Chapter 8: One

They were one now. Truly and completely. Jamie looked at his love as she dozed once more. They had woken up early and made love quietly in the pre-dawn, continuing the intimacy they had shared throughout the night. Claire had drifted off to sleep again, drowsy with love fulfilled.

Jamie kissed her forehead before getting up. He meant to go make breakfast for her. He didn't cook much, but he was sure he could come up with something. He wanted to pamper her and take care of her.

After making coffee and a simple breakfast of toast and eggs, he put it all on a tray with a single rose and took it into the bedroom. Claire smelled the coffee and sighed in appreciation as she slowly opened her eyes to face the day. Jamie sat the tray down on the bed beside her, leaning to kiss her softly.

"Jamie, this is wonderful!" She picked up the rose and brought it to her nose, inhaling its fragrance. "I love you."

"Och, weel, I just wanted ye to have a nice first day as Mrs. Fraser." She was his wife. He still couldn't believe it was true. It had been such a whirlwind, but he knew from the start they were destined. He knew that she would be his forever.

Claire's eyes shone with happiness as she leaned up to give him a sweet kiss. "I like the sound of that, Jamie. I can't wait to make it official."

"Aye, me too. We'll arrange it as soon as may be. In the meantime, love, enjoy your breakfast while I go jump in the shower. We'll go do something together today if you like."

"Ok baby. Don't be long. I'll miss you."

He gave her a warm smile and blew her a kiss as he went through the doorway.

A few minutes later, Jamie turned on the shower and got in. As he washed, the foamy lather covered him in fragrant bubbles. It felt so good being here in her home, in her shower, and certainly in her bed. Their bed.

It was so strange how different he felt today. Yes, he was no longer a virgin - thank God for that - but there was something else, too. He felt, for the first time, that he was part of something very special, something important. It was no longer just him. Now he had Claire - his love and his life - to care for and to cherish. They were truly one now, and he couldn't wait to tell the world.

He had closed his eyes, caught up in his thoughts. Then he heard the rolling movement of the shower door. He opened his eyes, then, to see Claire, standing naked in front of him in the shower. He smiled broadly. The sight of her took his breath away.

"Hi, love. I thought you might want a little company," she said.

Jamie put down the bath puff and went to her, wrapping his soapy arms around her. "Oh, Sassenach. Ye are full of surprises." He leaned and kissed her passionately, running the suds over her back and arse, revelling in the feel of her wet skin against his. "God, ye feel so good."

"Mmmm," she sighed, feeling him too. "It is quite nice being with you in the shower. Everything's all slick and...wet."

"Och is it? Weel, I will need to determine that for myself, I think." His hand reached down to cup her between her legs, the soapy water running down his arm and over her flesh in a warm flood.

She shuddered. "Oh, Jamie." That was all she could say before he began moving his fingers over her, making her gasp.

After a moment, he said, "Aye, well, it appears that ye *are* rather wet, love." He smiled and bent to kiss her again, continuing to fondle her, and brought the other hand up to her breast. He moaned as he kissed her, completely undone by the feel of her body under his hands. She sighed in pleasure at his caresses, and that was all it took to send Jamie over the edge.

Suddenly, he turned her around and pinned her against the shower wall. He pressed himself against her, making her feel his arousal. Then he grabbed her hips and bent her over slightly, her hands braced on the wall for support, and entered her quickly, eliciting a soft cry from her lips. He placed his hands over hers on the wall, holding her there as he thrust repeatedly, over and over.

They were both breathing hard with the effort, moving together as if waves in an ocean, flowing back and forth, back and forth with the tide. It didn't take long before the waves rose higher and higher, their cries mingling into a crescendo as the waves rushed over, crashing them into a watery oblivion.

Jamie held onto her, trembling with her as they recovered and caught their breath. Slowly they straightened up and Claire turned to face him again, putting her arms around him and kissing him tenderly.

"I think we both need a wash now," she said, smiling, and reached for the bath puff.

Once their shower was done, they got dressed and decided to go out and enjoy the day, walking around Glasgow hand in hand. They went window shopping, and eventually stopped at a little cafe to have lunch.

After the waiter took their orders, Jamie reached over to take her left hand in his, bringing it up to kiss her ring finger. "I love the way this looks on you," he said, indicating the ring.

"I do too, Jamie. It's beautiful." Claire beamed.

"I didna think to ask before, my love, but do ye wish to have a diamond? I ken that it's customary…"

"Jamie, this ring is perfect and it is even more special because of where it came from. You don't need to give me a fancy diamond."

"Aye, weel, ye ken I would give ye anything, love. Anything ye wish."

"I already have what I've wished for, Jamie...you." She smiled and leaned to give him a kiss, not caring who might see them.

When their food came, they began eating and talking of the future.

"Jamie, when do you think we going to get married? And where?"

"I'd like to wed as soon as possible. As to where...I dinna ken."

Claire thought for a moment, then was startled out of her thoughts when she heard a loud, "Jamie!" coming from the vicinity of the doorway.

Jamie looked to the newcomer and said, "Ian! Come and sit with us, man." Jamie scooted his chair closer to Claire to make room.

Ian sat down at the table, a huge grin on his face. "Och, and ye must be the lovely Claire who has stolen Jamie's heart." He reached for her hand, shaking it warmly. "I've heard so much about ye lass."

"Ian, it is so nice to finally meet you." She returned his infectious smile.

Ian grinned at Jamie, a knowing look on his face. "So, Jamie, lad. I see ye and the lass have hit it off quite well. She's quite a looker, man."

Claire blushed at the praise, then looked at Jamie, his face alight with happiness. "Aye, ye could say that we've hit it off quite well." He took Claire's hand and held it up for Ian to see.

"Jamie! Is that? Does that mean?"

"Aye, Ian, we are getting married."

Ian exclaimed quite loudly, "Och, Jamie, I'm so happy for ye. Congratulations! To both of ye!" He stood up and came over to hug both of them, so excited that his best friend had finally found love.

The three of them talked animatedly over the remains of their lunch, later ordering coffee and cake to celebrate.

"So, when is the big day?" Ian asked them.

"We dinna ken yet. I mean, we want to make it official as soon as possible. We are handfast already, but still…"

Ian looked at his friend and a sly smile crossed his face. "Handfast, ye say? Well, that explains it then."

"Explains what?"

"It explains why ye look so happy but also worn out like you've run a marathon."

Jamie gave him a severe look. "Ian, I dinna think it proper to discuss our..."

Claire giggled. "Oh, it's alright, Jamie. I'm sure it's written all over our faces." She turned to Ian, "Yes, Ian, we are handfast and...consummated." She grinned broadly as Jamie's face turned bright pink.

Ian grinned again, warmly. "I like you, Claire. Very forthright and ye have a good sense of humor. Jenny is like that too."

"Oh, I adore Jenny - we had such a good time talking at Lallybroch. She is quite smitten with you, Ian, but of course you already know that." She smiled.

"Och I am so glad ye like Jenny. She's a great lass, and…" he looked over at Jamie, "I love her."

Jamie smiled at patted him on the shoulder.

After lunch, Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes to Ian and strolled along the sidewalk. After a few steps, Claire suddenly stopped, her eyes wide. "Jamie! I know where we can get married!"

"Aye? Where?"

"It's so obvious...Lallybroch!"

Jamie thought about that for a moment, then his smile broadened. "Aye," he said excitedly. "That would be perfect, love."

They continued walking as Claire continued, "Just think of it...it would be beautiful to have the ceremony out on the grounds, maybe by the loch, or even in the house if the weather is bad. All your family is there and Ian could come up with us from Glasgow..."

"Aye, that would be grand. Ok, then, I'll call Da and Jenny at Lallybroch and make the arrangements." He leaned to kiss her as they continued walking towards home.

That evening, Claire was standing in the kitchen cooking dinner while Jamie was on the phone with his father, discussing their plans for the wedding. She smiled watching him, his face alight in animated conversation. His happiness was infectious. After at least a half hour, Jamie came into the kitchen, still holding the phone to his ear. It was clear, though, that his mind was no longer on the conversation.

He leaned to kiss Claire's neck as she was stirring the pot on the stove.

"Och, aye. I see…" he said into the phone as he continued his ministrations. She looked at him, tilting her eyebrow up in question.

He grinned and said, again into the phone, "Aye, Jenny. I'm sure Claire would love your help. Would ye like to talk to her?"

Claire didn't hear what was said on the other end of the phone, but Jamie handed her his phone and she took it, still stirring the pot with her other hand. "Hi, Jenny. So you've heard the news?"

Claire went on talking to Jenny about her ideas for the wedding. She found it harder and harder to concentrate on her conversation as Jamie made good use of his hands. He had wrapped his arms around her, then his hands travelled up to grab her breasts. She squeaked and Jenny asked, "Are ye well, Claire?"

"Oh...yes...yes I'm fine. Sorry, I...thought I'd seen a...spider." Claire looked at Jamie severely. He gave her an exaggerated look of innocence, then continued to grope her. Somehow, Claire managed to finish her conversation with Jenny and hung up the phone.

As soon as she set down the phone, she whirled around to face him. "Jamie, you're not playing fair! What if your sister knew what you were doing?"

"Och, Sassenach, I'm sure she does."

Claire looked at him scandalized. "What?"

Jamie chuckled. "Dinna fash, Sassenach. It doesna matter." He kissed her deeply, then, as his hands roamed down to her backside, squeezing gently. "Come with me, love. Dinner can wait."

He reached over and turned off the burner on the stove, never losing contact with her lips. He pulled her with him out of the kitchen, still holding tight to her and kissing her passionately.

They didn't make it to the bedroom. Before she knew what had happened, she found herself naked on the living room rug as he flung off his own clothes in wild abandon. He was with her immediately, covering her with his body and sheltering his need within her. He took her quickly, not able to wait. She cried out as he filled her completely, touching her womb with every thrust. His eyes met hers with such intensity that she gasped. He held her gaze, willing her to do the same, as she fell apart, surrendering to him in an explosion of pure bliss. Her eyes stayed with his as she shuddered and cried out. His release immediately followed. His groan permeated the room - a sound of immeasurable triumph.

When it was over, and they lay together on the floor, Jamie looked at his love with tenderness and placed his hand on her stomach, silently dreaming of the child she would one day bear. His child. For now, though, he was content to be in her arms, loving her with all that he was. She looked into his eyes, then, and somehow he knew she was thinking the same thing. She smiled warmly, saying, "One day, my love. One day."