A Highlander's Night

Little Cherub

Jess puttered around the kitchen helping Grace prepare dinner when she heard someone call from the living room. She turned to see a gorgeous woman with long strawberry blond hair and blue eyes. She had a little girl on her hip.

"Hi mom." She walked up and kissed Grace's cheek. She then turned toward Jess and smiled. "You must be Jessica."

"Yes." She held out her hand.

"I'm Winter." She shook Jess's hand.

Jess smiled at the little girl who was laughing. "And who is this precious angel."

Winter laughed. "This is Fiona and she isn't a full angel."

Jess went to answer when Matt walked in. He held up a small sack. "Here is the clothes lass."

Winter turned to glare at him. "Matt don't you dare sit them in here. Get Duncan to take them to her room."

He smiled and walked out. Winter sat Fiona on the floor and immediately the little cherub went right to her lifting her arms. "Up... Up."

Winter smiled and Jess asked. "Do you mind if I hold her?"

"No not at all."

Jess smiled and picked up little Fiona. Fiona began to laugh and play with Jessica's hair. Grace smiled.

"You can help us by keeping her busy and we can handle dinner."

"I..."

Winter interrupted. "No... No play with Fiona. She can be a handful."

Jess smiled. "A handful?"

Winter and Grace laughed. "You better believe it."

Fiona jumped on Jess's hip." Play."

Winter smiled. "She likes to walked around and play."

Jess tilted her head. "What does she like?"

A voice came behind her."To see the horses."

They turned around to see Duncan walk in. He smiled and kissed Fiona's forehead. "Hey sweetie!"

Jess smiled at the image he made with Fiona. He looked up at Jess. "Lets take her out to the barn."

"Okay."

Duncan lead Jess and little Fiona outside and too the barn. As they entered Jess was amazed. There were nearly twenty horses and they were all huge.

"Their very big!"

Duncan laughed. "Their draft horses the only kind we ride."

Jess smiled and she looked Duncan over. "I can see why. You must be what 6'5" 6'6""

Duncan laughed as Fiona reached out and petted Goose." I'm actually 6'7""

"You are a giant."

He laughed and even little Fiona laughed. She wrapped and arm around Jess's neck and lifted and arm toward Duncan. Duncan leaned forward and Fiona wrapped an arm around his neck forcing Jess and Duncan to step toward each other.

Fiona giggled and Jess looked up at Duncan. He was just a few inches from hers. He looked into her eyes as Fiona made a kissing noise. Duncan gave a small smile as his hand reached up to cover her hand that was holding Fiona.

Fiona made the kissing noise again and tightened her little arms pulled them another inch closer. Duncan lowered his head slowly toward Jess and she stood their frozen. She knew he was about to kiss her.

"Hey Duncan?"

They looked up to see William and Kenzie at the mouth of the barn. Duncan smiled down at Jess and slowly extracted himself from Fiona and walked to great them. Jess looked down at Fiona.

She couldn't help but laugh when the little cherub closed one eye in a wink."You little match maker."

Fiona giggled as if she understood. Jess walked out and toward the house. "You are barking up the wrong tree sweetie."

They passed the men and Jess could swear Duncan was watching her. Jess smiled down at Fiona. "Someone as wonderful as Duncan would never be interested in me."

"Uh-hu!" Jess laughed at Fiona funny attitude.

When she walked in she smiled at Winter. "Winter you girl in one special girl."

"That she is."

With in thirty minutes dinner was ready Winter put Jess beside Duncan. She felt a little out of place there. She kept her head down a little the whole time. Duncan sensing her discomfort placed a hand on hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

They ate in silence and when Jess offered to help with dishes Grace told her no. But before she could argue Winter told her to go upstairs and change into her night clothes so she will be more comfortable. Jess went upstairs and pulled her jeans off to her shorts. She was searching through the bag for a shirt when there was a knock on her door.

"Yes come in."

Duncan walked in and smiled. "Lass?"

"Yeah Duncan."

"Winter remembered that she didn't pack you a night shirt."

"I just realized that."

He handed her a light blue shirt. "I grabbed you one of mine."

She tilted her head. "Yours?"

"Yeah just tell we get your things tomorrow."

"Thanks Duncan."

"Your welcome."

He walked out and Jess changed shirts.

She then went back downstairs and blushed when everyone looked at her. Before she said anything Winter pulled her over to sit beside her and immediately Fiona reached for her. Jess took her with a smile.

"She really likes you Jess."

"I love babies."

Duncan sat down beside her so she was sandwiches between him and Winter. As they sat their they all talked and laughed. As if it was tradition Greylen turned on the TV an put on America's Funniest Home Videos. Jess watched it with them listening when Fiona laughed.

But as the show neared its end Jess became sleepy and as she let her eyes drift shut she felt Fiona asleep on her chest. Jess let her head fall to the side and on Duncan's shoulder.

As the show ended Duncan looked down at Jessica who was asleep against him and little Fiona who was asleep on her chest. He looked up. "Winter you want to get Fiona."

Grace smiled at the picture Jess made with Duncan and a baby on her. Winter gently took Fiona and Duncan gently picked Jess up and with Grace behind him he took Jess up the room. After Grace turned down the sheet Duncan laid her down and covered her up.