Embers in the Snow

Chapter 34 | New Beginnings

The winter wind howled outside, rattling the windows of Castle MacDonald, but inside, the warmth of the fire made the room feel cozy and safe. Aili sat near the hearth, her mind drifting between thoughts of their upcoming departure to Castle MacLeod. She was more determined than ever to return to her ancestral home and rebuild it, with Ewan by her side.

There was a knock at the door, pulling Aili from her thoughts. She looked up just as Mary stepped into the room. Mary carried a small bundle wrapped in cloth, her face warm with its usual smile.

"Morning, Aili," Mary greeted, her voice cheerful as she moved toward the hearth. "I brought your cloths for the month, as I always do."

Aili blinked, her mind taking a moment to catch up with what Mary was saying. The mention of her menstrual cloths seemed out of place, like it was something distant she hadn't thought about in a while. She furrowed her brow, realizing with a start that she hadn't needed them last month either.

"Oh," Aili said softly, her hand resting on her stomach almost unconsciously. "I... I don't need them."

Mary stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "Ye don't need them?" she repeated, her voice gentle but probing. "Not this month?"

Aili shook her head, a strange feeling beginning to rise in her chest—one she couldn't quite name. "Nay... I didna need them last month either."

Mary's eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly in surprise. She set the bundle of cloths down and moved closer to Aili, her gaze sharpening with a new kind of focus. "Last month? And this month?" Mary's voice was calm but firm, and she glanced pointedly at Aili's stomach. "Aili, ye don't think—could it be?"

Aili's breath caught in her throat, the realization hitting her like a wave. It had been two months since she last had her cycle, and with everything that had been happening—the stress of her father's surrender, the preparations for her return to Castle MacLeod, and her growing relationship with Ewan—she hadn't even thought about it. But now, standing here in the quiet of her room, with Mary's words hanging in the air, the pieces began to fall into place.

"I... I hadn't thought about it," Aili whispered, her hand resting protectively over her stomach. "Do you really think...?"

Mary smiled knowingly, her eyes softening as she nodded. "I've seen it before, lass. Missing two cycles, feeling off, a bit of fatigue here and there? Aili, I think ye might be carrying a bairn."

Aili's heart raced, her pulse thundering in her ears. Pregnant. Could it really be true? She was going to be a mother.

Aili's hands trembled as she looked up at Mary, her voice barely a whisper. "Do ye really think so?"

Mary chuckled softly, placing a hand on Aili's shoulder. "Oh, I think so, lass. The signs are all there."

Aili's breath hitched as she sat down in the chair by the fire, her mind spinning with the enormity of what Mary had just told her. Pregnant. A child. A life growing inside her. She pressed her hand  gently to her abdomen, a strange mix of emotions washing over her—shock, joy, and a deep, overwhelming sense of love for the life that might already be forming within her.

For a moment, she could hardly believe it. She had always known that she wanted a family, but with everything that had happened, the thought of having a child had seemed like something far off in the future. And now... it was happening.

A smile broke across her face, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. "I can't believe it," Aili whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I... I might be pregnant."

Mary's smile widened, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think it's more than just 'might,' lass. I'd say ye are."

Aili laughed softly, brushing away the tears that spilled down her cheeks. "Ewan... I have to tell Ewan."

Mary's face softened even more at the mention of Ewan's name. "Aye, ye do. He'll be over the moon when he finds out."

Aili's heart swelled with anticipation at the thought of telling Ewan. They had already shared so much—confessed their love, made plans for their future together at Castle MacLeod—and now this. A child would be the start of a new chapter in their lives, a chapter she hadn't expected but one that filled her with a deep sense of joy.

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door, and Ewan stepped into the room, his expression warm and relaxed as he greeted them. "Morning, Aili. Mary," he said with a nod. But as soon as he saw the tears on Aili's face, his smile faltered, concern flashing in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Aili stood, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. She wiped her tears quickly, shaking her head. "Nothing's wrong, Ewan," she said, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "In fact... I think everything's perfect."

Ewan took a step closer, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Aili glanced at Mary, who gave her a small, encouraging nod before slipping quietly from the room to give them privacy. Aili turned back to Ewan, her heart racing. She stepped closer to him, taking his hands in hers as she looked up into his eyes.

"Ewan," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I think I'm pregnant."

For a moment, Ewan simply stared at her, his eyes wide with shock. "Pregnant?" he repeated, as if the word were foreign to him.

Aili nodded, tears of joy brimming in her eyes. "Yes... I've missed two cycles, and Mary thinks it's a sign that... that we're going to have a child."

Ewan's breath caught, and for a long moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, a wide, disbelieving smile spread across his face, his eyes shining with love and amazement.

"A child?" he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "Aili... we're going to have a child?"

Aili nodded, laughing through her tears as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, Ewan. We're going to be parents."

Ewan let out a breathless laugh, pulling her into a tight embrace, his hands gently cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. "I can't believe it," he whispered into her hair. "Aili... this is everything I've ever wanted."

They stood like that for a long moment, holding each other close, their hearts full of love and excitement for the life they were about to create together.