Page 110 of Hold Fast

“Verra well. Ewan, repeat after me….”

Ewan rubbed her back as he repeated after Father Brian.

I take you to be my wife.

I pledge to you the faithfulness of my body and the loyalty of my heart.

I will keep you in sickness and in health and in whatever condition you find yourself.

I shall nae forsake or exchange you for better or worse until the end.

Una spoke the same vows quickly, hurrying through the words while she was in between birthing pains, his hand on top of hers with their fingers laced. Once Father Brian pronounced them husband and wife, Ewan bent down and kissed Una, pressing his lips to hers and tasting the saltiness of both of their sweat and tears. But as soon as he stood, Father Brian began to gently pull him from the room.

“Nay,” Ewan growled, wrestling his arm away from the old priest, “I will stay with her.”

“It is nae done, m’laird,” Fiona said gently. “I promise you that we shall take the verra best care of her.”

Ewan struggled but felt more hands on him and turned to see Kenneth. His brother nodded and tilted his head toward the door.

“Una,” Ewan called out, his voice ragged and hollow. “Hold fast, mo ghraidh.”

“Dinnae fash, Ewan. You’re stuck with me now,” Una replied, in a moment of alarming calm, as Fenella began unlacing Una’s bloody gown.

The door closed, shutting her away from him. He turned and saw his brothers in the hall. Rabbie sat with his back against the wall, his elbows resting on his bent knees, his head in his hands. Connor sat next to him, fidgeting with his plaid. Angus paced, scowling. Father Brian stepped around Ewan and Kenneth, bowed his head, and said, “If you need me, m’laird, I shall be in the Hall. I suspect that Lady Una’s father will be relieved to know that I have nae given last rites.”

Ewan nodded and began his own pacing. Angus moved further down the corridor to give him room. On the other side of the door, Ewan heard the women speaking muffled words of encouragement, weaving over and around Una’s cries and groans.

Time crawled by, and just as Ewan was prepared to break down the door, a sharp, little cry pierced the air. Rabbie and Connor scrambled to their feet, broad smiles on their faces. Even Angus, perpetually scowling, had an awed look on his face.

Ewan’s fingers shook as he reached for the door handle. The last time he had entered this room following the cry of a newborn baby, the floor had been drenched with blood, the bedclothes a brilliant red, and his mother had lost all color as she lay dying on the sheets.

“It will be well, Ewan,” Kenneth said softly, without any of the teasing behind which he normally hid. He placed a reassuring hand on Ewan’s shoulder.

Ewan swallowed thickly against the lump in his throat. His eyes burned, his muscles shook. But he could wait no longer. With a deep breath, he eased open the heavy door, prepared to see the very worst.

The sight that greeted him, however, was not at all what he expected. Fiona bustled about the foot of the bed, gathering soiled linens. Fenella stoked the fire with brisk efficiency. And Cat fluffed pillows behind Una’s back. They were so quiet. So calm. Sonormal.

Finally, his eyes traveled up the bed, and he saw Una.

My wife,he thought.

She lay propped up on pillows, a blanket drawn up to her chest. Peeking out from beneath the blanket, he saw a tiny head covered with hair as dark as Una’s. He took a staggering step forward and saw the baby blinking and rubbing its small face against Una’s skin, squirming and squeaking.

“Come,” Una said with a weary smile, patting the mattress beside her. “Meet your daughter.”

“My daughter,” Ewan repeated as the air rushed from his body. He stumbled to the bed, speechless. He hesitated a moment before reaching out a shaking, scarred hand to touch the downy, soft head.

“She willnae bite, Ewan. Come closer,” Una teased in a soft voice.

Ewan gently climbed onto the bed, curling his big body around Una and resting his head on her shoulder. Hesitantly, he ran one finger down the baby’s spine, feeling the softness of her skin. Una shifted the baby to her breast and crooned to her as she latched. Ewan counted her toes and marveled at how, only minutes old, he could already recognize his feet on the babe.

“Are you both well, Una?” he whispered, mesmerized.

“Aye. Right as rain. Tired and hungry enough to eat something your size, but Fenella said she would fix me up straightaway.”

Fenella chuckled from the doorway. “Aye, my sweet. I’ll be back shortly with a tray of your favorites.”

She left with Fiona on her heels. Cat stood by the fire, her eyes bright with tears and a smile stretching wide across her face. “Isnae she wonderful, Ewan? She’s perfect.”