Epilogue
Late winter 1218
Ian entered the chamber quietly with the hope that Claire would be asleep but saw her on the bed propped up by pillows. Ian knew a sleeping wife would have been better than the angry woman he now faced. He approached her side of the bed and sat beside her. “I was only in the hall for a few moments. As I promised we are quickly returned.” The pride rang in his voice. “The clan welcomed our son with great joy.”
Claire took the bundled baby from his arms. “I still don’t see why you had to take him to the hall so soon. For heaven’s sake, he was just born, and it’s freezing.” She shifted the blankets and wrapped her new son snugly, smiling at his sleeping features. “He is so beautiful.”
“That he is, child. Such a fine strong bairn.” Neala placed a cup by the bedside and said, “Drink this when you are able. There are herbs to strengthen you.”
Ian glared at the cup and then at Neala. “You said Claire was fine and that the birth was an easy one. Why does she need this cup?” An easy birth, such words he did not truly understand. Per his wife’s demand, he had stayed and offered his strength. He felt blessed to see his child come into the world, yet his joy mixed with fear for what his wife had endured.
With a quick smile, Neala replied, “Dinna fash yourself, Ian. Claire and the child are fine and hearty. The cup is simply what is done to help regain strength and heal.”
A knock at the door ended the talk. Without waiting for an invitation, Aliana burst in. “How do you fare, sister?”
“I am tired but fine. Come and meet your nephew,” Claire offered as she smiled at the baby nestled in her arms.
“Oh, but he is sweet. It will be fine, Claire. Our children will grow together.” Aliana didn’t pause for breath as she laid out plans for the weeks and years to come.
The open door was an invitation. “Aunt Larry! Aunt Larry! I see, too!” Cerwyn’s arrival was a bit quicker than Hagan’s. The child let Ian pick him up to see the bundle. “He is verra wee, Aunt Larry.” Cerwyn’s voice hinted at displeasure.
Claire answered him. “Soon he will be big just like you. You will have a cousin to play with, I promise.”
Moving to Ian’s side, Hagan spoke with happiness in his voice. “‘Tis a fine thing, is it nay?”
“‘Tis one of the finest things I could ever dream of kenning. As soon as the weather breaks, riders should be sent out to announce his birth. I would have all ken this fine news.”
“Of course, brother. I will see to it myself.” Hagan glanced down at his own sleeping bundle in his arms. “‘Tis a fine thing to have your child welcomed into the world surrounded by family.” As the bundle began to fuss, Hagan said, “Aliana, we should leave Claire to rest. Breana is starting to wake and has need of you. I will see Cerwyn to his bed.”
Aliana offered Claire a kiss to her cheek. “My husband speaks true, rest while the wee one sleeps. I will be back in the morn.” Aliana stepped to Hagan and took her fussing daughter. “Come now, my little love. We shall feed you, and hopefully you will sleep a bit.”
Not willing to give up his perch on the bed, Cerwyn added, “I stay with Aunt Larry.” He snuggled into Claire’s side. “I sleep here.”
Hagan grabbed the squirming child. “Not tonight. Aunt Larry needs to rest. On the morrow you can see her.” Hagan leaned Cerwyn over Claire. “Give her a kiss goodnight.”
Claire smiled as a loud wet smack hit her cheek. “Good night, Cerwyn.”
Hagan bent down to kiss her cheek as well. “Well done, cousin. He is a fine strong son.”
“Thank you, Hagan.”
As the chamber cleared, Neala offered her own farewell. “You should sleep now. I am just down the corridor. Have Ian fetch me should you have need of me.”
Claire reached for Neala’s hand. “Thank you, Neala, for everything. He wouldn’t be here without all of the care you gave us.”
“‘Tis my pleasure, child.” Neala turned to face Ian. “Claire needs to sleep. See it done.” Not waiting to hear an agreement, the housekeeper left and closed the door behind her.
Claire’s eyes grew heavy. The women in his life were again wise. His wife needed to sleep. He sat next to her on the bed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Is there anything you would like?” He smiled as she leaned into his touch.
“I have everything I could ever want right here in this chamber.” She accepted a soft kiss to her lips. “I love you.”
“And I you, sweeting.” He lifted from the bed to retrieve the dagger from the table by their chairs. “This needs to return to your hand.” He moved back to her side and held out the dagger for her. “With our marriage, this should always be in your hands.”
“Which one, the first or second?” Claire grinned at her joke.
How such a thing became a jest, Ian would never understand. He held up the dagger to the candlelight, and the eyes of the two-headed dragon shone bright. Ian had used this blade to cut the cord from his new son, a moment forever burned in his memory. He took their son from her arms and placed him gently on the bed by Claire’s side then held her hand to place the dagger within. “Since the first Laird of the Draig, the woman he loved has held this dagger. I give this to you as a sign of what is between us.”
Claire gripped the handle in her hands before she set it on the table next to the bed. Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. She answered, “You do realize I only let you borrow this.” She reached to pull him close until his forehead rested against hers and said exactly what he wanted to hear. “I will always wear this at my side. I am yours.”
“As I am yours, sweeting.” He offered a soft kiss to her lips before he helped her to lie down next to their son. Quickly, he added more logs to the fire, not wishing for any to find a chill this night before he joined her in the bed. Settled beside her with their new son between them, Ian asked, “You are certain about the names?”
“Yes, Michael Artair, for our fathers.” Claire smiled as Ian nodded in agreement. They both knew that three good men were represented in the name.
“I agree, ‘tis a fine strong name.” Ian kissed his son’s forehead and became overwhelmed by the emotion of the day. “It pains me to think I could have missed his birth and that you could have been long gone from my side. I dinna ken how life would have any meaning without you.”
“We had a deal that there would be no more talk of what could have been, only our future, Ian. We will enjoy all of our tomorrows together.” She was correct. This night was not for sorrow and what could have been lost but for gratitude that they were together and now a family.
“Aye, sweeting, for every tomorrow I am grateful. Close your eyes and sleep.” As if on command, her eyes fluttered closed, and her soft breathing filled the chamber.
Ian watched them sleep, his wife and their son. Never had any man been more filled with love and joy. His family was safe and warm, the needs of his clan were met, and the Draig lands knew peace. Claire was correct; they had every tomorrow to share. Ian closed his eyes, with his heart filled with the promise that every tomorrow would be spent with Claire by his side.