Bonus scene
It had been a long and arduous time. The closer Caroline came to giving birth, the more anxious Ryan grew. He never left her side for fear that some dark fate would come to spirit their happiness away.
It was different for Caroline, of course. She had the blessing of being able to feel the life growing inside her. She could feel the baby flutter, kick, and even hiccup, which made her laugh. She spent her days singing to her unborn child and whispering to it all the wonders that it was going to experience, and while she enjoyed being pregnant, she was eager for it to be over so that she could hold her baby in her arms, gaze into their eyes, and see them properly.
Eventually, it came time. The year was new, filled with fresh beginnings, and the first stirrings of spring were near. Caroline awoke with sharp pains. Ryan summoned the healers, who were never far away, as he ensured that they could reach Caroline within a moment’s notice. She sipped a concoction to help with the pain and then was placed on a thick woolen blanket to make her as comfortable as possible. Ryan paced back and forth, muttering to himself. Caroline tried to ignore him. He was only adding to her stress.
Soon enough, she couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the pain. She screamed as she pushed, her entire body contracting. The healers waved incense in the air, and she was coached through the birth by a seasoned healer who had been present at many births.
Ryan held her hand, and she squeezed his so tightly that it made the powerful man wince. She lost all sense of time. All she knew was that by the end of it she was exhausted and drained. Her skin was flushed, and her loose clothes clung to her because of the sweat.
But none of that mattered because she had a baby boy in her arms. He was impossibly small, his eyes were closed, and he was breathing rapidly. His hands trembled, and his legs were shaking. He was wrapped in a blanket, and she held him close to her breast, touching her skin to his. She kissed his head and felt a love that was overwhelming and all-consuming.
“He’s the most beautiful thing I hae ever seen,” she whispered.
Ryan reached down and stroked the back of the boy’s hand.
“Aye, that he is,” Ryan agreed. He kissed Caroline on the top of her head, and both parents were utterly content.
Later, after having some sleep, Caroline was sitting beside a window at the top of a tower, looking over Knox territory. She was in a rocking chair. Her son was in her arms, fitting into her lap. He was never going to be this small again. She stroked his head and enjoyed watching the gentle twitches of his face.
Ryan entered, bringing with him some food and drink. He rarely left her side, and she appreciated how attentive he was.
“Ye hae better be careful that the clan dinnae resent ye for spending sae much time away,” Caroline teased.
“I believe they understand. Currently, there is naething more important tae me than ye two. The clan is in good hands,” he sank to his knees and kissed Caroline’s hand, before gently placing his lips upon the baby’s head. He then gently picked up the boy and held him to the window.
“Look at that, son. This is all gaeing tae belong tae ye one day,” Ryan said.
Caroline frowned a little, already fearing that her son was going to grow up too soon. “Are ye already looking tae the future? Please dinnae lose sight of the present.”
“I’m just happy, that’s all. And I’m at peace. For sae long I hae ruled over this clan, but now I know that one day I shall be free. One day, he shall take my place, as I took over from Da.”
Caroline reprimanded him gently. “Is yer fate tae be his? I know we hae hopes for him, but I like tae think he hae a choice. And I certainly hope he will nae hae tae take over from ye for the same reason. Ye are gaeing tae live a long and happy life, Ryan.”
“Oh aye, I plan tae, and I will nae give him more responsibility than what he’s ready for. But there’s nae harm in showing him the land that’s his. He needs tae respect all of it.”
“And he will, in time. But he’s gaeing tae live a life entirely different from ours. I hope that ye are nae gaeing tae interfere with that. He dinnae need tae dae the same things as ye.”
“Perhaps nae, unless his fate is tae be saved by the daughter of an enemy. Then I might just let it happen,” he said, flashing a knowing smile towards Caroline.
She laughed and inclined her head, before rising from her chair to join her husband and son. She slipped an arm around Ryan and caressed her son’s forehead. The sunlight outside filtered in through the window. The world was at peace, and so were they. Their family was growing and the future of the clan was secured.
There would be many burdens placed upon this child’s shoulders, but Caroline wanted to protect him from all that for as long as possible. She never wanted him to know the sorrow, fear, and anguish that she had experienced. She only wanted him to know all the sweet things of the world.
She leaned her head against Ryan’s arm and sighed happily. The baby stirred and wriggled, which made them laugh. He opened his eyes and Caroline’s heart melted at the way he looked at her, for she and Ryan were his entire world.
This had all begun with her running away from home, but now she realized that at the same time, she had been running towards her future. Ryan was her home, and now that wee bairn was her world.