There's still time in this happy ending

True love is worth it

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When Anthony finally reached the tea room's door, after a long, tiring day at the Parlament, the view took his breath away. It always did. It took him by surprise, like a punch to the gut, each and every single time.

His wife. His child. Kate. Edmund. His heart, soul and whole life. The center of his existence.

The light entering through the windows, surrounding them. Some of Kate's dark hair framing her face. Kate looking down lovingly at their son, who was soundly asleep. She was holding one of his tiny hands in hers, mesmerized, it seemed, by the small and perfect fingers.

He loved seeing that smile on her face. That contentment. The way she was relaxed, happy. And to bask on the feeling that he was a big reason for her happiness. As she was for his.

He never dreamt this would be his life. He never asked for any of this. This feeling on his chest. Almost painful. This pure, unadulterated adoration for a woman. He had wanted a placid life. An amicable partner. This... This, though, was so much more. So much better.

"Anthony! You're home!", Kate exclaimed when she realized he'd been leaning on the door frame, watching her. Watching them. "Do you want some tea? Or biscuits? I can ring the maid.."

"It won't be necessary, I'm perfectly fine. The session was finally over, I missed you and being here is all I need" he explained, walking toward her and putting a finger under her chin, Kate more that willing to receive his kiss.

"We've missed you too", she admitted, with a smile, as he took a seat by her side. "Eloise was just here. Did you see her leave?"

"I did, actually". Kate placed little Edmund on his arms. This was kind of a ritual by now: every time he arrived home and Edmund was with Kate, he would kiss her first and then cradle Edmund in his arms.

Melted Kate's heart every single time.

"Was she alright?", he asked, smiling at the asleep baby and making inventory of him, lovingly contemplating the small brows, the round cheeks, the tight mouth... 

Their son always seemed to be in deep thought or about to discuss about something. The Viscountess always joked little Edmund would have his appa's temper, to which his dutiful husband always replied that he certainly couldn't have inherited it from her. 

In an ironic way, obviously.

Kate looked at him confused. "She stayed for merely five minutes, but I didn't notice anything out of the extraordinary. Why do you ask?"

Anthony looked back at her, a funny expression on his face while his thumb was caressing Edmund's cheek.

"She hugged me. On her way out. I can't even remember if she had ever hugged me before. Maybe as a child, but I'm not sure. She's always been so independent and strong".

He shook his head and smiled slightly at the thought of his sister.

"Oh".

Enough to make Anthony arch one of his brows.

"It's nothing", Kate explained. "We had a small talk about duties and how much that can be a toll".

"I see. Well, whatever you said to her, she seems to tolerate me now. At least for today", he added, in good humor.

He stood up carefully and placed a kiss on Edmund's forehead before setting him in the small crib next to the sofa. Should he be in the nursery with one of the nannies? Probably. That's what etiquette said. But mostly, as long as Kate were done with her duties and him with his, Edmund would be wherever they were. And that wasn't up to discussion.

Not that anyone had even tried to discuss this matter with them. But just in case.

When he turned around after contemplating Edmund for a few seconds, Kate was right behind him, smiling at the baby, but also eager for a real kiss, once she noticed she had all his attention.

"So you really did miss me, huh?", Anthony teased her, both breathless when the kiss was over.

"Only because you vex me", she laughed as they held each other's hands and rubbed their noses.

"You vex me more" he replied back, chin up, looking at her from under his lashes, feigning being hurt on his pride. "But I'm not complaining", he smiled, back to being soft, looking at her with adoration.

Anthony took one of the rebels strains of Kate's hair and twirled it around his finger before caressing her face and noticing that she had gotten serious for a moment.

"What happens, Viscountess?".

"I'm afraid that sometimes, I might take you for granted as well".

He took a small step back to look at her better, not letting go of her hands. A small wrinkle formed between his brows.

"I hope you know it. No, I know you know it. How much I love you. How proud you make me. You're an extraordinary man, Anthony. The best husband. The best appa. You always want the best for your family. I'm so happy I got to marry you. I'm so happy we're here, today. And when I think of all the days that await for us for the rest of our lives together, it makes me even happier".

Anthony looked at her intently, this wife of his. Fierce pride and love in her eyes, making him feel 9 feet tall.

He thought about their journey to this moment, in this room. The journey that had led to her words.

"As you did too, Kate. As you do today, as well. I wasn't the better man before. But you", he gets closer to her, "you changed everything. You entered my heart and made me realize that true love is worth it. That taking a leap of faith, living fully, not being afraid, it's worth it. I wouldn't change one single day, one single minute by your side, no matter what".

The Viscount took her hands to his lips and kissed one and then the other.

"I love you", he said, simply, shrugging his shoulders, staring into his wife's eyes.

And in pure Kate's fashion, she just jumped on him, holding him tight against her, and kissed him madly.

"Also, I told you", Anthony managed to insert in between kisses. "Reformed rakes make the best husbands".

He laughed when seeing her face.

"I hate to admit you're right. And it's not proper of a gentleman to say something like that. You'll have to pay for it", she assured him, a mischievous look on her face.

"Oh, will I?" he replied, half smiling. Truly the smile of a rake, to be honest.

Kate nodded her head and smiled with glee.

"Well, I can't wait for it".

She giggled as they kissed some more, Viscount and Viscountess feeling that all was right in the world.

Even more so when that night, the Viscount made sure to pay properly and thoroughly the "punishment" his wife imposed him.