Epilogue
The fire roared in the hearth. Mazey sat in a chair, working on another blanket while Desmond played on the floor next to Siusan. The keep was quiet. Winter was long and harsh. Nights were cold, but with Baile in her bed, it didn’t seem so bad.
“When can we go see the flowers?” Siusan whined.
Mazey laughed. “When there are flowers to see.”
“Isn’t it spring yet?”
“Almost,” Mazey replied. Truth be told spring should have already come, but it was running late this year.
A knock sounded at the door. Gilla entered with one of her children in tow. “Baile asked me to take the children to play and get them to bed.”
Gilla assisted Mazey with the children now. It gave her time to be with her children and more flexibility to bring them with her. “Siusan needs a snack before bed, but ah just fed Desmond.”
She took them without another word. Mazey continued to work on the blanket. What did Baile have planned? He walked in a few minutes later with a basket.
“Its too cold to go outside.” If he held a basket, that usually meant a picnic, but it was late and she could still see her breath outside.
Baile grinned at her. “It’s not for outside.”
He threw a blanket on the ground of the study, in front of the fireplace. The basket was full of snacks and whiskey.
“What’s all this?” He was spontaneous, but usually had a reason for doing things out of the ordinary.
He passed her a cup with whiskey in it and held his up to her. “This is a celebration.”
The cryptic explanation didn’t help. “Of what?”
He pulled her into an embrace, cup still raised. “It has been two years today since ye came to the keep in search of something more. Two years since ye found courage in the worst situation possible. Ah want to celebrate yer bravery. Ye changed yer life, but ye also changed mine.”
They drank and Baile set their cups on the table. He kissed her cheek, her lips. “Ah’ve been more happy the past two years than ah ever have. Ah love having ye in my life.”
She smiled sweetly. “And ah you.”
He pulled her into a kiss, pulling her body into his. A small nudge fluttered in her belly. She jumped in alarm.
“What is it?” Baile looked concerned.
“It’s nothing,” she said, confused. There was no way.
She kissed him again. She pushed away the worry and melted into the kiss. Another flutter. Then a kick. She jumped again.
“What is it, love?” Baile took her hands in his. “Are ye okay?”
She smiled at him and put her hand on her belly. A flutter. “Aye.”
His eyebrows drew down over his eyes.
“Ah think ah’m pregnant again.”
Baile’s face lit up with excitement and a smile flashed across his face. He kissed her again.
She frowned. “Is this good? Ah don’t think we planned to have another.”
“Ah want nothing more than whatever life brings. With ye by my side ah am happy. And now we will have another little joy in our lives.” He hugged her tight and spun her in a circle. “We’ll have a child together. She’ll have yer eyes and my charm.” His eyes sparkled with happiness.
She laughed. “It will be an adventure.” She took her husband’s hand. “Siusan will be thrilled.”
“Aye. But let’s wait to tell her. Ah have something ah want to do with ye that requires ye and ah alone.”
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bed.
With one last kiss he put her down. She pulled him down next to her.
He kissed her slowly, sensation and pleasure building in her.
His kissed trailed down her neck and chest. He paused near her belly.
He put his hand there. How had she not noticed the roundness that showed?
He kissed her stomach. “Ah‘m so happy, Mazey.”
“Ah am as well, love.” Another child. Baile’s child. Baile kissed her again.
He pulled her legs toward him and pulled her into his lap. He lifted her and before thrusting her down on him, he whispered in her ear, “Ah’ll always love ye.”