Ellen and Roger are finally getting married. Those attending the wedding congregate in the tent at the Mount Helicon Gathering. Roger lingers at the front along with the minister, who's Protestant much to Jamie's chagrin.
Brian is babysitting Jemmy for the ceremony though his nephew has become a little fussy, looking for his mother and trying to reach for his father.
"Uh, no, Jem, please." Brian murmurs, trying to hold down the five-month-old.
"You look busy." A voice speaks.
"Mmh?" He is slightly startled by the man in front of him.
The man in front of him is tall with a thin, wiry build. His hair is black and his eyes are blue with high cheekbones.
He gestures to Brian's nephew. "The little rascal you're holding."
A man with a nice Welsh accent.
Brian clears his throat and chuckles slightly. "Yeah, a bit."
"He yours?"
"Uh, no, no. He's my sister's. She's getting married today." Brian quickly replies.
Is it Brian's imagination or does this guy look relieved?
"You're Jamie Fraser's son." He speaks.
"One of them, yes."
"Mmm." The man frowns. "Wait, the boy's your sisters and she's getting married? Today?"
Brian narrows his eyes. "Yes," his sharp, "what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, nothing. Sorry." He hurriedly apologises. "Was making a joke that clearly didn't land well."
"No, it didn't." Brian retorts.
"Sorry," he chuckles, "terrible first impression." He clears his throat. "I'm Brynmor Jones." He offers his hand.
Yeah, definitely Welsh.
Briam smiles slightly, shaking his hand. "Brian. This rascal is Jeremiah."
Brynmor receives a gummy smile.
"What settlement are you from?" He questions curiously.
Brynmor's features darken. "Hillsborough."
Brian winces. "Oh, er, I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Brynmor reassures him.
"Brian! Hello!" Lizzie interrupts, stopping Brian from saying anything else. She hurries over with a slight blush on her face. She tucks a loose strand up under her cap. "I-I can take care o' Jeremiah, no problem. Ye shouldn't be troubled with the wee bairn."
He knows she's trying to be helpful plus the apparent crush she still has in him, but Brian can't help but feel offended at the implication that he can't look after his own nephew.
"No, need Lizzie." Brian says, trying to sound calm but his voice comes out a little sharp. "I'm fine."
She blushes and nods, leaving. Brian lets out a huff.
"She's nice." Brynmor comments.
"She's annoying." Brian grumbles.
He receives a curious look. "You don't like her?"
"No."
"Maybe you need maturity." Brynmor remarks casually.
"A mature woman?" Brian questions.
"Sure..." a shrug, "if that's what you want." With that, Brynmor saunters off with Brian spluttering after him.
——
Brian holds onto Jemmy and stands up with everyone else, cheering and applauding as Mama is the first one to come down the aisle. She smiles at Brian as she goes past to say a quick word to Roger, then goes to her place in the audience next to Brian. She gives her grandson a soft pinch on the cheek.
Da and Ellen are right behind her. Ellen is dressed in a homespun dress, complete with some appropriate thistle embroidery along with their paternal Grandmother's pearls. Brian knows Da has gifted Ellen a silver sixpence from Murtagh, who can't attend the wedding since he's in hiding. Da brings her to meet Roger, then bows and joins Mama and Brian at the front.
The bride and groom step onto the altar before the priest, and the congregation all sit back down.
"Dearly beloved," Pastor Caldwell begins, "we are assembled here teday in the presence o' God. Let us therefore reverently remember that God has established and sanctified marriage fer the welfare and kindness o' mankind."
——
June 1961
Brian stares wide-eyed as David pulls away. Their lips slightly parted and their cheeks red. Music for the end-of-year dance plays in the background.
David bites his lip but doesn't look away from him, doesn't pull his hand away. Then, he asks, "So?"
"Huh?" Brian says dumbly, not understanding.
"Great, thanks man." David remarks sarcastically. He grins. "I meant, you're welcome, now you've kissed someone."
"Erm, er, yeah, thanks man. Great." Brian says, quietly, clearing his throat and laughing it off when David winks at him.
"Yeah, sure." David says. "What are friends for." He snorts a laugh. "Well, to practice-kiss, apparently."
Brian forces a chuckle.
A girl, Kimberly, interrupts causing them to spring away from each other.
"Hey! There you guys are! They're about to play Pony Time!" She grins, bouncing on the balls of her feet before running off.
David flashes him a grin and leaves.
Brian sits there quietly, eyes wide, and raises a trembling hand to his lips. Okay, yeah, he definitely likes boys as well as girls.
——
A/N: A bit of trivia, David appeared in chapter 8 when Brian is in the National Gallery in London on a school trip.
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The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (An Outlander Story)
FanfictionWhat if Claire and Jamie's first baby survived and what if it had been a boy. How will the story change? Warning: references to rape but no detail -- May 1744 He wriggles his toes, feeling his environment. He quickly realises how much his surroundin...
