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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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chapter 2 is here!

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒚 | 𝒊𝒊. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝑾𝒆 (𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚) 𝑾𝒂𝒊𝒕

pairings. violet ledger x ellie bridgerton

summary. violet and ellie have a small picnic and muse about the future

word count. 3K

warnings. none

note. written in RP style by @lifesizehysteria and @shmaptainwrites

A week had passed since their insemination, and despite her attempts to seem confident about it, anxiety was eating Ellie up. They both wanted this so much, of course, but Violet’s heart was so set on it, and Ellie always wanted to give Violet everything she wanted. So, it killed her to have to just sit and wait and hope, unable to do anything to ensure things went their way. When she had paced the floor of their house enough times to feel like she was wearing a path in the wood, she realized she needed to get out of the house, so she had found Violet and asked if she wanted to go for a drive, which was how they ended up by a riverbank with a picnic made of convenience store snacks, tucked away from the early autumn wind with a blanket wrapped around their shoulders.

Ellie nestled her head down onto Violet’s shoulder as a quiet fell between them.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked softly, mostly because her own mind wouldn’t stop running in circles and the sound of Violet’s voice always helped her find the calm she was seeking.

“Immediately, how good these crisps are. I don’t think I’ve had this flavour before,” Violet said, grabbing the bag and taking a closer look at it.

She knew that wasn’t really the answer Ellie was looking for, but she thought it might make her smile. She’d noticed how nervous she was acting. Even when they’d lie in bed together at night she’d toss and turn, and Violet could feel her staring when Ellie probably thought she was already fast asleep.

In truth, she suspected what was on Ellie’s mind was also what was on her mind. A slight nervousness, almost like butterflies flying in her stomach as she wondered whether all of this would work out or whether there would be more hurdles to jump.

She would be lying if she said she wasn’t aching for a positive result, but she desperately tried to keep in mind that they had the resources to continue trying, to explore other avenues, and for that she was truly grateful.

“Before the crisps, though, I was thinking about you,” she said quietly while glancing down at her wife. “You’re worried. I can feel it, my love.”

Ellie sighed so heavily she felt like her entire body deflated. She wasn’t quite sure if it was from disappointment that she had been so obvious in her worries and anxieties that Violet had picked up on it so easily, or relief at not trying to hide it anymore. Not that she’d been doing a good job of it, obviously.

“You’re right,” she admitted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to know. I’m sure you’re nervous enough, and I didn’t want to cause you any more stress.” She turned her head so her nose was pressed against the side of Violet’s neck and closed her eyes, just taking in the smell of her, the warmth that was so familiar it was like coming home every time she felt it.

“You didn’t want me to know?” Violet’s voice was almost sad. “Ellie, you can tell me anything. Even if you think it will stress me out, it doesn’t matter because we can work through it together.”

She took her hand that was wrapped around Ellie and placed it on her head, smoothing down her beautiful curls before tilting her face up towards her.

“Whatever happens I have you. That is what matters most to me,” Violet whispered. “And I’m willing to try hard to make this happen and I know you are too, I hope that can ease things for you as it does for me.”

Ellie pressed a soft kiss to Violet’s lips before pulling back and smiling tenderly at her. How she got so lucky to be loved by someone as good and kind as Violet, she would never know. But she did know she planned to never take her for granted. Violet was a once in a lifetime kind of blessing.

“Stress can make it harder to get pregnant, so I don’t want you worrying about me right now. I’m fine. Just anxious, that’s all.” She pulled Violet in against her side a little more firmly, determinedly letting all the worry leave her face so the only things left were love and hope. Hope that they would find out next week that it had worked and that Violet was already carrying their baby. “You’re going to be so bloody cute when you’re pregnant.”

Violet laughed a little at her assertion, her fingers still threaded between Ellie’s curls, scratching lightly at her scalp.

“Really? What makes you so sure you won’t be sick of me by the end of it? Complaining about sore feet, and back, and well, everything,” she chuckled. “Or midnight cravings? Did you by chance consider the fact that I could very well be an insufferable pregnant woman?” she continued to tease.

As much as Violet loved Ellie, every little compliment made her blush too hard, and she was quick to turn it around into a joke. She’d always had a bit of a self-deprecating sense of humour and she gathered over the years Ellie had gotten more used to it, but still each time she pushed back, insisting the verity of her compliment.

Ellie narrowed her eyes at Violet, though the smile never left her face. Deflecting compliments was a usual tactic for her self-conscious wife, but she had learned not to push too hard, accepting Violet wherever she was at any given time, and this time leaning into the humor.

“Not a single thing you just mentioned would change how cute you’ll be. With your belly all round and your skin glowing and your boobs getting bigger,” she said with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows. She giggled as she turned enough to get her arm that wasn’t wrapped around Violet’s shoulder over to her stomach, tucking her hand under the hem of her shirt and gliding it across the little rolls that formed from being curled up. “I’m an eldest daughter, my love. There are no demands you could make that are any more absurd than ones I have already fulfilled. I will rub your feet and buy you pickles to put in your ice cream, and I will do it all happily because you will be growing our baby.”

“Our baby,” Violet repeated, placing her hand over top of Ellie’s, only able to feel it through the fabric of her shirt. “God, I’m never going to get tired of hearing that.”

Violet shook her head a little, blonde wisps of hair coming to cover her eyes.

“I still can’t quite grasp the thought. Us as mothers,” she smiled, but then paused. A small falter, but she didn’t say anything, instead just held onto Ellie a little bit tighter.

Ellie noticed a slight shift, something so subtle she almost missed it. She watched Violet for a moment, deciding whether or not she should ask. When her wife’s grip on her grew a little stronger but she didn’t take advantage of the lull to say anything, Ellie decided to let it go for now. Perhaps Violet might mention whatever it was on her own, given the right moment. For now, Ellie felt that holding onto the newfound lightness would serve them both best.

“Mmm.” She accompanied the hum with a little pat on Violet’s hip. “What do we want the baby to call us? Mama and Mummy? Mummy V and Mummy E?” She pulled her hand out from beneath Violet’s shirt, letting it slip down around Violet’s thigh until it settled on the soft innermost part above her knee. “We could go really unconventional and just let them call us by our names,” she teased, knowing Violet would hate it.

“God no,” Violet quickly snapped out of her haze and shuddered. “You can have the baby call you whatever you please but our child will not call me Violet.”

She thought a little more carefully about the names that Ellie had suggested, at least the ones that were more within the realm of possibility.

“Mummy V and Mummy E are quite cute, but I think the poor child would get confused,” she admitted. “Maybe Mama and Mummy are best.”

She looked down at her wife and traced mindless patterns on the top of her arm, fingers lightly tracing over smooth brown skin that was currently being kissed by sunlight.

“You look like a Mama to me,” she mused. “My darling Ellie, what a wonderful name to add to your collection.”

Ellie laughed at Violet’s immediate shut it down, pleased with herself for being right that she would hate it. But she was so cute when she was a little fussed, Ellie could never help herself when a teasing opportunity presented itself.

As Violet continued, she gazed at her, listening intently, soothed almost into a trance by the delicate patterns being traced along her arm. At her final sentiment, Ellie felt a tightening around her heart that caused the slightest glisten to come over her eyes, settling into the corners. Mama, she thought. Somehow, hearing it out loud from the love of her life, it suddenly felt as if that was who she was always meant to be.

“Mummy and Mama.” She hummed pleasantly at the sound of it. “At least until they’re older and just yell ‘MUM’ for everything and we never know which one of us they need.” She chuckled at the thought, already shaking her head in exasperation.

Violet chuckled at Ellie’s words, noticing the slight sheen of happy tears making her brown eyes sparkle in the late afternoon sunlight. Whenever they had a quiet moment like this, Violet counted herself lucky. The fact that her first love, who she never thought would even remotely have feelings for her aside from platonic love, was now her wife, and soon, Violet would be carrying their child which she hoped she would have the opportunity to do again.

“El,” she began softly. “How many kids do you think you want?”

Ellie’s thumb rubbed a path back and forth against Violet’s leg as she tilted her head to one side. She didn’t have a clear answer. While she had always hoped to have kids one day, as a lesbian, she had always known it wouldn’t be a guarantee, so she hadn’t let herself hold onto any certain number. “I’m not sure, if I’m being honest,” she finally said with a shrug. “I’m not sure the number matters too much to me. I figure we’ll know when our family is complete and that’s when we’ll stop. It’s not like we can have one on accident,” she said, laughing. “How many do you want?”

Violet blushed a little when the question was returned to her. Children had always been something she’d seen for herself no matter what route it took to have them. Living in a family of three she’d always had a certain longing for something more than that, something larger. She’d wanted siblings who she could love and hate simultaneously, bicker with and have incredible inside jokes that ran for years. She certainly didn’t want her child to be alone.

“It’s kind of a big number.” She looked down at Ellie. “I’m not set on it, but it was one of those silly childhood dreams I had.”

Ellie grinned at Violet. Somehow, a big number didn’t seem surprising in the slightest. She knew her history with her family and how much she felt was lacking there. Ellie was lucky to have a family that was supportive and welcoming to her wife, but she was aware that that wasn’t the same as having your own family in your life.

She nudged Violet and challenged, “Hit me with it.”

Violet chewed on her lip looking out towards the river for a moment before looking back at Ellie.

“Have you ever watched the film Cheaper by the Dozen?”

“Uh, yeah…” Ellie tried so hard not to show her growing concern on her face, but she could feel her eyes widen anyway, and her mouth hung open just a little so she quickly pressed her lips together. Did she want twelve? Ellie was expecting a big number but double digits? That was… well it was a lot. In every way.

“Oh Christ, I should have clarified,” Violet almost laughed. “I don’t want twelve, that's a lot.”

She squeezed Ellie’s shoulders and kissed her temple, resting her nose there afterwards with a sigh.

“I just remember seeing how lively that family was. I know it’s a film and it’s maybe not the most realistic, but that craziness. God, I crave it, El. Is that weird?”

She turned her head against her wife’s, looking out on their outstretched legs that were almost tangled together.

“I just think it would be nice for it not to be quiet,” she murmured. “Eight, that was my actual number though,” she sighed. “Like I said, it’s just a childish dream.”

Ellie couldn’t help but feel just a little bit of relief. Eight was still a lot but felt more manageable than twelve.

“I don’t think that’s weird at all,” she said with assurance. “Or childish, for that matter. I think it is exactly like you. I’ve never known anyone with as much love to give as you, and if anyone could handle loving eight children, it’s you, Dot.”

She nudged Violet’s foot with her own. “We’re gonna have to get one of those enormous vans. Or perhaps a school bus,” she was laughing as spoke. “Or two minivans! God, Vi, can you imagine us with matching minivans?”

Violet let out a resounding laugh so full of joy and hope she couldn’t quite hold herself up any longer and fell back onto the blanket, two hands on her stomach to steady herself.

“I’d love each and every one of them so much,” she sighed once her laughter had settled. “But you’d do that for me? The eight kids and the minivans. I know how much you hate those things,” she teased with another chuckle, looking up at Ellie and reaching out a hand to hold hers.

Ellie brought Violet’s hand up to her lips, pressing a kiss along the tops of her knuckles, her eyes capturing and holding steady Violet’s ocean blue ones. “I would do anything for you, Vi.” It was said with such reverence and sincerity, she could feel it pulse between them, somehow both heavy and weightless, slowing down time until it felt like it stopped altogether.

After hearing Ellie’s words, Violet felt like she was drowning in her love. She still couldn’t comprehend how Ellie loved her so fervently despite everything she saw in herself that felt undeserving of her devotion.

She traced her hand, still resting on the ground, up Ellie’s arm until she cradled her face, encouraging her to lean down overtop of her, meeting her in a teary kiss that held so much love and gratitude. With her wife, Violet always felt cared for, she knew she had someone she could count on, who was looking out for her, who thought that what she wanted was important. She couldn’t say she had experienced that anywhere else.

“I love you, my darling. More than I think I could ever possibly put into words,” Violet murmured against Ellie’s lips.

Ellie let her hand glide up from Violet’s leg, over her body until it reached her cheek. She swept her thumb over the sharp crest of her cheek, admiring the freckles sprinkled like sugar around her eyes and across her forehead. She swept a few wisps of blonde hair away, tucking them behind her ear.

“I hope our baby has your freckles. They are so beautiful.” Laying down beside her, Ellie looked up at the steel blue sky for a moment before turning her head to look at Violet’s profile again. “And your blue eyes, too. That way I can look at the sky even more often.”

Violet turned her head so that she was facing Ellie, an emotional smile painted on her face. She moved Ellie’s hand from where it was tucked behind her ear and placed it over her stomach again, closing her eyes, thinking she could feel something in there. Life, a soul, her baby.

“I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but it’s really hard not to when you stay stuff like that,” she chuckled, but then tears clouded her eyes. She wouldn’t have said they were unhappy, but trying to put her feelings to the wayside was proving difficult at this moment. “I want this so bad, El,” she whispered. “I want us to have our small, freckled, blue eyed baby and I want them to grow up to be just like you. I want that more than anything.”

“I know, Dottie. Me too. We will,” she said softly, offering as much comfort and reassurance as she could. But she knew how Violet could get so wrapped up in her feelings that she lost her ability to navigate out of them, so she did what she always did—tried to make her laugh and ground her in the moment so she could find her footing. “I mean, I know we can’t custom order them or anything, but we’re bound to get one that looks like you and acts like me. There’s going to be eight! Those seem like good odds,” she said and winked for good measure.

Violet rolled her eyes and chuckled through her tears, squeezing tighter onto Ellie’s hand. Her humour had always been on the sillier side, but that was one of the things that drew Violet to her in the first place. How she managed to pick out a shy and quiet wallflower and consistently make her laugh and feel good about herself.

“Very good odds,” Violet quickly wiped away her tears and tried to regain her composure.

She closed her eyes and let herself feel the wind blow against her, hear the river flowing in front of them, feel the weight of Ellie’s hand against her stomach, holding her, keeping her from drifting, as she always did. And for that moment, Violet felt at peace with whatever would happen. She knew Ellie would be by her side, and in the end, that was enough.

#they’re really such cute dorks #and as mary said easier to get started with these ones now before they get too long 😅#we’re almost done 2 kids and have 140k words in the bank #violet bridgerton #violet bridgerton fic #violet bridgerton fanfic #violet bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton fic #modern au #sapphic au #genderbent au #violet bridgerton x oc #violet ledger x ellie bridgerton

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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yall things are really starting to pick up in this chapter! if you haven’t already i would really recommend giving this series a read, mary has done a fantastic job with violet and marcus’ story while also exploring the dynamics she has with each of her children (anthony being the most prominent because he’s a difficult little prick) and she’s just literally such a wonderful author i cannot express enough how much you NEED to read this

A Mother's Blessings | A Bridgerton Fic

Part 6: Anthony

Fandom: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: Gen Pairing: Violet Bridgerton/Marcus Anderson Characters: Violet Bridgerton, Anthony Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton, Kate Bridgerton, Hyacinth Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton Summary: A collection of moments through Violet and Marcus’ courtship in which Violet seeks the blessings of her children. AO3 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Violet’s body hummed, and as she entered the drawing room after seeing Marcus out, she held her hand against her stomach, her other hand resting on top, as though that might stop her from feeling the absence of his hand in hers. It did not.

She was hoping to slip into the room unnoticed, where the remaining members of her family were gathered, but she had barely stepped foot inside when five heads turned towards her, their faces a range of emotions from Hyacinth’s bright, expectant smile to Anthony’s glowering scowl.

“Back from your stroll, Mother?” Anthony asked pointedly.

“Mhmm.” Violet smiled at him, stubbornly holding onto the giddiness she was still feeling.

“With Lord Anderson?” Hyacinth asked as she dashed over to her mother, her hands clasped under her chin and curls bouncing around her smiling face.

Violet looked down at her, blinking in bewilderment. “Yes, but… How did you know?” She had only mentioned at breakfast that she would be going to the gardens, not that she would be accompanied.

“We saw you in the garden through the window,” Gregory said from his seat beside Benedict.

“Oh, yes, of course,” Violet said with an awkward laugh, her smile returning to her face while her gaze darted around the room and heat rose to her cheeks. Her mind immediately wondered just what they had seen, but she pushed the thought away. It was no matter. What was done, was done.

“You are looking quite flushed, Mother,” Benedict said, his eyes dancing with mischief.

Violet’s head whipped towards him, daggers of warning in her eyes.

Benedict laughed outright, looking nonplussed as he crossed one leg over the other, clasping his hands around his knee as he tilted his most charming smile at her.

“It must have been rather vigorous. The stroll, I mean.”

Violet could feel her whole body blushing, but she refused to be embarrassed about such matters, by her own son, no less. She was an adult, and there was nothing she had to feel ashamed of.

“That is none of your business,” she said, attempting to sound blasé but coming across much more curt than intended.

Benedict, bordering on gleeful at having clearly ruffled her feathers, said, “Perhaps next time I shall insist on chaperoning.”

“Benedict Bridgerton!”

Before her admonishment was even complete, Anthony shoved his way out of his chair, making Violet turn, her mouth hanging open in shock as she watched him thunder from the room.

Kate prepared to stand, but Violet gestured for her to sit back down. She offered her daughter-in-law a tender glance, one hand coming to rest just over her sternum.

“I believe it would be best for me to handle this one.”

Kate bowed her head, and Violet offered her a reassuring smile before turning a glare fit for murder on her second son.

Benedict showed no remorse, offering only a self-congratulatory grin in return before his mother swept from the room.

Her footsteps echoed down the hall as she approached Anthony’s study. She paused for a moment outside the wooden door, collecting herself. The effects of her earlier embrace were still present in her body; her skin still tingled, her cheeks were still flushed, and if she was to be quite honest with herself, she would have much preferred retiring to her chambers to linger in the delight of it for as long as it remained than to have this particular conversation. Her mistake had been returning to the drawing room at all.

Unfortunately, this situation had been brewing for weeks now, and it seemed, between what occurred with Marcus outside the garden, and the way Anthony responded to even a suggestion of intimacy between them, it required her immediate attention.

After a few deep breaths, she knocked on the door but did not wait for an answer before pushing it open.

“Anthony?” she called, closing the door behind her and crossing into the room.

“Mother, I am busy,” her son said, sitting at his desk with nary a quill nor a sheet of paper in sight. His eyes were fixed on the portrait of his father above the mantle.

“I think it is time we talked.”

“I do not wish to talk. I wish to—”

“To brood?”

“I am not brooding,” he insisted.

“Forgive me,” she said with a soft chuckle. “I must have been fooled by the furrow in your brow and the jaw clenched to the point it might require a surgeon to loosen.” Violet watched as her son jutted out his jaw and worked it back and forth for a moment. “Perhaps you are simply in need of some rest.”

“I do not require rest.”

“Then what is it you do require?”

“What I require is to know what you are doing with that man!” The way he was nearly seething took Violet by surprise, though she concealed it, aside from her eyes widening ever so slightly.

“If you must know,” she said with a subtle lift of her chin, “I am enjoying his company.”

Anthony spun his head, panic stricken as he searched his mother’s face for the meaning behind her words. Finding no evidence of sincerity behind the double entendre, and, in fact, seeing the slightest hint of a cheeky smile on her face, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I am to leave with Kate to India in three days' time. How am I to leave you here alone, knowing such a man is pursuing you?”

“Well, I think the easiest way is for you to simply get onto the ship before it leaves,” Violet shrugged, determined not to get pulled into his dramatics.

Anthony looked at her without a glint of humor. Despite herself, Violet pursed her lips, feeling the edge of irritation setting in.

“I am a grown woman, Anthony. I do not need you to chaperone me. I am quite capable.”

“I do not doubt you, Mother. It is him I do not trust. He is a rake.”

“He had a reputation in his youth, yes. Not unlike your reputation, as recently as last season.”

“That is not the same.”

“It is not any different. You are now blissfully wed, expecting your first child, and you could not be further from the young man you were before marrying Kate. Marcus—Lord Anderson,” she felt a flush rise to her cheeks at the slip, “is no different. Indeed, he was married, he raised his children, he has done his duty and he, like you, does not deserve to be judged purely by the character of his past.”

Anthony flexed his jaw, his eyebrows furrowing again as he stared down at his desk. When Violet tried to catch his gaze, he averted it even further away.

“My dear boy,” she said as gently as she could given her current frustration, “what is really troubling you?”

“I have told you,” he grumbled.

“Yes, and a simple conversation between you and Lord Anderson would have put such a concern to rest, so I do not believe that is truly what troubles you.”

Anthony refused to look at her, looking remarkably like the toddler who used to pout about not getting extra dessert.

Waiting, she clasped her hands in front of her waist, and when he did not answer, she closed her eyes and heaved a sigh.

“Is this to be the way we leave things, then? Before you depart to India for heaven knows how long?” she asked, disappointment coloring her words.

“What do you want me to say, Mother?”

“I want you to tell me what is causing you such distress about my involvement with a gentleman who is more than honorable, when no declaration has even been made.” Her voice remained low, her steady calm a contrast to his rising, barely contained tension. “Honestly, Anthony, you act as though I am some naive girl in need of protection and not your mother who has been Lady of this house longer than you have been alive. What I should like is for you to be honest with me, so that we might sort through the matter and move on.”

Anthony stretched his hand that had been balled in a fist on his desk. Beneath Violet’s expectant stare, he flexed his jaw again, jutting it out as he closed his eyes and tipped his head to one side. Finally, he opened his eyes again, looking back up to Edmund’s portrait on the wall.

“You have always said that Father was the love of your life. That he was the greatest love you would ever know.” His voice was quiet but tense with a hint of something in it. Hurt? Accusation? Both, perhaps? Violet could not quite tell just yet.

“He is,” she said plainly.

“And yet you allow another man to court you.”

“Well, it is not as if your father is here to do it,” she said with a dry laugh.

Anthony did not laugh. He grew very still and spoke with a deathly seriousness. “If Kate died, I would never replace her.”

Violet’s mouth fell open slightly and she blinked, taken aback. “Is that what you believe I am doing? Replacing your father?”

When he looked at her, beneath the anger ready to brim over, there was hurt in his eyes. “Is it not?”

Violet bit her lip, studying his face for a moment before coming to perch herself on the edge of his desk.

“I realize that you do not understand, and it is my sincerest hope that you never will. I pray that you never have to know the pain of losing the person you have built your entire life around, whose existence is so interwoven with yours that their death feels like the death of your very soul.” She paused to breathe, feeling that familiar twinge of pain in her chest. After a moment, it dissipated, and she was able to continue. “But if you had, you would understand that that kind of love is impossible to replace, and that even if it were possible, I would never choose to do so.”

Anthony scoffed. “And yet, you allow another man to court you. You are right, Mother. I do not understand.”

Violet’s eyebrows drew together, the corners of her mouth tightening just a little. “I carry your father’s love with me, always. I feel it every day��” She stopped, realizing she was telling him something he already knew, defending against some ill-conceived accusation that was an excuse for his hurt feelings and which was utterly unfair to her.

“Anthony, I have spent the last twelve years missing him, turning my grief into an identity worn to honor him, so the world would never forget the incredible man that he was. But I am not made of stone. I cannot spend my entire life as a living memorial, and it is unfair for you to expect me to do so while you get to move on, and find joy and love again.” She looked over her shoulder at the portrait of Edmund, her heart aching just a little more than it usually did these days. A quiet reverence came over her as she turned her gaze back to her son. “Over the last few years I have watched both you and Daphne, and now Colin and Francesca, find love, just as I had hoped for all of you, and it has made me realize just how alone I have felt.”

“You are not alone. We are all here with you.”

“Dearest,” she said, almost laughing, “you know that is not the loneliness I speak of. I see the way you look at Kate, like she is the essence of life itself, and I miss it. If I could have that with your father again, I would choose it. Every time, throughout eternity and long after. But, for whatever reason, that was not the choice that I was given, and I have finally realized that opening myself up to the opportunity of new love does not diminish the love I have, and will always have, for your father.”

“I do not believe you can truly love two people at the same time,” Anthony muttered defensively.

“I can,” she said with certainty, then added softly, “and I do. I am in love with Lord–with Marcus, Anthony, and whether or not you can accept it will not stop it being true.”

He looked up at her, his voice a chilled matter-of-fact, “You are to marry him, then?”

Violet shrugged. “I do not know. He has not asked, and I do not wish him to. Not yet, anyway. But if he does, and I do accept, I wish to do so with your blessing.”

“Why do you not wish him to ask?” he asked, surprising his mother with genuine curiosity.

“There are many things to consider. One of which is the comfort of my children with the idea.”

He tilted his head in question. “What do you mean?”

“I will not have a man, no matter the depths of my feelings for him, cause a rift between any of us. You children are my family, and nothing is more important to me. Any love I have will always come as an addition to that, and if it cannot, then it cannot be.”

Anthony’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You would truly turn him down if one of us did not agree?”

A slightly sad smile pulled across her lips as she reached over and put her hand on top of his. “I am your mother first and foremost. There is nothing I would not sacrifice.”

Anthony grew quiet, his eyebrows drawing together, looking contemplative as he gazed down at her hand clasped over his. When he did not speak again, Violet felt herself growing weary of the conversation. There was nothing left for her to say. The matter was solely at his feet.

She cleared her throat and squeezed his hand before standing. “You do not have to give me an answer now. The question has not even been asked. But I do hope you will consider what I have said, and that you will write to me while you are in India.”

With one more look at him, she turned and left the room, heading for her chambers where she hoped to be able to recall whatever was left of her embrace with Marcus while trying to ignore the little nagging worry in the back of her mind that it might be the only one they would ever share.

#bridgerton #violet bridgerton #anthony bridgerton #gregory bridgerton #kate bridgerton #kate sharma #hyacinth bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #bridgerton fanfiction #written by lifesizehysteria

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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THEY CHANGED THE MURDOCH INTRO?!?!

#mimi watches murdoch #okay like it’s been almost 20 years #why now?#like i don’t hate it #but call me a purist because i like the OG better 😭#also cause hélène’s name was always there and it was comforting even when julia wasn’t rhere

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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Ao3 version that lets you open the 'director's cut' where I, the author, explain every detail in excruciating detail to you and what it is in reference to.

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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heey, mimi

i’m completely obsessed with the mark darcy fanfic you wrote, it’s soooo good, do you plan on writing about him again??

i just watched the movie and i’m so in love with him!!

hi my dear! i’m so glad you liked the mark fic i wrote! unfortunately at the moment he isn’t a character i am writing for but he has known to come back to me with more inspiration on occasion (usually when i do a rewatch of the movie) so im not sure how much hope i should be giving you but there’s a possibility? but im not sure how large of one 😅

#mimi answers #atp i don’t plan on anything #the characters either come to me or they don’t lol

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 [𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘]

PAIRINGS — Violet Bridgerton x fem!Reader [Modern!AU]

SUMMARY — Reader calls Violet for a favour on her day off.

WORD COUNT — 2.8K

WARNINGS — none

NOTE — Getting to find out more about Reader in this chapter! I hope you all enjoy :)

𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐀𝐎𝟑

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑿𝑰𝑰𝑰: 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑱𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑹

Violet was not particularly used to getting calls from you on your days off. At the moment, they were few and far between and often you would use them to rest and disconnect, so when a call came through, there was a large chance that it was an emergency.

This time, when your name flashed across the screen along with a photo that was courtesy of Hyacinth, Violet assumed the worst. You had both been working nonstop for the gala, among other things; the situation with Landon’s arrest was heating up again, as if it already hadn’t caused enough trouble.

What she was not expecting, however, was to hear multiple screaming children on the other end of the line when she picked up.

“Is everything okay?”

“No one is dead if that’s what you're asking,” you said. “Yet.”

“Where in the world are you? I can barely hear anything,” Violet tried to listen past the noise on the phone.

“I can get into the details later,” you said. “And I’m so sorry to call you like this, but I really need a favour.”

“Text me the address, I’m coming,” she nodded.

“But you don’t even know what the favour is,” you said, a hint of disbelief in your voice before turning around and yelling, “Oi! Don’t eat that! It’s not food!”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m coming. Text me,” she repeated and hung up the phone, getting herself ready while you texted her the details.

She let Gregory and Hyacinth know she would be out for a bit and got in the car, punching the address into her GPS before being on her way, until she reached a home in a part of London she didn’t frequent very often.

When she knocked on the door, you opened it, looking exhausted.

“Don’t ask,” you shook your head and she nodded, trying to bite back a chuckle.

“What’s the situation?” she asked, noticing the house was much more quiet than when you had called.

“Well, I’ve got them distracted with the telly for a moment, but that won’t last forever.”

Violet peeked into the living room and noticed at least ten children sitting there, watching some sort of CBBC program.

“I feel like I’ve stepped into an alternate dimension,” Violet looked back at you. “What on God’s green earth is going on?”

“Every couple of years or so, I do all of my friends who are parents a favour and look after their kids for a day. They book spas or stay at home and sleep for 24 hours. I don’t know, the point is it's their time to relax, and my time to be an auntie. Except in the past few years they’ve been shagging like bloody rabbits,” you muttered. “And now there’s ten of them and one of me.”

“So, you needed an extra pair of hands,” she said.

“And eyes, ears, and another mouth to yell wouldn’t hurt,” you sighed and placed your palm against your forehead. “I am great with one or two, maybe three. Five last time was pushing it, but then two of them had to have bloody twins and-” You cut yourself off and took a deep breath to calm down. “I’m in over my head, Violet.”

“Okay, while they’re still distracted, let’s make them something to eat,” she said. “Have they eaten yet?”

“Not since breakfast,” you shook your head.

“And any dietary restrictions?”

“Jackson is celiac but other than that the rest of them will eat dirt if they have the chance,” you placed your hands on your hips.

“Come on, we’ll figure something out,” she placed a hand on your arm, pulling you towards the fridge, opening it and taking a look at what was inside.

When you had decided what to make together, you felt a tug on your shirt, causing you to look down.

“Auntie.”

“Yes, my dear,” you put on your best smile and gave your attention to your niece.

“Who’s that?” she pointed to Violet as the rest of the kids followed along. The youngest at two years old, toddling along until he could be picked up by you.

“This is my friend, Violet,” you explained. “She’s going to be hanging out with us today. Can you guys introduce yourselves?”

Each of the kids took turns in a fairly orderly manner, telling Violet their names, until only the shy two year old was left.

“And this is Raj,” you smiled and gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” Violet smiled. “Are you guys hungry?”

“Starving! Auntie hasn’t fed us yet,” Thomas said.

“It’s kind of hard to feed ten of you when you’re all running every which way like little gremlins,” you teased. “But don’t worry, Violet makes very yummy food and she knows how to cook for lots of people.”

“Really? How come?” Mina asked.

“Well, I have eight children,” she said.

“Eight?!” they exclaimed and she chuckled.

“Yes, eight,” she nodded. “Plus my husband and I made ten.”

“Wow, that’s a big family.”

“It certainly is,” Violet agreed. “Now, who here likes to cook?”

A few of the kids raised their hands and she encouraged them to come with her and she began explaining what would be for lunch and how they could help her prepare it.

You took the rest of them into the living room and attempted to keep them occupied with some sort of game, but it was hard for you to participate with Raj climbing all over you.

It was much to your relief when Violet came in saying lunch was ready, and all the kids ran to the table to sit at a plate of food while you took a moment to breathe.

“You alright?” Violet asked, coming next to you and placing a hand on your shoulder.

“I’ll survive, it’s one day,” you sighed and pushed yourself up while Violet wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into her side.

“They’re quite cute,” she said. “Do you see them all often?”

“Not all at the same time, but fairly regularly,” you chuckled. “Raj and Mina’s mum is the friend I told you I made on those trips I took in first year. Jackson, Thomas, Lillian, and Peter’s dad was in the same program as me for undergrad. Kira and Zoe’s mum and Paula and Ian’s dad were from my master’s. Is that ten? Did I forget anyone?”

“I think that’s ten,” Violet laughed and rubbed her hand up and down your arm. “You should eat something while you still have the chance, I’ll keep them occupied at the table.”

You nodded your head and gave her another grateful look before going to the kitchen while she went to the dining room. After you made yourself a sandwich, you came into the room and watched from afar as Violet engaged the group of children in extensive conversation, giving everyone adequate attention and making sure everyone had a chance to share.

You supposed being a mother for her was like riding a bike, once it was learnt, the instinct never went away. Her kindness and compassion had always shone through, but it seemed to spill from her smile, or in her touch, as she took a napkin to wipe some food off of Zoe’s face.

“Violet, do you have any funny stories about Auntie?” Ian asked.”She says we’re too little to know any of her funny stories.”

“Hmm, let me think,” Violet tapped her finger on her chin in an exaggerated pose until she had come up with something appropriate to share. “So, my youngest daughter, Hyacinth, and my son, Gregory, were having an argument,” she began. All of the children had their eyes on her, waiting for whatever details she would reveal about you and you desperately hoped it wasn’t something you would get teased about for the foreseeable future.

“What were they arguing about?” Lillian asked.

“Believe it or not, who could make the best smoothie,” Violet said. “They argue about everything, but your auntie was there and she saw them talking and very clearly told them that they were both wrong, because she could make the best smoothie. Naturally, they asked her to prove it and after getting all of the right fruits and juice, she forgot to put the lid on the blender.” The children’s eyes went wide. “And the fruit went everywhere. All over the kitchen, Hyacinth, Gregory, your auntie. It was a mess.”

“Is that why you said no to smoothies today?” Kira asked, and you nodded your head while taking a bite of your sandwich, making the kids laugh.

They finished eating their lunches and before long chaos had enveloped the house once more.

“Maybe we can play a game?” you tried to suggest to them over top of all their running around and screaming.

“What kind of game?” Jackson asked.

You pursed your lips and adjusted Raj who was on your hip.

“What about a game with knights and princesses and dragons?”

“Dragons?”

Peter’s attention was caught, and he quickly got the rest on board, and it didn’t take long for them to begin assigning roles.

“Violet can be the queen,” Paula said. “And Auntie can be a witch.”

“A witch?!” you frowned and looked at them. “Absolutely not! Who gave you the idea that I would be a witch and Violet is the queen?”

“She’s older than you,” Mina said nonchalantly.

“If you don’t want to be the witch, you can be the jester,” Thomas suggested and there was a chorus of agreement from the children, thinking that role suited you much better.

“I should have just kept my mouth shut,” you muttered.

“Raj has to be the baby prince,” Mina said, grabbing your arm and dragging you to Violet so she could take Raj from you.

Raj didn’t seem to mind changing hands and, in fact, was quick to rest his head on Violet’s shoulder as the children prepared an armchair as her throne and got her to sit down on it.

Once the game began, you had to be off to the side for a bit while Violet sent the knights on a mission to slay the dragon in the bedroom.

“Queen Violet, I think it’s time to bring out the clown,” Lillian sat as a princess in the chair next to Violet.

“Hey, I am not a clown,” you pointed to Lillian. “It’s jester, get it right.”

“Fine, whatever,” she rolled her eyes and waved her hand. “Bring in the jester.”

You sighed and stepped in front of Violet, Lillian, Raj, and Paula, clearly unsure of what to do with yourself.

“I think the jester should dance, don’t you?” Violet looked at the kids around her, and they all nodded their heads while you gave Violet a pleading look.

“Dance!” Raj giggled, clapping his hands and you pressed your lips together.

“I am so going to get you back for this,” you looked at Violet, who simply had a radiant smile on her face.

“Is that a threat to your Queen?” she asked. “Because that is treason, my dear.”

“The death of a traitor would be better than this,” you motioned to whatever was going on around you.

“I’m bored,” Paula groaned. “Why won’t the jester dance?”

“Perhaps because there is no music,” Violet suggested and took out her phone, passing it to Paula to pick a song.

Already aware of what was coming your way, you mentally prepared yourself, and when the music turned on, you let out the loudest sigh before beginning to dance in front of Violet and the children. Raj, Lillian, and Paula weren’t even trying to contain their laughter. Violet was a little more gracious, but still had a hard time with the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

“Maybe the jester should sing?” Violet suggested after a moment.

“Violet, no,” you shook your head.

“That is Queen Violet to you,” she insisted, Raj still contently tucked in her arms.

“Okay then, no, Queen Violet, the jester will not be singing,” you curtsied.

“Then the jester has to kiss the Queen’s hand as an apology!” Lillian declared, and you looked over at her curiously.

“And what rule book is this coming from?”

“Auntie, you’re ruining the game,” Paula whined. “Just do it.”

Violet held out her hand, and you sighed again while taking it in your own, looking down, your thumb brushing down against her fingers, noticing the few freckles that littered her skin there.

Without trying to think about it too much, you pressed your lips to the back of her hand, making the mistake of looking up at her once your lips had made contact with the soft skin.

You quickly removed yourself and straightened out your clothes while Violet slowly withdrew her hand, wrapping it back around Raj.

“We slayed the dragon!” Jackson exclaimed, running back into the room.

“And I saved Princess Kira!” Mina grinned, holding Kira’s hand and dragging her into the room.

“Oh, splendid!” Violet clapped her hands together. “We shall have a feast to celebrate.”

All of the knights came in, and Violet rewarded each one with a kiss to the forehead and a slipped candy from her purse which excited them, but dreaded you to no end.

The game went on a little longer until Raj got tired and you had to take him away to put him down for a nap. You were tempted to just stay and join him, but you couldn’t leave Violet alone, although when you finally rejoined them, they were all cozied up in the living room under blankets, crowded around Violet who was reading them a story.

You still couldn’t quite fathom how she had gotten them all to sit down quietly, but regardless of how she did it, it was done.

Mina insisted you come sit next to her, so you picked up Peter, who was next to her, and sat him on your lap instead, taking his spot.

The day passed much more smoothly than you had initially anticipated, and once all of your friends had returned from their days out, the children were very reluctant to let you and Violet leave.

“So, this is the Violet we’ve heard so much about,” your friend Lucas smiled.

“I don’t know about so much,” you laughed nervously.

“It’s a decent amount,” Yasmin patted your back, and you chewed on your lip, watching as Violet laughed along, but not without a soft rosy tinge to her cheeks.

“Are you sure you guys can’t stay for a drink or something?”

“Unfortunately not,” you shook your head. “Big day at work tomorrow and your kids, I love them to death, but I would like to go to sleep for six months now.”

Your friends laughed at your dramatic exaggeration, and you said your goodbyes, but just as you were about to slip out, you heard a voice behind you.

“Did you really think you were going to be able to get away without saying bye to me?”

You grinned and turned around, wrapping your arms around your best friend and pulling her into a hug.

“I didn’t realize you were in,” you said and relaxed in her embrace.

When you pulled apart, your friend, Amara, noticed Violet and gave her a welcoming smile.

“Hi, I’m Amara,” she put her hand out to shake and Violet took it. “Are you Violet?”

“Yes, that would be me,” she chuckled.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Amara said.

“Oh, that seems to be a common thread tonight,” Violet nodded her head, clearly unsure of what to say.

“All good things, I assure you, even from my kids who have only known you a day,” she chuckled. “I’m really happy I got to meet you. We’ll have to find someone else to watch the kids for a day so all the adults can have the chance to get to know you.”

Violet smiled, “I’d like that a lot.”

You watched the exchange with some trepidation, only for it to vanish as they continued to speak.

“I won’t keep you guys much longer, I know you must have a lot of work to do, but thank you for coming and helping with our hoard. Both of you.”

“Any day, Mara,” you wrapped your arms around her once more in a hug before the three of you exchanged last goodbyes, and you and Violet stepped outside of the house, both walking to your cars.

“Hey, Violet?”

She looked up from where she was trying to get her keys out of her purse.

“Yes?”

“I-” you paused. “Thank you again for today. Really.”

Violet smiled, “I think I should be thanking you.”

“Me?” you chuckled, leaning against your car. “For what?”

“Always finding new and interesting ways to make sure I have a break,” she settled on. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Vi,” you waved and climbed into the front seat of your car, watching as she pulled out of the driveway and taking a few moments to yourself, a prayer for strength on the tip of your tongue.

TAGLIST —

@paola-carter @madde11 @thesamesweetie @cherrysxuya @philocalistwrites @mako-mermaids2021 @oh-mydarling @courtneyteal @amethyst-bitch @etherynn @lilisdarling @fictionalized-lesbian

#to love the stars #violet bridgerton #violet bridgerton x reader #violet bridgerton fanfiction #violet bridgerton fanfic #violet bridgerton fic #bridgerton #bridgerton x reader #bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton fanfic #bridgerton fic #modern au #bridgerton modern au

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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and she’s finally here!!! if you’re looking for plenty more sapphic violet content you’re gonna find it here with this little project that @lifesizehysteria and i are working on <3 hope you decide to follow violet and ellie on their journey together!

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒚 | 𝒊. 𝑰𝒇 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑪𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆, 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒆

pairings. violet ledger x ellie bridgerton

summary. violet asks ellie a big question

word count. 1.3K

warnings. none

note. written in RP style by @shmaptainwrites and @lifesizehysteria

Violet sat on the couch with a small plop, tapping her fingers against her legs as she did so. There was something she wanted to talk about, something she wanted to ask, but her voice had become stuck in her throat. It had been for weeks.

She wondered if having it trapped there was what made her so fidgety, unable to keep her hands still, her partially dyed blonde hair a frizzy mess from how many times she’d run her fingers through it. She desperately needed to get the words out, but they just weren’t coming, and so she sat there twiddling her thumbs wishing she could telepathically speak to Ellie. Perhaps that would be easier than saying it out loud.

Ellie was lounging on the couch, her nose stuck in a book and nestled into the corner with her feet propped up on the edge of the coffee table when Violet plopped down next to her. At first she kept on reading, until she noticed how long Violet went without saying something, which was very unlike her, chatterbox that she was. Peeking over the top of the book, she noticed the way her wife’s hands twisted in her lap and the stiffness in her body that was a sure sign of nervousness.

Closing her book, on alert but not yet worried because nervousness was nothing new for her love and did not always indicate a crisis, she pushed Violet’s knee with her foot to get her attention, offering her an easy, affectionate smile.

“Dottie, everything alright?” she asked, knowing if nothing else, the nickname would get her to smile.

“Hmm,” Violet looked over and chewed on her lip, not quite registering the affectionate nickname. “Oh, I’m fine.” No, she wasn’t.

She almost cursed at herself for being unable to be honest, even when probed, however gently it was. She knew Ellie would be able to tell, she always was, no matter the circumstance. Whether Violet was biting back her anxiety and putting on a very convincing performance that would show otherwise, or even a shift in her demeanour during their routine before bed, Ellie would point it out and drag the information out of her piece by piece.

“I mean. I am fine,” she finally said. “But I just had…I had something I wanted to ask you.”

When Violet didn’t even smile, Ellie sat up, leaning forward so she was close to her, her mouth turning down into a frown at the corners. Her head tilted to one side as she searched Violet’s face until she answered.

“What is it?” she asked gently but with a firmness that hopefully conveyed her steadfastness to listen, support, and solve any trouble her love could possibly have. At the same time, she reached to place her hand over Violet’s, squeezing gently to pause their fidgeting.

Violet chewed on her lip and looked down at her lap where Ellie’s hand was wrapped over hers. She marvelled at how it brought her such calm. She wondered to herself how it was possible to love someone as much as she loved Ellie; that was why she wanted to ask her this. Ultimately, it boiled down to that simple, fundamental thing that pulled them together even when the universe pushed them apart.

“I…I want a baby,” she whispered. “I know we’ve talked about it here and there, but I…I think I’m ready for that. I just wasn’t sure if you were, too.”

Shock instantly fell over Ellie’s face because, despite years of trying to train it otherwise, her face had not once kept a secret. Whatever she had been expecting, it hadn’t been that.

“A baby?” she asked, immediately realizing how that sounded when she hadn’t meant it in any sort of judgmental way. She just hadn’t processed that her wife had gone from ‘just thinking about it in the future’ to wanting it right now. It was a lot to take in, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t open to the idea.

Her face softened into curiosity, and she took both of Violet's hands into her own. “You’re sure you’re ready?” This time her voice matched her heart—inquisitive and genuine, inviting honesty.

“El, I’ve been thinking about it for months,” she finally admitted. “I feel like it’s calling to me.”

Violet gingerly took Ellie’s hand and placed it on her stomach.

“Could you imagine it?” Violet was almost beaming at the thought. “Our child, Ellie.”

But just as soon as her smile came it faded again at a thought that flashed through her mind.

“You don’t think I’m too young, do you? Is that why you’re worried?” she asked, referring to Ellie’s initial reaction.

Ellie sat with her hand on Violet’s stomach, pressing her palm lightly into it while her eyes went to Violet’s face. Her blue eyes were bright with optimism and excitement, her whole face lit up at the idea, and Ellie’s heart melted into a puddle. A smile burst across her face, and she brought her other hand up to cup Violet’s cheek.

“You probably are. We both probably are. But when has that ever stopped us?” she laughed.

She rubbed her hand across Violet’s stomach, still beaming as she said resolutely, “If you’re ready, I’m ready.”

Violet grasped Ellie’s face gently in her hands, pulling her into a tender kiss. Each kiss with Ellie felt like a hope and a dream that was almost in her reach, and this one, which she had been holding close to her heart for months, was finally clasped between her fingers, and she wasn’t letting go.

“I am just as ready for this as I was when I said I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you,” Violet whispered against Ellie’s lips. “You are my everything, my light, my love. Call me greedy, but I want more of this. Of us.”

Somehow, despite already feeling overwhelmed by it, another wave of love wrapped around Ellie, making her feel as if she were riding high, sailing atop the highest crest over the widest ocean. Violet had always made her feel that way. As long as she had Violet’s love, she could do anything, conquer any obstacle, achieve any dream, because she already had what she wanted most in life. Anything else was just extra.

She kissed her again, a little deeper, holding her close so that when it ended she was able to rest her forehead against hers.

“A little Violet Ledger,” she mused, her voice full of a daydreamy kind of enchantment. “I can’t wait to get to hold another little piece of you.”

Violet felt overcome with emotion, her thumbs tracing along Ellie’s cheekbones as she took everything in. They were going to start a family. Their family. She sniffled a little, fighting back happy tears before kissing Ellie again, not knowing a better way to respond to her comment.

“Maybe we should start making some phone calls then?” she suggested, her smile almost crystal clear in her voice.

Ellie couldn’t help but laugh. The second Violet got an idea in her head, she was already scheming and organizing. Of course, this would be no different.

“I guess so. Nothing like jumping right in, huh?” She booped Violet’s scrunched nose, so endeared by this woman she loved before suggesting she start with a call to her OBGYN, figuring the person who delivered babies probably had the most knowledge on how to go about making one when you couldn’t just do it at home.

Before Ellie could even breathe, Violet was up and out of her seat, making her way to the phone and looking through her black book to find the correct number before dialing it. She chewed on the inside of her cheek while still looking at Ellie with a wide smile. It truly felt like the beginning of everything.

#violet bridgerton #violet bridgerton fic #violet bridgerton fanfic #violet bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton fic #modern au #genderbent au #sapphic au #violet bridgerton x oc

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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had a menty b but little bro came in clutch with a heart to heart and a hug and my best friend came over so now im going to touch grass (water we’re going to the ocean)

#mimi chats #i actually love them both sm #my brother especially rn #totally took me out of my head and gave me what i needed #💜

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shmaptainwrote · 8 months ago

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𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 [𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘]

PAIRINGS — Violet Bridgerton x fem!Reader [Modern!AU]

SUMMARY — Violet and Reader encounter some unexpected familiar faces while out for lunch. Violet reminisces about a younger age.

WORD COUNT — 3.6K

WARNINGS — none

NOTE — Absolutely loved writing the ending of this chapter and I hope you enjoy it like I do! As always a special thanks to Mary and Mel for being the most amazing betas, couldn't do it without you and your encouragement

𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐀𝐎𝟑

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑿𝑰𝑰: 𝑺𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑵

“Another day, another budget,” you sighed, closing your laptop and stretching your arms over your head, an exhale escaping your lips. Violet was still clacking away on her keyboard, her glasses pressed against her face in an attempt to keep them from sliding down her nose.

“Finished the review?” she asked, still not looking up from her laptop.

“Yep and sent it off,” you nodded. “You working on gala prep?”

She let out a short puff of air before leaning back in her seat, closing her laptop.

“As much as I can, I have to wait to hear back from vendors though,” she said. “And it looks like it’s just about lunch.”

“I’m famished.” You placed a hand on your stomach. Having decided to work in the city, out of the office in your apartment, you were in close proximity to good restaurants and to any potential meetings that would come up with vendors.

“Do you know any good spots?” Violet asked, seeing that neither of you were wanting to prepare something yourselves.

“There’s a few just down the street, could be a nice little break,” you stood up from your chair.

Violet pushed her glasses up into her hair, letting them tangle there, and followed your lead.

“Trust me, they’ll be right up your alley,” you assured her, and she watched you curiously as you left the room, wondering what you thought her alley, so to speak, could be.

As usual, you exited out of a side door of the apartment complex and walked side by side down the busy streets. Violet was cognizant of everything around you both, ensuring there was no unwanted attention. Each lifted phone, each lingering gaze created an uncomfortable churning in her stomach that she wished she could ignore.

“No one’s looking.” Your voice rang clearly into her ears. “This is a busy area. Everyone's too caught up in their affairs to care.”

She pressed her lips together into a complacent smile and nodded her head, a hand moving to rest on her stomach as you continued to walk, before turning some place a little quieter and entering what looked like a small shop.

As you were catching up with the hostess who was clearly familiar with you, Violet did a double take at a couple who was waiting to be seated.

“Colin?” she blinked, almost harshly to ensure she wasn’t hallucinating.

“Mum!” Colin turned around, a surprised but happy smile on his face. “I didn’t know you were in the city today.”

“I didn’t know you were in the country today,” Violet said while she pulled her son into a hug, exchanging kisses on each cheek. “Penelope, my dear, how are you?”

Violet’s attention quickly turned to her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and Penelope was more than happy to accept a warm greeting from Violet.

“Doing good, very busy as you can imagine. Work and wedding preparations tend to take up the majority of one’s time.”

“I didn’t realize you were in town,” Violet repeated. “Why didn’t you call?”

“Well,” Colin sucked some air through his teeth. “We’re only here for a few days, we didn't want to trouble anyone.”

“Violet, I got a table sorted-oh-” you were cut off, seeing the familiar faces in front of you, although you had only seen them in pictures. “Colin and Penelope, right?”

“Yes,” Penelope nodded with a smile. “I’m sorry, and you are?”

You chuckled with an apology and introduced yourself.

“I work for the Bridgertons, we haven’t met formally yet, but I’ve been acquainted with your mother and sisters,” you explained.

“Oh yes, my mother mentioned that to me,” Penelope nodded.

“Wait, I’m sorry,” Violet placed a hand on Colin’s arm. “You didn’t want to trouble anyone?”

“Mum, I thought we moved past that,” Colin laughed nervously.

“I haven’t seen you in months, we are not just moving past this.” She shook her head.

“How about we get a table together?” you suggested. “And Colin can promise to call next time he’s in London?”

You sent the third Bridgerton son a look and he nodded his head, accepting the conditions.

“And we’ll pay,” Penelope added. “Our treat.”

Violet was not an unreasonable woman, so she accepted, and you amended your table request to the hostess who quickly grabbed two more menus and got you a slightly larger table.

“So what brought you to the city today?” Colin asked.

“I have an office in my apartment,” you said.

“We’ve been working out of there when we have to plan for the gala because it’s closer to the venue and all the vendors,” Violet explained. “Speaking of, you two will be in town for that, yes?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Penelope smiled.

“Where are you both off to next?” you asked, already knowing what you’d order from the menu.

“We fly out to South Africa in two days,” Colin said.

“Business or pleasure?”

“Always business,” Penelope chuckled.

The hostess briefly interrupted your conversation to bring you water and ask if she could get you any other drinks to start, and when she left, Colin was quick to jump into the conversation again.

“Mum, you seem like you’ve got a lot on your mind,” he began. “Everything going smoothly?”

“As smoothly as one can hope,” she nodded. “It’s just been a busy few months, we’ve been going non-stop, especially since Anthony and Marianne aren’t here.”

“It’s two people doing the work of four,” you jumped in. “But Violet always seems to handle it so graciously.”

“Oh trust me, you just haven’t been around for the ungracious moments,” Violet chuckled. “After this gala is finished, I’m sure everything will fall into place.”

“That’s still quite a few months out,” Penelope commented.

“Are you going to last that long running on fumes?” Colin added.

Violet wasn’t sure why but she looked at you for an answer. To be honest, she wasn’t sure how you were going to manage it.

“I’ll make sure there’s time for breaks,” you filled in. “I think Violet just needs to find a good outlet and make time for it.”

“Oh, do you?” she raised her brows and chuckled.

“Yes, I do,” you nodded, and Colin and Penelope seemed to agree with the sentiment. “I don’t know, maybe you need to pick up painting again, or needlepoint, or writing, just something creative that calls to you.”

“I think she’s right,” Colin spoke up. “When was the last time you did something for fun? Art, or active?”

“I really can’t say,” Violet shrugged.

“Maybe it’s time you found what gives you that spark,” Penelope said. “That’s how I feel about writing. Even with what I do for work, there’s so much control and power you have over words, it’s almost comforting.”

Violet looked between the group on the table then down at the menu, feeling a little more conscious of herself.

“I will certainly try,” she smiled, still looking down at the menu, and you discreetly patted her leg under the table. “Now, I’m sure South Africa is just the start of your travels, where will you be heading afterwards?”

It didn’t go unnoticed by you how she tried to switch the topic of conversation, but you would be sure to push her a little more later to take some time for herself, even if she felt like she couldn’t.

“Actually,” Colin leaned back in his seat, “we’re going to be in town for the foreseeable future after that.”

“Really?” Violet looked confused.

Ever since Colin and Penelope had been doing this work there was never any down time or rest. They would fly to every corner of the earth, touch down in town for a few days to a few weeks before being off again.

Penelope looked up at Colin, an excited smile on her face while they shared a nod before looking back at you and Violet.

“We were going to wait to say anything,” Penelope began, and you looked over at Violet, seeing where the conversation was going and knowing that she did too, her eyes widening.

“Oh my God.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “You’re pregnant?”

Penelope pressed her lips together into a smile and nodded.

“We wanted to wait until after we came back so we could tell everyone together, but I think considering the circumstances it makes much more sense to do it this way,” Colin chuckled as Violet reached out over the table to hold Penelope’s hand.

“Oh goodness,” Violet let out a breathy laugh, the joy clearly shimmering in her eyes through happy tears.

“Congratulations, you two,” you smiled. “We’ll be sure to keep our lips sealed so you can tell the rest of your family when you get back.”

“It does feel really nice to tell someone,” Penelope admitted. “I think it makes it more real.”

“How are you feeling, my dear?” Violet asked. “Everything is good? You’re healthy?”

“Yes, everything is good,” Penelope nodded. “A little bit of nausea here and there, but nothing unmanageable yet.”

Violet looked over at Colin and wondered quietly to herself how all of her children could grow up so fast. It felt like just yesterday they were babies in her arms and now some of them were holding their own little ones.

“If you two need absolutely anything-”

“We will call,” Colin assured. “I heard the talk with Daphne when she was expecting and then the same one when Kate was pregnant with Eddie. Eight pregnancies and you’ve experienced everything under the sun.”

“Well not everything,” Violet rolled her eyes a little at the exaggeration. “But close.”

“Either way, when we’re back, I’d love to talk to you more about it,” Penelope said. “I’ll bring back some special tea and we can do it over that.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” Violet grinned.

Your hostess found the perfect lull in the conversation to come and ask whether or not you were ready to order, and everyone was eager to get back to the conversation and quickly answered her questions before turning to face each other again.

“Do you have any children?” Colin asked you.

“No, I don’t.” You shook your head. “Currently only enlisted as an auntie and babysitter.”

“I have her on retainer for Hyacinth and Gregory,” Violet teased, making Colin laugh especially.

“I do enjoy spending time with children though,” you said with a chuckle, still thinking about Violet’s comment.

“Both August and Caroline took quite a liking to her when they met,” Violet added.

“Really? Even Auggie?” Penelope asked. “He’s so shy, it took him ages to get comfortable with Colin and I.”

“I think Violet may have had some kind of hand in that,” you smiled gingerly.

“And Caroline, he saw you with her and figured if his sister liked you, he should too,” she explained.

“Well if you’re planning on sticking around, you’ll get some more experience with baby Bridgerton-Featherington,” Colin noted.

“Trust me, it will be much appreciated,” you chuckled. “My friends can’t seem to stop having kids, every time I turn around, there’s another pregnancy announcement.”

“We’re at that point too,” Penelope nodded. “Graduations, promotions, weddings, babies, everyone is doing something.”

“You seem to have three of those under your belt,” Violet chuckled. “Will you wait for the baby to be born before having the wedding then?”

“We were thinking that,” Colin nodded. “That way we don’t have to rush anything.”

“That makes sense,” you nodded. “And then the baby can be with you in all of the photos, it will be a sweet thing to look back on.”

“I thought so too,” Penelope grinned.

“And no need for Daphne and Anthony to fight over which of their kids gets to be the ring bearer,” Colin crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk on his lips.

The lunch chatter very expectedly revolved around children and babies with small bits and pieces here and there about the wedding. When the bill came, even though Colin and Penelope had offered to pay, Violet snuck her card in and insisted on taking care of it.

While you were walking back to your apartment, you could see the joy and excitement at the prospect of another grandchild, especially from another one of her children, but there was something else behind her eyes you couldn’t quite place.

For the moment you elected to ignore it, but by the end of the day, the sun getting lower on the horizon, the excitement had dissipated and the stress from work had replaced it, but the look in her blue eyes had not changed.

“Hey, is everything okay?” you asked while she was packing up her things and getting ready to leave.

“Hmm?”

She was confused by your question, looking up at you with a curious frown.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You just seem…” Your voice trailed off as you tilted your head to look at her.

“Seem what?”

“Far off. Distant,” you settled on. “What’s on your mind?”

Violet continued to pack her bag, “Just the gala, there’s a lot we still need to think about, speakers, invitations, donations for auction,” she listed.

“It’s not the gala.” You shook your head, placing your forearms on the desk in front of you, leaning in. “You had the same look in your eyes when we left lunch with Colin and Penelope.”

Violet wanted to answer your question, but she became caught on the fact that you looked at her eyes. How had she not noticed that before? Did you look at her eyes as often as she found herself staring into yours? What did you see when you looked into them? Why were you looking in the first place?

“Lettie, what’s really going on?” your voice was soft and concerned.

She chuckled and shook her head, “That’s it, actually.”

Now it was your turn to be confused.

She gripped onto the back of the seat in front of her, her fingers rapping against the fabric in a rhythmic pattern.

“I love my grandchildren,” she began, “more than life itself, but it just makes me feel…” She shook her head and you got a sense of what she meant. “And it’s not just that, my body is telling me every day that it really isn’t what it used to be. Whether it’s the forgetfulness or-or the fact that I can’t seem to sleep through the night anymore.”

“How long has this been bothering you?” you asked.

She chewed on her lip, “Since the change.”

“I’m sorry, the what?” you frowned and leaned forwards.

Violet pressed her lips together in a thin line.

“Since my cycles stopped,” she said more quietly.

“Oh, you mean menopause?”

Violet nodded her head and you leaned back in your chair with a contemplative look on your face.

“I just sometimes wish I was seventeen again,” Violet said quietly and you looked up at her with a sympathetic gaze.

“Seventeen?”

Violet chuckled and leaned over the back of the chair.

“I know it’s specific, but I didn’t have many responsibilities, I was young and in love, I had my whole life ahead of me.”

You stood up from your chair, grabbing your phone and keys.

“And you still do,” you said. “Come on, let me prove it to you.”

Violet looked down at her phone, quickly unlocking it, sending a text to Gregory and Hyacinth saying she would be back a little later than expected before slipping the device in her purse and following you out of the office.

“Your car or mine?” you asked.

“Maybe mine, yours looks like it could break down any minute.” She looked over to where your car was parked in its designated spot. She was not wrong about that in the slightest.

You put your hands out, and she reluctantly gave you her keys, only because she didn’t like completely giving up that control, which you were well aware of, but you also knew she needed this, and you wanted it to be a surprise.

She got into the car, watching you start the engine and be on your way.

Initially, she wanted to ask where you were going, but as the route became more familiar, she watched you curiously.

“Are we going to Aubrey Hall?” she asked, and you nodded your head.

“Well, sort of. Just wait, you’ll see.”

She continued to watch closely as you drove on to the property, but took one of the back trails through some of the fields until you reached a slightly wooded area that bordered a small lake.

“Benedict told me about this,” you explained, turning off the car and putting the keys in the cup holder. “And I think it’ll help you get in touch with your roots.”

“My roots?” Violet looked at you confused as you stepped out of the car, the tail end of the summer sunset light casting a glow on you, brightening your already mischievous eyes.

She followed you outside of the car, and watched you take off your shoes and socks before pulling your shirt over your head, tossing it into the grass, your pants following soon after.

Violet wasn’t even trying to hide her dropped jaw. You stood before her in nothing but a bra and underwear and continued to walk towards the lake, without much thought to look back. Her eyes dragged along the curve of your hips and waist, noticing how each part of your body moved so distinctly as you walked through the grass and towards the water.

Instead of prolonging any shock to your body, you jumped into the cold water and took a few harsh breaths while your body acclimated itself, Violet still standing by the car and watching this all unfold, even more mesmerized by the sheen and glisten that came to your skin as a result.

“Are you coming or what?” you called after her. “You want to feel seventeen? Do something kind of stupid.”

She was having a hard time convincing herself, but even as she was debating in her own head, her hands came to the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, dropping it to the ground as she took off her heels and unzipped her skirt, letting it drop over her shoes.

She walked over to the edge of the lake and dipped her foot in, hissing at the cold water.

“It’s a little slippery,” you said. “Here, let me give you a hand,” you offered, putting a dripping wet hand out for her to take.

Without question she accepted, which was her mistake, because you tugged her forcefully into the water, making her fall in with a shriek.

When she came up and out of the water, she pushed her wet hair out of her face and looked at you with a playful sense of betrayal.

“I was going to come in!” She insisted.

“I saw that look,” you laughed, “There was no way in hell I was letting you back out.”

When your laughter didn’t subside, she looked at you questioningly.

“You pull me in and you’re still laughing at me like that?” she asked, with a bit of disbelief.

“No, no it’s not that,” you came closer, the water having gotten deep quite quickly, coming over your chest. “It’s just your mascara is running.”

“Oh shit!” she looked at you wide eyed and quickly tried to turn away but you pulled her back.

“Come on, you can't see a thing, let me,” you said, taking some of the lake water and gently rubbing the makeup away from underneath one eye before moving to the other until only a faint black shadow remained. “That’s as good as it’s going to get for now.”

“Christ, look at what you’ve done to me,” she said, a laugh on the tip of her tongue as she shook her head.

“I don’t know what you mean,” you teased. “You’re seventeen, you’ve just gone out for a summer swim with a friend.”

She said your name in a playfully warning tone which got your attention, making you look back at her seriously.

“I’m not seventeen,” she said, “but that’s okay. I…I can see that now.”

Your lips pulled up into a smile and you tapped the bottom of her chin with a curled index finger.

“They grow up so fast,” you sighed, and she chuckled. Violet swatted your hand away, but you simply became more irritating by splashing her instead. She shrieked again when the water hit her and immediately retaliated until there was no doubt that the two of you were drenched.

Once the splashing stopped, Violet let herself float in the water, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air before dunking her head again and swimming toward the middle of the body of water. You watched her as she moved in the lake, so gracefully, as if she’d kept up the habit and, despite giving up something she loved so dearly all those years ago, tonight she took it back, without fear, without question, she allowed herself something. An outlet.

Violet had not been seventeen for a very long time. Her life seemed to fly past her much faster than she would have liked. A part of her wished to go back and experience all of those wonderful and happy moments in her life once more, so she could savor that time a little more than she had initially. It seemed absurd, but she would experience everything in her life again, exactly as it was, because it was hers. Happiness, mistakes, tragedy, and sadness. Every single part of it belonged to her and she would own it until the day she died.

And treading water in the middle of the lake, even if she was no longer seventeen, her younger years but a distant memory, with a look into your eyes and a smile on both of your faces, she knew she still had a lot of her life left to live, and so much more in front of her than she could have possibly imagined.

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