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?”
“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.
“This corner might be secluded, but it’s not that secluded. See?” she nodded to someone flying by on a jet ski.
“Someday I want to take ye somewhere and make love to ye on a beach.”
“Dinna ken. Something I’ve never done and I suspect ye havena either. Always thought it would be verra romantic to do that.”
“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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
“Wings? Ye want hot wings? Now?”
“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.”
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.
Hello darling. Could you maybe pick up some cheesy chips too? Thank you!
The speaker squacked and a woman yawned.
“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.
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.
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!”
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.”
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.
