Page 79 of Disability and Determination

Darcy’s life seemed wholly perfect to him.

Shortly before midnight the group in the house bundled up, and they all went over to the nearby parish church for the Christmas Eve service, lighting their way with lamps and torches. As he was a little drunk and did not trust his footing in the dark with snow on the ground, he allowed himself to be settled in a Bath chair for the short way to the church.

Elizabeth and Georgiana pushed him, gaily chatting.

Georgiana sounded delightedly happy as she talked about how happy the day had made her, and how happy she was to have Elizabeth as a sister.

After the service was over, and the bells started ringing to celebrate Christmas day, Darcy and Elizabeth went to his carriage for the short journey to his rooms at the inn in Meryton.

Darcy’s carriage man loudly wished them a Happy Christmas and a happy marriage. He was red faced himself from wassail and the cheeriness in the servant quarters. However Darcy judged from the steadiness of the man’s hands and movements that he was fit to safely drive the carriage.

The instant the carriage door was closed, before they even set off, Elizabeth’s soft lips were on Darcy’s. Her cheeks were so cold, and Darcy was so happy. He kissed her back happily and fiercely.

“My darling, dear wife.”

“My darling, dear husband,” she replied laughing and kissed him again. “I can hardly believe that I have found such happiness — and that you… you are so perfect.”

“I thought you meant to ensure that I was always aware of my flaws.”

Elizabeth giggled and kissed him, and he held her tightly against his side, feeling the shape of her waist, and her hips and chest. “Fitzwilliam, the two of us are to always be happy — we can overcome every difficulty, infirmity, and struggle that life shall throw in our way, so long as we do so together.”

“Yes, together we shall always be happy.”

And he kissed her again.