The Gift of Black Isle
Riley and Torcall
Brenna and Quade, Logan and Gwyneth, welcome their first grandbairns on the same night…
They left the glen quietly, both in a bit of a daze from all they had just seen. Torcall lifted Riley onto his horse and climbed up behind her.
“I’m glad you are riding with me for this trip.”
They didn’t rush back, lingering in the forest until dusk, but once they neared the walls of Eddirdale Castle, Riley began to wonder if they should have ridden more quickly.
“What the hell is happening?” Torcall asked.
Chaos reigned, riders and horses filling the courtyard, blue plaids and flickering torches everywhere.
They got as close as they could before dismounting. She peered through the deepening dark and asked, “Uncle Logan? Is it truly you causing all this trouble?”
“Aye, and you had better make way. We were halfway home from your wedding when we received the message that Brigid is delivering. You better get out of Gwynie’s way, or she’ll knock you down.”
A voice behind him barked out, “Oh Logan, close your mouth and get my things. Greetings, Riley. We can chat soon, but we have more important things to see to first.”
The two ran by them. Sorcha and Cailean followed, Sorcha shrugging. “Sorry, Riley, but it happens every time a new grandbairn comes along.” She rolled her eyes as only Sorcha could, then giggled and waved as they hurried to the keep.
Riley and Torcall followed and finally made it inside only to find Padraig waving them over to the hearth. “You’d better get out of the way. Gisella is running around and doesn’t know what to do next, but she’s so excited for her two brothers. Where’s your mother?”
“A wee bit behind us. Why? Isn’t Aunt Brenna here already? She said she was coming here from the wedding.”
“She did, but we all had a surprise, and another with midwifery skills would be welcome. Jennet and Brigid are both ready to deliver.”
“This eve?”
Padraig nodded.
“I better go back and hurry my mother along.”
Her mother, Tara, and Shaw came through the gates just as Riley stepped outside. That meant all the Mathesons were here. “Hurry, Mama. Aunt Brenna needs you. There are two bairns on their way tonight!”
Torcall and Riley followed everyone inside, and the two settled at a trestle table with Tara and Shaw. “Settle in, everyone,” Tara said. “If this is anything like the time this happened to Alex Grant, it could last all night.”
The chaos continued, and before long, Uncle Quade and Uncle Logan were both pacing the great hall, waiting on word from their wives, who were both upstairs. Marcas paced the balcony, stepping inside the chamber every once in a while to check on Brigid. Ethan said he would not leave Jennet’s side.
Logan cursed. “Matheson gets to go inside. Why? Just because he’s the chief of the clan?”
Quade drawled, “Mayhap because it’s his wife? I have no desire to be inside. I don’t wish to see my lassie in pain.”
“A father should have rights ahead of the husband,” Logan announced. “How many daughters do we have up there, Quade, and not a one can come out and update us on our babies.”
A high-pitched wail came from one of the chambers abovestairs. Riley looked at Tara and whispered, “That sounded like Brigid. I hope she’s all right.”
Tara said, “I’m sure she’s fine. You know how childbirth goes.”
Riley stared at her uncle Logan, who was staring at the chamber above wide-eyed.
“Uncle Logan knows how it goes at this point in his life, but I’m no’ sure he remembers by the look on his face.
” The entire hall quieted, listening to Brigid’s wails.
Marcas had rushed inside the chamber at the first wail.
Uncle Logan spun around and said, “Matheson, where the hell are you so I can cut your bollocks off for making my wee lassie go through such pain?”
The door to the keep opened and Micheil and Diana came in. “Did we make it in time?”
“Who’s that?” Torcall whispered.
“Logan and Quade’s brother Micheil and his wife. Diana is chieftain of the Drummonds.”
“A female chieftain?” Shaw whistled.
“Where the hell is Lina, Micheil? You know I wanted her here.” Logan yelled as he paced.
“She’s right behind me, got caught talking. I couldn’t wait. I didn’t want to miss one moment of you two in your troubles.” The large man moved over and clasped the shoulders of his two brothers. “This is fabulous. I think we’re in for a great show tonight, Diana.”
Diana shook her head, grinned, and climbed the staircase.
Torcall whispered, “Your uncle Logan is the shortest of the brothers but he’s the best swordsman?”
“Aye, and best archer, spy, and anything else there is.”
Logan barked out, “The best grandsire. ’Tis the most important.”
“And the best sense of hearing,” Riley said with a laugh.
About half an hour later, Riley’s mother came out of one chamber and shouted down from the balcony, “’Tis a lassie, and she’s lovely!”
Aunt Brenna flew out of another chamber and stood at the balcony. “A beautiful lassie, Quade. She looks just like Jennet. Not a speck of hair on her head, just like her mother.” She clasped her hands together, then turned as if she just noticed her sister standing there. “Jennie?”
Her mother smiled. “A lassie.”
“How long ago?”
“A moment only?”
“Truly? It happened again?” The two sisters stood and stared at each other as the rest of the hall hung on their every word. The healers had experienced nearly the same with their brother Alex’s grandbabies. They’d delivered three bairns at the same time on a cold night in winter.
“I don’t believe it!” Jennie said as she hugged her sister.
“And both are hale?” someone called up from the gathered crowd in the hall.
“Aye, hale and beautiful,” Aunt Brenna cried.
The door opened and Avelina strolled in, ignoring everyone as she hiked up the staircase. Aunt Brenna dragged her into Jennet’s chamber.
Uncle Logan fell to his knees with glee and bellowed the Ramsay war whoop loudly enough to make everyone cover their ears.
Two lasses, same day, same time.
“Two Ramsay warriors!” Logan whooped again, and Riley laughed at his excitement.
Avelina came out of one chamber, went into the other, then strolled down the staircase, a babe in each arm. Quade, Logan, and Micheil rushed to the bottom of the staircase.
Avelina said, “Not just two Ramsay warriors, but two warrior princesses have been born this day, and I cannot wait to watch them grow into the strong lasses they are meant to be.”
All three big burly men leaned forward and cooed at the newly born lassies.
“Brothers, meet Reyna and Isla.”