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Chapter Text

Benedict's eyes fluttered open as he heard Shut Up by The Black Eyed Peas blaring from his phone. Groaning under his breath, he reached for it on the bed side table and blindly put it to his ear. "This better be important, Eloise."

"Lewisham!" She blurted out loudly, causing him to grunt.

"I'm afraid I'm going to need more than that, dear sister." Benedict rolled over onto his back carefully.

"Kate went into labor, you bell end." Eloise grumbled, and Benedict's eyes opened widely. "She's on her way to Lewisham, get your ass there!"

"I'm on the way." Benedict shimmied out of the end of the bed, glancing over at it as he stood there naked. His bed mates didn't budge, the man facing away from him, the covers down to his waist. The woman was facing him, but her hair was covering her face.

Benedict ended his call and grabbed a drawing pad that was laying around. He scribbled a note and left it on the bed before going to shower.

---

Benedict went by and grabbed a coffee and a sausage roll, tucking into them on his way to the hospital. When he got there, he noticed he was the third person there, smiling lazily at his mother as he walked over and gave her a hug. "Have we heard anything yet?" He asked.

"Nothing yet, darling." Violet said, patting his arm. "It might be hours yet."

"Have a hard time dragging your ass out of bed, Benny?" Eloise asked, smirking at him.

Benedict snorted. "I don't know if my eyes deceive me, dear sister, but I believe I am third here, only to yourself and mama." He pointed out.

"She's just irritated you didn't go by and get coffee for everyone." Colin said as he and Penelope walked in then, looking annoyingly put together, while Benedict had thrown on some vaguely clean jeans that had paint spots all over them, a rumbled t-shirt and a flannel he'd left unbuttoned.

"We, however, did." Penelope said, holding up one of the drink caddies.

"Oh! Colin, you big idiot, if you don't wife that one up, I'll do it for you." Eloise said, as she practically pounced on Penelope, sneakily grabbing one of the coffees.

"Eloise!" Penelope exclaimed, turning bright red. "Hardly, considering I don't fancy women, no offense."

"And the cheese still stands alone." Benedict smirked, sipping his coffee obnoxiously.

---

Later that day, Benedict had his face in a pamphlet titled "Think Bigger" about heart health. It was amusing because on the cover was a woman with atrociously fake red hair with her tits thrust out like she'd tried to audition for a porn shoot and walked into the wrong room.

"She's here!" Anthony exclaimed as he ran into the room, a bright smile on his face.

Benedict almost ripped the pamphlet in two, but recovered quickly, standing up to congratulate his brother with everyone else. They chatted a mile a minute until Violet took charge, putting her hand to Anthony's cheek.

"Come, sweetheart. I want to meet my granddaughter." She said gently.

It was hilarious bedlam in the hospital, with everyone passing Riya around to fuss over the new little baby. She took it in stride, though, cooing and making sweet little noises, to the delight of everyone.

Benedict walked over to Anthony, leaning his ass against the windowsill. "She's beautiful, but you know that. She'll be a little heartbreaker one day." He joked.

"She'll take after her mama." He said knowingly, letting out a fond laugh. Kate whacked him in the stomach for that comment and Benedict smirked. "Does this make you want one of your own?"

It was as if a wet blanket had been thrown upon him and Benedict had to fight not to shudder at the thought. "Absolutely not." He blurted out, and Anthony laughed at him. "And in fact, if you want a babysitter, maybe you should let Colin and Pen do that." He suggested quickly.

"And what are you going to do?" Kate asked, obviously amused by the entire thing.

Benedict wanted to roll his eyes at her mocking his pain.

"I am going to spoil her on all of her birthdays, reap the benefits of love and affection for being her favorite uncle and live life to the fullest." Benedict said smugly, folding his arms over his chest.

Anthony met his smug look with one of his own. "Seems to me if Colin and Penelope do the babysitting, Colin will be the one that's considered the favorite uncle."

The words hit Benedict and he realized his brother was right. He felt righteous indignation go through him and he stood up straight, huffing loudly, ignoring how Kate and Anthony laughed at him. He looked over at where Colin was holding the baby and made a face, aghast that it was already happening. "Hey...give me that...her!" He quickly corrected himself as he walked over to his younger brother. "Her!" He said, seeing the look Kate was giving him. "Precious Riya, she needs to know who her favorite uncle is going to be."

"Oh it's like that, is it?" Colin asked, as Benedict took the baby in his arms. He fumbled just slightly, causing his mother to let out a loud squeak, but he quickly righted himself, holding the baby against his chest carefully, bouncing her.

"Of course it is, she's going to love me. I am going to spoil her with riches beyond belief." Benedict announced pridefully.

Penelope had the gall to laugh at him. "She's not going to care about any of that, Benedict." She said, like she already knew. Benedict was the one that practically raised his siblings. Well...when Anthony wasn't around. "She's going to want...experiences. To know her parents care, and that they're going to be there for her milestones. She's going to love taking walks in the park and prattling on about her interests, knowing that she has someone there that makes her feel wanted and adored..."

As Colin hugged Penelope to his side, Benedict had a feeling Penelope was speaking from experience.

Damn it.

---

After spending most of the day fussing over the baby, Violet and Mary ushered everyone out, saying Kate and baby Riya needed their rest. Honestly, Benedict needed his rest as well. He'd been up late the night before (insert self-satisfied smirk here) and he'd only been asleep a little while when Eloise had called. He walked into his home, looking around quietly to make sure his bed mates were gone.

Once he realized they were, he relaxed a little bit. Looking around to make sure neither one robbed him blind (he knew they wouldn't, but he wasn't exactly the most trusting sometimes), he relaxed when he realized they hadn't and he set about taking the sheets off the bed.

The bedroom still somewhat smelled like sex, so Benedict grabbed his Febreze (Caribbean Paradise) and sprayed the shit out of the room. He figured it would have to do, and he haphazardly put sheets on the bed, years of living under Violet's thumb leaving him to make it to the best of his ability, even though he was going to just get in the bed as soon as he was done anyway.

Stripping down once he was done, Benedict turned his phone on silent and he climbed into bed, sighing in contentment at the feel of the sheets against his body. He flopped over onto his stomach, tucked his arms under his pillow and promptly fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Benedict cursed London weather as he ducked into Drury Cafe, shaking his umbrella out just outside the door before tucking it on his arm. It was raining cats and dogs outside, thank you British weather, and it almost put a damper on his plans. He'd been working all morning, ever since getting up, on one of the projects he needed to get done and around lunch time he decided to reward himself with two ham and cheese toasties, two ham and cheese croissants, and a cortado.

Benedict got into the line, perusing the menu even though he knew what he wanted. The cafe seemed to be pretty packed that day, which just served to irritate him because it meant that he wouldn't be able to pop in, get his food and pop out. But he really wanted his food. He hadn't had breakfast, too anxious to get into what he needed to do, and by lunch time a voice in the back of his head that sounded a lot like his beloved mama was telling him he needed to eat.

Getting bored of staring at the menu, Benedict let himself glance around the cafe. He knew it was a crap shoot to do this, as he ran the risk of pissing someone off. He liked to do this, though, because it gave him inspiration for his art later on. He never used exact features of a real person, but some of their characteristics: their eyes, the shape of their hands, their smile. It was a great inspiration.

His eyes landed on a woman at the other end of the counter, waiting for her order to come and he had to fight not to let his face do something embarrassing.

The woman was stunningly beautiful. She was Asian with soft features, full lips, a cute button nose, and beautiful brown eyes. She had on what looked like minimal makeup, a pop of coral lipstick and a cat eye liner that just served to enhance her beauty. Her hair was black and hung down just past her shoulders and Benedict itched to run his fingers through it. She had on a fuzzy pink sweater that had specks of different shades in it and paired it with a nude colored short skirt that hit her mid thigh that had a sheer nude fabric on top that hung almost to her ankles. She'd finished off the look with a pair of silver heels that left her feet mostly exposed and Benedict had never been much of a foot person, but everything about this woman captivated him.

Her name was called, Sophie, and he watched as she gathered her food and went and sat at a table near the back, turning to face the door, a slightly enigmatic look on her face as she started to eat. He felt like a creep just standing there watching her, but to be quite honest, he felt like he wasn't entirely in control of his own faculties. She had put him under some spell, bewitching him in a way that had never happened before, and he had no idea how to react.

Almost missing his name being called, Benedict grabbed his food and thought quickly about what to do next. If he didn't at least get this woman's number before he left, he'd never let himself live it down and he'd happily walk all over London to try and see her again to rectify that mistake.

Taking his food over to where she was sitting, he cleared his throat to get her attention. "Excuse me, I don't mean to be a bother, but do you mind if we share? It's...quite busy in here today and I don't fancy going home right now, I'd rather wait out the rain if I can."

Sophie smiled up at him and Benedict felt an embarrassing flutter in his stomach. "Oh, sure." She said. "Go ahead. I'm Sophie."

"Benedict." He said, sitting across from her, putting his food down. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you as well." She said.

Benedict fought for something to say, trying not to come off lame and awkward around the woman. "So, what is it you do?" He asked.

"I'm a housekeeper." Sophie said honestly. "I work for some of the more affluent families around London."

"Oh I bet that's hell." Benedict blurted out, then he rushed to explain. "Just meaning, I come from a pretty well off family myself, so I know how some of those sorts can be."

Sophie smiled softly. "It has its more interesting moments, that's for sure. Thankfully, for the most part, I'm there when no one else is around, so I'm left alone to do my thing. I throw on some music and just focus on what I need to do." She got a mischievous grin on her face. "It pays incredibly well, so I'm willing to eat a little shit if I need to."

Benedict couldn't help but laugh at that, utterly charmed by that statement. "I guess it's not that bad then."

"What about you?" Sophie asked. "What do you do?" She bit into her own sandwich, some breakfast thing dripping with runny egg that got all over her fingers and Benedict had to resist the urge to ask if he could lick them clean.

He didn't even like runny eggs.

What was wrong with him?

"I, uh, I'm an artist." Benedict said, feeling like a little bit of a tit as he said it. "I mostly work on commissions, I've done things for websites, murals, donated pieces to be used in businesses."

"Oh yeah? Anything I may know?" Sophie asked curiously.

"Have you ever heard of The Narrow Merchant?" Benedict asked.

Sophie laughed. "Yeah. I've only been there once. I treated myself after I got a pretty big pay day."

"I did a few of the paintings in the main dining room." Benedict admitted.

Anthony had asked him to after he'd opened the restaurant, begged him really, and Benedict didn't want to, knowing that Anthony would just be...Anthony about it, but he promised he would love and accept whatever it was that Benedict painted and even promised that Kate would be the one to work with him on it. So he'd eventually relented.

"That beautiful one with the white umbrellas and the outdoor seats?" Sophie asked.

"That was me." Benedict confirmed.

"The beautiful jazzy 1920's...with the pinks and the greens..." Sophie trailed off.

Benedict nodded. "Also, me."

Sophie stared at him, and he could see the impressed look on her face, which he couldn't help but preen about. "Wow, you're very talented." She said, honestly.

"Thank you." Benedict ducked his head, taking a bite of his food in lieu of having to accept the compliment. "My brother owns and runs the restaurant."

Sophie's eyebrows raised. "Impressive, that's a really nice restaurant."

"He worked hard on it." Benedict admitted. "I'm very proud of him. If it makes you feel better, I only get in to have dinner there sometimes because I can tell my mother if he won't let me in."

Sophie laughed at that and Benedict's heart burst and suddenly all he wanted to do was make her smile and laugh. "Ahh, the good perks of things like that, ratting your siblings out to your parents when they're being unfair."

"Exactly." Benedict grinned. "It works with all of my siblings."

"How many do you have?" Sophie asked curiously.

"I am one of eight." Benedict said. "And, don't make fun, but our parents named us in alphabetical order."

"You are lying." Sophie scoffed.

"Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth." Benedict said easily.

Sophie gaped at him. "Oh my...imagine the struggle should she have all 26 children."

"I have it on good authority if the next child had been a female, if my father hadn't died while she was pregnant with Hy, it would've been named Ines." Benedict teased.

Sophie let out a giggle and reached out, smacking him on the arm. "You are awful!" She exclaimed. She sobered though. "I am sorry...about your father."

"He got stung by a bee." Benedict said quietly. "He was out in the wilderness and had an anaphylaxis shock, they couldn't get to him in time."

"I'm sorry." Sophie said, looking at him with a soft look that did things to his insides.

"Thank you. It's been a very long time now, Hyacinth is 12 now, so..." Benedict trailed off.

"You must be very close with your siblings." Sophie said, trying to get onto a happier topic.

"I am. I mean, we have our moments, especially Anthony and I, being the closest in age to each other, we tend to butt heads. He's a type A personality, I am a type a type B personality, our brother Colin is a type C personality, our brother Gregory is a type D personality. So we have all of those covered." Benedict laughed.

"What about Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacinth?" Sophie asked, and Benedict was impressed she remembered the names so well.

He laughed. "Hmm. Daphne is definitely a type A, but slightly in a different way from Anthony, which makes it hilarious to watch the two of them interact with each other, they either get along famously, or butt heads so severely that all you can do is leave them to it. Eloise is my buddy in the type B category. We get along the best among the siblings, to be quite honest, it's a very easy relationship for the most part and when we do disagree about things, we can laugh about it like an hour later. People think we hate each other sometimes because we can sit and roast each other and have great fun while doing it!" He grinned brightly, thinking about it. "Francesca, Frannie, she's autistic, so she's a little tricky to really put in a category. I'd say type C, just because of how regimented and unemotional she is, but really...that's just the best fit I can think of. Hyacinth is very much a type D. Just like Gregory. She's a big fan of stability, she's very dependable, she's shy except around people she knows very well. Same as my brother."

"You speak very well about your family." Sophie smiled at him.

"What about your family?" Benedict asked.

Sophie glanced at her phone and let out a small sound. "Oh! I'm sorry, I'm afraid I have to go."

"Can I at least get your number?" Benedict asked, crossing his fingers under the table.

Sophie stared at him for several seconds before she grabbed his phone and he silently cheered as she typed something into it and then sent a text to herself. She flashed him a smile as she cleaned up her trash and he watched as she tossed it in the can and practically sprinted outside, then he realized what time it actually was and cursed under his own breath, realizing he had to get back home as well. He threw away his own trash and walked to the door, letting out his umbrella before making the trek home, his mind on the woman he'd just had a wonderful lunch with the entire time.

Chapter Text

Exchanging phone numbers was the catalyst for Benedict and Sophie's relationship (as loose as the term was) starting. Benedict bit the bullet first, figuring it was up to him as the one that asked for the number to begin with. He thought about it for far too long while he was waiting to paint something else and waiting for the gesso to become tacky and finally came up with what he thought was a safe question.

'What's the most pretentious thing you've ever cleaned in a home?'

It was mere seconds when a picture came through and it was so vile Benedict had to fight the urge not to throw his phone in abject horror. The carpet was the texture of tree bark. To the right was an emerald green couch with honest to God fringe on it and three throw pillows with orange flowers. Closest to the camera were two red and white giraffe print foot stools and to the left was a green chair with what looked to be a white lily and cotton pattern on it. In the middle was the only passably acceptable thing---a wooden coffee table that was painted a dark blue that held various knick knacks. Across the room was a plain white fireplace that would've been perfectly grand if it wasn't surrounded on both sides by tacky painted wallpaper that had a base of off white with strands of what only could be some morning glory type flowers in a wine red color.

The ceiling was a robin's egg or sky blue, it was hard to tell.

'That's going to be in my nightmares.' He responded, once he'd taken in the picture.

'It's currently mine.' She replied. 'Cleaning it right now. Lucky me, right? I'm going to be here hours, yet.'

'Well, if you want some company, I'm going to be here with my painting. You can text me in between cleaning?' Benedict suggested.

'What are you painting?' Sophie asked.

Benedict took a picture of his freshly gessoed canvas, which was right then just plain white, and sent it off to her. 'What do you think I should do?' He asked.

'Docked sailboats.' Sophie sent back after a few minutes.

Benedict looked at the list of paintings he had to do: cactus flowers, a sun rising in a desert, a painting of a woman's dead dog.

Not to mention he needed to do Riya's first birthday gift at some point before he needed to have it actually done.

Pulling the canvas close as he sat down on a stool, he started outlining a set of sailboats, pushing his glasses up on his face as he got lost in what he was doing.

As he sketched, he and Sophie sent texts to each other, delightfully fun and flirty. She sent him a picture at one point of herself as she was cleaning. She was wearing a shift dress, black, with constellations all over it with a pair of brown knee length boots. 'Sometimes I like to dress up to feel good on the job. I pretend I'm cleaning because a gentleman is going to be coming over. The bubble gets popped eventually, but...'

Benedict looked her over, eyeing how her legs looked out like that and imaging how they...

Shaking his head clear, Benedict's fingers flew over his keyboard. 'If you're finished in three hours, could I interest you in dinner?'

'Where at?' Sophie asked.

'The Narrow Merchant.' He said, knowing Anthony wouldn't be there that night as he was on his own date night with Kate and wouldn't be caught dead having it in his own restaurant. If Anthony wasn't there, he tended to be left alone, so he'd be safe, because he knew his brother wouldn't care if someone told him 'Benedict came in with some woman'. It wouldn't be the first time.

'Ok, but I'm going home to change. I am not fit for that.' Sophie said.

Benedict wanted to protest, to say she looked amazing and he wanted her to keep wearing that torturously sexy dress, but he knew he couldn't.

So he agreed.

Once he stopped texting, he went back to what he was doing, getting it to a point that it could dry somewhat before he did more, and then he grabbed another canvas to start on the cactus flowers.

---

Benedict got quite a bit done on his queue of paintings he had to finish and felt very good about himself when he realized it. He took a moment to look them over, before he took out his phone and checked the time, swearing creatively when he saw that he needed to get ready to leave. He was meeting Sophie at the restaurant and he was very nearly late. He went and took the world's quickest, hottest shower, making sure to wash the paint from his hands at least, and make sure none was on his face. He then styled his hair, scrubbed his teeth and tongue and threw on a tan suit with a pale pink t-shirt on underneath it, bright red socks and off white sneakers. He ran out of his place to go to the tube and on the way he saw a vendor selling sunflowers and purple lupins and he bought a bouquet for an exorbitant amount.

Making the tube just before it took off, he sent Sophie a text that he was on the way and would be there shortly.

He walked briskly to the restaurant, stopping when he looked up and saw Sophie. She was looking down at her phone and hadn't seen him yet, so he took a second to look her over. If he thought the other outfit was good, this one practically took his breath away. She was in a pair of greenish-brown pants, a black camisole looking shirt and a deep reddish brown pleather looking oversized jacket. Her makeup was very understated, yet brought out her features wonderfully, and she had on a pair of dangly earrings.

Benedict made himself walk up toward her, and cleared his throat to get her attention. When she looked up at him and then looked him over, he couldn't help but preen a little bit. "I hope you weren't waiting for very long."

"Not that long." Sophie admitted. "I was stepping out of an Uber when you texted me, actually."

"Oh, good." Benedict said. He held out the bouquet. "I saw them and they reminded me of you."

Sophie took them, a big smile coming to her face. "Did I tell you I love lupins?" She asked.

"No. But now I'm glad I got them." Benedict said.

He put a hand on her lower back as they walked inside the restaurant and he celebrated when he saw that Theo Sharpe was manning the host station. They exchanged a couple of pleasantries, Benedict knowing that he and Eloise were friendly with each other, and Benedict convinced him to show them to a private table, one that Benedict knew had Holland Park in the distance.

They made themselves comfortable and Sophie took a menu, but Benedict left his on the table. He tried to subtly watch her while she perused, but she looked up and caught him, blushing beautifully. "What do you recommend?" She asked.

"Are you a meat eater? Allergic to anything?" Benedict asked.

"Yes and no." Sophie said.

"Well to start we need to get the grilled Cornish mackerel, blood orange ponzu, monk's beard and caviar." Benedict suggested. "Then the beef wellington if you don't mind a good wait for it, it takes a while to do, along with the London leaf salad because the vinaigrette is to die for, and it's a very simple thing but for dessert I love the homemade chocolates. As for wine, the Pareira d'Oliveira...you do drink...right?"

Sophie laughed. "Lucky for you, I do, and all of that sounds...incredible."

Benedict looked up when the waitress came over and saw that it was Kate's little sister and he smiled, thankful that it at least was one of the nice ones who wouldn't give him shit. Anthony kept them on because they gave him shit, he was sure of it.

"Oh, hi, Benedict. How are you?" Edwina asked, smiling brightly at him.

"I'm doing well, Edwina, and you?" He asked, politely.

"It's been a nice shift so far, so I can't complain." She turned and smiled at Sophie. "Hi, I'm Edwina, I'm Benedict's brother's wife's sister..."

"Also known as one of my in-laws." Benedict teased gently.

Edwina laughed at that, and only looked slightly embarrassed. "Yes, that."

"It's nice to meet you." Sophie said, flashing her a kind smile. It seemed genuine, which made Benedict happy. He cleared his throat and put in their order, going with everything he'd suggested to Sophie and Edwina promised to have their apps out soon, knowing the main would be a bit of a wait.

"It's a long wait, but I swear it's worth it." Benedict promised.

"I mean, obviously I'll take your word for it." Sophie said. "You should know."

"You don't just think I'm biased?" Benedict asked.

"Bias isn't always a bad thing." Sophie pointed out.

Edwina brought their wine then, popping it open at the table. Benedict was proud of her, remembering on one of her first nights on the job she'd popped open a bottle and sent the cork into someone's nose. The wine had also poured all over the place in her shock. She left them alone after pouring their wine and asking if they needed anything else, saying she'd be back once the appetizers were ready.

"I have to say, this place is way more relaxed than I was expecting." Sophie said after they'd sipped at their wine a bit.

"That was Anthony's intention." Benedict explained. "He wanted a casual type place where you can eat really good food."

"Well he's accomplished the first." Sophie said.

---

After their food came, Benedict and Sophie sat for hours, talking, laughing and enjoying the food. She told him she wasn't very close with her family, and he shared stories of growing up with seven siblings. When she went to the bathroom, Benedict took out his phone like the little shit he could be and texted Anthony. 'Brought someone to your restaurant, she loves the food, thanks, mate!'

Anthony's reply made him laugh out loud (actually laugh out loud). 'Brilliant.' It was so like Anthony, who probably thought Sophie was just another woman Benedict 'dated'.

He didn't know, yet, that she was...so much more.

At least in Benedict's mind.

When Sophie came back and sat down, he slid his phone in his pocket and they finished their dessert before walking out. Sophie walked him down to the tube and Benedict wanted to lean in for the kiss, but he wasn't sure if she wanted that. She took the decision out of his hands, though, when she leaned in and hugged him tightly, dropping a kiss on his jaw that made him shiver a little bit.

"Text me when you get home." He requested, his voice a little softer and deeper than normal.

"I will." Sophie smiled and turned around to walk off and Benedict almost missed his train watching her.

---

He got all the way home and stripped down for bed before Sophie texted him a simple picture of her in the foyer of her home. The floor was a fake wood that was a dark brownish-grey that looked beautiful. The walls were white except for a decorative piece that was dark grey and had lines through it with a small distressed cabinet that Benedict immediately fell in love with.

In retaliation, Benedict stood in front of a full length mirror he had in the room, knowing full well what he was doing. He took a selfie of himself and sent it along before getting into bed, sitting up against the headboard.

His phone buzzed a few minutes later and he opened the text, laughing loudly at Sophie's response.

'You fucking suck, I hope you know that.'

'Darling, I do things you don't even know about.'

It was about 20 more minutes later, when he got one last text from her for the night. It was another picture, this one of a rabbit enclosure. It looked really big and had a light green base with little pastel colored balls around the top for light decoration. One of the rabbits was inside, a small light brown and white one while the other, a mostly white one with black eye marks and black ear tips was closer to the camera, looking curious.

'Bunnicula and Buttercup say goodnight.'

Benedict smiled softly at the picture before tapping out a final message himself. 'Goodnight, Bunnicula, Buttercup...and their lovely human, Sophie.'

With that, he put his phone away to charge and turned his lamp off, knowing he needed to get up early the next day.

Chapter Text

As Riya's first birthday party approached, Benedict obsessed over what he could get his dear niece. He knew she was too young to really understand very much, and would be happy with just about anything, but it was the principal of the thing. Plus the ego of the thing.

He sat with Sophie at her home late one evening. They'd just dragged themselves out of bed to eat a late night dinner and Benedict had Buttercup lain across his bare chest, gently stroking one of her brown markings as she laid quietly, seemingly content to just relax in his arms. "I don't know what to do. I mean, I know in theory what I can do, but there's so many options..."

"Baby animals are always a good idea." Sophie pointed out. She had her feet tucked up under his thigh, dragging her spoon through the last vestiges of the trifle that they'd had after their meal.

"Yes, but what, sweetheart?" Benedict asked. "Two sweet little bunnies, maybe?"

"Penguins are always a big hit." Sophie pointed out, seeing Madagascar playing on the television. "A zebra, giraffe..."

"She does have this little sweet cow toy." Benedict said. "Kate's stepmother gave it to her when she was born. A little after really."

Sophie smiled at him. "Seems to me like you have your idea, then." She pointed out.

Benedict smiled at her. "I do." He agreed.

---

"Are you sure I look ok?" Sophie asked as she followed him up to the front door of Anthony and Kate's home, worrying over her outfit. She had on a sleeveless blue casual formfitting dress that had large black buttons on the front. She'd worn her hair down and besides a shock of red lipstick, her makeup was very understated as usual.

"You look beautiful, lovely." Benedict smiled at her. "Everyone is going to love you." He huffed a bit, carrying the paintings he'd done for his sweet niece, worrying himself if she'd like them or not. Of course, deep down he knew he was being crazy, but to be honest, he also hoped that Anthony and Kate liked them as well. He knew Kate was very sweet and kind and tended to speak very carefully, but he could just imagine Anthony laughing, not cruelly, but in a way that would twist Benedict's insides...

Before he could spiral anymore, Kate threw open the door and she paused when she saw that Benedict wasn't alone, but with Sophie, but she schooled her features and let them in, showing Benedict where to drop off his presents.

"Kate, Anthony, this Sophie." Benedict said, making introductions. "My girlfriend." He smiled over at her and she ducked her head, a small bit of red coming to her cheeks.

"It's very nice to meet you both." She said, smiling up at them once she got herself under control. "You have a very nice home."

"Oh thank you so much." Kate said, smiling at her. She'd been holding Riya, but when she saw her beloved uncle there, she reached for him insistently, and Benedict took her into his arms.

"Look at you, my sweet baby." He cooed, smiling widely at her. "You look very lovely." Riya cooed and giggled, reaching up to grab one of his eyebrows, yanking on it happily. "Ouch! What have you been sharpening her claws on, Kate, a scratching post? Oh no you don't!" He dodged out of Riya's next attempt, causing her to break out into raucous giggles, thinking it was a game.

As everyone arrived, Benedict made sure to take Sophie around and introduce her to everyone. Violet seemed to accept her quite easily, probably because Sophie was different than any other woman that had been in Benedict's life (that wasn't family of course). She and Penelope seemed to get along famously, which, honestly, for Benedict, said a lot as well, because Penelope seemed to have a sixth sense for people. She liked to say it was because she'd grown up a wallflower and tended to people watch a lot, so she got a read on them pretty easily.

Benedict's favorite part was seeing Sophie and Francesca interact. His sweet sister sat on the fringes of everyone, a part, yet in a way that didn't overly stress her out. Sophie seemed to understand how special she was right off the bat and hadn't seemed offended when Francesca spoke in her usual way, very clipped and to the point and didn't really do much but glance up at her a couple of times. They seemed to get along better than Benedict could've ever predicted and it did his heart happy.

Sophie also got along very well with Benedict's youngest siblings, Gregory and Hyacinth. She stood with them at one point, off to the side, giggling like children over something and even though Benedict had no idea what was going on, it made him smile.

Soon enough, the presents started getting doled out and Benedict paid little attention to it all, focused on the drink in his hand. He vaguely listened as the gifts were gone over until his own were grabbed, and then he perked up.

Benedict smiled widely at Kate's praise, waving a hand lightly, feigning modesty, even though his ego was boosted as everyone seemed to gush over the paintings that had taken him far too long to do. But then Riya herself made her excitement known and Benedict's heart melted in his chest when he saw her excitement over them all.

Scooping the tot up in his arms, he kissed her cheeks rapidly a few times before walking her over, letting her look at them up close, pointing out various things as Riya babbled, going between that and shoving her tiny little hand in her mouth to gum at it. He could hear his family teasing him, but he hardly cared at that moment, too happy that Riya seemed to enjoy his paintings.

At one point, as she was babbling on about something or other, he looked up and saw Sophie with a fond look on her face as she watched the two of them. Benedict ducked his head and turned away from her, focusing on his niece once again.

---

Later that night, Sophie laid across Benedict's chest, her fingers moving up and down his ribcage in a way that was very distracting. His own arm was snug around her waist, thumb tracing patterns over her skin. "I like your family." She said quietly.

Benedict smiled at that. "They like you as well." He said. "I know it didn't seem like it, but Francesca's opinion was a ringing endorsement. Don't worry about Anthony, he's always like that, he's a very hard..."

Sophie laughed. "He's a very lovely man." She said, swatting at him lightly. "All of your family are. Gregory and Hyacinth in particular have wicked senses of humor."

Benedict eyed her. "Whatever it is they said about me, I promise you it's all lies."

Sophie laughed again at that, burying her face in his collar bone for a minute. "I can just imagine what just went through your mind to make you say that." She teased. "Don't worry, they didn't say anything too scandalous about you. In fact, they spoke very highly of you."

Benedict snorted. "Now I know you're lying." He quipped, rolling his eyes.

Sophie swatted at him. "I am not!" She insisted. "In fact, just about everyone I talked to told me that they haven't seen you as happy as you are right now in a very long time. If...if that's true."

Benedict smiled fondly at her. "I am...very happy, yes. You can believe that."

Sophie leaned in and kissed him. "So am I." She promised quietly.

Chapter Text

Benedict felt a sense of de ja vu when he got woken up by his phone ringing, the same ringtone. He blinked his eyes open and squeezed Sophie gently when she groaned and shifted around. He reached over and grabbed his phone, speaking briefly with Eloise, who then asked if he'd go over and stay with Violet and Riya while everything was going on. He agreed and tossed his phone near the end of the bed, sighing quietly.

"Love, we need to get up." He said, squeezing Sophie gently.

"Why's that?" She asked, not picking her head up off of Benedict's chest.

"Because Kate is in labor. My mother is with Riya, but they want me to go over and help her out." Benedict said.

"So you want me to go over." Sophie said.

"...if you want to..." Benedict said, looking unsure about it.

Sophie smiled up at him, even though she looked sleepy still. "Ok, but I want coffee."

Benedict blew out a breath and laughed. "Coffee I can do. Let's go by Kozzee and get takeaway."

"Sounds good." Sophie slid out of bed. "I call first shower."

"The hell you say..." Benedict rushed out of bed and Sophie laughed as she took off toward the bathroom, Benedict hot on her heels.

They managed to get to Anthony and Kate's within the hour and Benedict used his spare key to let himself in. "Mama..." He called out quietly, incase Riya wasn't awake yet.

"In here, my love." Violet called.

"We brought breakfast." Benedict said.

"Oh good, I was just about to figure something out." They walked to the kitchen where Violet was sitting with Riya in her high chair. She had a few toys in front of her, babbling happily as she played.

Riya looked up and smiled when she saw them. "Unca Ben!"

"Hello, poppet!" Benedict leaned down and kissed her head. "Are you hungry?"

"Uh huh." Riya nodded.

"Let's get food." Benedict and Sophie put everything down. "I brought coffee, too."

"Bless you." Violet said, and Benedict chuckled. He handed her one of the cups and then dug out Riya's breakfast, which was French toast with banana, blueberries, and strawberries, which he figured would be up to Anthony's expectations. He just would omit the fact that it also came with ice cream, Nutella, granola and was drizzled with Ferrero Rocher chocolate. He cut it all up for her and put it in front of her with one of her safety forks. He then poured her a cup of milk in a sippy cup and put it there as well.

---

After he got Riya settled, he took out what he got for Violet (a full English) and handed it to her with a smile. He sat down with his own (a full English as well, but their meaty edition which came with more meat and no beans), and smiled at Sophie, who'd gotten hers herself, a mushroom Benedict, which she thought was hilarious, with a side of shakshuka (which was way too spicy for Benedict's poor British stomach).

They chatted a bit while eating, about Kate and the baby and Benedict texted Colin and Eloise, trying to start a bet on how long Kate would be in labor. When it didn't work with them, he slyly texted Gregory, grinning to himself when he took the bait. After that he texted Anthony, asking if he could 'hurry Kate along' to win his time of 2 PM, but when Anthony sent back a not so happy reply, he quickly put his phone away, even though he had a smirk on his face.

When Riya got finished with breakfast (she actually ate way more than the adults thought she would), Benedict helped her down and put on Charlie and Lola reruns for her to watch while she played. Sophie went off to keep an eye on her while Benedict visited with Violet and he teased her playfully about becoming a grandmother for the second time.

She proved just how sly she was herself when she turned it back on him, asking when he was going to give her a grandbaby.

Benedict shut up pretty quickly after that.

Riya laid down for a nap around 10:30, after she watched a few cartoons and roped Benedict into playing with her Strawberry Shortcake and friends dolls, and Anthony called Violet while she was asleep, asking how things were going and catching them up on things there. He talked to Benedict and when Anthony started giving him suggestions about how to 'keep Riya busy' Benedict hung up on him, rolling his eyes.

"My dear brother thinks we cannot handle one mildly precocious child for the day." He said blandly.

"He's just a father." Violet chuckled. "You worry about your children, even when they're in the care of family."

"She'll be fine. He needs to worry about Kate." Benedict said, shaking his head.

When Riya woke up from her nap, Violet suggested they go to Diana Memorial Park, which was Riya's favorite because of the large pirate ship they had in the middle of it. She went and changed her into a white long sleeved shirt with puffy shoulders, a brown plaid mini skirt with a little bow in the front with some white tights underneath and some nude boots that were good for walking.

Benedict laughed when he saw her. "Mama, we're going to the park, not brunch at Balthazar."

"Well, you never know after." Violet said and Benedict shook his head.

They decided to walk there, since it wasn't that far. It was actually a very nice time. Benedict walked hand in hand with Sophie and Violet made note of the two of them, smiling to herself. She chatted with Sophie along the way, getting to know her and telling her a few embarrassing stories about Benedict, until he put a stop to it, playfully telling Violet he could have her put in a care home. Sophie yelled his name, whacking him on the arm, while Violet just broke into peals of laughter, sharing the same sort of sense of humor as her children.

When they got to the park, Riya pulled Benedict by the finger over to the swings and he thought about the fact that she shared her love of swings with Eloise, remembering all the times they sat on swings as teenagers sharing cigarettes like it was some edgy secret.

It was funny, because both of them grew out of that.

Well...Benedict preferred edibles now.

---

They stayed at the park for most of the afternoon before heading back home. Violet took the time to call Anthony again to get an update on things, and they talked for a few minutes before Riya insisted on talking to 'dada.' Violet made sure it was ok and when Anthony laughed and said it was, she handed the toddler her phone. Benedict laughed as she held it to her head with both hands and walked around as she 'chatted'.

"That is absolutely aunt Daphne coming through." He said, amused as he watched his niece.

"Oh my goodness, it is." Violet giggled. "Cannot stand or sit in one place to save her life while she's talking."

"Dominating the conversation." Benedict said.

"Anthony on the other end probably used to it and keeping up far too easily." Violet said.

"Of course he is, he gets it in stereo with Kate." Benedict teased.

"Benedict!" Violet admonished, but she laughed anyway.

Once Anthony managed to get his daughter off the phone (Benedict wasn't sure how, but she willingly ended the conversation, and was calm after she got off the phone), they saw about dinner. Sophie looked at what was offered in the fridge and pantry and turned to Violet and Benedict.

"How adventurous an eater is Riya?" She asked.

"She's the daughter of a foodie." Benedict pointed out. "Anthony would be absolutely devastated if she was a picky eater."

"I have an idea for dinner. Do you trust me?" Sophie asked.

"Of course, sweetheart." Violet smiled. "Do you need any help?"

"No, thank you." Sophie said. "Just leave it all to me."

Benedict shrugged, kissing her on the cheek and he and Violet left her to it while they went and watched episodes of Bluey.

Sophie wound up making sandwiches that were a fusion of her two cultures. She used a pork shoulder that had already been cooked (after Benedict texted Anthony to make sure it was ok) and made a sort of pulled pork sort of thing, using some quick pickled vegetables and a very thin layer of vegemite spread to bring it all together.

The end result was very good, and Riya wound up eating most of an entire sandwich herself, while Benedict polished off four while Violet and Sophie ate two.

They let Riya watch The Rescuers on Disney Plus and then Benedict went and supervised bath time, helping her change into her hummingbird pajamas. When Riya asked if he'd put her hair in braids, he sat down with her and did what he thought was an admirable job before she went down to say goodnight to Violet and Sophie. Violet pulled her up on her lap and redid the braids, with Benedict half-protesting that she was messing up his 'work' while Violet just gave him an amused look and telling him to 'not quit his day job'.

Once her hair was fixed, Benedict took her upstairs, tucked her into bed and read The Day The Crayons Made Friends before kissing her forehead and telling her goodnight. He promised to text Anthony and Kate to tell them she said goodnight and he put on her nightlight which projected a colorful galaxy around the room. Once he was sure she was on her way to dreamland, he half closed the door and went back downstairs.

He and Sophie visited with Violet for a little while longer, Benedict asking if she wanted him to stay the night to help her out. Violet waved him off, saying that Riya was pretty good about sleeping most of the night now, only getting up if she had to go to the bathroom. He made double sure she didn't want him to stay, and then he and Sophie left. He got in his vehicle and sat there texting Anthony that Riya said to say goodnight to he and Kate before he drove he and Sophie back to his place.

"I had fun today." Sophie said as they went inside.

"Oh yeah?" Benedict smiled at her.

Sophie nodded. "Yeah. Your niece is really cute and I adore your mother."

"I think she adores you, too." Benedict said. "She's never really bonded with any of the exes I've introduced to her."

"Never?" Sophie asked.

Benedict shook his head. "No, never." He said. "To be fair, they've...I've never really dated a girl like you."

"I'm choosing to believe that's a good thing." Sophie teased.

Benedict grabbed her hand and kissed it. "It's a very good thing." He promised. "Come on, let's go to bed. If we go now, we can tire each other out before bed."

Sophie giggled as he pulled her down the hallway. "Is that so?" She asked playfully.

Benedict gave her a look, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh it's so." He confirmed.

---

The next morning, Eloise called to ask Sophie if she wanted to go out shopping with them that day, so she confirmed with Benedict that he didn't mind and when he confirmed, she agreed. She got Benedict to drop her off at home so she could feed her rabbits and check on them to see if they were ok, seeing Eloise pulling up just as he was about to leave. He got out of his vehicle again and walked over, grinning at her.

"What's the occasion?" He asked.

"I may or may not have a date." Eloise said, giving him a look. "Do not."

"A date? With who?" Benedict asked, raising his eyebrows.

"That is absolutely none of your business." Eloise scoffed. "It's our first date and I am not allowing you to screw it up."

"Eloise, I don't think I have to tell you the dangers of..." Benedict started, mostly just to rile her up.

"Oi! Shut the fuck up. I know for a fact if you were talking with Colin or Ant you wouldn't be pulling this." Eloise groused.

"You're my baby sister, I just have to..." Benedict jumped out of the way as she aimed a kick at him. "Fine! Go out with a serial killer for all I care. Good luck!"

"Piss off." Eloise said as he started toward his vehicle again and got in. He laughed to himself as he drove to Anthony and Kate's to pick up his mother.

"Did they bring breakfast?" Benedict asked, as Violet climbed into the passenger seat.

"They did." She confirmed, putting on her seatbelt.

"Damn." Benedict laughed. "I was going to lord it over Colin that I brought breakfast."

"Now you'll have to find something else." Violet joked.

"Don't think I won't." Benedict playfully winked at her before he took off toward the hospital.

They walked up to the room and Benedict knocked before he let them in, smiling at his brother and sister-in-law. Violet immediately went over to her new granddaughter, who Anthony had been idly bouncing in the crook of his arm, and took her into hers, fussing over her immediately. It made Benedict's heart happy and for a brief moment...

No. He shook those thoughts from his head.

He couldn't think like that.

"Where's Sophie?" Anthony asked, breaking him from those thoughts.

"She's out shopping with Eloise. Apparently our dear El has a date tonight." Benedict said, looking bemused.

"Does she?" Anthony asked. "With who?"

"I don't know, she's being very secretive about it. I even tried to big brother her..." Benedict trailed off.

Anthony smirked. "Did she kick you swiftly in the dick?" He asked, ignoring the cross look he got from both his wife and his mother.

"I managed to dodge." Benedict grumbled. "She wouldn't utter a word. Makes me so angry."

"No, it annoys you because we're a family full of curious people who cannot help but get into each other's business." Anthony pointed out and Benedict fought the urge to flip him off, instead turning his back to him briefly to look at his niece. He could only see her little hand though.

"That as well." He said absently. "Mama, let me have a chance with my niece. Surely I have to try harder this time to best Colin at the favorite uncle title."

"Ignoring the fact that Riya adores you and anytime we cannot find her, we know she's traveled down the street to spend time at her uncle Ben's art studio/spare bedroom." Kate snarked at him, pulling her hair up off of her shoulders momentarily until Anthony grabbed a clip out of her bag and handed it to her for her to pin her hair up.

"Semantics." Benedict took Anika into his arms, smiling gently down at her. She let out a small series of coos and he felt his heart turn to mush as he heard it and spared a brief thought that he was, well and truly, fucked.

"If it makes you feel better, Ben, Anika isn't quite as taken with Colin as Riya was straight away." Anthony said, catching his attention.

"Oh?" Benedict asked as he did what Violet had been doing, walking around and gently bouncing Anika to keep her happy.

"She bawled when he took her into his arms. Wailed like she was being tortured." Anthony said.

Benedict broke out into a huge grin. "No!" He exclaimed. "Oh that's awful! Just terrible!"

"Yes, you just look like you feel so bad about it." Violet scoffed, going over to check on Kate, just to have something to do.

Once a mother.

Benedict looked down at his niece with undisguised glee. "Just awful." He said, lying through his teeth. "Aww, poor baby Ani, it's ok, I know I'm the more handsome uncle. And the more fun one. I'm the one that will give you extra biscuits and lots of yummy ice cream..." He cooed, his smile becoming more genuine when Anika flashed him a gummy 'smile' in return.

"Benedict, she's newly born. At least wait until she has teeth." Kate said, and he was pretty sure she was amused.

"Of course, of course." Benedict leaned down and kissed Anika's forehead and winced when she, quick as a bunny, reached up and grabbed his cheek. Her nails were as sharp as glass and he winced as he gently reached up to try and pry her hand off. He heard Anthony and Kate talking across the room, but he ignored them, trying to bribe Anika to let go of his poor cheek while he was pretty sure she was giggling at him.

---

Later on that day, when Violet decided Kate needed to rest, and so did baby Anika, Benedict left with her, taking her out for a late lunch. It wasn't often that the two of them got to spend any sort of extended time with each other, just the two of them, so Benedict took advantage of it. They went out to a nice cafe, and because it was London...sat inside and ate while it pissed down outside. Benedict milked it as long as he thought he could get away with, and then he took her home, leaning over to kiss her cheek before she got out.

"I had a nice time today, mama." He said.

"So did I, my love." She smiled at him.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you as well." Violet smiled brightly at him and then she got out, heading inside.

Benedict watched to make sure she was ok, before he went over to Sophie's home, letting himself in. She was back already, and had let out Bunnicula and Buttercup. He bent down as Buttercup came over to him and sniffed at his shoe and he gently picked her up, kissing her head a few times as he held her like a baby.

Walking upstairs, Benedict saw Sophie putting away a few things.

"So, how did the shopping trip go?" He asked.

She startled, not expecting him to be there, but she smiled when she saw him, walking over and kissing him. "It went well. I like your sister a lot."

"You're one of few." Benedict quipped, laughing when she swatted him on the chest. "So...did she tell you who she was going on a date with?"

"No, and I did not ask." Sophie said honestly.

Benedict made a face, putting Buttercup down on the bed. "Really? Why not?"

"Because it's none of my business, Benedict." Sophie laughed.

"Well yes, but it's mine." Benedict pointed out. "Therefore, as my girlfriend..."

"I am not doing your dirty work for you." Sophie said, playfully throwing a shirt at him.

Benedict pulled it from his head. "What good are you then?" He teased.

Sophie smirked at him. "If Buttercup wasn't up here, I'd show you exactly what I was good for. Especially..." She held up a maroon lingerie set that had a sort of Regency era pattern to it that left a tantalizing amount to the imagination and came with a faux choker that attached to the bra. He looked it over and imagined her in it and he literally felt his brain stutter in his head.

Scooping Buttercup up, he rushed out of the room with her, making Sophie burst out laughing.

Chapter Text

Benedict laid in bed long after Sophie left for a job, trying to find the motivation to actually get out of bed. He had a lot to do that day, and he needed to actually get up and do it at some point. Finally, he got out of bed and went to the bathroom, doing his business and taking a shower. He threw on some lounge pants and a button up he left unbuttoned, going down to start the coffee maker. He looked over and saw that Sophie had fed Buttercup and Bunnicula (she'd brought them over to Benedict's cottage, doing a soft move in at that point), so that was one less thing he needed to do. He did, however, put a couple of frozen berries in their water bowl.

As he waited for the coffee to brew, he texted Sophie. 'Any ideas on what I can paint for Ani? You did such a good job with Riya's the first time 'round.'

'Sea turtle, owl, panda, cow.' Sophie sent back rather quickly.

'That was quick.' Benedict put his phone down, taking out a pan to make himself breakfast. He decided on making himself a Full English, thinking that he was going to need the energy for the day. He'd just put on the sausage when he got a text back, and then three more texts.

The first was an owl outside the house Sophie was at in a tree, staring down at her with a judgmental look. The second was a cow in a pasture that Benedict knew wasn't too far away from where her place was. The third was a picture of a DVD case with Kung Fu Panda proudly placed and the last was Sophie's current phone background, which was a sea turtle.

'Your creativity knows no bounds, my love.' He teased. He finished up making his breakfast and took it over to the table, going back to make himself a second cup of coffee (having drank the first while he was cooking).

'This is why we work, I give you the bare bones and you actually make it happen.' Sophie teased back.

Benedict smiled at that.

After breakfast, he went to his art studio, looking at the canvasses he had to use. He picked out four that were the same size and put the first one up on his easel, staring at it, trying to get inspiration.

Finally, he decided to just dive in. He grabbed one of his palettes and started loading paint on it, going for some pastels, since it was the one type of paint he normally stayed away from (unless specified for a job), and he needed to start using them, so they weren't just sitting there collecting dust.

Once that was done, he looked back at his texts, clicking his tongue before he decided to start on the sea turtle. Scooping up some turquoise on his brush, he started painting the background, zeroing in on what he needed to do.

Hours later, after listening to a chunk of The Let Them Theory, his stomach reminded him that he needed to eat. Grunting to himself, he realized that he was already done with two of the paintings, so he decided to take a break for lunch. He went and checked on Bunnicula and Buttercup, refilling their water dishes and putting in a couple of pieces of ice, and giving them a couple leaves of lettuce, before he set about making himself some fried fish filet, bangers and mash in lieu of chips. He sat down with a beer and had lunch, chatting with the bunnies, pretending they were actually listening to him and responding, which was actually great fun for him.

After he was finished, he cracked several bones in his body, thinking to himself that he was getting too fucking old, and then he went and holed up again, determined to get the last two paintings done.

Time slipped past him again and he focused on his work. He switched from self help to listening to The Priory of the Orange Tree. He thought, maybe, he'd regret starting a book that was almost 900 pages long, but the plot hooked him and he just had to give it a shot, even if he wound up not liking it in the end.

"Oh wow, those turned out so cute!" The sudden voice startled Benedict, but he managed to not react, beyond spinning around on his stool. He smiled at Sophie, extending his arm out to her.

"Thank you, sweetheart." He said, wrapping his arm around her, kissing her cheek. "How was work?"

"Ugh." Sophie grunted. "I swear people purposefully trash their homes when they know I'm coming. If I didn't love the money, I'd quit."

Benedict smiled at her. "You could quit anyway, become my live in lover. I'd happily support you."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "The problem with that is, if I become your live in lover, you'll never get anything done and run out of money and then we'll be out on the street."

"Meh, I'm sure one of my siblings would house us for at least a little while." Benedict joked.

Sophie swatted at him. "I'm going to go feed the bunnies. What do the humans want for dinner?"

"Let me handle that." Benedict said, standing up. "You've been cleaning all day, all I've been doing is sitting on my ass."

"Well, if you insist." Sophie leaned in and kissed him. "If you're going to do that, I'm going to go take a nice, long shower."

Benedict groaned quietly. "You, me, tomorrow, bubble bath."

"You got it." Sophie kissed him again and then headed off toward the bathroom.

Benedict watched her go and then took out his phone, texting Anthony. 'Brother, dear, my most favorite sibling...'

'What do you want?' Anthony texted back.

'Your chicken tikka masala recipe.' Benedict admitted, thinking he most likely had all the ingredients for it.

It took a while, but then he saw Anthony typing back and grinned widely as he went to the kitchen.

---

Sophie looked over at Benedict as they left Anika's birthday party. He'd seemed to calm down and act mostly like himself, but he'd let his guard down and she could see him warring with himself. She cleared her throat, getting his attention. "Can I ask...what's with this Cressida woman?" She asked quietly. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Benedict took a deep breath and let it out. "Cressida is...Cressida is Penelope if she hadn't had Colin and Eloise in her life." He said as diplomatically as possible, which she was quite proud of him for. "Her family is awful and they put a lot of pressure on her to become something they didn't think she was, and in return she became awful. She grew up making Penelope's life miserable because Penelope didn't fit into a standard that Cressida's parents put on her. In return, Eloise got caught up into things because she's Penelope's friend and it all just...went to shit."

"That's awful." Sophie said quietly, putting her hand on Benedict's thigh. He took one of his hands off of the steering wheel and laced their fingers together.

"It is." Benedict agreed. "On the one hand, I'm happy for my sister. On the other hand, I don't want to forgive too easily."

"That's your prerogative as a brother." Sophie said quietly. "You don't have to forgive, nor forget. But...you also have to respect Eloise's wishes and the fact that she has Cressida in her life now. Penelope has forgiven her and has chosen to move forward, I think you should at least give the same respect. Eloise should be allowed to make her own mistakes in her life, if this even turns out to be a mistake. If it is, then you can be there to help pick up the pieces."

Benedict flashed a sardonic smirk. "I've gotten good at that where Cressida is concerned."

Sophie squeezed his hand and leaned over, kissing the side of his mouth. "On the plus side, your nieces had an absolute blast today. Can you believe Anika is one?"

"No!" Benedict exclaimed, groaning. "It feels like just yesterday that she was born. It feels like just yesterday that Riya was born. Did you know I met you shortly after that?"

"Mmm, I remember you telling me." Sophie smiled. "And it's been a whirlwind of things ever since."

Benedict smiled. "Are you saying that like it's a good thing?"

"I think it's a great thing." Sophie said. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. He managed to turn his head enough to kiss her head. "I'm very fond of your family."

"They're very fond of you, too." Benedict said. He put his hand on her thigh, squeezing it. "As am I."

"Good." Sophie chuckled.

Chapter Text

Benedict didn't know what he was going to do. He didn't know when he'd become dependent on Sophie being around, but he had and he had learned to quite enjoy having her around. So when she told him she was going to take a short vacation with her friends, it took him completely off guard. Of course, he graciously told her she should go and enjoy her time and yes he'd keep an eye on Bunnicula and Buttercup so she didn't have to board them somewhere.

But then she was actually gone and he didn't know what to do with himself.

It was pathetic.

So he kept himself busy, holing up in his studio to get caught up on everything he needed to get done, having let a few things too many pile up. He found that he was very inspired, though, and it helped keep his days going by fairly quickly.

Another thing was spending time with family. He'd gone shopping with Eloise and Cressida a time or two and found he actually liked his sister's girlfriend.

Mostly.

He still kept things in the back of his mind.

He also took Violet to lunch a couple of times, enjoying his alone time with his mother.

Except the time Colin had been there when he'd come around and had invited himself in on their time.

The twat.

But it was fair because when Benedict heard Anthony talking about taking Anika to her riding lesson and invited himself along. He listened to Anika prattle on excitedly all the way from London to Twickenham, but it put a smile on his face listening to how excited she was and how passionately she talked about horses.

He hoped that was never taken from her.

They got to the facility and Benedict looked around, wondering if he should sign himself up for lessons.

He hung back as Anthony got Anika settled with her trainer and then they walked over to sit nearby so they could keep an eye on things, but be out of the way.

Benedict slid his jacket off, feeling dumb because it was a very unseasonably hot day in the area and he was already stifling, when Anthony asked him how he was doing.

Benedict huffed. "I just don't know what I'm going to do, Ant. I mean, do you know how many times I've had takeout since she's been away?"

Anthony flashed him a grin, the bastard. "You could learn how to cook."

Benedict made a face. He knew how to cook...mostly. Enough to take care of himself and Sophie. He could follow a recipe at least. "I would rather stick my head into a lion's mouth." He admitted, since it was just he and Anthony there.

Anthony rolled his eyes and then showed why he was a Bridgerton. "This is what I get. Once father died, I never made any of you lot get into the kitchen with me, now you're all reliant on other people, and takeout."

Benedict bristled. "Don't act like you don't get takeout sometimes."

"Only when absolutely necessary." Anthony said, acting like he was offended Benedict could imply otherwise. "I take the girls to a nice little brunch place nearby on my off days sometimes when I'm not feeling up to cooking, sometimes as a treat for the children for doing well at school..."

Benedict gave him a sour look and snorted. "I sort of hate you a little bit."

"No you don't, Colin's not going to cook for you while Sophie's away, nor is Eloise." Anthony pointed out and Benedict perked up.

"Is that an invite to dinner tonight?" He asked.

"Well you're already with me." Anthony pointed out.

Benedict reached out and whacked him on the back. "I knew you wouldn't let me starve!"

Anthony turned to say something to him, but the sound of an unhappy horse whipped through the air and then Anika screamed for Anthony at the top of her lungs. Benedict jumped up and was seconds behind Anthony as they took off toward the field. Something had spooked the horse Anika was riding and Benedict saw it jump the fence and sprint away, Anika caught on its back, hanging off the side by her arm.

Both he and Anthony raced over to the barn where other horses were kept and threw saddles on two of the first ones they saw, and Benedict was vaguely aware of the instructor doing the same herself. They mounted and took off at top speed, Benedict's heart hammering out of his chest as he tried to keep sight of his niece and what was going on.

Almost as if they planned it, he and Anthony broke away from each other and closed in on the horse and Anika, and Benedict watched as Anthony leaned over and grabbed the lead of the horse, giving it a yank with everything he had in him. It seemed to slow the horse down and after about 50 more feet, it came to a stop. Benedict stopped his own horse and jumped off, racing over to help Anthony get Anika off of the horse and Benedict yanked at the straps holding her in place as hard as he could, breaking them so that Anthony could pull Anika away from the animal.

Anika was gushing blood, which turned Benedict's stomach, but he ignored it, stripping out of his outer shirt to wrap it around Anika while Anthony yelled for an ambulance to be called.

Anika was screaming at the top of her lungs and Benedict had never felt more useless as he tried to help keep her calm while also cutting off the blood that was still gushing from her wound. When she yelled "DADDY HURTS!" at the top of her lungs it ripped right through him and he struggled to keep his composure.

When they got back to the main area of the place and met the ambulance, Benedict caught Anthony's keys and promised to go by and get Kate when Anthony got into the ambulance to go with Anika.

To say Kate was distraught was an understatement. It didn't help that Benedict was covered in blood, but she was shaken to the core as he drove her to the hospital and yet again he felt useless in actually helping with anything.

They got to the hospital quickly and Benedict hung back while Anthony and Kate embraced, and he walked to the bathroom to try and clean up, even though he knew it was mostly futile at that point. He focused on scrubbing his hands to try and get the blood off of them, poking and prodding at his nails to try and keep his composure.

At one point a male nurse stuck his head in and offered Benedict a set of scrubs to change into and he thanked the man and took his clothes off, chucking them into the garbage there and pulling the scrubs on.

He kept his shoes on though.

He walked back to the waiting room and set about texting everyone, keeping it to the bare bones, saying Anika had been in an accident at her riding lesson and was very hurt and at the hospital. He didn't pay attention to any of the replies as he pocketed his phone again, staring off across the room, not even aware of anything until he was pulled into a rough hug by Eloise, who looked pink and splotchy from crying. He hugged her to him tightly and laid his head on her shoulder, trying to keep his composure, mostly for his family.

Damn being the second oldest.

Sometimes he hated it.

The doctor came eventually, and he had a sober look on his face. "I'm afraid we had to take the arm." He said, and Kate let out an inhuman sound and collapsed into her stepmother's arms. "There was absolutely no way to save it, it was probably one of the most gruesome injuries I've seen in nearly 15 years or so."

Benedict zoned out for the next several minutes until Eloise offered to grab Benedict incase she needed help with keeping Riya for Anthony and Kate while Anika was in the hospital and he flashed as much of a smile as he could compose and nodded, agreeing with whatever she'd said. When she offered him to sleep on the couch, he finally made himself talk. "Well, I suppose I've slept worse places."

Benedict left Anthony's car there, hiding the keys in the glove box for him and he let Eloise drive him to pick up Riya and he sat in the back with his niece, hugging her to him while she tried to question what was going on.

They kept evasive until they got to the apartment Eloise and Cressida shared with each other and then he unabashedly let Eloise and Cressida break the news to Riya. To say she took it badly was an understatement and, wanting to be of help somehow, Benedict gathered her into his lap and hugged her as tightly as he dared as she sobbed into his shoulder.

Benedict indulged himself in a few tears as well, rubbing his niece's back as she cried and he glanced over and saw Eloise and Cressida wound in each other's arms, crying as well. It did something to him to see Cressida so upset like everyone else was and he found himself softening a little bit toward her.

Once she'd cried herself out, Riya pulled back and did the thing that her daddy always did, which was school her features into a mask. She said she was going to go make Anika some cards and she headed off to the room she always used while she was there, that Eloise had some of her things in.

"I should go and get some things, if I'm going to stay here a few days." Benedict said quietly.

"Do you want me to come?" Eloise asked.

Benedict shook his head, calling for an Uber. "No. I'm ok. I shouldn't be long. Do you want me to get takeout?"

"Why don't you go to Sunday's?" Eloise suggested.

Benedict nodded. "Cressida, what would you like?" He asked, knowing what Eloise and Riya would want.

After Cressida told him, he met the Uber outside and rode to his home. He waved the woman off, saying he had his own vehicle there to use and he went inside, looking around. He fed the rabbits their dinner, knowing he wouldn't be back that night and then he went upstairs, shoving some things into a bag, zipping it up.

He sat down on the bed and took out his phone, staring at it. He desperately wanted to text Anthony to ask for any sort of update, but he decided to leave that alone for now. He, instead, hovered over Sophie's contact information, before he decided to take a chance and call her, really needing to hear her voice right then.

The phone rang a few times and he was about to hang up when she answered. "Miss me already?" She asked playfully.

"You have no idea." Benedict admitted, his voice barely more than a breathy whisper.

"Honey, is everything ok?" Sophie asked.

"No, not really." He said, closing his eyes. "I...I went with Anthony and Anika today for her riding lesson. It...it went horribly, Sophie. The horse spooked with her and...and it dragged her...she lost her arm."

"Oh my God!" Sophie exclaimed, sounding horrified. "Oh that's terrible, that poor baby!"

Benedict lost it then, sobbing into his knees. "There was...so much blood...and her arm just...it hung there..." He managed to say.

"I'm coming home." Sophie said. "I'll be back in a couple of days."

"I'll never get her screams out of my head." Benedict said, staring off into space, not quite hearing what Sophie said.

"Shit. Benedict, I am so sorry. This is awful." Sophie said, feeling terrible for everyone involved. "But she's a strong, resilient little girl. She's going to come back from this as strong as ever."

"I hope you're right." Benedict said, sniffling softly.

He talked with Sophie for a little while longer, before getting off the phone with her and composing himself as much as possible. He went by and grabbed dinner for everyone and took it back to Eloise's place. They coerced Riya into coming and eating, and she managed to eat a third or so of what she'd gotten and then went back to her room quietly.

"Fuck. I don't even know..." Eloise trailed off, watching after where Riya disappeared to.

"I think you're doing all you can." Cressida said, rubbing her back. "She's upset and things are really overwhelming right now. She'll come around. I'm sure once she knows more about how her sister's doing, it'll make her feel better."

"Yeah, guess you might be right about that." Eloise said.

Benedict stayed on Eloise's couch for another day or so before Sophie came back. He met her at the airport, wanting to get out and do something, as selfish as it seemed and as soon as her arms were around him, Benedict felt like he could breathe again.

"I love you." He blurted out. "So much."

"I love you, too." She said, smiling up at him. "Are you ok?"

"No, not really." Benedict admitted. "Better now that you're here. I'm sorry you..."

"Shhh." Sophie put her fingers over his mouth. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be. Now. Let's get my bags and leave. I brought some things for Riya and Anika home I think they'd like."

Benedict smiled at her, thinking, not for the first time, about how lucky he was to have her in his life.

Chapter Text

Benedict pulled out Sophie's chair and then slid it back once she'd sat down. They'd come on a date to Dinner, Sophie's choice, and Benedict thought she looked resplendent in a white Grecian style gown that had rouching at the hip area and showed off her legs in a way that made Benedict only able to think about having them wrapped around him. She'd paired it with a white silk duster and minimal makeup as per usual, only a smoky eye and coral lips and Benedict thought she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Benedict himself felt like he didn't measure up in an all white suit with a black button up.

But he rarely felt like he deserved Sophie.

"Darling, I know I've said it countless times already, but you are stunning. I am in awe of you." Benedict said, feeling like a dunce sitting there, speechless like he was.

"You are good for my ego." Sophie laughed delicately. "I have to be to keep up with you."

"Me? Are you kidding?" Benedict laughed. "I spend most of my day in paint splattered clothing, how on Earth do you have to keep up with me?"

"I don't come from your world." Sophie said.

"A fact of which I am glad." Benedict said.

Sophie gave him a look. "And sometimes I don't know if I fit in."

"You fit." Benedict said. He reached over, catching her hand in his. He kissed it gently, flashing her a loving look. "You fit, because you fit with me. You as your most authentic self, that's all I need, that's who I fell for, and that's who keeps me in awe."

Sophie blushed prettily and ducked her head, not knowing exactly what to say to Benedict, who looked far too smug about his words.

Before either one could say anything else, someone stepped up to their table. Both looked up, expecting that it was a waitress to get their order, but Benedict's mouth went dry when he noticed who it was. Paul, the guy who he'd had a fling with, part of the last fling he had before he met Sophie, stood there, looking incredible in a dark blue suit, white button up shirt, and a gold tie with a maroon paisley pattern. His naturally curly hair was wild on his head and his bright blue eyes sparkled as he smiled down at them.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek." He said. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Paul." Benedict said, flashing him a smile that was a little tight around the corners. "I didn't expect to see you here, either." He ignored the fact that he seemed to know Sophie.

"We...had a thing." Benedict admitted.

"So did we." Sophie admitted, to Benedict's shock. She looked up at Paul and smiled. "Why don't you join us?"

"Oh I really shouldn't do that." Paul waved a hand.

"He really shouldn't do that." Benedict said at the same time, looking at her strangely.

"I insist. Come on. Who can tell me all the embarrassing stories about Benedict?" Sophie asked, scooting over on her side of the table. "We can swap stories."

"Sophie..." Benedict eyed her.

"Well, if you insist." Paul grabbed the spare chair and sat down, smiling roguishly at Benedict, who squirmed.

It turned out that Sophie and Paul got on like a house on fire. Benedict, at first, was very wary about it, but at one time he'd had feelings for the young man, and even though he tried to hide it, there had been a part of him that could see himself settling down with him.

So he settled down and actually started enjoying himself.

He learned that Paul had settled in building sets for several off-West End plays and musicals that played in various places. Benedict knew what kind of body he had under the suit he had, so that wasn't exactly a shock to him.

Things were...easy. He wasn't sure why, but they were. Sophie even seemed to really enjoy Paul's company, enamored by his presence. Benedict didn't blame her, that had been him once upon a time. There was a reason they'd maintained such a casual relationship on the downlow for so long, mostly with a random woman between them to pretend it wasn't as intimate as it was.

They stayed for hours, talking, laughing, having food and wine. It was one of the best nights in Benedict's recent memory, and overall they'd been very good since he'd met Sophie.

They only parted once the restaurant was closing. Benedict hugged Paul, feeling a swirl of emotions go through him, which he did his best to let go of. Watching Sophie hug him was even worse, because instead of feeling jealous, all Benedict could feel was longing.

He shoved those emotions deep down inside.

They went back to Benedict's place, which Sophie had basically moved into at that point and as they were getting ready for bed, Sophie looked over at Benedict. "I like Paul."

"Yeah, he's a good guy." Benedict said absently, his stomach clenching and unclenching.

"Did you love him?" Sophie asked.

Benedict whirled around, looking at her wide eyed. "What?"

"It's a simple question, Benedict. I'm not asking because I'm mad, I'm just curious." Sophie said.

"I...I never let myself." He admitted. "It was a casual thing, we just...had a bunch of meaningless threesomes."

"But that wasn't just it." Sophie said.

"Why are we talking about this?" Benedict asked, running his fingers through his hair, making it stick up in all sorts of directions.

"I'm just curious." Sophie walked over, putting a hand on Benedict's stomach, looking up at him. "I don't mean to upset you, Benedict. I could just see that Paul wasn't just some ex to you. If I'm honest, he wasn't to me either."

Benedict took in a deep breath and let it out, wrapping his arms around Sophie. "I left him behind once I met you." He admitted. "From the start, I was enamored with you, I couldn't get enough." He smiled down at Sophie, and she smiled back instinctively. "I...I felt like something wasn't there. I knew what it was...but I told myself it was the sex, the baser things."

"What was it?" Sophie asked quietly.

"Paul." Benedict said, barely whispering the words. He looked away, unable to look at Sophie as he said it. "The times we laid in bed and talked, shared what we wanted out of life. The...he knew my coffee order. He knew my fears. My desires. He...he was you, but in a male form."

Sophie squeezed him and pulled him over to the bed. She sat him down and he moved to sit against the headboard while she waited for him to settle in and she draped herself over his lap and laid against him, tucking her head against his neck.

"You were in love with him." Sophie said quietly.

"If I had let myself think that..." Benedict trailed off, wrapping his arms around her. "But it doesn't matter now. I'm with you, he's my past."

"What if it didn't have to be like that?" Sophie asked.

Benedict frowned, looking down at her. "What do you mean?"

"We both have Paul issues, we're obviously still in love with him." Sophie pointed out.

"Ok." Benedict said, still not knowing what exactly she was trying to say.

"I'm saying, baby, what if we...pursued him?" Sophie asked. "Not for a random threesome, but..."

Benedict blurted out a laugh, unable to help it. "You want to court him?" He teased.

Sophie swatted at him. "Relationships are different now. They aren't just Adam and Eve. They can be whatever seems normal for the person, as long as they're not hurting anyone in the process or doing something illegal." She pointed out.

"We don't even know if he'd be amenable to that." Benedict pointed out gently.

"So we'll talk about it with him." Sophie said.

Benedict sighed. "Sophie, why are you doing this? Is it because of me? Because, let me tell you, you don't have to..."

"It's not just that. I...I love him." Sophie said. "While we were talking tonight, hanging out, it was like...I was drawn to him. Seeing you and he together felt like...like it was right, like it was a piece being slotted into a puzzle and finally I could see the entire picture."

"That's kind of how it felt for me, too." Benedict said quietly.

Sophie leaned up, kissing Benedict gently. "So...we'll talk to him, and see where it goes."

"I don't deserve you." Benedict said, looking down at her.

"Or maybe you're finally allowing yourself to want what you deserve." Sophie corrected.

---

It took some coercing, but Benedict managed to get Paul to agree to meet them at the Wolseley. He and Sophie arrived first and Benedict ordered Paul an Earl Grey and a cold pressed apple juice.

He showed up wearing a brown suit with a white button up that was unbuttoned tantalizingly low and made Benedict's mouth go dry. He'd always worn his curls loose and wild, but this morning they looked especially tousled and Benedict itched to run his fingers through them.

Sitting down, Paul looked surprised when he saw what Benedict had gotten for him and Benedict just smirked, while Paul took the tea bag out of the cup and put it aside. "Well this is a nice thing to come to." He said, taking a small sip, wincing since it was still very warm.

"I still remember." Benedict said. He boldly put his foot up against Paul's and the other man looked at him curiously and then glanced over at Sophie, who was smiling at him.

"You'll have to tell me what to get, I've never been here before." She said innocently and Benedict almost burst out laughing when he saw Paul startle suddenly and by the way Sophie shifted in her seat, he was pretty sure she'd put her foot up against his other one, taking him off guard.

"Oh, um, yes, well..." Paul stumbled over his words, flipping open the menu, perusing the options. Benedict barely held in the laugh that wanted to escape as he watched him, utterly enamored with what was going on. He caught Sophie's eyes and they shined with mischief, which just made him love her even more.

---

Sometime later, after they'd eaten and sated themselves with food and tea (mostly tea, Benedict did have some milk as well and Paul his juice), Sophie turned to Paul. "So, Paul, do you have anything else to do today?"

Paul wiped his mouth, shaking his head. "Honestly, no. Nothing that couldn't be shoved to the side for the moment, why?"

"How about you come on a walk with us?" Sophie asked. "We'll go to Hyde Park and visit the roses."

Paul considered it and nodded. "Alright. That sounds lovely actually. Let's do it."

Benedict threw down some money before Paul could even think to and the three of them took a right outside the restaurant. It wasn't too much of a walk from where they were, and the air was fresh and crisp out, which was nice for once.

Benedict shifted himself so that he was on one side of Paul and Sophie was on the other. They boxed him in a bit, bumping into him every once in a while as they chatted. It was honestly one of the better afternoons Benedict had had in a long while and he had to fight the urge to reach over and grab Paul's hand, not wanting to freak him out just yet.

They got to the gardens fairly quickly and Benedict had to think about the fact that it was a really romantic backdrop. He could see some kind of cheesy Regency romance using it for the backdrop for when the heroes realize their feelings for each other.

"So, Paul, Benedict and I talked with each other after dinner last night." Sophie said after they'd been perusing for a few minutes.

Oh, shit.

"Oh, did you? I suppose I left quite the impression, then." Paul teased. Deflection, Benedict knew it well. Probably Sophie as well.

"You did." Sophie said, not letting him get away with it. "Which is what we talked about for a while last night."

"About what?" Paul asked, looking curious.

"How would you..." Benedict inserted himself into the conversation, although once he started speaking, he wished he just let Sophie handle it. She gave him an encouraging look, though. "How do you feel about relationships with multiple people?"

Paul smirked, a movement that made Benedict's stomach swoop. "Well, I think you know how I feel about that."

"Not mindless threesomes." Benedict rolled his eyes. "Actual relationships. Where everyone is on an even keel and has as much autonomy as the other."

Paul went silent, making Benedict wonder if they'd made a mistake. He stayed quiet from the Geraldines to the Helios.

Finally, he spoke. "I don't think I've ever had anyone want an actual relationship with me before." He said quietly.

"We do." Sophie took a chance and took his hand in hers, squeezing it.

"Well here's the thing. I think I've forgotten how you kiss." Paul flirted, which was a promising thing.

Sophie mock gasped, a hand going to her chest and Benedict felt his heart start to hammer in his chest as he watched, anticipating what was going to happen. Sophie stopped Paul and put a hand to his chest. She wound her arms up and around Paul's neck and pulled him down. When their lips met, Benedict's jaw dropped open and his breathing picked up. He felt like a dunce, but he couldn't look away.

Finally, they pulled away from each other and turned toward Benedict, Paul with a sheepish look on his face, Sophie looking like the cat that got the cream. Benedict wanted to rush them back home and have his wicked way with them.

"Well?" He addressed Paul, his voice deeper than normal.

"That was...a hell of a kiss." He admitted, his cheeks coloring a little more. But he didn't look like he regretted what he said.

Benedict, unable to control himself any longer, grabbed Paul by the shirt and jerked him into a kiss. It was less a kiss as it was more a gnashing of mouths, breaths comingling with each other while they groped each other as much as they dared in a public setting.

When they pulled back, desperately in need of air, Sophie looked at them with her lower lip between her teeth. "I don't want to speed run anything." She said. "But how about we take this back to our place?"

"You were reading my mind." Benedict admitted, his voice annoyingly deep again.

Paul, his eyes almost midnight in color, nodded wordlessly.

Benedict smiled and grabbed his hand. "Come on then."

---

A couple of hours later, Benedict laid perpendicular to Sophie and Paul. He had his head on her sternum, while most of his lower body covered Paul, who was happily wrapped around him while he alternated talking with and kissing Sophie. Benedict had his eyes closed, but he was still awake, relaxed by the fact that Sophie was running her fingers through his tousled, sweaty hair and Paul had his hand on his bare back, not doing anything, just a calming presence.

"You know, I could get used to this." Paul admitted, after being quiet for a few minutes.

"You could move in with us." Benedict pointed out.

Sophie laughed. "You really are trying to speed run our relationship."

"I don't think it's fast enough." Benedict moved his head, flashing her a small smile.

"I mean...I wouldn't...be opposed." Paul said. "I have to admit...this feels right. No matter how new it is, I feel a deep connection with you two, and I'm not wanting to let it go anytime soon."

"Agreed." Benedict admitted.

Sophie smiled at Paul. "Well, what do you think?"

"I think I'm going to be moving in." Paul said, smiling back at her.

"Yay!" Sophie leaned over and kissed him, upending Benedict a little bit, which he grumbled about.

"I don't know about you." She said. "But I think we should think about round two."

"Two?" Benedict laughed. "I think you can't count very well, sweetheart."

"Well, whatever number you want to go with." Sophie whacked him on the back lightly.

"Twist my arm." Benedict pushed himself up. "But then I'm afraid I'm going to insist on having dinner."

"Sex now, dinner later." Paul said, leaning in to kiss Benedict, causing him to groan into the kiss and tug him closer.

---

Things progressed between the three organically after that, if quickly. It was like Paul had always been a part of their relationship and Benedict especially could almost not remember the time when he hadn't. Sophie loved having her men around, especially, and Paul took to things very quickly. It turned out he was the nurturer between them and when Sophie came home from a tough job, or Benedict had holed himself into his art room for just a while too long, it was Paul that picked up the pieces.

He was the balance between the two of them, and they could tell the change almost immediately. Their relationship had been good before, even special, but after Paul had come around it had gone to another level and things were finally feeling settled between the three of them.

One day, several months after starting their relationship anew as a throuple, Sophie wrapped herself around Paul as he was stirring something on the stove, smiling when he looked back at her with a curious look.

"I love you." She said simply.

Paul turned carefully and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. "I love you, too." He leaned down and kissed her.

Sophie reached out to Benedict, who got up from where he was sitting to come closer to where they were sitting. "I love you, too." She said, hopping up to kiss him.

"I love you both." Benedict kissed her and then leaned over and kissed Paul.

"I love you, too." He said. "Now quit distracting me and let me finish our dinner without letting it burn."

Sophie giggled at that and then squeaked as Benedict picked her up playfully, walking back over to where he'd been sitting before, plopping her on his lap so they'd be out of the way, while also being as much of a nuisance as they could be.

Chapter Text

Benedict and Paul came in late one night, laughing with each other, curled around each other as they regaled each other of stories from their past. They'd been out on a date with each other, staying out for a while because Sophie had had a long day and was tired. She'd been sick lately, which didn't interrupt her job, really, and even though both Benedict and Paul told her she should beg off for a few days, she worked relentlessly, saying it wasn't that bad.

She had, however told them they should go on an outing for themselves. It was something they did, going out all three of them and then in pairings, so they could have one on one time with each other. Paul stayed home and read when Benedict and Sophie went out, Benedict caught up on paintings when Paul and Sophie went out and Sophie caught up on some of the shows that Benedict and Paul didn't care for when they went out together.

Sophie met them as they came in, wearing one of Benedict's paint splattered shirts and some novelty socks that said 'Be the Person Your Bunny Thinks You Are'.

Speaking of bunnies, Bunnicula hopped over and flopped over onto his back on top of Benedict's foot, making the man laugh as he bent down and picked the bunny up, holding him like a baby. "Hello to you, too, but I was just about to greet your mother first."

"They get first priority, I thought you knew that." Sophie chuckled, wrapping her arms around Paul.

"Where's Buttercup?" Benedict asked.

"Currently chewing on my pants." Paul bent down and scooped up the other rabbit, kissing her head a few times.

"How was dinner?" Sophie asked, leaning over to kiss Benedict.

"Great fun." Benedict smiled. "We almost lost track of time. That reminds me, though, love, we need to go tomorrow and pick up my car."

"You took an Uber?" Sophie asked.

Benedict nodded. "A few too many drinks, I'm afraid."

"I would've come and gotten you." Sophie pointed out.

Paul shook his head. "That's ok, my love." He said. "We didn't want you to have to get out this late. We knew you still had a funny tummy and all."

"Speaking of that." Sophie said. "I now...know why."

"Oh? Did you finally hear back from your doctor?" Benedict asked.

"Yes, actually I popped down while you two were gone." Sophie said.

Paul frowned. "Why didn't you call and ask us to go with you?"

"Honestly, I'm so used to doing things on my own that it doesn't always occur to me that I now have two other people that I need to tell things." Sophie said, blushing. "But! I have something for the two of you." She walked over and grabbed two envelopes and handed them to them.

She watched as they opened them with only a little difficulty, neither of them putting down the bunny they were holding. She watched Benedict look at the card inside, which had a drawing of a baby bottle on it and said 'Congratulations, hitting the bottle is about to take on a whole new meaning'.

Paul opened his and saw the card inside, which said 'It's all fun and games until someone winds up pregnant, hope you had lots of fun' with a positive pregnancy test on it.

Both men looked up at her with twin looks of shock, the cards falling to the floor.

"Sophie...are you...this isn't a prank?" Benedict asked.

"I...do you even want..." Sophie worried her hands against the shirt she was wearing.

"Sophie, I come from a family of 7 siblings, eight total." Benedict pointed out. "At one point, I didn't see myself ever having that, but..."

"Dig yourself out, dig yourself out." Paul muttered.

"That is to say, things have changed and I am over the moon that you're pregnant and I cannot wait to give my mother a run for her money!" Benedict rushed out.

Sophie's eyes widened and she held up her hands. "Woah now. Why don't we start with this one and go from there?" She asked.

Benedict put Bunnicula down and scooped her into his arms, kissing her warmly. "That sounds wonderful to me."

"You know, I bet it was the time that we celebrated my birthday." Paul said, thinking about it.

"You're probably right, because the doctor said I was about three weeks." Sophie admitted.

"I knew that night was brilliant." Benedict joked.

"We have to celebrate!" Paul decided. "I'm going to make a cake."

"Paul, no." Sophie laughed. "I'm too tired to celebrate tonight. You can make celebratory quiche tomorrow for breakfast."

"Whatever your heart desires." He said, leaning in and kissing her.

---

When it came time to find out the gender of the baby, Paul and Benedict went with Sophie and sat on each side of her, nervously glancing at each other and Sophie chatted with the doctor and she set up the scan. Sophie thought it was hilarious that both men were sweating it out, while she was as cool as a cucumber.

"Are we ready to find out?" The doctor asked.

"Yes! Of course!" Sophie said, beaming at both men.

The doctor squirted the gel on her stomach, making her wince, and took the wand and started moving it around her stomach, making 'hmm' noises every once in a while.

Before any of them could ask if she knew anything yet, she looked up at them. "Well I have two surprises for you."

"What's that?" Paul asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Twins." The doctor said. "A boy and girl in fact."

"Twins!" Benedict exclaimed.

"A boy and a girl!" Paul said over him.

Both men hopped up and looked at each other wide eyed and Sophie watched them, torn between laughing and crying in happiness.

The doctor left them alone for the moment, going to print out the pictures for them after she helped Sophie clean up. Sophie sat up and hugged both Paul and Benedict to her, all three of them in happy tears.

"Twins, I can't believe it." Benedict mumbled to himself. "Wow."

Sophie giggled. "You know Anthony is going to give you so much shit for going from not wanting children to having two right off the bat."

Benedict groaned. "Don't remind me."

---

When Anthony called Benedict and asked if he wanted to go out for the day, he took him up on it, figuring he could use that time to break it to him that Sophie was pregnant and that they were in a throuple. Something about Kate had wanted to do an at home spa day or something, so he'd gone out with his older brother.

"You've been quiet." Anthony said, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Benedict looked over at him, knowing he didn't have much of a poker face going on right then. "Me? I'm never quiet."

Anthony smirked at him. "You aren't. Which tells me something is wrong. Are you going to tell me, or do you want me to keep pretending I don't know something is wrong?"

"How is my dear Ani? Is she growing more confident in..." Benedict started, but Anthony cut him off.

"You know good and damn well she is." He said, looking amused. "It is your art studio she spends most of her time in when she's not studying or letting her dear sister put her through her paces to get even better about doing things with one arm."

Benedict decided to bite the bullet. "Anthony, what would you say if I told you I was in a relationship that was...less than what most people would consider normal?"

Anthony gazed at him over his coffee. "What way do you mean? Are you and Sophie..."

"We are very much still in love." Benedict promised, smiling gently at him. "Even more now than before, and you should know that I'm telling the truth because I'm actually admitting to it. No, that's not it. It's...we have a somewhat unconventional relationship going on."

"Please don't tell me what you get up to in the bedroom." Anthony said, grimacing. "I know we've always been close, us and Colin, Eloise somewhat on the fringes, but I really don't..."

"We...have a third." Benedict said, looking down at his hands. "His name is Paul. Paul Suarez. We met, actually, before I ever knew Sophie. We...had a few..."

"Threesomes?" Anthony offered baldly.

"That." Benedict squirmed, making a face.

"You sound so proper." Anthony snorted. "Why are you telling me now?"

"Because it's serious." Benedict said. "As serious as a relationship like that can be anyway. We love each other." He looked up, meeting Anthony's eyes. "I love them, Anthony. I love them with my entire heart, every part of it, anyway, not taken by the family."

Anthony smiled, grabbing Benedict's arm. "I'm happy for you, truly."

"That's not all." Benedict said. He ducked his head, hiding a grin on his face, a flush coming to his face. "We are...Sophie...is pregnant."

"Pregnant!" Anthony exclaimed, looking gobsmacked.

"Twins, a boy and a girl." Benedict said quietly, realizing just how much he'd been keeping from his family.

"Benedict!" Anthony jumped out of his seat, his hands balled at his sides and Benedict winced, thinking Anthony was about to punch him out. Instead, he pulled him into a vigorous hug, whacking him on the back a few times.

"You're happy." Benedict blurted out.

"Oh yes, very much so." Anthony smiled. "You know, there was a time I never thought you'd settle down. Mama came to me many times distraught over the fact, thinking that of all of her children, you would be the one to never let her have grandchildren and another daughter-in-law. Not that she doesn't love Kate and Penelope...now she's not only getting a daughter-in-law, she's getting a son-in-law!"

"Don't announce it to all of London!" Benedict hissed loudly, looking around wildly. "Do you want me drawn and quartered?"

"It's not 1800 anymore, Benedict." Anthony rolled his eyes. "But, ok, fine, I see your point."

"Thank you." Benedict said, straightening his shirt.

"But you know what this means." Anthony said, a roguish look on his face.

"What?" Benedict asked warily.

"You now have to tell mama and Eloise!" Anthony said brightly.

Benedict couldn't help the sound that came from him, and he winced and cowered down in his seat when he saw several people looking at him strangely. Anthony, the git, just laughed at him as he guzzled down the rest of his coffee.

---

Later on while Kate was cooking, Benedict sat out back with his brother, sipping at some drinks while one of the dogs stretched out nearby. "Tell me about Paul." Anthony requested.

"Paul is..." Benedict trailed off, a smile coming to his lips, his body relaxing. "Paul is more than I can put into words. I thought everything was best when it was Sophie and I, but...I was wrong. It's unconventional, of course, but Paul just...completes the both of us..."

"I've never seen you stumbling over your words before." Anthony pointed out, making Benedict flush. "Or so struck. How do you feel about being a father?"

Benedict felt the smile break out on his face. "I cannot wait! A son and daughter! Imagine. To carry on the bloodline. More Bridgertons to go on and carry on the name."

"I'm very happy about that." Anthony admitted.

"When do you think I should tell everyone?" Benedict asked.

"As soon as you can." Anthony stroked Tyson's head when he came over for some attention, grinning in a doggy-like way up at him. Anthony couldn't help but grin back, leaning down to kiss the dog's hard, large head. "Trust me, the longer you wait, the worse it'll be. Eloise will wallop you one for waiting as long as you have."

Benedict made a face. "She hits like a man."

Anthony's grin widened to an almost scary level. "I know, I was the one that taught her."

Benedict groaned quietly. "Please tell me you didn't do any such thing with Daphne, Francesca and Hyacinth."

Anthony shrugged. "What can I say, I am of the opinion that a lady should know how to defend herself."

"Yes, I am of the same opinion." Benedict said. "But not when it's turned on me!"

---

Benedict wound up telling his family later, wincing when his sisters practically beat him up and then his mother gave him a guilt trip.

He was saved by Anthony hosting a dinner so everyone could meet Paul and fuss over Sophie.

Paul got a little bit of heat off of him because Francesca sprung her own boyfriend, John, on everyone.

He was...acceptable. Quiet, a little bit shy, but Francesca seemed happy enough so Benedict decided to let him off the hook.

Even if he did clam up anytime someone tried to make conversation with him.

At different points of the night, Colin and Anthony cornered Paul, and Benedict tried to gauge how the conversation was going, but the entire time Paul had a smile on his face, so he figured it went well.

"Are they treating you well?" Benedict asked, when Paul came over to him.

"Your family are lovely." He said, kissing him gently.

Later on that night, Kate cornered Benedict as he was getting himself a refill. "I like Paul. A lot." She said honestly. "And I cannot wait until I can take Sophie shopping."

"Oh God. Should I be worried?" Benedict teased.

"Immensely." Kate winked at him as she walked off.

Benedict turned to walk back into the living room, but then he caught sight of Paul. He was sitting on the floor, smiling at Anika with a smitten look as she was regaling him with some story or another. He looked so calm and relaxed that Benedict couldn't help but picture him with their own children and he felt a little misty eyed about it.

Boy, Benedict had it bad, didn't he?

Chapter Text

Paul woke up, feeling the squirming on his other side. He blinked blearily as he tried to get his brain fully online and he saw Sophie squirming around, rubbing her stomach. "My love?" He mumbled, his voice much thicker than normal in the early hour. "Are you ok?"

"I think I'm in labor." Sophie admitted.

Paul sat up quickly, his eyes wide open then, like he'd just mainlined a whole pot of coffee. "You are...oh...oh!" He leaned over her and whacked Benedict on the arm. "Benedict, wake up. I swear you can sleep through a tsunami."

Benedict turned his head, frowning. "Wha...?"

"Sophie's having the babies." Paul said, hopping out of bed.

"Shit!" Benedict sat up and hopped out of bed as well.

Sophie watched bemusedly as the two men hastily dressed (thankful they'd showered the night before) and Benedict grabbed her delivery bag and the two of them walked out of the room, chatting animatedly. She counted to ten in her head before they trudged back into the room, looking abashed with each other.

"Sorry, sorry." Benedict said as Paul went and grabbed Sophie's outfit she'd picked out to wear to the hospital and Benedict helped her out of bed. They got her dressed quickly and Paul led the way down the stairs, holding one of her hands while Benedict stood beside her, holding the other. They made it down to the SUV quickly and Paul sat in the back with Sophie while Benedict got in to drive. He activated his hands free device and spoke into it. "Call mama."

It rang three times before Violet answered. "Benedict? Is something the matter?"

"I hope you are quite ready to meet your grandbabies." Benedict said, unable to keep from smiling.

"Oh!" Violet exclaimed. "Oh my, yes. I will call Colin and the others and come right away. Oh it's very good that Anika and Riya are at camp this week, Penelope might have to bring little Cedric...oh I'm blathering on. I will see you in a little while, my dear."

Benedict laughed when Violet hung up, knowing her mind was probably going a mile a minute.

They got to the hospital and they settled Sophie into a room pretty quickly, changing her into a gown. Her doctor happened to be on call that night and she popped in to check on her and found that she'd only dilated about six centimeters yet. So Benedict offered to pop out and grab them breakfast.

Paul nodded and took out Sophie's laptop so she could log into one of her streaming services to watch.

Benedict walked down the hall and noticed that none of his family had gotten there yet, so he ducked out to a nearby restaurant, grabbing breakfast for a small herd (or the Bridgerton family). He got back rather quickly and saw everyone filing in. He passed out the food and coffee, pausing to give his nephew a cuddle (he was far too adorable to overlook with his shock of red hair and bright blue eyes, truly the Bridgerton genes had absolutely no chance against the Featherington ones), before Violet gently admonished him, urging him to get back to Sophie.

Benedict grabbed three of the breakfasts, two coffees and a smoothie and made his way back down to the room.

"Sorry, my family arrived." He said, smiling at them.

"Is that food?" Sophie asked.

"Yes, darling." Benedict said. "Here we are. A nice full English and a smoothie, no mango in sight, I know it gives you a funny tummy." He set up her food in her tray beside her laptop and gave her the smoothie. He turned to Paul and handed him one of the coffees, and another container. "An omelet with absolutely everything you can think of on it."

"What'd you get for yourself?" Sophie asked, tucking into her food.

"Toast and boiled eggs." Benedict sat down and doctored up his coffee how he liked it.

"So boring." Paul teased.

"So reliable." Sophie flashed him an admonishing look, but the edges of her lips were upturned in amusement.

"Thank you, sweetheart." Benedict smiled at her, a bit of a boiled egg tucked into his cheek.

"I'm in love with a squirrel." Sophie quipped.

---

It was the dead of night when Collette Valentine and Frederic Laramie came screaming into the world, within minutes of each other. Frederic had dark blue eyes and porcelain skin much like his mother, and Collette had greyish blue eyes much like Benedict. Frederic was long and lean while Collette was an adorable little cherub of a baby with pinchable cheeks and stubby little legs.

Benedict finally understood what Anthony always said that everything changed when his children were born.

Because Benedict's sure was.

He let Paul and Sophie fuss over them while he went out to the waiting room, a bright smile on his very tired features.

"Babies Bridgerton have finally arrived." He said, holding his arms out.

"Fantastic, can we leave now?" Francesca asked, blinking tiredly. She had her head on John's shoulder and looked grumpy.

Benedict smiled fondly.

Anthony laughed and leaned over, kissing the top of her head. "Give it half an hour, sweetheart, and I'll take you and Paul home." He promised.

Everyone piled into the room and Benedict held baby Cedric while everyone fussed over his cousins. Benedict bounced him gently to keep him happy, but after about 20 minutes he started fussing, rubbing at his face with his tiny little fist. From the sounds coming from his diaper area, Benedict knew what else was making him grumpy.

"Oh, come on, Pen, I think we need to get our little guy home." Colin said affably, gently taking his son into his arms.

"You're probably right." Penelope walked over and hugged Benedict tightly. "They're lovely, Benedict."

"Yes, you are going to have a couple of little heartbreakers on your hands for sure." Colin said.

Benedict laughed at that. "Don't age them too much just yet."

Soon after they left, Francesca quite bluntly grabbed Anthony's arm and started tugging him out of the room. Kate laughed at the fact that Anthony was being dragged by his tiny little slip of a sister and wrapped her arm around Paul, bidding everyone goodbye as they left, Anthony's voice telling Francesca that he could 'very well walk, sister, I have been doing it for 31 years' following them down the hall.

After that, everyone else started leaving as well, Violet taking Gregory and Hyacinth with her. Before she left, Gregory asked if he could drive home, the boy had started practicing to get his license and wanted to get in as much practice as possible.

Violet leaned in to hug Benedict goodbye. "Pray for me." She quipped and Benedict burst into loud giggles as she left the room with her two youngest.

Once it was just Benedict, Paul and Sophie, Sophie looked over at Benedict. "You should hold your children, you haven't gotten a chance yet."

"Yes, let me steal them." Benedict walked over and Paul helped him situate the babies into the crooks of his arms. "Oh my little ones, look at you." He cooed, beaming down at them. "You're so precious."

"Will you be ok if I have a nap?" Sophie asked, yawning so hard her jaw cracked.

"Go to sleep, sweetness." Paul said, kissing her gently. "We'll wake you if the babies need a feed."

Sophie settled down after Paul helped her get comfortable and then he sat down himself and promptly passed out.

Benedict watched him wryly, before he turned his attention to his babies. "Well, it seems it's just us for now." He said quietly. "Let me teach you all about your family. First there is Nana Violet, who is Papa's mother, she will be the best grandmother..."