Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Alright." It was all Kate could say as Kell told her that he wasn't sure he could hold onto that former life.

It was his life and family that he had lost. As much as she could try to comfort him, it was his decision in the end. She would respect whatever he decided.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell finally met Kate's gaze again and he hugged her a little tighter. "Sorry. We came out here for a nice lunch and I'm just being a downer." He settled down beside her rather than returning to his perch, just needing the comfort of having her close by.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Only because I brought it up." She said with a smile as he held her tightly against his side. "I use to come out here with Da all the time to fish. When I was old enough to hold a pole, we would come out here and talk for hours. He has the patience of a saint. I can't imagine having hour long conversations with a three year old. He never complained, though."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's a lot more fun than you'd think," Kell assured her. "You should try it when your sisters get to that age. They'll ask every question under the sun and then some."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm not sure that Heather would go now." Kate said softly. "But I can always make her do new things to expose her to the world. Ma is devastated over what happened. We've all told her that it isn't her fault, but I know that she believes she had a hand in it in some way."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She believes it's her fault because she didn't manage to stop it. But what she doesn't realize is that she just couldn't stop it. She did all she could do. I know the feeling. She'll hold onto some guilt for the rest of her life, but as long as she can get past it and let Heather be a normal girl, it'll work out."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm more worried for Da. Ashelin is his girl, but he looks at Heather with such heartache now. He knows the road ahead of her and it won't be easy. I just hope that his heart can heal and he can move on."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll make it, Kate. I can't say he's been through worse because something like this just isn't comparable to Rho losing his arm or the wounds Brogan has suffered... but he's the sort of man who can pull through and be himself again, given time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He always takes joy in teaching a little one to ride a pony or go swimming. Maybe he'll see that she isn't so unlike Ashelin as they get older."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It just occurred to me that you're a fantastic daughter and sister," he chuckled. "You're about to go off on your own journey and you still worry about them even though you have plenty of worries on your own."

 

[heartofcourage]

"They mean the world to me." She said softly, looking at Kell with a smile. "I think I'll always worry about them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you will. You're a Ghis, you're all worriers."

Things slowly began to return to normal in the coming days, and finally Justin was invited to come meet the family. He was a handsome chocolate-brown wolf with gentle golden-brown eyes, a tailor like his mother, and he had all Ciaran's attention when the girls didn't need their brother.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was happy to finally meet Justin. It was important that she had a relationship with the man that loved her son. He was a part of her family as much as any of her children were. She had ordered a simple lunch to be laid out, telling the rest of the family to be on their best behavior as they met the wolf for the first time. Even Ashelin and Heather would be there, the little girls each learning how to function now that Heather had been effected.

Heather had regained a slightly bit of sight, mostly lights and shadows, but her parents had decided to not treat her any differently than they treated Ashelin. She was placed in her high chair along with her twin, a kiss pressed to her forehead as Julia took her seat and smiled at the girls.

"My lovelies." She said with a laugh as they each took a piece of bread that was offered to them while they waited for Ciaran and Justin to arrive.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the doors opened up and the two men walked in arm-in-arm, Brogan rose to meet them. Justin had dressed well in a new green tunic and dark trousers, but it wasn't too overstated.

"Justin," Brogan said with a smile, shaking his hand.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Justin. It's lovely to meet you." Julia said with a smile as she stood to kiss the wolf on the cheek. "Ciaran has kept you hidden for much too long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It hasn't been that terribly long, I promise. Only just before you left for Edinburgh," Justin assured her with a handsome smile. It was easy to see how he'd caught Ciaran's eye with such handsome features and a kind gaze.

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's long over due in my book." Julia said with a smile as she guided Justin towards the table. "These are Ciaran's brothers and sisters. David and Annie with little Danny. Rho and Sam. Kate and Kell. And the little twins, Ashelin and Heather."

Heather squealed in delight as Ciaran pressed a kiss against her cheek, her hand reaching out to touch his neatly trimmed beard.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hello, darling," Ciaran murmured, scooping her up. "This is Justin." He took her little hand and placed it in Justin's own hand. His fur was soft, but his hands beneath were calloused from years of work even young as he was.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather went quiet for a long moment as Ciaran placed her hand in Justin's hand. She felt the soft fur and was confused, her little brow furrowing for a moment. She felt the fur and then touched his face, feeling the snout that he had as well.

"Puppy!" She announced with glee suddenly, her green eyes lighting up in excitement.

 

[KieranSoares]

Both men laughed and Ciaran said, "No, honey, he's a werewolf. Like Uncle Kreston and Ruben."

"I'm happy to be her puppy," Justin said with a smile, taking Heather into his arms.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Puppy." Heather whispered with a fondness in her voice as Justin held her in his arms.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, her hands playing in his soft brown fur. Julia watched the scene with a smile, her heart warming to the idea that her daughter would never be alone for as long as she lived. Her brother adored her and it seemed that she was quickly finding a spot in Justin's heart as well.

"She's only recently lost her sight. She simply says the words that she knows." Julia explained to Justin.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's just fine," he assured Julia. "I'll be 'puppy' for her as long as she likes." Once he was settled into the family having met everyone, they started into lunch and Justin told them about his work as a tailor at his mother's side in the tailor's shop nearest to the keep in town. His mother was responsible for the uniforms of foresters and the handful of rangers. Inverness had no real cavalry or horsemen, but she outfitted the few they did have.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, we might have to order a few things from you." Julia said with a smile. "The boys are growing like weeds in summer, Brogan constantly needs new shirts, and the girls never seem to stay clean for more than a day at a time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You'd have to run it past Ma. She runs the place and she hasn't let me take orders since I accidentally accepted a massive order when I was eight. She still doesn't trust me." Justin chuckled at that, leaning lightly on Ciaran's shoulder.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, clothing this family is like clothing an army." Julia said, glancing towards Brogan with a smile on her face. "Kate will also need some special things for court. I can't let her go to Edinburgh dressed like a pauper."

"Ma." Kate said with an embarrassed tone, glancing at her mother as she blushed. "I dress myself just fine."

"With holes in the knees of your trousers and your cuffs tattered." Julia said, eyeing the outfit that her daughter had on right then.