Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Tell your father to mind his business. We've only just started." Julia said, looking towards Rho as he insisted that Brogan wanted them to hurry. "Have him take the twins for an adventure."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Okay, but he's not gonna listen," Rho chuckled, slipping back out. It was safe to say Brogan was excited for Kate's big day.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I swear if he ruins anything..." Julia commented as Rho chuckled and slipped back out of the room, leaving them alone again. "Kate, he's been impossible since you left. He's missed you horribly and he's not been feeling well, but he insists that he's still well enough to help with all of the planning. I had to have hard words with him over all that he's been trying to do."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You can hardly stay angry at the man, though," Chessie smiled to herself. "He's trying to make things easier on everyone and let Kate know how much he loves her." She stepped over to kiss Kate's cheek. "Not to mention he's using all of this to plan ahead for both sets of twins as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's got a long time to wait for the girls." Julia commented as Beth started in on Kate's hair, knowing that if they didn't get moving soon, Brogan very well might bust down the door and take off with Kate without anything getting done.

 

[KieranSoares]

To Brogan's credit, he waited for Kate to be ready and when she came out into the great hall, it was bright and warm and full of simple but lovely decorations, tapestries, and guests. Brogan had commissioned a small orchestra from Edinburgh and a few entertainers to keep the little ones occupied as needed. The tables were set and food was being brought out for lunch as everyone had had breakfast much earlier while getting ready. Chessie had outdone herself on lunch alone, but the dinner later would be a feast to remember.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate entered the great hall in a simple dress, preparing to change into her more formal gown before the ball. When she saw her father, she grinned. He looked so incredibly nervous as he tried to get everything just right for her big day. The little twins were being entertained by a singing bard, the music making Heather giggle just as much as Ashelin.

"Da." Kate murmured with a smile as her father finally turned to look at her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hiya, darlin'," Brogan spoke softly with a grin as he drew her in to kiss her cheek. "Y'already look lovely. Ye'll absolutely floor everyone tonight." He greeted Julia with a kiss as well and a mischievous smile. "Sorry I rushed ya, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No you're not." Julia said with a small smile as her husband kissed her cheek and tried to make up for his rushing. "I wasn't going to hurry at all. Good things come to those who wait."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I guess I can' argue with tha'." Brogan wrapped an arm around Julia, looking over Kate's shoulder. "There's yer Wolf. He's been makin' sure Justin an' Ciaran 'ave plenty o' time together."

Kell had come from his tower room dressed in a fine dark tunic and vest and trousers, but it seemed he too would be leaving his proper outfit for that evening. He came to Kate's side with a warm smile, kissing her cheek. "If you look this beautiful now, I can't imagine what you've got planned later."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Why are all the men in my life suddenly turning into sappy messes?" Kate asked as Kell waxed poetically about her appearance. "It's just another day!"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nonsense. I'd tell you that you're beautiful any day." Kell turned his gaze to Brogan then. "And as for your father, it's the day his first little girl is considered an adult through and through. Let him off easy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He had Annie before that, Kell. It's nothing new." Kate said, knowing that her father had a special place in his heart for her. "And today is no different from yesterday. And tomorrow will be no different from today."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just let us spoil you today, love," Brogan told her with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You should be spoiling Ma." Kate said as she kissed her father's cheek. "She's the one who is a saint in all of this."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won' disagree with ya there, love. But I promise I'll spoil 'er tomorrow. Today's about you." Brogan welcomed her to sit down and join in the meal.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had never been one for attention. She enjoyed solitude in the woods to large balls. However, her family had put in so much work on her birthday celebration that she would quietly hide any discomfort that she might have had. It would be one of the last big things that she did as a resident of Inverness and that thought made her slightly melancholy.

 

[KieranSoares]

The afternoon was fairly subdued as far as family celebrations went for the Ghis. It was just before dinner that the clan gathered, all dressed their best. Kell emerged in a black tunic, trousers, and a long blue jacket to match Kate's gown. A sash and belt around his waist held a decorative blade and his fur was beautifully groomed. His golden eyes were bright with life, looking over the hall as he awaited Kate.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Kate finally emerged, she was dressed to the nines. Her gown was smartly tailored and she practically glowed as she caught sight of her wolf waiting on her. She smiled, blushing slightly at the look that he gave her.

"Don't look at me like that, Kell." Kate said, placing her hands on her hips as she looked him over. "I'm still the same girl in trousers as I've ever been. I just have to wear a gown every once in a while."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you are. But that same girl can certainly pull off a gown with an uncommon grace." Kell stepped forward to kiss her sweetly. "If I hadn't promised to wait, I'd get down on one knee right now. You look absolutely stunning."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And I would say yes right now to my handsome wolf." Kate murmured, hugging Kell tightly and pressing her cheek against his chest. "I love you, Khelt."

 

[KieranSoares]

"A eldere hume," he returned in Lunar, his arms draping around her easily. He soon drew her toward the head table where her father waited, dressed his best as well in black, white, and blue with a tartan sash. He rose from his seat with a smile that Kate could see was equal parts pride, love, and heartbreak as he looked at his little girl. She had been what he'd considered an adult for some time, but it was all official now and seeing her with her Wolf drove that fact home. And before long, she'd be going off to a life Brogan never could've imagined. He'd once thought she would be his successor, but now she would become his most powerful neighbor in Scotland.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Da." Kate said with a smile to her father, kissing his cheek as he came to greet her. "You clean up well. I'm sure Ma had to hold you down to scrub all the dirt away."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hardly, lass. I was excited fer it." Brogan kissed her cheek in return, but then he had to hug her close, knowing it wouldn't be long before he wouldn't be able to do that every day.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate gladly hugged her father tightly, leaning her head against his shoulder. She knew that he was having a hard time with the idea that she would soon be gone to another city and they wouldn't see each other every day.