#cece charles

Chicago Med: "With a Brave Heart" [4x22]

Imagine how things would have been like if CeCe actually lived

spoiler alert this is more than a TSF

caroline charles lets out an exasperated sigh at the paper gripped between her gloved fingertips - the latest edition of lady whistledown’s society papers. any english socialite worth their salt knew too well the implications of being featured in lady whistledown’s writings, the names of those featured in each new article of her paper smeared much to the delight of the ton every season.

the mysterious author did not hesitate to include the fine details in her writings and that was what kept the entire ton waiting for the paper-boys to come each monday, wednesday and friday when the latest editions of lady whistledown would come knocking at five pennies apiece, and much to her chagrin, caroline was not immune to the appeal of such gossip, and nor was her husband.

with each season came its own gossip, and lady whistledown was always the first to publish. much like today, each delivery arrived fresh off the press, packed with the latest scandals and drama and every happening at every event of the days prior. with the colours of every dress and bow tie worn taken note of, the attendance (or lack there of) of every important person accounted for, for the diamond of the season, it was an impossible task trying to avoid the prying eyes of the public, much less lady whistledown’s.

“can you believe this?.” lady charles curses under her breath, slapping the papers down onto the tea table - her cup of rose tea now cold, having been abandoned minutes before, rattling at the impact.

sarah almost jumps at the noise, letting out a small squeak. she clears her throat, setting her half-empty tea cup before her. “can i believe what?” she queries.

“lady whistledown’s latest.” caroline huffs, abandoning her spot on what she always touted was the most comfortable chair in tall of england to pace instead. “the nerve of that woman, hiding behind an alias and believing it gives her the right to slander anyone without consequence-“ she prattles on, waving her hands dramatically.

her daughter casts her eyes on the now dejected paper, eyes tracing the familiar crest. she leans forward, picking it up between silk-clad fingers, smoothing out the crumpled corners across her lap.

lady sarah reese is indeed a peculiar choice for the season’s diamond, dare i suggest an insensible one.

the charles are by far the most prolific family in the upper echelons of society, the viscount himself being a well accredited professor in the study of psychology to his own merit. furthermore, the viscountess excels far beyond her station, having founded london’s largest orphanage.

it should come to no surprise that the viscount and viscountess have children of their own. robin, sarah and anna. however, never has this author seen a collection of siblings so wildly different in every aspect.

there is no doubt that the eldest of the triplet is of legitimate parentage. however, despite their social status, the illegitimacy of both sarah and annalise would be a fool’s secret - especially as the older of the two made a rather bold decision to keep her family name. one might so question the queen’s decision as to this season’s diamond-

sarah tosses the paper back onto the table with a sigh, “i’ll never understand why you read such rubbish.”

although everyone in the ton was enthralled with lady whistledown’s papers, sarah reese was a lone exception. even everyone else in her family, including twelve-year-old annalise, was quite thoroughly invested; most of which being her mother, who was now halfway across the drawing room with her head in her hands.

the viscountess’ daughter stands up, brushing off the soft skirt of her blush gown and makes her way towards her mother. she places a gentle hand on caroline’s shoulder, easing her back towards the lounge. “come now mother, there are far more important things to worry about than some woman’s gossip column.”

“it’s no news to the ton that annalise and i are adopted, their attempt to use it to sully our name is rather foolish, and pointless.” sarah attempts, trying to comfort her mother who pinches her nose between her fingers, shaking her head. she wraps an arm around her woeful mother, guiding back to her seat where she plops back down, her arms flopping to her sides in defeat. sarah tucks her skirt beneath her as she sits back down, “scandals may cast aspersions mother, but they do not obligate us to answer to anyone.”

sarah is just about to pick up her teacup, it’s contents no doubtedly cold, but she stops because the viscountess is already reaching forward again, fingertips on the edge of picking up lady whistledown’s paper again.

the young lady clears her throat, and cece stops, glancing up at her with a sheepish smile. “on that note-“ sarah jumps up to her feet, leans forward and snatches the paper straight out of her mother’s hands.

caroline’s jaw drops open in mock-offence, side eyeing her daughter as she makes a point to walk very visibly towards the rubbish bin. sarah drawls, this is going right where it belongs.”

“i paid for that!” the viscountess protests, to no avail.