A Way Chapter 34 Student Again
AO3
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
“Jamie, I don’t know if I can do this. I am so much older then the others and the only woman.” She frets as she gets ready for her first day of medical school.
“You can. Being older gives you experience. Experience those young lads don’t have. As for being a lass, that gives you strength and compassion those young lads can only dream of having. You were born for these Sassanach.”
A year has pasted since their wedding. Bree is fully weaned and a handful as she walks and talks, runs and explores. The house had sold despite Frank’s gruesome ending there. It brought more then enough to buy the cabin and pay for most of her medical school. The rest was easily covered by what Jamie is making as a legal aid for Fredrick. He is wonderful and a big reason she is able to do this. Jamie is able to bring Bree to the office, where they have turned one of the unused rooms into a nursery/playroom for her. When Jamie can’t watch her, the others in the office take turns doing it. She adores them all, especially her ‘Granpa Fredrick' and they love her. Claire’s schedule will allow her to have her a few days a week. She will study while she naps and when Jamie is home. It will be a tough schedule but doable.
“To leave Bree, I don’t know…”
“You ken she will be taken care of?” she nods. “They adore having her at the office and she adores being there. You aren’t abandoning her, Claire. You are showing her that her mama and therefore, she, can do anything she sets her mind to. A grand lesson, I think.”
“Oh Jamie. I love you so much. You always know just what to say.”
“I ken you. I love you too Sassanach. Know let’s get you to school.” He tells Bree-annah, “Come my heart. We need to get mama to school and ourselves to work.”
“Mama school. Daddy and Bree work!” She hurries over to them. Claire lifts her up and breaths in her curls. Jamie has cut his off. Short hair to fit in. She misses them even though he did right.
“Mama is going to miss her Bree Bree.” She confesses as she carries her out to the car.”
“Bree miss mama.” The child hugs her close. She returns it. How blessed is she to have such a loving child and such an encouraging husband. And this chance. She can do this. She is blessed to have this chance. Right then and there, she decides to stop worrying and make the most of this opportunity.
Jamie has learned to drive over the last year also. A necessity with their new schedule. She places Bree on the back seat and joins Jamie in the front. The trunk of the car is full of Bree supplies and her text books and supplies. He drives one handed while holding her hand with the other.
“I will miss you too.”
“As I will you Sassanach.” It isn’t just the time at class they are talking about. It is the time she will have to spend studying, researching. It will be a long four years.
“We will stay connected. I will make sure of it.”
“We will.” He pulls up in front of her university.” “I am quite proud of you.”
“You make me proud to Jamie, fitting in so well, the daddy you are to our daughter. I couldn’t do this without you.”
“You are flesh of my flesh..”
“And bone of my bone.” They kiss slowly, savoring it. It will be what is needed to keep them sane while apart. She then kisses her daughter on each cheek and her sweet nose. “I love you Brianna.”
“Love you mama.”
Jamie hands her the knapsack full of books. “I will see you at three.”
“Yes three.” A tight hug, a wave to Bree, and she is off. He watches until she enters the building. It becomes their ritual. The kiss, the reciting of the vows, even when Bree gets old enough to be embarrassed by them. It is their version of see you later. A promise to always return to the other.
