Chapter Text
There is a theory that once a person turns 19 years old, they don’t really become adults, or even the more adultier adults they should be by the time they become citizens, spouses or parents. They continue to feel like a clueless kid but with more responsibility, more commitments and more masks to make themselves appear more mature. This is true of all parents and it was true of Violet and Edmund Bridgerton. They were basically 19 year-olds but legally in their 20s still in love and with only a few brain cells to disperse between themselves and their children. Luckily, their emotional maturity was stellar. Their practical intelligence had departed once Benedict, their second son, had overwhelmed them with a crayon and icing mural on the 300 year old wall of their Kitchen at Aubrey Hall.
When the conveyor from Oxford stopped by inquiring about a famed cistern on the grounds of Aubrey Hall, their summer home, the pair seemed intrigued but a little taken aback.
“What is a cistern?” was the wrong question to ask Dr. Stirling, waterworks and plumbing enthusiast & scholar. So wrong that it took Dr. Stirling, 15 min from their front door to the cistern in question, the grueling 8 min to remove the stone slab (with Edmund’s help) placed over the cistern in the 60’s, Dr. Stirling’s 5 min journey down into the location and then about 17 min as she took multiple photos and dirt samples. For her to finally conclude that a cistern was in essence: a man made well. A hole.
“A hole?” a very pregnant Violet Bridgerton repeated. “Is it dangerous?”
Dr. Stirling smiled, “Only to the well industry!” She joked. “But I do suppose, if someone short were to hide in it, they might be difficult to find.”
Violet and Edmund exchanged alarmed glances. Violet was quick to problem solve. “We’ll need to get it filled in right away. Possibly with concrete. Even with it covered, I don't trust that the kids won't fall in at some point.”
Dr. Stirling’s face fell, “ I know I have no right to ask this, but would you consider not doing so? This is one of the few left in the country and you have no idea how few pieces of history we have that reflect water collection. Could you consider not covering it up again, or filling it with sand which can then be easily removed, should you ever decide to have it properly excavated?”
“Is sand sturdy enough?”
“Yes, quite.”
"Ed, maybe we should think about this a little longer?"
"Do you want to think about this any longer?"
"I worry more about Colin or any friends he might have falling in."
"But what example are we setting for our kids if we ignore someone who is clearly passionate about what they do?"
Dr. Stirling did them the service of turning away to give them some privacy. Violet rubbed her belly thoughtfully "Anthony and Benny have hardly had any issues on the grounds and lord knows there was plenty for them to get hurt with here when we first took over. And with two older brothers looking out for him . Besides sand will be fin-Oh,” her hand going to her bump and her eyes going wide.
“Is it your water? I’ll go get the car!”
“ No!" Violet chuckled, "it’s just a kick! Or maybe…it could be that Colin has finally dropped? I would say he’s coming soon." She beamed and started humming an obscure folk song she had been forced to play on piano as a teenager but had not listened to for years. Violet singing was enough to melt Edmund emotionally and intellectually. It had been a delight to see her bring this new side of herself out during this pregnancy and it had made him a little more light hearted and jocular as well. He started to coo and then sing into her belly. They had also gotten into a habit of doing a little dance whenever Colin did a particular kick or rhythm. Despite being well into adulthood (pronounced with a long "A"), Edmund and Violet were still sickeningly in love.
Dr. Stirling was uncomfortable. Though she found it touching that these two sang together even if they were nonsense words, something about ketchup and toast? She would have been happy to leave them alone and gather more dirt samples but she bumped into the side of the cistern releasing a cloud of dust, and an ill-timed cough. A cough that would later be credited with Violet awakening from the musical interlude and finally noticing the difference in how the baby was sitting on her bladder.
"Why don’t you finish with the Doctor and I will head back to the house?” Violet relayed as she started waddling across the long expanse of Aubrey Hall’s Grounds.
Dr. Stirling beamed. She was rarely properly addressed as a doctor. She liked this woman. Lord Bridgerton interrupted her thoughts “Dr. Stirling, would it be alright if I gave you the number to my groundskeeper? I will let him know that you have full reign to make any decisions in how to get this taken care of. That being said, we would like the well covered somehow- I’m sorry I think this might be it! She’s walking the same as she did with Benedict. Thank you and have a good night!” Over the years the couple would remember that they had this hole somewhere around the property and would say something like "Maybe we really should fill it?" but then get distracted by something else or would be busy recounting the charming and quirky Dr to their children.
As Edmund departed the scene hurriedly with only one brain cell focusing on the potential arrival of Colin, Dr. Stirling called after him with her thanks not bothering to correct him. Whether he had learned it was a well or a cistern, it had been a magically adventurous day for her.