#unexpected: a bridgerton and sons fic

[lifesizehysteria]

A Mother's Blessings | A Bridgerton Fic

Part 4: Gregory

Fandom: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: Gen Pairing: Violet Bridgerton/Marcus Anderson Characters: Violet Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton, Hyacinth Bridgerton, Kate Bridgerton (mentioned only), Anthony Bridgerton (mentioned only) 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

With a letter to Francesca and Eloise in hand, Violet walked through the corridor from the drawing room. Due to the distance, she had only exchanged one letter with her daughters since their departure. Well, one letter with Francesca. Eloise had signed it, but it was obvious Francesca had responded on behalf of both of them, and Violet held a suspicion that responses from Eloise herself would be irregular at best. It was a thought that nauseated her a bit, having her daughter so far away and out of touch, but at least she had Francesca to keep her informed. That was a relief, at the very least. 

“Mrs. Wilson, will you please see that this letter goes out to Francesca and Eloise?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” she said, taking the letter from her, bowing her head. 

“Thank you,” Violet smiled, and turned to walk away, then turned back around, waving a hand in Mrs. Wilson’s direction. “Mrs. Wilson?”

“Yes, Ma’am?”

“Have you any idea where Benedict might be?”

“Last I saw him, he was headed toward his study after breakfast.”

Violet nodded, her hands coming to rest on her stomach. “I shall check there, then. If you see him, please tell him I am looking for him.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you,” she said once more before turning towards Benedict’s study. 

The door was open when she approached, so she knocked on the door jamb as she stepped into the room. 

“Mother!” he said in that familiar, jovial way he did when he was trying to cover being caught by surprise. She noted that he was trying to discreetly close a sketchbook on the table in front of him. 

“Are you drawing?” she asked, walking closer, trying to keep her voice casually curious.

He blew a dismissive breath out through his lips, scrunching his face. “Just some sketches, that’s all.”

“Mmm,” she said, nodding slightly, looking at him and seeing a bit of melancholy in his eyes, despite the laid back smile on his face and the way he lounged in his chair. It pained her to know that he was still pushing away his dreams, allowing his hurt over the circumstances of his acceptance into the Royal Academy to dictate his future, despite his very real talent. So, it was heartening to see him practicing any art at all, and she did not let him see the excitement she felt, afraid it would set him backwards in whatever progress he was making.  

She came to stand in front of him, her hands clasped at her waist.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit, Mother?” He had fully masked whatever had been slipping through just a moment before, looking up at her with his usual playfulness. 

She returned his smile, perching herself on the chair beside him, her hands fidgeting in her lap.

“I was wondering, has Gregory seemed… melancholy of late?”

A cheeky grin tilted his mouth to one side. “You mean when he is not bickering with Hyacinth?”

Violet let out a quiet laugh. “Yes, aside from that.”

Benedict nodded his head to one side. “I suppose he has been quieter than usual.”

“Mmm.” Violet pressed her lips together into a thin line. “Nothing else? He has not… spoken to you? Has not brought up any concerns?” she ventured, hoping to trigger some memory or spark an idea. 

Her son frowned, shaking his head. “Not that I recall. Why do you ask?”

She looked down at her hands in her lap while her fingers worried against each other. “It, uh, seems that his… imagination has run away with him a bit.”

“What do you mean?” Benedict regarded her from beneath furrowed brows.

Glancing back up at him, Violet let out a deep sigh, her shoulders falling forward just a bit. “He has some concerns about my–our–future with Lord Anderson.”

Benedict’s eyebrows rose, an attentiveness perking up his eyes. “Has he declared himself, then?”

“What?” Violet’s eyes widened, then blinked harshly. “No! Heavens, no, he– No. Nothing has changed with Lord Anderson.”

“I see.” He watched her fidget for a moment, a blush pinking her cheeks. “Then what is it, exactly, that makes you say Gregory has concerns?”

Violet cleared her throat. “The evening of Lord Anderson’s last visit–”

“The pall-mall game!”

“Yes, exactly,” Violet said. She went on to explain the talk she had had with Hyacinth two nights prior, and the concerns her youngest children seemed to have. 

“I am surprised to hear Hyacinth had any concerns whatsoever. She seems nearly as smitten with Lord Anderson as you,” Benedict teased, and Violet reached over to gently smack his knee, to which he practically giggled with glee. She pursed her lips at him to hide her amusement.

“Oh, I think she was taken by surprise more than anything. Perhaps caught up in her brother’s panic. She seems fine with the idea now. Gregory on the other hand…”

Benedict studied his mother’s face as she looked past him towards the window, creases forming between her brows.

“Would you like me to talk to him?” he asked. 

Violet blinked and looked at her son, pulled back from her thoughts and grateful for the kind offer. “No, I think it would be best if I talked to him. But I could use your help.” 

He offered her a crooked smile. “How may I be of service?”

“Well, I am afraid that if I try to sit him down to talk, he will clam up, and I will get nowhere. So, I thought, perhaps a family walk might be in order.”

Benedict thought about it for a second, then his face brightened with understanding. “So he will be trapped, and perhaps more likely to open up while he has something to do.”

“Precisely,” Violet said with a little laugh, nodding her head. 

“And how do I factor into this plan, exactly?”

“You can make sure that everyone else gives Gregory and I some privacy.”

“Why do you not just take him alone?”

“Tell me, dearest. How eager would you have been to promenade alone with me when you were fourteen?”

Acquiescing, Benedict shrugged and bowed his head. “Good point, Mother.”

“So, I thought, if we all go, not only can I use the opportunity to speak with Gregory and try to allay his fears, but we can have one more family outing before Kate and Anthony leave. However, I need someone to make sure Hyacinth stays out of it, and she is much more likely to stay with you than Anthony.” Not to mention, Violet was not particularly keen on explaining to Anthony why she needed to speak to Gregory alone. He was still actively avoiding Marcus as if the man had some sort of contagious disease, and seemed set on doing so until he left for India. 

“So, will you help me?”

He made a show of consideration, drumming his fingers against the top of the sketchbook, propping his chin in his hand as if contemplating a great mystery. Violet heaved an amused sigh and rolled her eyes. 

“I am nothing if not honored to assist in my dear mama’s pursuit of her… gentleman,” he said, oozing disingenuous gallantry as he leaned back in his chair. Just for good measure, he winked.

Violet’s mouth fell open, her eyes blinking and owlish. “I am not-! That is not-!” She tripped over her words, unable to complete a thought. She could not decide if she was more annoyed with his suggestion or the fact that she was annoyed at all, but as her spluttering stopped, her face a markedly dark shade of red, she glared at him before saying a rather curt, “Thank you.”

“It is my pleasure, Mother,” he said. The shameless grin on his face made her groan under her breath and stand, shaking her head.

“Three o’clock,” she said before walking from the room, leaving him laughing in his chair.

~

They were only minutes into their stroll, and Violet was already regretting her decision. Gregory and Hyacinth were squabbling like toddlers, Benedict was doing nothing to help separate them and was, in fact, egging them on. And Anthony and Kate were already falling behind despite poor Kate’s valiant effort to keep up.

When Hyacinth took her fifth dig at Gregory in as many minutes, Violet lost her fight to hold onto her patience. 

“Hyacinth!” she snapped, drawing not only her daughter’s attention, but that of several people walking nearby. Violet let out a simpering laugh, covering her outburst with a smile towards the passersby before turning her gaze on her daughter. “Perhaps you ought to go back and see how Kate is doing.” Her tone was sweet on the surface but underneath was the command of a mother who would take no argument. 

Hyacinth rolled her eyes, clasping her hands behind her back as she spun on her heel and went to join them. Violet then caught Benedict’s eye and jerked her head towards the group that was falling steadily more behind and mouthed, “Go.” When he hesitated, she pursed her lips so tightly they almost disappeared, her eyes growing dangerously wide. Benedict recognized that look and knew better than to push her, so he tipped his invisible hat at her and fell back in line with the others. Violet looked forward again, and after a few quiet moments, linked her arm through Gregory’s. 

He did not say anything, and since a way to broach the subject was eluding Violet, she let them continue on in silence, checking behind them occasionally to gauge their distance from the rest of the group. When too much time had passed and she could feel her son growing tense in their continued silence, she let out a soft chuckle to break it, then gave his arm a little squeeze. 

“It is a beautiful day, is it not?”

“Indeed, Mother.” Violet felt a pang in her heart. One word answers and the change to Mother from Mama. After only one year at Eton, her youngest son was quickly leaving boyhood behind, and even though she knew the loss of Mama would happen–as it had for all of her sons–she did not feel prepared for it. He was her last little boy, and part of her wished he could stay that way forever.

“Mmm.” She nodded, and looked down at him for a moment. How on earth was she going to get him to open up? “I was just thinking how quiet it will be around the house very soon. What, with Anthony and Kate leaving for India, and you returning to Eton shortly after.” “It is never quiet with Hyacinth at home,” he said, a small smile on his face.

Violet chuckled, not bothering to chastise him. After all, he had not said anything untrue. “That is true. But it is a bit quieter when you are not there for her to argue with.”

“Well, it should be a nice break, then,” he said. 

“I would take all the bickering and noise in the world if it meant getting to keep my little boy home with me,” she said honestly, feeling more emotional than she had expected to feel. She had already dealt with him leaving before, why was she suddenly feeling such deep attachment?

“I am not a little boy,” he insisted, unaware of how such a statement made him sound just like one. 

“Of course not, dearest,” she said, trying to keep the laughter from her voice. “How are you feeling about returning to school?”

“Fine,” Gregory shrugged. Violet resisted the urge to push for more, instead taking a moment to notice the warmth of the sun on her face and the sound of chatter floating by on the breeze.

“It will be nice to see my friends,” Gregory finally said.

“Of course,” she agreed, smiling at him. “It must be nice to be around your peers, away from the family chaos.” Violet was not unaware of the lack of confidence her youngest son felt among their large and boisterous brood. It had to be difficult to be so many years younger than his brothers. She saw his eagerness to find his place among the men in the family and wished for some way to ease his mind while still not feeling ready herself for him to grow up.

“I do not mind the chaos,” he said. “I have never known anything else.”

Violet chuckled and leaned into his arm. “I suppose that is true.”

“It might actually be nice to be around the noise of school. It has been rather quiet at home lately.”

“Indeed, it has.” Like a sixth sense that came from so many years of motherhood, Violet could sense they were on the precipice of a genuine conversation, and she felt an urgent need to tread as carefully as she could so as not to close whatever door was beginning to open. “It is strange to have so many of your brothers and sisters gone, is it not?”

Gregory nodded. “I suppose it is better that we get used to the quiet now, though.”

Violet’s eyebrows knit together as she looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“Well, when we go to live with Lord Anderson, it will be rather quiet, will it not? It will be just the three of us and him.”

Violet blinked, taken aback at the way he had kicked his way through the door that she had been trying to very gently open. She cleared her throat, letting one hand come to press against her stomach. 

“Well- uh,” her gaze fell to the path beneath their feet, her cheeks suddenly warm. “I imagine it would be, yes, but–” Trying to collect her thoughts, she exhaled a sigh. It seemed everyone else was insisting on finishing a race for her that she was not even sure she was running. “Lord Anderson and I are not engaged.”

“But you will be,” he stated, as if it were already fact. 

Violet heaved another sigh, a tightness forming around her mouth. “My life would be much improved, I think, if I were as capable of predicting the future as all of you seem to be.” There was a bite of frustration coloring her words, and Gregory looked down, guilt on his face.

“I am sorry, Mama,” he said quietly, morphing back into her baby boy and instantly filling Violet with regret for saying something aloud that should have stayed a private thought.

“No, no, I am sorry. That was unfair.” She squeezed his arm in both of hers and blew an exhale out through her mouth. “I know you have concerns. I spoke to Hyacinth—”

“I know,” he said before she could finish. “She told me.”

“So, you know neither of you would have to change your names, then?”

“Yes.” 

“And that if you truly do not wish to live with Lord Anderson, we will speak to Anthony about you staying at Bridgerton House?”

“Yes,” he said again. 

“Good,” she nodded. 

Violet should have been feeling some relief that he already knew the very things she had wished to tell him. However, as they continued to stroll, she felt a distinct unrest coming from him, which left her feeling quite unsettled in the belly. After a few more quiet minutes, she realized she could not leave unsaid whatever it was he was ignoring and mustered up the will to pry a little more. 

“Were those all of your concerns?” she asked, tentative in tone. “Because it seems as if something is still bothering you.” She made sure not to look at him, chewing on the inside of her cheek to put her nervous energy somewhere.

Gregory continued to stare determinedly ahead, remaining silent.

“You know you can tell me anything,” she said, now with more conviction, “and I will do everything within my power to help.” When, again, he said nothing, Violet let herself glance at him. His lips were clamped shut between his teeth. She continued gently, “But I cannot solve a problem that I do not know exists.”

She watched as his eyes turned toward the ground, the effort to keep his face neutral obvious until, finally, his shoulders drooped forward.

“It feels as though everyone is leaving me behind,” he admitted quietly, “and when you marry Lord Anderson, you will, too.”

Surprise mingling with confusion played across Violet’s face. “You mean if you live with Anthony? Dearest, I thought that was what you wanted. Besides, you are spending most of your time at Eton now, away from all of us.”

Gregory shook his head, letting out the smallest groan of frustration. “No, I mean, whether I go with you or stay. I have seen what marriage does. You find someone else who means more to you than anyone else, and they are who you care about. Who you spend your time with. First Daphne, then Anthony, now Colin and Francesca. Everyone is leaving, and even when they are here, nothing is the same.”

Violet felt a tightness wrap around her heart until it ached in her chest. Of course her child who seemed to know himself the least would be so affected by everyone else beginning lives outside of their family.

“Oh, my dear boy.” Affection and sympathy inflected her tone. “I know it must be so hard to see your brothers and sisters flying away to start their lives. It certainly has been for me.”

“Really?” he asked, looking at her for the first time. “You have always seemed so excited for them to be married.”

“Well, yes, I am, because as their mother, I want them to grow and flourish, to find love and have families of their own. But just because I am happy for them does not mean I do not feel their loss.”

Gregory gave a small nod as if he understood, but his face remained puzzled, his eyes uncertain. 

“The difference, I suppose, is that as their mother, I have been preparing for the day they would leave—the day all of you would leave—since the day you were born. You, however, have never known life without them, and I imagine it must be a very difficult change, indeed.” She patted his chest and leaned into his shoulder, grateful when he made no effort to pull away. “The other difference, my sweet boy, is that I am your mother, and no one will ever be more important to me than you children. No matter what happens between Lord Anderson and myself, you and your brothers and sisters will always come first.” She turned to look at him again, smiling at the way his face had softened, hoping he believed her. “I most certainly will never leave you behind, I can promise you that. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is my fate to be left by each of you as you fly the nest, and I will be happy for it, because it means I have done my duty. It is simply my hope that you come back as often as possible to fill my house with all the noise and ruckus I have had the joy and frustration of hearing for so long.”

He laughed, his face bright with his usual sweetness. She returned his smile, laughing gently with him, her eyes shining and her heart light.

“I do like Lord Anderson,” he said. 

“Do you?” 

“Yes.”

“I am glad,” she said with utmost sincerity.

“He is quite funny. And Hyacinth is right about the way you smile when you are with him. Clearly, he makes you happy.”

Violet looked toward the ground, swallowing as she blinked away tears that threatened to well in her eyes. “He does,” she said softly, her voice tight in her throat.

They continued to walk in a comfortable silence until the sound of thundering footsteps came up behind them. Hyacinth barrelled into them in a rather unladylike manner as she said, quite loudly, “Gregory, why are you hogging Mama and keeping her all to yourself?”

The two of them stopped, Violet’s arm still hooked through her son’s as they stepped over to the grass and off the path.

“Hyacinth, manners!” Violet scolded, and Hyacinth sobered, clapping her hands behind her back as she came to stand on her mother’s other side. “Your brother is not keeping me to himself, he is simply making sure we have adequate time together before he leaves for school again.” 

Hyacinth opened her mouth but whether to speak or to argue they would not know because another set of footsteps had them all turning their heads, only to see Benedict jogging up to them, his flushed face twisted with frustration.

“I am sorry, Mother. I could not keep her away any longer.” He stopped next to them, bending so his hands were on his knees, head bowed as he wheezed. 

“Keep me away? What do you mean?” Hyacinth demanded, affronted. 

“Never you mind, dearest,” Violet said to her, taking hold of her daughter’s hand before looking at Benedict who was still breathing heavily but standing upright. “We are all settled. Perhaps we ought to gather Anthony and Kate and return home. It will be time for dinner by the time we arrive, and I should like to spend the evening as a family. What do you think, Gregory?”

“If you want,” he said, but the smile that bloomed on his face until he was all teeth and dimples and glittering eyes told Violet it was exactly what he wanted, and she couldn’t agree more. Their family dinners were getting smaller and smaller, and she did not want to miss a single one.

[newtonsheffield]

I hope that now you can see how obsessed we our with Lucy’s emotional journey in Katie, one day you’ll strongly consider giving us Lucy’s POV Unexpected. Like seriously give us the whole 15k!!! *grabby hands* All the angst! All the pining!!!!

OKAY!

I wanted to write Unexpected from her POV! I love Lucy! But I don't know, the story worked better from Gregory's at the time

But I actually would be interested in writing this from her POV because imagine Lucy watching Gregory laughing across the office and her heart aching whenever he says That's why we're friend's Lucy Loo! And she goes home at night, to the house that she lived in with her parents that just feels empty now, and tears fall down her face because she's tried and tried her whole life to be perfect, and Gregory still doesn't want her.

Oooof Let's take a look

Lucy sighed as she unlocked her front door, silence greeting her in the dark entryway, echoing through her as she flicked the lights on. She opened the closet, hanging her coat up and then leaving her bag on the table in the hall. Trying not to run through the day in its entirety as she went upstairs, slipping out of her shoes, lining them up carefully back in her wardrobe.

Well, that wasn't fair. She didn't usually review the entire day, just every time Gregory Bridgerton had looked at her, or spoken to her. And somehow that was worse. Lucy had spent the last ten years of her life being moulded, browbeaten really, into perfection. Or at least, her Uncle Robert's version of it. She was meticulous, and well dressed and, funny sometimes, and she had high enough self esteem to know that she was an attractive woman. And still, Gregory Bridgerton didn't want her.

He'd sat across from her at the staff meeting today, his eyes laughing brightly as she tossed Cheesy Wotsits in his mouth, hooting happily when he caught them, and Lucy had tried to stop herself from feeling the emotions that bubbled in her chest every time she looked at him these days. Words pushing at the back of her throat I'm in love with you, Greg as he grinned at her and said,

"Perfect aim as always, Lucy Loo. 10/10 quality friend."

And just like that he'd ripped her heart out of her chest as he spun around in his chair, completely ignoring Anthony talking about the conduct expected of them all at the charity gala this weekend.

And still, her heart, held tightly in his fist fluttered when he leaned across the table, his eyes sparkling behind his glasses at her boyishly and said " £10 and I'll tell Anthony to keep it in his pants."

And still Lucy had smiled "£5."

Gregory had sent her a wink, squeezing her heart still more firmly.

"Hey, Anthony, just to be clear, if we're talking about appropriate conduct, will you and your lovely new fiancée be sneaking away from the party again this year?"

"No." Anthony had said sharply. "He means no promises." Kate had quipped, leaning across the table to high five her brother in law while Anthony hissed Really, Kate! And Gregory had looked so carefree and Handsome Lucy had found it impossible to not to smile along with him, though all she'd really wanted to do was cry.

Especially when He smiled at her at the end of the day when he left a vimto lollipop on his desk and said

"This is why we're best friends La la la Lucy!"

Lucy sat at her kitchen counter alone, her reheated left overs looking grimly up at her, music blaring from the speaker next to her, not wanting to be alone with her thoughts just for once. She'd ignored her brother's message, scrolled through instagram boredly for a while, but then she'd seen Kate's post, a picture of her tucked on Anthony's lap, Newton in a backpack her smile bright as Anthony left a kiss on her cheek. And it had looked so blindingly happy, so comfortable, that Lucy had had to look away. A ridiculous wanting rising in her chest, because honestly, she didn't even remember the last time she had been that free to be herself with someone.

So she sat, alone at her kitchen counter, the light casting a glow across the picture of her parents on the fridge, averting her eyes so she didn't have to look at her own childish smile as her phone lit up.

Gregory 👓: Lucy Loo, you're obviously very busy and important but turn on the TV, Mean Girls is on! I know you like it!

And stupidly, tears starting falling onto the bench in front of her.

And the next day, when she stood next to him in the lift, she pretended all over again, that she wasn't in love with Gregory Bridgerton.

[fayes-fics]

Fic Masterlist

Updated May 21, 2025

❦ smut | ✿ fluff/humour | ❥ angst | ⚣ threesome | ⟳ modern au | ☉ fic remix

My fic masterlist got too big for Tumblr to handle! So the complete collection of my Benedict fics are now split out as follows:

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Bright Star. ❦

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Notte D'Amore ❦

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[newtonsheffield]

Okay

I feel this was needed as a culmination of the angst Lucy I’ve been obsessed with for the last 24hrs but I think it’s an important conversation for them to have in the after.

No, it’s not Gregory’s fault that he had feelings for someone else, and it’s not Lucy’s fault that she realised her feelings much earlier than he did, but it sucks for Lucy that that was the situation. And I’m sure it stings a little when people bring it up.

(Also, sorry to any Richard and Hermione stans this isn’t for you)

Really, in hindsight, the only surprising thing about the conversation with Richard and Hermione was that it hadn’t happened the first time Richard had met Gregory. Though Lucy supposed that he had been a little too busy trying to find out with Gregory was a hotheaded sociopath who was likely to beat her to within an inch of her life than question him about his previous penchant for his own girlfriend.

“So Gregory,” Richard had started lightly enough, Lucy’s patience not spread half as thin as it had been last time they’d had dinner due to their Uncle’s inability to attend. “I hear from Hermione that you maybe had a little crush on her.” Lucy felt Gregory still beside her, his eyes flicking between Richard and Hermione clearly gauging the appropriate response. Lucy’s own shoulders stiffening at the sentence, her chest aching a little when she thought about her own life during that time, the aching loneliness she’d felt sparking again in her chest. Even though her life was so different now.

“Well, she’s a pretty girl.” Gregory said mildly, clearly trying to end the conversation there without offending anyone, and really, it was true. Hermione was stunning, and Lucy could hardly begrudge her that.

“And you couldn’t get her so you went for her friend?” Richard said his eyes narrowing, and Lucy’s stomach clenched uncomfortably tears pricking at her eyes a little ridiculously, something she’d wondered in the early days of their relationship sparking again. She could barely feel Gregory’s hand squeezing hers tightly as he answered.

“No. I love your sister, Richard that’s really all there is to it.” Gregory said firmly. His own eyes narrowing as Richard chuckled.

“Really? Because-”

“Jesus Christ enough Rick!” Lucy said sharply, “why would you even bring this up?! Plenty of people like other people before they get together, it’s fine! You don’t hear me bringing up your crush on Edwina Sheffield all the time!”

“But you were in love with him. The whole time.” Hermione spoke softly for the first time, surprising Lucy with the statement, even as her heart sank. She could feel Gregory’s eyes burning into her curiously as she cleared her throat to dislodge the lump that had formed there.

“And it didn’t matter.”

She could feel Gregory’s eyes on her, quietly watching the entire way home, and she knew he wanted to talk about what had happened. Gregory was always such an open book and she should be thankful for that, thankful for how he practically radiated his feeling outwards like sunshine, but tonight she wasn’t.

“Lucy I think we should talk about this.” He said gently when they stood in the entrance hall of her house, hanging up their coats as Lucy slipped out of her shoes. She barely looked at him when she spoke.

“I really don’t want to.” She said quietly, feeling his hands wrap around her waist, their height difference even more apparent without her shoes on, his frame dwarfing hers like a security blanket but still it stung.

“Still. I think it’s important to clear the air, it’s cool if what he said brought up some things for you. I used to like a Hermione and then I realised I was actually in love with you.” His voice was even, calm, measured and something about the rational way he was talking maybe her prickle with irritation. Because for him this was simple, for her it hadn’t been.

“And I believe you. There, we talked about it.” Lucy said as lightly as she could manage, turning and kissing his cheek before trying to wriggle out of his arms.

“Lucy that’s not what I meant and you know it.” He said softly, and she didn’t know why it made her snap, but it did as she pulled away from him. Feelings she’d held back for months years, spilling from her in a matter of seconds.

“What do yo want me to say Greg?” His eyes widened in surprise his mouth opening to respond but she cut him off. “Do you want me to tell you how many times I cried over you like a pathetic child because you didn’t want me? Do you want to hear how much it killed me when you called me your friend but I couldn’t stand the thought of not being around you at all? What do you want me to say Greg?! What?!” Her voice had listen to a near shout at the end, Greg flinching away from her, a tight expression on his face face as though her words hurt him as much as they hurt her to say it.

“Lucy, I’m so sorry, If I could take it back I would.” His voice was shaking now, his arm outstretched towards her, waiting for her to take it as tears stung at her eyes.

“That’s the worst fucking part Greg! It’s not your fault that you didn’t want me! I don’t blame you for that, but as much as I wanted to hate you for making me fall in love with you, I couldn’t because you didn’t even know! You did it so easily you didn’t even fucking notice!” And it wasn’t fair of her to say it, but it came tumbling from her mouth anyway. Her chest aching at the pained expression she’d put on his face.

“You fell in love with your friend, slowly and that’s beautiful Greg and I love that. But I fell in love quickly, and it fucking sucked.” It sounded petulant even to her own ears. A child wailing because they didn’t have what they wanted. Except she did. Before she knew what had happened, Gregory’s arms were wrapped tightly around her, pressing her against his chest, his voice urgent in his ear.

“Lucy, I love you so much and I’m so so sorry that I hurt you, I hate that I did but I can’t change it. So I am going to love you every day for the rest of my life and you’re never ever going to feel that way again.”

And though she’d told herself when she sat in Kate’s front lawn she’d never cry over Gregory Bridgerton again, she did for the rest of the night. Only this time, in the morning, she felt better.

[newtonsheffield]

I know you have a personal life and work and other things going on... But you can't just offer us a glimpse of Lucy and Gregory being angsty and sad and then just stop and not tell us what happens next. Will you maybe write a fic about the evolution of their relationship? I love Lucyyyy.. she is amazing

It's very nice of you to assume I have a personal life. But I sadly don't 😂

Okay so you may have seen that I do have a full length Lucy and Gregory fic! It's called Unexpected and it's on Ao3 !

And they do make up, and they become very very sweet together once Gregory realises he's actually in love with Lucy. Unfortunately for Lucy Abernathy whom I love and adore like she were my own child, She realised she was in love with Gregory ten months before he realised he was in love with her. And that led to a lot of heart break for her.

This is a scene I've wanted to write from Lucy's POV for a really long time, but no one's ever asked and you still haven't but I'm using this moment to grandstand!

I would recommend that you read Unexpected prior to reading this little scene!

As odd as it seemed, Lucy had never been to Kate and Anthony's house before, she'd never had a reason too so she'd been a little surprised when Kate had been making plans for Anthony's birthday party, turned and dropped an invitation on her desk. And really, she shouldn't have been surprised, most of the office was invited, and Lucy had long since considered Kate more a friend than her boss. So she'd gone, she'd gotten dressed and told herself that wanting to spend time with Gregory had absolutely nothing to do with wanting to go.

It had been a little awkward and stilted since last month when she'd cried all the way home and then a little more, barely having gone to sleep when she was woken by Kate's call, her stomach churning as she thought about Gregory, his fist connecting with a man. And she'd swallowed all of her pride, picked up her phone and said Rick, I'm not here to talk about Hermione. I need a favour and she'd done it for Gregory. Even though she knew that her brother and Uncle would expect more of her now, would eventually expect something in return, She'd done it.

"Lucy you came!" Kate said brightly, when she arrived, Anthony's arms wrapped tightly around her waist as they leaned against the wall together, Kate's sister looking impossibly beautiful as she had every time Lucy had seen her. And Lucy's heart ached with the domesticity of it, because maybe, if she'd been just a little different, it could have been her and Gregory. But it wasn't and that was fine. "Of Course I did, some of us don't have an assistant to get us out of our social obligations, you know Kate." She smirked. Edwina gasped dramatically. "I knew all those times Lucy called and told me you were running late it was a lie!" She swatted at Kate who looked scandalised. Lucy couldn't help the laughter that escaped her as Edwina and Kate bickered backwards and forwards and then a familiar voice was low in her ear.

“Lucy, can I talk to you?” Lucy spun towards the sound a little startled by his sudden appearance. And when she saw him like this, his t-shirt printed with what appeared to be The Infinity gauntlet, her hair tousled, his eyes shining at her behind his glasses, it was difficult to deny the real reason she'd come tonight. Just to see him like this for a moment, even from a distance.

“My my Gregory, your mother would be so appalled to see you slighting the hostess in such a way.” Kate teased and Lucy watched as Gregory spun towards her as though he hadn't even noticed. Lucy could see Edwina trying to catch her eye mouthing You and Gregory? Fucking Cute. Lucy ignored the flutter in her stomach.

“Oh. Sorry. Didn’t see you there. Happy birthday Ant!” Anthony rolled his eyes and muttered his thanks. And Lucy couldn't stop staring at him, curiously. Clearly he hadn't been here already. He'd arrived and sought her out? That didn't seem right. The butterflied always seemed to ignite in her stomach beat their wings furiously.

“I’m sure you didn’t.” Kate quipped, sending Edwina a wide eyed look.

“Lucy, Can I talk to you?” He said more firmly, ignoring his (almost) sister in law. Lucy felt her eyes widen at his insistence, nodding before she could think of a reason not to be alone with him. To give him a reason not to unknowingly break her heart for the hundredth tie. Gregory caught her hand and tugged her to the quieter upstairs floor. The music muffled as he led her into a spare bedroom and stupidly Lucy could feel her heart start to race. She cleared her throat.

“What’s this about, Greg?” She asked to create some distance between reality and her imagination, unable to look at him, even as she used the nickname he'd told her the first time they met that his friends used. Because that's what they were. Friends.

“I don’t know where Hermione is and she and Richard are still together.” She forced the words from her chest. To remind herself what he really wanted from her.

“Hermione?” Gregory’s brow furrowed, “I don’t care about her.” He took a step towards her likely completely unaware of how her pulse was thundering in her ears. If he didn't want to talk about Hermione then what did he want to-?

“Then I don’t understand, If it’s a work thing-” She started, hearing her own confusion leak into her voice But Gregory cut her off with a final step towards her. They were chest to chest now, she could count the freckles on the bridge of his nose if she wanted, his hair dipping into his eyes unbearably handsome.

“I don’t want to talk about work right now.” His voice like gravel and then suddenly his lips were on hers, hot and unrelenting. She was still with shock for a split second before she felt herself relax into him, her hand reaching for his hair to pull him closer to her, his own hands tugging at her waist pressing their bodies together as his tongue moved against hers in a way that had her knees a little weak. And somehow, in all the times she'd imagined what it might be like to kiss him, even when she had had that (very filthy) dream about him months ago now, it had never lived up to this. He pulled back after several long moments, his breath laboured as he stared down at her, her heart fluttering with the idea that he'd finally realised that she'd been standing right there in front of hi for years now, practically begging him to love her.

“God, Lucy. I’m half in love with you, sometimes.” He whispered softly, smiling at her. And Lucy felt her heart break all over again. Because he hasn't realised anything at all. He was confused, and hurt by her friend, and she was just there. And while she desperately wanted to not care, to let herself go home with him, or fall back against the mattress in her bosses spare room and have him just for a moment, she had to be stronger than that.

Lucy felt the smile she'd had drop off her face as she stepped back from him, turning her head so he wouldn't.see the tears in her eyes

“Lucy?” He questioned lightly, confused and though she refused to look at him she knew exactly how he'd look. His brow furrowed adorably, like a lost puppy.

“Don’t Greg, please don’t make this any harder.” Her voice shook shamefully, her head still turned away from him as she stepped around him towards the door.

“I don’t under-“ He started, his voice still dripping with confusion, the barest edge of hurt creeping in.

“You’re in love with Hermione, you’re in love with me. Do you even know what you want, Greg?” She barely recognised her own voice as she opened the door, light flooding in from the hallway, Gregory illuminated for a moment, the look on his face making her heart ache to go back and wrap her arms tightly around him again, to let him have her, whatever he wanted. But she had to start loving herself as much as she loved him.

“You can’t be half in love with someone Greg, certainly not with me.” She snapped the door shut on him, her feet racing down the staircase. Her shoulders shaking with sobs as she burst out of Kate's front door, her legs numb refusing to carry her any further as she fell in a heap against Kate's garden wall.

"You're so fucking stupid, Lucy." She heard herself say a voice like her Uncle's echoing in her head You begged him to want you and he still didn't. Shame welling in her chest, "Lucy?" She heard Kate's voice say softly, felt her sit beside her as Lucy swiped at her tears furiously as though it would stop her losing the respect of someone else tonight.

And though the very last thing she wanted was to cry to Kate Sheffield about what a mess she was, she did it anyway. And when Kate gently told her that if Gregory didn't want her, he was the one missing out, She'd wished she could believe it. Because Gregory Bridgerton deserved much better than the girl that fell to pieces in his brother's garden.

[newtonsheffield]

Hello! Hello! Hello!

It's ya girl Molly. Nope hate that. Let's start over.

Me again, just real quick I wanna talk about Lucy Abernathy. What an Amazing Girlboss she is and how she literally had ever opportunity to sabotage Gregory Bridgerton and How she didn't! So! Here's her POV of that time she nearly got to Dance with Gregory at that Party before her Brother and Hermione ruined it in Unexpected

No one asked for it, But I can't help myself

@aspoonfuloffiction Lucy thirsting over our boy if you want it

He's not even going to look at you Lucy. She told herself as she got out of the car, straightening her dress a little and sighing before she fixed a smile on her face. The one that she'd learned to use at society functions as a teenager and never really stopped using. And even so, she couldn't stop her eyes from flitting around the room looking for him, wanting to see him much more than he wanted to see her. "Oh Lucy! You are so beautiful, Why has no one asked you to dance yet?!" Violet Bridgerton's voice called out. Lucy winced a little, turning to find Gregory's mother, her smile kind, Kate smirking beside her. "I only just got here, Mrs. Bridgerton. The night's still young, who knows, I might find Prince Charming tonight after all." Lucy quipped, pushing down the feeling that she'd already found him, except he didn't want her. Violet tutted. "Call me Violet, sweetheart. And when my Greggy arrives I'll be sure to send him your way." Lucy couldn't help the choked laugh that ripped its way free of her chest both at the nickname and the idea that he would want to find her.

But she wasn't being fair really, Gregory was her friend, and it wasn't his fault that he didn't want her. Wasn't his fault that he wanted someone more than her. Someone who was prettier and smarter and kinder. And most of all, it wasn't his fault that she wanted him.

She made a noncommittal shrug at Kate as she and Violet moved away from her, skirting around the edge of the room with some champagne hating that her eyes flicked to the door more often than they should waiting for him to arrive and then her heart stopped when he walked through the door. The navy velvet on his suit jacket shining in the lighting as he straightened his tie, his hair swept back from his handsome face a cheeky grin on his face as he spoke with his Mother and Kate disappearing into the crowd seconds later. And the next thing she knew her upper arm had been gripped tightly by Kate who was marching her forward steering her towards something. and then "Well there's Anthony I better go!" And Kate had left her alone, standing right behind Gregory. and Lucy wanted to run from him, wanted to sprint after Kate and give her a swift kick but then Gregory sighed and even though she knew she'd cry about it later she opened her mouth.

“Oh come on, Greggy. Life can’t be all bad.” He spun towards her, his eyebrows raised in surprise, smiling slowly as he saw her, completely oblivious to the way he sent her heart racing. Though her ex-boyfriend had always called her cold, calculating frigid was the exact word he;d used if she remembered correctly the way it was spat at her across the table as he'd stood to leave. That was probably why Gregory didn't know.

“Have you been gossiping with my Mother and Kate? Tisk tisk, Lucy.”

“Mmmm Your Mother seems to think you’ll be miserable forever. Kate all but dragged me over here before pretending to see Anthony in the distance.” She kept her voice dry, and it wasn't a lie, she could still feel Kate's hand around her upper arm.

“Well it would be terrible of us to disappoint them. May I have this dance, La la la Lucy?” He said grinning, his eyes twinkling at her in the lights and her heart ached because it was what she desperately wanted him to ask. But not like this. mostly, A man jostled Gregory, pushing him against Lucy clumsily. She threw her hands out to his shoulders to steady him, pulling him tight against her as she did so, His own hands gripping her waist reflexively. She felt her breath catch audibly and her heart leap as she stared down into the eyes that seemed to haunt her as she tried to fall asleep at night when her mind played every time he looked at her that day like a film behind her eyelids.

“Lucy-” he started softly, But what he was going to say she'd never know because over his shoulder she caught sight of something that made her stomach drop. Hermione had just entered the room arm in arm with a man. A Man she recognized.

“Richard?” His name was stolen from her in a whoosh Gregory spinning to follow her gaze his eyes behind his glasses clouded with confusion. And she saw the moment he saw, could almost see the moment his heart broke, and felt her own break as well even as she tried to puzzle out what was happening. When this had happened. Why no one had told her.

Suddenly Gregory spun towards her, snatching her hand, and linking his fingers with hers as he tugged her through the crowd the heat of his hand burning through her. And then when they reached the foyer, confusion and hurt still swirling around her, Gregory turned towards her his eyes harder than she'd ever seen them

“So, Lucy, When were you going to tell me, you were Lucinda Abernathy?” Lucy flinched at the sound of his voice, tight, as though he was trying very hard not to yell at her. Because no matter how angry he was, she knew he never wanted to be that man.

“I’m assuming you’re Richard Abernathy’s sister of course. You seem a little young to be his Mother after all.” His statement stung a little, almost as much as it surprised her. But she was still too busy trying to puzzle out the Hermione/Richard quandary to answer.

“Why are you Kate’s assistant? Your brother doesn’t even really work!” His voice hurt, louder than she'd ever heard it. She forced her eyes to his, the hurt she saw there nearly enough to make her fall backwards.

“Honestly I thought you knew.” A lie, deep down she'd realised a long time ago that he hadn't realised who she really was (as hard as that was to believe) but part of her hadn't wanted him to treat her differently, and he would if he'd known “I took this job straight out of school because I don’t want to do nothing with my life! I don’t want to get by because of what my last name is, that’s tragic. I thought you of all people would understand that. Is that enough for you, Gregory?!” She hated how weak she sounded, almost as though she was begging him to understand, and she was really, despite her Uncle's voice in the back of her mind, his hand tight around her wrist as he said Abernathy's do not beg Lucinda.

“Were you really ever trying to help me with Hermione? Or were you just trying to set her up with your brother?” His voice was cold, and he looked at her with the oddest look. As though he'd never seen her before in his life. Lucy shook her head frantically desperate to tell him that she'd tried and tried to give him what he wanted with Hermione, even though she'd gone home and cried in the empty house where were parents had left her, her own heart breaking.

“I didn’t know about that! I’m just as surprised as you are!” “Why do I find that hard to believe? You manage everything else, Lucy. I see it every single day. Was this just a game for you to play? Poor little rich girl, playing pretend with the workaday people. Laughing at someone she pretended was her friend, all the while setting him up to look like a fucking Idiot!” Lucy stepped back as his cold words hit her in the middle of the chest. And the worst part was, she didn't have a rebuttal. Because she was exactly what he said she was. Managing, and meticulous, and cold.

Gregory seemed to realise he'd gone too far, his eyes widenening in surprise, his mouth falling open “Luce, I’m so-”

“Don’t!” She spat at him through gritted teeth, forcing the words from her chest "I know you’re upset and hurting, but I am too. So I’m going to stop you before you say something we’ll both regret Gregory!” And she forced herself to turn and leave him standing in the foyer of the hotel, Her heart breaking a little more with every step she took down the short flight of stairs, tears clouding her vision as she got into the first taxi that stopped for her, her hand thrust out into the street. And when she sat in the backseat, the driver eyeing her nervously, her head falling into her hands as tears ran down her face she desperately wished she could go back to 30 minutes before, when Gregory had been her friend. Anything bit the cold way he'd regarded her.

"Miss, are you alright?" The taxi driver said nervously. "No." She whispered, though she could barely hear it over her heart breaking.

[newtonsheffield]

Hi. Love your work. Poor Lucy... The last post about how oblivious Gregory used to be and how upset Lucy was made me sad.and this is why I love your work. You make me feel some many emotions with each post. I went back and read the other posts about their relationship to remind myself that she will get her happy ending.

Hi!

Oh Lucy, poor Lucy. I really feel for her at the beginning of her story because she realised she was in love with Gregory, really quite quickly and then waited nearly another year for him to realise that he was in love with her as well.

(I've put more of my response under the cut because apparently I have a lot of feelings about this???)

And this was actually one of the reasons I decided to write Unexpected from Gregory's point of view. Because I honestly thought watching Lucy force herself to pretend to be happy for Gregory might have been a little too hard to watch. I mean, we've all been there right? When you kind of really want someone to feel the same way, and they don't see it? And they're completely oblivious to it, and how them being friends with you is lowkey painful, but also you don't want to stop being their friends because then you wouldn't get to be near them at all. No? Just me? Cool!

You know what the demon in me really wants to write? Lucy's POV of of Anthony's birthday party, when Gregory stormed through the house to see her, and tugged her upstairs, and then he kissed her and she thought her heart was going to explode just before he ripped it out of her chest. I'd actually like to write a lot of Unexpected from Lucy's point of view. BUT!

You're tryna do Happy Lucy and Gregory! So I won't put that on your post. Just remember that once he realised he was in love with Lucy, he never even looked at another girl again. Certainly not Hermione who he couldn't even understand why he'd thought he'd been in love with her to begin with. When he wakes up and see her with her hair a mess and her make up from yesterday a little smudged because he definitely hadn't given her much of a chance to remove it, he can't help but think how beautiful she is. And when he kisses her on the cheek and slides out from her arms to go home and get changed before work and whispers I love you, I'll bring you breakfast to work. He doesn't mind admitting that he stands outside her house waiting for his Über and let's out a very excited Whoop! and even the driver's clearly judgemental stare when he takes in Gregory's very rumpled business attire couldn't dampen his mood.

And when he saw her walk through the lift where he'd been waiting for her her breakfast already on her desk, he can't help but Whoop again, when he lifts her up and spins her around in the foyer again while Hermione watches on a little bemusedly.

[newtonsheffield]

The last drabble with Lucy and Gregory was so sad and heartbreaking and amazing. Maybe we can have a follow-up? How did they make up? Did Greg go back to the party and hear Richard talk disrespectfully about Lucy and realised how wrong he was? Maybe even try to go to Lucy and apologise? Maybe some friends comforting eachother and Greg starting to see hoe amazing Lucy is...

Sorry,i just feel like there is more to this story and i just need to know

There IS more to this story!

Though I must say, Gregory does nothing so sensible as trying to sort things out with Lucy straight away! No, our boy gets himself into a brawl. Sweet baby Gregory brawling because Lucy Abernathy told him to get his head out of his ass (she was right)

Their entire relationship is catalogued in an early entry to the BSCU called Unexpected and you can read it on Ao3 here

Though recently I've been dying to write a scene in it from Lucy's POV (I won't spoil it if you haven't read it. But it happens at Kate and Anthony's house hmu if anyone wants to see that!)

[newtonsheffield]

Where can i find unexpected?

You can find Unexpected on Ao3 here

And it details the full evolution of their relationship from the very first second they met to the second Gregory gets his head out of his ass!

It's half in Gregory's POV half in Kate's because perhaps, she and Anthony have a little wager on Lucy and Gregory!

[newtonsheffield]

Okay. I'm calling it now. I underestimated (or Overestimated) myself. Your Love Was my One and Only Shot is too long to be a one shot. It's a two shot. Part 1 is dropping today though!

[newtonsheffield]

Unexpected a Bridgerton and Sons AU is dropping tomorrow (Friday morning Australian time) and it is, unfortunately, even longer than the original fic in this universe.

I'm so sorry about me 🤷🏻‍♀️