| |
Ceana inhaled the cool and windy October air, as she waited beside her Uncle Art to enter the kirk at Blackstone. To the north, gray clouds had been building all day, and rain was certain. But she was not about to fret over the impending weather, for today was her wedding day. Though she had truly been wed to Alex since the handfasting ceremony the past December, her parents would have wanted her to be wed in a church, and now she would be, as Alex had promised. They had meant to be wed in the spring, but Father MacTavish had been unable to return to Blackstone until now, due to his ailing health, and the year's numerous heavy rains.
The bairn inside her stirred, and she placed her hands on her enlarged abdomen. Of late, it had been less active, which had given Ceana much cause to worry, but then it would move, and she would breathe a sigh of relief. The healer had told her it was at rest because her time was near, but still, she worried, and most likely would until she held the wee thing safely in her arms.
Art grinned down at her. "Are you ready, lass?"
She nodded.
He opened the door and escorted her down the aisle, as her father would have done, had he been alive.
Tears blurred her vision for a moment, then there was Alex, smiling before her. Galen, Sorcha, and their adorable twins, Aiden and Alie sat nearby. The wee lass's untamed curls were a fiery red like her mother's, the lad's hair, straight, and raven black, like his father's.
After handing Ceana over to Alex, her uncle stepped aside.
As Alex helped her kneel before the altar, she realized the lower portion of her abdomen suddenly felt heavy and uncomfortable. Of course, she was in an awkward position.
He kept hold of her hand, while Father McTavish performed the ceremony. She hardly heard the words he spoke, as what started as an ache turned into a dull pain, drawing across her abdomen, peaking, and releasing, only seconds before another one began. Her face broke out in a sweat, and her breathing quickened.
"Ceana, are you unwell?" Alex whispered, concern obvious in his voice.
"'Tis the bairn, 'tis time," she whispered back.
Alex looked up at Father McTavish. "Hurry it along, Father, or else the bairn will be birthed in the kirk."
Father McTavish raised a bushy grey brow, then looked at Ceana. "Saints above," he said, then quickly finished the wedding. "I pronounce ye man and wife."
Alex jumped to his feet, swept Ceana up in his arms and ran for the door.
Art came up beside him. "Is something amiss?"
"Aye, the bairn is coming. Have someone fetch the healer, and send her to Ceana's bedchamber." Even though it was called such, she had yet to sleep there since the handfasting, for Alex could not bear the thought of not holding her in his arms while he slept.
Sorcha was suddenly beside him, brushing his wife's damp hair away from her face. "How often are the pains, Ceana?"
"But a few seconds apart," she said breathlessly, digging her nails into Alex's shoulder as another pain gripped her. He did not mind in the least, for he would do anything to make her pain more bearable.
"Flora?" his sister shouted.
"Aye, m'lady?" the maid said, racing up beside them.
"Hurry to the castle and ready the bedchamber. The healer will be in need of your help as well."
Flora nodded, then lifted her skirts and ran on ahead.
Once they reached the upper floor, Sorcha opened the bedchamber door.
Alex carried Ceana inside and gently placed her on the bed. He leaned down and kissed her pale, damp cheek. "The hard part will be over soon, lass." He prayed the birthing would go well, for he could not bear the thought losing her.
She forced a smile and lifted her hand to his cheek. "I ken it will. Dinna fash yourself, my dear one."
The healer entered the bedchamber, and took one look at Alex. "Out with ye, laird."
He frowned. His wife needed him.
Galen grasped his shoulder. "Come with me and Drostan. You could use a dram of whisky to calm your nerves, and I could do with one myself. Besides, Sorcha will be here with Ceana."
Alex looked at Ceana. "Do you wish me to stay?"
"As much as I love you, Alex. I need you to go with Galen."
He looked at Sorcha. "You come get me should she need me."
"Of course, I will, brother of mine. Now, go," she said, practically shoving him out into the corridor.
Fear wrapped around his chest, threatening to squeeze the life out of him, as the door closed between them. He followed Galen to the solar. "When Sorcha was with child, I worried about her as well, even though, at the time, it was not known she carried twins."
Galen nodded, as he poured them each a dram of whisky. "Aye, as I did. But thank the saints, she came through the birthing just fine, as will Ceana."
Alex walked to the window and pulled back the covering. The sky had opened up and rain was pouring down. Already, tiny rivulets crisscrossed the countryside. "It might be some time before you make it back to Mull."
"I dinnae mine. Neither will Sorcha, nor Aiden and Alie."
He drew the covering back over the window, shutting out the dampness. "What do you think is going on in there." He looked at Drostan.
His friend raised a brow. "You'll have to ask elsewhere."
Galen snorted. "How should I ken? I was hurried out the same as you, but by Jillian."
"Speaking of Jillian, how does she, Kade and the children fare?" Alex asked, keeping his gaze on the door.
"I saw Kade about a month ago on Skye. He had Robbie with him. I cannae believe how that lad has grown."
The door to the solar swung open, and Sorcha stuck her head in. "Would you like to see your bairn?" she asked, smiling.
"Aye, and my wife," he said, hurrying from the room, with Galen and Drostan on his heels.
Sorcha opened the door, and Alex followed her inside.
Art stood at the foot of the bed, smiling, with tears in his eyes.
Alex hurried around to the side of the bed.
Ceana smiled up at him. She was pale and damp strands of hair curled about her face. A small bundle lay tucked in the crook of her arm, and as much as he wanted to see the bairn, first he had to make certain the woman he loved was well. He gently sat down on the edge of the bed. "I was worried, lass," he said, taking her small hand in his.
She nodded. "I ken you were, but there was no need to be. I'm fine, as is your son."
He grinned. "I've a son, an heir to Blackstone," he stated proudly, feeling as if his heart might burst at any moment.
"We'll leave you to visit with the bairn." His sister herded everyone out the door and closed it behind them.
"Would you like to see him?" Ceana asked softly.
"Aye," he said, gently taking the wee bundle from her. He opened the blanket and gasped. He looks like me!" Alex exclaimed.
She laughed. "He certainly does."
Alex grinned. The babe not only had his black hair, but his facial features as well—only in miniature.
He gently pressed his lips against his son's soft cheek, awed at his absolute perfection, from his button nose to his ten wee fingers and toes. And he was a part of them both. He swallowed back the lump in his throat. "Much thanks, lass, for giving him to me."
Tears welled up in Ceana's eyes. "You're most welcome," she said, with a soft sob.
"What shall we call the wee lamb?" he asked, his full attention on the lad.
"I thought perhaps James, after my father, and Alexander, after his father." She waited for his response.
He nodded, as a grin lit up his face. "Aye. James Alexander MacPherson 'tis."
"And we'll call him Jamie."
Alex cuddled the bairn against him. "What is it you think of your name, wee Jamie."
Jamie chose that particular moment to start wailing.
He chuckled. "'Twill grow on you, lad, I promise."
With absolute joy, Ceana watched her husband cradling their son. A year ago, she had thought she would never be happy again. But fate had led her to Alex, and he had given her his heart, then captured her own.