Celtic Fury (41 page)

“Is he, Mamma? Is my brother livin’ in yer’ tummy? Did my daddy tell me a tale?” 

Scooping Brighid up into her arms, Brielle said, “Nay, yer’ daddy told ye’ the truth. I had just wanted to surprise yer’ Da with that news.” 

“But he said ye’ told him already with yer’ magical language.” 

“I suppose I did.”

Rory took his child into his arms and hooked his arm around Brielle’s still very thin waist. It would be sometime before she was thick with child and even then Rory knew he would still find her so
very
beautiful
,
as he had when she carried Brighid Caitlyn. Kissing his little girl’s nose, he said, “Come, sweeting. T’is time fer yer’ nap and while ye’ are having sweet dreams, Daddy and Mommy will be talking about what to name yer’ brother.” 

“Mama, will ye’ kiss my daddy?” Rory shot Brielle the most disarming grin and she knew he had other plans for their time alone. Feeling that wonderful
ly
familiar heat between them, Brielle couldn’t wait to be alone with her beloved Ruiri.

“Aye Brighid, I think I will kiss yer’ daddy.”

“Why do ye’ like to kiss him so much?” 

Rory thought back to what seemed like a lifetime ago when his little nephew asked his sister much the same question. He never thought, then, that he would be explaining the same thing to his own little girl. That had seemed an impossible dream; one born in a lifetime ago. Yet, here he was, with his own child and another on the way and the love of his life in his arms.

“T’is how mommies and daddies show their love for one another, Brigheed
,”
Rory said. Brighid thought for a moment and compared the kisses she knew in her own life.

“When ye’ kiss me, Daddy, it is different than how Mommy kisses ye’.” Brielle tried not to giggle as Rory rolled his eyes. He was smirking, suddenly not
sure how to be
able to explain the difference to his curious little girl. Brielle thought to make some sense of it as best she could to a little child. She said, “Baby, it is different because yer’ daddy is my sweetheart. Someday a handsome boy will want to kiss ye’ like that, too.” 

Brighid wrinkled her adorable little nose and said, “Nay. I dunna’ want a boy to kiss me. I think I like the kisses ye’ and daddy give me.” 

Rory felt a pang of foreboding in his heart thinking of some rogue kissing his beautiful little girl. A dark look marred Rory's features, reminiscent of his ill tempered past, at such a thought.

“Never ye’
mind about that Brigheed. T’will be a long time afore that happens.” And silently he added

And I may have to beat the snot out of any boy that dares to try.

Brielle laughed at Rory’s fatherly possessiveness when it came to his little Briggie. Drawing her little brows together, Brighid put her hands around Rory’s neck and asked, “Are ye’ angry at me, Daddy?” 

“Nay, sweeting. I could never be angry with ye’.”

“Daddy doesna’ like to think of ye’ being kissed by a handsome boy.”

Planting a sloppy wet kiss on her father’s cheek, Brighid said, “Dunna’ worry, Daddy. I dunna’ want to kiss a boy.” 

“Well, good. Ye’ just remember that, my precious girl. Ye’ canna’ grow up just yet.” 

The baby yawned and she let her da put her down for her nap. As the slee
py little girl fell asleep, with her little halo of flowers still woven in her hair, Rory
drew Brielle into his arms. She looked up into his handsome face. The golden fire she saw in his eyes sent heat all the way through her. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. She swayed against him, feeling his intoxicating effect instantly on her. A slight smile lifted his lips and he tipped his head toward their chamber. As if under a spell, Brielle nodded. Rory winked so disarmingly.

“So will ye’ be kissing me like ye’ told our daughter?”

Brielle fitted her body against his, molding into the delicious nook of his body. She reached up to kiss his full sensual mouth. His hands eased around her waist, drawing her more firmly against him. She felt his desire and as his lips met hers, the kiss deepened. Rory heard that sexy little moan that always escaped her when he kissed her like that. She looked up at him; love pouring from her gaze. Taking her hand, he led her to their bed, where she knew they would pass the afternoon with delicious passion; making love and making plans for their growing family.

Epilogue II

The MacDougal and MacCollum clans made a strong alliance under the strong command of Rory MacCollum. Their combined forces were a stronghold in the Highlands against Lowland insurrection. Together, they also fortified the ranks of Robert II in his campaigns with England.

Derek Campbell remained at large, thought of as a renegade outlaw, but kept his promise to leave Brielle to her life as Rory’s wife. Brielle had heard a rumor that he had become a mercenary for a lowland earl.

Caleb MacCollum finally remarried after a brief courtship. He decided to take his own advice he had given to Rory and leave his past behind and in marrying his cherished friend and clansman’s widow, Mara MacCollum, he found a peace and love he thought had long since passed in his youth. Mara surprised Caleb with a son of their own, making him feel like a young man again at the tender age of eight and fifty years. He remained hale and stalwart as laird of Clan MacCollum for many more years to come.

Liam and Shawn managed their lands in Northern Scotland and their herds flourished. They were known for their wonderful wools throughout both the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland. Their oldest brother, Jamie managed the estates of Campbell on behalf of Brielle, executing repairs and renovations to restore the crumbling keep to its original glory. It would be held for her children if they ever wanted to return there. Sometimes, Jamie could swear he would see the ghost of Gavin Campbell walking along the ramparts of the newly restored keep and he swore, the spirit of the old laird seemed pleased with the keep's restorations. 

Bronwyn and Drew continued living in England, granting a powerful alliance between England and the Highlands. They frequently came to stay at the manor house on the property that Bronwyn had been given by her father prior to her marriage to Drew. Drew felt more like a Scott than an Englishman and he fit well in his Scottish world when staying at their manor with his wife and their two children.

Rory and Brielle enjoyed their lives with their growing family. Rory had relinquished all darkness and he felt wonderful contentment living with Brielle at MacCollum. Her beautiful soul had healed him of all past hurts and darkness. His position as commander of the MacDougal forces used his talents as a superior warrior to benefit both clans.

Rory loved watching his wife fitting happily into the role of motherhood to their children. She had blossomed into a happy and healthy woman who loved him with all she was. She had just given him his second daughter, the youngest of their three. Connor was their second child, who thrived and grew to be a strong healthy lad. Baby Elizabeth was only two months older than Rory’s little brother, Robbie and he thought it was rather funny that little Elizabeth’s uncle had been born two months after she had come into their lives. However, seeing how happy his Da was made the little joke worth it. Rory loved his life that was now restored thanks to Brielle’s nurturing and love. The passion she continued to bring to his life never stopped being a source of joy and amazement to Rory. Rory knew he could grow old with his woman, who had given him back his life and who had made him fall in love all over again each and every time he saw her. She was love. She was his life and life was so very good with her in it.

And Morag grew old and content; happy watching all her adopted
‘
babes
’ as they continued to
extend the clan she loved so deeply. She became Nana Morag to all the new children that
once again
played and filled MacCollum keep. She never regretted what Caleb had called her insidious meddling, but she had simply stated as the coaxing of the possibility of love. She was proud to say she had encouraged that possibility with those she loved like her own and including the Laird himself. The darkness of MacCollum was dispelled and Morag enjoyed her golden years watching the happiness and prosperity that imbued MacCollum clan.

~The End~