After all that stress
Summary:
In this chapter, Penelope reflects on the progress she's made in her relationship with her mother, thanks to therapy and Colin's unwavering support. After returning home from a positive therapy session, she finds Hyacinth, Colin's younger sister, waiting in her apartment, eager to share that she's in town for an acting audition and has decided to pursue this dream without leveraging the Bridgerton name.
The two women spend the day together, bonding over their shared experiences and even attempting to cook, which turns into a comedic disaster. Colin arrives home just in time with dinner, and the three of them share a warm meal. Colin and Penelope's affection for each other is evident, as Hyacinth points out that they have been holding hands the entire time. The chapter ends with Colin helping Hyacinth settle into the guest room and spending a quiet, intimate moment with Penelope, expressing his pride in her growth and commitment to her family. This chapter focuses on themes of love, support, and finding strength in one another.
Author's note:
Hi, everyone… I hope you had a good time reading this chapter. I added Hyacinth in this chapter because I've always loved her character and how much she adores Colin without taking the mickey out of him.
I hope it's not too boring, I am working on the next chapter, wish me luck!
It's been six months since that life-changing meeting Penelope had with her mother and sisters, and much to her surprise, her mother had been serious about mending their relationship. Portia took meaningful steps, including starting therapy, something Penelope never imagined she would do. About a month ago, Portia's therapist suggested that Penelope join one of the sessions, and without hesitation, she agreed. If it meant building a healthier bond and having her mother in her life, she was more than willing to try.
Now, as she drove home from yet another positive session, Penelope found herself practically humming with happiness. The warmth of her mother's embrace, the sincerity of her sisters' apologies, and the progress they had all made—it was more than she ever dared hope for. Through it all, there was one person she knew she owed so much to—Colin, without his unwavering support and encouragement, she wasn't sure she would have had the courage to take that step forward.
It was incredible how one person's love could change how you saw yourself. The warmth and acceptance she found within the Bridgerton family felt so foreign at first that she almost pushed it away but as she spent more time with them—especially when Colin wasn't around—she began to bask in their love, allowing it to not only heal her but also transform her into a better version of herself.
Penelope couldn't thank her lucky stars enough for Colin. He truly was the most beautiful person to ever walk this earth. The way he always wanted to protect her, to be her hero, was something she found endearing, even though Eloise and Benedict often warned her not to encourage such behavior. Eloise, in particular, was exasperated by what she called Penelope's tendency to act like 'such a damsel'.
Penelope chuckled at the memory and opened her door to the apartment. She was surprised to see Hyacinth in the living room by herself.
"Hya? What are you doing here?" Penelope entered and looked at the youngest Bridgerton. Hyacinth turned around and smile widely. She stood up-so much more taller than Penelope remembered-and came hugging Penelope tightly.
"Penelope! Oh, it is so good to see you, sister!" Hyacinth exclaimed as she threw her arms around Penelope in a warm hug. Penelope couldn't help but smile—Hyacinth was the only Bridgerton who seemed to speak in this charming, almost old-English way, as if she had stepped straight out of a period drama. It was fascinating, really, and always made Penelope chuckle.
As they pulled away, Penelope took a moment to truly look at Hyacinth. She was a delicate beauty with high cheekbones, striking blue eyes that sparkled with curiosity, and long, chestnut-brown hair that cascaded in loose waves down her back. Her face was heart-shaped, almost ethereal, like a fairy out of a classic fairytale. Despite her gentle features, there was an undeniable spark of mischief in her eyes, a fire that reminded Penelope so much of Colin. In fact, out of all the Bridgerton siblings, it was Hyacinth who resembled Colin the most—the same sharp jawline, the same charming smile, and even the same dimpled cheeks when they grinned. It was like looking at a feminine version of him, and that thought warmed Penelope's heart.
"You look absolutely stunning, Hyacinth," Penelope said sincerely, "Every time I see you, you've grown even more elegant."
Hyacinth's face lit up, her dimples deepening just like Colin's, "Well, I do try," she replied playfully, striking a little pose that made them both burst into laughter, "But you, Penelope! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. Brother dearest has been keeping you all to himself, hasn't he?"
Penelope let out a small chuckle. It was a common joke among the Bridgertons that Colin kept Penelope all to himself, but in reality, she was often surrounded by his family. She spent many Fridays with the older Bridgertons—mostly with Benedict, Eloise, and Francesca—and frequently made trips to Yorkshire with Luke to visit Violet, and by extension, Hyacinth herself.
"Actually, my dearest, it's quite the opposite," Penelope countered with a smirk, "You're always out with your friends, and it's you that I haven't seen in forever. Colin and I were in Yorkshire just two weeks ago."
"Alright, alright, you have exposed my little falsehood, sister," she admitted with a dramatic sigh, a small, embarrassed smile gracing her lips. Penelope felt a surge of triumph; it was nice to playfully defend Colin's honor, even if it was all in good fun.
Penelope led Hyacinth to the sofa in the living room, her eyes drifting back to the large luggage sitting by the door. She couldn't help but ask, "Hyacinth, are you here by yourself? And how did you even get in?"
Hyacinth shifted uncomfortably, a nervous smile playing on her lips, "Well… I used the pin code Colin gave me, and then I, um, might have used the emergency key that's hidden under that potted plant outside." She gave Penelope an innocent, almost sheepish look.
Penelope raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms, "You mean the key that's for emergencies only? Are you sure this isn't an emergency, or did you just want to surprise us?"
"Maybe a little bit of both," Hyacinth admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly, "I didn't want to bother you, but I wanted to be here in London. I have… an audition."
Penelope's eyes widened in surprise, "An audition? Are you serious? Since when did you want to become an actress?"
Hyacinth played with a strand of her hair, her fingers twisting it nervously, "For a while now, actually. I didn't want anyone in the family to know. I wanted to see if I could do it on my own, without anyone thinking it's because I'm a Bridgerton."
Penelope shot her an incredulous look, raising an eyebrow. "Hyacinth, you're the spitting image of Colin. Anyone would figure it out the moment they see you. Especially now that he's practically everywhere because of his upcoming book." She paused, a flicker of jealousy surprising her as she added, "I mean, you've seen how all the ladies swoon over him lately. He's getting far more attention than I ever expected."
Hyacinth groaned dramatically, throwing her hands in the air. "No, I don't look like him at all! Why does everyone keep saying that?"
Penelope couldn't help but laugh at her denial, shaking her head in disbelief. "Are you serious right now? You have the same sharp jawline, the same smile, and even the same dimples! Honestly, Hyacinth, if you stood next to him, people would think you were twins."
Hyacinth crossed her arms, genuinely bewildered. "I simply don't see it, Penelope. Colin wishes he could look this good."
Penelope stared at her, utterly dumbfounded by the level of denial.
Without even realizing it, she blurted out, "He looks amazing, and you know it! You can refuse to see it all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that he's practically your twin."
Penelope's cheeks flushed when she realized how fervently she had defended Colin, but she couldn't help the proud smile that crept onto her face.
Hyacinth's pout softened into a reluctant grin, "Fine, maybe there's a tiny resemblance. But that doesn't mean I'm doing this because I'm a Bridgerton. I want to make a name for myself."
"And you will," Penelope assured her warmly, "So, tell me more about this audition. What's the role?"
Hyacinth's face lit up, her earlier nervousness replaced by excitement, "It's just a small part, really, but it's for a Regency-era drama. I already went through the first round, and now it's a callback! I'll be playing a young lady at a ball—nothing major, but it's a start!"
Penelope's eyes sparkled with amusement, "A Regency-era drama? You must be in your element then, what with your old English way of speaking."
Hyacinth laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically, "Indeed, sister! 'Tis as though I have been in rehearsal for this role from the very moment I drew breath."
Penelope chuckled. "You've got this, Hyacinth. I know you'll be amazing. But how long are you planning to stay in London?"
"Just for a few days, I promise," Hyacinth replied earnestly. "I thought it'd be easier to stay here since I do not want to tell anyone else about the audition yet. I want to prove I can get the part on my own before I tell the rest of the family. But... could I stay here with you until then?"
Penelope didn't hesitate, "Of course, you can. You're always welcome, Hyacinth."
Hyacinth's eyes welled up with gratitude, and she threw her arms around Penelope, "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Penelope returned the hug, feeling a surge of warmth and affection, "You're going to do great. And no matter what, I'm here for you."
Hyacinth pulled back, a wide grin spreading across her face, "You're the best, Penelope. You really are like the sister I've always wanted."
"And you're the little sister I never knew I needed," Penelope replied, squeezing her hand.
As they sat there, Penelope couldn't help but feel grateful. For Colin, for his wonderful family, and for the chance to share this bond with the Bridgertons. It was moments like these that made her realize just how much love she had gained—love that healed and strengthened her in ways she never thought possible.
The day passed with the two women thoroughly enjoying each other's company. At some point, they decided to try their hand at cooking dinner, settling on a simple spaghetti and meatball recipe. However, what was meant to be a straightforward task quickly descended into chaos, with sauce splattering everywhere and noodles overcooked, leaving the kitchen in disarray and the final outcome far from appetizing.
"Oh, good God, that's dreadful!" Hyacinth exclaimed, rushing to the sink to rinse her mouth. Penelope couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.
"Why on earth did you taste it?" she asked, shaking her head in amusement as she picked up the dish to throw it away. As she did, her stomach rumbled loudly, and she turned back to see Hyacinth's wide-eyed expression.
"Penelope, your stomach," Hyacinth said with a smirk.
"Oh, hush," Penelope laughed, waving it off as she reached for her phone, intending to order something edible for them. Just then, the front door opened.
"Pen, I'm home… and I know Hyacinth is here," Colin called out, his voice echoing through the house. "I brought food, by the way."
Before he could finish, both women shrieked with excitement, rushing to take the bags from his hands. Penelope eagerly made her way toward the dining table, only to feel Colin gently grab her arm, halting her in her tracks. She turned to face him, surprised.
"And where do you think you're going?" he asked, his tone teasing but with a hint of seriousness that made her heart flutter.
"Colin…" Penelope began, but he simply smirked.
"You owe me a kiss, my lady," he murmured, cupping her face in his hands.
Penelope felt her cheeks warm as she leaned in to give him a chaste kiss, but Colin wasn't having it.
"No," he whispered against her lips, "a real kiss."
With that, Penelope obliged, deepening the kiss, feeling his smile against her mouth.
With that, Penelope obliged, deepening the kiss, feeling his smile against her mouth.
Hyacinth beamed at the sight before letting out a playful groan, "Aww, come on, you two! At least let me eat before you start making me feel lonely!" she teased.
With a laugh, they all sat down to eat, and without even realizing it, Colin and Penelope remained connected, their hands intertwined as they shared the meal. Hyacinth glanced at them, her expression softening as she took in the sight. "You know, you two are such a healthy example of what love should be," she said earnestly, her voice filled with admiration.
Penelope and Colin exchanged a surprised glance. "What makes you say that?" Colin asked, curious.
"Well," Hyacinth grinned, "you've been holding hands—or touching in some way—ever since you walked through the door. It's like you're both drawn to each other, even when you don't realize it."
Penelope looked down, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. "I… I didn't even notice," she mumbled, trying to pull her hand away, but Colin gently tightened his grip, refusing to let go.
"That's because it feels natural, doesn't it?" Colin said, looking at her with a tender smile. "I reach out to you because I want to. It's as simple as that."
Penelope's heart fluttered, and despite herself, she couldn't help but smile back at him, her earlier embarrassment fading. "You're ridiculous, you know that?" she teased softly.
"Maybe," Colin replied, grinning, "but I love being ridiculous with you."
Hyacinth beamed at them, her eyes twinkling. "You know, you're setting the bar incredibly high for the kind of man I want to date, Colin," she said earnestly, with a hint of playfulness. "If he doesn't look at me the way you look at Penelope, I might as well send him packing."
Colin chuckled, giving Penelope's hand a gentle squeeze. "Well, whoever he is, he'd better know that you deserve nothing less," he replied warmly.
Penelope felt a surge of emotion at his words and couldn't help but look at him with adoration. Hyacinth's smile only widened as she watched the two of them, her own heart swelling at the sight.
As they finished their meal, Hyacinth's expression grew a bit more serious. "Actually, Colin," she began, hesitating for a moment as she glanced at Penelope, who nodded encouragingly, "I already told Penelope this, but I wanted to let you know too. I'm here in London for an audition, and it's kind of a big deal for me. It's a callback, and if I get it, I might be staying here for a few days. But... I don't want anyone else to know that I'm a Bridgerton. I want to do this on my own, without the family name overshadowing me."
Colin leaned back, his eyes softening with understanding. "That's a brave decision, Hyacinth, and I respect that," he said thoughtfully, "But remember, even if you want to stand on your own, you have a family that's always here to support you. You don't have to carry everything by yourself."
Hyacinth let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes, but there was a hint of gratitude in her expression, "You sound just like Mum," she muttered, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "But I suppose you're right… as always."
Penelope watched the exchange, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was moments like these that made her realize just how much she loved this family and how lucky she was to be a part of it. It also made her smile that her relationship with her sister was becoming more and more similar to the scene in front of her.
Penelope sipped her wine, still seated at the dining table, reflecting on the evening. Colin had insisted on helping Hyacinth settle into the guest room. It was a space they had initially prepared for her when they first moved into the apartment, thinking she might want to stay in London as she would soon be attending university. The fact that Colin had thought to include Hyacinth in their home, even asking for Penelope's opinion about it, warmed her heart.
A few moments later, Colin emerged from the hallway and made his way toward her, his hands rubbing together as if ready to claim her attention for the rest of the night.
"My turn with you now," he said simply, sliding into the seat next to her. Though they were already close, it wasn't quite enough for Colin, who promptly pulled her chair even closer until she was snugly positioned between his legs, catching Penelope off guard.
"Colin!" Penelope screeched softly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. Colin just chuckled, and without missing a beat, he began peppering light kisses along her cheeks, jaw, and neck. Penelope couldn't help but squirm in his hold, trying to stifle her laughter as Colin continued his playful assault.
"Colin, stop!" she whispered, though the smile on her face made it clear she didn't want him to.
Finally, he paused, leaning back slightly to look at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'll behave… for now."
Penelope rolled her eyes, still catching her breath, as she reached for her glass of wine. Colin watched her with a softened gaze, his playful demeanor shifting into something more sincere.
"So," he began, his tone gentle, "how was your therapy session with your mother today?"
Penelope blinked in surprise. She always felt a warmth spread through her whenever Colin brought up something important to her, even when she knew he was already aware.
"You remember?" she asked softly.
"Of course, I do," Colin replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's important to you, which means it's important to me."
Penelope felt a lump in her throat and quickly took a sip of her wine to mask the emotion building up.
"It went well," she finally said, "Better than I expected, actually. We… we're making progress, Colin. I think we're finally understanding each other."
Colin's smile grew, and he squeezed her hand, "I'm so proud of you, Pen. I know how hard this has been for you."
She nodded, feeling tears prick at her eyes, "It's been hard, but… having you by my side makes it easier."
"Always," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her forehead gently, "I'll always be by your side."
Penelope melted into his touch, her heart swelling with love and gratitude, "I'm so lucky to have you," she whispered.
"No," Colin countered, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm the lucky one."
They stayed there, wrapped in each other's presence, letting the quiet moment between them speak louder than any words ever could.