Epilogue
Many months had passed since the celebration.
Life in the Gallach clan was rewarding, and things had improved to a great extent.
The monthly meetings that Finlay hosted had proven to be a good way to inure him to the townsfolk.
The more they interacted with him, the more they trusted him and felt safe that their prosperity was in his hands.
Elspeth sat by Finlay’s side and helped soften his rough edges, making him more amenable to taking on the suggestions of others and implementing plans that were wise even if he didn’t necessarily agree with them.
There had been no further trouble from anyone who might have felt enmity towards Finlay, and Elspeth was glad that life in the clan could settle into peace.
Aileen and Eoin were doing well. They and Abigail helped Elspeth bring her vision of the courtyard to life.
It was hard work, and for a time, it didn’t feel as though they were making any progress at all, but they gradually chopped away at the branches and pulled away the weeds.
They planted new seeds, and soon enough, it was bursting with vibrant color.
It looked like a place where dreams might come true.
Elspeth planted her mother’s favorite flowers as a tribute to her, and beside these, she put flowers that had been the favorite of Finlay’s mother.
As the months continued, Elspeth’s body swelled as the baby grew inside her, and her anxiety increased.
Even though everyone told her that there was nothing to worry about and that most births were routine, she couldn’t shake the image of her mother having died in labor, and she was so afraid that the same fate would happen to her.
She tried to hide these fears as nobody could do anything to help.
It wasn’t as though she could stop the birth from happening.
The baby was going to come whether she liked it or not, and it was a matter of fate whether she would die or survive.
She spent her nights praying that she would be strong enough to endure the pain and tried her best to steel her heart against her fears.
When the time drew near, she did find a way to allay her fears somewhat.
In the depths of night, when she could not sleep because her body was aching so, she went to a private room and penned a letter by candlelight.
It provided her with relief that she could write down all the things she wanted to say to the people who were most important in her life so that if she died, she could at least be comforted by the knowledge that she left something behind.
To Islay, she wrote about the virtues of married life and some of the nuances that had never been taught to her. She spoke of being patient and honest and the importance of always believing the best in your husband even if at the time that seems difficult.
She thanked Abigail for being such a good friend and made it clear that she didn’t think she would have adjusted to life in the clan as well if Abigail had not welcomed her with open arms and a kind smile.
She thought back to that first night when she had felt so isolated at her own wedding, but Abigail had given her a glimmer of hope that things would not always be the same.
Elspeth thanked Aileen for looking after Eoin in her absence, and for always being there in their times of sorrow.
To Eoin, she left behind as many words of wisdom as she could.
She told him that even though he would be sad, he would always be surrounded by people who loved him.
She assured him that Finlay would take care of him and that he should grow into a wise and kind man, just like his father.
She told him that there were many good things in life and to not let himself be defined by sorrow because there was always beauty in the world.
It was a lesson her mother had tried to teach her, although she had not always been successful in following it.
Finlay’s was difficult to write. She could not find a way to collect the infinity of her love in just one letter.
She took care of practical matters, asking him to take Eoin under his care if she should die, reminding him that she wanted this place to be a place of happiness rather than gloom.
She did not want him to repeat the mistakes of the past. She cried when she wrote his letter, and the ink bled on the page.
She told him how much she loved him and that he had changed her for the better.
When she had arrived, she thought she knew herself and what she wanted from life, but he had shown her a whole new world.
She was a better person because of him, and she was proud that she could call him her husband and think of herself as his wife.
She ended it by saying that she loved him, and she hoped that it was enough for him to understand the endless depths of her feelings for him.
The last letter she wrote was to her child.
If the worst happened, she would never get to gaze into their eyes or breathe a whisper to them.
It was strange to think that she could carry this child in her for nine months, and yet there was a chance that she might never meet them.
In this letter, Elspeth described her outlook on life and her own morals, her dreams and ambitions and beliefs.
She hoped that if her daughter or son read this letter, they might have a good idea of the type of woman she was.
There were more tears on this letter, and she knew that she could never share everything she wanted to say to a child in one letter, but she did the best she could, and it helped to calm her soul.
She left the letters in a locked box, which was only to be opened in the event of her death.
One evening, Elspeth awoke with a fierce pain in her side.
She gasped and clutched Finlay’s arm so tightly he awoke with a start.
When he heard her moaning, he realized what was happening and roused the castle.
Footsteps stormed through as people came to her aid.
Finlay was about to leave and give her some privacy, but she clasped his hand and begged him to stay.
The pain was ablaze in her body. Sweat poured from her, and her eyes clamped shut as she tried to brace herself against the relentless sensations.
She had never experienced anything like this before, but in a way, it was good.
She was so focused on the strain that she didn’t have time to think about her mother’s fate or be afraid.
Pure instinct drove her, and nature took its course.
Time had no meaning while she was giving birth.
When it was done, she sank back onto the bed and gulped in air, relieved that it was over and she was still alive.
She looked at her husband, who smiled at her.
Then, a small bundle was placed into her arms. It wriggled and writhed.
Elspeth stared in disbelief at the child she and Finlay had created.
The little girl was beautiful. She had a snub nose and curious eyes.
The room was filled with her screams, but to Elspeth, these were the sweetest sounds that had ever existed.
Finlay stood over them and looked at them with complete love.
“She’s perfect,” Elspeth said, unable to take her eyes off her child.
“Aye, just like her ma.” Finlay placed a hand on the back of Elspeth’s head, cradling her. Elspeth smiled and tickled the baby’s stomach with her finger. This was everything, and Elspeth felt blessed that she was able to enjoy this heaven.
“Welcome tae yer new home, wee Beathen,” Elspeth said, a tear rolling down her cheek.
They had decided to name the baby after her mother if it was a girl, or after Finlay’s father if it had been a boy.
But Beathen it was, and one day she would grow up and learn all about the grandparents she had never had a chance to meet.
Eoin was curious about his little niece.
Elspeth explained to him that he was her uncle and as such he was going to have to make sure to protect her.
He puffed out his chest and looked like a little warrior as he made a solemn vow to stand by her side and never let any harm come to her. It was adorable.
Not long after this, Abigal gave birth to a son, whom she called Ewan.
The two mothers spent their days sitting in the beautiful courtyard, nursing their children, enjoying the life they had created for each other.
The flowers had bloomed, and the air was filled with a sweet fragrance.
When Elspeth looked down at Beathen, she wondered what the future held for her daughter.
While much of it was uncertain, she knew that it would be filled with happiness and love.