#atwg

“What is it, Sassenach?”

“I love you. And I almost lost you today. I just want to be close.”

“I could say the same thing to you, Claire. Right now, nothing else matters to me other than you.”

“We’ll figure things out, Jamie. We always do” she said, her eyes closed and her body attuning to him.

“I know. I’m no worrit, Claire. For I have ye, and ye have me”, Jamie responded as he pulled her closer and kissed her temple.

“Sleep now, my love. I’ll be here when you wake up. Tomorrow, I’ll shall show you how to use the bath”

----

Jamie woke up before dawn, his body clock unchanged even by time travel. A quick look at Claire and Faith, deep in peaceful slumber, was enough to raise his spirits. Extracting himself from his wife, he picked new clothes from the cabinetry and tried to look as similar as yesterday. The clothes of this time are different but not so that it confuses him. Moreso, he actually likes how the fabric is well more fitted to him.

He decided to look around the estate, observe the place and get to know this new time by himself. Lallybroch has not changed much, save the modern conveniences like electricity and plumbing. Besides the distillery, the stables, the garden, the fields, the house, this was his home then and it, surprisingly, it felt like home now. It might be because of the people residing in the place but Jamie has always felt that Lallybroch was healing and magical.

With the sun rising in the horizon, Jamie wanted to share the sunrise with Claire. As he was rushing back in, he almost bumped off his Mam, who was heading out the same door.

“Och, laddie. Why are you up this early in the morning?” Ellen donned a simple black sweater and pants, she was a vision.

“I just wanted to look around and get some fresh air. How about ye?” He said so naturally, as it was the truth.

“Well, I’m heading out the garden to pick up some vegetables and for a little morning walk. Would ye care to join me?” Before he could answer, he was following her lead.

This was all surreal to Jamie and he’s trying not to show it. Having not seen his Mam in twenty years, he could not help but stare. She was just as he remembered her and how everyone has described. Even in her mid-fifties now, her red hair, though showing signs of grey, is as fiery as ever. Her beauty unmatched, maybe only rivaled by his wife. As much as his build is his dad’s, everything else, his eyes, his hair, his stubbornness, is all from his Mackenzie genes.

“Ye want to say anything to me?” Ellen asked. “Everything good with ye and Claire?”

“All is well, Mam. We could not be happier right now. Why’d ye ask?”

“Cause ye keep staring at me, I figured something is in yer mind.”

“Nothing, just happy to be here. I missed ye”

“Well, I wouldna say I didna miss ye too but it’s only been a week since we last saw ye. Ye dropped Faith off to go off a short holiday, visited Julia and Henry, and now yer here.” Ellen offered the information, unsure why but she felt it was necessary to give it to Jamie.

“Now, I’m here and nowhere I’d rather be”, Jamie carried the bucket full of food and headed back to the house, with his mam following suit.

Close to the entrance, he saw their window open, Claire and Faith sunbathing in the morning light. They waved and he waived back, Ellen witnessing their cute family moment.

“In case I forget to say it, James, I am proud of ye. I’m happy to see ye happy with Claire and the family and life yer building.” Ellen caught up with her son and wrapped an arm around his waist. Jamie, in response, hugged her back.

-----

After breakfast, Henry, Julia, Claire, Jamie and Faith drove back to Glasgow with Jamie and Claire being dropped off their house. As they continue to piece their life in this timeline, they hope that their home will provide much more clues of who they are in 1948.

Their home was Victorian semi-detached house in one of the suburban parts of the city. It was quiet, peaceful, and just enough space for their growing family. Entering their home, it was obvious that Faith is the most experienced resident of the house. She immediately went towards the living room, grabbed a book from a mini cupboard, and ran up the sofa. With their daughter occupied, Jamie and Claire took it as a cue to go exploring on their own.

“Jamie, over here” Claire called from the living room. “I found some photo albums that could help us figure all these out.” They settled beside Faith who was still engrossed by her own literature.

The photo albums were dated by year with the first one listed as “1945”.

A quote greeted Jamie and Claire as they opened the album.

“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone, I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done"

They can’t help but smile and steal a kiss, sealing their promise once more.

The album held a lot of mementos - photos from their time in the war, letters and correspondence they had sent each other before they were married, and photos of their wedding in Lallybroch.

Looking through, what they gathered is Jamie and Claire met during the war, a typical wounded soldier meets caring nurse story, and they have been inseparable since. They had met almost 4 years ago, got married a few months after meeting, and had Faith immediately after. And as they already know, Jamie works in the Glasgow branch of the distillery, while Claire is a nurse in the local hospital.

“I dinna get used to these yet, Sassenach, but tis fascinating seeing a moment of myself suspended in time.” The photographs were the most fascinating to Jamie and he was glad they (or other they) have kept the keepsakes. “These memories of ye and me, though I dinna remember it or lived it, we looked so happy - and that’s a good way to start this life, is it not?”

“It is, but Jamie,” she paused. “I’m looking forward to making new ones with you, Faith, and this little one - here - in this time”

Faith, upon hearing her name, released her book and went straight to Claire for a cuddle. “Mama, hug” she said so simply and it melted both their hearts.

But it was definitely more for Jamie, who by now, has completely lost it. He was openly crying in awe and disbelief for the daughter he’s never seen or met but prayed with all regret that he could’ve. After everything that happened in Paris and even though they have settled it between them, deep inside his mind and heart, Jamie blamed himself for her loss. 

Hearing Jamie sniffle and wipe his nose and face, Faith turned to him and quickly reached out her arms, requesting him to carry her. Without hesitation, he picked her up and held her close to his heart. 

Pushing herself up from his shoulder, Faith turned to Jamie with a question. “Da, sad?” 

“No, no, not sad. Da is verra verra happy right now.” he quickly assured his daughter with the biggest smile on his face. “We’ve just missed you so much” 

Faith mirrored his smile as Jamie continued to take her in. “She has your eyes.” he remarked to Claire. 

“And your everything else!” Claire jokingly scoffed back at him. She then, squinted and too, shook her head in wonder. “Jamie, I - “

“I know. I can’t believe it either.” Jamie finished the sentence. He opened his free side to her and she quickly slided in, wrapping Jamie and their daughter together in her arms as close as she could. 

The next five minutes have been the most blissful time yet.

-

If the Beauchamps or the Frasers noticed Claire and Jamie’s puffy eyes and tear-streaked faces when they came to the dining hall, they (thankfully) didn’t mention it. 

To Claire and Jamie, everything was new - but to the foursome in front of them and the baby between them, it was practically routine and regular. 

Brian, Ellen, Henry, and Julia were talking about the latest in business and social events they were planning to attend. Claire and Jamie tried to keep an ear out to get some clues on what their families may be doing at this time but it was proving to be hard when there’s a two-year old, red-headed Fraser calling your attention every minute whether it was giving her food, her giving them food, wiping her clean, and listening to her stories in the past week she was with grandparents. Between the two, Jamie and Claire focused on Faith, savoring everything about her. Everything else can wait. 

They were taken out of their focus when Ellen asked Claire a question. “So, Claire, darling, what was the news ye had to tell us?” 

Claire swallowed the food she was chewing and looked at Jamie, a silent conversation ensuing between them. Jamie looked at her belly and maybe got her answer. It was the only thing of significance they could think of at the moment. 

“Oh, our news” She put her utensils down and everyone followed suit waiting to hear what’s next. “Well, Jamie and I are very happy to share that little Miss Faith here…” she tickled Faith’s belly resulting in a short giggle. “...is going to be a big sister.” 

They waited with baited breath for any reaction and hope that it was information they haven't told before. A few seconds later, all four grandparents erupted in celebration with the news, standing and looping Jamie and Claire into taps and hugs. 

“How far along are you?” Julia asked. 

“About two to three months. We just found ourselves.” Claire replied. 

“Have ye told anyone else?” It was Ellen’s turn to ask. 

“No, you guys are the first to know” 

“Can we tell the rest of the family, then, give them a quick call?” Brian chimed. Jamie and Claire nodded even thought they weren’t sure the extent of it. However, Brian offered the list immediately after. “We’ll call Willie, Jenny and Rabbie. And of course, we’ll reach out to your Uncle Lamb.” 

Jamie quickly clutched Claire’s hand and she did the same. Their entire family and more. 

It wouldn’t be far fetched that Claire and Jamie might think that they may have died and gone to heaven because this was everything. But until that reality falls down upon them, they will take this experience and make the most of it. 

“We should plan to get everybody here together and celebrate, maybe in another month’s time?”

“I agree, plan for a proper celebration. Plus, I think Lamb would also like to be out of the house once in a while.”

“It’s a date then!” 

The parents made all the arrangements and Claire and Jamie were just left to happily agree. 

-

The four grandparents continued their catch up to the library and Claire and Jamie decided to explore the estate. They brought Faith with them, not wanting to part with her just yet, even though the little girl was napping on Jamie’s shoulder. 

“Uncle Lamb must be in his 80s now but from what I gathered from my mom, he’s still strong but prefers to stay at home these days.” Claire shared, pulling out a cloth and wiping a drool from Faith.

They’ve checked the family photos and deducted what they could. In this time, William Fraser was married to Mary McNab, Jenny and Ian are together and already have wee Jamie and Maggie, and Rabbie is still in uni finishing his studies. 

Further reviewing the contents on both their wallets, what they’ve found so far are: Lallybroch is a whiskey distillery, Jamie and Claire are based in Glasgow, where Claire’s a nurse, and Jamie heads the Glasgow branch of the business - thankfully, jobs that are not necessarily out of their range. 

As for how they met, their past, and other information to their present, nothing much on that end yet. Maybe once they head to their own home, they’ll find more answers. But for now, they believe they have enough information to process but more importantly, let go a bit to focus more on Faith. 

The day passed rather quickly, with Jamie and Claire coming back to the house to cool off. They made their way to the living room, laying Faith down in one of the solo sofa chairs while they settled on the other. 

Jamie pulled Claire beside him and kissed her temple in reverence. She, in turn, cuddled closer to him, crossing her legs on top of his. Soon, sleep took over both of them once again, a much deserved nap as they adjust to today’s time. 

-

Jamie and Claire were woken up when they felt something trying to grab or climb at them.

“Oh, hi, darling. Did you have a good nap?” Claire asked Faith, she herself sitting straight and waking. 

“Yes. Are we going home now?” Faith asked as she bear hugged her mother. 

“Not yet. We’ll stay one more night and go tomorrow.” 

It was nearly dinnertime and one of their parents might’ve opened the lamp to give the space some light. Claire turned to Jamie and found him tenderly looking at the both of them. 

“I dinna have the words, Claire.” Jamie sighed and began. “I ken meeting our parents is one thing but meeting her, seeing her, feeling her, talking to her…” he reached to brush Faith’s hair. “Seeing what it is of her or me that is in her, watching ye become a mother…” Jamie shook his head. “I could talk about it all day, Sassenach. But after ye, this has been the best blessing in my life. And I promise ye, I wilna take it for granted.” 

“We won’t take it for granted, Jamie.” Claire reiterated their commitment. She, then, turned to their daughter to ask “Do you want to cuddle with Da next?” 

Sure enough, the little lass pulled out of Claire’s embrace and proceeded to go to Jamie’s. He put his nose in her head and breathed her in. “Mo nighean ruadh, tha gaol agam ort”. He grabbed Claire’s hand and placed a kiss on her knuckle. “Mo nighean donn, tha gaol agam ort” 

“I love you, too, Jamie.” she replied, squeezing his hand in agreement.

“Love too, Da” Faith said so simply and Claire and Jamie could just not stop the tears from flowing. 

Unbeknownst to them, outside the door, Ellen accidentally overheard their unusual conversation when she was coming to get them for supper. Throughout the day, she’d observed some things are rather different but nothing to be alarmed of. However, the chat did leave her a bit confused.