Thanks so much for the reviews and kudos on the last chapter! I'm glad some people are still enjoying it! I have been on a writing spree lately and I'm really excited for y'all to read what's coming up lol… Anyway, here's chapter 6! Kudos, retweets, likes, etc. are always fun to receive and highly appreciated! :) lol Enjoy and please let me know what you think of it!
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Chapter Six:
After the day they spent enjoying each other in Jamie's home, Claire's trip seemed to fly by.
She's been here for eleven days thus far, and her heart aches knowing she only has three more days with Jamie. They've officially been back together as a couple for six, going on seven weeks, and she can't believe that she's become one of those women who actually tracks it.
Rolling her eyes at herself, she sits on the edge of Jamie's bed, slipping on her shoes and thinking about the last few days.
Some of her first days there, she and Jamie had opted to spend a majority of the day in bed, watching television, eating, and exploring each other's bodies.
One of their first full days of staying home, Claire had made a discovery that brought tears to her eyes.
Unpacking her things, Jamie watched her with a smile on his face. He was folding laundry on his bed as she moved around the room and bathroom, placing her toiletries beside his own for the time being.
She padded over to the bed, flopping down on her side, arms folding beneath her head as she watched him fold his clothes. The television was on, providing a low hum of background noise that she was barely paying attention to.
It was all so domestic that she thought she'd cry, but Jamie interrupted her thoughts by tossing an item of clothing onto her chest.
"What's this?" she laughed, pulling it away from her body.
It was a t-shirt—one she hadn't seen in decades.
"Cairo University" it read, and memories of Uncle Lamb buying it for her when she was in middle school flashed through her mind's eye.
She'd worn it to sleep almost nightly once her uncle came back from Egypt on one of his digs, and by the time she'd met Jamie, the shirt had started to grow thin and the writing was just beginning to fade after one too many washes.
Now, however, the words were almost completely faded, just a shadow of what they once were. She hadn't thought about the shirt in a very long time; it hadn't even really occurred to her that it was missing.
"This is my Cairo shirt… you kept it?" she asked, head tilting to look up at him. "Why didn't you just throw it away or give it to a charity shop or something?"
"Throw it out?" His tone made it seem like the suggestion was the most foolish thing she could have ever suggested. "Memories of you? Never."
Her heart melted at the sincerity in his voice, and her eyes must have softened as well because Jamie smiled his boyish smile and walked around to her side of the bed. He leaned down, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him as close as possible. She rubbed her nose against his, breathing him in, before pressing her lips onto his.
"You're such a romantic," she teased, pressing her forehead to his when they broke apart.
Jamie grinned, pecking her forehead before shrugging and going back to his side of the mattress to finish folding the laundry.
Once the laundry was done that day, she'd effectively pulled him onto the bed with her, straddling his waist and having her way with him just like he liked.
When they weren't in his bed, they were on the couch, or the kitchen counter, or his office desk… and it was thrilling. But eventually, Jamie decided that she needed to see more of his town while she was here.
They'd done most of the touristy things, but he wanted her to experience the local gems that made his town so special as well.
He'd shown her different cafés and shops, they'd gone horseback riding on Lallybroch's land, letting her see the very edges of his property. He'd given her a tour of the cabin by the lake that he'd mentioned before, where they promptly made love before riding back to the house, and they also enjoyed multiple picnics on the days it wasn't raining.
Jamie had to work, of course—he couldn't miss two whole weeks after missing so many days lately. But Jenny and Ian had been willing to help out so he could spend as little time as possible at the Ridge while Claire was in town.
She'd met Jenny on her fourth night there, she and Ian coming over for dinner. They'd stayed up late laughing and drinking far too much whisky, and thoroughly enjoying each other's company. It was nice that they lived on Lallybroch's property as well, just within walking distance from Jamie's house, so visiting was easy.
On day six, Jamie had finally gone into work for the first half of the day. Jenny came over to pick up Claire and keep her entertained. They had a lovely girls day out, going to lunch and shopping where Claire picked out a new dress for her and Jamie's next date night out on the town.
Jenny was lovely, and Claire was glad to know that Jamie's sister accepted her. They'd spoken over lunch of the past, Jenny telling her that Jamie had been heartbroken when he came back.
Their father had passed away just after she and Jamie graduated high school, prompting his move back home to take over the family business.
"I dinna think he e'er wanted it tae be permanent," Jenny said, giving her a small grimace and placing her coffee on the table as they sat down in the café for lunch. "I was pregnant with my first bairn, and Ian had just had his accident. It was just… a perfect storm, I guess ye could say."
Claire nodded, knowing the events back then were unavoidable, and after a while, she'd accepted that things would never go back to how they were. "It seems rather permanent now," she grinned, taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Aye," Jenny laughed. "After the first few years, things settled down and the farm started growing. He and Ian were sae busy with everything," she huffed, "and I was trying to keep up, mind ye, tae help out as much as I could, but I also had wee Jamie underfoot, Maggie was one, an' I was carryin' Kitty."
They laugh together at the thought of her now grown children running around the farm and wreaking havoc on anything they could get their pudgy little hands on. "I hope Julia can meet your girls one day," she said, knowing Julia was just a few months younger than eighteen year old Maggie.
"They'd love that," Jenny smiled, sighing.
They talked for a while more about the past, Jenny telling Claire that he talked of her all the time, which broke Claire's heart, knowing she'd been in much the same state on her end of the world. Jenny said Jamie talked for years of getting back to Claire somehow, but then he'd had his accident and was in a depression for months upon months. "And then he met that gold-digging nurse, Laoghaire," Jenny said, rolling her eyes. "I always kent that girl was trouble, and I couldna understand what my brother saw in her."
Claire grinned at Jenny, shrugging and said, "We both made mistakes in our past. I was married as well."
They spoke of Frank briefly, and Jenny scoffed, saying he and Laoghaire would've been perfect for one another. "All that girl cared about was our growing business. She saw the money starting to flow in an' thought she'd hitch a ride on the Fraser's success train."
After lunch, they'd spent the day shopping and getting to know one another more, and Claire was happy to have a friend in Scotland now other than Jamie.
She and Jamie spent their days wandering around and enjoying just being together, but a few days after her lunch with Jenny, he'd had to go to work again, this time for the whole day. He'd been apologetic, and upset with Ian that he couldn't handle it on his own, but they'd had a business meeting scheduled for months to finalize the purchase of fellow farmer Hank Mackenzie's land, and he couldn't miss it no matter how much he wanted to.
She'd shooed him off with a kiss and swat to his rear, saying she was an independent woman and could handle being alone for one day.
It turned out to be a very nice day, actually. She'd needed to catch up on some paperwork, so she logged into Jamie's laptop, completing her work for a few hours. She'd had a video call with Joe while he was at the hospital, discussing a few surgeries they had coming up (and of course, her best friend asking all the details of her trip so far.). She'd napped, and spoken to Julia on the phone, then ventured outside to walk around the open fields of Lallybroch. She enjoyed looking at the different flowers and herbs on the property, excited to tell Jamie all their medicinal properties.
They'd settled into a domestic little routine so quickly that it made her cheeks warm with happiness. She was completely content to be on her own for a few hours when he had to work, but she also enjoyed every waking moment with Jamie.
Today, however, with just three days left on her trip, she was finally meeting Jamie's son, Fergus. She'd been looking forward to this over the last week and a half, and her stomach felt nervous as she finished getting ready.
"Claire?" Jamie asks, stepping into the bedroom. "Are ye ready, Sorcha?"
She grins at the nickname, just one of many he had for her. He told her one night in bed that her name in Gaelic meant light, and he thought it was perfectly fitting for her.
"The day I saw ye in the café, it was as if I'd stepped outside on a cloudy day and suddenly the sun came out," he purred, pressing a kiss to her unclothed stomach.
She shook her head. "God, you're so cheesy," she joked, pushing his shoulder playfully.
He laughed, sitting up in bed. "What?" He looked at her with wide eyes, pretending to be offended. "It's true! Ye were sae bonny."
Pulling herself from her reverie of the last few days, Claire zips up her black boot, smiling at Jamie and tells him, "I'm ready." She's wearing knee high boots with dark wash jeans, a black and white polka dot blouse with a leather jacket over it. It was a jacket she'd bought with Jenny one day, and she was excited to have something to wear it with.
She straightened her hair today, and without the curls, it sat beautifully at her shoulders. Her makeup was done, a light rose shade of blush and dark lashes. She wanted to look her very best to meet Fergus, and she felt like she'd accomplished that.
Jamie had dressed up a bit as well, donning a dark pair of jeans with a light blue, long sleeve button up collared shirt. His hair was pushed back a tad with some gel, and all she wanted to do was run her fingers through it. He looked so handsome.
"Sae bonny," he whispers, stepping further into the room and winding his arms around her waist. Leaning down, he presses a kiss to her neck, then her lips, smiling into the embrace. "I want tae take you around the Victorian Market before we meet Fergus. The café we're going to is there as well."
Nodding, she smiles, reaching down to grab her cross body purse from the bed. "Alright, lead the way!"
They spend the next two hours exploring the shopping center. It was a beautiful, historic building that now houses multiple clothing stores, cafés, and other various shops.
Their first stop was City Florist, where Claire could walk through aisle upon aisle of different colored flowers. "They're all so beautiful," she tells Jamie, bringing a collection of pink flowers to her nose and inhaling their scent.
Looking at him over the tops of the flowers, she grins, asking why he's staring at her like he is. "Just enjoying the view," he laughs. "Ye should pick some out fer the house. I've got a vase we can put them in when we get home."
Her eyes light up, excited to put together a bouquet for his home.
She takes his hand with a little squeal, a sound she's never heard herself make before—at least not as an adult—and walks him over to the next aisle.
The feel of his hand on the small of her back as he steps behind her, reaching for a flower to her left, warms her soul. She's been fighting for days with herself not to tell him how she feels. Not yet. It's too soon, she thinks, but she believes—hopes anyway—that he feels the same.
Biting her lip to keep the three little words from spilling out right there in the middle of the florist shop, she smiles at him, holding up a few light blue flowers. "Forget Me Nots."
"What?" he asks, brows scrunching.
She giggles, putting the flowers more in his line of sight. "Forget Me Nots; that's the name of this flower. I think they'd look beautiful in your kitchen."
"Aye," he agrees, leaning down to inspect the little flowers. "Let's get a whole bouquet of them, then."
Nodding, she scours through all of the Forget Me Nots the florist has, picking out the most vibrant ones. "Now you'll remember me even once I go home in a few days."
His lips twist, pulling her to him in the secluded aisle they're on. She looks around, seeing that they're all alone. "Dinna fash, Sassenach, I willna be forgetting ye anytime soon," he murmurs, gently rubbing his nose against hers before closing the space to kiss her fully on the mouth.
She smiles into the kiss, pressing her free hand to his chest. She kisses him back, then pulls away. "Someone will see," she giggles, hitting his chest lightly with her newly arranged bouquet.
He shrugs, not caring at all if someone were to catch them kissing. He laughs, though, winding his arm around her waist and leading her to the counter to pay for the flowers.
From there, Jamie takes her by Inverness Souvenirs, one of the gift shops in the market. She's been telling Jamie for days that she has to make sure and get Julia a souvenir, along with Joe, Gail, their son, Lenny, and of course, Louise.
"Julia collects magnets," she tells him, slowly spinning the metal carousel that houses the store's magnets. "She has one from every country or new city we've visited."
She picks up one magnet that's in the shape of a man in a kilt playing a bagpipe so forcefully that his cheeks are puffed out comically to match his bulging eyes, saying Julia would hate that one. "Too juvenile, she'd say."
Jamie laughs, too, holding up another. This one is in the shape of a highland cow, it's body painted like the Scottish flag with the country's name printed underneath it. "What about this one?"
She peeks around the carousel of magnets to see and smiles. "That one's cute. It's definitely a contender."
He gives her a crooked little smile, holding on to it until she makes her final selection. "Uncle Lamb always gets her a magnet from his travels," she tells him.
"Your refrigerator must be completely covered by now, with as often as he travels."
Laughing, she says they have acquired quite a collection over the years. "The ones from our trips are on the fridge—London, Barcelona, Greece, New York, just to name a few," she grins. "The ones from Lamb we keep in a keepsake box with all the other souvenirs he's brought us over the years. We like to go through it every now and then and laugh at all our memories we have with him."
"That sounds fun."
"It is," she chuckles, peering at a few more magnets. "When Lamb comes to visit, we get it out along with all his photo albums and we listen all night long as he tells us of his latest dig and what all he found." She smiles at the thought of her uncle, reminding Jamie to make sure she gets something for him as well. "Julia loves history and science, and I have to attribute that to Lamb. She's always loved sitting with him, hearing all of his wild stories about countries she's never been to."
Jamie holds up a magnet of a green, cartoon looking Loch Ness monster with a plaid hat on his head and "Nessie" written beneath his smiling face. "For Lamb?" And she laughs, nodding her head.
"I think he'd get a kick out of that one."
Jamie hands it to her, saying, "D'ye think Julia will become an archeologist like him?"
"I don't know," she muses with a shrug. "Maybe!"
They browse the store for a bit longer, Claire eventually selecting a little kilt for Lenny and tartan scarf for Gail and Louise. For Joe, she decides before she leaves, she'll pick him up a bottle of Scottish malt whisky and a jar of honey from Fraser's Ridge. Along with the magnets for Lamb and Julia, she adds the other gifts, before paying for everything.
Once they leave there, Jamie loops her bag of souvenirs around his wrist, taking her hand with the other. "It's almost time to meet up with Fergus," he says, "but there's one more place I want ye tae see."
He leads her down the walkway, finally stopping in front of Story Chocolates. He tells her they have some of the best chocolates in Scotland and she has to try them. He orders a white chocolate truffle while she selects a hazelnut one.
They step off to the side, tasting their treats before heading to the café. "Oh my god," she moans, eyes rolling to the back of her head. "That's incredible."
"See?" he laughs, "I told ye."
He licks his lips, popping the rest of his into his mouth, telling her once he swallows, "Ye canna be making those wee moaning sounds, though, or else I have a mind tae take ye home and have my way with ye."
She laughs, saying she wouldn't mind that, giving him a wink.
Jamie grins, rolling his eyes as he steps back to the counter to order a half dozen more of their truffles.
"We will, however, ruin our appetites if we eat any more of these." She points to his box, raising a brow.
"Och," he scoffs, waving her off. "Ye canna ever have too much chocolate, mo nighean donn, but these are fer tonight when we get home."
"Oh?"
"Aye, I wanna hear those little moans again," he murmurs into her hair, kissing her curls.
"Jamie!" she laughs, swatting his chest and looking around. There's no one save for an older couple at a table a few feet away and people walking by, too caught up in their own shopping to notice them. She leans up, whispering into his ear, "You don't need chocolate to make me moan."
She steps back with a grin, biting her lip as she watches his ears turn pink. "Christ, Sassenach, ye canna say such wicked things to a man when he's out in public."
They laugh, Claire taking the box of chocolates and placing it into the souvenir bag still around Jamie's wrist. Her bouquet is also in there, the blue flowers sticking out above the bag, and she shakes her head, realizing this won't work.
"Hang on," she tells Jamie, going to the counter to ask the teenager working for a bag. She puts the chocolates and flowers in the new one and places it around her wrist.
Once all their items are settled, Jamie takes her hand and leads her to Ambience Café.
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Fergus is sitting at a table already just outside the restaurant, waiting for them when they arrive.
He's in jeans and a dark blue polo. She smiles, hoping that he wanted to look nice just like she did to make a good impression.
She's nervous, more nervous than she'd been to meet Jenny. This is his child, and getting his approval would mean everything.
He stands, his six foot frame almost as tall as Jamie's, and embraces his father in a tight hug. "It is so good to see you, Da."
"You too, mon fils, you too."
Claire smiles at Jamie's pet name for Fergus, and watching the two hug makes her heart ache to see Julia and hold her in her arms.
"And this is Claire," Jamie says, pulling her from her thoughts of her daughter. "Claire, this is my son, Fergus."
She holds out a hand to shake, but Fergus scoffs and smiles, opening his arms. "I am much more of a hugger if it's alright with you."
"Of course," she laughs, looking from Jamie to the younger Fraser. She hugs him back, patting his back softly. "It's wonderful to meet you."
"You as well."
They take their seats at the round table, Jamie and Claire placing their souvenir bags down on the ground. She sighs, much more relaxed now that they've gotten the introductions out of the way.
A waitress comes and greets them, depositing a pitcher of water on the table and taking their orders before moving on to her next table.
"So, Claire," Fergus says, a friendly smile on his face as he pours water into a glass and hands it to her. "My da tells me you are a surgeon?"
She smiles and thanks him when he hands her a glass. "And yes," she says with a nod, taking a sip of her water. "I've been a doctor since I was twenty-seven, but I've been a neurosurgeon for the last, God," she huffs, thinking back of the years, "seven years."
She was just about to turn thirty-one when she accepted the position as surgeon, and it was the best birthday gift she could have ever received that year.
Fergus beams, "My girlfriend, Marsali, wants to be a doctor."
"Does she?" Claire inquires, an excited smile on her face. "It's a great profession. It takes a lot of work, but it's worth it."
She asks what field of medicine Marsali wants to go into, and he says she isn't quite sure yet. "She is only eighteen, you see," he says, a blush covering his cheeks. He rubs his neck as he looks at Jamie sheepishly. "But she'll be at University starting in June, right after she turns nineteen next week," he adds with a more pointed look at his father, "so she can make more decisions about it then."
Claire tries her best not to laugh at the unspoken conversation happening between father and son, knowing Jamie thinks Marsali is too young. Not for Fergus, he's only twenty-one, but for them to be as serious as Jamie has made them out to seem.
He'd told her the day they bumped into each other that the two were ready to get married, and the other night they'd discussed it in more detail. Marsali was a sweet girl, Jamie had assured, but he didn't want them to rush into anything and have regrets later on.
"Well," Claire says, patting Fergus' hand just as their food arrives, "tell her to be thinking now what area of study she wants to go into. She'll do her undergraduate courses, of course, but then for actual medical school, she'll need to have a clearer idea of what field she wants to focus on."
Fergus nods, smiling in thanks. "She is verra good with kids," he tells her, his adorable accent that is a mix of French and Scottish coming out thicker. "She's thinking of doing something with that."
Claire cuts her salmon, nodding. "Pediatrics is a great field," she assures him. "It takes a very special and patient person to work with sick children."
"Aye," Jamie mumbles, "she's patient alright. No one else would keep this old dolt around." He clasps Fergus' shoulder, the trio all laughing at his words.
They eat in silence for a few moments, each enjoying their meal. They discuss what all Jamie and Claire have done while she's been here, and Claire tells him about meeting his Aunt Jenny as well.
"I took her out tae the farm," Jamie informs his son, biting into his cullen skink before continuing. "Let her meet Donas."
"Did you ride him?" Fergus asks, an incredulous look upon his face as he looks at Claire.
She laughs, shaking her head. "God, no. He was terrifying."
Jamie chuckles, saying he wouldn't have hurt her, but it was better for them all that she rode Skye instead. "She's much gentler, ken, Donas has only ever really taken to me."
"He almost threw me off of him when I was younger," Fergus tells her, saying he was around thirteen and had gone out to ride with his dad. He thought he could handle the big stallion, but Donas had other ideas. "He reared back to throw me, ye see, but luckily Da was close enough to grab the reins and calm him down before he did anything."
"Oh my," she breathes, "I'm glad I stuck with Skye then."
Fergus and Jamie laugh, the younger man saying, "Aye, Skye is my horse. She's always been a gentle soul."
Claire smiles softly, finishing her chips and starting on her salad as the boys discuss the expansion deal Jamie has been working on lately. "Old Mackenzie finally sold us the place," Jamie says, scooping up a bite of his soup. "His land has that old still we're gonna fix up, finally start makin' whisky like Ian and I have been plannin' fer years."
Jamie had mentioned the other night that part of expanding Fraser's Ridge included beginning to make and eventually sell their own brand of whisky. His eyes lit up as he told her, and she was happy knowing he was so satisfied with this passion of his.
They finish their meal and the waitress clears their plates, all of them ordering a scoop of ice cream, and Claire getting a latte to enjoy.
"So, Fergus," she says, settling against the iron chair. "I never asked, but what do you do? You live in Edinburgh right?"
He smiles and nods. "Oui, yes, I am studying at the University of Edinburgh."
"That's wonderful. What do you study?"
"Business management," he tells her, smiling over to Jamie. "I might one day help run Fraser's Ridge once this guy gets too old to do as much." He laughs, thanking the waitress when she delivers their desserts. "But I also have opportunities for anything, really, with my degree."
"Is running the farm something you would want to do?"
"Aye, it has always been a part of me," he tells her sincerely. "It would be an honor to keep it in the family for as long as we possibly can. I want to help with the whisky business once Da and Uncle Ian create a flavor good enough to sell, as well."
Claire smiles at his words, glad that Jamie was blessed with such an amazing young man as a son.
"And how is Murtagh, by the way?" she asks, looking at Jamie. "You mentioned the day we first ran into each other that he helps with the farm?"
Jamie grins, saying, "Aye, he helped me keep it afloat once my da passed." He tells her that Murtagh, along with being his family's oldest friend, was also quite adept in business so he was able to loan Jamie money to help keep the farm running. "He came up with the idea of offering horseback riding lessons, ye ken," he says, finishing his ice cream. "It was the first extra thing the farm offered, aside from the usual farming dealings, and when we saw how interested people were, it just sort of took off."
"And now look at you, trying to expand to more land just to sell your products. People love them that much."
He blushes at her compliment, reaching over to take her hand. He picks it up, kissing her palm before setting their hands on his leg.
The feel of his hand on hers grounds her, settling the butterflies still fluttering around in her stomach.
"Well," Fergus says, dropping some money on the table. "I better head out. I've got plans with Young Ian."
She smiles at the thought of Jenny and Ian's fifteen year old, the only one still living at home and how sweet he'd been the other night when she and Jamie went to the Murray's house for dinner.
"Ye keep him out o' trouble, ye ken?"
Fergus rolls his eyes at his dad, laughing. "Always. He has a crush on a girl at school and wants my help on how to… flirt… with her," he says, winking at Jamie.
She chuckles under her breath and Jamie out right laughs, standing to hug Fergus goodbye. "And keep yer money, mon fils, lunch is on me," he whispers, handing the money back to his son.
He stuffs the bills back into his pocket, turning with a bright smile to Claire. She stands as well, saying, "It was so lovely to meet you."
"It was very nice to meet you, as well, Milady," he says, gallantly picking up her hand to kiss the back of it with a smirk.
Claire grins, glancing over to Jamie, then to Fergus, asking, "Are you staying with us the rest of the time you're in town?"
The young man lets out a loud snort, sharking his head. "No, Milady," he smiles over at his father, "I figured you two would want some… privacy… while you're here." He laughs again, presumably at the way Claire's cheeks heat at the comment. "I will be on Lallybroch's property, you see, but I'll be down at the cabin by the lake." Claire tries to subtly flick her eyes to Jamie, memories of what they'd done in that cabin recently flooding her mind.
Jamie pushes his shoulder good naturedly, declaring, "Get out o' here, ye wee mongrel, and go make doey love eyes at Marsali."
"Well I only learned how to make those eyes from the best, Da," Fergus teases, batting his eyelashes dramatically before winking at Jamie. "And I told you, I am going to Aunt Jenny's now to pick up Ian."
Jamie nods, rolling his eyes.
Claire laughs at the pair, telling Fergus in her most mothering tone to be safe while he drives. "Call your father when you make it to Jenny's, alright?"
"Oui," he grins, ducking his head to his chest, "I will."
He leans in, giving Claire one last hug, saying, "Again, it was great to meet you." He smiles, a cheeky gleam in his eye as he looks to Jamie, then back to her. "I have heard of you my entire life." It warms not only her cheeks but her heart to hear Jamie has spoken of her in the past, but Fergus winks and laughs when Jamie chokes on his latest sip of water, adding, "so it is nice to finally put a face to the name."
"Alright, alright," Jamie says, thumping Fergus on the ear. "Enough with you, you eejit."
Fergus laughs, turning in her direction. "Have a safe flight back home, Claire."
"Thank you. Feel free to come by anytime while you're here," she says, pressing her hand to her heart, "I don't want to take away any time the two of you get together."
Fergus smiles softly, but shakes his head. "I see the old man enough as is," he laughs, clapping Jamie on the shoulder, "I have plans the rest of the time anyway, but I may come by for breakfast one day."
"That would be lovely."
The younger Fraser smiles, then hugs Jamie one last time, his father getting one good rib in for good measure. "Tell Marsali I said hello, but make sure ye have her home before curfew."
Fergus rolls his eyes and shakes his head, laughing. "Bye, Da."
"Bye, son."
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They sit back down at their table, watching as Fergus makes his way through the crowd of people.
"He's wonderful," Claire giggles, picking up her mug. She's only got a few sips left, but her latte is delicious and she wants to get every last drop.
"I have to say, I am quite proud of my boy."
They smile at one another, Claire admitting that seeing the two of them together made her miss Julia. "I'm going to miss you, obviously," she says, taking his hand, "but it will be nice to have my baby girl back in my arms."
Jamie nods, his face going soft. "I completely understand, Sassenach."
"You'll have to come visit soon."
His eyes light up and he gives her a beaming smile. "I'd love that," he replies, linking their fingers together. "I was actually thinking o' comin for her graduation. It's in about three weeks, aye?"
Claire nods, eyes misting over at the thought of him coming to Boston. "Yes," she whispers, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "I would love that! And Julia would be so excited! I could show you around Boston as well, and you can help me set up Julia's graduation party," she giggles, winking at him.
"Ye jest, Sassenach, but I'd love to," he says sincerely. "I could bring some goodies from the Ridge wi' me if ye want me to."
Beaming, they spend the next few minutes planning his trip to Boston, Claire telling him of all the historical sights she could show him, and Jamie pulling out his phone to Google more about the city, his excitement growing. "That's around the time my deal for the still should be wrapping up, but it should be fine for me tae come then."
"That would be wonderful," she says, her voice going soft. She loves this man so much and wants to shout it from the rooftops.
With that, she finishes her latte and Jamie pays before they pick up their belongings and head out.
Their hands find one another's as they meander through the market, Jamie asking her if there's anywhere else she wants to go.
She taps the large bag he's holding, saying, "I think I've gotten plenty," with a laugh. "I'm not sure I'll be able to fit all of this, plus the clothes I got with Jenny, in my suitcase as is."
Jamie snickers, squeezing her hand and leading her to the car.
The drive home is quiet, peaceful, and Claire is so relaxed that she thinks she could fall asleep right there.
Jamie has the radio on softly, just loud enough to faintly make out the words as he drives them back to Lallybroch.
She reaches over, taking his left hand from the steering wheel and lacing their fingers together as she sets their hands on the middle console. "I feel so lucky to be here with you," she murmurs quietly, squeezing his hand.
Claire watches as Jamie's eyes slide over to hers briefly, smiling softly. He picks up their joined hands, kissing the top of hers. The silver ring he gave her as children still resting there on her right hand. The band is thin, and there's a little knot molded in the middle that she often finds herself rubbing her thumb over to soothe her nerves at work or anytime she needs to calm down. "This afternoon was great."
"Mm," she sighs contentedly, her hand beginning to caress up and down his exposed forearm. "It really was." She pauses, sadness crossing over her face for a brief second. She can tell Jamie notices because he gives her a questioning gaze. Smiling sadly, she tells him, "We have to… treasure these moments."
They come to a red light and Jamie leans over, kissing her soundly. Her hand comes up to cup his jaw, moaning into his mouth when he deepens the kiss. Her hand trails down to his neck, scratching lightly while her tongue peeks out to play with his.
"Don't ye see how small a thing like the Atlantic Ocean is between us?" he asks, and she can't help but to grin, and nods. "After I left the last time, came back here, to Scotland, part of me was dead," he admits in a gravelly voice. "Yet all that time I lo—" He cuts himself off, eyes widening for the briefest of seconds, and Claire's heart stops. She breathes in deeply, she can hear her blood rushing through her ears in anticipation, hoping he was about to confess the feelings she longs to hear.
Clearing his throat, Jamie looks back at the light to check that it was still red, then looks back at her, saying, "I… longed to be wi' ye again."
Disappointment fills her, and confirms her fear of saying it first, especially so soon into their relationship, no matter how deeply she knows she loves him already. She smiles sympathetically, reaching up to run her fingers beneath his chin, his scruff scratching at her skin. "I longed to be with you, too. I never stopped."
He hums under his breath, cupping the back of her neck to pull her closer, lips crashing together in a heated kiss, but before long the car behind them is honking its horn.
They pull apart, Claire wiping at the corner of her mouth and they laugh like children who just got caught by the school teacher doing something wrong.
The rest of the drive back home is weighted, a tension filling the space that wasn't there before. She knows as soon as they get inside, their clothes will be off, and she silently wills Jamie to drive faster.
She's got her legs pressed tightly together, trying to contain herself. The touch of his hand on her thigh sends a shiver down her spine and she groans like an impatient toddler, making Jamie laugh.
"It is okay to drive a little faster, you know," she tells him with a chuckle.
Jamie laughs, his cheeks heating up as he steps on the gas.
She holds his hand the rest of the drive, her other hand's fingers scratching lightly against the back of the hand she's holding.
As soon as they get inside, they head to the kitchen first, and Claire drops the chocolates and her souvenir bag on the counter. Jamie takes the Forget Me Nots and grabs a dark blue and white vase from under his counter, filling it with water. He sets about cutting the stems and placing them in the water before walking around the kitchen island and taking her in his arms.
"Now that that's taken care of," he rasps huskily in her ear, "let's go upstairs."
"Why go upstairs?" she purrs, kissing his ear before walking backwards until her arse hits the kitchen table. She spins them around, his body pressed against the wooden surface. Reaching for the buttons on his shirt, Claire makes quick work of it, starting to undo his zipper while he tosses her shirt aside. She steps back, removing her jeans and thong, discarding them before placing her hands on Jamie's chest. "We've got a perfectly good surface," she says, her hands urging him to sit on the table, "right here."
He grins seductively, scooting back while she climbs up to straddle his lap. It's a tad awkward, she didn't quite think through the logistics of riding him on the large kitchen table, but they make it work. Jamie moves back further so Claire has more surface beneath her, and she cries out as his cock enters her, hitting that spot she loves so much perfectly from this angle.
Claire grinds against him, each of their faces buried in the other's neck as he thrusts up into her. Jamie's teeth graze her skin, biting lightly as he succumbs to the pleasure. They both come sooner than planned, moaning and panting, their voices echoing slightly in the silent kitchen.
And so the rest of the afternoon is spent together, naked, before they eventually decide to get cleaned up and venture back out into the real world for dinner.
There may not have been any I love you's exchanged tonight, but it was still perfect, and Claire wouldn't change a thing.
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I hope you enjoyed this one! Please let me know what you thought! Outfit inspiration for their lunch with Fergus, as well as the magnets they looked at, are all posted on my Twitter if you're curious! lol