Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[heartofcourage]

"I can understand her struggle. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you grew up in uncertainty of who loved you and who wanted you the most, you're never really prepared to let them go." Fiona said softly as Vincenzo confessed that he would stay as long as he could for Valentina. "I went through the same with my grandpa. I was so angry with him for the longest time when he died, but I was even more angry at the fact that he had left me alone. It wasn't until I found Will in the woods that I realized he had done his best for him in the little time that we had together. Even though I've grown, expanded my family, gotten my Da back, and raised Will, I still think about all of the things that he missed and it makes me sad."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My younger life was a difficult one too. A love across the world married to a madman, children I loved more than life but weren't mine, and then Valentina... While I wish Tamblin had let them go rather than Brogan having to forcefully pry his grip off the entire clan, I wouldn't trade this outcome for anything. Even though I know I'll miss some wonderful things, I know my children will get to see it all thanks to the love and strength they all got from Kitty. I've long since made my peace, because it's a beautiful, peaceful ending to a story that turned out so happy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam will take care of everyone." Fiona said softly as she squeezed Vincenzo's hand. "Even Valentina if he has to. He won't let anyone in this family falter if he can help it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't worry for their wellbeing. Everyone looks after everyone. Sam's just the face of the clan now, and the buffer when times get hard. He'll strive to be more than that, involved in every family unit, and even with conflicts outside, they'll all be alright."

Vincenzo sat back with a content sigh. "And we have you too. You've proven to be a beautiful addition to this family."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I simply try to keep stubborn Sam in line." Fiona said with a grin as Vincenzo sat back in his chair with a sigh. "And I expect you will be rested enough to dance with me tomorrow."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course I will. I haven't gotten the chance to spend as much time with you as I'd like. I make it my business to get to know every new family member well." Of course Vincenzo had made time here and there. And while each knew more about the other from other people, Vincenzo had come to love Fiona like she had always been family. She fit well, he felt.

 

[heartofcourage]

Across the dance floor, the former king and queen danced in their own little world. Julia watched everyone around her serenely. Ciaran danced with Kate, the brother and sister laughing about something that had been said between them. Ashelin danced with Kell, her love for her brother-in-law and his courtly manners very apparent. Annie rocked a tired Silas at her spot, grinning over at David as he held a sleeping Bridget in his arms. Even Heather had a light in her eyes as she danced with Koralo, Master Faust’s son her special guest at her own request.

“Well, Love, we have another one married off.” Julia said as she turned her attention back to Brogan. “I feel incredibly old now.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You feel old?" Brogan raised an eyebrow at her with a smirk. "You look as lovely as th'day I met you. Look a' me. Grey, grizzled, slow... I'm the old one, love. I'm surprised people don' think yer a generation younger."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You don’t look that old, Brogan.” Julia said with a laugh as he flattered her still youthful appearance. “Some grey at the temples doesn’t make you an old man.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then a few married children doesn' make you old either," Brogan leveled, leaning over to kiss her as if it were second nature, chuckling softly as he drew back. "An' soon we'll be grandparents again. Even if this particular time wasn' planned." His gaze drifted across the room to Naiya, who now had the attention of her grandmother and a few other Erygonians as she told them embarrassing stories about Rho. Rho happily took the ribbing, even if he blushed occasionally.

"This family jus' never quits growin'," Brogan commented softly, looking then to Fiona's family members here and there being included as if they'd always been there. "Seems fer every one we lose t'age, we get five more in marriages, births, an' friends tha' we consider kin."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If you had told me when we first married that we would be in this position, I would have thought that you were insane." Julia said as he kissed her again and she gave him a grin. "Beyond Ciaran, I dare say that all of our children were a surprise. A welcome one, but still a surprise."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We knew we wanted more'n jus' Ciaran, but they all came in their sweet time." Brogan's gaze strayed to Kate, the truly unexpected one of the bunch. He wouldn't have traded her for the world even with her dark origin. He looked back to Sam then, seeing for the first time that his son was not alike to Tamblin Ghis, but to himself and his brothers. Haunted as a boy, but blooming into a man everyone trusted, loved, and respected deeply despite his own worry that he might not be what they all needed. And he had found a lovely woman willing to shoulder the throne as well and fill in the gaps where Sam cracked or struggled.

"Y'know," Brogan murmured, his voice softening. "I was scared, all these years, tha' one of our little ones'd fall like Da did... I was sure if it was any of 'em, it'd be Sam, no matter if he never knew Da 'r any o' Da's circumstances. An' then in th'course of a year... I don' see any o' the bad parts o' Da left. Sam has all th'good parts o' Tamblin Ghis, what Da would've been if things 'ad been different... I think Ma saw it all. She knew this is who Sam really is... I guess after no one could save Da... she laid th'groundwork t'save her Samuel. I only wish she could've met th'girl tha' finished 'er work."

 

[heartofcourage]

“She knows, love. She always knew that sam would meet that one person that completed him and she knew that he’d be content.” Julia said softly as Brogan talked about his fears and his beloved mother. “When I was saying my goodbyes to her, she made me promise that I wouldn’t let any of you go astray. She told me to watch out for her babies and her grand babies. Even though you were all grown adults, she still saw you as those wounded children.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll always 'ave those scars inside an' out. But Ma made sure tha' wasn' all we are. An' she did the same fer our boy an' taught us all she could t'take up 'er mantle."

Brogan gave Julia's hand a squeeze. "Even with all th'bad goin' on... this is a damned good place t'be."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It is, love.” Julia agreed as she gave her husband a small smile. “Even when you try and act tough, we all know how soft you can be. Especially when it comes to the newest members of the family.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm no' tough anymore, if I ever was," Brogan smiled to himself. "Danny ended tha', and Silas an' Bridget made sure it'd never come back."

 

[heartofcourage]

“And now Brogan and Dana and Rho’s child any day now. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a birth along with this wedding.” Julia said as her husband had a little grin on his face. “Sam would never let Rho live it down if he missed his wedding.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think Sam would understand. But Naiya wouldn't miss it. She loves Sam to death."

The night went on and ended with a lovely final dance for the happy couple before Sam and Fiona saw everyone off and Chessie set to work clearing the hall to set up for the morning. The wedding would take place just after noon, after everyone had stayed up to attend the feast that night. And then the rest of the afternoon and evening would be all for celebrating and relaxing. While everyone knew it'd be back to work the day after, little time for anything else with spring in Normandy only months away, they had all left those thoughts for another day.

 

[heartofcourage]

It wasn't long after returning to their rooms that Fiona found herself in a steaming tub of hot water, relaxing back against Sam as they unwound from the long evening. She had a happy little grin on her face as she felt Sam's finger idly tracing along her tattoo, each line and whirl coming to life beneath his fingers.

"It's a good thing you're not superstitious. It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." Fiona murmured softly, not moving an inch as she heard the distant bell ringing midnight as ice started to softly pelt against their window.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Bad luck's got nothin' on good planning," Sam murmured. Even though his eyes were closed, his fingers knew the pattern of her tattoo. He'd memorized it every chance he'd gotten. His fingers skimmed over the lines til his hand came to rest over her belly. Both already washed, they simply relaxed in the water while it remained hot. His opposite arm rested along the edge of the tub, and Sam didn't have a care in the world just for a moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're sure you still want me as your wife?" Fiona asked softly as Sam looked so utterly relaxed and at ease in that moment with her. "You can still back out now. Gaiann can take you anywhere that you wish to go in the isles to hide away."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Fiona..." Sam sighed, his eyes half-opening to look up at the ceiling. "... Where'd tha' come from?" He asked simply.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I just thought I would offer." Fiona said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "To make sure that this is what you wanted. To make sure that I was what you wanted."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But why?" Sam looked down at her. "I should offer you th'same. Take yer folks an' run like hell. Get away from this complicated nonsense an' this war."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't want to go anywhere." Fiona said softly as he looked down at her, his green gaze warm and curious. "I want to be your wife, your mate, your queen. I want to be the person that you fight fiercely with and then make up just as passionately with. Some day, I want to give you children and help to raise them in a loving home. You are the answer to so many things in my life, Sam. Without you, I'm just a broken little kit."