Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Call me Stephen," he spoke gently, letting her free of his embrace. "My arrival must be a surprise to you. My wife Jessibelle will be close behind me along with my main force of men. We've come to offer our blades to stop Sarah and put a proper leader in the halls of Wick Keep." The mention of his daughter clearly hurt him, but he pushed it aside. "Too long have we sat aside and grieved for Cassie while doing nothing to end the threat that took her. For the sake of closure and peace for ourselves and Inverness, we want to join with Brogan."

He then chuckled and added, "And we missed Annie."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You wish to help us even thought I might mean the death of your daughter?” Julia asked softly as he set her free and started to pace the length of the room. “Stephen, that is very generous of you, but I must say that it is also a bit shocking. We cannot ask you to participate in this.”

She paused as he chuckled and announced that he missed Annie. She could see the deep sadness in his eyes, the want and need to see his granddaughter as well as the fury that his eldest daughter had brought upon him. She let out a little sigh, knowing that she couldn’t tell a grieving father what to do.

“I’m sure that Brogan will welcome extra men in this fight.” She said softly, giving him a slight smile. “And Annie will love to see the both of you. She is such a bright and charming little girl, most definitely a great testament to you and your wife for raising her so well.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you, sweetheart," he smiled, but he sighed, then nodded, "I will fight. Sarah has gone too far... I always knew she wanted Brogan, but... using Arland Wick and taking over after his death with the intent to destroy Inverness? I can't allow that. Knowing her, the only lives she might spare will be Brogan and Annie and yours, but she won't make your life any kind of easy."

 

[heartofcourage]

“We will not allow that to happen. Brogan intends to end this fight once and for all.” Julia said softly as Stephen told her that the fight would not be an easy one. “But enough talk of that for now. If you would like some refreshments, I will take you to Lady Katherine’s chambers and you can relax from your journey.”

Julia lead the way out of the library and towards Kitty’s chambers, opening the door for him and allowing him to enter first. All eyes were on him and soon smiles abounded all around. Kayla looked at Stephen for a long moment shyly, the girl more reserved than her twin and the rest of the Ghis children. She glanced down at the sleeping Ciaran before she found her voice to speak.

“It is good to see you, Stephen. Is Christopher with you today?” She asked in her soft voice, wondering if the captain of his guard was there. She had always been smitten with the young, strong and handsome man, but entirely too shy to let him know her feelings.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll be around soon enough," Stephen answered with a knowing smile. "He's escorting my wife."

Kitty rose and hugged the man tightly as if he were her brother. He might as well have been. "You're a sight fer sore eyes, m'dear," she smiled up at him.

"As are you, milady. If you don't mind my mentioning... you look much healthier than last I saw you."

"Tha's thanks t'my husband," she smiled back to Vincenzo. "I don' know how 'e did it, but 'e cured me o' my sickness."

"Then I owe him my heartfelt gratitude. The world just wasn't the same without Kitty up and around like she used to be," Stephen shook Vincenzo's hand gladly. "You must be Valentina's father."

After all the reunions and introductions were made, they all settled into calm conversation until Marri soon arrived with her children and Annie. Stephen turned about and tears nearly filled his eyes when he saw her. "Annie, my love," he knelt and pulled her into a tight embrace.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Papa!” Annie gasped in surprised as she was suddenly held tightly in her grandfather’s embrace, the little girl’s smile so luminous that it was clear she was happy with the little reunion. “I’m so glad you’re here, Papa.”

Julia felt a tight little knot appear in her throat. She was devastated that her own son would not enjoy that kind of relationship with her family. It pained her to think back on everything that she had lost simply because she was not wanted. Still, Ciaran would get as much love from all the people in that room then he could ever imagine.

“Papa! You have to see my baby brother.” Annie suddenly exclaimed, wiggling down from his arms to show off the little baby that Kayla held so carefully as he slumbered. “His name is Ciaran. He’s such a good baby too. He lets me hold him and Mummy lets me help with changing him.”

Annie couldn’t help running her tiny hand through Ciaran’s soft dark curls and the little baby scrunched his face at the intrusion, fussing as he turned his head the other way. “Annie, love, let’s leave him sleeping. The more he sleeps the stronger he’ll be.” Julia said softly, knowing that her step-daughter was so excited.

 

[KieranSoares]

Stephen chuckled, sweeping Annie up in his arms, "I knew you'd make a wonderful sister." He smiled down at the boy and then kissed Annie's forehead. "Nana should be here any minute," he knew she'd always called Jessibelle by that name. "Let's go out and meet her, hm? I think it's possible she might've missed you the most."

Indeed, outside Christopher Callaghan approached, riding alongside Lady Jessibelle as ever. He'd always been her guardian.

 

[heartofcourage]

All of the Ghis that were able to were soon outside the keep, watching as the small procession brought the Lady Jessibelle to Inverness. At the head was the strong and handsome Christopher Callaghan and Julia noticed the way that sweet Kayla blushed and looked towards the ground as he passed by. Julia greeted the Jessibelle, welcoming her to Inverness just before Annie swept from her grandfather’s arms and held her grandmother so tightly.

“Nana! I’ve missed you.” She said, tears in her little eyes as she held the women that she loved so dearly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Jessibelle, or Jessie as she asked them all to call her, fell to her knees, not caring about the snow, to hug her dear granddaughter that she'd raised for so long and had to part with not too long ago. "Annie, my sweet," she whispered, letting her own tears fall. "Oh, darling, I've missed you." She sat back on her knees to look Annie over, then she looked up as Christopher came to her side with a satchel. She reached into the satchel and pulled out one of Annie's favorite books of fairytales. "You forgot this in the parlor, sweetheart," she smiled to the little girl.

 

[heartofcourage]

“My fairytales! See, Mummy, I told you I had a book of them.” Annie said, holding her book tightly to her chest as she looked towards Julia with a grin.

“I never doubted you for a moment, my little love.” She said with a smile, resting her hand on Annie’s straight black hair. At the sound of Ciaran’s little cries of discomfort, Julia knew they had spent too much time outdoors.

“Shall we all retire to the Great Hall? I will have the cook make us a meal.” Julia said, playing the perfect hostess as she took her crying son from Kayla, leaving the young girl with the frightened look of a deer alone in a meadow.

 

[KieranSoares]

Jessie rose, dusting snow from her dress, "That would be lovely, dear... Christopher," she looked to her guardian with a smile, "I believe someone's been waiting to see you." She glanced secretly at Kayla with a smile, making Christopher swallow hard and look at the ground.

"Yes, milady. I'll... be in soon."

With that, the group left, all but Kayla and Christopher. The strong Captain summoned his courage quickly and stood straight and tall, looking at Kayla as if fearless. "Lady Kayla," he spoke strongly. He only hoped his nerves and lack of courage didn't show behind the façade.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla brought her eyes to his after an eternity, her cheeks instantly flushing red as the Captain looked down at her with such a fearless look upon his face. She swallowed heavily, wishing that she were brave like her sister and her sister-in-laws.

“Captain Callaghan.” She said softly, nearly curtseying to him in her nervousness. “You are looking well.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"... As are you, milady. As... As beautiful as ever." He tried so hard not to stutter in fear of being alone with her. He came forward and offered her his arm with a fake confidence. He was always a gentleman to her, as entirely overwhelmed as he was by her beauty and presence. He'd never let it on... He looked war in the face for God's sake! Why was he afraid of looking a fool in front of a woman?

 

[heartofcourage]

“Thank you, sir.” She said softly, smiling and blushing deeply as he stepped forward and offered her his arm. She gladly took it, her hand shaking and cold as she looked up into his handsome features. “I am very glad that you came.”

She lowered her gaze then, unable to look at him as she made her admission of how happy she was to see him. Once inside the Great Hall with all of its laughter and warmth, Kayla suddenly felt overwhelmed. She didn’t like the knowing looks of her family or the secret little smiles that followed her when she was with Christopher. She simply wanted to enjoy his company without anyone else intruding. Still, as he guided her to her seat, she took it dutifully and stared at the surface of the table.

Julia tried her hardest not to laugh at her beautiful sister-in-law. She had never seen someone so painfully shy yet so in love at the same time. It seemed that the Captain was nearly the same way around her.

 

[KieranSoares]

In the Great Hall, a small impromptu feast was being held by the cooks to welcome family and come together in a moment of happiness before war, and music was being played to accompany. As the doors soon opened to the entry of the Keep's lord, many people called greetings. Despite the seriousness of all around them, Brogan couldn't help a warm laugh, which was deepened by the sight of Stephen and Jessie. He came and gladly greeted them before settling in his usual seat beside Julia, kissing her hand with a smile. "Wha's all this about, darlin'?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia smiled as her husband settled next to her and after he had kissed her hand, she leaned across the way and kiss his cheek gently. Little Ciaran cooed at the sight of his father and the infant couldn’t be handed off fast enough. Little hands clenched tightly in his father’s long hair, pulling with the might of a baby before a little squeal of joy issued from their boy.

“Stephen has brought his army to offer you help in the fight against Wick.” She said softly, smiling at her son as he obviously adored his father. “And Jessie needed to see Annie.”

Glancing around at their family, it was obvious that everyone was in good spirits. Soon Emma arrived with her twins in tow, her swollen belly not slowing her down. She settled at Boar’s side, grinning at him as his large hand covered her belly and she gave him a sweet kiss. Kayla and Christopher were both doing their best to ignore one another, each too shy to do anything more than look and then look away.

“I think your sister is sweet on the Captain.” Julia whispered against her husband’s ear softly as not to draw attention to the young couple.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know she is," Brogan grinned, then chuckled, "Watch this." He rose then, calling to the musicians, "Lads! Would ya mind playin' Kayla's favorite song?"

"O' course, m'keng!" One called back, and they struck up a fine Irish tune, one that was a favorite of Kayla and Christopher.

Christopher looked to Kayla, and he knew that when he heard that song, all he could think of was his first dance with Kayla in Ireland when they'd somehow gotten paired up. He rose, summoning all the steely courage he had. "Lady Kayla... would ya care ta dance?" His Irish accent came through accidentally and he quickly stifled it. It sounded beautiful with his voice.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla shot her brother a dark look as he told the band to strike up her favorite tune and soon Christopher was offering her his hand, asking if she would like to dance. She looked up at him in surprise and with rosy cheeks she nodded and took his hand, allowing him to pull her into the dance.

Julia laughed softly and smile as she looked at her husband. “That is a rotten things to do, love.” She said softly, kissing his cheek against as Ciaran tried to follow and only succeeded in nibbling sloppily on his father’s chin.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hey, you," Brogan laughed at Ciaran, kissing his forehead. "Love, yer givin' 'im ideas." He rose then and smiled to his son, "I'll be back soon, lad, gonna go dance with yer pretty Ma, aye?" He laid Ciaran in Kitty's arms and took Julia's hand, bidding her follow, and Durban left his infant son to a willing Boar so he could dance with Marri too. Several other couples joined, but Kayla and Christopher were clearly the leaders, being the finest dancers and most familiar with the song.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia smiled as she looked up into her husband’s handsome face, seeing joy there where it had been filled with gloomy thoughts. She kissed him gently as they danced, her head resting against his broad chest as she allowed herself to simply relax and enjoy the moment without all the bad thoughts that had plagued her lately. It was heaven, she thought to herself.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the song came to an end, Christopher had become lost in Kayla's eyes, and he took her hands, speaking for her ears only, "Lady Kayla... will you come walk with me...?" He was visibly afraid she'd say no.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla looked into Christopher’s eyes and she gave him a shy smile, nodding her consent to go on a walk with him. “I would like that, Captain.” She said softly, taking his arm once again as he escorted her out of the hall and into the brisk winter air.

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher escorted her outside, walking tall and straight as always. He was quite an impressive officer, one that even Scots could respect. As they went along a path cut through the snow, he searched for something to say to her. They paused under a tall oak tree and he sighed quietly, "I'm afraid I just never know what to say to you... I always seem to lose all power of speech around you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla smiled softly at Christopher’s words. She looked up at him as he told her that he always seemed to lose all power of speech around her. She could say the same of him. She blushed and looked around the barren, snowy landscape.

“Well, I must say that I enjoy seeing you again, Captain.” She said softly, timidly but with growing comfort. “It was a surprise but a welcome one. I had only just returned home to Inverness to help care for the wounded that are surely to come from the battle.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I hope, then, that you shall not have to see me among the wounded," Christopher kissed her hand, and he tried to gather his courage once more, at least to tell her a small piece of what he felt in her presence. But just before he could, a rather large pack of snow fell from the tree, directly on his head, covering his hair and shoulders with snow but leaving Kayla untouched. He laughed brightly, brushing snow off his sleeves.