FOUR YEARS - YEAR TWO | “June 16th, 2015″
The First Year | January 5th, 2015 | February 9th, 2015 | March 24th, 2015 | April 17th, 2015 | May 7th, 2015
a/n: I’ve been waiting for this chapter since I started writing this story. I hope you enjoy their special day!
June 16th, 2015
I took a sip of my champagne, smiling as Jenny stepped down from the small stage after her speech. Asking her to help with the wedding had been the best decision since she was so practical about what we did and didn’t need. Like the fairy lights that were hanging above our heads outside in the backyard of Lallybroch, a necessity, she demanded.
Jamie rose from his chair beside me, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before walking towards the stage. Oh God, was he going to make a speech?
My insides turned to liquid though as I saw him pick up a guitar from the side, and placed the strap around his body. He met my eye and smiled, giving me a version of a wink before stepping up to the mic.
“Hello everybody,” he grinned, and shouts and claps followed. “I ken my new bride gets easily embarrassed when anyone talks about her, especially to a crowd.” My cheeks blushed a bright red, and I buried my face in my hands, grinning at his words. “So I’m no goin’ to be talkin’ about her… I’m goin’ to be singing a song for her.”
More shouts and claps from the crowd around me echoed through my ears, but my attention was only on Jamie. He hadn’t told me he was planning a song, let alone singing it in front of everyone. As far as I knew… Jamie had never sang in front of anyone but me.
“This is a song by Drew Holcomb and it’s called ‘Live Forever’.” When he said the title of the song, I gasped quietly. I felt a hand on my arm, and I turned in my seat to see Jenny offering me a tissue which I gladly accepted.
“He’s been plannin’ this for months, Claire.” Jenny smiled.
I knew my voice would fail me, so I only smiled warmly back at her, then turned to face Jamie as he strummed the first notes on the guitar.
“Laughter is the only thing that'll keep you sane
In this world that's crying more and more everyday
Don't let evil get you down
In this madness spinning round and round”
His voice was strong, and his eyes never left mine. It was as if we were the only two people there, the only two people in the entire world.
“I want you to live forever
Underneath the sky so blue.”
++++++
This morning I woke up alone in one of the many beds at Lallybroch. Jamie had been the one to insist that we sleep separately the night before the wedding. And while it was almost impossible to sleep without him next to me, I was selfishly glad to be alone, if only to gather my thoughts.
I sat up slowly, stretching my calves, pointing and flexing my toes under the covers. Sleepily, I ran a hand through my curls which almost touched my shoulder. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my hair had grown back — it was a bit darker in color actually, which was something I had heard of happening after chemo.
My dress was hanging up in the closet, my shoes were set out, ready for my feet to slide into. It was going to be a simple wedding, with only around fifty people invited — most were our close friends, Jamie’s family, my uncle of course and then our favorite work colleagues.
Leaning over, I grabbed my phone off it’s charger, looking at the screen filled with five new messages from Jamie and one from Geillis.
I read Geillis’ first, she had texted telling me she had just left and was on her way to help me get ready. Thank God for that because I had no skill with a makeup brush.
Jamie had sent one message late last night that I’d missed and four all in a row this morning.
Jamie: Are you awake yet Sassenach?
Jamie: I couldn’t sleep without you
Jamie: …. If you aren’t awake in ten minutes, I’m coming to your room
Jamie: five minutes Sassenach….
He had sent that last message four minutes ago, and when a knock came from my door, I jumped and sent my phone flying across the bed.
“Jamie?” I asked.
“No, it’s Geillis, let me in ye wee daftie.” She said and I heard the smile in her voice. I climbed out of bed, crossing the room to open the door for her.
“I did stop yer lad in the hallway on the way to yer room.” She lifted a suspicious eyebrow, “He said somethin’ about needin’ a good luck kiss.”
I laughed and gave her a hug. “It’s his own fault for setting rules he couldn’t follow himself.”
“Well, he’ll see ye soon enough. Now come and sit down in front of the mirror and I’ll try and tame that bird’s nest.” She smiled.
“At least there’s a nest to tame,” I smiled as I sat down, then reached for her hand behind me. “Thank you… for everything, Geillis. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Dinna start with the mushy stuff, Claire. I think if I start cryin’, I’ll no be able to stop.” She wiped away a stray tear and took a deep breath. “Let’s get the bride ready for her weddin’ aye?”
An hour later, my hair was sprayed with product and pinned in place. My makeup was tastefully done, with nice summer colors to go with the season. The only thing left was to get dressed and wait for the wedding to start.
“Step in lass,” Geillis instructed. I placed one foot and then the other into the puddle of lace and material, helping her pull up the gown around me. Even though it was summer — it was also Scotland, and so my dress had long sleeves made of lace, with buttons down the back. My shoes were a simple cream colored satin with a small heel, just enough but not too tall, that I felt like I would fall.
Once I was dressed, I walked to peer out the window, taking a look at all the guests that were starting to arrive. As I watched the people that I loved mingle and talk with one another, I suddenly felt very claustrophobic, even though I was standing in a very large room.
“I don’t know if I can do this, Geillis…” I said quietly and she came to stand by my side.
“Och, of course ye can. Everyone get’s nervous, ’tis alright, Claire.” She placed her hand on the small of my back in reassurance but it wasn’t helping.
“I can’t marry him,” I turned to look at her, tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. “What if the tumor comes back, what if I get sick again?” I cried, my chest constricting, my airway closing off. “What if I die? Geillis… I can’t —“
“I’m goin’ to get Jamie, dinna move an inch Claire.” She left the room quickly in search for my groom. As if I would actually be able to move at this precise moment.
A few minutes later a knock came from the closed door. “Claire… it’s me. Can I come in?”
It took me a moment to register who was speaking but once I did, I snapped out of my panic and ran to the door, pressing my body weight against it. “No! It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
“Ah, so ye still want to marry me then?” Jamie asked.
I paused, unsure of how to answer. Of course I didn’t want to be without Jamie, that thought was unfathomable, but the fear of my illness coming back, leaving Jamie a widow…
“Claire,” he said softly, “Will ye at least crack the door so I can hold yer hand for a bit?”
In answer to this, I opened the door slowly and passed my hand over the threshold. “There,” I said.
“Taing Dhia,” Jamie exhaled and took my hand.
I wasn’t sure how long we stood there like that, taking solace in the quiet and comfort from one another’s touch. Only did Jamie let go of my hand when I told him I would see him downstairs.
“At the altar, aye?” He said.
“Of course, Jamie. I’m not going anywhere.” I smiled, though he couldn’t see it.
“I love ye, mo ghraidh.” Jamie said.
“And I love you, Jamie.” I replied and with that, my groom left to take his place outside. Geillis returned seconds later, giving me a hug. With a final check, we determined that my hair was perfect and my makeup only need a light touch up.
“Ye’re goin’ to be just fine lass, yer man is watin’ for ye.” Geillis said, and my heart fluttered at the thought.
I took a deep breath before walking out into the hallway and found Lamb standing at the top of the stairs.
“My God,” he took both my hands in his, “You’re stunning, Claire. You make the most beautiful bride.” He embraced me in a tight hug. “I know your parents would be very happy for you, and I know I’m not a replacement for my brother, but I’m glad to be here on your special day.”
I blinked quickly to deter the fresh tears at the mention of my parents. “Thank you Lamb,” I pulled him in for another quick hug. “Shall we?”
He wrapped my arm in his, and together we walked down the large staircase. Just before the doors opened outside, Geillis straightened my dress before taking her place behind Jenny. They were my only two bridesmaids, but they were all I needed. My heart began to make a steady thud as I heard the music swell outside. It felt like it was all happening so quickly and yet time itself seemed to stop as the doors opened and I stepped outside.
He was there, at the end of the aisle waiting for me. My Scot. Jamie. Dressed in full highland regalia, he was quite an impressive sight to behold. Adorned with kilt, dress shirt and sporran, he was the man of my dreams.
I clutched onto Lamb’s arm as tight as I could, and he gave my hand a gentle pat. My eyes never left Jamie’s. I knew I should look at all the guests that had come to see us, but they could wait.
My hands were shaking as Lamb gave me over to Jamie. “Hello, Sassenach,” He grinned warmly, taking my hands in his which were also shaking a little. We were in this together now, til death do us part.
++++++
Jamie finished the song, and near the end his voice began to tremble. Tears of my own fell down my cheeks as I watched my new husband cry on stage. As he finished the last note, I stood from the table and met him in the middle of the small dance floor, wrapping my arms around his neck to kiss him.
Cheers flew up all around us, and that made Jamie only pull me against his body harder, letting his hands slide down over my arse. I jumped and pulled back, swatting at his hands. I heard Ian shout, “Get him, Claire!” And I laughed until my sides hurt.
“Will ye dance wi’ me, my lady?” Jamie asked, and I agreed. Our arms were already wrapped around each other, and so we began to sway gently back and forth as the band started to play.
“Are you happy, Mrs. Fraser?” He grinned, kissing me before I answered.
“If I said I wasn’t?” My eyebrows shot up.
Jamie bit his bottom lip, looking down at me, “If ye werena happy, I would have to take ye around behind that wee bush over there, and see how happy I could make ye.”
I knew he would do it too, make love to me on our wedding day behind a bush, with all our guests only feet away.
“I’m happy!” I smiled, “Very, extremely, incandescently happy!”
“Damn.” He frowned, “I suppose I’ll have to wait til everyone’s gone then to have my way wi’ ye.” Jamie kissed me again.
“You better behave yourself, Mr. Fraser.”
“How can I, wi’ ye lookin’ so good in that wee dress of yers?” He said, his eyes now a dark shade of blue.
“You’ll only have to wait another hour I think, it’s customary for the bride and groom to leave before everyone else is it not?”
“Aye, but usually they leave the place and dinna go inside the same house that some of the guests will be staying at that night.” Jamie laughed, tightening his grip on my waist.
“I told you we could have gotten a hotel for a few nights before we fly out on our honeymoon…” I replied.
“Aye, ye did. But I said I wanted our first night to be spent as a married couple at Lallybroch and I stand by it. It’s ye who will have to quiet yer wee noises as I ravish ye.” Jamie leaned in and placed a kiss just under my ear. My insides turned to jelly, and I felt my knees wobble. How was it that he was able to leave me turned on in a matter of seconds?
I spoke quietly, “How about we both go make the rounds of saying hello and goodbye to everyone, then we’ll ditch this place?” I quirked an eyebrow.
“Sounds like a verra good plan to me, Sassenach.” Jamie kissed me, holding me tight until the song ended. We both turned in opposite directions, thanking each of our guests for coming.
I only paused long enough to talk with Mary Hawkins, who was sitting at her table with Glenna. “Mary! I’m so happy that you could attend,” I bent down to hug her in her wheelchair.
“S-so am I, Claire. This has been the most fun evening I’ve had in a long time,” she grinned. I was just glad she was here, I knew it was a slim chance considering her failing health. I spoke with her and Glenna for a few minutes, but then saw Jamie out of the corner of my eye giving me a knowing look.
He looked absolutely delicious in his kilt, and what I wanted right now was to see him out of it. Somehow we managed to escape the crowd, bidding farewell to our guests and practically ran up the stairs to our room.
As soon as the door was shut, Jamie had his mouth pressed against mine and his hands fumbling with the buttons on my dress. I turned so he had easier access and he cursed in Gaelic, “The damn wee things.”
I laughed, sighing as the last button was undone and let the dress fall to the ground around my feet. Jamie placed his hands on my hips, hooking his fingers into my panties and pulling them down to my ankles. I stepped out of them and my shoes.
“I feel very underdressed Mr. Fraser,” I smiled, facing him.
“’Tis what I expect ye to be wearin’ on our honeymoon, Sassenach.” He grinned, his hands shrugging off his jacket and pulling his shirt out of his kilt.
“I don’t think the people at Harry Potter World will appreciate a naked woman walking around and sitting next to them on the rides,” I laughed.
“Och, yer probably right. Why didn’t we choose somewhere wi’ less people?” Jamie took off his boots and socks, then pulled the belt off around his waist. When his hand went to his kilt to pull it off, I stopped him.
“Maybe you could leave that on… just once.” I smirked and walked backwards, laying myself out on the bed.
Jamie lowered his head, and moved forward, coming to hover over my body. “Ye wee vixen,” he smirked.
“I’ve always wanted to know if the saying was really true,” smiling, I reached under his kilt to find his cock hard and throbbing, “and I guess it is.”
He growled deeply in his chest, grabbing both my arms and pinning them above my head. We had been burning for each other all night long, unable to touch each other in the way that we wanted. The wool of his kilt was scratchy along my stomach and thighs as he thrust home and began to push forward.
I held on to him, shaking in the pleasure his body gave me. It was a quick exchange, but it left us both breathless and wanting more. Jamie rolled us over on our sides, and he cupped my cheek.
“Ye ken that vow I made ye when we learned about yer brain tumor?” Jamie said softly, one hand resting on top of my head.
“You are blood of my blood,” I repeated those words we had spoken so long ago.
“Aye, and bone of my bone.” Jamie said.
Looking into each other’s eyes, we said the last lines together, “I give you my body, that we two might be one. I give you my spirit, til our life shall be done.”
“I love you, Claire. So much it breaks my heart,” Jamie kissed me.
“I love you, Jamie Fraser. For all of my days, I will love you.” He held me to his chest, and I felt safe in his arms. Later during that night we would make love several times, but it was enough to just touch him, run my hands over his chest and feel the steady beat of his heart. I felt my own heart beat in time with his, my reminder that I was alive.
