Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Brogan was indeed surprised, but not for the reason she might've expected, and his answer was a question; "Y'mean ya don' already know?" He met her eyes, then paused. "Oh, 'old on... I forgot th'English don' teach their daughters... we do, 'ere in Scotland, so women can d'fend themselves an' their children. I'll be 'appy t'teach ya love, but we 'ave t'take it easy. I think I'll teach ya fencin' t'start." He smiled adoringly, "How's tha' sound, lass?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“I think that sounds perfect.” Julia said softly with a smile as she caught the adoring look in her husband’s eyes. “Perfect…just like you, my lord.”

Julia kissed him then with all the passion that she could muster. She grinned throughout, her hands roaming over his chest and shoulders, learning everything about her husband through her touch alone.

"My bottom hurts, my lord. I wonder how that could have happened." Julia whispered against his ear, giggling softly as she teased her husband mercilessly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan was a fine sport to the teasing and retorted, "Must'a been an adventure t'cause tha', aye?" He kissed her again, and his hand soon came to rest on her belly. Though still flat and trim, the very knowledge that a life was growing there made the great Scotsman incredibly giddy when he thought of it. "Y'know... even though tradition an' passin' my crown down calls fer a son... Well, I wouldn' say it in public 'cause th'lads'd think I've gone soft... I 'ope it's a li'l lass, one who looks like you, love. 'Avin' Annie was amazin' an' I'd give anythin' fer another daughter. I'd be 'appy with any lass'r lad o' my own anyway." The longer they were together, the more Julia saw of his soft side. A great teddy bear who loved his little girl and his wife and sought to please however he could. A great soft man inside, he'd do anything for Julia.

 

[heartofcourage]

Smiling with a hint of tears, Julia rested her hand over the top of his, gripping his hand warmly as he made his confession that he wanted another little girl. She could see the pride in his eyes as he spoke about Annie and his want for a girl in the future.

“Well, love, I was kind of hoping for a strong son that looked as handsome as his father.” She said softly. “But you know if it isn’t a boy, we can always try again. We can fill up the keep with children until you get the little boy you need.”

She was teasing him, of course, but she also fell further in love with her husband in that very moment. He was a great man, one that hid his emotions behind a stony mask. He would do anything for his family and that made her proud to call him her husband.

“I was thinking…if we have a girl we should name her Katherine.” She said in a soft whisper, wondering what he would think about naming her after his mother.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll 'ave a son sooner 'r later," he nodded. He did want one, but first in his mind was a daughter only because he wanted her to grow beautiful as her mother. But when Julia suggested the name Katherine, she saw emotion overtake her husband in a way she hadn't before, and he buried his face against her shoulder. "Tha's perfect," he muttered, his voice muffled. He knew his mother couldn't last too much longer as she was, and Julia's offer to let her name live on with their daughter should they have one made Brogan's heart overflow with pride and love. Julia was a Ghis through and through, no one could deny that now.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia kissed her husband’s forehead and held him tightly, comforting him from the dark thoughts that threatened to consume him. She knew he was worried about his mother and she wanted to do everything in her power to alive that worry from him.

“No more sad thoughts, love.” She whispered, drawing his gaze to hers. “Whatever happens in the future, I know that we’ve got each other. We can get through any sorrow or pain that might come our way.”

She kissed him then, her hands moving to tangle in his hair as she drew herself impossibly close to his body. His warmth soothed her, his strength spurred her own, and as her fingers clenched in his thick tresses, she knew that everything would be alright.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Gods, 'ow've I lived this long without ya..." Brogan whispered as their lips parted. He found himself falling even more deeply in love with her int he months they'd been together than the years he'd been with Cassie. He'd loved Cassie with all his heart, but after it'd been shattered and pieces lost, Julia had come and replaced it all and now held it together. Perhaps losing Cassie had allowed him to love more deeply, more wholly.

"Julia, love... I don' think I could e'er tell ya or show ya jus' 'ow much I love ya... there ain' words'r actions fer it..."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Oh, Brogan…” She said softly, their foreheads pressed tightly together as they practically shared the same breath between one another. “I don’t need you to tell me how much you love me. I don’t need you to show me. I know in my heart with every glance from those dark eyes how much you love me.”

Julia gave him a warm smile, nuzzling against his nose as she sighed softly. “Every time you make love to me, I know. Every day your child grows within my belly, I will know.”

She could tell that he was emotional, the thoughts of his upcoming fatherhood, his mother, his first wife all weighed on his mind. “Let me show you how much you mean to me, Brogan…”

Her voice was thick and heavy as she kissed him, her hands moving across his broad chest to the waist of his trousers. She made quick work of them, pulling the fabric over his hips with a little help from her husband. She smiled at him, stealing one more kiss before she moved down his body and started to kiss and suckle at his cock.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan was quite honestly surprised at her advance, but it was welcome as he knew it did not come from lust alone. In fact, if anything, their encounters were begun by lust and stuck through with love. When she drew near, Brogan's shaft sprang back to life for her attention, and Brogan couldn't help a soft, open moan when her lips first touched to his thick cock. An idea struck him, as he didn't want to selfishly lie aside while she did all the work. He did not turn her away from his manhood, but shifted her body til she lay over him the opposite way. Once she was in just the right place, he wrapped his arms around her thighs, opening them to his own advances slowly.

Brogan's lips kissed along the inside of Julia's thigh til he found her lovely pink folds and his tongue greeted them with gentle, slow strokes before he suckled lightly on her small bud that he'd given so much pleasure before.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia cooed and purred as her lips wrapped around the thick head of his cock, suckling him as he moaned for her. The sound was beautiful and heartfelt, showing her that he loved her and what she was doing. She was still a bit clumsy but she was making small improvements all the time. Her hand held the base of his cock for her lips to dance and tease, her grip pulsing around him as if it were her wet folds that were enveloping him.

She let out a little gasp as she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her until her naked thighs rested on either side of his head. She let out a whimper, her lips falling away from his cock for the briefest of moments as her hips danced enticingly over his hot gaze.

“Oh, love…” She murmured as his lips trailed up the inside of her thighs, his tongue finding a home in her pussy as he greeted her with small, slow licks.

She went back to work, sealing her lips back around his cock as he settled on suckling her clit until she squealed in delight. Her husband was certainly a wicked, wicked man.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan couldn't help a deep chuckle at her little sounds of pleasure, and he sought to hear more, lifting a hand to dip his fingers into her folds in such a lovely, almost painfully slow way, letting her feel every small movement. When she did something he particularly liked, he groaned against her warm and wet flesh. The rumbling vibration of his voice did wonders.

 

[heartofcourage]

The feel of his fingers slowly slipping into her body had Julia dancing, her thighs clenching and unclenching as her hips started to move. She was never one to stay absolutely still during sex and she was sure that her husband knew that very well.

She licked and sucked him until he was groaning. Each deep groan from Brogan’s lips vibrated her clit until she squealed in pleasure for him all over again. She knew she would not last long under his ministrations and she took as much of his cock between her lips as she could manage, bobbing her head back and forth in urgency.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan ended up being the first to break, and with a loud, long groan, almost a howl, he came hard and his seed shot into her throat with only a moment's notice. With that, he redoubled his efforts on her and his fingers began pumping into her quickly and mercilessly as he suckled firmly on her sensitive clit.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia moaned deeply as Brogan came for her, his hot sticky seed emptying into her mouth and down her throat. It was only seconds later that her lips left his cock, her own call issuing forth as she came for him as his fingers pumped in and out of her body quickly, his lips sealing around her clit. She whimpered as her pussy fluttered for him, her cheek rubbing against his sticky cock as she floated in a haze of pleasure.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan luxuriated in her orgasm, always glad of how he affected her and she him. Eventually, he slipped out from beneath her and drew her into his arms once more to kiss warmly along her throat. Only when his lips parted from her soft skin did he whisper, "I love you, Julia... Gods, I love you... I'd make love t'you fer eternity if I could..."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Perhaps if we had no need for food or drink, we could.” She teased him with a lazy smile, sighing as his lips kissed along her throat with a warm, hungry, loving passion. “Or if you did not have the obligations of a king and a father.”

Julia nestled closer to his side, her eyes sleepily closing as she listened to the soft even tone of his breathing. She loved this moment, when it was just her and her husband, enjoying one another’s company.

"I would gladly let you make love to me whenever you wish, my lord..." She murmured, drifting into blissful sleep in his strong arms.

 

[KieranSoares]

The next morning brought happy news when Brogan and Julia stepped into the great hall. Valentina's father Vincenzo had reached Dover and was only days away from arriving. But even happier was a letter from Cassandra's parents, saying they were commissioning a captain to bring Annie home to Scotland after the summer storm season was over. Everything was signed and sealed, and Annie was coming home for sure.

When Brogan heard of these things from Valentina, he hugged her tight and he could've kissed her, but he settled for kissing her cheek. "Thank ya, darlin'... I don' know if I can 'andle any more good news after all tha's been 'appenin' lately."

"Oh, then I suppose I should leave the last part off," Valentina smiled wryly.

"... What?"

"A rider came with a message this morning, he told me that Wick wanted to discuss a peace treaty and to lay down proper land zoning between their Clan's land and yours. He said that the King was dethroned and his eldest son replaced him. He, like you, knows the war is the conflict of your predecessors. The rider told me the new king would like to come here to meet you soon and discuss some more important matters, but that he would await a message back from you for your answer."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia glanced up from her knitting, stunned at the news that Wick would give in that easily. She glanced at Brogan and then down at the scarf that she’d been making for Annie. She wanted to say something, but she decided that she would defer to Brogan as he was the king. She smiled though, happy that her step-daughter was coming home and Kitty would be getting the help that she so sorely needed.

“We will have to set to work on a room for Annie. I’m sure a little girl would be comfortable in a room all of her own.” Julia commented to Brogan, smiling at him as he showed his happiness at the thought of having his daughter around. “Perhaps we could commission a new wardrobe for her as well.”

She didn’t talk about things for her baby. It was all about Annie. She so dearly wanted the little girl to like her home in Inverness.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Val, would y'mind gettin' things ready fer yer father? I'll deal with Wick an' preparin' fer Annie," Brogan kissed the Italian's cheek once more time after she nodded, and she headed off to do as asked with a spring in her step. Things were going swimmingly for the first time in a long time.

Brogan knelt before Julia, stopping her knitting a moment to kiss her hand with a smile, "I'm sure Annie'll love anythin' ya pick, darlin'." But he spoke up about what she had let go for the moment. "But we need t'start preparin' fer th'baby too."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I think Annie is more important right now, love.” She said softly, squeezing his hand before she leaned in and kissed his cheek gently. “Besides, this baby isn’t coming any time soon. Annie will be here before we know it.”

Julia smiled at her husband and kissed his lips as her hand lifted to cup his cheek. It was apparent from anyone that looked at the royal couple how in love they were. That was just how she wanted it. She wanted her subjects to know that she adored her husband with every fiber of her body.

“I think a feast is in order, Brogan. One of thanksgiving for all of the good things that are happening. We have a baby on the way, Annie is returning home, Kitty will soon be in the best of health, and you have three new additions to your family.” Julia suggested, knowing that her husband always loved a good party. It also gave her an excuse to get dressed up and dance.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think yer righ', love," Brogan leaned up to kiss her before rising once more to call a few maids and men to him. He shelled out requests rather than orders, which surprised the staff. They'd seen him soften over the months with Julia, but didn't realize how it'd affected him so. But they were glad to serve their kind king. He'd always been kind before, but less forgiving, less human when he was alone.

Brogan sent a few men down to the cellars to take stock of all that was there, to make sure there was plenty. He then extended invitations out into the village. They were going to have a feast for the whole village and set it up on the keep's grounds outside. It would be ready in two days at Brogan's pace.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was over the moon as Brogan set about getting a feast arranged. She was giddy and glowing as she helped with the preparations. She helped the woman clean and press the table linens. She helped to pick out the plates and cutlery that would be used. She was even about to help with the cooking when she was shooed out of the kitchen with a steaming bowl of stew in her hands with orders from the cook to rest.

With her belly full, she made her way to Kitty’s room, intent on knitting in peace with her mother-in-law in the warmth of her sunny space. She barely got one line of stitching done before Kitty’s conversation lulled her into sleep. She dozed by the warmth of the fire, her feet propped up and a blanket wrapped around her body.

“I remember those early days of being pregnant with Gabriel. I was just as worn out, but still insistent on doing everything.” Marri comment with a smile as she looked over at Julia. “I’ve never seen a mother and father so happy though.”

Marri glanced over at Kitty with a kind grin, her hand reaching out to grip her mother-in-law’s frail hand. “You must be happy to know that Brogan’s heart has healed. At least he won’t be lonely any longer.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Happy can' possibly d'scribe it..." Kitty sighed happily, giving Marri's hand a weak squeeze. "I was so 'appy fer 'im when 'e foun' Cassie, an' when she died, I was sure 'e'd ne'er be the same... An' 'e ne'er will be, but Julia made 'im a better man than 'e e'er was before..."

Kitty's eyes turned to Marri, "Y'know I didn' feel too much different when Durban wrote me about you. After 'is father banished 'im an' 'e was chased out o' Scotland, 'e roamed th'world fer several years til 'e foun' you in Wales. I still 'ave tha' letter, an' all th'letters my children an' their families send me, but th'ones that're special, like th' ones about you, th' one about Selena 'aving Ruben... they're in a special place. I read 'em when times're 'ard 'r when I feel like I don' 'ave th'strength left t'live another day."

She rose shakily and came to settle by Marri, wrapping her in a weak embrace. "I ne'er did thank ya fer makin' my Durban so 'appy, and fer givin' me those sweet gran'children... Hopefully, with Vincenzo coming 'ere, I'll be strong enough t'see 'em grow. I look an' feel so much older'n I really am... No one'll believe I'm no' even fifty yet. I 'ad Durban when I was 'ardly seventeen, an' Brogan when I was twenty-two." She sighed, but then smiled. "Y'know Marri... this is a secret fer now... but Vincenzo's quite the charmer. After m'husband fell t'Brogan, I spent quite some time in Italy with him... I ain' e'er told any o'my other children but... Valentina's my daughter, tha's why she's 'ere, she wanted t'keep close t'me after I fell ill an' came 'ome."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I am so very proud to have you as my mother, Kitty.” Marri said, hugging the dear woman as she came and sat at her side. She could feel how frail she was, but bless her heart she was trying to hold out.

Then came the news that she hadn’t been expecting. Valentina was Kitty’s daughter by another man. The thought should have shocked her, but it didn’t. Instead, she was happy that Kitty had found a man that made her feel special and loved after so many years with a tyrant like her husband had been.

“You absolutely glow when you say his name.” Marri said with a heartfelt smile, no mention about Valentina. “Perhaps you should think about rekindling that old flame, Kitty. A bit of romance might do you good.”

She was teasing, but also completely serious. She wanted to see her happy. “I’m sure the boys won’t mind their mother courting. And if they do, they’ll have to answer to me.” She couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of taking on the strong Ghis men if they dared come between their mother and true love.

About that time, Seamus woke from his nap, crying out in hunger as his little arms waved back and forth from his bassinet. Marri stood and tended to her son, sitting beside Kitty as she let him nurse. The crying had woke Julia and she sat there for a moment, a bit disoriented.

“Having a child takes it out of you, lass.” Marri said fondly. “Just take it easy and tell that husband of yours to give you a rest.”

Julia blushed at that, looking at the two women with a sheepish look on her face. “Well, to tell you the truth, it hasn’t been all Brogan’s doing….”

 

[KieranSoares]

"O'course it's not. I see th'way you look at Brogan," Kitty teased. "Not too different from th' way Marri 'n' Durban look at each other."

"I 'eard my name," Durban spoke up as he stepped in the door.

"Tha' ya did, lad."

"Brogan's right, y'ladies're always talkin' about us be'ind our backs." He came to kiss Kitty's cheek and then Julia's before greeting his wife with a warm kiss to her lips. "'Ow ya doin', sweet'eart?" He asked her softly, settling at her side.