Claire had just come out of surgery and was washing up. This was her last shift before two blissful weeks off for her wedding and honeymoon. She had been working 60 hour weeks for the last two weeks in order to get the time off. It would be worth it, though. She was so excited at the thought of spending her life with Jamie, who held her heart and soul in his hands.
Claire grabbed her things from her locker and made her way to the nurse's station to leave some last minute instructions.
"Glenna, I'm heading out now. Please keep an eye on Mr. Ferguson in 522. He's stable, but I want to be sure his swelling is under control. Oh, and please check on…"
Glenna put a hand on Claire's arm, smiling. "Claire, I ken well enough what needs to be done. Ye have more important things to attend to, lass...like getting married!"
Claire smiled broadly. "Thank you. I know my patients are in good hands with you. Alright, I'm going. Keep Dr. McDonald in line while I'm gone."
"He isna you, Dr. Claire, but he'll do."
Claire gave Glenna a quick hug, then headed toward the door. She was surprised to see a tall form leaning against the wall. She knew that form very well.
"Jamie? I was just heading out. What are you doing here?"
"Can't a man escort his fiance home?"
She went up and hugged him. "Of course, love. I'm so happy to see you."
"Let's go," he said, putting his arm around her as they walked through the sliding glass doors.
They reached Claire's place, where Jamie had recently taken up residence, and Claire immediately started removing her dirty scrubs as she walked down the hallway toward the bathroom.
"I'm going to take a shower, love, and then we can relax a bit before bed."
"Aye, I'll make ye some food."
Jamie warmed up some of the lasagna he had made for her. Claire had been working late hours for the past two weeks to ensure she got uninterrupted time for their wedding and honeymoon. During that time, they hadn't been able to share a meal except an occasional hurried lunch in the hospital cafeteria. For the next two weeks, though, they wouldn't have to rush. They would share everything and be together just as they wanted to be.
Claire ate her late dinner curled up next to Jamie on the sofa. They were watching an episode of their latest tv binge on Jamie's giant big screen tv. He had brought it to her place when he starting moving in. She had to admit, it was pretty cool. Her apartment was very small, though, so it took up a big part of the living room wall.
"Jamie, I think we will need to get a bigger place after the wedding. It is a bit cramped here with the two of us."
"Aye, ye may be right. We'll find a proper home, Claire, where we can live and raise a family."
Claire smiled warmly. "That sounds perfect, my love. I can't wait."
Jamie's eyes seemed to turn a deeper blue as he looked at her. She could see that his mind was no longer on the tv show. Softly, he said, "Are ye done eating, love?"
"Yes, I couldn't eat another bite. It was wonderful."
His gaze bore into her as he took the plate and set it down on the coffee table. His eyes never left hers as he turned off the tv and bent down to pick her up into his arms. "Let's go to bed. Now."
The next morning, after breakfast, they packed up the car and went to pick up Ian before heading out for Lallybroch. Once there, they would settle in and make the final arrangements for the ceremony, to be held the next day at sunset.
They passed the time in the car talking about their plans for the wedding and honeymoon as well as what would come next. Ian talked about Jenny and their own plans for the future. There was a definite air of excitement as they neared Lallybroch. Once the car made it up the driveway to the estate, Claire saw Jenny run out of the house, excitedly shouting, "They're here! Da! They're here!"
They parked next to Brian's old beat up truck and Claire couldn't suppress a smile at the sight of her sister-in-law bounding toward them.
"Claire! Jamie! Och, we're so excited for the wedding!"
"I can see that," Jamie said, as he hugged his sister warmly.
"Jenny, I'm so glad to see you," Claire said, getting her turn for a hug.
After greeting Claire, Jenny made a beeline for Ian, who received his own hug and a sweet kiss.
Brian stepped out of the front door and waved at them, grinning widely, as Jenny took Jamie and Claire, arm in arm, toward the house.
Brian greeted them both with hugs and kissed Claire's cheek. "Och, lass, ye are so lovely, my dear. Welcome."
"Thank you. It's good to see you...Da." Claire wasn't sure if she should call him that, but his answering smile was so broad that she knew it pleased him greatly.
They all made their way into the house and settled in. Jamie and Claire would share the big guest room on the third floor and Ian would take the smaller one on the second floor.
Brian helped Jamie with their luggage and said, before he left, "I made sure ye got the most private room in the house. No one will disturb you up here." He grinned knowingly as he headed out the door.
"Jamie, are you sure your Father is ok with us sharing a room before the ceremony?"
"Och, aye. Ye ken how he and Mam got together, right?" He smiled, slyly.
"Yes, you mentioned it, but still..."
"As far as Da is concerned, our handfasting is good enough."
"Alright, if you're sure."
They gave each other a soft kiss and a hug before making their way back downstairs.
After lunch, Claire and Jenny went out to the wedding site to check on preparations. A few of the neighbors had pitched in to erect a beautiful arched trellis near the loch, where the ceremony would take place. They were currently placing vines of beautiful greenery on the structure.
"We're going to put roses on it closer to the time of the ceremony. We want to make sure they stay perfect," Jenny said.
"Oh, Jenny, this is wonderful. You know, Jamie gave me a red rose from a trellis much like this one on our very first date. It was so romantic."
"Aye, the trellis was his idea, ye ken."
"It was?" Claire said, surprised. "I didn't realize…"
"Aye, as ye said, he's a romantic."
Claire smiled, eyes misting. "Thank you for all your help, Jenny, it means so much to me."
"Och, it's the least I could do. Besides, I'm so proud that Jamie chose ye. Ye make him very happy." She smiled warmly and squeezed Claire's hand briefly, before continuing on with the preparations.
That night, after dinner, they all sat around the parlor, having a dram of whiskey and reminiscing about when Jamie, Jenny, and Ian were kids. The three of them had been inseparable and got into a lot of mischief together. Claire could see the genuine affection among the three of them. Now there was an added affection between Jenny and Ian - they were clearly in love. They seemed to be well suited for each other and she hoped they would be as happy as she and Jamie were.
Later, everyone said goodnight and Jamie, Claire and Brian went off to their rooms. Claire spied Jenny and Ian leaving the house, presumably for a moonlight stroll, and couldn't suppress a grin at the sight.
Once in their room, Claire stood by the window looking out into the night.
Jamie looked at her and said, "Why are you smiling, love?"
She nodded outside. "See for yourself."
He came up behind her and put his arms around her, looking at the scene below. "Ah, I see. They look well together. Ian better behave himself though," he said with a mock stern expression. He ended up grinning widely, then, and said, "Och, they do seem happy. I wish them well."
He turned her around and closed the curtains behind her. "Now, Claire, I want to focus on you, on us." He took her hand and sat on the bed, pulling her onto his lap. He held her there and said, "Claire, my dearest love, I am so happy to be marrying you tomorrow. Being here, where I grew up, reminds me of the love my parents had...a deep love like you and I share. It also reminds me of family. I want to ask ye, Claire...do you want to have a family...with me?" He looked a bit shy, but it was a question that had to be asked.
She looked at him tenderly and placed a hand on his cheek. "Oh Jamie, love, I want so much to have a family with you."
Jamie's face lit up with happiness and he hugged her tight. Then he looked at her with a mischievous expression. "In that case, would you like to practice right now?"
She smiled. "In your parents' house?" she said, teasing. "How naughty!" She put her arms around his neck and leaned into him, kissing him tenderly as they fell to the bed.
It didn't take long before they had undressed each other. They lay together, kissing and caressing. Jamie reached down and grabbed her bottom, squeezing appreciatively, before turning onto his back and rolling her on top of him, exploring her even more thoroughly.
"God, I want to see that beautiful, round arse riding me right now."
She squeaked as he squeezed again. "That can be arranged. Are you up for the challenge?"
He rolled his hips, showing her that he was, in fact, quite up for the challenge, in no uncertain terms.
"Mmmm. Very good," she said as she raised up to take him inside her. She sighed dreamily as he slid home.
He groaned and looked up at her with a powerful need as he settled himself firmly inside her. "God, Claire. Ye feel...so good."
She began moving on him, breathing faster with every movement. He grabbed her hips and moved with her, increasing the sensation. Her hands found purchase on his well-defined chest as she continued. She sighed and whimpered at the exquisite feel of him within her.
He reached up to take hold of her breasts, kneading and stroking as her whimpers turned into moans. He breathed faster, emitting his own sounds of pleasure as the motion went on and on. He was almost ready to burst when he felt her tense up. In the next moment, she shattered completely, pulsing strongly around him. She felt so good that he couldn't contain his own response any longer. He let himself explode, then, filling her and giving himself over to her in a rush of passion.
After a while, Claire slowly came to her senses and slid off to lay next to him. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her slowly, but deeply.
"I love you, Claire."
"I love you too, Jamie."
"I canna wait to marry you tomorrow," he said, stroking her back.
"Me neither. It is a dream come true, my love."
After a few blissful minutes of caresses and kisses, Jamie said, "I suppose we should get some sleep. After all, we need to be awake to say 'I do.'"
"Yes, and we must have energy for what comes after…" she said mischievously.
He smiled and held her close, her hand resting softly on his chest. Soon, they drifted off to sleep, happily awaiting tomorrow's new adventure.