Work Text:
ONE
"I feel awfully old right now", Penelope sighed dramatically, looking across the table from one of the most expensive bistros in London right at the radiant face of Daphne Bridgerton, soon to be Basset. "Are you even legally allowed to get married? Seeing that we're still both teens and all of that", she joked, earning an eye roll from the brunette.
"I'm afraid to break it to you, Miss Featherington, but our twenties have arrived, whether you want it or not. Gone were the days we’ve spent in the backyard of the Bridgerton house playing pretend weddings or planning the details of my hypothetical nuptials", Daphne said, stopping for a moment in thought, as if picturing the entire scene right in front of her.
"Your siblings used to come up with the most absurd excuses to dodge ending up like a groomsman, the groom, a bridesmaid or, even worse, one of the flower girls", the redhead reminisced, laughing at the memory of Anthony with a tiara and a bow. Sipping her wine, she added: "Eloise would run inside screaming to your mom that you were stealing me to use as a doll".
"Well, to be entirely honest, I was a tad insistent, even if you never seemed to mind. And neither did Colin, God bless him. You both were always ready to act whatever way I asked", the bride-to-be pointed out, taking another sip at her mimosa before flipping yet another page of a brochure which looked at least ten years old.
"How come I'm not even remotely surprised you’ve kept the ‘Big day’ book for all this time? And not only that, but also updated it with new ideas and goals", Penelope smirked, before continuing. "You really are Violet's daughter, you know that? Always the organized one".
"Well, let's thank the Lord for its mysterious ways. Can you imagine how hard it would be for me to adapt to my imminent role as Duchess without mom's previous lessons?", Daphne answered, and they both laughed wholeheartedly. It'd been almost two entire months since Simon, her fiancé, had closed a restaurant even fancier than the one they were currently having brunch at, dropped to one knee and popped the question the Bridgerton girl had waited her entire life for. Since then, both women had not had the opportunity to talk face to face. There was a lot to discuss.
"Ok, your Grace, enough with small talk", the Featherington woman straightened up, leaning slightly so that she could visualize the book on the other side of the table. "Assuming you're already crazy ahead of schedule, what's left?"
"You know me too well, Penelope", Daphne retorted, smiling fondly at her friend. "The wedding planner, place, decoration, catering and music are all taken care of. Not all of them came from the book, as you can imagine, but I'm pretty excited with the stuff that did. I'm still struggling with the guest list, though, given not only the extent of my family, but that my future husband knows pretty much the entire population of England. Oh, and the most important thing, the bridesmaids' presents!", the brunette exclaimed excitedly, reaching for a simple wooden box the redhead had noticed earlier, but forgotten to ask about as the conversation progressed. "Take a look".
The box itself was anything but simple, Penelope noticed upon further inspection. Engraved on its top were the initials from both the bride and the groom, as well as the Basset family crest, all in what seemed to be gold. Inside, she saw this beautiful candle, a bottle of sparkling wine, and one pink satin robe that, knowing Daphne, was personalized with each woman’s name. But what really caught Penelope's attention was the most remarkable pair of emerald earrings the woman had ever seen, covered in small golden details. It was perfect.
"Daphne, it's just ... so beautiful. The whole package, I mean. Delicate and sophisticated, just like you. But the emeralds, oh my god. Should I even be holding this thing? This box needs its own insurance!", she jested, still unable to tear her eyes away from the jewel.
"I know, I know, it's a bit much, but it felt right to gift those women who mean so much to me and to Simon with something special. Each box has its own jewelry, picked based on my bridesmaids' preferences”, Daphne explained, before checking "Do you really like it?”
"Come on, Daph, how could I not? You know I'm more than partial to emeralds", the redhead managed to quip, finally turning back to her friend, who was staring straight at her.
"Yes, I do", the bride-to-be said, smiling brightly at the girl as realization finally dawned on her. They stayed silent for a few seconds, just taking the moment in.
"Are you serious?", Penelope eventually managed to say, looking between the box and the Bridgerton with teary eyes. It was her first time being chosen to be a bridesmaid to a real wedding, after all. After a beat, the brunette reached for her hands, holding tight.
"For years now you've dreamed this dream with me, Pen. It's only fair you live it with me as well, right?", Daphne spoke, meaning every word of it. "If you only knew the amount of times I've delayed giving those boxes to the other bridesmaids because we couldn't make any date work", she confessed, laughing through her own tears.
"I'm kind of really glad you did", the girl retorted, giggling.
"Oh, and before I forget! I'm keeping the OGs together. Colin's already been notified and is more than happy to relive our golden era as your assigned groomsman", the brunette informed knowingly, watching as Penelope’s face lit up at the news.
This day couldn't get any better, the Featherington woman thought, before raising her glass and proposing a toast.
TWO
“Penelope, wait!”, came the voice of the eldest Bridgerton brother, just as she was making her way out of his family home after their usual Sunday brunch. Startled, the redhead stilled.
“Anthony, hey. Is something wrong?”, she turned around, finally taking a proper look at him. The man glowed. It was remarkable, really, the good Kate had done him, she thought.
They’d known each other for years at that point, since she moved across the street and became his younger sister’s best friend, and, over time, she’d started considering him as an older brother for everything that matters, and he considered her as a younger sister. Yet, it wasn’t until recently they’d finally felt comfortable acting like it, which, truthfully, was still very much a work in progress. Before that, Penelope was too afraid to talk to him, and Anthony too wrapped up in his own mind to prioritize anything other than the family’s practical needs.
“Hmm, no, nothing to worry about. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute, if that is alright”, he answered, shifting nervously from one leg to the other. That was new.
“Sure… what’s up?”, the Featherington woman asked, curiosity spiked.
“So, you’re aware of my engagement with Kate, right?”, the man started, and she whispered a simple “yes”, motioning for him to go on. “I’ve been planning on proposing for a while, and the last visit to Aubrey Hall felt like the perfect moment to do so, not only because of the importance of the place to our story, mine and Kate’s, I mean, but also due to the presence of our loved ones”, he rambled, and Penelope tried to follow his line of thought, but failed to see where that conversation was going.
“It was truly memorable, Anthony. Even Eloise teared up, not that she will ever admit to it. I was there, I don’t know if you remember …”, she pointed, watching as her friend nodded enthusiastically.
“Exactly! And, well, just like that day, both Kate and I want our wedding to be surrounded by the people who matter the most to us. Nothing big like Daphne’s, but significant, you know? And that leads me to you”, he spoke, watching as her expression turned into one of surprise.
“Me?”, she questioned, puzzled.
“Of course, you. What I mean to say is … you’re important, Penelope. To me. And obviously, to the rest of the family, don’t get me wrong, but I’m the one getting married, and therefore I guess what I’m trying to say is …”, he rushed the words out, before being interrupted by none other than the bride-to-be.
“If this is how you’re planning on inviting every bridesmaid and groomsmen from your side, I may have to make an intervention, Anthony”, Kate jested, smirking at her fiancé.
“I was getting there, ok? It’s harder than it looks!”, the man raised his hands defensively, slightly outraged by his bride's amusement.
“Wait”, Penelope said, glancing between both of them who, in turn, turned to her. “You guys want me to be your bridesmaid?”, she smiled, finally making sense of Anthony’s uncharacteristic shyness.
“Oh come on, was it that hard to understand?”, the man groaned.
“Yeah”, both women retorted simultaneously, sharing a glance and giggling.
“Argh, let me try this again”, the Bridgerton said, turning completely towards his friend. “When we first met each other, right after my father’s passing, I was profoundly grateful that Eloise had a friend to turn to, someone who would listen and stand by her side. Gradually, however, it wasn’t only Eloise’s life your friendship had changed. You’ve found your place in this family so effortlessly it’s like you were born into it. And I speak for everyone of us, but mostly for myself, when I say I wouldn’t have it any other way”, he smiled, taking a step closer before continuing.
“For all of that, I’d really like it if you agreed to be one of our bridesmaids, Miss Featherington”, he finished, glancing at Kate for approval.
“That’s slightly better” she spoke, trying to sound nonchalant, even if her teary eyes betrayed her. “Just to complement, I echo every single word he said, Pen. For me, you’re as much a part of the family I’m entering as Anthony’s siblings. Thank heavens you were here when I first met these bunkers, otherwise I wouldn’t really know what to do”, the brunette confessed, giving the new bridesmaid a big hug, quickly reciprocated.
“You’d have managed just fine, Kate. You fit quite smoothly in this hospice, after all”, Penelope quipped, earning a tap in the back from the bride-to-be, while the groom nodded with vigor in agreement. “I’m more than happy to accept the invitation, of course!”, she added wholeheartedly, turning to Anthony for a small hug of their own.
“Excellent! In that case, let me know which groomsman you’d like to walk down the aisle with. Both Benedict and Colin are available, for starters. There’s also some of my Indian cousins, if you’re feeling like meeting some new people”, the Sharma woman said, coming to stand beside her fiancé.
“Hmm … Colin is alright, I guess”, the redhead spoke, suppressing her usual greediness at the prospect of yet another celebration by his side. “No Gregory?”, she asked.
“Oh, not this time. We’ve got some plans for him”, Anthony answered, mischief in his eyes. “One that includes suspenders and one or two flower arrangements”, he concluded, hiding a grin. They were all impossible, Penelope thought to herself. And she loved every bit of it.
“I’m suddenly very glad to be in the front row for these nuptials”, the Featherington girl beamed.
THREE
“Cheers!”
“To the newly engaged!”
“Congratulations!”
The spring had finally arrived when, after months of the actual proposal, Benedict managed to fly his family from London to New York in an attempt to celebrate his engagement in style. Well, almost all of it, anyways. Busy with some of the Bridgerton foundation business, Violet had not been able to make it, and offered to look after both Anthony’s and Daphne’s children, which they promptly accepted.
That’s why, as Penelope took a look around the penthouse they were currently at, Benedict’s brand new apartment, filled with laughter, chattery and a tad more alcohol than was strictly necessary, she could count all eight siblings and their respective significant others, a small feat to achieve those days.
Just then, the groom’s voice broke through everyone’s conversations yet again, as it had happened a few times before that same evening.
“Alright, people, time for a new pair!” he yelled, bringing attention to both him and his bride-to-be, Sophie Baek, who were standing together by one of the sofas they were all gathered around.
“To those of you who had recently arrived at the party, we’ve decided to do our own spin on the bridesmaids and groomsmen invitations, and are instead doing them as revelations. From hour to hour we give the clues for a new couple, and everyone has to guess who it is!" Sophie, ever the patient one, explained once more the dynamics of their little game.
“So far, we have Anthony and Kate, Daphne and Simon and Posy and Daniel”, Benedict reminded, glancing affectionately at each of them as he spoke.
“Everyone that matters, basically”, Anthony replied, earning boos from the brothers and sisters that had yet to get called.
“He’s just respecting the eldest, grandpa”, Eloise replied, scoffing.
“How considerate of you, Benedict”, Hyacinth, seated by her sister’s side, complemented, smirking.
“I’ll show you the …” Daphne started, only to be interrupted by her sister-in -law, Kate.
“Hey, enough with the bickering”, she intervened, receiving a grateful look from Sophie. Benedict, who was enjoying the chaos, pouted, but decided to move on.
“Ok, guys, let’s focus. Our next bridesmaid is … a woman”, he began and, just like every other time, watched as the audience’s eyes rolled, and a few pillows were thrown in his direction. “She has two eyes, one nose, one mouth, pretty standard, in case you’re curious…”.
“Why are you marrying him again?”, Colin, who Penelope hadn’t noticed was standing right behind her by the sofa, turned to Sophie, exasperated.
“… and has one of the most extraordinary brains I’ve ever had the experience of getting to know”, he continued, dodging some more pillows.
“Come on, brother, you can do better than that. You’ve just described pretty much every woman in this room”, Anthony interjected, annoyed, being promptly ignored by his younger sibling.
“But what is really remarkable about this woman, this incredible woman, in my humble opinion, is her heart. The way she not only believes in love, but gives it away as easily as breathing, in the form of gestures or words, not only to the ones she cares about, but also to the people whose lives her work reaches. I still cannot grasp how such a tiny person has so much affection to share, to be honest”, the Bridgerton confessed, and watched as all his siblings raided from various chairs, a single name falling from their lips.
“And don’t even get me started on her figure!” his voice rose above all others’, as if eager to reach someone in particular, and the man chanced a glance at the sudden scowl on Colin’s face. Could his brother be any more oblivious? “Botticelli’s Venus stood no chance against her beauty, and I should know, since I’ve already painted it multiple times”, the man finished, finally locking eyes with the redhead from across the room. His siblings got it right, after all.
Penelope, for her part, was already up and slowly making her way towards the groom and bride-to-be, cheeks red and teary eyes not enough to outshine a grin on her face.
“I should be used to it by now, I know”, she managed to quip, looking around as the Bridgerton siblings patted her in the back while she passed. “But every new wedding has me tearing up like a baby all over the place”, the girl chucked.
“Penelope”, Sophie opened her arms when the Featherington reached their side. “I’ve known you as my favorite writer, and fortunately now I know you as a friend. I’m so happy your agent let you off the hook from the book tour for a few days to come here and celebrate with us!”, she exclaimed, hugging her.
“I’d like the credits for not only finding myself a fiancée, but also yourself a groupie, Pen”, Benedict said, laughing at his own joke. “Sometimes I’m convinced the only reason she gave me the time of day was because I mentioned I knew you”.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic. Two things can be true at the same time. You were gorgeous and also friends with her”, Sophie answered, beaming, before looking at the rest of their guests “Well, now to the next groomsman …” she began, only to be interrupted by a collective guess.
“Colin!”
“Oh, come on, don’t you guys know how to wait? What if we’d chosen another person?”, the bride-to-be exclaimed, amused.
“And jinx the tradition? Never”, Colin, who had already made his way to their side of the room as well, answered, turning his attention to the redhead for a moment. “Unless you want to walk with someone else …?”, he questioned, an usual uncertainty in his beautiful face.
“And jinx the tradition? Never”, Penelope repeated his words, locking gazes with him. They stayed like that for a few seconds, oblivious to the world outside, only being brought back by Benedict’s voice yelling:
“Now, who wants some more tequila?”
FOUR
“Tell me again what happened?” Penelope asked, trying very hard to suppress the flood of giggles threatening to erupt from her at the sight on her phone.
“You’re enjoying this way too much, Featherington”, Phillip complained, throwing yet another blanket around his shoulders before retrieving the hot tea he was sipping. “How could I’ve predicted getting down on my knee in the middle of the snow would lead my children to believe it was time for a snow fight instead of a proposal?”, he asked, indignantly.
“Have you met your children, Crane? And Eloise, for that matter?”, the redhead retorted, and watched as the man slumped even further into the sofa, coughing. “Where are they, by the way?”
“Showering”, he answered. “And you do have a point, unfortunately. I just wanted it to be perfect, you know? We’ve waited so much for this trip to Scotland”, the man whined, looking defeated. “Now there’s no more time to do anything, given that we’re leaving tomorrow”.
“Phillip”, Penelope said, any trace of humor dropping from her voice. “Eloise doesn’t need big declarations or remarkable proposals. I know it may sound like it, due to her family’s history, but for El real gestures, purposeful ones, counts way more than any flourish you could try to pull off”, she stopped momentarily as the sound of a door shutting interrupted them.
“Sorry, my sister has just arrived”, she explained, before continuing in whispers “Just ask her, Phill. There’s no perfect moment, just the ones we choose to be perfect”.
“You really think so?”, he questioned, sounding anxious.
“Yes, I do”, the girl reassured him, just as her best friend's voice reached them from what she assumed was the bathroom, calling for her boyfriend.
“Thank you for the advice, Pen. And for keeping it a secret!”, he spoke in a rushed tone. Silently, she wished him good luck, they both waved their goodbyes, and the call ended.
“Sister, hum?”, came the voice of another Bridgerton sibling, crossing the living room of her place with two muggles and a conspiratorial smile. “Last week I was a work friend”, Colin joked, before enveloping his own girlfriend in his arms, and dropping a kiss to her lips.
Penelope really did know how to keep a secret, the woman thought to herself, smiling sheepishly.
…
“I’m engaged!”, Eloise yelled through the phone a couple of hours later, her hand being the only visible thing on her side of the video call.
“Oh my god, El, that’s amazing!” Penelope matched her tone, acting the surprise, but not the joy of witnessing her soul sister’s excitement. “Congratulations! How did he do it?”
“During dinner with the kids. Phillip asked each of them to give me those beautiful flowers, and then he gave me one bouquet himself, along with this gorgeous”, the brunette said, using the opportunity to show her sapphire ring one more time. “It was so beautiful, Pen, just the four of us, like it’s been these last two years. I wouldn’t have it any other way”, she added, smiling so bright it could blind someone.
“Sounds perfect”, the redhead spoke, secretly congratulating herself for the advice she gave the broom earlier, just as another voice - one she knew pretty well - reached them.
“You’re engaged!?”, Colin’s happiness could be felt even through his own call with Phillip, and that made Penelope smile even wider. It was good to not keep this secret anymore. “Good luck, mate”, he continued, which caused Eloise to promptly interfere.
“Hey, rude!”, the brunette exclaimed, walking to what seemed to be their temporary bedroom. “Colin? The person you said you needed to tell about our engagement was my brother?”, she asked, clearly surprised.
“You called Penelope! Before even your mother, may I add”, the botanist counterpointed, managing his camera so both Penelope and Colin could try to see each other, which didn’t work very well.
“I called Pen first because not only is she my best friend, but also my maid-of-honor and the one who’s about to plan this entire wedding, since I don’t have the knowledge nor the patience to do so”, the bride-to-be justified, in her customary stubborn Bridgerton self.
“And I called Colin for the exact same reason, darling. Or did you really expect me to have someone else as my best man?”, he answered, looking at his fiancée in a loving manner.
“A girl can dream”, she jested, earning a glare and a bad face from her own brother, returned in kind.
“Ok, children, time to return to our individual calls. Congratulations, Phill. See you, Col!”, Penelope spoke, cutting the siblings’ bickering before it got out of control.
“Thank you, Pen” and “Bye, Pen” were the last words she heard before her best friend had hastily gone to the living room, mumbling incoherent sentences that were probably directed at the Bridgerton man. As soon as they reached the kitchen, however, the redhead was back to the subject they’d just been talking about.
“Are you sure you want me to do it, El? The wedding planning, I mean. I totally understand if you’d prefer Daphne or Kate or even Sophie”, she asked, unsure, and watched her friend stopping in her tracks and staring her down, even if over a phone call.
More than anyone, Eloise had always had a front row to Penelope’s insecurities over her figure, her intelligence, her presence and her abilities. She also was the first one to call her out on them, helping the girl become more sure of herself.
“None of them know me like you do, Pen”, the brunette replied, in an unusual smoothing tone. “I may have found myself a fiancé just now, but I found my soulmate a long time ago, and she’s the only one I trust with my wedding”, she confessed, reaching for the screen automatically as if trying to grab the woman on the other side.
“Just … keep it simple, ok?”, she pleaded, and the Featherington woman nodded.
“I’ll do my best. I won’t even ask for Daphne’s ‘Big day’ book”, she joked, watching as Eloise’s eyes grew in comical horror. It was kid’s play, really, to make her mad.
After a few more minutes, some gossip and a lot of “miss you”, the girls had finally hung up, and so had the boys, apparently, as Colin made his way from her own kitchen - where he’d been hiding - to her bedroom, lifting the covers and making himself comfortable by her side.
“Can you believe they’re getting married?”, he questioned, amazed.
“I know, right? I’m so happy for them”, she said, dropping one of her arms around his stomach and her head on his chest. They stayed like that for a while before the Bridgerton spoke again.
“Would you want something big? For your proposal, I mean”, he whispered shyly, and the redhead could feel his heart racing out of control. He was nervous.
“I don’t really have a preference, honestly. I do fancy a specific fiancée, though”, the girl answered, slowly looking up to meet his gaze. When she did, two beautiful blue eyes were staring back at her, an expression she had not long ago seen in her own friend Phillip while talking to his fiancée: love.
“Good to know, Featherington”, he said simply, holding her tighter before continuing. “I think it’s time to tell everyone, Pen”. And she agreed, of course. No more secrets for the time being.
“Let’s just wait for Eloise’s news to die down, shall we?”, she proposed, holding her hand for him to shake.
“You’ve got yourself a deal, love”, he conceded, choosing to kiss it instead.
FIVE
“So, how’s Scotland treating my favorite sister?”, Colin asked, finally taking his eyes away from Michaela’s property to glance at Francesca. He had good memories of the place, not only with the Stirling woman, his closest friend besides Phillip, but also with John, her late cousin, with whom he’d shared a dorm during uni.
“Pretty good, to be honest. I’ve always wondered if the joy I used to feel whenever we traveled here on holidays was temporary, just like our stay. It’s not, though”, the brunette answered, taking the opportunity to lead them from the living room to the gardens.
“Peace and quiet suits you, Frannie”, Penelope, who’d been by her husband’s side the entire walk, commented, glancing at the Bridgerton woman, who agreed, but seemed reluctant about something. They made the rest of the way in silence, sitting around a beautiful marble table where tea was being served, before someone spoke again.
“We’re thinking about marrying here”, Francesca finally spoke, and watched her guests closely, as if anticipating some kind of judgment. “Nothing really big, just family, the ceremony and perhaps lunch or dinner”, she complemented, when none came.
“That sounds amazing, Frannie! I’ve always told Mika it’s a shame to have a place this gorgeous and not use it at every given opportunity”, Colin exclaimed, clearly excited by the prospect of coming back to the castle in the near future.
“You don’t sound sure, though. Is something the matter?”, the redhead, sensing her sister-in-law’s apprehension, inquired, turning to face her completely. Once again, there was silence, one both Colin and Penelope had come not only to expect at times, but also respect, when it came to the third Bridgerton daughter.
A couple of seconds later, the answer came in a rushed whisper.
“I keep worrying myself that mom will never let it pass if I don’t have a party to celebrate my nuptials like the rest of you”, the brunette confessed, sounding troubled. “Does that make sense?”
“It’s your wedding, sister. You get to decide how you’re gonna do it. You and Mika, actually, no one else”, Colin said matter-of-factly, letting go of one of his wife’s hands momentarily to reach his sibling’s, just as a new presence made itself known.
“Ditto”, Michaela agreed, taking in the scene in front of her: her best friend in the middle, holding Penelope and Francesca at the same time, in order to keep close to the first while also comforting the latter. “You’re adorable, seriously”, she addressed him.
“It’s the newlyweds bliss, Mika”, Colin justified, leaning into the redhead like a magnet, a lovesick smile on his face.
“Like he wasn’t exactly the same before they were even dating”, his sister pointed, and they all laughed, aware of the truthfulness behind her words.
“You’ve found yourself a golden retriever, Mrs. Bridgerton. You go, he follows”, the Stirling woman joked, watching as Colin simply shrugged, taking another biscuit from the jar and devouring it.
“So, speaking of incoming nuptials”, Francesca suddenly cut through the conversation, turning to her sister-in-law in the process. “I’ll go straight to the point. We’d really like for you to be our bridesmaid, Penelope”, she added, chancing a glance at her fiancée, who was doing the same. They exchanged smiles, before returning their attention to the petit woman sitting in one of the chairs.
“Absolutely, ladies. I’d love to”, she beamed, standing up to hug each of them. “Just tell me the date and if you need anything, and I’ll be there”, she continued, taking back her seat.
“It’s not even a surprise at this point, right? You’re become quite a pro at it, after all those Bridgerton nuptials”, Michaela jested, adding. “I myself have seen you in an aisle more than once, and I met the entire family a couple of years ago”.
“It’s a pleasure, really. I love weddings! I used to wait eagerly for them just for the chance of walking hand in hand by his side”, she affirmed shyly, locking eyes with Colin.
“Hmm, about that …”, Michaela said in what could only be nervousness, causing the couple to turn to her, confused expressions on their faces.
“Am I not invited to be a groomsman?”, the Bridgerton questioned, a little hurt. That was his sister and his best friend’ wedding, after all.
“Sure you are, Col. It’s just that my invitation for you is a little more specific”, the Stirling woman began, standing up once again and crossing the table to her best friend. “I’d really love it if you'd agreed to be my maid of honor, Mr. Bridgerton”, she finished.
“Me?”, Colin smiled, dumbfounded, looking between the brides-to-be.
“Who else? After all, we wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you”, Michaela said honestly, watching the man slowly get up and envelop her in his arms.
“I don’t understand, though. If Colin’s also in the wedding, why wouldn’t we walk together down the aisle?”, Penelope, always the observant one, tried to make sense of the nuptials’ logistics.
“That’s my second request, actually”, Michaela continued, just as she and Colin parted, and looked him straight in the eyes through her own radiant ones.
“I’ve never had a big family like the lot of you, let alone one I truly felt connected to. For most of my life, it was only me and John, who left us all way too soon”, the woman stopped, gathering the strength to keep going. “But then I met you, and then Phillip, and that feeling of loneliness wasn’t that crushing anymore. And after a while you introduced me to your family, and I found the woman I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with. You gave me so much, Col, without even realizing you were doing so. So I would like to ask if you were willing to give me one more thing”, she paused again, teary eyes and a full heart. “Could you walk me down the aisle?”
Time seemed to freeze for a moment after that speech, and it was hard to pick apart Michaela’s cries from Penelope’s or Francesca’s. Not from Colin’s, however.
“I think he’s about to curl in the floor and weep”, the Bridgerton sister whispered eventually, hiccuping discreetly.
“Should I record it?”, Penelope retorted, whipping her own face in a frantic manner.
“Oh, you guys, leave me be. I’m walking my best friend down the aisle!”, he screamed, lifting said friend up in the air.
SIX
“Who the hell is calling at this ungodly hour, for Christ’s sake?”, Colin complained, whining as his wife disentangled herself from him in order to reach the phone on the hotel bedside table. “Turn it down”.
“It’s Hyacinth, Col. What if it’s important?”, the redhead asked, yawning, and watched as the call went straight to voicemail while she handed the phone over.
“At this hour? I’ve got Hya out of enough trouble to know that’s not the case. If it was, she would call at least two or three times more”, the Bridgerton counterpointed, just as another call lighted up the scream, startling the couple. Their worries won, in the end.
“Argh, let me check”, he said, flipping the phone and taking the call. “What?!”
“Hello, is this Colin Bridgerton?”, came an unknown voice, which had the brunette instantly rise from the bed.
“That’s him. Who are you and why do you have my sisters’ mobile?”, he inquired, now fully awake.
“Mr. Bridgerton, your presence is required at the casino’s entrance as soon as possible. Bring your wife with you”, the anonymous requested, hanging up shortly after.
“Babe, what is it?”, Penelope questioned, turning on the bedroom’s light. She looked delectable, really, covered in nothing but sheets. Hyacinth better be dying, he thought.
“Put up some clothes, love. We need to go check what madness is my sister up to this time”.
…
The walk to the casino was a quick, albeit troubled one. Once Colin first explained the call he received to his wife, they both made fast work of their clothes, leaving the bedroom and walking the now familiar corridors, confusion plastered on their faces.
The entire family had been in Vegas for the last seven days, due to Benedict’s birthday celebration. Earlier that night, they’d all had a lovely dinner, went to one of Cirque du Soleil’s shows, and decided to call it a night. They’d partied enough, the eldest siblings said. The youngest didn’t agree, it seemed.
“Excuse me, sir. I was summoned here by someone regarding my sister, Hyacinth …”, Colin started, but was interrupted by a loud voice addressing him.
“Col, you came! Hya knew you would. Come, we’re going to be late”, Gareth St. Clair, his sister’s fiancée, yelled, already turning his back and entering the casino at a rather giddy pace. Staring at one another, the couple followed, trying to make sense of the situation.
“Where is Hyacinth, Gareth? Is something wrong?”, Penelope, now completely alert, inquired, trotting to keep up with the men’s - much taller than her - steps.
“And why are you wearing a morning coat?”, the Bridgerton brother complemented, furrowing his brows.
“Is it too much? It was the only thing I could find on such short notice”, Gareth replied, staring ahead. “And she’s fine, at least I think she is. I can’t really see her, you know?”
“No, we don’t”, Colin mumbled, but stopped in his tracks when the group reached their destination.
“St. Clair… why are we in a chapel?”, he asked, opening an equal parts surprised and amused grim, just as a contagious laugh was heard on the other side of a lateral door.
“Gareth, is that you? Get inside! You can’t see me in this dress!”, Hyacinth shouted, adding. “And tell Pen to stay put. I need my maid of honor”. At that, both Penelope and Colin turned to the man in front of them, who shrugged sheepishly in response.
“Well, isn’t it obvious? We’re getting married!”
…
“You do realize Violet is going to kill you, right? Not to mention Anthony. The man wasn’t half as excited for his own nuptials, Hya”, Penelope pointed, helping the bride with some last minute hair and makeup touches. The dress, it seemed, was given by some regular at the casino who had also gotten married there, as well as in some others in the city.
“Why do you think I called Colin? I’m in love, Pen, not dumb”, Hyacinth chuckled, checking herself in the mirror. “He’s my ride or die”.
“What about me?”, the redhead prompted, deciding against lending the girl the red lipstick like she’d asked, and instead applying it herself.
“You’re a no brainer, Penelope. Apart from my family, there’s never been anyone I’ve looked up to more. We share not only some deranged brain cells, but also the same passion for good stories, and you have never treated me like a child or stopped me from being my usually crazy self. Jeez, I’m getting emotional”, the brunette joked, facing the lamp to stop any tears that may threaten to fall and screw up her mascara. “Besides, you’re obliged by marriage to humor me, and are also practically attached to my brother by the hip, which is why I knew you’d come with him no matter what”, she finished, rolling her eyes in a dramatic way.
“I don’t remember ever signing that kind of agreement, darling”, the petit woman retorted, dropping her head back in laughter.
“It was in the fine print”, Hyacinth justified, smirking in her usual devilish manner. They laughed some more before someone spoke again.
“And are you sure about this? I mean, you’re already engaged and all of that, but about the ceremony. You know I need to check”, Penelope said, smiling fondly at the girl.
“I love him, Pen. And I don’t really have a problem saying that in as many churches as I can, in front of anyone who wants to hear it. We can have an additional ceremony at home, as well as the party, but tonight? I feel like saying it loud and clear”, the brunette answered, excited.
“Well, in that case, shall we? Before the groom thinks you bailed on him”, Penelope asked, offering her hand for the bride to take. That’s a first, she considered, feeling the responsibility of giving away her sister in marriage.
“We shall, sister”, Hyacinth answered, accepting the hand, and they both walked down the aisle.
SEVEN
“Well, isn’t this oddly familiar?”, Colin, who’d been lurking for the last couple of minutes, yelled playfully, watching as Gregory jumped and turned around, startled by his sudden appearance.
“Jesus, Colin, you scared me to death. I thought they were already here”, the youngest Bridgerton brother complained, descending the ladder he was currently at.
“Don’t worry, Greg. The ladies promised to warn us both, so we’ll have time”, the oldest one said in a soothing manner, depositing a beautiful bouquet of delphinia in a lonely chair nearby.
“Here are the flowers you asked me to bring”, he pointed out, gazing up at the tree right in front of them, which led up straight to his sister-in-law’s bedroom. Familiar indeed.
“Can you believe it’s been three years since you finally got your head out of your ass and gathered the courage to tell Lucy how you felt?”, Colin asked, grinning at the memory.
“Best day of my life that far. And then every single one which followed”, Gregory confessed, adorning the signature Bridgerton lovesick look.
“Thank god the girl didn’t see the effort it took to get you up that window”, the older brother jested, chuckling. “She might have changed her mind about dating you”.
“It’s a lot harder than it looks!”, the youngest argued, indignantly. “The wood is slippery and the branches are too weak to hold onto”.
“Oh, come off it. It’s not even that big, Greg”, Colin exclaimed, amused, but watched alarmed as the other man’s expression turned into a devious one. That could not be good.
“Why don’t you give it a try?”, his brother proposed, and even before Gregory added the next words, they both knew Colin would take the bait. After all, it was not in the Bridgerton DNA to back off from a challenge.
“I dare you”.
And that’s how, fifteen minutes later, Penelope found her husband midway through Lucy’s backyard tree, holding on for dear life, with his brother’s cackle as a soundtrack.
“Should I ask?”, she questioned, exasperated, but not particularly surprised.
“Probably not. Get down, Romeo”, Gregory mocked, suddenly remembering why they were in that garden in the first place. “Is she on her way?”, he turned to Penelope, worry written all over his face.
“As of two minutes ago, yes”, the redhead answered, checking her clock while also searching for something in her purse. “I left dinner early to give you a heads up and also… this”, she added, handling him a little velvet box. The brunette took the item, carefully depositing it in his coat’s pocket.
“Did you open it?”, he prompted, looking between the woman and his brother, only to realize Colin was still struggling to jump off the tree. Taking pity on him, he walked over and offered his hand, and the man reached the floor.
“Against Kate’s strict orders not to? No, I didn’t”, Penelope said, pouting. “I fear for my life, Bridgerton”, she added, patting her husband on the back, before taking the hand he was offering.
“She really got the whole ‘motherly glare’ nailed over the years, right?” Gregory smiled wide, like he often did when talking about Anthony’s wife, one of the closest people to him.
“You couldn’t have picked a better best man, Greg”, the redhead stated, not a shadow of doubt about the soon to be groom’s choice. “Even if she pretends not to know about it yet”, she finished, grinning at the surprised expression on the boy’s face.
“You’ll invite Kate as best man? That’s amazing, brother!”, Colin exclaimed, finally composing enough breath to rejoin the conversation.
“That’s the plan”, the youngest confessed happily. “And your invitations are coming as well, of course. After all, I wouldn’t want to be the one to prevent you from attending every Bridgerton wedding as a bridesmaid, Pen”, he continued, turning to his sister-in-law for a hug.
“Awn, that’s really sweet, Greg. I’m kind of proud of it, you know? Watching everyone’s love stories from the get-go to the altar”, the woman confessed, blushing.
“Including your rather delayed own, thanks to Col”, Gregory complemented, facing his brother and feigning indifference. “You can come too as a groomsman, I guess”.
“Next time you need help climbing a tree, you better ask Benedict”, Colin groaned, letting himself also be pulled for a warm embrace. “I’m proud of you, kiddo”, he stated, tearing up.
“So, are you all set?”, Penelope inquired excitedly once the siblings parted.
“Yeah, I think so. Flowers are here, and so is the ring. I’ve also repeatedly warned Richard about my plans to propose, so he won’t think someone is invading the house. Would you guys mind turning the lights on when it’s time? And also retrieving this chair and the ladder after I climb the tree”, Gregory blurted anxiously, and the couple nodded.
Just then, Penelope’s screen lit up with a couple of messages from Kate.
“It’s time!”, she beamed, putting away her phone and coming to stand by the ladder to steady it.
“I’ll light the tree up”, Colin warned, already on his way to the outlet. “You’ve got this!”, he added, disappearing momentarily.
When they were left alone, the redhead took the opportunity to properly take in her brother-in-law’s appearance, from his tidily neat hair to his polished shoes, which continually tapped on the floor due to the anxiety of the man wearing them.
“By the time your brother proposed to me, we’d been dating for years, had talked about marriage numerous times, and were quite literally moving in together”, she started, leaving her place to reach Gregory’s hands and squeeze them in an encouraging manner. “And yet, the ring box almost fell from his pocket, so nervous that he was to reach it”, the woman continued, and they both laughed, easing some of the tension of the moment. “It’s ok to be scared. It only means it’s worth it. And Lucy Abernathy is definitely worth it”.
“Thank you, Pen”, the boy whispered gratefully, composing himself before reaching for the ladder. “Wish me luck?”, he added, turning one more time to gaze at his friend.
“You don’t need it, Greg. See you inside”, she said, just as the lights around the tree were turned on, illuminating the beautiful night around them. “Up you go!”.
…
“I think I’ll miss it”, her husband’s voice reached her a couple of minutes later, after he successfully stored everything Gregory had asked them to, and Penelope waited for his lips to find hers as they often did. “All those weddings, walking side by side with you, reminiscing our own. Is it weird?”.
“I don’t think so. In any case, Agatha will be old enough in no time, I’m sure she’ll make the most beautiful…”, Penelope jested, watching as Colin’s face contorted in indignation.
“Do not even think about it!”, he spoke, horrified, and his wife laughed in amusement. “I’m already searching for convents in the area”.
“I’m sure Anthony can help with that. Although, I strongly suggest you book a double room, so she and this one can at least share”, the woman said, rubbing her pregnant belly with one hand while extending the other for him to take, motioning towards the house.
“I think I can manage that”.
+ ONE
“What is in that, Pen?”, Colin asked, pointing to a box on the far corner of their new living room, still closed, in front of the mirror. “Should I move it to the bedroom like the other ones?”
They’d been moving in for the last couple of days, finally deciding to take that new step in their relationship. It was only fair, now that Penelope’s book trilogy had come to an end, and Colin’s job change had allowed him a bit more stability concerning his workspace.
“If I tell you I have no idea what is what anymore, would you believe me?”, his girlfriend told him, smiling shyly. “Let me find out”, the redhead added, crossing the space and removing the straps before opening the box.
“Oh, I was looking for these!”, she exclaimed, fishing what seemed to be a bunch of dresses in various colors before turning to Colin, radiant. The man stared curiously at the items, recognition dawning on him right away.
“Are those your bridesmaids’ dresses?”, he inquired, amazed.
“You remember them?”, Penelope looked surprised at him, like she hadn’t considered that possibility.
“Come on, babe, give me a little credit. When have I ever forgotten something you wore? Back then and, even more importantly, now, when I finally get to strip it off you?”, he questioned in an indignant tone, which quickly turned into a flirtatious one.
“Fair enough”, the girl conceded, laughing wholeheartedly. She would never tire of his loving self, she thought, taking a closer look at the clothes.
The first dress, Daphne’s, was a simple but gorgeous dark green piece, which hugged her body in just the right places. At the time, she didn’t earn enough money for anything extravagant, having just finished uni. That didn’t stop her from scouting until she found the perfect piece of clothing to match the emeralds the bride gave her.
The second dress, Anthony’s, was the most vibrant of them, and suited her surprisingly well. For their nuptials, Kate decided to honor her origins, and helped every bridesmaid choose prints and ornaments to stand out in an already memorable ballroom. She didn’t remember ever wearing anything more intricate, before or after the party. Red was definitely one of her colors.
Benedict’s dress was a classic one, all blue, like the other bridesmaids, in pace with Sophie’s smoothing personality. The nuptials, which happened in New York, took place in an art gallery, and were surrounded by good music, sculptures and poetry. It felt good to be in the Bridgertons’ presence again, after so many months touring for her second book.
Finally, the fourth dress, Eloise’s. It was her favorite one yet, mainly because of the theme. Very early, it became clear for Penelope that an afternoon wedding was the best choice for the couple, allowing her to turn the party into a floriculture, much to Phillip’s delight. The bridesmaids’ attires had no specific colors, as long as they were in a pastel palette, and ended up complementing the decoration beautifully.
Each of those dresses held memories of some of the happiest moments of Penelope’s life, spent by the people who made her feel complete, loved and cherished. And, more importantly, with the man her heart had chosen for all past and future weddings to come.
Finally looking up, the woman’s eyes caught her boyfriends’ image through the mirror, also lost in thought, probably reminiscing the same occasions she did. He stayed like that for a while before suddenly locking gazes with her, a determined yet hopeful look on his face.
“I think you can do better”, Colin commented, brows raised, walking in slow motion until he joined her in front of the mirror, never breaking eye contact. What was he up to?
“Excuse me?”, the Featherington woman questioned, puzzled.
“Don’t get me wrong, you did look gorgeous in each one of these dresses. It was you wearing them, after all”, the brunette explained, anxiously fumbling with something in his back pocket. “I just think you may look even better in a white one. Walking towards me, preferably, instead of by my side”, he added, bringing his hands ahead, a beautiful emerald solitaire in them, and time stopped.
Just like Penelope had told Phillip some time ago, perfect days are not supposed to be waited for indefinitely, in the hopes they’ll come at one point. They are choices we make, actions we take, to experience happiness in the present, with the people that matter. And, as she looked at what was about to become her engagement ring’s reflection, and then at the watery eyes of the only man she had ever wanted to marry, the girl knew they would keep making every day a perfect one, as long as they were together, building a story that started many years before.
“So, what do you say, Featherington? Ready to pick your own bridesmaids for a change?”
💛