— husband!nanami and you finding out that you’re pregnant!
— duke!husband!nanami kento x duchess!wife!reader .
— set in the regency era , bridgerton!inspired , arranged marriage between nanami and reader , reader and nanami has some tension in their marriage , big age gap (nanami is 33 whereas reader is 20) , pregnancy , mention of Chadwick’s Sign (?) , generally fluff and sweeeet. ♡
The morning sun spills through the tall windows as nanami kento makes his way to the breakfast room. The table is set for two, but only one place is occupied. He takes his seat at the head of the long walnut table, unfolding the daily newspaper the butler has laid beside his plate.
"Has the lady risen yet?" he asks, not looking up from the financial section.
The maid shifts on her feet, “Yes, my lord, she has. Though… her lady’s maids informed that her grace is a little under the weather this morning.”
The cup pauses mid-air. The newspaper shifts. His thick brows furrow.
“How so?”
“Her maids report a feeling of giddyness followed by mild cramping.”
He sets the paper down fully, staring at the empty chair across from him. His mind churns. She was fine last night at supper. Tired, perhaps, but fine. He pushes back from the table, the chair scraping against the floor.
“I’ll see to her myself,” he tells the maid. “Call for the physician. And have cook prepare those fruit tarts that she favors. Perhaps she might grow an appetite when she sees them.”
The maid nods and hurries away, disappearing down a small corridor while a manservant hurries to fetch the physician. Nanami straightens his cravat, loosening the tie just the slightest before making his way through the manor and to your bedchamber.
He knocks softly on the door, not bothering to wait for permission as he pushes the wood open. And there you are, propped up by pillows on your bed, your hair loose around your shoulders. Fingers picking at the loose thread on the blanket. To the eye it does not look like you have the common cold or flu, but he knew better than to judge by the cover.
“Darling,” he walks over to your bedside. “The maid informed me that you are not feeling your best.” A hand presses against your forehead. No, not warm at all.
“Oh,” you curve into yourself, feeling all of a sudden shy about your husband’s concerns. “Yes, just a little… aching here and there is all, your grace.”
He hums, keeping his hand pressed against your skin a little longer before they tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “You were waiting for something.” He glances around the room. “What is it?”
“My ladies,” you say quickly. “They pushed for a cold dip in the bath even when I assured them that there was no need for it.”
“Mm, yes, a cold bath does seem good for you,” he turns your head side to side. “It’s been quite hot these days.”
The physician arrives two hours later, greeting Nanami w ith a handshake. He asks you a few questions, you answer quietly, eyes darting to Nanami occasionally. Finally the physician turns to Nanami, asking to speak with him outside.
When the door shuts, the physician speaks, “It is far too early to confirm this, your grace, but your wife is experiencing all of the symptoms of an early stage pregnancy.”
Nanami freezes. Stunned into silence, actually. You’re pregnant? How is that possible? He’s only laid with you twice in the past seven months of your marriage, with a gap of six months in between.
“There is the Chadwick’s Sign method—“
“No,” he holds up a hand, dismissing the elder man. “Thank you, Mr. Dandridge, you may go.”
He stands there in the hallway, accompanied by silence. His throat bobbed. When, he thinks, trying to remember the date. A hand rakes through his blond hair.
He pushes the door open again, seeing you happily eating the tarts from earlier. He crosses the room, lowered himself onto the edge of the bed. The mattress dips under his weight.
He takes your hand. Presses a kiss to your knuckles. “The physician said that you may very well be with child.” There, plain and simple. The soft gasp you let out sends a pang to his chest. Were you happy or angry? Did you want to carry his child? You’re barely an adult, for god’s sake—
“Are you pleased?” you ask softly.
Once again, he’s silenced. Was he pleased? He never expected a child from you. Though, he does not find himself feeling dissatisfied, either. He squeezes your hand.
“Of course I am,” he says, “how could I not be?”
He sees your eyes light up, the shine over them like you were about to cry. No, don’t cry. He doesn’t think he could handle that.
You let go of his hand—leaving him wanting to chase your touch again—crawling over to him and settling yourself on his lap, your arms looped tightly around his neck. A whimper escapes you. He holds you back just as tight, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.
“I…love you.” It was so soft, but he heard it. It’s the first time you’ve said that to him.
“I love you more,” he sighs, can’t help the smile on his face.
He can’t wait to meet another version of you in nine months.
author’s note: rewatched bridgerton today and remembered dis draft sitting in my notes app 🥹 i just love bridgerton and other shows alike and dis just felt very fitting with nanami as duke ‹𝟹 hope you enjoy! :) and second upload! Yayayayayaya
