"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Kathryn. Happy birthday to you," the Bridgerton family sang as Violet brought out the birthday cake her Daphne and Eloise had whipped together.
"Make a wish darling," Anthony smiled.
Kathryn smiled up at Anthony as she sat there wearing the traditional Bridgerton hat that Violet always made. She turned back to the cake, closed her eyes, and blew out the candles.
"What did you wish for?" Gregory asked, cheerfully.
"She cannot tell you or it will not come true," Colin commented.
"Oh come on, I will not tell anybody," Gregory pouted.
"She cannot tell anyone, Gregory," Hyacinth said, "Would you not want her birthday wish to come true?"
"I guess not," the boy mumbled making everyone laugh.
"Shall we eat the cake?" Kathryn asked.
Violet cut the cake and passed out the plates to everyone, making sure that Kathryn got the first piece. Everyone was now sitting around the drawing room either eating cake, playing, or in their own conversations.
"You seem extremely happy this evening," Benedict said.
"I am," Kathryn smiled.
"Anthony seems extremely happy as well," Benedict commented.
Kathryn's eyes fell to Anthony who was playing a game with Gregory and Hyacinth on the floor. She could not help but smile at her husband. She also could not wait for the day when they had children of their own. If the way he treated his siblings was any indication of what kind of father he would be, she knew he would do amazing.
"You think so?" Kathryn asked, her eyes still on Anthony.
"Yes. This is the happiest I have seen him in a long time," Benedict said, "I presume I had something to do with that."
"You?" Kathryn asked turning to look at Benedict.
"Yes. Me," Benedict said, "I basically told him that he needed to pull his head, excuse my language, out of his arse."
Kathryn looked at Benedict with her mouth open in shock, "You said that?"
"Well not those exact words but basically," Benedict said.
"When exactly did this happen?" Kathryn asked.
"Right after I walked you to your mother's house that one day. You seemed so sad and defeated," Benedict said, "I knew that someone needed to talk some sense into him or you both were going to be in for a miserable life together."
"Thank you, Benedict," Kathryn smiled.
"Anything for my favorite sister," Benedict smiled before going wide-eyed, "But do not tell the others I called you that. I still wish to stay on their good side."
Kathryn did her best to conceal her laugh but could not help it. A few of the Bridgerton siblings turned their heads to look at the two. The two just smiled as everyone turned back to what they were doing.
"So now that you and Anthony are on good terms I presume I will no longer be your favorite Bridgerton brother?" Benedict asked.
"No one could ever take that title from you," Kathryn assured, "Not even my own husband."
"That is exactly what I love to hear," Benedict smiled.
"Now, if you will excuse me I am going to go get another piece of my delicious birthday cake before it is all gone," Kathryn said standing up to walk toward where the cake was.
She examined the pieces that were sitting on the table and decided to go with the one with the most frosting on it. When she was almost done with the cake Violet made her way toward the girl.
"Are you having a good birthday party?" Violet asked.
"Yes. Thank you so much for making the cake. It is absolutely delicious," Kathryn smiled.
"I am glad you liked it," Violet said, "I am sorry we could not celebrate on your actual birthday."
"It is no problem," Kathryn said, "I was grateful that I was able to spend it with my mother and sister."
"I just wanted to thank you, Kathryn," Violet said.
"Thank me for what?" Kathryn asked.
"When you and Anthony first arrived I could feel something was off between you two," Violet said, "I was not sure what exactly. Call it mother intuition, but I could just tell."
"Well, your intuition was not wrong," Kathryn assured.
"I did not think so," Violet said, "The more I saw you two, the longer you were here the more I knew that I was right. Anthony has been closed off from everyone since the death of Edmund. The day he died Anthony had to become head of the house and I was falling apart. That left him to deal with everything. I have not seen him genuinely smile since that day."
Kathryn knew from the little Anthony had told her the day before that Edmunds's death was hard on him and his mother. But she had no idea that he had to take on so much.
"That was until today," Violet smiled, "Today I saw a little bit of the old Anthony back on his face and that has continued to grow as the day goes on. I can only assume that is because of you. I am not sure what you did to break down those high walls that Anthony built up over the years, but thank you for not giving up on him and breaking them down."
Violet pulled the girl into a hug, "I would do anything for him."
"I know you would," Violet replied, "He could not have found a more perfect woman to marry."
Kathryn pulled away from the hug as Anthony walked over to them.
"Why the tears mother?" Anthony asked putting his arm around Violet's shoulders.
"I am just so unbelievably happy," Violet said hugging her son.
Anthony gave Kathryn a question look and the girl just smiled at her husband.
"Don't mind me dear," Violet said pulling away from her son and wiping her tears, "I need to get the children off to bed.
With a lot of grumbling and complaining Violet got Hyacinth and Gregory off to bed.
"Are you ready for bed, darling?" Anthony asked.
"Yes. It has been quite a long day," Kathryn said.
"Why don't you head on up? I'm gonna clean up and I will be up in a minute," Anthony said.
Kathryn kissed Anthony and headed up to their bedroom. Last night was the first time since they arrived in the ton that Anthony had slept in the same room as her. And let's just say not a lot of sleeping really went on that night. As soon as his lips touched her Anthony had promised himself that he would make up for lost time, and that he did.
Kathryn was standing in her nightgown in front of the mirror brushing out her hair and waiting for Anthony to come up to the room. After what felt like an eternity, the door finally clicked open and Anthony walked in.
"I am so exhausted," Anthony said.
"Well maybe if you had actually slept last night you would not be so tired," Kathryn smiled looking at her husband through the mirror.
Anthony smirked walking over toward her and placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I do believe what we did last night was well worth losing a bit of sleep," Anthony said as he pushed the strap of her nightgown off her shoulder, "Don't you?"
"Yes," Kathryn said letting out a shaky breath.
Kathryn closed her eyes as Anthony kissed from tip of her shoulder up her neck.
"Are you so tired that you wish for me to stop?" Anthony whispered in her ear.
"No," Kathryn said, eyes still closed.
"Open your eyes," Anthony said.
Kathryn opened her eyes, as she met his in the mirror.
"I want you to watch yourself," Anthony said pulling up her nightgown, "Watch what I do to you."
Aaaaaaaaaaand I feel awkward writing that so that's all you're gonna get... sorry 🤭
~A