There's still time in this happy ending

Edmund has arrived

Kate was pushing with all her might. At one side, her husband, Anthony. He wasn't supposed to be there, but when the doctor implied that it was time for him to leave, the Viscount's face went all red and his nostrils started flaring in such a fashion that no more words were said. 

On the other side of the bed, Mary, her stepmother, who had always been a mother to her since her own one died when she was 3 years old.

"Just a little more", were the encouraging words of the doctor. "Just a little more, one more time".

Anthony, who was holding her hand, albeit at risk of losing his own – that's how hard she was squeezing it – was able to utter some words of encouragement as well, before she started pushing again.

By his side was his mother, the original Lady Bridgerton before Kate came along and married the Viscount. Oh, with eight children herself, she remembered everything well. Even after all the years that had passed.

And finally, after a few more pushes, "It's here. And it's a boy! Congratulations, Mr. Bridgerton".

The announcement by the doctor produced happy smiles and relieved sighs all around. The worst part was over. Kate was exhausted but radiant and the baby was out and well. And he came with powerful lungs!!

The nurse helping the doctor deposited the bawling creature on the awaiting arms of his mother, who couldn't stop looking at him, marvelled and wiping her tears, accompanied by the other two women in the room.

Anthony, for a moment, couldn't move. Couldn't even breath. A son. He had a son. He was finally a father. A father. Just like Edmund. 

When he was able to catch his breath, he got closer to the bed, kneeled by it and looked at the bundle that Kate was cradling in her arms.

"Edmund", he said, almost a whisper. "Edmund", he repeated, more to himself than anyone else, at the same time that he placed his hand on the baby's head.

And then something happened. The newborn stopped crying and his little head tried to turn towards the direction of his voice. The whole room held their breath. Kate's face was radiating happiness, and Anthony's eyes were about to pop out of his sockets. Did his son just listen to him for the first time? Did he really listen to him? And recognized him?

Kate coaxed him to take Edmund – they both had agreed that would be the name if he was a boy – and for some reason, he looked up at his mother, seeing an expression of amazement on her face. Didn't think much of it, after all this was only his second grandson, so it was understandable that she was moved.

"I think we should leave the parents alone for a while. And mostly, allow the mother to have some rest", the family doctor said.

"Oh, but I'm fine", Kate protested with a big smile. "I'm so happy, I couldn't be better", she shook her head for more emphasis. 

Still, all of them: mothers, doctor, nurse, let the small new family alone and exited the room in silence after exchanging pleasantries. The doctor was needed somewhere else and the mums were going to stay for a few days, just in case Kate needed anything. So there was still plenty of time to spend together. Not that the Viscountess didn't have service to help, but both Mary and Violet were very loving mothers who liked to make things their way. And that meant, being close to their families and not letting anyone else interfere more than necessary.

Meanwhile, inside the chamber, words of love, wonder and happiness were exchanged between Lord and Lady Bridgerton, and no one should be a witness of that but their own son.