LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

xxxxi | new year, new everyone

The week had passed in a blur, there was so much to be done around Aubrey Hall in the lead up to the new year. Everyone was eager for the new year to begin, so now they were currently stood in the family room counting down the minutes until the clock struck twelve.

"I want to make a toast." Alexandria murmured as she sipped from her glass slowly, Benedict gave a small nod of encouragement. She stood up on shaky legs— feeling very nervous for some reason— and raised her glass which captured everyone's attention.

"I just want to say... How grateful I am to still be standing here, I do not know where I would be now if it was not for all of you." Alexandria started, her tone soft. "Let's face it, this year has been... well it has been bloody hard for everyone!"

"Amen." Eloise said raising her glass in agreement. "I suppose I do not know why I am making this speech, except to say bring on 1816!" Alexandria exclaimed bringing her speech to an end, everyone said their peace and drank from their glasses at the same time.

"Hyacinth put that down." Alexandria scolded as she saw Hyacinth lift up a glass, about to take a sip of alcohol. "I did not think you of all people would be a spoilsport." Hyacinth grumbled slamming the glass back down.

"Hy, you are twelve." Benedict chuckled, agreeing with Alexandria. "Almost thirteen!" Hyacinth said trying to fight her case, but her argument was weak. "Still a time away until you are eighteen." Alexandria shrugged, Hyacinth stomping away and sliding down the sofa.

"You are just a baby, Benedict let me have a sip of his beer." Gregory said smugly. "That is not fair! Greg is only two years older than me!" Hyacinth argued. "Yes Benedict, that is not fair." Alexandria said repeating Hyacinths words, whipping around to face Benedict to silently scold him.

"The countdown is beginning!" Violet announced excitedly. Everyone began counting backwards from ten, hurrying over to the window to watch the fireworks that were about to be set off.

"Happy New Year!" Everyone in the room said collectively, turning around to their partners and kissing them or hugging the closest person to them.

"Happy New Year, my love." Benedict smiled softly, bending his head down so his lips met Alexandria's in a slow gentle kiss. "This year is going to be so good to us, I can feel it." Alexandria smiled.

The Bridgertons and Alexandria stayed up well into the night until everyone's energy eventually began dipping so they collectively called it a night. Alexandria and Benedict had collapsed clumsily into bed, their heads buzzing because of the alcohol.

They had fallen asleep half naked as they could not be bothered to fully get undressed and changed. Their limbs were lazily strewn across each other, legs sticking out of the bed.

The bright January morning light creeped through the curtains, blinding Alexandria as her face was in direct vision with it. She grumbled and shoved her face into her pillow, going to throw her arm around Benedict only to find that his side of the bed was empty, but still warm.

Alexandria slowly shuffled herself up so she could sit in bed, the dull thud of a headache now presenting itself. "Benedict what are you doing?" She asked now clocking Benedict who was sitting on the armchair in their room, staring at her.

"Admiring how good you look while you sleep." He smirked. "And you could not have admired me in bed because?..." Alexandria asked. "Art is better viewed from a distance." Benedict replied smugly. "Be quiet." She scoffed, throwing a pillow at him.

Alexandria got up out of bed carefully, not wanting to trigger any dizziness from her alcohol induced headache. "Shit!" She exclaimed as her stomach gurgled unhappily as its contents threatened to spill. "Are you going to be sick?" Benedict asked, standing up slightly panicked as Alexandria had turned pale.