Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I'll talk with 'er about it," Brogan nodded and came to Kitty's door, knocking lightly.

"Come in, love." With Kitty's welcome, Brogan entered with Julia, smiling to his mother.

"Ma, we've got some news fer ya," Brogan smiled, coming to kneel before her chair. She set aside her knitting and brushed her fingers through his hair.

"An' what might it be?"

"Julia an' I're expectin' a baby, Val's sure of it." At that, Kitty rose shakily, and Brogan rose to support her. She wrapped one arm around each Brogan and Julia, burying her face against Julia's shoulder with joyful tears.

"If anyone deserves t'have a baby, it's th'two o' you," her voice was muffled but still understandable.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia wrapped her arms around her mother-in-law as the woman held her tightly, crying tears of joy against her shoulder as she declared that the two of them deserved that baby. She smiled and pulled away from Kitty, drying her tears her sleeve.

“Oh, Kitty, there’s no reason for tears. Believe me, I’ve shed more than enough for both of us.” Julia said, trying to make the older woman laugh. “I don’t think Brogan can deal with two blubbering women.”

She worried about Kitty very much and she did everything in her power to make the woman’s time easier. She only wished that there was something she could do to make Kitty stronger. She gave her mother-in-law a warm smile as her hand pressed against her belly. Glancing over at Brogan, Julia knew that she had to say something.

“Kitty, we’re worried about you. We want you around to watch our child grow.” Julia said softly, placing her own hand over Kitty’s gripping it tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not goin' anywhere, loves. Valentina's bringin' 'er father from Italy t'help me, 'e's a fine healer 'imself. She says 'e's cared fer people in conditions like mine b'fore an' even though 'e can't cure me, 'e can make it easier t'live with."

"Why didn't ya tell me tha' before, Ma?" Brogan asked, though he couldn't help a glad smile.

"Jus' found out las' night, got a letter from 'im sayin' 'e was already in France an' on 'is way."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You have no idea how happy that news makes me, Kitty.” Julia said, wrapping the frail woman in a tight hug, a few tears appearing on her cheeks at the thought of her dear mother-in-law getting help for her illness.

“Now, I think we should celebrate. Would you come with Brogan and I on a picnic at the loch? We should get Durban and Boar to bring their families as well.” Julia insisted, looking at her husband with a warm smile.

She couldn’t explain how happy she was in that moment. She was fulfilling a dream that she’d had since marrying Brogan and she felt complete for the first time in her life. She could see the pride on Brogan’s features and that made her feel incredible. She also had to remember that the last time this had happened, Brogan had lost his wife. She needed to be there to reassure him, every step of the way.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Jus' don' go fallin' in again," Brogan muttered, kissing her with a teasing smile. As awful as the situation had been at the time, it was simply better to look back and laugh rather than be troubled by it.

"Go on an' get yer brothers, Brogan," Kitty shooed him. "I'll walk with Julia."

"Careful, then, both of you," Brogan kissed his mother's cheek and then Julia once more before leaving them. Valentina would accompany them for Kitty's sake. Food would be brought out for them by the kind maids and kitchen workers. It wasn't long before the brothers and their families were gathered. Boar had walked, leading a horse that Emma was riding to cause the least stress possible for her, being not so far from giving birth.

 

[heartofcourage]

Walking with Kitty was a slow process, but it was well worth it to Julia as she saw the light in her eyes growing brighter in the sunlight. They talked about nothing in particular, mostly about where would be the best place for the baby’s nursery in the keep.

“I have to say that I’m a little worried about Brogan, Kitty.” Julia said as they walked with Val towards the banks of the loch. “I’m worried that he will start brooding again over what happened to Cassie. I can’t deny him his sorrow and I accept that she’ll always be a part of his life, but I can’t help but selfishly want this to be just for the two of us.”

“After all, it did take a long time to even get to this point.” Julia blushed deeply at that confession, knowing that Kitty and Val would understand her anxiety.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He migh' think o' her every now and then, but he doesn't dwell for so long anymore, not since 'e has you now," Kitty nodded. "'E told me 'e was thinkin' about 'er jus' two weeks ago, said 'e felt like 'e was betrayin' you for it. 'E won' ever forget 'er, but now tha' 'e's got a reason t'live again beyond Inverness... he's whole again, because o' you, Julia. 'E'll always remember Cassie an' 'e may think o' her when she was carryin' Annie, but 'e always lets those thoughts go when 'e thinks o' you."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Then I will make it my mission to make many more happy memories with him.” Julia promised, relieved with what Kitty had to say.

The day at the loch was peaceful. Everyone was happy with the news of another little one on the way and the meal was one full of mirth and laughter. It did Julia some good to watch Kitty brighten when she was around her family. It gave her hope that perhaps the end wasn’t so near for her.

Tiny Elise pulled on her father’s hand, begging to go for a swim even if the water was a little too cool. “Come on, Da! Ya promised.” The little pout on her lips was precious and soon she and Gabriel were laughing and splashing in the water.

Julia had grown tired as the time wore on and she found a spot to rest with her head propped in Brogan’s lap. She dozed off and on in the warm spring sun, finally waking as Marri gathered her children from the water. She turned her head to look up at her husband’s handsome features. Slowly she reached up and touched his cheek, giving him a sleepy smile.

“Are you happy, love?” She asked softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Happy as I've ever been, darlin'." Brogan lifted his hand to hers and kissed her palm. "An' yerself?" He was entirely content to be her pillow and he loved the look of calm serenity in her features. "Lovely lass..." he mused quietly.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Over the moon.” She said, smiling as he kissed her palm. A slight blush covered her cheeks as he called her a lovely lass and she found herself smiling wider. “Are you turning into a romantic, Brogan Ghis?”

She couldn’t help but tease her husband. He made her feel so joyful and at ease. She was completely in love with Brogan and she couldn’t fathom how she could have ever thought that he didn’t love her. Her affair with Ciaran seemed so long ago now…

“OH!” A cry came out across the bank and Julia raised her head to look at Emma who was clutching her belly and turning a shade of white. “Boar! I think the baby’s coming.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Before Brogan could answer, he heard his sister-in-law's cry and he slid away from Julia to rise and help the couple as Boar raced to Emma's side. Valentina was second to reach her, and Boar carried Emma to their home nearby. Once they were there, Valentina kicked out all the men, keeping only Marri there to help as she'd delivered two of her own children with only a bit of Durban's help. Julia was welcome to help if she wanted, but Valentina didn't know if she had any experience.

 

[heartofcourage]

The sounds that came from the bedroom were terrifying. Julia sat at Brogan’s side, clenching his hand tightly as Kitty tried to calm Boar down. She had never seen her brother-in-law look so helpless and scared as his wife cried out in pain in the other room. As the sun started to set, Julia set about making the men some dinner, making sure that everyone was well fed as they waited.

As the night wore on, Julia found herself looking towards the door every time Marri or Val exited to gather more supplies. Surely a birth didn’t take this long… Shortly before midnight, as Julia slept curled up at Brogan’s side, the first squalling cry of a newborn could be heard through the door. Lifting her head, she looked towards Boar and gave him a smile.

“Congratulations, Da.” She whispered softly, watching a mysterious emotion cross his dark eyes.

It was moments later that another cry sounded as another baby called out. A few moments later, Marri stepped from the room with two little bundles wrapped tightly in their swaddling. “Two strong boys for the happy father. Why did you not tell us you were expecting twins, Boar?” Marri asked with a smile on her face as she brought the boys for their father’s inspection.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I... I had no idea..." Boar whispered, taking both boys. He was left in shock. He was a father twice in one night. Tears filled his eyes, but with both boys he couldn't swipe away said tears. Kitty came and dabbed them away with her kerchief for him.

"How's Emma...?" He asked Marri and Valentina gently.

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri and Valentina shared a look between one another before they both looked at Boar. It had been a difficult birth and there had been a lot of blood lost. If she survived it would take a long time for her to get back to being herself.

"We just have to think positively, Boar. You focus on your boys and we will take care of Emma." Marri said softly, knowing that her brother-in-law would take the news hard.

With that, the two women moved back into the other room to tend to Emma who lay delirious in the bed, moaning in pain and shaking with the fever that was slowly settling in. Julia watched Boar with the twins, the lost look on his face heartbreaking.

"Can I hold one, Boar?" She asked softly, wanting to make the situation better for him in any way possible.

She took the one that he held in his right arm, smiling down at the infant with the dark gaze and even darker hair. "They have your eyes and hair, but Emma's face."

She smiled at her brother-in-law, wishing there were some way to shake him from his fog. "What will you name them?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"We only thought of one name for a boy..." Boar muttered as he settled into a seat by Julia, feeling numb inside. "We decided on Caerleon, after 'er grandfather... But I wanted 'is nickname t'be Bear," he chuckled sadly, remembering how Emma had scolded him for just wanting 'Bear'. He wanted his son to have a strong name, rather than just a strong nickname like his father whose real name was Lynndon, or Lynn as Kitty had once called him. Valentina having told him which son had come first, Boar gave the first the name Caerleon, but the second, Boar could only think of a name he and Emma had thought of for their second son if they'd ever had one, but they'd let it go a while ago. "Elijiah... she loves tha' name. It's th' name o' her favorite legendary hero from th' stories o' her home... Leon an' Eli, she'll 'ate those nicknames, but..." He covered his face with his free hand. Brogan settled beside him, putting an arm around his younger brother.

"She'll make it lad, Val won' let 'er go," Brogan spoke softly. "Here... give me Leon, go in an' see her."

"Thanks, brother..." Boar surrendered Leon to him while Julia held Eli, and Boar entered at Valentina's permission. He knelt beside Emma and took her hand, laying his head on the edge of the bed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia’s heart was breaking and she glanced at Brogan as he held little Leon in his arms while his brother went to tend to his wife. Eli whimpered and she placed her finger against his lips, shushing him softly as she listened to the soft noise of whispering coming from the other room.

“She’ll be alright.” Julia said softly, more for her benefit than anything else. Having learned about her own pregnancy, this moment weighed heavily on her mind.

“Brogan…” She said softly, her green eyes meeting his as something unspoken passed between them. “If this happens to me…promise me, love, that you’ll find someone else that will make you happy and raise our child.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan's gaze turned to Julia in shock and hurt, "What? No... No, not again... It was 'ard enough th'first time..." he averted his eyes as memories of Cassie's death and sending Annie away flooded his mind. "I'm not goin' through all tha' again... If I e'er lost you... that'd be it fer me..." He hated to tell her this, but he had to be honest with her. "I wouldn' send th' children away like I did wi' Cassie... but I won' go lookin' fer love again... Maybe if it foun' me... but not otherwise."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia hadn’t meant to make her husband upset and she was stunned by the way that he would never find someone after her. She stood from her spot, cradling the baby close as she sat next to her husband and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. She pulled him close and kissed his cheek.

“Love, I don’t plan on going anywhere soon.” She sighed softly, her fingers combing through his thick hair. “Everything will be alright.”

A week later, both boys proved that they were certainly hale and healthy, crying as much as their lungs would allow. Eli and Leon would squirm and fight in their bassinet, unhappy unless their limbs were free from the thick blankets that everyone insisted on tucking around them. Emma had survived, but was incredibly weak. With Valentina’s help, she was on the road the recovery and thanked her lucky stars every day that she was alive to watch her children grow.

That afternoon, she was seated in front of the fire in their home, watching her boys as they wiggled and squirmed on the blanket that had been spread out. She could hear Boar chopping wood outside, stopping for a moment to talk to someone before continuing on his task. A few moments later, she looked up with a smile to see Brogan and Julia walk through the door.

“Good afternoon, Emma. We brought you some dinner.” Julia said cheerfully, bustling past the woman and the babies to place her basket in the kitchen. “I’ll get it on the fire for you and Boar.”

“Thank you.” Emma said softly, looking towards Brogan for a moment. “You look well, Brogan.” She said, struggling to make conversation with the man that she had nearly poisoned just a few short months ago.

At that moment, Leon sucked in a deep breath and began crying at the top of his lungs, his tiny little face turning red in his anger. "Would you mind picking him up, Brogan? He's still too heavy for me." Emma said, her embarrassment evident at having to ask him to do such a simple task.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No worries, lass," Brogan smiled. He'd well and truly forgiven Emma and Boar after they proved their sincerity with time. He scooped Leon up and easily held him in one arm. "Hush now, lad," he spoke softly, and proceeded to easily calm the boy by stroking his fingers over Leon's already-thick hair. It worked like a charm. It always did with Ghis children, and Brogan knew what he was doing, being a father himself and having helped raise his younger siblings. He sat down beside Emma as Leon settled, having only wanted attention.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma smiled as Leon calmed and was soon content in his uncle’s arms. “He has a temper that is only rivaled by his father’s.” Elijah, however, is much more level headed.”

It was apparent that Emma was well and truly smitten with her sons. She smiled easier, laughed at their movements, and seemed extremely pleased with her life in general. She glanced towards Brogan and was quiet for a moment.

“I was happy to hear about Julia.” She said softly. “You’ll make an excellent father, Brogan.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I hope so... this'll be a secon' chance t'do things right... an' I'll 'ave Annie back sometime this autumn. I jus' 'ope she doesn' hate me fer sendin' 'er t'Ireland so long." He sighed, then looked over. "If she's still anythin' like I remember... ye'll love 'er. She's th' sweetest girl I've e'er known next t'Julia."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Well, as soon as I’m able, I’ll have Boar trying for a girl. Although I think he only wants strong little boys filling his house. I dare say that I will always be outnumbered.” Emma said, laughing along with her brother-in-law.

Julia entered back into the living area, looking over Brogan’s shoulder at the little boy that he held. She had to admit that Boar and Emma certainly made good looking children. She scooped Leon from Brogan’s arms and cuddled him close, kissing his downy hair. She was almost giddy at the thought of holding her own newborn in autumn. The very thought made her heart swell with joy.

After visiting with Emma for a few more moments, she placed Leon in his mother’s arm and kissed her sister-in-law’s cheek, telling her that dinner was ready whenever they wanted it. Taking Brogan’s hand, they left the cozy little house, sending Boar in to care for his little family. It was a cheerful afternoon for a walk, the weather growing warmer by the passing day.

With a mischievous smile, Julia pulled Brogan into a thick strand of tears and in the solitude, she tilted her head back for a kiss. “Is it wrong that all I can think about is my husband kissing me lately?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nope," Brogan grinned, "pretty normal fer an expectin' mother, 'specially fer you." He gladly indulged her in a deep, warm kiss that chased the chill in the air away. When their lips parted, he chuckled, "M'only regret is tha' we can't do th'same things in bed til th'baby's born. I can still tease, though," he smirked devilishly and laid a searing kiss on her neck.

 

[heartofcourage]

“What do you mean we can’t do the same things in bed?” Julia asks with a disappointed tone in her voice, squealing as Brogan is suddenly at her neck, kissing and suckling at her skin until she moaned in wild abandon.

Her fingers were tangling in his hair instantly, holding him in that spot until she swore that she would explode just from the feel of his lips on her skin. When he pulled away, she looked at him with those heated green eyes and she gave him a little smile.

“That’s a shame, you know. I think I’ll miss my husband’s body curled around mine. His thick cock resting in my warm, wet entrance.” She loved teasing him like this but she had rarely done it in the past. “Of course, if I can’t convince him to continue…”

She turned her back to him, walking further into the thick crop of trees, her hips swaying seductively as she tried to entice him into a nice little game of chase.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not so rough, I mean," Brogan smirked to himself, thinking of the nights he left her sore after wild and unplanned romps. He lumbered along behind her, looking for his chance, figuratively, to pounce. He was like a wild wolf following the trail of a she-wolf in heat, his senses focused and his body tensed and ready.