Chapter 11: Announcements

Notes: I know I've uploaded this chapter pretty quick after the last one, but for some reason I found this part easy to write.

Claire POV

Jamie and I went back to my surgery to wait for Chris to be finished with the Laird we didn't have to wait long before Chris found us and told us everything that happened in London, when he finished his story Jamie then asked sounding cautiously hopeful "So I'm a free man now, I can really go home?"

"Yes, you can go home and if that investigation into Captain Randall goes the way I think it will we don't have to worry about him anymore either" Chris answered very pleased with himself.

Jamie then looked over to me to give me a dashing smile which I returned and then he turned back to Chris and said "Well, thank ye Chris, I don't know how I can ever repay ye"

"You don't have to thank me I was just doing my job and I must admit you're case did help me alot too." Chris admitted.

Me and Jamie were both confused by this admission so I asked "What do you mean?"

"Well since I managed to clear Jamie's name Colum agreed to make Laoghaire's father let her marry me...as long as I agree to enter his and Mr Gowan's service" He told us.

"So you get to marry the woman you love as long as you agree to work for Colum and Ned for the just of your life?" I asked Chris incredulously

"Pretty much" he answered sounding annoyingly happy about this.

"And you're totally alright with this?"

"Well yes, I mean I was pretty much planning on staying here anyway, I like Ned I enjoy working with him and this is Laoghaire's home, her entire family is here I don't like the idea of uprooting her" he explained gently.

Seeing the wisdom in his words I nodded accepting that this is what Chris wanted it was at that moment Harry came thundering down the stairs of the surgery and through himself into his uncle's arms, Chris gave his nephew a few pats on the back before Harry looked up into his face and said "I'm so glad you're back, we missed you"

"I missed you too, but it was a little touch and go when it came to your mother" Chris teased good naturedly but I still gave him a hard stare in answer.

Jamie, Chris and Harry still sniggered abit at the joke but then Harry turned to Jamie and asked excitedly him "Have you told him yet?"

"Told me what?" Chris asked confused

Jamie and I shared a quick glance then Jamie gave me a swift nod and before Harry could say anything more I said "Harry I know you're dying to catch up with your uncle but why don't you let him and Jamie go have a little talk first"

Jamie POV

I quickly lead a confused Christopher Balfe out of the surgery and once we were out of earshot of anyone who could overhear I turned to him and started talking trying to sound confident and respectful "Chrisopher, Mister Balfe while ye were away I asked yer sister, Claire to be my wife and she did me the great honour of consenting we haven't told anyone apart from Harry yet...I wanted to ask for yer permission first"

He was very quiet for what felt like a long moment and then said "Before I say anything I want to ask you a few questions"

"Alright" I said curiously.

"Do you promise to always keep them safe, no matter what?" he asked seriously.

"Aye, I will always" I answered meaning it.

"Do you love them?"

"More than anythin' else"

"Well then you have my permisson, even if I don't think you really require it"

Even though he was probably right him saying that we had his permission did lift a huge weight off my chest especially since now everything could be out in the open but before I could speak he then said in low voice "But I will say this, Claire and Harry are the only family I have left and if you cause them suffering of any kind I will be forced to have you killed and I promise I will be very creative about it"

I could tell he was serious but I had to admit this statement did just earn him my respect and answered with a wry smile "As ye should, but I do hope that hope yer never have cause to do so and not just because ye'll try to murder me."

With the serious business concluded with shared a good laugh and decided to rejoin Claire and Harry who we found sittiing at her work bench while Harry was telling her all about his day and looking at the two of them I couldn't help thinking, planning and dreaming about our future at Lallybroch, the three of us together as a family.

Claire POV

It had been over a week since Chris returned to Leoch, now Laoghaire and him are now officially engaged. Now that we had Chris' permission Jame and me had also announced our engagement and we were all blissfully happy now that we had nothing to hide we were still going to stay here until Chris' wedding and then go to Lallybroch to get married. I don't think Jamie was fond of the idea of getting married here and wanted to go back to Lallybroch, it was probably right since he was the Laird and was dying to go home now that there was nothing stopping us now. When it came Chris' wedding we wouldn't have to wait long since Mrs Fitz preparations were on full force and Colum was eager to pin Chris to the Clan Mackenzie so if things continued at this pace the two of them would be married by the end of the month. Harry was also thrilled that we were all getting married but lately I could tell that something was bothering him so since he had the day off schooling today I asked him to help out in the surgery so we could have a talk.

"Harry, honey are you upset about something?" I asked him trying to sound subtle about it.

"No, well not exactly" he answered in a quiet voice

"You know that you can always tell me anything"

Then looking like he just decided something he then said "Well it's just I never really realised we'd have to leave here"

I suddenly felt very ashamed for not thinking about how all this change would effect my son especially since we have never stayed in one place for this long before.

"Aww, honey, I'm sorry I know you like it here and you'll miss your friends but you can write to each other all the time and we'll probably visit you're Uncle Christopher and your new Auntie Laoghaire all the time" I explained sympathetically.

"I know but...I'll miss Hamish and my other friends and I still wish Uncle Chris could come with us"

"I know honey, a part of me wishes that Uncle Chris could come with us too but he's meant to be here and I think this is what he wants but I know that he'll miss us too...come here"

I then pulled Harry into my arms and gave him a quick kiss on the top of his head while stoking his back he then asked "Ma...are you going to miss Castle Leoch?"

"I think some part of me will, I know I'll miss Mrs Fitz and maybe the surgery or some of my patients but to be honest I think I'm more excited about seeing Lallybroch, from all of Jamie's stories I think we'll be happy there, all of us" I told him gently being completely honest.

"I think we'll be happy there too" he agreed "but I'm still a little sad we're leaving"

Endnotes: Next chapter will be Chris' wedding then we'll be off to Lallybroch by chapter 13. On a side note I would just like to thank everyone who's reading my story and I would love to hear any suggestions anyone may have for future chapters or just know what you all think because alot of your reviews help inspire me.