#if you're gonna hate on edwina or mary

[edwinas]

You're right about the part where Anthony still got the end focus of the dinner instead of Mary or her family, that part shifted the scene away from them so outside of the writing of it, it could come off as him 'saving' their family when really he just caused further problems for them.

I honestly wish we got even just one scene with Kate and Mary after that dinner though because I do feel like Kate really didn't know the full truth about why Mary and her parents were estranged until now. So much of the nuance behind her decision and Mary and Edwina's reactions gets lost within the writing because now, people keep saying that both were "ungrateful" to Kate when really they were shocked and hurt. Mary's line about Kate "keeping so much from her" was definitely tied back to her making that deal with the Sheffields, and it sucks that only Kate and Edwina's conversation afterward was put in because it had to do with the engagement but not Mary and Kate, who have their own dynamic. Mary in general suffers from a lack of proper development and focus because I guess the writers couldn't work around the fact that Kate had to be a parental figure to Edwina? Which makes no sense because Anthony is sort of one to his own siblings, but you still see Violet take care of the younger siblings at least. They could've easily included her more in Edwina's scenes and have her just BE more with Kate.

Yep, the way that dinner was framed with Anthony playing the white knight and playing such a BIG part was a racist trope. And it encroached on some much needed Mary characterisation. What better time for us to get to know her than through her relationship (or lack of) with her parents??? And her life was so interesting and unusual? How many young women from the ton have moved countries??

So I totally agree with Mary not being developed! As you said, Mary being involved in her daughters' lives now doesn't change the fact that Kate raised Edwina. We can still get Edwina looking to Kate and Kate continuing to be involved in Edwina's matchmaking. I still have no idea what the show was going for with Mary. She either had great scenes or was a background character with no lines. No in-between.

YES WE NEEDED MARY AND KATE TALKING AFTER THE DINNER. The Sheffield dinner was important for Mary too: she reconnected with her parents after 20+ years. We should have seen more about Mary and what led her to leave the ton. I don't think it was simply her "running away." The situation must have been so untenable that Mary thought the only choice she had was to leave for India with her young children. A Mary-Kate chat would have been a chance to shed light on Mary's past, that Kate didn't know/remember. For Kate and the audience to understand Mary better.

[newtonsheffield]

I am eagerly awaiting your Titanic AU! Can you give us a bit more of the moment when Kate realizes there isn’t enough room on the door for everyone and that Anthony is going to stay in the water? The angst in that scene alone is gonna give me heart palpitations. And I’m living for it.

I mean, Kate's already terrified.

She nearly drowned, handcuffed to a pipe on a boat that was sinking and then she had to jump from said boat with her mother clinging to her and her sister unable to swim and now Anthony's hauled them onto a door while someone tried to drag him under the water.

Kate's hands felt numb as her fingers closed around his shirt, her body shaking with the effort as she tried to haul him up next to her.

"Come on, you're okay. You're okay, Anthony."

He let out a soft grunt as he collapsed against her and for a split second she felt relieved, and then she felt the wood tip, the freezing water covering the knees of her breeches.

Anthony's hands pushed her back as she started to fall forwards releasing him in surprise. Panic welled in her chest, terror gripping her, Edwina's hand still frozen to her back just as it had been from the moment Anthony hauled her up. She could feel her mother's eyes fixed on her and Edwina shivering under Anthony's coat along with Mary, just as Kate was under his jacket.

Anthony's eyes softened as he slipped back into the water and there was something so resigned in it, something Kate hated. It was just the way he'd looked the first time she ever saw him, as his legs had shaken and his chest heaved while he'd climbed that railing. He'd looked so heartbreakingly resigned that this was what he had to do. Just the way he looked now.

"Kate."

He didn't say anything else, his breath hanging in the air in a frozen puff, but she knew what he was trying to say. And she hated that as well.

"No." Her chest heaved and her fingers froze in the water as she tried to tighten them around his shoulders, "We can get you up here."

"Kate, stop."

"Mum," she spun wildly, her voice cracking on the wind over the terrified screams of the people all around them, "Mum please, please help me. He can't- He can't die, he can't."

Mary nodded, trying to stumble her way towards Kate to help but Anthony's frozen hand tilted Kate's chin, catching her attention. "Hey, hey, listen to me."

"I said I'd never listen to you." She couldn't breathe, tears freezing on her face.

Anthony's smile was a wry thing even as his teeth chattered, "Can you listen just once? I'm too heavy, I'll lean on, I'll be fine Kate. I'll be fine."

She shook her head, panic digging its claws in deeper, "You won't be."

"Hey, Hey." he gripped her hand tightly, their foreheads pressed together "You think I'd leave you now? I could never do that."

"You can't die." Her breath rattled in her chest, "I'll die too."

Anthony nodded, his lips brushing hers, neither of them caring that her family were inches away, clinging to one another. "Tell me about our life together."

Kate took a shuddering breath as she tugged him further onto their raft, breathing a sigh of relief as his weight held and his torso was nearly fully out of the water. "You'll marry me now." she tried not to let her voice shake with terror but failed a little, "You fancy gentlemen always want to marry girls they ruin." She ignored Edwina's tiny squeak of surprise and carried on as Anthony chuckled.

"I'd marry you right now."

"Should I call out and see if there's a priest around?"

"No, tell me more."

"We'll have children." Kate watched his eyes flutter closed, "I'll paint and you'll work, and we'll- We'll be happy. We'll be together. We'll always be together now."

A small smile curved on Anthony's lips, turning slowly more blue, "I want- I always wanted a daughter."

"We can have one." Kate breathed, "I'll give you that, but you have to stay awake now, Anthony."

And really, she would have promised him anything, if it meant his hands didn't feel like death in hers.

[sunfortune]

in particular what hurt was Edwina's characterisation. In the book you do get the sense that she can't just make a choice out of nowhere, she has to pick someone with money so she can support her family. And of course her sister and mother try to encourage her to choose with her heart, but you know she understands what's at stake and doesn't like Anthony as much as perceives it as much her duty to marry him as Kate perceives her duty to take care of her family. It made the significance of Kate being an elder sister even better, because Edwina saw the sacrifices being made by Kate. She didn't just announce that she wouldn't marry without Kate's approval for nothing. In the show Edwina just yells at Kate while Kate is arguably making a huge sacrifice on her behalf, by saying nothing about her love for Anthony - allowing Edwina to marry him. And Edwina just yells at Kate!! It was so hurtful.

I'm sorry, I know you're in your nice person era so you can just ignore this ask but I have feelings and I need to put them somewhere.

what hurt edwina for me was:

one. no consistency in her character. she was a plot device the whole way through. you can’t hate her or love her bc her character is so empty and just written to move the plot along

two. she didn’t know kate at all. and that was just sad. whatever came with the drama is secondary but their relationship was upsetting bc kate really had nobody, not even edwina, whom she considered her everything. somebody made a parallel about how anthony doesn’t vent to his siblings but he vents to kate bc he has nobody else he considers equal, to share his burdens, etc etc. BUT even Anthony had daphne on his side throughout the season. daphne who SAW him and did at least SOMETHING for him through all his denials and fat Ls. even if it was just support.

kate had Nobody who cared enough about her to even SEE what she truly wanted. thats why the little moments with lady danbury going nowhere were also so disappointing. and mean!

like while anthony had little moments of support kate was getting chastised?? hello? what was even the point of all those looks between lady danbury and anthony’s mom if they weren’t actually gonna do anything FOR kate??

they should’ve made lady danbury for kate what daphne was for anthony. or mary. kate should’ve had at least ONE person in her corner. it’s why anthony being the only person ever to ask her what SHE wants is special. bc literally nobody else does. but it’s still so sad bc it would’ve Still been special if kate wasn’t completely alone like anthony was not completely alone.

the way they described the sister relationship vs what they actually delivered? so disappointing and upsetting

[newtonsheffield]

Okay now I'm obsessed with uni f*ckboi Anthony 😏 Kate would probably chew him out for going to all her games to just oogle her in a short skirt. And Anthony would be like "you're more than welcome to come oogle me at my swim meets and polo matches 😌". Which Kate does go to and is annoyed at how turned on she is by his biceps, thighs and everything else. He also picks arguments with her in their shared classes and she hates it because he's supposed to be a dumb privileged jock but he's actually smart and she also secretly loves arguing with him. Basically poor Kate is just constantly getting worked up by him😆

Anonymous asked:

do u have a little more of uni fuckboy anthony x tennis player kate? *insert meme of robin hood in disguise asking for pennies*

Oh Uni fuckboi Anthony. You stupid little Twat.

I feel like this Anthony is a rower. Because of course he is. He plays Polo in the off season and he's a fucking Oxford blue. And of course it means he's fucking shredded, and he loves to show it off. Loves to lift the edge of his fucking Tom Ford Polo shirt and dab at his forehead, or his chin after he's fallen to his knees in front of her like an absolute animal and Kate knows she shouldn't but something about the fact that she's soaking into his shirt makes her want to tug his lips back up to hers.

And Of course, when her family's visiting Anthony just can't leave her alone. Barrelling up to her like an over excited puppy, scattering everything in his wake, gasping excitedly.

"Sharma! Is this your family?!"

And Kate nearly groans, "Yep, My Mum and Sister, now get lost."

"Katie! Don't be rude." Mary scolds lightly before turning to Anthony, checking him over like a person might check over a car.

"I'm not being rude, he's Anthony. He's awful. Go!"

But Anthony stays put, introducing himself with a charming smile, "Mrs Sharma, It's lovely to meet you, I'm Anthony Bridgerton." Then he turns to Edwina, his eyes flicking between her and Kate. "You must look like your Dad. You don't look like your Mum, Kate."

And Kate can't help but sigh, "Anthony, what the fuck? Are you broken? You can't just say that!"

But Mary seems to find the whole thing charming, "Well it would be a little difficult for us to look alike, I'm Katie's step Mum, sweetheart."

A savage little thrill shoots through Kate at the look of horror on his face, "Oh my god, Mrs Sharma, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just teasing."

"Anthony, it's fine."

Something a little awkward swells in the air for a moment before Anthony clears his throat turning back towards Kate,

"Um, Kate, I actually came over here because Um- next weekend it's the boat race and I just- I wondered if you were going to watch?"

There's something awkward in the air, and Kate can feel Mary and Edwina's eyes fixed between them, between her and a boy wearing a fucking polo outfit, hit helmet still tucked under his arm.

"Oh um- I don't- I don't know, Anthony." Her cheeks are burning, eyes flicking around awkwardly between Anthony, Mary and Edwina, and Anthony's friend Simon who appears to be watching them very closely from a distance, mouthing something that looked awfully like Come on mate

For a millisecond Anthony's face falls before he covers it with a smirk, "Um well, You should, because we're gonna wipe the floor with Cambridge this year, and when we do, I'm having a party at my parents house."

"Well, it's in London this year, so... I don't know." Kate has no idea what's happening, why he's doing this at all. This isn't what they do. What they do is scream at one another before they collide as soon as they're alone, hands gripping and tugging and tearing at clothes until she's screaming for entirely different reasons.

"Okay, well, maybe just think about it. It'll be fun, and um- yeah. I'll see you around!" And as quickly as he arrived, he's sprinted off.

"He seems nice." Edwina hums a little pointedly, still staring curiously after Anthony.

Mary is as well, humming, "Well, that was very sweet."

"Sweet? What about that was sweet? He's an idiot."

"He's a twenty year old boy, they're all idiots." Mary sighs, "But he likes you. You should go to his party."

"I don't- Anthony doesn't like me." Kate snaps awfully, trying to fight the feeling rising in her stomach, "I don't even think he has feelings."

But a week later she finds herself on a train to London. It'll be a good chance to see Mary and Edwina again, she tells herself. And pick up some books from her room. That's all.

She definitely doesn't take extra care getting ready to go to the boat race, because they'll be thousands of people on the banks of the Thames, he's not even going to see her.

Except he does. As the boat's lowered into the water, dressed in dark blue lycra, sunglasses perched on the top of his head, his muscles flexing as he stretches, and his eyes light up as he scrambles over to her.

"Kate! You came!"

"I came."

"That your girl, Bridgerton?!" Someone from Cambridge heckles and she sees the tips of his ears turn red as he calls back.

"Fuck off, Dorset!" and then he's smiling at her, and it's warm and he's ignoring his teammates trying to call him back for the start of the race. "I'm really glad you're here, Kate."

And she doesn't know what to say, because the feelings that have been tugging at her for a while are bubbling to the surface, and it's far too dangerous.

"I have to go, but um- I'll message you the address for my party. You're coming right?"

"Oh- Um- Maybe!"

But he shakes his head, walking backwards, posing like a greek Statue as his eyes sparkle for a moment, "I'll see you there!"

And against her better judgement, she goes to celebrate his victory. Trying not to groan at the music already pounding at the windows of the house that looks old enough to be a museum when she arrives, peering curiously inside.

"Kate!" Anthony appears out of nowhere, fighting through the crowd as though he'd been lying in wait for her. "I didn't see you after the race."

"Sorry, I had to go. Congratulations though!"

"It's cool, you're here now." He's smiling so warmly at her, wrapping his arm tightly around her shoulders, tugging her against his chest as he leads her through the crowd, "Can I get you a drink?"

"Ah yeah, anything's fine."

and she expects him to let go when they get wherever they're going, but he doesn't. He stays roots behind her, his arm slung comfortably over her left shoulder, tucked under the other. And he stays that way the entire night, playing beer pong against his brother one handed, whispering jokes in her ear, his eyes locked on her all night.

"You are really beautiful." Anthony says softly as they sway together to the music, his flirty remark sending her heart fluttering stupidly, "Like, so beautiful it makes my chest feel tight."

Kate rolls her eyes, "If that's you trying to get me into bed, I think we're kind of past that."

"It's not, I just- I don't think I've ever told you before, and it's true."

And when she wakes up in his childhood bedroom the next morning, her stomach swooping at the way Anthony's holding her against his body, smiling in his sleep. Happy and adorable and soft. Kate knows she's let this go too far. Because this is a game for him. And it's not for her anymore.

[newtonsheffield]

I can just imagine through the wire Edwina screaming at Anthony during labor that it is all his fault and him being all smiles and videocalling josie so that she won't miss the birth 🤣🤣🤣

"Get your hands of my cervix Anthony"

"You're doing so well Eddie just one more push and You're gonna meet the baby"

"Aghh I hate you, were you saying the same things to Kate?"

Molly write this shit please you torture us enough with through the wire give us some hilarity.

I NEED more details on the whole Anthony helping Edwina give birth! That’s hilarious. 😂😂😂

I’m not gonna ask you for it rn because over the last week I’ve absolutely bombarded you with asks, but I am definitely holding you to tell us the story of how Anthony delivered edwina’s baby, and show us her telling Anthony she trusts him implicitly x

@onlychaosnosense

Molly! You cannot leave us hanging with Anthony delivering Eddie's baby that reinforces her trust in him!

Tell us more please🥺

What?! Anthony delivering Edwina's baby in through the wire how did that happen?

Okay, Okay, I guess I owe you guys something nice

It wasn't that Anthony was nervous to be alone with his sister in law. It was just that... Edwina was terrifying at the best of times, let alone when she was heavily pregnant, due any day now. She had (with fairly good reason) threatened to kill him twice in their acquaintance and sure, he had a fair height advantage, but there was something about Edwina that made Anthony think if he pushed her far enough: She could do almost anything.

Sure, Edwina had softened to him slightly in the two years since his accident. Helped a little, Anthony thought, by his having fathered her adorable nephew who was currently distracting her by giggling delightedly as he took two steps towards her, his little arms bouncing as he babbled. Distracting her from the fact the snow was getting thicker and thicker, and Kate and Josie were still out in it.

"Daddy!" Edmund shrieked, clapping his little hands as Newton nosed at his cheek.

"What's up Sprout?" Anthony groaned as he tugged his son into his arms, kissing him on the forehead, his heart hammering in his chest just like it did every time he looked at his son.

"Doggy!" His little legs wriggled in the air as Newton tugged at his sock, his paws resting on Anthony's leg.

"Newton, no buddy." Anthony sighed, "Neddy, why don't you sit with auntie Eddie, huh? She needs a cuddle."

Edmund giggled as he was passed to his Aunt who winced slightly as he took him, smiling gently.

Edwina watched Anthony carefully as he ruffled his son's hair a soft smile on his face.

"You love him. It's sweet."

Anthony didn't hesitate, not even for a millisecond. "I love my wife and son."

Sometimes he couldn't believe it was real. He'd wake up in a cold sweat his arms shaking because he'd been back in that time. Back when he'd told himself Kate would be better off without him. Back before he'd known how she'd gone home to Mary's and made herself sick. How she'd become a shell of herself, just like he had been. But every day was different now, every day was beautiful. Even when they both had days where they tried to pull away from each other. Even when Kate screamed at him, anger and frustration bubbling over. Every day now they chose each other. Chose their family, their son, them. And he couldn't be more thankful.

Edwina winced again instead of a response causing Anthony's brow to furrow, distracted himself seconds later by his phone ringing in his pocket, grunting a little awkwardly.

" 's Kate." He put the phone on speaker "Hey babe, are you close?"

Kate's voice crackled through the air, "I'd be a lot closer with your hands down my-"

"You're on speaker!" Anthony said quickly his ears bright red as he looked at Edwina, a disgusted look on her face.

"Kate, is Jose still with you?"

Kate sighed, "No, Eddie, I left your wife in Harrods. Told her to fight her way back to you through the snow like a sapphic period drama."

Edwina rolled her eyes as Josie's voice called out a little muffled, "Hey honey! We got stuck in the snow so we're waiting it out at your Mum's."

"What she said." kate hummed. "It's getting really bad out there, snow's over a foot deep so we're kind of stuck."

Anthony tried not to twitch nervously at the thought of being stuck here with his sister in law, for god knows how long. "Yeah, okay, we'll just hang tight. Neddy says he loves you."

He hung up soon afterwards, awkward tension rippling between him and Edwina, who let out another wince.

"Are you alright?" Anthony asked a little awkwardly, his brow furrowed.

"'m fine." She gasped, standing and twisting. "I'm just a bit uncomfortable. It's been coming and going all day, but it's getting worse and worse."

Anthony's felt his eyes widen. "Eddie, Are you... in labor?"

Edwina froze, turning back towards him, Edmund on her hip. "Anthony I think I would know if I was-" Her snippy tone was a little undercut by the interruption of her waters breaking.

Panic climbed in Anthony's chest, the memory of Kate's own labor fresh in his mind still after 12 months, the crying, the effort. And they'd been able to get to the hospital. He snatched Edmund up, already dialling while Edwina stared in shock.

"What's your emergency?"

"Hi! Hi! Hi!" Anthony babbled. "Um- we're we're snowed in, I think. We're snowed in and my sister in law's having a baby."

"How far along is she?" The woman's tone was calm on the other end, the keyboard clacking away.

"She's full term, or well, next week, I think right?" Edwina nodded in confirmation leaning against the arm of the sofa as another contraction hit. "Um. Yeah, she's nearly full term, but the contractions are coming really fast. It's happening really fast I don't know what to do."

He could feel the panic choking at his throat, clawing at him helplessly, even as the operator hummed. "Sir, What's your name?"

"Anthony, my sister in law's Edwina."

"Anthony, I'm Jess, and I'm sending an ambulance out to you but they're a little ways away okay? I might need you to help deliver the baby."

"He is not delivering my child, Jessica!" Edwina called back, gasping in pain.

Jessica seemed to think it best to ignore her, "Anthony I-"

And the phoneline went dead.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Edwina was panicking now, lowering herself to the floor as she battled through another contraction. "Why is this happening now?! Why is this happening with you?!"

And something in her panic strengthened him. Crystallised things, a shuddering breath falling from his lips. "Edwina, take a deep breath, we can do this. The ambulance will be here soon."

"What if it doesn't get here in time?!"

Their eyes met, a short look, where both of them knew his next statement was about to be a lie. "It will. It will."

It didn't.

"Holy Fuck! I think I need to push." Edwina gasped barely twenty minutes later.

Anthony startled from his position perched awkwardly on the sofa, watching his sister in law laying on the floor, a towel placed awkwardly underneath her. "Kate's labor was so long though."

"Well, Whoopee for Kate!" Edwina snapped.

Anthony crouched beside her, reaching for another towel. "I shouldn't check your cervix right?"

"If you stick your hand up my vagina, I will kick you in the teeth!"

"Probably just as well." Anthony hummed.

"Oh jesus fucking-!" Edwina cursed, sweat beading on her brow. "Kate said this was easy! Kate's a fucking liar!"

Anthony cleared his throat, settling himself at her legs, "I think it's time to push, if you feel you have to, then it's time. I'll deliver it, I can do this."

"You watched one baby being born and now you're an expert?! You probably just stood there!" Edwina scoffed, groaning again.

"Sorry, Edwina, how many births have you been present for?!"

The silence was very gratifying, Anthony had to admit.

"Oh god!" Tears were running down her cheeks now, her breathing coming in panicked gasps, her voice aching. "i can't- I can't do this. Josie was supposed to be here, not you. I can't do this by myself."

Anthony snatched her hand off the ground, forcing her to look in his eyes, everything clearer than it had been all afternoon. Steady. Sure. The person she'd once believed he was. "Edwina, you are not by yourself. I'm right here, and I promise you, we can do this together. I just need you to trust me, can you do that?"

Their eyes were locked together, tears still in her eyes, the question hanging between them in the air like a third entity, and suddenly Edwina gasped. "Yes, I trust you."

"Let's do this then."

"Please don't look at my vagina!"

Anthony had never been so terrified in his entire life. So much responsibility settled on his shoulders, so many people depending on him, they did it all the time, but this felt different as he encouraged Edwina gently. Even when she bit back Jesus were you this annoying when Kate had Edmund?! How is she married to you?!

"You're so close Eddie, just a bit further."

a cry broke through the room as Anthony cradled his tiny nephew in his arms, tears stinging at his eyes.

"It's a boy, Eddie. You have a little boy." He handed the baby to her gently, just as the front door burst open, a pair of harried looking paramedics followed quickly by Kate and Josie, who looked startled to find her wife holding their son.

"We have a boy." Edwina said gently, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the fact that his hands were covered in his sister in law's blood, not the fact that his favourite rug was ruined. Nothing. Just the new family he'd helped make.

And when he scooted awkwardly into the hospital room some time later, tears stung at his eyes again when Josie wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Thank you, Anthony. Thank you for looking after them."

"My pleasure." Anthony said gruffly, turning towards Edwina.

"How're you holding up?"

Edwina smiled gently at him. "Anthony, come meet Jeremy. Jeremy Anthony."

He couldn't breathe, as the tiny baby was placed in his arms, Kate's hand firm on his back, her lips on his cheek. Even if the moment was ruined seconds later when Edwina said-

"To think Kate, your husband's now the only man that's ever seen my vag."