The Highlander's Lass; Arran's Story

Epilogue Arran

2 Years Later

"Cease Callum, would ye cease," I whispered into my toddler son's ear. He was squirming in my arms, kicking me in the ribs with his feet. We were outside waiting on the main steps for my brother's carriage to arrive. Both he and his family were spending the Christmas holiday here at Hamilton Manor with Maisie, Henry, and I. Maisie was bundled up in her furs. Which hid her now growing stomach. She was carrying our second bairn. We both were convinced that it would be another son. Since the bairn often kicked like a stallion like his older brother did. We found out that Maisie was carrying Callum not long after our return to Hamilton Manor two years ago. Since that fateful day when her parents killed one another, Maisie has grown into her role as the Lady of Clan Hamilton. Since returning to Hamilton Manor, we have worked tirelessly to make the Hamilton lands prosperous once again. And so far we have succeeded in that mission. Now that she had grown too pregnant to ride, I would often go out and inspect lands and help the farmers with whatever they needed. Henry, who stood on the other side of Maisie, had just returned from court. He has done so much for us in the last two years. He was our representative at court, which took him away for several months out of the year. But when he was here. He would not leave Maisie's side. We all had grown close to one another and Henry loved Callum like he was his own son. When Callum was born, we named him Callum Douglas after her brother. Maisie wanted to honor her brother and his memory in anyway she could. And she often told me that Callum acted just like her brother. I did not know just how much someone could love another human being. That was until my son was born and I held him for the first time. I now understand the love Gavin has for his own children. I also was falling harder in love with Maisie. I knew that God had brought her to me for a reason, and this was the reason. I wrapped my free hand around her shoulders. Pulling her to me, allowing me to plant a kiss on her head. She looked up with love in her eyes.

"I love ye Maisie Hamilton," I whispered. She reached up and kissed me again. I wanted to deepen the kiss, but the toddler on my arms had other thoughts. She let out a small laugh as I put the toddler down. He reached up and took my hand. He still wanted to be near his da, just not held by him. Soon we saw the carriage driving up toward us. Gavin was on his favorite horse, Douglas was riding beside him on his own pony. The lad had grown so much since the last time I saw him. He appeared to be almost a head taller. Gavin dismounted and helped his down. Who then rushed to embrace Maisie. Douglas and Maisie had grown close over the past summer, he had come to learn about running lands. He was only nine, but he was the next Duke of Northumberland. Soon enough he would travel to his grandfather's home to reside there full time and away from his family. Gavin opened the door and helped Davina out of the carriage. Davina was holding her sleeping toddler in her arms. Davina had her third child right before Maisie had Callum. They named their second daughter Aurora after the Roman goddess of the dawn. Fey appeared behind her mother. She had become more like a little woman since the last time I saw her. She was a beautiful lass at two and ten. I ruffled Douglas' hair as he smiled up at me. I missed both my nieces and nephew greatly.

"Brother, ye look well," Gavin called. He came up and embraced me. Before picking up Callum who was squealing with delight.

"And my my lad, ye have grown since the last time I saw ye," Gavin declared. Tickling the small toddler. Davina walked up to us with the two girls. Aurora was still sleeping on Davina's shoulder. Fey was blushing up at Henry. Her girlhood fancy had turned into girlhood love in the last two years. Henry was not with us over the summer when we visited Wallace castle, so this was the first time she saw him in a year. Many things had changed in that time.

"It was so gracious for you to open up your home to us," Davina said. They awkwardly embraced, trying not to wake up the sleeping toddler. But both were smiling at one another.

"Of course Davina, we are family after all. Let us all go inside, before we all catch a chill out here," Maisie said. All of us nodded and made our way inside the warm manor. Maisie showed them their rooms while Henry and I spoke with Gavin about things that happened back at Wallace castle. Later that evening we all were gathered in the main parlor by the roaring fire. The smaller children were playing at our feet. Aurora playing with small dolls and Callum playing with toy horses and soldiers. Henry and Fey were playing a game of cards at the table by where we were sitting. Gavin and Maisie were deep in conversation talking about the harvest and the winter that was to come. Many knew that this winter was going to be a cold one, and some were fearful that there was not enough food to go around. Maisie assured everyone's fears that there would be enough food to get through the winter. I leaned toward Davina who was watching the two smaller children.

"Fey seems quite taken with Henry still after almost a year of not seeing one another," I said. Davina looked up observing them, before giving me a sly smile.

"Fey tells me that she has been in love with Henry since she was ten. When they first met. She wants to marry him the moment she comes of age," Davina replied. That made me choke on the whiskey I was sipping. Gavin and Maisie looked over at me, and I waved my hand.

"Tis alight, Tis no need to stare at me," I quipped and wiped my mouth with a rag I kept in my pocket. The idea of Fey marrying anyone was something I did not want to think about. Not when she was still but a lass. I do not think she would be anything more then a lass in my eyes.

"Better not tell Gavin that, Davina. He may murder Henry for it," I said. Davina just shrugged her shoulders. As if she found no problem with her daughter's love for Henry.

"We still have several years before Fey comes of age. She may grow out of it and find someone else that she fancies," Davina replied. This made us both chuckle, anyone who knew Fey Wallace knew that she was stubborn. When she saw something she wanted, she went after it. Determined to have it. Soon after we all retired as the younger children needed to be put to bed. I led Maisie to our chambers as Callum was fast asleep in his nursery already.

"Davina shared the most interesting news after dinner this evening," I said. I was leaning against the mantle place and watching Maisie brush her long fiery hair.

"Aye, what news is this," Maisie asked. She finished and set the brush on her table. She turned to meet my gaze. Curiosity in her eyes.

"Fey Wallace is in love with Henry, and wishes to marry him when she comes of age," I replied. Maisie just smiled and stood up. She was in nothing but her shift and robe. Her round belly makes the fabric tight against her belly and breasts. She came over to where I was standing to meet my gaze. She looked so beautiful in the firelight. She wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Anyone with half a mind can see that Henry does not see her that way. He sees her as a mere lass. It may be some time before he sees her as anything else," she replied. I pulled her tight against my body. Feeling her belly against mine. My hands come to gently cup her beautiful bottom. Pressing my forehead against hers.

"Well, if I know anyone with Wallace blood in them. They will be stubborn, and Fey is as stubborn as they come,"I said. Pressing my lips to hers. I would never love her as much as I do now. I found my lass, and I will never give her up.

The End