A/N: An epilogue taking place five years later seems somewhat appropriate given that I last updated this story over a year ago. Sorry if this doesn't live up to the wait, but could anything live up to a year and a half wait? I'll shower you with my tender sentiments in the post-A/N…

Epilogue

Five years later…

"Will, how many times do I have to tell you? It doesn't work like that."

"Come on. There's got to be something going on in that little peanut brain of hers."

"Didn't you read the books I gave you? She is not going to be capable of cognitive thought for a while."

Sitting next to me on our couch, Will looks down forlorn and begins twisting his wedding ring around his finger. I love that he does this. Yep, just keep reminding yourself that you are all mine.

He reaches out and touches my ever-burgeoning belly.

Humor me.

He looks at me with hope and a hint of a smirk touches his lips, no doubt curious as to what I will come up with for the thoughts of our 5-month old fetus.

"Okay," I sigh. "She says that she loves you, too."

The sweet, serene smile that lights up his face is enough to convince me to keep going.

"And she can't wait to come out and meet her daddy, even though he continues to interrupt her slumber by proving to be extremely distracting to her mother and human vessel."

He perks up and gives me that devilish look that typically hints at things to come. I hate/love that look. He places his hand on my knee and it begins ascending.

I haven't heard any complaints.

I roll my eyes and push his hand away, giggling. "Knock it off. I thought we were talking about our daughter here."

He straightens up, pretending to be serious. "Well, you will recall that the two subjects are not wholly unrelated."

I roll my eyes and laugh again. I have spent much of our relationship and subsequent marriage doing this. Who knew that the once proud Mr. Darcy would make me laugh this much? Of course, I should have been able to guess from reading his thoughts all those years ago.

Then, like that fly that just won't go away, the thought that has been looming over me ever since the word "baby" was even mentioned hits me.

Darcy notices and takes my hand.

What's wrong? Liz, tell me. I'm using one of my "Get Into Liz's Head Free" Cards.

I give him a sad smile. We had established this rule about two months after we started dating. We figured that I get to see into Darcy's head plenty, so there had to be some sort of call for reciprocation.

I take a deep breath and let the question finally escape my lips. "What if she's like me?"

He seems to understand my meaning, but decides to keep it light.

You mean beautiful, smart, witty, but incredibly stubborn? You're right to worry. How WILL I survive the two of you? I don't even want to think about puberty.

While I appreciate the attempt, I sigh, "I'm being serious, Will."

He adjusts so that he is facing me and looks me dead in the eye.

I think that would be pretty amazing.

I look down, feeling strangely awkward at the intensity of his gaze.

"Really?"

He begins stroking my knuckles with his thumb, trying to soothe away my concerns.

Of course, she'll be just as special as her mother. Can you imagine how close the two of you will be? Getting to have little secret conversations that no one else can hear? I only worry that I will forever be left out of an inside joke.

He tries to keep the sadness at the thought out of his eyes, but I still catch it.

"We wouldn't do that to you." He seems to take my words to heart, so I continue. "It's just that, I 've been there and it sucks. You know? Growing up different?"

Well, then, it's a good thing that she will have a mom that knows exactly what she is going through.

We both relax back into the couch and I snuggle into him. "Disciplining will be difficult. She'll know your weakness," I say in my best chilling voice. I feel his chest rumble below me in a laugh. "I'm not kidding," even though I am. "She will know exactly how to convince you that you really DO want to get her a pony."

I think I can handle it.

"That's what they all think. And I don't even want to think of the horrendous dating life that she is going to have."

We don't have to worry about that because she won't date anyone. Ever.

"You don't get it. It's hell."

You seem to have done alright for yourself.

"Eh. Yeah, I guess I did okay."

He pinches my side. Oh, really?

"Okay, fine, I did great. But I had to kiss a lot of frogs. Frogs who could not keep their thoughts to themselves."

I'd rather not hear about these frogs, if you don't mind.

"You're the one who decreed the Get Into Liz's Head Free Card."

Card revoked.

I laugh and begin playing with the hem of his shirt.

Listen, Liz. Whatever children we have with whatever "gifts" they bring, we'll make it work.

I look up at my amazing, more-than-I-deserve husband. I kiss him and smile as I listen to his thoughts.

"I love you, too."

He gazes down at me for a moment before standing and sweeping me into his arms, heading for our bedroom.

"The baby thinks that you are insatiable."

She would be right, Mrs. Darcy.

A/N: There you have it. I can finally look upon this story and your reviews and not feel guilty. This was really the most fun that I have ever had writing anything. I'm sorry that this took SOOOO long to get to you. I would like to blame my other project (see my profile), but it really came down to my penchant for extreme procrastination. Thank you for all the lovely reviews, follows, and favorites all those months ago and if this happens to reach any new readers, I hope you enjoyed it. Follow me, because I have an idea niggling away at me and if I find the time and lack of sanity to start another story, I would love for you to be the first to know.

And once, for the last time, don't forget to hit that button. You know? Rhymes with "Me skew"?