The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (An Outlander Story)

Chapter 5: New Beginnings

A/N: Things are going to be getting busier for me so updates might slow? Not sure, have to see what happens.

——

"Children without a father, and, and a man without children have been given this chance to find one another.

And yes, I would call that part of God's eternal plan.

What you choose to call it, Frank, well, that's up to you."

The Reverend's words echo in Frank's mind as he walks down the corridor of the man's home. After hearing from Claire that the small boy she was found with is her son, fathered by another man, and she's expecting another, Frank had thought that was the end. But after speaking to the Reverend, Frank realised there might be a chance here. He could be a father even after thinking he couldn't be. First, though, he needs to be sure.

He steps inside one of the rooms to find the boy, Brian, playing with some toys while Mrs Graham watches over him. The woman looks up and smiles in greeting but it's cautious. Frank understands why. His explosion earlier would cause that kind of reaction.

The noise of his entrance causes Brian to look. Frank tries not to shift uncomfortably under the boy's inquisitive stare. For a moment he's struck by the fact that other than the odd little features, Brian doesn't have many of his mother's features except his nose, which means his looks probably come from—

He turns to the other adult. "Mrs Graham."

"Mr Randall." There's a pause before she turns to Brian with a smile. "Well, I better see if Roger has kept his breaks out the dirt." She glances at Frank before making her leave.

Frank watches her leave. He takes a breath and turns back to Brian to find the boy still staring at him.

He can do this.

"Hello, my name's Frank." He says with a smile, sitting on a chair next to where the boy plays on the floor. "And you're Brian."

Brian stares before smiling and nodding. "I'm Brian!"

There's a lull in conversation as Frank thinks of what to say. "What have you got there?" He gestures to the toys Brian has in front of him.

Brian picks up one of the building blocks and holds it in Frank's face. "Wood!"

"We call this a block, it's made of wood." Frank corrects though realises it's a bit silly arguing with a two-year-old.

Brian hands him one, smiling. Frank can't help but smile back. Maybe he can do this, be a father to this boy and his unborn sibling. First, he needs to get them away from Scotland, from the tabloids, and from Claire's memories of this Jamie. He's going to accept that position at Harvard.

——

Brian had been frightened the whole time they flew over the clouds. He had clung to his mother's side despite the man, Frank, constantly trying to get his mother to let him go and not coddle him. Thankfully Mama had refused and had clung back.

The plane lands and the doors open. Frank steps out first with Mama and Brian emerging after him. Brian stares in confusion at the world in front of him. The world seems so grey. He wants to go back. Go back to the green world where he'd play with his cousins as his parents work the land along with his aunt and uncle. He looks back into the plane, feeling the urge to go back.

His thoughts are interrupted by his mother pulling on his hand, encouraging him to walk down the stairs. He stares at his mother with wide fearful eyes. Mama smiles at him and picks him up and walks down the stairs with him in her arms. Brian presses his face to her hair and wraps his arms around her neck.

"He doesn't need to be held all the time." Comes Frank's irate voice.

"He's two and frightened, Frank." Mama retorts snippily.

Frank sighs before walking on with Mama and Brian following after him into this new world.