Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Getting into trouble has to stop, love." Julia said gently, looking up at her nephew. "You break your Ma's heart each and every time you wind up in a brawl. She loves you so much and wants to see you happy, but she worries about you as well."

"Let me make you a deal, Seamus. I would like you to come and work for me and your uncle. You would act as our guard. We will pay you well. At the end of one year, if you can stay out of trouble and jail during that time, we will sponsor you in buying a boat of your own. Then you can travel to your heart's content. Does that sound agreeable?" Julia asked him, waiting to see if he would agree to what she was offering him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Seamus tried to seem glad for the suggestion, but he seemed a little forlorn. "Yeah, I... I guess that could work." He liked the idea of having a ship, but the thought of stiff military training and the long hours of soul-crushing discipline sounded like a death sentence to him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My love, I know it seems dark and bleak right now, but I promise you that you will be happier when it is all said and done." Julia said softly, seeing the sadness in his dark gaze. "It will give you time to patch things up with your Ma and Da. You'll spend time with Elise before she goes to Norway. Gabriel might even quit being so serious for a moment."

She paused and drew him to a stop, looking up at her nephew with a clear gaze. "If you don't, you'll either spend that year in jail, ruin your life, or end up in the ground next to Elijah. Our family can't handle another loss like that. I want to see you succeed no matter what, Seamus."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think it would be better if I just left... Even if it broke Ma's heart an' Da never forgave me. I wouldn't leave forever, but... I think a while would do me good." Seamus seemed simply ready to give up on making things right in Inverness.

 

[heartofcourage]

"If you do that, you'll never forgive yourself, Seamus." Julia said softly. "Your Da did the same when he was your age. He was running from his father, but he had a hard time forgiving himself for leaving everything behind. Your Gran nearly died from the strain of it. Of course, he met your Ma on that journey and had three beautiful children, but that kind of ending isn't a given."

"Give me a month of your best behavior. One month to show you just how good things can be. If you're not happy at the end of the month, then I will talk to your uncle about a boat." Julia offered him, hoping that he took what she was trying to give him. "You can move into the old house in the woods if you really want to get away from home."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Okay... I promise I'll do my best. And I think I'll take you up on that house," he nodded slowly. "Thanks... I know it's not easy to deal with me what with all my trouble."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're the only one that thinks it's difficult." Julia said with a smile. "You know that we would do anything for you if it's in our power to do it. However, if you end up in jail again, you better be prepared for a long wait, young man."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yes ma'am," he answered with a small smile. He went home that night to let his parents know what was going on, and to quit his job at the lumberyard.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're sure this is what you want?" Marri asked her son, so concerned for him as he talked to them about his plans for the coming months. "You know that we will support you, love. I just want to see you happy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm going to talk a little more with Aunt Julia... But instead of jumping right into sailing my own vessel, I think I'll ask Ria for a job on her ship going between Scotland and Norway. We'll see what happens..." He looked to his mother. "I just don't want to break your heart, Ma... And I don't want Da to be ashamed of me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your Da isn't ashamed of you, Seamus. He's worried about you like I am." Marri murmured, hugging her youngest child tightly. "We don't want to get the news that you've died in a fight. I don't think my heart could take that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not gonna die, Ma. I have too much I want to do, and I have to be around when you and Da get old and grey," Seamus chuckled as he held his mother tight. He really was a good man, just conflicted and too adventurous to be confined to a simple life.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Eli didn't think he would die either." Marri said softly, pressing her cheek against her son's broad shoulder as he told her that he wanted to be around for her when she was old and grey. "I want what is best for your, love. You're my baby and the one that makes my heart stop every single day of your life."

She pulled away to look up at him, seeing so much of his father in him. "You remind me so much of your Grandfather Lysander. He wanted to see the world too. He had a stubborn streak a mile wide and he would have absolutely adored you."

"I need you to promise me something, Seamus. I need you to make amends with your Da and Gabriel. I don't know what happened between you and them, but I can't stand the tension anymore."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If Da's not ashamed of me, then he's disappointed. And Gabriel's definitely ashamed..." Seamus murmured quietly. "Gabe said he wouldn't let me near his family til I shaped up."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then use this as your moment to show them that you can change. Gabriel cares about you and doesn't want to see you hurt. Your Da wants you to live the best life that you possibly can." Marri insisted, seeing the heartbreak written on her son's face clearly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will... I'll do everything I can." Seamus nodded slowly, just before Durban came in the front door.

"Evenin' love," he said with a kiss to her cheek just as he always had. "Hiya, lad. Have a good talk with Julia?"

"Yeah. I'm going to work at the keep a while. Then I think I'll ask Ria for a job on her ship."

"Sounds like somethin' you'd like."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's going to make us proud, Ban." Marri said with a smile as Seamus seemed a little more upbeat about the situation. "Not that we weren't proud already, Seamus Lysander. I never want to hear you talk of us doubting you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ye've got some provin' t'do, lad. But I'm sure y'can make it," Durban nodded, and Seamus rose from his seat.

"Well... I'd better pack up some things if I'm moving into that old cabin. But I'll be at the keep every Sunday for dinner like always."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll have to start our own tradition here too. I'll miss seeing my baby boy every day." Marri admitted, a little upset at the idea that Seamus would be leaving their house. "But I know it's for the best...for everyone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll only be a mile off, Ma. I'll probably get homesick all the time and come wandering home." Seamus kissed her cheek before going to pack some things.

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri gave him a smile as he went to pack his things before she turned to glance at her husband with a long sigh. "Do you think he'll be alright?" Marri asked him, so worried about Seamus.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It'll be tough... But I think he'll be alright if 'e can control 'is temper." Durban kissed Marri lightly, giving her a smile. "It's gonna be fine, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I hope so." Marri said as she hugged Durban tightly, hoping that he was right about their wayward son. "I can't lose him, Ban. I don't think my heart is strong enough for that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We're not going to lose him. He's bright, even if 'e's as bull-headed as Boar." Durban wrapped her up in his arms. "Ye'll see. Before long he'll be off becomin' his own man an' make us even prouder."

 

[heartofcourage]

The next morning, Kate was at the old cabin in the woods, helping her cousin to move in the few possessions that he had brought. She was proud of Seamus for wanting to change himself for the better and make amends with his family for all of the bad things that he might have done.

"Elise said she'd bringing you something special for your first dinner in your new home." Kate mentioned as she carried a box of belongings in behind him, Kell bringing up the rear with another box. "And then Ma said that you can start tomorrow. I think she wants you to watch the twins when Ciaran is gone."