"I believe ye, Islaen. Ye arenae one to lie and I should ask forgiveness for forcing ye to do so."
"Ye had good reason, Iain."
"Selfish reasons."
"Nay."
"Aye. Selfish. I didnae want to suffer that guilt again."
"Iain, t'was not your fault. ‘Tis not a thing ye can tell until too late."
"I ken that now. Ye are e'en smaller than Catalina, yet ye came through fine. So too does Storm. There was naught to see in Catalina to tell me she wouldnae give me a bairn as easily as Storm gives Tavis bairns. T'was because she didnae want my touch that I blamed myself. T'was as though I had cursed her."
"That is nonsense."
"Aye, I can see that now. Although,” he shook away his somber thoughts and leered at her playfully, “mayhaps not seeing as ye like the touching weel."
"Iain,” she groaned, coloring with embarrassment.
He laughed softly and hugged her. “I cannae say I willnae have fears and worries when ye get with child but ‘tis less. Tavis says he still tastes the fear each time Storm gets with child. There is always a danger but,” he glanced at his sons, “the rewards are great and if ye are willing to take the risks then so am I.” He grasped her by the shoulders and said firmly, “Ne'er forget though, Islaen, that I will ne'er make ye face those risks. If ye said this once was enough, I would be content with that."
She nodded. “I ken it, Iain. I will ken too when I wish to stop. Storm does. One more, she thinks, mayhaps two, but then she is done an only because she wants to see them all grow while she is young and strong enough to enjoy it.” She tried to smother a yawn.
"That sounds verra reasonable. And,” he quickly kissed her, “what else is reasonable is leaving ye to rest.” He climbed out of bed and collected the tray, then said carefully, “Alexander sends love and good wishes. He says he will come soon."
"Iain, if ye dinnae want him about ye need but say so."
"He is a friend."
"Aye, Iain, he is. I think ye would find it hard to find any better."
"Aye, I would.” He bent to quickly kiss her. “Rest, Islaen. Ye can get out of bed for a wee while tomorrow."
"That will be verra nice,” she murmured even as her eyes closed. “Good sleep, Iain."
"Good sleep, Islaen,” he said quietly but doubted he would have one for he found his bed too empty, the nights too long.
Islaen almost regretted her first meal in the hall. Her family took it as a sign of her complete recovery, as it was, and announced their departure. With Iain close by her side, watching to see that she did not grow too weary, she followed her family around as they prepared to leave. Iain made no complaint until she started to go outside with her father.
"I am not sure ‘tis wise for her to take the air yet."
"Wheesht, lad, ‘tis a fine day and she is bundled up weel,” Alaistair said as he put an arm around Islaen's shoulders and took her out with him. “A drop of fresh air will do her good."
"T'will soon be spring,” Islaen murmured as she took a deep breath of the clean, crisp air and savored it.
"Aye, ‘tis near. That will be good for your wee lass. If she can make it through ‘til the weather turns finer, warmer, I will feel she has a good chance. ‘Tis the cold that is the greatest danger to the weak ones. I will pray long and hard for an early spring and a warm one.” He hugged Islaen and kissed her. “I wish I could stay until her fate is more certain."
"Ye cannae and I ken it. We thought her fate certain when she left my womb, yet a fortnight has passed. Nay, ye go as ye must. We will send ye word when we feel certain and that could be weeks yet.” She sighed. “I do hate the waiting."
After clasping her shoulder briefly in sympathetic understanding, Alaistair left her to say farewell to her brothers.
"Now, ye have watched them ride away so ye can get back inside,” Iain said sternly even as he turned her around and urged her back inside.
Glancing at him, she drawled, “Oh, and I thought we might have us a wee gallop."
"Ye are mad."
"Weel, I may soon be an I must keep to my chambers much longer. T'would nay hurt an I sat about in a different room."
