#dear lord I’m gonna be surviving on the warmth from this in this lovely -16 degree weather

[iboopedyournose]

My favorite little family in the whole world! I’m just always in pieces over dad-Ben and his precious family. Sobbing. 🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😭

This is everything, seriously. They mean the world to me. 🥹🫶🏻

Merry Christmas, Faye!! 🎄

Moments: Christmas Moments

Moments Masterpost

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader

Summary: It's Christmas and the Bridgerton clan are gathering at Aubrey Hall to celebrate together. Benedict and his new wife of almost five months have some news...

Warnings: none... the last few lines are a little suggestive, but otherwise this is just pure fluff/humour :)

Word Count: 2.8k

Author's Note: Happy Holidays everyone! Here, is the festive one-shot for Moments. It incorporates some ideas from this ask. I hope you enjoy <3. Thanks to @makaylan for beta and @margowritesthings for the beautiful Moments moodboard above.

Set 4½ months after Epilogue 1

“Can I tell them, mummy? Daddy? Can I? Can I?” James bounces up and down with excitement as Aubrey Hall hones into view.

It's been four and a half months since your wedding at this very place, and you are excited to return and see the extended Bridgerton clan again, gathering as you all are to celebrate Christmas together. Your life has changed almost beyond recognition in the months since you last approached the house in a carriage with your son. Now you have so much more with you, including the man holding your hand tight as James bounces excitedly on his knee. Your husband, Benedict.

You both chuckle at your son’s excitement and share a look and a nod. “James darling, yes, of course, you can,” you smile indulgently.

He whoops with delight and jumps out of the carriage before your footman can so much as bring out the step.

“James!!” you call out, “wait!”

But he doesn’t heed your words. He sprints up the steps of the house and launches himself at Violet, standing in the doorway.

“Grandmother!! Hello!” he cries.

Even as Benedict helps you out of the carriage, you can see the emotion on her face at the title James has greeted her with.

“Oh! Yes, my darling boy, that’s right, I am your grandmother,” she confirms, swaying him in a tight hug.

“Benedict! Y/n! My loves!!” she calls, not letting James go, “it’s so utterly wonderful to see you!”

“You too, mother,” Benedict says, kissing her on the cheek, unable to embrace her fully as his own son keeps hold of Violet so tightly.

“James, let go now,” you cajole, leaning to kiss Violet on the cheek lightly.

“Let's get inside out of the chilly air,” she suggests, running an affectionate hand over James’ trademark Bridgerton chestnut hair.

“I've got some news for you, grandmother, but it shall wait for dinner,” James spoils with a big stage wink, taking her hand and practically dragging her inside.

Violet laughs and happily allows James to pull her through the hallway and to the drawing room, where the sounds of a gathering spill from.

“He is terrible at keeping secrets, you know,” Benedict chuckles. “I doubt he will keep it under wraps for more than five minutes.”

“To be honest darling, once my cloak is off, the point may be moot,” you remark as you trail Violet and James.

“I thought you chose that dress specifically?”

“I did indeed. And I suspect it may fool the Bridgerton men; I'm not as certain about the women. They have greater possession of the family intellect,” you jest, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Will that joke never grow old?” he deadpans as he helps you out of said cloak.

You just giggle as you both walk into the drawing room together, arm in arm.

The room is lit with festive red candles, and garlands of holly and ivy drape across the mantle above the roaring fire and over various furniture. Everyone is in small groups and talking animatedly. The whole family (and their children) are gathered, the only exception being Francesca, who apparently will arrive the following day.

After a warm greeting from all, and with a quick squeeze of Benedict's arm, you move away from him to make a beeline to sit on the sofa; your ankles appreciate any break they can get lately. As you do so, you watch James ingratiate himself into the Bridgerton clan, walking around the room, so at ease.

“Hello, Uncle Colin!”

“Hello, little Benedict,” Colin quips back, his running joke about the uncanny resemblance.

“Benedict is my daddy’s name,” James frowns, not completely catching the in-joke.

“I know, my little man,” Colin ruffles his hair. “How is the rock collection?”

“Bigger,” James beams, “I've also got some news! But daddy says I have to wait for dinner.”

“Can't wait to hear it,” Colin responds amiably before James moves along to the next person that catches his eye.

“Hello, Auntie Eloise!”

“Hello, little nephew. I do hope you have been getting into all kinds of mischief!” she winks.

“Eloise,” Benedict warns from across the room, “I do hope you are not encouraging my son to engage in hijinks,” he orders with a shake of his head and an avuncular air.

“I preferred you when you weren't a father, brother,” she sniffs derisively, and you watch them exchange their usual sarcastic expressions at each other before his gaze cuts to you with a wink. Every single time, it makes butterflies dance under your ribs—every single time.

“Hello, Auntie Kate!” you watch James approach your sister-in-law seated opposite you.

“Oh my darling James!” she exclaims, drawing him into a hug, “yes I am your aunt, thank you. And don't you look just beautiful in Bridgerton blues today,” she comments, touching his little jacket admiringly as you exchange smiles.

“Hello, Uncle Gregory!”

“Well, that just feels peculiar.” Gregory frowns. James seems unphased by the sullen teen’s mood.

“Hello, Auntie Hyacinth!”

“Hello, little man,” Hyacinth singsongs back. “So if I’m old enough to be called auntie, surely, I’m old enough to have a glass of whiskey?” She pipes up to the entire room.

“NO!!” is the responding Bridgerton chorus.

____

Dinner is just as you remember from the night you first met Benedict’s family months before—loud, friendly, teasing and rambunctious; this time, with the addition of being delightfully festive.

You chat cordially with almost everyone within earshot as delicious food is served and shared. Stories are told, and idle gossip about the Ton is debated, although as Whistledown does not publish outside The Season, it is decidedly less juicy.

James leans in as dessert arrives. “Mummy, when can I tell everyone?” he whines with a tinge of impatience. To be fair, you are quite surprised he has managed to keep quiet for this long.

“Finish your pie, my love; then you may tell everyone,” you promise.

He eats in record time and holds his empty plate for your perusal. Benedict nods, and James pushes back his chair and climbs up onto the seat, much to your chagrin. Before you can chastise him for doing so, he clears his throat and gathers everyone’s attention. A hush descends around the table.

“Everyone, mummy and daddy have very special news, and they promised I could tell you all. They say it’s the best Christmas present I could ever get,” James declares proudly and solemnly, loving being the centre of attention.

“What is it, James?” Colin pipes up.

“It’s growing in mummy’s tummy, and it’s my little sister!!!” he announces with a dramatic flourish, pointing at you as you dip your head and smile fondly at your son.

The table erupts into cheers as you feel Benedict's hand slide into yours, and he shoots you a devoted smile.

“We obviously don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl,” Benedict adds, addressing the room but looking pointedly at his son with loving exasperation, “but yes, we are expecting a baby!” His smile lights up his whole face, and you can't look away from him—every fibre of your being so in love with this remarkable man.

“It’s my sister,” James retorts decisively as everyone breaks into good-natured laughter.

“Alright, darling,” you placate with a pat on his hand—the idea of a girl to compliment your darling boy does sound lovely.

“Well, I think this calls for a toast, don't you?” Anthony opines, and soon everyone is holding up their glass.

“All of our very best wishes to my brother and his lovely wife,” he signals to you as Benedict squeezes your joined hands, cradling your baby bump, “and to the ever-growing Bridgerton clan as we approach the Christmas holiday. May we always be able to gather! To family!”

“Here, here!! To family!” Simon echoes, and there is a chorus around the room before everyone takes a sip; as convivial conversation breaks out again, Benedict leans in and taps his glass against yours in a private toast, his other hand still laced with yours on your bump.

“To our growing little family, my love. Thank you for giving me the whole world. I love you so much,” his voice is soft and filled with emotion.

As you return the sentiment, pregnancy hormones making you almost tearful, your intimate moment is interrupted by James climbing into Benedict’s lap,

“Did I do good, daddy?” he asks keenly, practically fizzing with energy.

“You did wonderful, son,” Benedict assures, kissing his forehead.

James grins, then leans down and addresses your baby bump in an exaggerated stage whisper. “I introduced you to everyone, sister!”

You and Benedict share an indulgent smile and a quick kiss over your son’s head. Neither of you realises Violet is watching the three (well, four) of you from across the table, subtly dabbing away a tear from the corner of her eye.

____

After dinner, the adults wander back to the drawing room, and the nannies take the children upstairs to be prepared for bed. You find yourself standing with Kate and Daphne, the other married women.

“Congratulations again!” Kate exclaims, “I really couldn’t tell!”

“Oh,” you demure, “I chose this gown intentionally not to give it away too much but…” you pull the dress back flush against your body, and your bump becomes very visible.

“You are further along than we perhaps thought!” Daphne comments with a cheeky eyebrow raise.

You lean in a little closer, almost conspiratorial, and they mirror your stance.

“What can I say, ladies? This man really likes to get me pregnant on my wedding day,” you aside quietly. “Two for two so far!” you add, and they both peal with laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Anthony calls out from across the room, his fear of missing out on anything that makes his precious Kate laugh of instant intrigue to him.

“Nothing, my dear,” Kate answers over her shoulder with a dismissive hand gesture, “just unimportant married ladies' chat.”

“Yes, and whenever I hear that excuse, I get nervous,” Simon says drolly, “it’s usually a vast oversimplification or an intentional dismissal of a gentleman’s interest in a topic.”

“Sometimes it’s both, my darling,” Daphne responds with a cool tone, and they exchange challenging, heated looks as you ladies stand up and drift towards them.

“See?” Simon raises an eyebrow and looks to the other gathered men for sympathy for his plight.

“Well, I’m just excited as this time I get to be there from the very beginning,” Benedict beams with pride as you draw up next to him.

You touch his face affectionately as he reverentially slides his hands over the swell of your belly. You can’t help but push up and kiss him.

“Less of that, please, you two,” Anthony chides but with no heat.

“Can I not be terribly in love with my beautiful pregnant wife, brother?” Benedict argues, pulling a face at him as he slides a hand protectively around your back.

“Yes, you can, in the privacy of your rooms upstairs,” Anthony shoots back.

“You were just kissing Kate senselessly against the wall, but three hours ago!” Colin argues, pointing out his oldest brother's hypocrisy.

“That’s different,” Anthony dismisses.

“Why?” Kate challenges, smirking at her husband.

“Well,” he splutters, “…this is my house!” the reason sounding feeble to everyone gathered.

“Oh, so that’s the rule, is it? Fascinating,” Eloise pitches in her usual deadpan manner, arms crossed.

“Well then, I suggest perhaps you don’t take up our offer of a visit to Darby House, Lord Bridgerton,” you pipe up with a wink. “Because that is my house, and I happen to like kissing your brother senseless whenever the mood takes me.”

The assembled audience guffaws as Benedict twitches his adorable demure smile, his cheeks a touch reddened.

“Oh, I've missed this one,” Colin grins at you as Benedict leans in and kisses your hairline, whispering in your ear how much he likes it when you do that.

____

As the evening progresses, the women drift into a group around the sofas as the men congregate around the whisky decanters.

“Tell me about James when he was little,” Violet asks, after a while, her hand briefly covering yours. “I wish to hear about the years we missed with the little darling.”

“Oh, he was and is a wonderful child,” you assure, “so compassionate and empathetic. Do you know, when I was grieving, he would intuit my needs, bringing me a handkerchief before even a tear had fallen,” your lip quivers as you recall the bittersweet memory.

You see Violet clasp a hand over her heart as you continue speaking.

“Just like his father—who always knows what I need before I do.” You smile and look over to the group of men, hoping to catch Benedict’s eye, but strangely he is no longer there.

“That is so Benedict,” Violet concurs emotionally.

“James is so very much like his father,” you sigh, agreeing happily.

“How was your pregnancy?” Daphne inquires.

“Oh, it was incredible,” you recount, “little James didn’t make me sick at all. The whole nine months were a total joy. To be honest, I felt like I was aglow. Like I was carrying the most precious gift. Which it turns out I was. And I am again now,” you glance down at your burgeoning bump and run your hand over it lovingly. Unseen by you, the ladies share knowing and understanding glances.

“Yours is quite the love story,” Kate says gently.

“From what I hear, every Bridgerton sibling so far has a rather epic love story,” you counter with humour, and she raises her eyebrows in thought.

“You know, I think you may be right,” she concedes with a laugh and a nod.

“That's because all my children, so far, have chosen love over anything else,” Violet contends, “and I hope they always will. Even if it does cause some… memorable moments,” she adds with a wry chuckle.

“The course of true love never did run smooth,” you quip, quoting Shakespeare.

“Oh good god, I know exactly why Benedict fell so hard for you,” Eloise chortles next to you.

“I love you too, sister-in-law,” you wink and bump her with your shoulder.

Kate is the next to ask you about life in Darby Hall, and you happily answer more questions and provide anecdotes about your early years with James, enjoying the company of the Bridgertons so much.

Unseen by you all, Benedict stands off to one side, concealed behind a large plant, absorbing and memorising every precious word you speak and all the detail you share about his darling child.

____

You stand out on the terrace under a warming torch, staring up at the starry sky, rubbing your bump absent-mindedly, and enjoying some fresh air as the evening draws to a close.

“Y/n, you will catch your death out here without a cloak!” Benedict frets, his voice full of concern.

“Darling, I’m fine,” you protest, “honestly, the baby keeps me surprisingly warm these days, and there are these torches,” you gesture.

He looks sceptical but steps into your arms as you hold them out. Hugging you close.

“You know, Eloise hates Shakespeare with a passion,” he huffs a laugh into your hair.

“Well, that explains it,” you giggle, then pause and twist to look up at his face. “Wait, how do you know I quoted Shakespeare?” you query.

He looks a little sheepish. “I was rather bored by Colin’s stories of his travels and Anthony and Simon’s talk of crop yields; I may have… drifted to listen to you talking instead,” he shrugs.

“You choose to listen to ladies' conversation rather than the company of men?” you tease lightly.

“Maybe not all women,” he concedes honestly, “but the ladies of my family are quite the most sensible I know. And then there is you,” he adds, feathering his fingers down your spine and catching your eye intensely, “I always listen when you talk. You are often the only voice of reason in any given situation; in fact, in most situations. The world would be a much better place if it were filled with people like you.” The most wonderful compliments just drop from his mouth instinctively, as if what he speaks is empirical truth rather than merely the biased opinions of a man in love.

The tide of want in your body is sudden and prickles hot over your skin. Pregnancy hormones just heighten everything you feel for this man. Before you know it, you have spun him around, tackled him against a pillar, and pressed yourself urgently into him, pulling his face down and kissing with a passion that surprises even yourself.

“What are you doing?” he asks, breathless, as you emerge for air and start to undo his jacket.

“I am having you right now, husband,” you assert with a twinkle in your eye.

“Out here? On the terrace?!?” his voice thready and incredulous, his breath panting quietly as your hands yank roughly at his trouser buttons.

“Indeed. Consider it an additional Christmas present,” you smirk, and his face is an absolute picture as you slide to your knees before him.

Some Christmas Moments are decidedly precious indeed.

Author's Footnote: For those who know the Moments story, yes indeed, James is correct. She is pregnant with his (first) little sister, Isobel :) Also, yes, this fic continues the running joke of s1/s2 - Francesca is just never around. ;)

Benedict taglist: @makaylan @foreverlonginguniverse @iboopedyournose @wysteria-clad @colettebronte @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @margofiore @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @bridgertontess @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld

Moments only taglist: @queenofshinigamis @khaleesjj @starslibrary @magical-spit @honeylovemoon @justwant2read8421