PART SIXTEEN
Back at the Estate…
"Lizzie!" William called out. He practically jumped off of Angus and took a few steps forward, squinting in the light. "Will!" She cried back, running to him through the field. His eyes widened as she came into focus. She was wearing a simpler gown, a brown bodice with ties down the front, sporting a low neckline, a full red skirt and apron, and her hair was tied up so loosely that it tumbled down over her shoulders as she ran to him.
Eliza practically crashed into him, but he caught her, one arm scooping her up at her thighs and tucking her legs under his arm, the other around her back as he twirled her around, laughing. She kissed him enthusiastically and pulled back to look at his face, "The wooly mammoth style is making a recurrence?" She asked teasingly, pulling on his beard.
William chuckled, "I dinnae have time to shave. Should I leave it?" He asked with a twinkle in his eye. "Will! I can barely find your lips!" She said, running her fingers over his mouth. He softly kissed her fingertips, "I barely recognized you Lizzie, don't you look like a right bonny lass!" He squeezed her tighter against his body, pressing his cheek into hers, letting out a happy sigh. "How I missed you." He murmured into her ear. "I missed you too Will, oh so much." She replied, kissing him behind his ear, and running her fingers over the nape of his neck.
Alistair and Seasaidh watched them, Seasaidh smiling, happy to see them reunited, Alistair with a strange look on his face, It's exactly like watching Walter greet Mary, identical embrace, that same intense love. He's just like his father. Alistair sighed, a part of him wishing he had done things differently in raising William, but glad that the boy had more love in his heart than the coldness Alistair had treated him with. Then to his dismay he realized that William had returned alone, Catriona and her son were nowhere to be seen.
Seasaidh noticed Alistair slump slightly. She put an arm around his shoulders and led him to Eliza and William. William had finally put Eliza down and was gazing into her eyes, running his fingers through her hair. It was as though no one else existed in the world, save the two of them.
Alistair cleared his throat. William let go of Eliza and looked at him and Seasaidh. "Ah, sorry 'bout that." He said sheepishly, "I really missed her. Hello Jes!" He said, holding out his hand. She took it and squeezed it lightly and then let go.
"Willie, did Cat decide not to return then…?" Alistair asked softly. "Oi, Uncle, she is coming! I dinnae want to wait to get back, so I returned before her, she'll be here tomorrow with Andy, by carriage. I'm sorry I dinnae tell you right away. I saw Lizzie and…" He shrugged. Alistair gave one of his rare genuine smiles, "Aye, and everything faded into the background. I know, yer father was just the same."
William's eyes widened in surprise, he had never heard Alistair speak of his father without it being derogatory. Eliza rubbed William's back, he turned to look at her. "Will, there's quite a bit to catch you up on." She said, smiling. "Aye, Willie, Eliza's right, there is. I'd best be heading home now, there's a roast chicken for you. Eliza prepared it." Seasaidh said with a smile.
William's eyebrows rose in surprise, he looked at Eliza who grinned and nodded, "And the best part… it's edible! Jes taught me how to add flavor!" "Aye, is that so?" William asked. Both women nodded. "I'll see you on the morrow. I'd best get Angus before he eats the entire field! Lovely evening to ye!" Seasaidh said and ran off to catch Angus, she grabbed his reins, then she began to lead him home.
Alistair stood there, then he took a deep breath, "Thank you Willie. Truly." William nodded, "I do have one request of you Uncle." Alistair waited to hear what William was going to say, "Don't treat Andy the way you had treated me. True, he's Callum's son, but he's also your grandson, and a lovely boy, he deserves your kindness." William said, hoping his uncle would take his words to heart.
Alistair nodded, "Aye, I will not make the same mistake twice." The two men stood facing each other, each of them feeling slightly more at ease with the other, but mostly more at peace with themselves.
"I'd best get some rest, I'll see you two tomorrow. Enjoy your reunion." Alistair said with a sly chuckle, walking a bit ahead to give them some privacy. William sighed as Eliza laughed, "Ignore him Will!" She wrapped her arm around his waist and squeezed him. William smiled and put his arm around her shoulders and they headed back to the estate together.
"Did you fare well with Alistair?" William asked curiously. Eliza nodded, "Yes, and Jes was a great help. I see why the two of you are friends, she's fun and generous. I really like her." William let out a breath of relief, "I'm glad."
They reached the back of the castle and headed inside through the kitchen. "Ah, Lizzie, that smells wonderful! You really cooked a chicken?" William asked, taking quick strides over to the stove. "Will! Sit down, I'll serve you." Eliza said smiling. Instead of sitting, William came up to her and wrapped his arms around her, "Who are you and what have you done with my fiancé?"
Eliza shrugged, "I want to be able to do nice things for you. You deserve it." She said softly, "And, I'm starting to realize, becoming your wife won't prevent me from being me. I can still be my own person, be a private detective, and occasionally cook a meal." William's face lit up, "And I promise to never hold you back, or stop you from doing what you love. I will always support you." He said earnestly.
Eliza shook her head and caressed his cheek, "Will, I love you, and I like my job." "Ach Lizzie, I dinnae know what to say." He said softly. "Yes you do Will." Eliza said with a smile. He chuckled, "Aye, I love you too." He said tenderly and kissed her lips.
They stood in the kitchen, relieved to be reunited, to hold each other again. Simply enjoying feeling the warmth radiating off of each other's bodies. With a sigh, they parted, William rested his forehead against Eliza's. "Lizzie. That roast chicken smells really good…" William said. Eliza laughed, "Go sit, I'll bring it over."
William sat down happily, glad it was in a chair, and not a saddle. Eliza carried a full plate over to him. Before she could even place it down on the table, William had picked up his fork and had begun to eat. "Will! Slow down." She said as he said, "My God Lizzie, this tastes amazing!"
Eliza sat down, watching him eat with a smile on her face. "I have so much to tell you." William said with a full mouth, already almost done with his meal. Eliza nodded, "I'm sure you do, but there's something I'd like to give you to read, sooner than later." Eliza had thought carefully about when to give William the letters, she had originally thought of waiting, but upon seeing him, she realized how important they would be to him.
William looked at her confused, he wiped his mouth on his napkin, "What is it? A book?" He asked. She shook her head, "No." She rose from the table and crossed the room to a shelf where she pulled the pack of letters out of a bowl. He took them from her as she approached him.
William's features changed quickly from his initial confusion to awe, "Lizzie…" He said his voice choking up, "Are these…?" Eliza nodded, "Yes, letters from your parents to each other. They had been found on them when…" Eliza trailed off, Alistair had told her that Mary and Walter had always carried the letters they would send each other when they were apart.
William trailed a finger over the worn letters, studying the two sets of handwriting, his father's angular print, his mother's delicate script. He felt tears running down his cheek, then Eliza's hand, turning his face up to look at her. "William, I'll give you some time alone to read them. Alight?" She said softly. He nodded silently. Eliza nodded back and kissed him on each cheek, tasting his tears on her lips. Then she kissed his lips lightly, "I love you." She said, her mouth still pressed to his. He nodded and she left.
William took a deep breath and looked out the window. The sky was still light. He headed out back and sat on a wooden bench in the yard. He picked up the first letter and opened it.
My dearest Walter,
How I miss you my love! And so does the wee bairn, even though he or she is not here yet! I think it's a boy, if you could feel the kicks! He'll be a mighty little man, just like his father!…
Mary my love,
My heart longs for you, I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am that I cannot be there with you…
William alternated between the letters, the love his parents had for each other, and later on for him, touched him so deeply. I finally feel like I know them, he thought as he kept reading.
…It's a boy! Walter, you would be so proud, he's beautiful, he has my eyes but otherwise he already looks just like you! He's such a happy bairn, he makes the cutest sounds, I cannot wait for you to meet little Willie!…
William sat there, holding the letter in his lap, They called me Willie… he smiled slightly, it wasn't one of his favorite nicknames, due to the fact that his earliest recollection of hearing his name had been from his uncle's lips, but now, knowing his parents had called him that too, made him feel better.
He picked up the next letter, noting that there was a gap between the next set, William assumed his father had stayed home for some time. The next letter resumed a little over a year later.
…I miss you and little Willie so much Mary, the two of you are all I think about, I nearly nailed my thumb into a board the other day!…
…Walter, little Willie is not so little anymore! I swear he had grown since you have last seen him, he'll be a tall man one day, just like his papa!…
And so it went on. Until the last letter in the pile.
…Walter, I cannot wait any longer to see you! Now that you have almost finished working on your current contract I am coming to meet you, and we shall return home together! To my utmost surprise my brother has agreed to watch Willie. I think he has seen how unhappy I am without you. I shall be there with you soon my love, and then we can celebrate Willie's birthday together!…
William sat there, partially in shock, trying to process everything he had just read. I've gone from hardly knowing anything about my parents to reading their most intimate letters. He took a shaky breath and looked up at the sky. Thank you for loving me, I promise to pass that love on to my wife and future children.
No sooner had William finished that thought, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to Eliza's concerned face. He smiled, to show he was okay. William stood and collecting the letters said, "Lizzie, let me just leave these inside, I want to take you somewhere." Eliza looked at him confused but nodded.
William quickly placed the letters back in the kitchen and came back out, taking Eliza's hand, he began to lead her across the field. "It's a bit of a walk, but it's still fairly early, we should be back before dark." William said.
"Will, where are we going?" Eliza asked curiously. "The cemetery." He said, "I'd like to visit my parents. I was going to take you another day, but after reading their letters…" Eliza nodded her understanding.
They walked in silence, then in the distance Eliza spotted a small church, with a cemetery circling around the front of it. William held the gate open for Eliza and they walked inside, William searching the headstones, "Ah, here!" He said as he knelt down in front of the ones he had been looking for.
They were simple markers, no text other than Mary and Walter's names and dates. William held a hand up and helped Eliza down. They sat silently, heads bowed, hand in hand. The stress of the last few days slowly fading from William's body, he already felt calmer just having Eliza at his side.
Eliza noticed a weight lift off of William's shoulders. She knew he was sad, but he had a small smile on his lips, and his eyes no longer looked haunted. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Will… there's one more thing I have to tell you." Eliza said softly in his ear. He nodded.
Eliza took a deep breath, "Your mother had become very depressed in your father's absence. It was the longest they had been apart. Alistair had become so worried about her, that despite his dislike for your father, he actually agreed to look after you so she could reach him faster.
One evening, you had wandered outside, despite him having told you not to go out. You got lost and it had been very dark. You didn't see the lake…"
Eliza's voice trailed off as William gasped in shock, "I remember, the water… I couldn't see it, I… I fell in… it had been so cold, I couldn't breathe…" Eliza nodded, "Your uncle had gone looking for you, Cat had told him you had gone missing. If he hadn't heard the splash… He got you out, you fell ill afterwards… he was so angry you hadn't obeyed him, he wrote Mary about you being ill and she panicked, they rushed back…"
William was nodding, "He blames me for not listening, if I hadn't gone out, or fallen in, or gotten sick… so many 'what-ifs'." William said. Eliza shook her head, "No. No, William… you mustn't blame yourself… you were a child." Eliza said, worried how William would take this new information regarding his past.
He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, "I don't Lizzie, don't worry, I won't blame myself, I know my parents wouldn't want me to. They loved me so much. Reading their letters, it's as though they were right beside me." William turned to face Eliza, he took her hands in his, "Eliza, I plan on spending the rest of my life looking forwards, loving you, with all of my heart. What's done is done, it's time to move on."
Eliza was nodding, smiling, "I'm so proud of you." She said reaching up to caress his cheek. William leaned forward to kiss her, but before he could, he felt a raindrop land on his nose. "Wha…?" He said.
"Oh no!" Eliza cried out as the clouds suddenly blew in and a torrent of rain calmed pouring down on them. She glanced over at William, he had turned his face up to the sky and was grinning.
"Will!" Eliza shouted. He turned to look at her and laughed, "Come, the church is just up ahead!" He reached out his hand, Eliza took it and they stumbled through the grass and around the gravestones towards the church. William pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, leading her along.
They reached the small stone church and much to their relief, the wooden door was unlocked. William pushed it open, and they quickly hurried inside, into the hushed gloom.
Eliza's hair had come completely down, she was carefully trying to ring it out, without making too much of a mess. William was looking around admiring the stained glass windows.
"Can I help ye folk?" A voiced asked, seemingly coming from nowhere. William was of a mind that God had just spoken, when an elder came forward, smiling at them.
"Ah, hello!"William said, "Apologies, my lady, Eliza, and I were visiting my family in the cemetery. We got caught in the storm." "I see. Are you from these parts then?" The elder asked, squinting at William's face, not recognizing him.
William chuckled, "I am Alistair Reid's nephew, William Wellington." The elder's eyes widened in recognition at the name, "The lad who had run off some years back?" He asked in awe. William nodded.
"Tsk-tsk, young'uns caught out in the rain! Here you go lass." An old woman made her way over to Eliza and handed her a blanket. Eliza took it gratefully and draped it over her shoulders. "Thank you." She told the woman.
"Is yer husband alright then?" She asked her. Eliza glanced over at William, who was still talking to the elder. Eliza smiled, "Yes, my fiancé has been through a lot this week." "Yer not married yet then?" She asked Eliza curiously. Eliza shook her head, "No, unfortunately our wedding last week had fallen through." She said with a tinge of sadness. After having spent more time with William the past week, and learning about his past, she realized she wanted to marry him more than ever. "I love him so much." She added softly.
The old woman clapped her hands, "Tis settled then! Ye can get married right now!" She exclaimed, "Come along!" "Wha…" Eliza asked baffled. William finally turned to Eliza, having heard snatches of her conversation. "Lizzie? What's going on?" He asked. "I don't know… I think we're getting married?" She replied as the woman grabbed her hand and began to pull her towards the altar.
William looked at the elder confused, he simply smiled at him and shrugged, "I never argue with a woman." He said, patting William on the back and leading him to his waiting bride.
"Eliza, are you sure you want to get married this way? None of our friends are here." William said. Eliza nodded and took William's hands in hers. "Yes William, this feels so very right." She replied. She already had tears in the corners of her eyes. William realized that he had started to cry too.
The elder began to speak, "Today we bring together in the sacred union of holy matrimony… eh lass, Eliza was it?" Eliza nodded and he continued on, "Ah grand, Eliza and William…"
Neither Eliza nor William heard the rest, they only had eyes for each other, everything else had faded away into the background. The elder coughed when he had finished and looked at them smiling, "Is there anything you would like to add?" He asked. William nodded and cleared his throat.
"Eliza, I have loved you from the very first moment I had laid eyes on you. You were, and are, my friend, my strength, my comfort. Everything I am, and wish to be, is because of you, pushing me, fighting me, wiling me to be a better man. And I can't thank you enough for challenging me every day. I will always cherish and honor you. You are the other half of me, and I love you." William brought her hand up to his lips, kissed her palm and pressed her hand to his heart.
Eliza was nodding and sniffling, "William, you infuriate me, annoy me, and vex me to no end. And I love you for it. You've made me see what truly matters, having someone special to share my life with, and even though it may have taken me 13 years to finally get it through my thick skull, I'm so grateful that you had the patience and kindness to wait for me to catch up to you. I will always walk by your side, from this moment on, we are partners, and I'm so proud to be able to call you my husband. I love you." Eliza took William's free hand and pressed his palm to her cheek. She turned her head, kissed his hand and placed it over her heart.
As they stood there, their hands over each other's hearts, their love flowing between them, the clouds broke, and a beam of light shone in through the window above them, casting them in the soft glow of a rainbow.
William took Eliza's right hand and removed her mother's wedding band. He then took her left hand and slid off her engagement ring for a brief moment to slide on the wedding band first, then he replaced the engagement ring and kissed her knuckles.
William leaned forward, to kiss her lips, but she put a palm up on his chest to stop him. "Wait!" She cried out. "Lizzie what is it?" William asked. "I had almost forgotten." She took her hands out of his to pat her pockets. William stood there amused. "Aha!" Eliza pulled out something small and held it up in her palm to show him.
He leaned forward to peer at her hand, his eyes widening in surprise, "What…?" He asked bewildered. "I know it's not customary for men to wear a wedding band, but this had been meant for your father… he hadn't had a chance to wear it." Eliza said softly, "Would you like to…?"
William nodded vigorously, "Yes. Yes of course." He answered, looking at the band, happy that it was almost an exact replica of her engagement ring. Eliza took his hand in hers and slid the ring onto his ring finger. It fit perfectly.
William grinned through his tears and grabbed Eliza around her waist, picking her up and twirling her around joyfully. "Kiss me, Mrs. Wellington." He said, still holding her in his arms. "Whatever you say, my dear husband." She replied, and then kissed him with all of her heart.
They took their time, walking back, hand in hand, with smiles upon their faces. It had turned darker out and they were both giddy, excited at their new marital status, and in anticipation of the evening ahead.
They reached the estate, it was silent, Alistair having already gone to bed, restless about reuniting with Catriona and meeting his grandson on the morrow.
William led Eliza upstairs to his room and over to his bed. They sat on the bed across from each other. William was holding Eliza's hands in his and they each wore matching grins.
"We're married!" Eliza said, hardly believing it. "I know!" William replied nodding. "Do you feel like you're dreaming too?" He asked her. "Yes!" She exclaimed, "You're my husband!" She said breathlessly. He chuckled, "Aye, that I am. And you're my wife!" The both laughed. It was a happy laugh, but also tinged with a bit of nervousness.
"Will?" Eliza hesitantly said. "Yes Lizzie?" He asked. "I… I'mnotreadytohavechildrenyet." Eliza said in a breathless rush. William nodded, "I know. Neither am I." She looked at him surprised, "Truly?" She asked, relieved. "Aye, truly. Lizzie, I've waited almost half of my life to hear you say you love me, and so much has happened so quickly. I think we need a bit of a break to just relax, I want to enjoy some time together, just you and I." Eliza let out a breath she hadn't realized she had even been holding.
"How many children do you want in the future?" She asked curiously. He paused to think about it. "Six?" He said seriously. "Six!" She exclaimed. "Aye, you're right, too few… Ten?" He amended. Then a smile broke out over his face at her horrified expression, "You arse!" She said, slapping his arm lightly. He burst out laughing, "Sorry Lizzie! Your face! I honestly don't know, when we're ready, we'll have either a little Mary or Henry to start. Until then, I promise to be careful." He said, all levity gone. Eliza nodded, "I trust you."
She fidgeted slightly, "William, I'm nervous." He squeezed her hand, "I know, to be honest, so am I. I haven't done this in a very long time." He said blushing bright red.
She looked at him, surprised, "Seriously?" He nodded. "What about your reputation?" He shook his head, "The last time I was with a woman had been…" he paused to do the math in his head, "10 years ago or so." "10 years?" She asked shocked, realizing it would have been around the time she had walked in on him with Felicity.
"But… I thought you had been a womanizer…" his answer had thrown her off and she was completely confused. "All rumors Lizzie. But I won't hide anything from you. If you want to ask me about my past I'll be completely candid." He told her.
"How many women…?" Eliza began to ask. "Four." William answered her. "That's it?" She said shocked. "How many did you expect?" He asked wryly. "Twenty…?" She said, throwing out a number that had seemed reasonable to her.
Instead, William laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes, she slapped him lightly on the arm. "Well, I wasn't sure what to think." She said crossly. Then she had another thought, "Do you remember how to do this?" She asked, not being facetious at all.
He raised an eyebrow at her and looked at her askance, "Trust me, it's not something you forget." She half heard him, "Four? Hmmm?" "Lizzie, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you sound disappointed!" He exclaimed. That snapped her out of it. "I am not. I'm quite happy about it." She said crossing her arms, scowling at him.
William reached out and ran his fingertips over her cheek and lips, "Oi, Lizzie, you should be smiling, stop frowning at me!" He said. "Make me!" She retorted. He grinned, "I never say no to a challenge." He said huskily. With one arm he encircled her waist, and pulled her to him so that their bodies were touching, he moved his other hand back to her face and cupped it to tilt it upwards and he kissed her, causing her to forget all of her annoyance with him…
