Loki (24 page)

Epilogue

The following summer

Loki stared at his sweet Bella lying on Celestina’s bed, panting and groaning. He swore he’d never plant another babe in her belly. She’d already gone through so much carrying this bairn, and now he had to watch her in pain. He could not handle it. She’d asked him to stay because Alex always stayed with Maddie, but he could feel his knees weakening.

“Loki, you look ill. You do not have to stay,” Aunt Caralyn said.

They’d come back to Clan Grant for the babe’s birth to make sure Bella received the best of care. She’d helped him so much in their new keep, making it special for both of them. They’d had a wonderful first year, but this? This was too much.

“Go, Loki,” Bella panted. “Do not faint in here. Caralyn has enough to do, and so do I.”

His mother stood and ushered him out the door, leaving Maddie, Ashlyn, and Caralyn behind to soothe Bella through the delivery. A maid busied herself about the room, retrieving whatever was needed.

“Come, you need to relax,” his mother said. “You’ll have a sweet bairn soon. Perhaps you need an ale.”

As they moved down the passageway, Bella let out another wail, so he rushed back inside the room. “Bella, promise me.”

Bella groaned, “What, Loki? Can you not see I’m busy?”

“I cannot leave you until you promise me you will not die.” He moved back to her side, suddenly changing his mind about leaving.

“I’ll not die,” she said through a clenched jaw as she attempted to push the babe out. “But I may wallop you with my fist if you do not stop. I warned you. This must be a laddie like you because he is too big to get out. What’ll I do? He will not come out.”

Caralyn spoke in a calm voice. “Aye, this bairn will come out whether ‘tis a lad or a lassie. I can see the fine hairs on its head. It just takes hard work, Bella. Keep pushing. Loki, if you are determined to stay, you must help her.”

Help her? What in hell could he do for her? He said the first thing that popped into his mind. “Punch me all you want, Bella, but you will not die.” He leaned over her, offering her his shoulder. “Go ahead and hit me if ‘twill make you better. Do you hear me, wife? You will not leave me. You must be here to help me raise our bairn.” Once this fear had entered his mind, it would not leave him.

Moaning, Bella turned to him, her head falling back against the pillow. “Loki, I know you’re afraid I’ll do the same as your mother, but I’ll not leave our bairn any sooner than I’ll leave you. I’m staying. I’ve promised you many times that I will not abandon our son. But you must accept that we could have a wee lassie, too. Do not be upset if it is.” She growled again and squeezed Loki’s hand almost hard enough to break it.

“I do not care if ‘tis a lass or a laddie, you just have to promise me.”

Loki stared at the wee fighter he’d chosen as his wife. Bella was strong, he had to believe in her ability to do this. Why was it that he could stand tall against the worst of adversaries, but anything involving his wee wife made his gut churn and his head swirl?

“Bella’s strong, she’ll make it through,” his adopted mother said, reading his thoughts. “You’ll see she’ll be a wonderful mother to your children, every one of them.”

He glanced at Celestina, wondering what he would have been like without her guidance and love.

Bella broke his thoughts short when she gripped his hand to pull herself back up.

Aunt Caralyn said, “Bella, you’re almost there. Push hard, lass. I can see the bairn’s head.”

Helpless to do aught but encourage, Loki whispered through gritted teeth, “Push, Bella.”

Bella squeezed again, and with a whoosh, out came the wee one into Caralyn’s capable hands. Loki stared at the bairn, waiting to see if the babe was hale.

“What is it?” Bella said. “What is it?”

Caralyn and Celestina answered at the exact same moment, but Loki was too nervous to register what they said.

Loki turned to his wife. “Bella, you are all right? There’s naught wrong with you?”

Her gaze softened. “Husband, I’m fine. I will not be running down the staircase, but I’ll not be leaving you.” She cupped his cheek and tugged him closer for a kiss. “We have a son.”

“We do?” His eyes lit up as he stared at the small bundle being wrapped in a warm plaid. “A son? A laddie.”

Bella and Loki stared at their son until Caralyn set the babe into Bella’s arms. “Loki, he’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Loki leaned over to take in everything about this wee creature in front of him. As soon as he got near, the bairn opened his mouth and let out a bellow, startling Loki. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Naught is wrong. ‘Tis the sign of a strong bairn.” Celestina reached over to squeeze Loki’s shoulders. “Congratulations to both of you. I could not be happier.”

Loki stared at the babe in his wife’s arms.

“Loki, he looks like you,” Bella said as the babe swung his wee fist out toward his sire.

He couldn’t help but grin at the sight of his son’s fist, but then the babe flexed his fingers open. Loki put his finger next to his son’s, only to have him grasp on tight.

“He’s strong, Bella. Just like you. You did a fine job.”

Nothing would ever affect him more than this moment. This was their son, and he would do everything in his power to teach the laddie and love him the way parents should—the way his adopted parents had taught him. He leaned over to kiss his wife. “I love you, Bella.”

“I love you, too.” She kissed the top of their son’s head and fell back against the pillows, her eyes already fluttering shut.

“Bella?”

“Do not worry, Loki,” Caralyn whispered, “She had a tough labor, and she’s exhausted. Why do you not take your son downstairs to show him to everyone? Have you chosen a name?”

Loki shook his head. They’d decided they wished to wait and see their bairn before they chose a name. Caralyn picked up the babe, swaddled him tight again, and placed him in his father’s arms. “Go, while we clean Bella up. Your mother will help you with him. He seems quite content now.”

Loki headed down to the great hall and sat near the hearth while everyone stood around admiring the bairn. His mother rushed over to his father, who was anxious to see the babe.

“What’s his name, son?” Brodie asked.

“I’m not sure. We haven’t chosen one yet.” Loki continued to stare at the wee one’s face, and then the babe opened his eyes to stare up at him.

The front door of the Grant great hall flew open with a warm gust of wind and Kenzie scurried across the floor, only to come to a skidding halt in front of Loki.

Celestina said, “I better get the wee one another plaid to help against that wind.” She disappeared, presumably heading to the family’s tower rooms.

Kenzie scowled when he glanced at Loki and the wiggling bundle in his arms. “Loki? Is that your bairn you are holding?”

“Aye. This is our son and your new brother. Bella just gave me the greatest gift in the world. Does he not look like the strongest, most braw laddie you’ve ever seen?” Loki held him up so Kenzie could get a better look at him.

“Uhhh…why is his face all red and scrunched up? And he acts as if he wants to bellow. I think he wishes to punch someone with his wee fists.” He took two steps back in an apparent effort to find safety. “Are you sure he’s your bairn? He looks too small to be yours.”

Loki laughed at Kenzie’s questions. “All bairns are much the same when they are newly born.”

Brodie agreed. “But he’ll be a handsome lad, I can attest to that, Kenzie. You’ll see someday.”

The door opened again and Robbie Grant strode across the floor of the great hall, a priest following in his wake. Loki could hardly believe what his eyes were telling him. “Father Prestwick?”

The man hurried over to him and bowed in greeting. “I hope you do not mind, Loki, but you did issue the invitation, so I thought I would travel while the weather is warm.”

Just then, Celestina emerged carrying a small plaid for the bairn. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the Blackfriar standing next to Loki.

“Father Prestwick?”

Loki’s true sire turned to Celestina, who was now hurrying over to him. “Aye? May I be of assistance to you?”

Celestina’s eyes widened. “Oh my goodness, Loki looks quite a bit like you. Welcome to Clan Grant. Please sit down. You must be tired from your journey. I’ll find you something to drink.” She covered the bairn in the plaid and headed off to the kitchens.

Loki was suddenly overcome with conflicting feelings. How did he introduce his sire to his true sire? “Da, ummm…this is my true sire, Father Francis Prestwick. This is my sire, Brodie Grant.”

Kenzie jumped up and down. “Father, I’m so glad you came to visit us. On the morrow, I’ll show you everything here, though we’re just visiting, but ‘tis late now.”

“My thanks, Kenzie. I’ll just sit for a spell, if you do not mind.” He smiled at the group in front of him, then turned his attention back to Kenzie. “My, lad, but you’ve grown since I last saw you. They must have a fine cook here?”

Kenzie giggled and then froze, “Father, you must try one of Cook’s fruit tarts. They are the best ever.”

“You are happy here?”

Kenzie moved over and stood next to Loki, leaning in toward him. “Aye, I’m adopted now and I love my new clan.”

The group clustered around the fire, all switching their attention to the bairn in Loki’s hands.

Celestina returned with an ale for the priest and said, “Father, this is Loki’s son, our grandson and yours. He was newly born tonight.”

Loki relaxed now that he saw how accepting his parents were of the situation. “I’m glad you came, Father. I’d like to get to know you, and I’d like you to get to know your family better.”

Father Prestwick beamed. “I’d like that, as well. That’s a handsome babe you have in your arms there.”

Loki gazed at his sire, saw his mismatched eyes, and thought of his mother and all she’d suffered. How he wished he could remember more about her. At least now, he could get to know his father better. He also noticed that his son’s eyes were both blue.

Father Prestwick asked, “What have you named your bairn?”

Loki gave him a perplexed look. “We have not decided yet. I must go speak to Bella. Come with me, she would love to see you again, Father.”

***

Bella stepped cautiously, her hands on Maddie’s shoulder, making her way from the chair back to the changed bed.

“There you are,” Maddie said. “Do you not feel much better with a fresh gown on? We’ll get you back in bed so you can rest. What a fine son you have.”

“Many thanks, Lady Madeline.”

“Once we get you settled, I’ll get Loki to bring the bairn back up to you. Have you decided what you’d like to name him?”

Bella frowned as she thought back on all the names she and Loki had discussed. “We tried many times, but we just could not come up with the perfect name without having first seen the babe. Once he returns, we’ll discuss it.”

Once they had her in bed and covered with furs again, a knock sounded on the door. Loki entered carrying their bairn with Father Prestwick, Celestina, and Brodie trailing behind them. Caralyn motioned to Ashlyn and Maddie, and they all stepped out of the chamber to make room for the others.

“Good eve to you, my lady,” Father Prestwick said.

“Father? What a lovely surprise.” Bella glanced at her husband to see his reaction, but he seemed pleased. Brodie and Celestina both had genuine smiles on their faces, so she hoped Father Prestwick’s visit was acceptable to all.

“I apologize for the surprise at such a moment. I had no idea, but I confess that I am overjoyed to see the babe.”

Celestina pulled a stool out for him. “Father, please sit.” She sat in the chair next to him. “Bella, we’re all pleased to meet Father Prestwick, and he wished to give you his best wishes. I promise we will not tire you.”

“Aye, congratulations on your new bairn.” Brodie kissed her cheek.

“Father? Would you mind giving a wee blessing on our son?”

“Why, of course, lass. I’d be delighted.”

He took his place beside Loki and reached for the babe’s forehead, but then stopped. “What’s his name?”

He glanced at Loki, then at Bella, but neither spoke. Bella nodded at Loki, because she knew her husband and could see in his gaze that he had thought of the perfect name.

He leaned down to kiss her cheek, then gazed at the beautiful babe in his arms.

“Lucas. His name is Lucas.”

THE END

Novels by Keira Montclair

The Clan Grant Series

#
1-
RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER
-Alex and Maddie

#2-
HEALING A HIGHLANDER’S HEART
-Brenna and Quade

#3-
LOVE LETTERS FROM LARGS
- Brodie and Celestina

#4-
JOURNEY TO THE HIGHLANDS
-Robbie and Caralyn

#5-
HIGHLAND SPARKS
-Logan and Gwyneth

#6-
MY DESPERATE HIGHLANDER
-Micheil and Diana

#7-
THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE HIGHLANDS
-Jennie and Aedan

#8-
HIGHLAND HARMONY
-Avelina and Drew

The Highland Clan

#1-LOKI-Loki and Arabella

The Summerhill Series- Contemporary Romance

#1-
ONE SUMMERHILL DAY

#2-
A FRESH START FOR TWO

Regency

THE DUKE AND THE DRESSMAKER