Chapter Text
Mr. & Mrs. Colin Bridgerton. Colin & Penelope. The Author & Gossip writer. Papa & Mama to Elliot Thomas Bridgerton, or Lord Featherington, if you will. Four and twenty years old & one and twenty years old. Friends since they were eleven years old and nine years old. They live in Featherington House, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London. Almost married for one year.
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Colin wants to surprise Penelope for their first wedding anniversary. When he asks her what she would like, she replies, “I have you and Elliot; I have everything I need.”
He retires to his study. Deciding to make a list of gift ideas, he retrieves a fresh sheet of parchment and opens the ink well, quill in hand. After half an hour, his list reads:
A new dress,
Jewellery (add to her parure on her birthday and Christmas),
Gloves,
A cloak,
A book,
A bouquet of flowers,
Her favourite chocolates,
Colin pulls a face as he peruses his ideas. “They are not good enough for a special occasion,” he scolds himself.
The sound of Elliot’s hungry cries disturbs his musings, so he decides to head upstairs. Penelope is nursing Elliot when Colin enters. He’s in awe of her beauty and serenity as she sits in the chair aside the fire, the glow highlighting the many tones of red in her hair. The room is cosy, lit by just two candles on either end – one on her vanity and the other on Colin’s nightstand, with the fire in the middle.
As Penelope is already in her nightgown ready for bed, Colin changes into his nightshirt and washes his face , so he’s ready to join her. Elliot has had his fill from Penelope, so she hands him over to Colin to bring his wind up. Ten minutes later (after a burp his Uncle Gregory would be proud of), they both kiss him goodnight and settle him into his crib.
When they are snuggling in bed, Colin decides to ask again about an anniversary gift.
“Pen, I’m still thinking about our wedding anniversary and what gift I can give you.”
Penelope takes hold of Colin’s hands. “As I’ve said, there isn’t anything I need, my love.”
“I know, but there must be something you want?”
“There is one thing,” Penelope answers. Colin smiles as he asks what it is. “A kiss,” she replies laughing.
“That I can do,” Colin says, “but that isn’t a gift – it’s an honour and a pleasure.”