“Where are you, Elizabeth?”

Jonathan grinned as he turned this way and that, trying to find his bride hiding amongst the roses and flowers of the garden. “I know you are here somewhere.”

She giggled and then stepped out, her eyes bright as he rushed to her, catching her up in his arms. “You did not even try to find me.”

“And you did not even try to hide,” he jested, kissing her lightly before setting her down. 

“That is because I did not want to hide from you.” Leaning into him, Elizabeth rested her head against his shoulder for a moment. “It is almost one full year since we were first wed, is it not?”

Jonathan nodded, ambling through the gardens with his wife by his side. “It has been, indeed. It has been the most wonderful year of my life, Elizabeth, and that is solely because I have you here with me now.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head as they approached the arbor. “I do not think that I could have any further happiness.”

“No?” She stepped away from him and then into the arbor, turning to face him and blocking his way as a teasing smile lit her lips. “Are you quite sure?”

“I am.” With a chuckle, he wrapped his arms around her again and kissed her soundly. “I am happier than I have ever been.”

“I am glad to hear it.” She framed his face with her hands for a moment, then kissed him again. “Though there is something here that I have for you. Something that might alter that statement.”

Jonathan frowned, glancing away from her and into the arbor. “What do you mean?” 

“Here.”

Seeing where she gestured, Jonathan moved a little closer to her and then reached to pick up the letter. “A letter? Who is it from?”

No answer was given other than a small smile which was sent in his direction and, all the more confused, Jonathan broke the seal and then unfolded the letter. 

The words he read there were so utterly astonishing that he felt weakness pour into him. Staggering back, he sat down, his eyes fixed to it for some moments. 

“I thought that, since our marriage came from your letters to me, I might seal this moment with a letter to you.” Coming to sit beside him, Elizabeth set one hand on his, just as a tremor ran through his body. “What say you now, Nottingham?”

“What say I?” Hoarse as he was, Jonathan turned to face her, squeezing her fingers. “Is this true?”

She nodded, her smile growing steadily, light shining in her eyes. 

“I thought… ” Jonathan shook his head, aware that there had been, at times, a fear that they would never bear children for nothing had come of their times together. He had not said a word to Elizabeth herself, telling himself that all he needed was her beside him for his happiness to be complete and believing it entirely.

But now, that was all to change.

“We are to have a child,” Elizabeth whispered, as Jonathan lifted his head, hearing her echo the very words she had written. “In the early spring, the physician believes.”

Jonathan set the letter down carefully, then took Elizabeth’s other hand in his. “My darling,” he began, feeling such a great strength of love flooding him. “I have found complete happiness with you. Were we to have only the two of us for the rest of our time together, then I would have still spoken of nothing but contended bliss. But now,” he continued, as tears of happiness sparkled in her eyes, “I have an even greater joy, something that I did not think was possible even to experience!”

“I know precisely what you mean,” she answered, pulling her hand away from his just to wipe at her tears. “We are to have a child, Nottingham! A dream that I have secretly harboured and one that I am sure you have had within your heart also.”

Jonathan leaned closer, cupping her chin gently. “You are my greatest joy, Elizabeth. This news will only increase my love for you and for the child we are to have.”

She smiled and leaned into him, her head on his shoulder as Jonathan slipped one hand around her waist, wanting to be as close to her as he could. 

“I love you,” she whispered, tilting her head up towards him in invitation.

“And I love you,” he promised, before kissing her gently again.

THE END