Chapter Text
They were late
As the rest of her children spoke and argued amongst themselves, Violet realised
Colin and Penelope were late to Sunday brunch
They had always came together and came half an hour early to set up
Penelope had picked Colin up from the airport earlier this morning, making sure that they had enough time to get his bags before making their way to Violets
They had done this routine a thousand times before and every time they were on time to brunch
But today, they were both late
Colin being late? Normal, regular, expected
But Penelope? Penelope who was early to almost every event she had even been too? Penelope, who in the rare case where she was actually late, called as soon as she knew she wouldn't make it
Violet hadn't received a call
As she was beginning to worry, both Anthony and Elosie stepped away from the table to answer their phones
Somethings happened Violet thought
It was an intuitive thought, a sixth sense that mothers had about their children
Her suspicions were proven right when her two children came back into the room. Anthony was pale as a sheet while Eloise frantically ran around the room grabbing her bag and coat
The rest of the family looked around, confused, before Anthony spoke
"Colin and Penelope have been in an accident"
The Bridgertons ran through the hospital, searching for the rooms Anthony and Elosie heard over the phone
"I'm going to find Pen, you all go to Colin" Elosie shouter as she ran in the opposite direction tk the rest of the family
The rest of the family kept moving, trying to find their brothers room
137
There it was.
Behind that door, lay their brother
Their broken, bloody Brother who was probably in agony. Who probably wasn't even awake
All the remaining Bridgerton held their breath
Even though no one said it, they all thought the same thing
And they all knew they thought it
This could be the last time they see their brother alive
But every second they stood out here, was a second they wasted
Anthony said a prayer and opened the door
Colin was sat upright in bed, eating jelly
"Oh, hey!" He said joyfully, looking at his family "You all came her for me? Thats so swee-"
Any sentiments were cut off, by Daphne hitting him on the arm
"We thought you were dead! And youre just fine? Youre such a dick, Colin!"
"OW! Daphne! Im in a hospital bed! Lay off!" Colin said, covering his face with his arms
Now that the fear and sadness which turned to anger had passed, they finally got a good look at him
He had a couple of cuts and bruises, including a big one on his head. But overall, he looked fine
Good even
For some reason, he looked happier then he had been before his last trip
"So, you're alright then? No major injuries?" Benedict asked, with a lack of his usual playfulness
"Yes, yes I'm fine" Colin said casually, waving them off "Now, where's my wife?"
The Bridgerton family paused
Colin was not married
Colin had never been married
But now he had a wife?
"Colin? Who's your wife?" Violet asked, praying that he hadnt eloped on his trip "describe her to us"
"My wife? Five foot two, big curly red hair, smart as hell, most beautiful woman alive?" Colin looked confused as they all stood around gobsmacked "We've all known her for years? Answers to Penelope Bridgerton? The nurse told me she was ok, but wouldn't tell me where she is"
While the rest of the Bridgerton family looked at him in shock, Benedict surprisingly took the initiative
"Colin, excuse us for a minute" He said, herding the rest of his family out into the hallway
"Ok, so just to be sure, Colin and Penelope definitely haven't gotten married, right?" Benedict asked as Anthony paced
"We would have known. Colin wears his heart on his sleeve, if he was going to ask Penelope to marry him. He would have told us. He would have asked advice, asked for rings"
"Before he left for his trip, he asked me how I knew I loved Edmund, how we went from friends to more" Violet said quietly looking at the floor
Before they could deal with that, Elosie came over, looking pale
"Elosie!" Francesca said, running up to meet her "How's Pen doing? Is she OK?"
"She's fine" Elosie said, her eyes staring off into the distance "She got a couple cuts and bruises and the doctors are worried about a concussion, but she fine. She's... She's asking for her Husband"
Benedict let out a sigh
"Let me guess" He said "Colin?"
Elosie looked at him, eyes wide
"Yes! And she was talking about it like I already knew. But Colin and Penelope aren't married. He hasn't even asked my permission"
"Elosie, he would ask for her Fathers permission, not yours" Daphne said, still worrying her thumb nail between her teeth
" 1. Pens father is a piece of shit 2. Pen recently told me I have "Daddy energy". So I'm practically her father and that boy should be asking my permission before he asks my little girl to marry him!"
"Elosie!" Violet scolded "You would give your brother your blessing to marry Penelope! It isn't your decision and they would be very good together "
"Colin and Penelope aren't married!" Anthony shouted, then lowed his voice after a stern look from a passing nurse "They aren't married. They aren't together. They're just friends! Yes theyre weirdly close, but they aren't married. This is amnesia or something. A weird by product of their accident. We need to explain that to Colin"
"I'll go" Benedict volunteered " I'm his favourite brother, it'll be easier coming from me"
"You aren't his favourite!" Greg shouted after him as Benedict
"This is going to hurt him so badly" Daphne said to herself
"Why do we have to tell him?" Hyacinth asked in a small voice
The rest of the family looked at her
"They love each other" Hyacinth said like it was obvious "why can't we just let them be together?"
"Well, Hy, um-" Anthony began before Benedict speed walked over to them
"He isn't there" Benedict said his eyes darting "Colins not there"
Anthony looked at him eyes wide
" What do you mean "He isn't there"?"
Benedict squinted his eyes and tilted his head at his older brother
"What else could I possibly mean? He isn't there"
The Bridgertons searched the hospital
Daphne, Anthony and Benedict went one way, the rest split up over the hospital
How could they loose their brother, he's like 7 foot tall and clumsy as hell
When they found him, all their hearts dropped to their stomachs
There he was.
On her hospital bed
Curled around Penelope Bridgerton-Featherington, her name is Penelope Featherington
She had her head on his chest, one arm around her shoulder, the other playing with her ring finger
"We'll find it honey, Don't worry" He said, pressing a kiss into her head
"I just miss it. I know its stupid but-"
"It isn't stupid, Pen, it's your wedding ring." Penelope looked up at him, tears in her eyes "And I'll find it, I swear. If I have to search all of London, I'll find it for you"
Tears ran down Penelopes face as she smiled up at him
"I love you so much "
"I love you too darling "
She placed her hand on the side of his cheek as she kissed him.
It wasn't a kiss fueled by passion or impulse
It was a kiss based on love, mutual affection and trust.
Fuck Anthony thought This is going to be more difficult then I thought