“Aye. Next spring, if all goes well.”
“I’m goin’ to be a big brother?” The wonder in his voice made Iris’ eyes sting with tears. “Really and truly?”
“Really and truly,” she confirmed. “What do ye think about that?”
He launched himself at her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I think it’s the best thing ever! I’ve always wanted a siblin’! Someone to play with and teach things to and... and...”He pulled back, his face suddenly serious. “I’ll take care of them, I promise. I’ll be the best big brother in all of Scotland.”
“I ken ye will, sweetheart.” She ruffled his hair. “But that’s still months away. For now, we just need to be patient and let the baby grow.”
“Can I tell Henry? And Aliana? And Cook?” Codie was practically vibrating with excitement. “Can I tell everyone?”
“Aye, ye can tell everyone,” Elijah said, his voice warm with amusement. “But maybe wait until we get back to the castle? Give yer maither and me a bit more time to enjoy the news ourselves first?”
“All right. But as soon as we get back, I’m tellin’ everyone!” He grabbed his stone and took off running again, this time toward the path that led back to the castle. “Come on! Let’s go now, so I can tell people!”
“So much for our peaceful picnic,” Iris said, watching him go with a mixture of exasperation and fondness.
“We can have peaceful picnics later. After he’s run himself ragged spreadin’ the news.” Elijah began gathering up their things, folding the blanket with practiced ease. “Though I suspect by the time we reach the castle, half the clan will already ken. That boy has never kept a secret in his life.”
“Good thing it’s nae a secret we wanted kept.” She helped him pack the basket, her movements careful and deliberate. Already, she was thinking about the changes to come—her body changing, preparing a nursery, teaching Codie how to be gentle with an infant.
“What are ye thinkin’ about?” Elijah asked as they started walking back toward the castle, following Codie’s excited form in the distance.
“The future. How different everythin’ is now compared to a year ago.” She glanced up at him. “A year ago, I was still betrothed to Malcolm. Still convinced I was nae good enough for anyone. Still believin’ all the terrible things me parents said about me.”
“And now?”
“Now, I’m married to a man who actually loves me. I’m a mother to a wonderful boy who needs me. I’m expectin’ a baby that I already love more than I thought possible.” She stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “Now, I ken I was never the problem. I was just with the wrong people.”
“Ye were always enough, Iris. More than enough.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m just glad ye finally see it.”
“I’m gettin’ there. Some days are easier than others.” She smiled. “But havin’ ye and Codie helps. Kennin’ that I’m valued here, that I’m needed and wanted, it makes all the difference.”
“Ye’ll always be needed here. Always be wanted.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Ye’re the heart of this family, Iris. The heart of this clan. Everyone loves ye, from the servants to the guards to the village folk. Ye’ve made this place feel like a home instead of just a fortress.”
“That’s because it is home. Our home.” She took his hand, lacing their fingers together. “And it’s only goin’ to get better. With our new baby, with Codie growin’ up happy and healthy, with us learnin’ how to be better partners to each other.”
“Is that what we are? Partners?”
“Arenae we?” She tilted her head. “We make decisions together, we support each other, we’re raisin’ our children as a team. That’s what partnership looks like.”
“I suppose it is.” He smiled. “Though I’ll admit, it’s still takin’ some gettin’ used to. Sharin’ decisions, askin’ yer opinion before actin’, considerin’ how me choices affect ye and Codie.”
“But ye are doing it. That’s what matters.” She squeezed his hand. “Ye’re tryin’, Elijah. And that means everythin’.”
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the castle growing larger as they approached. Ahead of them, Codie had stopped to examine something on the ground, probably another rock or interesting stick. The sight made Iris smile.
“Do ye think he’ll be disappointed if it’s a girl?” she asked suddenly. “I ken he’s probably imaginin’ a little brother to roughhouse with.”
“If it’s a girl, I’ll teach her to roughhouse too,” Elijah said firmly. “Just like I’ll teach her to throw knives and ride horses and defend herself. Nay daughter of mine will grow up helpless.”
“Ye want a daughter?”
“I want whatever we’re havin’. Son or daughter as long as they’re healthy and ye come through the birth safely, I’ll be happy.” His arm came around her shoulders. “Though I’ll admit, the thought of havin’ a little girl who looks like ye is appealin’. Maybe she’ll have yer fire, yer courage, yer refusal to back down from anythin’.”
“Or maybe she’ll have yer stubbornness, yer broodin’ nature, and yer tendency to push people away when ye’re frightened,” Iris teased.
“Let’s hope nae. One of me is quite enough for this family.” But he was smiling. “Though if she does inherit me worst traits, at least she’ll have ye to teach her how to be better. Just like ye’ve taught me.”
