Chapter 10: Reunions

Claire's POV

Today was the day, Chris should be back today once he got back into the highlands he managed to find a reliable mail carrier to carry letters to me and Colum to let us know he should reach Castle Leoch by today or at least by tonight, he didn't say much else in them incase the message was intercepted but he asked me in my letter to let Laoghaire know he'd be back soon which I did, I got a huge hug from her when I did so the long and short of it is that she's just as anxious to have Chris back here as me and Harry are, maybe even more.

In an attempt to distract myself from waiting for my brother arrive and tell us whether or not he succeeded in his misson to lift the price on Jamie's head I decided to go about my daily routine of going to the clinic to see to some of my patients as well as fixing up some of my medicines and salves, I actually felt jealous of my son for having his school work to keep him busy today. I'm sure I'll hear about Chris' arrival soon because of the few men Colum sent out around the area to keep watch for him and escort him back here as soon as possible he is just eager as me and Jamie to find out how his trip to London went. I was right I couldn't have spent more than an hour grinding up various herbs when Mrs Fitz called down the stairs for me yelling 'he's back!', "he's back!'.

I rushed up the stairs, out into the courtyard and sure enough there he was standing, my brother next to his recently vacated horse he saw me immediately giving me half a wave and looking quite pleased with himself before I ran forward pulling him into my arms for a big hug.

I pulled out a moment later to see his face and spoke then quickly asking him all the questions I had for him to answer, "Thank god you're back, how was London?, Did your exam go well?, were you successful with Jamie's case?"

He interupted me then sounding amused, "Wait, wait, one question at a time please."

I laughed at that and said "I'm sorry, I'm just so glad you're back"

I then saw Chris look behind me so I turned to see what he was looking at, it was Laoghaire. I could see from the look on her face she was longing to run to Chris and throw herself into his arms and Chris wished for that too but that wasn't possible, not yet. I was about to say something to attempt to distract him from that fact when young Tammas Baxter came running towards us to do the distracting for me by telling him "Mister Balfe, the laird asked to see ye as soon as ye got back"

"Lead the way then but let me say something to my sister first" he told the boy but turned to me and said "I'll tell you everything as soon as the laird's done hearing it but since Jamie should really know first, just go and tell him that he can go home anytime he wants now"

Hearing this a great surge of happiness came over me and I then gave Chris another hug before Tammas called out for Chris and he looked over to the boy, pulled himself out of the hug, started to move over to over to Tammas saying "Alright I'm coming" but looked back giving me a slight nod which I returned before running off into the direction of the stables to tell Jamie the good news.

When I arrived I saw Jamie grooming one of the horses but hearing me approching he looked up and seeing the hurry I was in he ran over to meet me halfway and asked confused and slightly concerned "Sassenach, what is it?"

I took I moment to catch my breath and said "Jamie, Chris he's back"

Hearing this Jamie looked around almost like he was looking for him and then asked looking nervous "Where..um..where is he, what did he say?"

"He's with Colum, the laird wanted to see him right away, but he told me to give you a message" I said trying to sound serious.

"Well, what is it?" he asked me sounding a little impatient but hopeful

"He said to tell you, that you can go home now whenever you want." I said smiling through it barely able to contain my own happiness.

Jamie stood silent for a moment taking this in and then the corners of his lips started to turn upwards until he was wearing I smile that matched mine and pulled me into his arms and held me tight, laughing and I could feel his tears on the back of my neck.

"Jamie are you alright?" I asked my voice slightly muffled from being held so close to him.

Jamie cleared his throat and then spoke surprising clearly "Aye..Aye I'm alright it's only, I'm free, I can finally go home with ye and Harry...with my family."

Chris POV

I told Colum everything about the court case, how I managed to get the price lifted from Jamie's head and then taking all this in he then spoke up "Well lad, ye have my thanks and just know that I'm very grateful for ye assistance with my nephew, and I suppose since yer a real lawyer now ye'll be wantin' to be paid fer yer services now"

"No..I mean yes but I actually wanted to ask your assistance in something" I started saying hesitantly

Seeing my anxiousness he said impatiently "Well lad, spit it out"

Putting on my best lawyer voice I started again "Sir, you see before I left I had been courting a young lady here, and I would like to marry her but I don't think her father would favour the idea of her marrying an englishman...but if you insist on it he'd have to say yes"

Colum seemed to take all this in and then asked "May I ask who is the young lady in question?"

"Laoghaire Mackenzie" I answered clearly

He thought for a moment then spoke "And Miss Mackenzie, does she wish to marry ye too?"

"Yes sir, I asked before I left"

"Alright lad, I'll deal with her father but if I do insist on the girl marrying ye I would also require ye to agree that ye remain here in mine and Ned Gowan service from now on, do ye agree?"

I only had to think for a moment before answering "Yes sir, I agree"

He then held out his hand for us to shake on it which I took.

Endnotes: It might be a bit outlandish (outlandish get it LOL) for Colum to demand this but remember he's never been one to let an opportunity slide by and Chris is asking him to overrule Laoghaire's father's say in who she gets married to.