A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 18.3

Alrightie darlings! The final installment of chapter 18! Thanks for sticking with us! I’m pretty sure @outlandishchridhe and I had this part written before Fergus had even been born. It’s been sitting in our ‘written ideas’ doc for AGES and now we can FINALLY share it with you!! Buckle up because it’s a steamy one!

Catch up on 18.1 HERE and 18.2 HERE

Previously…

She let out a deep breath of relief and leaned against him. He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close, glad they’d talked this out.

“It’s so quiet,” she whispered, afraid to break the spell.

“It is,” he replied equally as soft. “I could give Murtagh a ring and get him back if ye miss the noise s’much,” he continued, laughing softly, knowing without looking that the look on his wife’s face would be one of disdain.

Her head lifted and she pulled his face so she could look through her lashes at him. She had the most beautiful eyes, like the depths of the ocean, mysterious and fathomless.

“Perhaps another time. I think I owe him a proper apology, but I’m enjoying our time alone.”

“Aye,” he said, hooking one finger under her chin, stopping her from laying her head back on his shoulder. “So am I.”

Her kiss was soft, gentle, and hungry. There was a hint of vegetables on her tongue, making him smile as he recognized the flavor of cucumbers. They hadn’t kissed like this in weeks, usually only a quick peck here and there while one of them tended the bairn.

But that bairn was asleep and there wasn’t another soul drifting around the apartment. They were as alone as they’d ever be and he planned to take advantage of it. By unspoken agreement, they moved further onto the bed, Claire laying down on her back as she pulled Jamie above her.

“If I recall,” he said, sliding his hand beneath her shirt. “You promised me anything I wanted if I got Murtagh to go and kept wee Fergus home.”

“I was hoping you’d forget about that.”

“No’ a chance,” he laughed huskily, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Slowly, teasingly, he began kissing down her neck, tugging her sweats down with him.

“Really?” she asked, glancing at him with a quirked eyebrow. “That’s what you’re doing first?”

“Never heard ye complain about it before. And besides, I believe I ha’ a debt to repay if I’m no’ mistaken.” She smiled widely.

“Oh that’s not a complaint, I just thought-”

He didn’t need to hear what she thought. All he needed to hear was her wee squeaks and groans as he tasted her.

“Ye ken,” he said a moment later, pushing her thighs apart so he could breathe. “Some women shave or wax their honey pot?”

“How the hell would you know that?” she asked, chest heaving.

“I heard talk, from some of the women in the show, but also from the lads I used to work wi’.”

Forcing her eyes open, she looked down at him.

“And why, exactly, are you thinking about shaved honeypots right now?”

His tongue darted out and she flinched.

“Weel… It’s only I’m glad yers isna. I think it’s verra sexy to keep ye as natural as can be.”

“W-would you rather I s-stop shaving my legs too?”

Enjoying himself too much, he delayed answering for a little while.

“I think I’d leave that to you,” he said as he caught his breath. “I think you’re verra beautiful anyway, that would only make ye better.”

“You really want me to walk around with gorilla legs?!”

“I said,” he breathed the scent of her arousal deeply. “I’d leave it to you.”

He cut off whatever her next statement was by burying his face between her legs. She filled each of his senses until they nearly overloaded, but he didn’t stop until she was shaking.

“Jamie, please,” she begged. “I need you inside me.”

“Oh I’m no’ done yet. Just be patient, mo chridhe.”

She groaned and tried to roll onto her side, but he kept her pinned down.

“Oh, fuck me,” she complained.

“I promise I will. But it’s been some time since I made love to ye properly and I’m gonna take my time about it, aye?”

“You dirty Scottish bastard. You’re torturing me on purpose.”

Pulling himself up, he turned her face to his and kissed her deeply.

“Ye sound surprised, Sassenach.”

“I’m not. Not when I promised you anything, which I now regret.” She took a steadying breath. “Well… Maybe I’m a little surprised.”

He gave her a reproachful look and clicked his tongue at her.

“Thought ye kent me verra weel by now.”

He bit gently on the side of her neck while one hand moved slowly down her stomach.

“I do. Which is why I thought you’d want the back way with my ‘sweet round arse’ in the air.”

She’d tried to mimic his accent which only made her sound silly. He smiled into her neck, releasing the skin for a moment.

“I’ll work my way there. But how can I no’ worship the body that carried and delivered my son? My first born? How can I rush loving you when I’ve no’ been blessed wi’ the ability in so long?”

“My. God. You’re such a romantic! Where’s the crazed passionate knight I knew only a few months ago?”

“He’s waiting. Now hush, Sassenach. Can ye no’ see I’m busy?”

Returning to the faint red spot on her neck, he dipped his free hand between her legs. She was slick and sensitive from his attentions already and it didn’t take long for her to start whimpering. The way her moans got louder nearly drove him into a frenzy. But he’d meant it when he’d said he would take his time with her.

Watching as her face contorted in her pleasure, he captured her lips just before her cry released. One of her hands let go of the quilt she’d been gripping and instead took hold of his hair, pulling him harder against her. His scalp stung and he felt a few hairs pop free.

He could feel her heart thundering in her chest as he kissed the valley between her breasts. Sweat covered her pale body and he longed to taste every bit of it. Her hand shook as she combed her fingers through his hair.

“Are you… ever going to make love to me properly?” she asked, breathless.

Looking down at her, he gave her his best ‘you canna be serious’ face.

“Do ye really think, after all this, that my balls are’na aching something fierce? Or that my cock isna throbbing painfully?”

“If it’s so bad, darling,” she said too sweetly. “Perhaps you should do something about it.”

Both blue eyes glittered at him, filled with lust and longing.

“Perhaps,” he said, pulling her up with him as he got to his knees. “I just might.”

“Finally!” she moaned loudly, eyes raging with lust.

Arms tight around her, he kissed her for a long while. One of her arms wrapped around his neck while the other snuck between his legs and stroked him slowly. Before long, she had his hips rocking in time with her strokes and she smiled against his lips.

“Still throbbing?”

“No’ for long.”

Reaching down, he grabbed the backs of her thighs and pulled her legs around him, which forced her onto her back again. She was smiling and giggling up at him and he prepared himself to finally have her again. But then he stopped.

“Oh for Christ’s sake, Jamie!” she yelled when he hopped suddenly off the bed. “What the bloody hell is wrong with you?!”

“Safety first, my lady,” he said, digging in the nightstand drawer for a condom.

They hadn’t needed to use one for some time, with her being pregnant. But now that she’d given birth, they had to be careful again.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I’m no’ sure if you remember, Sassenach. But something happened that first time we had unprotected sex. I just canna seem to recall exactly what that was…”

“You’re a cruel man, James Fraser.”

Her glare intensified as he opened the foil wrapper slowly.

“I told ye I’d take my time.”

“And if you take your time any slower, I’m going to finish without you and make you watch.”

Rolling the condom on, he smirked at her.

“Perhaps another time, Sassenach. I think it would be interesting to watch ye pleasure yourself.”

“Interesting?”

“Aye. I ken my way round your honeypot pretty well by now, but I think I’d enjoy seeing what ye do wi’ it yourself.”

Eyes narrowing, she began to run her left hand down her body, her ring catching in the silver moonlight.

“Keep talking and you’ll find out.”

“I said another time,” he growled, crawling above her. “No’ now.”

Pushing her hand away, he nudged her legs apart and guided himself home. God almighty, he thought. If she was any hotter, she’d burn him on contact. A choked groan of pleasure escaped him at the same time as her sigh.

“Yes,” she said in a dreamy voice. “Much better.”

As much as his aching balls told him to ride her hard, he moved slowly instead. For one thing, he was still aware that his son was asleep only a few feet away. For another, he didn’t need Claire’s screams to wake the boy and force them to end early. Above all else, though, he didn’t want to hurt her. This was their first time after she’d delivered Fergus and he was aware it could sometimes be painful or uncomfortable. That had been the other part of him teasing her for so long. Claire thought he’d stopped reading the blog he’d found online, now that their son had been born. But he wanted to be able to care for her as best he could, so he’d continued reading and absorbing the information. Hopefully he’d done his job and it wouldn’t hurt her too much.

So he loved her slowly, tenderly. Her hips lifted to meet his in their gentle rocking. Each time he was fully inside her, he felt her relax a little more. The tension in her legs released little by little, her fingers stopped digging into his shoulder and buttocks. When her breath caught and she made a tiny sound, he thought he’d pushed too hard and hurt her.

“Are ye alright, a nighean?”

“Yes! Yes I’m alright.”

“I didna hurt ye?”

“No. No you didn’t hurt me one bit. Actually, I think you could move a little more now and I’ll be fine.”

He searched her eyes for a moment to be sure she wasn’t saying that for his sake. Deciding she was ready, he let his body rock a little harder. Still, he was careful to not let it go too far. The last thing he wanted was to damage her.

She’d been right, she was ready for it. As soon as he’d picked up his pace, she began to shudder and squeak the way she usually did. All his teasing earlier ensured this would not be a long night for either of them, but it would be enough. He pulled himself up just enough to watch her full breasts bounce in response to his thrusts.

Her eyes opened slowly and she met his gaze.

“I love you,” she said in a strong voice. “I love you.”

Fire erupted in his veins and he lost all sense of reality. Nothing in the world was more beautiful than those words coming from her lips. He collapsed down on top of her, still mindful that he didn’t crush her.

They lay with their heads nearly hanging off the foot of their bed, both breathing as heavily as if they’d just completed a marathon.

“I almost forgot how good you are at that,” she panted.

“What!? Ye forgot?!” he whisper-yelled with faux indignation.

“I said almost!”

Rolling his head to glare at her, he caught the twinkle in her eye as she fought to restrain her giggles.

“Clearly I canna be that good if ye forgot after a few weeks wi’out!”

“I said almost!”

“I’ll just have to take it upon myself to remind ye every opportunity I have. Make sure ye never come close to forgetting that again.”

Claire rolled onto her side, arm tucked beneath her head, and yawned.

“You’re a good man.”

The sound of Fergus’ fussing crackled through the baby monitor and Claire made to go pick him up.

“I’ll get the bairn. Rest now, mo graidh.”

Jamie hastily cleaned himself up and slipped back into his boxers before lifting his son out of the crib. Something they’d learned early on was how much little Fergus loved skin-to-skin contact. As soon as he felt his father’s warm skin on his cheek, he settled himself. Jamie eased himself back onto the bed, using the wall as support. Sleepily, Claire turned herself around and crawled up to rest her head against Jamie’s shoulder. He’d settled the lad in the middle of his chest, his tiny body moving with each breath they took.

“He really is a beautiful little boy,” she murmured.

“Aye. That he is, my Sassenach. That he is.”

Love this @takemeawaytocamelot    !!!!

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 14.2

Here’s your next part of chapter 14! This was written while I was partially sleep deprived, so Jamie gets a bit cheeky. There’s some serious talking too, between the two of them. And, of course, SMUT! @outlandishchridhe and I are really proud of this one. Without further ado, the next part of chapter 14!

Catch up on the first part HERE

Jamie had turned off all the alarms in the house before going to bed, intending to sleep in and cuddle with Claire a bit before starting on their Christmas breakfast. But when he rolled over to hold her, he noticed the bed was empty. The space beside him was still a little warm, but was cooling quickly. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten up before him.

Then he smelled it: bacon. Not only was she up before him, she was making breakfast. This he had to see.

The sight that greeted him was even more surprising. Claire stood in the kitchen, picking the cooked bacon from the pan and putting it on a plate. She was still wearing the same flannel pants she’d been in the night before, but had no top.

Well, she wore one of her new sports bras, but no shirt. The same fluffy red and white Santa hat sat atop her wild hair, looking almost like it had grown there. Hearing him come out, Claire turned and beamed at him.

“Happy Christmas, Daddy!”

A large, purple bow sat on top of her massive belly, shimmering in the morning light.

“What’s this?”

“You always make breakfast for us, so I thought today I’d treat you. And, well… You can’t exactly open this gift, but I couldn’t help myself.”

“And the bow?”

“Purple because we can’t agree on the sex of our baby. But I think she’ll like the color purple anyway.”

Jamie smiled, taking a moment to enjoy this image of his wife.

“Aye. I’m sure he’ll like that shade. It’s a verra fine color. Almost eggplant, would ye say?”

Claire snorted and returned to the stove, continuing to cook their breakfast. It was a fine, hearty meal and he was quite full by the time he was finished.

“I ken it’s not the usual day, but would ye mind taking a special photo for today?”

“I actually thought about that when I bought the decorations…”

He broke into a wide smile.

“Did ye?”

“I did! I thought we could maybe take a few photos, other than the usual belly shot.”

“I’ll take whatever ye give me, a nighean.”

With a delighted little squeak, she got up and went to rummage through a bag he thought had been pure decoration. When she returned, she held a few different props: a miniature Santa hat that matched her own, a tiny stocking, a little red and green elf hat, a headband with reindeer antlers that had little jingle bells on them, and a small black velvet top hat.

“Christ woman, did ye raid the whole toy section?”

“No! But I saw them and they were so small I couldn’t help myself. And I thought you might enjoy taking so many photos of us.”

“Aye,” he said with a smile. “Aye, I’ll enjoy it verra much! Come on, then. Let’s start this photo shoot!”

First, he took several pictures of her and the purple bow. There was a particular glow about her that he found simply intoxicating. Next was the tiny Santa hat, which sat on the top of her belly. For a brief moment, he wished he had someone to send Christmas cards to. These pictures of Claire’s pregnancy with the little hats would have made beautiful cards to send. Perhaps in another life…

When he was satisfied with the Santa hat, she held up the stocking and he realized she’d written something on it.

‘Wee Fraser’

“Since you insisted we not learn the sex,” she said with that familiar tone.

“Aye, I ken. Ye’ll no’ let me forget it.”

“Damn straight.”

He took a few photos of her holding the stocking on her belly or up by her smile. Then he stood beside her, kissing her cheek while he took another picture. She only giggled in response, then stood up on tiptoes to kiss him back.

“I have something for us for the next round of pictures!” she squealed, eyes twinkling with happiness. Jamie’s heart felt like it would burst with the happiness that filled her and flowed into him. What did I do that allowed me to have this woman as my own? he thought to himself.

Claire’s thoughts flowed along the exact same lines. Whatever I did to deserve this man, she thought, I will never know. But God, am I grateful.

She reached around Jamie to grab two more sets of reindeer antler headbands.

“As long as mine isna the pink one…” Jamie started, then laughed as Claire tried to force the smaller headband with the jingle bells to stay stretched across her stomach without having to hold it.

“Stay! On!” She glowered down at her belly, watching their baby’s hand stick out against her skin.

“Yes, yes,” she muttered, tapping it and laughing when it popped back in.

Eventually, she was able to make the headband cooperate, having to compromise and hold down one side. When Jamie came toward her, she pulled him down and shoved another set of antlers on his head, giggling as they lit up with Christmas lights.

Her own antlers securely settled in her hair, they both squeezed together to get another “family” photo. She felt a soft pang of regret that her child’s extended family would never see these pictures, never know the sheer joy that she and Jamie shared waiting for their baby to be born.

It was a fleeting feeling though, as Jamie caught her off guard with a kiss for another picture and she smiled, feeling more complete than she ever had in her life.

“What do ye have next for our bairn to model for us, mo nighean donn?”

“The little elf hat!”

After a few more pictures she told him, “I almost bought the little shoes to go with the hat, but I knew she wouldn’t be here to wear them until next Christmas. Now the snowman hat!”

And so it went on in the same fashion; for every accessory Claire had for the baby, she had one for herself and Jamie as well.

When they’d exhausted every possible prop she’d bought, she went to the bedroom and put her ugly Christmas jumper back on.

“Have ye any other plans ye need to share wi’ me?”

She shook her head, pulling the Santa hat back down on her head. He still wore the blinking reindeer antlers, if only for the smile it put on her face.

“I don’t have any plans, no. Perhaps we should do the gifts now?”

“Aye. Go on and settle yourself down on the couch. I’ll bring the gifts over to ye.”

“Oh, well… Ah, one of yours won’t be under the tree.”

His brows drew together in minor confusion.

“Sassenach, I thought we already agreed that we’d no place to put a pony.”

The comment caught her off guard and she burst into a fit of giggles.

“No,” she said, finally getting a hold of herself. “No, it’s not a pony, you cheeky Scottish bastard. It’s one of the pictures on the wall. I put a tag on it with your name so you’d know which to open.”

“So I’m to hunt for my gift? Ye dinna make it easy on me, do ye?”

“You’d get bored if I did.”

After settling the other gifts on the coffee table, he moved around the apartment looking for a tag. He found it, wrapped in plain red paper, beside her uncle’s Viking sword. Carefully, he pulled it off the wall and sat down again beside Claire.

“Did ye no’ want to open one of yours first?”

Her head shook emphatically. Genuinely curious, he tore at the red wrapping and thought his heart would stop in complete shock. It was a beautiful shadowbox with a dark fabric in the background. But inside was the dirk he’d nearly forgotten about. Staring at it, bright against the backdrop, he realized why Lamb’s Viking sword had looked so familiar all this time.

Tearing his eyes away, he looked up at Claire.

“Claire, I… I dinna ken what to say.”

“When I found it, I realized it looked like Uncle Lamb’s sword. And I got to thinking… It’s an unlikely pair that should never have found each other… Just like us.”

Setting the box down carefully, he reached out and pulled her close. Holding her face in his hands, he kissed her fiercely. After a few moments, he released her lips but still kept her close.

“I dinna think anyone has ever done the things you’ve done for me, mo chridhe. No one’s ever been so thoughtful before, Claire… Thank ye.”

“You’re welcome, love,” she said sweetly.

After a deep breath, he got up and put the dirk back on the wall beside its mate. An unlikely pair that never should have found each other, yet here they were. He decided in that moment, no matter where they lived, these two weapons would always have a place of honor, somewhere they could be seen and appreciated.

“Alright. Your turn. Which do ye want to open first?”

Her eyes narrowed before she pointed at the plush.

“That round-y one.”

Smirking, he picked it up and handed it to her. Before she opened it, she held it down beside her belly, comparing their relative sizes.

“Whatever this is, I think I’m considerably more round.”

“Aye, weel, ye’ve got a whole wee person inside ye. That’s just got… Stuff.”

With a rueful shake of her head, she tore the paper off and burst out laughing.

“Oh… my… GOD! Jamie, where on earth did you find this?!”

The furry pinkish blob in her hands stared up at her with too-big eyes.

“Ye can find just about anything on the internet these days.”

“It’s a plush of Epstein-Barr!”

Frowning, he thought back to when he’d ordered it.

“I thought it was mono?”

Hugging it close, she smiled at him.

“Yeah, it causes mono! It’s like a herpes!”

“I dinna ken what it is you’re saying, but ye look happy. I’m glad ye like it.”

“I do, very much. Thank you.”

Tucking the awkward little plush in beside her, she picked up another package and moved it out of the way.

“Here, open this one.”

This box was smaller than the first gift, though it was wrapped with sparkling snowmen on ice skates. Inside the plain brown cardboard, he found a dozen new shirts. Sitting atop them was a small handwritten note.

For all the ones I’ve stolen from you and ruined. I won’t steal these. They don’t smell like you.

“Finally! I dinna have to wear the same four shirts over and over now!”

“Oh stop, it’s not nearly that bad!”

“I canna wear half of the other shirts because they’ve been stretched in the belly. I certainly havena stretched that part on my own.”

Glaring at him, she huffed and snuggled with her new plush.

“Keep that up, Fraser, and you’ll be sleeping on the couch tonight.”

“Thank you, mo nighean donn, from the verra bottom of my heart,” he replied, stressing the thanks in his voice and looking at her with his own version of “puppy eyes.”

“Much better,” she said, sticking her tongue out. “And you’re welcome.”

Jamie looked at the other two gifts he’d gotten for Claire and decided to save the best for last. This one was much smaller, but something he thought she’d truly enjoy. She untied the little ribbon bow and her brows rose.

“A coupon book?”

“Read the whole thing.”

“Love coupon? What does that mean?”

Grinning, he leaned back against the couch and waited.

“Redeem this coupon to get out of ALL cleaning chores for ONE day. Really?”

“Aye, but it’s only good for one. No’ all of those are to get out of chores, mind.”

“Oh, I’m sure some of them involve naked arses, yes?”

Winking, he shrugged. She flipped to another page.

“Pantsless night in?”

“Instructions are on the back.”

“What sort of coupon needs instructions?” Despite her complaint, she turned the page over and read the back. “Dinner is your choice, but once delivered, wearing of any clothing below the waist is strictly forbidden.”

That won him an interesting look.

“Do ye approve, then?”

“Is there one in here for a foot rub?”

“I believe there’s a dirty massage or two. And one is blank, to be made up of your own choosing. But I’ll throw in a foot rub for free. Just because I fancy ye.”

Setting the little book down on the end table, she chuckled.

“Fancy me, do you?”

“It’s that huge, rrrround arse of yours,” he growled, rolling his r’s in round.

“You’re as bad as a teenaged boy, Jamie.”

Leaning over, he stole a sweet kiss. There were only two gifts left now and Claire was suddenly afraid to give Jamie the last of his.

“Nearly done,” he said, reaching for the box with his name on it.

“Let’s wait for that one,” she said quickly.

“But we’ve been taking turns.”

She shrugged.

“I want to know what’s in that box. Pretty please?”

Smiling at him, she knew he couldn’t say no to her. His aim for his last box shifted to the last one he’d give her. The childlike merriment that had been in his eyes most of this morning faded a little. Instead, he grew serious, though no less joyful.

After peeling off the wrappings, she looked down at the long black box. For a moment, she thought he might have gone and gotten her expensive jewelry, but neither of them were materialistic. Her hand covered her mouth when she saw what was inside, eyes darting up to meet his.

“Do ye remember asking me if I thought ye could do this? Be a mother and a nurse? I promised ye honesty then and told ye that I thought ye could. That I believe there’s nothing ye canna do if ye put your mind to it. This,” he nodded to the box. “Is me reminding you of that.”

Gingerly, as if it was made of thin glass, Claire took the brand new stethoscope from it’s box. Her initials were engraved in the shining metal: C.E.F.

“Jamie, this is…” Her eyes, somehow, went even wider. “This is too much! I know how much these cost! We can’t afford this!”

“Dinna fash, lass. Whenever I can, I’ll make sure ye get the verra best of everything. And I want ye to remember that I will always believe in you. I wouldna have bought that and put your name on it if I didna think ye’d be the best nurse in the world.”

She stared down at the tool in her hands.

“I’m not a nurse yet,” she muttered.

“Aye, ye’ve no’ passed your exams yet, but ye will.”

Tears burned behind her eyes, that ever-present worry creeping back.

“How can you know that?”

“I know it as strongly and deeply as I know that I love you. Trust me, aye?”

She nodded slowly, setting the stethoscope back in its box for now. Jamie made to reach for the last present.

“No, it’s alright. You don’t have to open that right now.”

He fixed her with a curious look.

“It has my name on it…”

“Well, yes, but… You don’t… It can wait.”

For a few months, Claire had been planning this final gift. It was supposed to be from her and the baby, but after the big fight they’d had about his family, she was more than a little hesitant to give it to him. She’d seriously contemplated removing it from under the tree, and had tried to hide it until the end, still trying to decide whether or not to give it to him.

Jamie quirked an eyebrow at her.

“I… well…”

“Why do ye not want me to open this one, Sassenach? What are ye nervous for?”

He picked up the box and shook it, smiling at her. She paled slightly at the thought of starting another argument, but finally nodded, giving him the go ahead to open it.

“I had it made a while ago…” she trailed off as he opened the box and stared at the fabric in his hand.

She cleared her throat. “It’s… it’s really for the baby. I thought- I thought you might want the baby to have one. I know you think she’s a boy, so I ordered a baby kilt, but we can use it for a girl too, just as a skirt…” she rambled on and on, praying this wouldn’t spark an argument.

He gingerly lifted the small cut of fabric out of the box, holding it gently between his fingers. It was even Fraser colors. When his eyes met hers, she let out a breath at what she saw in them.

“Thank ye, mo chridhe,” he said, sincerely. “I want him to know where he comes from.”

He leaned in close and kissed her softly, as if she were made of the most delicate of glass. Then he pulled back and bent down, kissing her belly as well.

“She will know, Jamie. We’ll both make sure of it.”

She caressed his face and pulled him close to kiss him more thoroughly.

When she was finished with him, she pulled back slightly, laughing at the thought that had flown through her mind.

“What?” Jamie asked, eyebrows raised.

“I’ve had a thought. What if we make things more interesting?”

“If ye mean me takin’ ye to bed this minute, while I’m no’ opposed to it, I fear we might forget about our food in the oven and burn the whole building down. And I know you and the bairn will be hungry sooner rather than later.”

She swatted at him playfully, still grinning.

“No, you arse. Although,” she trailed off, thinking of all the things she could do to him in bed.

He laughed at her glazed over expression and bumped her gently, bringing her back to present.

“Ye’d had a thought, a nighean?”

“Oh, yes. How about we make a bet?” She waggled her eyebrows at him suggestively.

“A bet? About what?”

“Who’s right about the sex of the baby.”

He laughed loudly.

“And what, exactly, would the stakes be then?”

She tilted her head, as if thinking thoughtfully, and then grinned.

“How about whoever is right gets to pick the first name of the baby?”

“Are ye sure ye want to give up the option to name the bairn should I be right, Sassenach?”

“You won’t be, so I’m ok with it.”

“Are there restrictions then? Are there names completely off the list?”

“Frank.” She’d said it without even really thinking, a blush immediately crawling up her face from her neck. Jamie’s face went completely blank, then he laughed loud enough to wake the building.

“I canna say I disagree with that one,” he continued, chuckling still.

“Do you have any that you don’t want for a girl? When she comes out and I’m right, I don’t want you to absolutely hate her name.”

He rolled his eyes at her but thought about it for a moment.

“None that I can think of at the moment, Sassenach.”

“Really? No crazy ex-girlfriends that I should know about?”

For a few minutes, he appeared to be considering her question. Truth be told, she didn’t know much about his romantic history, while he knew hers in painful detail.

“Weel… There was a French girl I fancied…”

“A French girl? Should I be worried about her coming and looking for you?”

Jamie smirked.

“I havena seen her in… Almost ten years? Even if I ever see her again, it wouldna matter. One, because I’m married to you, and two, because the boy I got into a tussle wi’ o’er her was the one she went out wi’. They stayed together, from what I understood. Married later and had a bairn or two.”

Claire stared at him in shock.

“That’s it? One girl you fought over when you were a teenager?”

Jamie shrugged.

“Didna find a woman who fit me. Went on a few dates here and there, but nothing ever too serious.”

The baby nudged her stomach and she began rubbing the spot absently. A sudden thought came to her and she gasped. After that drunken night, every time they slept together they’d used condoms. He’d had them in the drawer beside his bed, but…

“Jamie, was I… I mean, I didn’t think I was, but…”

She trailed off, thinking over all the nights (and days) they’d spent together.

“I canna answer a question that’s no’ been asked, love,” he said gently with a faint smile.

“Well, if you never had a serious girlfriend, did you…” She stopped again, suddenly bashful. “I mean, that night we… That wasn’t… Your first, was it?”

“You mean was I virgin when we slept together?”

Embarrassed heat crawled up her neck and settled in her cheeks.

“Yes, I suppose.”

He smiled at her blush, which only made it worse.

“No, I wasna. Though… You’re the second woman I’ve ever been with.”

A wave of jealousy overcame her, irrational as it might have been. Some part of her wanted to be his one and only, to be his first everything. It wasn’t fair, she knew, especially given her own history. But no one ever accused a couple in love of being rational.

“Second?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Jamie smiled, reading the emotions as they crossed her face.

“Aye. The first was…” He glanced up for a moment, asking a silent question.

Do you really want to hear this story?

The silver ring on her finger caught the sunlight as she continued to rub her belly and she nodded to him. Maybe she wasn’t his one and only in that regard, but she would certainly be his forever.

“Weel, she was a nice lass. I kent her back in uni, before… Before. I felt anchorless there, like I’d lost the path my feet had been walking and found myself floating in the ocean. I needed something, someone to hold on to, to keep me grounded… or at least, I thought I did. It didn’t end up working out that way.”

Jamie broke eye contact with her, reaching out to hold her hand that lay on her belly, caressing the ring he had given her.

“I knew her for a bit and thought she might be able to help me find some sense of meaning at a place I was unhappy. It was a short fling. I kent almost immediately that the sex wi’out any feeling left me just as empty as I’d felt before. Not long after that, I went home and… weel, ye ken the rest.”

“So… That night… I know I sort of threw myself at you, but I was also much more drunk than you. Why did you stay? We barely knew each other.”

“You asked me to. And… I didna have to stop at your bar after my shows, but I wanted to. I wanted to see you, even though I kent you were wi’ another man. In time, I think, I would have asked ye out to dinner. I’d started to feel… something wi’ you, ken.”

Turning her hand over in his, he traced slow circles in her palm.

“I…” she stopped, having no idea where she’d been planning to go.

“I wish,” he said abruptly, not meeting her eyes again. “That it had been you, or that I’d no’ been so foolish to think sex would make me feel something. But I swear to you that I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”

He looked up at her with heartbreaking sincerity.

“Oh Jamie, I know that. I never doubted it for a moment. I feel… I should tell you something.”

Determined to meet his unwavering gaze, she took a deep breath.

“You’re… You’re my second as well.”

His eyes went a little wider and she watched him try to contain his surprise.

“I thought… Truly, Sassenach?”

“Truly. I fooled around with boys every so often, but besides you, the only man I’ve ever slept with was Frank.”

The strangest expression crossed his face and he was suddenly hugging her tight. It was made awkward by her position on the couch and by her massive belly, but she hugged him back as best she could.

“God, Claire. And that rat bastard went and… Christ. No wonder it hurt you so much. No’ that something like that wouldn’t have hurt anyways, but… I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault. But that night… Our first night together… It was different. Everything about that night was different. It felt like we fit together, like we’d been made for each other. Not to mention, you are a fantastic lover.”

Jamie gave her a very tender smile then and kissed her softly.

“Aye. It was verra different.”

“I’m sorry to have gotten things so serious,” she said with a faint laugh. “Happy Christmas?”

That got a bark of laughter from him and he kissed her again.

“Happy Christmas indeed.”

The rest of their night had been perfect, if Claire said so herself. They stayed close after their talk, constantly touching, leaning on, and kissing each other.

“Sassenach, would ye maybe be alright wi’ using one of our family photos and make a Christmas card for Henry?”

She frowned, lifting her head to look up at him.

“It’s a little late for a Christmas card, don’t you think?”

“Aye, it is, but… He’d like it anyway. And I dinna really have anyone else to send one to…”

“I don’t mind at all. But… Why Henry?”

Claire had assumed that Jamie had just met Henry when he found her the apartment, but now she could see she was mistaken.

“Ach, I’ve known him for quite some time now. He was my first landlord, ken?”

“Really? I didn’t realize…”

“Aye, he still is technically. But Henry became a good friend. When I first came out here, he rented to me and I helped him wi’ odd jobs around the building. Henry’s no’ so young anymore, and I was willing to help when he needed it. After about a year…”

Jamie paused, remembering.

“Weel, the doctors said he had a heart attack, but he fell. I…I helped him when he came back, taking care of things for him as he mended. He became a much needed confidante for me.”

“It sounds like you became very close.”

“Aye,” Jamie said, smiling. “He’s verra much become a…weel a father figure I guess ye could say. He’s family here. I know I couldna survived for that first while wi’out his generousness.”

Claire reached for him, pulling him closer so she could snuggle into his side.

“I think that’s a great idea, then. You said he’s been helping you find another job too, yes?”

“Aye, he did. He’s looked out for me a lot since I came here and he’s not stopped since. He’s no family of his own as far as I ken. His wife died a few years ago.”

“Maybe we should invite him over tomorrow? For a nice dinner for the holiday? I hate to think of him being alone.”

Jamie beamed down at her, catching her by surprise with a fierce kiss.

“I think he’d love to have a chance to come over and embarrass me in front of ye, Sassenach. I doubt he’d pass up that opportunity.”

“Excellent. Call him tomorrow and let him know when to come then.”

As they readied for bed, Jamie turned to watch her. She was magnificent still, even growing rounder each day with their child.

“What? Do I have something on my face?”

He laughed, gathering her to him and kissing her soundly.

“Nah, only ye look so gorgeous. I canna help but stare.”

“Ohh, that was a very good answer, Mr. Fraser.”

“Aye, I’ve learnt the error of my ways,” he replied, rocking her gently in his embrace as they slowly danced towards the bed.

“I think you should remind me just how much you’ve learned,” Claire purred, pulling away from him and arranging herself on the bed, trying to look as alluring as possible.

She watched his eyes turn, assessing her as a predator does his prey before pouncing. She loved the feeling of his gaze on her, burning her skin without even touching her. He stalked closer to her, eyes still glinting with mischief, taking in her whole body.

“Ah Dhia, mo nighean donn, ye are beautiful.”

She crooked her finger at him, prompting him to remove the clothes he’d just put on for bed. He watched as her hands ran down her body; he wanted those to be his hands, his mouth on her.

“Put yer hands by yer head, Sassenach.”

She quirked an eyebrow, but didn’t stop. Lurching forward, he grabbed both her hands and held them in one of his, dipping his head to her chest.

“Ohh,” Claire moaned as his hungry mouth found her breast. She struggled against him, wanting to sink her fingers into his hair and hold him there.

“Struggling will only make it worse for ye,” Jamie breathed against her, the cool air from his mouth pebbling her nipple even more.

“Jamie,” Claire whined, still trying to break free.

He ignored her, moving to the other side, paying court to that breast as well. Never content, his other hand roamed her body, feeling the slippery wetness between her legs. He kissed her slowly, up the slope of her chest to her neck, stretched taut with wanting. Nibbling on her neck, he continued to take his time, pulling out every last strand of want from his wife.

When he finally made it to her lips, she was mumbling incoherently, not straining any longer. He let her arms go, but she knew better than to move them if she wanted any relief from the torture.

“Jamie. Please.” His fingers found purchase in her soft, wet skin and he slowly pumped two fingers in and out of her.

“I promise I won’t leave ye wantin’, mo chridhe.”

“I want to touch you,” she whined softly.

Their eyes locked and before he could do more than smile, her hands sank into his hair, dragging him down to her. They didn’t stay there for long though, as she roamed his body urgently, as if she was starving, and he, her last meal.

She couldn’t get close enough to him, her belly causing more strife than usual given the circumstances. Her grip on Jamie only tightened more as he went to move behind her.

“No. No, no. Come back.” She pulled at his arms, but to no avail.

Repositioning her was a little more difficult as she’d gotten rounder, but eventually they found their way, Claire grabbing frantically at him still, reaching for kisses at every turn.

Jamie pushed inside her in one hard thrust, Claire’s body already shuddering with pent up energy. She pushed back against him just as roughly, feeling the threads of pleasure coursing through her.

“Oh, God, Jamie,” Claire moaned loudly, spurring him ever onwards.

His hands continued to roam over her from behind, not sure quite where they wanted to stay, breasts or arse or belly. Claire’s arse thrust against him with each push of his hips forward, each seemingly harder than the last. It didn’t take nearly as long as he thought it would for her to come undone, her body clamping down on his as she let out a guttural groan in satisfaction. He wasn’t far behind her, shuddering in his own completion.

They lay together for a few minutes, breathing the deep, heavy sighs of post-coital bliss.

“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that,” Claire said softly. Before he could respond, she continued, “ Of you loving me.”

“Me either, mo chridhe. And I will love ye anytime, as long as ye’ll allow me to do so.”

Claire turned, breaking their connection to meet his eyes.

“I would never dream of stopping you,” she laughed. “And I don’t think you would ever stop me either.”

“Nah,” Jamie laughed in return. “Would be too much trouble to try.”

She pinched the skin of his bare chest muttering, “Arse,” then snuggled into his side.

He breathed a laugh again.

“Maybe, but I am your arse, so I suppose you’ll have to just live with me.”

He kissed her riotous curls as she chuckled and reached over to turn off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Claire curled closer to him, breathing in deeply as his scent permeated her senses and she relaxed, safe and secure in his arms.

She couldn’t be sure, but as she fell into her dreams she thought she heard him whisper, “Sleep well, mo chridhe, and know that I love ye more than my own life.”

That was absolutely marvellous @takemeawaytocamelot and @outlandishchridhe. It had everything, it was sweet, it was touching, it was hot, it had beautiful moments or connections and playfulness and *siiiiiiigh* . It was wonderful ❤️😍❤️😍

Reblog for later

Love this !!!!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 14.1

@widchadidcha your patience has been rewarded! And guess what? You’ll get a new chapter every week because this ONE chapter is THREE parts! So, I hope you all enjoy this. @outlandishchridhe and I have had SO much fun writing this one. Claire is a naughty pregnant lady and likes to take the story and run away, giggling like mad. We’re getting closer to her due date, so there will be lots of domestic Fraser bliss! Enjoy! I, for the record @thatwetwomaybeoneagain, am not responsible for ALL the smut in these next few chunks. Ish wrote some too!!

Read Chapter 13 HERE or catch the whole thing over on my AO3 account HERE

Fraser Bairn Watch: Month 8

With a yawn, Claire stretched and pulled herself out of bed. She’d taken a long nap while Jamie had taken care of some things at his work. Something about a new knight to train or somesuch.

A savory scent drifted into the bedroom and she smiled. Jamie must be home. Pulling the tartan blanket about her shoulders, she rubbed her eyes and went out.

“Ah, my sleeping beauty arises!”

“Why didn’t you wake me when you got home?”

He leaned away from the stove long enough to accept her soft kiss.

“I went in to make sure ye were still breathin’. But you’re eight months gone now and I thought ye could use the rest. I’m nearly through wi’ dinner, if you’re hungry.”

“Definitely hungry. Can I help with anything?”

“Aye, if ye want to slice the bread for us, it’s just there.”

Taking the bread knife out of the drawer she turned and found the loaf of French bread on the counter behind Jamie. As she took hold of the bread, she saw in the corner of her eye the vase had been refilled with fresh roses.

“I was wondering when you’d bring those home.”

“Aye, I ken I’m a wee bit late. But there’s eight there, for eight months. Thank you, my darling Sassenach.”

“At least she’s stopped kicking for a bit,” she said, rubbing her belly briefly.

Jamie laughed.

“Aye, I ken he’s been kickin’ a bit more lately. Perhaps it’s because ye insist on eating spicy nachos or chili dogs in the middle of the night.”

“At least I’m not making you go out for hot wings at three in the morning anymore.”

“No, no that’s true. Dinner’s ready, go and have a seat.”

They ate happily and Claire listened to Jamie talk about his day. He’d be taking some well deserved time off for the Christmas holiday, which she was looking forward to.

“Are ye ready for bed, mo chridhe?”

Stifling a yawn, she shook her head.

“No, no I’m alright. It’s still early. And I took a nap.”

“And you’re eight months pregnant. Go on and get ready for bed. I’ll clean up the kitchen and join ye presently.”

Shuffling into their bedroom, she pulled on a loose pair of shorts and Jamie’s old Excalibur Staff shirt. He shook his head and rolled his eyes every time she wore it, but she refused to give it up. It was the shirt he’d worn when doing his initial training to become a Knight of the Realm and it was deeply imbued with his scent.

She was laying on the bed when Jamie came in. He took one look at the shirt she’d stretched out, not fully covering her belly, and sighed. All she could do was smile.

The bed creaked as Jamie joined her and she turned to look at him. His hand was on her belly, rubbing it gently.

“How’s our bairn tonight? Any heartburn?”

“We’re doing just fine. No heartburn, no nausea, no headaches.”

“That’s verra good. Think ye can get some good sleep tonight?”

“That’s the idea. And tomorrow’s your last day before Christmas?”

He nodded and took a deep breath, holding her as close to himself as he could.

“Aye. It’ll be our first Christmas as a family.”

Tears pricked her eyes and she pulled his face up for a kiss.

“Yes, it will be. Our first as a real family.”

Trudging up the stairs, Jamie sighed. Finally. He had three whole days off - three days to spend with Claire and no one else. No job, no workouts, no dealing with the crude jokes of the other lads in the show. Just his wife.

Just as he put his key into the door, he paused and listened.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Frowning, he opened the door and his mouth fell open. Claire had on a red and white Santa hat, and the ugliest Christmas jumper he’d ever seen while she danced around the apartment. He slowly closed the door behind him, staring at the apartment. Had he made a wrong turn? Somehow fallen through a portal and landed in the North Pole?

“Jamie! You’re home!”

“Am I? I’m no’ so sure…”

“You had no decorations to put up anywhere. And with this being our first Christmas together, I couldn’t stand the apartment looking so bland.”

Despite her growing size, she bounded over to him rather nimbly and smiled widely. Her eyes shone with a delight he hadn’t seen in some time and he found himself grinning back at her. She popped up on her toes and gave him a sweet kiss. The taste of her was different and he recognized the flavor of peppermint.

“How many candy canes have ye eaten, Sassenach?” he asked when she pulled away.

“One.”

He narrowed his eyes at her.

“Or maybe three… Or-”

“Never mind. I dinna want to know.”

“Can I show you all the things I put up?”

“Of course, love.”

Taking her hand, he followed her around the (now very cramped) apartment. She was overjoyed to have so many decorations up and to show them off to him. When she finished, they sat down on the couch with a sigh.

“It looks verra bonny, Sassenach. Truly.”

He noticed the wrapped gifts beneath the small tree.

“And ye wrapped presents already?”

“I did.”

“Ye wrapped some of the pictures on the wall too?”

“There was a sale on the wrapping paper,” she said as she shrugged. She had seen the idea in a magazine and thought it would make their apartment even more Christmas-y.

“It looks verra nice, Claire. Truly.”

Her blue eyes shone up at him.

“Really? You like it?”

“Aye. It’s fitting for our first Christmas.”

She snuggled down against him for a moment, breathing deeply.

“You didn’t shower before you came home.”

“I just wanted to get home. Didna want to be at work a moment longer than I had to be.”

“I have something for you. You should go shower.”

Looking down at her curiously, she gave him a sly smile and nudged him in the side.

“Why? What have ye got planned?”

“You’ll just have to shower fast to find out. Go on now. There should be at least one more candy cane left for you…”

“Alright, alright.”

Jamie came into the bedroom to change into fresh clothes only to find Claire waiting for him.

“Wait!”

He halted, foot halfway to the ground, waiting for her.

“What? What’s the matter?”

She swayed over to him slowly, hands behind her back.

“Nothing’s wrong. But you should look up, my sweet ginger Scot.”

Warily, his eyes lifted from hers to find a small bushel of mistletoe hanging from the doorframe.

“Ah. Mistletoe then. I would have thought ye might have put it near the front door.”

“Oh I did. Why do you think I kissed you before you came inside?”

He shrugged, looking back down at her.

“I had this notion ye liked kissing me.”

“Well, I suppose it’s alright. You’re not too bad.”

“No’ too bad?!”

Giving her a flat look, he grabbed her face and pulled her into a very thorough kiss. He kissed her as intensely as a man shipping off to war.

“Well,” she said breathlessly, tongue running over her swollen lips. “That was pretty good.”

“I shall endeavor to make each kiss curl yer wee toes in delight.”

“I suppose you should keep a look out for all the mistletoe in the apartment then.”

He smirked at her before realizing her arms were still behind her back.

“What’s this?”

“I have a jumper for you.”

She held out something that was equally as hideous as the one she wore.

“I’m no’ wearing that.”

“Oh come on, Jamie! Everyone wears ugly jumpers at Christmas.”

“It’s awful!”

“That’s the point!”

Sensing he was determined to resist, she stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. He didn’t know how she made that face, but every time she did, she reminded him of a sad puppy. How was he supposed to say no to that face?

“Fine! Gi’ me the damn jumper.”

Immediately her face lit back up and he shrugged the thing on. The delight in her eyes was worth the humiliation of wearing the ugliest article of clothing he’d ever seen.

“I’m not taking you out on the town in it, at least.”

“Better no’ be.”

“We have to take a photo. Come on!”

She dragged him to the spot he took her weekly pregnancy photos and she pulled out her phone. It took several minutes and dozens of tries to get the perfect picture.

“Thank you,” she said, pleased.

“I’ll do anything for you, mo ghraidh. Even wear a horrid jumper.”

They had a nice, simple dinner before preparing for bed. He watched with amusement as she dressed in yet another of his old shirts and flopped into bed. He lay down beside her, preparing to kiss her stomach as he always did.

“Hang on a minute, love muffin,” she said, pulling on his hair.

“What? Can I no’ say goodnight to my own child?”

“Not before you keep your word and make my toes curl,” she said, quirking an eyebrow and looking up.

He didn’t need to look up to know there was another small bushel of mistletoe hanging above their bed.

“That’s a dangerous place to put that, Sassenach,” he said as he nuzzled her neck.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Now I’ll have to kiss ye all night and no’ stop.”

Her blue eyes rolled hard as she tugged on his ears.

“Just kiss me now and kiss me in the morning and I’ll call it good.”

“If all ye have to say is ‘good’, I’m no’ doing my job right,” he said, voice dropping into that sultry register he knew she couldn’t resist.

She shuddered slightly as her fingers traced up his neck. He touched his tongue to her lips gently, teasingly. Her mouth sought his, trying to catch him, but he was too quick. Carefully, her took her lower lip between his teeth and held it for a moment, watching her eyes narrow at him. Christ she is an amazing creature, he thought to himself.

Before she got cross with him for taking too long, he let their lips meet in bliss. Her entire body went slack with pleasure as she tasted deeply of him, and he of her. He would not let it end until he was sure her toes had curled.

“Well done, Fraser my lad,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Did yer toes curl, a nighean?”

“Mmm. On both feet even.”

With a nod of triumph, he settled down beside her once more.

“Tomorrow, at some point, I’ll need to keep ye out of our room.”

“What? Why?”

“So I can get your gifts wrapped wi’out ye seeing them first!”

She giggled and breathed deeply before falling fast asleep.

Some time deep in the shadows of the night, Claire woke. She had been having a very, very nice dream.

Sleepily, she reached over towards where Jamie lay, groping blindly for any part of him. He made a low, guttural sound when she finally made contact with his flesh, maneuvering herself so that they faced each other.

Jamie made a sleepy sound akin to a question and Claire responded by kissing him softly, wiggling herself closer to him. He made the sound again.

“Mistletoe,” she replied in answer, sleep still thick in her voice as she kissed him again, deep and slow.

She felt him smile against her mouth as he woke more fully. His hips moved forward in question and she answered, moaning quietly.

He slowly turned her away from him, lying flush behind her as he pulled away the barriers of clothing between them. Her moaning was getting louder with each touch, spurring him onwards.

“Are ye sure, mo chridhe?”

“Yes, Jamie please. I need you. Please,” she panted.

He couldn’t deny his wife, not when the need in her voice was that strong. She reached behind her and grabbed onto any part of him she could touch, firmly embedding her fingers into the flesh of his arse.

He came into her slow, rocking forward and back, hyper aware of her every movement, every sound, every breath. He reached around her, over the swell of her belly and down to where their bodies joined. She made the sweetest sounds when he touched her there, melting and tightening all at once. He lived for these moments with her. When it was only them, nothing else in the world seeming to matter or even exist.

She pulled him to her as he pushed in, trying to turn her head for a kiss at the same time. It was slow and tender, sleep still floating on the edges of both their consciousness. Jamie felt her body tighten and knew she was close to the end.

“Jamie,” she moaned, over and over with the sweetest of sighs. “Ohhh,” she squeaked as he pushed her over with a sharp thrust and a slide of his fingers against her.

She shuddered, her whole body clenching around his, causing him to find his own end.

The sound he made when he finally let himself go was one of the most sensual sounds she could ever wish to hear. It held something primal that always sent an extra shudder through her and caused her blood to rush a little faster through her veins.

Jamie’s mouth clamped down on her neck, biting her gently, but enough to leave a wee bruise.

“Mistletoe, indeed,” he chuckled.

Claire breathed a laugh then sighed back into him, still sheltering him inside her, as she did their child. Her body slackened as she relaxed and fell back into slumber, Jamie not far behind her.

The next morning saw him cooking his usual breakfast for her, while keeping an eye out for all the mistletoe she’d hung about. She’d refused to tell him how many bushels she’d hung and he was inclined to think it was because she couldn’t remember.

With her breakfast on the table, she came out of the bedroom and sat down.

“Eat up, my love. I’ve presents to wrap.”

She nodded groggily and took a sip of her tea. He knew how much she missed drinking her coffee, but it just wasn’t safe with the bairn. It was his job to keep her happy with a steady stream of good tea.

While she was busy with her meal, Jamie snuck into their bedroom to wrap her gifts. All in all, he was rather proud of his purchases. It took a little creativity to wrap the plushie that he’d gotten her, but he made it work.

He put the gifts under the small tree she’d set up, realizing just how little this apartment was now. It had never been intended as a home for two, nearly three, people. Perhaps…

“Sassenach?”

“Hmm?”

Rousing herself from her near-dozing at the table, she grunted to her feet and shuffled over to him.

“What would ye say to maybe finding another apartment? Something that’ll fit the three of us more comfortably, gi’ us enough space.”

“You mean you think this tiny apartment won’t fit two adults and a newborn!?”

Shooting her a flat, unamused look, he rolled his eyes.

“Aye, ye wee, cheeky vixen. I’m trying to be serious. I think it would be good for us to choose something together. Something that would be our home. With only our memories in it.”

Glancing from the tree down to her, he watched the warm smile come to her full lips.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Jamie. Perhaps we can start looking at the newspapers tomorrow?”

“Perhaps no’ tomorrow. I’ve only got three days off and I dinna plan on spending them in any place but this, wi’ you.”

Those fathomless blue eyes of hers glinted up at him.

“Good boy.”

“Oh!”

She jumped a little, her brows lifting in question.

“I forgot. Merry Christmas Eve, mo graidh.”

Then he lowered his face to feel her smile against his lips.

Jamie would always remember this day as one of the best of his life, just spending time with Claire. No stress of work or university, no pressures, just the two of them in their own little bubble of bliss.

They cuddled on the couch to watch one of the marathons of Christmas films on some TV network, neither of the really paying attention.

“Are ye alright, love?”

“Yeah,” she said groggily, nestling under his arm a little more. “Why?”

“Ye’ve just gone a little quiet.”

“I’ve just been thinking.”

Adjusting himself to be more comfortable on the couch, he looked down at her.

“That’s never a good sign. What about?”

She pouted and nudged his side before answering.

“Us, mostly.”

“Oh?”

“Nothing bad, I promise. Just… Can you believe it? Not only us having a baby, but that we actually fell for each other? I can’t stop thinking about how this shouldn’t have worked, shouldn’t be working. And yet I wake up beside you every morning and smile. Well,” she corrected after his snort. “I at least fall asleep beside you every night. But we’ve hardly known each other a year.”

He nodded slowly, understanding exactly what she was saying.

“Aye. I’ll admit it’s a bit strange, how we happened. I didna ken what my life was missing until I got drunk and married ye. Unusual as our start is, I wouldna change a moment of it. Though I do sometimes wish I could take away the pain of what Frankie did to ye. You’re better for it, now, but I ken it hurt at the time.”

“But I got so much more because of what he did. What we have is more real than anything I’ve felt in my life. And we’re growing a child out of that. Oh don’t mind me,” she shook her head. “This time of year makes me nostalgic.”

“It’s good to remember things,” he said, kissing the top of her dark curls. “This is the time of year for it. Looking back and seeing what’s changed. There’s nothing wrong wi’ that, Claire.”

She tried to hide her yawn in his shoulder, but he laughed. After getting to his feet, he braced himself and helped her to her own.

“Come along, my wee vixen. If ye dinna get to sleep, Father Christmas canna come down the chimney.”

Claire giggled and leaned against him.

“We don’t have a chimney. And I already watched you put the gifts out.”

“Ye dinna need to ruin it!”

They settled into their usual places in bed, Claire letting out a satisfied sigh.

“Goodnight, my Sassenach,” he whispered, kissing her sweetly. “And goodnight, my wee Fraser lad,” he said before giving her belly a kiss.

Claire smiled when her stomach rippled with the baby’s movement.

“I will never get used to how that looks.”

“Perhaps you’ll get used to it with the next one.”

Jamie’s mouth fell open, having not even considered the possibility of more bairns with her. Was that something she wanted? If it was, they definitely needed a larger home.

“Is that what ye-” he stopped and looked down at her, realizing she’d fallen fast asleep. “Aye,” he whispered. “Perhaps we’ll have a whole Fraser clan of our own someday. Wi’ beautiful girls that are just like their mam.”

Planting a warm kiss on her forehead, he too went to sleep.

This is just sheer magical perfection! Love ❤️ it and adore this AU so so much. 👏👏👏

Awesome !!!!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 13

Here’s the next installment! This is a new record for myself and @outlandishchridhe - 14 PAGES!! I’ll put it below a cut so it doesn’t take up vast amounts of space on all your dashes. If it doesn’t work, as always, let me know and I’ll see if I can get it to you somehow. 

We always have so much fun writing this story and adore all the comments we get from you guys. Writing this is always a source of peace and rest from our hectic lives. Thanks for following along with us in this crazy journey!

Part 12

Fraser Bairn Watch: Month 7

“Miss Beauchamp? A word please?”

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I love this. Love it, love it, love it 😍

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 12

Two chapters in two weeks! @outlandishchridhe and I are rather proud of ourselves, honestly. And, because this chapter is INCREDIBLY long (13 pages on our Google doc [a new record!]) I’m putting it after a break. If it won’t load for you, you can read the full chapter over on my AO3 account HERE

I have to dedicate this chapter to my wonderful mum @thatwetwomaybeoneagain who kindly requested we put in a bit of canon dialogue. So we did, and I hope you enjoy it mum!

Fraser Bairn Watch: Month 6

Keep reading

Wow !

Another beautiful Chapter !

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 11

This chapter happened a lot faster than @outlandishchridhe and I anticipated. It’s a lot of fun! We’re loving where this story is going!

Catch up on the previous chapter HERE or find the whole story HERE

Fraser Bairn Watch: Month 5

Exhausted, Claire opened the apartment door and took a deep breath. Amongst the aromas of food cooking, she thought she smelled something fainter, sweeter. Eyes springing open, she locked her eyes on the vase and saw five fresh roses in it.

“Welcome home, Sassenach,” Jamie called from the kitchen.

Grinning, she walked in and kissed him.

“Thank you for the roses, Jamie. They’re lovely.”

“Five roses for five months gone. Only a few left for me to thank ye for carrying our bairn.”

Leaning on him this way, she was acutely aware of her rounding stomach as it pressed against Jamie’s.

“You’re welcome,” she said before pulling away from him.

They ate their dinner at the table and, for once, nothing made her sick. Before they went to bed, she did a little homework at her desk, though she couldn’t sit as close to it as she used to.

Tomorrow was to be their 20 week ultrasound and Claire had been waiting for this day for weeks. They’d finally be able to see the baby look, well, more like a baby.

“You know, we can find out tomorrow if this little one is a boy or a girl.”

“I dinna want to find out,” he said, turning a page in his book.

Her mouth fell open as she stared at him. It took a minute before he realized what she was doing.

“But I want to know the sex of the baby!”

“Weel, I dinna want to know. Don’t ye want to be surprised?”

“I think this baby was a surprise enough, Jamie. Don’t you want to get prepared?”

“Sassenach, people have been having bairns for centuries without knowing what they are and they seemed to do just fine getting ready.”

“Why can’t I just find out and you not? You can still be surprised then.”

Jamie fixed her with a flat look and closed his book with a sigh.

“Sassenach, have ye ever seen yerself try to keep a secret? I love ye, but yer face canna keep a secret from me. If you find out, ye won’t be able to keep it from showing all over your face.” He reached out and stroked her cheek and she leaned into him instinctively.

The pleading look on his face made Claire’s resolve waiver. She really did want to know, but finding out together would mean much more than having to carry it around with her for the next few months by herself.

“Oh, alright you bloody Scot. We won’t find out until this little peanut decides to make its debut,” she huffed, placing her hand on her belly.

Jamie twined their fingers together, resting over her wee bump. She suppressed flinching away from it and when she finally looked up at him, she saw that heartbreaking smile spread across his face as his hand moved theirs back and forth over her stomach.

“I love ye, mo nighean donn. I ken it makes ye a little disappointed,” he started, but was halted by her rising up on tiptoe to give him a peck on the lips that, as always, turned into something a little deeper.

“Compromise, right?” she whispered. “You and I have done a lot of it so far. It won’t kill me and at least I’ll know that you’re suffering right along with me.” She laughed, a soft, tinkling sound that Jamie loved. He lived for that laugh, the smile making her whole face crinkle in happiness.

He rested his head against hers for a moment, basking in the warmth of her smile. Leaning in, he kissed her softly, letting his hands wander over her. After he squeezed her arse, he began to pull her closer. But she pulled back and took a breath.

“Are ye alright, mo chridhe?”

“Yes, I’m… I’m alright. I’m a little tired though, could we maybe just snuggle a bit tonight?”

Watching her face for a moment, he thought he understood why she was hesitating. Her stomach was getting larger by the day and it made her uncomfortable.

“Ye dinna have to get naked, Sassenach. Leave yer shirt on, it doesna matter to me.”

She gave him a weak smile before pulling out of his arms.

“That’s alright. Perhaps another time.”

Leaning over the side of the couch, she gave his cheek a light peck and left to change for bed. When he joined her, he saw she wore the nightgown she’d been favoring lately. It covered her and gave her body little shape, which was likely what she wanted it to do.

As she lay on her side, the sheets tucked up around her, he gently eased in behind her, careful to not fully cup the wee swell of her belly. Instead, he opted for reaching for her hand, entwining their fingers together..

“Sassenach?”

“Hmm?”

“Ye ken I love ye, right?”

“Of course I do.”

He nodded, taking a moment before continuing.

“And ye ken I think yer beautiful, right?”

“I… yes, I do.”

“And that I dinna think yer fat or ugly? That seeing ye carry my child is the most amazing blessing ye could ever give me?”

She paused before answering, and gently brought their hands down to rest near her stomach.

“Yes, Jamie. I do. I’m sorry, I really am just tired tonight.”

“Aye, it’s fine, mo nighean donn. I just want ye to ken that I love ye verra much.”

She turned around, searching for a kiss.

“I love you, too, Jamie. So much.”

Sitting in the waiting room with so many pregnant women felt strange, but Claire was comfortable. He held her hand, his thumb rubbing the back of hers constantly. A door opened and the nurse called them back. He was excited for this, to see their child again. The last time it hadn’t looked like much more than a fuzzy blur on the screen. Claire had assured him it would look more like an actual human being now. His little human being.

Claire sat on the exam table fidgeting nervously. Jamie put a hand on her knee to keep her leg from bouncing.

“Alright Miss Beauchamp, how are we feeling today?” the nurse asked.

“Very well, thank you.”

They launched into the barrage of questions he couldn’t answer, so he just waited. As the ultrasound machine booted up, the nurse smiled at them.

“So are we going to learn the sex of your baby today?”

Claire shot him a dark glare before turning back to the kind woman.

“No. We’d like it to be a surprise, apparently.”

The nurse laughed at the scorned look on Claire’s face and patted her hand.

“Alright then, I won’t tell you,” she continued to chuckle and looked at Jamie as if to wish him luck with the decision they made.

Then she stage whispered to Claire, “The doctor will know, you know, just in case you decide to change your mind.”

Claire finally broke a real smile and sighed, looking back at Jamie again.

“No, no. I’ll wait,” she said, grinning at Jamie.

Hearing the heartbeat of their child never ceased to enchant them. Each little lub-dub brought tears to both their eyes. Blinking them back, Jamie tried to clear his vision. He wanted to see their wee bairn completely, wanted to commit this moment to his memory forever, and he didn’t want the memory to be blurry.

“Here’s your baby!” the nurse exclaimed, pointing out the head, feet and bottom of their baby.

“He looks like a wee person now,” Jamie said softly, staring in awe at the black and white screen. “I can actually see which end is his head now.”

Claire swatted at him playfully and giggled at his awestruck face.

“Well it’s a good thing that you didn’t want to know the sex of your baby, Miss Beauchamp, because this little one isn’t showing me anything! Turned away and legs crossed. This one is going to be a stubborn one for sure,” he joked as Claire chuckled.

“Well between her father and I, I’m not really surprised by that assessment.”

“He’s protectin’ his virtue is all. I wouldna want my baws splayed all over a screen for anyone to look at either,” Jamie said, seriousness coloring his tone but smiling nonetheless.

“Would you both like a printout to take with you?” the nurse asked, cleaning the gel off of Claire’s belly. As soon as it was clean, Jamie noticed she pulled the shirt she had on down as fast as she could.

“Can we have a couple please? Maybe 3?” Claire turned to look at him. “I thought maybe we could frame one and I know you like to keep one at work.”

“Aye, mo chridhe, whatever you wish.”

She grinned and reached for him, pulling him down to kiss her soundly.

“Jamie?” Claire asked, softly.

He turned his head away from the ultrasound picture to her, the sound of her voice alarming him.

“What is it, Sassenach? Are ye feelin’ alright? Ye look… concerned.”

She took a deep breath and met his gaze.

“I think we need to talk about something.”

He raised his eyebrow at her and she continued, trying to keep eye contact with him.

“I was wondering… well… at the ultrasound today, the nurse called me ‘Miss Beauchamp’ and it got me thinking. I was wondering if… if you wanted to stay married. To me.” She kept her eyes on his, and saw his face mask over. The last time they had talked about this, she had brushed him off. She didn’t want to do that now..

“We haven’t really talked about it and…” she trailed off, unable to finish her thought, too scared of what might come from this to be the one to go first.

He held her gaze, but didn’t answer. Several tense moments passed between them, but his lips stayed sealed shut. He simply looked at her and she knew that she would have to be the one to break the silence. She reached into her bag and pulled something small out of it.

“Because,” she started hoarsely. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Because I… I want to stay married to you.”

She opened her palm and in it was a titanium band. She was staring hard at the band in her hands, not risking looking up at Jamie. A finger under her chin lifted her face to his; he was much closer than before. His face had a broad smile across it right before he leaned in and took her lips against his.

“Wait right here, mo graidh,” he whispered against her lips.

He got up and made a beeline for their bedroom and returned almost as quickly as he left, a small box in his hand. When he opened it, Claire gasped.

“I bought this for ye, before we left for Colorado. I thought,” he paused, voice breaking just slightly. “I thought ye might make a choice then, but then, weel…then ye didna. But I kept it anyway, if only for the chance that I might be able to woo ye properly if we decided to go another way.”

He took the small ring out, a solid band with thistle and interlace overlay on top of the solid metal.

“Oh, Jamie,” she sighed. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Will ye wear it?”

“Will you wear yours?”

He smiled at the glint in her eyes, the need to mark him showing strong on her face.

“Aye, I’ll wear it and gladly. I’m completely under yer power and happy to be there, Claire.”

“I am too,” she breathed. “I wouldn’t change it. I don’t want to change it.”

“Well that’s good to hear, Sassenach. Perhaps, as we dinna really remember our own vows, we could do a wee thing now?”

Taking her left hand in his own, he lifted it to his lips and kissed it softly. He took a deep breath and prepared to slide the ring onto her finger. The light caught the inside and glinted, hinting that something was inside it.

“Wait, what’s that?”

“What’s what?”

“Inside the ring. Is it engraved?”

Her eyes darted up to his and his ears turned a little pink.

“Oh, ah… Aye. It’s Gaelic, ken?”

Turning the ring slowly, she tried to read the foreign language.

“What does it say?”

“Mo graidh, mo chridhe fuil.”

“And what does that mean? For those of us who don’t speak Gaelic?”

“It means ‘my love, my heart’s blood’.”

The smile on her face grew as she stared at it for a long moment.

“I, um… I had something put into yours too…”

Taking the larger ring from her hand, he turned it to the light.

“My knight,” he said softly. “The keeper of my heart. Claire, that’s beautiful.”

“So,” she cleared her throat before she broke out into tears again. “Did you have something in mind for our sober vows?”

“Aye, it’s an old Scottish tradition, if ye dinna mind it.”

“I don’t mind.”

He stared down at her hand for a moment before sliding the ring onto it slowly. She did the same with his, pleased that the ring fit him well.

“You’ll have to repeat the words after me. They’re in Gaelic.”

“Alright.”

Claire stumbled over the foreign words, her lips and tongue making the unfamiliar sounds. But he could see in her face just how hard she was concentrating to say them correctly. Or, as correctly as she could.

When she finished repeating him, he leaned in to kiss her gently.

“So,” she asked, searching his face. “What exactly did I just commit to? What did I say?”

“It rhymes a bit, in English. But what we said was ‘ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one. I give ye my spirit, ‘til our life shall be done.”

“I think I like that better than regular vows.”

His eyes moved down to her rounding belly, but he made no move to touch it. She could see the longing in his eyes, but he didn’t reach out toward her. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead before standing up and holding out a hand to her. On some level, she wanted to grab his hand and put it on her belly. But she couldn’t. Not yet.

Once again, Jamie proved to her that he wasn’t like any other man. As much as he wanted to feel their child, to touch her and hold her, he would never force that on her. He recognized and understood that she was uncomfortable with the changes in her body. She also understood that he wasn’t asking her to talk about it either; just let her feel what she was feeling.

She was dressed in the nightgown again, but he said nothing about it. He had no right to, it wasn’t his body that was changing. All he could do was give her the space she needed and support her however he could.

When she snuggled close to him, he did all he could to keep from touching her belly. It took her some time to fall asleep, constantly moving around to find a comfortable position.

They lay in bed, Claire sleeping soundly in his arms. He looked down at her stomach, bulging a little through the night dress. If he touched the bairn now, she wouldn’t know, wouldn’t shy away from him. But it wouldn’t be fair to her. Perhaps she didn’t want his touch right now, what right did he have to force that on her unconscious body?

Then she did something that surprised him. Still completely asleep, she took his hand and placed it on her stomach. He froze in place, afraid she’d wake and find him touching her and be angry. Carefully, he tried to slip his hand away from her, but her grip tightened. She mumbled incoherently, sleepily patting his hand on her stomach and snuggling closer, a look of complete contentment covering her face. The stern lines that had been carved in her brow as she tried to get comfortable and fell asleep melted away as she nuzzled against him even closer.

He looked down at her, careful not to jar her and moved slowly to kiss the top of her head. She mumbled again, her grip on his hand slacking, but he didn’t move it. He couldn’t. He was so happy to feel her and the bairn, feel close to them both like this, that he would steal the moments that she gave him.

Claire woke suddenly, feeling a ravenous hunger surge through her. These damned cravings would kill her one of these days.

“Jamie,” she said softly, nudging him awake. “Jamie?”

His eyes opened slowly.

“…’s the bairn…”

“We’re both fine, but…”

One eye snapped fully open.

“Do ye need hot wings again?”

She shook her head, a guilty look crossing her face.

“No, I just… Doesn’t chili sound really good?”

“Canna say it does just at the moment.”

Biting her bottom lip, she looked up at him.

“I could kill for some chili right now…”

With a sigh, he started pushing himself up.

“Alright. I’ll go and see if someone’s open and selling chili.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Ye dinna have to do that, Sassenach. I’m pleased to fetch ye chili if ye wish.”

Swinging her legs out of bed, she fumbled in the dark for something to put on her feet and a sweater.

“No, I’d like to come. I feel terrible, sending you out at odd hours like my personal servant.”

“Are ye sure?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. “And this way I won’t be eating it in our bed. Won’t be finding bits of nachos in our sheets for the next week.”

“Ye make a verra fine point, Sassenach. Let’s go, then.”

Luckily, the chili wasn’t as difficult to find as the hot wings had been. They had her small bowl of chili within fifteen minutes.

“You know what else sounds good?” she asked as Jamie pulled out of the parking lot.

“Ye mean besides sleep?”

“Ice cream.”

“I didna ken pregnancy would give a woman such strange tastes.”

“Do you think we can find someone who does ice cream all night?”

“The place we just left does.”

Licking the spoon, she looked over to him sheepishly.

“I’ll split it with you.”

“No, no. I’ll no’ take any of it. I canna really eat at three in the morning.”

Making a U-turn, he pulled back into the drive through and ordered one chocolate frosty for his pregnant wife. The young man at the window gave them an odd look, which Jamie ignored.

“Thank you,” she said quietly as they headed home.

“I put ye in this position, gettin’ ye wi’ child and all. The least I can do is feed whatever bizarre cravings our bairn has.”

She grinned as she finished her strange combination of chili and ice cream.

The following afternoon, Jamie was sitting on the couch doing a little reading while Claire worked on some things for her classes. Just as he stretched, he glanced over to her and saw her flinch hard. She stared down at her belly in complete shock, her hand almost went to touch it, but stopped. He looked away from her before she could see him watching. Wondering what had caught her so off guard, he forced his attention back to his book, but continued to glance at her under hooded eyelids.

That night, they lay curled up together as they usually did. Once she settled and fell into deep sleep, she moved his hand onto her stomach. It was the only time she was comfortable having him touch her and he cherished the feeling. As he began relaxing into sleep, he thought he felt something. A faint flutter against his hand made his eyes snap open. Surely it was too soon to feel the bairn move.

With bated breath, he waited to see if it would happen again. When it didn’t, he was sure he’d imagined the feeling. He felt Claire softly push his hand against her, burrowing farther into his neck and pulling him with her down into their dreams.

Claire woke up in the morning snuggled warmly into Jamie’s side. She didn’t want to disturb him, she’d done enough of that the night before. Slowly, her eyes drank in her sleeping husband’s face. Husband, he was her husband. He had been since that first night together, of course, but now that they’d made the decision to stay together and married to boot, that word felt so important. She glanced down at his hand and saw the ring that marked him as hers. She smiled, but inside her emotions ran rampant with worry about what could be. No. No, she wouldn’t let her thoughts travel down that road. Jamie was a good man, a man who loved her, a man who did everything in his power so she was happy and well cared for. A man who she wanted to be hers for always. A need rose up in her so quickly and so strongly she couldn’t completely stifle the sound of distress that came out of her throat. Jamie stirred and she froze, still wanting to watch him sleep. He readjusted and pulled her closer, hand drifting towards her abdomen. Suddenly, she felt it. A soft push from the inside of her belly. It had startled her the day before, the feeling foreign and somewhat frightening. Truly there was a child in there. Of course she’d seen their little one on the ultrasound screen, but it was another to feel her. To know she was in there and moving around. It was a different kind of knowing. And it amazed her. She willed the wee one to do it again, to prove that it wasn’t just a gas bubble. She was concentrating so hard that she didn’t realize Jamie’s hand was on her stomach, cupping the small swell lovingly. He hadn’t woken, but a pure smile crept over his face; the same smile that came over him when she brushed his hair back while he slept. It simultaneous melted and broke her heart. She knew she was being unfair to him, not letting him touch her, but she couldn’t wrap her head around the changes her body was going through. She had to make the effort, she thought to herself. She had to do this for him, as he did all these things for her. At that thought, another idea sprung to her mind. Another way to show Jamie that she truly understood and was thankful for everything he did for her. As if in agreement with her thoughts, the little peanut gave another soft kick to her abdomen. She smiled and snuggled back into him, letting herself drift back to sleep for a little while longer.

Just pure gorgeousness from beginning to end @takemeawaytocamelot and @outlandishchridhe 😍😍😍

Perfect in every way @takemeawaytocamelot ! ❤❤❤❤

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 10

I feel like I say this with every chapter, but Ish and I enjoy this AU so much. It’s helped keep us sane in crazy days of stress and confusion and all sorts of things. Hope you like this chapter!

Catch up on all previous installments on my Master List

Fraser Bairn Watch: Month 4

Things were definitely beginning to change inside her body. She could feel it, even as she watched the changes. Her belly was beginning to really grow now, no longer appearing as if she’d eaten too much. Some mornings she would steal Jamie’s phone before he woke and flip through the photos he had of her belly. There were only a few of them, since they’d found out late, but he kept them in their own folder in his phone.

That was one of the best things about this situation. No matter how she was feeling, how many times she’d thrown up, or how many evenings she fell asleep halfway through her meal, he was happy. He was overjoyed to watch her grow.

She wasn’t getting as sick this month, though it still happened. Jamie was so good about making sure whatever had triggered her sickness didn’t make it onto the grocery list for that week.

He came home, several bags of groceries in his hands and a small bundle of flowers.

“You’re going to spoil me, Jamie Fraser. If you’re not careful, I’ll start expecting flowers every month.”

With a wink and a kiss on her cheek, he went to set the bags down. As he put their groceries away, she set the roses up in the vase where the previous three had been.

“Four roses for four months,” he said, coming up behind her. “Because I love ye more than my own life and I thank ye for carrying my bairn.”

The following day, she went to work as she usually did, armed with a cool water bottle and several frozen washcloths to help keep her cool. She’d had an idea brewing in her mind, but she hadn’t figured out how to execute it yet.

Jamie had done so much for her, given up so many things for her, and steadfastly held true since before she had moved out and back (if she was honest with herself), and she wanted to figure out what she could do for him. He wasn’t a materialistic man, he didn’t need things. She wanted to do something else, take him somewhere closer to home, but still have it feel like a getaway.

There were quite a few options that they could afford that were nearby, but she hadn’t been able to make a concrete decision yet. As she finished her shift, she watched a young family wander through the gardens. The man and woman held hands as they walked, their eyes content as they looked at each other. Their little girl toddled around them, eager to explore everything around her. Both parents looked at their child with such tenderness and fondness that Claire felt tears pricking her eyes.

The whole drive home, the image of the young family played in her mind’s eye. When she walked in the door, she stared around the front room with her mouth open. She wasn’t a messy person by nature, but with her odd cravings at times, she ate food just about everywhere. Jamie never complained about it either, which was comforting. Frank had hated if she’d had a snack somewhere other than the kitchen table.

But the entire apartment, from what she could see, was spotless. The carpet was freshly vacuumed, she could still see the lines in it, and everything had been dusted. When she put her bag down and headed into the kitchen for the extra washcloth Jamie kept frozen for her, she noticed that he’d even mopped and wiped down the counter. The bathroom was also probably wiped down and scrubbed as well, if he’d gone to this much trouble.

He was moving about the kitchen as if some exciting tune was playing that only he could hear. As he did, he hummed something she didn’t recognize. Sometimes when he was in a really good mood, he’d hum or chant something he’d heard growing up in Scotland. Given the cadence she thought this thing he was humming might be along those lines.

A pot sat on the stove, Jamie stirring its contents. She thought she smelled chili powder, but wasn’t sure. He had a few other bowls sitting out on the counter filled with a few different things and she realized what he was making. Meatless taco salad. It was something he’d tried a few weeks back and she’d loved it. None of the things in it had made her sick or given her heartburn.

Watching him swaying to his own music, an overwhelming sense of fondness flooded her and she began weeping.

“Claire?” He turned suddenly, surprised to see her standing behind him and noticed the tears flowing down her cheeks. “Christ! Are ye alright lass?! The bairn?”

Unable to form words, she just stared at his blurry image and wept.

“Is it something in the kitchen bothering ye? I thought it was alright last time and ye liked it so much… If it’s too much I can make something else.”

“No! No don’t do that!” she said, suddenly finding the words. “It’s just… You’re such a good man, Jamie. I know you had training at work today and you still had the time to come home and clean our whole apartment and make dinner. I just… I’m just…”

When the words fled from her mind again, she reached for him and brought his lips down to hers. He was surprised at first, but quickly melted into her embrace and returned it.

“I love you too, mo chridhe,” he whispered when she let him go. “Are ye sure the bairn’s alright?”

“Yes,” she said, spreading her hand over the small swell. “We’re both alright. I was just a little emotional. These goddamned bloody hormones. I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, laughing, and went back to them stove.

“Dinna apologize for that, Sassenach. It comes wi’ the territory of you being wi’ child.”

She smiled. “How long until dinner is ready?”

“Only a few more minutes. Just need to heat the beans and corn back up and throw it all together.”

The idea that had been forming in her mind came suddenly to life and she knew what she needed to do.

“Alright. I just have a few things I need to do on the computer.”

Before she turned away, he took two steps toward her and stole another kiss.

Sitting down at her desk, she opened up her laptop and began researching Lake Mead. It was about an hour from their apartment and would be a perfect thing for them to do. They could get away without really going anywhere and have some time just to themselves. She knew Jamie would love it.

Friday night, she snuggled up to him and began playing with the hairs on his chest.

“Have you any plans this weekend?”

“Ah… No, I dinna think so. Why?”

“What if we went to Lake Mead for the day tomorrow?”

Craning his neck, he looked down at her, brows raised.

“Oh? For the day? We dinna have a boat.”

“No, but we can rent one.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Aye, I’d like that verra much, Sassenach. Thank ye.”

“Well, this is sort of my way to say thank you actually. You’ve done so much for me since I told you I was pregnant. You’ve taken such good care of me, so I’ve got a whole day planned for us.”

“Have ye now? Been planning this for some time, then?”

She shrugged.

“Not really. It’s been brewing in my head for a while, but it only just fell into place.”

“I look forward to seeing what ye’ve planned for us, then.”

With a smile, she hugged him tightly and relaxed into sleep.

The following morning, she packed a few things into a large bag and they drove out to Lake Mead. They picked up their rental boat and Jamie set out to find a spot of beach just for them. It was hot, but being out on the lake was more fun than she’d expected. She stayed under the awning with him while he drove the boat around.

He looked good out here, dressed only in his swim trunks as he’d shed his shirt as soon as they’d gotten on the boat. She wore the only swimsuit she owned, but had put his shirt on over it.

“It’s a beautiful day,” he said, staring out at the blue water.

“It really is. I was worried it might rain, but it looks like the sky has cleared up.”

“Aye. Thank ye, Sassenach. This is a verra nice thing to do.”

They ate lunch on the beach, laying out on the towels she’d brought with them. It was too hot to be too near each other, but they were comfortable this way.

“We canna make love on a public beach, can we?” he asked some time later.

Claire snorted.

“This corner might be secluded, but it’s not that secluded. See?” she nodded to someone flying by on a jet ski.

He sighed.

“Someday I want to take ye somewhere and make love to ye on a beach.”

“Why?”

“Dinna ken. Something I’ve never done and I suspect ye havena either. Always thought it would be verra romantic to do that.”

She smiled at him.

“You really are a romantic at heart, aren’t you?”

“Aye, maybe I am. Ye said ye had other plans for us today?”

“I do. We’ll need to head back soon so I can get started on our dinner.”

Nodding, he helped her up and gathered her into his arms for a very thorough kiss.

“Then let’s return the boat and head home.”

On the drive back, she dozed off a little. Jamie woke her when they got back to their apartment.

“Can I help ye wi’ the meal?”

“No, you can’t. Go and read or watch TV or something. It’s my turn to appreciate all that you’ve done for me.”

Pursing his lips, he grunted and went to the couch to read. She got to work on a full dinner for him. Pan-seared steaks, his favorite garlic mashed potatoes, and cheesy broccoli. The last time he’d had cheesy broccoli had been over a month before and it had ended with her vomiting in the bathroom. But she knew how much he’d loved it, so she made it for him.

When the meal was all done, she set the table and looked proudly at all she’d done.

“Christ Sassenach, this looks amazing!”

“I hope so. It’s all your favorites.”

“And the cheesy… Claire, ye dinna need to cook things ye canna eat.”

Shaking her head, she motioned to his seat and he took it.

“This is something you like, Jamie. I wanted to do this for you.”

“It isna fair for me to eat it and you to-”

“I made you these bloody cheesy broccoli to say thank you, damn it! Will you not just eat them?!”

He blinked and looked down sheepishly.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Sassenach. I appreciate that ye made them for me.”

“Good. Now eat up. I have one last thing planned for tonight.”

After they finished, Jamie insisted that she leave the dishes for him to take care of the next day. Reluctantly, she agreed.

“So what are we to do next? Dessert, perhaps?”

The glint in his eye made her giggle a little.

“Maybe later. How are your shoulders?”

He moved them stiffly, as if his shirt didn’t fit him quite right.

“Still sore. But no’ so bad as they were a few days ago. Ye’ve a good touch.”

“Lie down on the bed. Take off your shirt and trousers.”

As he did, she caught the wince he tried to hide. No matter what he did, all of the tension and soreness from his work ended up in his broad shoulders. He lay down on their bed arms folded beneath the pillow she’d moved for him.

“I’m glad we did this today,” she said, running her hands up his back.

He shivered a little, gooseflesh rippling over him

“Aye, me too. It’s always good to get away wi’ you. Helps to get away from the city and the strip. Sometimes I think…”

Squeezing the bottle of oil, which she’d gotten specifically with this in mind, onto his back, she began to work it into his muscles.

“Think what?”

“You’ll think I’m daft.”

“I live with you. I already know you’re daft.”

One blue eye opened a crack to glare at her. She smiled at it and started digging her fingers into his tense back.

“Weel now I’m no’ gonna tell you.”

“Please? I like to hear what you’re thinking.”

A knot in his lower back gave way and he let out a deep sigh.

“Weel… Sometimes I find myself thinking that if the whole world fell away, I would be alright. Because I have you.”

Again, she felt tears in her eyes.

“Oh Jamie, that’s very sweet. I couldn’t think you daft for that.”

“Thank ye, Sassenach.”

Working slowly, she released the knots in his lower back and middle back before reaching his shoulders. His breathing was slow and even, but he wasn’t asleep. She climbed onto the bed and held herself above him to get a better angle.

Putting as much pressure into her hands as she could, she compelled the knots to release. Closing her eyes, she imagined the muscle held beneath his skin. She thought of how they should look, how they should feel, how they should move. Kneading and pressing in the places her hands told her, she continued until she felt the tightness give. Jamie let out a mighty gasp, his body flinching beneath her.

“Oh… Claire that…”

“Did it work?”

“Aye, lass. It worked verra well. I dinna think my shoulders have felt this good in weeks.”

With a pleased smile, she got off the bed.

“Good! That was the whole point of doing this, after all.”

Jamie rolled onto his back, staring up at her. His eyes drooped, but they glittered with desire and mischief.

“Though, now that ye have me thinkin’…”

Claire snorted, already opening the bottle of oil again.

“What? Are you going to tell me your cock has a certain stiffness as well?”

He smirked at her and shook his head.

“It doesna yet. But I think other bits of me could use yer touch.”

As she looked his body over, she thought it would be most enjoyable to start from the bottom and work her way up, skipping sensitive areas. With the majority of his body now covered in oil, she felt her own desire stirring. How could someone be so perfectly formed? In the waning light of the room he looked like a sculpture of a Greek god, in the living flesh.

Her eyes darted down to his crotch and she smiled. Living flesh indeed. Flesh that she needed to feel. Hands back on his chest, she made the mistake of looking up to meet his eyes.

She was drawn to him by some invisible force. He made no move for her and said nothing. Yet he compelled her to bring herself closer. Was it the eyes? Perhaps. But it was also more than that, as if his soul was calling to hers and it was calling back.

Before she even realized how close to him she was, her mouth found his. Both of his arms came around her waist then and pulled her up onto the bed. Feeling his body beneath hers shortened her breath.

At some point, he’d begun to pull her jeans off. Forcing herself to get off him for a moment, she stood and finished what he’d started. Jamie was not one for remaining idle, though. Hopping to his own feet, he pulled her to him and kissed her hard.

His skin was smooth to her hands, oiled as it was. She couldn’t help but smile when his hands found her buttocks, squeezing them excitedly. Then he pushed her panties off before removing his boxers.

“I must have ye now, Claire,” he said, voice strained with his desire.

“Then have me,” she answered.

He brought her back into his arms and began to tug at her shirt. She shied away from him, pulling it back down. His brow furrowed at her, eyes narrowing in question.

“Just leave it.”

“And no’ see your beautiful body in all it’s naked glory? I think not, Sassenach. Off wi’ it.”

Reaching for it again, he had her stomach exposed before she started to pull it back down. For a moment, she thought about insisting, but that would lead to questions. Instead, she lifted her arms so he could take the last bit of covering from her.

He laid her down on their bed, pausing briefly to kiss her stomach. Then he moved back up to kiss her lips.

“Thank ye, Claire, for all you’ve done today. Taking me out for a day on the lake, cooking me a verra fine dinner, even wi’ things ye couldna eat. And then ye tend my body? I’ve never kent a woman like you.”

“I don’t think there’s ever been a woman quite like me before,” she sighed before stroking his face. “Or a man quite like you.”

“I’m glad I found ye.”

She opened her mouth to say something back, but was cut off by his sudden thrust. Whatever she’d done to help relieve the tension in his back and shoulders had clearly made him feel better. He moved with a frenzy she hadn’t felt in some time, like he was making love to her for the first time.

Her legs couldn’t lock around him, constantly slipping off his body from the oil as much as his vigor. She let her head fall back onto the pillow. His lips visited her neck, biting gently. Her back arched off the bed in response, hands clawing at his back uselessly as they slipped and slid against his skin. Lifting her head up, she bit his neck in kind, spurring him to rear up and continue his merciless attack on her body, hands exploring every piece of her as she did the same.

Overwhelmed by the animalistic feelings aroused in him, he pushed on, growling into Claire’s ear, “Ye’re mine, mo nighean donn. Now and forever, yer mine.”

He gripped her hips to hold her body in position while he continued on. The end was coming nearer, her body preparing for that release it needed desperately. Taking a grip on his hair, she pulled him back down to her and bit his shoulder hard to mute her scream. Then he too cried out, his own body bucking against hers.

They lay together for several minutes, neither able to move after the climax faded. Jamie gave her a very sweet kiss before rolling onto his side. She curled up in his arms, observing the bright red mark she’d left him.

“Sorry about that one,” she said quietly, poking it.

He hissed a little.

“Dinna fash. Was worth a little pain to hear ye squeak like that.”

With a contented sigh, she pressed her ear to his chest and let his steady heartbeat sing her to sleep.

The following night, Jamie was nudged awake by his wife. Grunting, he forced his eyes open.

“Are ye alright?” he mumbled. “The bairn?”

“We’re alright. Would you mind… Maybe going and getting us some hot wings?”

“Are ye daft? I dinna even ken what the time is.”

With a heavy sigh, he looked at the clock on her bedside table.

2:31 AM

“Wings? Ye want hot wings? Now?”

She smiled sheepishly.

“Pregnancy cravings?”

“If ye start craving pickles wi’ yer ice cream, I’m moving out,” he said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “But if it’s hot wings ye need, it’s hot wings ye’ll get.”

“Thank you, darling.”

“Anything for you.”

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he tried to ignore the clock inside his car. He drove around for nearly half an hour until he found a place that was open and sold hot wings. As he pulled up to the window, his phone buzzed.

The speaker squacked and a woman yawned.

“What can I get you?”

“I’d like an order of hot wings and cheesy chips, please. Thank ye.”

“One order of hot wings and one order of nachos. That’ll be-”

“No, miss. I’m sorry. I mean cheese fries.”

“Hot wings, nachos, and cheese fries. That’ll be…”

Jamie rolled his eyes. He was too tired to argue with the woman at three in the morning.

He tripped several times as he went up the stairs to their apartment, but he kept the food from dropping. She was in bed, wiggling like an excited puppy. Her nose flared when he walked in.

“Did you get nachos too?”

“I forgot to say cheesy fries rather than cheesy chips, so she thought I meant nachos. But I got you proper chips too.”

Laying out a napkin on the bed, she pulled the things out of the bag and began shoveling them into her open mouth, still wiggling happily.

“Why did it take you so long?” she asked, licking hot sauce from her fingers.

“It isna easy to find a place that sells hot wings at three in the morning.”

When she smiled at him, he sighed and wiped the sauce from her chin.

“You’re a good husband.”

His heart leapt, hearing her say that, though he chose to keep that feeling to himself. Instead, he stole a cheesy and slightly spicy kiss from her.

“Here,” she said, setting the nachos out. “Share with me.”

“I wouldna dream of taking a pregnant woman’s late night cravings,” he said with a chuckle.

“Well this pregnant woman is sharing them with you. You went out at three in the morning to get them for me.”

With a nod, he gave in and split the nachos with her. They weren’t bad, he thought. When she finished, he gathered up the wrappings and took them to the kitchen trash.

Despite how tired he was now, the look of satisfaction on her face was worth it. He slid back into bed beside her and held her close. Her breath smelled like all the things she’d just eaten, but he didn’t mind.

After she showered in the morning, she went out to breakfast. Jamie beamed at her and kissed her cheek.

“Morning, Sassenach. Sleep well?”

“Very. Thank you for going out last night.”

“Dinna fash. Glad I got ye what ye needed. Oh! And it’s Monday. Ready for yer weekly photo?”

She was a little surprised he wanted to take it right now. It was usually something he did after he got home in the evenings.

“Oh, um… Sure, I guess.”

Going to the same spot she always stood in, she tentatively lifted her shirt to expose her growing belly. It felt heavier somehow, like a lead weight had settled in her stomach.

“Look at ye! Finally looking verra pregnant. Christ, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen!”

Verra pregnant.

Those words echoed through her mind all through her classes that day and through her short shift at the gardens. She’d known that she would get bigger, of course, she wasn’t stupid. But she wasn’t sure she liked how she was starting to look now.

She was nursing a mug of tea when Jamie came home.

“Sorry I’m home late,” he said, locking the door behind him.

“It’s alright. I just had some leftovers for dinner.”

“Are ye alright?”

She finished the tea and nodded.

“Yes, we’re both doing just fine.”

As she reached to put her mug in the sink, Jamie made a move to feel her stomach. It was something he’d done regularly since finding out about the baby. But with her newfound discomfort, she shied away from him, backing into the wall.

A hurt expression moved over his face before he stepped back. Unable to meet his eyes, she maneuvered around him to her desk to attempt studying while he ate his own leftovers for dinner. When they went to bed that night, she chose to wear a long night dress. It felt a little old fashioned, but the cut of it hid the new shapes of her body.

Jamie observed her new sleeping outfit with lifted brows, but he didn’t say anything. He only gathered her into his arms and held her as they went to sleep. She let him rest his hands on the bump, the deep-seated awful feeling she had at pulling away from him before tugging at her heart. She knew the coming days and months would bring more changes. All she could hope, for now, was that she’d grow to accept and embrace them.

Aw ....  Jamie loves that baby bump Claire !

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 9

Okay. Well. @outlandishchridhe and I said it would be a while before we’d post a new chapter. We might have fibbed a little. Cause well, here’s a new chapter. We used plotting as a reward for getting homework done, which we totally did. And we had far, FAR too much fun plotting and writing this chapter.

Catch up with all previous chapters HERE

Fraser Bairn Wach: Month 3

Jamie put the finishing touches on the quinoa salad as the door unlocked. Claire hung her keys up and dropped her bag on the floor.

“Why is it so bloody hot here?” she asked, heading to the refrigerator for a bottle of cold water.

While she took a long drink, he went to her bag and pulled out the plastic bag of wet washcloths to rinse and return to the freezer. Claire already had the extra out and pressed against her neck.

“Because it’s July in the desert, Sassenach,” he said with a laugh. “Did ye drink enough water?”

“I did, I promise. What did you make?”

Setting the bowl on the table, he stuck the serving spoon into it and took a deep breath.

“Weel, it’s a quinoa salad wi’ cucumbers and chickpeas, and a light yogurt dill dressing on the side, to use as ye like.”

“That sounds amazing. And it’s cool, oh I do love you Jamie.”

He gave her a soft kiss on her cheek and smiled as she picked up a slice of cucumber from the cutting board. It was true, what they said. Women had a particular glow about them when they were pregnant and his wife was no different.

Claire had gotten through the first couple months of her pregnancy pretty much unscathed as far as morning sickness was concerned. She had heard the horror stories of mornings filled with vomiting and not being able to eat and thought she had made it past the point that it would affect her. She thought that. But sadly, she was wrong.

It came on all of a sudden. Just one bite of the cucumber. One minute she was fine, the next, she was sprinting down the short hallway and into the bathroom to release the food she had just put into her mouth. Jamie, who had been startled from his dinner preparation by her sudden departure, heard the retching coming from behind the closed door and knocked tentatively.

“Sassenach? Are ye alright?”

He heard her gasp before she answered. 

“Yes, I’m fine. Don’t come in! I don’t want you to see this.”

The water came on and he listened while she brushed her teeth. A moment later, she came out, her face still a little flushed.

“Are ye sure you’re alright, Sassenach?”

“Yes, I’m just fine. I’m perfectly alright now. Though, I think I might not be able to make myself eat the cucumbers in the salad…”

“Dinna fash. I’ll pick them out for ye and eat them myself. I made them big chunks, aye?”

She filled a glass with water and began to drink it while he fixed her a bowl without cucumbers. The rest of the evening was uneventful. They snuggled in bed, though he was hesitant to let it go further than that.

In the morning, he set aside a portion of the leftovers from the previous night for Claire’s lunch, taking care to pick out the cucumbers. Then he started getting together a small breakfast for her, knowing she had a very full day between her classes and work. He’d just buttered some toast and set it on a plate when she came out of the bedroom.

“Morning,” she said, grinning at him.

“Morning, mo nighean donn. Are ye hungry?”

“Definitely.”

Steering her away from the plate of eggs he’d fixed, he sat her down at the table.

“We’ll no’ see each other all day and I’ll probably be late wi’ work tonight. Let me feed ye properly, at least.”

Rolling her eyes, she folded her arms and waited. Finished, he filled her plate with the eggs and toast. She took one big bite of the perfectly cooked eggs and her hand went to her mouth. Immediately, he knew she would bolt to the bathroom again by the look on her face. This time he followed her in.

While she gripped the sides of the toilet, he held her hair back and out of her face until she finished retching. The sound of it had him worrying that something was wrong with the bairn. Finally, it was over. She sat back and slumped against the wall, her face covered in sweat.

“Are ye alright?”

“I am now.”

“Do we need to call your doctor? I’m gettin’ worried.”

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall.

“Unfortunately, this is completely normal,” she sighed, wiping her mouth and taking his outstretched hand to stand up. “Completely normal. It’s just morning sickness.”

“That doesna really explain you being sick last night though.”

“Well, they call it morning sickness, but really it happens all the time. It can happen any time of day and all through the pregnancy, although I’m really hoping our little one here doesn’t keep making me sick or it’ll be a long 6 months to go.” She smiled as she said this, caressing her very, very small bump. She would throw up every day, and gladly, as long as the baby was safe.

Jamie rubbed her back gently, still worried.

“And you’ll be alright at school? And work?”

“Honestly, I feel perfectly alright now. I’ll take it as easy as I can, I promise. But I’ll be fine.”

She brushed her teeth again and followed him back out. Opting for a bowl of cereal instead of the eggs, she finished and grabbed her lunch bag.

“What’d you pack me today?”

“Leftovers from last night. Wi’out the cucumbers. Picked them all out myself.”

“Such a gentleman you are.”

With a deep bow, he gave her hand a kiss.

“Lord Midnight the Blue, at your service, my lady.”

“I’ll see you tonight, my lord. Try not to break yourself at work?”

“Ye ken I fight the dark forces of Merlin. Sometimes that involves taking a blow. But I’ve got a fine lady of medicine waiting for me at home who’ll tend to my wounds.”

Car keys in hand, she smirked from the doorway.

“Just make sure to sneak her out the back door before I see her.”

He let out a hearty laugh as she left.

Thankfully his show had gone well and he hadn’t left with new injuries. Claire would be pleased. As he pulled out of the employee parking lot, he thought about her struggles with the pregnancy sickness. With a stroke of inspiration, he drove to a grocery store and bought her three red roses.

At home, Claire was bustling around the kitchen.

“You’re home!”

“Aye, I am. Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s alright. You’re here now. Hungry?”

With the roses in one hand, he wrapped his arms around her, presenting the flowers with a flourish.

“Starved. But I’ve a wee gift for ye first.”

“Oh Jamie! What’s the occasion?”

“Weel, I figure you’re about three months gone now, aye? Three roses for three months. I canna do the work for ye or take this sickness for ye, but I can bring ye something to say thank you.”

Turning around in his arms, she put her own around his neck and blinked back the tears.

“I think that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me. I didn’t think you’d kept such close track.”

“Of course I have, mo nighean donn,” he said, hand over the nearly invisible swell. “This is my child too. I want to keep track of how our bairn’s progress is doing. And to say I love ye more and more every day.”

“I love you too, Jamie.”

Claire set the table and served them both dinner. They ate happily while she regaled him with details from her day, both school and work. Admittedly, he didn’t understand most of the things she said about her classes, but she was happy. That was all he ever wanted.

Dishes in the sink, they cuddled on the couch for a little while. The three red roses sat in a vase on the end table where Claire had put them.

“Ye ken what day it is, Sassenach?”

“Monday?”

He tried to keep his smile down, but he couldn’t. Monday was easily his favorite day of the week for one very good reason.

“Ye ken how ye let me take a photograph of yer wee belly on Mondays?”

Heaving a sigh, she slowly stood and started to walk towards the wall he liked to take the picture against.

“Honestly Jamie, I’m not even showing yet. At most, it looks like I’ve a food baby that’s settled there. I don’t know why you want a picture of it. I just look bloated.”

“I want a picture,” he said, turning her slightly after she pulled her shirt up to reveal her belly to him. “Because I want to watch you and the bairn grow.” He kissed her softly then pulled away.

“I want a picture because my beautiful wife is pregnant and glowing with our wee babe inside her.”

“I’m glowing because my skin is so oily and it’s shining in this light,” she retorted, though she smiled at him when he pointed his phone in her direction, unable to keep her hand from touching her near-flat belly.

“Take yer hand off there, Sassenach. I want to see the belly.” He smirked at her over the top of his phone and took another few pictures. She rolled her eyes at him and stuck her tongue out, but let him do as he pleased. Whether she would admit it or not, she also wanted to see her body grow and change, the subtle swell of her belly get larger with their child.

“And ye are glowing. It’s not just yer face, yer whole body seems more alight. Ye look completely beautiful. It’s not just the look of ye either, ken? There’s something all around ye now. I canna explain it, but it’s there.”

He leaned down and took her lips against his, her face shocked but pleased at his assessment of her.

“I do love you something fierce, Jamie Fraser,” she whispered to him between kisses.

“I love you, too, mo nighean donn. Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

About a week later, Jamie was just getting things out to start on dinner when Claire suddenly pushed back from her desk. She’d been studying for an exam all afternoon on her day off and he’d been trying to give her space. He’d been taking careful note about what different foods set off her nausea and had avoided using them at all costs.

Pulling the refrigerator door open roughly, she began digging through the drawers, muttering to herself.

“How do we have no cucumbers in this whole bloody apartment?!”

Frowning, he opened a jar and set it on the counter.

“Cucumber? The last time ye had any, it left ye puking yer guts out! I havena bought any in a week.”

She stood up and closed the door. He glanced at her just in time to see the tears welling in her eyes. Her bottom lip began to tremble as a red flush started up her neck. When her mouth opened, he thought she might yell. What happened was much, much worse.

“I just… Wanted… B-bloody cucumber…”

Then the dam broke and she shook with intense sobs. For a moment, he stood there in complete shock. His mouth hung open while she wept in the middle of the kitchen. He rushed to her and pulled her close, trying to find a way to soothe her.

“Hush lass, dinna cry. If ye want a cucumber, I’ll go and fetch ye one. Dinna cry, mo nighean donn. I’ll fetch ye a whole bushel if ye wish.”

Slowly, her head came up from his chest, her blue eyes amazingly bright from her tears.

“W-would y-you?” she stammered between hiccups.

“Aye, lass. I’ll go right now.”

“Th-thank you, Jamie.”

Considering her emotional state, he bought as many cucumbers as he could fit in the produce bag at the grocery store.

She was on the couch when he got home, no longer crying, thank God. She looked a little sheepish but, as soon as she saw him, she hopped to her feet and began reaching for the bag.

“No, no, a nighean. Let me wash one for ye first.”

He rinsed and brushed a large cucumber off before turning to the cutting board. Claire stood directly behind him, eyes on the vegetable.

“Christ!” he yelped, moving back. “I didna even hear ye get off the couch!”

Her eyes darted from him to the cucumber and back. When she licked her lips, he nearly threw it at her for fear of losing his own fingers.

“Here! Take the damn thing!”

She held it, staring down at it for a moment. Quickly, she picked up the knife Jamie had been about to use and chopped one end off before taking a huge bite. It wasn’t until she’d swallowed the bite that she looked up and met his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Jamie. These hormones are… I don’t even know what to do with myself. I didn’t mean to start crying like that. I’m sorry I frightened you.”

“Dinna fash, lass. Ye didna frighten me. I worried I’d been an arse somehow and hurt ye. If I’d kent ye wanted them, I’d have bought them at the store today.”

“I know, and I didn’t know I wanted them until I got up from the desk. I promise, it wasn’t you at all. Thank you for getting some. It’s quite good.”

Cupping her face in one hand, he smiled fondly at her.

“All I want is for ye to be happy. If ye need me to get ye cucumbers in the middle of the night, I’ll find some way to make it happen.”

She looked up at him seriously for a moment.

“I want you to be happy too. I feel like sometimes… I feel quite selfish. You do all these things for me and…”

Jamie cut her off with a long, slow kiss. He rested his forehead against hers and waited until she met his gaze.

“Ye do plenty for me, Claire. You come home after long days and make us dinner, you always ken when I need ye, when I’m hurting after work and yer willing to rub my shoulders for me, when ye get up before me to make a coffee for me, ye’re doing sae well in classes and working and growing our bairn. Trust me, Sassenach, going to fetch ye a wee cucumber is but a blip on the radar.”

He saw her eyes get teary again and hugged her close.

“Ye are perfect, mo nighean donn. Yer everything I didna know I wanted until I met ye. Dinna think that yer not worth that.”

He heard her soft sniffle against his shirt and ran a soothing hand down the length of her back.

“I love you,” came a watery voice from below his chin.

“I love ye, too, mo nighean donn. Come on. Let’s having something to eat, aye? Aside from yon wee cucumber there.”

That earned him a small laugh and a thump to the chest, but her eyes shone up at him, filled with wonder at this man who could love her so much.

She helped him prepare the rest of their dinner and they ate cuddled up on the couch instead of at the table, needing to just be close to one another.

When they went to bed that night, right before he drifted off to sleep, arms snugly around her, he heard her whisper, “How did I ever get so lucky as to find you?”

He smiled and searched for her mouth with his, giving her a sleepy kiss before bringing her even closer and pulling her into sleep with him, safe and secure in each other’s arms.

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 8-ish

So, @outlandishchridhe and I were talking and we realized something… There was one thing in chapter 8 we really wanted to do (and were super duper excited about) and COMPLETELY forgot. SO y’all get a wee little ficlet today. Don’t worry everyone, we’re both multitasking. I’m still reading my books for school and doing my schoolwork, plotting oddly is helpful with that. Hope y’all like this little tidbit you’re getting!

That was the last of it. They’d made arrangements for the furniture she wouldn’t need and had found places for all of her things. The closet and dresser were a little cramped now, but it somehow felt right. Uncle Lamb’s Viking sword hung back in it’s place, looking like it was finally home. Claire seemed happy too, to be back.

The only photographs she had of her parents sat beside the photos of his own family, though he’d moved hers to the forefront. Looking around, he was pleased to see how well her things fit in with his own. Hearing her soft voice drifting in from his - their - bedroom, he went to see what she was up to.

“That’s just about right, I think. I’m glad to see you survived being packed and unpacked and repacked.”

Delicately, her fingers drifted over a glass case as she stared lovingly at the rose inside. It was the same rose he’d given her when she’d come to see his show, the one she’d hung in his closet to dry.

“I was hoping ye’d like it,” he said quietly. She didn’t seem surprised that he was there. “When I left it there, I wasna sure if ye’d keep it as a memory of us together, or throw it against the wall. But I kent that ye had wanted to save it.”

“I thought I might faint the first time I saw it, lying on my bed. It clicked with everything else.”

“What did?”

She turned to face him, standing and putting her arms around his neck.

“That you loved me. And that you loved me enough to let me go, even though it broke your heart. I didn’t see it before, that I loved you too. Or, I did, but I was afraid to admit it to myself. But then it all made sense and seeing what you did for that silly little flower, well… I knew I had to come home then.”

He kissed her, long and slow, feeling the emotion swirl through him at her words.

“I’m glad ye did, and that ye feel that here. If ye wished, we could find a different apartment. One we pick together.”

Shaking her head, she smiled softly.

“Home isn’t this apartment, you silly Scot. Home is you.”

A quiet, sweet moment with our Fraser’s. You may ask, how could we forget? Well…suffice it to say we have a LOT of plot bunnies. And sometimes, one gets lost. But we found it again so, enjoy!!

lovely!!!!

My heart !!!!!!!!!!

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 8

Well here you are my darlings! This isn’t the end of the Vegas AU, but probably one of the last you’ll get for a little while. My plot monster @outlandishchridhe has been an amazing partner to write with and I look forward to where this story takes us! A very special thanks to @shortiemcbealle for her amazing ideas that we got to incorporate into this chapter.

Thank you all SO SO much for your support and encouragement for this story.

Catch up on previous chapters HERE or on my Master List HERE

Claire was still in complete and utter shock. Jamie had embraced her, dropping the small stick to the floor and lifting her off her feet. She couldn’t tell if the noises they were making were laughter or tears, but they were joyful nonetheless.

She had followed him out into the kitchen, perching on a stool to watch him put together supper for them. It could have been minutes or hours later when Claire came to, a delicious looking meal of chicken and rice with a salad placed in front of her by Jamie.

“Are ye alright, Sassenach?” he questioned her softly, taking care not to spook her. “Ye’ve been verra quiet.”

“I’m fine,” she replied, looking off into the distance. “I know that I had thought that I was, but it…it feels different now. Knowing.”

“Is it what ye want?”

She startled and looked directly at him for the first time since they’d left the bathroom, a masked look of anxiety coloring his features.

“Yes! I promise it is! It just feels so surreal that it’s thrown me off kilter a bit. I’m not having any kind of second thoughts.”

“That’s good. Ye didna have much for breakfast, so eat up.”

With her hand over her stomach, she wondered for a moment if the test had been a false positive.

“I will in a moment. I’ll be right back. Go ahead and start eating. I’ll just be a moment.”

After a quick kiss on his cheek, she slipped into the bathroom again and looked at the box of pregnancy tests. There were four more in the box. If she took them at intervals, it would give her the best result, right? Hoping Jamie wouldn’t notice how long she was gone, she took the second test and waited. A mix of relief and fear twisted in her gut: PREGNANT.

While she washed her hands, her heart began to race. Two tests could be false positives, couldn’t they? Unlikely, but still possible.

Jamie was scrolling through something on his phone when she returned to the table. Glancing up at her, he smiled.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes, I’m just fine. We,” she put her hand over her stomach. “We’re both fine. Just had to pee. Again. Too much water.”

His eyes narrowed at her for a moment before he nodded, trying hard not to let a smile escape his lips.

“Good. Can ye eat now?”

They sat and had their dinner quietly, her mind whirling with possibilities. What would she do? Between work and school, her life was already busy. And now to add a newborn to that?

“Are you sure we can do this?” she asked, watching him clean the dishes. “Have a baby, I mean.”

“I think that ship’s already sailed, Sassenach. And I seem to recall telling ye that I’d be by your side every step of the way. What’s to do next then?”

“I’ll need to call my doctor and get an exam done. They’ll give me a test to confirm the pregnancy and then we’ll start the process of check ups and all that.”

Jamie nodded, eyes distracted.

“Ye’ll tell me when yer appointments are? I’ll no’… I don’t want ye to go alone. I want to come wi’ ye too. I want… to see the bairn. If ye dinna mind,” he said, looking down quickly as his face and ears turned pink.

“Of course.” He looked up to see a large smile gracing her beautiful face. “I’ll call first thing in the morning.”

Going to bed that night was comfortable. They moved around each other easily, neither feeling shy anymore. Jamie gathered her into his arms, one hand resting on her stomach again, attracted to it like a magnet.

“Sassenach, I’ve something I’d like ye to think about.”

“What is it?”

“Ye dinna need to give an answer right now, just give yourself time to think it over. But… If ye think ye wouldna be opposed to it, perhaps we might no’ annul our marriage. But I’ll leave it to you to decide. Just think about it for a time, aye?”

She nodded and laid her head back down on his chest, content. Around midnight, Claire extricated herself from Jamie and went to try another of the home tests. As she waited for this one to reveal it’s answer, her mind began to wander. Did she expect a different result? Did she want a different result? If it did come back negative, would she believe it? She had two previous tests that were positive. When her phone’s timer vibrated quietly, she turned the stick over.

PREGNANT

Tossing it into the small bin Jamie had for a trash can, Claire sighed and slid back into bed. Jamie flinched as her cold feet moved between his, but he drew her close in his sleep. Without thinking, she reached up and brushed his hair behind his ear. That heartbreakingly soft smile pulled at his lips before sliding away again.

“You do break my heart with loving you,” she whispered before laying back down and going to sleep.

In the morning, while Jamie made another impressive breakfast, Claire stood in the bathroom and stared at her reflection.

“You’re being ridiculous. You don’t need to take those last two tests,” she told her reflection, sternly. She sighed and eyed the box. “But, I suppose if I’m in for a penny…”

When the time was up, she turned both the sticks over simultaneously. They both read the same result: PREGNANT.

Feeling relieved and fairly certain that all 5 tests couldn’t possibly be wrong, she called her OB/GYN. She answered their questions and made an appointment for later that afternoon as they’d had a cancellation.

The drive to her doctor’s office was quiet, both of them still fraught with nerves.

“We’re here, Sassenach,” Jamie said, startling Claire from her thoughts. She looked over to him and he grabbed her hand. “It’s going to be alright.”

“I know. I’m just nervous.” She tried to smile at him reassuringly, but wasn’t sure it came across more as a grimace.

“Aye, well then. Let’s go.”

Sitting in the waiting room brought on more anxiety. There were a few women in there, all very clearly pregnant. Claire’s hand drifted unconsciously to her abdomen, rubbing small circles. Jamie held her other hand in his, his grasp reassuringly strong.

“Claire Beauchamp!”

She jumped and abruptly stood, pulling Jamie with her, and they followed the nurse back into the office. Claire provided them samples to test for pregnancy again and then was put into a room.

“Go ahead and put the gown on and the doctor will be in once she’s seen the results,” the nurse said, smiling at the couple.

She knew it had only been about 20 minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.

“Relax, mo chridhe,” Jamie soothed, rubbing her leg softly.

A sharp knock echoed from the door and the doctor walked in.

“Well, hello there Miss Beauchamp,” the doctor said to her, smiling. “Tell me why you’re here today.”

“Well, I-I think I’m pregnant,” Claire replied, blushing.

The doctor looked up and had a flicker of surprise cross her face at seeing Jamie sitting next to Claire, but she refocused on Claire almost at once.

“And it says here that you took…5 at home tests?”

“Um, yes.” The flush crept farther up her cheeks, a even darker shade of red forming there. “I wanted to be sure.”

“Don’t worry, it’s quite normal for expectant mother’s to do that,” the doctor stated with a smile. “So, let’s get down to it then, shall we? Your test results came back in and both your blood and urine samples show that you are, probably, pregnant. We need to do the ultrasound to confirm it, but everything is pointing to yes.”

Jamie’s sharp intake of breath caused Claire to turn her attention from the doctor to him. His wide grin was answered by her own and she could have sworn she heard him whisper ‘Thank God’ before he stood to hug her.

“By the date that you told us, it would appear you’re probably about 10 weeks or so along, but we’ll do the ultrasound to check and see if our due date matches with how big baby is. I’ll give you two a few minutes and then we’ll come in and get started.”

Claire’s face was still buried in Jamie’s neck.

“Thank you,” she answered, attempting to hold back tears.

As the door closed, Jamie pulled Claire’s face to look up at his.

“Ye took all the tests in the box?” he joked, light shining in his eyes.

“Don’t you make fun of me, James Fraser,” she pouted. He laughed again and kissed her pursed lips, feeling a smile return to them.

They didn’t have to wait long for the ultrasound. The warning of This will be cold! didn’t really give Claire any time to get ready before the jelly was applied to her abdomen. They both sat, mesmerized by the screen, but unsure of what they were seeing. It all just looked like a fuzzy TV channel.

Suddenly, a small, throbbing sound emanated from the machine.

“Oh, there you are!” the tech said, triumphantly, as a small form appeared on the screen. “There’s your baby!”

Claire’s vision blurred and she realized that the throbbing sound was that of her baby’s heart. She turned to face Jamie and saw that his mouth was slightly open and tears were in his eyes as well.

“Is that -” he choked out, then cleared his throat to try again. “That sound. Is it…?”

“That’s your baby’s heartbeat!” the tech responded, smiling widely at them. “Sounds good and strong too. Would you like a print out to take with you?”

They sat together in their living room, staring at the small, black and white printout of their ultrasound.

“I canna believe it,” Jamie said in wonder, fingertips just brushing over the top of the picture.

“I can’t either. It’s amazing. It’s so small.”

He turned to face her, full to bursting with pride and happiness.

“I found it amusin’ that your doctor, she looked a wee bit surprised to see me. But then, I suppose that many women, especially here, end up at those kind of appointments by themselves.”

“I don’t think it was just that, actually.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, she’s actually seen Frank before. Met him once as well. She’s been my doctor since I moved here.”

A sickening thought formed in Jamie’s mind.

“Claire, I have something I need to ask ye.”

She started at his abrupt change in demeanor and felt her whole body stiffen with anxiety.

“Yes?”

“Is there…any possibility that this bairn…that he isna mine?”

“What?! Jamie, I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this.”

“And I dinna think ye are. I’m only askin’ ye to think back and see. Could this bairn no’ be Frank’s?”

“Oh, um, no actually.” She gave a rueful chuckle that made him simultaneously relieved and worried. “Not only had Frank and I not been having sex in the couple weeks prior to my ‘discovery’ in his office, remember what he said, about me not making the time or effort? Well, I had a pregnancy scare a little over a year ago now, but it turned out on that occasion that I was wrong. We also found out that Frank can’t have children. I believe the phrasing the doctor used was that he was ‘shooting blanks.’ Rather unorthodox way of telling someone that sort of news but anyway. So, yes, Jamie. I know this baby is yours. I haven’t made it a habit of running about sleeping with other people.”

She said the last part with a tone full of distaste, her eyes hardening as she remembered that day she had walked into Frank’s office, so naive and unknowing. Though she really couldn’t be bitter about it now, not when that discovery had brought her to where she was now.

“I dinna want ye to think I asked solely for my own sake. I wanted you to be sure as well. It didna occur to me until just now, when you mentioned him. I’ve never been happier, Claire, and it still wouldna change anything.”

“I don’t think much now could change things,” Claire replied softly, leaning into his side. “It’s alright, Jamie. I’m not angry. You couldn’t have known about it. But I’m pretty sure that’s why she looked at you like that. She would have known I couldn’t have children with Frank.”

A short while later, he felt Claire breathe deeply and then falter, as if she wanted to say something, but needed to work up the nerve.

“It’s a little scary, don’t you think?” she asked, voice small.

“Aye. Terrifying. But dinna be afraid, mo nighean donn. What we dinna ken about this, we’ll learn. Together.”

She tilted her head up towards his and reached for a kiss.

His eyes shone with joy, his face in a permanent grin.

“Now that we know for sure that I’m really pregnant, I think I might need to find new work.”

“Aye, I think so too. I dinna want those rowdy men starin’ at ye.”

She smiled a little but shook her head.

“No, it’s not that. Or not only that, at least. But it won’t be healthy for us, me and the baby. Not with all the cigarette smoke inside the bar. I won’t put our child at risk.”

His mouth was suddenly on hers, fingers sliding into her hair.

“What was that?” she asked when he released her.

“Sorry, Sassenach,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I only like the way it sounds when ye say ‘our child’.”

“Well it is ours. Yours and mine.” Her hands spread over her womb and she smiled. “Our little peanut.”

“I dinna want ye to worry overmuch about a new job, aye? Ye’ve got enough going on.”

Snuggling up into his side again, she sighed and relaxed.

Claire’s job at the bar had ended shortly after their first ultrasound and she’d been hunting for a new one relentlessly. The difficulty was finding something that would allow her to finish her schooling and that wouldn’t be too much for the baby.

Every time he thought about her pregnancy, he smiled. The lads at work were giving him a hard time about it since he’d put a copy of the ultrasound in his locker. He came home one night to see her at her desk, glaring at her computer.

“My mam always said if ye frowned at somethin’ too long, yer face would be stuck like that,” he said, hanging his keys on their hook.

“Oh! God, is it that time? I completely forgot about dinner, I’m so sorry Jamie.”

“Dinna fash. We’ll order something in. Tomorrow’s my day off, so I thought I’d take ye out for a nice date.”

She closed her computer and stretched. He wrapped her in his arms and hugged her close. Even if he lived forever, he would never tire of holding her.

“That sounds lovely. I think I’m beginning to go cross-eyed from filling out job applications all day.”

“Aye, and I dinna want ye to put the bairn at risk by working too much. So tomorrow we’ll just have a nice day. Now. What are ye in the mood for?”

“I picked dinner last week.”

After a soft kiss on her forehead, he went to the menus he kept in a drawer.

“Aye, but I’m no’ the one that’s pregnant.”

“You spoil me.”

“That’s my job, Sassenach.”

The next morning, Jamie drove them out to Springs Preserve. Claire’s mouth fell open as they parked, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Oh Jamie! I had no idea this was out here!”

“Aye, it’s no’ what ye’d expect in Las Vegas. It’s a nice place to get away from the city. Fresh air, aye?” One arm went around her waist while his other hand rubbed her stomach gently. “Good for you and the bairn.”

“Is that all you think about these days?” she said with a laugh as they headed into the botanical garden. “The baby.”

He smirked.

“No’ all I think about, no. But I think of it quite a bit.”

As they began exploring, Claire surprised him. She knew what the plants were before he’d finished reading their name card. More than that, she began explaining what they were good for and what they had been used for. She was a fount of knowledge about almost everything they walked by. An idea began niggling in the back of his mind as he watched her joy at being around these plants.

“I could kill for some chips,” she said, eyeing the cafe.

“Weel then let’s get ye some chips.”

She began digging into her plate and he smiled at her.

“Sassenach, I ken you’re still lookin’ for work, but I had an idea.”

“Oh?”

“What if ye applied to work here? Like I said the clean air would be good for the bairn. But ye seem happy here, ye enjoy being around living and growing things.”

For a few moments, he watched the thoughts form on her face.

“You know, that’s a great idea, Jamie.”

“I’ve been known to have them from time to time.”

She gave him a flat, though amused, look.

“I’ll have to see if I can speak to someone about an application. It would be nice to have regular hours like a normal person.”

“Aye, it would. And it would make me feel better too. I ken ye’d be safer out here.”

Jamie paid for their lunch and they went off to find someone who worked at the gardens. Once they learned the application was on the website, like everything was these days, they decided to go home.

It was the first time in days that Claire had felt hopeful about finding work, especially when it was something that she loved. As they snuggled into bed that night, whispering words of love to each other, she sighed contentedly. This was the happiest she’d ever been, and she couldn’t wait to see what their future held now.

A perfect ending to this perfect story @takemeawaytocamelot  !

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 7

Thanks for sticking with me and @outlandishchridhe through the angst (that was almost entirely her fault). She really did complain to me all the time, but we made it through. So here’s the next one that I promise fixes the sad we gave you yesterday. Also well done to my plot monster/smut patrol for writing a large amount of this chapter. I really can’t tell where my writing stops and hers begins.

Catch up on all previous chapters HERE or on my Master List HERE

It wouldn’t be gentle and they both knew it. Neither did they really care. Jamie was only vaguely aware of the clothes they were shedding, not bothering to take them off correctly.  He heard the tearing of cloth as his shirt fell away, Claire clawing at his chest trying desperately to free him of all the articles in her way.

Jamie was just as frantic, having no patience for the hooks on her bra. Ripping the back clear open, the wee metal pieces pinging off of the floor, he freed her of it and tossed it haphazardly behind her. Immediately, he latched his mouth to her breast. She groaned loudly, spurring him forward with her hands clamped in his hair, needing him to be closer.

His teeth grazed against her breast before tugging gently on her nipple. She shuddered, holding him harder against her. Neither of his hands could remain idle, not while she was here with him. It was difficult, he discovered, to remove her jeans while still teasing her breasts. Perhaps it would be easier if he actually put her down on the bed rather than standing halfway in their room.

Her hair shot out around her head as she fell back on the mattress, lips red and swollen. This feeling was definitely a first for him. He couldn’t think of a time when he’d wanted to ravage a woman as much as he did right now. The very thought of pausing to remove her shoes was a near physical pain. But he had to, if he wanted unrestricted access to her beautiful body. Which, of course, he did.

Finally tearing the denim away from her, he yanked at her panties as ruthlessly as he had her bra. They had no need for such things just now. She lay sprawled on the bed, chest heaving as though she’d just sprinted a mile. Struggling with the old sweats he’d worn to bed, he nearly fell on his arse trying to get them off. Claire lapsed into a fit of giggles, watching him fling the garment away.

The giggles died off abruptly when he rammed himself home. That was the truth of it, right there. She was home. Not that apartment, or that city, or even that country. Home was her. Her cry of pleasure brought him out of his moment of clarity and back to their connected bodies.

“You’re mine, mo nighean donn! Now and forever!” he said, punctuating his words with hard thrusts.

“Yes! Forever!”

He grabbed roughly at her breasts, pinching and rolling her nipples until she began to squeal. Sweat was beading and running down his back, burning as it fell into his eyes. But he wouldn’t take his hands from her body to wipe it away. Her hands didn’t remain idle, clawing up and down his back. The marks she left stung and he could feel every one of them. More, he pleaded silently. Mark me as yours as you are mine!

The bed frame beneath them was squeaking terribly loud, likely disrupting the neighbors. Somehow the thought that someone was listening to them drove him harder. Let them hear him loving her. Let them know that she was his. Releasing his hold on her breasts, he put both hands down on the mattress.

“Look!” he growled at her. “Look at me! Watch me as I take ye! While I claim yer body as mine!”

With another cry, she opened her eyes and locked gazes with him. He felt the fire and intensity in her, allowed himself to be consumed by the passion in her eyes. Christ, he couldn’t keep this up much longer.

Laying his body on top of hers, he felt her soft breasts pressed against his chest. Her arms wove around his shoulders and he howled when her teeth sank into his shoulder. The sharpness of the pain shot him over the precipice. Distantly, he heard his voice shouting in Gaelic, though even he wasn’t sure exactly what he was saying.

Her mouth was moving, but the only sound that came out was a contented moan. As he slipped out of her and rolled to the side, he had a sudden realization.

“Sassenach,” he whispered as she moved closer to him, still kissing his neck and shoulders, everywhere she could reach without moving too much.

“Hmm?” came a quiet reply.

“We… I’m sorry, Sassenach. I didna even think…”

“What?” Claire asked, confused. “Jamie, what’s the matter?”

“I didna even think to use protection Claire. I was so taken with ye actually being here, all thought just left me.”

“It’s alright, Jamie, really,” she started, but he continued talking over her.

“JAMIE,” she said, louder this time so he would stop and listen. “It’s alright.”

“It’s no’ alright, Claire. What if…” She stopped him with her mouth over his.

She stared at him for a long moment. “I need to tell you something.”

“What is it?” he asked, alarm showing on his face as he took her in.

“Well… I’m pregnant.”

Jamie stared at her, dumbfounded. She reached up to close his gaping mouth with a finger and it broke him of his reverie.

“Are ye sure?”

“Well, I’ve not been to a doctor yet, but before I came here, I had caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and decided I at least needed to brush my hair so I didn’t look completely homeless, and as I was tearing my bathroom apart, I came across a box of…tampons…in the drawer.  And I realized, I hadn’t even opened it. I hadn’t used it once since I came to live with you. I counted back and realized that our first night together, that was probably when it happened.”

Her face was flushed a deep scarlet, and he knew it wasn’t just from their fevered lovemaking. She had tried to keep eye contact with him, but she was overwhelmed, first by his acceptance of her back and now of her confession to him.

“I-I’m sorry I didn’t tell you straight away when I got here. I meant to, really I did but I was so happy to see you and when you said you wanted me, everything went from my mind and I just forgot completely and I’m sorry and…”

“Claire, hush,” he said softly. “I’m no’ sure I would have heard ye anyway. I didna expect to see ye, I thought I was dreaming. Ye’ve nothing to apologize for, lass.”

Her body glistened in the soft light filtering in through his blinds. Both of her eyes were dark enough to seem black, but he saw the tears welling in them.

“Are you happy?”

Those dark pools kept darting up to his and away before she turned her face away from him. With a finger beneath her chin, he brought her back to him.

“Aye, Sassenach. Aye, I’m verra happy. We made a bairn, accidental or no. It doesna matter when ye told me, only that ye did. It doesna make me love ye any less.”

A ragged gasp left her trembling in his arms. He held her until the shaking stopped, letting his fingers follow her spine up and down.

“You mean that?” she asked, very quietly.

“Mean what?”

“That you… love me?”

Taking her face between his hands, he forced her to look up at him.

“Have I no’ said as much?”

“Well… no, actually.”

Unable to resist her soft lips, he kissed her slowly.

“Tha gaol agam ort. I love you, Claire.”

She sat up abruptly, knocking his balance off and causing him to fall onto his back.

“That’s what that means?!”

He sat up as well, watching her glass face transform into disbelief.

“Aye, that’s what it means.”

“All this time and you… And I wouldn’t… Jesus H. Christ! Jamie, I’m so sorry!” Tears began sliding down her cheeks again. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I didn’t mean-”

Placing a hand softly over her mouth, he shook his head.

“If I recall, I told ye that ye didna need to apologize. Ye returned to me in the end and ye’ve given me a great gift wi’ this bairn. Dinna fash any more about it.” Replacing his hand with his lips, he smiled at her. “Oh. And I love you.”

A visible shudder of pleasure moved through her body, drawing his eyes down its creamy curves.

“I love you too, Jamie.”

“Come here to me,” he said, drawing her into his lap. “And show me all the ways ye love me.”

Using his shoulders for balance, she wrapped her legs around him and settled down. At the feeling of skin against skin, he had a brief surge of panic. But her words came back to him, that she was carrying his child, and the fear vanished. With her arms around his neck, she kissed him as her hips moved in slow circles.

After the intensity of their earlier love making, this was docile, though no less beautiful. Each twist of her exquisite body created sparks behind his eyes. Love was lost and returned, all the sweeter for it.

“You said you claimed my body as yours,” she said, hips still making slow movements.

“Aye.”

“Then I claim your body as mine. Now and forever.” She paused to giggle. “For better or for worse.”

Talking ceased after that as she made love to him tenderly. He knew it was far too soon, but he imagined he could feel his child within her, growing day by day. An absurd wave of pleasure came over him as he thought about watching her swell, watching their bairn feed at her breast. Never before would the suggestion of fatherhood have made him so happy.

They came to a much calmer conclusion together, shuddering in each other’s arms. She gave one great sigh and her body melted against his. With a smile, he settled them down in their bed, tucking the sheets around her. As he began to fall into sleep beside her, he slid his left hand around to her stomach and let it remain there, shielding his bairn.

Jamie felt the warmth of the sun on his skin as he rose slowly up to consciousness. His body ached a bit and his heart felt heavy. Before he opened his eyes to the new day, he felt warm air blowing against his neck and a weight lying partly on his chest. Startled, he jerked and looked down to see the Claire’s wild mane of hair nuzzled under his chin. Following him, she started awake as well, jostled by his sudden movement.

“Christ,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “You are here.”

She looked up and smiled sleepily at him, that small gesture spreading warmth from his heart straight out to the rest of his body.

“Yes, I am,” she replied, her voice rough with sleep, but tender all the same.

He leaned down and kissed her gently before smiling.

“I’m verra glad to have ye back, Sassenach.”

“I should never have left.”

The heaviness in his heart grew and he knew what needed to come next.

“I’ve something to ask ye, Claire, and all I ask of you is to answer me honestly.”

He felt her body stiffen and the smile melted from her face. She couldn’t seem to respond verbally, so she nodded for him to continue.

“Is this truly what ye want? Did ye come back to be wi’ me or just for the sake of the bairn? Because ye should know that I will take care of ye both, even if ye dinna want to be partners now. I wouldna turn my back on you for that.”

Claire felt a bone deep shiver run through her, ice replacing the blood in her veins. She turned to fully face him, squared her shoulders and made sure she had his full attention before she spoke.

“Jamie, I do want this. I want it so much. I couldn’t even breathe when I was alone in that apartment. I told you last night that I didn’t even realize that I might be pregnant until I was already getting ready to come straight to you. If I hadn’t thought to brush my hair to look somewhat presentable, I wouldn’t have even stumbled upon the box. I want you and I want us. I would want this no matter what, even when I wasn’t thinking I might be pregnant. If I have to spend every single day of my life proving that to you, I will. I’d do it and gladly.”

Her eyes were shining with tears, but she held them at bay. She wanted him to see in her face how much she meant every single word. She knew her face was clear as glass to him and she welcomed it. She wanted him to see that she wasn’t going to shy away from this.

He released a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding and his shoulders relaxed slightly. He smiled gently at her, but noticed the crease between her brows still furrowed in thought.

“What is it, Sassenach?” he questioned softly.

“Well… are you sure this is what you want, Jamie? I don’t want you to feel like you must be with me just because I may be carrying your child. I don’t want you to feel beholden to me in any way. I want this to be a decision we both make, together.”

He looked at her for a long moment, the truth of her words shining through her face all the way into her eyes. He was willing to do anything to keep her with him, and her impassioned declaration had only heightened that feeling for him. A strong shot of love surged through him, unable to take his eyes away from her face, her beautiful, untamed locks and the skin of her body, kissed by the sunlight. He reached up to touch her cheek softly before he replied.

“Aye, mo nighean donn. It is. It’s always been forever for me.”

Patting her round rump, he beamed down at her.

“Weel, if ye love me, I suppose ye’ll want to stay here?”

“Oh I didn’t even think…”

“Dinna fash. Let’s get ye fed and then we’ll go collect yer things.”

She had to borrow another of his shirts to dress in, though thankfully, her jeans were still intact. They smiled and bumped each other on their way to the kitchen, giggling like newlyweds.

Claire sat at the table, watching him cook breakfast. She insisted she wasn’t that hungry, but promised to make an effort. Jamie set a large plate of eggs, toast, bacon, and sausage in front of her with a smile.

“My lady,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Once we’ve finished wi’ breakfast, we’ll go over and get yer things. I’ll just call the landlord first.”

“Alright.”

She began picking at the food on her plate while Jamie went to the small living room for his phone call.

“Henry? It’s Jamie Fraser. Aye, aye, I’m good man. How are ye?”

He seemed to make friends wherever he went.

“Weel, that’s why I’m callin’… No, there’s nothing wrong wi’ the unit, only her situation has changed…” His ears burned red and he turned away from her, whispering something harsh into the phone. “I’ll thank ye to keep those sorts of comments to yourself, Henry. Aye, that’ll do. We’ll be over in an hour, can ye meet us there?”

Jamie said something in Gaelic and put his phone back in his pocket before joining her at the table.

“Ye must eat, Sassenach. It’s no’ just you anymore. There’s the three of us now.”

Leaning forward, he put a hand on her stomach, fingers caressing gently. His eyes brightened with tears for a moment before he coughed and sat back up.

“It’s my job to care for ye. I canna do much for the bairn right now, but I can keep ye safe and well fed.”

“I know, I’m just not hungry right now.”

“Did ye eat anything?”

She nodded and pointed to the empty spot where the toast had been.

“Eat a wee bit o’ bacon too? For the protein, aye?”

Rolling her eyes, she took the piece he offered her and ate it. While she finished the one slice of bacon, he’d cleaned the entire plate.

“If you eat like that,” she said collecting the plate and his empty mug of coffee. “You’ll gain as much baby weight as me.”

“I canna have ye feeling poorly about a situation I put ye in. Come on, we’ve got to meet wi’ Henry.”

Jamie took her hand as they walked up the stairs to the unit she’d almost lived in. His hand was warm and rough from his various jobs, but it was strong. Henry the landlord was waiting for them outside the door.

“Mornin’ Jamie!”

“Henry, thanks for meeting wi’ us on such short notice. We appreciate it.”

“Not a problem, shall we talk inside?”

Claire unlocked the door and all three of them went inside. She and Jamie sat on the small couch while Henry pulled a chair from the kitchen table.

“Here’s the way I see it. I don’t have any problem with you breaking the lease. You signed it what, twenty-four hours ago? But I’m also not worried because I’ve had at least four other people inquire about the ad before I pulled it. Two of them asked to be called if anything came available in my building.”

Jamie put his hand on her knee and squeezed it gently, smiling.

“That’s good news, Henry. I think I may owe ye a favor after this.”

Henry’s face fell a little as he nodded.

“I’m sorry Claire, but I can only give you back half of your deposit. I know that you took the deal with the first months rent free, and I’d usually keep the whole deposit, but since you’re a…” he looked between the two of them. “‘Friend’ of Jamie’s, we can work it out so I’ll send you half of it back once your check clears.”

“That’s very generous of you, Henry, thank you,” Claire said. “I appreciate it. We’ll have everything out as soon as possible.”

Henry grinned and looked at Jamie.

“Oh, it’s not generosity I’m interested in. It’ll be good to have a favor to call in to this guy here.”

Jamie rolled his eyes and stood, offering his hand to shake.

“Thank ye, Henry. I appreciate ye making this deal with us.”

After Henry left, they packed her boxes back into Jamie’s car and arranged for a moving company to take what furniture they took out back to the storage unit. They’d work out what to do with all of it later.

“So what do we need to do for the bairn?” he asked as they got back in the car.

Spreading her hand over her stomach, she smiled.

“We should make sure there’s actually a bairn first. Then I’ll make an appointment with my doctor if a home test is positive.”

“So a home test first. Alright, we’ll go get one.”

“Thank you,” she said, throat suddenly tight with emotion. “For being so good about all this.”

Taking her hand, he kissed the back of it and smiled at her.

“We’re in this together.”

Back home in their apartment, she drank a few glasses of water while Jamie waited patiently. Sitting on the toilet, she did her business and sudden fear clutched at her. Jamie knocked on the door.

“Have ye finished? Do ye need more water? Tea?”

“No, no I did it. Now we just wait.”

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

He came in and leaned against the counter, arms folded over his chest. The little unassuming stick sat on the counter between them and he noticed that she’d placed it facing down, so as to not be able to read the result without having to turn it over. It felt rather more like a giant beacon that would define their future rather than just a $15 plastic stick.

The timer on Claire’s phone sounded, but neither of them moved. Claire looked up and met Jamie’s gaze, fear potent in her eyes.

“What if…what if I was wrong, Jamie? What if this is just something else?”

“Weel, we won’t know unless ye turn it over and look, Sassenach,” he replied gently.

“I don’t think I can do it,” she responded, moving her gaze to the unobtrusive stick, but staring at it as though it might grow teeth and snap at her hand the moment she reached for it. Her gaze flickered back to him, pleading.

“I’ll look if you like, mo nighean donn. Just know that it doesna matter whether ye are or ye aren’t because we’re together now. It willna change a single thing about the love I have for ye, ken? Or the love ye have for me, right?”

He held her gaze as she shook her head.

“No, no it won’t change that,” she responded, voice smaller than he had ever heard it. “But Jamie, can you look? I just don’t think I can.”

“Aye, I’ll look.”

Claire scooted over on the bathtub ledge so he could sit between her and the stick. With one hand, he grabbed onto hers and held it tight. As he reached for the stick, he saw her scrunch her eyes closed; her whole body was shaking.

Taking a deep breath, he picked it up and turned it over.

When Claire didn’t hear anything for several seconds, she peeked open her eyes to try and read Jamie’s face, but it was entirely smooth, devoid of any emotion.

“Jamie…?” she asked, tentatively. “Wha-what does it say?”

He came back to himself suddenly at the sound of her voice and just looked at her. Then he squeezed her hand, and turned the test around to face her.

In large, easy-to-read print, clear as day, it read:

PREGNANT

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPP

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 6

A message from @outlandishchridhe: for anyone who knows me and my distaste for angst because inside I’m a softy for love I’m sorry. I’m so so so so sorry. But as camelot told me today, “You know, most of this is your fault” so… I’m sorry. And I promise that it’ll be ok at the end.

It’s totally true. Most of this angsty-ness came from her brain. But I promise you all that it’ll work out in the end.

Jamie lay on his back, Claire wrapped around him. Neither of them were asleep yet, though he suspected she was close. They’d gone out for a hike that morning, deciding to take advantage of their last day at the cabin. Claire was admittedly not someone who hiked often, but she kept up with him. He’d rubbed her sore feet when they returned to the cabin that night, which had led to her mentioning her sore calves. And sore thighs. And something else that needed his attention.

He came to a decision while he twirled her hair through his fingers. There was something he needed to tell her, something he’d never shared with another living person.

“Ye ken…” he stopped. That wasn’t the way to start this. “I havena told ye why I left Scotland, have I?”

Her head shook on his chest.

“You haven’t. I’ve always wondered.”

“It… I canna face my family. My da had this whole plan for me. Got me set up in university so I could run the family farm when I graduated. Business and accounting classes, that sort of thing. But I’m no’ that sort of man. I couldna see myself sitting down wi’ a laptop updating accounts. So I dropped out of university.”

Claire sat up on her elbow and looked at him, her face shadowed in the dim light.

“That doesn’t explain why you ran all the way to Las Vegas.”

“I took a job wi’ a stage company, helping build sets for theaters and the like. They had an opening for a crew in Las Vegas and I accepted it. I went home to pack my things, knowing I’d be gone for a few months. My da found me packing and…”  He took a deep breath, steeling himself against the pain of what came next. “He asked me what the hell I was doing, abandoning my family like this. How I could gi’ up my studies since I would inherit Lallybroch and run the farm. I blew up.”

A rapid fire of memories came with fresh waves of shame and agony. It had happened years ago, surely it shouldn’t hurt this much still.

“I started screamin’ at him about how awful uni was for me, how much I hated it. Felt like I was in a bloody God-forsaken prison. I never told anyone that I loathed being in uni. Da never knew. My yelling got Da’s danders up and weel… They say the Fraser’s are stubborn as rocks. So he asked me just what I expected him to do about this, to do wi’ the farm if he had no son to take it over. I told him to gi’ it to Jenny, she had a better head for it anyway. He said he never dreamt his son would be so selfish to put his own wants ahead of his family. I planned on being on the work team for the time I was assigned, but coming back and maybe working something out. But when he said that… I couldna.”

The echo of Brian’s last words to him rang in his ears.

“‘If ye walk out that door,’ he screamed at me. ‘If ye walk out that door, you’re no son of mine! Dinna even think of setting foot on Lallybroch land again!’ And I havena. When… When I landed in Vegas, I had a few missed calls from mam and my sister. I didna call them back, I kent they’d hate me for what happened wi’ Da. Jenny texted me that Da was in hospital. He had a stroke just after I left.”

“Oh Jamie,” she said, her voice filled with compassion.

“I stayed in Vegas because I have no home to go back to. It’s my fault Da had a stroke, why he canna walk or speak or take care of that bloody farm. I let them all down and they hate me for it.”

Claire shook her head.

“You don’t know that for sure, Jamie. I’m sure they don’t hate you.”

Her soft hand reached out and brushed the tears from his cheeks.

“Da was right. I let the family down by leavin’.”

“No, you didn’t. You would have let them down if you weren’t true to yourself, Jamie. I think what you did was incredibly brave.”

Patting her shoulder, he nodded.

“Aye, perhaps it was. I dinna ken.”

“Is he still alive? Your father?”

He nodded slowly.

“As far as I ken, he is.”

Claire leaned forward and kissed him for a very long moment.

“I think you’ve built a good life in Vegas. You’ve got a good job and a nice apartment.”

And you, he thought.

He was finally asleep. She lay there, staring at him. What he’d just told her put him in a vulnerable place. Essentially he’d opened up his chest and shown her his heart. The question she had to answer now was, what would she do with it?

In the morning, they cleaned the cabin and gathered their belongings. He’d given her something last night and needed to know she understood that. Their unusual situation was in an odd state of limbo and a decision needed to be made. He didn’t need her to stay married to him, just for her to make the choice.

“Sassenach,” he said, folding up the tartan blanket.

“Hmm?”

“When we get home, do ye want me to make an appointment wi’ the courthouse? Get our situation sorted?”

She looked up at him, surprised by his question. She hesitated before answering him.

“Well…I think everything’s fine the way it is, don’t you? No need to fix what isn’t broken.”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes, or even look in his direction as she said it, busying herself with tidying up. At that moment, he understood. She wouldn’t make a choice, couldn’t make that choice. It was clear as day to him that she cared deeply for him, but now he realized she’d not admitted it to herself yet. The last man she’d loved had betrayed her and thrown her insecurities in her face. He didn’t blame her or hate her for being afraid of committing. But continuing on this way wasn’t working for him. This ambiguous limbo wasn’t a relationship. He was in love with her, body and soul, and he knew he had to let her go.

“Perhaps when we get back, we can start to look at available apartments?”

“Sure,” she said, confused.

“Would ye make me a list of the things ye need? Between work and uni for you, I’ll have more time to look at listings.”

Nodding, she picked up her bag and headed out to the car. Holding his own bag with white knuckles, he took a deep breath and followed her out.

On their return to Las Vegas, Claire went about her days like nothing changed. In reality, nothing really had. But Jamie was determined to find an apartment that fit her list of requirements. It wouldn’t be easy, but he would do anything for her.

He unpacked their bags while she threw something together for a quick dinner. When he opened the closet door, he noticed a dried rose hanging on the back of the door.

“Sassenach, what’s this?”

She came in and popped her head around the corner. Pink flushed her cheeks and she looked away.

“Oh, that’s just… That’s the rose you gave me at your show.”

“Why on earth did ye keep it? I’d ha’ gotten ye a fresher one if I kent you’d do this to it.”

A frown colored her face and she huffed at him.

“It has sentimental value. Don’t you dare throw it away.”

“I willna, ye hae my word.”

“Come on, then. I’ve got dinner ready.”

Following her out to the kitchen table, an idea began forming in his mind. The rose couldn’t be left to hang in his closet forever, especially when he found her an apartment. Something would have to be done about it.

Almost two weeks after their trip to Colorado, he found the perfect place for her. It was in her price range with every one of the things she’d wanted. She came home after a long day of classes and exams, tossing her bag on the floor just inside the door.

“Please tell me you’ve got the whiskey out already.”

“I’ve done better than that, Claire.”

She frowned at him, curious.

“Well I haven’t showered yet today, but if you’re willing to put up with my stink, I suppose I can be persuaded to make wild love to you on the couch.”

Smiling, he shook his head.

“No. I found your apartment. It’s in a good neighborhood, no’ too expensive, and it’s got all the things ye wanted.”

She looked genuinely shocked, as if she hadn’t expected him to actually find the apartment. She thought the list that she had given him was so thorough that he would never be able to find one that fit her every wish. This was the only way he could think of, to get a final conclusion and a decision.

“Ooh… Y-you did?” He heard her voice falter slightly, and it almost stopped him from replying.

“Aye. We’ve an appointment to see it tomorrow.”

“That’s… That’s wonderful, Jamie. Thank you.”

“Here.”

He handed her the printout of the listing and got their dinner out of the oven, not being able to look at her glass face. She clearly had not been expecting this.

“It’s… It’s beautiful, Jamie.”

She read it over while they ate dinner, quiet. Was this what the beginning of goodbye sounded like, he asked himself. Could he do it? Take her to that place and leave her there?

When they visited the apartment, Claire’s face was a mix of emotion. She flitted between too many for him to keep track of. But she couldn’t deny that it was a perfect place for her, one that had no attachment to Frank, one she could make a home in. Without me, he thought bitterly. She tried to come up with any reason that this apartment wouldn’t work for her, wasn’t the right place for her. She even voiced one or two of them, but Jamie was quick to explain otherwise. He knew this was everything she’d asked for.

So she’d signed the papers and made the security deposit, accepting the key from the landlord. They began moving her things into the new apartment, mostly the things that she’d had in his apartment. She made arrangements with a company to move her larger items from her storage unit into the new place.

They lay in bed the night before she was to move into her new home, curled around each other as they usually were. He’d left one of the windows open, letting in the harsh neon light that burned eternally in this city. They were always closed, but tonight he wanted to see her, to memorize every curve of her face. The way her lips parted when she stretched, the way her hair went wild as she moved.

As he took in everything about her, he pushed the sheets off their bodies. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her wearing the shirt he’d first given her. With one finger, he traced the lines of her lips, down her cheek and drifting down her neck. He paused for a moment on her breast, circling her nipple until it roused, before reaching the bottom of the shirt.

Carefully, he pulled it up above her bellybutton, smiling at the gooseflesh that rose in his wake. Moving a little closer, he positioned himself above her and kissed her while his hand dipped between her legs. Her mouth opened and her legs spread a little wider as she began to wake up.

He ran one finger up and down before sliding it into her. She gasped and opened her eyes, meeting his own. Reaching for him, she clutched his shoulder hard.

“I thought I was dreaming,” she breathed.

“No’ this time.”

Both of her deep blue eyes rolled back as he added a second finger. She was as slippery as an eel and writhing almost as much. The hand that was on his shoulder moved to his hair and pulled hard. He kept up the rhythmic movements he’d begun, stealing her breath as she gasped and moaned.

“I want you inside me,” she begged.

“No, mo nighean donn,” he smiled against her lips. “I want to watch you.”

Her head dropped back into her pillow and her legs began churning, tangling in the sheets. The most exquisite squeaking noises emanated from her and it was beginning to get to him. His cock was starting to throb with need.

Then she cried out, yanking his head to one side by her grip in his hair as her body contracted around his fingers.

“Now,” she said, eyes snapping open. “I need you inside me now.”

“Technically I am.”

Her free hand shot between his legs and took a strong hold of him.

“Now, damn you!”

Crawling on top of her, he reached for the ever-present foil package and rolled it on quickly. She wrapped her legs around him and drew him in. Already her hips were jerking against his, reckless and needy. Watching her face change and smile made him wish tomorrow would never come.

Before he broke down and begged her to stay, he kissed her and held her face.

“Tha gaol agam ort, agus tha mi duilich*,” he whispered.

With one last push, they shattered together. He kept his eyes open, watching as she relaxed into her satiated state. One final kiss, he rolled off her.

“Are you ever going to tell me what tha gaol agam ort means? You’ve said it before.”

“It’s nothin’, Claire. Dinna fash about it. They’re just words.”

Gathering her into his arms, he let the smell of her soothe him to sleep.

She couldn’t believe this was really happening. For two months, she’d lived with Jamie and been happy. Now here she was, moving the final box into her new apartment.

“I suppose that’s it, then,” Jamie said, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Won’t you stay?”

He shook his head.

“I canna, lass. Ye need… I’ve got things that need doing. And ye need time to settle in, make it your own. I canna help wi’ that.”

The silver key in her hand felt suddenly heavy and cold.

“You don’t… you don’t want me to stay? With you?”

For a moment, she thought she caught a flicker of indecision. But he quickly masked it and gave her a smile.

“Ye ken where I live by now, Sassenach. If ye need me, I’m a few minutes or a phone call away. And besides. I’ll still come by the bar after my show.”

He was leaving. He was really going to leave her here in this apartment. Alone.

“Right,” she said, almost in a daze. “The bar.”

With the silver key heavy in her cold hand, she realized his brass key was still in her pocket. It was warm from her body when she dug it out.

“I’ll see ye in a few days, then.”

“I suppose you’ll want this back.”

His jaw clenched when he saw the key in her hand, but he accepted it. Why did it feel like she was losing a part of herself when he slipped it into his own pocket.

“Oh, aye. Thank ye. I suppose… Weel we’ve an appointment at the courthouse on Wednesday. For the annulment.”

“Right. I guess I’ll see you Wednesday.”

Then he stood up very straight and gave her a bow worthy of a king. Oh God, she thought. Why does this hurt?

When the door closed behind him, she thought she might cry.

The click of the door sounded too loud. It felt as if his heart had been wrenched in two. No, not in two. It was being torn completely from his chest. He would live his life without it now. He did want her to stay, badly. But this needed to be her decision, one she made with a clear mind. She’d gone from a poor relationship with Frank straight into an unexpected relationship with him and she needed to understand who she was now and who she wanted to be.

Claire stared at the door for a long time, the silver key still in her palm. It was so quiet here, far enough from the madness of the Vegas strip that she couldn’t hear the cars. Jamie really had found her the perfect place. It smelled clean, that unmistakable burn of bleach rolling out of the bathroom and from the kitchen floor. But it wasn’t right. There should be a tang of sweat and cooked food, like there had been in Jamie’s apartment.

The apartment felt small and lifeless when he returned to it. It had never been a large place, only somewhere for a perpetual bachelor to lay his head. Claire’s presence had made it all feel bigger, more important. She’d made it a home.

The spot where Uncle Lamb’s Viking sword had hung for these last two months was barren now. Tears burned in his eyes at the sight of the naked wall. Jamie refused to weep over an antique weapon!

She was crying. Standing in the middle of her brand new apartment and she was weeping. None of this felt right.

“Pull yourself together, Beauchamp!” she yelled at herself. “You’ve got things to do!”

Still clutching the key, she moved around the apartment, opening random boxes, but never removing anything.

“Jesus H…” she whispered quietly to herself, the pieces coming together in her mind.

Suddenly, it all made sense to her. She knew that Jamie wanted her, cared for her deeply, as he’d told her that much himself. The initial shock of being brought to this new apartment was wearing off and she realized that he’d done this for her, just like everything else. He’d seen what she had refused to, and had given her the space to make the choice for their future.

She started to weep again. Her insecurities had gotten the best of her as he’d turned and left, and she’d wanted to start walling off her heart again, in hopes that it could spare her the pain.

Did he want an annulment? They had skirted the issue so long, and she realized that he had let her have as much time as he could, but it must have been hurting him too. A renewed wave of grief came over her at the thought of causing him pain like that. Damn it all to hell, she thought, becoming aware all at once that she was curled up on the floor. How did she end up here? The last bit of light from the sunset was shining into her large windows. How long had she been staring into the abyss without seeing?

Jamie had paced around and around, not able to sit still for more than a few seconds. He hadn’t had the heart to watch the sunset, remembering too painfully how the golden light had caught in her hair. It brought out the wee bits of auburn and the other beautiful shades of brown in her curls. Finally he forced himself to go to sleep, or at least try. “Ye’ll never sleep if ye dinna go through yer regular routine, mo chridhe,” his mother’s voice echoed in his thoughts.

Her side of the bed felt too cold, too empty. So he rolled back to his regular side. After a few restless minutes, he switched his pillow for the one she’d used. Christ it still smelled of her. Somewhere in the back of his mind as he floated somewhere between waking and sleeping, he hoped Claire was settling in well. He hoped she would have a good night’s rest and that she’d be ready for whatever came next in her life.

She continued to sit, not having the capacity to do anything more than drowning in the sorrow of her situation. Why did you let him leave Beauchamp? she scolded herself. Why would you let him go when you love him?

She startled at the thought, though she had known it all along. She loved him. Well and truly did. She had been with Frank for years and thought she had loved him, but she hadn’t. Not like this. Not this all consuming fire that she had developed with Jamie.

Jamie… he wasn’t Frank. He never would be. She had been so hell bent on not moving forward with Jamie because she was afraid, the lack of trust with Frank tainting her ability to see what was in front of her. She had ignored all the small, important things; how perfectly easy their relationship was together. That was probably for a reason, she realized. He had attempted to prove to her over and over that he was committed to whatever they had and she had brushed it off, trying to keep herself safe. He’d given her so much time to figure out what she wanted, gave her opportunities to unwall her heart completely to him, and she had been to scared to do anything about it, hoping by ignoring it, the situation might just resolve itself.

She came to a decision soon after her realization. She needed him to know, she wanted to explain herself to him. She wanted him to still want her.

Sprinting into her “new” bedroom, she was stopped dead by a glass case sitting up against her pillow. Inside it, was her perfectly dried and preserved rose.  Nearly dropping to her knees again, she wobbled towards the bed, afraid to actually touch it in case it was just an illusion. Her hand met the glass and she sighed softly, trying to clear her eyes of the tears.

“Oh, Jamie…” she choked out.

About to just leave the apartment and to hell with how she looked, she moved towards the door. Before she could leave however, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. You at least need to brush your hair, Beauchamp. She hurried into the bathroom, crashing through the drawers trying to find where her hairbrush had gone to and was halted in her tracks again.  

That small blue box started up at her, had her counting backwards in her mind. Her breath rushed out of her in a loud gasp as she met her own face in the mirror.

“Oh my God… oh my God…”

### Somewhere near three in the morning, Jamie was roused from his stuporous state by a pounding on his door. Las Vegas may never sleep, but that didn’t mean people should come around his apartment before sunup. Grumbling, he got out of bed and went to see who it was. When he opened the door, he thought for a moment he was dreaming.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, her eyes red from crying and still leaking tears. “That bed doesn’t smell like you. Like us.”

“Sweet bleeding Jesus,” he breathed, afraid to believe she was really there.

“And it was too big without you. Jamie, can I come home?”

His mouth started speaking before he’d made a conscious decision.

“Yes! Oh thank God! I couldna sleep either!”

She nearly knocked him over as she leapt into his open arms, peppering kisses everywhere she could reach. He kicked the door shut and nearly sprinted back to their bedroom.

“Jamie,” she sighed, her voice cracking under the strain of her emotions. “I love you.”

Then he buried his face in her chest and wept.

*Gaelic translation: I love you, and I’m sorry.

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 5

It’s finally here! @outlandishchridhe has given it her stamp of approval so here it is!

Catch up below:

1  2  3  4

In the two weeks since she’d attended one of his shows, one of his castmates had begged a favor. The man’s aunt had unexpectedly died and he was called away to attend the funeral. Jamie, being the perfect gentleman that he was, had agreed to cover the shows his friend was unable to work. Taking on the extra shows made his schedule intense. Knowing how much it was draining him already, she strove to do a little more for him. They usually took turns cooking dinner, but on one of his first late nights she took his turn. She made his favorite meal and was bursting with pride when she had it all sitting on the table when he came home. He’d been touched at her gesture, enjoying dinner with her before showering and going to bed.

Since that time, Jamie had come home or to the bar every night looking more exhausted than the night before. When they’d finally retire to bed for the night, he would promptly curl up around her, snuggling deeply, before falling straight into sleep. It was only for a short time, she knew, but she began to worry that he was overworking himself.

One night, as she had experimentally stroked his hair while he slept, she noticed his mouth raise up slightly in a smile. It was one of his smiles that simply broke her heart with happiness. All at once, she resolved that once these extra days were over, they had to do something fun, something Jamie would love. Claire remembered a conversation from not long ago… when they’d talked about Scotland. She’d seen the yearning for the quiet countryside, for the vast open spaces, in his eyes that night. Suddenly an idea came to her, and as she drifted off to sleep, plans started forming. Enhanced by the warmth of Jamie surrounding her, she smiled and decided to start looking as soon as he left.

It took most of the week, but Claire got a small holiday set up. She had a long weekend off from her schooling and she’d taken time off from work as well. Jamie would be getting his own time away as soon as his castmate returned.

“Jamie,” she asked while he finished his dinner.

“Aye, lass?”

“Do you have any plans this weekend?”

He groaned and let his head roll back on his neck.

“Other than dropping dead? No, I dinna think I do. Why?”

Biting her bottom lip, she went to the desk and pulled out the folder she’d made.

“You’ve been working so hard, helping out your mate. I got to thinking that you needed some time off, time to relax and recover. That’s not easy to do in this city, so I put together a little holiday for us.”

Pulling himself up, he looked at the folder.

“Oh, have ye now?”

“Well, I’ve got a long weekend this weekend and I made sure I’m not scheduled to work. I know your mate is back, so you’ve got the time off coming too.”

“Then where are we going?”

He was actually curious about the trip! He didn’t think it was silly or stupid, but looked interested! Well, as interested as he could while being exhausted.

“Do you remember about two weeks ago, you were talking about Scotland and I know how much you miss it. I see it in your face when you speak of it, so I thought that we could get a little taste, even though I know it’s not the same. I can’t afford to take us to Scotland for a weekend, but I did get us a cheap flight to Colorado. I rented us a small cabin for three days that has easy access to a lake stocked with fish year round and a few hiking trails. I know it won’t be exactly like Scotland, but I thought you’d enjoy being out in nature again and not in this place.”

“Claire, that’s… I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

“So you’ll go?”

A broad, tired smile broke out on his face.

“Aye, a’course we’ll go! Ye already bought tickets and rented us a cabin. How could I say no to that?”

“It won’t be able to compare to Scotland I’m sure, but-”

He interrupted her frenzied words with a very warm and thorough kiss. Other than cuddling and snuggling in bed, they’d hardly touched since he’d picked up the extra work. Her body was beginning to yearn for his again, though she was convinced it was just because he was a very good lover.

“Thank you, Claire,” he said softly. “This means a great deal to me.”

There was something swimming deep in his eyes that she didn’t quite understand. It was intense, whatever it was, and she shied away from it.

“I just want you to be able to relax and recover a little. You’ve had a rough few days.”

“When do we leave?”

“Friday morning. I’ll pack our bags on Thursday night before you get home. So all you need to do is eat, shower, and sleep. Then we’ll leave in the morning.”

He sighed, his eyes drooping once more.

“Speaking of sleeping… Are ye ready for bed? Or are you going to stay up for a bit?”

“I’m just going to put the leftovers away and then I’ll be in. Are you going to shower first?”

With a shake of his head, he groaned and got to his feet.

“I dinna think I could stay awake through it. And I dinna think ye want to drag my body from the tub were I to drown.”

“Go on to bed, I’ll be in soon.”

After packing away the leftovers of their dinner, she went into their bedroom. The first few nights after she moved in, they’d been shy around each other. They’d dress for bed in separate rooms, barely looking at each other when they went to bed. That shyness was long gone now as she pulled open her drawer and changed.

Jamie wasn’t asleep yet, but was close to it. She slipped in beside him, tangling her arms and legs with his. Once he was asleep, she reached up and brushed back his hair, wondering if she’d get that smile again. She did, bringing a matching one to her own face.

####

Friday morning came and they were off to the airport. It would be a short flight to Denver and then an hour’s drive to the cabin she’d rented. Jamie let her drive, as he was on his second cup of coffee and still yawning.

“Jamie, we’re here.”

Prying his eyes open, he looked around. For a moment, he thought he was home, hiking through the foothills near Lallybroch.

“Jamie?”

That wasn’t Jenny’s voice, calling him in for dinner. It was Claire, who was watching him with a worried expression.

“Sorry, Sassenach. I’m just tired. Is this the place, then?”

“It is. It’s all ours until Monday. Not a soul in sight for miles.”

“Would it be terrible to go in and take a wee nap?”

Smiling at him, she shook her head.

“No, it wouldn’t be. We just need to make the bed. But then you get some rest and I’ll fix us something for lunch, hmm?”

“Aye, that sounds verra good, Sassenach. Thank ye.”

He carried their bags inside and made the bed quickly before collapsing onto it. Maybe by the time they went home, he wouldn’t feel so exhausted.

When he woke, she was in the kitchen humming to herself. Christ Almighty, she was beautiful. She’d put together this whole trip just for him, because she knew he missed Scotland and that he was tired.

Over a month had passed since their marriage and they still hadn’t talked about it. He was beginning to worry that they never would, that they’d never come to a conclusion about what they wanted. All he wanted was her, whatever that looked like. Sometimes, when she thought he couldn’t see, she watched him. He thought he saw a fondness in her eyes, but couldn’t be sure. She seemed happy, with him.

“Hey there, sleepy head. Feeling any better?”

“Aye, verra much.”

“Good. Hungry?”

His stomach rumbled in answer to her question, making her laugh. God, what he wouldn’t give to hear that sound all day long. With a satisfied stretch, he went to the small table and observed the sandwiches she’d made.

“Is that sauerkraut?”

“It is,” she smiled. “You haven’t had it in a while. Thought I might spoil you a little.”

“Keep this up and you’ll make me fat,” he muttered, stuffing a large bite into his mouth.

They ate their sandwiches and decided to go for a nice stroll after.

“God, even the air feels better out here,” she said, taking a deep breath.

“We’ll be able to see the stars tonight, Sassenach.”

For a while, they walked the area near the cabin, stopping beside the lake to just sit. He felt something deep inside himself click back into place. The city wasn’t where he belonged, wasn’t what he was built for.

“It’s getting chilly,” Claire said, snuggling closer to him.

“Aye, it is. We should head back.”

“You know, I’m not sure our cabin has a heater.”

With his arm around her waist, he winked.

“I think I can keep ye warm through the night.”

“Oh? All night, you say?”

“Weel… Maybe not all night.”

Claire chuckled, pulling the cabin’s key from her coat pocket.

“You slept the entire car ride and throughout the flight. Maybe we should just go to sleep for the night.”

When he yawned, he started laughing.

“Aye, perhaps you’re right. Ye said the lake was stocked wi’ fish?”

“It is. I got you a fishing license for the weekend. Will you catch our dinner for tomorrow?”

“No, Sassenach. We will. I intend to teach ye how to fish.”

They settled in for the night, her head on his chest. He felt that intimacy between them grow and he hoped that maybe she’d made her choice, not just about their quick and unorthodox marriage, but about their relationship as well.

Soft butterfly wings danced over her cheeks, down her neck, over her stomach. Opening her eyes, she observed Jamie’s red hair in close proximity to her face.

“Awake, then?” he asked, his lips against her neck.

“Quite.”

His head popped up, eyes glittering.

“Good. Get dressed. If ye want something to eat for supper, we’d best get fishing now!”

“Is the sun even up yet?”

“No, but it will be soon. Come on.”

Claire dressed groggily and he handed her a steaming cup of coffee. Once she’d finished it, she felt more like herself. He was practically vibrating with excitement.

As he got their gear together, he explained to her how everything worked. But he didn’t treat her like an idiot, only speaking to her as an equal. When he decided everything was ready, they went out to find the “perfect spot” as Jamie had called it.

It was a pleasant day outside, chilly without being frigid. Even still, she sat as close to him as he would allow, marveling at his internal furnace. They fished for hours, coming away with a few good sized ones that he promised to prepare. Jamie stayed outside to gut and clean them while Claire began to gather the rest of what they’d have for dinner.

Leaving the fish to marinate a little while, they sat on the small porch for lunch. Jamie was in a wonderful mood, the sun sparking off his hair.

“Was my father who taught me to fish, ye ken.”

She glanced up at him, curious. He rarely spoke of his family.

“Really?”

“Aye. We’d go out and spend all day catching fish. Bring home wi’ our baskets full and Mam would be so proud. Jenny always hated it because she had to help clean them.”

“She sounds like quite a character.”

His eyes took on the distant look of memory and he smiled.

“Aye, she’s a rare woman. No’ verra unlike you, Sassenach. She’s every bit o’ stubborn as me and twice as fierce.”

That night, Jamie cooked the fish over an open fire in the pit outside the cabin. He was beautiful, between the silver moonlight and the ruddy firelight. The contrast made him look other-worldly in a way.

Jamie brought the tartan wool blanket out of the cabin and wrapped it around her. She made space for him on the large bench and cuddled into his side. His arm came around her and a deep pleased sound rumbled in his chest.

Glancing up at him, she watched the stress and worry melt away. The exhaustion was gone now and she felt an incredible longing for him. Turning her body toward his, she reached up and ran her finger along the line of his jaw. He hadn’t shaved before they’d gone out fishing and the day’s growth was rough.

Gently, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him, long and slow. He was surprised at first, but quickly embraced her back. One hand cupped the her cheek while he brought her closer. Bracing on the back of the bench, she swung one leg over him and settled in his lap. The blanket was puddled around their hips.

“Have you ever made love out of doors before?” she asked, releasing the buckle of his belt.

“Canna say I have, Sassenach.”

She stood for a moment, kicking out of her shoes and wriggling out of her own jeans. Better prepared for the evening’s activities, she crawled onto him again.

“How about we change that?”

“I’ve never kent a woman like you, Claire.”

She winked as one of her hands moved beneath his boxers.

“They broke the mold after they made me.”

“I dinna think the universe could handle two of ye.”

Finding what she’d been searching for, she began stroking him to life. He tried to hold her gaze, but she watched the red creep up his neck and face. Finally, he let out a groan and leaned his head back on the bench, mouth open. He muttered something in Gaelic that she thought might have been a prayer of thanksgiving. Both of his hands were on her hips, clutching her with white knuckles.

Before it went too far, she reached down and picked up her trousers, rummaging through the pocket.

“Christ, why did ye stop?” he pleaded.

She grinned as she opened the foil package.

“Safety first, my Lord Midnight.”

“How does that always sound so bloody sexy when ye say it?”

“Because I’m about to make love to you in the wild forest of Colorado.”

His head rolled back again as she unrolled the condom onto him, being purposefully slow with the movement.

Moving herself forward, she leaned in and kissed his open mouth. Suddenly detached, his hands tangled in her hair, holding hard to her. Then she brought her hips down, taking both his cock and his sigh.

She purred as she rocked back and forth, arms around his neck. It was a little funny to her that she wore no trousers or knickers, his were around his ankles, but they still both wore their shirts. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling on it while she moved. The blanket fell away from them and the cold night air bit into her exposed skin.

“Roosevelt Christ!” she yelped, legs locking around Jamie.

“Oh God… What happened?”

He looked around, trying to regain control of his brain.

“The blanket fell off. And as warm as you are, you’re not covering my bare arse.”

“I suggest a change of location?”

Nodding, she made to get off, but he stood, holding her securely against him.

Her weight was solid in his arms as he carried her inside the cabin. He’d paused barely long enough to grab the blanket from the ground before bringing her in. If it had been warmer outside, he would have made love to her long and slow beneath the stars. What would it be like, he wondered, to have her in the wild heather near Lallybroch?

Laying her on the bed, he paused only long enough to pull his shirt off. It was joined on the floor of the cabin by her own. He sat back on his haunches and scooted closer, running his hands up her legs. They were strong and smooth, though a bit chilled. Best way to warm someone was to get their blood pumping, right?

Her legs opened for him, sliding around his middle and pulling him closer. The way she smiled at him, the tenderness in her eyes, urged him to say words he’d never uttered before.

“Tha gaol agam ort,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss her.

“Is that another one of those things you’ll tell me someday?”

“Aye, it is. Come here to me, wee vixen. Let me make love to ye.”

Guiding himself back into her, he bent his neck to taste her pleasure. If ever there was a woman he could give his life to, it would be her. For so long, he’d been unsure of her feelings, constantly wondering if she cared for him the way he did her. But after she’d attended his show and the night she’d given him, he thought he knew. He didn’t expect her to fall in love with him straight away, that would take time. All he wanted was to know if she wanted to try a relationship with him. Some form of commitment.

“Oh Jamie,” she said, dragging out his name.

With a smile, he kissed her parted lips, savoring the taste of fish that lingered on them. Her hands slid down his back and gripped his buttocks, fingernails digging into his flesh. It made him yelp and jerk a little, but he wouldn’t let her push him harder. He wanted to make proper love to her, worship her body as it deserved.

“Would it kill you to go a little faster?”

Pulling himself up, he stared at her with a wicked grin.

“It just might.”

Grinding against her, he watched every change her face made. The utter joy to the frustration at her lack of control. Every single thing would be burned into his memory for all of eternity.

“Jamie, please…” she whined, her face finally contorting into the longing he’d been waiting for.

“Weel, since ye asked so nicely.”

Readjusting his position, he held her hips and increased his pace. She made the most beautiful squeaks when he took her this way, even as her legs churned and kicked. The look of sheer ecstasy that spread across her face spurred him harder, his body now slamming against hers. Then her back arched and she cried out, hitting that glorious peak.

His heart was thundering in his chest, ready to break free at any moment. The closer he got, the harder it beat. The cry that built in his throat cut short when it finally escaped. Burying his face in her neck, he shuddered for what felt like an eternity.

Claire reached up and grabbed his face, pulling him down for a kiss.

“Check that off your bucket list, Fraser,” she said with a grin.

“Aye, I will. Perhaps tomorrow, though.”

Gathering her to him, he breathed deep the scent of her hair and relaxed with her body warm beside his.

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 4

A huge thank you to my plotting monster @outlandishchridhe and her insatiable excitement for this story. @thatwetwomaybeoneagain those jousting jokes are just for you, my dear. I hope you all enjoy this! I’ll be starting on part 5 pretty much as soon as this posts.

Part ONE TWO THREE 

They’d become quite close, as both lovers and friends, and had developed a sort of unspoken relationship between them. Claire was still a little hesitant to label it anything more, though she knew she couldn’t deny what she felt for him. Moreover, she felt acutely his feelings towards her. She’d never felt closer to someone as she did to him, and the precariousness of the circumstance of their relationship made her all the more wary of labeling it.

As the days had moved forward, Claire and Jamie fell into a sort of routine. He still came to the bar for his usual drinks when his show was over, but now he waited for her shift to finish. They would go home together, often talking about this or that.

He’d had a show tonight, and Claire was looking forward to seeing him. They’d been accidentally married for just three weeks now and she had his schedule memorized. When the clock hit midnight, she grabbed a glass and filled it with his favorite beer.

“Would you stop grinning like that?” Gellis said. “He’s not even here yet!”

“I am not!” Claire retorted. “And yes, he is.”

She turned to greet him, breathing deeply when he came near. He always smelled of sweat and horses after a show, which she enjoyed.

“Your drink, good sir,” she said, sliding the glass over to him.

“I thank ye, kind lady,” he bowed with a flourish. “I’ve a surprise for ye, Sassenach.”

“Oh?”

That smirk that killed her every time peeked out and she felt herself shudder. Then he gave her a wink and went to sit down in his usual corner.

“Aye,” he said as she walked over, cleaning the bar. “I do. But it’ll have to wait until after your shift is over.”

Giving him a sour look, she turned to a customer and began mixing another drink.

“It’s rude to keep secrets, Fraser.”

“I am not keeping a secret. Only saving a surprise.”

Finally, her shift ended and he stood to walk with her out to her car.

“Tell me, damn you.”

“It’s been killing you, hasn’t it?”

“Of course it bloody has! You know how I am with surprises!”

With a wink, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. For a moment, she thought it was the thing they’d both avoided talking about. Their unexpected marriage. Her heart began to race until he handed it to her.

“What’s this?”

“A ticket to my show tomorrow. I thought ye might like to see what it is I do.”

“Really?! Oh Jamie, that’s wonderful!”

“Aye? You’ll come then? I ken tomorrow’s your night off, I just thought it might be nice. I’ll take ye out for drinks after. I have one of my castmates willing to look after my things when the show’s over so I shouldna be long.”

Beaming up at him, she nodded.

“Yes! Oh, this is perfect!”

“Good! Let’s get ye home, then.”

The following night, Claire dressed in a simple black dress and headed to the Excalibur. Jamie had texted her earlier, telling her to keep an eye on the knight in blue. This whole thing he’d set up was a strangely thrilling experience.

She took her seat, watching eagerly as the rest of the audience filed in. After a brief announcement about emergency exits, the arena went dark. A few of the cast members came out, speaking their lines and explaining how the wizard Merlin had been corrupted. The Knights of the Realm were the only ones that could fight his army.

Claire was on the edge of her seat, watching the dark knights file out and take their positions. After some stunning pyrotechnics, the spotlights swiveled to reveal six knights on their large steeds. Jamie needn’t have told her what colors he wore. He sat head and shoulders above the other men in line.

His copper hair was worn in a tight braid down the back of his head and his face was serious. This was a side of him she’d never seen before, Jamie the showman. She supposed if he was a knight, he might go by James instead.

To her shock, it was Jamie and the green knight that were chosen for the jousting tournament. He’d never told her he knew how to joust. Claire watched with anxiety as the two men charged at each other. A loud crash made her jump in her seat, eyes frantically searching for her blue knight.

There he was, trotting around the end of the arena, eyes focused on the green knight.

Lord Midnight the Blue has struck the Lord Maximilian the Green, but has not yet unhorsed him. Once more, gentlemen! Take your places! May the honorable man win!

Jamie lined up again and they launched at each other. Claire nearly yelped when they collided, but held herself back. When the dust settled, the green knight was on the ground while Jamie held up his broken lance and howled his victory.

After tossing his broken weapon down, he rode over to the king and princess to accept a beautiful rose.

“A gift,” said the blonde princess. “For the maiden of your choice.”

Jamie rode slowly around the arena and Claire wondered how he chose his maidens. He’d mentioned once that he liked to hand the rose to little girls with glittering eyes for the smiles they gave him in return.

That wasn’t his goal tonight, she realized. His horse, still breathing heavily, stopped in front of her. He dismounted in a flourish of skill and locked eyes with her. With a deep bow, he tossed her the rose. She caught it, her cheeks burning as his gaze met hers again. She couldn’t help the smile that bloomed across her face. After a nod in reply, he turned and remounted his horse.

Claire had butterflies in her stomach and lightening in her veins. He’d given her a rose, invited her to his show just to give her a rose. It was one of the most beautiful gestures she’d ever received from someone.

The show was an absolute masterpiece from start to finish. The swordplay, jousting, horseback riding. Every moment of it had amazed her. Now that it was over, she was to wait for him in the lobby.

Eventually, he came out. She’d thought he would be in the sweaty clothes he wore beneath the costume, but he was in a nice plaid button down and very nice jeans.

“There ye are! What did ye think of the show?”

“Jamie, that was incredible! I had no idea you did so much!”

“Och,” he said playfully. “The lads and I take turns who’s jousting and who gives roses to fine young maidens.”

Accepting his arm, she walked with him out of the hotel and made their way to the strip. It was crowded as always, but it didn’t seem to bother him.

“Still. That was absolutely beautiful. And I think we both know I’m no fine young maiden.”

“Aye, maybe no’. But I thought I could bend the rules, just this once.”

They walked for a few moments, Claire smiling to herself and smelling her rose.

“Jamie, where are we going for drinks?”

“There’s a great little bar I think ye might like. We’ll have to drive, it’s a bit of a walk otherwise.”

He was warm beneath her hands, still smelling faintly of sweat.

“You showered.”

“Aye. I couldna take ye out for drinks stinking worse than my horse!”

“Do we have to go out for drinks?”

Stopping near his car, he looked down at her skeptically.

“Did ye have something in mind ye’d rather do?”

“I was thinking… It might just be nice to go home and have drinks there.”

“I suppose we could. But I promised you a night out.”

Brushing the rose across her upper lip, she grinned at him coyly.

“I think I’d rather a night in. With you.”

“Drinks are better priced at our place,” he said, his voice turning to velvet.

“You don’t have to tip the bartender either.”

Opening the door for her, he helped her into her seat and grinned salaciously.

“I always tip my bartender.”

He drove home rather quickly, hardly remembering to lock the door once they were inside.

“You know,” she said, backing away from him. “You’re not the only one good at surprises.”

“Is that so?”

Grinning, she nodded and moved into the bedroom. He followed her, eyes roaming over her.

“Yes. I’ve got a surprise for you too.”

“If it involves ye being naked, I’m all for it,” he said, reaching out a hand to her.

She clicked her tongue, swatted playfully at his outstretched hand and reached behind herself to unzip her dress.

“Did I say you could touch?”

Something dark flashed in his eyes before he put both hands behind his back. His intense gaze only spurred Claire onward. She shimmied out of the dress, letting him see the front of her surprise.

“Holy Mary mother of God,” he breathed, looking her over.

“Like it?”

“Jesus, Claire. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You are a wee vixen.”

With a pleased smile, she walked slowly around the room, swaying her hips as much as she could. Jamie couldn’t help following the swaying of her perfectly plump arse as she strode around, teasing him.

“You’re being verra cruel, Sassenach.”

She stopped in front of him, her feet planted a little more than shoulder width apart. With her hands on her hips, she eyed him.

“Cruel? Oh, I can be cruel.”

Picking up the rose she’d set on the bedside table, she lifted it to her nose and breathed deeply.

“Out of all the girls in that arena, you gave this to me.”

“Aye. I did.”

“Did you win that match just for me?”

His hand clenched into a fist as he resisted the impulse to touch her.

“Aye,” he breathed. “For you. My fair maiden.”

Claire snorted. She slid one hand down her body to ‘adjust’ one of the straps, ensuring it was perfectly smooth.

“What was it my brave knight did tonight? I can’t seem to remember what it’s called.”

He stood close to her but he did not reach out. She felt the heat of his breath on her neck as she turned away from him.

“J-jousting.”

“Oh that’s right. Tell me… What is it that you joust with?”

Jamie groaned, his eyes staring longingly at her backside.

“My Lord Midnight?”

“What?” he asked, shaking his head.

“What is that weapon you joust with?”

He swallowed.

“A lance.”

“Mm. That one you fought with today… Is that the only lance you know how to wield?”

“No, it’s not,” he answered, voice cracking.

Casting a glance at him over her shoulder, she backed into him.

“Oh God,” he moaned, barely maintaining his self control.

“Ooohhh,” she said, pressing her backside against him harder. “That is quite the weapon you’ve got there, sir.”

“Jesus Claire, please.”

Meeting his eyes, she shot him a cheshire cat smile and gave in.

“I suppose I’ll have to let you touch me at some point…”

He was beginning to crack, his hands nearly shaking at his sides.

“Aye, ye will if ye want any satisfaction tonight.”

“Alright then, Sir Midnight. I do believe you’ve won your maiden.”

“One thing,” he said, trailing fingers gently across her mostly-exposed arse.

Ticking one brow up, she waited.

“And what would that one thing be? This perhaps?” she asked as she nudged back a little.

“Just remember ye brought this on yerself.”

Then both hands grabbed her buttocks and let out a satisfied sigh.

“Fondle my arse all night, will you?”

“Certainly not, Sassenach. I just need a moment before I repay your sweet torture.”

When he finished with his moment, she was leaning against him.

“On the bed, then, if ye please.”

“And if I don’t please?”

“I bested the green knight and helped defeat the forces of Merlin tonight. I’m sure I could get ye and yer perfect arse on that bed if I tried hard enough.”

Giving in, she walked slowly to the bed and sat down, watching as he surveyed her. He first removed her shoes, gently tracing the muscles in her calves.

“Ye’ve fine legs, Sassenach.”

“And your hands are magic. Jesus H…”

Claire then began to learn just how stubborn a Scot this man was. He hadn’t been kidding about repaying her torture. After setting her shoes aside, he carefully unhooked the straps holding up her thigh high stockings, topped with intricate lace, his lips trailing down her legs as he rolled them off. Then he crawled above her, carefully observing the intricate outfit she wore.

“Now how the hell am I supposed to get this thing off ye?”

“Do you really need me to tell you how to do that?”

“I didna really look at the back when ye showed it to me. Are there ties or those bloody wee hooks?”

Rather than answer, she rolled onto her stomach.

“Wee hooks then. This might take some time.”

“Better not take too long.”

With one extra squeeze of her backside, he ran a finger up her spine.

“Get more onto the bed, Sassenach.”

Wiggling further on, she looked back to see him appreciating her body.

“Better?”

“Aye. Now,” he waited until she focused on him. “Dinna move a muscle, Sassenach. I’ll be but a moment.”

Moving to the edge of her vision, he began slowly undressing. That just wasn’t fair, watching the graceful way he carried himself. She couldn’t help but snort a little when he was finally naked.

“That’s quite the lance you have there, sir knight.”

“Hush now, Sassenach, and let me go about my business,” he responded, eyeing her prone form with appreciation.

The bed shifted when he moved onto it, his knees squeezing slightly on either side of her hips. She let her eyes close, deciding to simply enjoy the moment. His fingers fumbled for a moment with the edge of the fabric before getting a good hold. It unhooked with relative ease, freeing her just a little. She flinched, then shivered, at the unexpected touch of his lips on her skin.

With every hook he released, he kissed the next bit of her that was exposed. The tenderness and slowness of his actions seemed to heighten each one of her senses. It was like every cell in her body was on the brink of combustion. All she needed was a spark.

But he kept that spark back, not ready to let either of them catch fire yet. When the last hook released, he ran his hands up and down her back. He pushed the straps from her shoulders, following them with his lips. Claire had never been with a man who took such care with her, one who worshiped her body so openly. It was equal parts frightening and arousing.

His body was close to hers, though she couldn’t see him. The heat that radiated from him gave her visions of him as a live flame, hungry and consuming. She wanted to burn in it with him, to let him take possession of her and worship her in the way only he could. But she wasn’t given time to dwell on it as his hands found her breasts.

After some careful maneuvering, he pulled the garment free of her body. He held her breasts again while kissing her neck. She trembled beneath him, growing desperate for contact.

“Nearly there,” he growled into her ear. “Just one last thing.”

Gasping as he moved off her, she turned to see what he was doing. She’d completely forgotten about the little black thong she’d put on earlier. Tugging it down over her hips, he smiled up at her.

“Finally,” she moaned.

“Care for a wee joust, Sassenach?”

She snorted.

“I don’t think-”

“That was a rhetorical question.”

Before he returned, he pulled open the drawer on his bedside table. With a proud smirk, he held up the little package and wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“Safety first, my lady.”

She broke out into unexpected laughter while he rolled the condom on. Moving back into his previous position, he settled and guided himself in. That first moment of connection ignited her, setting them both on fire.

He was as determined and relentless as he had been in the arena only a few hours before. Lifting her hips up higher, he enjoyed the keening sounds she made as he continued to love her body. Claire couldn’t help but glance back at him, and that coy look alone, spurred him on faster.

“Oh, Jamie!” Claire cried out, her head nodding forward again, overcome by how good he felt. How he knew exactly where to hold her, exactly when she needed him to move harder or faster with her.

Wanting to see her face as she came undone, he moved to turn her over. She growled at the loss of contact, but didn’t have a chance to speak as he moved into her again, his face hovering close in to hers. He lifted her legs higher up his body, pressing in deeper.

Hungrily, she pulled his mouth down to hers, each devouring the others sounds of sheer pleasure.

“Jamie… Jamie… I - I…” Claire tried to speak, but she moaned again as he reached a new spot inside her.

Her eyes squeezed shut as the tension built up within her. Jamie’s movements suddenly stopped with him sheathed to the hilt.

“Don’t ye dare close yer eyes,” he growled.

She began to writhe beneath him, trying to force him into moving again.

“Please!”

“Look at me!”

Forcing her eyes open, she met his gaze and dissolved. He bucked against her with wild abandon as he lost his ability to speak English. Whatever he was saying, she didn’t understand. But she felt it, like each word he yelled touched her soul.

As she fought to catch her breath and her racing heart, she noticed his arms were shaking. Sweat dripped off his nose and landed on her chest, mixing with her own.

“Jesus. H. Roosevelt. Christ,” she panted. “How the hell… Can you do a show like that… And still have the energy… For that?!”

With a smirk, he dropped onto his side heavily, making them both bounce on the mattress.

“I’ll always have energy for that.”

Working together, they moved the sheets around enough to crawl beneath them and come together again. Most nights, she slept with her back to him and his arms around her. But tonight, she turned and faced him. A smile tender enough to break her heart came to his lips as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He kissed her forehead and sighed, his heart beginning to slow. Claire snuggled in closer, breathing in the warm scent of him that lingered on the skin of his neck. As she started to drift off to sleep, she could have sworn she heard him softly say, “We still need to talk of our marriage, Sassenach.”

Whether it was a trick of her mind or not, she responded sleepily, “I know. Tomorrow,” and drifted off, in the comfort of his arms.

So sexy. Just the perfect balance between playful and poignant (ugh that last paragraph just grabbed my heart and squeezed it to pieces) Spectacular @takemeawaytocamelot So excited for the next instalment

Such love and passion. ❤

Now THIS is Jamie and Claire  ... wild and passionate !

A Wild Night in Vegas -- Part 3

Alright kiddos! This one is LONG, but I promise there’s some amazing smut at the end. As with the last chapter, @outlandishchridhe is my plot monster and was rooting for it the whole time. I hope you all enjoy it!!

Find part one HERE

As soon as the door closed, he nearly collapsed against it.

“Blessed Michael defend us,” he breathed. “What have ye done, James?! Holy Mary mother of God! Ye went and got yerself marriet!”

Stifling a groan, he went about his business and prepared himself to make a fine Scottish breakfast. He couldn’t let his new wife starve.

Making his way to the small kitchen, he noticed she wasn’t on the couch.

“Claire?”

“In here, sorry! I just needed to put my trousers back on.”

“I suppose we should get ye home for some fresh clothes at some point, aye?”

She came out of his bedroom wearing her own trousers but his shirt still. Christ Almighty, she hadn’t put a bra back on. He could just see the points of her nipples teasing him from beneath the fabric.

“Yes, I suppose I should. I honestly wouldn’t put it past Frank to be waiting for me.”

“Then I’ll come wi’ ye.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

Moving swiftly around the kitchen, he snorted.

“I’m your husband now, Sassenach. Wouldna be right of me to leave ye unprotected.”

Claire rolled her eyes hard and sat down at his small kitchen table.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“If ye changed the locks, he couldna get in.”

“No, but he’d still know where I live. And he knows my neighbors, they know him.”

Sliding the eggs onto a plate, he set about with the rest of breakfast.

“If you’re no’ safe there, perhaps it’s time to find a new place?”

“That could take me months,” she said, standing as the kettle went off. “What will I do in the mean time?”

“Stay here. He doesna ken where I live, you’d be safe here. We could get ye a storage unit to put your things in until we find ye a good place.”

Claire sat back down with her cup of tea, waiting for it to cool.

“You don’t have to do that, Jamie. You hardly know me.”

Hardly know, yet love, perhaps.

“Aye, but what’s mine is yours, Sassenach. The state of Nevada says so.”

“Well! If the state of Nevada says so, it must be!”

“We’ll go after we finish wi’ breakfast and get your things, aye?”

It didn’t take them as long as he’d thought, to pack up her things. She had two decently sized cardboard boxes that she’d put into his car, the rest would go into storage. He hadn’t been much help, besides carrying one of them down. She’d gone about the apartment picking the things that would go with her with care. Those, and a duffel bag of clothes, were all she’d bring into his apartment.

“We can pack up the rest and take some to storage now, if ye like,” Jamie said.

Claire sighed and gently took a sheathed sword from it’s place on the wall. She held it with reverence and noticed him staring.

“Sorry. Would you mind terribly if this came with me? I’d rather it not go into storage.”

“I wouldna mind. I’ve got all sorts of odd things about my apartment. Though I have to say, I didna expect to see you wi’ such a weapon.”

“It’s…” she looked shyly up at him. “Well, it’s special. My Uncle Lamb gave it to me, one of the last things I got from him.”

Jamie held out his hand in question and she gave it to him carefully.

“He was an archeologist. Told me he bought that at a market in Egypt, but it’s clearly Viking. He wasn’t always very clear about how he acquired things.”

Handing it back to her, she smiled and traced the hilt.

“You can tell it’s Viking by the five-lobed pommel. Tenth century, I think. Uncle Lamb said that-”

The door behind Jamie opened and Claire stopped. Turning, Jamie saw Frank in the doorway, eyes squinting at them both.

“I’ll just go take these down to the car then, aye? Gi’ ye a little privacy to tie up loose ends?” he said quietly, looking at Claire.

“Thank you.”

Picking up a few boxes, Jamie pushed passed Frank and went down to the car.

With a heavy sigh, she continued putting things into boxes. Frank came here on his own. If he wanted to talk, he would have to get things started.

“Would you stop for a moment and talk to me, please?”

“What exactly do you want to talk about, Frank? You can’t exactly deny that you were sleeping with that girl.”

“I’m not.”

She dropped a pile of books into another box.

“Good. Because I know I’ve asked professors for extra credit before and I know what they did to help me. It certainly wasn’t putting me on my back on their desk.”

Frank at least had the decency to look ashamed at that.

“I wish you hadn’t seen that.”

“Seen you fucking your student? Trust me, I wish I hadn’t seen it either.”

“Isn’t there something I can do to make you see how sorry I am?”

Turning to look at him, she thought through all the things she’d wanted to say to him.

“Promise me honesty?”

“Of course.”

Right, because his word was worth so much to her now.

“How many?”

“What?”

Arms folded over her chest, she looked him in the eye.

“How many, Frank? How many impressionable students like me did you take to your office for ‘extra credit’? How many got on their knees for you, begging you to pass their papers?”

“Claire, I-”

“How many?!” A sickening thought occurred to her in that moment. “Oh God. I have to go to the clinic and get tested.”

“I promise I’m clean.”

She actually laughed at that.

“The same way you promised you were faithful?”

“We always used protection.”

“You and your whores might have, but WE didn’t! Not every time!”

Putting a hand over her mouth, she fought back the bile that threatened to come up. If Frank had given her something and she didn’t know, she could have passed it on to Jamie.

“I swear to God Frank, if you gave me something, you’re paying for treatment.”

Then Frank gave her that look. The one that said he was smarter than her and she should have learned that by now.

“Really? You expect me to pay for some treatment when you’ve been whoring yourself out to whoever remembers your name?”

“You bastard. You’ve no right to say that to me.”

“Don’t I? We’ve not been broken up for a week and already you’re already moving into some other man’s flat? Married him after knowing him for how long?”

Gritting her teeth, she noticed a figure darkening her doorway again. Jamie’s hulking form stepped out of the shadows, eyes locked on hers. It was a silent question. He wouldn’t force himself into the situation unless she asked him to. This was hers to deal with as she saw fit.

“I just remembered something Frank,” she said, nodding subtly to Jamie. “This isn’t any of your business anymore.”

“Time to go, Mr. Randall.”

Frank’s lips twitched, the tell that he was properly angry.

“It’s Doctor Randall.”

Jamie gripped his shoulder with one hand and steered him to the door.

“Please dinna bother my wife again, Frankie. It would be a shame if your university learned of your ‘extra credit’ opportunities, wouldn’t it?”

Frank twisted awkwardly under Jamie’s hand, slipping out of his grip. She backed away as he came at her, hands outstretched.

“Listen to reason, Claire,” he said, holding her by the shoulders hard enough to bruise. “Do you really think anyone else will have you? You think that Scottish bastard will stick around when he learns just how selfish you are? That he’ll stay with you when you don’t come home until six in the morning? Or that he won’t find someone far more interesting? Why do you think I slept with those other women? I. Got. Bored.”

Hot tears burned her eyes as he voiced every insecurity she had.

“I suggest,” she said in a voice much more calm than she felt. “That you take my husband’s advice and leave. Or he might throw you down the stairs.”

With a hiss of frustration, Frank turned and left, shoving Jamie out of his way. Once the echo of his footsteps faded, she sank onto her couch.

“Sassenach, are ye alright?”

“I’m fine, really. Just… Frank, being Frank.”

He knelt in front of her and took her trembling hands between his own. For a long moment they sat that way as her shaking came under control. Jamie waited until she met his eyes before speaking.

“He was wrong, ye ken. You’re no’ a selfish woman. And you’re by far the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met in this city.”

Unsure how to respond to that, she gave him a weak smile.

“I think I’ve had enough of this apartment for one day. Can we go?”

Jamie nodded and helped her to her feet.

“Of course. We’ll go to your storage unit and drop some of the boxes off, then I’ll take ye back to my place for a proper cuppa.”

“Thank you.”

On their way out, Jamie paused to grab the Viking sword.

Before he took them back to his apartment, he made an extra stop. She glanced up from her cell phone and blinked at the health clinic.

“What are… Jesus H. You heard all that, didn’t you?”

“Aye, I did. And I can see by frown on your face it’s botherin’ ye. So I thought we could both come and get tested.”

She stared up at him.

“Both?”

“So you’ll ken I’m clean too. I havena got anything I could give you. I ken we’ve already slept together, but I dinna want you to worry.”

“You’re not worried I gave you something?”

Giving her a reassuring smile, he took the keys out of the ignition and shook his head.

“That’s why we’re doing this together.”

They filled out the medical history forms and a nurse took their blood. She assured them that they’d made it in time for their samples to make it to the lab for testing. They’d have their results in an hour.

Jamie sat quietly beside her, flipping through a hunting magazine while Claire’s fingers tapped on her thigh. He settled a hand over hers reassuringly and squeezed.

“Ye ken I’m no’ going to make ye walk back, aye?”

“What?”

“I’m no’ going to leave ye here, no matter what the doctor says.”

She nodded, but clearly was still nervous.

A little over an hour later, they were each handed their results. Jamie was, as he’d expected, in perfect physical and sexual health. Judging by the sigh of relief on Claire’s face, she was also given a clean bill of health.

The drive to his apartment had far less tension than it had before. Good, he thought. He hated the thought of her being so worried.

The deadbolt slammed home and Jamie turned to look at the boxes sitting on his couch. Claire had one open and was digging through it, hunting for something.

“I thought we might put this somewhere safe,” he said, holding up the sword.

“Oh! You grabbed it! I didn’t even notice, after… Thank you.”

For now, he had it leaning against one wall while he went to fix them both some tea. Together they unpacked some of her things, setting up her pile of university textbooks on the desk Jamie never used.

“Are you sure you don’t mind my taking over the desk?”

“Not at all, Sassenach. First time it’s been used for its proper purpose since I bought it, I expect.”

“I’ve given ye some space in my wardrobe too. I ken apartment hunting is quite a task that takes time.”

She beamed at him, sitting down at the desk to get herself organized.

“Then I think we need to come to a compromise,” she said, turning to look at him.

“And what would that be?”

He set out a few photographs of her parents and her uncle on the side table, next to the photos of his own family.

“If I’m going to be staying here for an indeterminate amount of time, I’ll not force you to live on your own couch.”

He shot her a shocked glance.

“Weel it’s rude to put a man on his own floor!”

“Listen here you cheeky bastard,” she said, fighting down a smile. “We’re both adults and I think we can handle sharing a bed.”

He lifted both brows.

“Oh! A man sharing his bed wi’ his wife. Do you think Las Vegas can handle that scandal?”

“Probably not,” she said with a light laugh.

Turning back to her books, she let her face fall. He noticed how her hand still trembled when she reached for her pencils. She put on a good show, keeping up with his witty banter. But he saw how much Frank’s words had hurt her.

From all that he’d learned of her in the last twenty-four hours, he knew one thing. She was a woman of action, not of words. Frank’s accusations hurt because she’d trusted him and he’d betrayed with his actions. Jamie glanced at the sword leaning against the wall and went to find his toolbag. In less than fifteen minutes, he had the Viking sword hanging proudly on the wall in the best possible spot he could find. The sun would shine on it in the evening as it set, giving it a spotlight of its very own.

He unpacked the rest of her two boxes, putting the items into neat piles. The things she’d need on a regular basis - toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo and the like - he set up beside his own. Her towel hung beside his, within easy reach of the shower. The remainder of his day was spent settling Claire’s things into his apartment. She’d said this wouldn’t be permanent, but he knew how much she needed a safe haven. Frank had taken away that safety when he’d betrayed her and Jamie knew he couldn’t exactly give it back. But he would give her the little comfort that he could.

When she yawned for the fifth time in twenty minutes, he fixed a cup of coffee and set it on the coaster beside her right hand.

“Oh, you’re so sweet. Thank you.”

“Wouldna be helpful to fall asleep while reading, I figure.”

Nose buried in her book again, he smiled at the flush of pleasure on her face when she drank the coffee. He did his best to leave her be, to not disturb her studies.

Dinner was nearly cooked when she finally pulled free of the desk, bringing the empty mug with her.

“He cooks, he cleans,” she said quietly.

“Ye seemed busy, I didna want to bother you. I havena put your clothes away, but they’re in my room.”

“Thank you for doing this, Jamie.”

Spooning the pasta into a bowl, he set it down on the table in front of her. As he turned away, he smirked, realizing she was still wearing his shirt. He had a sneaking suspicion that he’d likely never wear it again and found he didn’t mind.

She insisted on helping clean the dishes, since he’d done all the cooking, and promised to fix dinner the next night. While he went and drew the blinds and curtains around the apartment, she prepared for bed. He found himself wondering what she would wear. She didn’t seem the skimpy silk type, but more something that was comfortable.

Belatedly, he realized he’d be sharing a bed with this woman. Not just the drunken hook up they’d had before, but actually sharing his bed. He felt self conscious and wondered if he should dig through his drawers to find something to wear. Usually he slept in his boxers, or less during the summer months. He hesitated outside the door, thinking furiously.

“Sassenach?”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to knock on your own bedroom door.”

He put his hand down, taking care not to bump the door on accident.

“Ah… Are ye decent, then?”

“You’ve already seen me naked, I don’t think there’s anything left you haven’t seen.”

His ears began to burn red.

“I only meant, were ye… I mean that…”

“It’s alright, I’m dressed,” she laughed.

Opening the door, he looked at his bed and bit back a groan of longing.

“Blessed Michael defend us,” he breathed.

There was a woman in his bed. A beautiful woman.

“What did you say?”

“Nothin’. Ah…”

Was it odd to ask a woman what she preferred her man wear in bed? Her man?! Get a hold of yourself, Fraser.

He met her eyes again, catching the playful glint in their blue depths. Her gaze dropped a little, make her look up at him from beneath her dark lashes.

“Are you going to come to bed, Jamie?”

Oh holy God yes.

Meeting her gaze once more, he felt a smile pulling at his lips.

“To bed? Or… To sleep?”

Her eyes went wide with his question, bringing on his full smile. Then she gave him a coy smile.

“Well I’m sure we’ll sleep at some point…”

Shrugging out of his shirt, he tossed it into his laundry bin and his jeans joined it shortly after. Then he stopped, staring down at his socks.

“Jamie?”

“Is this what ye want, Claire?”

“I said as much, didn’t I?”

He shook his head, looking up at her.

“That’s no’ what I mean. Why do you want to do this? Are you sure it’s because ye want it and no’ because ye feel poorly about yourself?”

She stared at him for a few minutes, clearly unprepared for his questions.

“It’s… I don’t know what it is, this thing between us. It’s more than a drunken one night stand, I know that much. It’s different. I’ve never felt anything like this before and I don’t understand it. But…” she bit down on her bottom lip. “Right now I know that I want you, for your own sake. Not because Frank made me feel like shit earlier today. But because…”

Waiting patiently, he remained standing where he was. This wasn’t easy for her, to be so vulnerable with him after what Frank had done, so he would give her whatever time she needed to put her thoughts in order.

“Because you make me feel safe. Like… Like I’m home. I don’t understand what this connection is, not yet, but for tonight I’d just like to feel it. If that’s alright.”

No one had ever said anything like that to him before.

“Aye, my Sassenach. That’s quite alright.”

As he approached the bed, she pushed the sheets down and away from her body. It would be much different this time, neither of them drunk or emotional. It would just be them, coming together as lovers and friends.

Her cheek was soft and warm in his hand as he cupped it, leaning down to kiss her. She tasted different than he remembered, sweeter. There was no hard edge of alcohol on her tongue as it moved against his own. One of her hands reached up and tangled in his hair, pulling him fully down onto the bed. Everything about her body was warm curves and soft flesh. God, he could lose himself in it and not have a care in the world.

The last time they’d been in the same bed together, they’d been reckless and almost heedless of the other. She’d wanted the roughness he could give her, and he was more than willing to take the same treatment in return. But this… This was much different. There was something more between them now, more than just their two bodies meeting.

As he settled himself between her legs, hands exploring her body, she pushed him back. They were both breathing hard, her lips red and smiling.

“Not this time, Fraser,” she said.

“What?”

“I may not remember much about our wedding night, but I do remember you taking charge.”

He began nibbling down her neck, enjoying the gooseflesh that rose in his wake.

“Is that a complaint, then?”

“Oh, God no,” she teased. “But now it’s my turn.”

His head popped up, brows raised in interest.

“Is it?”

“Yes,” she nudged him in the side. “It is.”

Obligingly, he rolled onto his back and pulled her with him. Straddling him, she pulled off the shirt she’d been wearing all day and tossed it aside. Then she guided him to her breasts, keeping their gazes locked the whole while.

Jamie had never been more grateful for his large hands than he was in that moment. With his left thumb, he gently circled one nipple, pleased when it responded to him. He did the same with the other, making Claire’s eyes roll back a little. But she could only take so much before needing more, he quickly realized.

She moved suddenly, removing the pink panties she’d been wearing and pulling his boxers off.

“Wait a moment,” he said, reaching over to his bedside table. “I ken we’re both clean, but I thought we’d be better safe than sorry.”

Taking the little foil package from him, she nodded.

“Thank you.”

Back above him, she rolled the condom onto him before taking her position once more. Then her eyes met his, open and honest.

“I feel it too,” he whispered, hands on her hips. “That thing ye mentioned. I kent it the moment we met. I dinna ken what it is either, but I’ve only ever felt it wi’ you. Let me feel it again?”

Eyes closing slowly, she brought their two bodies together and sighed. The universe around him ceased - the neon lights, sirens, the cars, tourists yelling - leaving him alone with Claire. The smell of her surrounded him, a hint of whiskey and her own natural scent. The heat of her desire matched his own, so strong and intense he was sure they’d burn the world down with them. Her lips on his were strangely cool, intoxicating. He wanted to hold on to this moment, to never move from it. For once they began, the end would come.

“Jesus H. Bloody Christ!”

“I havena even done anything!”

Slowly, deliberately, her body began to move. It composed a song in perfect harmony with his, matching his rhythm beat for beat. Claire Beauchamp was not the first woman he’d taken to bed, but damn it, she would be the last.

Her hips started moving faster, harder, their skins coming together with soft smacking sounds, their perspiration aiding Claire as she moved over his body. It was building, the both of them coming closer and closer to that glorious end. That moment when the pleasure was so strong it nearly became pain, when he would fall into oblivion and her arms.

“Come with me,” she said in a harsh whisper. “Come feel it with me.”

Both his hands gripped her hips, pushing and pulling her harder. He was beginning to cry out now, all he needed was a moment more before it was done. In one final push, her back arched and she threw her head back.

“Tha mi ‘n dùil sgàin mo chridhe.”

Her head rolled forward and she looked down at him, her chest still heaving.

“What did you say?”

“I said,” he pulled her down to lay beside him. “I thought my heart was gonna burst.”

“Well that’ll boost a girl’s confidence any day,” she laughed.

Her hand moved to his cheek, her thumb tracing the line of his lips.

“I’ve never felt anything like this,” she said, softly.

“Nor have I.”

“Thank you, for all of this. Letting me stay here and helping me with Frank.”

Tucking her curls behind her ear, he smiled at her.

“Anything I can do to help ye, Sassenach.”

Rolling onto her side, she pulled the sheets back up and settled down to sleep.

“We’ll talk about this whole marriage situation later,” she mumbled.

“Aye, I give ye my word.”

Wrapping his arms around her, he cuddled up behind her. He felt her relax completely into his embrace, feeling a bone deep contentment himself, and drifted off to sleep with her, the perfume of her completely penetrating his senses.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

A Wild Night in Vegas

So this might start another AU, but I can’t help myself.

Claire slid the glass of whiskey to the young man who’d ordered it. She’d checked his ID twice to be sure he was old enough, though he still looked like a child to her. How had a woman like herself become a bartender in some Las Vegas bar? All stories started the same way, didn’t they? It began with a boy…

Her history professor from university. It had been a required course to take and she’d developed something of a crush on Dr. Randall. Those long elegant fingers that wove magic in the air while he spoke. That resonant voice dripping with passion. The age difference between them hadn’t meant a thing to her. And the day he’d started to show interest back, well…

They’d begun dating in secret until she was no longer in his class. They’d gotten serious, or at least that’s what she thought. He’d been offered a position at University of Las Vegas, which he’d accepted. Why the hell he wanted to go from Oxford to Las Vegas, she didn’t understand. But he’d asked her to move with him, to take their relationship to the next level. So she had, she’d given up her own university path and gone with him to this place.

Frank was happy with his position and for a while, Claire had been happy too. But she missed her studies, so she’d gone out for a job and worked nights to put herself through the remainder of a nursing program.

Tonight was the same as any other. She kept track of the time by watching the shift changes. Dancers and strippers came in for their usual after-work drinks. No-name singers came in to wet their parched throats. Impersonators wandered in to blur the line between fantasy and reality.

A new face she hadn’t seen before came in and sat heavily on one of the wooden stools. Wiping her hands on her apron, she approached him.

“What can I get you?”

His copper head jerked up, eyes of crystalline blue boring into her own.

“You’re British,” he stated.

“I am,” she answered. “What can I get you?”

For a moment, his mouth opened and closed.

“Ah… Whatever’s on tap, please.”

Filling a glass, she handed it over to him, though he made no move to drink it.

“So, what’s-”

“If you seriously ask me ‘so what’s a pretty girl like you doing here’ I’m going to dump that drink in your lap and have Roscoe escort you out,” she said sharply.

Immediately his mouth snapped shut.

“I was only going to ask what a fine British lady like yourself would be doin’ in a place like this,” he said rather sheepishly.

It was only then that she caught his own accent.

“I could ask you the same thing, Scotsman.”

His smile was bright and wide, dipping his head in a nod.

“Weel… I’m no’ exactly sure how I ended up in Las Vegas. I work at Excalibur.”

Claire snorted, wiping down the bar and refilling the napkin dispenser.

“Oh the irony.”

“I ride in the Tournament of Kings show.”

Now it was her mouth hanging open, impressed.

“Is that right? That’s not an easy job to get.”

The man with the red hair smirked and took a long drink of his beer.

“No, it isna. But I’m happy to have it.”

“Excuse me!” came a voice at the end of the bar.

Claire smiled at the man.

“Let me know if you’d like a refill,” she said before darting down to the man waving his cash.

Jamie watched the Englishwoman go, intrigued. She was far too beautiful for a place like this, though she seemed to handle it with grace. He decided this would become his after-work tradition, if only to see her.

And so it was. After every show he rode in, he’d stop at that bar on his way home. She got to know what drinks he liked, memorizing his preferences once he’d become a regular. Always started with a glass of beer on tap, followed by a glass of whiskey or brandy, depending on his mood. They talked a bit, as much as her busy job allowed. He was quite fond of her, finding someone who at least understood that longing for proper tea.

Nearly a month after he’d first ventured into the bar, he went in for his usual drinks only to find someone else behind the bar. A tall, lean woman was bustling about, her fair hair braided tight against her head.

“What can I get you?” she asked.

“Where’s Claire?” he said, glancing up and down the bar.

The woman’s face fell.

“Oh, you didn’t hear. She caught her boyfriend with one of his students. Been drinkin’ in the corner all night,” she said, nodding to a dark spot in the room.

He made his way over to her without another word. He knew full well that he stank of sweat and horse, but Claire was in pain.

“Sassenach?”

Bleary eyes rolled up to meet him.

“Can you believe it? That bitch is barely eighteen.”

“Aye, so your friend said. Would ye rather be alone, then?”

“Drink with me.”

Sitting opposite her, he accepted the glass she slid over to him. They drank, Claire sometimes blurting out profanities about either Frank or the ‘harlot’ he’d been caught with.

“Was it my fault?” she asked suddenly, wiping angry tears from her cheeks.

“That he was a fool?”

“Yes! Did I push him to it? I’ve been busy with university and work, but I thought… I’ve not gotten fat, have I?”

Jamie scoffed and set his glass down harder than he’d meant. He was getting rather drunk, he noted.

“Fat? God no, Sassenach. Ye’ve got a fine rrround arrse, but no’ fat.”

Claire began to giggle, staring at him.

“Your accent gets worse when you’re drunk,” she said.

“Aye, and so it does.”

“I should get home. I’ve got class tomorrow and I’m already going to be hung over.”

Jamie stood, on wobbly feet, and offered his hand.

“Then I shall be a prroperr gentleman and escort the lady home,” he said with a flourish.

Clare began to giggle again and accepted his hand. Neither of them being able to drive, they started walking. There were no taxi’s outside the bar at the moment, all having gotten fares and left.

After that, things began to get fuzzy. There was a foggy memory of a room, of a man asking them questions, but he couldn’t understand the words. Jamie remembered eventually stumbling into a taxi, he and Claire giggling like children. He remembered following her up the stairs to her apartment, insisting that he would see her safely to her door. And he remembered her asking him to come inside.

Distraction was what she wanted and he seemed willing to give it. She wasn’t sure how drunk either of them were, but she gave him plenty of opportunity to leave. Desirable. She wanted to feel desirable again, being currently racked with insecurity after finding Frank with…

“Stay?” she asked Jamie, who sat on her couch.

“For as long as ye need, Sassenach.”

“Thank you.”

Sinking down beside him, she sighed. One of his large hands lifted and brushed the hair from her face. His touch was warm and gentle, nothing like Frank’s. Before she knew it, she was kissing him, moving from her own seat into his lap. His hands groped around her body before settling on her rump.

“Sassenach,” he breathed in the brief moment she released his mouth. “I dinna want to take advantage of a lass in a vulnrealble state,” he stumbled over the odd word.

“You’re not. I want this. I want to feel wanted and sexy.”

“Ye are, mo nighean donn. Ye feel like a vixen in my arms.”

His hands squeezed her buttocks, her hips beginning to churn.

“A vixen, am I?”

“Aye,” he smiled into her neck. “Bespelled me the moment I met ye.”

Teeth tugged gently on her skin, making her moan. Drunk as she was, she got a hold of herself long enough to crawl off him. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. When he looked at her as he sat on her bed, she felt herself get lost in his eyes.

“Are you sure you’re alright with this?” she asked, unbuttoning her shirt.

“Aye, mo chridhe,” he breathed, eyes on her chest.

If she’d still been at work, it would have made her angry to have a man stare at her that way. But alone in her bedroom, it pleased her.

“What did you say?” she asked, stepping out of her tight blue jeans.

“Ach,” he waved his hand. “Perhaps I’ll tell ye someday.”

Barely taking the time to step out of her panties, she threw herself at him. This would be violent, leaving her sated and bruised in the morning. Or, that’s what she was hoping for. She had no idea what kind of lover Jamie was, or what he was comfortable doing.

His mouth sealed to hers once more, hands fondling her buttocks. While he was busy, she pushed his trousers down and fumbled with his boxers.

She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting. His cock was hard as steel in her hands, hot and ready for her. It had been so long since she’d been with anyone besides Frank she forgot there were differences. Jamie was bulky and defined where Frank had been graceful and elegant.

Her bra suddenly sprang free and she shook her head, looking down at him.

“Ah, there ye are.”

“What?”

With a carefully maneuvered roll, she was on her back, his face flushed and smiling above her.

“Ye went somewhere, just now. Ha’ to bring ye back. If I’m to make love to ye, I’d rather ye be here for it.”

“Then what are you waiting for, Sir Knight,” she said, wrapping her legs around his hips.

“For that,” he growled, thrusting his hips forward roughly.

Her back arched and she cried out, filled and stretched more than she’d expected. But he didn’t stop there. Both hands grabbed her wrists and pulled her arms above her head, while his body kept moving. She had not an ounce of control in this and she found she rather liked it.  The sounds of their bodies coming together drove coherent thought from her mind. All that existed was them, the both of them moving as one.

Jamie was grunting in her ear, his breath hot against it. She thought it was Gaelic, though she couldn’t be sure. If he was very drunk or too excited about something, he reverted to that language and she never understood a word.

Letting go of her hands, he grabbed roughly at her thighs and pushed them further apart. Her breath caught and she clawed at his shoulders.

“Aye,” he snarled in a deep voice. “Cry for me, beg me to take ye. I am the master of yer satisfaction.”

Then she howled, her body bursting with fire and electricity. Stars danced before her eyes while she trembled and convulsed. Jamie’s hips pounded on, taking her from the peak of one orgasm straight into another.

“Oh God!” she cried, her fingers digging into the firm flesh of his buttocks.

“No’ quite,” he smiled down at her, face deep red and sweating. “But I thank ye for the compliment.”

“YES!” she yelped as his lips latched onto her nipple.

And then he, too, was shaking and shuddering, his seed shooting hot and deep into her womb. Panting heavily, she looked up at him and smiled. His eyes were strangely sober, no longer veiled in the mask he usually wore. All she saw in them was pure adoration and trust, not the lust she’d expected to see. He cared for her, truly, and she could see the depth of it in his gaze.

“Will ye rest now, mo nighean donn?” he asked quietly, lips trailing over her neck.

“I-I think so,” she said, feeling her eyes droop already.

“Good. I promise I’ll be here when ye wake.”

Glaring around him, he wondered how he’d gotten home last night. But this wasn’t his bed, wasn’t his room. The spot beside him was empty and cool and he saw his clothes folded on the corner. A note sat atop the pile.

With a sigh, Jamie set the note back down and dressed groggily. Something crinkled in his pocket and he wondered if it was another note from Claire. Pulling it out, he felt his mouth fall open. It couldn’t possibly be true.

@takemeawaytocamelot !