Archive of Our Own ^beta

Freedom. 

That is what it is essentially. Time- even if short to enjoy peace, finding relief in there being no stress, for once there being a chance to breathe instead of the constant need to ensure tasks assigned had been perfected in its completion. There was something quite joyous in being able to stay put in a way that was not obligated, for a short time, allowed to take in the moment.

John had been enjoying his day off- already the day had been off to a great start, lightness in each step, his mouth full of a warm sweet pastry, a handful more of them in his parcel. John always enjoyed any time he was able to visit that one special bakery- there being the most beautiful lady he had ever seen, taking every chance he could to converse with her, the sound of her laughter alone enough to have him smiling more than any pastry could. Oh how lucky he was to be able to be called hers.

It had been a good day to be out, the sky bright and vibrant as were those John met making his way down the streets of Bloomsbury, having no other way to entertain himself, stopping after a few short steps every time to chat with a few of the familiar vendors. A good laugh he had been able to share with a few of them, some knowing him so well, seeing as tasks assigned to him by his employers have him all over, growing very familiar with some residents that some offer him something each time they see him- and who is he not to refuse especially when it is food.

He hadn’t realized truly how close he had been to there, having been distracted with his conversation, turning his head to where a loud grunt came from, and that is when he realized it, his eyes catching it.

Chancery Lane Printers.

It had been over a year since John had last been bribed to transport Eloise to the print shop. Last he remembered from what would have been their last trip; there had been Eloise’s hands shaking with the box in her hands as she walked back towards the carriage, only for him to notice the tears rolling down her face, only finding her voice to ask that they leave quickly. And with months passing since her last visit making no mention of it, it had been their last. Now, here he stood after over a year, a few feet away from a place that, at a certain point, he had been every other day.

And now still it appeared Mr.Sharpe remained at that very printshop, from afar continuing on with his life, focused on his work. Too far to judge the possibility of it being a facade, he wears to ignore it all. That had been the case with Eloise- still the case; it is only him who knows that she has yet to begin to move on from everything, no matter how much she tries to convince him so. There is no need for Eloise to say it, John knowing she is afraid, deep still in her melancholy, to return anywhere near Bloomsbury. 

Another grunt had John’s focus back on Mr.Sharpe; the young man had been lifting up packages that appeared to be taking all his force to carry.

“Need some help with that?” John only offers Theo a smile when he looks up at him. Though John had promised himself a day free of any work, he couldn’t bear seeing the young gentleman struggle with what truly looked to be a very weighted package, bidding the vendors a quick farewell.

It didn’t faze John as Theo eyed him as though suspicious of him and his intentions as he slowly stood up straight; such is understandable. Theo scrunches his brows as though confused by John’s offer, mind probably racing, trying to decide whether to accept help from a stranger. Indeed, he is a stranger; Theo had not recognized him- granted, the two never had any interaction before, and John had been in his regular clothes; if Theo was ever to notice him before he knew him in uniform, he must be without it.

“I noticed that you were having some difficulties with carrying these packages” Theo narrowed his eyes as John spoke. “Trust, I only mean well- besides I have nothing else to do until my lovely lady gets off from work in the evening” John claimed.

Theo is still quiet. Looking over at where all the packages he was to carry were and then back to a smiling John.

“Its only me here today and truly I do not wish to kill myself over some bloody packages” the two men break into a short laugh at that, John already grabbing onto a package.

It is surprising how quickly they fall into conversation, both already making jokes, bonding over truly how heavy these packages are, soon coming to the realization that it may be too heavy for them to carry individually, getting the work done faster carrying the same load. Their new strategy is able to help them get the work done quicker than they originally thought, both enjoying their chat as they did so. By the end of helping Theo with the rest of his shift, the two had been laughing at inside jokes as though they had been old friends. And even after everything, Theo hadn’t the faintest clue who John was. But perhaps that was a good thing…

…

Back to the uniform, it was for John now back in Mayfair; his short freedom and moments of peace were now replaced with his obligated duties, having to manage among bustling staff. It didn’t help that he had now been feeling sore from the day before, slowing down his work a bit, already wishing to be on break…for reasons other than his soreness. 

John had spotted Eloise where he had expected to find her; over the past few months, she had now come to the garden to do her reading. She reasoned that she at times just wished to escape from all the happenings inside and the garden had become the place that allowed her a few moments of peace, allowing her to better sit with her thoughts. Thoughts that John knew well were not just limited to her readings.

Eloise raised her brows in question, not understanding what John had held out in front of her. Reluctantly, she reached out for it, suspicious of the grin Jon wore as she finally accepted the paper from him, watching him for a long time, trying to examine his motives, but he only smiled, nodding to the paper in her hands, giving nothing else away.

“Oh” John smiled, watching as Eloise grew interested in the pamphlet, the title of the work catching her attention, there is no doubt of that.

More intrigued, she grew by the pamphlet, turning it around in her hands, quickly skimming through the words inside to get a better idea of the focus of the piece. John hadn’t any idea which part she had been reading that had her nodding, following it with a small smile to show she was pleased with whatever argument was being discussed. All that mattered to him right now was gifting her this specific pamphlet, happy to see her enjoying it.

Well… she had been enjoying it, John confused by her frown.

“Why is the author’s name scribbled out?” Eloise questioned, confused as all John offered her once more was a smile.

“Is it not the contents of the pamphlet that are important?” he challenged, only for Eloise to narrow her eyes at him, observing his expression, which still gave away absolutely nothing.

“Where did you get this?” she asks, holding up the pamphlet.

“A good friend of mine is a writer and is passionate about such topics just as you are” there was no hesitation in his answer, almost as though he had prepared for any question she could possibly throw at him to catch him off guard (and having known Eloise for as long as he has, that is exactly what he did).

“And you do not wish to tell me your friend’s name?” she asks, trying to see if she can make out even a letter under the messy scribbles, cursing under her breath at how well John made sure nothing was identifiable. She was beginning to hate that grin he continued giving her, it becoming more clear he wouldn’t give her anything. And right she was.

…

Next, John sees his new friend, is two weeks during his next day off, not being afforded the time before a little leisure to find his way to the print shop. He is intrigued, finding Theo outside on a small bench outside the print shop, focused on writing something in a little book.

“Working on your next pamphlet” Theo is startled by the sudden appearance of John next to him, John watching as Theo is quick to close his little book, pressing it closely to his side. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, no it is fine, I was just…lost in thought” Theo clears his throat, trying to hide behind a short chuckle.

“This is um…not for my next pamphlet- no, it's…” John's brows furrowed, observing how Theo’s face fell, staring at the book in his hands, swallowing hard before facing John again, trying to smile, but it came off as a grimace. “It is where I write down my thoughts…at times the feelings are too much to keep, and though it may not do much, there is some sort of relief by writing it down…but even then it is not enough” Theo’s voice is quiet towards the end, taking in a deep breath as his head hangs low.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the atmosphere with my torments.” The self-deprecating laugh followed by a sniffle that one tried so desperately to hide sounded too familiar to John.

“No need to apologize, you should be allowed to express your despair” Theo looked up after feeling a hand on his shoulder.

“I thought that now that more than a year has passed that all these feelings would have subsided…but yet I remain here with this sort of melancholy of heartbreak because of this person and I…I fear I may never be able to move on from it” Theo’s voice trembles as he speaks, rubbing his hands together, probably as a way to calm himself.

“And does the writing help?” John asked, sitting next to him.

“Somedays it does but the others…I am unsure” Theo’s voice barely a whisper by the end, staring ahead.

“If your writings in your pamphlet are any indication of anything, I am sure the way you word your thoughts are truly something, perhaps even having you realize truly the depth of your feelings for this person…and how losing them affected you” John only shrugged when Theo asked how is it that he accurately guessed this based on writings in a pamphlet, in truth having had a similar conversation almost a year ago.

It hadn’t originally been the plan originally of his visit, him and Theo having a deep heartfelt conversation about what he had been going through for over a year now. It had been clear that Theo hadn’t had anyone to talk to about this for over a year, keeping this burden to himself and his little book. But now he had a friend, and neither understood what made Theo feel comfortable confiding in John about all his feelings after only knowing each other for a short time. Perhaps it had been the same thing Eloise said after she revealed all that tormented her- there was this essence of safety and being able to trust that John had, not fearing any judgments, any dismissing of feelings, or making it feel that any of it had been wrong. 

..

Sooner than he expected, John had found himself back at Chancery Lane Printers, discussing the pamphlet Theo had given him. He is to thank Eloise for this, growing impatient for when he was to next visit the “writer- friend- person” of his, wishing to know their thoughts on her critiques. It hadn’t been her idea to offer her critiques directly to the author, John had gotten the idea “out of nowhere” that perhaps instead of discussing with him her criticisms of the pamphlets that instead she should write down all her critiques and he would personally deliver to his friend that way the author has a chance to consider her corrections and apply it. And that is what he was doing.

“A friend?” Theo questioned, reading through the critiques of John’s mysterious friend who wished to offer their thoughts on Theo’s latest pamphlets.

“Please excuse the harsher critiques, my friend has a tendency to be very direct and brutal in their honesty- great qualities really,” John mentioned, noticing how more interested Theo became in what this “friend” had to say about his writing, the corners of his lips no longer battling to turn upwards. The smile became fuller, taking a seat to give the friend’s words all his attention, at times laughing at some of the very honest reviews, other times, his hand under his chin, eyebrows scrunched together, taking note of the serious criticisms.

“She has stated it is clear that your work is not that of an amateur but that does not mean there isn’t room for improvement, there is potential to be found- a compliment it is I assure you” John said, noticing Theo seemed to have finished reading.

“She?” Theo turned to John, who only smiled at his slip-up.

There was some confliction on Theo’s face, examining the paper again, taking in a deep breath, the smile he tried putting on disappearing as quickly as it came.

“I see.”

Eloise’s reaction to John’s “accidental slip out” of his writer friend being a he was less calm than Theo’s. John could only laugh when Eloise acted disgusted and displeased with herself for reading and actually enjoying a man’s writings about women’s rights, claiming that it is impossible for a man to fully understand the problems women face. It took everything in John to fight the urge to bring up her previous interests in a man’s writing, finding he had a good enough knowledge on what he wrote in terms of the rights of women. But again, seeing the confliction on her face as she looked over the pamphlet with her corrections taken into consideration, he knew she had thought of him.

And thus, it started. 

The newest pamphlet had been snatched out of his hand, Eloise had been impatient waiting for his return, John having found her pacing in her room. And though every time he did the same thing, Eloise still questioned why John kept scribbling out the author’s name, in hopes that one of these times she would get an actual answer, but instead, she is left letting out a frustrated sigh at nonanswer answers. He is shooed away after, only to be found later, there now being a skip in her step when Eloise hands him the corrections John is to deliver for his friend, always asking that he hurries back with a correspondence.

With every visit, every new paper exchanged, the smiles grew bigger, the eagerness to respond grew stronger…and there was the intrigue, the mystery of not knowing who sat behind the words had them pulled but equally frustrated. John had been trying to figure out how to answer the questions thrown at him about his mysterious friend but neither were ever pleased with the subtlety in his answer. The two impatient to learn even the tiniest detail of the other when John brought about each other’s writings (a routine they had developed, Theo sending his works with John to be edited by Eloise before it is printed to be published).

There is a new vibrance to both of them; no longer feel much of a weight on him, relieved after his suggestion that they both start a proper correspondence with each other that didn’t revolve only around correcting pamphlets and getting to know each other. He curses himself that he had let this go on for a month before thinking of this suggestion but happy he finally did. John smiles at the two when they engage him in conversation about the other, delighted by all that they learn about each other through letters, a thrill in finally having someone again to share their thoughts with on certain topics and books they’ve read. Interestingly, John finds it that even though they have yet to talk to one another verbally, they somehow manage to banter, their correspondences turning into lengthy debates, detailing each point on how the other was wrong. As tired as he is with the constant up and down of being their personal delivery man, it had been worth it seeing a lightness return to his friends at what they believed was a newfound joy.

But even with this new happiness, the excitement as they snatch the new letter they’ve received. Looking at the letter long enough, the smiles start to fade and though they may not say it, John is aware of the guilt that they feel, of the belief they shouldn’t be enjoying the new friendship being developed. None speak on it, shaking it off as their smile is a bit more subdued but it is present- the feelings they hold for the one they think they have lost for good and it is the thought of it being a betrayal is what keeps them from fully being able to enjoy what is being developed.

…

“You are mad!”

“No, this makes perfect sense.”

“Do you not realize the absurdity of what you are suggesting?”

“It is time,” John said as she shook her head at him, yet to be fully onboard with his plan. But it had made sense, and he knew that she could see it as well, and though she still shook her head, he knew she was on his side. “It has been three months of this and as much as I am happy to help keep up the correspondence, there comes a certain point that letters would not be enough…” she sighed, knowing he was right.

“This is still absurd,” she claimed, stepping into his embrace.

“Even after a year it would still be so but such being so absurd is not always a bad thing, sometimes it surprises you by being the best thing ever” John places a soft kiss to his fiancee’s lips. He had been keeping Angeline updated on all that happened since helping Theo that time three months ago, always it had been the plan to help these two rekindle their friendship, Angeline too sharing his sorrow for the two. Though never knowing them, John has done a good job describing all that he witnessed from the two, how they spoke about the other without actually speaking their name.

“Are you sure this will work?” Angeline asks, worried of how John’s plan would play out.

“I want it to” he sighed, running a hand through his hair, him not being able to give a full smile hadn’t filled Angeline with hope.

“That is not an answer,” she claimed.

“It is all that I have for now” he uttered, for the first time in three months he worried that it may not have the ending he would hope for.

…

And here they were, by some miracle and much convincing, they were here. John remained still for a few seconds after bringing the carriage to a stop, trying to calm down his own nerves, preparing himself for whatever was to happen next. He had yet to hear any sort of sound from inside the carriage, quiet- too quiet as though there had been no one in there. But he knew that not to be the case.

“Miss Bridgerton” John opened the carriage door to find the reason Eloise had been so quiet, all her reactions in her expressions. John calls for her again, concerned, seeing how uneasy her breaths are becoming as her eyes panicked, staring widely at a place she never thought she would see again.

“Bloomsbury?” Eloise swallowed, holding the edge of her seat as she tensed, wincing at the word. John felt saddened for her, almost able to see her reliving the memories as she turned her head away.

“This is not a bakery,” it pained his heart, hearing her shaky laugh, knowing it to be a facade as she struggled to hold a smile, still yet to face him- face  there .

“No, it is not; I am sorry,” John sighed. It hadn’t been his proudest moment, choosing to mislead Eloise into believing that they were headed to his partner’s bakery; Eloise had shown much excitement at finally getting the chance to be introduced to Angeline, always happy listening to John’s stories about their relationship.

“But at the same time I am not” Eloise’s head snapped to John then, taken aback by his statement.

“What do you mean by that?” she questioned.

“It has been too long” Eloise looked from John to the hand he held out for her, to help her out of the carriage but her hands remained stuck at her sides.

“I do not wish for you to fret; if it is any consolation, just know that I will be right there with you through all of it,” he assured her, still holding his hand out to her, smiling as she appeared to be considering it. “All will be fine, I promise.”

There is no need to turn around, John knowing where Eloise’s eyes land, observing the grimace that followed before tearing her gaze away. John knows that her thoughts are back to that night; she winced, probably remembering the words that hurt her; it is as she has told him severally; her words cause her more pain than his, uttering them is what had brought about their ending.  Eloise hugged herself, moving more to the other side of the seat, yet to watch back to where John now frowned, aware it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with what was behind him.

John had been ready to take Eloise back to Mayfair if she asked, probably making a stop by the bakery to get her a few pastries to cheer her up and introduce her to Angeline like she originally thought. Never was it that he meant to in any way cause Eloise hurt; all he wished for was to help her and Theo find their happiness. Though now it is evident that even after a year, the melancholy from that night still resides…and strong they seem to be, fear coming with it, putting a stop to any action to go back.

“Miss Eloise if you want…” John sighed.

“How is it that I let you talk me into this idea of yours?” It all happens so fast, leaving John little time to get over his shock as Eloise lets out a shaky laugh, taking his hand to help her out of the carriage.

“Are you sure, Eloise?” Happy as he is that she decided to go through with his plan, still he worried, not wanting to further push her into doing something she was uncomfortable with.

“No, I am not,” she sighed, letting John help her out. “But you are right, it has been too long…and I do not wish to prolong it any further…” Eloise took a deep breath, her eyes finding the print shop.

“If you are certain,” Eloise nodded to John, linking her arm with his, John understanding that she needed it for support.

John had been moving slowly to allow Eloise more time to take in what would soon be happening, giving her a chance to change her mind if she still wished to do so. But he had been surprised when it was Eloise quickening their steps; perhaps she had gotten a rush of adrenaline pushing her forward or impatience; maybe all she needed was to somehow get here, giving her the courage to do what she thought she would never have the chance of doing.

“What is it that you are doing?” John chuckled at Eloise’s question, seeing how she was confused as he took off his hat and wig.

“It will make sense soon,” he grinned, though Eloise remained at a loss.

Once more, John glanced at Eloise before his hand made contact with the door, wanting to be certain that this was what she wanted. John felt a squeeze on his arm, finding Eloise smiling at him- there had been nervousness. John was able to tell from the deep breath she took, fingers digging deeper into John’s arm the longer they looked at the closed door. Despite her clear anxiousness, the million thoughts running through her head, and everything that possibly was screaming at her to run…despite all of it, she smiled at him, determined to stay.

Again, Eloise dug her fingers into John’s arm as he knocked; he chuckled to himself at it, feeling only like a small pinch.

“John! What’s with the fancy coat and- is that a wig, did Angie finally convince you to…” Theo had swung the door open, grinning immediately spotting his friend, laughing as he had been at a loss trying to understand John’s attire. John smiled hearing as Theo’s words died as his eyes finally drifted to the person besides John, who tensed as Theo’s eyes fell on hers, strangely her body deflating at the same time.

“Eloise…” Theo breathed her name out, his body too relaxing as her name left his lips as though it had been a relief to finally be able to say it (already he must’ve said it a thousand times in his quiet private hours, but being able to say it to  her  was something entirely different).

“Nice to…it is nice to see you again Theo” Eloise uttered, silently chastising herself for her stutter in the beginning.

John was not fully fond of the silence that followed after the polite greetings, surprising it was witnessing two outspoken individuals who always knew how to best others (each other especially) in an argument had seemed incapable of coming up with another sentence but at the same time it hadn’t. Unknowingly, their eyes had been communicating all they had yet to find the courage to say, and even when they got too shy, glancing away, there was still so much being said. Words desperately needing to be used.

“John?” Theo looked over John, who had cleared his throat to get the two to focus. John gave his friend a smile as his eyes widened, Theo seemingly putting the pieces together as he saw John in uniform. John is sure he is able to see as things click for Theo as he remembers John from long ago- many times Theo had mentioned how familiar he looked, only for John to joke he just “had one of those faces”.

“The footman…” John nodded at Theo, having him know he was right, Eloise staring between the two not sure she was following their discussion.

“You must have realized I have always avoided specifying my occupation and that was not without its reason” John nudges said reason forward, a stumbling mess she was. Nothing coherent came out from her as she stood a little closer to Theo, who in turn seemed to smile only to battle it with something more morose.

“I do not think any of us wish to stand outside any longer…” again, John saw it fit to break the silence, it being quite clear that nothing would happen if the two continued stealing glances at the other with frowns that desperately wanted to smile. “There is a lot that needs to be explained.”

Not one detail did he leave out, John speaking of his interaction with Theo when off duty those three months ago where his plan had started as he gave Eloise the pamphlet his new friend had given him to having given both of them the idea to further their correspondence out of just discussions of pamphlets. And how all of it led them here; Theo and Eloise sat in silence, still processing all that John had revealed, him only smiling at their stunned expressions, showing little regret for what he did.

“Why?” Eloise asked softly, eyes on John not daring to look anywhere else as she has been doing the entire time though there had been moments when she seemed to give in to her urge to look beside her…

“Isn’t it quite obvious?” John snorted, rolling his eyes, incredible it was how oblivious the two seemed to act as though they were not following what he had been saying. Funny it was watching the be so confused yet at the same time it was irritating. “You miss each other!” John exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing ever- because it was. He watched the quick glances the two give each other, turning away quickly when their eyes met, clearing their throats, turning their bodies away from the other. John shook his head, observing as Theo glanced back at Eloise who still was turned away from him, her cheeks read, Theo sighed upon realization she wouldn’t look back, turning away once more only to miss Eloise looking for him by a second.

“I have listened to both of you on more than one occasion as you express how much it grieves you to have lost that one person who meant more to you than you thought they would- and you may never mention names, maybe close to revealing the name a few times Theo but it is clear you speak of Eloise, it is clear how much you still care for her- and the same with you Eloise, to everyone else you put on the facade that you are alright but I know ever since meeting Theo and discovering Bloomsbury everything will never be alright until you have it back in your life…”

More silence, stolen stares, none daring to speak a word.

“I have spoken more than enough. I shall leave to allow you two the chance to speak alone,” John stated, both their eyes widened, ready to question what he meant, but John had already found himself out the door.

They were now alone, John had left them like he said but he was not far, spying on them from outside in a window where he wouldn’t be easily spotted. His smile had turned into a long sigh, truly tired of the two casting glances when the other wasn’t looking, still scared to say a word together. Were all his efforts for nothing- already it appeared John must start thinking of something new to get these two mute individuals to be able to speak to each other.  Must he really barge into the print shop and scream at them what he knows what they are dying to tell each other, that they are-

“I’m sorry…”

It had happened. A little bewildered John was, having started to lose hope, believing nothing would come of this surprise arrangement. Never could he be happier to be wrong, grinning as the two blurted out their apologies at the same time, finally meeting each other’s eyes.

John didn’t know how to explain it, only able to say that he had been happy for whatever it was that seemed to happen as their eyes found each other, their bodies following, leaning in and everything fell. A burden they let themselves carry, sorrows they never wished they had, regrets that had been their torment for too long, all of it gone as finally- finally, they found the courage to speak. Relieving it looked to be as they apologized for all that happened between them in their past, speaking of how they hated having hurt the other, living in agony since their separation.

They didn’t stop at apologies, the little John heard as they discussed all what they unknowingly wrote to each other had John proud of himself, happy seeing them laugh at how they hadn’t pieced it together. If there had been passersby giving John questioning looks, he didn’t care, smirking as he observed how the distance between Theo and Eloise only got smaller, though he is sure none of them realize it, already they were back in their own worlds, having moved on from talking of their guilt of believing they were finding a connection with someone that wasn’t the other to now bantering about how they should’ve guessed it had been each other based on a certain something.

God his knees were hurting him, but it had been worth it, yet to stop grinning watching as Theo led Eloise almost out of John’s view to show her something, whatever it was had Theo looking at her all shy as she read over something John hadn’t a clue what it was.

Quickly John ran over to the carriage as he spotted the two making their way to go outside, surprised he was still able to feel his legs after standing in the same spot for almost an hour. John was doing his best to be unaware of anything that had happened inside, pretending that he had been tending to the horses as the door of the print shop opened. But nothing could stop the beaming smile on his face as he spotted Eloise and Theo walking out of the shop, still deep in conversation…with their hands intertwined.

Nothing should disrupt this moment, John chose to remain by the carriage to allow the pair more time together, cheeks hurting as his eyes kept landing on their joint hands, swearing at one point he saw Theo give them a gentle squeeze. It was impossible not to be in awe of them; already, they looked like a couple, their eyes holding a certain adoration for the other, smiling at each other’s red cheeks.

“Am I to assume everything went well?” John couldn’t hide the smile on his face as the “couple” finally made their way over to him.

“Yes, actually. I wish it hadn’t taken us this long to reconcile, it feels nice to have back our…friendship,” Eloise blushed, eyes still on Theo.

“We wish to thank you John, without you I do not believe we would have been fortunate to have this opportunity but luckily for us we had you who only had our best interests at heart” Eloise nodded along, sharing Theo’s gratitude.

“It just pleases me to see that the two of you are reunited, truly it pained me seeing how heartbroken the two of you were, knowing both of you and listening to you both and though you would downplay your melancholy…I couldn’t just continue to do nothing when there was a chance to help my friends find back their happiness.” Happiness is not the word John wanted to use; another one came to mind, seeing how they looked at one another, smiling at any moment, wanting to say that one word.

“Theo and I actually were thinking about heading to the bakery. As happy as I am for how the day turned out I do not think it is fair that I was promised to visit this wonderful bakery I have heard so much about and have yet to be taken there” John laughed as Eloise raised her brows at him, already opening the door for her.

“And I am not someone who likes to break promises.” John grinned, watching as Eloise allowed Theo to help her into the carriage, already patting the seat next to her for him to sit.

A joy it was the sight in front of him, Eloise already holding onto both of Theo’s hands as she whispered something into his ears. John closed the door, allowing the two their privacy, making his way to the front to start their journey…

..

“Oh, come on, you two!” John shook his head as he opened the carriage door, laughing to himself at the sight of the two, who appeared to hate the idea of space between them. “You do realize it would not kill you two lovebirds to separate for a few minutes- you have to come back up for air eventually.”

“The same thing can be said for you,” Eloise snorted, placing a shorter kiss on Theo’s lips before stepping out of the carriage. “It is ok to admit that you are envious” John rolled his eyes knowing the two had done this on purpose, Eloise pulling Theo in for another passionate kiss as he stepped out.

“Newlyweds,” John grumbled.

“You still call us that though we have been married for three years now,” Theo pointed out. 

“And that is just three years less than yours,” Eloise added to her husband’s point. At this point John had given up, knowing he can never win against these two, always they win the debates at the assembly halls, already having strong arguments during their individual speeches but together they almost seemed unstoppable.

“Two and a half, actually” the three turned to see where Angeline had been making her way down the stairs of the bakery, a small but very energetic four-year-old already jumping into Theo’s arms, Angeline placing the sleeping two-year-old into John’s arms.

“Auntie Eloise! Uncle Theo!” little Charlie exclaimed, hugging Theo’s neck, soon giggling when both Theo and Eloise started tickling him.

“I’m happy you did what you did” John raised his brows at his wife, who busied herself fixing their daughter’s hair, at a loss for what she referred to.

“What is it that I did?” John asked, making sure to keep his voice low so as not to wake up Elise.

“That” Angeline pointed with her head to where Theo had wrapped his free hand around Eloise while the two placed kisses on Charlie’s cheeks, making him laugh louder.

“And yet you called me absurd when I told you my plan,” John laughed.

“Well, it's like you said love… absurd is not always a bad thing, sometimes it surprises you by being the best thing ever . ”