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first words
"She's been babbling like crazy," Colin noted as he dressed Willow in her green and red holiday plaid dress (courtesy of her nan just a few days earlier at Christmas). "Do you think she'll say some words soon?"
"If she does, it had better be before I go back to school or so help me…" Penelope grumbled, slipping the small (and adorable) matching shoes onto her daughter's tiny feet. She knew the footwear would likely last all of about fifteen minutes once secured, but they were taking family photos and she and Willow had matching outfits. If the shoe (or shoes) came off before the photographer snapped the picture, Penelope knew Violet wouldn't care one bit, but Penelope hoped and prayed Willow could keep herself tidy long enough to get a nice photo.
Colin pressed a kiss to both girls' heads and beamed at them. "She's a good girl. She wants to show off for her mum. Don't you my sweet Wills?"
Willow let out a stream of pleasant babbles and began to giggle as Colin tickled her tummy. Penelope's heart soared as she watched them. It was still hard to believe that this was her life after nearly ten months. She absent-mindedly toyed with the ring that now rested on her ring finger and smiled wistfully. She had known Colin was the one well before Willow had come along, but to have the certainty wrapped securely around her; to know that by the following summer she would be his wife…it was a completely different feeling—one that she treasured and tucked away in the depths of her heart.
They finished dressing themselves and carried Willow downstairs to join the rest of the family, who, true to form, ignored them both and went straight for Willow. Daphne cooed over her while Eloise threatened bodily harm if she was not allowed adequate time with her niece. Hyacinth tried to elbow her way in, but as the youngest she was easily pushed aside. Penelope made a mental note to allow her some one-on-one time with the baby, along with Francesca who watched from the sidelines, though Penelope knew she was equally as desirous for time with Willow.
"What are we, chopped liver?" Colin mumbled. Penelope nudged him with her shoulder playfully. They both knew that the Bridgertons loved them dearly; it was just primarily the Willow show those days.
Violet clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "To the drawing room! We need to begin setting up for the photographer."
The seating arrangement was not vastly different than it had been over the years, with the exception of Colin being seated next to Penelope while Willow was placed upon her mother's lap when he normally would stand with the other tall men behind the sofa. But Violet was insistent that "families stay together" as she and Edmund had done when the younger children were small. Mr. Granville arranged them further—having them scoot this way and that, find proper windows, get in the best lighting—until everyone was satisfied. Anthony proudly stood beside Kate, who had joined them just after Boxing Day at Violet's behest (i.e. she scolded Anthony for not inviting his "friend" for the holidays, and did not leave him alone until she watched him send Kate a message requesting her presence for the remainder of her break from school…which resulted in endless teasing from his siblings, but luckily Kate's very presence soothed Anthony's temper enough that he simply did not care).
"Alright, everyone, on my count say 'brie!'" Mr. Granville directed.
Everyone chuckled, already smiling.
Willow, babbling happily all the while, clapped her hands at everyone's delight. "Yes, that's a good girl," Penelope cooed.
Willow looked up at her mother, giving her a somewhat toothy grin. "Ma-ma!"
Penelope gasped. "Wh-what did you just say?"
Willow clapped again and bounced on Penelope's lap. "Ma-ma!" she repeated loudly.
Colin snapped his head toward them. "Did she just…?"
Penelope nodded. "She did."
"Ma-ma! Ma-ma!" Willow repeated, her volume increasing.
The entire Bridgerton family froze, their heads turning toward Willow with mouths agape just as Mr. Granville said, "Brie!"
Willow, pleased with all the attention, continued with her chants of "Ma-ma!"
Mr. Granville chuckled as he examined the moment he had just captured. "I, uh, assume you all would like another take?"
Violet blushed and straightened her shoulders. "If you wouldn't mind."
Everyone smiled broadly—though none so much as Colin, Penelope, and Willow—all overjoyed to have been part of such a monumental moment.
And Mr. Granville sent a copy of the other photo to Violet anyway, free of charge.
first steps
It was the longest day of Penelope's life.
A month into the new term and she was already counting the days until the next break.
She had always loved school, but that was before she had a baby at home; a baby she loved and missed every second of every day.
But also a baby who sometimes kept her up at night and prevented her from sleeping well—or required her attention during the day when she really, really needed to study or do homework.
Colin was an excellent father and had been a lot more hands on since he changed his degree to online only. But there were times when Willow simply needed her mother and nothing else would do.
And Penelope wanted to be with Willow. She adored her daughter and longed to be with her Monday through Friday when she was required to be at school. When she had spare time in class, she would sometimes write little notes to Willow that she kept in a scrapbook for her to read when she was older.
But.
But.
There were days like this when she was exhausted and just wanted to be tucked away from the world. No school, no responsibilities, nothing.
Then Colin texted her to say he had a surprise for when she got home.
She loved him so much and knew that whatever it was would be wonderful, but the last thing she wanted at the moment was surprise. She just wanted to get home, slide into a bath, and be dead to the world.
She knew if she told him how she was feeling, he would acquiesce and take care of everything for her. But whatever the surprise was, she also knew it was probably something he had taken time out of his day, out of time with Willow, to plan for her. He was such a good partner in that way; she would never want to make him feel badly about having done something special.
So she made her way home at the end of the school day and gave herself a pep talk for whatever awaited her there.
As she unlocked the door, she took in a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face.
"Ma-ma!"
The moment the word reached Penelope's ears, all the unpleasant feelings that had been lingering inside of her disspated. She smiled at her daughter in Colin's arms. "Hi, my sweet girl."
Colin lowered her to the floor and Penelope arched a brow at him. "What's this?"
Colin grinned widely. "Squat down and open your arms."
Penelope did as she was told, her heart racing in anticipation. "Is she…?"
"Just wait and see." Colin stood behind his daughter and held her upright. "Alright, Wills, like we practiced."
Willow beamed at her mother and began to toddle toward her. "Ma-ma!" She took a few steps and wavered for a moment, but found her balance and continued. She made it into Penelope's arms and giggled. "Ma-ma!"
Penelope hugged her daughter tightly. "Oh you did it, darling! My sweet, brilliant girl!" She stood and peppered her daughter's face with kisses. "She did this today?"
Colin nodded, standing upright. "We practiced all morning. You know she almost got it earlier this week?" Penelope inclined her head in agreement. "I just knew she would do it soon. I got it on video, of course, but I didn't want to send it to you. I wanted you to be able to see it for yourself because I know you hate missing things."
"When was it?"
"Only about an hour ago, so you didn't miss it by much. But we have been practicing our technique since then, haven't we, Wills?" Colin walked over to them and stroked his daughter's cheek. "She's already got it down pat, I think. Genius baby, our girl."
Penelope kissed Willow's cheek. "She is pretty smart, I concur."
"How do you feel about ordering some take away and then doing some more walking?" Colin asked, rubbing Penelope's arm.
"That sounds perfect," she replied with a contented sigh.
Exactly the ending to the day that she needed.
the wedding
"I'm walking her down the aisle!"
"No I'm walking her!"
"No, I—"
"None of you will be walking with her, thank you very much," Penelope interrupted the three Bridgerton sisters. They all gaped at her, their brows furrowed in confusion. "Oh, don't look so put out. You all have other roles to play." She gestured for them all to sit and they all did as they were told, pouting.
Penelope poured the trio tea, as well as Francesca who was already seated and had not joined in the argument. "Now, Eloise, you will not be walking Willow down the aisle because you are my maid of honor, obviously. I don't know why that didn't already occur to you."
Eloise's cheeks heated with embarrassment and she slumped down slightly in her chair as she took a sip of her tea. She muttered something akin to, "Sorry," as she placed her cup back in its saucer.
"Daphne, you will be one of my bridesmaids, walking down the aisle with Benedict. Anthony is Colin's best man, so he will walk with Eloise. I thought you might enjoy sharing some of the maid of honor duties that are…less to Eloise's taste."
Daphne let out an excited squeal just as Eloise sighed in relief. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Penelope! I'm so honored to be part of your special day!"
"And I'm honored to not be asked to help pick out colors for dresses," Eloise said not-so-quietly under her breath.
"And Hyacinth," Penelope turned to the youngest Bridgerton. "Colin and I would love it if you would be our ring bearer."
Hyacinth gasped. "But Greg—"
"Will be an usher," Penelope finished. "We love Greg dearly, but he cannot be trusted to keep track of our rings on the most important day of our lives. Only you could be depended on for such an important task."
Hyacinth's cheeks flushed pink. "I would love to. Thank you, Pen."
Eloise glanced at her quiet younger sister, who had been nonchalantly sipping tea. "So that leaves Fran."
Penelope nodded. "Yes. Fran will be walking with Willow."
"Did the two of you already discuss this?"
Penelope took a long drink of tea before responding. "Oh, ages ago. Right after Colin proposed, actually. Willow loves Fran—loves all of you, of course—but Fran has spent so much time with her just the two of them in their solitary little bubble. I think that serene aura is just what Willow will need as she toddles down the aisle."
Eloise gaped at her best friend then turned her head to Francesca. "Betrayed! By my own sister!"
Francesca rolled her eyes. "You know you are the first one she runs to when Penelope and Colin come to Bridgerton House?"
Eloise slumped down in her chair. "Second now. Damn Anthony."
"Then she heads straight for you, Fran, when she gets tired of all the attention," Daphne pointed out.
"But who does she go to when she has something new to show off? A dress or a talent? Aunt Daphne," Hyacinth said.
"Who is her favorite person to make mischief with?" Penelope asked, quirking her brow. "I know who stole the biscuits at New Year's."
Hyacinth opened her mouth to respond then shut it quickly.
Penelope smiled brightly at the Bridgerton sisters. "Willow and I are both so lucky to have you all. You are each special to her in your own way, just as you are to me. Everyone has their own part to play in our lives and in this wedding. I'm just," she paused to take in a breath and steady herself. "I'm just so grateful I get to be part of this family. Officially."
The girls all gathered around and hugged her tightly, murmuring words of love and affirmation.
⁂ ⁂ ⁂
When the day of the wedding arrived in late June, everyone played their part brilliantly. Greg led everyone to their seats with a smile on his face and an occasional joke; Anthony and Benedict helped keep Colin calm (despite his insistence that he was not nervous; why would he be? He was marrying the love of his life, after all!); Eloise and Daphne gushed over Penelope and helped her stay grounded when she started to get nervous ("I have it on good authority that Colin is bouncing off the walls over there," Daphne told her); and when it was time to begin, Francesca held Willow's hand and assisted her with scattering the pink rose petals down the aisle.
When Willow spotted her father at the altar, she halted and gave him a wave. "Da-da!"
The audience, comprised of only family and close friends, chuckled. Colin waved back, beaming. "Hi, baby!"
Francesca handed her niece more petals that the little girl tossed haphazardly as they continued forward. They were nearly to the altar when Willow reached upward, indicating that she wanted to be carried. Francesca looked toward Colin, who shrugged. She hiked Willow onto her hip and they finished their walk while tossing the remaining rose petals.
"You want to sit with Auntie Fran or stand with Da-Da?" Fran whispered to Willow once they arrived at the altar.
Willow extended her arms toward her father. "Da-da!"
Colin accepted his daughter happily while Francesca took her seat next to her mother in the front row.
The rest of the Bridgerton siblings processed down the aisle elegantly—even Greg had to admit that Hyacinth looked very regal and poised.
As the organ began to play Wagner's famous chorus, everyone stood and Colin began to figet anxiously.
But as soon as Penelope came into view, everything melted away.
Time stopped as she floated down the aisle and reached his side.
"Hi," she said quietly as he lifted her veil with his free hand.
He swallowed thickly, his throat tight. "Hi."
"Ma-ma!"
They both laughed and he passed Willow to Anthony, then took Penelope's hand.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. He recited words on autopilot and went through the motions of taking the ring from Hyacinth and sliding it onto Penelope's finger.
The only thing he really remembered was, "You may now kiss the bride."
He took in a deep breath. "You ready?"
She smiled broadly at him, "Always, Colin."
He cupped her cheek and kissed her gently, mindful of their audience.
"Ma-ma! Da-da!" Willow clapped happily from behind him.
Colin pulled back and beamed at his wife.
His wife.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the priest accounted, "I am pleased to introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Colin Bridgerton, and their daughter Miss Willow Bridgerton."
"I love you, husband," Penelope whispered, squeezing his hand before Anthony placed Willow in her arms.
"And I love you, wife," Colin replied, giving her cheek a quick peck before the three of them walked back down the aisle into their shared future.
first day of school
"Mum, there's a Willow!"
"Hm?" Penelope replied, swallowing thickly as she fought gathering tears.
Willow tugged at her sleeve just as Colin's hand slipped into hers. "Pen—" he began, his voice wavering slightly in the shell of her ear, but Willow cut him off.
"Over there, Mum! A Willow, just like me!"
Penelope turned and her breath caught in her throat.
It was not just a willow.
It was the willow.
It was not as if she had forgotten the sacred tree, the one upon which the foundation of her current existence was built, it simply lived in her periphery; always there, ever lingering, but just out of sight.
Penelope reached for her daughter with her free hand and gave her tiny palm a squeeze. "Actually, darling, that tree is where your dad and I got your name."
The little girl's eyes widened. "Really?" she replied, awed.
"It's true," Colin told her, squatting to her level. "That tree is very special to your mum and me. It's where we spent some of our favorite times together."
Willow squealed delightedly. "So it's my tree. My willow!'
Colin and Penelope laughed. "In a way, you could say that," Colin said, stroking his daughter's cheek. "Maybe one day your mum and I will have lunch with you there."
Willow nodded vigorously, beaming. "Yes yes yes! Please!"
Penelope checked her watch, her stomach in knots. "It's almost time for you to be in class, darling."
Willow wrapped her arms around her mother. "It will be okay, Mum. I'll see you at the end of the day."
Penelope took in a deep breath. "If you need anything—"
"Go see Nurse Rae or Auntie Kate," Willow recited with a roll of her eyes. Colin made a mental note to look out for that in ten years when Willow was a teenager. "I know, Mum."
Penelope hugged her daughter one more time. "I love you, darling girl."
"I love you too, Mum." Willow reached for Colin who pressed her close. He kissed the crown of her head. "I love you too, Dad."
Colin, who had held it together relatively well up until this point, felt his throat begin to close up. "Love you too, Wills."
Willow skipped off toward her classroom. Once she reached the door, she turned and waved to them before going inside.
Penelope took in another deep breath. Colin squeezed her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Want to go for a walk?"
She nodded mutely, not trusting herself to speak, afraid if she did, all the tears she had been forcing back would come pouring out.
The route they took felt like second nature, despite the six-and-a-half years they had spent away from the campus. Colin guided her, their hands firmly intertwined, straight to their Willow. The grass was still slightly damp from the morning dew, but neither cared, settling against the firm trunk.
Colin pulled her close, pressing a gentle kiss against the top of her head. "Hard to believe it all started here, isn't it?"
Penelope bit her lip and swallowed back more tears. "Mm."
"You don't have to be strong in front of me, you know," he murmured into her hair. "I know it's a hard day, watching our baby walk through the doors of our school."
Penelope tried unsuccessfully to stifle a sob and Colin drew her nearer. "It's alright, Pen. Let it out, love."
"S-she's not our baby anymore," Penelope cried with a sniffle.
Colin turned her head so she faced him and brushed her tears with his thumb. "Pen. She will always be our baby. Even when she's sixteen and, Christ," he grimaced, "bringing home some bloke. She will always, always be our wee girl."
Penelope's lower lip trembled. "Yeah?"
Colin nodded and kissed her forehead. "Yeah."
They sat quietly beneath the shade of the drooping branches for some time, content to simply be in one another's company under the special tree that had meant so much to them.
Their willow.