Francesca woke up with Michael kneeling of the floor by the bed looking at her with eyes full of tears. She jumped and covered herself.

''My love? What happened? Is it some of my siblings? Kids?''

He just kept silent and smiled.

''Michael? You are scaring me…''

He took her hand and kissed it.

''I love you, Francesca. I've loved you from the moment I met you and I'll always love you.''

That scared her?

''Did they ask you back to the army?''

He shook his head no and now she was even more confused. She looked at him and concluded that his Malaria was not back.

''Michael, what is going on?''

He put his hands under her legs and pulled her to the end of the bed. She was naked and he was between her knees. That was usually start of activity she enjoyed very much and pleasure her husband never failed to provide. She was just a bit afraid that it they gave into their passions they would be late for breakfast.

''You will have to be very fast Michael…''

But to her surprise, his lips didn't go south, but to her belly. He put his arms around her and nuzzled her belly.

''Michael? What is going on?''

''The calendar Frannie… You are three weeks late…You haven't bled for three weeks…''

And she froze…

''Oh, my God!''

He lifted his head and saw that she was crying too.

''Does that mean?''

''I sure hope it does… You deserve it my love. You deserve the world.''

''So do you…''

''I know, but this was your wish… I already got mine… I married my shooting star.''

''Shooting star?''

''On the night I first saw you… I didn't know you were to marry John. I just watched you and couldn't get my eyes of you. I saw a shooting star. I made a wish… My wish was to marry the girl from the garden…and here I am…''

''I don't know what to say… I am in shock…''

''Do you want to tell your family?''

''No… I want only two of us to know. I want to go back to Kilmartin and grow this miracle in our perfect part of the world. I want this to be our secret, until we can't keep it anymore.''

''Are you scared that it would happen again?''

For some reason, she was not. She was just feeling a bit selfish.

''No, I feel we will hold this one alive and it would grow to get on our nerves.''

He smiled.

''Little daddy's princess…''

''Or mommy's rake.''

''Oh, it is given. With our looks and wit, this boy will be lady killer.''

''Michael, we will teach him to respect women.''

''Let us first hold and spoil him.''

"We need to get ready. My family is waiting for us to eat.''

He helped her got out of bed and get ready. When they got downstairs, family was already at the table. They got some looks but no comments since children were at the table. He and Fran took their seats and started eating. By the looks on their faces, most of the family had their guesses why they were late and the fact was that they were far from truth. After they finished eating, Michael went to arrange everything for the trip home and Francesca spent time with her mother and family. She wanted to tell them but part of her selfishly wanted to keep the secret some more.

By the end of the day, they were in the carriage on the way to Kilmartin. They would make very few stops until they arrive home. He told her to promise him that she would tell him if she needs to stop and for them to find a place to spend the night before it was planned. Francesca couldn't wait to get to Kilmartin and nothing was going to stop her to reach her home. After they finally arrived, Michael ordered for them a lot of food and bath. He made sure to pamper his wife and get her to rest as much as she can. They agreed that she would not be ridding anymore and that she would be more careful with her walks. Since she couldn't just sit and to nothing, they agreed that she would be in charge of the books and all the things that would not be physically challenging. She wanted to complain but also didn't want to risk anything happening to the baby. Michael always took time to take walk with her in the morning and they agreed that they would not mention the baby until it becomes obvious.

Since he learned of her pregnancy Michael didn't spend a night away from his wife. She had pretty easy pregnancy so no one noticed anything different.

She was close to five months when her maid noticed and they had to let go some of her dresses so they would fit. One of the maids offered to make her new dresses that would be more comfortable and she said yes. After staff found out about the future baby Sterling, everyone was very happy for them. Cook was making her whatever she craved, workers were paying more attention to her during her walks and Michaels was always there if she needed something. He adored her and their baby.

Fran gave birth one night at the beginning of March. It was cold and rainy night and she knew it was the day her baby would come. Her body felt weird and different that days before. Midwife was already in their home so when it all started, she was ready to help her mistress. After three hours of labor, John Sterling was born. His mother held him first and his father was right by her side. They couldn't stop staring at him. Their little miracle. Francesca recovered pretty fast so new parents could take care of the child without too much help from the maids and nurses. Francesca was nursing her child and that was not something that noble ladies did, but she really wanted and Michael supported it. Baby was with them in the room so for some time they had no time or strength to make love. But they really didn't care about it. All they saw was their little John. When he started having better sleep pattern, new parents had returned to their nightly activities but not as often as they did before his birth. When he turned three months they were on the way to London. It would be the first time for the baby to meet his entire family. Francesca was excited to show her son to everyone.

Janet and Helen waited for them in the drawing room and when Michael opened the door and Francesca entered with the baby, they started crying. Janet thanked them for the name and promised them that she and Helen would take care of the baby if they needed some alone time. Yes, they needed it but more to sleep rather than to do other things. Her mother came following day and she was in utter shock when she saw the baby. It was clear that it was Francesca's and Michael's baby. He was perfect mixture of his parents. And he had his father's eyes. Francesca was falling in love with her husband every day more and more. She was the happiest when she was with two of them.

By the end of their stay in London, she was sure she couldn't be happier. Michael rode with young John in some sort of sling he made so the boy was used to the cold and checking out the estate. They were lucky that he was not a child that would easily get sick. Two years later they welcomed a daughter. She was apple of her father's eye. They named her Janet, after John's mother. Both children had that Kilmartin charm and were stubborn just like their daddy. It was also fair to admit that they had some Bridgerton in them too.

Having family gatherings was fun now that they had children too. Older cousins took care of them and as they grew, they were part of mischief along with them. Anthony was sure he would strangle all the children at one point, but his wife calmed him and told him that they are no different than him and his brothers at that age.

They lost Janet and Helen the same winder. They got sick and died just two weeks apart. They were happy to end their lives in Scotland and were buried at the family plot. Janet could finally rest by her son and Francesca was happy for her. She could finally be with John. She was visiting family plot very often and would take flowers for all three of them. Michael and her were happy their mothers got to meet the grandkids and spend time with them before passing.

John was sent to Ethon and then to university. He didn't grow to be the rake, like his father, but women showed interest in him. He was more interested in books and politics than women. He dreamed of life in London and being part of society and political life. Pretty much everything that his parents hated.

Janet was her father's daughter. She had her mother's beauty but his character. He was glad she was not a man because she would have been worse than him. Her debut to society was story to be told. Queen was much older, but still had her wit. Actually, that was her last year of choosing the diamond. Following year queen has passed peacefully in her sleep. Janet Helen Sterling was queen Charlot's last diamond. There were many suitors that wanted her attention, but somehow, she was not interested. Queen gave up choosing partners for Bridgerton family and their siblings. She just sat and waited for disaster to happen.

To everyone's surprise, she married the bad boy of the season. His name was Edvard Mils. He was a second son of a duke and he went to the military. He was discharged because he didn't want to return to war. He saw and heard some things he shouldn't have so they gave him honorable discharge. It made his father mad. He felt like he embarrassed the family so, he pretty much left him with nothing. But the boy was smart, book smart and street smart. He played cards to support himself and managed to earn pretty decent money taking it from too pompous men. She met him during her morning ride in London and from that moment on they were running into each other all the time. It is to humble to say that they bonded pretty fast, but they did. When he asked for her hand, many were surprised that she would even think of it. Well, maybe her parents were not that surprised. She didn't need to marry rich because her parents provided her with a lot and her pick was a young man who was much like her father in the past. He resembled Michael in many ways, but he was blond with green eyes so they knew it was not his son.

Mchael explained to him that London home was intended for their son and that if he wanted to join the family, he would be living in Kilmartin estate with them.

''Lord Kilmartin, life away from London and in the mountains sounds like heaven.''

''We work the estate along with tenants and workers.''

''I am not afraid of work.''

''My daughter is my priority. Be good to her or otherwise…''

''I shall make her my priority too. I will give my best to make her happy and loved.''

''That is all I need to know.''

Francesca and Michael let them live in the other house on the estate and the boy woke up every day early to work with Earl on the land. Michael knew his son was not really interested in Kilmartin estate so his son in law was the one helping with everything. Janet gave birth to a son and Francesca and Michael managed to get queen to transfer earldom to their grandson after they pass. She was not happy about it, but accepted. First son of Lady Janet and Lord Edvard II would carry Sterling name and be next earl Kilmartin.

John married Miss Elizabeth Potter. She was daughter of Viscount and Viscountess and he fit into their family like glove. It was not marriage for love, but of convenience. He did like Elizabeth. She was a pretty girl, but he was not in love. He worked with his father-in-law and often visited Parliament and participated in discussions. He and his wife were not found of Scotland and life there. He came few times with Elizabeth and she really detested the cold and how boring life was there. They didn't visit parties, Both Francesca and Michael worked for the estate and even his sister and her husband were busy with Kilmartin business. They stayed for a week and then left. They missed their son, but they also understood that he had to find his own way in the world. Francesca found her happiness in Kilmartin and her son away from it…and that was fine.

Her and Michael were growing old gracefully. They were grandparents and enjoying the family their daughter was creating. In one year, they were blessed with three grandchildren. After birth of their son, couple got twin girls. Francesca spent most of her days helping Janet and enjoying her new role.

Children grew pretty fast and in following five years, Kilmartin estate was filled with them. All the pain of her inability to have children was healed by her daughter that had them with such an ease. She was sure that Janet and her husband would be like her parents or Gregory.

John would write from time to time. He and his wife had three children and they didn't want more. In time their marriage became more political agreement than a love match. Francesca wanted to say something to him, but Michael stopped her.

''You can't meddle love. We all make choices.''

''But her deserves a love match.''

''He does, but question is if he wants it?''

''What do you mean?''

''Maybe his love match is not his wife, but his political career?''

That made Francesca silent and pensive for a moment. She would never trade Michael or what she had with John for a position of power.

She and Michael would go to London and spend some time there usually busy with things related to estate. Their son and daughter in law now lived in the Kilmartin house and slept in their old chambers. First time they came to the house Elizabeth gave order to prepare two rooms for them. When Michael said that one was just enough, she looked at him surprised. She couldn't believe they still shared the same room after all these years.

Michale was out of house and John was also busy with his duties, that left Francesca and Elizabeth alone. Francesca noticed that her daughter in law wanted to ask her something.

''Is there something I could do for you?''

''You and Lord Kilmartin still share same bedchamber?''

''Yes, why?''

''Why?''

''I don't understand your question…''

''Well, you don't have too anymore.''

''We never had to. We wanted to.''

''Why?''

''Because we still love each other very deeply and love sharing our bed.''

''After out third child was born, he stopped coming to my chambers.''

''Is there another woman?''

''No, I just think he is not interested in me as much as he is with what my name gives him. We have an heir; we have the spare and now he can keep being active in politics and use me as decoration when I am needed. Our life is a lie.''

''Well, I am his mother. I can't force him into your bed or force him to love you.''

''How do you keep the spark alive?''

''I don't know. We always had it. After all these years, I still love that man, madly love that man.''

''I envy you.''

''Why?''

''For still having those feelings. I feel as I don't care anymore. I don't care if he comes or when he comes home. I know he is not cheating. But I feel like politics is a wife and I am used mistress.''

Francesca felt bad for Elizabeth and bad for her son too. She wished him what they had and his sister had. No one deserves life without love. And no mother wishes that to her own child. Francesca finally got Michael to talk to their son. He found him in his office and started talking to him about the kids. It was true that he didn't spend much time with them. He was going to give more attention to the older one when the time comes for him to prepare him to take over for him. Michael tried to explain that children need love and attention no matter their age and how he was on the horse with him and his mother from the very start.

''Your mother is worried about your marriage too.''

''Why should she? Elizabeth and I have an arrangement. We have children, we have social status and that is the reason why we married.''

''And love?''

''We lost it…''

''Is there a chance to find it son?''

''Dad, not everyone is mother and you and Janet and that husband of hers… Some of us want different things. My wife has everything. She has husband in the parliament, she has funds and she is married with children.''

''But she doesn't have a husband. She has a shadow…ball and chain… If she had a husband, he would be by her side at night making love to her not making new budget suggestions or whatever you are invested in now.''

''Bedroom is not the only place marriage is successful father.''

''And where is it successful?''

''In the eyes of the ton. I don't associate with suspicious women; I am at home every day after I finish my work and from that very home, I leave for work the following day.''

Michael gave up. Unfortunately, his son had different vision of love and life. And he and Francesca had to make peace with it. During their time in London, they visited her family, went to few balls and then went back to Scotland very confused and worried with where they went wrong with their son. He was too motivated by his ambition to see what he was missing. Francesca offered to him and Elizabeth to bring children with them for the summers and they accepted it. In three weeks', time, she will make it back to London and pick the children up to spend summer in Scotland with them. Janet said kids could stay with them. Her eldest were the same age as her brother's children. She and was now at number seven because they were blessed with two sets of twins more and what was three more to their usual chaos.

They prepared the rooms for boys and a girl (Viktor, Charlote and Lucas) and their cousins were excited to meet them. Some of them were looking forward to having more company to ride and do silly stuff in the fields. To swim in the lake. Francesca and Janet were not sure if the kids would be interested in that.

First two weeks were very difficult for all of them to adjust. John's kids were used to city life and had no idea how to behave in the country. They did have house in the country but they barely ever got dirty. Charlot had no clothes she could use to run in the fields or learn how to ride. Francesca wet to the attic of her house and used some of John's and Janet's clothes to fix them up for kids. They deeply disliked the clothes and didn't want to use them because they were simple but in time they did. And as soon as they started using simpler clothes, they started having more fun with their cousins. By the end of the summer, all of them were riding all off them knew how to work the fields and all of them swam in the lake almost every day.

By the end of the summer, their governess came to collect them and was in shock to see them dressed in simple clothes doing worker's jobs but also looking very excited and happy. For their journey back, they were dressed again in their fancy clothes with perfectly tied ties and hair with bonnet. Few weeks later they got the letter from John that he and Elizabeth don't approve the way kids were treated on Kilmartin estate and told them that they would not be visiting again. It broke Fran's heart, but Michael comforted her by telling her that they still have seven more grandkids that need them and need their love and support. When he turned sixteen, Michael took Eddie under his wing and started teaching him about book keeping and trades. He was very patient man and his pupil was learning pretty fast. Micael didn't think he was dying, but wanted to cover all of his bases and maybe have few years with his grandson by his side learning everything he could teach him. His parents were very proud of how fast he was learning and Janet loved how her son was close to her father. In a way he became substitute for John who wanted nothing to do with the estate and life in Scotland.

Michael's Malaria was coming more often in last few years and that got Francesca very worried. She knew that it might be sign that his life is close to an end. She couldn't cope with the fact that she would lose him. She loved him too much to even fathom life without him. But each time he came back from it. Sometime it took more time but every time he came back from it and back to his duties and teaching moments.

During their time in Edinburg Eddie met a girl. She was a second daughter of a nobleman and it took them two weeks to get engaged and less then a month after that to marry. Her name was Fiona and she really fit the family in incredible ways. Since she was the next countess, Francesca took it upon herself to teach her what she had to know. Young could grew very close to the grandparents and enjoyed their time together. Janet was proud of her son and what their family was doing. She was very close to her parents and they adored their kids. Michael made sure that all of them were provided for after his death. He was aware that his time is running out and he was not scared. He was waiting for it to happen perfectly calm. He had no regrets. He had adventures before Francesca, he had amazing life and love with that woman. He had family and he has beautiful grandkids. Michael Sterling, biggest rake of London, created legacy for his family and his daughter and son in law were the most important part of it. Edvard became like his son and he and Fran were seeing theirs not so often.

Last time they saw him was few months ago when they were invited to the Charlot's wedding. She was marrying duke of Lancaster. He was thirty years her senior but John and his father-in-law believed it would bring them more power if she is married in such a manner. Michael was angry their granddaughter is marring their peer but he knew that his son wouldn't listen. His father-in-law poisoned his ears long time for what his parents had to say. Francesca was very sad for the girl. It was clear that she was desperate but she had no idea how to help and what to do. She was kept an eye on like hawk so she wouldn't dare to run away and embarrass the family. She and Michael kept to themselves along with Janet and her husband and when they got the chance, they were on the way to Kilmartin. They had no reason to stay. Michael realized that John was not his son anymore, bit his father in laws.