Chapter title
~3 weeks later
"Jamie! Wake up!" I touch his hand and her shoots up. "What is it?" I smile and give him a small kiss. "Nothings wrong, I just have to go to work in an hour and I don't want to be late,"
"Christ Sassenach, I thought someone had died," he jokes and kisses my neck gently. "Mmm, yer skin, it's so soft," I pull his head away and tell him no. "I don't have time Jamie, I'm sorry,"
"Ye dinna want me, do ye?" He asks, with a soft voice when I climb out of bed. I sigh and smile at him. "I want you, believe me. I just really need to go,"
"Dinner tonight at 7.30, don't forget?" I remind him and he nods. "And tomorrow our engagement party," he says proudly getting out too.
"We haven't told anyone beside our close family have we?" I ask him and he nods. "Ye even managed to keep it a secret from yer friends, Sassenach. I'm proud of ye,"
"Stop joking love, I really need to hurry. Can you bring me to work today? Mama will sleep in I think," I put in my small earring and take of my engagement ring. "Aye, I'll put on some quick clothes and make ye some breakfast,"
He hurries some clothes and disappears out of the room. I put on my own clothes and try to get my hair in a bun, after three tries I finally have it in a neat one.
I open the bedroom door and the smell of coffee and eggs with bacon reach my nostrils before I can even see anything. I walk to the kitchen and grab two plates. "Smells delicious dear," I say kissing Jamie's cheek.
"I'm glad ye alright like it," he says with a small smile. "Haste ye back from work, otherwise I'll be missin' ye," he warns me and I sit down at the kitchen island.
"I'll try, tomorrow I'll take of the whole day," I tell him and that brightens his smile. "I'm glad," I kiss his hand when he goes to sit beside me and eat my eggs.
"When will you go back to your job?" I ask him after a few minutes. He simply shrugs. "Probably next month, they said I could come in whenever I wanted tae?"
"Are you sure it's still what you want?" He looks at me like he wants me to answer my own question. "Aye, it's what I've been enjoying to do for a few years," he says eventually.
I get up after eating my breakfast and quickly get on my shoes and coat. "Don't forget your bag, phone and keys Sassenach," Jamie hands then to me as I'm about to leave.
I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him tightly. "I'll be home before you know it," he lifts my chin and kisses me softly. "I love ye Mo Grádh,"
"I love you too, Scotty," I whisper giving him one final kiss before walking to my car. On my way to work I have a quick cal with Joe. "I talked to Jamie and he told me I really should do the doctor study,"
"He's right, you should do it Lady Jane, you'll get in without trouble," he encourages me. "Well I think I might, there's just something coming up so I might do it next round, in a few months,"
"It doesn't matter if you do it next week or next month or even next year, you'll pass anyway," he says just when I arrive at the hospital.
"I'm here, see you soon," I tell him and hang up the phone. I grab my stuff and get out of the car. The second I walk in the halls Joe comes to me. "Hey Joe! Haven't spoken to you in a while," I say sarcastically giving him a hug.
"You're one minute late Lady Jane, care to explain?" He interrogates and I chuckle. "I have a Scottish love, he's not so easy with goodbyes, even if they are only for a few hours,"
Joe laughs and takes the bag from my hand. He and Jamie get along great. Never ever have they had trouble with eachother. Quite different from Joe and Frank.
~how Jamie and Claire met
"So that all the reasons ye should come with us to this work party," Geillis says after naming at least twenty reasons. "Fine," I give in annoyed. "But nothings is happening, I'm not drinking, I am definitely not going to talk to Frank and we're not staying late,"
I stand up and put on a a nice outfit. A white blouse with a black skirt and panties. "You look fit girl!" Geillis says excited when she enters my room. "Stop Geillis. Like I said, nothing is happening," she grins as I tell her over and over again.
"Alright, let's fetch Louise and Mary!" She exclaims and grabs my hand practically dragging me into her car. After we picked up everyone we arrive at the work party and I sit down at the bar. "Can I have three beers and a water?"
The barman nods and someone goes to sit beside me. "One of yer friends isna a drinker?" He asks softly and I turn my head. "No, me actually,"
The man grins and it's to most beautiful smile I've ever seen. His red hair, curly and long around his face and the most dashing blue eyes looking at me. "Ye sure lass? Whiskey is great,"
"I know it is, but it causes me to get drunk and I'm not in the mood for that," I replied receiving the cups. "I should bring these," I walk of back to the group.
"He's hot, cute, strong and pretty. Ye should do him," Geillis says looking at the man from the bar. I laugh softly and shake my head. "No, I thought I had warned you enough,"
Mary giggles. "I'm sorry Claire but I have to agree with Geillis, you have to see the way he looks at you,"
"No, I'm going outside for a second, it's already to warm and loud in here," I tell them and I hurry outside, going straight into the cool air.
"Like the cool air better then all the party lights do you now?" The man is standing beside me once again. "I suppose so, it's so peaceful," I say calmly enjoying his company.
"Will ye go on a walk wi' me?" He asks after a few minutes and I nod slightly. "Sure, why not," I give him a smile and we walk trough the city.
We talk a bit but nothing to personal. Before we know it hours pass and it's already past midnight. "It's late lass, ye shouldna be out here anymore," he says and I grab his hand. "I don't mind, besides I like this,"
Suddenly he looks very nervous, I take a step closer to him with the urge to kiss him. "Aren't your friends gonna be worried?" He asks and I shrug. "Let them," I press my lips hard against his and it's only a second before he gives in too.
His hand are tight around my neck, his finger softly brushing trough my hair. His lips cover mine completely, his tongue dancing with mine. After a few seconds he places one of his hands one my back. I lean back a bit and he follows not stopping the kiss for one second.
I have my hands on the back of his head, softly pulling him closer to me. I have had my fair share of kisses but this was different. This kiss was honest, full of truth. I wanted him badly, more then I ever wanted anyone else.
When we finally break up the kiss we're both gasping for air. We both smile softly, not able to let eachothers bodies just yet. "That was..." I start and he finishes the sentence. "Perfect,"
I nod and take my hands away from his head. "Claire?!" Geillis her voice rings from behind us and I quickly escape his grasp. "Geillis!"
"We've been looking all over for you! We've called you a million times, we were worried!" Louise says and she does genuinely look very worried. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I-" I start but I get interrupted. "It was my fault, I asked the lass to come and walk wi' me. I shouldn't've taken her from ye all so abruptly,"
"No, it's not your fault. I should've said something to them," I tell him. "Well we should leave, it's already 1 am,"
He nods and the I follow the girls. Looking back one time. Him standing there, tall, broad and so very handsome. I wave at him, he smiles and waves back.
That's the last I saw of him for 2 and a half months. When we re-met in the bookshop, he asked me for my name. It wasn't until then that I realized I never knew his. "Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp," I had said. "James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser" he had replied. "But ye can call me Jamie,"
He asked me out the very same day and I agreed. Our first date went really well, ending in a heated kiss again when he dropped me off at home. After 3 weeks and several dates we decided we were going to be official.
I couldn't sleep that night. His touch haunted me. Though it wasn't his touch what made me happy. It was his kindness, his interest in me.
