An Inheritance Chapter Thirty-four
AO3
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
One thing she learns about her future in-laws is that when they put their mind to something, it gets done. Sooner then she could have ever imagined, she is standing in, what she has learned is the Laird’s bedchamber, her and Jamie’s room here at Lallybroch, in front of a full length mirror, seeing herself for the first time, in a wedding dress. The dress is amazing, old enough to be vintage, not campy. The addition of Jamie’s family’s tartan, placed around her waist, completes it. She feels tears gather at seeing herself.
“Now, none of that, not yet anyway.” Jenny had just tied the tartan in a bow in the back. “You are beautiful Claire.”
“Thank you.” It isn’t enough, that simple thank you. Not only had Jenny been responsible for planning ninety percent of the details of this day but, she had became the sister she needs right now.
“You are family. We do for family.”
The tartan isn’t the only Scottish part of the ceremony. Her flowers include thistles as does the men’s boutonnieres. The twins are wearing tartan, with Willie in the sweetest tiniest kilt and Faith in a tartan dress. They are the honorary ring bearer and flower girl respectively. The ceremony will include a hand fasting.
“Family,” She sighs. The only flaw in today is the absence of Uncle Lamb. “you are I just miss Uncle Lamb badly today.”
Jenny, who has memories of the older man when he came to purchase Leoch, hugs her side. “Aye, but he is looking down at you with pride today.”
Jamie paces in front of the fireplace in the Great Room. The minister looks at him with a smile. He is the typical nervous groom. “Will be just a moment lad.” He nods. Just a moment before his life starts in earnest. The birth of the twins started that, of course. But Claire, oh Claire, she is making the three of them family.
It is a small wedding. Just close family and friends. They sit on either side of the makeshift aisle. He sees a few of them smile at him, including his Godfather, Murtagh. He tries to smile back but is to nervous. Then, finally, the music starts. All their attention turns to the double doors, opened to let in Jenny, holding Faith and Ian, holding Willie. Their guests, including their children, let out soft , ahhs , at the sight. Jamie’s heart leaps in his chest, at the sight of his children and the promise of his bride.
They walk up to the front before the twins are given to their da’s close friends, Mr. and Mrs. Bug. Murtagh, with Jenny and Ian’s bairns, shares the front row with them. Jenny and Ian join Jamie. The music changes to the wedding march and everyone stands.
He will never forget his first look at his bride. Beautiful doesn’t cut it, she is gorgeous, brilliant, stunning. She walks down the aisle towards him on her own. This frees her to come as fast as she wants. Not a flat out run but a very fast walk, draws her to him.
He is a vision. In full Scottish regalia, he would be were he old or ill favored and he is neither. He glows, his beautiful face, lit with the love he holds for her. The kilt, matching the tartan around her waist, wivers as it’s wearer does in anticipation of her joining him. Something she is also eager to do. Her hands find his and they can both breath again.
“Marriage is what brings us here today. Jamie and Claire have found love and are to be joined together for the rest of their lives.” The minister begins.
The feel of his hand trembling in hers, steadies her. She isn’t alone and will never be again. “I love you.” She whispers to him.
“And I you.”
“The couple have their own vows, followed by a hand fast ceremony.”
Claire goes first. “I never expected to be here. Never expected to find a home in the Highlands. But, my dear Uncle Lamb has given me the best gift ever at gifting me with Leoch because I found you. Found family. I love you so much Jamie. More then I ever expected too. I have found you, my husband, found the wonder of motherhood in Willie and Faith.” He doesn’t know she was going to do what she does next. “For my vows aren’t just to you.” She squeezes his hands before letting him go and walking over to where the children sit on the Bug’s laps. She kneels before them, carefully. “I also vow to you, William James and Faith Ellen. I vow to be the best mommy to you, to treat you the same as any children I give birth to.” Sobs come from behind her as Jamie weeps without shame at her words. Standing she rejoins him. “As I vow to be the wife you deserve. From this day until forever.”
“Oh Claire!” it takes him a moment to regain his composure. “My love. Aye, my love, you are my everything. The one my own da promised I would find. I knew when I saw your eyes for the first time. That, no matter the challenge, we were destined to end up here, vowing our forever to each other. I love you so much. There is no one else I want by my side, to be my partner and co-parent. Both our children and myself are so blessed.”
The minister clears his own throat before the next part of the ceremony. “As Jamie and Claire have vowed their today and tomorrows to each other, now we move to bind them in a more ancient way.” Ian holds the binding tartan as Jenny steps up to place them wrist to wrist. Ian wraps the tartan around their wrists and ties it.
As they have agreed, he says the old words in Gaelic and she answers in English.
“Is tusa fuil m’ fhuil-sa agus cnàimh dem chnàmh. Tha mi a ‘toirt dhut mo chorp gus am bi an dithis againn nar aon. Tha mi a ‘toirt dhut mo spiorad gus an tèid ar beatha a dhèanamh”
“You are blood of my blood and bone of my bone. I give you my body that us two may be one. I give you my spirit until our lives be done.”
The rings are slipped over their fingers and a shout goes up from their guests when they are pronounced husband and wife. It gets louder as they kiss.
