64. Chapter 64 - Kaitlyn
CHAPTER 64 - KAITLYN
T hat evening Magnus and I had gone to bed right after dinner. In spite of the early hour, it was going dark. We had been up since the previous day in Florida, and we were exhausted.
The kids had melted down and were now in the outer chamber snoring on their little beds near the fireplace.
Magnus and I stealthily made love, and now we were whispering, as we talked over the day. We had learned a great deal since the dinner on the deck in Florida. I asked, “So we’re in a do-over, not of our own making. And we sang a song tonight that was written about our son, living four centuries ago.”
“Aye, he fought alongside Wallace. Somehow I hae heard that song many times, I ken all the words, and yet dinna ken twas about Archibald. When did that memory enter my mind? Yesterday? Yet my Uncle Baldie would sing it when we were on our long rides tae Kilchurn for our summer visits. He always acted as if the song was about him.”
I said, “That is wild, but also saddens me. I guess I’m glad you finally know the meaning of the song.”
“Aye, apparently we did a great many things in the thirteenth century. I canna remember the recent memories. I was a king there long ago, but those older memories hae faded. Tis an odd feeling.”
I said, “For me too, to know that so many tragic things happened to us… did you note when Lady Mairead said every time she visits us ‘unannounced’ we ought to assume it’s a do-over?”
“Aye, she called it a ‘Master Reset’. I am telling myself she was exaggeratin’ tae irritate us. Tis the only way I can keep from imprisonin’ her and tossin’ the key in the gong pit.”
I giggled. “If only we could do something like that, it would solve half our problems, but instead we’re nice. We witnessed her wedding and I actually felt sorry for her when she was so frightened about Sean.”
“Me as well. She seemed human for once, and I am grateful for all she’s done for us, so it daena hurt tae help her get married and rejoice in it at the time. All the good feelings are certain tae wear off verra soon. Hopefully twill be about the time she is on vacation, visiting Manhattan.”
I had my ear on his chest, hearing the comforting thrum-thrum of his regular heartbeat, the deep low breaths as he grew closer to sleep.
My thigh, stretched across his waist, was comfortably warm under his large, heavy hand. I raised my head and looked up at his chin, at the beard that was there because he hadn’t shaved in a while.
“I love you. I love lying in bed talking things over with you.”
“Aye, me as well. Tis especially good after ye hae bed me well.”
“I was very good, wasn’t I? Even trying to be quiet, I still rocked your world. I could tell, you don’t have to say.”
He chuckled, making my head shake on his chest.
I asked, “And Lizbeth and Sean are really going to go live in Riaghalbane?”
“Aye, there are big changes afoot. We ought tae live there for a bit, while they grow used tae it.”
“I’m willing, but for now we get to go back to Florida?”
“Aye, we are at peace, and we can enjoy some time in Florida.” He yawned really really loudly. “I am sleepy. And I will need tae go tae the walls soon. This might be one of the last nights up on the walls with m’brother.”
“I didn’t think about that. That’s a momentous change.”
“Aye, tis a ritual I count on, mo reul-iuil. Twill be one of the difficult things tae say goodbye tae, but either way, he canna stay here. He has tae think on his sons, they need a place.”
“It’s not like you can’t walk on the walls in Riaghalbane.”
“We can meet on the roof of the palace, or we can go tae the command tower, but there we stand behind glass. Perhaps I can build a stone parapet upon the command tower tae remind me of this castle.”
I said, “You just have to come up with new traditions.”
He nestled his cheek against the top of my head and fell asleep.
A few hours later I felt the bed shift as he rose. He kissed me on the cheek. “Headed tae the walls.”
I heard him tiptoe to the outer door but then he whispered with someone and a moment later returned with Jack in his arms.
He deposited him beside me. Jack said, “Mama.”
Then the padding of Isla’s feet, a little too loud. “I come keep you company.”
“Of course.”
Magnus snuck out.
Isla climbed in bed, Jack lay down and quickly fell asleep. A moment later Isla whispered loud enough to be heard in the outer chamber. “Archie, are you sleeping?”
From the outer chamber he said, “Not anymore.”
She giggled. “You should come in, Mammy needs company.”
He didn’t answer, but a moment later I heard his footsteps. He dragged his pillow and blanket with him as he trudged across the floor. He climbed on the bed, tossed the pillow down, and collapsed onto the mattress, and then made a big fuss getting under the covers and getting comfortable.
Isla giggled.
Archie said, “There, perfect.”
Then Haggis jumped on the bed near our feet. I said, “We are packed in like sardines.”
Jack’s head was on my upper arm.
Isla was higher on the bed, wrapped around my wrist so that her face was very close to mine. When I flipped to my side we were practically nose to nose. She seemed excited. She was never going to go back to sleep. Everyone was quiet and then Isla whispered, “When the new baby comes, Mammy, there will be four!”
I raised my head, “New baby? You mean Jack? What do you mean, four?”
“When you have a new baby. It’s going to be a boy, again , but we don’t mind, and we’re going to name him Bubble Butt.”
“Oh we are? I thought you were serious.” I put my head back down.
“I am serious, Mammy, and we will call him Bubba for short. I get to name him because no one asked me about Jack or Archie, so it is my turn.”
I laughed. “I’m not certain you get to pick a name, Isla, but I will keep it in mind. What made you think of this?”
“Because I can see him, when I am bored I see him. Wee Bubba, he is very cute.”
I kissed her forehead and whispered, “You need to go to sleep now.”
Archie raised his head. “I can see him too.”
I said, “Wow, that’s cool, you guys, thank you for telling me.”
The next morning we were getting up and dressed and preparing to go. The big kids were off running and Jack was in the nursery, I said to Magnus, “Last night the kids said they ‘see’ a new baby for us.”
He chuckled and his brow went up. “Och, well, I am verra good at makin’ them, ye ken, mo reul-iuil.”
I laughed. “That’s true. I do like making them with you, and I also enjoy the practicing in between. Not sure I’m ready for another one yet, since Jack is not even one. Isla said the baby will be named Bubble Butt.”
Magnus screwed up his face while he pulled on his boot. “I daena think that sounds like something I would do at all, am I gone tae heaven or locked in a cave in this scenario?”
“She thinks it’s her turn to name the baby.”
“Isla thinks a great many things that are nae true. She believes Fraoch carries invisible giggle dust in his pockets. I told her tis likely fish guts but she believes in magic.”
“Yeah, true, she’s just imagining a new little brother, because Jack is still boring.”
“Och, that part is likely true, time will tell, but I hae a good feeling on it, mo reul-iuil. We are at peace. When a kingdom is at peace the bairns will come.” I was standing beside his chair where he had put on his boots. He put his arms around me and pulled me in front of him and kissed the laces up the front of my dress.
“There isn’t a baby there.”
“I ken, ye always say that, and ye are always wrong in it.”
“Probably Isla is thinking about Sophie’s baby.” I kissed the top of his head and then pulled away to put my wrap around my shoulders. “That’s definitely what it is, she’s excited about their baby and dreaming of one for us.”
Magnus stood and grinned. “Ye keep telling yerself that, mo reul-iuil.”
I said, “You ready to go home, Highlander?”
“Aye, ready.”