CHAPTER 49
Nope. No way. This can't be real, were Skylar's first and last thoughts of each day and every thought she had in between for several weeks. You can't get pregnant the first time you have sex! That just doesn't happen! But, I mean, it did for Bree. Nd Ian and I did it more than just once that night so it could've been one of the other – no! I'm not pregnant!
More so than she ever had in her entire life, she began to pay extra close attention to every ache, sound and feeling in her body, and for each she tried to find some other explanation for why it was happening.
But at the same time she was feeling this panic, she didn't want there to be another explanation. The emptiness inside her from so badly wanting to have a child with Ian had grown so large that it was almost overpowering, and now there was a chance that emptiness could be filled. That idea made millions of butterflies flutter in her stomach.
Or is that fluttering just a person growing in me?
The now crystal clear signs that she thought nothing of before were getting worse. Her nausea was unbearable. She was, in secret, throwing up several times a day and it always started first thing in the morning, which was also when it was at it's worst. She was getting sick at almost the exact same times every day, you could even set your clock to it. It was helpful to know when to excuse herself, but she also thought it was very annoying.
How is it that my period is so irregular but this I can time down to the minute?
Her, now understandable, craving for apples continued and only got stronger. But she was trying to cut back, as hard as it was, so no one would start to suspect anything of her wanting the apples more than air sometimes.
From the time they arrived at River Run, she had had an on-again, off-again anxiety headache and believed that was what had been making her feel dizzy and fatigued. As each of those worsened and the truth sank in more and more, she knew they weren't a result of anxiety. The upside of feeling so awful was that she was able to spend more time alone in her room. This allowed her to pee five or more times each hour with no one knowing, and she could stay in her shift so she didn't have to deal with the fear of people seeing her clothes were getting tighter.
She didn't want to tell anyone yet, not until she knew 100% either way. But though her heart and gut knew what was the truth, that small illogical part of her brain kept telling her this wasn't real and there was a logical explanation for everything that was happening to her; and this was the one time she chose to not lean into that voice. As the weeks went by, and it was getting more and more obvious that she needed to stop denying it, she was getting more and more happy and excited even.
As exhausted as she was all the time, it was hard for her to sleep. She would lay on her back in bed and put a hand on her stomach, knowing deep in her soul that it was true, there was a tiny combination of her and Ian inside her. When she at last was able to accept that after a month of arguing with herself, she felt a warm glow of such happiness envelope her. But it was also scary as hell.
Even though she could finally admit it to herself, she was not ready to tell anyone. To say she was terrified would be a vast understatement. She didn't want to face any judgement or shame she felt Jocasta would put on her or anyone else in the upper class circle should they find out. She tried to hide everything as well as she could, but as she was progressing, people were beginning to notice things. She knew the time was coming where she would need to tell people and actually say it out loud.
The first time came one morning when she came down to breakfast. She had tried to make herself look presentable and put together so no one would be able to tell she had just been puking her guts out only 30 minutes before. She thought that as long as her nausea would stick to the routine it had made, she would be able to get through breakfast fine.
But when Jocasta announced that they would be having bacon and eggs as part of their meal, Skylar's stomach churned and she knew she was in trouble.
Just breathe through it, you'll be fine, she told herself. You've eaten these plenty of times before. You will not throw up.
"Are you alright, Sky?" Brianna asked, noticing how pale she had gotten and she was gripping the edge of the table so tight her knuckles were white.
"Mmhm," was all she said back, nervous that if she opened her mouth, more than words would come out.
"Is it your stomach? I heard you be sick this morning."
Her saying that only added fuel to Skylar's nausea.
Omigod, she knows. Omigod, she knows. What the hell do I say?
"Are ye no feelin' well, dear?" Jocasta asked.
"I-I, I'm fine. It's probably just a, um, a-a stomach bug," she lied, using every bit of willpower she had to force down what was fighting to come up.
"Maybe ye'll feel better with some food in yer belly."
Skylar's stomach turned violently at just the word 'food.' Then, when Phaedra and Mary started to bring out the breakfast and place it on the table, she couldn't hold it in anymore. She took one whiff of the eggs and she nearly threw up on the table.
"Excuse me," she said, very calmly. She stood up and walked out normally. But the moment she was out of sight, she sprinted to her room. Thankfully, she made it in time.
She grabbed her chamber pot and emptied her stomach. After, she tried to catch her breath while her mind was racing.
This sucks! This sucks so much! A baby is fun to make, but the side effects of carrying one…not so much.
More bile traveled up her throat and into the pot.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Skylar looked up at the voice and saw Brianna standing in her room. She stood up from the floor and sat in one of her chairs, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief from off the table. Bree walked further in and sat on the bed. "You do know my room is right next to yours, right? And the walls are not super thick. You've been getting sick a lot lately, especially in the mornings. I figured that if you weren't saying anything about it, it wasn't an issue, but it clearly is. We should get the doctor out here to check on you."
"No. No, we really don't have to do that."
"Something is wrong, Skylar. You're throwing up, you're always dizzy and tired. This isn't normal."
"I know it's not. But…there's nothing wrong with me. It's…it's just, um…I-I…I'm, um…" She stopped talking and just looked down, playing with her fingers. She needed to tell Bree the truth. She had no other choice. But she found it was very difficult to get the words out. But it turned out, she didn't need to say it. Bree's face slowly became more serious as she understood.
"Skylar…are you pregnant?"
She closed her eyes and slowly let out the breath she had been holding since the start of this conversation. She looked up and said. "Yes. Yes, I am." She stared at Brianna, anxious to hear what she would say.
After half a minute of Bree trying to process this, the first thing she said was, "But…but when?"
"The night before we all left," Skylar explained, knowing what Brianna was asking. "I wasn't lying when I said that Ian asked me to marry him. I just, kinda, didn't say anything about how we decided to handfast that night, like you and Roger. And then after, we…made it official."
As Brianna began to wrap her mind around that her sister was pregnant, the shock faded and a smile grew on her face.
"Omigod, Skylar!" she exclaimed, happily. She stood up and went to the girl, who stood up as well, and hugged her. When she pulled from her, she asked, "How are you feeling about this? Is this a good thing? Are you happy?"
Skylar gave a small smile. "Is it wrong that I am?"
"Oh God, no. Of course not! This is so exciting!" The two hugged again. Skylar was so relieved to finally have told someone and for it to have gone well.
"I wish I knew where Ian was so I could send him a letter," she said. "But I guess I'm just gonna have to surprise him when he gets back. You don't think he's going to be angry or upset about this, do you? You don't think he's gonna want to leave me?"
"Are you kidding? He's going to be thrilled! He is going to love this child so much and be so excited he won't know what to do with himself when he finds out."
"Do you think Dad will be thrilled to?" she asked with a sarcastic tone to her voice, knowing that he would be the complete opposite of thrilled and could very potentially murder Ian.
"Let's not worry about telling Da until you have to. But, you know who you do need to tell, like now?"
Skylar knew exactly who she meant and that was the last person she wanted to tell.
"Do I have to?" I mean, it's not like she'll be able to see that I'm pregnant. Couldn't she just not know until she has to?"
"Sky," was all Bree said, very matter of fact, and Skylar knew she was right.
She groaned. "I know. I know I do."
"Okay, then let's go."
"Wait, you meant now now?"
"Best to just get it over with." Bree saw how terrified she was, so she took her hand and promised, "I will be right there next to you the whole time. It'll be fine. She's already housing one unwed mother under her roof, what's one more?"
Skylar gave a very uneasy half smile. She stood in front of her door for ten seconds, collecting her thoughts and figuring out how to phrase them. She then opened the door and they started downstairs.
When they got near the bottom, Skylar looked around the corner into the parlor and saw Jocasta sitting in her usual chair, knitting.
"You know," she said, suddenly, "she seems pretty busy right now. I'll do it tomorrow." She turned to go back up, but Bree stopped her.
"The longer you wait, the harder it's going to be. Just be blunt and it'll be over before you know it."
"Are ye needin' somethin', girls?" Jocasta called from the parlor, having been able to hear them with her enhanced hearing.
Skylar silently mouthed, "Fuck." She took a breath and continued into the room with Brianna right behind her.
"We were looking for you, Great-Auntie," she said.
"What fer?"
Skylar was biting her lip so hard it could've easily split. Bree saw how petrified she was, so she started the conversation for her. "There's something that we need to tell you."
"Is everythin' alright?" Neither responded. Skylar took Bree's hand and squeezed it tight. She put the other over her stomach for comfort. Jocasta could feel the tension rise and knew that whatever it was, this needed to be said in private. "Ulysses," she said to him as he stood by her shoulder, "would ye give me and my nieces a minute alone?"
"Of course, Mistress. Ring should you need me." He walked out and closed the doors behind him.
"Are ye still feelin' ill, Skylar?"
She answered while Bree led her to sit on the couch, "No, I'm feeling better at the moment."
Jocasta waited for one of them to say something, but when neither did, she continued. "I can tell there's somethin' heavy on yer mind ye wish te share with me. I promise ye, lass, ye can tell me in confidence."
Skylar looked at her sister, feeling like she was about to throw up again but from nerves rather than morning sickness. Bree gave her an encouraging smile and stroked her hand with her thumb soothingly.
Skylar swallowed and took another shaky breath. She faced her aunt again and began. "You remember how I said that Ian and I are engaged? That he proposed the night before he left with Dad and Claire?"
"Of course."
"Well, um…tha-that wasn't the, uh, the-the-the whole…truth, exactly." She paused to see if the older woman would respond. She didn't, so Skylar kept going. "It is the truth that he proposed that night. But the rest of it…we didn't want to wait however long it would be until he was back so, we were handfast that same night. And then…" She licked her lips, her mouth and throat feeling bone dry, "once we were, you know, married, we…we, um, consummated the marriage. And now, I-I've, I've come to find that," she nearly broke Brianna's hand as she tried getting the last part out, "I'm with child."
She watched intently as Jocasta reacted. There was no major outburst, no expression or words of anger or embarrassment for her family. All she did was sit up straighter in her chair and she folded her hands very properly in her lap.
"Yer certain?" was all she said.
"Yes." Skylar's leg was bouncing wildly and she couldn't stop it.
She saw Jocasta's chest rise and fall with a heavy breath, and then she said simply, "Well then, there's nothin' that can be done te change the past. But there is no reason te fret. Ian will surely be back in time before the child is born, and ye two will marry, legally, immediately when he is. Are we in agreement wi' that?"
"Yes. Of course. Thank you, great-Auntie."
Skylar felt like she could cry from relief. She truly thought it could have been possible for Jocasta to kick her out, not wanting to put more of a risk to her name with another out of wedlock birth.
Jocasta held out her hand to Skylar. "Come here, my dear," she spoke softly.
The still shaking girl stood up and wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt before going to her aunt and taking her hand. Jocasta stood and gave her a kind smile. "My dear girl, ye dinna need te concerned. No harm will come te yer reputation or yer child's. And I will make sure that ye are well taken care of while yer here."
Skylar let out a silent sigh, feeling all the remaining stress leave her body. "Thank you, Great-Auntie."
Jocasta touched her face tenderly then rang her bell, prompting Ulysses to come right in. "Ulysses, will ye tell Phaedra te meet us in Skylar's bedroom. I want her te give Skylar an examination te make sure all is well with her and her child."
Skylar knew he had been able to hear everything from standing right outside the door, so his lack of a response was not surprising. "Of course, Mistress."
Before he left, Jocasta called after him, "And tell her te bring her sewin' things as well. Mary and Lizzie too."
Ulysses nodded. "Of course." Then he left to do as he was told.
Jocasta turned back to the newly expectant mother. "They'll need te set te work right away alterin' yer clothes so that they will continue te fit, as well as hide yer condition from folk who may be…not as understandin' of yer situation."
Skylar didn't argue against that, too scared of saying anything wrong right now. "Yes, Great-Auntie. Thank you."
"Now, te yer room we go."
Skylar had a feeling Ulysses warned Phaedra to not show any sort of reaction when she came in and was trying very hard, but very obviously, to hold back all facial expressions or words that would show any surprise as she examined her. But from Phaedra's midwife experience and expertise in all things pregnancy, mom and baby were perfectly fine from what she could see and feel, and everything was normal for being three months along.
For the next several hours, Phaedra, Mary and Lizzie worked on tailoring Skylar's clothes as well as some that Jocasta gave her so that she would have enough to wear comfortably as she grew over the months.
When Skylar had to tell Lizzie, she reacted just as Skylar thought she would. Because being subtle or discreet didn't come easy to Lizzie, her response was much more dramatic and vocal. But even though her reaction was a lot, she made sure Skylar knew, by telling her again and again, that she was happy for her and felt no sort of judgement whatsoever. Skylar had a feeling she was a bit jealous since it was Ian's and Lizzie's crush on him didn't just disappear overnight. But she chose to not bring that up since it would just in turn make her jealous and upset.
The last person she ended up telling that day was John Grey. He had taken up residence in the home of one of Jocasta's friends close by and he was a regular visitor at River Run. Jocasta, in fact, highly recommended his daily presence since he was Brianna's fiancée and she wanted them to spend as much time together as possible before they were married; though not living in the same house.
When he arrived later that afternoon, Skylar decided to just get it out of the way since he would be the easiest to tell. So, she and Bree sat with him in the parlor and she just spit it out. When she told him, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
I wish I could take a picture whenever I tell someone, see the range of different reactions, she thought.
She explained the same story for the tenth time, it felt like, and John blinked himself back to reality when she was done.
"Well…I assume then that Ian does not know yet?" was his first question.
"No, he doesn't. There's really no way for me to get in touch with him while he's God knows where, so it's going to be quite the welcome home gift for him."
He laughed. "Quite, yes." He gave his friend a genuine smile and said to her, "I want to offer you my most sincere congratulations, Skylar. There is no doubt in my mind that you are going to be an exceptional mother."
"Thank you, John. That really means a lot. Especially from such an exceptional father."
Before anyone could blink, another month had passed and it was now November.
Brianna was currently sitting in Skylar's room working on a needlepoint while her sister was in front of the mirror, putting her hands on her stomach and looking at herself from every angle she could manage.
"I feel like I don't look pregnant at all," she thought out loud. "I pretty much look exactly the same."
"You're just four months, Sky. It's still very early. And you're not exactly the same. You already have a little bump growing." Skylar rubbed said bumped and smiled down at it. It had just begun to appear and she had started crying from happiness when she first saw it. She couldn't help being jealous of Bree's much more apparent pregnant belly. Like she could read Skylar's mind, Bree added, "Treasure this time, because soon, you'll be so large you can hardly move on your own." She put a hand on her own stomach and shifted in her chair to try to get more comfortable, though at seven months that was not an easy feat.
Skylar sighed. "I guess." She walked to her bed and laid down on her back. She stared at her stomach as her fingers gently drew over it.
Very quietly, she started to sing, "Lavender's green, dilly dilly, lavender's blue. If you love me, dilly dilly, I will love you. Let the birds sing, dilly dilly, let the lambs play. We shall be safe, dilly dilly, out of harms way. I love to dance, dilly dilly, I love to sing, When I am queen, dilly dilly, you'll be my king. Who told me so, dilly dilly, who told me so? I told myself, dilly dilly, I told me so."
She didn't realize Brianna could hear her until she said, "That's a pretty song. Where did you learn that?"
"My mom. She used to sing it to me all the time. Thought I'd start singing it to this one now so they'll know it as soon as they're out." She smiled at her stomach and went on saying, "Ian told me that he fell in love with me the moment he saw me, but when he heard me sing that for the first time, that was when he realized he couldn't live without me."
"Did you ever have a moment when you realized you couldn't live without him."
"I did, but it wasn't as romantic or sweet as his. It was the night he almost died in a fire."
Brianna was so caught off guard by that answer that she dropped her stitching. "I'm sorry, the night that what?"
"We never told you about that either?"
"No. Please, explain."
"Wow, we really haven't told you anything about that time of our lives, have we? Well, back in Edinburgh, Dad's printshop caught on fire when Ian was inside it. This was at the time that I was denying whole heartedly that I had feelings for him. But as I watched the flames destroy the building, I was so scared that I was going to lose him that it forced me to accept I loved him."
"That's so awful. I can't imagine how scary that must've been. But I guess it was also kind of a good thing in the sense that it made you face your feelings."
"Yeah, it's the darkest silver lining you could get."
"Jeez, I just still can't believe that there was ever actually a time where you two were just friends."
"Yeah, I was really stupid then. I try not to think of the before times."
"And look at you now, you two are handfast and you're pregnant with his baby."
"Just as crazy is the fact that a year ago, I didn't want any of this. I was so far from being ready for this step and I wanted us to wait years before we even thought about kids or getting married. It's insane what just a short amount of time can do."
"Time itself is insane. Just a year ago I was living in the year 1969 studying to be an engineer at MIT. And now, I'm here, pregnant and waiting for my husband to be brought back from the Mohawk."
"When our teachers asked us where we saw ourselves being when we grew up, I don't think this is anywhere close to what they had in mind." They laughed, but were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in," Skylar called. Phaedra came in and curtsied.
"Mistress Cameron sent me te tell ye that Lord John Grey has arrived, and he's askin' fer ye te meet him in the parlor."
"I'll be down in just a couple minutes, Phaedra. Thank you," Bree responded. She curtsied once more then left them. Bree groaned and let her head fall back. "I don't want to move. It was so hard to get comfortable."
"This fake engagement really takes a lot of work to upkeep."
"Tell me about it. Can you help me up?" Skylar made her way to her sister and took her hands to help her stand. "Join us?"
"Absolutely."
The two slowly made the trek downstairs, each feeling aches and discomfort from many different parts of their bodies.
They found John waiting at the bottom of the stairs, his face very serious. He ushered them inside quickly and closed the door.
"What's going on?" Skylar asked, a little freaked.
"They've captured Stephen Bonnet," he answered without any hesitation.
"Omigod," Skylar let out on a shaky breath. She gripped onto Bree's arm and looked up at her. Her eyes were locked firmly on John's face and she looked as if she was about to faint.
John noticed this too. "Are you quite well? Perhaps you should sit down." Bree broke from Skylar's hold and walked towards the fireplace, the fast pace her mind was running in written clearly on her face.
"No, no. If I sit down, I won't be able to get back up." Skylar, however, did take the opportunity to sit, feeling like her legs had turned to Jell-o and would give out. Bree turned back to John. "Where? How?"
"He was apprehended in Wilmington. As to how, I could not say. But I have been apprised of the charges against him. Smuggling, piracy and murder."
"I suppose it's too late to add what he did to me and Skylar to that list?"
"It would only bring shame upon you, and no one would bat an eye at what he did to Skylar, tragically, as it was not rape. There would be no consequence."
In so many words, it wasn't, Skylar thought, trying to breathe through the churning of her stomach made so much worse at the mention of the monster's name.
"No consequence?" Bree repeated, disgusted.
"He will soon pay for all his crimes."
"His sentence?" Skylar pressed.
"He is condemned and will hang next week."
As he should've been a long time ago.
"I thought you would want to know, the both of you," John went on, looking from Brianna to Skylar.
"Yes, thank you," Bree responded for her and Skylar. "If you'll excuse me, I want to get some air." She went to the door and opened it, but before she left, she turned back and said, "I want to see him," then left.
John and Skylar looked to each other, not understanding her request, then followed her outside.
"Bree, what do you mean 'see him'?" Skylar asked when they found her on the porch. "You cannot go anywhere near him. That's ridiculous!"
John added, "Even if your condition allowed for your travel to Wilmington, which it assuredly does not, attendance at an execution could not but have the worst effects on the child."
"I want to see the bastard hang too, Bree. Believe me, I'd love a front row seat. But John's right. The trauma of seeing him die, and yes, that is a trauma, we don't know what it could to your baby."
"I don't want to watch him die," Bree told them. "I want to talk to him."
"That's, like, ten times worse! Are you serious?" Skylar exclaimed.
"Your father entrusted me the task of looking after you. I'm not sure that involves taking afternoon tea with a murderer."
Brianna took out of her pocket an opened letter and handed it to John. He took it and read it.
"What is that?" Skylar asked.
"A note from Da. I told him about how much I wanted to take revenge on Bonnet and kill him myself. He wrote to me here about the difference between revenge and forgiveness, and what each can do. And he's right. Forgiveness won't change what has happened, but it can change what will be, whether Roger comes back or not. Whatever happens."
"You are sure you must see Bonnet?" John asked to confirm this.
"Yes. If I can say my piece, then maybe I can find a way to be free of him. But I have to try, for my baby's sake."
"Very well," John gave in.
"You'll help me?"
"God knows how. But I will help you."
"I'm coming with you," Skylar decided.
"Sky, no. You do not have to feel any pressure to come," Bree assured her.
"In fact, I highly recommend that you do not. Being so early in your pregnancy, this may have even greater effects on you," John agreed.
"I don't want to talk to him or forgive him. I want to be there for my sister and stand with her when she faces him," Skylar said, looking at Bree.
"You would really do that and be with me there?"
"Whatever you need, whenever you need it. I'm there for you always." Skylar took her hand. "Maybe I can be brave enough to spit at him, at least." Bree chuckled.
"I feel there is not convincing you otherwise of this either?" John said to her.
"Afraid not."
The three set out for Wilmington the next morning. John wanted this meeting over with as soon as possible, and the girls had no argument against that. The ride was quiet. Skylar just looked out the window and held onto her stomach.
Mom, give me strength to stand in front of this man without running away, she spoke in her head. Let me help Bree through this. Please.
The carriage dropped them off as close to jail as it could get. When Brianna stepped onto the ground, she froze in her spot, her eyes darting around.
"Are you okay?" Skylar asked her, touching her arm.
"Being here is harder than I thought it would be," she answered. She turned to face the two. "I miss my mother."
"I do too."
Both of them.
"I daresay I find myself missing her at times as well, particularly when I'm ill. In spite of her unwaveringly direct manner, she is a rather remarkable woman."
"There's never been a truer statement," Skylar stated.
"I hope she returns before the baby arrives," Brianna said.
John smiled and took a step towards her. "Knowing your parents, they will do everything in their power to return Roger to you. Take my arm." He offered out his arm to her. She gave a small smile as she held onto it and said, "You are impossible not to like." She reached her hand to Skylar, and the younger girl accepted it. Each taking their own deep breath, they started for the jail.
When it was in sight, John stopped them and looked to Brianna, about to say something. But she stopped him, knowing what it was going to be. "If you ask me one more time if I'm sure I want to do this, I'll scream."
"Well, your mind is clearly made up. Couldn't help but notice the rest of you seems rather apprehensive."
"I've been thinking about this moment, and now it's finally here, I guess…I'm nervous."
"We can turn back. You don't have to do this," Skylar told her.
John put his hand on top of hers that was on his arm. "Perhaps we should take a moment, allow you to prepare yourself."
She did take the moment to breathe in and out, then rolled her shoulder back and set her eyes on the building in front of her. "I'm ready." They started forward again.
When they reached the door, John spoke to the guards, "Good day, gentleman. I am Lord John Grey. This is my betrothed, Miss Brianna Fraser, and her sister, Miss Skylar Fraser. Governor Tryon has arranged for us to have an audience with one of your prisoners, Stephen Bonnet."
"His Excellency's secretary sent word apprising us of your arrival," one of the men said. As he turned to unlock the door, Skylar suddenly dropped Bree's hand. Her vision was going blurry and her chest hurt. She stayed in her spot while the others went on.
Her heart beating very fast and she all of a sudden felt like she couldn't breathe. Flashbacks of that night on the river boat played in her head at high speed.
Damn it. Damn it, damn it, damn it. I thought I was going to be okay. I really did. I want to do this for Bree, but I don't know if I can.
Brianna and John noticed she wasn't with them and turned back, seeing her frozen and pale.
"Are you alright, Sky?" Bree asked her, going back to her.
"I, um…I-I don't think I can do this," she said, her voice on the edge of cracking. "I don't think I can face him. I'm so sorry, Bree. I'm so so sorry. I really thought I could do this. I thought I would be fine. I wanted so badly to be fine. I wanted to be there to help you. But I…I know it's so stupid for me to feel like this because what you went through is a million times worse than what I did and you're able to see him, but I just can't-"
"Skylar," Bree said, cutting off her rambling. She held onto her upper arms. "You do not have to apologize. You need to do what's best for you. And if you feel going inside will only do damage, absolutely do not do it. I love you so much for coming this far with me. It helped me in ways you don't even know."
"Are you sure? Because I don't want to make you-"
"I will be fine. I promise. I'll give him hell for both of us. He hurt you just as much as he hurt me." She gave the younger girl a comforting smile and touched her cheek, which made Skylar feel a bit more at ease and less guilty. "Wait for us out here. We won't be long." Skylar nodded and Bree went back to John then they disappeared inside.
When she could breathe normally again, Skylar went around a corner, looking for a place to sit. She found a bench and breathed a sigh of relief as she sat. Her back, ankles, and feet were already constantly aching being 4 months pregnant.
God, how am I gonna keep doing this for another 5 months? she thought, groaning at the idea that her discomfort was only going to get worse. But Claire will be back soon and she'll probably know ways to get rid of some of the pain.
That made her smile, remembering that when Claire came back, that would mean she would have Ian with her again as well. She missed him horribly and wanted so badly to be able to hug him and kiss him and just be around him. Not having him with her made her feel like she was living without an arm or a leg, and she wanted her missing limb back as soon as possible.
She got so excited whenever she imagined him coming home and finding out she was pregnant with his child. She imagined him seeing her and smiling the biggest he ever had and his eyes shining brighter than ever. He would pick her up and spin her around in his arms, feeling joy and happiness that he didn't even know was possible.
She put a hand on her bump and spoke to her baby, "Oh, little one, I can't wait to meet you. But you cannot come out before your dad gets home, okay? Promise?"
She looked back up and turned her head to the jail, which she still could see from the bench. There was still no sign of Brianna and John. She looked around her view of the town, just people watching, when she saw someone she recognized.
"Marsali?" she whispered to herself. Her sister-in-law was sitting in a packed wagon that was parked not too far from her. Marsali's face was very stern, almost like she was trying hard to appear normal, and she would turn to look around as if to make sure no one was watching her.
Fergus wasn't with her and Skylar couldn't help but feel concerned. She stood up and walked towards her.
"Marsali!" she called when she was close. Marsali's head snapped to the voice, and when she saw it was Skylar, she was immediately calmed. But that was quickly replaced by confusion.
"Sky? What on Earth are ye doin' here?" Not answering right away, Skylar climbed onto the wagon and sat next to her, smiling at the sleeping Germain in his basket placed very carefully in the back. "Who brought ye here?"
"Brianna and Lord John. They're at the jail. Is Fergus okay?"
"What are ye talkin' about?"
"Well, you're sitting here by yourself, looking around like you don't want to get caught. Is something going on?"
"We're fine, Skylar. I promise ye. But right now, ye really should-"
She was interrupted by a major explosion.
"What the fuck was that?!" Skylar exclaimed, instinctively holding onto her stomach out of protection. She looked to where the boom had come from, and saw it had been the jail. "Did someone blow up the jail?!"
"Get in the back, Sky," Marsali told her, getting much more serious.
"What are you-"
"Now!"
Not understanding but doing as she was told, she climbed over into the actual wagon part and sat on the flat floor of it.
Within seconds, Fergus jumped up next to Marsali and they took off, not hesitating for a moment. Skylar realized Marsali had been acting as a getaway car for whatever Fergus had been involved with.
Omigod, please please please do not tell me he had something to do with that, she begged in her head.
At the same time Fergus joined them, another man had leapt into the back with Skylar. She recognized right away that it was Murtagh, and he noticed her just as fast.
"Lass, what the devil are ye doin' here?" he hissed, trying to keep his voice quiet as he covered himself with blankets to hide.
"Um…" she started, but she was in such shock at all the events that had taken place in not even a minute's time, she couldn't find the words. She stopped trying when she heard Marsali speak.
She had stopped the wagon for less than a second to say, "Follow us, we have somethin'a yers."
Skylar looked over the edge and saw she was talking to Bree and John. As Marsali started them moving again, the two saw Skylar in the wagon and relief washed over their faces. They must have been worried like mad about where she was when they couldn't find her. She was also glad beyond belief to see they hadn't been harmed from the explosion.
"Marsali, what do you mean something of theirs? What are you doing?" Fergus questioned. He got his answer when Skylar popped up behind him.
"Did you blow up the jail?!" she yelled at him.
He nearly fell out of the wagon from such an unexpected surprise. "Jesus! What in Holy God!" He turned around in his seat and his eyes got so wide at seeing her, they could've have fallen out of his face. "What are you doing here?!"
"My question first!
He struggled trying to speak comprehensively at being so taken aback by his sister's appearance. "Yes," he finally said, getting close to her to whisper. "We needed a distraction in order to get Murtagh out."
"You were arrested? Why?!" she directed to the "pile of blankets."
"Let's save the rest of the questions until we're somewhere safer," Marsali advised. And they did. None of them spoke again until they were well out of Wilmington and on a lone dirt path. Skylar had been watching the carriage that held Bree and John follow them the entire way and had been keeping a close distance.
When both drivers came to a stop, Murtagh threw the blankets off of him, knowing he was in a safe spot to do so.
"Why are ye no at River Run?" he demanded to know of Skylar. He was definitely not happy to have now seen both of Jamie's daughters in the town.
"I came as moral support for Bree," she said. And as if on cue, Brianna and John appeared at the side of the wagon.
"What the hell, Skylar? Why did you leave?" Brianna shot as her.
"I saw Marsali and went to talk to her. I didn't know I was gonna be part of an escape heist."
"Well, the fun and games are over now, lass. The two of ye need te get back te Jocasta," Murtagh said to both of the girls, giving a side glare to Lord John. He still was not fully entrusting of the Englishman and was not at all enthused that he was supposed to leave the young women in the care of a Redcoat.
"Please don't make me go back," Skylar pleaded. She turned to Fergus and Marsali. "You're going to Fraser's Ridge, right? That's why you packed all your stuff and have Germain. Am I wrong?"
"Yes, we are. But-" Fergus admitted, but Skylar kept going.
"Then take me back with you. River Run is great and all, don't get me wrong, and Jocasta is wonderful. But I want to be at home. Please, take me home."
"Skylar, you're being ridiculous. You can't stay at Fraser's Ridge by yourself," Brianna countered.
"I won't be alone. Fergus and Marsali will be with me."
John then added, "Skylar, I'm sorry. But Jamie asked me to keep watch over both of you and to make sure no harm comes to you. And with you being in your condition, I must strongly advise you accompany me back to River Run where a doctor can be reached with haste if needed."
"Condition? What condition are you in?" Fergus asked her.
The look Skylar gave John could have killed him on the spot.
"Oh," he said, realizing. "They don't know you're-"
"No. They don't," she finished for him.
It took the other three a few moments, and Marsali was the first to figure it out.
"Skylar, are you pregnant?!" she exclaimed.
Not even looking at him, Skylar could feel Fergus' eyes burning into her as he took her silence as a yes.
"You're pregnant?" he asked again. His voice was low and he spoke slowly, which was much scarier than him yelling.
She glanced at Murtagh, fearing the worst from him. But she was shocked, though very relived, that he didn't look angry. He seemed like he almost expected this, but he definitely wasn't over the moon excited about the news either.
She swallowed her jitters and said nervously, "Surprise." She looked from Murtagh to Marsali and ending on Fergus, who had a look of murder in his eyes.
"I am going to kill Ian," he said, his face getting red.
"He didn't do anything wrong!"
"You are not married! He should never have even tried to…" He couldn't bring himself to finish the thought.
Skylar overdramatically rolled her eyes. "Omigod. I'm so sick of that excuse. Before you were married, do you even know how many girls you bedded? Probably not because no one can count that high. Also, don't forget how you pushed Ian, the same man we are discussing now, to lay with that girl back in Edinburgh out of wedlock."
"That is not the same at all. That had nothing to do with protecting my sister's maidenhead, which she was supposed to save for her husband," he argued.
"Well, then it's a good thing we got married before we did it."
"Excuse me?" Marsali cried.
"What do you mean you're married?" Fergus responded loudly at the same time.
"What are ye talkin' about, married?" Murtagh put in as well on top of them.
"Okay, we're not married married. We were handfast the night before he left," she explained. "But we're getting married for real as soon as he gets back, so everyone can just calm the fuck down please!"
"Christ! I should never have let ye go wi' him alone that night," Murtagh said.
"Let me?" Skylar repeated.
"You let this happen?" Fergus questioned.
"I kent how hurt ye both were goin' te be and I wanted ye te have some happiness together before then. But I didna mean fer ye te have that much happiness. I shoulda kent it was bound te happen. The two'a ye could barely keep yer hands from each other around people, let alone in private."
"Look, what's done is done, okay? And there's nothing anyone can do to change that," Brianna stated, trying to bring some peace. "What matters is that Skylar is somewhere safe where she and the baby can be cared for."
"You have to go back to River Run," Fergus told her decidedly.
"But I-"
"No, Skylar. There is no arguing. I would love nothing more than for you to be with me, Marsali and Germain. But Lord John is right. You need to be where you can have a doctor rushed to you, God forbid." When he saw how upset Skylar was, he spoke more softly. "It cannot be too much longer until Ian, Milord and Milady are back. We will all be together very soon. But this is what is best for you, ma soeur. You will be in very good hands at River Run, much better than with just me and Marsali."
"I know," she replied faintly, looking down. She sniffed and asked him, "Do you hate me for this, Fergus?" She brought her eyes back up to his face.
"Mon dieu, of course not. I could never hate you not matter what could ever happen. I apologize for yelling. Your news, it was just…quite the shock to hear. I'm very happy for the two of you becoming parents, I mean that. This child is truly blessed. I will be even more happy once you and he are married by a priest."
Skylar chuckled and smiled at her brother. She stood up and hugged him. When they separated, he cupped her face and said, "Life is never boring with you, is it?" They hugged one more time, then Murtagh helped her out of the wagon.
Marsali took her hand before they parted and said, "We'll be waitin' fer ye back home."
"We'll be there soon."
"I'll be by in a couple weeks te check in on ye two," Murtagh told them. With a final goodbye from both parties, they each went their own way.
On the way back, Brianna gave Skylar all the details about what happened between her and Bonnet.
"I hated saying it," she told her. She had explained that she told Bonnet the baby was his even though she had every doubt that was the truth. "I just thought it might make dying easier for him. I don't know why I did that. He doesn't deserve an easy death. But he's dead now, that's all that matters. There's no way he escaped that blast."
"You can rest easy now that you never have to worry about seeing him again."
"We both can." She took Skylar's hand and they shared a sympathetic smile for one another.
That night, Skylar kept herself awake until she heard the clock chime midnight and it was officially November 15th.
She put one hand on her stomach and the other where her necklace used to be. She sighed and whispered, "Happy birthday, Youngin'. Boy, do I have a present waiting here for you."
4 more chapters! WHAT?! I'm already crying.
I hope you liked what you read and if you did please follow/favorite/review!
I love ye all verra much and we'll be back for chapter 50!
