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"mister bridgerton, what are you doing?" sophie grins as her eyes flutter open, pushing herself upright in bed.
"worrying." benedict stops pacing, rushing to his wife's side, stopping her from moving too fast.
"you scared me." he mumbles, kissing her forehead, the slight break in his voice making her heart ache.
"for that, i am sorry." she cups his tace in her hand, pecking his lips quickly, "however i am not sorry for trying to keep myself busy."
benedict turns his head to press a kiss to her wrist, "you passed out, my love. you need to take breaks if you insist on being out in the heat all day"
sophie pouts, and it almost works on her husband.
"mister crabtree went for the doctor, we need to make sure you are okay."
"i do not need a doctor, benedict. i needed rest, which i got." sophie tries to swing her legs over the side of the bed to stand, but instantly becomes light headed.
"you are staying right here." benedict helps her lay back down, and this time sophie had no retort.
"stay with me?" she mumbles, and he kisses her palm.
"always."
-
after a quick checkup from the doctor, sophie was cleared. though that didn't stop her husband from hovering and worrying.
the entire time, the doctor insisted on only speaking to benedict.
no matter how much sophie demanded he speak to her, or that benedict had told the man a million times to speak to his wife directly, the doctor didn't budge.
"yes, he was terrible. but i am fine, benedict." sophie finally stands on her feet, making him frown and reach out to steady her. she wraps an arm around his waist, smiling up at him.
he still couldn't get over her saying his name, and the smile that went with it was enough to undo him completely.
"i should have pushed harder. no one disrespects you like that, ever." his eyes darken and he holds his wife a little tighter.
"he is a rude man, my love. he was not going to change no matter how much you asked or demanded." sophie sets a hand on his chest.
benedict shakes his head and she can see the doubt crossing his mind, the feeling of inadequacy. he hadn't been able to stop the doctor from inspecting francesca, and now he hadn't been able to get this doctor to listen to his wife.
"you did everything you could." her thumb brushes back and forth against his chest, her smile morphing into one of reassurance.
"i love you." she adds for good measure, feeling his heart rate slow down, finally letting himself believe that she was alright.
"i love you." he lets out a trembling sigh, forehead lowering to rest against hers.
she brings her other hand to rest on his arm, giving it a slight squeeze, "i'm alright, we're alright."
he nods, shoulders relaxing.
"we're alright."
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