Roger immediately picked up his son when the boy reached out to him. “We both see little Peter as something of a miracle. Nearly as astonishing as you giving Sigimor twin daughters.” He winked at her. “Black-haired daughters, too."
"There was quite a bit of astonishment all round when they arrived. With so many uncles, real and honorary, I fear they are in danger of becoming quite spoiled.” Jolene smoothed her hand over her slightly rounded stomach. “This one will be a boy."
"Do you think your husband was disappointed not to get his heir?"
She looked at Sigimor who also sat near the fire allowing his daughter Bridie to climb all over him, then looked back at Roger. “Does he look disappointed?” she asked and smiled when Roger laughed. “Nay. As he says, he already has more heirs than any man needs. I knowyouare pleased to have an heir, but I suspect you would have been equally as pleased with a daughter."
"Aye.” Roger kissed the top of his sleepy son's head. “Your husband predicted this you know.” He nodded at her look of surprise and told her all Sigimor had said at the clearing that day almost three years ago and smiled when she laughed. “I thought it all nonsense myself. Yet when I brought Reynard to Emma, she took him into her arms, and became content. So, too, when we took in Peter's other children. Then her sister and her husband died and her two children came to live with us. Emma had a houseful of children and became very content indeed."
"She had children to love and care for."
"Aye, and that sadness I sometimes sensed in her disappeared. She had the family she had always wanted."
"And then there was little Peter."
"And then there was this wondrous gift from God."
Jolene looked at Reynard, now almost six. It had taken so long to arrange this reunion with the boy on her Scottish lands, lands now being run very competently by Somerled. Her pregnancy and then Emma's had caused several delays. She began to think that had been for the best. Reynard had been happy to see her, but no more than that. It had taken only a few moments for her to see that Emma had become his mother in his heart and mind, and Roger his father. He also had a bounty of children to play with. Although it was a litle sad to see that she had become of less importance to the child and that Peter was only a pleasant but fading memory now, Jolene knew it was for the best.
"Emma loves him,” Roger said quietly, “as do I."
"I know. Tis easy to see. He is happy as only a child who knows he is loved can be. Have I thanked you yet for naming your child after my brother? It was good of you to honor him so."
"Emma insisted. When we were sure she was with child, I found myself telling her what your husband had said. Emma was most impressed with such reasoning.” Roger exchanged a quick grin with Jolene. “She believed in it. She then decided that, grievous and tragic though Peter's death was, it set us on this path which has given us such joy. Emma wanted to honor him for that. Ah, someone has been hurt."
Jolene looked at her daughter Allason who was held securely in her father's arms as he sat down next to her. Allason's big green eyes held a mournful look and she was pouting slightly. Sigimor was trying very hard not to look amused. He was an excellent father, loving yet firm when he needed to be, but she did think he found too much amusment in his daughters's occasional naughtiness.
"Mama, I have a ouch,” Allason said, holding out her arm and pointing to a very faint red spot.
After kissing the spot, Jolene asked, “How did that happen, my love?"
"I felled when I picked up the stool. It was heavy."
"Why did you pick up the stool?"
"To hit Reynard o'er the head ‘cause he wasnae list'nen to me."
Ignoring the badly smothered laughter of Roger, Jolene lectured her pretty daughter about controlling her temper and not hitting people. She then had a brief argument with Allason about apologizing to Reynard, for Allason felt it was unnecesary since she had not hit him. When, after heaving a martyred sigh, Allason went to apologize to Reynard, Jolene frowned at Roger and Sigimor who looked far too amused. She was just about to lecture the men, too, when she realized they were now watching the children. One look told Jolene there was about to be more trouble. Reynard was looking very lordly, Allason looked furious, Bridie stood by her sister looking equally as furious, and Emma looked as if she was terrified she would start laughing. Jolene sympathized. Laughing at the wrong time was a danger a parent was constantly faced with.
"I have seen that look before,” murmured Roger, smiling at Sigimor. “It looks very similar to the one you wore three years ago when you arrived at my camp to retrieve your wife. You looked much like an enraged bull. It sits rather oddly on your delicate, beautiful little girls, but ‘tis the same look."
Sigimor grinned, kissed Jolene on the cheek, and started to return to his children. “Be at ease, wife. I will see to it."
Jolene watched as Sigimor crouched by his daughters, putting an arm around each little girl. Both began to talk to him as was their habit and it always astonished her that he seemed to be able to sort through the babble. Just looking at Sigimor with their daughters made Jolene feel warm, and so content she felt close to tears. She turned her attention back to Roger and caught him smiling at her.
"You are happy and very much in love, I think,” he said.
"Oh, aye, very much so."
"And your husband is very much in love with you and those angel-faced little devils of yours."
"Aye, and although he is a little rough and will ne'er possess a courtier's skill with sweet words, I know I am loved. You know how hard it was for me to make that choice between two lives, between child and man, but I have no regrets. There lingered only a concern for Reynard, for how my choice affected him, but all of those concerns are now laid to rest. We are both just where we should be."
Roger nodded. “Well, I had best get this boy to his nurse."
A few moments after Roger left her, Sigimor returned to her side. He sat down next to her on the high-backed bench and draped his arm around her shoulders. Smiling faintly, she snuggled closer to him.
"Peace reigns,” he said, idly stroking her arm. “Allason didnae think Reynard was accepting her reluctant apology with the reverence it was due and Bridie concurred.” He grinned briefly when she chuckled, then placed his hand over her stomach. “Do ye feel weel?"
