Nicholas Harrington always put his family first.
Nicholas grew up in a household filled with love, laughter and joy. Something that is quite rare to find amongst the families of the Ton. His father and mother together were perfection and he loved every moment of it.
Nicholas was the heir to a very ancient and one of the wealthiest viscountcy of the Ton but unlike most aristocratic couples who rather nurture their children strictly for the role, Lord and Lady Harrington brought him and his siblings up with the love that anyone could ever imagine.
The Harringtons were young parents—Philip barely nineteen and Grace just seventeen—but they loved their children with a devoted heart and mind that was rarely seen in the circle of society. Grace particularly took it upon herself to nurse all of her children after birth, and Philip was not one of those failing fathers who rather kept their nose in documents than see or hear their children. He took them on rides across the countryside, assisted Amelia when it came to her painting, taught Nicholas how to ride and fence. He showed them all that there is to the world. He was always by their bedside to tell them a story every night.
Because the viscount and viscountess were young and very much in love, it came as no surprise to anyone when after Amelia and Nicholas's birth, they were joined by a younger brother, christened Benedict. Philip adjusted quickly and was always ready to spend time with his children.
He told them tales, sang songs, merry round the garden with a flower each in hand for their mother—Amelia hated being left out. Grace used to laugh when they all returned each with a different type of flower in hand, and Philip would say with a smile, "A flower for the most beautiful lady of the Ton." And Nicholas would wrap his arms around his mother's arm, giggling and explaining in full detail how the day had gone and how he would protect her from any evil.
"I look forward to your protection, my love" Grace would say with a big smile on her face.
"Nicholas is going to grow up to become a lovely young man that protects his younger siblings"
"As well as you," Nicholas would add on.
"Oh thank heavens, he is ready to protect everyone" Philip'd always say, "he will protect everyone when I am not around."
"Yes, I will"
Philip always treated his children with equal care, devotion and love but Nicholas liked to think that the relationship he had with his relationship was just a little bit special although Amelia had been born a year earlier than him. She did not share the hobbies that he and Philip did but Nicholas knew very well that all the children were well loved.
Because no matter how long Benedict had known their father, Nicholas would always have two years on him. And four on Catherine and six on Dorian.
Philip Harrington was simply the center of Nicholas world. Nicholas adored everything about him and emulate him more than he could ever imagine. He was patient with Nicholas during his first few tries of riding, he was always ready to help when it comes to his poems.
He taught Nicholas everything he knew. How to ride, how to shoot, how to swim and how to write. He personally accompanied Nicholas to Eton making sure that he had all that he required. He assured him that everything will be alright.
And for a long time, Nicholas believed his father.
Until suddenly, everything changed and his joy was perhaps cut off. His life was altered in ways beyond his comprehension.
It happened when Nicholas was six and ten, home and preparing for his first year at Cambridge. He had been happily counting days to his journey to Cambridge, tales have been told by men on how school was. His parents were still happily producing having added Elliot, Felicity—twins, George, Hazel—twins, and Nicholas could not help but roll his eyes as his mother is around heavily pregnant with her tenth child!. It was obvious to anyone who can see that his parents were planning on birthing an entire nation.
Nicholas promised that when it comes to the time when he is to marry, he would not have more than three or four children.
Nicholas heard his mother scream early in the morning when the sun had not yet risen. He rushed into the bedchamber she shared with their father, his mother was clearly disheveled, panting.
"Mama" he called out quietly. It had been long since he last called her by that.
Nicholas stayed rooted at the front door staring at his mother who could not tear her eyes off his father who is sleeping deeply.
He had never known his father to be a deep sleeper.
"Nicholas," She called out with her voice trembling but also with authority. "Wake your father."
For a moment, Nicholas wondered if she was about to give birth, but she had said the previous day that the baby was to come in a month's time.
"Father," Nicholas called out as he walk over to his bedside. "Father?"
His eyes were closed shut, his hands warm to touch. Nicholas turn to his mother and her eyes were filled with tears.
"Nicholas!!!!" His mother screamed. "Please wake him for him."
And in that moment, Nicholas knew, he knew that Philip Harrington was dead. He stared at his father, his chest was not heaving and he could closely see that there was no sign of life in him.
For what seem to be hours but yet were mere minutes, Nicholas was simply quiet, his mother's screams and tears filled the entire house. Nicholas turn his head and when he felt Benedict's hand by him and he knew, he could not let the others see this. He had to step up.
The staffs rushed in, sending the children away, his mother was taken into another bedchamber and the doctors were called in.
The doctors came in and finally called him dead and by afternoon, the Harrington house was filled with members of the Ton sympathizing with the family.
Philip Harrington was dead.
Philip Harrington was dead at five and thirty.
Nicholas walked into the room in which his body was in and simply held his hand and stared at him.
His father is dead.
His role model is dead.
The one who taught him all that there is to life is dead.
He stared as long as he could remember until Amelia and Benedict came over to him.
"It is okay to cry" Amelia whispered.
"We are here" Benedict said.
The tears came gushing without a word, he fell to the floor with his body shaking.
"He-he-he is g-gone" he simply cried out with Amelia hugging.
"Amy, Papa is gone" he cried out "he is not waking up again"
Amelia wrapped her arms around him tightly with Benedict holding onto his shaking hands, his mind was not working properly. He could not breathe properly. Everything feels hard. It feels as if the place is spinning with his chest tighting in. He could not talk because of the tears, he could not focus on anything. His knees gave up.
"Nicho, you have to breathe" Amelia said but the words were muffled to him.
"Nicholas!!" Someone called out.
"Look at me" he figure out that it is Amelia. "Take a deep breath, breath in and out." She said.
He took more breaths while focusing on her, his hands were still clearly shaking but he had to listen to her.
"That's good," she said. "I'm always going to be here"
He stared at his siblings and back as he stood up and take one final look at his father's body.
"We are always going to be here and we have to stay strong for Mama and the children" Amelia said not letting go of his hands, Benedict also holding his other hand tightly, tears evident on his face.
Nicholas made a vow and promise as he step away from the room. He is going to take care of his siblings and mother just like Philip Harrington have always wanted.
And he was going to love and live his life just like his father had always wanted him to. He was going to be the best version of himself. The Nicholas Harri
ngton that the family would rely on.