Chapter Text
In the end, Penelope Featherington wed Colin Bridgerton in a simple ceremony. Both families were present, including the shiny new Lady Kate Bridgerton, Anthony’s bride.
They said their vows before God and their families, and the wedding breakfast and reception passed by them in a blur.
Once they were alone - now, until the rest of their lives, Penelope thought with glee - in their new home, the newlyweds declared their own vows.
“Colin, this is silly,” Penelope protested, giggling as her husband nestled his nose against her neck, his hand ghosting over her sheer nightgown. “You do not have to declare a second set of vows to me! We are already married. ”
“Hush, wife,” Colin breathed against the shell of her ear, thrilling in the shiver he felt her make. “Despite what Lady Whistledown published, you and I certainly know the truth about that fateful night.” He sobered quite quickly, drawing back to stare into her eyes.
“Colin…” Penelope hesitated. He shushed her, pushing a stray curl behind her ear, admiring the way her blue eyes glimmered in the candlelight.
“Penelope Bridgerton,” he began, grinning as she flushed at the use of her new name. “I love you with everything I am, everything I've been, and everything I hope to be. I love you with my past, and I love you for my future. I love you for the children we'll have and for the years we'll have together. I love you for every one of my smiles and even more, for every one of your smiles. I will spend the rest of my life making up to you those horrid words I uttered that evening. I almost lost you forever. The world almost lost you forever. I will never again take you for granted, my beautiful, clever, smart, funny wife.”
Colin kissed away the tears now streaming down his wife’s cheeks before pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
“Oh, Colin,” she huffed, wiping her eyes. “I have loved you since my silly bonnet knocked you off your horse all those years ago. In truth, I have never stopped. And I never will.”
Colin surged forward to capture Penelope’s lips, the emotions of the moment melting into passion.
“Now, Lady Whistledown,” Colin grinned, and Penelope swatted at him. “I think it’s high time we get started on our martial duty.”
“Is that so?” Penelope teased, quirking an eyebrow. Colin nodded eagerly, and his wife’s peals of laughter filled his chest with warmth.
This was where he was supposed to be.
She was who he was supposed to be with.