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Sophie wasn’t looking forward to half term this time. Yes, having Benedict around and not having to go to sixth form every day would be nice but the Bridgerton’s, plus the Sharma’s and Sophie’s guardians had decided to go to Aubrey Hall and never one to miss an opportunity for a party, Violet was hosting what she called a small Halloween party.
Sophie had grumbled to Kate after Kate picked her up from physio as Benedict was stuck in class stating it was pointless, Kate was grumpy as Anthony had said he didn’t think he could get away from Uni for the weekend for the party.
“We’ll just sit in the corner and be miserable together,” Kate had said.
Sophie agreed and was determined she wasn’t dressing up this year.
The following night she got a call from Anthony “Soph! I need a huge favour”
“I’m not baking you a cake so you can get out of a lecture!” Sophie said immediately
“No it’s not that. Though I might ask that later in the semester when we get to EU law…” he said, clearly grinning down the phone. “But I want to surprise Kate and I need your help”
“I’m not buying her sexy lingerie for you, honestly Anthony, once was bad enough… i’ve never been more mortified in my life” she said.
“No it’s not that either, just shut up and listen will you” he said with a smirk. Since her accident they had a more sibling like banter, the push and shove between them playful and he knew Sophie wouldn’t take offense to him telling her to shut up, Benedict probably would but he knew he was picking Eloise up from Penelope’s.
“You know you don’t really get to ask for favours by telling the person you want the favour from to shut up” Sophie said with a roll of her eyes.
“Yes but the person who has my blood in them I do” he quipped back
“It’s been a month Anthony get over it” Sophie said with a grin
“Never, you’re stuck with me now Miss Beckett” he teased “but back to my point. Will you please help me?”
“Depends on what you want” Sophie said.
“Nothing lurid or gross I promise” Anthony said
Sophie sighed “fine, what is it”
“I’m gonna surprise Kate for the Halloween Party, i’ve managed to move the group meeting to the friday morning so i’m gonna be able to head over on the Saturday and surprise her” he explained
“And you need me for what?” Sophie said sounding confused
“Costumes Soph… and here I thought you were the bright one” he teased
“Sod off… I don’t know if I can help, me and Kate said we weren’t gonna bother this year…” she explained
“Pleaseeee, even if you lie and say you’re going to dress up as well. Please Soph, I know how much she loves doing the whole couple costume thing, I promise i’ll make it worth your while, or I’ll get Ben to…” he teased again
Sophie blushed “Anth…” she said
“I’m kidding but I promise i’ll work something out to make it worth your while, please Soph, I can’t do this without you, I’d ask Ben but when I mentioned it he said he was planning something and was busy with that” he said
Sophie felt her stomach lurch at the thought of Benedict organising something without her knowledge but she sighed “Fine. just text me what you’re thinking and I’ll see what I can organise”
“You really are the best” he grinned “see you at the party”
Sophie grumbled hung up the phone and once Anthony’s string of texts came through, Sophie got to work. Her Aunt Gen was brilliant with textiles and was surely the best person to help her out.
Whilst Sophie knew Kate would be a little annoyed at her, once she saw Anthony, she was sure all would be forgiven, even if Sophie was going to be the only one left without a costume.
Or so she thought, Benedict however had other ideas.
“Please Belle!” Benedict begged the night before they were due to leave. He was driving him and Sophie over having passed his test and his dad bought him a car that had the space for Sophie’s wheelchair in the back.
“What’s the point Ben? I can barely stand longer than 5 minutes on this stupid thing” she said gesturing to her prosthetic leg “and I’ll be in my chair most of the night since they don’t want me using my crutches when my leg is on” she huffed.
“What if I made your chair part of it all. Please Belle I’ve got a really good and cute idea… please please please” he pleaded, pressing kisses to her neck in a way that always made her shiver.
“Ben…” she whined “I’m just going to feel ridiculous”
“I promise you won’t. You will love it. I promise… please… please” he said
“Why do you want me to say yes so badly?” She asked, shuffling slightly, moving closer, giving him access to more of her neck.
Their intimacy since her accident had been limited, Benedict not wanting to rush her, Sophie not sure how to but they were slowly getting back to the way they used to be. She loved the feel of his lips on her skin.
“Because I’ve got the most amazing idea for you, for us… and Henry and Gen have been helping me with it” he grinned, his lips on her neck, she relaxed into him.
“Fine but if I feel ridiculous I’m not doing it” she said, giving in, at least if she was being forced to swear something or maybe wear something, it would be easier to convince Kate to dress up as well.
“Deal!” He grinned and pressed his lips to hers, excited by the prospect of the party.
The half term week had been a lot better than Sophie had anticipated. She had managed a little more time on her prosthetic but she was exhausted and the idea of the party on Saturday was making her feel sick. She knew most people knew that she was mostly in a wheelchair at the moment but she had no idea who the Bridgerton’s had invited but she knew how excited the rest of the family were about it.
Violet loved throwing a party and a halloween party for the kids was something she loved to do. She had spent the entire week getting the house ready and Sophie and Kate had watched Edmund just sigh and follow his wife around saying “yes dear” when she asked him to hang something.
Kate and Sophie both giggled madly watching him saying to each other “now we know where Ben and Anthony get it from”
They had chucked and Sophie decided it was best to bring up the costume now, she wasn’t go to tell Kate what it was but she figured she might as well try and get her to agree now.
“Kate…” Sophie said tentatively.
“No… No Sophie. Don’t do it” Kate said recognising the tone of voice immediately.
“You don’t even know what I am going to say!” Sophie said a little indignantly.
“You’re going to say, because Benedict is making you dress up, that I have to dress up as well!” Kate said to her friend.
Sophie’s mouth fell open “how…?”
“Ben asked me to help with your outfit…” Kate said
“What is it?” Sophie asked hopefully.
“I am not telling. But I am not dressing up!” Kate said huffily.
“If you don’t you’ll be the only one not in fancy dress” Sophie pointed out.
“I do not care” Kate said folding her arms
Sophiel knew her next words were a low blow but she needed Kate on board “Gregory will be disappointed if you’re the only one not in costume Kate” she said, watching the look on her friends face as she gasped.
“Low blow!!!” Kate said, her eyes wide. “But even if I wanted to, the party is tomorrow…”
“I’ll call Gen and ask her to bring something for you” Sophie grinned
“On one condition” Kate said, pointing a finger at her friend.
“What?” Sophie asked skeptically.
“You make me some Apple tarts” Kate said, Sophie pulled a face, she hadn’t been back in the kitchen since her accident as she hadn’t felt right about being in there with everything that had happened but she knew she needed to go back in soon.
Sophie watched Benedict as he chased Gregory around the front room, their lightsabers in the air and she nodded “Fine, but given Ben is busy being a sith lord, you’re going to have to come help me” Sophie said.
“Deal!” Kate grinned and wheeled Sophie down to the kitchen, shooting Benedict a wink as she went.
It had been a while but it felt good for Sophie to be back in the kitchen and it had been a nice surprise for the family that afternoon when Violet had called for tea, and everyone settled in the drawing room for the traditional afternoon tea.
Benedict snuck into Sophie’s room that night to show her how proud of her he was for finally getting back to doing what she loved best.
The day of the halloween party arrived, Sophie’s family and Kate’s family all arrived, Edwina had been instantly set upon by Eloise and Francesca and dragged off so Eloise could show her their costume, the noise only grew when the the Featherinton’s arrived Penelope joined the three girls.
Edmund had taken Charles, Henry and Kate’s dad Miles off for a drink out of the way of the hyper children, Gen, Lucy and Mary all helped Violet with the final preparations and Kate sat with Sophie and Benedict a little fed up and miserable, missing Anthony.
She knew that their time together was limited now he was in Oxford, it was a longer drive out to Aubrey Hall and she knew he had lectures and having been at Oxford for only a month, and she had been to Oxford two weeks ago, and she would see him again in two weeks when he came home then but Halloween without him just sucked.
She appreciated Benedict and Sophie being more reserved than usual and spending their time with her, and Gregory had kept her more than entertained when he wasn’t playing with Sophie and Benedict, then he was with her. He had resolutely taken Anthony’s spot at the table when they had dinner, he, despite his 3 years of age, had been the one to take her hand and lead her into dinner.
It had been bloody adorable and she was rather grateful for him, Benedict had teased his littlest brother by asking if he was trying to be Kate’s boyfriend and he replied “I am Kate AND Sophie’s boyfwend” before hitting his big brother in the legs with his lightsaber again and dashing off squealing as Benedict chased him.
“Idiots… they’re all idiots” Sophie laughed as they watched Colin join in coming to Gregory’s defence before the three year old was being chucked up in the air and caught, giggling madly.
“They are but they are idiots we love” Kate said with a sigh. Sophie laughed and agreed.
As a buffet had been arranged for dinner, Kate and Sophie had headed up to their rooms in the afternoon to get ready for the party.
“Gen has taken your costume to your room” Sophie said with a grin as she wheeled herself down to her room.
“Sophie, if this is some sort of vulgar and ridiculous costume, I will murder you… you know that right?” Kate said menacingly.
“Trust me… you’ll love it” Sophie smirked
“Uh huh…” Kate said before disappearing into her room and staring at the box that was perched on her bed, with a groan Kate made her way to the box, and lifted the lid, looking at the red fabric she snorted “really Soph… really?” she asked, lifting it out.
She had to appreciate the thought, it was her favourite film but dressing up by herself was just a little sad but she had promised Sophie and she wasn’t going to back out and besides she wanted to see what Benedict had been planning.
Sophie meanwhile, had nothing. There was nothing in her room waiting for her, other than a piece of paper lying in the middle of her bed.
My beautiful Princess.
I will bring your costume to you shortly, I am putting the final touches to it.
My only request is that you curl those beautiful locks.
I love you.
Love always
Prince Charming
Sophie rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile as she wheeled herself off to the ensuite bathroom the Bridgerton’s had converted for her.
The seat in the shower made it easy for her to shower, once washed and cleaned she put on her underwear and dressing gown and curled her hair.
A little while later after she had done a little neutral makeup she propped herself on the bed, attached her prosthetic, she had planned to use her chair tonight for the most part because she knew she would struggle all night on her leg, she was still very unstable and likely to fall over but she promised Ann Gibbons her therapist that she would keep trying.
She heard a knock at the door and Benedict came in, a box in his arms, dressed in his own dressing gown. “Hey Princess” he smirked at her, looking at the blonde curls she had done hanging down loosely, framing her beautiful face.
“Hi, are we dressing up or are we just going down in our dressing gowns cause if we are… i’m not going…” she said looking at him. “I don’t want people to see my leg Ben, you know that” she said looking at him slightly panicked.
“Chill Soph. I know. We’re not no, I didn’t want to give the game up too early by coming in with mine on, and this is just part of your costume, the other part I'll bring with me. When I come back to escort you down” he grinned at her.
Sophie sighed slightly in relief “okay, let’s see it then” she said, holding her hands out for the box.
Benedict placed it on the bed, “just wait til I leave to open it” he said softly, leaning in and kissing her softly.
“Why?” she said, raising a brow. “It better be actual clothes Ben…” she said warningly.
“Oh it is, but I want to see the full effect when I come pick you up again in 30 minutes” he grinned at her.
“If you need help, Gen said she can come help” he said, kissing her again.
Sophie sighed “fine. Go and I'll see you soon” she said.
Benedict beamed at her, like a kid at Christmas as he kissed her softly once more “great! Good! I’ll see you soon! Love you!” he beamed as he ran from the room excitedly, tripping over his feet as he did so, nearly falling into the door as he did so.
“Careful!” Sophie called out after him, giggling as Benedict straightened himself with an “i’m okay!” before dashing out of the room.
Sophie rolled her eyes and carefully made her way over to the box and lifted the lid and gasped “Oh Ben…” she said as she lifted the dress from the box, the light blue fabric swished as she lifted it.
It was the most beautiful dress Sophie had ever seen. It was light, it was long and she knew it would hide her leg, she wouldn’t feel so self conscious, it was… a flicker of realisation crossed through her, it was like the dress she had worn to the Valentine’s party as she realised what it meant.
She messaged Gen who came and helped her into it. The silver shoe slipped nicely over the prosthetic foot, completing the outfit. "Très Belle ma petit” Gen smiled as she kissed her cheek.
“Merci beaucoup. Et Gen… Merci merci d'avoir aidé Benedict avec mon costume”
Gen kissed Sophie’s cheek “I best go dress myself, I am sure he will be here with the rest in a moment” she said softly, giving her niece a hug.
Gen disappeared and Sophie made her way tentatively to her feet, her walking stick nearby and using that as an aid, she made her way to the mirror to take in her appearance. She looked every part the princess, the skirts hiding her leg. She wasn’t ashamed of it, she just didn’t want people to judge, she didn’t want the pity she saw in people’s eyes when they looked at her.
She felt like a normal 16 year old girl for the first time since her accident. If she didn’t need the stick it would be like nothing had happened.
Sophie heard a knock at the door “come in” she called and Benedict made his way in, slowly.
“Oh wow…” he grinned brightly at her, seeing her standing up, almost shimmering in the light of the room “you look beautiful Cinderella” he smirked at her.
Sophie smiled “i’d twirl or curtsey but I fear I might fall over” she grinned at him. “Though given you are clearly my Prince Charming, I am sure it is proprietary to curtsey”
“Not when you are a princess” he grinned, making his way to her and kissing her softly.
“This is beautiful Ben, thank you” she said brightly when she pulled her lips away from him.
“I thought, given that you looked so much like Cinderella the first time we went to a party, it seemed right that it should be the same for our first party since you know” he said softly, his arm wrapped around her waist protectively.
“I love it, it’s so perfect” she said leaning into him.
“Come on, I have your chariot waiting” he smirked as he carefully and slowly walked her out of the room, and when Sophie saw her spare wheelchair she gasped.
It had been transformed, the wheels were covered in sparkles, a frame had been built around it and it looked like a glass carriage. “Oh Ben” she said, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“Do you like it?” he asked, sounding nervous.
“It is so perfect, thank you. I love you so much” she said softly as Benedict helped her into her chair.
“That’s not all” he grinned as he whistled and Gregory appeared, in little tails and coat dressed as a footman, a bright smile on his face.
Sophie laughed “Oh Greggy don’t you look handsome!” Sophie gushed.
“Fank you madii ma selli” he stammered and gave a little bow and Sophie giggled.
“He’s trying to say mademoiselle,” Benedict grinned. Sophie beamed at him and looked at Greg.
“You did very well, do you want to climb on and let Prince Charming drive us?” Sophie asked Greg
Gregory shook his head “i’m pushing!” he grinned and dashed around and hopped onto the little steps that were behind Sophie’s seat and held on as Benedict pushed them down the ramp towards the ballroom.
Once they arrived in the ballroom, Sophie saw the couples and the costumes and saw Kate, her red dress and curled dark hair flowing and she waved at Kate who grinned at her brightly.
“Oh Sophie! You look amazing!” Kate said brightly as she made her way over.
“So do you!” Sophie said back to her, looking at the dress.
“Thank you, I love it but it is a bit of a shame it’s wasted by itself” she said sadly looking around.
Sophie nodded, she knew the surprise for Kate would be here soon, he had already messaged Sophie to say he was here and was changing, no one else knew he was here safe for Sophie.
“Have you seen your dad and Mary?” Sophie said, chuckling.
Kate nodded “Yes, honestly, not sure what Mary did to convince dad to dress up but he looks like he’s rather pleased at the Bonnie and Clyde get up” Kate grinned, as they made their way over to a table where they could sit down properly.
“Eloise and Fran look like they’re going to give someone a heart attack” Sophie said just spotting the two of them, their pale blue dresses, their dark hair lank and wet at the sides of their faces and a few people moving out of their way.
“What on earth?” Morticia Adams said to Kate and Sophie who looked up and chuckled as they realised it was Violet, holding an adorable little mouse dressed hyacinth who was babbling happily in her mother’s arms.
“Who let Eloise and Francesca watch the shining!?” Edmund said, sliding up to his wife’s side, his dark hair slicked back, thing sat resting on his shoulder as he looked every part the Gomes Adams, though taller than his wife.
Benedict coughed “Anthony?” he said sheepishly.
Violet slapped her son, “you are a horrible liar Ben” she sighed before turning to the girls “you both look beautiful, very fitting princesses” she grinned at the two of them.
“Not sure about you being Prince charming though Ben” Edmund said teasing his son who pouted as his parents laughed and walked away.
Daphne and Colin came over, and Kate and Sophie burst into fits of giggles as they realised they were dressed and Phil and Lil from the Rugrats. “Really?” Benedict asked.
Daphne shrugged “well since Eloise and Fran went for a twin costume it was only right that we did and we couldn’t agree on what to dress up as and this was a compromise” she said.
Colin shrugged “apparently, Jessie and Woody was too cliché as was thing 1 and thing 2” he said with a snort.
Sophie rolled her eyes “and what were Daph’s choices?”
“Lilo and Stitch, Alice and the Mad Hatter…” she said.
Kate snorted “well you look amazing at the babies” she chuckled, Colin scowled.
“Oh look, Penelope is over there with her sisters by the eclairs” Sophie said.
Daphne grabbed Colin’s arm and dragged him off with a wave.
“God bless her, being dressed as a leprechaun. Her mother has a bad taste…” Kate said.
Benedict chuckled, “well at least she’s not a piece of cheese like Phillipa is… and Prudence I think is dressed as a banana…”
Sophie and Kate burst into a fit of giggles. Edwina joined them as Gregory ran off to get something to eat, she was dressed as Lara Croft and looked thrilled with herself.
“Have you seen Gen and Ms Granville?” she asked as she flopped down in her seat.
Sophie shook her head “i’ve not seen them nor my uncles” she said.
Benedict laughed “I saw them earlier when I came for you, they looked amazing” he laughed.
Sophie whipped her head around, “i can’t see them”
Benedict pointed over towards a blonde and brunette “that I believe is Charles and Henry” he said.
Sophie looked confused “Tulio & Miguel” he said when she looked confused and Sophie burst into giggles.
“Oh my… thats amazing… though Henry looks odd blonde! Charles doesn’t suit dark hair!” she said giggling.
Kate looked around “where are Gen and Lucy?” she asked
Edwina pointed “over there” as she pointed to Zoolander & Hansel
“Oh my god!” Kate and Sophie said at the same time.
“That's not…?” Sophie’s giggles grew more as Kate laughed as well. Lucy had donned a darker wig and Gen had put the dark on, “that is amazing” she said.
“You’ve clearly not seen Billie, George, Georgiana and Nicolas,” Benedict said, gesturing to his aunts and uncles in the corner.
Bellatrix, her husband and the two Malfoy adults seemed to lurk in the corner “god all your family just go all out for halloween” Edwina said giggling as she got up and went to join Eloise, Francesca and Penelope.
The party began in earnest and Kate wanted a drink and moved away from Benedict and Sophie, leaving the couple to their own bliss for a little while, as she tried to wonder how long it would be before she could just disappear up to her room. She’d spoken to her father and step mother who commented on how nice her costume was, she just thanked them and left them, she felt a bit like a sore thumb and missed Anthony desperately. She’d text him a little while ago and he hadn’t messaged her back yet and that had nettled her. He never went longer than an hour without texting her back.
She grumbled at her phone “this is stupid” she grumbled to herself, everyone was having a good time save for her, she felt stupid and just wanted to go to bed, even if it was just 7 o clock. She was miserable and hated that she had let Sophie talk her into this.
With a sigh she went to leave the room but a voice made her stop dead “I told you I would always come for you. Why didn't you wait for me? ” came the voice that made her stomach flutter.
Without turning around, her hand on the doorknob she replied “because… you were dead?” she said, she knew if it was him, he would answer back, they had seen this film so many times…
“ Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.” Anthony replied.
Kate gasped and turned around, Anthony stood there dressed as Wesley, and Kate’s heart fluttered with the surprise “Anthony!” she cried as she threw her arms at him.
Finally she understood why Sophie chose Princess Buttercup as her costume despite it being a couple costume. She could see Sophie beaming across the room before Kate’s eyes closed as she lost herself in Anthony’s lips.
It turned out to be the best Halloween in years. After Anthony's surprise arrival, they had laughed, they had danced, even Sophie had gotten up and danced, she had placed her feet on Benedict’s and he twirled her around the room. Violet had loads of family photos taken, their extended family included with the Sharma’s and all of Sophie’s family. It was the oddest group photo with the mismatched costumes but it seemed to suit them well
Anthony had a mini pretend sword fight with Gregory, and then with Benedict after Gregory said there should only really be one prince.
Eloise, being the voice of reason, had pointed out there were two princesses who had a prince each, that Gregory had pouted and said he wanted a princess for himself. Kate promised that in years to come he would find his own princess to dance with but in the meantime she was sure his brother’s could share and she danced with Gregory whilst Anthony twirled Hyacinth around next to them as she giggled madly.
Anthony danced with Sophie, Kate with Benedict, both men thanking their brother’s girlfriend for their help with organising the costumes for their girlfriends. It was perfect.
Gregory finally fell asleep in the middle of his “dance” with Sophie, which was really just a ride around on her wheelchair.
Kate and Anthony didn’t resurface after they took Gregory to bed, having head off to have their own party and show each other how much they missed each other.
As the two sets of twins were escorted off to bed, Benedict wheeled Sophie up, who looked exhausted having danced a few times on her feet, Edmund, her two uncles and both of Benedict’s uncles had danced with her.
Benedict had gone to leave but Sophie shook her head, her eyes staring at Benedict’s as she whispered “stay with me?”
Benedict kissed Sophie softly and after checking Sophie was sure, stayed, them losing themselves in each for the first time in months, it being like their first time all over again.
It was the first night Violet didn’t have it in her heart to say anything to either of her sons for not spending the night in their rooms and couldn’t help but smile warmly the following morning at breakfast seeing how happy and blissfully in love both of her sons were. They had both gone through a lot in the last 18 months and to see them both with their girlfriends so happy, she knew
The photos of Kate and Anthony as Buttercup and Wesley giggling with each other, and Sophie and Benedict as Cinderella and Charming dancing were hung on the walls with pride and had a place on Edmund’s desk at work and Violet showed the photos off and added them to family business website under “about our family” alongside the large group photo.
It really had been a perfect halloween party.