INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
It was bedtime for Rosie.
After brushing her teeth, Charlotte changed her into her bunny pyjamas.
BENEDICT
(Carries Rosie to the bed)
Play time's over, sweetheart. Time for bed.
After Benedict puts her on bed, he turned and speak to Charlotte,
BENEDICT
I'll take the couch tonight. You should sleep on the bed with Rosie.
CHARLOTTE
Are you sure? I mean.... She's closer to you isn't she?
BENEDICT
Yeah, but I think she likes her Aunt Charlotte more now.
(Smiles)
CHARLOTTE
(Blushes)
Well.....
ROSIE
Aunt Charlotte can you read me a bedtime story?
Charlotte gave Benedict a smile and sat next to Rosie on the bed.
CHARLOTTE
Have you heard of Rapunzel, Rosie?
ROSIE
(Shooks her head)
Tell me about it!
CHARLOTTE
(Clears throat)
Well, once upon a time, there was a man and a woman who always wished for a child, but could not have one......
Throughout the whole story telling, Charlotte impersonates different character's voices and different kind of sounds in order to make the story even more interesting than it alreadyi is. Rosie sleepily asks a few questions about the story but soon falls asleep.
CHARLOTTE
...and there they live happily ever after.
BENEDICT
(Speaks softly from the couch)
That's a rather good bedtime story but I wonder if it hurts when people were using her hair to climb up the tower. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story.
CHARLOTTE
Shh! What if Rosie hears that? You're going to ruin the story for her. It's a bedtime story for children, Benedict.
BENEDICT
She's sound asleep isn't she?
CHARLOTTE
(Looks at Rosie and brushes her hair softly)
Yup. She's cute even when she's asleep.
BENEDICT
You're pretty good at telling bedtime stories. Do you do that very often?
CHARLOTTE
My mum used to read me bedtime stories when I was younger. She'd.... my mum! Oh, my parents!
BENEDICT
(Concern)
What's wrong with them? What's the matter?
CHARLOTTE
(Nervous)
U-um... Remember the text I sent you earlier today? I wanted to talk to you about them. I received a text from my mum and she told me she's coming over this weekend....to visit us....
BENEDICT
Oh.. Alright then.
CHARLOTTE
That's it? Alright?
So... You're okay with them coming over?
BENEDICT
Sure. I don't see what's the problem with it?
CHARLOTTE
Phew... I was afraid that you might get really angry about it.
BENEDICT
About your parents? Why would I be angry about it?
CHARLOTTE
(Bites lower lip)
They're... sort of the reason why we have to get married at the first place...
BENEDICT
(Soft laugh)
To be honest, I'm glad that we ended up like this, Charlotte. My life before was.... bland.
CHARLOTTE
(Her eyes blinking rapidly)
What? Did he just implied that I made his life... happier? Me?
BENEDICT
And being married....um
(Paused)
Helps me get out of situations like the one I had this afternoon, with Miss Cunningham!
CHARLOTTE
Did I overthink about it or was he a little happy with the fact that we're married?
O-oh.... Yeah, I sort of figured that out. You used your 'married man' card to reject giving her your number.
BENEDICT
Nope. The University actually forbid us from doing so. The Professors and module conveyors aren't suppose to give out their personal number. Every contact should be via email. That's the University policy.
CHARLOTTE
(Curious)
That's weird... Professor Hiddleston just gave me his number this morning.
BENEDICT
(Raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened)
Tom did what?
I'm sorry, what did you just said?
CHARLOTTE
Professor Hiddleston gave me his number this morning, after class. He told me to text him whenever I have problems with my dissertation, or basically anything at all.
BENEDICT
(Staring out the window)
He's doing it again....
Charlotte?
CHARLOTTE
Yeah?
BENEDICT
Do not text him.
CHARLOTTE
(Frowns)
Why? Was it because he's breaking the rules? But I think he's just being nice.
BENEDICT
If you have problems and questions with your dissertation, email him.
But if you need help with anything else, text me. I um- I just don't think it's appropriate for both you and him... I mean if the University finds out...
(Lies about it)
he might lose his job.
CHARLOTTE
(Small gasps)
I didn't know it will be that serious....
I won't text him then.
BENEDICT
(Relieved)
Well, we should probably get some sleep now.
CHARLOTTE
(Yawns)
Yes, we should...
Benedict....
BENEDICT
Hmm?
CHARLOTTE
(Says softly)
Thank you
for allowing my parents to come over,
for looking after me,
and for openly admitting that you're a married man....
I feel really bad for not being able to acknowledge you...
I'm sorry for telling my friends that you're my dad earlier...
(Slowly dozing off)
I wish I could tell them that I'm...married...too.....
YOU ARE READING
The Professor's Wife - a Benedict Cumberbatch fanfiction
RomanceEveryone knows that Professor Cumberbatch is a married man. "Wait, when was his wedding again?" "Can't believe we've been colleague for years and I never knew he had a girlfriend?? And the fact that we're not invited to his wedding? Unbelievable!" "...
