Lilith fussed with the bodice of Gwen’s gown, then stood back. “You look lovely. Caol is a lucky man.” Her words were kind, but tears ran down her cheeks, and she brushed them away with the heel of her hand.

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy for me.” Gwen was confused. Lilith was thrilled when she and Kyle told her they’d planned to marry and were going to remain in the fourteenth century. Beatha agreed to let her parents know what happened and to figure out a way to explain to Kyle’s grandfather and Beth—though she wasn’t sure her best friend would understand.

While she felt very much at home in this century and was busy correcting the many injustices that had taken place under Ronald MacQuin and Damen, she had to admit she had some regrets about her choice to stay to stay in 1305. There were things about her old life she missed and Beth was one of them. Gwen missed her constant chatter about guys, fashion, and shoes. It would have been great to have her as maid of honor, but she also knew Beth would be thrilled that she and Kyle were going to spend the rest of their lives together.

After pulling Gwen into a tight embrace, Lilith released her and smiled. “I am na sad, sweeting, far from it. These are tears of joy. I never dreamed I would see you again, and here you are standing afore me, ready to get married to a wonderful man you love.” She pressed a hand to her heart and sighed softly. “A mother couldna ask for more than to know her bairn will be happy.”

“I wasn’t sure this day would come either.” Gwen smoothed her hands down the front of her gown. The thought of how nice it would have been to have her parents sharing her day, caused her heart to ache. But she had made a decision to stay in the past, so couldn’t have it both ways “Given all that happened and how close I came to being forced to marry Duncan Gower, I wasn’t sure Kyle and I would ever wed.”

Lilith placed a ring of heather on Gwen’s head and adjusted the curls flowing down her back. “You and Caol were destined to be together, it was written in the stars. You were meant to come back to me and he was meant to connect with his Scottish roots. I was pleased to learn Laird MacKay will be present at the nuptials.”

“Kyle was pleased too. He feels a strong connection to the MacKays and I think knowing his ancestors are close made it easier for him to adjust to life here. I just wish his cousins Blair and Rory were able to be here too. They gave up so much for us to be together and we owe them our lives.”

Lilith crossed herself and mumbled a quick prayer. “I believe they will both be here in spirit. Giving up their lives so you and Caol could be reunited is a gift that can never be repaid.”

This time the tears were Gwen’s. She really was grateful for everything Kyle’s cousins had done for them and wished she could tell them in person.

“Are you ready, Lady Gweneth?” Mara rapped on the door, then entered. “Och, you look so lovely. Lord Caol will be most pleased. The steward asked me to tell you the priest has arrived and is waiting in the village kirk.”

“Thank you, Mara, tell him we’ll be right down.” She picked up the bundle of heather, lavender, and bluebells that Mara had picked and delivered to her room earlier in the day, then faced Lilith and smiled. “It’s time to go, Mother.” It was the first time she’d referred to Lilith as her mother, but it felt right.”

“One more thing,” Lilith said. She picked up a small square of linen from the table, unwrapped something and pinned it on Gwen’s dress. “Now we can go.”

Gwen cupped her hand over the emerald pin. “My brooch. I lost it when we jumped ship. How did you find it?”

“Sometimes it is best not to ask questions and just accept the boon,” her mother said, and kissed Gwen’s cheek.

~ * ~

Kyle paced behind the village kirk, overwhelmed by a bittersweet mix of emotions. He was marrying Gwen, the love of his life, his heart and soul, which made him happier the he ever imagined was possible. But he missed his grandfather and wished his parents could be there as well. His mom and dad had died in a car accident when he was seven, and he was raised by his uncle and aunt, but he thought about his parents every day. Laird MacKay was supposed to be coming, but he couldn’t help feeling sad and a bit guilty when he thought about Blair and Rory. They’d given their lives to save Gwen, and he’d never forget them.

“There you are, lad. I wondered if you might have gotten nervous and run off.” Laird MacKay strode towards Kyle with his hand outstretched. But rather than exchange a handshake, they hugged instead.

“I’m pleased to see you, Uncle. The priest asked me to wait here until Gwen arrives at the kirk. Have you been here long?”

“Nay, we arrived not long ago,” Laird MacKay said.

“Here’s where the groom is hiding,” Blair bellowed as he strode toward Kyle with his brother Rory in tow.

Kyle couldn’t believe his eyes, and his heart soared with joy when he saw his cousins. “Blair, Rory, you’re here.” Kyle rushed toward the men and embraced each in turn. “Gwen and I thought when you didn’t follow us to shore, that Gower’s men had killed you and tossed you overboard for your part in our escape.”

“The fool never connected the fight Rory and I started to your escape, or the holes in the other boats either.” Blair covered his mouth and laughed. “When you made your getaway, I told him I would orchestrate the search. And I did.” He chuckled again. “Handpicked my men, excluding Rory of course, and told them to man the boats so we could give chase. Of course the minute they were in the water, the boats filled up and sank like stones. Blamed that on you too, I did.”

“We were worried about you and Gweneth, too,” Rory said. “After you dove into the water and got soaked to the skin, we thought you might have frozen to death on the open sea. The water was rough and the north wind cold.”

“There were times I thought that was going to happen as well,” Kyle said. “If not for the sack of provisions in the boat, I’m sure Gwen would have perished, so I am grateful for that boon too.”

“Gower thought so as well,” Blair added. “He figured no one could survive in a small boat in open waters and, because we were so far out, decided to go on without her.”

“How did you get back to the mainland?”

“Once we arrived on the Orkneys, we slipped into the crowd. Two weeks later, we signed on to a ship heading back to Scotland. Took us a while to get here, but we did.” Blair rested his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “But this day isna about my brother and me. It is about you and Gweneth, and what comes after the marriage takes place.” He wiggled a brow and slapped Kyle on the back.

The priest poked his head around the corner of the kirk. “The bride has arrived, lad.”

Rory slung his arm around Kyle’s shoulder. “Let’s get you married.”

Kyle waited for his cousins and uncle to go into the kirk and find a seat before he entered. Not an easy task, given it was standing room only. Things had changed a lot since he and Gwen returned and announced their nuptials. While Gwen and Lilith tended to all the details of planning a wedding, Kyle concentrated on caring for the children of the clan. He was pleased at how some proper food and decent lodgings improved the overall health of the people living in the former impoverished area of the village.

It had been so long since anyone had shown these people a modicum of kindness, many forgot what it was like to be treated like they were humans. Damen ruled with an iron fist and tight purse strings, where Gwen made sure every family had proper clothing, food, clean water, and blankets. Her goal was it improve the health and happiness of the entire clan, not feeding the coffers, which accounted for their success in improving conditions. Unlike in the past, every member of the clan, be they rich or poor, were invited to the wedding and feast to follow. Judging by the crowd, most had accepted the invitation.

As he stood beside the priest at the front of the kirk, Kyle glanced around at the faces of people who were once strangers and now felt like family. When Gwen entered, his heart skipped a beat, and the closer she got, the more he knew he was making the right choice. She was his love, his soulmate, his destiny.

When Gwen arrived at the altar, Kyle took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You take my breath away, Gwen. I am truly the luckiest man in the world.” 

“Shall we begin?” the priest asked. The couple answered yes in unison.

Following a traditional Celtic wedding ceremony, delivered in Gaelic, and the exchange of rings, Kyle was given the okay to kiss his bride—which he did with enthusiasm.

Blair and Rory were the first to congratulate the bride and groom when they left the kirk, and Gwen expressed in no uncertain terms how thrilled she was to see them.

“We owe you both so much for all you did for us, and can never repay you,” she said to Blair. “We feared you’d perished, and are so glad you’re alive.” She threw her arms around Blair’s neck, then hugged Rory as well.

“A dance after the meal will pay your debt,” Blair said and grinned broadly. “That is if Caol isna too impatient about spiriting you away to your chamber to consummate your marriage.”

Gwen grinned and took Kyle’s hand. “Can I steal my husband away for a minute? We won’t be gone long and I promise to give you both a dance.”

Kyle followed her to a corner of the courtyard. The wedding turned out to have so many in attendance, they were forced to move it outdoors. Fortunately, it was an exceptionally mild day given it was November, but Gwen had convinced Kyle that Beatha had used her magic to make sure the day was perfect.

“What is it, sweetheart? Is there something on your mind or did you miss me?” he asked playfully, then kissed her brow.

She took his hands and gazed up at him. “I know a lot has happened over the last month...” her words trailed off and she nibbled on her bottom lip.

“It’s too late to change your mind. We’re already married,” he said, grinning.

“I’m thrilled to be your bride. Almost as happy as I will to be the mother of your babies.”

“My what? How?” He picked her up and swung her around.

“The usual way. You’re a doctor figure it out.” She laughed.

He slid his hand over her belly. “Are you sure? It’s kind of early to tell.”

“I haven’t had my period for two months, and while I have never been regular when stressed, I have noticed my breasts are tender and the last two mornings, I’ve awakened feeling queasy. I figured it was nerves until I spoke to Beatha.”

“Beatha?”

“She told me I conceived the night we were in the cave.”

“And you believe her?”

Gwen laughed. “And you don’t?”

“Point taken.” He chuckled, then pulled Gwen into his embrace. He was going to be a father, and the thought both thrilled and frightened him. He couldn’t wait to hold their baby in his arms, but worried he’d fail as a father. This wasn’t the twenty-first century and medieval life was totally different.

“Are you not pleased about this?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“There is nothing I want more than to make babies with you.” He brushed her lips with a kiss. “I know you will be an awesome mom. I just hope I am up to the task. I am still getting used to living in this era myself.”

“You’ll be a fantastic dad. Any kid would be lucky to have you in their life. As for the medieval lifestyles and skills, you are so at home here. I’ve often thought you fit in perfectly, as if you were born here too. And look what you’ve done for the children, the improvement in their health is mind-blowing.”

The more he thought about it, the more excited he got about the idea. “I can’t wait,” he said, then captured her lips.  

“I’m glad you feel that way, because Beatha told me it was twins.”

Kyle picked her up and spun her around again, then took a step back. “I’d better get busy making cradles,” he said. “Do you know where I can find a Rowan bush and some iron nails?”

 

The End