Chapter Text
“Okay everyone.” Anthony called to the family, plus Sophie, in his living room. “We all know why we’re here.”
“I don’t.” Sophie piped up from being sandwiched between Hyacinth and Benedict. One of whom was plastered against her side and chattering away excitedly about how Sophie was her ‘bestest friend in the whole wide world’. And the other was doing his best to not notice how damn good his mother’s assistant smelled.
Anthony smirked at Sophie. “You’re here because the family insisted you be included in this.” He answered mysteriously, before explaining. “It’s time to vote for the annual family summer holiday.”
“What? No! I can’t afford that!” Sophie told the family panicked.
Simon chuckled at Sophie. “Do you really think we’d make you pay for anything? Sophie, you told Daph and Kate you haven’t had a vacation since you were a little girl. Of course we’re paying and taking you with us.”
Sophie shot Kate a dirty look, to which she just gave her a smug smirk as she scrolled her phone idly. “What? Like I would want to go on a vacation without my best friend.” She shrugged at her innocently.
“I-I…” Sophie began.
“Soph, just let it go. We’re not gonna let you win this one.” Ben whispered in her ear teasingly.
“Yeah, plus Ben would just mope the whole trip if we didn’t take you with us!” Hyacinth piped up and Ben flicked her shoulder gently. “Hey!” She protested with a pout.
Anthony gave a long suffering sigh. “Can we just do this?” He asked the group, irritated.
“Yay!” Hyacinth cheered. “I vote for Disney World!”
Hyacinth had been dying to go for years but she had never won the family vote, but she had her ways this year and was determined to get it.
Most everyone groaned.
“Wait! Please? Ben,” She turned to Benedict. “They have that Star Wars land now.” She made the case with him. She knew he loved Star Wars. “You can build your own lightsaber.” She explained excitedly. “And ride the Millenium Falcon! You too Greg!”
Benedict did love Star Wars, and that was appealing to him. “Hmmm that’s true.”
“And Daph and Simon. Don’t you want Auggie to meet Mickey and Minnie? He’d love it there!” She told them.
“Mickey!” Auggie cheered from his grandmother’s lap and Violet chuckled.
“Dammit, she’s right.” Simon agreed and looked at Daphne with a raised brow and smirked.
“Yes!” Hyacinth bounced in her seat excitedly. “Sophie, you told me you love Disney too, always wanted to go with your dad but he died before he could take you! Your dad would want you to be able to go!” She pleaded with the woman.
Damn, this girl was good. Sophie thought to herself. “I mean I don’t think I count in this vote.” She stammered.
“Yes you do.” Anthony told her. “It’s why you were invited.” The whole family agreed with nods.
“Oh I ummm…” Sophie glanced at her boss, Violet. Who gave her a gentle and encouraging smile. “Sure…. Disney sounds like a lot of fun. Plus it’s Florida and warm.”
Finally! Hyacinth thought, things were going her way! “Please guys we always go on boring family trips like the beach… Can’t we do something fun for once?” She pleaded with the rest of the family.
Kate turned to her husband. “She has a point, Anthony, we do go to the beach every year. Her and Greg are always stuck doing what the adults want to do.”
Hyacinth and Gregory grinned and high fived each other.
“I agree.” Violet piped up. “I vote Disney too.”
“I’m in too.” Colin told them all.
“So are we!” Eloise and Frannie told the family.
“Alright, Hyacinth. Looks like you finally got your wish and we’re going to Disney World.” Anthony told his baby sister with a grin. Let’s talk about dates so I can start looking at where to stay and the like.”
Hyacinth let out a loud screech and Benedict growled at how loud it was.
For the next hour, they discussed potential dates and Hyacinth and Gregory were lectured that they needed to keep up with their grades before the trip.
After the family meeting, Benedict took Sophie home because her place was on his way home and Kate had suggested that they carpool there and back together.
Once she was gone, Kate pulled all the other women in the family together while the guys talked about potentially golfing there at the park. “I want to do something special for Sophie. The fact that she hasn’t had a holiday since she was a child is a crime.”
“Is it too late to punch Araminta for ruining Sophie’s entire life?” Eloise asked them.
“Eloise!” Violet chided her outspoken daughter.
“It doesn’t matter, we’re fixing that now.” Daphne told them. “But I agree. What if we all got her gifts for the trip?”
“She doesn’t even have any luggage. Benedict told me she just has some really old and shitty duffle bags that are literally being held together with duct tape.” Fran told them.
“I’ll get her a luggage set then.” Kate told the women.
“I want to get her some new clothes. Poor thing never spends money on herself and I once caught her repairing her jeans. I think she’s forgotten she can spend money on herself now.” Daphne said sadly.
“Jesus.” Eloise muttered, heart aching for the woman. “I saw her admiring an expensive, fun Disney backpack, someone had when we went out once. I want to get her one of those to take to the park.”
“I want to get her something!” Hyacinth insisted. “Oh! Mum, can you help me get her something?”
“Yes dear, I will help you find something for her.” She promised her youngest daughter. “I’d like to get her a spa day before the trip. She works so hard for me I want to treat her like she deserves.”
“I think I want to get her some new makeup. My friend has this new line of stuff that doesn’t sweat off. And it’s got SPF protection built in.” Fran grinned.
“Oh perfect!” Kate told everyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three weeks before the family trip, in the group text:
Kate: I need everyone’s t-shirt size and favorite color.
Benedict: What? Why?
Kate: Mind your business, nosy and just tell me you little shit.
Hyacinth: Am I allowed to curse now?
Anthony: Please don’t. I’m sure mother would agree with me as well.
Hyacinth: Fine. You’re no fun Ant. Mum says I’m a kids size medium and my favorite color is hot pink!
Gregory: I want yellow! Mum says I’m a medium too. Why am I the same size as my little sister?
Hyacinth: Not my fault you’re scrawny.
Ben: Navy blue for me. Men’s large.
Sophie: Green please! Women’s medium.
Kate: What kind of green?
Sophie: Uhhhhh…. Mint green I guess? Is that an option?
Kate: Got it. I’m dark purple and Anthony is black because he’s boring.
Hyacinth: Yawn.
Colin: You all are taking all the good colors what the fuck.
Eloise: Maybe you should be faster at choosing then, dumbass. Is teal an option? I want that if it is. Women’s medium!
Colin: Uhhhhh brown I guess. Men’s large as well.
Hyacinth: And I thought Ant was boring.
Daphne: I want a pastel purple if it’s an option! Simon will wear grey, and Auggie says orange because it’s the only color he can say as a three year old.
Fran: Red please! Women’s medium! Why can’t we pick the same colors? I thought we were all just picking favorites?
Kate: I don’t know. Because you all are animals and are turning it into some kind of competition.
Violet: I’ll go with pale blue. Women’s medium please, Kate.
Kate: Great, thanks guys!
Ben: All that, and she still won’t tell us what it’s for.
Hyacinth: Ant, what resort are we staying at? You promised to tell me!
Anthony: I promised to tell you once I learned you passed your classes before holiday. I’m sure mum would say you have homework to finish and tests to study for.
Violet: That she does.
Gregory: They caught you!
Violet: So do you Gregory. Both of you, back to studying.
Hyacinth: Ughhhhhh.
Ben: Suckers.
Anthony: Don’t you have work to do?
Ben: Not all of us are workaholics like you. I’m sure you have a very detailed and useless schedule for the vacation to work on, that absolutely none of us will follow.
Anthony: Shut your mouth! Kate loves my attention to detail!
Kate: …. No comment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The night before leaving for Disney World, Sophie was in her closet digging out her duffle bag when there was a knock at her door.
“Sophie, it’s us!” Kate’s voice came through the door.
Sophie nearly tripped at her voice. “What? Okay I’m coming!” She told her with a huff and wondered who ‘us’ was and why they were at her flat at five in the evening.
She swung open her door and smiled at Kate, Daphne and Eloise. “What are you guys doing here?” She asked them bewildered when she saw them with bags of clothes and what looked like a luggage set. “What’s all this?”
“Stuff for your trip of course!” Daphne told her as they barged into her flat. “We’re here to help you pack.”
“Who’s the luggage for?” She asked, very confused now.
Kate smirked at her. “It’s yours silly. Eloise, start getting her shit out of the bathroom and pack it in these.” She handed her a set of toiletry bags that were part of the set. “Daph and I will pack her clothes!”
“You bought me luggage?” Sophie asked, overwhelmed that she had bought her something so nice.
“Of course I did Soph. You deserve so much.” Kate told her with a hug and smiled at her best friend.
“Oh I’m so glad I got your sizing right Sophie!” Daphne told her excitedly as she started pulling all the new clothes out of the bags and taking tags off. “Where’s that Star Wars shirt of yours?” She asked her. “Ben will definitely love it if you wear it one day!”
“You…. Bought me clothes?” She asked her as she watched Kate, folding clothes and packing everything. “Why does it matter if I wear something Ben likes?”
“Sophie,” Daphne told her gently and tilted her head at her. “No offense but you’re terrible at taking care of and treating yourself when you deserve it. Your sneakers are literally falling apart.” Ignoring her question about Benedict, her and Kate were determined to get them together on this trip.
“I’m just…” She began.
Eloise poked her head out of her bathroom. “It’s just that you’re not used to people giving a shit about you because your step mother is a giant bitch who ruined your life and forced you to be a slave for so long. So now it’s your turn to be treated well so we’re doing it for you!”
“I-... Yeah you’re right.” She sighed.
“Just let us do this for you?” Kate pleaded with her.
“Okay, fine.” She agreed and gave them all a group hug. “Thanks guys.” She sniffled.
“Of course.” Daphne told her. “Now back to work ladies!”
“Oh my god, Daph. These swimsuits are so sexy and cute!” Kate exclaimed.
“Hey, where’s that new makeup Fran got you?” Eloise called. “I need to put it in this bag!”
An hour later, Sophie was all packed and ready to leave the next morning when Ben picked her up to head for Heathrow. They would be taking the Bridgerton company jet for the trip. She stared at the vintage inspired luggage Kate had gotten her, filled with new clothes and such from Daphne, Eloise, Fran and Hyacinth. Violet had insisted she go to a salon and spa and get a new haircut, facial and a mani/pedi for the trip. She had never felt so loved as she did by this family she worked for.
~~~~~~~~
Ben couldn’t believe he let Kate talk him into picking up Sophie. Not that he minded, at all. He would do anything for her really. But he was mad that he was so head over heels for this woman that he walked up two flights of stairs and got her luggage. Twice.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” She’d asked him, at four in the morning as he caught his breath before getting into his car. They were leaving London early, so they could get to Florida earlier in the day there. “You could have let me fucking help.”
“I’m fine.” He mumbled affectionately as they got into his car and he drove to the airport.
“Sure you are.” She teased him as she yawned and tugged on her cardigan over her custom Disney shirt Kate had ordered for everyone and Hyacinth insisted everyone wear for the trip there. She looked so damn cute.
Thankfully, the trip to the airport was quick with no traffic so early in the morning and they were able to park the car in the hangar with the rest of the family’s cars.
“Sophie!” Hyacinth screeched and ran to her to tackle her with a hug.
“Hy.” Ben growled at her loud greeting. “We’re right fucking here.”
“Hi Hyacinth.” Sophie told her and hugged her back with a grin and a gentle laugh.
“Sorry, I’m just so excited we’re going to Disney!” She told them excitedly and dragged Sophie away, leaving Benedict to deal with both of their suitcases.
“Need a hand?” Anthony asked his brother with a smirk as he jogged over.
“God, yes please.” Ben grumbled, ears still ringing from Hyacinth’s screeching. “What time did she wake up?”
“I don’t know, mum says she doesn’t think she slept at all last night.” Anthony chuckled. “Same with Greg. She said she could hear him making lightsaber noises in his room.”
“Fucking nerd.” Ben grunted as he grabbed his bags and Anthony took Sophie’s. “Are we the last one’s here?”
“No, Eloise and Fran aren’t here yet but last Kate heard, they were on their way. Probably ten minutes behind you guys.”
Ben nodded and locked his car with his keys after making sure he had all his and Sophie’s things out of it. “We’ll take off shortly after they get situated?”
“Yup. Pilot’s ready, planes got food and drinks on board. Auggie’s sleeping with Daph. Just need to get everyone’s suitcases situated as soon as the girl’s get here.”
“I need to save Sophie from Hy, she’s pretty tired I think. You know how she gets when she’s overwhelmed.”
“No I don’t actually, you would know her better since you’re so in love with her.”
“Wh-? I’m not fucking in love with Sophie!” Ben stopped and dropped his bags next to everyone else's so the pilot and Simon could load them in the cargo of the jet.
“Yes you are. It’s so fucking obvious.” Simon chuckled as he leaned against the jet.
“Well, it is to everyone but Sophie. But mum says that’s just because Sophie thinks no one could ever love her. Araminta really fucked her up in the head. The bitch.” Anthony muttered.
Benedict’s fist balled at the mention of Araminta. “Can we not talk about this?”
“Fine.” Anthony shrugged. “But you should know that Kate put you and Sophie in a room together. It was that, or her with Hyacinth and we didn’t think she’d want to babysit on her first vacation in 20 years.”
“What?” He growled at Anthony smirking back at him as he bounded up the stairs into the jet behind his older brother. He was fucked now, stuck in a room with the beautiful Sophie for ten days would be pure torture. Her sleeping one bed away from him and trying to restrain himself.
Thirty minutes later, the plane was taking off and Hyacinth was irritating everyone by singing It’s A Small World on a loop.
“Put a sock in it!” Gregory groaned from his chair where he was playing Colin in cards.
“This is going to be a long fucking flight.” Benedict muttered next to Sophie. He was irritated with Hyacinth for taking up so much of Sophie’s attention, who was clearly tired as she kept nodding off against Ben’s shoulder.
“Hy.” Anthony warned her. “It’s too early for that and some of us need sleep.” He mentioned to Daphne holding Auggie and then Sophie who was also trying to sleep next to Ben. Even Simon was dozing by now.
“Fine.” She huffed and crossed her arms. “What am I supposed to do then?” She asked him.
“Didn’t you bring books to read or something?” Ben suggested quietly.
“Books? I’m on summer holiday.”
“People read for fun you know.” He pointed to Kate, curled up with her mystery book and Eloise who was reading some book about the women of Disney World.
“Well I don’t.” She insisted with a frown.
“Maybe that’s why you didn’t do well in English class.” He teased her with a smirk.
She glared at her older brother. “Reading is boring.” She huffed at him.
“Why don’t you watch a movie or something?” Benedict suggested and yawned. “You can annoy everyone later when we’re closer to landing.”
“Ugh, fine.” She told him petulantly.
“Five pounds says she’s asleep within a half hour.” Benedict whispered in Sophie’s ear, who giggled in response before she finally fell asleep herself.
Just as predicted, Hyacinth fell asleep within twenty minutes after she’d started watching Alice In Wonderland. Anthony snorted. “I thought she was going to stay awake for a full day.”
“It would do Greg well to get some sleep too.” Violet spoke up from her seat next to Daphne with an arched brow at her youngest son.
“I’m not a kid mum!” He protested with a roll of his eyes. “I don’t need a nap!”
“You were up all night Gregory.” Violet sighed. “I don’t want to hear you complaining later about how tired you are when we’re going through customs or at dinner tonight.”
“Well, I’m not taking a nap!” He proclaimed dramatically.
Fifteen minutes later, Gregory was also asleep. Slumped in his chair and snoring. In fact, most of the family was asleep save for Anthony, Kate & Benedict at one point.
About two hours from landing, Hyacinth was awake and was entertaining Auggie by singing Disney songs to him. “It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears-”
“Not that stupid song again!” Gregory groaned as he woke up and glared at his sister and then joined them on the floor.
Hyacinth sniffed her nose at her brother. “Do you know a better song?” She challenged and shoved him from her spot.
“Uh…. Yeah!” He cleared his throat before singing, “All the birds sing words and the flowers croon, in the tiki tiki tiki room-” He began to sing the second most obnoxious song in the Disney parks.
“I swear to god-” Eloise called from where she was reading in her corner of the plane. “I will take this book and beat you two to death with it!” She threatened them.
Sophie giggled from behind her book and Benedict grinned at her before realizing something. “So, I think it’s only fair to warn you about something.”
“About what?” She asked him worriedly.
“It’s nothing awful, I promise!” He quickly reassured her as he rubbed her arm. “At least, I hope you don’t think it is. I just…. Anthony informed me that Kate put you and I in a room together. Apparently it was either me or Hy and she didn’t want you to have to watch her for a whole week.” He explained with a chuckle. “I hope that’s not going to be too awkward.”
Sophie blushed at the idea of sharing a room with Ben for ten days. God, but he was so handsome and sweet. And she was so in love with him. “Oh well, that’s okay. We can make that work.” She told him quietly. “We can just shower and change in the bathroom and take turns.” She tried not to think about the idea of Ben coming out of the bathroom wet and shirtless.
“Okay then.” He nodded at her with a lopsided grin. “I just didn’t want you to be blindsided when we got to the resort is all.” He explained.
“Well I appreciate it.” She smiled at him.
“We’re about an hour from landing.” Anthony told the family. “Get all your stuff together and into your seats, buckled, so the pilot can descend into Orlando.” He gave Hyacinth and Gregory pointed looks.
“I reserved rental cars for us. Myself, Anthony, and Benedict offered to drive the rentals to the park from the airport. Let’s split up who’s going in what cars.” Simon told everyone.
“I’m going with Sophie & Benedict!” Hyacinth called excitedly as she handed Auggie back to Daphne who was going to change him before they landed.
“Hyacinth, you’re coming with me.” Violet told her daughter. “You, me and Gregory will ride with Anthony and Kate.” She told her youngest, she could tell Sophie was doing her best to be nice to Hyacinth. She knew that her youngest could be overwhelming.
“Aw man!” She pouted but obeyed her mother and nodded.
“El and I will ride with Ben and Sophie.” Fran told the group. “Col, why don’t you go with Daph, Simon and Auggie?” She suggested.
Colin nodded. “Fine with me, right little man?” He high fived his nephew with a grin as he leaned back in his seat.
After finally landing, they all went through customs with no issues and went to get the rentals and load up.
“Jesus, I forgot how humid it was here in Florida.” Benedict muttered as he and the girls loaded up their SUV with their bags.
“We should hit up the pool after we check in.” Eloise agreed as she tossed her cardigan in her oversized tote bag.
“Oh that sounds like fun!” Sophie seconded as she cranked up the AC all the way and Ben followed Simon and Anthony out of the parking garage and they headed through Orlando to the park.
“Room updates!” Fran called from her phone. “Ben and Sophie in one. Kate, Anthony & Colin in a two bedroom. El, you and I in another, Mum, Hyacinth and Gregory in a two bedroom. And of course Simon, Daph and Auggie in a one bedroom.”
“Yeah, Ben told me about it.” She said softly and blushed.
Fran and Eloise smirked at each other. “Well apparently our room is right next to yours.” Fran told them. “At least the four of us are sane and won’t keep each other up with insanity.”
Eloise snorted. “We’re just adults who know that sleep makes us all hotter.” She joked.
“I thought the weather did that.” Sophie quipped with a grin and pulled her hair into a bun atop her head.
“Hey, at least we all packed shorts, sundresses and tank tops.” Fran reminded them. “You won’t catch me in pants this week.” She grimaced as they made their way through the Orlando traffic.
An hour later, they were in front of their resort Animal Kingdom Lodge, unloading bags onto carts to be taken to their various rooms. While Hyacinth was gushing over all the animals.
“Hyacinth, get over here!” Anthony called with a sigh. “We need to get all our magic bands activated for our rooms and the park tickets.” He told her. They had already done online check-in, but they still needed to get directions to their rooms and such.
Twenty minutes later Benedict and Sophie were staring at what was a king bed in their room. “I-I thought this was supposed to be a double room.” Sophie stammered nervously, the idea of sharing a bed with Benedict sent her mind reeling and wishing he was with her.
“That’s what Anthony said.” Benedict told her as he pulled out his phone and called Kate.
“Hello?” Came Kate’s voice over the speaker.
“Why is our room a King bed?” Benedict growled at his sister in law, who booked the rooms, as Sophie stepped out onto the patio to look at the animals.
“Oh is it?” She asked innocently as she smirked to herself and unpacked. She knew exactly why it was. “That’s odd.”
“Cut the bullshit Kate.” Ben groaned. “What the fuck did you do. I don’t think she was too keen on sharing a room with me.”
“I love you both, but you’re both so…. Dumb sometimes.” She told him. “She’s so fucking in love with you it’s insane, the other day she couldn’t stop talking about exploring Galaxy’s Edge with you. Besides, it’s a king bed, there’s plenty of room if you two want to continue being idiots for the duration of this trip. Besides, I can’t change it anyway, the resort’s all booked.”
“Fine, I’ll just sleep on the floor.” He grumbled.
“You are NOT sleeping on the floor!” Sophie’s voice came from behind him.
“Gotta go, we’ll meet you by the pool later.” He muttered at his sister in law before he hung up. “Soph, I’m sorry, it seems Kate accidentally booked this instead and they’re all booked. So I’ll just sleep on the floor.”
“Ben.” She blew out a breath nervously. “We’re both adults, and it’s a big bed. We can share. Your back will be fucked up if you sleep on the floor, we’ll already be walking around all day for the trip.” She insisted. She may be in love with him and it would be awkward, but she’d be damned if she was the reason Ben slept on the floor for a week and a half.
“Well, if you’re sure.” He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“I’m sure.” She nodded at him as she began to unpack.
The next ten days would be interesting to say the least.