Page 76 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

“Are ye?”

The question was so sincere that it took Liam aback. “Aye,” he said quietly. “Aye, I am. I am happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Good,” Ron said. “I’m happy, too. Out with ye, noo. Go see yer wife and yer bairns.”

“Amelia threw me out of the room,” Liam said. “Yer wife is verra cruel.”

“Yer sister is cruel. Me wife is lovely,” Ron teased. “Then go train or run around the castle. Ye look like ye’re about to explode.”

Liam couldn’t deny it. His leg was bouncing uncontrollably while his hands fidgeted with the fabric of his shirt, just for something to do. With a nod, he stood up, drained the last of his wine, and exited the room, fully intending to go to the training grounds for some practice, thinking it would be good to get rid of all the tension.

Instead, he found himself going back to Muriel’s room. He pressed his ear against the door; listening carefully for a short while before opening the door and slipping inside.

Everything was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos earlier. Muriel was the only one in the room and Liam could hear her soft, steady breathing; a sign that she was in a deep sleep. Liam approached the bed and rolled under the covers next to her, taking up as little space as possible. He slid his arm under her head, letting it rest on his shoulder, and then just stared at her; amazed at how beautiful she looked even after giving birth.

“Liam,” Muriel whispered, eyes fluttering open.

“Did I wake ye? Forgive me,” Liam said; leaning down to press a kiss on Muriel’s forehead. “I didnae want to disturb ye.”

“It’s alright,” Muriel assured him. “I wanted to talk to ye anyway.”

“About what?”

“Weel… we havenae picked any names for the bairns yet,” Muriel reminded him.

“That’s right,” Liam said, having completely forgotten about that in the process. “Hmm… for the lassie, what do ye think of Ailis?”

Muriel’s eyes widened at the suggestion, a smile spreading over her lips. “Really?” she asked. “Aye, I like that. Me maither will like it, too.”

“Where is yer maither?” Liam asked. He didn’t think that she would have missed the birth of her grandchildren but he hadn’t seen her anywhere.

“She came while ye were gone,” Muriel said. “If she had only stayed in the castle as I wanted her to, she wouldnae have missed it.”

Ailis had insisted on having her own little house outside of the castle when they all arrived in Argyll all those months before. Muriel had asked her to stay at the castle several times but Ailis was too used to having her own little place to live there. Still, she came there every day to see her daughter.

“Perhaps noo that the bairns are born, she’ll change her mind,” Liam said.

“Och aye,” Muriel said. “She’s already told me that she is movin’ in. She cannae spend any time away from the bairns, she said.”

Liam couldn’t help but laugh at Muriel’s exasperation. He was glad that his children were loved so much already. He knew they would be raised surrounded by love in their small world.

“What about the laddie, then?” Liam asked.

“Hmm… how about Ron?” Muriel said. “I ken how much he means to ye.”

“Ron,” Liam said, nodding slowly. “I certainly hope the only thing he takes from him is his name.”

Muriel rolled her eyes at him but then she laughed; slapping his chest gently. “Ye love yer best friend. I ken ye do.”

Liam neither confirmed nor denied it but he knew Muriel’s words to be true. Ron had been there for him his whole life. No matter what happened, he always had his back.

And Liam couldn’t think of a better person for his son to take after.

“Ron and Ailis Russell McAlpine,” Liam said. “I like it.”

“Me too,” Muriel said; cuddling closer to him. Only moments later, she was asleep once more and Liam smiled softly at her sight; caressing her cheek with his thumb as she slept.

He stayed awake watching her, waiting for her to wake up once more in case she needed something. Besides, he didn’t think he could ever be apart from her again – even for a few minutes. He wanted her and the children close, where he could protect them. Where he could look at them and know just how lucky of a man he was.

The luckiest man in the world.