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 repeatedlykissed 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.”
Anna beamed as she held her little brother and whispered, “Baby Bennet, I love you.” Then to Elizabeth she said, “Mama, may I see his feet? I want to see if they are the two big ones that were poking at you yesterday.”
“You may,” said Elizabeth, who chuckled along with Georgiana and William at her request.
“William, will you please unwrap Bennet’s feet for Anna to have a look?”
“Yes, my dear.”
“Anna, his swaddling is quite snug, which helps him to sleep, but I should be able to loosen the blanket enough for us to have a look. There, now. What say you? Do you think these are the feet you saw?”
“Yes, Papa, they are!” When she touched his little toes, he wiggled them in response, causing her to giggle. “Mama, his skin is so warm and soft.” Then dropping her head a little lower she whispered, “Baby Bennet, I love you, and I will sing to you every day so you will be happy and not cry very much.”
After refolding the blanket, William took his son from Anna and handed him to Elizabeth. “Now, I think it is time for both of you to meet our daughter.”
Taking his little girl in his arms, he handed the babe to Georgiana who again became somewhat emotional. “Like her brother, her name is very special,” he said. “Elizabeth, would you like to tell the girls what we have chosen?”
“Yes. Georgiana and Anna, I would like you to meet Amelia. Her first name is in honour of Grandmamma Anne and our dear Georgiana who both share Amelia as their second name. She is a sweet little girl, and I think for now we shall call her Amy.”
“Amy is a very pretty name, Mama. It sounds like Dolly and Janie and Georgie.”
