Chapter Text
Thud thud thud
I smile to myself, tucking my cheek into Jamie’s chest. The sound of his heartbeat against my ear has never felt so good. Each morning since I brought him back to life, I wake up, afraid for a moment that it was all a dream. That I didn’t use every power I somehow possess in my body to bring his soul back to us. But then I’ll hear his soft breaths or listen to his heart beat, and I feel nothing but relief.
Even more so, knowing everyone on our land has agreed to live in the knowledge that James Fraser died at the top of that mountain. I’m choosing to trust those men, choosing to believe that it’s all over for Jamie, no more wars, and he and I can finally be at peace in our home.
“G’mornin’,” he grumbles, wrapping his arm around my middle and pulling me to him.
I smile up at my husband, leaning in to kiss his lips. As we pull away, there’s a knock on the door.
Furrowing my brow, Jamie and I look to one another, sitting up as Bree walks in.
“Morning Mama, Da,” she says, closing the door behind her. “You have a visitor.”
“Who is it?” I ask, standing to begin getting dressed. In the weeks that have passed since Jamie’s death, people who are unaware of the truth have been stopping by to give their condolences, while Jamie remained hidden upstairs until they were gone.
Bree smiles, informing us that it’s Lord John.
“Is William with him?” I ask, and Bree gives us a nod. I finish buttoning my shirt as I perch on the edge of the bed. I touch Jamie’s leg, feeling its warmth beneath the blanket. We’d debated this topic, if we wanted to tell John and William the truth. Jamie was afraid if too many people knew, word would spread, but he also didn’t want either man to grieve. “We have to tell them the truth, Jamie.”
“Aye,” he sighs, kissing the tip of my nose before rising to get dressed.
******************
Guilt gnaws at me when I walk into the sitting room, seeing the grief reflected in both John and William’s eyes. “John!” I exclaim, wrapping him in a hug.
I pull William into an embrace, then motion for them both to sit on the couch. John goes to speak, but before he can form words, I cut in. “I have to tell you something.”
John, bless him and his ability to read me, must see something in my eyes. Maybe the fact that I don’t look how I did the last time I believed my other half to be dead. My hair isn’t out of place, I don’t reek of alcohol, and I’m positive there’s a gleam to my eye as I look at both of them. “Jamie is alive,” he surmises.
William’s head whips to John at the statement, eyes filing with tears as he looks back to me.
“Yes,” I grin, my eyes locking with John’s as they light up.
Lord John’s smile grows, glancing at William as the younger man stands, running a hand through his hair. “Damn that man,” John scoffs out, a disbelieving laugh heaving from his chest.
I grin and give John an agreeing nod, finally sinking into the chair across from him.
“Ye should have ken I’m no’ that easy to kill,” Jamie declares, walking into the room as if nothing happened.
I cut my eyes to him, head tilting to the side and giving him the look, because we both know damn well he was dead until my blue light took over. He smirks in my direction, giving me a wink, and all I can do is roll my eyes at this stubborn man I love so much.
Jamie pulls his son into a hug and pats him on the back before coming to stand by my chair. He holds out his hand to John who stands, taking Jamie’s in his, before Jamie pulls him into a hug as well.
I smile to myself, knowing just a few months ago, this never would have happened. I’m glad to know the two of them have made amends and can put the past where it belongs. “You may just be the hardest man on this planet to kill,” John says, smiling as he pulls away. His eyes are glassy, not that I can blame him, and we all chuckle, knowing better than anyone the truth in his words.
Before we can say more, Bree waltzes in, a giggle falling from her lips as she says, “Thought maybe you were here to marry Mama again, Lord John!”
All three of us freeze, eyes going wide, before exclaiming in unison, “Bree!”