Epilogue
“Oh, Dougall, ’tis a beautiful place,” Helene exclaimed.
Their home was finally finished and she couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect place.
They’d married upon their return to Breaghacraig and at that time, Helene didn’t believe she could possibly be any happier.
But now, gazing at their home, the home they’d built together, she found her happiness had increased tenfold.
The MacKenzies had worked hard to help Dougall and they, along with the clan craftsmen, built it in record time.
Helene, with a little help from Ashley, Jenna and Irene did all of the decorating.
She was pleased that Dougall seemed to understand how important it was to her to have a voice in their lives together.
He’d been happy with her decisions on their furnishings, complimenting her on her good taste in everything she’d chosen and made.
Dougall proudly gazed at their manor. “Do ye think ye’ll be happy here with me, Helene?”
“Aye, ye silly man. I love ye. I’d be happy anywhere ye were.”
His smile warmed Helene’s heart. She took his hand and the two of them walked through the doors of their new home together.
She imagined what it would be like with bairns running from room to room, while she did all of the things she had watched Irene do at Breaghacraig.
She wanted her home to be just like the castle she’d live in since childhood.
“Come, let’s see the rest.” It was their first time walking through their new home since everything had been completed. Dougall led her from room to room and each was better than the last. The final door they entered brought them into their bed chamber.
Helene gasped. “Oh, Dougall! I cannae believe me eyes.” The bed was as grand as Laird and Lady MacKenzie’s bed at Breaghacraig.
It was quite large, with four posts and a wooden canopy atop it.
Curtains hung at each post and the bed was covered with furs to keep them warm.
A hearth was positioned on the wall opposite the bed.
“The furnishings ye chose on yer trip to Edinburgh with the ladies, finally arrived. I wished to surprise ye. I instructed the men to place everything exactly where ye wished. I hope ‘tis to yer liking.”
Happy tears fell from her eyes and Dougall brushed them away. “’Tis perfect.”
Excited voices could be heard coming from downstairs. “Dougall! Helene!” It was Ashley and from the sounds of it the rest of the MacKenzies had joined her.
They hurried down the stairs to greet their friends, who came bearing food and drink. “We wanted to help you celebrate your new home,” Ashley said.
“I couldnae keep her away another minute,” Cailin added.
“Come in. Come in.” Excitement shone in Helene’s eyes. These were her first visitors. She gazed at Dougall who watched her with a look of admiration on his face.
“Everything is so beautiful, Helene,” Irene said. “The things we picked out in Edinburgh are perfect. Dinnae ye think.”
“Aye. Come let’s show them the rest.”
Dougall led the group through the house, where they stopped and admired everything from the furniture to the rugs, complimenting Helene on her choices and Dougall on the construction.
Returning downstairs they were greeted by Wee Robert and the other children, who had been picking flowers and presented Helene with an enormous and colorful bouquet. “’Tis fer ye, Helene with good wishes fer yer new home,” Wee Robert said, sounding much like his father.
“Shall we eat,” Cormac said.
Helene couldn’t help but laugh as Jenna poked him in the ribs and eyed him with an arched brow.
Dougall led the way to the dining room, where there were enough seats around the table for everyone.
The food was laid out along with pitchers of ale and everyone helped themselves.
Laughter and happy voices could be heard long into the evening and when everyone had finally gone home, Dougall and Helene basked in the glow of the fire crackling in their hearth.
“I’m so happy,” Helene said. She was happier than she could ever remember being in the entirety of her life. “Will it always be like this?”
“I believe it will,” Dougall answered, taking the opportunity to gaze deeply into her eyes. “I love ye, Lady MacRae. Ye made me the happiest man on earth the day ye became me wife..”
“I love ye, Dougall. I’m proud to call ye husband.”
Dougall took her in his arms. Helene kissed him with all the love she had in her heart. Salty, sweet tears of joy ran down both their faces and mingled together on their lips. They both had the love they’d wanted all along, the love they waited for and the love that would last a lifetime.
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