AMORE ET HONORE
By: tweety-src-clt9
Penelope's Convalescence
Penelope's eyes slowly fluttered open to a brand new day. The sun was shining brightly outside. She could easily tell from the light seeping through the thick curtains that covered the large windows of the master bedroom. Maybe whatever higher power that existed had wanted to make her feel better, for she loved bright sunny days. The weather seemed to match her mood, hopeful and cheery. She was certain that she was feeling so much better now.
"No more eating of that vile goop," she murmured as she carefully sat on the bed. It was better to move slowly and to be sure. After all, in the short minutes that she gained consciousness yesterday, there was a lingering dizziness that matched the throbbing of her forehead. She sat quietly, just observing her body's strength or the lack of it, and she smiled brightly when the nauseous state that tormented her yesterday was gone. Sure she still felt a bit tired, but it was so much better than seeing double.
Since the master chamber was quiet, she felt her ears prick when she heard noises most likely from the drawing-room downstairs. She chuckled to herself thinking that it was Eloise and Colin bickering once again. She so wanted to thank her best friend and her husband for caring for her last night. Because of that, she had this strong urge to surprise them by joining their party. She was certain that her presence would make them happy and more importantly, ease their worries over her health. No one cared for her when she was sick, well, her father did, but it seemed that he had been dead for so many years. And so, it made her heart swell with gratitude and delight knowing that her new family, Colin and Eloise in particular, valued her too much to dote on her when she was sick.
With a look of determination in her countenance, she slowly stood from the bed and walked to the door, hoping to find a maid that could help her get ready for the day. It must be her lucky day indeed when she merely took less than ten steps from the bed when suddenly, the door opened.
"Mistress! You are awake!" her ladies maid exclaimed.
"Good morning. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before," she smiled kindly.
"It is a pleasure to see you up and about, mistress. My name is Clarisse, your ladies' maid," the tall woman said with a curtsy.
"Hello, Clarisse. I'm happy to meet you. I hope Colin, er, Mr. Bridgerton hasn't given you much trouble when I was indisposed," she quipped.
"Master Colin was very worried about you, mistress. He clearly loves you very much," Clarisse had a wistful look in her eyes.
"Er, he is very kind… I have known him for a long time, ever since I was a little girl," Penelope didn't know what to say about Colin being in love with her.
"That is so romantic! Childhood sweethearts," Clarisse practically gushed. Penelope could only smile at her maid's starry eyes.
"Not exactly but… we're good friends," she muttered. She didn't want to crush Clarisse's wistful imaginings but it was best to gently introduce her maid to the harsh realities of romance and marriage. Most of the time, love is unrequited and marriages happen for convenience.
"Oh, how clumsy of me! Mistress, the master said that you should rest," Clarisse's eyes were focused on her as if expecting her for new bruises or some sort of pain.
"I am feeling much better actually but I am quite hungry. That horrid soup tea thing that Colin has been feeding me is vile," Penelope made a face and her maid chuckled.
"I shall quickly help you to get dressed for the day, mistress. And then, I will have some breakfast to be sent here. How does that sound?"
"Well, I was thinking of going downstairs actually. As a surprise for Eloise and Colin," she grinned.
"What a delightful idea, mistress! It will be a pleasant surprise for the master and your other family members indeed," Clarisse smiled happily.
"Other family members?" she couldn't help but ask. As far as she knew, it was only Eloise who she recalled seeing last night.
"Oh yes! You have quite a lot of callers today. Bridgertons, Bassets, and a stern elegant lady with a cane - "
"Lady Danbury!" Penelope's eyes widened in surprise. Through her years as a debutante, she had grown fond of the dowager duchess due to their many short yet meaningful conversations.
"Yes, mistress. All of your visitors have the same worried and concerned looks on their faces. The master is having a hard time keeping them from climbing up the stairs just so they can see you in person. Master insists that you need rest, you see."
Penelope smiled at the thought of Colin trying his best to stop his family, well their family, and Lady Danbury from seeing her just so she could sleep. It was sweet, adorable, and hilarious to think about. From her many visits to the Bridgerton household, she knew how boisterous and persistent they could be.
"Well then, Clarisse, I do believe my husband is in need of saving," Penelope playfully winked at her maid who giggled happily as she opened the door connecting to the lady's chambers. She sat quietly on the bed, eagerly waiting for her maid to return with some day clothes. She couldn't wait to see the stunned faces of her husband and the rest of her new family. How delightful it is indeed to belong to such an overly caring and nosy brood, she thought. Just the knowledge that the Bridgertons all but demanded to see her because of worry made her smile. In fact, she felt that their overwhelming concern made her feel just a little bit better.
"I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting," Penelope greeted everyone with a shy smile.
"Penelope!" every person exclaimed as they all stood up, Lady Danbury included, to fuss over their beloved patient.
Colin looked at Eloise who had an annoyed glint in her eyes as they both watched their dramatic family worry about Penelope who's cheeks were now flushed from embarrassment or maybe from her lingering fever.
"Oh, Penelope! We were so worried!" Violet exclaimed as her palms cradled Penelope's cheeks.
"You better get well soon, Pen. We just recently got rid of Colin," Benedict drawled, a smirk on his face until their mother glared at him.
"Dear sister, please be well. We can't have Colin back at home," Anthony added.
"Come, Pen! You need to sit down," Kate held Penelope by her left arm, while Sophie held on to her right one.
"It's like Penelope is their wife and not mine," Colin grumbled to Eloise who nodded.
"They act as if she's their best friend," Eloise too had a disgruntled look on her face.
"How are you feeling, my dear?" Lady Danbury asked as she took the seat beside Violet Bridgerton, just across the couch occupied by Kate, Penelope, and Sophie. Everyone was shocked at the gentle tone that the formidable duchess had used upon speaking to the newest Mrs. Bridgerton.
"Much better now, Lady Danbury. Thank you… It's such a pleasure to see you all, truly. You need not worry though, I am alright. Colin and Eloise have been very helpful," Penelope smiled shyly. Her cheeks flushed from all the attention since everyone's eyes were focused on her.
Colin noticed that his mother, Anthony, Kate, and Lady Danbury exchanged glances with each other. There was a hint of rage in their eyes before they all smiled at his wife once again.
"Pen! We have a present for you!" Kate stood from her seat, her visage betraying her excitement.
"You really didn't have to," Penelope grinned.
"We insist. Consider it a thank you gift for marrying that idiot," Anthony pointed at him and Colin snorted. He was used to all the jokes thrown his way since he too was an expert at teasing his siblings.
It delighted Colin to watch his family dote on his wife. Every time their eyes met, he would give her an encouraging smile and she would nod bashfully before focusing on whoever was talking to her once again. It made him happy that his family loved and cared for his Penelope almost as much as he did. Because truly, his wife deserved all the love she could get after her horrid life at the Featherington household.
"Here we are!" Kate walked back into the room along with a footman who was carrying a small metal cage. Immediately, Colin noticed the happy gleam in his wife's eyes, her soft lips parted in surprise. Kate slowly opened the cage when the footman lowered it to the ground.
The little puppy, oddly enough as far as his memory recalled, looked a lot like Penelope's Milo. The bubbly puppy looked at the people gathered around the room before he eagerly barked and ran towards his wife. Colin was worried at first until the puppy gave whimpering cute sounds as it nudged its little nose on his wife's hem.
With a bright smile on her face, Penelope's small gentle hands carefully lifted the puppy onto her lap. "Hello, little one. You do look like my Milo, don't you?" she cooed to the puppy who lapped up her attention.
"Penelope, we know it's not the pet you loved but we hope this will make you smile," Anthony said and Kate nodded happily.
"He - " Penelope eyed Kate who shook her head and Penelope continued, "She is so adorable. Thank you so much," it was obvious that she was trying to fight back her tears.
"I know we used to giggle about Newton and Milo having babies but they're both little boys. Now that your baby is a girl, we can be grandmothers together," Kate grinned, making everyone laugh.
"What will you call her, Pen?" Eloise asked.
"Hmm… What about Minnie?" Penelope asked the puppy on her lap who looked at her new mother as if assessing if she liked her name. And then, the puppy barked happily, licking Penelope's fingers and making her giggle.
"Minnie it is then," his wife nodded.
"You know I have to ask," Eloise said, "why Minnie, Pen?"
"Well, Minnie can be short for Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. Also, she looks like Milo so I reckon a name starting with M makes sense," Penelope explained.
"I like it," Kate nodded and all the women smiled while the men nodded in agreement.
"Your Grace, I seem to recall that you mentioned an activity that you believe the new Mrs. Bridgerton will enjoy as well," Lady Danbury said to the room. All eyes then turned to Daphne who was seated on her mother's right.
"Yes, indeed… Ever since Kate married Anthony, I have this welcome thing I do for my new sisters," Daphne smiled brightly but her every movement exudes elegance.
"That's right!" Kate and Sophie eagerly nodded and Penelope looked at them with curious eyes.
"What my wife is trying to say is, she's inviting you to go on a shopping spree with her, Penelope," Simon, fondly shook his head at his wife who only smiled innocently.
"That is too kind, but - " Penelope started to say but Eloise interrupted her.
"You should go with them, Pen. Daphne pays for everything," Eloise smirked and Daphne smiled slyly, while Simon sighed. Colin bit his bottom lip to stop himself from chuckling. It was a delight to see that he was not the only hopelessly besotted husband in the room.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Penelope inquired.
"It's a married woman, initiation to the Bridgerton wives club sort of thing. Besides, I want my own Penelope time with no other nosy Bridgerton," Eloise playfully glared at their family.
"Since Daphne is paying for gowns, we can spend time at the Hastings' London estate for some tea - " Kate added before winking at Sophie.
"And I can give you some recipes if you want, Penelope," Sophie smiled in a welcoming manner.
"You should just go, Penelope. If not for the gowns, go for the recipes at least. I mean, you are married to Colin after all. You really need all the help you can get in feeding him," Benedict supported the proposal of the ladies.
"I'd love to go," Penelope smiled as her fingers gently caressed her new puppy's fur. The puppy happily enjoying her mistress' attention was now sound asleep. It was an adorable sight really. Colin could easily see Penelope calming down their mischievous children with her gentle touch.
"Excellent! We'll schedule some time when you are better," Daphne said with excitement, Kate and Sophie nodded eagerly.
"And then, I'll steal you for a full day of Peneloise time," Eloise added.
"And then maybe Penelope can have a Bridgerton brothers' time minus Colin," Anthony smirked.
"Children! Penelope also needs to spend time with Colin. He is her husband after all. How can they have babies if - " Violet interrupted her brood's budding shenanigans and to Colin's relief, Eloise immediately butted in.
"Mother! Penelope is too young to have babies. Besides, Colin ought to share her with us since he has Penelope all to himself for the rest of their days," Eloise explained with a pout.
"I do apologize for my children's exuberance, dear," Violet gave Penelope a sympathetic smile.
"It's alright. I enjoy spending time with all of you. I did grow up playing with Eloise, Franny, and Daphne as a little girl," Penelope chuckled.
"Oh, to be young again! If only Pen and I are young forever. No Colin to interrupt us," Eloise sighed playfully and Colin pinched his sister's arm.
"Pen! Help!" Colin whined as he swatted Eloise's hands away. His menace of a sister was smacking him for his playful pinch.
"I suggest you have children as soon as possible, Pen. I mean, a little Colin would surely be exasperating. You need all the energy you can get," Kate remarked, eyeing Colin and Eloise acting like children.
"Ow! ow!" Colin ran away from Eloise, seeking refuge by his wife's side as he squatted on the floor in front of her. His back touching the softness of her day dress. The silk of her gown felt smooth and warm against his back. It felt comforting and reassuring.
"Eloise Bridgerton!" Violet exclaimed.
Colin grinned triumphantly at Eloise who only stuck her tongue out at him. Left with no choice, Eloise just sat on the floor beside Colin while their mother sighed in exasperation.
"At least Colin is out of your hair, mother," Anthony said reassuringly.
Colin, having missed his wife's bright presence, adjusted his position on the floor to face her. He touched her hand, lightly tracing the fingers that caressed her puppy's fur when Minnie woke up.
Sensing his presence, Minnie woke up, sniffed the air, and then growled angrily at him. It looked adorable and scary at the same time. Eloise smirked saying, "even Minnie finds you annoying. Don't you, little one?" to his annoyance, the puppy enjoyed his sister's touch.
"Poor Colin! Even Minnie thinks you're an annoying git," Benedict teased. To prove his brother wrong, he tried reaching for the dog again but he still got a fierce growl.
"Minnie, be nice," Penelope cooed to the dog who whimpered happily but her little eyes still looked at him warily.
"Great! First Eloise, then my sisters, my brothers, and now a dog. What's a husband to do around here?" he half-jokingly pouted and everyone laughed. Since Penelope was giggling along, he didn't mind all the teasing at his expense. It made him happy that she was happy and alive. Her laughter gave him the reassurance that she was still here with him.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Bridgerton, but the doctor is here to see you," Dunwoody announced after curtsying.
Colin looked at Penelope who nodded to him. Clearing his throat he addressed his overly zealous brood, "I'll escort Penelope to her doctor in our chamber. In case she still feels a bit woozy, she may rest. If not, then we'll be back here to join you… El, why don't you show the family the rest of the house."
"But I want to go with Pen to the doctor," Eloise whined. Colin gave his sister a look and she acquiesced with a glare. They talked about this last night. Eloise had to entertain and control their family's over-eagerness to be with Penelope while she recovered.
"Would you mind caring for Minnie for a while, El?" Penelope asked with a shy smile. Eloise, ever the loyal friend, grinned back, holding out her palms for the puppy.
Minnie started to make whiny sounds as if sensing that her new mummy would be leaving her. And so, Penelope cooed to the dog, "It's okay little one, you can play with Eloise. I'll be back soon if the doctor says I can."
Giving Penelope a playful lick to her fingers, Minnie happily moved to Eloise's waiting arms as Colin held out a hand to his wife. Before leaving the room, Penelope turned to address everyone, "thank you so much for coming to visit. I truly appreciate you all for being so concerned. I shall try to be back to entertain you if the doctor agrees."
"Don't worry, dear. Just get better," Violet Bridgerton said sweetly.
"You need to get healthy, Pen," Daphne added. With encouraging smiles from her new family, Penelope held on to Colin's arm, truly eager to do what it takes so she could completely heal.
"Mrs. Bridgerton, it is a pleasure to see you awake... Mr. Bridgerton," the kind doctor tipped his hat to the couple.
"I am so grateful for all your help, doctor," Penelope smiled at the man.
"It is my duty, Mrs. Bridgerton. Besides, a beautiful young lady such as yourself will be sorely missed if you won't get well. It is the least I can do really," the doctor replied.
"Should we head up to our chamber so you can check on Penelope better?" Colin asked and the doctor nodded. Still, with Penelope on his arm, Colin led his wife and her doctor to their bedroom. He too was anxious since he so wanted to hear the good news of Penelope's recovery and healing. He knew she had emotional pains, but for now, it was top priority to cure her physical pains first. As for her horrors and traumas, he would gladly help her recover from them for the rest of his life.
Penelope waited patiently, eagerly obeying all the instructions that the doctor gave her. When asked to lift her dress, she did. When the doctor asked questions on all her symptoms and the things she experienced, she openly shared them. With Colin anxiously standing by the bed, watching the doctor's every move, and knowing that the Bridgertons and Lady Danbury were downstairs, she wanted to be honest. This time around, she didn't try to downplay all her hurts.
And then, the doctor just had to ask, "Mrs. Bridgerton, how long have you been subject to bouts of starvation?" Penelope tensed when the doctor finally asked the most dreaded question.
"I never wanted to starve but I had to. My mother, she - I am fat and she wants me to find a husband," she hated that there were tears in her eyes once more. Colin, seeing her distress, immediately sat beside her, holding her hand in support.
"Since when did these starvation periods start?" the doctor prodded.
"After my Papa died, months before the start of my second season as a debutante. My papa would never allow my Mama to do the things she did," Penelope sniffed.
"Mrs. Bridgerton, I have to know… Did your mother ever force you to spit out any food you have eaten?"
"Yes… Especially after I visit the Bridgertons and eat there. Eloise always gave me treats… My mama, she hates it when I eat so she - " she couldn't speak anymore. Colin just wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she pressed her face against his chest.
Penelope was so embarrassed. She was crying in front of a stranger, sharing all her vulnerability like a weak little girl.
"Shh… It's okay, love, your mama can't hurt you now," Colin whispered as he pressed his lips on the top of her head.
The doctor was kind enough to wait until Penelope had recovered from her crying while he patiently looked away. After a few minutes, Penelope dried her tears and looked at Colin with determination. She was stronger than this.
"Doctor?" she called out.
"Mrs. Bridgerton, I am sorry for upsetting you but - "
"It's okay, sir. You're just doing your job," Penelope said.
"You need not elaborate further, since clearly, the emotional wounds haven't healed. Just from the sample of vomit sent to my home yesterday and my checks here today, I am afraid that I must warn you, Mrs. Bridgerton," the doctor's voice was all seriousness.
Penelope's breath hitched as she feared for the worst. Since Colin still had his arms wrapped around her, she felt his body tense as his countenance turned cold - as if he was frozen in fear.
"I do not want to scare you both, but this is a serious warning, Mrs. Bridgerton. The next time you fall ill from starvation, it can be fatal for you. The human body can only endure so much. You need to eat at the right time. No more skipping meals, lessen your intake of foods that are too sour and too salty. It is bad for you to get exposed to food that will trigger acidity," the doctor continued.
"She won't die, will she?" Colin's voice sounded detached as if all his energy had been sucked out of him.
"She will be alright if she no longer subjects herself to starvation. This is serious, Mrs. Bridgerton. If it is your mother that causes your insecurities, or if it's she who demands of you to starve, then avoid her at all costs. It is your life that is on the line here."
"Can she take some sort of medicine? Tonics to keep up her health? Anything to make her stronger?" Colin's voice sounded desperate now.
"I have prepared this list of foods for Mrs. Bridgerton to eat. All of these will be good for her. Also, there is a recipe for a tonic that will regulate her acidity, but still, she should avoid foods that are extremely salty and sour."
"Is there anything else we can do, doctor?" Colin sounded so serious that it unnerved Penelope. She had never seen him like this before.
"For her physical wounds, the bandage should still be replaced and the bump cleansed until it heals. Continue to apply the salve for the entire week… Also, she should still take the special mixture I asked her maid to do once a day for the entire week."
"Of course," Colin nodded as his hand tightened his hold on her right one.
"Mrs. Bridgerton, I am not a counselor so I cannot do much for your emotional trauma. The only advice I can give is for you to be open. Share your hurts, your pains, and your past with people who love you and those you trust. You can only heal if you surround yourself with people who care about you," the doctor smiled kindly at Penelope who only nodded in acknowledgment.
Penelope noticed that Colin had a faraway look in his eyes but his emerald orbs sparkled with determination. She tried to squeeze his hand to gain his attention but he was lost in his thoughts.
"Col?"
Finally, Colin turned to her and he said with a fierceness that made her shiver a bit, "if I have to spoon-feed you three times a day or more, I don't care. You are not starving yourself again, you hear me."
"That's too much - "
"Promise me, Penelope. You have to eat."
Since she was certain that he would never let this go if she would not give him her word, she looked into his eyes and said in all earnest, "I promise to never starve again."
"Good," Colin seemed to sigh in relief as his strong arms pulled her in for an embrace. Penelope closed her eyes to savor this feeling of comfort and of home . For a man who only married her out of a sense of honor and duty, Colin Bridgerton was indeed the best of husbands.
When the doctor cleared his throat, she slowly pulled away from Colin, her cheeks tinged pink from embarrassment. For a minute there, she forgot that there was a stranger watching their exchange.
"Mr. Bridgerton, if your wife's fever becomes erratic once more, send for me at once. But other than that, she should be fine if she eats at the right time," the doctor nodded solemnly which Colin acknowledged with an equally serious nod of his own.
"Doctor?" Penelope inquired.
"Yes?"
"Can I still spend some time with my new family downstairs? It's rather tiresome being in bed all day," Penelope pouted unknowingly.
"Of course, but no strenuous activities like long walks, horseback riding, and sleep early," at the word sleep, the doctor gave Colin a knowing look which made her husband blush. Penelope wondered what that was about.
"I cannot thank you enough, sir. For all your help," she smiled gratefully at the kind doctor who rushed to her aid.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Bridgerton," he nodded cordially before turning his attention to Colin.
"Mr. Bridgerton, I trust that you would take good care of your beautiful wife?" Penelope knew that she was blushing at the praise.
"Of course, sir. You can count on that," Colin said with conviction.
"Well then, I shall be on my way," the doctor gathered his things and piled them in his satchel.
"I'll send you off," Colin stood from the bed, eyeing her to silently ask if she wanted to come down with him. Taking his hand, they escorted the doctor to their front door. Before the doctor rode on their carriage, they once again thanked him profusely for all his help.
The rest of their visitors, except for Eloise, left their home shortly after lunchtime. After chatting with her best friend in the foyer for some fresh air, she parted with Minnie and Eloise so she could get some rest. Colin only escorted her to their chamber before taking leave to do some business in his study. When supper arrived, Penelope was shocked that all the food served was not salty nor sour, there was a lot of fruit and the soup was divine.
Colin was caught in between heaven and hell, pleasure and pain. During their wedding night, after their first passionate encounter, he quickly fell asleep after a few minutes of watching his beautiful wife. The night after that, he barely slept at all because of the fear that gripped his heart.
Now, here he is… Finding himself in a battle for self-control. It seemed that Penelope Bridgerton, the innocent temptress that she is, was very clingy in her sleep. Despite these months having been the rainiest season in the British Isles, tonight was rather warm. And so, his wife wore this thin cotton nightgown on. It wasn't revealing, compared to the see-through ice blue number that he found in her trunk, but it did expose the soft pale skin of her arms, her legs, and her very tantalizing chest. What's worse was the fact that in her sleep, her plump figure enjoyed tangling herself on his torso.
Just the thought of Penelope's gloriously soft and round body pressed all over him made his body burn with a different sort of heat. A heat that stemmed from sensuality and carnal desires.
For fuck's sake! The doctor bloody said that amorous activities are not allowed and here I am… A slave to my lust, he mentally chastised himself as he stared at the ceiling. He tried to stay still, making sure that his wild thoughts and unease would not bother Penelope in her sleep. She needed to rest so she could fully recuperate after all.
But it was indeed such agony. He was just a man after all. A man of flesh, bone, blood, and mind. It also didn't help that his heart was totally and irrevocably in love with her. A dangerous combination when the very object of your desires and passion was laying in bed, pressed against you.
Suddenly, the gods seemed to have smiled upon him when his Penelope moved slightly, giving him the chance to slip off the bed. He quietly chuckled as her fingers fumbled for his warmth until she settled on his pillow. He was amazed that even in her sleep, she had enough strength to grab his pillow as she pressed it to her nose. A little smile formed on her lips as she continued to slumber in peace. He hoped that she wouldn't have any more nightmares of her mother's horrid tortures or that lecherous duke's unwarranted advances. Truly, if he had his way, he would beg the sandman to just send her happy dreams.
"I love you, Pen… Hoping you have the sweetest of dreams, my darling," he whispered into the night as he decided to just grab some parchment and maybe write something. A poem may be, anything to get his mind off sensual activities starring Penelope.
Walking to the cozy writing desk, he grabbed the candelabra and settled it near the desk so he could write some words. With his quill in hand, he dipped its tip in ink, and then he was stumped. He didn't know what to write. Nobody knew that he wrote about his travels - the sceneries, the food, the people, his thoughts and realizations. It was hard to write about traveling now since he was just at home.
Sighing, he glanced at Penelope sleeping soundly on their bed, the moonlight seeping through the drapes made her seem ethereal - the picture-perfect definition of peace just like an angel.
"My angel in the night," he muttered as an idea formed in his head. He wanted to try adapting Penelope's freeform technique in writing poetry. Maybe he would even find the courage to share it with her someday… Because his muse and his inspiration were just a few feet away from him, the words easily drifted from his heart, forming in his brain, and then translated by his hand as he wrote words on the parchment.
I am amazed when I look at you,
I see you smiling back at me,
It's like all my dreams come true.
I am afraid if I lost you, girl,
I'd fall through the cracks and lose my track,
In this crazy, lonely world.
Sometimes it's so hard to believe,
When my nights can be so long,
And faith gave me the strength,
and kept me holding on.
You are the love of my life,
And I'm so glad you found me,
You are the love of my life,
Baby put your arms around me,
I guess this is how it feels,
When you finally find something real.
My angel in the night, you are my love...
The love of my life.
Now here you are,
With midnight closing in.
You take my hand as our shadows dance,
With moonlight on your skin.
I look in your eyes,
I'm lost inside your kiss.
I think if I'd never met you,
about all the things I'd missed.
Sometimes it's so hard to believe,
When a love can be so strong,
And faith gives me the strength,
and kept me going on.
You are the love of my life,
And I'm so glad you found me,
You are the love of my life,
Baby put your arms around me,
I guess this is how it feels,
When you finally find something real.
My angel in the night, you're my love...
The love of my life.
A/N: Credits to the Ton folks at the Bridgerton Discord Group for all the sprint sessions that motivated my lazy bum to write this chapter.
Anyway, on to the chapter. I love the Bridgerton family fluff dynamic and the new member of the Polin household, Minnie.
Colin's poem at the end are selected lyrics from the song "Love of My Life" by Jim Brickman and Michael W. Smith.
This chapter has only been edited twice, I still have need to make my final check but I'll do it later. Read at your own risk.
So... What do you think of this chapter?