Addison
*Time Skip- 2 months*
Mr. Hargreaves and I leave here in 3 days. I've been procrastinating... telling my family and friends here in this timeline the truth, although a few of them already know my secret. If there was an easier way of doing this, or a backdoor I could take to exist in two worlds, I would definitely choose that option, but that's not how this works. I have to tell them because it's not like I can just disappear for months or years and just pop back up like hello family I have returned.
Today we are having a family meeting and I am dreading every bit of it. I feel like I'm going to be caught in a lie. Lady Danbury and Katherine will be here, along with the Bassets and Bridgertion clan and thankful enough Mr. Hargreaves will be here to clear up anything else.
I have yet to look at the clock because I'm dreading time, hiding away in my bedroom I faked sickness all morning. Just as I began to fall asleep again, Anthony walked into the room. He stood by the door gawking at me which made me blush.
"What do you want my dear Anthony?" I asked blushing
"You, obviously" He smirked
"Not the time to be thinking that way" I said sitting up
"How do you know which way I'm thinking?" he chuckled walking towards me
"Touche, I don't" I shrugged as he sat next to me rubbing my stomach
"I love you" He said after a while "With everything in me, my heart shall only belong to you my dear Addison" He says staring straight into my orbs "Please, I truly hope you resolve your matters in your time hastily and return to me. This here between us is special. Do you hear me?" He asked pulling my face towards him as I noticed tears streaming down his face
"I love you. You hear ME? I am inlove with you. My heart belongs to you Viscount, two worlds apart will never change the way I see you, see this; us. I want you to know that your child will know who you are. Anthony, you might not want to hear this, but if I never get to see you again-"
Don't do that, no, NO. You are not allowed to say that Addison, you promised" He pointed "You promised to return to me no matter what" He frowned throwing his head back
"I know Anthony, and I am going to keep that promise, but just hypothetically speaking what if" I sighed standing up
"I don't give a damn about what if Addison" He gritted just as the baby started moving around
"No, don't fight me for your father" I groaned rubbing my stomach "Feels as though a million tiny feet are kicking all at once" I mumbled as Anthony stood behind me
"I'm sorry for upsetting you" He said in my ear "Now my boy, stop hurting your mum" He said as the kicking lightened up, he placed his hands around my stomach
"What if it's a girl... probably why she's still kicking" I joked
"Princess, if you are daddy's princess please stop hurting your mother" Anthony said chuckling which shortly turned into a gasp as the kicking ceased fully "Wait now" He said facing me "I thought you were daddy's boy, you always respond when I-" He continued
"Anthony" I giggled
"Please, I am trying to determine the gender of my baby" He said shushing me
"If you would just let me be" I chuckled "What time is everyone arriving?" I asked rubbing his head
"Oh my, you've distracted me. They're all here and in the living area" He answered hysterically
"Typical Anthony" I shook my head
"Let us go" he said taking my hand in his and leading the way
When we got where everyone else was sitting and waiting patiently, they all looked at Anthony and I sporting the same facial expression.
"Bridgerton, I do not think you can impregnate her while she's already carrying. You seem not to give this poor woman a break" Says Simon
"It is she-" Benedict starts to say before Anthony interjected
"We were not having sex"Defends my husband
"What is sex?" Asks Hyacinth
"It's something you won't know about for a very long time" Says Lady Bridgerton which resulted in Eloise snorting
"Eloise, I would advise you to keep quiet" Interjects Collin
"Family; Addison has something to say" Cuts in Benedict
Slowly, I walked to the middle of the room looking at everyone's face. I took a deep breath and decided to let it flow.
"Now as most of you in the room know, I am not from here" I began "I am from the Caribbean... but not just the Caribbean, a different time as well" I said now using my authentic accent earning a few gasps
"A different time?" Questions Daphne
"Yes as in a different era. I came from the year 2022..." I answered
"That's not even possible" Chuckles Eloise "Are you playing some silly joke on us Addison?" She asks in disbelief
"Eloise, I promise I didn't mean no harm" I shook my head
"Traveler" Says Lady Bridgerton with a small smile looking towards Lady Danbury with a knowing look
"Traveler indeed" Answers Lady Danbury
"W-what? Like the folks lore?" Asks Collin
"Like the folks lore" Concluded Lady Danbury
"Why is it now you choose to tell us dearest?" Asks Lady Bridgerton
"Well" I sighed " I am to return to my timeline soon and I thought-"
"How soon?" Eloise asks standing
"In three days" I said earning gasps and chatter at this revelation
"So soon?" Asks Lady Danbury "Why?"
"Well. I-I" I began before Mr. Hargreaves interjected
"To help you all understand, I too shall be returning back home to my time I am a traveler as well. I had already made peace with this time; as you all know my wife has passed away, there is nothing left in this era for me and Mrs. Bridgerton here is accompanying my return home to make amends and part ways with her own family in a proper manner" He says
"In a proper manner?" Asks Lady Danbury
"I ended up here without getting in any goodbyes. To them I'm probably dead or missing" I say "I shall return to tell them I am okay and everything is well with me and I am now married; but once my businesses at home are done, I shall find my way back here" I said
"So there is no guarantee you shall return?" Ask Francesca "Please tell me otherwise"
"We are trying to find a loophole, something to tie me back to this time to Anthony" I answered her
"What about the child?" Asks Katherine, oh my dear Katherine
"I-I don't know" I said lowly "I am unsure if he or she can travel back here" I sighed
"It is simple then, you should not travel back" Eloise says "Why do you want to leave? Are we not enough family for you? Brother... you're allowing this?" She says now turning to Anthony
"Eloise, we both fear the same thing, the unknown. But I learned we will never know if we never try"
"I don't know how to feel about this" She shook her head looking over at Anthony who was currently downing alcohol I presume
"I just need your blessings. That I will always have a family to come back to. As I promised my husband, I will return, if it takes weeks, months, years even... I will be back" I said to everyone
"Now that the biggest hurdle has been passed, you all can ask her your questions" Says Mr. Hargreaves
We talked about everything for hours, I fully discussed where I came from and how far I've come and how I ended up here. We even talked about what would be when I returned. I am glad to say even though everyone is devastated that I am leaving, they all accept me for who I am. I can say that I was blessed to end up in such a good family.
"I now understand why you are the way you are; Don't ever let anyone cause you to change who you are" Says Katherine coming towards me
"Hey there" I smiled at her as she smiled back
"So that is why you made me stay with lady Danbury?" She asks
"Yeah, just look at it as a method to my madness" I smiled
"When you return, I shall return to you" She promised
"And you shall be free once you do" I said to her
"What ever do you mean?" She questions
"Worry not, I need you to look out for Lady Danbury for me" I said to her "Make sure she's alright even when she seems to be, even the strong ones need somebody looking out for them" I told her
"I shall look after her my lady" She smiles
"If you would excuse me" She said walking over to Benedict
"That's enough alcohol" I said to Anthony lowly
"It is helping me to feel better" He lied
"If you get drunk, we shall be sleeping separately tonight" I warned
"That was my final cup my love" He said putting his hands up in surrender
"I love you" I said as he stood up towering me
"And I love you more" He said taking my hands in his "And I love our boy or girl as well" He said to my stomach
"I can't believe you told Benedict before me" I heard Eloise voice behind me
"Eloise" I said turning to face her
"No Addison, you were my friend first. I am disappointed in you" She frowned before storming off
"Eloise" I yelled waddling behind her. When I got to the door of the living area she was no where in sight
"Try the old swing set" Says Benedict
"Shall I accompany you my love?" Asks Anthony
"Not this time" I shook my head
"Hastings" I called out "Please look after my husband for me" I said before going to find my dear friend
When I got to the swing set, I found Eloise smoking. I guess she didn't hear me coming because when I sighed out loud she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"What is it? You should not be out here" She said outing the cigarette in her hand
"Why are you out here smoking?" I asked now standing in the front of her
"Because I'm upset, Addison" She yelled
"Do tell me why" I say
"Because of you. We are supposed to be friends and you confided in my brothers before me. Aside from you being Anthony's wife, I expected more because I knew you first. You could have at least told me Addison. Now... now you're leaving me for heaven knows how long" She scoffed
"C'mere" I said pulling her into a hug. Moments into the hug she burst into tears and so did I
"I need you to know, I will return. You are truly a best friend to me. Let's make a deal" I said sniffing "When you miss me most or you have something important to tell me, you write it down in a letter. When I return, I shall read all of those you composed with letters in return for you" I said to her
"Is that a promise?" She asked
"That is a promise" I nodded
We talked and cried for about half an hour before Daphne came outside calling out to us.
"We're here" Cried out Eloise
"Why are you both crying?" Asks a concerned Daphne
"It matters not any longer" Eloise says wiping her eyes and smiling at me
"You two look after each other" I said "D, I know you have your family and all but write to my dear Eloise, write personally to her" I said as she nodded
"I will" She said
"I love the two of you, I am glad to have sisters in law like you" I said as we all gathered in a group hug
"I love you too" Says D sniffling
"I love you more" Replied Eloise
"Now ladies, if our pity party is over your husband sent me to get you because it is your feeding time" Chuckles Daphne wiping away stray tears
"I can eat for three people right now" I joked rubbing my stomach
"Well let us be on our way then" Says Eloise
To my delight, when we all entered the house, supper had already been served and everyone was waiting for us in the dining area.
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A/N: Her secret is finally out...