•••
"No, I never heard them at all.
Till there was you."
•••
Grosvenor Square, February 23, 1814
8 months
Anthony was truly a sight to behold in the mornings. His bare chest on display, as he searched for his missing clothing pieces.
Nola tried to hide that she was awake, clasping her eyes shut anytime he looked anywhere near her direction. "Enjoying the show, are we?" Anthony chuckled, sarcastically. "Can't say I blame you, can I?"
Nola leaned up, placing her hand on her bump as she stood from her spot on the mattress. Anthony couldn't help but stare, she was truly glowing. She was perfect, "You are... absolutely ravishing," he spoke, leaning against the bed frame, "How did I end up with someone as stunning as you?" He pulled her to him, placing his hand on her lower back,
"You flatter me, Bridgerton..." he let out a loud laugh, taking in her smile.
He loved nothing more than her beautiful smile. No matter how much she hated it, it was one of her most amazing qualities. Of course, she had multiple, but her smile had the ability to assure him everything was okay.
He would do anything for her.
He did everything he could to make her life easier, and would until the day he died, as long as that smile never left her perfectly plump lips.
His hands moved to her stomach, lightly pressing his hand flat on the surface, proclaiming, "it could really be any day now..." he smiled, "maybe some words of encouragement?" He asked.
Nola let out a giggle, covering her mouth with her hands, "what are you to do?" She asked, but he merely dropped to his knees, pressing a gentle kiss on her tummy.
"Little baby..." he whispered, his smile never faltering, "little miracle?" Nola couldn't help but continue her laughing spree as Anthony continued to try to usher the baby out of her womb. "Mommy is in a lot of pain, and I would really appreciate it if you eased on the kicks a little bit..."
Nola knew there was a reason why she fell for this man so quickly. Maybe his wit, or his respectable charm... she adored that he was a family man. Eager to please his mother, and help raise his siblings. She loved that he was so close to all of them, and always knew he would be a great father, and here they stood. Him talking to their baby, knowing the child wouldn't respond.
"You're a very lucky kiddo, ya know?" He began. "Hopefully... you look just like your mommy..." his eyes met his wife's, "absolutely breathtaking." He breathe caught in her throat, feeling the urge to pull him up and connect their lips, but he beat her to it.
Every second they were connected was magical, she wanted to remain in his arms throughout eternity, but she quickly pulled away, a gasp leaving her lips. "What is it?" Anthony panicked, meeting her across the floor,
"I think the baby recognized you..." his eyes narrowed in confusion. "They kicked right after your hand left my stomach." His smile reappeared, pulling the girl back into his arms and falling onto the bed with her- trailing his lips from her stomach, gently to her collarbone, then reconnecting once again at the lips, "Anthony..." she whispered.
"Yes, my love..." he gasped, begin his assault on her neck.
"What of the middle name Zenia?" His heart ached, instantly recalling the name, and who it belonged to, "it was my sisters, an-"
He pressed his finger to her lip, "you must not need to continue, Nola, I know... I think that is the loveliest idea." She smiled at his response, "what of... Edmund for a boy?"
"I love it."