Letters For Christmas | Two
It’s the gift that keeps on going! Here’s part two of your Secret Santa fic @akb723!
It’s become tradition now for me to write you whenever I feel lonely or in need. This instance, however, is not out of loneliness but out of love.
You’re asleep in the rocking chair, Faith curled up on your chest, and the lights from the tree color you both in flecks of blue, green, red, and yellow. I know you hate it when I do this, but I can’t help it: I have to watch you both dream. Your hands twitch at the same moments and it’s times like this when my heart feels like it’s going to burst inside my chest.
To see you and this perfect miracle alive and whole… it’s too much, and at times I still relive the day I nearly lost both of you. I’m not sure what has been a more horrifying experience, thinking I was losing you during the war or watching you bleed in my arms.
I couldn’t bear it if I lost you. You are my soul, and Faith has taken over my heart.
She grows more and more each day right before our eyes. I can see her mind working as she takes in the world around her, those bright blue eyes scrutinizing everything. She’s just like you. Even more so now as those dark curls have started to take root. Your tears when the red hair she was born with fell out broke my heart; but to be honest, I was glad. I want our little one to grow to be just like her strong Mam.
I cannot wait to experience Christmas through her eyes. She’s already mesmerized by the lights we have strung up about the house, and more than once I’ve caught her trying to shove the garland and the popcorn strands in her mouth, her little fists clenched tight around her treasures as she giggles and crawls away from me.
I cannot imagine my life any other way.
Tonight you showed me patience beyond measure as Faith and I destroyed your sugary and frosted Christmas biscuits. You huffed, but smiled and let her smash the dough with her tiny hands, the flour smudged on her cheeks and in her hair mimicked your own. You baked the misshapen biscuits and decorated them with pride.
Once you took Faith for her bath, I snuck out to see Ian and Jenny. They’ve held a gift for me and tonight I wish for you to have it.
This gift, I hope, sparks a tradition we keep throughout the years for as long as we live; a tradition to give not only to each other but each of our bairns, their bairns and on down the line; that what we do will be the beginning story for generations to come.
I love thee to depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, Sassenach.
Jamie folded the letter, placed the wrapped gift over it on the coffee table. He smiled as he took in the sight before him, the same as he described in the letter. Claire’s hand on Faith’s back, both of his sleeping lasses breathing in sync.
“Goodnight, mo nighean donn.” Jamie whispered to both Claire and Faith before kissing them gently on the forehead, then made his way up to his bed.
A few hours later, Claire jerked away, startling Faith. The small girl gave a whimpering cry before settling down on her mother’s chest.
“Shhh, my love. Mummy didn’t mean to wake you. Shhh.”
Claire searched the room for the terror that had haunted her only moments before, yet her mind couldn’t grasp what it was. The nightmare forgotten, she sighed, and slumped back into the chair, Faith already lightly snoring on her chest. She hummed and rocked, relishing the heavy weight of her daughter. The sun began to filter in, a metallic glint sparkled from the coffee table. Reaching forward, Claire grabbed the small wrapped box and the letter that lay beneath it.
Tears fell down her cheeks as she read Jamie’s words. With as little sound as possible she tore open the package. A small glass bauble rested inside the box. With shaking hands she pulled it out and looked at the brilliant blue disc. Across the front was etched ‘Fraser Family Christmas 1946. James, Claire & Faith.’ On the back side a signature read Murtagh F. Fraser, Paris France ‘46.
Claire smiled through a sobbing sniffle, stroking the glass delicately. Holding Faith tighter to her chest, she stood and placed the ornament in front of a light, letting the glass twinkle and shine. Jamie’s arms wound around her waist and she leaned back into his embrace.
“Good morning, mo ghradh.” He whispered into her hair.
“Mmm, good morning love. Thank you for the bauble. It’s perfect.”
“You’re welcome. I told Murtagh he needs to learn a fancier style so we can request more from him next year.”
Claire laughed and turned in his arms, “He needs to leave France and come home.”
“Aye, but ye ken he wilna leave Suzette.”
Claire kissed him and nodded. “Maybe next Christmas.”
Jamie kissed her again, “Aye, maybe next Christmas.”