Bonus Scene
Maeve put her hand on Ansel's shoulder, smiling slightly. "Ye neednae look so worried. I've nae seen such fear in yer eyes in over a decade."
Her brother-in-law gave her a reproachful look, and Maeve did her best not to laugh.
Over the last seven years, it had become almost second nature to playfully antagonize Ansel, finding the fun in a man she'd once thought would be her enemy forever.
He was still too serious at times, and all three sisters had made it their mission to help Neala keep the joy within him close to the surface—not that he needed much help when Neala was around.
Neala wasn't around now, though, and since Eoin and Nessa were too busy with the smallest of the children, Breana was busy inside, and Cailean and Darren were both rolling around on the grass with the older ones, the task of keeping Ansel calm fell to Maeve.
"I'm nae worried," Ansel lied.
"Of course," Maeve replied placatingly. She was about to say something else when seven-year-old Mary ran over. Her owlish blue eyes were narrowed with annoyance, her carefully-plaited pale blonde hair coming loose.
"Auntie Maeve!" Mary exclaimed, "Look what Robina did tae me dress! She's a menace!"
Maeve tutted. "Dinnae call yer cousin a menace, Mary. She's only a year younger than ye are, and ye ken she looks up tae ye. Come here, let me see what we can do about the stain."
As she worked on the green mark left by the grass, Robina came slouching over, looking guilty. "I didnae mean for her tae fall, Mammy. I was only playin'."
"I ken, Bobbie, but ye must be more careful," Maeve chided lightly. She took in her daughter's dark hair and eyes, wide and innocent, and sighed. "Och, it isnae yer fault. Ye've too much of me in ye. But still, ye must try tae behave."
Darren and Cailean approached a moment later, each of them holding one hand of the small boy between them. "What's the damage?" Cailean asked.
"Nae casualties, I hope?" Darren added with a grin. He looked down at his five-year-old son and said, "See, Kieran. Ye mustnae get between a lassie and her nice new dress."
"Really?" Kieran asked.
"If I hear that nonsense from ye again, I'll smack ye," Nessa warned from where she was sitting with the little ones and Breana. "Everyone kens ye care much more about yer clothes than any lassie."
Darren held up his free hand in surrender, laughing. "I cannae deny it," he admitted.
"Och, dinnae fret so, Mary," Eoin told her, getting to his feet and bringing the giggling two-year-old he was holding with him. "I'm sure the maids will be able tae get it out, and if nae, ye've plenty more dresses. Look, yer brother's nae fussin' half as much, and he's just a wee bairn."
"Me brother has nae brains yet, that's why," Mary said, pouting, but she pulled her dress back and ran after Robina to start another game a second later.
Eoin shook his head, jokingly despairing. "Who'd have thought that after everythin' I've gone through, fatherin' a daughter would be the biggest battle yet."
Ansel groaned.
"Dinnae be so dramatic," Maeve told them both mildly while Cailean and Darren laughed.
"Och, Bobbie keeps us on our toes too, but we all ken they're worth every second," Cailean replied. He nodded to Maeve with a teasing grin. "Probably should work on a son next, though."
"I'm growin' him as quickly as I can," Maeve replied, patting her belly. "I've nae much control beyond that."
Cailean approached and kissed her hair. "Ye ken I'll be happy whatever the child is, so long as they're healthy."
Nessa joined then a few moments later, her own two-year-old, David, asleep in her arms. "Boys arenae any easier, anyway. Between this one and Kieran, Bruce Castle is overrun, as ye all very well ken."
Their conversation was interrupted shortly afterward when Breana came running out of the castle toward them, her face flushed and bright, excitement streaming from her.
"It's time," Breana announced. "Patty said she's ready. Ansel, ye should come first, of course."
Ansel stood and swallowed. "She's all right?" he asked. "And… and the bairn?"
Breana nodded, though something strange crossed her expression. "Ye're in for a surprise," she promised.
Leaving the children with the governnesses for the moment, Maeve, Breana, Cailean, Nessa, and Darren arrived at the birthing room after enough time had passed to give the new father a chance to welcome his child.
Breana had not yet told them what the surprise was or what sex the baby might be, insisting it was for Ansel and Neala to share for themselves.
Truthfully, Maeve was just excited to meet her new niece or nephew.
Cailean had been talking of nothing else for weeks, overwhelmed with joy that he'd have more McNairs in their home.
There had been whispers that Ansel and Neala were unable to have children, but their closest confidantes had known the truth.
Ansel had asked Neala to wait until he was ready; that was, he'd asked her to wait until he felt like he deserved to be the father of her children.
He had grown up with a father who had caused him nothing but harm, and he wanted to be sure that he could fully trust himself before he brought new life into the world.
In Maeve's opinion, Ansel had redeemed himself time and again.
He had served loyally as Cailean's captain of the guard for years, and along with Eoin, had become his closest friend other than Darren and Maeve herself.
It was clear to everyone that he adored Neala and also adored this country, and even the most injured by the Ashkirks had come to love Ansel McNair over time.
The whole castle had been overjoyed when they had announced that Neala was finally to bear a child of her own.
"Come in," Neala's voice called to their knock.
They entered, and a chorus of gasps instantly escaped them. Maeve covered her mouth with both hands in delight at the scene before her eyes. Neala lay on the bed, a tiny baby in her arms, looking exhausted but thrilled. Beside her sat Ansel, and in his arms, another baby slept soundly.
"Twins," Cailean breathed. "Neala, ye're a wonder."
"This is Seonag," Neala introduced, nodding to the baby in her arms. "I named her even before she was born. We havenae got a name for the other yet, though. Me wee surprise."
"Surprise McNairs seems tae be a trend," Darren said, earning a quiet laugh from the others.
Nessa stepped a little closer. "Och, they're the bonniest pair. Well done, both of ye. Seonag is a wonderful name, and I'm sure ye'll find one for the other mite soon enough."
Ansel smiled. "Nay need. I ken what we'll name her." He paused. "If it's all right with ye, that is, love. Ye're her mother, after all."
"And ye're her father," Neala replied. "Tell me what ye think."
To Maeve's surprise, Ansel looked almost bashful. He glanced at Cailean, then back at Neala, then at last back down at his daughter. His eyes softened, and his expression became more sure as he did.
"I'd like tae name her Fiona," he replied. "And when she's old enough, me first gift tae her will be a diary."
Neala started to cry. "Really?" she asked. "Oh, love. Oh, Ansel."
Cailean moved forward and lifted the tiny Seonag from his sister's arms, allowing her a moment to collect herself. He stared at the baby with wonder, then looked to Ansel and the other baby too. Maeve saw that her husband was also crying, and she loved him for it.
"Thank ye," Cailean told him. "Me mother's heart would sing tae hear that."
Ansel nodded. "I hope so. Both of our mothers will live on through our daughters—but they'll get to live their own lives, too. I cannae wait tae be part of it."
"A diary," Neala said. "Aye. Diaries for both of them. For all the bairns. Let them write and tell stories. And one day, generations from now, they'll speak of how our children wrote their own paths and forged their way through Scotland in its time of peace."
"Aye," Maeve agreed. "Let them write their own tales in this world we built for them."
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