#my younger brother broke a window and he didn't want our ma to know

[andysdrafts]

the rumors are true, my paycheck is gone!

[renee-writer]

Songs of An Outlander Chapter 18 Home and Family

The months went by and Claire and Jenny get bigger and bigger. When they reach 7 months, they are asked by their concerned husbands to confine themselves to knitting and sewing.

“Knitting and sewing,” Jenny grumbles from her seat in the great room. Her feet are up and a pile of Ian and Wee Jamie's shirts that need repaired are beside her. “I can do much more than this!”

Claire smiles at her from the couch where she sits knitting. She has just recently picked up this skill. Her husband had taught her to her surprise. “Och Sassanech, we Scot learn to clank the needles as soon as we can hold them. Something to keep our hands busy when we can’t do other things.” She smiles as she attempts to form the soft yarn into booties.

“They know we can. But the servants have it in hand and some of the tenants wife’s are also assisting. We will have more to do then we have hands for soon. With two year old boys and newborns.” Fergus is on the cusp of two and has recently started sharing a room with his cousin of the same age.

“I ken your meaning sister. I just feel like I am doing nothing.”

“You are growing a life. That is not nothing daughter.” Brian replies as he comes in. Jenny smiles at him. “Where is Fergus?”

“Jamie has him out in the stables with the horses.” Claire bites her lips. It worries her a bit, Jamie's insistence on teaching their toddler son how to ride, feed, and brush down the ponies.

“Dinna fash Claire. Jamie has been around horses since he was younger then the lad. He will teach my grandson how to be a horse man while seeing nae harm comes to him.”

She knows he is right. Jamie will make sure their son is safe. He has a touch with the animals. A gift. He is taken that gift to start a breeding program for the infantry that both King George and King James have need of. The horses of Lallybroch have a reputation of being the best in all of the Highlands. She smiles when she thinks of all they have done since their return. The awe inspiring change in history.

Besides providing horses for King James, her Jamie and Brian have also helped him start his government. Scotland ruling herself in peace made her wellup with tears whenever she thought of it. Brian is also making, with the help of his son and son-in-law, some of the finest spirits in the distillery started just since they have returned. Jarrod is helping with the selling across Europe. Lallybroch is prosperous and growing. Her hand runs across her bump and her daughter( she firmly believes) rises to meet her.

It is getting cold and she stands, after a few attempts, and grabs the shawl. Wrapping it around her, she walks to the window. It looks like snow and she wishes Fergus in. Just when she is about to sent someone after him, Jamie walks in with a giggling Fergus hanging off his arm.

“Claire, my heart, seems I have a growth on my arm. Can you help me get it off?” Laughing with them, she lifts Fergus into her arms.

“Offf, you weigh a ton, my wee lad. I soon won't be able to lift you.” He kisses her. Her husband and son returning home, smelling of hay and the fresh crisp air, brings peace to her. He is building a smaller house, by the big house, for their growing family but she wants to stay in the big house until she delivers.

Later that night, she sits between her son and nephew. She intends to finish the story of Snow White tonight. She had to go back and catch Wee Jamie up. Fergus recalled part of the story but didn't mind hearing it again, especially the songs. He still loves to hear her sing.

“So, the animals keep trying to warn Snow White but she just doesn’t get it. Finally, they run off to get the dwarfs. Snow White takes the offered apple not aware of the evil intent of the disguised auld woman. One bite is all it takes and she falls into a sleep like death. The apple falls out of her hand and rolls across the floor.” The boys gasp. “The drawfs realize that the animals want them to follow them home. The do and find Snow White, laying as still as death on the floor. The wicked stepmother had left with a cackle after completing her evil mission. The bury her above ground in a glass coffin, see, she is far to beautiful to be hidden. Time passes and a prince hears of the beautiful princess in her glass coffin guarded by the forest animals and dwarfs. He must see her. He comes and looks upon her beauty. He must kiss her. So, he lifts the lid of the coffin and does. At the touch of his lips, she awakens! True loves kiss from her prince breaks the poisons spell.” She stops seeing the boys are both asleep.

“They love your stories.” Jamie says from the doorway.

“There are plenty more.” She lifts herself up and frowns, her hand going to her belly.

“My heart, are you alright? Is it the bairn?”

“I am okay. The baby is just kicking hard.”

He comes up and places his hands over his heaving child. “Bad form lad. Be still and give your mam a break.” He takes Claire’s hand. “Come love. Let’s to bed.”

As the winter deepened, Jenny gives birth to a lass, a fine dark haired baby they name Margaret that will be called Maggie. That is in Nov. Claire knows that her own child will be born soon and asks the midwife to stay, fearing she won't be able to travel over the snow.

Mary was back after having asked for leave to see her beau in Paris. They send Murtagh with her. She returns a few months later, on the arm of Alex Randall! It is shocking to see her with the brother of Black Jack. They soon learn he is the polar opposite of his evil brother. Right before Maggie is born, Alex comes to Jamie and asks for Mary's hand. Permission he gives. The lad has proved himself good for the lass and he is a huge help and a willing hand to help with anything asked of him.

They move into a croft on the property. She still helps with Fergus, as well as Wee Jamie and Maggie. So, she is available one snowy day when Claire’s pains start.

“Go fetch the midwife, Jenny, and Maggie. It is time.” She calmly tells Jamie. He hurries off to do it, with his heart in his throat. She had to use the loo when her waters broke.

Jenny helps her into a new shift. The commotion wakes Fergus, who comes in rubbing his eyes.

“Mam?”

“It is okay lad. Your mam is just having her baby. Come, let me read you a story.” Mary leads him back to he and Wee Jamie's room.

The midwife comes and they begin to walk, pacing off the hours of labor. She curses freely as they make laps around the room. Jamie both wishes to leave and to stay. It matters not as his wife is letting him go nowhere. She holds tight to his hand through the pain.

“I need to push!” She announces after an eternity, or so it seems. The midwife leads her to the birthing stool and she leans against Jamie and grunts under the force that desires to bring her child forth. It isn’t long before the midwife is guiding the child out.

“This a lass.” She announces as the red haired child is lifted into her mam's arms.

“A daughter, I knew it.” Said through her tears.

“You did.” An overwhelmed Jamie says as he looks down at his daughter.

“You don't mind that she isn't a boy?”

“Och nae. I've a son. She is a beauty.”

“Yes, our beautiful Iona Janet.”

She is cleaned up, her and her mam. They are placed in bed where she takes her first meal.

“I ma going to tell da he has another granddaughter.” When he and Brian returns, they find Fergus cuddled to his mam's side, staring awed at his sister. Brian's eyes fill with tears. A new granddaughter. A blessed man is he! Two bawl grandsons and now two beautiful granddaughters.

“We did good Ellen.” He whispers in his heart before he steps forward to meet the latest of his blood.