Thirty long, hard minutes passed before Tara gave in and started to push. Myra held her shoulders and offered encouraging words.
Tara’s hand clutched Lizzy’s as she strained with the effort to bring her child into the world.
A loud crash sounded from the main hall, its echo vibrated every wall of the Keep. Lora shot Amber a telling look to find out what caused the noise.
“Okay, Tara, this is it. Push.”
The next contraction arrived hard. Everyone held their breath while they watched.
Tara forced her remaining strength into the contraction.
Myra sprung to her feet when the door flung open and Duncan rushed in the room. His face switched from concern to awe at what he saw before him. His wife’s eyes caught his for a second before Tara took a breath and pushed their child into the world.
For as long as Myra would live, she wouldn’t forget the expression that passed over her brother’s face when his son was born and the infant’s cries filled the room.
The maid hurried to hand Lora a blanket.
Tara flopped back on the bed, trying to catch her breath.
Duncan took two wobbly steps in her direction.
When Tara looked his way and extended a hand, he fell to her side. “I came as fast as I could.”
Lora handed the bundle to Tara. “’Tis a boy, a beautiful, healthy boy.”
Husband and wife pressed their heads together.
Myra choked back tears, as she and Lora quietly slipped from the room.
Myra ran down the hall, searching for Todd.
“Where are they?” she asked a passing maid.
“Who, my lady?”
“Duncan has returned. Where are the others?”
“In the yard...”
Myra burst through the door. Todd was swiping dust off his pants. He was whole. Alive.
She saw her father patting him on the back and Fin smiling. They were all home. Safe.
She sent a quick prayer of thanks before she ran to him. A squeal was his only warning before she threw herself into his arms.
“You’re home.” His arms swallowed her, his lips met hers, and her body relaxed for the first time in days.
Todd rocked back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I have someone to come back home to, now.”
“I love you.”
He kissed her hard before returning her sentiment.
“Come.” Myra led him toward the door where her father and Fin walked.
Lora and Liz were coming down the stairs when they entered the hall. A cry from above told the men of the birth.
Ian’s face beamed. “Well?” he questioned his wife. “A boy. Tara and Duncan have a son.”
Simon scrambled down the stairs past his mom and flew into Fin’s arms. “You made it.”
“I told you I would.” Fin laughed down at the head of the boy who clutched him around his waist.
“What’s this?” Simon asked, noticing blood that oozed from the wound on Fin’s arm.
“Nothing, ’tis fine.”
Liz rounded on them frowning. “You need to have that dressed.”
Fin smiled at her. “What is this? Concern for my well-being, Elizabeth?”
She stepped back.
He sent her a cocky grin.
“Whatever, MacCoinnich, get a nasty infection, gangrene, lose an arm. What do I care?” She turned to walk away.
His chuckle stopped her. “You do,” he murmured.
Myra glanced at Todd and wondered if he noticed the tension between the two of them as she did. Ian smiled on his family. “Fin, go tend your wound and be done with your squabbling. Tonight we celebrate,” he announced.
“Is Grainna gone then?” Lora asked.
The men passed looks between them, their distress showing.
“Oh.” Lora glanced at her husband. “Then we celebrate prematurely.”
“Nay, my love. Tonight we celebrate the new life brought to this family. And Sir Blakely’s and Myra’s handfasting.” He kissed Lora’s troubled lips.
“Tonight, we celebrate.”
Todd pulled Myra close. “So handfasting is like a marriage, right?”
“Aye,” she told him.
“So, we’ve been married for what, five days now?”
Myra sent a puzzled look. “Aye.”
He wadded the gloves he held and tossed them to Ian, who caught them in surprise. Without ceremony, he dipped down and brought Myra up and into his arms.
“Todd, what are you doing?”
“Making up for lost time.” He smiled down at her. “We’ll be celebrating our honeymoon.” He nodded to Fin who let out a laugh. “See you in a week, Dad.” He winked at her father, who stood mouth agape.
Ian watched his daughter in the arms of her husband disappear up the stairs. “Tonight we celebrate.” His heart swelled with pride.
He tried to stop his next thoughts, but couldn’t.
Tomorrow we fight.