Chapter 36

“Noooo…” Niall groaned as his arms spread across the sheet before he pried his head off the mattress and squinted around him. “Ran?” His lips pulled tight, into a disgruntled scowl as he looked at the pillows. Ran was an absurdly early riser at home but he was supposed to wake Niall before he left. He pouted as he got out of bed and trudged into Ran’s bathroom and had an anxiety attack when he found his robe on the bench next to the shower. His toothbrush was on the counter, next to the sink. It was surreal for Niall as he reached for Ran’s toothpaste and squeezed it onto his brush. He shoved it into his mouth then leaned and his neck craned as he inspected Ran’s toiletries. He used a lot of products to keep his beard and mustache meticulously groomed and soft. Niall decided it was definitely time well spent and shrugged. He certainly appreciated Ran’s efforts. “This is almost as big as my room,” he whispered as he peeked into the dressing room and hurried in when he spotted a shelf full of his jumpers. He took one off the nearest pile then grabbed a t-shirt, boxers, socks and his jeans. Niall hugged it all to his chest and ran back into the bathroom and changed. He carefully leaned into the hall then remembered he didn’t have to make sure it was clear anymore, he was allowed to be in Ran’s room now. Our room. Ran was his and they were going to be happy at Gallahide. Niall nodded as he reminded himself and pulled his shoulders back as he stepped into the hall. He found Ran in the gallery, watching as footmen carried boxes down the stairs and out the front door. “What’s happening?” He asked and Ran was overjoyed as he turned to him.

“That’s the last of their things,” he said as he pointed at the last footman as he headed for the door. “They’re truly gone. We’re free,” Ran added and Niall laughed in relief and delight as he jumped and threw his arms around him.

“I still can’t believe it’s over!” He cried into Ran’s shoulder.

“I wanted to be here to see the last of it go and make sure everything was ready,” Ran said as he leaned back and smiled at him. “I can’t wait to show you,” he added as he cocked his head toward Isla and Simon’s wing. Niall winced as he looked toward her room.

“I don’t have a lot of good memories from that part of Gallahide. It might take a while before I’ll be comfortable going in there,” he admitted and Ran gasped as he took his hand.

“That’s why you need to see this now,” he said as he pulled Niall down the hall.

“Will it be that different after I’ve had a week or two to get used to them being gone?”

“Yes,” Ran stated firmly as he pushed the door to Isla’s room open and Niall was stunned as he stumbled in. Everything was gone. Everything. The room was stripped down to the brick and mortar and the windows were wide open. “I did call Brundy and give her a heads up the night they died. I told her to tell Pearson they weren’t coming back and that we’d explain when we returned. I don’t know when they moved your things but they had a truck here to take everything away bright and early this morning. Brundy had every maid in the house scrubbing these rooms before sunrise,” he explained and Niall nodded as he tried to remember where Isla’s bed was. The room was so much larger and blank without her furniture and traumatizing personality. “I thought this would be a great playroom and a place for her to study with her tutors,” Ran said as he looked around then pointed at the dressing room. “I’d like to put the crib in there and bunkbeds later, possibly,” he said sheepishly and Niall raised a brow.

“Her?”

“I do have my heart set on a little girl, if that’s fine with you,” Ran said as he watched Niall closely. Everyone knew Ran wanted a child and he needed an heir but they’d never discussed children because… Who in their right minds would ever expose a child to Isla and Simon? Niall didn’t consider children before Isla because he was young, gay and scared. Then, it was just so wildly inhumane and inappropriate, he never even entertained the thought. He assumed and hoped Ran would have a child, someday, with someone, but Niall was never meant to be that someone.

“I’m kind of partial to a little boy with bright red hair and wild blue eyes,” Niall said. Heat and joy burst within him at the thought and Niall’s eyes flooded as so many impossible dreams began to take shape in his imagination.

“Really?” Ran chuckled softly as he slid his arms around Niall. “Let’s not tell Pearson and Brundy about that just yet or they’ll put in their notices,” he warned then a wicked grin tilted his lips. “Bram will be here later to talk to me about expanding the master’s wing. I want that whole half of the floor converted into apartments for us,” he said and Niall blinked at him. The master bedroom and bath were the largest in the castle.

“I’m sure there’s plenty of room for both of us without tearing up that part of the castle too,” he argued and Ran raised a shoulder.

“The castle’s plenty big but I thought it would be nice if I took those two guest rooms at the end of the hall and turned them into a sitting room for us,” he said and Niall still didn’t see the tremendous need or attraction.

“Sure… But, why?”

“I know how much you enjoy your movie nights and I think you’ll like them more if we had a little more privacy. We wouldn’t have to wear any clothes and we could fool around…” Ran offered and Niall was suddenly excited.

“He’s coming today, you said?” He looked toward the other end of the floor and Ran sighed happily as he turned Niall’s face to his and nibbled on his lips.

“Bram’s coming today and in a few weeks we’ll have this whole floor for the two of us and our family. There’s plenty of guest rooms upstairs and I just want to focus on building the life we’ve always wished for,” he stated and Niall was melting. There was so much warmth and peace. He felt it in Ran too as their eyes touched and a memory tickled at the back of Niall’s brain.

“You’re father said something to me,” he said and Ran’s head pulled back.

“He said many things, I’m sure. The man loved to talk,” Ran replied and Niall rolled his eyes.

“About us,” he stated and Ran stopped.

“Us?”

“It was just before he passed. You were called away to take care of something and we were alone,” Niall explained. “He wanted me to hold his hand and he said he never thought Isla and I would last but he hoped I’d stay with you. He said he knew I’d take good care of you and be your lucky shield,” he said and Ran’s brows pulled together.

“Lucky shield?” He asked as he shook his head and Niall held up his hands.

“You know how thick his accent was. It was something about a shield of luck and I knew he meant well,” he said and Ran pressed his knuckle to his mouth as his face crumpled.

“Ah, da!” His voice broke as he tightened his arm around Niall’s neck and pulled him closer. “You’re Scottish Gaelic is shite, it was sgeulachd!” He laughed and it was watery and broken as he pushed his face into Niall’s hair. “He used to say my mother was his story and his purpose, that a man had to find the love of his life or he’d never have a home and truly live. Each of the Earls of Lachlan had their own chapter and it was dedicated to their countesses. My mother was his story, his sgeulachd.” His chest heaved as he fought back a sob and Niall held onto him until he caught his breath. “I would have done so many things differently, if he would have told me or you would have mentioned it! He said ‘Take care of Simon and that sister of his and keep Niall,’ but I didn’t think he meant literally. I thought he wanted me to take good care of them and keep you here, at Gallahide,” he explained.

“I’m sure he didn’t want you to have them killed,” Niall argued and Ran cringed as he scrubbed the back of his neck.

“Maybe not but I think he wanted me to wash my hands of them and keep you for myself. He knew how I felt about you and he’d lived with you for almost a year. He saw what kind of man you were and he knew they were no good,” he said as he held Niall. “Marry me,” Ran breathed against his lips and Niall hummed in agreement.

“I’m not afraid, I just needed time for all of this to sink in,” he said and Ran shook his head.

“I’m asking you now, not making plans,” he stated clearly as he cradled Niall’s face in his hands. “I’ve waited too long for this and everyone who matters knows. I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t have a ring because I wanted to do something big and elaborate, when we’d done our duty and mourned them properly but we don’t owe them that. We’ll do something larger and more public later, when it’s more tasteful but I want to marry you now and start our family tomorrow. Marry me, Niall,” he begged and there was no way Niall was saying anything intelligible or maintaining any control of his face. He cried as he kissed Ran and wrapped his arms around his neck. Ran’s hands spread across his back and he made soothing sounds as he rocked and shushed him until Niall could make his brain and his lips work together.

“Yes!” He gasped as he nodded. “Anything you want! I don’t want to wait anymore either,” he said and Ran’s eyes were soft and full of so much love and devotion.

“And what do you want?” He asked tenderly as his thumb brushed a tear from Niall’s cheek. He did his best to think of anything else he could possibly want and there was nothing until he remembered and a dreamy grin spread across his face.

“I want you to take me back to bed and wake me up properly,” he decided and Ran groaned as he danced them toward the door.

“Aye, lad, I can do that, and I will,” he promised. “Every morning, for as long as you’ll let me.”