Late! Chapter 5 Momma!
“Jamie, it is lovely.” She stares down at Fraser's Ridge in awe.
“Thank you. Brianna, what did you call Frank?” She turns to look at him, this man that helped make her, genetically shaping her into the person she know is. She answers the question he is really asking.
“What would you have me call you?” He smiles.
“Da, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Da, is it Gaelic?”
“Nae Brianna, just easier.”
“Da, is momma happy here. I know that she longed to be back with you. It was hard parting from her but I knew here, with you is where her heart was. So, is she?”
“She is. Very. I thank you for returning her to me.”
“It is all I could do.” They have arrived and he helps her down.
“Come lass.” He leads her into the Great House. “Claire, I've a surprise for you. A visitor.”
“Is it Marsili? She is to came so I can..” She enters the room and stops dead at the sight. “Bree!”
“Momma!” They are in each others arms with the next heartbeat. Both crying and trying to talk at the same time.
“How did?”
“I've news.”
Finally they stop and pull away. That is when Bree sees the difference in her mother.
“Bree, you must tell me all. What news? How is Roger? Does he know where you are? When?”
“I will but first, are you~ pregnant?”
“I am. It was quite the shock. I thought it just the ceasing of my cycle. But..”
“Pregnant?” She turns to Jamie,” Why didn’t you tell me da? I asked about her. This was kind of some big news.”
“Aye and hers to share. I didn't wish to take that moment from her.”
She turns back to her momma. “Wow. Okay are we happy or..?”
“We are happy but a bit..” She stops and turns back towards Jamie. “Will you give us a moment?”
“Aye. Christ lass is it good to meet you.” He gives her a quick hug, kisses Claire and slips out.
“Bree, I am happy. Truly. Just scared. This was not expected. You know the risks to the baby.”
“He doesn’t?”
“No, your da doesn’t.” She arches her brow. They can still talk without words.
“I asked what to call him. He suggested.. But da doesn’t know?”
“No. He has concerns for me..”
“As I do.”
“But I can't burden him with things he wouldn’t fully understand.”
“You didn’t think to..”
“It was to late and I not sure I would have anyway. This is Jamie and I. A child we can raise together.”
“I get that but..”
“Bree what brings you here? Not that I am not ecstatic to see you.”
She explains about Roger finding news of the fire. “I couldn’t if I could save you.”
“My love.” She pulls her towards her in tears.
“Roger knows. I left a note. I didn’t plan to stay this long but, now I must. To see you safely delivered. I have asked for a little sister after all.” Claire laughs.
“I am so glad. I need to tell you about Fergus and Marsili. About Faith.” She looks quizzically at her.
“Faith would have been your big sister. She was born in Paris before the Raising. Early. To early. Was born still. I held her. Said goodbye.”
“Oh momma!”
“Fergus is older then you. A big brother. Not of our bodies but our hearts. He was an orphan in Paris. We adopted him. His wife Marsili is your da's step-daughter.”
“What?”
“From a second marriage. It is complicated. We will get to it all. Marsili is also pregnant.”
“You are going to be a grandma with a new baby.”
“So it would seem. We have a lot to catch up on. I need to teach you a bit about midwifery. But first you must be famished. Come, let's find your da and eat.”
“Yes please.” They are laughing as they go in search of him.
