Chapter Text
It was really meant to be just another, mundane day. A bit moody outside as per usual, but the clouds usually brought a sense of comfort along with them. After having left London a little over a year ago, Penelope was certain that she would grow tired of the same gloomy weather. Surprisingly, she became even fonder of the gray skies and rainy days she was encountering in her new, little corner of the world.
A small cry from the tiny crib beside her bed shook off the sleepiness that was still hanging onto her. Agatha would wait for nothing to get her food.
Just like her father.
Everything reminded her of Colin. The dark blue of the sky during dawn: the same shade of his loving eyes. The mustard yellow bedding that was once in their penthouse: his favorite color. The reminder she loved the most, however, is their beautiful daughter. Every day that gorgeous little girl reminded her of the love she still had for Colin.
Like clockwork, her alarm rang through the bedroom as she finished feeding Agatha, reminding her of the busy day she had ahead.
What had started as a small hobby grew into her career, even through some of the darkest chapters of her life thus far. Much to Penelope’s surprise, her passion as a writer lead to several of her books being published- and some even turned into best sellers.
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Her first meeting of the day was with her publicist at a trendy café in town, which Rae would also attend. Her faithful side-kick, nanny, assistant, and friend wrapped in one- she truly wouldn’t know what to do with Rae. Like a guardian angel, she had adamantly refused to see Penelope escape on her own on that fated night.
They stepped out of the car and Rae handed Agatha off to Penelope. As she re-arranged her in her arms and secured her little blue scarf, her beanie flew away.
“Oh! Her cap!” Rae tried to reach for the lemon colored beanie helplessly, as a crisp autumn gust of wind blew it right off the baby’s head. Penelope saw as the beanie flew across the street and could only laugh. It rolled until it suddenly hit a car window.
Her gaze trailed over and she noticed it had landed on a Cadillac SUV.
Then she noticed a small light blue bee sticker on the corner of the driver’s tinted window. It took a trained eye to notice. Only someone close, someone familiar, could actually see it. Her breath caught in her throat, and her body went numb. It couldn't possibly be...
The wind threatened to topple her over as she realized who this car belonged to.
And then she saw him.
If there was something about Colin Bridgerton that would never change, it would be how he never failed to take Penelope’s breath away. Time may have soared past them, but no amount of it spent apart could change how he still made her insides melt. To stop thinking about him would be to stop breathing, even when each breath hurt.
His deep blue eyes froze her in place as he slowly glided over to her. A bit of his chest tattoo peaked out from under his black silk blouse, which was tucked firmly into his dark grey slacks. He gripped Agatha’s beanie so tightly that she could see his knuckles turning white from the pressure.
His bicep flexed as he readjusted his grip. He looked down at the lemon beanie and brought it closer to him, his thumb tracing the embroidered A.E.B onto the side. Even through the shock that rattled her brain, she still picked up on little things about him that had changed.
Had he gotten- bigger? Those muscles were so delectably big, yet soft and…
A cool breeze swept her thoughts away and she swallowed nervously as he got closer to her. The smell of leather and musk would always turn her world upside down . It was so distinctly Colin, that she felt embraced by him in the best of ways.
“Is that…” he trailed off in a choked whisper. His words failed him as he saw the beautiful, wide-eyed baby girl wrapped in Penelope’s arms. It was undeniable.
“How could you keep her from me?,” his voice was gravel, scraping her heart with every syllable. She shrunk back into herself, holding her even tighter than before.
The dark blue eyes reflected his own, framed by willowy eyelashes. The little button nose and pout were a perfect reflection of Penelope’s features, which he adored. Lastly, his eyes fixated on the only other feature he needed for confirmation. Beautiful, brown chestnut hair billowing softly atop her head.
So distinctly Bridgerton.
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