Highlander's Captive (28 page)

Summer

Wildflowers bloomed everywhere and fields were lush with growth as was Dawn as she prepared for her wedding day. Her hand went to her large rounded stomach and loving stroked it. The babe had been more active than usual of late, and she had wondered if he was eager to be born. She certainly was eager for the birth. She had grown uncomfortable in the last day or so and while she was excited about today, she wished it was over. But she had given Cree her word that they would wed before their babe was born, and she would not disappoint him. Besides, the villagers had long anticipated this day.

Everyone had joined in to make it extra special. Turbett had cooked for three days in preparation of this day. Flanna had worked with the servants and villagers alike to set up a lovely feasting area outside. The weather had even cooperated, the sky seeming to shine a more brilliant blue and the sun remaining bright and warming the land.

Lila had made three different dresses for her; a warm one for winter, a lighter one for spring, and her favorite, the one she wore now. Dawn ran her hand over the lovely pale blue dress that gathered just below her breasts and had sleeves that ended at her elbows. William, Cree’s castle designer, had brought the material and much more back with him from his journey to Edinburgh. She had hoped for the drawing materials he had told her he would try and bring for her, but since he had never mentioned them, she had assumed he had been unable to acquire them.

Wintra and Lila had fussed over her and had just left her with instructions that Cree would be there soon to get her. The two women had laughed and joked about how Cree had planted a guard outside the bedchamber door. He had insisted that no one would interfere or prevent Dawn and him from getting married this day.

Dawn reached for the lovely wreath Lila had made for her out of pink heather and yellow gorse sprigs fresh from the land and winced at the pain that stung her lower back. She gave it a rub, then scooped up the wreath to place on her head. She was happy and would not let a little discomfit disrupt her day.

She had much to be thankful for, especially the news that Wintra would give birth late fall, though she would be leaving shortly after Dawn delivered the babe. They would return to Torr’s home and Dawn would miss them both terribly.

She told herself not to think about that, but rather the good times she had shared with Wintra since her arrival here. Life had turned very good for all, and she prayed it would stay that way for a long time to come.

A knock sounded at the door and Dawn scrunched her brow wondering why Cree would knock. But it wasn’t Cree who entered, it was Old Mary.

Dawn smiled, seeing the old woman spryer than ever walk toward her with a wide smile.

“I have something for you,” she said holding a small, cloth-wrapped package in her hand. She stopped and held it out to Dawn. “It is a gift from your mother for your first child. She made me promise to give it to you.”

Tears threatened Dawn’s eyes as she reached for the package with trembling hands. She carefully unwrapped the cloth and though she smiled, she could not prevent tears from falling. She placed the wrapping on the table and held up the tiny linen garment embroidered with pale yellow flowers around the neck.

“It was yours,” Old Mary said, tears stinging her eyes as well. “She stitched it for you from a favorite dress that was once hers. I remember the day she first put it on you. You smiled and grabbed the garment as if you were thrilled to be wearing it, and your mother and I cried at the joy it brought you just as we do this day.”

Dawn could not stop the tears from flowing and she gestured that she wished her mum was here to share this day.

Old Mary took hold of her hand. “She is here with us in our hearts and happy for you. And I must tell you that you will have another gift this day, and it will come from the heavens.”

Dawn wiped at her tears, though they would not stop falling and scrunched her brow and shrugged.

“I cannot tell you what it is. After all, it is a gift.”

The door opened and Cree walked in with a smile that quickly turned to a scowl when he saw his wife crying. He hurried over to her and placed the package he carried on the table before he slipped his arm around her waist and demanded, “What’s wrong?” Before she could respond, he turned to Old Mary. “What have you said that upset her?”

Dawn shook her head and pointed to the small garment and at Old Mary.

“Tell me,” Cree ordered the old woman, not happy to see his wife crying on their wedding day. He would not have joy for their wedding taken from her a second time.

Old Mary explained about the garment, though did not mention the gift that was yet to come this day.

Cree’s scowl vanished. “That is lovely of you, Old Mary, and it will be the first garment our child wears, even though it has flowers on it.”

Dawn smiled, a gentle laugh shaking her body, and Cree was glad he brought joy back to her face.

Old Mary laughed. “Yes, flowers.” She continued laughing as she left the room.

Cree wiped Dawn’s wet cheeks as she hugged the small garment to her chest. “I have a gift for you, but I doubt it will be as wonderful as the one from your mother.”

Dawn’s eyes lighted with excitement, and she placed the baby garment on the table.

“A wedding gift for you,” Cree said and pointed to the package that lay next to the garment.

Dawn unwrapped the cloth-covered package and stared for a moment at the drawing material.

“I had told William to make certain he brought back what you needed to draw with and any new drawing implements as well. He has more to show you.”

Dawn almost laughed at the thought that he had rendered her speechless, but how did she let Cree know how very much this gift meant to her? She took his hand and placed it on her chest and looked at him with what she hoped he could see—love and appreciation for him being such a wonderful husband.

“The love in your eyes tells it all,” Cree said and brought his lips to hers.

The babe kicked hard just as they kissed, and Dawn winced as her hand flew to her stomach, though Cree’s hand got there first.

“He is awfully active today,” Cree said, stroking her stomach in hopes of calming the babe.

Dawn nodded with a sigh.

“You will sit and enjoy the festivities, and we will retire early tonight while the villagers continue to enjoy the celebration.”

She nodded and smiled, grateful that she would not have to endure a long night since she was already wishing for her bed.

Cree took her hand. “Let us go and be wed and enjoy this memorable day.”

~~~

Dawn smiled and enjoyed, as best she could, the wedding festivities. It had been several hours since the brief ceremony and she wished she could take her leave. The pain in her back had returned until finally it had refused to go away. She wanted nothing more than to take to her bed and rest.

She wished she did not feel so tired so that she could participate more in the festivities. But then there had been too many years of hardship for the village and this wedding celebration was, in a sense, a celebration of freedom from misery for all.

Dawn watched as Lila and Paul danced happily to the music and how Dorrie was teaching a reluctant Elwin to dance, and then there was Elsa and Neil dancing more jubilantly than the young couples. Her eyes widened when she saw Wintra attempting to pull Cree away from the warriors, he was speaking with, to dance.

“Cree won’t win against my tenacious wife.”

Dawn turned a smile on Torr as he took a seat beside her.

“You look tired. Are you feeling well?”

She faked a yawn to let him know she was tired.

“Perhaps you should retire now. We will keep the celebration going,” Torr said with a smile and concern for his sister.

Dawn was about to gesture that she would go soon when a stabbing pain hit her so hard that she grabbed her stomach and doubled over, her head almost hitting the table.

Torr stood and shouted, “Cree!” Before he could see to Dawn, Cree was there going down on one knee beside her.

“Dawn,” Cree said softly, slipping his hand under her chin to lift her head and when he did, his stomach clenched at how pale she was.

She grabbed Cree’s hand and patted her stomach.

“It is time,” Elsa said from behind Cree.

“Now? The babe is ready to be born now?” Cree asked as if he did not believe it.

Elsa reaffirmed with a smile. “Now. And it would be wise to get her to her bedchamber right away.”

Cree stood and eased his wife into his arms.

Cheers rang out for good luck and good fortune for the child that was about to be born and the celebration continued as Cree rushed through the keep to their bedchamber.

He sat Dawn on the bed once in the room, though did not let go of her hand.

“You may leave now, my lord,” Elsa said, Lila, Wintra, and Old Mary following her into the room.

“I am not leaving her.” He held up his hand, stopping Elsa from speaking. “I will not repeat myself.”

Elsa nodded. “As you wish, but I must ask you not to get in our way.”

He nodded. “I will sit beside the bed and hold her hand.”

Elsa looked none too happy, but she had no choice but to obey.

Elsa instructed Wintra as to what to do, but Lila knew what needed doing and went about doing it. Old Mary remained by the fire, Cree having heard her say that she was present for Dawn’s birth and she wanted to be present for Dawn’s babe’s birth too.

As the pain worsened so did Cree’s concern for his wife. It tore him apart to see her struggle in silence to give birth to their child. And he did not know how he would be able to put her through this again. But it would be inevitable, since he knew he would never be able to keep his hands off her. He promised himself that if she had to suffer then so would he. He would be with her through every birth, and he would endure the pain as if his heart was being ripped from his body as he watched his wife suffer through childbirth.

It was only a couple of hours later when a surprised Elsa announced that delivery was near. “A short labor,” she said with a smile.

Cree glared at her. How could she think this was a short labor?

Dawn was relieved that the babe would soon be born, the pain having been more than she had imagined, though it was nothing compared to the pain she saw in her husband’s eyes as he held her hand and spoke softly and encouragingly to her. She knew of no man who stayed with his wife during delivery of their child. Cree was truly a remarkable husband.

“All right, Dawn, it is almost time,” Elsa said. “When I tell you to push, push hard.”

Lila stood beside Elsa, a towel in her hand ready to take the babe. Wintra stood behind them, her eyes wide and her face pale.

“Push!” Elsa said.

Dawn gripped Cree’s hand tightly and pushed with all her might.

“He is slipping out with ease,” Elsa announced with a pleased laugh. A sharp cry pierced the air, and Elsa laughed again. “The lad’s not even all the way out and already he’s crying.”

Dawn smiled and looked to Cree. He smiled and kissed her forehead, relieved that this ordeal would soon be done and thrilled to welcome a son.

“He is a good size and looks fit,” Elsa announced as she held him up for all to see.

Cree felt his chest tighten with pride at the sight of his son. He had barely a sprinkle of light fuzz for hair and he was long and solid in weight with a cry on him that rivaled his father’s roar. He did not think he could ever know such joy, and he leaned down and whispered to Dawn, “Thank you for giving me such a fine son.”

She smiled and her face suddenly contorted in pain.

“Oh good Lord, there’s another one in there,” Elsa said.

“What do you mean another one?” Cree asked.

“Twins,” Elsa said, handing the babe over to Lila.

She wrapped the wailing babe in the blanket and took him to the table to clean him up, a basin of warm water waiting there for her. Wintra remained next to Elsa in case she needed help.

“Twins?” Cree repeated as if trying to comprehend that there would be two babes.

“Yes, now leave me be,” Elsa snapped and looked up at a scowling Cree. “This one is having some difficulty. She needs my attention.” Elsa did not wait for a command. She got busy seeing to the babe.

Cree felt his chest tighten again, though this time with worry. He looked to his wife and saw the same worry mirrored in her eyes. “It will be all right.” But she cringed in pain, her head tilting back and he could only imagine the scream that echoed so silently inside her.

Old Mary was suddenly at the bedside. She patted Dawn’s head. “A gift, my child. A gift from the heavens.” She drifted away then.

“You need to push, Dawn, and hard,” Elsa ordered.

Cree held her hand. “You can do it. You are strong like my warriors.”

Dawn gave him a weak smile and pushed with what strength she had left.

“That’s it, that’s it—” Elsa suddenly turned silent and no cry was heard.

Dawn looked frantically to Cree.

“What’s wrong,” Cree demanded.

“You have a daughter,” Elsa said.

Dawn’s head fell back, and she wanted to scream for her daughter who would never be able to do so herself, just like her mother.

Cree felt as if his chest had been gripped by a mighty hand, the pain was so intense and when he looked at his wife, tears falling from her eyes on a day that should hold such joy for her; he wanted to roar out his anger. But he held it back like a dam trying to hold back an angry sea.

He took hold of his wife’s hand and she squeezed tight, her tear-filled eyes looking to him as if she was sorry. It tore at his heart and he leaned down and kissed her wet cheeks. “I love you and I love the babes you gave me this day.”

Wintra, fighting back tears, took the wiggling child from Elsa and held her high for Dawn to see. “She is a beauty like her mother.”

Elsa cut the cord while she fought back tears.

Cree let go of his wife’s hand and walked over to his sister who was wiping the babe clean. She had a thatch of dark red hair like her mother and the prettiest face he had ever seen, and she was so tiny, though wiggled fiercely in Wintra’s arms as if she was trying to break free. He took his daughter from her and her squirming calmed as he lifted her to rest her cheek against his. “I love you, little one, and I will hear you as clearly as I hear your beautiful mother.”