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Phillip breathed a sigh of relief when after two days of travelling, the carriage finally stopped. He looked out the window, it was a beautiful mansion.
He turned forward and saw Eloise sleeping sitting up with Oliver and Amanda napping leaning against her, he felt sorry to wake his wife. At seven months pregnant, sleeping wasn't being one of the easiest things to do, but she had insisted they make the trip to spend Christmas with the rest of the family, so even though it wasn't much more than two months before the new baby Crane was due to arrive in the world, they drove across England from west to east to the Bridgertons' country estate. She must have been missing her brothers and her mother, Phillip didn't question it, he would do atrocities to have his brother and mother near him.
"Ellie" he spoke softly fearing scaring her.
"Um" she spoke with her eyes still closed
"Here we are, love" With that she opened her eyes and smiled at him. Phillip's face lit up. She had the most amazing smile in the world, he always melted.
"Get the kids" she whispered.
Phillip took the sleeping children on his lap and waited for his wife to come down. It was only five days until Christmas and it was snowing that afternoon. Aubrey Hall, was already pure chaos with so many chaotic siblings with even more chaotic children.
When they entered the house they were warmly welcomed by Violet Bridgerton, who was very excited to see her daughter and also relieved to see her well. Phillip was also relieved to see his wife well, she hadn't had an easy start to the pregnancy, which had aroused everyone's concern, but as the weeks went by the symptoms faded.
"Are you guys alright?" "It took so long"
"The roads were hell, frozen or full of snow" Eloise spoke to her mother.
"Eloise, it's not appropriate to talk like this!!! Blaspheming in front of your children!"
"They are asleep, they won't listen" Eloise signalled with her hand dismissing Violet's scolding.
"Is Penelope there yet?"
"She's in her room"
"I'll see her later then"
"Without Colin, you can go there, but don't be wandering around, you're in no condition for that either"
"If you want I'll make a trail" She replied to her mother "I'm not an invalid"
"Sir Phillip, help me here!" Violet asked.
"I gave up telling her to stand still before we even got married. If she's feeling up to it... I'm only accompanying her just in case"
"You see Mummy, he understood in months, what you didn't understand in nearly three decades" Phillip laughed.
"That's not to say that I don't agree that you should be on bed rest, but rather, I've given up on winning an argument from you and..."
"I'm going to put you to sleep in the children's room"
"Will you let me finish?" He pretended to be upset but was smiling. "And, I love how restless you are, always willing, lively, I love how happy you are"
Eloise turned red at the statement in front of her mother, Phillip had noticed that she was embarrassed by statements in public.
They went upstairs taking the twins to their rooms in the children's wing, letting the children rest, the trip had lasted two days, if it was exhausting for adults like them, for two children on the eve of their ninth birthday it must have been much more so.
"Do you want to lie down, my flower?" Phillip asked holding his beloved's hand.
"Not really, I want to see everyone first, test Anthony's patience along with Colin, then I'd be very happy to come up with you and get really tired" she said, the last part with the mischievous smile Phillip knew so well.
"Alright, it's up to you, but if you feel anything different or strange tell me, please"
"Sure, Phillip..." she smiled confirming the obvious "don't worry darling, I haven't had anything for two months"
"Right" Phillip replied turning facing his wife and putting his hands on her neck. "I'll get Oliver and Amanda's presents and hide them before they wake up"
"Do you want help?"
"No, go and see your family, I know you've been missing shouting at them or gossiping in person with Penelope." He kissed Eloise's lips, who the next instant was already returning the kiss with a happy sigh. Phillip moved his hands down to her bottom squeezing it. She treacherously went down her hand until she found the evidence of how much her husband burned with passion for her.
"Why are you so temptingly delicious Phillip? Now I'm going to spend all afternoon wanting to go to the bedroom with you and let my whole family know why I'm gone" Eloise spoke turning away from Phillip momentarily.
"Can't we go to the room?" Phillip whined.
"If I go in I won't want to stay for a short time and I told my mum we'd be right down" Eloise said genuinely regretting it.
"Well you know what I'm going to do after we go up?" He spoke with a predatory look on his face.
"I have no idea" she replied with a look of false innocence.
"I'm going to take off every damn piece of clothing you're wearing because of the cold, your nipples will last harder than my cock gets when I touch them. Then I'm going to lay you on the bed, kiss you right here" he touched her, touched exactly where she loved most "you're going to grab my hair twitching..." Eloise knew words had power, but God, she was panting. "When you're almost at your peak, I'm going to touch you, I'm going to have you explode in my mouth and in my fingers, then I'm going to lay you on your side on the bed, like you loved that I did last week..."
"Lady Crane?" A servant appeared interrupting the moment and causing Phillip and Eloise to part startled.
"The Dowager Viscountess mentioned that you were looking for Mrs Bridgerton. She is in the informal sitting room with the other Milady's."
"Oh yes, of course... aaa..." god she was embarrassed to have been caught practically kissing Phillip, shit, he was even getting his cock hard "Thank you so much, for letting me know"
Eloise turned to Phillip who looked as paralysed as she was.
"I'm coming down. Are you coming?"
"Ah, go ahead, the presents, as I said... before the children wake up"
"Really, I'll wait for you there"
"I love you" Phillip spoke and Eloise's heart leapt, even though he said it every day over and over again.
"I love you too"
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"Mrs Penelope Anne Bridgerton" Eloise spoke with a wide smile on her lips as she saw her friend sitting on one of the sofas.
Penelope stood up running to the complete despair of Colin, who unlike Phillip, was still trying to get his wife to remain at rest. Penelope was pregnant about the same time as Eloise, there was no telling which one would give birth first.
"PENELOPE MY GOD" Colin shouted getting up and placing himself beside his beloved
"Eloise, God, I thought you weren't coming!!!" Penelope said hugging her best friend.
"I almost gave up when it started snowing" Eloise laughed.
"I was missing you so much, god I love Colin, but talking about gossip with you is infinitely better"
"Hey" Colin muttered.
"I don't get much gossip in Romney Hall so update me please" Eloise laughed "Not that I don't have enough good activities to hold my attention"
"Naughty" Penelope said in a scolding tone, but at the same time laughing "About that... the things you said in the letter..." Eloise at that moment was crying with laughter.
"What did she say?" Colin asked curious, realising what they were talking about.
"Go and order a snack for me please" Penelope asked her husband, to get him out of the conversation.
"They're all true Pen, I just went over some ideas" Eloise replied to her, as soon as her brother went to fulfill his best friend's wish.
"You guys are pretty creative. But God, did you kiss him there? And the greenhouse is all glass"
"Yes and Yes, to both things"
"You guys are crazy!!!" Penelope snapped and Eloise signalled for her to keep her voice down.
"My mother's here, damn it"
"Are you spreading my tricks around?" Phillip asked sitting down next to Eloise and placing one of his hands on her belly, he loved to feel the baby kick.
"In the strictest of detail" Phillip turned red, Eloise thought that was adorable.
"Mrs Bridgerton" He greeted, shyly.
"Sir Phillip, we're family, for you it's Penelope"
"So, to you, Phillip"
"Are you feeling alright?" "No pain?" Phillip asked thoughtfully to Eloise.
"Painless no, but well, it's nothing exaggerated"
He looked worriedly at her. Eloise could understand his concern, early on, her pregnancy had not been the least bit smooth. The doctor by the end of the first trimester had even memorised how to get to their room. "I'm fine Phill, I swear" she placed her hand over his.
The other family members looked at them dumbfounded but happy. Who knew, Eloise Bridgerton, not Eloise Crane now, next to her husband, on Aubrey Hall's sofa, being absurdly affectionate.
"But coming back El..."
Morning of the 25th December
"Mommy!!! Daddy!!! Come see the presents" Oliver and Amanda shouted banging on the door of their parents' room
Eloise got off Phillip quickly and he got out of bed next.
"Shit, shit, shit" he whispered "Have you seen my underpants?" He looked panicked.
"Why is the door locked?" Oliver shouted "It's Christmas"
"Daddy's helping me out of the bath, we're coming!" Eloise made up for the twins as they made time to get dressed in a minimally decent way.
"There" Eloise spoke opening the door, she was in her jumper and Phillip in his trousers and shirt, he was putting on his boot.
"Merry Christmas mum!!!" Oliver and Amanda spoke excitedly "DOWNSTAIRS IT'S LOTS OF GIFTS!!!! SANTA LEFT LOTS OF THEM!!!"
Eloise slammed her back against the wall with the force of children. "Merry Christmas, my loves"
"You've only got mum, eh?" Phillip said buttoning his waistcoat
"Merry Christmas daddy" And they ran into their father's arms. Eloise saw a tear roll down her husband's face.
She was missing her family, but the main reason she wanted to come is so that these three would finally have the happy and noisy Christmas they deserved all those years ago.
"Now let's open the presents!!!" Oliver and Amanda were pulling their parents towards the stairs.
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Phillip rested his hands on Eloise's huge belly, very happy as the trip unfolded. He was so, so happy. He had never had a real Christmas in his childhood and well, his early adult life was marked by deaths, save for the birth of his children, he had always wanted the twins to have a happy and cheerful Christmas , but with who? It was just the three of them, even when Marina was alive, a happy and lively reunion was not something that suited them. Now, all the Bridgertons gathered in the largest living room in Aubrey Hall opening their presents, he felt good, very happy, complete. He had an amazing wife, two children he loved, almost three, in fact...his research in the Romney Hall greenhouse had progressed nicely.
The next thing he knew, Phillip had tears in his eyes, lost in thought, wondering what good things he had done to deserve this. Eloise was the most amazing woman in the world, the best wife a man could ever want and he had never thought there could be a mother as good as her and well...he was happy for the father he had been to the twins in the last few months, it was still hard, he felt insecure most of the time but Eloise always supported him, encouraged him, it was now becoming a natural thing for him....
Two months ago in a conversation with Eloise, yes, he also discovered that however shy he was, talking could be very good, Phillip came to the conclusion that his relationship with fatherhood was very much like exam time at Cambridge. He would often leave questions blank because he didn't believe he was capable or good enough, but when someone encouraged him and told him he was good, even if he didn't have much confidence, he would try and eventually find he was very good at it.
"I'm the pregnant one and you're the one who's emotional." Eloise whispered in his ear, noticing the tears in his eyes.
"I can't help it, I am so happy to have you by my side. It's been amazing Ellie, every day I wake up being sure I'm the luckiest and happiest man in the world" Phillip looked into her eyes, Eloise will also be teary eyed hearing her husband's statement.
"I love you, Phillip. Thank you for being the best husband I could ever ask for"
"You who are amazing Eloise, you are the smartest person I have ever seen, so talented, seriously, you write too well, you are so beautiful, so good..."
"I know."
They looked at each other and fell into laughter.
"You know, Modesty is your only low point, love" Phillip said still laughing.
"You overestimate me" Eloise replied.
"I love you, I find everything amazing about you, even if it tests my patience" Before Eloise could answer, Amanda shouted:
- Who is P.F.A.C?
"Where did you get that from, my dear?" Violet thoughtful grandmother that she was, walked over to her granddaughter.
"From: E.O.B.C To: P.F.A.C, with love" Amanda read.
Phillip looked at Eloise, to confirm his suspicions. "I didn't need a gift at all, you are the best gift I could ever win and I have already won"
"Who said you won?"
"The paper you and your brother signed at church" He spoke laughing and she threw a pillow at him
"It's me" Phillip stood up "Phillip Frederick Albert Crane"
"And the other one?" Oliver asked his father.
"Eloise." Penelope and Phillip spoke together.
"What's your name mum?"
"Eloise Olivia Bridgerton Crane" she replied laughing.
"GOD!!!" Phillip shouted as he opened the package.
"JESUS CHRIST HOW DID YOU GET THIS ELOISE????" Phillip shouted, literally jumping for joy.
"A woman can keep a few secrets I imagine" Eloise replied, saying the same thing he always said.
He jumped up hugging his wife
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!"
"Phillip... fuck!" Eloise spoke choking and leaning on a nearby piece of furniture.
"Sorry" he got a worried look on his face. "Oh my god. Are you alright?"
"Yes" she reassured him laughing.
"What's the present anyway?" Penelope asked curiously, doing what everyone else wanted to do.
"Imported orchids, for the greenhouse" Phillip said with a smile on his ear.
And everyone laughed at his excitement, except Eloise who was laughing for getting the present right.
Soon the attention turned to the children of the family, who were getting excited about each present and fighting over each one, even though they had all thoughtfully placed cards indicating who owned the package and the contents inside.
To Phillip's complete dismay and Eloise's apparent amusement, the twins argued every five minutes about the presents. The paints, the Pall Mall set, toy soldiers, marbles even about the dolls.
Until Oliver started crying.
"Oliver, why are you crying?" Eloise went to him worriedly while Phillip went to Amanda.
"Since when do you like china dolls, son?" Eloise was talking to Oliver who was inconsolable since Amanda had won a set of dolls from Francesca and Michael.
"I thought they were beautiful Mummy!" he exclaimed hugging Eloise and crying copiously again.
"If you liked them so much we can stop by London and you can pick one out, I don't see a problem with you liking dolls and I know your father doesn't either, but these are your sister's... I thought you would like the knight's sword set better. I've never seen you join Amanda at the doll tea."
"What swords?" The little boy asked, trying to regain his composure on hearing this.
"Rumour has it..." Eloise shrugged "Maybe I saw Santa in the wee hours of the morning."
"Really, Mum?" Oliver's eyes sparkled
"Yeah... don't you want to go and look for the swords?"
"Come on" He said pulling his mother by the hand.
"Look mum, isn't that your name?" Oliver pointed to a huge box.
Eloise looked at it and recognised Phillip's masculine handwriting "From: Phill To: Ellie"
When she noticed, her husband was standing beside her. "Aren't you going to open it?"
"Of course I am"
"FUCKING SHIT" Eloise shouted in disbelief. "HOW DID YOU GET THESE BOOKS? THEY ONLY HAVE THEM IN CAMBRIDGE!!!"
"ELOISE!!! MY JESUS! BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TALK!!! Violet scolded her. But Eloise was already hanging on to Phillip thanking him and leaving a thousand kisses all over his face.
"They really know each other, don't they?" Anthony spoke up "That's the kind of present I would never think of giving someone"
"It's not like they hardly even knew each other when you subpoenaed the two of them to get married" Colin teased his brother.
"Go worry about your pregnant wife Colin" Anthony said giving him one of his famous frozen stares.
During the night...
"He's moving around a lot today" Eloise spoke to her husband, who had his face resting against her belly.
"She's a restless little girl just like her mother"
"Phillip..."
"Your mother doesn't believe me when I tell her you're a girl, daughter" He whispered against his wife's belly. "But Daddy has a theory, your mother will be wrong... She doesn't like to be wrong, but after that I'll let her choose whatever name she wants for you and since I know the love of Mum's life is Auntie Pen..."
"Fuck you" Eloise spoke up laughing.
"Did I lie?"
"Getting back to talking to you my little flower, I'm sure you'll call Penelope"
"I actually had thought of naming her Penelope, if the baby is a girl" Eloise spoke surrendering.
"I know you, love" Phillip said crawling under his wife and kissing her lips.
"And if I'm right, I think George would be very nice, in honour of your brother. But I also like your middle name" She concluded.
"Frederick or Albert?" he asked as he placed a kiss on her belly and stood beside her.
"They're both nice, but I prefer Frederick."
"Right" he murmured laying down next to her.
"Do you like the idea?"
"It'll be Penelope." he replied confidently
"I'm almost believing your powers of seeing inside my womb." she said laughing.
"I love you Eloise, mother of Oliver, Amanda and Penelope." He spoke giving her another kiss. "This was the best Christmas of my life, as well as every day I spend by your side, thank you for loving me, for loving the twins, thank you for allowing me to love you every day. My heart is divided into three and a half parts."
"Damn hormones" Eloise wiped away dripping tears. "I love you too Phillip, I am happier than I ever thought I could be. I love, you three and this baby too"
"Merry Christmas, Lady Eloise Crane."
"Merry Christmas, Sir Phillip Crane."