Married Life of Lady Whistledown

Chapter 11

Colin and Penelope were settled in the living room, bathed in the soft glow of the lamps that dotted their cozy space. The room was silent except for the occasional crackle of the fire in the hearth, and an air of expectancy hung heavy between them. Colin reached out, taking Penelope's hand into his, his touch both firm and gentle, an anchor in the sea of their shared anxiety.

"Penelope," Colin began, his voice low and soothing, "I think it's time. I got us a test. We need to find out."

Penelope's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a rush of conflicting emotions flood her. Hope and fear intermingled as she looked at Colin. "I'm afraid, Colin. What if... what if I'm not pregnant? I see how excited you are, and I don't want to be the one to disappoint you."

Colin's expression softened as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. He brought her hands to his lips, kissing them tenderly. "Penelope, my love, this isn't about me being excited or disappointed. Yes, I want our children as much as you do. But no matter the outcome, my love for you will never waver. You are the one who's bringing our future into the world. That means everything to me."

Tears welled up in Penelope's eyes as she listened to Colin's heartfelt words. "I love you so much, Colin."

"And I love you endlessly, Penelope," Colin said, his voice filled with emotion. "Nothing can change that. Do you know how lucky we are to have fallen in love as best friends? I can't imagine being in love with anyone else."

Penelope took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. "Okay, let's do it."

They moved to the bathroom, where the air felt colder and more sterile than the warmth of the living room. Penelope retrieved the test from its packaging and, with a shaky hand, followed the instructions. She laid the test on the counter and then turned to Colin, her face a mask of apprehension and hope.

"I took it," Penelope said, her voice barely a whisper. "Now we just have to wait a few minutes for the results."

Colin nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. His presence was a comforting weight, and Penelope leaned into him, drawing strength from his steadying embrace. They waited in silence, the minutes ticking by slowly, each second stretching longer than the last.

Colin's gaze was fixed on Penelope, his eyes full of love and reassurance. "Penelope, I want you to know that no matter what the test says, my feelings for you won't change. I love you for who you are, not for the results of any test."

Penelope nodded, her hands trembling slightly. The uncertainty was almost unbearable, but Colin's words provided a small, comforting anchor. "I think it's time to check."

Colin took one of her hands and steadied both of hers with a gentle firmness. "Remember, I love you. We'll get through this together."

He reached for the test, his hands slightly unsteady as he prepared to flip it over. "On the count of three," he said, attempting to sound calm, though his voice betrayed a hint of the excitement he was trying to control. "One, two, three."

Colin turned the test over, and his breath caught in his throat as he stared at the results. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze, his mind racing as he tried to process what he was seeing. A broad smile slowly spread across his face, his joy radiating outward.

"Pen, this is positive, I think," he said, his voice trembling with awe and excitement. "Two lines mean positive, right?"

Penelope's eyes widened, and the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over. The sheer magnitude of the moment overwhelmed her, and she felt a rush of emotions—relief, joy, and an almost indescribable sense of happiness. Colin's excitement was infectious, and she found herself swept up in the euphoria of the moment.