EPILOGUE
“And what do you think I should do? Do you think...?”
“Hush,” Ettie smiled fondly at Brodgar. “Stop fussing yourself. Just be natural. They'll love you.”
Brodgar's face was stiff. Anyone would think, she thought with some amusement, that he was marching into a den of blood-thirsty flesh-eating creatures.
“I don't know,” he said.
“Love, they are my family,” Ettie smiled up at him. “They're nice people.”
Brodgar smiled fondly at her. “I know, sweetheart. I just feel unworthy of you. They'll notice.”
Ettie giggled breathlessly. “Dearest! I feel as if half the world envies me you, and the other half begrudges me you. So how do you think I feel? Come on, let's go down. Big breath?”
“Big breath.” Brodgar took in a big breath, and then kissed her chin. “You're adorable.”
“You're naughty,” she retorted. “Distracting me like that. Come along.”
He laughed and they went down the stairs together. Despite herself, Ettie felt a flush of apprehension as she went down the stairs. They were at her father's home, where they had traveled after the wedding, and preparing for her parent's arrival. She was nervous.
What will they think? Will they approve? She looked down at the lilac dress, smoothing it with her hands. Amice had helped her choose the cloth and the memory reassured her. She would not disgrace herself.
Trust.
She reached the bottom step. Found herself looking into green eyes.
“Mama!”
She cried it out, surprising herself with the joy in her heart as she opened her arms to the tall woman, who held her to her chest and sobbed as they laughed and clung tight.
“My daughter,” Lady Lynette blinked back tears. “You look radiant. And this...” Her eyes lit warmly as she looked to Ettie's right. “This is your husband.”
“Yes, he is, Mama,” she agreed breathlessly. “Brodgar MacConnoway, Mother.”
She introduced them to each other briefly. Then, as they greeted and talked, she turned to her father. He took her hand and looked into her eyes. Neither of them spoke. She could see tears in Lord Ewan's eyes as he looked at her, the gray eyes so like her own only more brown and less blue in them.
“My daughter,” he said after a long moment. “I am so glad you're well.”
“I am well. And happy. And content.” Ettie felt her heart soar as she searched for adjectives to describe how amazingly good she felt. She was sure no words existed and she gave up. “And I am so pleased to see you, my father. More than I could ever possibly say.”
“It is a kind of miracle, it seems,” her father said and nodded gravely. “So many good things happening together like this.” He shook his head, dark eyes bemused.
“All possibilities are possible.”
He frowned at her when she said that, then smiled. “I suppose that's so.” He nodded. He slipped an arm through his wife's and they shared a soft smile.
“It is true.”
Then they all followed the steward through to the solar, where luncheon was laid out.
After luncheon, her stomach full and replete, Ettie talked with her mother. She had news of Dunkeld too, it seemed.
“The nephew of the thane is expecting a babe with a MacDonnell lady. It has made peace between the houses,” she explained gravely.
Henriette and Brodgar met each other's gaze. Brodgar nodded. “I know of the peace and am glad of it.”
“Yes,” Lord Ewan said gravely. “A toast to the thane, your father, and all blessings for the new forged peace treaty.”
“Indeed,” Brodgar nodded. “A toast.”
They all drank and Ettie felt herself relax as conversation slowly moved from news exchanged to the comfortable tales and anecdotes her family shared. Far from being on the edge, Brodgar was immediately included and was soon chuckling along with the rest. He fit so well that Henriette could barely believe this was the first meal they shared.
Later, after the family had gone to bed, Henriette lay against his shoulder, reveling in the safe warmth of his arms holding her close.
“It must be good to see them again,” he whispered into her hair.
“It is good,” Henriette said carefully. She had spoken with her mother in private earlier and wondered if she should confide in him her news. It was soon, for certain. However, she couldn't keep news this good concealed. Not for two months.
“It was a fine afternoon,” Brodgar murmured, and kissed her shoulder. She nodded.
“Dear?”
“Yes?” he asked, stroking her hair. She tensed, feeling delicious anticipation.
“I spoke to my mother earlier. Remember I felt ill yesterday? And before that? And when I was sick in the morning, a week hence?”
“Yes, dear?” Brodgar said, stroking her hair. She felt him tense, uncertain, and she beamed as he seemed to come to the same conclusion she had done earlier, and her mother too.
“I'm expecting a child.”
“You are!” Brodgar whispered. “Oh, my dearest Henriette!” the smile on his face warmed her toes. She giggled and felt the giggle build inside her, sending happiness curling down through every part of her, from toes to the roots of her hair. She kissed him lovingly, looking into his eyes.
“We're going to have a baby,” she informed him. He sighed. His grin seemed as wide as any she had seen. He kissed her tenderly.
“I can't believe it.”
“It's true.”
“What shall we call him`? Or her? Any ideas?” Brodgar asked.
“Oh, you do move fast!” she laughed. “From announcement to name in seconds.”
“Sorry,” he murmured, kissing her throat. “I get excited. That’s acceptable?”
“It's excusable,” she chided, rolling over to look into his eyes. “Broderick,” she whispered.
“Eh?”
“Broderick, if it's a boy. If it's a girl, Lynette. Acceptable?”
Brodgar smiled at her like the sun rise. “Acceptable indeed.”
“Good.”
They lay together, side by side, warm and content and happy.
Brodgar rolled over and kissed her and she felt her body ignite. As the need for him built and he responded, rolling over and lowering himself onto her body so they could make love, she knew she was so happy.
Because everything is possible, and love is trust and trust is our compass in the dark. It leads us ever onward. Into light.