At the Laird's bidding - completed

Epilogue

Gun open and over his arm, wearing his hunting jacket Malcolm poked his head around Andrew's office that used to be the study/library that in reality still was, but did all his business from there, unless he had to fly to London, Ana always at his side.

"Safe to come in."

"Aye, but I wish you would kept the gun outside. I agree with her on that front."

"Being brainwashed by the missus, more like it," Malcolm smiled. It had become bit of a family joke. Hunting season usually drew blood and not from shooting. "So where is the firecracker?"

"Usually place as you well know. Her tradition that grows bigger and bigger every year so be warned lad your tradition might go out the window."

"I suppose the brood went with her?"

"Aye and I'd be joining her once I do the opening bit as Laird. I should've given you the title," he mumbled under his breath. He rather be with his loving wife. She had left early that morning, setting things up with the whole tribe and fellow devotees, filled with laughter and fun. Even lost Molly, so had to look after himself. As every year, Ana made sure he got breakfast in bed. Cooked by her own hands before she deserted him dressed in jeans, light tan jacket over a tartan top.

Breakfast was eaten cold, after he pulled her back into their bed, while she redressed and left. Desire flickered through his body, just thinking of her and been in his arms. The way her hair brushed his face as they kissed, the feel of her in his hands. He stood claiming his jacket, pulling on over his shirt and jeans, heading out. As soon as he got this over and done with, he could go to her.

Once the ceremonies were over of greeting and opening of shooting season, Andrew headed into town, leaving Malcolm with the men and their shooting. He had to park out of town, walking in. What had started as a gathering at the tearooms, all paid for by Ana, come and eat if they wanted to. Turned into one huge open picnic in the middle of town, all catered for by the locals. Bands playing true Scottish traditional music, drowning out the gunfire, Ana said with a smile, green eyes beaming, because it had taken off on it's own.

The main street was blocked off. Cafe doors wide open as were the pubs so people could come and go as they pleased. A fee was paid, covering the cost, and if it wasn't enough Ana made up the difference. They had been making profits for a couple of years now. There were dancers on a stage, bagpipers, and westies running everywhere as were the children, people dancing, drinking, eating, celebrating life.

She had truly started a new tradition that folks from miles away come to, even from lower Scotland and some Brits. Word had gotten around. Glasses were lifted in his direction in greeting, he nodded and smiled, heading for the tearoom where Ana always set up, and entered.

"Daddy!" went up a choirs of voices and his bairns ran to him as he knelt down, gathering three of them in a big hug, while they told him what they had been doing. Two dark headed, one redhead, the newest one a toss up between the two. He looked over their heads, seeing Ana seated in a chair in front of a table, filled with her favourite Scottish treats, nursing their youngest against her breast, covered by a blanket. Gran on the other side surrounded by westies. Jock and Jackie surrounded by their brood. Higher ratio then his. Some had gone to good homes like Gran, the rest had the freedom of the castle. Gathering the second youngest girl onto his hip, the two eldest boys walked at his side as he headed towards the table, leaning in for a kiss.

"I do believe your opening ceremonies are getting shorter and shorter Laird," she teased.

"And your ceremonies for life was getting bigger and bigger. I see Charlie has blocked off the road again."

"We're thinking of moving it onto the grounds behind us." She looked down as their youngest girl, who started fussing to be removed, covered her breasts and handed over to Gran, who saw to her needs, while Ana saw to her own needs. "Darling sit down. Esma!" she called and the owner walked out with coffee in hand.

"Lochlan, sit down," he was ordered, taking a seat and placed Anna down on the ground to play with her doggies, while the boys had settled down with their laptops, going back to their games, while feeding the dogs some of their treats.

"Boys," Ana warned. "Nae, not that, the treats I bought." Sean the eldest by five minutes went to his mother's special bag to remove a bag of doggie treats that were shared around. Drew kept going on with his game. Andrew looked over the view, smiling, realising how lucky he truly was. Marie settled in Gran's arms.

"Are you alright with this mob?" he asked that he was nodded at, standing and held out his hand to his wife that was taken, guided up and eased though the maze of dogs and bairns. "Esma, can you help, won't be long."

"Off you go," she waved them out. Andrew guided Ana out of the tearoom.

"Now show me what you have in mind." Happily she led him along the street to the end, where it opened to open land. It was only a small community town, hills in the backdrop. He surrounded her with his arms to be held against him.

"I see what you mean. Open wide spaces, but further that way," he pointed away from the road. His hand slid over her as he kissed her neck. "You really have made a new tradition haven't you. I think you even have Malcolm worried."

She sighed. "I wouldn't take that away from him. I mightn't agree, but I have no right to take it away either, and as you said it's been going on for centuries. as long as I don't have anything to do with it."

"I know that, so does he." Once more he took her hand, leading her out further onto the grounds to get a feel for it size, where tents could be pitched. Visioning blankets with picnic baskets, a real family gathering. Loving, he slid his hand around her waist, gathering her into his arms and kissed her as loving arms went around his neck, enjoying these few quiet moment, which were far and between theses days. They had agreed no more children, happy with their lot.

He gathered her face in his hands as he savoured her. "I guess we better go back."

"At my laird's bidding," she sighed, heading back to their family, arm in arm. The Scottish sunshine shining down upon them, receiving call out and cheers. Their Laird was back where he belonged, and had married the best lassie. They were truly blessed.

Jock and Jackie rushed out to greet them, picked up and carried back inside, joining their family and settled down to tea, surrounded by their friends, kinfolk and visitors, until they went back to the celebrating dinner of the hunt at the castle as it was done every year. Tradition.

Not one pheasant was served.

The end