There's still time in this happy ending

Just a moment in time

Anthony loved bathing her. After the first few days married, she had stopped being shy around him. They had had baths together and laid naked in bed making love and talking, many times the whole night.

When her belly started growing, though, she became more self-aware, and it took some coaching from his side to make her understand that she was still the most beautiful woman over the Earth.

And so, there she was. Kate was 6 months pregnant and relaxing in a hot bath. Anthony had massaged her shoulders and feet before joining her. Now her back was resting on his chest, their legs tangled. He loved her body. The round belly, with their baby inside. The full breasts.

"What are you thinking?", he asked, his hand pouring water over her chest.

"Nothing, really". She sounded half asleep. "That I love being like this, here, with you. Some days you are so busy I barely see you. Not that I am not busy myself. But I miss you". She kissed his bicep. "And then we have days like today, when I have you all by myself. And moments like this" she sighed, contently. "And all is right in the world".

She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder,  her temple against his jaw, her nose pointing to the ceiling.

"I do miss you, too. And I can't wait to come home, or get out of my desk, and tell you everything that is on my mind. And for you to tell me about all the gossip that is going on in the house. I didn't know you were such a gossiper", he chuckled.

"Me neither!", she admitted, still unsure whether she liked it or not.

"I can't say I'm really surprised, though. Mrs know it all. Of course you were bound to know everything going on in the house, from the drawing room to the kitchen, so you can manage everybody and their dog".

"Anthony Bridgerton", she feigned outrage. "How dare you... know me so well?"

They both smiled and the Viscount embraced her, placing his hand on her belly.

"I wonder how he or she will be like". Kate wondered out loud. "With your looks and my character? Or the other way around? Or maybe a totally new person", she mused. "I had never expected to get married and much less, become a mother. I'm extremely happy but at the same time, sometimes I feel like I'm in a dream and I will wake up at some point and I'll be back in India, worrying about Mary and my sister".

Anthony tightened his arms around her. "If you're dreaming, so am I. And I never want to wake up". He nudged his nose along her jaw for a moment, his hands wandering and hovering over her chest. "But I'm happy to inform you... that you're totally awake".

"Ouch", Kate jumped in between his legs, as an answer to his gentle pinch of her nipple, making him chuckle and receiving a slap in the tight in answer.

"You're such a rascal".

"And that's how you like it".

"That's true", Kate laughed.