Mackenzie(ON HOLD)

Chapter 2

 I look up from my hands tying the laces of my boot to the door, which reveals MacCallan after a moment, holding a plate of food. I smile softly, glad for substance.

"I didn't have the heart to wake ye earlier than dawn, but we must get goin'." He sets down the plate onto the table and bends down, reaching to tie up my other boot. I watch him, dazed in love.

"I know how to dress and undress myself, you know," I murmur, smoothing my hand over his hair. He ties it tightly and chuckles, looking up at me.

"Aye, well, I like doin' it. Do ye mind it?"

I shake my head, biting my lip. "No, I don't mind."

I lean down, pressing my lips to his gently. He reaches up and cups my face, pushing his lips into mine deeply. He moans as I wrap my arms around his shoulders, scooting closer to his body.

"I can't believe we're doing this," I breathe.

"We are," he says, pressing his mouth to mine again. "We dinnae have to say goodbye, ever again. I dinnae even want to hear the word again."

I hum, uplifted. "I need to say goodbye to Greer before I go. I'm sure she knows by now-"

"She does," he says. "I saw her earlier this morn when I went to secure horses. She wants to give ye things for the journey. It'll be a few days ride to Mackenzie lands."

"We're going to your clan?"

"To my home, aye."

I chuckle as he rests a hand on my waist. "I didn't know you had your own house. Aren't you always on the road?"

"Aye, I dinnae usually stay there, apart from visits. My uncle lives there now and watches over the land. But it is mine." He laughs softly, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Well, ours... We can make a life for ourselves there."

"I wonder... if he'll like me."

"Like ye?" he hums. "He'll love ye."

"Even though I'm married?"

He smirks, standing. "Well we willnae tell him that part, maybe."

I grab the bannock, ripping off a small piece. "You seemed to really love him, when you spoke of him in your journal."

He nods, leaning against the table. "Aye, I do. He's truly the only father I've known and I lived in peace with him. So, when he fell sick, I told him to come live with me."

"I think that's sweet."

"Ye dinnae mind? Him being there?"

I shake my head, chewing. "No, of course not. I can't wait to meet him."

He smiles softly, reaching for my hand. I watch him kiss my palm tenderly, feeling my heart burst from my body.

"I- want to thank ye for what you sent back with Greer." He looks over to the leather case on the stool by the fireplace. I had forgotten even giving it to him.

"Do you like it? I tried to get things you could use."

"It's bonny. Ye shouldn't have done it though."

"No, I should," I reply immediately, standing. I grasp a cup, grabbing the pitcher of water beside it.

"I- thought ye were partin' with me, when ye sent it with my journal as well."

I turn, swallowing slowly. What?

"Why would you think that?"

"I dinnae ken. I feared ye did it out of guilt maybe. Guilt for leavin' me."