I Love You Still

Chapter 18. Holiday

We're sitting on the couch. Claire is snuggled up against me and I softly stroke her hand. She's still a bit shaken and I can't blame her. She burst out crying after saying. 'He was my ex Jamie' She'd collapsed, I caught her just before she hit the ground and carried her to the couch. ''How do you feel, Sassenach?'' I ask softly and she shrugs. ''I don't know, a bit frightened I think,''

''How did you find out? Can you tell me?'' she nods and pulls her knees up to her chest and cuddles up against me even more if possible. ''I was going through my box when I came across my yearbooks from school, There were plenty of pictures of him and it gave me a uneasy feeling but I couldn't quite place why, then there was a picture of us, him kissing the top of my head and then it came back to me. We'd dated for a little while, starting 2 months after uncle Lamb his death and I broke up with him 5 months later,'' I nod. ''Around 4 months before we met,''

''Yeah, I don't know exactly why but I do know I probably didn't love him,'' she admits and I intertwine our hands. ''Do you remember how it was like with him?'' she nods and rests her head against my shoulder. ''It wasn't very healthy. I remember wanting to be a doctor but that he said I'd never make it and should settle for being a house wife or he would tell me to get over Lamb's death if I was said,'' A tear escapes her eye and I gently brush it away. ''Dinna weep, A Leannan. Ye're allowed to grieve as long as you want and ye will become a doctor,''

''I have one more question, Sassenach,'' she looks up at me and nods. ''What is it,'' I sit up a bit and pull her closer to me again. ''How did you not remember before?'' she sighs and shrugs. ''I don't know, I suppose he changed? I changed?'' I nod. ''It would make sense,''

''We can rest for 3 days at the Isle of Skye, Claire. We will let Murtagh and William figure everything out as long we're not home. We will just spend some time together alright?'' I promise her and she nods. ''I'm tired, Jamie, I want to go to bed,''

''Don't ye want tae eat something?'' I ask and she shakes her head. ''I feel a bit nauseous, I really just want to sleep, Jamie,'' she protest and I nod. ''Where do you want to sleep?'' I ask and she smiles at me. ''With you, I feel safer then,'' I kiss her forehead and help her up stairs. Gently I tuck her in and go back downstairs to let her sleep.

--------

Claire's pov

I woke up some hours later, Jamie left my phone on the nightstand and I quickly peek at it. 8.18 pm. Feeling better I get out and put on some warm socks before leaving to maybe spend some time with the family. I'm about to go down the stairs when there sounds a thud from my room. ''Jamie?'' I ask surprised. Why whould anyone be in my room? Were they suspicious towards me?

Just when I'm about to open the door Jamie calls out for me from under the stairs. ''Claire? What's wrong?'' he asks worriedly and I turn to him. ''Is the family downstairs?'' he nods. ''Aye,''

''Everyone?'' I ask just to be sure and he nods again. ''Except the wee bairns but they are asleep, why Sassenach?'' I take a step closer to the stairs and look him death in the eye. ''If everyone is either downstairs or asleep then who the fuck is in my bedroom?'' His face stares at me, worried. ''Come downstairs Sassenach, verra quietly,'' I carefully walk down the stairs and Jamie has already sent out Brian and William. He gently takes me in his arms and takes me to the kitchen where Ellen, Jenny and Jocasta are sitting. ''Keep an eye on her will ye?'' he says before trying to walk but I stop him. ''What are you doing? Jamie stop!'' I grab his arm and pull him to face me. ''Claire, I must go see who was in your room,''

''Alright, but make sure your safe, I don't wan't to see you harmed,'' I say softly and he nods, gives me a quick kiss on my forehead and hurries out behind Brian and William. I sit down at the kitchen chair and everyone looks at me worriedly. ''I'm fine, don't worry. I was in Jamie's room and was going downstairs when I heard it. I thought at first it was maybe any of you but when Jamie said you were all downstairs, it must've been someone else,''