Never had she imagined waking in this house with a smile on her face. Never had she imagined waking with a song in her heart.

Never, ever in her wildest dreams, had Anne imagined the great room filled with not drunken, slovenly men but with friends. Loving friends who wished her nothing but the best.

And her husband. Hers, ever since they’d exchanged vows outside the kirk in Avoch just hours earlier.

She took her husband’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder. It had been a long day, to be sure, and a joyful one. The feasting and dancing would last until morning, or nearly, before their guests would retire to the bedding which had been set down in the house’s many chambers. It had once held over a dozen men, after all.

The twins had already fallen asleep, curled up beneath the table. Liam, who had just that day walked his sister through the village in her bridal finery, watched over the pair with the pride and possession of an older brother. They had charmed him instantly, and he felt himself very wise and mature when compared to them.

Rufus doted upon Davina, who appeared as though her time would come any day. The thought of her growing any larger made Anne’s head spin. But she was happy, truly and deeply, her hand resting on her swollen belly as she laughed at something her husband said.

Shana brought her a cup of tea, the slight swell of her belly nothing when compared to her friend’s. Her husband, William, a grand and brave soldier, spoke with several of the men from the village who’d had a hand in improving her home. He gazed across the room at his wife, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Clyde offered to take the bairns to bed. “I fear they shall be kicked by someone in passing.” Sweet, thoughtful man.

She hoped he would find happiness someday, for no one deserved it more.

“Allow me.” She grinned. “’Tis a pleasure. Ye might spend a bit more time among the guests. I’ve taken note of one or two women who seem to have an interest in ye.”

He scoffed, though there was a touch of color in his cheeks. “Not I.”

“Aye, yourself.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “I find ye quite dashing. Anyone with sense would do the same.”

She went to the table, hand-in-hand with Drew, and they each took a twin in their arms and carried them to the small, quiet chamber reserved for their use. They were both utterly wrung out after the day’s excitement, with Owen snoring softly as Drew lowered him to the pile of furs on the floor.

“Ye dinna mind?” Drew whispered in the dark. “Truly?”

She knew what he meant, for they had discussed it before. Did she not mind having a family to care for so soon after their wedding? Many new husbands and wives had time together for just themselves before the bairns arrived, while their family had already come about. She would have no fewer than three young people to care for while her husband worked their land every day.

They had decided to remain there, on the land which had once belonged to Malcolm Stuart but now belonged to them.

Rufus had all but suggested it himself, assuring his cousin that while his presence was valued, “Ye deserve something for yourself, man. Something for ye and your family.”

They stood, reaching for each other.

Anne found him in the darkness, standing alongside the sleeping twins. Her arms slid around his shoulders as his found their place about her waist.

“I have told ye time and again, Drew MacIntosh. This is my family. Here, now. If we should add to it, God be praised, and if not, I will go to my grave a happy woman.”

He pulled her close, his breath warm as he whispered in her ear. “I do love and adore ye, Anne MacIntosh.”

She closed her eyes, savoring his words. What a wonderful sound they made.