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Over the years, due to their increased number of responsibilities (and age on Anthony’s part) a night out with his brothers became few and far between. However, with Benedict’s wedding next weekend, dinner at a steakhouse followed by drinks at an upscale bar seemed like a brilliant idea.
The constant buzzing in Colin’s brain disagreed, though.
While Colin enjoyed a good glass of whiskey or brandy every now and then, he'd not had this awful hangover since his university days at Eton. Groaning, he opened his eyes only to immediately shut them again once the beams of sunlight coming from the windows hit him. He debated on getting up and closing the blinds himself or screaming for Anthony or Benedict to do it. After all, this hangover was their fault. Somehow, after a few rounds of shots, it became evident that Benedict’s stag night turned into “Get Colin Drunk” night.
His brothers kept on handing him glass after glass of alcohol, exchanging conspiratorial glances and suppressing their amused tones as they did so. If Colin wasn’t deep on his third glass he would have noticed –
Wait.
Blinds?
Colin’s hangover brain finally caught up to what his eyes saw.
He didn’t have blinds.
His windows had curtains.
He opened his eyes again and looked around his surroundings. He wasn’t at his apartment nor was he at his mother’s house.
Did he pick up some random girl at the bar?
No.
No, that wasn’t like him at all. And besides, he was –
His drink-addled brain vaguely registered running water coming from behind the door at the other end of the room. Bathroom. Shower. Someone was taking a shower.
He looked down at himself and thanked God that he was still clothed. His jacket and socks were missing but he still had his jeans and shirt. Fantastic!
Now, all he needed to do was escape before the mystery woman came out of the bathroom. Unfortunately for him, his pounding head and aching body would not allow him to do so. He fell back into the bed with a groan, it was at least comfortable and had a calming, familiar scent.
All three brothers agreed that the almost-sleazy atmosphere and rowdy environments of the bars and clubs they frequented during their youth would not be a good option for tonight. Instead, they opted for a place that was closer to a cocktail lounge than anything. It offered an intimate ambiance where you could relax and simply enjoy a good drink.
Gregory, their youngest brother who was still too young to partake in the evening, cheekily suggested they go to a strip club. And while the two eldest Bridgerton siblings seemed open to the idea, unfortunately for them, Gregory made the suggestion in front of both Anthony’s wife and their mother. Violet Bridgerton’s reprimanding tone and aghast expression were enough to shut down the (welcomed) idea.
"Cheers to your last days as a free man, Benedict," Anthony said, handing his brothers their own glass of brandy before downing his own in one go. “Enjoy them while you can, brother.”
“Trouble in paradise, Ant?” Colin asked, swirling his drink as Benedict took a swig from his own.
“God no,” Anthony replied, flagging down a waiter and asking for another round, despite just sitting down. “But while marriage does bestow upon us many opportunities and blessings, it also takes.”
Benedict and Colin exchanged a look at their brother’s explanation.
“You best get enough sleep now before Sophie gets pregnant.” Anthony continues just as the waiter arrives with a tray of more drinks. “After that, you’ll be up all night along with her if she can’t sleep, and when the baby does get here, you'll be even more sleep deprived. Crying, diapers, tantrums –”
“I think I get it, Ant.” Benedict stopped him with an amused smile. “You think raising hellions like Greg and Hyacinth would have prepared you for that.”
Anthony cocked his head to look at Benedict. “I know! Exactly what I was thinking, but it’s just so much more when they’re your own.”
“More what?” Colin questioned, casually sipping his first drink.
“Just more.” His eldest brother replied. He took another swig before clearing his throat. “Someday you'll understand. Both of you."
Benedict and Colin once again shared a look before shrugging and gulping down their drinks. For the next few minutes, they enjoyed each other’s company, catching up on the latest happenings in each other’s lives.
"Drink up, Col,” Benedict said, now on his third drink. “You're soon to be the last single Bridgerton brother of marrying age."
"Quite a mantle for you, little brother." Anthony laughed.
“I’m not so sure about that,” Colin replied, setting his glass on the table. He needed to slow down. With Anthony on his fourth and Benedict now flagging for another tray, he may soon be the only sober one at their table.
“Just you wait!” Benedict declared with an all too joyous tone to his voice. “After I get married, mother will be hounding you next to walk down the aisle.”
Colin shrugged, “Can’t be too bad.”
If Colin wasn’t too in his head about watching his brothers, he would have seen the look that passed between Anthony and Benedict at his words.
After a moment, Anthony decided to change the subject and asked, “Any plans for traveling again?”
Colin suppressed a groan and an eye roll.
His constant travels were somewhat of a sore spot between him and his family. While some members, particularly Daphne, initially encouraged his wanderlust, after a few years, both Anthony and their mother had sat him down and all but hounded him if he was ever planning on laying down roots.
The half-hour-long conversation consisted of Anthony asking if he had any plans on getting a permanent job, (he was a travel writer, traveling was part of his job!) and their mother interrogating him about his love life. The most exasperating half-hour of his life ended with a promise of returning home more frequently and at least messaging the family group chat at least once a day.
“None at the moment.” He answered as another glass was placed in front of him by Benedict. Alcohol, good. Colin immediately picked it up, wanting nothing more to numb his senses from the inevitable lecture he would receive from Anthony about his aimless wandering.
“And why is that?” Benedict questioned.
“No reason.”
This time, Colin did see the shared glances between his brothers.
“What’s with the look?”
“What look?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“We know nothing, Col.”
“Perhaps he’s already drunk, Ben.”
“A lightweight he is, Ant.”
The following guffaws of his brothers caused him to reach for another drink.
A few minutes passed and that’s when Benedict exclaimed, “I got it!”
“Got what?” Colin asked, a little bit startled by his brother’s outburst. God, how many drinks has he had? He looked down at the table and it was a sea of drinking glasses, both empty and half full. They should definitely get someone to clear the empty ones, lest his drunk brothers become boisterous and accidentally knock a few over.
“Perhaps our little brother here isn’t too keen on jetting off again because he has finally found a reason to stay?”
His gaze moved quickly, sharply from the table to his brothers. “What?”
He tried to remain collected but the buzzing in his head from the amount of booze in his system left him rather befuddled.
Anthony clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth, a grin plastered on his face, “I do believe you’re onto something, Benedict.”
“It makes sense.” Benedict began with a chuckle before a faux-serious expression came over his features. “Col, who has never stayed in London longer than eight months, is now home for almost a year.”
“Greg mentioned a lipstick stain on your collar the last time you picked him up from his soccer match.”
“Hyacinth said, well, complained really, that you were more glued to your phone than usual during the last few family dinners.”
“And I heard from Frannie that she saw you looking for a larger apartment in the city.”
“Frannie?” Colin’s eyes were rounded with shock and curiosity. “She’s been away from home more times than I am!”
“Yes, but that’s mostly to visit with Aunt Winnie.”
“You know how the old hag is.”
“Good God.” Colin bemoaned, slumping back against his chair before reaching for a glass of brandy? Whiskey? Scotch? He wasn’t sure anymore. He just needed more alcohol in his system if he was to survive his brothers' and the rest of his family’s meddling.
After a pause, Anthony spoke again. “So, Col. Who is it? She must be really special if she’s making you stay in London.”
“Ugh, she’s not making me do anything!” Colin finally confessed. “And she and I are taking it slow. Hence why I haven’t brought it up.”
“Or maybe perhaps she’s Cressida Cowper and you’re scared that Anthony will disown you?”
Colin almost choked on his drink, a few drops of liquid dribbling down his chin. Benedict couldn’t contain his own laughter as he handed him a napkin.
"Are you out of your fucking minds?"
“Now, come now, Colin.” Anthony began with a rather serious expression on his face. “If Cressida Cowper is the one for you, I will not stand between you two. However, I will ask that you move far away from London, somewhere across the Atlantic perhaps, and only come home during the Holidays. I’m sure mother and the others would agree it’s for the best.”
“Make sure she signs a prenup before the wedding.”
“Ah, yes. Thanks for reminding me, Ben. We’ll get a prenup ready by the end of the month.”
Colin couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed another glass, downed its contents in one gulped, and nearly screamed, “You both have lost your fucking minds!”
Anthony and Benedict looked way too calm and amused by the situation. It only infuriated Colin more.
“Now, Colin.” Benedict began, placing a hand on Colin’s shoulder. “We didn’t mean to offend your lady.”
“Yes, Colin. We are sorry if we have offended you and the future Missus Colin Bridger –”
“Shut the fuck up, please. I’m begging you, brothers. Enough with the blasphemy.” Colin cried.
That seemed to do the trick.
His brothers ceased their teasing and offered Colin another drink in apology, which he gladly accepted and drank in one swig.
“I’m…” Colin started to say only to be cut off when his phone pinged. As he reached for it in his pocket, he realized that he was well on his way to being drunk. Oh, he was going to kill his brothers.
Colin swiped his phone screen but his muddled brain wasn’t able to correctly type in his security code.
"Oh, let me." Benedict offered, reaching over and quickly grabbing the phone from Colin’s hand before he could even protest.
Colin let out a chuckle, followed by a slurred, “As if you’ll know my passcode.”
His initial amusement turned into horror when Benedict typed in four numbers and triumphantly showed the screen to Anthony.
“Well, would you look at that, Ant?”
“Interesting turn of events, Benedict.”
“Agreed.” Benedict nodded before handing back the phone to Colin, who quickly snatched it from his brother. “Now the question is, why is your phone’s passcode Penelope Featherington’s birthday?”
“Why indeed?”
Colin wondered if he could get away with fratricide before praying that the ground would open up and swallow him whole. He would have to look over the family company before Edmund, Anthony’s eldest, can take over. But that would take years. He didn’t want to run the company. Maybe Greg could do it, instead?
This was not part of the plan.
He heard several pings from his phone and looked down at its screen, seeing a series of text messages from Pen.
[22:13] Penelope: Hope you’re enjoying boys’ night!
[22:17] Penelope: I’m turning in for the night. I’ll leave the light on in case you want to come back here for the night.
[22:17] Penelope: Not that I’m expecting you to. You should spend the night with your brothers.
[22:17] Penelope: Sorry if I’m disturbing your night out. Good night! xx
It was a rookie move to text him while he was with his brothers, but he could never truly fault her. Especially since she was doing it out of concern for him. She was just that adorable.
The thought of Penelope and her concern for him caused a soft smile to creep on his face. This was, of course, noticed by his brothers.
“So… Col,” Anthony began. He could hear Benedict swallow a laugh. Maybe Gregory could handle the company on his own. “How long have you and Penelope Featherington been seeing each other?”
“And how much of each other have you seen?”
Colin glared at Benedict, who just gave him a nonchalant look. “Must you be so crude?”
"We're just curious, little brother." Benedict grinned.
In truth, there was a betting pool between the rest of the Bridgertons. But Colin didn’t need to know that.
“It was only a matter of time,” Anthony added.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come off it, Colin!” Benedict said, exasperation seeping into his voice. “It was only a matter of time. You two were always freakishly close.”
Anthony nodded, “I’m certain that mother has been planning your wedding since she saw how little Penelope Featherington looked at you when you first met.”
Wedding?
It’s only been a few months. It was too soon, wasn’t it?
Did he want to get married? To Pen?
It was odd. When his brothers were taunting him about Cressida as the future Missus Bridgerton, he could feel the alcohol coming back up his stomach. But with Penelope? Penelope Bridgerton? Penelope as his wife? Penelope as the mother of his children? Spending the rest of his day with her by his side? Adventuring to different continents, watching the sunrise over the Smoky Mountains, gazing at the sunset over the Ionian Sea, and eating exotic food in Seoul? He could see it now, but what’s more, he could also see himself inside a modest house with a grand library reading with Penelope at his side as she worked on her novels. A simple and quiet life with Penelope seemed most agreeable.
Colin found himself smiling as these ideas were rather pleasant. More than just agreeable, it was what he wanted, no! No, it was what he needed!
He needed Penelope!
His mind was all too eager to be reunited with Penelope, but his body, while always eager to be with Penelope, was starting to suffer the consequences of alcohol consumption.
He stood up too quickly and his surroundings began to spin. Benedict held him up and made him sit down again before he could crash to the ground.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Anthony questioned, as he flagged down the waiter for some water.
This wasn’t going according to plan. They wanted to get Colin drunk enough to admit his feelings and relationship with Penelope, not give him a concussion.
“Penelope!” Colin replied as if it was the most obvious thing. “I need to see Penelope! The future Missus Bridgerton!”
Anthony and Benedict’s eyes met once again. Maybe the plan was working just fine.
“So, you and Penelope are together?” Benedict questioned, handing over a glass of alcohol to Colin instead of the water. Anthony gave him a pointed look but he just ignored him.
“Yes!”
“How’d you manage to pull that one off?”
“Penelope is a goddess who blessed me with her kindness and forgiveness.” Colin all but declared. His annoyance was seemingly gone as he reached for another glass and drank it like it was water and he was a parched man traveling the desert. For the umpteenth time that night, his brothers shared a look Colin didn’t pick up on.
“Start recording,” Anthony whispered to Benedict who nodded and took out his phone, discreetly recording their brother’s drunken monologue.
“Penelope Featherington is the sweetest, wittiest, and kindest person I’ve ever known.” Colin began, both his brothers keeping their mouths shut as they clink their glasses in a hushed cheer, as they allowed him to make a fool of himself. “My Pen, the future Missus Bridgerton… my wife, Penelope Bridgerton! My wife! Pen is my wife! My wife is God's gift to us mortals. With her pretty eyes, they’re like the dancing waves of the Maldives! So clear and blue and bright! Oh, bright! Pen brings brightness to my life. Just as bright as her soft, soft hair. Oh, her hair! So soft in my hands! But that’s not the only thing about her that’s soft! Her skin… and her curves, so lush. Her arse and ti–”
“Okay, that’s enough of that.” Anthony cut him off and pulled down Ben’s hand as he continued recording.
“I can still send this to the group chat, though?”
“Oh, yes. Definitely,” Anthony replied absentmindedly with a nod.
Anthony and Benedict both agreed that it was time to head home. Colin was still rambling on about Penelope, even when his brothers helped him into an Uber that was headed towards Penelope’s apartment.
“So, who won?” Benedict asked, turning his back from the moving vehicle that contained their intoxicated, lovesick fool of a brother.
Anthony continued to check his mobile for a moment before he let out a groan. He gave Ben a look and said, “Sophie’s bet was the closest.”
Benedict whooped, his one arm raising in a cheer.
“Sophie said he would call her ‘Penelope Bridgerton’ tonight,” Anthony said as he scrolled through the list of bets made between each member of the family.
Anthony was confident that they would have Colin drunkenly crying over his love for Penelope. After all, he was a sappy fool. Benedict on the other hand was certain that he would proclaim his undying love for the girl, and while Colin certainly waxed poetry about Penelope, the words “I love her” was missing from the minute-long video of their fool brother.
Kate put money on Colin drunk calling Penelope in front of them, while Daphne bet that their obviously besotted brother would burst into song, singing about Penelope’s beauty. Hyacinth said that all three of them would be kicked out due to Colin.
“Looks like we’ll be honeymooning in Tuscany after all.” Benedict’s cheerful and smug smile was starting to annoy Anthony.
“Greg did bet that Colin would mention Pen’s… um, assets.” Anthony coughed.
“Of course he did.” Ben rolled his eyes at their rather green brother antics.
“Colin’s going to kill him if he finds out.”
“Oh, he definitely will.”
“Yeah, think it’s best if we cut out the last part before sending it to the family.”
“About that…”
“What?”
“I already sent it… to Penelope.”
“Oh.”
“Yes.”
“Well, then.” Anthony paused for a moment before shrugging. “That’s their problem now. Not ours.”
“I think you mean, he’s her problem now.”
Colin groaned as bits and pieces of memories from last night came to him. He was going to kill his brothers. Sophie and Kate would surely forgive him. He’d have to do some more groveling with their mother, but surely she would forgive him too. And his other siblings… well, they might even thank him.
His thoughts on fratricide were interrupted by a hand gently pushing his face away from his face.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the water in the bathroom shut off and Penelope came out. He opened his eyes and was met with her kind face and soft smile.
“My, you certainly had a night.” She said, amusement lacing her soft voice. She sat on the edge of the bed and Colin had the urge to wrap his arm around her waist until they were cuddled together on her bed, the world forgotten.
But both his muscles and head were aching too much for him to even lift his head from the pillow.
"Not so loud," He muttered, closing his eyes again, wanting nothing more than to make the sun go away. He felt Penelope’s hand go from his forehead to cup his cheek and he leans into her gentle touch.
“If I talk any quieter, I'll be whispering."
"Whispering is good." He replied and found himself smiling when he heard Penelope’s sweet giggle.
"Here," Penelope said softly, reaching for the glass of water and Aspirin she prepared for him.
He forced his aching body to sit up, moving closer to lean against the headboard before taking the glass and medicine from Penelope’s small hand, “Thank you.”
A comfortable silence lingered between them and Colin couldn’t help himself but pull Penelope into an embrace, but instead of finding her soft and warm curves against his body, her hand was pushing against his chest.
He frowned.
“You smell of alcohol and bad decisions,” Penelope explained with an apologetic yet amused smile. “With a hint of humiliation, maybe.”
“Ugh, remind me to kill my brothers,” Colin said.
“Oh, you shouldn’t do that,” Penelope replied.
“I’ll spare Greg.”
“How generous of you.” She mused.
“Of course, he’s innocent in all of this.”
He can feel Penelope’s eyes on him. “What?”
“I hope you spare Benedict, as well. As a thank you from me.”
“A thank you? For what?”
“Why, for this, of course!”
Penelope reached for her phone on the bedside table and showed him a rather fuzzy video of himself from last night.
“My Pen, the future Missus Bridgerton… my wife, Penelope Bridgerton! My wife! Pen is my wife!”
He grabbed the phone from her and locked it, sparring himself from the humiliation but from the mischief playing in his girlfriend’s eyes, he knew she already watched it. Multiple times.
“Well, that wasn’t very well done of me, was it?” He tried playing it off but Penelope, for all her kindness, was also very wicked.
“No, it was not, Mister Bridgerton.” She replied. “And who is this Missus Penelope Bridgerton you speak of, hmm? I don’t believe I have made her acquaintance.”
“Pen…”
“Perhaps you can give me her contact number and address, and I can fetch her for you.”
“Penelope –”
“And why was I not invited to the wedding? And here I thought I was a family friend. I thought I was your best friend, Colin.”
“Of course you are!” Colin cut her off, grabbing her shoulders and all mischievousness vanished from her.
“Colin…”
“Pen, god, this wasn’t how I wanted it to happen.” He raked his fingers through his mused hair in frustration.
“Wanted what to happen, Colin?”
He met her eyes and he was taken aback by how much just the presence of her could take his breath away. Just holding her hand, just being next to her could ease all the problems in his life.
“I planned it out, you know.” He offered instead of answering her question. “At Ben and Sophie’s wedding. I’d ask you to dance when they play your favorite song and whisper the question to you before going on one knee. It would be a surprise for the whole family too. Although, I think they all know by now. Ben is a terrible gossip, you know?”
“Colin.” He looked into her eyes and sees the glassy sheen from unshed tears threatening to spill. He fought the urge to envelop her in his arms because he needed to see her face when she answered him.
Half a sob escaped Penelope, which only caused a sinking feeling to settle in his guts.
She took his large hand in hers and kissed each knuckle before placing it on her cheek. And once again, Penelope was able to efface from existence with just a simple gesture.
“I’m glad you didn’t do that.” She murmured softly. When Colin raised a quizzical eyebrow, Penelope explained, “I would hate to take away the spotlight from Ben and Sophie on their big day.”
Colin was willing to accept the explanation. But Penelope continued, “And I wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Finally, Colin had what he has been yearning for since last night. He relished the warmth of Penelope’s skin against his own as she wrapped her arms around him, and leaned over to kiss him. He pulled her close against him as he deepened the kiss.
Maybe his brothers weren’t too bad.