"I am not the only traveler
Who has not repaid his debt
I've been searching for a trail to follow again
Take me back to the night we met
And then I can tell myself
What the hell I'm supposed to do"
"The Night We Met" by Lord Huron
1817
When the door opened, Colin heard the quick patter of little footsteps and an eager cry of, "Daddy!" Turning, he saw Agatha and Oliver, their faces beaming with joy as they dashed towards him. He barely had time to understand what was happening before two small bodies flung themselves into his embrace. In that instant, all thoughts of what they had been discussing earlier dissolved into the air.
He relaxed, allowing himself to yield to the moment, and he wrapped his arms around the children with tenderness.
"Daddy! We missed you so much!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices brimming with sincerity and joy, warming Colin's heart.
"You're back! Where have you been?" little girl asked, her voice full of anticipation and excitement.
The words caught in his throat. He did not know how to explain what had happened, and the only thing he could manage to say was:
"I missed you, too!"
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he closed them, savoring the moment. Hearing his children's joy at his return was the light he had long awaited. He had always feared that they were too young to remember him, that they might forget his face. But now, seeing their shining eyes, brimming with love and unwavering trust, his heart overflowed with happiness.
"You won't leave us again, will you?" Oliver asked, his tone so earnest, as though he already understood the meaning of loss.
"Please don't go," girl added, clinging to him. There was an urgency in her voice that made Colin's heart ache.
Every word the children spoke seemed to pierce his soul. How could he have left them for so long? He suddenly understood that these little beings, whom he loved with all his heart, had held onto his memory, despite the distance and the trials. He had thought they were too young to understand, but in reality, they had kept him in their hearts.
Philip watched the scene in silence, his gaze penetrating the atmosphere of joy and warmth. Colin, overcome by the moment, held his children close when the quiet was abruptly broken by Philip's unexpected voice.
"Don't worry. Colin will be living with us now. Isn't that right, Mr. Bridgerton?" he said, his tone unusually firm and certain.
Colin stared at Philip in astonishment. Anxiety and uncertainty surged in his heart. How could Philip speak with such conviction, given the discussion they had just moments ago? Unsure how to respond, Colin merely nodded, though a storm of conflicting emotions swirled within him.
"Hooray!" the children cheered, their joy a rallying cry. "Come on, Papa, let's show you our room!"
Agatha and Oliver pulled him along, their small hands clutching his tightly as though they feared he might vanish. Colin followed them, but his mind was awash with confusion. He glanced back at Philip, his expression wavering between a question, anger, and apprehension. He could not discern what Philip truly felt.
Each step toward the children's room grew heavier. Colin tried to make sense of Philip's words, but they slipped through his thoughts, leaving only unease. Why had he spoken so assuredly of Colin staying here?
YOU ARE READING
Reflections of the choices
Fanfiction״I fell in love with him at first sight. From the very first day. And I continued to love him always, even when he didn't pay me any attention. I waited and hoped that he would choose me when we grew older. But he chose not me, but my cousin. And my...
