Chapter Text
January:
I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day
The one thing about the Bridgerton siblings was that they always ended the year with a bang. Penelope had been to their annual New Year’s Eve party every year, and it was always the same. Everyone would get super drunk, and be very hungover the next day. This year was no exception. Last night had been a trip for her, and she needed to do some thinking. Penelope was always the first one awake, and when she came downstairs she let out an audible groan. The house was a wreck. Penelope took a deep breath and grabbed a trash bag before she started clearing away the trash and empty bottles.
“Pen?” Colin asked sleepily as he came down the stairs. “What are you doing?”
“Cleaning up the bottles,” Penelope replied. “It’s a mess down here, and Violet would be so pissed to see her beautiful house like this.”
“We hire cleaners every year,” Colin told her. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Your mum likes it when it’s cleaned a certain way. It’s important to Violet, so it’s important to me.” Penelope shrugged.
Colin sighed, but to Penelope’s surprise, he started gathering some empty containers and putting them in the garbage bag. She looked at him in shock for a moment, but he just gave her a coy smile. He grabbed the bag from her and held it while she put some of the trash into it.
“Colin, you don’t have to help me,” She said. “I’m sure you’re hungover this morning. You were pretty toasted last night.”
“I wasn’t drunk, Penelope.” He stated.
“But we-you-”
“I kissed you last night, completely sober,” He said, setting the bag down on the floor and stepping closer to her. “I kissed you because I wanted to.”
“Why?” She asked, her heart racing in her chest.
“Ever since I came back from my last trip, all I could think about was you. You have been on my mind for weeks now, Pen. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before, but you are the most important person in my life,” He reached out to cup her face. “I am an idiot for not realizing that all this time, when I wrote to you on my travels, when I rushed to see you when I came home, when I hated any guy you dated, it was all because I am in love with you.”
“Colin,” She gasped tearfully. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” He assured her, using his thumb to wipe away her tears. “Do you think you might ever return those feelings?”
“Surely you know,” Penelope replied with a shaky laugh. “I’ve loved you since I knew what love was, for an embarrassingly long time really.”
Colin’s smile lit up his entire face. Slowly, he leaned in. She held her breath as he moved in to kiss her. Their lips touched, softly at first, and then deeper and more passionately once they were confident in it. Colin’s arms circled her waist, lifting her slightly. She moaned against his mouth, bringing him back to reality.
“Sorry, love, got a little carried away,” He grinned, bumping their noses together. “Wouldn’t want the Bridge sibs to find out that way, huh?”
“Probably not,” She chuckled. “And we should probably have a real conversation about this. Tonight perhaps, everyone is leaving after breakfast, I was gonna stay another night and clean the house. Wanna join me?”
“Sure, I’ll even cook for you,” He replied. “Let’s get this trash cleaned up before everyone else wakes up.”
Penelope and Colin made quick work disposing of the cans, bottles, and containers that littered the downstairs. Colin’s siblings and their significant others were sleeping in their rooms still. It was the one weekend a year when the siblings gathered without their children or Violet present. Violet loved having her grandchildren for the weekend, so it worked out well. This was the first year Hyacinth joined them, and she’d been excited to finally be dubbed old enough for their festivities.
Soon, the rest of the Bridgertons started making their way downstairs. Eloise and Phillip were the first ones to wake up, but were quickly followed by Kate and Anthony. Colin and Penelope had gotten the trash cleaned up by then, and were looking for any sort of substance for breakfast. The rest of the group emerged slowly until they were all eating whatever they could rummage up at the table.
“Pen, are you sure you want to stay here by yourself?” Eloise asked. “The cleaners will come and handle everything, I don’t know why you insist on tidying up.”
“Violet likes-”
“Everything to be cleaned a certain way, I know,” Eloise said, rolling her eyes. “But seriously, the company does a great job. There’s no need for you to stay and clean up after everyone.”
“El you know how much I love Aubrey Hall,” Penelope said with a smile. “I won’t mind the peace and quiet of the country or an extra day.”
“I understand that, but being all alone?” Francesca asked with a frown.
“This house is huge, Pen. It’s probably really spooky alone in the dark.” Sophie added.
“She won’t be alone,” Colin said nonchalantly as he munched on some toast. “I’m gonna stay too.”
Colin’s siblings exchanged looks. It wasn’t a secret to anyone that Penelope and Colin had been dancing around each other for years. Penelope had been in love with Colin since she was just a child, and the Bridgertons had watched as Colin slowly came to the realization of his own feelings in the past few years.
“Why?” Gregory asked his older brother. Hyacinth elbowed him causing Gregory to let out a yelp. “I’m just asking!”
“I didn’t want Pen to be alone, and since I’m not traveling right now, there’s no reason not to stay and hangout with my best friend,” Colin explained. “I have barely seen her since being home, and I promised her we could watch any film she wanted tonight if she let me intrude on her plans.”
Penelope was pretty certain that his siblings weren’t buying into that story, but none of them said anything about it. She was glad they seemed to understand that the pair needed some time alone to talk. And perhaps other things, or so she hoped.
After breakfast, everyone started packing up to head out. Most of them had to work the next day, but Penelope was lucky. She was an author and book editor, so she got to work from home, and essentially set her own schedule. Colin had some time off from the travel blog he wrote for, so he was in no rush to return to Mayfair either.
They said goodbye to each sibling and their partners as they began to trickle out. Eloise and Phillip were the last to go, and Colin’s sister grabbed him by the arm and pulled him aside. He couldn’t even get out a word of protest before she started in on him.
“Listen here, you might be my brother but Penelope is my soulmate. She’s my very best friend, and goodness help her, she loves you. If you so much as look at her wrong, I will hide your body somewhere they'll never even think to look, got it?” She looked at him with such a terrifyingly serious look, he could only nod. She patted his back. “Good, good. I’m rooting for you, don’t fuck it up,” Colin’s jaw dropped at his sister’s words. “Oh don’t look so surprised, Col. Phillip has opened my eyes to the world of love and romance. I know Pen like the back of my hand, and your my big brother. Clearly something is finally happening between you two.”
“And you approve?” He asked cautiously. She nodded at him.
“Like I said, just don’t fuck it up,” She smiled. “Penelope is special. If you break her heart, I’m taking her side.”
“I won’t break her heart.” Colin promised.
“I know, that’s why I’m not totally kicking your ass right now.” Eloise told him.
HOLDONTOTHEMEMORIES
Penelope and Colin were relieved to finally be alone. But, before they settled in for the day, Penelope insisted that they finish cleaning. She tackled the upstairs, and he finished vacuuming, sweeping, and putting things back in order on the main level. It didn’t take them too long, and once they were finished, it was late in the afternoon.
“Go shower, and change, I’ll handle dinner. Take your time to pamper yourself,” Colin instructed, kissing her neck. “I have a first date planned to blow you away.”
“A first date huh?” She asked. “I don’t recall being asked out.”
“Oh, you’re right, how could I forget?” He smirked, pulling away slightly to look her in the eyes. “Penelope Featherington, will you do me the greatest honor of going on a date with me tonight?”
“I’d love to,” She grinned. “I’m gonna go get ready. Are you sure you don’t want help with dinner?”
“No, I got it,” He assured her. “I’m gonna rinse off quickly and throw on something else, and then I’ll cook you an amazing meal.”
He stole one more quick kiss from her before he released her. She hurried up the stairs to get ready for their night. She heard the shower down the hall turn on a few moments later, so she knew Colin was already getting ready. She looked through her suitcase and pulled out a little black dress. She thanked her past self for packing two potential outfits for New Years Eve otherwise she’d have been stuck wearing a matching lounge set on their first date.
She showered and then made quick work of getting ready. Colin had told her not to rush, but she was excited. She’d been dreaming about a date with Colin Bridgerton for years, and her brain could not wrap around the fact that it was about to happen. He loved her!
She blow dried her hair, grateful that Violet kept the Aubrey Hall home stocked with all the essentials. She wished she’d packed her curling iron, but her natural waves would have to do for tonight. She threw on some light makeup before she decided she was ready. She took a look in the mirror, forcing herself to take this moment in. The man she loved had declared his love to her a few hours before, and now she was going to discover what this all meant.
“Hello there, beautiful, just in time,” Colin smiled as she came down the stairs. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you, so do you.” She grinned, taking him in. Colin had changed into some black denim jeans, and a teal colored sweater. He took her hand and led her to the dining room.
She let out a small gasp. Colin had set the table and had lit a candle for them. He’d plated them up some pasta that smelled heavenly, and had somehow managed to find some fake flowers for the centerpiece. He had obviously been busy while she’d gotten herself dressed.
“My lady,” Colin pulled the chair out for her. “Join me for this 5 star meal, please?”
She let out a chuckle. Colin always made her laugh. It was one of the millions of reasons why it had been so easy to fall in love with him. He was her best friend, and they already had established a certain level of comfort with each other. She didn’t have the kind of relationship she had with him with anyone else.
“So, what does this mean?” She asked once they were seated. “I know we said a lot this morning, and I meant every word. But I don’t want you to think you have to commit to anything.”
“Penelope, we’ve danced around this for years. I don’t want to waste a single second more. I want us to be together,” He assured her, taking her hands from across the table. “If we do this, you should know it’s serious for me. I mean, if we make this official, you’re either going to break my heart forever, or marry me.”
“Is that a proposal?” She asked, only half-joking because Colin looked very serious.
“No, Pen. When I propose to you, it will be magical, I promise,” He said. “I’m just saying that you and I will be committed to each other. I want to show you off to all my friends, spend all of my free time annoying you, take you to see the world, bring you home to my mom, all of it.”
“I’ve met your mother, remember?” She teased.
“And she adores you,” Colin reminded her. “Penelope, I want to be with you, but I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. It will change everything in a good way, but it’s a lot. If you aren’t ready for that, I need to know.”
Penelope looked at the man in front of her and felt her heart melt. He looked so vulnerable at that moment. She couldn’t believe he thought for a second that she could be the one to break his heart.
“Colin, I have wanted this for so long. I am ready to be with you.” She assured him.
She squeezed his hand three times. It was their little code that meant everything would be okay. They’d established it back when they were teenagers, and still used it as a way to comfort each other.
“Well, then,” He smiled brightly at her. “Penelope Anne Featherington, will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes!” She exclaimed excitedly.
“Let’s eat this pasta quickly before I lose all ability to think and carry you up to my room.”
They talked over their dinner. Colin told her about his latest trip to Bali, and she told him about the novel she was working on. Writing had always been something they had bonded over, and she loved that they could still support each other in it. Colin insisted they take their first picture as a couple, and pulled her almost into his lap for a selfie.
After dinner, they cleaned up so that they wouldn’t need to worry about it for the rest of the night. Then, Colin turned on some music. He insisted they dance together in the living room, just as they’d done many times before at Bridgerton events. She loved the feeling of being in his arms, so it didn’t take much convincing.
“My god you’re gorgeous,” Colin said looking down at her. “I can’t believe you want to be with me.”
“Colin, you must be joking,” She laughed. “Have you seen yourself?”
“Nothing compares to your beauty, Pen.” He replied.
Colin leaned down and captured her lips. She quickly began to kiss him back, pushing herself up on her tiptoes to reach him better. Colin pulled her as close to him as possible, wanting to have the best possible access to her. Just his kiss alone was turning her on in a way she’d never experienced before. She was gripping him, trying to pull him even close, though it was not humanly possible.
“Colin,” She said against his mouth. “Take me upstairs.”
Colin didn’t need to be told twice. He lifted her into his arms as if it was nothing, and hurried them both up to his bedroom. He gently laid her on the bed, kissing her lips and then her neck. She gripped the front of his shirt in her fists. She felt his hand reach for the bottom of her dress.
“Wait!” She nearly shouted suddenly. Colin quickly went to move off her, but she stopped him. “No, don’t stop. Sorry, it’s just, this is kind of awkward, but I’ve actually…”
“Actually what, love?” He asked, tucking her hair behind her hair.
“I’m a virgin.” She said so quickly he almost didn’t catch her words.
“Do you want to do this?” He asked her. She nodded. “I won’t push you into anything you don't want.”
“Colin, I want this, I swear,” She insisted. “I just wanted you to know before we went any further. I’ve fooled around with a couple guys, but it never went all the way. I always stopped it because it never felt right, but this is different. You are different.”
“We can stop at any point,” He assured her. “Just say the word and we can stop, I promise. Do you want to continue?”
“Yes, I want to keep going.” She said, pulling him back in for another kiss.
Once that conversation was out of the way, Colin continued his work. Instead of reaching under her dress, though, he gently urged her to sit so he could take the dress off completely. He could see her nervousness kick in, but she had no reason to worry. The dress didn’t require a bra, and Colin had never been more grateful in his life. Penelope had perfect breasts, and he was practically drooling at the sight.
“May I?” He asked. She nodded.
Colin leaned down, kissing her chest. He then, very gently, took a nipple in his mouth. She let out a moan of pleasure. He kept working on her breasts until he knew she was comfortable to move on. He took off his own shirt at her request.
“I want to see all of you,” She said. “I’ll lose my panties if you lose yours.”
Colin chuckled. He hooked his fingers into her lacy underwear, and pulled them down her legs. She didn’t look as nervous, so he gently ran a finger up her thigh. He paused to look at her and she nodded, urging him to touch her. He carefully ran a finger through her wetness, causing her to throw her head back.
“Not fair, you still have your pants on,” She panted. “I want them off.”
Colin leaned back on the bed, unbuttoning his pants. He stood, removing the pants and his boxers and kicking them off. He watched as Penelope took him in for the first time. He swore he saw her lick her lips.
“Wow, you’re certainly gifted,” She said with a slight hesitation in her voice. “Uh, is that the normal size?”
“Pen, we can still stop. It might hurt the first time, but only for a moment. If you want to pause, though, I’ll put pajamas on and we can snuggle in bed for the rest of the night.”
“No!” She exclaimed.
“Are you sure?” He asked again.
“Colin for the love of god, please fuck me.” She moaned.
“I will not be fucking you tonight, Penelope,” He told her firmly. “I will make love to you, and worship you. We can save the fucking for a different time, but our first time is going to be about you. Understood?”
She shuddered and nodded. Somehow, his insistence on checking on her, and making sure she felt loved was the sexiest part of the night so far. He was the kindest man she had ever met, and she loved him.
“Colin, make love to me.” She restated. He grinned at her.
Colin returned his fingers to her wetness, inserting them slowly. She moaned and moved her body in harmony with his hand. As his finger moved in and out of her center, his thumb found her clit. She lifted off the bed, practically begging for more. He kept going with his fingers until he felt her start to tighten around him. She was frantically raising her hips, desperately trying to go over the edge.
“Cum for me, baby.” He said. It was all she needed to be sent tumbling.
Colin didn’t remove his fingers until he was certain she’d finished riding the waves of pleasure. He gave her a moment to come down from her high, stroking her hair as she did. When she was back to normal state, he leaned in and kissed her.
“Are you ready for me?” He asked her.
“I’m glad it’s you,” She said with a smile. “I never wanted it to be anyone else.”
“I need to grab a condom,” He said. “I think there’s some in the bathroom.”
“I’m on birth control for my periods,” She replied. “Obviously I’m clean, and I trust you.”
“Are you-”
“Colin, I promise, I’m sure.” She smiled.
Colin grinned, unable to believe she loved and trusted him this much. He’d never had sex without a condom before, and it was fitting she’d be the first for him. He kissed her once more before moving to line himself up with her center.
“Tell me if it’s too much,” He told her softly. “I need you to tell me if you need to stop or pause, okay?” She nodded.
Colin slowly pushed the first inch inside, checking her face to make sure she was alright. She pulled on his shoulders, wanting him to continue. He kept pushing in until she met the resistance he knew was coming. He looked at her and made certain this was what she wanted. With her vocal consent, he pushed in. He heard her let out a sharp gasp, and he froze.
“Are you alright?” He asked.
“I just need a moment,” She said. “It’s not too painful, but it’s a little uncomfortable.”
“Take all the time you need.” He told her even though his body was begging him to move.
After a moment, she asked him to continue on. He slowly began to move in and out of her. She started moving with him, letting out little moans of pleasure. She grabbed onto his ass, making him go deeper, and she threw her head into the pillows in pleasure. Wanting to make it better for her, Colin pulled her leg over his hip, and then found her clit again. It only took a few more thrusts before he watched her orgasm take over, and he followed quickly behind, emptying into her.
He collapsed on top of her while they both tried to catch their breath. After a bit, he pulled out of her, and went to grab a warm washcloth to help her clean up. He gently washed her center and thighs. When he was satisfied, he crawled into bed beside her, pulling her against him.
“Was that okay?” He asked her.
“Nothing has ever been more perfect than that,” She smiled blissfully. “Was it alright for you? I know I don’t have much experience.”
“Pen, nothing compares to that.” He assured her.
“So, how should we tell your family?” She asked him. Colin grinned.
“I have an idea.”
Colin pulled up the selfie they had taken at dinner. He opened his Instagram app, and quickly made a caption. He showed it to her.
“They’re going to murder us,” She giggled. “But, it’ll be funny. Post it, but be aware our phones are going to absolutely blow up.”
Posted by- @ColinTheTraveler
@PenTheFeather “I want your midnights, but I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day” 😘
HOLDONTOTHEMEMORIES
Birdgerton Brigade
Hyacinth: OMG
Hyacinth: Has anyone else been on instagram!? 😍
Hyacinth: Added Penelope Featherington to the chat
Francesca: OMG!!! GUYS!!
Eloise: CALL ME RIGHT NOW PENELOPE ANNE FEATHERINGTON
Violet: Someone please explain! I don’t have an Instagram
Violet: Welcome to the chat Pen, dear ❤️
Daphne: I think Colin just hard launched him and Pen
Benedict: ????
Sophie: FINALLY 😍
Benedict: Sophie explained what hard launched means
Benedict: I get it now
Anthony: Pen? Colin? Are you going to confirm this??
Anthony: Also didn’t we agree to only add spouses to this chat
Anthony: NO OFFENSE PEN!!!
Anthony: Kate said that was rude
Violet: Penelope is family, Anthony
Violet: Hold on, so we think Colin and Penelope are together?
Eloise: PENELOPE I SWEAR IF YOU DON’T ANSWER YOUR PHONE
Gregory: They kissed on NYE
Gregory: Lucy and I saw them
Hyacinth: YOU RAT
Hyacinth: WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME
Gregory: Colin said he’d pay me to keep quiet
Violet: Colin, Penelope, please tell me that you have finally figured things out
Kate: Maybe we scared them away 🥺
Daphne: What did he expect when he posted that on Instagram
Daphne: Mum, this what everyone is talking about
Daphne: Daphne Bassett sent an attachment
Violet: What a lovely photograph! You make a beautiful couple!
Eloise: PENELOPE
Benedict: I don’t think she’s answering, El 🙄
Colin: Sorry, I was far too busy kissing my beautiful girlfriend 😘
Hyacinth: I’M SCREAMING
Hyacinth: IT’S ABOUT BLOODY TIME
Anthony: Congrats! 🍾
Kate: 🎉
Violet: This is the best news!! ❤️
Eloise: All good, Penelope is on the phone with me right now 😊
Daphne: Yes because that’s what we were all concerned about 🙄
Daphne: Pen and Colin, congratulations!!!! 🎉
Francesca: I’m so happy for you guys!
Penelope: Thank you everyone! We are very happy, and can’t wait to celebrate with you all soon ❤️
HOLDONTOTHEMEMORIES
As expected, the Bridgertons were beyond excited to hear of the news. Violet hosted a family dinner the following week, and the new couple was swept up into hugs. They were happy to share their excitement with his family, but Penelope did not feel the same about her mum. Penelope and her sisters were not close growing up, but since losing their dad, they’d grown closer in the past few years. They’d helped Penelope realize how toxic Portia was to her, and helped her set some much needed boundaries. Between their support, the Bridgertons, and therapy, Penelope was in a much better headspace about things. Still, she didn’t enjoy dinners with her mum, but having Colin there would help.
“So, you managed to convince him to date you, I suppose you want a congratulations?” Portia asked, sipping her wine. “You think this will last? I give it a month before it falls apart, and you will be back here begging for sympathy. I do not understand why you insist on putting yourself in these situations, Penelope.”
“Mum,” Prudence said in a warning tone. “Penelope is happy.”
“I’m sure she is. I would be too if I was seeing a man from one of the richest families in-” Colin quickly cutoff his girlfriend's mum.
“Portia, I love her. She loves me. We’re very happy together. This isn’t some fling. It’s been building for years. We would appreciate it if you showed a bit of respect to our relationship.” He said.
Penelope couldn’t have loved him any more than she did at that moment. He stood up for her and showed her love in ways she hadn’t experienced before.
“Well, if you’re sure.” Portia replied with an eye roll.
They didn’t stay much longer. Penelope did what she’d come to do, and got the results she’d expected. She wouldn’t let it stop her from enjoying her new relationship. She would never have a warm and fuzzy relationship with her mum, and she accepted that. She just wanted to spend time with her boyfriend, and relish in this new love they’d discovered.
They went back to her apartment she shared with Eloise. Her best friend wasn’t home much these days. She spent a lot of her time at Philip’s, and since he lived closer to her office, it made sense. Eloise made certain to spend Thursday nights home so she and Penelope could have their best friend nights, and Penelope was glad. She was happy for Eloise, and seeing her best friend in love was worth potentially losing her roommate. Plus, now it was nice to have to have Eloise out. It made it much less weird for Colin to sleepover.
Since their first time, something had been awakened in Penelope. She couldn’t contain herself. She was always craving his touch, barely able to get enough. Not that Colin complained of course. It had been two weeks since New Years, and they had spent each night together.
“I love you,” Colin told her as they laid in her bed after lovemaking. “Your mum is crazy for thinking this isn’t going to last.”
“I’ve not given much thought to things Portia Featherington says in years,” Penelope assured him. “She’s bitter, and unfortunately, misery loves company.”
“I just wish she could see the amazing woman I get to love,” Colin sighed. “Why does she belittle you so much?”
“Years of therapy has helped me see that she’s jealous of my success, and holds the closeness my dad and I shared against me,” Penelope explained. “It doesn’t make it okay, but I’ve learned to accept it. I can’t force her to change, I just have to decide if I can tolerate it enough to keep my relationship with her.”
“Can you?” Colin asked.
“For now, but if she keeps trying to diminish our relationship we are going to have a problem,” Penelope told him. “Things are easier now that Pru and Phillipa and I have mended our relationship. We never saw how much mother came between us and pitted us against one another.”
“I’m glad you have them,” Colin said, twirling one of her curls between his fingers. “And, you know you have my family too, right?”
“Yes, and I love them. I am so grateful for their support, and how much love they’ve shown me since I was just a child.” Penelope replied.
“They’re all pretty excited that I finally woke up and saw what was right in front of me,” Colin smirked. “And I’m pretty glad too.”
“Oh yeah?” She asked with a teasing smile. “Just pretty glad?”
“I’m elated,” He corrected. “Overjoyed, happy in a way words can’t even describe.”
“Maybe, you shouldn’t use words then. Maybe you should show me just how happy you are,” She suggested climbing on top of him. “And maybe, I can show you how happy I am.”
“You are a goddess, Pen.” He groaned, pulling her in for a kiss.
And I will hold on to you