Epilogue
Cairren pushed the hair back from her face.
She struggled to catch her breath after walking up the flight of stairs to the family chambers.
She paused to stretch her back, her hands pressing against the back of her hips.
A sharp kick made her think her bairn understood they hadn’t reached their destination.
As she walked into the nursery, she heard Padraig’s deep rumbling laugh before she spotted their three sons rolling and tumbling over their mountainous father.
When Padraig learned Cairren was pregnant the first time, he swore he would never be the father he had.
He begged Cairren to tell him everything Innes did to learn what made the man into a father her daughter doted upon.
They’d laid in bed together night after night as Cairren told him more stories from her childhood and described her relationship with Innes.
There hadn’t been a day since their oldest son was born that Padraig’s relationship with their children didn’t remind her of how much her father loved her.
He was a devoted husband and father who made time for his family and considered their needs as much as he did the clan’s.
Their love grew stronger with each passing year, even in times of struggle and challenges.
The Munros’ feud with the Mackenzies grew less volatile once Padraig become laird, but there were still raids and skirmishes along the border from time to time.
They’d faced a year with flooding in autumn and blizzards throughout winter.
They’d worried that food stores would run short, and it had challenged them to provide for the poorer and older members of their clan.
And, as they expected, in the early days after their return there were incidents where clan members revealed their true colors by disparaging Cairren, but the clan’s judgement was swift.
Padraig had the ultimate word on the guilty party’s punishment, but the clan rendered theirs before Padraig could declare his.
They shunned and publicly shamed those who spoke against Cairren.
There were only a handful of times when Padraig felt his only recourse was the lash, and he banished a couple who refused to show remorse.
It took more than a year for Cairren to trust the clan without reservation.
She’d doubted how long the members’ reformation would last. But without Padraig’s family, Father Mitchell, and Myrna to poison people’s minds, Cairren discovered that the Munros lived by the Highland code of honor.
She came to respect them as they respected her, and she found friends among the clan.
She never felt isolated anymore. In fact, she wished for more time when people didn’t surround her.
She and Padraig slipped away when they could for lengthy walks and rides.
He even took her back to the coast many times, but they never ventured near the caves.
During their first spring visit to the loch after they became laird and lady, Padraig confessed to watching Cairren swim with her parents and what he’d seen when she slipped behind the bushes to dress.
He admitted how his body reacted to seeing Cairren for the first time.
It didn’t take long for them to strip bare and enter the water so Padraig could show how he’d felt.
The clan soon learned not to venture near the loch when Matthew, Peter, Dougal, and Henry blocked the path.
It became a special place for the couple, and Cairren was fairly certain they’d conceived at least two, if not all, of their children there.
“Ren, how’re ye feeling?” Padraig said as he lay on his back, their middle son, Alexander, soaring through the air in his hands. All the while their youngest son, Adam, draped himself over Padraig’s middle. Their oldest son, Innes, bounced on Padraig’s bent, raised legs.
“I’m well, but I’m not sure I can say that for you,” Cairren chuckled.
She lifted Innes off of Padraig’s legs, much to the child’s consternation.
Padraig tucked a boy under each arm as he stood.
Alexander and Adam hooted with laughter as Innes wrapped himself around Padraig’s leg.
He walked them around the nursery until he was out of breath.
“I think your da needs a nap just like you lads,” Cairren once again lifted Innes off of Padraig’s leg.
“But we arenae tired, Mama,” Adam mumbled around his yawn.
“I ken, wee one. You can have a body rest if you aren’t sleepy,” Cairren compromised but smiled at Padraig over the children’s heads.
Both parents knew the boys would be fast asleep before they left the nursery.
They crept out the door, then Padraig swept Cairren into his arms before carrying her to their chamber.
“I think ye were right, Ren. I do need a nap. But I canna sleep without ye by ma side,” Padraig grinned. He lowered her feet to the ground before resting his hand on her rounded belly. “Do ye think we’ll have a lass this time?”
“Not bluidy likely from how this bairn flips and kicks. If we’re having a lass, then she will get into more trouble than her brothers,” Cairren grumbled, and her belly shifted.
Once again, it was as though the babe had a point to make, leaving Cairren shaking her head.
“I’ve had another missive from the Sutherlands.
It seems we’re all in a race to see who will have the most bairns.
Isabella just had hers, making five weans for her and Dedric.
Maude and Kieran had their fourth. Blair just discovered she’s on with her third.
And Allyson and Cairstine are both expecting their fourth. ”
“What do ye expect when none of their husbands can keep their hands off their wives.” Padraig nibbled at Cairren’s neck, adding, “It’s why we’re to have our fourth any day now. I canna stay away, and ye do naught to discourage me.”
Cairren chuckled, “So it’s my fault?”
“Aye.” Padraig nipped at her earlobe as he pulled the laces loose from Cairren’s kirtle. “Or mayhap it’s yer parents who are to blame, for making such a bonnie lass.”
“I don’t know aboot bonnie when I’m as wide as the side of a stable.” Cairren rubbed her hands over her belly. Despite her expanding middle, she felt nothing less than beautiful and cherished by Padraig.
“I think we need less blathering and more me proving just how bonnie ye are.” Padraig led them to their bed, and as they laid facing one another, he grew somber for a moment. “I love ye and our lads and this bairn more than I ever kenned a heart could.”
“Mayhap King Robert should set aside his crown and become a matchmaker. He’s done better with the couples he’s matched than any of us thought.
I may not have appreciated it in the beginning, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not grateful that the king ordered us to marry. I love you, Padraig.”
“And I love you, Ren.” He sealed their devotion with a kiss.