Lizzie has been through a significant journey of self-discovery throughout Virgin River so far, settling into a relationship with Denny – but is he really the father of her baby?
While Lizzie is actually just 14 years old in the Virgin River books, the Netflix series decided to shake things up a bit by making her 19, allowing for more adult themes surrounding the character. She’s introduced in Season 2 as a rebellious teenager sent to the small town to live with her aunt Connie.
Initially, the pair clash and Lizzie finds it hard to fit in, but over time, she starts to mature and gain a more nuanced understanding of life and responsibility, going from being forced into a position at Paige’s bakery to becoming the protege mini-mayor of the town under Hope’s tutelage. The same goes for love, with the former LA girl dating Ricky before embarking on a relationship with Denny in Season 4.
Season 5 is where we really saw Lizzie flourish, as she further establishes her transition from troubled teen to town leader, settling into the quiet country life, a high-flying job, and her relationship with Denny. But has Virgin River Season 6 told the whole story? Warning: spoilers ahead!
Is Lizzie pregnant in Virgin River?
Yes, Lizzie told Denny that she’s pregnant at the end of Virgin River Season 5 Part 1. Although it was a shocking revelation, one that threw a spanner in the works for Denny’s plans to go traveling and take Lizzie with him, the pair can be seen getting excited about the big news in Part 2.
In the Part 1 finale, the pair sit down at the Labor Day carnival, where Denny reflects on what his grandma Rose said to him: she thinks he’s “making a mistake” staying in Virgin River, and that he should “travel and get back on track for med school.”
Not wanting to let go of his growing relationship with Lizzie, he says: “I didn’t think I had a future but with you I’m starting to see one. And I know that you’re so happy here, but do you think that there’s a chance that you might want to come with me?”
Before he gets a chance to say anything else, Lizzie interjects: “Denny, I… I think I’m pregnant.”
In Part 2, Denny, Lizzie, Hope, and Doc are all together getting ready for Christmas. “I can’t believe we’re going to have a little one running around,” says Doc. “We are both very, very excited.”
Lizzie then reveals that her mom is “proud of me for the first time in my life,” before Denny says: “I’m sure telling her you’re pregnant won’t change that.” This is news to Hope, who questions why she hasn’t told her mom the big news yet.
“Lizzie, you have to tell her,” she exclaims. “It’ll be a much worse blow if she finds out some other way.” Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens, as her mom overhears Lizzie and Hope talking about the news.
Earlier on in the latest chapter, Lizzie joins forces with Hope – her mentor and Virgin River’s mayor – to help rescue the community from the wildfire that sweeps through the town, demonstrating once more how far the character has come from her early days.
Actor Sarah Dugdale told Netflix’s Tudum that one of her favorite parts of playing the character has been “going from that bratty teen girl who thinks she’s the center of attention, and then getting thawed out by being in Virgin River and realizing that people care about her and she’s valued here, to having an important job in government and being mentored by someone like Hope, who I think is a badass woman who speaks her mind.”
Season 7 could reveal Denny isn’t actually the father
Ban theory has rumored Ricky is the real father of Lizzie’s baby, not Denny. However, this hasn’t been confirmed but was subtly suggested throughout Virgin River Season 6.
Netflix
In the books, We see Ricky and Lizzie’s romance play out in the seventh novel, ‘Paradise Valley.’ The pair are together while in high school and have a stillborn baby boy shortly after.
However, this doesn’t happen in the binge-worthy TV show. After they were caught sleeping together by Connie, the pair were banned from seeing each other. This didn’t stop them though, carrying on their romance until Ricky’s lies broke the two apart. Despite this, the pair were still intimate in Season 5 – explaining the possible timeline confusion.
Ricky and Lizzie remained on civil terms. As we know, Ricky decided to follow in Jack’s footsteps and enlist in the army, and he made a surprise return in Season 6 Episode 3. The two left on friendly terms, with Ricky being deployed to the Middle East.
The easiest way for Season 7 to determine any baby daddy drama would be to get Lizzie’s baby tested for Huntington’s disease – it’s genetic, and Denny has it. Something could easily flag in the paternity results, leaving us with a juicy Season 7 plotline.
Virgin River Season 6 arrives on Netflix on December 19. In the meantime, check out other Season 6 storylines, if there will be a time jump, and more similar shows to watch while you wait.
