CHAPTER 100
Adam thanked whatever force propelled Beth's sisters to keep her busy the next day until it was
almost time for Duncan and Joe to arrive. He felt guilty about keeping the letter from her, but
needed more time to think.
Duncan had called Amanda, and it looked like she would be arriving in a few days, having
finished her business in Europe. Adam was looking forward to seeing all of them, but not to
explaining why he had chosen to do what he did.
Rayna and Chris picked Beth up early for shopping, which meant he didn't have to feel guilty for a
few hours for keeping the letter from her. He didn't know what he was going to do about it. On
the one hand he knew how unfair it was to keep her in the dark, but on the other hand … it would
be difficult managing their life with one child, two would double the risks.
"What's up with you man?" Richie asked as Adam joined him for a ride across the property.
Adam shrugged and acted as if he didn't know what he was talking about. "Preparing for the
lecture we both know the Highlander will insist on delivering."
Richie grinned and started to laugh. "Better you than me man, better you than me."
Peter Harris had offered to pick the 2 men up from the airport, which was fine by Richie. He
would have trouble keeping a straight face for the ride back if it had been left up to him.
Beth and Adam both arrived back at the house about an hour before they expected their guests.
Adam took a quick shower while Beth tried a couple of new outfits on the baby. When he came
into the bedroom wearing only a towel draped low over his hip, Beth remembered the first time
she'd seen him like that and her mouth went dry. Adam grinned as he saw her eyes moving over
him. "Let's hope Joe and MacLeod don't want to stay up all night talking."
"Let them talk." Beth laughed as she carefully avoided getting damp while she kissed him and
playfully tugged on the edge of the towel. "I have my own ideas about how to spend the
evening."
"Down girl or I'll forget we have company on the way." Adam pulled the towel from her hands and
gave her a playful 'pop' before getting dressed.
When the car pulled up with Joe and Duncan, Richie was waiting for them on the porch. Beth
rushed past him and down the stairs to greet both men with a big hug and a radiant smile.
Duncan gave Richie an "I thought you said she was a wreck" look, that quickly turned into
astonishment when he saw who was casually walking down the porch stairs with Cassie in his
arms.
"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Adam said as he handed the baby to Beth
before an open mouthed MacLeod regained his wits enough to pull the man into a hug. The two
laughed as Duncan slapped him hard on the back a few times.
"How?" Duncan started to ask before he realized Adam's attention had turned to the other man
getting out of the car.
Joe's reaction was more intense. He leaned on his canes with tears streaming down his weather
worn cheeks. Knowing how much pain he'd inadvertently caused his dear friend, immediately
sobered Adam.
"I'm sorry Joe. I wish I could have let you know before …" he began to explain before embracing
the man, who completely broke down. If Adam ever doubted how much this man meant to him,
he didn't now.
Beth's Father opened the trunk so Richie could retrieve their bags before he left them to go back
to the house, and the others went inside to wait for Joe to feel ready to come inside.
Adam spent the next half hour explaining the successful plan to Duncan and Joe, and although
they understood why he did what he did, they didn't like what it had put Beth and all of them
through. As expected, MacLeod had a lot to say on the subject, starting with "You wouldn't have
been in that position in the first place if you'd trusted your heart and your friends."
Adam bit his lip and let the Highlander have his say without interruption or argument.
"Just wait till Amanda gets hold of you." MacLeod finished. "She'll be livid. You'll be lucky if she
only kicks your butt."
"Care about me that much does she?" Adam couldn't resist.
"Don't flatter yourself. She'll be angry to know what you did to Beth and Joe." MacLeod tossed a
throw pillow at Adam's head. The truth was Amanda had stayed in Europe for so long to try and
distract herself from the deep sadness she felt.
"Who's hungry?" Beth interrupted, glad that they were at least laughing.
The conversation over dinner was lighter and went on late into the evening.
Richie left when Beth started to help Joe get settled into his room, which left Adam and Duncan
alone on the porch.
"What do you think my chances are of making this work?" Adam asked his friend.
Duncan was a little surprised he was asking him. "I think if you stay alert and don't go off doing
something suicidal again, you've got a better chance than most. I hope you really appreciate
what you have here."
Adam nodded. "I never imagined anything so wonderfully normal."
"Here's to it staying wonderful and normal." Duncan replied as he lifted his beer in a toast.
"I can count on you can't I MacLeod?" Adam asked pointedly after taking a deep sip of his own
beer. Duncan knew there was something the man wasn't saying.
"You know I'd do anything I could to keep Beth and the baby safe." Duncan replied. "I'm just
glad that you are back and I vie for favorite uncle status and 2nd string on the protection thing."
Seeing the serious expression on Adam's face MacLeod repeated his commitment. "Whenever
you need my help, I'm here, and I know I speak for Joe, Richie and Amanda. Your family is our
family."
Adam nodded and thanked him. "You're a good man Highlander."
They said their goodnights and Adam joined Beth in the bedroom.
She was already snuggled under the covers, a candle burning on the night stand bathing the
room in a dim, golden glow. Looking at her, Adam knew he couldn't go into her arms without total
honesty. He quickly shed his clothes and slid beneath the sheets, pulling her close.
"There is something I need to tell you." Adam began as he took one of the biggest leaps of faith
he could ever imagine in their relationship.
--------------------------
10 months later …
June 16, 2004
Joseph MacLeod Pierson and Ryan Christine Pierson are born.
--------------------------
THIS CONCLUDES AS THE CENTURY BEGINS. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I
enjoyed writing it. I will take a break now as I try to decide what to write next. I'm trying to
choose between continuing this story or starting something new. If you would like to read more
from this canvas, please email me, lauree2220@hotmail.com As you can see, I've left
things in a place where they could either end here, or have some interesting twists and turns for
the future.
If you've made it this far, would you please take a moment to submit a review? Even if it's only
"Yo … I read it all" That would be fantastic. Please, no spoilers in the reviews.
Thanks again!
Adam thanked whatever force propelled Beth's sisters to keep her busy the next day until it was
almost time for Duncan and Joe to arrive. He felt guilty about keeping the letter from her, but
needed more time to think.
Duncan had called Amanda, and it looked like she would be arriving in a few days, having
finished her business in Europe. Adam was looking forward to seeing all of them, but not to
explaining why he had chosen to do what he did.
Rayna and Chris picked Beth up early for shopping, which meant he didn't have to feel guilty for a
few hours for keeping the letter from her. He didn't know what he was going to do about it. On
the one hand he knew how unfair it was to keep her in the dark, but on the other hand … it would
be difficult managing their life with one child, two would double the risks.
"What's up with you man?" Richie asked as Adam joined him for a ride across the property.
Adam shrugged and acted as if he didn't know what he was talking about. "Preparing for the
lecture we both know the Highlander will insist on delivering."
Richie grinned and started to laugh. "Better you than me man, better you than me."
Peter Harris had offered to pick the 2 men up from the airport, which was fine by Richie. He
would have trouble keeping a straight face for the ride back if it had been left up to him.
Beth and Adam both arrived back at the house about an hour before they expected their guests.
Adam took a quick shower while Beth tried a couple of new outfits on the baby. When he came
into the bedroom wearing only a towel draped low over his hip, Beth remembered the first time
she'd seen him like that and her mouth went dry. Adam grinned as he saw her eyes moving over
him. "Let's hope Joe and MacLeod don't want to stay up all night talking."
"Let them talk." Beth laughed as she carefully avoided getting damp while she kissed him and
playfully tugged on the edge of the towel. "I have my own ideas about how to spend the
evening."
"Down girl or I'll forget we have company on the way." Adam pulled the towel from her hands and
gave her a playful 'pop' before getting dressed.
When the car pulled up with Joe and Duncan, Richie was waiting for them on the porch. Beth
rushed past him and down the stairs to greet both men with a big hug and a radiant smile.
Duncan gave Richie an "I thought you said she was a wreck" look, that quickly turned into
astonishment when he saw who was casually walking down the porch stairs with Cassie in his
arms.
"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Adam said as he handed the baby to Beth
before an open mouthed MacLeod regained his wits enough to pull the man into a hug. The two
laughed as Duncan slapped him hard on the back a few times.
"How?" Duncan started to ask before he realized Adam's attention had turned to the other man
getting out of the car.
Joe's reaction was more intense. He leaned on his canes with tears streaming down his weather
worn cheeks. Knowing how much pain he'd inadvertently caused his dear friend, immediately
sobered Adam.
"I'm sorry Joe. I wish I could have let you know before …" he began to explain before embracing
the man, who completely broke down. If Adam ever doubted how much this man meant to him,
he didn't now.
Beth's Father opened the trunk so Richie could retrieve their bags before he left them to go back
to the house, and the others went inside to wait for Joe to feel ready to come inside.
Adam spent the next half hour explaining the successful plan to Duncan and Joe, and although
they understood why he did what he did, they didn't like what it had put Beth and all of them
through. As expected, MacLeod had a lot to say on the subject, starting with "You wouldn't have
been in that position in the first place if you'd trusted your heart and your friends."
Adam bit his lip and let the Highlander have his say without interruption or argument.
"Just wait till Amanda gets hold of you." MacLeod finished. "She'll be livid. You'll be lucky if she
only kicks your butt."
"Care about me that much does she?" Adam couldn't resist.
"Don't flatter yourself. She'll be angry to know what you did to Beth and Joe." MacLeod tossed a
throw pillow at Adam's head. The truth was Amanda had stayed in Europe for so long to try and
distract herself from the deep sadness she felt.
"Who's hungry?" Beth interrupted, glad that they were at least laughing.
The conversation over dinner was lighter and went on late into the evening.
Richie left when Beth started to help Joe get settled into his room, which left Adam and Duncan
alone on the porch.
"What do you think my chances are of making this work?" Adam asked his friend.
Duncan was a little surprised he was asking him. "I think if you stay alert and don't go off doing
something suicidal again, you've got a better chance than most. I hope you really appreciate
what you have here."
Adam nodded. "I never imagined anything so wonderfully normal."
"Here's to it staying wonderful and normal." Duncan replied as he lifted his beer in a toast.
"I can count on you can't I MacLeod?" Adam asked pointedly after taking a deep sip of his own
beer. Duncan knew there was something the man wasn't saying.
"You know I'd do anything I could to keep Beth and the baby safe." Duncan replied. "I'm just
glad that you are back and I vie for favorite uncle status and 2nd string on the protection thing."
Seeing the serious expression on Adam's face MacLeod repeated his commitment. "Whenever
you need my help, I'm here, and I know I speak for Joe, Richie and Amanda. Your family is our
family."
Adam nodded and thanked him. "You're a good man Highlander."
They said their goodnights and Adam joined Beth in the bedroom.
She was already snuggled under the covers, a candle burning on the night stand bathing the
room in a dim, golden glow. Looking at her, Adam knew he couldn't go into her arms without total
honesty. He quickly shed his clothes and slid beneath the sheets, pulling her close.
"There is something I need to tell you." Adam began as he took one of the biggest leaps of faith
he could ever imagine in their relationship.
--------------------------
10 months later …
June 16, 2004
Joseph MacLeod Pierson and Ryan Christine Pierson are born.
--------------------------
THIS CONCLUDES AS THE CENTURY BEGINS. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I
enjoyed writing it. I will take a break now as I try to decide what to write next. I'm trying to
choose between continuing this story or starting something new. If you would like to read more
from this canvas, please email me, lauree2220@hotmail.com As you can see, I've left
things in a place where they could either end here, or have some interesting twists and turns for
the future.
If you've made it this far, would you please take a moment to submit a review? Even if it's only
"Yo … I read it all" That would be fantastic. Please, no spoilers in the reviews.
Thanks again!