Work Text:
October, 1818
Kate was sitting quietly in the living room of her country house. The nanny had taken Edmund and Miles out for a walk a few minutes ago, and Kate really enjoyed these moments of peace, her husband was in his study so she could enjoy a few moments to herself.
Unfortunately, that moment only lasted about 7 minutes, because she could glimpse her young son running towards her.
At only three years old, Edmund was a rather cheerful and mischievous boy, quite affectionate (especially with his mother) but also very fond of being with his father, whom he adored.
Miles, just over a year old, followed his brother wherever he went. Despite his young age, his calm and collected personality could already be noted. Although very dramatic.
"Mom, mom!" Edmund yelled with his little arms outstretched towards his mother
"Hi darling" Kate pulled Edmund onto her lap "Did you enjoy the ride?"
Edmund, as excited as he was, completely ignored his mother's question "Mom, Mom, Mrs. Higgins's kitten has had baby kittens!"
Mrs. Higgins was an old woman who lived in the village. She was Cook's sister, who worked for Kate and Anthony, Kate liked her very much, and Mrs. Higgins adored Edmund and Miles, she had known both of them since they were babies.
"Wow darling, that's very interesting"
"Can we go see them mom? Please" Edmund pleaded
"I don't think darling, remember that it is impolite to arrive at someone else's house without being invited"
"But mom, Mrs. Higgins said we could go to her house whenever we wanted, please mom I want to see the kittens"
Kate didn't seem too convinced, so Edmund added, "And Cook said we could go see the kittens."
"Cook said that?" Kate asked, and as if by magic, Cook entered the room at that moment
"Sorry to bother you milady, but have you already decided on the menu for the week?"
Kate opened her mouth to reply, but Edmund stepped forward.
"Cook, can't we go see your sister's kittens?" Edmund asked excitedly
"Edmund" Kate chided him gently.
"Of course, little one, I'm sure Sara will be very excited if you go to see her"
Edmund turned to his mother "See mom, we can go"
Kate was not very convinced. "I don't know Ned…"
Cook intervened "Really milady, there is no problem, my sister would love to receive you, you know how much she loves your children"
Kate smiled "Is there really no problem?"
"Really Milady, Sara will be happy if you go"
Edmund was getting more and more excited "See mom, no problem mom, can we go? Please" and then he made that adorable little face that Kate couldn't refuse
"Okay" she sighed, defeated by her son once again "We can go see the kittens" "Yeiiii" Edmund jumped excited "Can we go now mom?" he asked anxious to leave
"I guess we have free time before dinner"
Edmund stood up "Come on" he ran to the door
"Wait Ned, we must tell your father" she said standing up
"Are we all going?" the little boy asked
"Your father is busy, and it's a little cold so Miles is staying, besides it's almost his nap time." Kate turned to the babysitter "Please, Jenni, put Miles to bed and put a coat on Edmund."
"Of course my lady" she agreed, and then left the room on her way to the nursery, meanwhile Kate went to notify her husband of her departure.
25 minutes later Kate and Edmund were in a carriage on the way to town.
It wasn't really far, but it was too windy to walk, or so Anthony had said.
They stopped in front of a small but cozy cabin and as soon as the footman opened the carriage door Edmund jumped down.
"Careful Ned" Kate said as she got down from the carriage.
"Hurry mom, hurry"
Kate held out her hand to Edmund and they began to walk. Shortly before they reached the door, an old woman with a basket in her hand approached them.
"Mrs. Higgins!" Edmund yelled when he saw her
"Oh hello little one. Nice to see you" Mrs. Higgins seemed a bit surprised but delighted to see them
"Mrs. Higgins," Kate said as she approached the older woman, "Sorry to bother you, but my son really wanted to see the kittens."
"Oh no problem my Lady" replied Mrs Higgins "You know I love your visits"
"Can we see the kittens?" Edmund asked enthusiastically.
"Of course little one" Mrs. Higgins opened the door "Come in, please"
They entered the cabin, it wasn't too big but it was very cute and cozy and Kate really enjoyed going there.
Mrs. Higgins led them out to the backyard where there was a mound of straw on which little kittens rested.
Edmund's eyes widened as soon as he saw them and he let out a happy squeak as he ran to get a better look at the kittens.
There were 5 of them, two white, another two with black and orange spots and one light gray.
Edmund reached out his little hand to pet the gray kitten and immediately a smile spread across his face.
"Do you like it, Ned?" Kate asked, seeing how happy her son looked.
"It's very soft" he answered without taking his eyes from the kitten
"Yes, it's smooth, isn't it, honey?" Mrs. Higgins said "Would you like to hug him?"
Edmund's eyes widened and he gazed in wonder at Mrs. Higgins.
"Can I?" He asked
"Of course little one" Mrs. Higgins took the kitten and gave it to Edmund "There you go" she murmured
Edmund was fascinated.
The kitten mewed softly in his arms as Edmund gently stroked its head with the biggest smile Kate had ever seen on his son's face.
"How much time do they have?" Kate asked
"Two months, my lady"
"Mom pet the kitten" Edmund said to Kate
"Very well," Kate chuckled as she picked up the spotted kitten. She had to admit that it was a very nice feeling.
"Mom, is very small" Edmund muttered marveling at the cat
"Yes darling, that's why you should be very careful"
Edmund nodded seriously.
The kitten mewed and purred as it sucked on Edmund's fingers.
Edmund was delighted and laughed every time the kitten licked him.
"The cat seems to like you, Ned" Mrs. Higgins said.
"And I like it" murmured Edmund
It was getting late and Kate wanted to to get home before it got completely dark so she said,
"Well Edmund, it's been fun but we have to go home" she turned to Mrs. Higgins "Thank you very much for having us Mrs. Higgins, and sorry for the inconvenience"
"Oh it's no bother my lady, you know I'm always delighted to receive you"
Kate smiled at her before turning to her son.
"Well Ned, we must go"
"Oh no mom, not yet" he pouted
"Darling we must get there early or your dad will worry"
"But the kittens…" his lip began to tremble.
"Come on son, some other day we can see the kittens again, if it's okay with Mrs. Higgins, of course."
"Of course yes, you can come whenever you want" exclaimed Mrs. Higgins
"Let's go Edmund" repeated Kate
Edmund pouted as he set the kitten down so gently it surprised Kate.
"Alright, now say goodbye" Kate ordered softly.
"Goodbye Mrs. Higgins, thanks for letting me see the kitten"
"It was nothing little one, and you can come see the kittens whenever you want"
"Thank you" Edmund murmured with his eyes lowered, sad to say goodbye to his new friends
"Thank you very much again, Mrs. Higgins." Kate started to head for the door when Mrs. Higgins spoke again.
"Would you like to take a cat Edmund?" she asked gently
Edmund was immediately excited but Kate was quick to speak
"Oh that won't be necessary Mrs. Higgins…"
"Yes mom, yes" Edmund jumped excited
"No Edmund, we can't"
"But Mrs. Higgins Said we can"
"But we're not going to…" Kate began before Mrs. Higgins spoke.
"No problem Lady Bridgerton, I think it's obvious to both of us that your son and the gray cat made a great connection" she laughed
"Yes, I suppose so" conceded Kate "but we couldn't take the cat Mrs. Higgins, I thank you very much, but no"
"But mom…" Edmund's eyes began to fill with tears
"Edmund we can't, so don't cry okay? Let's go home and another day we can see the cats again"
Edmund exhaled heavily through his nose.
"Yes mom," he said in a voice so soft that, despite everything, it broke Kate's heart. After all, she hated to see her children sad.
Really, if it was up to her she would have let Edmund take the cat, she loved animals.
But Anthony doesn't.
And she knew he would be upset if she brought a cat home.
But… wasn't she Kate Bridgerton? The Kate Bridgerton who adored and enjoyed teasing her husband. Besides, Anthony loved his children and couldn't deny them practically anything, so...
"Edmund" Kate called him when he was already heading for the door "Maybe we can bring a kitten"
Edmund's eyes widened with delight.
"Really mom?" he asked with such joy that Kate couldn't resist a smile.
"Yes darling"
"Yeiiii" Edmund jumped up and down with happiness
"Is there really no problem, Mrs. Higgins?" Kate asked not entirely convinced
"Really milady, I know that the cat will find a very loving home with you. Besides, I was already thinking of giving some away, it will be very difficult for me to take care of 5 kittens plus my chickens and dogs"
Both women laughed.
"Do you know which one you want to take, Ned?" Kate asked as she approached her son.
Edmund was examining the kittens, trying to decide which was the best option, but the decision was clear.
"To the gray mom!" exclaimed
"Alright honey"
Edmund took the kitten very carefully and began to move it gently.
"Well, now we should go before it's later. Say goodbye, honey"
"Goodbye Mrs. Higgins" Edmund said happily.
"Bye sweetheart"
"Goodbye Mrs. Higgins, thank you very much, again" Kate said goodbye
"It's nothing my lady, I'm delighted to see you always" she smiled
A very happy Edmund and a rather nervous Kate about how she was going to tell her husband that they had a new pet headed home.
During the carriage Edmund took off his scarf and wrapped it around the kitten like a blanket, and Kate couldn't help but think that she had an angel for a child.
When they arrived, Edmund ran excited to introduce them to the new member of the family.
The footman seemed surprised that a new animal had invaded his house.
Edmund was on his way to the nursery, but Kate called him
"Wait Ned, we must tell your father first"
"Very good mom"
"Now, wait here with the kitty until I tell you to come in, okay?
"Yes mom" Edmund obeyed
Kate entered her husband's study.
At the time she had found it interesting to see her husband's reaction, but now she was beginning to worry.
She knocked on the door and entered.
"Dear husband" she said with the best of her smile
"Wife" Anthony said a little bewildered "Do you need anything?"
"Can't a wife see her husband for the simple pleasure of enjoying his company?"
"Of course they can, but that's usually not your case, especially when you smile like that" he pointed out
"Well…how much do you love your children Anthony?" innocently asked
Anthony looked at her very… very puzzled.
"You know I love them with all my being Kate…"
"Well… and how much would you do for them?" Kate asked again
"I would do anything for them, but I don't understand…"
"And if one of your children wants something with everything and you know it would make them very, very happy, would you say no?" Kate asked, a little nervous.
"What did you do Kate?" Anthony asked understanding the point
"Well…" Kate started before Edmund poked his head through the door.
"Mom, can I come in now?"
"Er… yes honey, come on in" Kate nodded.
Anthony's eyes widened when he saw what his son was holding in his arms.
"Kate…?" he asked in shock
"Dad" said Edmund holding up the kitten "I have a cat"
"I see Edmund" he muttered, still quite surprised "Wife, would you be so kind as to explain to me why our son has a cat?"
"Well…"
"Mrs. Higgins said I could have one," Edmund said, "and Mom said yes."
"How interesting," Anthony muttered, his voice thick with sarcasm as he looked at Kate.
"Honey, I know you don't like animals very much at home but he was so happy that… I just couldn't tell him no."
Anthony sighed and turned to his son who was already playing with the cat.
"Edmund, don't you think Newton might feel bad if you have a cat?
"No dad, because Newton is mom's and the kitten is mine"
"He has a point" Kate muttered.
Anthony simply turned to look at her before turning his attention back to his son.
"Ned, having a pet is a lot of responsibility."
"Yes Dad"
"Besides, the cat is going to grow and you won't be able to carry it anymore"
"But I can pet him"
"And cats can be very rough when they play, they can scratch you"
"But we will be careful and his nails will not be long"
Anthony sighed.
He was beginning to run out of excuses. He had a pretty smart son, he had to admit.
"Edmund, we already have Newton, we don't need another animal at home"
"But Newton is a dog dad and this is a cat," he explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Anthony sighed.
He definitely had nothing more to say.
"Anthony" Kate put her hand gently on his shoulder "I know it will be difficult to adjust, but if you think about it, this could teach him responsibility, plus he will have a friend to grow up with and they will have a lot of fun"
Anthony looked at his son, he had put the cat on the ground and now he was trying to make it walk. He looked really happy.
Anthony sighed.
As much as she hated the idea of having animals in the house, nothing could compare to the joy of seeing his son so happy.
Besides, he had learned to love Newton (although he would never admit it to Kate) so he might as well love this kitten.
"Okay" he sighed "We can keep the animal"
Kate let out a shriek and rushed to hug her husband.
"Oh Anthony you are wonderful"
"We already knew that, didn't we?" He chuckled as he gently kissed her neck.
Kate kissed him back on the lips before standing up and walking over to her son. Anthony followed behind her.
"What will you call him Ned?" Kate asked
The boy thought about it for a few moments.
He looked at his mother and then at his father before looking at the cat.
"Thony!" announced happily
"Thony?" Kate asked confused
Edmund nodded.
"Yes, like dad" he said happily
Anthony gasped in surprise (also a little indignant) and Kate burst out laughing.
"I think it's a perfect name, Edmund" Kate said with a laugh as she wiped away a small tear.
“I think” began Anthony “that there is no need for you to decide now, you can take all the time you want to think of a good name”
"Thony is a good name, dad," Edmund opined with his head tilted slightly to his left.
"I think so" opined Kate
"Well, I don't," Anthony muttered.
"Come on Edmund" Kate stood up taking the boy's hand "Miles must have woken up by now, and will surely love meeting Thony" Kate emphasized the name on purpose, much to Anthony's annoyance
"Yeees" Edmund took the kitten in his arms as he left the study with his mom
Kate gave her husband a smirk before leaving and Anthony just rolled his eyes as he shook his head.
But he really wasn't upset.
Despite being tormented at times, Anthony truly loved his wife and children and would do anything for them.
And if that meant receiving a cat in the family and that on top of that the cat was named after him... well, he would be happy to do so if it ensured the happiness of his family.
After all… wasn't he Anthony Bridgerton?