Page 40 of The Best of Madeline Grant

He’d seen that same smile the day he married her, the day she’d struggled to bring Elizabeth into the world, and the day she sat by his side on the cold ground after he took a sword wound that nearly killed him. Love wasn’t a strong enough word to express his feelings for this woman. After all these years, he knew exactly what that smile meant—she was worried about all that was upon them. Their first three bairns were about tobecome parents, and she feared something would go wrong. He headed up the stairs to give her what comfort he could.

When he reached her side, she gave a slight nod. “I think ’twill be today, Alex.”

He noticed the tear in the corner of his tender-hearted wife’s eye. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet, eliciting the same squeal he’d heard from her many times before. He planted a kiss on her lips, wondering how she could taste more delicious every day. The small roar in the hall beneath them didn’t stop him, but he gave in to her sensibilities as he always did, knowing that when he glanced at her, he would see the deep blush covering her face and traveling down her neck. He slid her back down his body and she whispered, “Alex, they’re all watching.” He let out a small Grant war whoop and clapped his hands together.

He turned to lean over the balcony railing and shouted for all to hear, “Aye! Two in one day.” He couldn’t help but lift his gaze to the rafters, a small prayer chanting in his mind to keep all healthy on this momentous day.

Or would it be on the morrow?

He really didn’t care.

Maddie said, “I must go back inside. You’ll not be offended that Kyla does not want you at her side?”

He spun back around, his eyes wide and his jaw open. “Nay, I’ll not be in there.” He made his way back down the staircase, enjoying the sight of all hisclanntogether.

Quade asked, “Do you think they’ll both have them today?”

Alex snorted. “Mayhap they will. The healers have a way of knowing, but I surely don’t.” Who would have known that the wee woman he’d brought back to his clan so many years ago could have brought him such joy? They’d been blessed so many times over the years and would soon count even more blessings. Today or the morrow, he did not care.

The group in the hall spread out as more and more people arrived to celebrate.

Brodie and Celestina.

Nicol, Finlay’s sire.

Fergus and Davina.

As soon as Finlay heard that his brother had come, he flew down the stairs to greet him. Jamie heard their voices, so he joined them down below, leaving his wife for a spell.

And so the bragging and taunting began.

Jamie started. “You just could not let it be, could you, Finlay? Did you sit on Kyla’s belly or something? We’re having the first laddie. Tell her she can take her time with the lassie. No reason to hurry.” He did his best to appear calm, but his sudden need to pace took over. He started a small path near the staircase, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

“You think I would do that to your sister?” Finlay barked. “I’d knock you out, Grant, if not for the fact your wife is about to deliver. You’re pacing because Kyla will have our lad first. See if I’m not telling the truth.” His hands settled on his hips and he leaned forward, nearly touching his friend each time Jamie paced past him.

“Just not another word, Finlay,” Jamie barked.

Robbie grinned at Alex and Brodie. “We can sit here by the hearth and watch this show for days. Wait until Jake shows up, then they’ll really get going.”

The three brothers pulled a few chairs away from the hearth and turned them to face the two new fathers-to-be, wide grins on their faces.

“Promises to be great entertainment, I say,” Alex bellowed. The bickering had continued, unabated by all of the not-so-subtle observers. “We could start wagering. Bring out the coin, lads, if you’re so certain of the outcome.”

Brodie helped Celestina into a chair while he chatted with his two brothers. “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. Celestina kept telling me to slow down, but I couldn’t. Look at Nicol.”

Nicol, soon to be a grandpapa, paced behind Finlay, chewing on a thumbnail and glancing up at the door to Kyla’s chamber every once in a while.

To everyone’s surprise, Jake came barreling out of the tower chamber entrance to the hall, his usual sleeping chamber, carrying Aline cradled in his arms. Aunt Jennie followed him out.

The entire group stopped to stare. Jennie hurried over to kiss Alex on the cheek. “Oh, dear brother, this is quite a day for you.” She chuckled and patted his shoulder as he stared in excitement at Aline. Jennie reached up to close his mouth. “She’s a wee bit closer than Caralyn thought. It could be three bairns born on this day.”

Roddy said, “I thought she was sick for the last moon.”

His father chuckled. “Had to keep the secret, lad, though ’twasn’t easy.”

Jennie laughed. “Nay, Aline was just carrying a big belly around that she was doing her best to hide in large gowns.”

Jake grinned at his brother and Finlay. “We only kept her in hiding so we wouldn’t have to listen to you two. ’Twas her choice to stay away from both of you over the last moon. But I could not be more pleased we handled it this way and no one suspected. We’ll see who has the first laddie.” He carried his wife up the stairs, his shoulders squared, and his deep laugh echoed across the hall.