Work Text:
To the world a 7 year age gap may seem like a long time but to Francesca Bridgerton and Michael Stirling, it was nothing. They were able to forget all about it when they were together over the weekend, on an evening when they both came home but come Monday Morning, their age difference became apparent but not a problem.
Francesca might only be 19 but she was wise beyond her years.
So on a Monday morning, Francesca would have to get ready and go to University, she was about half way through her second year and the work was ramping up and she had to be on time to her lectures and Michael would have to drag his backside out of bed at least once a month before the Sun was often even up (especially now in the middle of Winter) and head to work...
They hadn’t been together officially for long, maybe 6 weeks, 7 weeks… but it had already felt like forever. Michael’s drunken confession of his love for her after the joint Stag and Hen do of Anthony and Kate just seemed to propel the entire relationship into a whole new level for either of them.
Telling John had been one of the hardest things they had ever done but when John smirked and just said they made more sense than he and Frankie ever had, and gave Francesca a massive hug had quelled both of their fears.
Michael had never been in a relationship before, having been in love with Francesca from the moment he set eyes on her.
She was stunning and beautiful and he honestly thought she could give Edwina Sharma a run for her money in the English Rose category, she was witty, sly and cunning. She watched and took in what was going on around her, calculated and devious when she was required and it drove Michael wild.
She’d screamed her love for him back at him as they stood there in the rain and since that day, they had been inseparable. As much as it had pained Anthony to admit it, he was pleased for Francesca and Michael was perfect for her… when Francesca had dragged him to Sunday dinner with the family the Sunday after the stag and hen do it had been to raucous applause and whistling.
Michael still charmed all the ladies, much to the Bridgerton men’s dismay but his eyes were only for Francesca.
Francesca had left her little flat a week after they had started dating and had never gone back… all her things were here and much like her second eldest brother and his fiancee, had never looked back either.
They had their own little routines, they complimented each other and managed to find a balance, Michael was not a morning person but Francesca was, her classes were early in the morning but once a month, He also had to be at the warehouse early to sign for the alcohol himself, the licenses were in his name, and he had to personally oversee the arrivals… which meant a 6am alarm… Francesca had only been witness to this once...
Michael Stirling was not a morning person and precious few people knew that. Francesca loved that she was the only one who got to see that side of him. Michael still wasn’t used to the early mornings but after John had taken poorly and had an accident the year before, meaning he wasn’t able to work as often, Michael had no choice but to return from India where he had been working and take up his role as a joint director.
So when the alarm went off at 6am for Francesca to get up and get herself ready to get the tube across London to UWL for her classes for Musical Theatre. She sprung out of bed in her usual buoyant manner and dashed for the shower, she chuckled to herself as she heard a grumble and a stream of Scottish swearing coming from the pillows next to hers as she left the room.
When she reappeared 20 minutes later in a towel, Michael had buried himself under the duvet and all four of the pillows.
“Michael you need to get up. It’s nearly 630… and if you don’t you’ll be later”
“Don’t care” he grumbled
“You have 5 seconds to get out of that bed or I’m pulling the blankets off you and the windows are open so it’s cold in here…”
“Ye wouldn’t” he said peeking his eye out from a crack between the pillows
Francesca stood their, arms crossed over the top of her towel clad chest, her brows raised
“5…” she started looking at him
He didn’t move
“4… 3…” she said.
Michael grabbed onto the top of the duvet to hold on
“2… 1…” and with a smirk she stuck her, freezing cold hand beneath the sheets, tickling his foot which made him give a high pitched, very unmanly squeal as she used her other hand to pull the entire blanket clean off the bed.
Revealing a completely naked Micahel to the morning chill “FUCKING HELL” He yelped “GIVE THAT BACK FRAN ITS FUCKING FREEZING”
She rolled her eyes “You’re a scot! You’re not supposed to get cold ” she grinned as she held the blanket away from him and pointed to their bathroom as she said saw the wicked flash in his eyes that she knew what he was thinking.
“If you want warmth, go shower!” she said pointedly.
“You’re a wicked woman Frankie” he scowled as he huddled his legs together
“You were not complaining about that last night” she smirked
“Maybe you could come warm me up….” he said, a grin on his face as he tried to lure her in.
She smirked and shook her head “No…we will both be late… Now go shower!” she said “you’re the one who told me to make sure you’re not late! Think of the fines if any of it’s wrong!”
Michael swore again and grumbled his way all the way to the bathroom. By the time he re-emerged Francesca was ready for Uni, both of their lunches in bags and coffee’s made…
She never thought she’d meet a man that would take longer in the showers than Benedict or Colin but Michael Stirling could shower for hours if she let him…
She had to leave in 10 minutes for the short walk to the tube station to ensure she was across London in plenty of time.
“Michael! Will you hurry up!” she called up the stairs after him
Michael had just finished dressing when he emerged at the top of the stairs, he hated that she was such a morning person sometimes, he knew it was because it was the only quiet time she used to get with her mother before all her siblings woke, she would get a good hour or so before the others would drag themselves out of bed, so it was just routine for her… and being younger she was always more spritely and whilst he loved her for it…
This morning it was just… annoying.
Grumbling he came down the stairs and sat at the table and with the porridge that Francesca had made him, a wee dram of whiskey splashed in and honey, just like he liked it… she kissed his cheek as she put it down for him
“Don’t forget you promised Sophie to have a look at the stuff for the gala next week and the silent auction that Kate thinks we should hold. I think she’s trying to raffle a dinner off with you…” Francesca smiled warmly “so i’ll meet you at Ben and Sophie's tonight ok?” she said
“Okay” he said simply, still grumpy at the early hour.
“Sophie is making dinner… so that should cheer your miserable face up” she said with a smirk
“Yeah okay” he said again.
“I have to go, have a good day” she said leaning in and kissing his lips softly
“You too” he said
“I love you” she said from the door
“Okay” he replied which made Francesca pause
“Okay? Aren’t you going to say it back??” she said her brow furrowed in annoyance
“Nope” he said into his porridge, not looking up at the door
“why wouldn’t you say it back??? We always say I love you before we leave '' Francesca asked indignantly.
Michael shrugged “shu’da thought of that before you ripped the blanket off me ya Nyaff ” as he teased.
Francesca scowled at him, she knew that Nyaff meant irritating person… and she hitched her bag onto her shoulders “Fine… you radge i will leave you to huff alone… but i’m taking your coffee for being a jobbie. Make your own. ” she said as she picked up the coffee mug she’d made for him and stalked from the room.
Michael chuckled at her using his own slang against him… calling him an idiot and a shit… as he heard the door slam.
He was just teasing her, and he knew he’d pay for it later on but he grabbed his phone and fired her a message.
Francesca had only managed to slam their front door when her phone beeped.
“Only joking… Tha gaol agam ort … of course I love you . Have a good day. See you tonight Gorgeous thank you for waking me up. M xxxxxx ”
Francesca rolled her eyes and replied “ You’ll pay for that later Mr Stirling…” she fired off first and followed it up with “ I am sure you just wanted your coffee, which is on the car….but you’re welcome. Love you too. F xxx”
Michael smirked triumphantly and did rather enjoy being punished later on that evening when they got back home.