Page 54 of To Wed a Witch
Before either parent could answer, another figure appeared in the doorway.Sìne's father, Laird MacKay, despite being past sixty, still cut an imposing figure in his formal plaid.But his stern expression melted completely when he saw his grandchildren.
"And where might my wee warriors be going in such a hurry?"he asked, his gruff voice gentle as he addressed the children.
"Grand-da!"Aidyn launched herself at him."Can ye take us down to meet our guests?"
"Well now," Laird MacKay said, catching his granddaughter easily."I suppose I could escort ye.That is, if yer parents dinnae mind."
"An excellent idea," Bhaltair said."But mind ye dinnae let my mother and Lionel spoil them with too many sweets!"
"Aye, we'll make sure they're properly fed," Laird MacKay assured them, though his eyes twinkled with the same excitement as the children's."Come along then, my brave ones.Let's go see what adventures the wee MacNeil bairns have had."
Aidyn and Fraser cheered, racing toward the door while their grandfather followed at a more sedate pace, shaking his head at their energy.
"That leaves us with these two," Sìne said, hitching Eòghann higher on her hip as the little boy continued his excited babbling.
Bhaltair moved to take Lil from Margaret's arms, the tiny girl immediately reaching for her father with delighted giggles.He kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank ye, Margaret," he said to the nursemaid."We'll take them down ourselves."
"Very good, laird," Margaret replied with obvious relief.
As the nursemaid disappeared back down the corridor, Sìne and Bhaltair stood for a moment in their chamber doorway, each holding one of their youngest children.
"Ready for another day of mayhem?"Bhaltair asked, shifting Lil to his other arm as she tried to grab his crest badge.
"With ye?"Sìne smiled, reaching over to squeeze his free hand."Always.Though I do wonder sometimes how we manage to keep our bairns from tearing the Keep down."
"Terribly, from what I can tell," Bhaltair replied with a grin."But they seem happy enough."
"They are that."Sìne agreed.She pressed a kiss to Lil's cheek as Bhaltair kissed Eòghann’s forehead and ruffled his hair."And so are we."
"Aye," Bhaltair said softly, clasping her hand tighter as they walked to the hall."So are we."
The sounds of the bustling Keep preparing for Hogmanay grew louder as they descended the stairs.They could hear Ada's voice directing the kitchens.Bhaltair’s mother and his stepfather Lionel’s voices could also be heard mingled with the MacNeil’s.Then there were the laughter and chatter of young children and the general happy sounds that had become part of their lives.
Sìne paused for a moment, looking down at the joyful pandemonium below, "I'm so glad I wed a fierce Highland laird," she said.
"And I," Bhaltair replied with a grin, "am so glad I wed a witch."
Hand in hand, children in their arms, they descended into the warmth of their home, their clan, and the life they had built together with love.
***
The End
