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Michaela settled down in the bed, sighing in relief as her body pillow was perfect against her back, she had just enough cover on her, and Fran was lying on her but not so much that her arm would fall asleep.
The snow was falling outside, and Michaela had plans to do absolutely nothing tomorrow to soak up the last remnants of quiet before the month-long Bridgerton Holidays started.
She glanced at the baby monitor and Charlie was not out of her toddler bed entirely, just half on and half off but asleep. Her bonnet was still on her head.
So that was a win.
She shut her eyes, then Fran’s voice broke the quiet.
“You never answered my question from earlier.”
Michaela was hoping that Fran did not bring that up. “I’m still thinking about it.”
“You’ve been thinking about it for three weeks.”
“It’s a big decision.”
“I know. But you won’t talk about it.”
Michaela sighed. She didn’t want to talk about it. Charlotte was the exception to her Kid rule. Charlotte practically forced her to be her mother, not that Michaela was complaining.
Another kid was…a lot.
“Maybe we should be sober for this.”
“Now is the perfect time.” Fran stated. “We are going to be married the rest of our lives.”
“We are?” Michaela asked.
Fran sat up. “How long do you think we’ll be together?”
Michaela raised an eyebrow. Fran was wine drunk.
“Like alive?”
Michaela was also wine drunk.
When Fran was drunk, she asked questions such as What is the meaning of life and do you think we were soulmates in a past existence?
Michaela’s personal favorite question was would you love me if I was a snake?
The answer was always yes. Michaela would make a terrarium for Fran and feed her live mice before shuddering in disgust.
When Michaela got drunk, she just ended up thinking very literally and was overall confused.
“I mean, this wasn’t smooth.”
“Are you tiring of being my first wife?”
“I’m the only wife you are ever going to have.” Fran glared.
Michaela grinned. “You sure are.”
Fran kissed her cheek. “No, I mean, will we be old and gray together?”
“I plan on living with you forever.”
Fran smiled. “Eloise gave us a year. When we started dating the first time.”
“A year?”
“You didn’t give commitment.”
“I was all in.”
Michaela was very all in. For someone who winced at the idea of committing to marriage, she took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and was already planning their Summer wedding.
The baby thing threw a wrench in that.
But it all worked out.
“I told her that. The other sisters were nicer about it, but…”
“Daphne still hates me.”
“Daphne doesn’t want to be mad at me.”
“So she takes it out on me?” Michaela frowned. That wasn’t fair.
“I’m sorry,” Fran whispered.
“Well, who can stay mad at you?”
“Plenty of people.”
“Not me. Or Charlie. Or any Stirling. So really, you’re good.” Michaela squeezed Fran tight, kissing her forehead.
Michaela felt Fran’s grin against her neck. “So forever?”
“Forever and ever. I promise.” Michaela whispered.
Michaela woke up stiff. Fran was out of bed, and she sat up, stretching and shuffling to the bathroom. She took one look at herself and stopped. Why was her hair gray?
She had wrinkles? What the actual-
“Did you just get up?” Fran’s head popped in the bathroom. She had a streak of elegant gray in her hair and laugh lines.
Michaela’s eyes widened.
“What’s wrong?” Fran stepped in and grabbed her face. “Michaela, you’re scaring me.”
Michaela took a deep breath. She just had to play along. This was a dream. She was dreaming.“I’m fine. Just…we’re old.”
Fran sighed in relief then swatted her. “We are not old. We’ve aged. You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
“So are you.”
Fran kissed her. “Get dressed. The kids are coming in thirty minutes.”
Michaela blinked as Fran walked out.
Kids?
Michaela walked downstairs right as Fran opened the door, grinning and hugging the young woman standing there.
That couldn’t be who Michaela thought it was. “Charlotte?”
Charlotte groaned. “Oh, what did I do now, Mama?”
Michaela shook her head. “Nothing. Just happy to see you.” She was. Charlotte was a toddler who was independent but still a baby last time Michaela saw her.
This Charlotte was an adult. She was swept up in a hug. Michaela pulled back, glancing at Charlotte’s face. She could still see the toddler that she was used to seeing.
“Mama, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just admiring your face.” Michaela winked.
Charlotte blushed. “I’m sorry about not visiting as much.”
“Oh, you’re busy.” Fran waved her off. “You’re better than your brother.”
Michaela hid her shock at the word brother.
The front door opened and a young man who reminded her of her dad stepped in. “Hey, sorry.”
“You’re not late.” Fran held her arms open, and he slid right in, clutching her as tight as she clutched him. He looked over Fran’s shoulder at her.
“Hey Mama.”
“Hi.” Michaela breathed out. She watched Fran let go of him and Charlotte hug him tight too.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Fran whispered. Her eyebrows were furrowed.
Michaela sprang up to kiss them. “I’m…happy.”
“Me too.” Fran whispered. “But you’re freaking out your children. Please go say hello to David.”
Michaela nodded. She stepped forward and David hugged her.
“Hi Mama.”
“Hi sweetheart.” Michaela looked at her family. “We should have brunch.”
“Yes, I’m starving.” Charlotte rushed into the kitchen.
“Mum, I’ll serve.” David said.
Michaela blinked as her family sprang into action. She took a deep breath and just decided to go with it.
She was having a strange dream.
The rest of her day was spent with Charlotte, who was in her final year of undergrad as a pre-law student, following in the footsteps of her Aunt Kate, while David was in his first year at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Michaela slid into bed, careful not to wake a sleeping Fran. She sighed.
“Good day?” Fran asked.
Michaela nodded. “Yeah. Good day. You?”
“It was good. I can’t wait to tell my Michaela about it.”
Michaela froze.
“We’ve been together forever, Michaela. I know you. You looked very freaked out when Charlotte and David arrived.”
Michaela turned over and looked at Fran. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well, first, I couldn’t tell what you knew. But later, you seemed to be…not enjoying it but leaning in. How old is Charlotte for you?”
“Two. She just got the big girl bed.”
Fran chuckled. “Still sleeping half out?”
Michaela nodded. “I’m gathering you can’t tell me anything.”
Fran shook her head. “No. Just that we love each other and you are keeping your promise.”
Michaela yawned.
“Good Night. I’ll be seeing you later.”
“Which me?” Michaela asked.
“Both.” Fran winked.
Michaela woke up to small hands patting her arm. She blinked and stared at toddler Charlotte, feeling a slight ache. She missed the adult Charlotte who was witty and so much like Fran, but this Charlotte…she was wonderful as well.
Michaela held her hands out and Charlotte allowed herself to be pulled up in the bed and onto Michaela’s lap.
“Hi Mama.” Charlotte whispered.
“Hi Charlie.” Michaela whispered back. Fran stirred next to them, giving them a sleepy glare.
“Hi Mummy.”
“Hi…you’re up early.” Fran yawned. She sat up. Michaela felt her eyes linger on her.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just admiring your face.”
Fran rolled her eyes. “Okay. Well, Lottie, ready for breakfast.”
Charlotte nodded before sliding off Michaela and running out of the bedroom.
“Did you put the baby gate up?” Fran asked.
Michaela nodded but got up anyway. Charlotte was bold enough to try and climb over it. “I’ll grab the Little Miss. You rest.”
Fran raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
Michaela nodded. She swung a robe on and stopped before she left. “Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“How would you feel about another kid?” Michaela asked.
Fran’s eyes lit up. “Really? What brought this on?”
“Well, we’re going to be together forever. You mentioned it. Why not?”
Fran chuckled. “Just like that?”
“Yeah. I already have a name in mind.”
“Oh?”
“David.”