Champagne is popped for the occasion. Lady Bridgerton, my soon to be Mama-in-law, fills us up on delicacies, indulging us all, then Anthony leads us into another dance. The ballroom isn't as elaborately decorated as it was before, but it still allows for lively music and dancing. Even Augie joins in on the festivities, he is bounced around lightly by his Mama, before she passes him onto his grandmother to allow for her to dance with her husband.
Both of us, now in happy relationships with men that are all we had ever dreamed of as girls. I smile at my best friend as she skips along the floor, Simon holding her gently. Just as Benedict does for me.
Gazing into his intoxicating blue eyes, I have never felt happier in my life than I do at this very moment. Dancing with my family, and being with more than one of my favourite people. Violet looks lovingly from the sidelines, little Augie in her arms, she smiles at me and I cannot help but beam back.
Hyacinth takes my arms and pulls me away from Benedict. "Athena, you must dance with me!" she insists,
"Certainly!" I giggle, taking her hands and we spin along the room, I look towards Benedict, who is now dancing with Daphne, Gregory had forced Eloise to dance with him, but she seems to be stepping on his toes quite a lot that he cries out in pain more times than I can count.
I spin Hyacinth three times before she stumbles with dizziness but quickly recovers and dances along the floor before we both go get some chocolate.
Colin find us by the chocolate, and catches Hyacinth with almost three stuffed into her mouth,
"I shall pretend I did not see that Hyacinth." he smirks, before offering his hand out to me,
"Care for a dance?" he asks,
"I will always make time for you Colin." I smile, taking it graciously, waving goodbye to the girl who was already eating more food.
He leads me onto the dance floor, and we dramatically dance laughing and giggling the entire time. "I cannot believe he did not ask you sooner. He confessed that he was in love with you several weeks ago to me now."
"Did he now?" I squint my eyes,
"Yes, I thought he would positively explode."
I throw my head back, laughing at his comment. He laughs with me, and twirls me around once more, letting me go flying into Benedict.
"Watch out!" I squeal, as he catches me, in a similar fashion to the way he did that first day of our meeting,
"Almost 10 years later and I'm getting deja vu!" he smiles, lifting me back up.
"Almost 10 years later and you still look at me the same way." I laugh,
"Young Benedict may have been delusional, but I have always been in love." he smiles, embracing me planting a soft kiss upon my forehead.
"I love you." I smile,
"I love you too." He beams back,
"Ugh, you both are so disgusting!" Gregory sticks his tongue out, in disgust. Benedict ruffles his hair, messing it up.
"I'll show you for insulting my future wife!" he giggles,
I shake my head, giggling at the playfulness he possesses, "Benedict let you brother go! I don't think your mother would appreciate you annoying him."
He lets the boy go, who then gives me a hug, almost tackling me to the ground just as his younger sister did, "Thank you Athena, from protecting me from this ruffian!" he smiles,
Benedict smiles, as the boy runs off.
-
Soon we are all tired out, and I lie on the settee outstretched, and exhausted from dancing. Benedict allows me to rest my head upon his lap, as he reads. His mother bombards me with questions about our wedding preparations,
"Violet!" I giggle, "I just want a simple wedding with my closest family, and friends. I will not invite the entire ton, but it will be a rather small gathering to let me marry my husband in peace, without watchful eyes peering at me from every angle."
"I think that is a most excellent idea, darling." Benedict strokes my golden locks,
"Who would we invite though?" she shrugs,
"Well," I sit up, and count them off on my hands, "Lady Danbury, of course, the Sharmas, as I have become fond of them, Penelope perhaps and all of you, as well as my own family."
"That certainly is... small." Violet adds,
"Perhaps, we compromise?" I ask, "We have a small ceremony, and then a larger reception?"
"I quite like that idea!" Daphne says in agreement.
"As do I." Anthony sits up,
"I think I will enjoy it to." Eloise says,
"That's settled then!" Violet exclaims, sitting next to me on the settee,
"Daph?" I look towards the Duchess, "Do you remember our agreement?"
"How could I forget? Of course!" she laughs,
"What agreement?" Hyacinth asks,
Daphne explains, "Well, when Athena was 15 and I was 13, we made a pact to be each other's maid of honour, you remember how she was at my wedding?"
"We have upholded it since!" I smile,
"Now, about the colour theme," Violet presses on,
"Right," I say, unsure what colours I want,
"What colours would you like?" she asks,
"Well, a baby blue would be quite nice, and white of course, and maybe gold?" I suggest,
"I like it!" she smiles, "What flowers then?"
"Well, I love orchids and lilies." I say, remembering Benedict's bouquet,
"Perfect, we'll use them for your bouquet, then what flowers would you like to decorate the church?" she pondered,
"Mother, you must stop bombarding her with all these questions otherwise she may change her mind!" Benedict smiled,
"Hush Benny! It is fine, continue Violet." I urge her to continue,
"You will certainly make a lovely bride my dear." she smiles, placing a hand along my face,
"Thank you, I am so grateful for everyone's congratulations and support."
"How could we not support my son's marrying of a woman we all adore?" she giggles,
I beam, and look around at the rest of my family. They all grin back, even Anthony.
YOU ARE READING
goddess | b. bridgerton
Romanceathena crauford has been best friends with daphne bridgerton since childhood, they spend every waking moment together. which means the bridgerton's have become very acquainted with the crauford's, benedict bridgerton has always had an eye for athena...
