Chapter Twenty-Four #2
Devlin tried not to feel guilty. “I am sorry,” he said.
“I will take the swords away from them for now. But next year, we will have this conversation again. The boys must start learning to handle weapons at some point, love. It’s the way of our world.
The sooner they become used to them, the sooner they will become adept at not putting eyes out or stabbing their brother. ”
Emllyn knew that but she didn’t want to admit it.
She didn’t want to admit her boys were growing older.
She stood up and went over to the big chest where she kept the boys’ clothing and pulled out a clean tunic that wasn’t torn or dirty.
Silently, she went back to Daven and pulled it over his head.
Resilient as children were, his tears were forgotten as he went to see what Corey was playing with.
The toddler had little wooden cart and the two began fussing with it.
Emllyn watched her two younger children as they tussled over the toy.
“I got something else from the metalsmith today,” Devlin said, hoping to break her out of her morose mood. She looked like she was about to dissolve into tears at the thought of her boys growing up. “Come to me and I will show you.”
She wandered over to him and he reached out, grasping her hand and pulling her down onto his lap.
She relented fully as his big arms went around her and he buried his face in her neck.
It was enough to douse her irritation as she felt the man against her.
As Flynn barreled into the room with two fat puppies, Devlin kissed her cheek.
“Do you want to see it?” he said.
Emllyn cocked an eyebrow. “What is it?” she said. “A sword?”
He grinned, displaying his big white teeth. “Nay,” he said, “because you would more than likely use it on me in moments like this.”
Emllyn broke down into soft laughter. “I would consider it.”
The boys began squealing because Flynn wasn’t sharing his puppies.
Emllyn went over to break up their argument before returning to her husband.
Just as she resumed her seat on his lap, he held up something in his fingers.
Clutched between his thumb and forefinger was a small piece of metal; upon closer inspection, Emllyn could see it was a ring.
She plucked it out of his grip and inspected it.
“When we were married, I never gave you a token of our union,” he said softly as he watched her study the ring. “Although you have never asked for one, I have been thinking more and more on it as of late. I am sorry it has taken me so long.”
Emllyn had never been concerned at the lack of a wedding ring; her life had been so full and her marriage so wonderful that it never really crossed her mind. But as she held the smooth, gold ring in her hand, she was genuinely touched by his gesture.
“It’s gold,” she said appreciatively. “I have never seen that metalsmith do anything other than steel or pewter.”
Devlin nodded. “I know,” he said. “But I asked him if he could do a gold ring for you and he said that he could. I paid him well and he bought the gold in Dublin. It’s a simple ring, without stones. I hope you don’t mind.”
Emllyn shook her head firmly. “I love that it is without adornment,” she said. “It is something very solid and beautiful. Like you.”
He smiled at her, reaching out to turn the ring over so she could see the inside of it. “I had him inscribe words,” he said. “Can you see them?”
Emllyn had to strain to see what he was talking about but when the message dawned on her, tears sprang to her eyes. “Everything leads me to thee,” she murmured.
Devlin kissed her cheek and took the ring from her, sliding it down over the third finger on her left hand. It was a bit large but it fit nonetheless. Emllyn admired it greatly.
“Thank you,” she said, giving him a sweet kiss. “It is the most wonderful ring I have ever received.”
Devlin was pleased with her delight. “I’m glad you think so.”
Emllyn admired it a few more moments before wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
It was a sweet and tender moment as their boys played a few feet away, the sons Devlin had threatened her with those years ago, only now it was not a threat.
It was a reality, and one she had embraced completely.
A new generation of sons, a legacy to their great and noble father.
Emllyn was proud to be part of it, proud to bear the sons of the man she loved with all her heart.
Letting go his neck, she kissed his cheek and resumed admiring her ring.
“Dev?” she asked.
He was enjoying watching her expression as she loved up her ring. “Aye, love?”
Her attention came off the ring and her expression washed with reluctance. “I… I suppose it would be well enough for the boys to have toy swords,” she said. “But only if you are with them. They are never to use them alone.”
Devlin’s grin broadened. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“I didn’t give you the ring so you would agree to the swords.”
“I know. But you are correct; it is their legacy, after all. They must learn.”
Devlin wasn’t too enthusiastic in his response because he wanted Emllyn to feel as I she had final say in the matter. Were he too happy about it, she might have second thoughts because she would think he was happy that he had his way in all things.
“I promise we won’t run out and start any wars with them,” he said, but shrugged as if reconsidering. “At least, not this week. Mayhap next week. Mayhap we’ll ride down to Glentiege and challenge Connaught and de Noble to a battle.”
Emllyn laughed softly. “You would, wouldn’t you? And Connaught would lay down and pretend to die while de Noble tried to explain to them the finer art of swordplay.”
Devlin wriggled his eyebrows in agreement, glancing over at his three boys, healthy and intelligent children that he was extraordinarily proud of. They were, after all, his legacy, as his wife had said. They were born of this land.
“I will do the teaching,” Devlin said. “I told you once we would breed fine Irish sons to wreak havoc on the English. Mayhap it’s not so much havoc now as it is now an understanding.”
“What understanding is that?”
Devlin looked at her. “That sometimes peace and family is the far better path to take,” he said, reaching out to stroke her cheek. “And that no matter what, you cannot put a price on true happiness.”
Emllyn smiled faintly. “Is this what you hope to teach them?”
He nodded, watching Flynn and Daven chase a puppy under the bed. “God, what glorious days lie ahead for us,” he said, squeezing her gently. “And no matter what happens, no matter where I go or what I do, know that everything leads me to thee.”
She did.