Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Brogan held Kate for a long moment before finally letting go with a soft smile and a sigh. "Why didn' ya tell me y'were growin' up so fast, Kitten?" He murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You wouldn't have believed me if I had tried." Kate said softly as her father looked at her with that melancholy glance. "Besides, you still have two wee ones to focus on when I'm not around so much. I'm sure that they'll fill the role nicely."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No one can take any o' you kids' places, not even each other," Brogan reminded her with a soft chuckle before letting her go to her usual seat beside Kell where she would find him conversing with the handsome chocolate-colored Wolf Justin beside Ciaran. Justin was a friendly sort, charismatic and charming to boot. He wasn't nearly as shy about having a partner as Ciaran was.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather was sitting in Justin's lap as happy as she could be. She was playing with her stuffed kitten, turning every so often to look up at Justin and gain his attention for some reason or another. She was dressed identical to Ashelin, except her little dress was deep blue where Ashelin's was a dark green. Both girls had Brogan's tartan pinned across the shoulders, marking them as the youngest members.

"Puppy." Heather called, glancing up at the sound of Justin's voice. "Hungry, puppy."

 

[KieranSoares]

Justin paused to look down at Heather, smiling to himself. "I'll bet Chessie can sneak you a little something before dinner." He scooped her up and rose after kissing Ciaran's cheek. "I'll be back, imoki."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's slipped into this family beautifully." Kate commented as she watched Ciaran grow the slightest bit red as his wolf kissed his cheek and took Heather to get something to eat. "You be nice to him, Ciaran. He deserves all the good things that you can give him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"When haven't I been nice to him?" Ciaran chuckled. "I know a lucky find when I see one." He glanced after the handsome Wolf with a smitten smile. "He's calm, patient, steady... And he loves me. That's all I need."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate chuckled as she leaned in and kissed her brother's cheek. Across the room, her aunt Beth and uncle Maxwell entered with Julian. The infant was swaddled in a piece of his mother's tartan, a move that startled Kate slightly. She wouldn't have expected her uncle to have allowed her aunt to do that, but it seemed he had softened towards his wife's heritage.

"Katherine, you look beautiful." Beth said softly, kissing her niece's cheek as Julian stirred and opened his green gaze to look up at his mother as she spoke.

 

[KieranSoares]

Maxwell greeted Kate much the same, smiling down at her. "So how does it feel to be eighteen, dear? An adult in all eyes."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I feel no different from yesterday. Although I suppose my responsibilities have grown greatly." Kate commented as she leaned in and kissed her cousin's forehead. "And this handsome boy is getting more and more alert."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's a sharp one," Maxwell agreed. "Your grandfather is impressed with how quickly he's becoming aware of the world around him." There was nothing short of pride in his voice, looking down at his strong and healthy son.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And he looks sharp in that tartan." Kate said with a grin towards her uncle. "We'll make a proper Scot of him yet."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If I'm honest, Kate, I wouldn't mind that at all. I dare say I'm prouder of my Scottish family members these days than my English bloodline. Julian can follow whichever culture suits him." Such a phrase never would've crossed Maxwell's mind prior to calling for Beth.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I look forward to a long and beneficial relationship with Chester." Kate said with a small smile towards her uncle.

 

[KieranSoares]

"And hopefully with a few other northern English before I'm through," Maxwell nodded before going to sit down with his little family.

 

[heartofcourage]

As the family started to arrive little by little, Kate was overwhelmed by all of the people that had shown up to support her and celebrate her birthday. She kept glancing towards Kell, knowing that he loved her just as much as anyone else in this room, if not more. Soon, they would be partners in everything and she knew that she was right where she needed to be in her life.

Julia was watching her daughter from her seat and she had a sad, wistful smile on her face. Kate had been born in such terrible circumstances, but she was a poised and stubborn young woman. She would never have thought that her wayward daughter would ever grow into the beauty that they had with them. Julia reached over and took Brogan's hand, squeezing it gently as she noticed he had the same look on his face.

"I know he'll ask to marry her soon and I know he'll take care of her, but I miss my little girl already." Julia murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

"So do I, love," Brogan murmured, drawing Julia close against his side with an arm around her shoulders. "She's​ done everythin' right... A good partner, a good future, an' a good reputation outside th'clan itself... It's th'best start any person could 'ope for... But I don' want 'er t'go..." It had been hard enough watching Annie and Ciaran grow into adults, and Annie was still in Inverness and Ciaran hadn't gone anywhere and probably wouldn't for a long time, if ever. But for Kate to be going off shortly to a busy life and high position, it was both one of the proudest and one of the most painful times of Brogan's life as a father.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She'll be alright." Julia said as Brogan hugged her tightly against his side. "You taught her all that she needs to know."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'say tha'... But th'things you taught 'er are what's gonna run tha' court properly. An' tha's what she'll need first... Her first impression as queen'll be more important than anythin' else fer th'first few weeks."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Which is why I've spent so much on her new wardrobe." She said, looking at Brogan. "In spite of all of your grumbling over cost, she needs to project an image of power. Those lords will not give her the time of day if she doesn't look the part."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I never grumbled about th'cost," Brogan insisted. "Jus' don' understand why women're expected t'wear things that're so damned useless an' in th'way. Kate oughta be able t'wear what she wants..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't think that my frilly undergarments are useless." Julia whispered against his ear, chuckling at the look that crossed his face.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha's different," he grumbled, kissing her cheek. "An' don't you start tha'. Not yet anyway."

In the meantime, it was Khelt Aleister the first who approached Kate next, slowly making his way toward the table to lay an old decorated wooden box with gold leaf before her. It got Kell's attention in particular. "Kate... Take care of my boy, will you?" Khelt asked quietly. Inside the box was what seemed to be a family heirloom. It was an ancient white stone, veined with silver like the strange stones sacred objects were made from in tribal werefolk cultures. An Erygonian letter 'A' was inscribed in the side very carefully, symbolic not only of the Aleister name, but their old tribal name before they joined in with the human world- Allos. It was a wine cup, an item many Erygonian families had as it was part of wedding, introduction, and funeral ceremonies in Erygonian culture. It was Khelt's quiet contribution to their future.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked inside of the box and slowly smiled, looking up at Khelt as he asked her to take care of Kell. Khelt knew where their future lie and he was willing to entrust her with something so precious as an heirloom. She stood and leaned in, kissing his cheek gently.

"I will be proud to be an Aleister." Kate said softly to the older wolf.

 

[KieranSoares]

"And I'll be proud to call the Ghis family," Khelt murmured, kissing her cheek in return. "You're exactly what Kell needs, Kate. I've never been more sure."