#stranger?

@the-dark-comfort-zone

A strange darkener that looks like a deer centaur shot glass has showed up, carrying bottles in cases on his back and sides. He's heard of there being stress people all around being mean. Glancing around, he's looking for the stressed pippins.

Love Never Dies Chapter 22 Stranger?

AO3

Bree has discovered the barn cats kittens and has been begging her mama and da to let her bring one in the house. So far, they have resisted her pleading, leaving her to play with them outside. That is what she is doing when she sees a raggedy stranger coming up the lane. Holding the kitten that she has secretly named Autumn, due to her orange fur, she runs into the house.

Her parents are in the Great Room talking when she comes in, her hair flying wild behind her, the kitten clutched against her pounding chest. “Mama, Da!”

“Brianna Ellen, we have told you that the kitten can not come in the house.”

She looks down, having forgotten about her in her haste. “I forgot that..”

“Bree-annah, you are old enough to…”

“Da listen!” her tone gets both of their full attention. “I forgot I was carrying the kitties because there is a stranger coming up to the house.”

“Iffrin, don’t repeat that. I am sorry lass. You stay in here with your mama.” He touches her head before he heads out, rifle in hand.

“See, it wasn’t about Autumn.”

“Autumn?” her Mama’s eyes go up. She smiles at her sheepishly.

Meanwhile

Jamie walks slowly out to the arches, ready to defend his family if it becomes necessary. It isn’t. He drops his rifle from his boneless fingers when he sees who it is.

“Is that anyway to treat a gun, mo Mac?” He says.

“Christ alive!” He hurries over to him and is soon held tight in his embrace. “I thought you dead.”

“Aye, I almost was. Escaped just by the skin of my teeth.  Hid out in the woods and prayed the Redcoats wouldn’t find me. It was a near thing. Several times they came close. Couldn’t build a fire. Ate a lot of raw meat, berries as I could find them. Recalled what Claire said about greens so I ate as I could.”

“She will be so happy to see you!”

He jerked. “She’s here?”

Jamie’s smile widened. “Aye, she and my daughter, Bree-annah.”

“A daughter?”

“Aye a bawl lass she is. Looks like me, acts like Claire. Come, let’s introduce you.”

“Wait Jamie, I need cleaned up. A bath. A shave. Clean clothes.”

“Not until you meet them. Bree-annah has already seen you anyway. She came running in to announce a stranger was approaching the house. Let’s show her it is her grandsire.”

“Me, her grandsire?”

“Who better then Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser.”

He leads him in the house after picking up the dropped rifle. “No worries my lasses. Nae stranger but…”

“Murtagh!” Claire ran into his arms. He hugs her tight.

“Claire! By God’s grace, you have been returned to us.”

“As have you.”

“Da, who is that?” With her mama occupied, she moves closer to him. He places an arm around her.

“That mo chridhe, is Murtagh Fraser, your grandsire.” He moves her and the kitten closer. “Murtagh meet your granddaughter, our daughter, Bree-annah Ellen Fraser.”

He drops drop to his knees in front of her.  “Heelo Bree-annah. Such an honor to meet you.”

“Hello, are you my Da’s da, cause I thought he was in heaven with my grandma Ellen?”

“He is. I am your Da’s Godfather. He was kind enough to pestow me the honor of standing in for his own da.”

.”Oh, well I have never had a grandparent before. Mama’s were dead and so was daddy’s. So, this is nice. You are nice, right?”

“To you mo ghràdh, always.”

“Good. No offense but you stink grandsire.”

“Brianna Ellen!” Claire calls out.

“Nae Claire, she is right. Don’t punish her honesty. A rare thing it is.” Back to Bree, “You are quite right. I do. I require a bath, aye. Clean clothes. I shall see if your da will help me out with those.”

“Oh he will. He is good about that. Oh, I was rude. I didn’t introduce Autumn. She is my favorite kitten.”

“Well she is a fine kitten, indeed.  May I take leave of you and Autumn as I get more presentable for a lady like yourself?”

“You may.” She feels quite grown as he stand and he and da head out. Her mama is quietly laughing, hand over her mouth. “What mama?”

“You Bree. You already have your grandsire wrapped around your finger. And, apparently, we know have a kitten.”.

“She can stay inside?”

“She may. But you must see to her. Alright?”

“Yes mama. Thank you. What a day. A grandsire and a kitten!”

@dusting-the-grapevine