#half the times I wrote CB I was thinking Caitriona Balfe

[whiskynottea]

An interruption in the 1st law of thermodynamics.

Previously Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

If you prefer the A03, you can find the story here!

Chapter 6. Escape with me

I’d read somewhere that it takes between 90 seconds and 4 minutes to decide if you fancy someone. And then elsewhere that it takes 8 seconds for men to fall in love at first sight.

 I didn’t know the exact time point when my feelings were established but I had a whole night to fall in love with Jamie, if I wasn’t already totally enchanted by him.

 My heart pounded in my ears and a grin spread through my face while I stayed immobile, holding my phone as the world’s biggest treasure.

 And then I heard that foolish squee escaping my mouth again.

 What are you doing to me James Fraser?

 Sitting on my bed, I read his text again and again squeezing my brain to think of my reply.

Well, not just a reply. A good reply. A perfect one.

 Blank.

I couldn’t think, my heartbeat messing with all my other functions.

 What should I say? What? The question was running panicked through my mind.

 Calm down, first things first, Beauchamp. Let’s save his number.

 That I would type his name on my phone! Jamie Fraser. Yes, like I wouldn’t remember who he was without his last name written.

 OK, now read his text for a last time and just reply Beauchamp!

 JF: Hello Sassenach. How was your night with your uncle?

 OK, it was a simple text asking about my night.

Of course, he could text houuuuurs earlier saying something else; instead of waiting all this time to be sure I would be back home – but no.

Jamie Fraser waits for me to be totally depressed and then he goes and texts!

 Anyway.

 CB: Hi Jamie! It was fun! Nothing can go wrong while eating your favourite dish and catching up!

 His reply came in seconds.

 JF: And that dish would be …?

 CB: Mushroom risotto! 😋 How was your night?

 JF: Oh, in contrast with yers, Sassenach, my night sucked. Ye see, I missed the film and went straight back home. Murtagh was so glad to see me back early – to help him with some chores, that is.

 Oh come on! What an arse, I thought, teasing me for walking me home – and this his decision too. But I was still smiling.

 CB: Oh, my poor lad…

 JF: Willing to make it up to me?

 With eyebrows raised, I texted back.

 CB: And how would that be…?

 JF: Ye already owe me a night in the cinema. Ye didn’t forget that, did ye?

 Of course I hadn’t forgotten that! How this would ever be possible! But he didn’t need to know.

 CB: Although this was a unilateral decision…

 JF: What? Oh, no lass. This was just the right thing, what has to be done.

 CB: hahaha OK, I guess I can pay you back with a night at the cinema.

 JF: Of course ye will! I wouldn’t give in, no matter how much ye would try to avoid it. After all I lost the film.

 Well, I never wanted you to give in, to begin with.

 CB: Great

 JF: But you know tis not just this

 What did he have in his mind? I thought going out together would be enough.

 CB: No? 🤔 🤔

 JF: D’ye not read that I was doing chores as well, Sassenach?

 CB: And I am to blame for this?

 JF: Definitely

 I was laughing, shaking my head but opted for a more sober reply.

 CB: I have to disagree on that, you know.

 JF: Ye have to make amends, I say.

 Well, if you say so…

 CB: That would include?

 JF: Spending your Saturday night with us, Sassenach

 With us, not with me, but it was an invitation nonetheless.

 CS: And who would you be?

 JF: Jenny, Ian, Rupert, Angus… and I.

 CS: Well, I like Jenny a lot.

 At this point I was giggling.

 JF: Do ye then?

 CS: Yeap. 😁

 JF: Good. Then ye’re coming?

 CB: Where?

 JF: To escape with me

 My heart stopped and a shiver ran through my body.

I read the text again, but the letters remained the same, dancing in front of my eyes.

 Be smart. Say something funny.

 CB: Are you trying to run away to avoid your chores?

 JF: I would ran away with you – chores or no

 Oh my God.

That cheeky forward bastard!

 I read his last text about ten times and then ten more, including his previous one as well.

He was joking but I felt like we both could say all the things we wanted, veiled and secured as jokes. Keeping a cool façade.

 When I saw he was typing again I realized that I hadn’t replied.

 JF: Dinna worry Sassenach, we’re staying here at the moment

 CB: Good, cause my uncle would hear me packing right now, in the dead of the night

 JF: We’ll plan it for another time then

 CB: Where to?

 JF: Everywhere

 CB: Everywhere? How are we going to do this?

 JF: Dinna ken yet. Maybe rent a camper van and start touring across Europe?

 CB: Good, I haven’t visited Europe that much

 JF: How about starting from France? 🚐

 CB: Love it!

 JF: Cool. Paris it is, then.

  Paris. With Jamie Fraser.

 I knew I was daydreaming, that these were words were floating in the air just for a minute before a light puff! and they would vanish for ever. I knew that this trip would never come to happen but still, I couldn’t help myself from closing my eyes and seeing us walking by the Seine.

 For the moment it was enough that we both fantasized the same thing.

That our dreams collided and merged, becoming one.

 The audition song from LA LA Land came in my mind and I murmured the lyrics thinking of him.

 “Here's to the ones who dream Foolish as they may seem Here's to the hearts that ache Here's to the mess we make”

 Was I ready for another mess?

 Ready or not, Beauchamp, it seems that you can’t avoid it now.

 The text notification brought me back from my reverie.

 JF: So, Sassenach, now that we’ll still here, let’s meet tomorrow at eight?

 CB: You still didn’t tell me where we’re going Jamie!

 JF: Didn’t I? Well, ye’ll find out tomorrow then 

 CB: Arghhh OK. Where are we meeting?

 JF: I’ll come by your place. Is that alright?

 CB: Yeap 

 JF: See ye tomorrow Sassenach

 Before I could reply, another text was delivered.

 JF: Good night Claire 😴

CB: Good night Jamie 😊

 Cocooned in my duvet, I closed my eyes and thought of him doing exactly the same in another house in the city – annihilating all the distance between us.

 How brilliant it would be to have him next to me.

 Maybe. One day.

Chapter 7