|
Date: 09-17-09
Poster: Draven MacShire
Post # 1
A
Welcome Surprise
There was the touch of autumn in the air this evening as Draven
made sure Tara wore a warm cloak, "it may not seem that cold but it
is better to be safe than having you catch cold. This time of the year
along with early spring, one can under dress or overdress and end up
sick." A carriage made ready as his plan was to get out for a while
to the Thistle. Catch up on information through Alex that would be of
lesser importance or otherwise such would be sent to him or he alerted.
Though, smaller bits of information were often just as valuable.
She smiled as he spoke, then laughed softly. "You spoil me, Draven.
It's nice to have someone watch over me after so long. " She
adjusted the collar of his shirt as she talked. "And nice for me to
have someone to watch over as well." The night out was welcome
though as long as she could be with him, she was content. "Summer
seems to be over so quickly." The days were still warm of course,
but it wouldn't be long before the crickets were silent and leaves began
to fall.
"Will you feed me chicken soup?" Vibrant blue eyes held hers
with the dip of his chin as she fixed the collar of his shirt. Touch of
a devilish smile, "bundle me up in front of the fire then,"
now a wicked gleam surfaced in blue eyes, "slip under the covers
with me to ensure I stay warm?" Arm slipping about her shoulders as
he escorted her out the carriage, Manning holding the door and would
then see to driving them to the tavern. "There is Indian summer to
look forward to before the days start getting cold to match the
nights." Arm snaked around her shoulders again as he tucked
her into his side as the carriage rumbled along. It wouldn't be a long
trip but long enough not to need walk it at night.
"Yes, and have you drink hot toddies." She laughed as she
snuggled against him for the walk to the carriage. "And we'll
snuggle together under the covers, so we both stay warm." Once
inside the carriage, she laid her head against his shoulder. "And
even sing silly songs to make you smile." She nodded at the mention
of Indian summer. "Walks through fallen leaves when the sun is a
hazy gold, and celebrate the harvest." Things she looked forward
to.
"All wonderful things to look forward to with my wife,"
something he thought he'd never say again and this time it was so much
easier than it had been for him in the past. "I do believe we
started a tradition of getting the Yule tree together," he was
certain she would remember that evening when he asked her to marry him.
Arriving at the Thistle, Manning was out and around to open up the
carriage door for them. Draven descended first with his
hand in offer to help Tara before thanking Manning in lowered
words. Once done he escorted her within being greeted by the scent of
peat and spicy apple pies Hazel was baking.
"Yes we did." She did remember and it filled her with a warmth
that came only from being so in love. She watched as he stepped out,
then stood and placed her hand in his as she emerged. When they stepped
inside, she breathed in the wonderful scent deeply and sighed. "The
Thistle always smells so wonderful. I hope the pie is ready." She
would have a piece if so.
"We will have to stay until it is," moving with her
over to the bar itself as the place was quiet this evening and to enjoy
a visit with Alex. Hazel as well if she came out from her domain.
"If any pie is ready Alex," alerting him to the fact they
would like some when it was while seeing to Tara's chair. Once seated he
took up the one next to her, bringing it over closer before settling
upon it. "How was your trip into town this morning?" Finally
having a moment in general conversation to ask. He'd been out to see to
the last of the cutting of hay for the livestock over the winter.
She asked for cider then looked at Draven and smiled. "It was
enjoyable. I window shopped a bit, thinking about Yule gifts already,
and ordered a few things from Marcy after I went to the hospital. I got
some tinctures while I was there, for when the weather turns cold and
some ointment." She gave him a coy look.
"I'm a pretty healthy male even for my age," now he could joke
about it as it had been a sore point after seeing a woman he discovered
was younger than his daughter. Then a worried look overtook his
features, "you are not prone to getting sick in the winter?"
There were some that could not really weather the cold well at all while
others could easily live at the South Pole.
"No, not at all. I just thought it would be a good idea to have
some around, and I wanted to be certain I was in good health." She
reached over to touch his cheek. "Draven, you're going to be a
father again." Alex shouldn't be surprised that she was telling
Draven here. It seemed to be the perfect opportunity to do so.
The worried look eased as she explained it wasn't something he need
worry about... well ... except her next words first had a blank look as
if he was trying to comprehend them. Brows shot up as he was down from
his seat to take her fully into his arms. "Did you hear that Alex?
Me... She.. I'm going to be a father again, she's going to be a
mother." Realizing it might have sounded like she was going to be a
father. He was as excited as the first time such news was delivered him.
"Are you all right? All is going well?" Quite proud he was,
one could knock him over with a feather.
She watched his face then let out a soft squeak of surprise and delight
when he took her into his arms. She was laughing as she looked at Alex
then back to Draven. "Yes, I'm doing very well. I haven't even had
any morning sickness, well, a touch here and there but I knew something
was different. So I thought I should see the doctor after I missed my
... monthly for the third time. I'm a little nervous but he said
everything should be fine." She was concerned her age might be a
problem but the Doctor had assured her otherwise. "It should happen
around St. Patrick's day."
"For the third time?" Which had him taken aback a moment that
one would wait that long before he laughed finally with the thought.
"We can start looking for a good aid for the coming months, though
with the winter coming up, there will be less for me to do once all is
winterized." Though he took on duties under the Crown as needed
too. He would make sure she would want for nothing. "We can turn
one of the extra rooms into a nursery. Autumn would love to help I'm
sure. One of the empty rooms next to ours," realizing that would be
the wisest choices. "I can make a door between." Make it
easier and already starting to make plans. Then a thought hit him like a
brick wall, "how do you think Gerrard and Autumn will respond
having a brother or sister so much younger?" Younger, they were old
enough to be the parent.
She blushed and laughed softly, giving a slight shrug. "I wanted to
be certain before I said anything. What if I was mistaken? " She
tipped her head to look up at her tall, handsome husband. "And I'm
sure Autumn and Gerrard will be happy for us. Though ... it certainly is
going to be odd for them I should think. They might not feel like
siblings at all." The thought had her worrying her lower lip with
her teeth. Would they fine the idea repulsive?
"I think, if you were mistaken then we would just have to work
harder at making it a reality," still holding her in his arms as he
wasn't in any hurry to move from that proximity. She could tell how
beautiful she was to him for it was mirrored in his eyes. Those of such
a vibrant blue that were even more vibrant when upon her. "In a way
they will be more like aunt and uncle but no matter, I think they will
love our child as a brother or sister, niece type or nephew. I would not
be surprised if Autumn married before the child was born and having her
own within the year as well. Her child would a niece or nephew to our
child and only a year younger. I don't mind having another family as
certainly it will be as such and doesn't infringe on Autumn nor Gerrard
as it might have been if they were younger. Never know, if we have more
our child could have a niece or nephew older than them." It was
somewhat mind boggling but not unheard of.
His eyes always said so much when she looked into them. She felt
protected and safe in his arms and welcomed it even more than usual..
She nodded as she listened, laughing softly. "It might be confusing
for a time for the younger ones but I think it will be amazing as well.
I'm so happy, Draven, and nervous and excited. A baby. Our baby. It's a
miracle. Rhett and his family will be delighted." Or so she hoped!
Of course they would. She was being silly and knew it.
"I was going to ask how you felt about having a child, but I now know
the answer without needing to ask." That's when his lips found hers
in the searing kiss she knew so well. Devouring her in the love they
held between them. All would work out fine without them needing to do
anything at all. Their child would be loved by his children, relatives
and her family. Once lips lifted his words took on that coarser appeal
in a heavier brogue lacing them. "We'll 'ave to 'ave a dinner,
invite Rhett, Maggie and their children all. Autumn and Yusef and
Gerrard. If he has someone he'd like to bring," though it seemed
his son was a loner. Still, he knew that could change at any point if
the right lass came along. "We can announce it then."
Confident it would not ruin such a dinner but make it even more special.
"Unless you don't think that would be a good idea, we can go visit
your brother and break the news to mine separately?"
Her answer was lost with the kiss, fingers curling into his dark hair.
When their lips parted, she had a dreamy look in her eyes. "Aye, a
dinner will be lovely though .. " Her lowered lip jutted out
slightly in a pout, "do we have to wait until Garath comes back?
He's still away with Joe and his children in Kildare, isn't he?" If
he told her they had to wait, she'd be hard pressed to keep her
pregnancy a secret!
"We can wait for him to get back or send word and see if he can
come down for the day?" It would be up to her when she was ready.
"You can have Millie make up a menu to your specifications for the
bulk of the cooking and make anything special you wish.
Of course, they'd have to make plans and issue invitations. "Well,
then, let's make the plans and if he's not back, we'll do as you say,
and see if he can come down for the day." She laughed softly again,
delighted with how everything was working out. "Maybe we should
have things like baby potatoes and rack of lamb to give hints." She
was teasing now and he'd know it by the glint in her eyes. One that
softened. "Have I told you today how happy I am, and how much I
love you?"
"That's not a bad idea. See how long it takes for someone to catch
on and possibly a reward for doing so? Make it as much fun as you wish,
make it special as the whole event will be special." Alex had the
tray set with two pieces of pie, ice cream on the side. Potcheen
had been put out for him as he interjected. "Some sweet
cider," which would go perfect with the pie for Tara. "Not a
word my friend," which he didn't think Alex would spread the word
after hearing the whole of their conversation.
She gave Alex a smile and a wink then looked down at the pie and ice
cream, her smile growing brighter. It smelled delicious and she couldn't
wait to dig in. "Maybe I'll crave pie my whole pregnancy." She
said thoughtfully. "Then I could have a piece every day. And yes,
we'll make it very special." She had thought she couldn't get any
happier with her life, but tonight had proven her wrong. She was nearly
floating.
"I've the apples to keep you in pies all winter long. Cider
too." Which were both good for her. He sat there watching her, just
enjoying the glow that surrounded. "You are beautiful, have I told
you lately that I love you?" Words came low with the emotion they
held. It was one of those kind of nights that would be forever printed
on his mind and memory to keep cherished.
She offered him a bite of her pie as her cheeks turned to a soft rose.
Just a hint of a blush to let him know how he made her feel. "Yes,
but I don't mind hearing it again and again." It would be written
in her journal, if not before she slept, then tomorrow morning. Tonight,
she just wanted to enjoy their time together.
Lips folded over the bit of pie speared on the end of her fork as eyes
held to hers the while. Drawing back with a slow surfacing smile.
"Let us eat then talk more in the privacy of our home." Which
of course there would be talking, a little, then maybe more later.
-e- |
