Page 149 of Twice Chosen

"So do I."

"I do not regret Clara, Matthew, or Eleanor."

"No."

They sat in silence.

Elizabeth watched a pair of birds settle on the low stone wall.

"Do you think the first life still happened?"

Darcy considered before answering. "I hope so."

"Somewhere?"

"Perhaps."

"Our children existed."

"Yes."

"They mattered."

"Always."

Elizabeth looked at him. "You have become very philosophical."

"My wife is exhausting."

She smiled.

Darcy's thumb moved across her wrist once, twice, three times.

I am here.

Elizabeth closed her eyes.

"Fitzwilliam."

"Yes?"

"If we die again--"

"No."

She laughed. "You do not know what I was going to say."

"I do."

"Arrogant."

"Experienced."

Elizabeth smiled. "I was going to say, if we die again, I do not want another beginning."

Darcy looked at her. "No?"

She shook her head. "Twice is enough."