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Date: 08-02-09
Poster: Malcolm Douglas
Post # 1
Getting
Out
It was some time since they headed down this way and a trip to be made
on such a nice day. Surrey used made the time a scenic view as
certainly the lands were lush in foliage and flowers alike. Malcolm was attired
accordingly in a lightweight poets shirt, black pants and boots. Once
arrived at the Thistle he was down from his side of the surrey and
around to help Ette out. "I'm afraid to try and count the days
since we were last here. I am hoping that Elaina is in with her brother
that you might visit her."
It was a day to be enjoyed certainly and she was also hoping that her
friends would also be visiting from Innis. She wore her favorite
gown of pale green, light and flowing, much like the gowns of her
homeland. Red hair was pulled back at the crown of her head, the curls
flowing down her back. She slid her arm through his and laughed
lightly. "Far too many, my love." She looked at
the tavern and smiled. "It will be good to see Alex and Hazel
again."
"I love that color on you, it seems to make you glow. I do believe
you are more beautiful with each passing day." Smile tipped off to
the side as a glint rose in dark blue eyes. Offering the bend of
his arm before he escorted her within. "A good day to you Sir
Alex," with no one around he would use the man's real title
respectfully. "Do you know if Peter and Elaina are in at the
castle?" Being the two seemed to go back and forth between here and
Innis and any news traveling to Tyremoor could be last week's news. Alex
gave a nod as he set out a tankard of cold ale for Malcolm and then
stalled to see what Ette wanted. A lady might opt for tea or lemonade
this early than a drink.
"Thank you." Her smile actually brightened more for the
compliments as they entered the tavern. And lemonade was what she
picked. "Alex, it's good to see you again." She gave the
man a warm smile as she settled onto a stool, then she gave Malcolm a
studying look as the tender moved away. She wrote to Elaina but of
course, it took time for the mail to travel. "Will we travel
to Innis for Elaina's marriage?" She was hoping they would
but knew that Malcolm was often needed at home though his father was
doing well of late.
He saw to her stool until she was seated then seated himself in the one
next to hers. "I was going to speak with you on that. Would you
like to go for a week or two to Innis when she gets married, roll it
into a vacation for us on a tropical island. Though, I've not heard any
news on a date, have you?"
"No, I haven't though I think it will be soon." A dimple
showed with her smile as she lifted up her glass. "I think that
would be wonderful. We'll take Alex and Ailish too,
won't we?" She pursed her lips slightly, before continuing.
"I'm sure it will be before the winter so that ocean travel will be
still be possible. I would hate to have sea sickness along with
morning sickness." Eyes had a impish sparkle as she continued
to drink.
"I'm surprised Connor has held off this long." Which only told
him there were good enough reasons. "You will likely be in her
wedding party. I may if the children wish but if they wish not, I
know my Father would love having them over to Tyremoor Keep for a couple
of weeks." Rattling right along and about to take a drink as he
lifted tankard. It paused halfway for a lingering moment before set back
down. "Sea sickness or did you say morning sickness?" Almost
hesitant with the last that he was hearing things.
She had finished the sip and placed the glass down on the counter top
then looked at Malcolm again, trying to keep her expression perfectly
innocent. "I said both actually." The smile grew wider.
"I would say by Valentine's Day, you should be a father
again." Morning sickness had mostly passed but Malcolm was
usually gone by the time it happened.
First there was a blink as he sat perfectly still. One hand resting on
the counter by his tankard while the other against his thigh. Face
held no expression for that suspended time before a slow smile started
that kept growing. "Really? This is wonderful news. You're
certain?" For a long time he contented himself that he would only
have the twins. Certainly not a bad prospect but this was a joyous
moment. "How are you feeling?" But before she could respond,
he was down from his seat and wrapping his arms around her where she sat
on her stool. Lips finding hers in the passion that brought about their
child.
She was nervous about telling him, of course, but watching his face had
her smile growing as well. Of course, when he kissed her,
any answer she had was immediately gone as she returned the kiss.
How could she have ever believed he'd be anything but happy? Arms
wrapped around his neck and she forgot everything else but that he was
holding her and sharing her joy!
He kept that moment to linger, he was certain Alex would understand. The
older gentleman had a smile kept more to himself in overhearing though
kept to his duties, giving them some private space as he went into the
kitchen to tell Hazel of the news. They were two of the first to
hear along with Malcolm! He eased from the embrace as dark eyes searched
hers. "Have I asked you how you were doing? Feeling?" Even he
wasn't so sure exactly what he had asked. His love for her was near
palpable.
"Yes, you did but well, I liked how you kept me from
answering." She giggled and leaned her forehead against his.
"I am feeling wonderful. I had a little morning sickness but it's
passed for the most part. The doctor said everything is good
and I'm making sure I follow his directions." She placed a
soft kiss to his nose. "Ailish and I didn't go just shopping a few
weeks ago, Malcolm. We came here to see Dr. Barrington."
Which might explain why they had been gone so long!
"Does Ailish know?" Being he wasn't certain she'd tell her
before he was told. "I will see about getting you a personal
midwife for the duration, help you as needed and so forth." He was
a Duke's son and certainly she should have the advantages of his
station.
"I think she suspected." She hugged him again.
"She's a clever girl, you know. I had her shopping for herbs
while I spoke to the Doctor. We can tell them both at dinner tonight?
And then go to see your father and tell him tomorrow." She
adored his father and couldn't wait to tell him as well. "I
love you, Malcolm. And I'm happier than I could ever
imagine."
He kept her wrapped up carefully into his arms with his chin resting
atop her crown at this point. "I've found with Ailish, if she has
figured it out she doesn't ask questions, if she has not, you get many
until she is satisfied." She might feel the chuckle. "We can
at dinner tonight but we'll arrange to eat at Tyremoor so my father gets
to hear the news with everyone else. Otherwise it will reach him by
tomorrow morning before we get a chance to tell him personally and.. I
will never hear the end of it then!" Like he had withheld such
information or just his father liked giving him a hard time at times, on
things like this. There was a time Malcolm had rebelled against his
wishes of him marrying and giving him an heir.
She laughed and nodded. "Then we'll have to stop on the way and
collect the twins. Maybe Rob and Serafina will be there as well?"
Or they could collect them and their baby too! "She sighed happily,
content to be held in his arms. "And, now he'll have another
grandchild to spoil."
"I will send out a runner right now to find them." Which he
reached over the counter and down where he knew paper and pencil were
kept to quickly write one off in invitation and also added for
Thomas to get word to Nick and Teri, Quintan and Patricia would already be
there in Tyremoor. Keifer too if he had wandered home again. Make
it an impromptu family reunion. Which would do his father wonders.
"We should finish our drink, stop at the baby store," what he
would call any that had baby things. It was actually a linen shop that
also sold baby items. "I will talk to the Crowns to see if there
are any reliable nanny nurses to hire for the next couple years."
"I think that would be wonderful." She laughed again,
delighted with his suggestions. "And what are we going to buy
there?" Her drink was nearly finished so she did just that!
"We'll need everything." And she was sure that there would be
a baby shower or two to help with that. "Will you be able to handle
my I'm so fat days?"
"You will only grow more lovely each day. It is not fat though I'm
sure there will be times you will feel that way. We will get everything
you need." Trevellyn would probably buy her tons of stuff just
because he could and would. Then he called out to Alex, whom was still
in the kitchen with Hazel. "Don't let the word get out too
quickly!" The tender would hear the laughter in his voice and they
would hear the chimed in voices of Alex and Hazel they would hold off a
day or two.
"Maybe we'll have twins." Teasing as she slid from the stool.
She laughed when she heard Alex and Hazel. "Thank you!"
And then she looked at Malcolm. "You mean I'll be more spoiled than
I am?" She knew Ailish would be a great help during this
time.
"If that is possible, you know Ailish will be tagging after you
even more. She has always loved the newly born, animal and
human." Ailish still had an affinity for such things and he'd been
watching to see if talents went deeper. Which he suspected as he did of
his son. Soon they would be coming into their own. An arm around Ette's
shoulders came in escort as they headed out to the commons and places
where things for a baby would be bought. So that alone would have some
talking and wondering who or just jump to the right conclusions. Oh, the
news would travel fast and a good thing they planned to tell Trevellyn
tonight than wait.
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