Love me not

EPILOGUE

It was a peaceful evening in London, with an uncharacteristically warm breeze. The social season had come to an end weeks ago, and most of the ton had retreated to the countryside.

The Bridgertons had chosen to spend some time at Aubrey Hall with Kate and Anthony, who had been staying there since the birth of their child. Francesca and her husband, John—whom she'd met during the season—had gone to Scotland, and Eloise had decided to accompany them for a while. Penelope was sad to see her go, but she knew Eloise needed to find her own path. Eloise, with her rebellious spirit, had been feeling lost recently, and a change of scenery in Scotland would do her good. They promised to keep in touch through letters, and Eloise vowed to return at the start of the next season.

Penelope was four months pregnant by then. Although her bump was still modest, Colin couldn't seem to keep his hands off her belly. Each night before bed, he would gently caress her, talk to their baby, and sometimes even sing. Penelope could hardly contain her love for him.

" I don't think he can hear you yet,'' she chuckled as Colin told the baby about Greece.

"He? Do you think it's a boy?" he asked, glancing up at her.

"It's just a way of saying it. I'm not making any assumptions," she smiled, running her fingers through his hair as he nestled his head against her shoulder.

"I'm sure it's a girl, a redhead, stubborn and beautiful like her mother," he grinned, his hand resting on her belly.

"At least I hope she has your eyes," she replied, her heart swelling with affection.

"Not a chance. She'll look exactly like you," he teased.

She chuckled, " Colin... "

"Do you want to bet?" he asked playfully.Colin: '' Do you want to bet on it? '' he asked and Penelope laughed.

"No need. I trust your instincts," she grinned, and he kissed her gently on the lips.Penelope: ''No need, I trust your senses.''

Colin: '' Good! '' he raised his head and pressed a sweet kiss on her lips.

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The labor was long but Penelope faced it with remarkable courage. Colin, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck—frightened and overwhelmed—but refused to leave her side. He stood behind her, offering comfort and strength, holding her hands through each contraction and providing a shoulder to lean on.

Penelope's focus remained solely on their baby, and Colin couldn't have been more proud of his wife. When she pushed one last time, stronger than ever, the sound of their newborn's first cry filled the room. Violet, who had been helping with the delivery, moved closer to the doctor to check the baby.

Colin focused solely on Penelope. She was powerful and resolute, and he was quite proud of his wife. When she pushed for the final time, stronger than ever, and the last wave of pain spilled over her, their baby's scream filled the room. Violet moved closer to the doctor to examine the baby and ensure that everything was well.

Violet turned to face the couple and exclaimed, ''Oh, sweetie, she is wonderful.''

"She?" Penelope murmured, her voice tired.Penelope: '' She? '' murmured exhausted.

"Yes, it's a girl! You have a daughter!"Violet: '' Yes, it is a girl! You had a daughter. ''

As the doctor placed their daughter into Penelope's arms, tears of joy welled up in her eyes. Colin peered over her shoulder, grinning ear to ear. The baby was everything he had imagined—just like Penelope, his beautiful wife, and the love of his life. Tears filled his eyes as he watched Penelope breastfeed for the first time.

"Have you decided on a name?"

"Yes, we have!" he beamed.

"Her name is Agatha Eloise Bridgerton."

"Oh, that's beautiful."

As the doctor placed their daughter into Penelope's arms, tears of joy welled up in her eyes. Colin peered over her shoulder, grinning ear to ear. The baby was everything he had imagined—just like Penelope, his beautiful wife, and the love of his life. Tears filled his eyes as he watched Penelope breastfeed for the first time.The day went swiftly, and as soon as Penelope was ready, she was greeted by various members of her and his families, all of whom were excited to meet the baby. When her mother returned to assist her with the baby later that night, the bedroom door reopened.

The day passed quickly, and once Penelope was able to rest, family members from both sides visited to meet the baby. Later that night, Penelope's mother returned to help with the baby, and the bedroom door opened again

" I hear someone stole my name," she said, approaching the bed and giving Penelope a hug.

" El..." she whispered. When Eloise pulled away, they simply stared at each other.

" I was on my way home, and as soon as I arrived at Bridgerton House, my mother told me about the little one." She glanced at the baby in Colin's arms.

" Would you like to hold her?"

" Oh no, no need for that. Me, holding a baby you just gave birth to? Doesn't sound like a good idea. You know how clumsy I am."

" Yes, you are, and I'd prefer you not hold my baby until she can walk," he replied, rocking the baby gently in his arms, unable to look away from her.

" Well, I couldn't agree more with your lovely, not-at-all-sarcastic comment," she said with a smirk, and they all laughed. "Congratulations to both of you. I'm so happy she'll carry my name. I cried on the way here, but I'm not crying now."

" Oh!" he whispered with a wide smile on his face.

" What?" she asked, glancing at him.

" She made the most adorable face, just like yours when I say something you don't agree with," he teased, making Penelope giggle and hold their daughter's tiny hand.

" Ugh, you two will be insufferable for the next few months. I think I'll spend some time with Mama, helping her with preparations for the masquerade ball."

" Don't worry, Pen. I know he doesn't mean it, and he missed me."

" Yes, I did," he agreed. "And get used to it, because we're not stopping at one baby."

" Colin, please, for the love of God!" she exclaimed, blushing.

" What? We make beautiful babies. I'm just saying we'll have as many as we can," he grinned.

Eloise rolled her eyes, "God help us all!"

Once Eloise had left and the house was quiet again, Colin was finally able to relax. It was just the three of them now—Penelope, their newborn daughter, and himself. He leaned in and kissed Penelope's cheek, a quiet moment of love and gratitude.

" I love you, both of you. You've given me the greatest gift: a family. I can't imagine this life with anyone else."

" We love you, Papa. This is everything I could ever ask for. This, you, me, and our daughter... it's everything I dreamed of the moment I met you, when you fell off your horse, covered in mud. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will always love you."

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