Unexpected Love

Cornwall Esate

Third POV

Lily smiled watching as her oldest son, David, played with the twins, Lindsey and Stefan, who were now one year. It pleased Lily to see David care and enjoy playing with Danielle and Harry.

The last time Phillip and Marina came to visit was to meet the twins for the first time he told Lily that watching David play with the twins reminded him of how he and George would play with her. It made Lily happy that her three children will have the same sibling relationship she had with her two older brothers.

Despite David not being Lily's biological mother but her stepson, she still treated him as her own child and that didn't change even when the twins arrived.

She loved the twins as well, even if the circumstances of how they came to be were against her will, she never blamed them. Stefan and Lindsey have brown hair and blue eyes while David has brown hair and brown eyes like his mother he had no features that resembled Thomas.

Speaking of Thomas, it will be approaching four months since Thomas passing which only the staff, Luke, Phillip, and Marina knew. Lily should feel grief now that she is a widow but instead she felt happiness when the doctor told her that Thomas died. There were times Lily would be in disbelief that she and the children are finally free from Thomas. He hurt Lily especially when she tired her best to protect David from getting punished but would sometimes fail to protect Dvid from getting hurt. Thomas never struck the twins, but he would threaten Lily if she did not listen, he would harm them. He knew Lily's weakness are the children.

But now the four are finally free  from him and have nothing to worry about. The twins will grow up in a loving home where there will no longer be fights and Thomas being drunk, instead the house is filled with laugher and happiness. Although there were times we're David would be anxious fearing that Thomas will come back and harm them again, even though she has assured him that they are safe now.

Lily did not know that David secretly promised himself that he will not watch as his mother gets hurt and will protect his mother and siblings from dangerous people.

Stefan spotted his mom watching them. He squealed smiling at the sight of his mom. David and Lindsey both looked up and smiled as well.

Lily walked towards Stefan, and he dropped the block he was playing with as Lily picked him up.

"How were my babies? I hope you didn't give your brother a hard time." Lily asked in a baby voice before kissing the top of Stefan head.

"They were fine, mama. I think they are close to saying their first word." David excitedly tells her as he carried Lindsey.

"Is that so." Lily said looking at David who nodded, "Well perhaps their first word will be your name with you being such a good big brother to them."

"That would be brilliant." David said hoping one of the twins says his name.

"Now it's time for you to go to bed." Lily tells him making David pout, "But I'm not tired, mama."

"David no arguing back it's time for bed. Did you forget you have lessons with your teacher tomorrow." Lily reminded him.

"Yes mama."

Let's take Stefan and Lindsey to bed first. They must be tired from all the fun they had today." Lily said and on cue the twins yawned making Lily and David smile.

Before the four left Lily told the maids to pick up the toys and put them where they belong.

The Twins Room

David and Lily tuck the twins in their crib.

"Good night Stefan, Lindsey. Mama loves you."

Lily leans down and kisses the twins on the forehead. She steps aside and watches as David whispers goodnight and kisses the twins.

"Time for you to go to bed."

Lily POV

David Room

"Mama." David said after I finished reading to him.

"Yes David."

"Is he really gone?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I laid beside David who turns to face me.

I softly run my hand through his soft brown hair making David close his eyes.

"I promise you, sweetie that he is gone forever and will not come back to hurt us. We are now safe, and nothing can hurt us no more." I told him in a soft voice.

I hated how much Thomas left a horrific effect on David. I can only hope that one day he will no longer fear that Thomas will come back but until that day arrives I will always tell David that there is nothing to be afraid of because Thomas is gone forever.

David nodded, "Can you stay here until I go to sleep, please?"

"Of course I can stay here." I smiled and kissed the top of his head.

David smiled and snuggled closer to me.

"Good night mama."

"Good night David."

Talking about Thomas made Lily think back of how Thomas used to act before he turned into a monster. She knew Thomas since she was a kid because he was best friends with George and Phillip while she was best friends with his younger brother, Luke. A part of her couldn't help but blame herself for why Thomas turned into what he became even though Luke assured her that she shouldn't blame herself at all. He knew of what Thomas had done to her and David because he found Lily crying and led to her telling him everything.

Third POV

Footman John opened the carriage door and Eloise stepped out of the carriage and looked in awe at the large, beautiful estate in front of her.

Eloise knew what she was about to do was impulsive, but Eloise did not care all she wanted was to escape from the Ton especially from Penelope. She can only hope that her family will be occupied to notice she is gone.

"If my family asked you if you see or know where I am please lie and not tell them the truth." I pleaded, "I will pay yo-

"I will not tell anyone, Ms. Bridgerton. You're secret is safe with me." Footman John cuts Eloise off assuring her no one will know where she is.

Eloise smiled grateful for him helping her.

Footman John smiled before getting back on the horse and leaving.

Eloise walks towards the door and knocked repeatedly on the door but no one answered. Just as she was about to knock again. The door is opened by Lily who looks at Eloise with a small smile on her face.

"Duchess Andrews." Eloise asked and Lily nodded in confusion, not recognizing who the person in front of her is.

"I apologize for arriving here without you knowing I know it's rude to show here unannounced, but I needed an escape from the Ton, from everything, but I knew no place where I could go to escape until I remembered you and the offer you offered me."

Eloise was fairly certain she was talking too much, and she knew she was talking too fast, but she tended to do that when she nervous... and besides, Duchess Andrews was certainly what Eloise expected. She was the most beautiful girl with brown hair and blue eyes and her smile made Eloise feel funny for some odd reason.

"I'm sorry but who are you?" Lily asked interrupting Eloise.

"Eloise Bridgerton of course."

Lily's eyes widened in surprise that standing in front of her is Eloise Bridgerton, the person she has been writing letters too.

A/N
Lily and Eloise have finally met!!!

Y'all got to see the relationship between Lily and her children

You will get to learn more about Lily and Thomas relationship and what led to him becoming a different person

Poor Eloise having no clue why Lily is making her feel that way