~

After the grand soiree of Lady Danbury, Elena got off her carriage as it stopped in front of her house. She told the servants that they can rest and said goodnight to them.

Trying not to make a sound, she went up the stairs, tiptoeing but stops when she sees Benedict standing at the top. He had his top button undone, his shirt was creased and his hair was messy.

"It seems like you had a lot of fun." He said tiredly, his eyes half open.

"I told you I'd be late." Elena said as continued going up the stairs. "You didn't have to wait for me, you could've gone to bed." She reached him and played with his hair.

"I know, but the view outside was so beautiful outside that I wanted to share it with you."

"What view?"

Benedict softly smiled and kissed her forehead. "Put on some comfortable clothes and join me outside, in the backyard.

Elena went to their shared bedroom and quickly got out of her fancy dress and hair, putting on her nightgown. She made her way downstairs and opened the glass doors that lead to the backyard.

There, stood Benedict on the patio staring into the full moon.

Now Elena knew what kind of view he was talking about. In their backyard, Benedict and Elena had a small lake, like Simon and Daphne's, and the moon shined on it. You could see the beautiful reflections.

Elena couldn't help but smile. She walked towards Benedict and sat down beside him. "It really is beautiful."

Benedict looked down at her and smiled, sitting down. They both turned to face each other.

"How are you this evening, my dear?" Benedict asked his wife, softly.

"Very well." She replied. "Only I wish you would not call me 'my dear'."

"Why?"

"Because it's what my father always calls my mother when he's crossed about something."

"All right, then. What about my flower?"

"No, my father calls me that." Elena laughed.

"What endearments am I allowed?" He asked again.

"Well, let me think... Lena, for everyday. My love, for Sundays. And goddess divine, but only on very special occasions."

"And what should I call you when I'm cross, Mrs. Bridgerton?"

"No, no." Elena looked down and caressed his hands. "You may only call me, Mrs. Bridgerton when you are completely, perfectly, incandescently happy."

Every word she said, her face got closer and closer to Benedict's. And now, they were inches away.

"And how are you this evening... Mrs. Bridgerton?" Benedict whispered which made Elena smile. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Mrs. Bridgerton." He repeated.

Elena closed her eyes as Benedict kissed her. Slowly. All over her face.

(not me taking my favourite scene in pride and prejudice and putting it in my story.)

-

After just waking up up, Elena sat on her bed staring into space for at least 10 minutes. She didn't fee like getting up nor going back to bed. After just sitting their doing, nothing she decided to get up and start her day with some delicious breakfast.

She wore her robe and stepped out of the room. Walking around the house, she noticed that there were no maids to be seen. She frowned and started searching for them, only to find them huddled up all together by a doorway, whispering and mumbling to each other.

They stopped talking as they noticed Elena standing behind them with a confused. They all curtsied as she approached them.

"Is there something going on in that room?" She asked.

"Well... it's just that your husband is building a crib without any help." A maid answered.

"What?" The maids moved away so that Elena could pass through.

She opened the door to the nursery and Benedict was indeed building a crib with only a hammer and many wood. He looked ahead and smiled when he saw Elena looking at him.

"Morning, love. Did you sleep well?" He asked all happy.

She didn't answer the question. She just turned around and poke her head out of the room.

"Could you make us some breakfast, please. I think he needs it." She asked the maids, looking back at Benedict.

"Of course, my lady." They all curtsied and made their way towards the kitchen.

Elena smiled at them as they walked away and then closed the door. Affection could be seen in her eyes as she gazed at Benedict trying to build the crib.

"We aren't even sure if I am with child yet and here you are already building a crib." She said as she sat down in front of him.

"Well, I thought I could take some advance... you never know." He chuckled and pecked Elena on her lips.

"And... I am guessing you already have a few names in mind for our child?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A few..." He replied and looked down, embarrassed.

"I'd love to hear them, if you do not mind." His wife laughed.

Benedict put his tools down and spoke. "I have many in mind, but I had to pick my favourite ones I would choose Hadrian, if it's a boy. It means strong and free-spirited. And Amara, if it's a girl. It means eternally beautiful. I actually chose those names because they reminded me of you."

"You can be so romantic sometimes, Benedict. And I love that about you."

Elena leaned it closer to his face and they both shared a passionate kiss.

Pulling away, Benedict asks a question.

"What about you, my love?" He asked which made Elena look up at him. "Any names you like?"

Elena shook her head in response. "I'm not sure if I think of any names after your beautiful suggestions." She shrugged her shoulders. "But... if we were ever to have a boy... I would like to name him after my father. And if we have a girl, I believe Emris is quite pretty."

"Whatever we would name our children, I'm fine with any name." Benedict replied and kissed Elena's hand.

-

It is a beautiful morning... but not for everyone.

Elena shot her eyes open as she felt something dripping from underneath her. She placed her arm next to her but to only feel an empty space. She looked to the side and saw that Benedict was not in bed with her. Glancing at the clock on her wall, she saw that it was 4:30 in the morning. Benedict must be working early today.

She started to feel anxious as her breathing started to become very heavy. She quickly got out of bed and threw blankets on the floor, noticing a red stain on the white sheets.

She put a hand on her mouth as she started crying a lot. Even tho she was trying to stay quiet, the muffled crying could be still heard a little.

She quickly tried wiping away her tears even if they were still falling. Looking for the warmest thing she could find, she grabbed a small coat and got out of the house from the back door without making a sound.

While walking in the quiet streets of London, all Elena could do was cry and think of only one thing. Disappointing Benedict.

She made her way into the backyard and to the back door of her parents' house. She knocked many times, expecting a maid to answer the door but it was her mother who did.

Anastasia looked worried as she saw her daughter heavily breathing and fighting back her tears, about to fall down. She instantly brought her in the house and took a chair which Elena sank into. Anastasia put the lamp that she had in her hand, on the table and kneeled down to Elena's level. She wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter's fragile body as she cried her emotions out.

Elena's siblings stepped out of their room, worried as her cries echoed through the whole house. She continued to cry into her mother's shoulder as the thought of not being able to have a child kept running around her head.

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫