Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Elda says that I shouldn't unless things are official." Siobhan said softly, her eyes drifting to the table top. "And she said it might look bad since you over see my work. Once or twice a week isn't bad, but more than that might make other workers angry."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, to hell with what Elda thinks. She's a good woman, I respect her, but she cares far too much about reputation and being proper. You're my cub as far as I'm concerned, Siobhan. If you want to come move in with me, you can. And I would be more than happy to sign some piece of paper if it meant you really could be my daughter." Chessie could be fiery, but she maintained a dignified air, knowing that other people's opinions took a backseat to happiness.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'd really want to be my Ma?" Siobhan asked, looking up at her with a pair of slightly startled golden eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've told you that for months now, my love," Chessie chuckled, taking Siobhan's hands. "Whether you call me Ma or not, I consider you my child to look after when you need it. We could make that official if you like."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But...what about Alban? Would he want to be my Da?" Siobhan asked as Chessie took her hands and promised that she would make it all official if that is what she wanted. "He loves you so much and I don't want to ruin that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Alban adores you," Chessie assured her. "And you get to decide who your Da is. If in some strange twist Alban doesn't want to be a part of a family... Well, I'm afraid that's a requirement for being with me. But I know he's always wanted to be a father."

 

[heartofcourage]

Siobhan instantly hugged Chessie, tears in her golden eyes as she promised that even if Alban didn't want to be a father, things would work out. It had been a long time since Siobhan had had a mother, but it seemed that Chessie was more than willing to step into the role.

 

[KieranSoares]

Chessie chuckled softly, her arms draping around Siobhan easily. "Brogan can help us. The paperwork will probably go through him or Rho anyhow. But tonight, you're coming home with me. We'll take a little cart to pick up your things."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't have much. It wouldn't even take a cart." Siobhan murmured as Chessie held her tightly. "I can bring it all myself."

Kate had been watching the scene quietly as she and Kell ate and she glanced towards Kell as Chessie and Siobhan made plans to move the young wolf into Chessie's home. "Chessie, we can help you if you like. Kell has two big strong arms and I'm no slouch myself."

 

[KieranSoares]

Chessie looked over and then smiled to Siobhan again. "Problem solved. Any excuse to put Kate's handsome Wolf to work. He's fun to watch."

Kell chuckled to himself shaking his head. He was used to it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We would be more than happy to help." Kate murmured as Siobhan hugged Chessie a little bit tighter. "After lunch is served, we can load up a wagon and go to the market and then we can go and get Siobhan's things settled."

 

[KieranSoares]

Chessie smiled softly to Kate and Kell. "Thank you," she murmured, smoothing back Siobhan's fur.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate smiled at Chessie as she soothed Siobhan. When she and Kell had finished eating, they washed their dishes and walked towards the stables.

"Siobhan has never had anything nice in her life." Kate said softly, looking at her husband with a small, mischievous smile. "Let's give her the home that she's always dreamed of. A few nice new dresses. Some little trinkets. It'll be a good surprise and a nice way to start our married life."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've got a few ideas in mind. If I remember correctly, Chessie started teaching her to read last year, and Siobhan loves it. I think a bookshelf and some new stories are in order." Kell stepped into the stable, his dark horse immediately poking her head out of her stall at his entry.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She does enjoy reading. And cooking." Kate said as Kell's horse poked his head out of the stables to greet his master. "I'm sure we can fill her new room with all sorts of things that would make her smile. Chessie won't have a say."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell patted his horse's neck as he passed, but it was a proper draft horse he was looking for, one used to hauling wagons. Once they had a fine old horse and a small wagon, Kell harnessed the horse and brought the wagon out to the front of the keep.

 

[heartofcourage]

Siobhan looked so excited and nervous as she stepped out of the keep with Chessie's hand held tightly in her own. She hadn't had hope in a long time but it seemed that things had suddenly taken a turn for the better for her. She actually smiled as Kell helped her into the wagon and they started off into town to get the things that were needed for the keep's kitchen.

 

[KieranSoares]

While Siobhan and Chessie attended to the keep's needs, Kell and Kate quietly filled up a crate with things for Siobhan and her room, from clothes to decor and new bedding.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was having fun buying small little things for the shy wolf. Siobhan would never ask for something, simply saving her money until she could quietly buy it herself. She even picked up a smal journal for the girl to record her own thoughts in as she got older. It might give her courage to record everything that was happening around her.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the four all reconvened at the wagon and Chessie and Siobhan saw Kell and Kate packing in the new items for the young Wolf, Chessie raised an eyebrow. "Now what's all this?" She could see the clothes and a smile came to her face. "I could've handled all of this, kids..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Chessie, I'm the queen of Scotland. I can do as I wish." Kate said with a small smile towards the cook as Siobhan quietly looked over everything in the crate. "Use that money to marry Alban. Make everyone a little happier."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're not queen yet, little lass. And I outrank you anyway as your father's adopted sister," Chessie chuckled, hugging Kate and Kell tightly. She looked back to Siobhan with a soft smile. "What do you think, love?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Siobhan was very carefully going through all of the items in the crate. She counted two new dresses, two new skirts, a pair of pants, two tunics with tribal patterns, a group of ten books, a new apron, a brush set designed for thick were fur, a lovely little rug that had been done by local weavers that had a beautiful view of the night sky, and a small leather bound journal and writing set. It was all overwhelming and she looked up at the group with startled golden eyes.

"It would take forever for me to pay you back for this." Siobhan said softly, clutching one of the new books to her chest.

"We would never take payment from you, Siobhan. We simply want you to have a good start in your new life." Kate said as the tan wolf nodded, still speechless.

 

[KieranSoares]

Chessie wrapped an arm around Siobhan. "Let's get the supplies back to the keep, and then we'll set up your room at my house."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can get my things from my room as well." Siobhan said as Chessie suggested they all go and get everything set up. "It's not much. I have a small chest with my things."