Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"It's not your fault. It's natural to want to protect her after she went through such a change and a struggle. She'll catch up to Ashelin. She'll just be learning in a different way. It's a little different for a child, but easier so young, I think, dealing with being blind. This will be normal to her. It's much harder when you're older, especially because of stubbornness and habits."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wish that this had never happened." Julia told Van in a soft voice, feeling miserable that she had those thoughts since nothing could change the past. "I worked so hard for the two of them that I only wanted to give them a perfect little life."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Perfect isn't possible, my dear. But happy most certainly is. And even if Heather gets frustrated, she's not unhappy. You'll see." When Heather was finished eating, Van helped her clean her face before he let Julia take her as Heather probably wasn't terribly happy with him at the moment. He took Ashelin and cradled her against his shoulder. For a man who'd never had his own children, he seemed very natural with them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia hugged Heather tightly as the little girl groused and fretted against her shoulder. She wasn't terribly happy with any of them at the moment, it seemed. It was a few moments later that the door opened and Kitty stepped in, the sound of her grandmother's voice instantly brightening Heather's dark disposition.

Heather had a soft spot for her grandmother and the feeling was mutual. She always reserved the sweetest kisses and the tightest hugs for the dear woman and the moment that she was in Kitty's arms, her worries were forgotten.

"She has been waiting all morning for a person to come and baby her." Julia said with a laugh as Heather hugged her grandmother around the neck so tightly. "Poor Van has been matching wits with her. I told Brogan that she was very much his daughter."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You should've come and told me. She might've been a little more cooperative with me." Kitty smiled to Heather. "You're always a good girl for Gran." Even so, she pressed a kiss to Van's cheek in thanks for his patience. They'd always shared a good relationship even though they were apart.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Heather has to figure things out on her own now." Julia said, echoing Van's words as Heather clung to Kitty.

"We could take them to the market today. Since the children won't let me help with these wedding plans." Julia suggested, searching for something to do that day.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, we have plans for you to sort out with Brogan," Kitty assured her. "Take your girls and go find him, then go see Chessie. She has a basket for you two." The 'plans' were likely an excuse to get them out of the keep while things were brought in and set up.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Kitty..." Julia said with a low warning tone as she was told to take the girls and get out of the keep. "All of you together are getting to be too much."

Julia soon scooped up both girls, Heather a little happier after time with her Gran. Ashelin was a bright spot of sunshine the moment that she saw Brogan in the library, wiggling in her Ma's arms to get to the man that she adored.

"We're being kicked out of the keep." Julia announced to her husband. "We're suppose to see Chessie to get a basket."

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan turned from a shelf full of Vincenzo's journals, taking Ashelin with a sigh, "I know. Kate already warned me, said we 'ad t'leave once th'girls were done with breakfast. I don' know what they're doin' but it must be somethin' pretty special."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your Ma is in on it." Julia said by way of an answer as Heather rested her head on her mother's shoulder. "I suppose we can do as they ask for now. When all of this is over they will find it hard to keep secrets from us for very long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They jus' want t'make it special. Let 'em 'ave their fun," Brogan offered her a soft smile. "It'll be nice, anyway. A little date with jus' you an' the girls." He kissed Julia's cheek before they went to the kitchen where Chessie had already put together a basket.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And what is in this special basket, Chessie?" Julia asked, holding Ashelin's hand as Brogan gathered what had been prepared for them. "We were told it was to be taken out of the keep and towards the loch."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Lunch for later, of course," Chessie laughed. "You think we'd kick you out without something to distract you for a few hours?"

"You're in on it too, aye?" Brogan asked somewhat amusedly, his answer being a kiss on the cheek.

"Go on. I have secrets to keep."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia laughed softly as she turned Ashelin towards the door, still holding Heather asleep against her shoulder. Ashelin toddled on unsteady legs, trying her best to keep up and act like the growing girl that she was.

"You're such a good girl, Ashelin Mary." Julia praised, smiling down at her sunny child as she beemed with the praise.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan walked along just behind Ashelin, ready to catch her at any moment if she fell on the stone floor. Even after five children before them, he was still constantly enthralled by how the girls learned and grew everyday.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Da." Ashelin said simply, offering her free hand to her father and holding his large hand tightly in her own.

"She has spunk. Another kitten, it seems." Julia said, looking at her husband with proud smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Exactly what I need, seein' as th'first is about t'run off t'play Queen." Brogan adored his girls more than anything in the world, so even though he had another pair to look after, watching Kate go would be incredibly tough, likely even harder than watching Annie go because Annie was just a few miles away. Kate would be a week away, and busy at the best of times.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know she'll be back every chance that she gets. She'll never get too far from you, love. And we can visit all we like once these babies get a little bit older." Julia promised her husband as they continued out of the keep.

Ashelin soon gave up on walking, content to be picked up into her father's arms. She snuggled against him with a happy smile, a soft sigh leaving her lips. Soon both twins were asleep, slumbering next to one another on the large blanket that had been spread in the grass as their parents enjoyed a nice lunch in the sunshine.

 

[KieranSoares]

When they were finally allowed back into the keep, they still weren't allowed in the east wing, especially not the kitchen. There we're decorations and all sorts of things hidden away there.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I feel like I'm a stranger in my own home." Julia murmured that late afternoon as she sat with Rho and Sam in her parlor.

She enjoyed moments with her boys, sitting with them on each side and talking with them about the things that they had learned and how their lives were growing.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're not. It's just a secret, that's all," Rho assured her. "And it was Chessie's idea to hide everything over there."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course she did. With your Gran's help, I suppose". Julia said with a chuckle as she spread her fingers through Rho's dark hair, holding Sam against her side with her other arm. "Your poor Ma can't even have one small hint?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kate said she'd let Khan tear up our rooms if we said anything," Rho told her. And the tiger cub would, too. He had toys to chew on, but the moment anyone handed him anything without specific instructions, it was in pieces in seconds.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She would be in for a world of trouble if that were the case. Even your Da couldn't shield her from me." Julia answered with a grin as she leaned her head down to press it against Rho's dark hair. "I miss these moments with the both of you. You're growing up too fast for your Ma."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You always say that," Rho smiled. "I can't help it, Ma." He and Sam were starting to reach Kate's height, and it wouldn't be long before they began to contend with Ciaran for height, though Sam would probably always be the taller twin.