#the orphans

[aliceemaropo]

Oh my God, if Orphan 3 came out today, I'd be the first to watch it, hahahah💕💕

[renee-writer]

The Orphans Chapter 31

AO3

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

She can't get over him. Holding her first born son in her arms, seeing Jamie in the shape of his eyes, the red curls of his head. Herself in the shape of his hands, his nose, his lips. Nevertheless, he is altogether himself. 

Their Brian Henry Lambert Fraser.

Around her and the newborn, her family sits. Julia rests against her side, staring wide eyed at her brother. Fergus and Rabbie stand to the side. They are beaming with pride. Faith sits on the other side. Jamie is behind her, supporting her and the baby.

“He is so darling.” Faith sighs out.

“Our baby.” Julia agrees.

“Aye, he is.”

Jamie is bursting with pride. His third son, fifth child, can't take his eyes off him.

“I shall teach him to ride.” Rabbie says.

Fergus smiles at him. His brother sits a fine seat, better than himself. He can admit that.

“He will be well served. I will teach him his letters and numbers.”

“That will be awhile. Julia still isn't ready for that.” Faith doesn't want her baby brother growing too fast. She adores the babyhood of Julia, who is quickly becoming a child.

“I ready! Ready for what?” They all chuckle at the little girl. 

“Ready for a rest. Mama and Brian need one too. Come children. You will see him again after they rest.” He carefully moves from behind her and ushers the children out.

“Those are your siblings. You also have a lot of cousins. Will never not have a playmate, blessed lad.” She softly says as she rocks him.

Thinking about that day,  around five years ago, when she first met her eldest children. Now they are parents of five. It takes her breath away to think about it.

“You are all miracles. Everyone of you. I never thought I would see it. You are my son, Fergus and Rabbie, Faith and Julia, everyone, gifts from God.”

They are.

The end.

[renee-writer]

The Orphans Chapter 30

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80610756

“You can keep your own name. I would never force you to give up the name your father gave you.” Jamie speaks to Rabbie. Their fifth child will soon be born. Claire has reminded him that he has a responsibility to their latest son.

The lad shakes his head. “You are my da. He was just…” he doesn't have the word to describe it and trails off. Jamie waits giving him time to find his words, “he was just a bad man. I am not his. I am yours and Mama's.”

Jamie smiles. He is glad that is how he thinks. That was his hope. 

“Aye, you are.” 

Both smile at each other.  

“I can be a Fraser like Fergus, Faith , and Julia?”

“You will be.” 

The invisible weight he has been carrying falls off. Aye, he knew they cared for him. He is so much happier with the Frasers than with his, well the other man. He understands that Fergus is his heir. He didn't seek to be that and the other man had nothing to give him except bruises that have finally healed.

He didn't wish to carry the other man’s name but if he could live with the Frasers in safety, it would be enough. 

This…oh this is an unexpected gift.

“It is more. More than I could have imagined.”

Jamie feels his heart swell. It had been amazing with Fergus and Faith. Now that he is a veteran father, it is so much more. He knows what it means, this gift they are giving and receiving.

“You are an amazing lad. To give you my name is a privilege.”

He tries to hide the tears that come to his eyes. Jamie sees and draws him into his arms.

“It is alright to cry. Lads need to sometimes.” 

He holds him while he does, letting his own tears fall. 

[renee-writer]

The Orphans Chapter 29

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80610756

“Baby.” Julia stands before the cradle looking at her latest cousins. 

“Babies.” Faith corrects with an indulgent smile. She adores her baby sister. The fact that her mama is having another is a joy to her.

“They are so wee.” Fergus says. He hopes that the coming baby is a lad. After the quartering, he feels secure in his place in the family.

“Aye,” Wee Ian, back after three months at Castle Leoch and with his previous attitude straightened out, stands with his sisters. He is proud as he can be of his new siblings, “it is our job to protect them.”

Laird Mackenzie has taught the young lad that his place is by his future Laird's side, is very important.

“Your father, from the time he was your age, always stood at Jamie's right hand, ready to protect him. That is your role with Fergus. It is very important. You are also the eldest of your father's children. Your role as their protector is sacred.”

With the birth of Janet and Michael, that role has expanded.

“Aye, it is. You and I will do a good job of it.” 

He nods at Fergus. They have become good friends since the other lads return.

“They will mother him,” Wee Ian nods towards his sister and cousin, “it will be our job to teach him to be a man.”

“He will be a good one, as he is your brother.”

They grin at each other. From that day, he stands by his side as Laird Mackenzie taught him.

[renee-writer]

The Orphans Chapter 28

AO3

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

“What was I thinking?” Claire thinks as another wave of nausea runs through her, “We should have waited until after I delivered Jenny of the twins.”

No help for it now. All she can do now is work through it. Jenny had started labor a month early while she is three months pregnant herself.

“I'm sorry. I can see you aren't feeling well.” She clings to the side of the bed as the latest contraction runs through her.

“Don't worry about me,” she softens it with a smile, “focus on getting those babies out.”

She groans as another pain grips her. Claire takes a drink of her ginger tea before focusing on her. The pains are closer together. Her time is coming.

A flurry of curses come out Jenny's mouth as she tightens her grip on the bed.

“Breath through it.” She is talking to herself as much as her sister.

Less than an hour later, she is delivering the first baby. A fine lass. 

Her startled eyes meet her auntie's. “Well hello.” 

“Is she alright?” Jenny half sits up to see her.

“She is,” Good muscle tone, breathing, color, “perfect.”

She hands her over to her mam and waits to deliver the placenta. Then she will have to check the position of the other twin.

As expected, the other baby has turned, floating sideways in the open area of the womb.

“Jenny, I am going to have to move the baby. It is lying sideways, lengthwise.”

Her sister is stoic, nodding her consent. Claire moves the newborn, wrapping her up in a soft blanket and laying her in the cradle.

She will lose them both if this isn't successful. An attempt can be made to deliver by C-section, a last ditch option that will probably only save the baby 

“Please God!” She whispers a quick prayer before laying her hands on her bump. She puts her whole body behind it, manually positioning, repositioning the baby. 

Relief makes her dizzy when it works and the baby moves. She gets him head down. 

She takes several deep breaths before addressing Jenny.

“The baby is head down now. I need you to push as hard as you can. We want to get that head engaged.”

“Aye.” She watches the relief run through her. That she was prepared to die for her child was obvious. 

Soon after, Jenny is cradling her new daughter and son. Both babies and mam are hale and healthy. 

“Janet Claire and Michael William.” She announces their names.

[renee-writer]

The Orphans Chapter 27

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80610756

“She is weaning.” She tells her husband. Julia is almost 18 months old. It is logical that she would be coming off the breast. Still, it makes her mama sad.

“Growing up. It is what she is supposed to do, eh?” 

“Yes. It is just…” Of their four children, she is the only one she has been able to nurse. To see that end, it feels heartbreaking.

He draws her to his side. “I’m sorry.”

“It should be a celebration. She is growing up, our miracle baby. I am anxious to see her next stage. Really. Seeing her babyhood ending.”

“We could always have another.” 

She laughs. “Four isn't enough?”

“Well, I have twelve apostles spoons.”

“Oh dear Lord!” They are both laughing now. When she catches her breath, she says, “Twelve. I think not. But one more, we could do one more.”

He draws her down on the sofa they are sitting on. “No time like the present.”

[renee-writer]

The Orphans Chapter 26

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/80610756

“Humm?” She is examining Jenny. Her sister-in-law is half way through her pregnancy.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, not unless you consider an extra baby an issue. I am feeling two.”

“Twins. It explains why I am so huge.”

“That it does.” It was one reason she wanted to examine her. She had been concerned at his big she was getting.

“Well this will complicate the delivery,” she sighs, resting her hand over them, “won’t it?”

Claire is still moving her hands over her bump, trying to determine the placement of the babies. She will have to do the same closer to her delivery.

“Yes,” she will never lie to her, “it will. The second is liable to come breech. I may have to turn it, or try.”

Jenny nods. “Well Maggie landed on her feet.”

“She did. I will do my best to see them safely here.”

“I cannot ask for more. You do your best and we will leave the rest to God.”

“Yes. Right now they seem to be head down but there's lots of time for that to change and after the first is born, there will be lots of room for the second to move.”

She nods. “I will do whatever you ask.”

“We will get through it together.”