#game!lambert

Your eldest, a bright and bubbly girl named Maren, ran from her brother, an intelligent and cheerful boy named Tavish.

A horse whinnied, stealing your attention from the children.

Coming down the dirt road that led to your home was Lambert.

You finished hanging up the dress of Maren’s and then wiped your hands off on your skirt.

Maren and Tavish took off past you, racing each other to get to the witcher.

He slid down from Champion’s saddle to greet them with open arms.

“Careful, you two.” You cautioned them. “Don’t want to scare Champion.”

Lambert ruffled Tavish’s hair, his golden eyes flickering up to you. He gave you a little sideways grin and shook his head. That was his way of telling you it was okay.

“Lambert! Lambert!” Tavish tugged on his jerkin.

“Hey, squirt!” Lambert picked the boy up, his face scrunching up when he realized Tavish’s clothes were soaking wet. “Why are you wet?”

“We were playing in the stream!” Maren laughed.

“Alright, you two.” You placed your hand on the back of Maren’s head. “Lambert’s probably exhausted after such a long day of traveling. Let’s give him some space.”

“If I wanted space, I wouldn’t have come here.” He spoke quietly. His words caused a warmth to fill your chest. “I have something for you two.”

Lambert placed Tavish down on the ground and went to one of his saddle bags.

“What did you get me?” Tavish jumped up and down.

“Ah, ah, mister. Ladies first.” Lambert took out an item that was wrapped in a cloth. “For you, sweetie. Got this while I was in Cintra.”

Maren’s face lit up as she hastily unwrapped the gift. She squealed in delight, clutching the doll to her chest.

“And for you, little man.” Lambert handed Tavish a small book. “This comes from a good friend of mine. He made it himself.”

Tavish looked at the front of the book, admiring the golden lettering even though he had yet to learn to read anything beyond basic words.

“It says ‘Tales of theWhite Wolf.’’ Maren read out loud.

“Momma! Momma! We have to read it tonight!” Tavish exclaimed.

“We will, darling.” You nodded your head with a smile. “Why don’t you both go put those gifts inside so they aren’t ruined?”

You watched as they hurried into the house.

As the door closed, you turned back to the witcher.

“You look rough.” He held his hands out for you. You allowed him to take your hands and draw you into his chest.

“Thank you for that.”

Lambert leaned down to kiss your lips.

“I meant it in the nicest way.”

“It’s just been a busy day.” You shake your head with a smile. “There was a storm three days ago, and I’ve had quite a bit of cleaning up to do because of it.”

“What kind of cleaning up?”

“Oh, just the fun kind.” You sighed. “A few fences were torn down by a couple fallen trees. There’s a window that was broken on the house around the back. A door to the barn broke off its hinges too. And there’s been a lot of just cleaning up sticks and twigs. The kids have been helping me where they can, but there’s only so much they can do.”

“I can help.” Lambert didn’t hesitate to offer.

“I can’t let you do that, Lambert.” You shook your head. He almost seemed offended that you declined his help.

“Why the hell not?”

“You haven’t come here to fix up and tidy things around my home.” Your answered had a deeper meaning to it, and he knew this.

The witcher rolled his eyes.

“I came here for you and those two kids inside.” He nodded to your home that stood behind you. “Don’t be such a stubborn ass about it and let me help you, bug. Okay?”

You were quiet for a few moments.

“What’s the worst that could happen? I keep coming around?”

You smiled, looking past him to where his horse still stood.

“If you’d really like nothing more than to chop wood and fix fences all day–,”

“For you, I would do anything.” He pressed a kiss to your forehead. “But only for you. If anyone else asks, the answer is a big fat no.”

Tavish and Maren came out of the house.

You started to pull away from Lambert but he kept you close.

“Bug, don’t ever think that I come here for anything other than you and those two.” Lambert murmured quietly, honey eyes holding your gaze.

You nodded your head, your heart swelling with something you hadn’t felt in a long time.

He let you go and walked past you towards your children.

“Alright, you two. Do either of you know how to chop wood?”

“No!”

“Well then, today is a good day to learn!”