Fraser 01 - Highland Legacy (25 page)

Fallon placed her hand on Cailin’s shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. “He may be small now, but he’ll grow quickly. I’m guessing that he’ll be as tall as his da, and just as handsome. But let’s hope he does not grow up to be as stubborn as the rest of the Fraser men.”

Andrew let out a loud cry, as if in protest, and Connor laughed. “My son is hungry, a true Fraser.” He held out his arms. “Give the lad to me. Fallon has arranged for a woman from the village to feed and care for him.”

“Nay. I dinna want a nursemaid for my son.” She clutched the babe against her breast.

Connor frowned, and stroked his hand across the lad’s silken hair. “It is common place for the wife of a laird to have a wet-nurse tend her bairns. You need to rest and regain your strength.”

“I wish to nurse my own babe. He will know my voice, my touch, my scent, and my love. When he cries, I will be the one who comforts him. I dinna have that with my mother, and our bairn will not suckle the teat of a stranger.” Cailin slid her night rail off her shoulder and brought the babe to breast. He latched on right away.

“He takes after his da,” Connor boasted.

“Men!” both women said in unison.

A knock at the door caught everyone’s attention. “Who is it?” Fallon called out.

The door opened. “Can an uncle come in and offer his congratulations?” Bryce strolled across the room and stopped at the foot of the bed. “I’d also like to borrow my brother for a while, if that is all right with you, m’lady. Alasdair has opened a jug of our finest whisky and wishes to offer a toast to the wee laddie.”

Cailin held the babe to breast, his blanket of plaid providing for her privacy. “Go. Once Andrew is fed, I plan to take a nap.”

“I’ll only be gone a short while, and then I’ll join you.” Connor leaned down and kissed her passionately.

“Don’t you think it is a bit early to start working on another babe? Mayhap you should wait a while.” Bryce’s boisterous laugh echoed in the chamber.

“On the contrary. I’m hoping for a daughter next spring,” Connor announced and stole another brief kiss. “What say you, wife?”

“I think it sounds wonderful.” She lifted the babe to her shoulder and patted his back.

Fallon steered Bryce toward the door. “Let’s leave them be. They might like a minute alone before you steal Connor away. I’ll not take any arguments,” she said firmly, and pushed him out of the room. “If you need anything, we’ll be out in the hall.” With that said, she closed the door behind her.

Connor slid his arm around Cailin’s shoulders and pulled her against his chest. He placed a kiss atop Andrew’s head of raven curls. The babe crinkled his nose and his dark brows knit together in a frown. When he wrapped his tiny fingers around his father’s thumb, any doubt Connor had left about family, love, and commitment dissolved instantly. Cailin and Andrew were his life and his future. He planned to spend the rest of his days protecting them...loving them.

“Are you happy, wife?”

“Aye, husband. I am the happiest woman in Scotland. I never dreamed I would marry a man who loved me as much as I loved him. I never thought I would have a babe and a place to call home.” She took his hand and brought it to her cheek. “I have all those things and more. My life is complete.”

“And mine,
liuadhe.
” He glanced down at Andrew. “The lad has blue eyes.”

“All babes have blue eyes. I hope when he is grown, they’ll be a beautiful brown like his father’s. I fell in love with them the first time we met.” Cailin gently touched her husband’s cheek.

“On that same day, I fell madly in love with his mother.”