Chapter Text
Prologue
Rating: Teen and up
Tags: Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington, Violet Bridgerton, Eloise Bridgerton, Anthony Bridgerton, Kate Bridgerton, Hyacinth Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton, Bridgerton Family (Bridgerton), Family Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Colin Bridgerton Loves Penelope Featherington, Romance, Christmas Lingerie, Christmas Eve
(Thank you to Nefer and Lizzylizzl for the beta review and feedback!)
Aubrey Hall, 2024
Christmas Eve, 3:45 PM
Hyacinth Bridgerton was quite impatient.
For one, it was Christmas Eve, and while she had carefully examined each package under the tree with her name on the label, she had yet to determine the contents within them, except for the one that Kate and Anthony’s dog Newton had gotten into and ripped open, of course. That one did not count. Of course, she might have aided Newton in his efforts, as the corgi had only torn off a small corner of the festive wrapping, with Hyacinth prying the rest of the paper further apart to reveal the prize within, but that was neither here nor there. Worse than that, all her family that would be at Aubrey Hall for the holiday had arrived, save for two who were decidedly late. Colin and Penelope had almost waited too late to leave their flat in London before the freak winter storm blew in, and there was a real fear they might be stuck somewhere for the night until the weather cleared. Penelope had texted them several times to let them know of their progress, and thankfully, they had encountered no road closures and only two minor traffic jams. It was Christmas Eve, and once they escaped the limits of London and entered the countryside, the traffic had significantly improved. Their timing couldn’t have been better; the family had been huddled around the television for the past hour, watching the deteriorating situation reports from the city. If the pair had left thirty minutes later, they would have had to turn back and likely spend Christmas without electricity.
At long last, Colin’s car appeared in the distance, pulling into the drive leading up to the expansive mansion. Hyacinth bolted to the sitting room from her station by the front window.
“They’re here!!”
“Thank God! You’d have thought they’d have made better time.”
Eloise looked up from her laptop. “Hmph. The roads aren’t shut down out here at all. What could have possibly taken them so long?”
Benedict waggled his eyebrows at his sister. “Perhaps they required some inspiration and stopped by a farm, El.”
“BENEDICT BRIDGERTON!”
“Apologies, Mother.”
“Oh, shut it, Benedict. That’s disgusting,” Eloise huffed.
“Mooooo.”
“Hyacinth, dear, text Gregory and let him know Colin, Penelope, and the baby are here.” Violet leaned out of the sitting room doorway, calling upstairs, ”Anthony! Kate!”
“I can’t, mum.”
“Why not?”
“He blocked my number.”
“Do I want to know why?”
“Mmmmm, probably not.”
“Benedict?”
“Sorry. He blocked me, too.”
Violet sighed. “Eloise?”
“Seriously? Am I the only person in this family to whom Gregory will still speak? Fine.”
Penelope had no more stepped through the front door at Aubrey Hall when she was practically set upon by a gaggle of Bridgertons. Colin’s youngest sister Hyacinth tackled her just within the doorway, and the carry-on case Penelope had brought from the car fell to the floor with a loud ker-thunk. Violet swooped in quickly, rescuing the baby carrier from meeting a similar fate. Penelope and Colin were forgotten as she set the carrier to the side, unbuckled her grandson, and took him into her arms.
Colin struggled through the door behind her, lugging two suitcases, a large duffel bag, and his laptop carry-on case, the handle stuffed precariously in his mouth. “Hyafinf! I do not fink Fene-ofe can reafe!”
“Good God, you do know you could have asked for help. Or made more than one trip out to the car.” Benedict retrieved the laptop case from Colin’s mouth, taking it by the handle and seeming to regret it almost instantly. “Ugh,” Benedict groused and quickly set the case on a nearby table, wiping his hand off Colin’s jacket. “Did you have to drool all over it, Colin?”
Anthony’s wife, Kate, peeled Hyacinth’s arms away from Penelope and nudged the girl to the side. She wrapped her arms around Penelope’s shoulders in a gentle embrace. “I am so, so thrilled you both were able to make it here safely! The news reported that the roads out of London are already completely impassible.”
Penelope returned the embrace with a soft, “Thank you, Kate.”
Kate pulled back abruptly with concern. “Oh, you’re frozen solid! Come and sit by the fire; leave your bags and coats here. Humboldt can deliver them to your room.”
Kate and Eloise took Penelope by each arm and ushered her down the hall towards the sitting room, where a large fire crackled merrily in the hearth. The rest of the family trailed in after them, leaving Colin alone with the mess.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll be fine!” Colin called out after his family. “Hello?”
Colin rolled his eyes as he unraveled himself from the various bags he was carrying and attempted to make a somewhat organized pile. Catching the sound of footsteps coming from the grand stairs in the main hall, Colin looked over his shoulder in the direction of the footsteps and called out, “Humboldt, I could use a hand here.”
As he turned his head, expecting to see the butler, he instead locked eyes with his younger brother, Gregory. Gregory stared over the top of his phone, the lens of the camera pointed in the direction of Colin, who was unfortunately bent over at the waist, giving Gregory a very unflattering perspective of his ass. Colin stared owlishly at the device and heard the distinct camera shutter sound effect from the phone.
Gregory snickered, then wandered towards the sitting room, focusing entirely on the glowing phone screen. “Sup nerd,” was his only greeting as he disappeared within.
The family’s traditional Christmas Eve stew was delicious as usual, hearty, and excellent for beating the chilly air seeping in under the doors. After dessert, they all piled into the sitting room for the annual “Elf” viewing, complete with popcorn and steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Afterward came an impromptu and rather obnoxious game of charades. Once the clock on the mantle chimed midnight, they all slipped away to their various rooms, with echoes of “Happy Christmas” drifting through the halls.
Colin and Penelope had accepted one of the guest chambers some distance from the remainder of the family for privacy’s sake. As a bonus, Violet offered to keep Elliot that night to give them extra time alone. Colin had no more shut and bolted the door before they fell into each other’s arms. However, after only a few long, passionate kisses, Colin pulled back, his eyes twinkling merrily in the lamplight.
“I…I have an early Christmas present for you.”
Penelope arched an eyebrow. “Oh, you have, hmm?”
With a slightly unhinged grin, he bounded over to his suitcase. He moved his clothing aside, revealing a medium-sized shiny red box ornamented with a dark green ribbon. He retrieved the gift and padded back across the room to his wife, pressing it into her hands.
Penelope took the box with a frown. “Colin, I have nothing for you that isn’t already under the tree.”
Colin caressed her chin, idly rubbing his thumb across her swollen bottom lip, and murmured, “Ah…well, to be honest, this one’s also for me. Open it.”
Penelope smirked at him, amused, and a glint of curiosity sparked in her eyes. She picked away a golden sticker that kept the ribbon secure, then tossed both the sticker and ribbon onto a nearby chair. She flipped open the box and lifted the tissue paper within, revealing a set of intricately embroidered lingerie with accessories: a bustier with peek-a-boo cups, a decorative garter, thigh-high stockings, a frilled wrist cuff…and more, each with a different design. Upon picking up the lacy choker to give it a closer look, Penelope murmured, “Colin, are these…”
“Drums,” he interrupted. “The entire set is themed for Christmas. Specifically, the twelve days of.”
Penelope glanced down at the remaining items. “These are beautiful, Colin. Uhm…” Penelope frowned. “Colin?”
“Mmm?”
“Is that a bird on the crotch?”
Colin chuckled. “Partridge.”
“Oh.”
Colin placed his hands on her hips in a gentle caress, then turned her around to face the nearby standing mirror. He slid one hand around her to retrieve the bustier from the box, then draped the lacy garment across her chest, his pupils dilating to almost wholly obscure his navy blue irises.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. The corner of his mouth then upturned slightly into a wicked smirk. “You’ve unwrapped my gift to you. Now, I wish to unwrap my gift, Penelope.”
“Oh.”
Colin gently laid the garment back in the box Penelope carried with a soft laugh. He then began to sing ever so softly as he wrapped his arms around her from behind:
“On the twelfth day of Christmas…my true love gave to me…”
He broke off to lean down into her from behind, planting a long, lingering kiss at the point where her neck and shoulder met and caressing one of her breasts with his hand. Once he had elicited a series of soft moans from his wife, he ended the kiss, lifting his head just enough to lock eyes with Penelope in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips parted in desire. He brushed his lips across her ear and whispered, “Go change.”