💔 For Anthony

[Kathani Bridgerton]

💔 You know my weakness! 12? / 41?!??!?!?!?! / 42?!!?!?

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

My muse shows up on your muse’s doorstep after several months of being missing, with no memory
of the past few years.

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It was finally time to return to London. To return home. Anthony had spent the last several months both lost and recovering from the grueling aftermath of the storm that sent their ship at sea in ruin. He woke up on the shore of somewhere, attempting to navigate himself but everything was such a blur. He was eventually found by a kind couple who took him in and practically nursed him back to health. Broken bones, weakened state . . . he was fairly certain he would have died had it not been for their hospitality. He remembered nothing when he first awoke but slowly, memories started to return to him. Simple things, like his name, his family, his home. So when he was finally physically able, he made the long journey home to London. He had been in the middle of nowhere it seemed, having been absent from any news that came from the city of his home. And as he drew nearer to London, he found himself having little care for being up to date with current events.

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It was too overwhelming. All of this was. His memory was returning bit by bit, but adding to his already overwhelmed and weary state would do nothing to help the process of his healing. He was merely eager to return home to his mother and siblings, knowing that they must be worried. And yet . . . he hated to admit that he was not even entirely sure he had arrived at the right house. It was perhaps why he had not sent a letter to them to inform them that he was alive and returning. He was doubtful, of everything. But once he stepped in front of the estate, the familiarity of it caused his heart to swell, and force him to fight back tears. Yes. This was his home. Taking a slow breath, he walked up the steps, pausing only to contemplate whether to knock or simply step inside. The latter won, and he pushed open the door, entering into the hallway. The moment he did, the eyes of the butler and a worker passing by, moved and stayed to him.

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They froze in place, their eyes widened in pure shock. Anthony knew that he was not dressed as he normally was. He was in clothes that would indicate to any other that he was a commoner, not a nobleman. His hair was slightly longer from the top rather than from the sides, though he had made the effort to shave . . . knowing that there had to be some pride in his appearance. Some element of recognizability. No one was saying anything. Not even Anthony. And then finally, a sound pierced the air. A maid had entered the scene with a tray of empty plates and glasses, and once she lay sight to him, she too froze, eyes widened, the tray falling from her grasp as the dishes shattered to the floor. The only thing louder than the smashing of the dishes echoing in the otherwise silent hall, was her high pitched scream as it too filled the air.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Laying Charlotte down, Kate stood there for a moment and just watched the little girl sleep. With a sigh, she turned from the nursery and walked down the hall to take the back steps toward the gardens. She was almost there, were she knew her sons were playing, when she head the scream and dishes break.

Normally the house of full of Bridgertons. However, most of them had gone to visit a cousin and should not return for 2 whole days. She could not attend as she was still in her year of mourning, however even if she could--she would have declined. She wasn't ready to face a work without Anthony. One day, Kate knew she would have too. However, ever since the news came of the ship he was on, she had not been ready. Instead, Kate sought out the comfort of her children, of Mary and Edwina, and of the many Bridgertons who had banded together to be there for her and her and Anthony's children.

Turning on her heel, Kate half ran toward the sound. "What on Eart--" Her eyes found him instantly. She'd know him in any shape. For a moment it was a dream, and she thought she'd wake up. Her hand moved to her belly, as it began to churn and flutter. Anthony. Her eyes began to prick from the tears there. Anthony. Her breathing finally started again. "Anthony!"

Picking up her skirts she ran to him, dropping them only when she was close enough to wrap her arms around his neck and bury her face into his neck. He was warm! She could feel him against her! Kate began to cry from the joy of once again having Anthony here!

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony was about to say something, or do something . . . or at least encourage someone else to, when a woman emerged and joined the scene. She was clad in a fine gown, well styled and of high quality, indicating her noble status. And, she was indeed beautiful. But that was not what he was fixed on upon noticing her. It was the look in her eyes. There was something about it that both made his heart race and feel unsettled at the same time. As if that had not been enough, she came rushing towards him and put her arms around him in a hug. Speaking to him as if she knew him. Embracing him as if she knew him. Looking at him as if she knew him.

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Anthony just froze, unsure how to react. He would have thought that perhaps he was at the wrong house but no. He knew this was his home, even though his family was no where in sight. Only this unfamiliar woman and yet . . . there was a strange sense of comfort in her embrace. Not enough for Anthony to let it linger for too long. Confusion taking over all else. So he moved his hands to either of her arms to gently pull them down from where they were wrapped around him, and took a step back from her, letting go of her arms when there was appropriate distance between them. "Where . . . " Was anyone?! His mother, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth . . . literally anyone of whom he recognized. "Where is my family?" Was the only way he knew how to put it in all his confusion and uncertainty.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Kate was too emotional in this moment to notice that Anthony had pulled away. At the moment she was only feeling his hands on her arms. His face in her view. His perfect handsome face! Anthony! Reaching up to wipe her cheeks from tears, she felt so happy right now! If she did wake up she did not know how she would get over this set back.

He asked where the family was. He tone was the first thing that she began to notice, but she assumed he was as overwhelmed as she was. Oh course he would want to see his children! "The boys are in the garden, and . . . and Charlotte is sleeping. She's beautiul." He would not have known if the babe had been a son or daughter. He knew he would want to see all of them as soon as he could, but she needed another moment with him.

The Bridgertons! "Violet!" Turning to look at the butter, "Please send a rider to bring everyone back!" Looking back at her husband as the man hurried out of the room, Kate moved her hand to touch his face, and the other to his chest, having to step closer to do it. Why had he stepped back? "They have gone to a wedding, but I imagine will be back with in days once they hear." Which gave her some time alone with him before they got here. "Anthony, I missed you!" She needed to know what happened, but needed to have him hold her more. Stepping back into him she rested her forehead on his chest. "The children missed you."

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony often carried himself with confidence, projecting that air of authority and certainty about him. Though inside, he had always struggled with his position. And so, he hated this. Hated having no idea what was going on or who this woman was. She spoke to him so casually . . . spoke and touched him so intimately. Yet, he hadn't the faintest idea who she was. She spoke of the boys in the garden and the way she said it, made him doubtful that she was referring to Gregory or Colin. Violet, was really the only name he recognized and there was a brief gleam of relief quickly passing over his features, diminished only when she brought a hand to his face. Who the hell was this woman?! He desperately searched his mind for something . . . anything. Any sort of explanation or indication.

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She spoke of children and how they missed him and . . . Anthony felt dizzy from all the confusion. All he wanted was to see someone he knew. Someone he recognized. And apparently, his family members were all absent. The only other person he could think to go to that perhaps would help him . . . was Siena. She put her forehead on his chest and he knew he could let this continue. He could not bare this and it was causing him to get increasingly frustrated. So once more, he brought his hands to her shoulders and moved her back to place distance between them once more. "I should like to go to my room," he told her. Before she had the chance to say anything else, not even considering the possibility that she may follow, he walked passed her, knowing there was only so long he could carry on a conversation with this woman who he did not know . . . yet who seemed to know him quite well.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

There was something wrong here. It had take Kate a moment to notice as she was too over whelmed with seeing Anthony again but she was starting to notice now. He did not hold her. He did not kiss her. He moved her away once again and spoke to her formally. As he moved her back this time, her brows bent and she looked down at his hand on her on confusion before looking back up to his face.

Had something happened? Anthony asked to do to his room, and she nodded slowly. "Of course." She said softly, with both the confusion and a little pain on her face. Why was he not happy to see her. He must be tried? Or in shock? Was not men in shock supposed to do odd things?

Anthony and her shared the master bed room here, and had never had separate bed rooms. There had never been a need. Even when things were new between them, their bed had been a place they came together. She let him move past her, and then followed him. Kate wasn't about to let him out of her sight. As they walked up the steps, she asked "Anthony?" Her husband would have known that just by saying his name, she was asking more then just for him. Yet, she felt compelled to explain. "Should you want to see your children?"

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

She was following him. And why, he did not know. Certainly she would not join him in his room. It was bad enough that she touched him and he did not even know who she was. "I know where my room is, you needn't follow me." He knew his tone was short and he also knew, she was undeserving of it. He was being defensive to cover up his . . . frustration. That he didn't know who she was. And so he was holding on to the one piece of knowledge he did seem to remember and know: the location of his room in a home that he had practically grown up in.

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It was lucky they reached the top of the steps when she asked about wanting to see his children. That, made him freeze and also made it impossible to carry on his façade that he was. For he did not even think of the words before they escaped him. "My what?" He demanded. He may have been able to play off not knowing her but this . . . her telling him of his children . . . that was not something he could even pretend to understand. "What are you saying?" He further demanded, emotion strong in his tone and not the touched and sentimental kind. One that held . . . anger. Annoyance. And then he finally could not hold it in any longer. "Who the hell are you?" As if she had struck some sort of nerve, claiming he had children! Surely, he would remember that . . . wouldn't he?

[Kathani Bridgerton]

His tone was short with her, and it brought her to a stop on the steps. She need not follow him? Then he snapped at her, seeming confused and demanding--in a tone that was so very Anthony--to know who she was. That made her lean back against the railing, as the color fell from her cheeks, and she looked up at her husband. A very angry and confused husband.

Everything was still for a moment, as they stared at each other. As if trying to figure each other out, or how to hand this. His in frustration? and her's in confusion. "You do not know who I am?" she finally asked, looking up at him. Other things beginning to fall into place, like a puzzle she did not know she was trying to solve. He had not asked about the children. He did not ask about his daughter. Even after she told him it was a girl.

Yet her mind could not see the whole picture of the puzzle yet, even though the parts were beginning to come together to form it. Anthony was looking at her differently. She looked at his hand. Where was his ring? Why did he no longer wear it? Why did he look at her like a stranger? No longer the adoring gaze of a man in love. "I am Kate." She told him, still looking at him expectantly. Waiting for him to explain. "I am your wife."

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

"I am your wife."

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Anthony practically scoffed at the revelation; the immediate reaction to hearing something so ridiculous! But really, it was a cover up for deep, deep down . . . it made sense. But he was not yet ready to recognize that. He was not married. He . . . had not even declared his intentions to marry! "That is preposterous," he argued. "I have no wife. I have no children." He did not even know a Kate! "You Miss . . . " Bloody hell he didn't even know her last name. "Kate." Miss Kate. That sounded almost as ridiculous as her claiming to be his wife. "Are spouting nonsense." And he could not bare to hear anymore . . . out of fear that it could be true.

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He had been struggling to piece together parts of his life, his absence having been for seven months but . . . if he truly took a moment to acknowledge it, the house looked different. Everything felt different. Yet, how could he forget something so extreme as having a wife and . . . children. Not even a child, but more than one! The humiliation associated with that was too grand, and if Anthony had not been overwhelmed before -- which, he had been -- well, he felt as if he was drowning in the water all over again. "Get out of my house," he demanded. He wanted her gone. He wanted her to leave. He . . . suddenly felt like he didn't even know who he was anymore. And that, above all else, terrified him.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

With each word spoken from Anthony's lips it felt like she was taking a step backwards, or growing smaller. It felt as if the Earth was shifting under her toes and she had to grip the rail harder in effort to not fall. It was not until his last words hit that she could escape from this frozen tilting fear. Get out of his house. He called her miss. And told her to get out of his house.

He did not know who she was. Her husband did not know his own wife. Her eyes were wide and shocked. Her hand that was not gripping the rail so hard that her knuckles were almost white, shook as it lifted to rest over her belly.

"This is my home." She told him, not moving and just staring up at him. "It has been for eight years. My children live here. I am not leaving." The servants would prove it to him if he asked. "What happened to you, Anthony?" She finally asked, trying to make this nightmare make sense.

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

He could see her own surprise and the calm, confident way that she stated that this was her home too . . . that she and her children lived here . . . only fueled his fear. He was becoming increasingly scared. Terrified. That was when he further realized what she said: eight years. The color drained from his face, lips parted in shock. Eight years. He was . . . missing eight years of his life. For no matter how much he wanted to deny it, there was a strength in her statement. One that left little room for doubt, even if he kept trying to push it away. Kept telling her that it was untrue. Eight years.

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Was he truly forgetting that much? He felt sick. Sick over the thought of not remembering getting married, having children . . . who his wife was, who his children were. He staggered back not to get away from her, but more as an involuntary action as the news struck him like a pile of stones. His eyes darted around, trying to make sense of this all. Trying to understand how this was even possible. Forgetting a few months was one thing: but eight years. That was an entirely different matter. An entirely different tragedy. "I don't remember," he breathed, unsure if she even heard him. An admittance full of fear, feeling his heart ache within his chest and the world spin. His stretched out his arm to brace himself against the wall. He had a wife and children and . . . he didn't remember a damn thing.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Anthony was floundering. She could see him struggle and the look on his face! She knew he was struggling and she feared that he would fall. Her hand came out as if to steady him but she hesitated in touching him as that had only seemed to make things worse. It hurt to not touch him after thinking him dead. She needed to touch him. She needed to be touched by him.

He did not remember. He did not know her, and he did not know what happened to him. "You were on a ship?" She asked, knowing that was what she was told. "You were caught in a storm, and the ship went down." Her voice came out slow and soft, as if she was as unsure of what was happening as his panic.

"That was months ago. We thought you to be dead." She was not sure how much to give him, or how much he needed to hear. "You should sit. We both should sit." Because they both seemed very close to falling from the weight of this moment. "Please," she added because she wasn't sure he would do so without it. The younger Kate would not have added that word, but Kate who had been wife and mother and in love for eight years. She would ask it of him with a please.

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

As she spoke of him boarding a ship . . . and that the ship went down . . . there was familiarity in that. Not because he remembered exactly what happened on said ship, but because he was found on the shore it was easy to deduce what had brought him there. But then she explained that they thought he was dead. Presumably . . .she would have been upset, if her joy upon seeing him was any indication. Did they have a good marriage? Marriage. He had a wife. And children.

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He was still attempting to absorb this information when she then pleaded for him to sit. There was something about the way she spoke to him. Where . . . he may not recognize her, yet it seemed she knew him. On a deeper level than he allowed most for it was the way she spoke to him, somehow knowing just how to speak to him. It was both intriguing and unsettling and yet . . . . comforting.

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A strange contradiction of emotions yet at the end of it all, he did. He moved to sit down, grateful for the support the chair granted him. For he feared he would lose stability on his feet. "Where is my family?" He asked, pausing after the question as he realized that apparently . . . she and children were his family. Perhaps he should clarify. "My mother, sisters, brothers . . . where are they?" He needed someone here he knew. Someone who was familiar.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

He finally sat, and because she could not bare to be a step more then she had to be from him, she knelt there beside him rather then take another chair further from him. Her fingers seeking out his hard, not knowing what else to do. Did he not know her? Not know of their love? How could one forget his wife and children?! What must have happened to him to remember his family but not his . . . family.

"They were to visit family in Summerfeild. It is a few days carriage ride to visit, but I will send someone to let the know you are alive! We have feared you dead." Which meant, at the soonest his family was 2 or 4 days away. "I and our children stayed here."

Her fingers tightened on his. "Anthony, there was a funeral for you. The world thought you had perished at sea with the rest of the sailors." The memory of this filled her with a sadness that she could not bare. even knowing he was alive and here, that sadness, the lingering effects of loosing your soul mate, still felt as if they were going to tear her apart.

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^{Anthony Bridgerton}