Je Suis Prest – Chocolate, Trucks and Baseball
As Jamie and Claire rode into the yard, Jenny came running, honking the high alert, her feathers a flurry. Her neck extended and wings flapping in an effort to make herself appear larger and more fierce; a force to be reckoned with. She abruptly halted in front of Rob Roy, and the horse, unfazed, lowered it's head and snorted. Just as Jenny was about to sound off again, Ian, from the coop door, honked just once. The gander, always one to have the last word, honked once more at the horse, ruffled her feathers and waddled away, back to the nest. The goose, it seemed, had brought the gander to heel.
"Guess Ian told Jenny" Claire said with a laugh, as Jamie dismounted and helped Fred and Bran down from Rob Roy. He slapped the horse on the flank and it quietly walked toward the barn. The pup, very interested in the noisy gander, trotted off toward the moving pile of feathers as it waddled away. "No Bran. Yoo'll do no chase'n of fowl at Lallybroch in this time either. Da's rules apply here as well and yoo'll abide by them, do ye hear me?"
The pup heeded the warning with a whimper, and turned back, but only after barking once at the departing bird.
Jamie walked over and aided Claire's descent to solid ground and took the reins from her. "I'll take care of the horses and check on the rest of the animals, then come in" he said as he kissed Claire. William Wallace needed no prodding. He made his way to the barn, following Rob Roy on his own accord. Jamie turned and knelt, so that he was eye level with Fred and asked, "Are you with me or Claire?"
"Chair. Hep pie." Fred replied and smiled.
"Very well then, do you suppose we can have a talk about the pup, when I come in? I have some questions on how ye came to have him." He asked the lad as he rubbed Bran's head.
Fred nodded his head and then took Claire's hand. It made Jamie smile to see Claire with the lad. Soon they would have their own and it made him realize just what a wonderful mother she would be. Patient and caring, warm and kind and yet somehow firm and thoughtful. Bran moved to stand in front of Jamie, wagging his tail. "Well, are ye go'n inside te warm yerself by the fire and beg for scraps or are ye come'n with me to the barn? Your choice Bran."
The pup placed a paw on Jamie's knee and lifted himself to eye level. He barked once then turned and stood next to Fred.
Claire laughed. "Guess that makes you second fiddle" and she smiled.
Jamie looked up at her and raised an eyebrow, then slowly stood. "Bran? No matter. 'Tis still my da's dog. Of that I am certain. If yer talk'n of yoo, I'll no have it. Watch yerself, my plump arsed gander, or I'll honk at ye like Ian."
Claire laughed. Her face flush with the happiness that filled her heart. If only she did not have to leave. The rhythm of life here on the farm with Jamie was what she wanted. Needed. The pieces of her life, since meeting this man, had all started to fall into place. Life made sense to her now. It had direction. Meaning. Purpose, she thought as her hand unconsciously found her belly. This was where she was meant to be. Here, with Jamie, at Lallybroch. It did not seem to matter what year, now or Jamie's, as long as she was with him. Either way, she knew she'd found happiness.
Claire turned Fred toward the scullery door. At the top of the stoop, both brushed the dirt and grim from their shoes on the boot scraper. "This is a must before you enter this house, if you've been in the yard or with the animals. I have enough to do without having to sweep up the dirt you track in. Understood?"
Fred nodded.
She opened the door. "You too Bran. You can use the door mat" and she walked inside. Fred crossed the threshold and then turned. "Chair feet, Brom" and he pointed at the bristly mat. Bran walked up and when all four paws were on it, he shook like he was wet, shaking all the way down his body and legs until his paws jiggled as well. When the pup finished and looked up at Fred, the boy stepped out of the way and Bran pranced into the scullery, then turned to enter the kitchen.
"Hang your coat on the hook by the door, next to mine, Fred" Claire called out as she heard the door close with a solid thump. Fred did as he was told, then followed Bran into the kitchen.
Upon entering, they found Claire leaning on a chair placed in front of the sink. "Up you go Fred. Second thing you do when you enter this house is wash up." Claire spoke as she dried her own hands with a kitchen towel. "Hands, Face and Neck. Soap and water, if you please," she continued as she turned the water on. "I would like for you to wash all the way up to your elbows, so lets roll up those sleeves, shall we?" When Fred climbed up, Claire instructed, "Wet your hands first" and when he had, she taped the cake of soap sitting in the dish by the sink. "Our entire hands, Fred," she said firmly. "In between the fingers and under your nails. "Then, your face." She handed him the kitchen towel when he was finished then she helped him with his neck and ears, using the wet towel when he was done. "Very good Fred. If it is raining, and you are wet, there are extra towels in the scullery to dry off with. That goes for Bran as well" and she nodded her head at the dog. Bran had hopped up beside Fred on the chair and was standing on his back legs with his front paws resting on the sink. He had been snapping at the soap bubbles and watching the entire proceeding with great interest.
As Fred, followed by Bran, jumped down, Claire said "leave the chair please, we'll need it in a minute to wash the apples" and she went to the door that led to the front entry, opened it and called out "hello the house." Returning to the table, she said to Fred, "let's unpack the groceries Mr. Randall brought back from the store before we start on the pie, shall we?" and began to sort through the purchases Frank had made at the grocer's for her.
Only Bran noticed Jamie watching from the scullery. Jamie put his index finger to his lips before he slipped back out the door, as Bran's head cocked to the side, watching. Only two dirty footprints were proof he had been there.
"Well, hello the house back. Oh, I see we have company." Frank said as he entered the kitchen. "Shall I put the kettle on and make us some tea, Claire?" he asked as he walked toward the sink to fill the kettle with water. Through the window he noticed Jamie walk off toward the barn. Frank exhaled loudly. After last night's outburst to Claire, in front of Jamie, he felt awkward around the man. As he knew he should be. His confession, it would seem, had been no surprise to either of them. Only the fact that he had actually admitted it, had stunned them. Claire, after a moment, had taken it all in stride, but then he supposed she must have always known how he felt about her, and never, it would seem, had she ever returned those feeling, in any way. It had been an act of cowardice not to verbalize his feelings for her long before yesterday but he had tried, quite often, to show her. Yesterday had been a last ditch effort on his part. He clearly understood now, that he must let her go. Afterwards, Fraser had be understanding, he thought, almost too kind. They had shaken hands and downed several drinks to break the tension, after all was said and done. But later, when he had said an early Good Night and gotten to his feet, Fraser had walked him to the door of the sitting room to see him up the stairs. When he had turned at the landing, Claire had taken her place by Fraser's side and the man, while looking directly at him, had possessively placed an arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to him. Fraser had given him a look, as if in warning, not to try it again; he would brook no future trespass. She belonged to Fraser, his embrace of her had meant, and the look he received told him that Fraser would react quite differently if there were any further attempts to woo her. No, his relationship with Fraser was strained at best and totally of his own making. Which was too bad, for he really rather admired the man.
"Oh yes, please. I could do with a nice cup of Oolong." Claire answered, snapping him from his thoughts. "How lovely. Thank you Frank. Would you like one Fred?"
Fred shook his head No.
"Perhaps a cup of buttermilk?"
Fred smiled.
"Right then, one cup of buttermilk, coming up." She collected the buttermilk, a cup and a box of biscuits from the pantry and returned to the table. She poured the buttermilk and handed the cup to Fred, watching as he gulped it down. He looked up at her with a milk mustache, wiped it away with his tongue and smiled. With John's help, Claire had attempted to make a small batch of homemade butter the afternoon he and Frank had arrived. The buttermilk was a by-product of that effort. She hoped the butter was good, she planed use it tonight.
She looked up from the purchases and smiled. "It looks like you found everything on the list, but I don't see a vegetable? Did we have enough ration coupons?"
"Yes we had enough coupons for what I got and No, not everything on the list, but almost. Not a lot of choices still for vegetables. No canned peas but they did have fresh brussel sprouts so I got them and more carrots. Also I got ground lamb as there was no ground beef and was only allowed 5 lbs of potatoes. We both know Your Fraser can eat that by himself," Frank replied. He set the kettle on the lit burner and walked back to the table. "Nice to see you again, Fred" and he tousled the boy hair.
Fred made a face and swatted at Frank's hand.
"I don't think he likes that Frank," Claire advised. She had caught the Your Fraser comment but decided to let it pass. Frank would have to figure out his place in all this. She would just need to be consistent on how she dealt with him. At least things were out in the open now. If she treated Frank with the same respect and friendship she always had, she hoped it would allow things to fall naturally into place, just with a better understanding of where things stood between the three of them. She and Jamie needed to get married, and not just because of Frank. The sooner, the better.
"I'll bet I have something Master Fred will like." Frank said as he dug into one of the bags and pulled out a Kit-Kat bar.
"Where in the world did you get that Frank?" Claire gasped. Chocolate has been rationed forever!" She smiled and turned to Fred, "have you ever had chocolate?"
Fred shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, you are about to, and I can guarantee you will love it. The man at the grocer actually sold me two. He knew we were staying with John and that Mary and her son were coming for supper... Hip Hastie, your Green Grocery's co-owner said that everyone should have their own stick so he allowed me two whole bars." Frank smiled and set the bar down on the table. He carefully opened the red packaging, treating it like it was gold. With equal care he unwrapped the silver foil. He broke off one stick and handed it to Claire and another stick and handed it to Fred.
Claire broke hers in half and handed half back to Frank. Claire took a bite and moaned in ecstasy; it had been so long. She remembered the American GI's had them in their K rations and used to share them. She could not remember if she'd had chocolate since. It melted in her mouth. "Thank you so much Frank. It's such a treat.
Frank popped his entire piece in his mouth at once and they turned to watch Fred. He was licking his fingers. His share was gone. "Mo Peas" he said and held out his hand.
"Sorry Fred. No more. You need to save room for dinner and we are having pie for dessert, remember?" Claire said.
Fred made a very sad face.
"Frank, be a doll and light the oven. Set it at 350°, please and thank you." Claire requested then went to the pantry. She removed the two aprons that were hanging inside on pantry door and pulled out the bowl of apples she had collected from the cellar before breakfast and walked it to the sink. "Hop to, Fred. You wash the apples and I shall peel and cord. Frank, you can sliced them." She tied an apron around her waist and then around Fred's. The three worked well together and the time went quickly, chopping enough for two pies, rather than the three Murtagh had requested. Frank tossed the apples back into the bowl as he finished slicing them and Claire carried the bowl to the table. Fred added the premeasured amounts of flour, sugar and cinnamon, freshly ground from the sticks Frank picked up at the store, while Claire tossed the apple with a large wooden spoon, making sure all the apples were coated with the concoction. She set the mixture aside.
Frank set a steaming cup of tea down in front of her as he slipped into the nearest chair and blew over the top of his own.
While it cooled, in a separate bowl, she had Fred add the flour as she measured it, then the cold, cubed butter, and as she cut the butter into the flour, she had Fred add the premeasured amounts of salt, sugar, and as she worked the dough, she had him add cold water until it looked, and felt, right. Fred happily threw flour on the table, and Claire showed him how to roll out the dough. In no time the pie crust bottoms were in the two tin pie pan and Claire held the bowl while Fred spooned the apples into place. Several dots of butter were added to the top and then, with Fred's help, the lattice top. From the scrapes of dough, Claire made a few leaves to adorn the top of each pie and then let Fred brush the tops with an frothy egg white. "Voilà" Claire said as she waved her hand over the two apple pies.
Carefully, Fred carried one to the oven as Claire followed behind him with the second. Frank opened the oven door, and using a kitchen towel, pulled out the middle rack. They set the pies on the rack, Frank pushed it in and shut the door. How long do I set the timer for?" He asked.
"40 minutes, please" Claire announced. "Shall we start on supper now, Fred?"
"What is for supper?" Frank asked.
"Shepard's pie, brussell sprouts and rolls" she replied.
"Anything more I can do?" Frank asked.
"Hate to ask again, but the table needs to be set." Claire said with a weak smile.
"How many places then?" Frank said with a sigh.
"Lets see... Jamie, you, John, Murtagh and me, that's five. Mary and Rabbie, that's seven and Fred, makes eight." Claire counted aloud.
"Brom too," Fred chimed in.
"No," Claire said firmly.
And on that note, Frank left the kitchen for the dining room.
"Bran, will sit on the floor not on a chair at my supper table," Claire continued calmly. "Those are house rules. All dogs eat in the kitchen, on the floor." She turned to Bran and said "Sorry Bran."
Bran lowered his head, looked at the floor and sneezed.
Did he truly understand me? Claire wondered as she tucked her hair behind her ears. No, she thought and shook her head. How could she possibly even consider it a possibility... "Let me know if I need to iron any of the napkins, Frank," she called out.
Frank came back through the door that led to the dining room. "What are you shouting on about?" he asked.
"I asked if the napkins need to be ironed but lets use the napkin rings, shall we? They are in with the silverware. Top drawers of the hutch, I think." Claire said looking up from one of the grocery sacks. "Do you think it would be too formal to use a tablecloth, or should you just wipe the table down Frank?" she questioned. "Should I have a centerpiece, do you think? I could run out to the fields and see what I can find..."
Frank just shook his head. "It's not a party, Claire, just family and friends. The woman has already accepted the position. She will be living here. Don't make such a fuss." He looked at her with his eyebrows raised to emphasis his point. "You want this MacNab person to feel at home, not like a guest, right? So don't treat her like she is one. She and John are not strangers, after all."
"You're right, as usual, Frank."
He smiled at the comment. "Hey, I heard Murtagh might be a little sweet on the widowed woman."
Claire look up from the table. "What? I thought so too when I saw them together this morning. I think they were actually flirting with each other." She grinned.
"No!" Frank gasped in surprise. "I thought John was just teasing me!"
"Yes." Claire said. "I told Jamie about it but he poo-poo'd the idea. Said his godfather was a confirmed bachelor. I told him maybe Murtagh had just not met the right woman until now..."
"Really?" Frank said. "How interesting" and he walked back into the dining room.
With Fred's help, Claire managed to put away the items Frank purchased, except for the ones they would need tonight. She checked the clock. 3:40. The pies would not come out until 4pm. She needed to put the potatoes on to boil. Once again, Fred washed, Claire peeled, and this time chopped as well, while the pot of water reached a boil. Claire had just added the potatoes to the salted water, placed the lid on the pot and turned the flame down to medium when Jamie entered through the scullery door.
"Feet, Jamie" She called out without even looking.
Jamie and Fred exchanged looks and Jamie walked back outside. Seconds later, he returned.
"That did not take you very long, Jamie. You had better not track any dirt into this kitchen or you and the broom will become better acquainted."
Fred laughed.
Jamie snorted as he hung up his jacket and walked into the kitchen. Claire still had her back to him as his eyes drifting toward the pantry.
"Stay out of the pantry, my good sir, until you wash your hands and face, please." Claire pointed a finger at the sink as she stirred the melting butter she'd placed in a large, cast iron frying pan.
"Do you have eyes in the back of your heid woman?" Jamie commented and 'winked' at Fred. Instead of going to the sink, he walked up to Claire and leaned against the counter as she slid the chopped onions from the cutting board into the buttery pan. Fred, standing on the chair, stirred the onions as they instantly began to cook in the hot butter.
"Fred, yoo are quite a fine assistant. Claire is verra lucky you decided to come to help today." Jamie smiled at Claire.
"He has been an enormous help this afternoon." Claire said. She put an arm around Fred and gave him a hug. "I am not quite sure I could have managed without him. And do not think you can distract me into remembering you have not washed your hands. Hop to it, Jamie. Set an example for our young, impressionable supper guest."
"Well Fred, I was wonder'n if yoo," Jamie began, "Claire and I could have a wee chat about Bran at the table?" and he nodded toward the table by the fireplace. Bran, comfortably lying on the rug in front of the fire; on his back, chin up and legs splayed. At the sound of his name, he rolled onto his side, opened one eye and yawned. Claire turned the tap on and held out the bar of soap. "As soon as I wash up, that is." He took the bar of soap from her hand, kissed her on the cheek and began to wash.
Fred set the spoon down on the counter, hopped down from the chair and crossed the room. Claire handed Jamie the towel and turned to finish cooking the onions while Jamie took the chair and followed Fred back to the table. Claire lowered the heat, walked to the pantry and grabbed a large green bottle from the floor. She pulled the cork and poured the dark brown liquid into a glass, making sure it developed a frothy tan head on the top. She took a sizable sip and handed the pint glass to Jamie and set the rest of the bottle on the table. He took a taste and smiled, all the way to his eyes. He turned the bottle to look at the label, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. He took a good sized swallow and turned to Claire, "I like this one, I ken taste the hops. Is it Scottish?"
"No, Guinness is an Irish beer," she tapped her lip with her finger. "Foam" she said and smiled.
Jamie ran his tongue over his upper lip and asked "better?"
She nodded. "There are leftover bannocks in the basket in front of you. Only two, Jamie. Please don't spoil your appetite." She added and walked back to the stove to continue cooking the onions.
Jamie took another large swallow of the beer, whistled to himself as he set the glass down and reached for the basket. At the same time, he moved the chair so that it's back was toward Fred and sat down, facing Fred, resting his arm on the chair's back. He fished out a bannock with his other and took a huge bite.
Fred smiled and looked down at Bran then back up at Jamie. "Frog Brom me" he stated decidedly as he watched the Red Man chew.
Jamie's brow furrowed in puzzlement. "Frog Brom Me" he repeated after he swallowed and took another drink of Guinness, to make sure he heard the lad correctly.
Fred nodded his head.
Bran, hearing his name, stood up, walked over to Jamie, setting his head on Jamie's knee. He raised his eyes to look up at him; black eyes beseeching blue ones.
"Do not allow that dog to beg, Jamie. Do not reward him, please." Claire asked.
Jamie looked over his shoulder. No, Claire was still cook'n over the fire. "Ye are a witch, ye ken that Claire," he stated as he looked down at the pup and proceeded to scratch Bran's ear. The pup's fur matched the color of a red deer. His da had commented more than once that Bran would be mistaken for one, even without the antlers. The pup had long legs like a deer and feet as large as frying pans. He had the same black muzzle and the ears, tail and the toes of the two hind paws all looked as they had been dipped in the same black. The eyes were dark as midnight. It was most definitely his da's dog. Jamie began, "Me? That's simple enough, Me would be Fred."
Fred nodded his head.
"Right then," Claire said as she watched from the stove. "Brom is Fred's pronunciation of Bran" She reduced the heat under the onions and walked to the table to collect the ground lamb wrapped in butcher's paper.
Bran barked.
Claire placed her hand on Jamie's shoulder and he reached up and covered it with his. With the one simple gesture, they had both quietly agreed that the question needed to be asked. "Who or what is Frog, Fred?" Jamie asked.
"Ribbit, ribbit" was Fred's reply. Claire gripped Jamie's shoulder, not with her nails, but firmly enough that he garnered a look. One glace at her face told him, she ken; she ken what the lad was telling them.
Her eyes closed as she remembered the first time she'd see her father after he had left her as an infant. She was living with Henry and Julia, and a man she'd never seen before, came to visit. Came for tea, she remembered because she was in her favorite dress and shinny new patent leather Mary Jjeans. Julia had given her a bath that very morning, which was odd because she always had her bath at night, before bed. Her hair had been washed with Julia's special lavender soap. It had always been Claire's favorite. Still to this day, she can not smell lavender without a memory of Julia returning. Julia had been pulling at her curls with a brush in an attempt to control her hair, to the point that Claire had begun to cry. Henry had come in to try and help, scooping Claire into his lap and reading the next chapter of "The Wind in the Willows" to her as Julia pulled and tugged and straightened. Exasperated, Julia had finally set the brush down and tied a ribbon in her hair. She remembered the man was very small, compared to the Lambert's, more her height than theirs, and he told her all about the flowers in their garden as they walked, teaching her all their proper Latin names. She was even allowed to stay for tea and drink from the special china tea cups and have, not one, but two of the lovely almond cookies the man had brought with him. From China he had whispered to her. She could have only been three or four... No, it had been her fifth birthday... just before Henry and Julia had... the car accident... She caught her breath. After the man left, while she stood on a chair to helped wash the tea things, Henry had asked if she enjoyed the visit. She had, she had told them. She had enjoyed visiting with Mr. Toad, and "ribbit, ribbit" she had said, then asked if Peter Rabbit and his sisters, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotten-tail could come the next day.
"Raymond" Claire whispered. "You know Raymond, Fred?"
As Fred nodded his head, Jamie turned to look at Claire. His fingers began drumming away on the back of the chair.
No poker face anywhere to be seen, Claire noted. Clearly he was surprised. She'd gotten the drop on him for once. Then, the corner of his mouth turned up. There, he's got it, she thought; he was never stumped for long. She slipped her hand out from under his and began to comb his hair with her fingernails. So many lovely curls and so much color. She sighed.
Fred nodded his head. "Wait Stone buzz. Ribbit-ribbit. Brom. Ribbit hide. Rain. Boom. Cush." and he ducked his head as if the sounds of the storm had come alive in the kitchen of Lallybroch. "Stone buzz. Woff." and Fred eyes filled with terror, his body trembled as he carefully scanned the room almost as if he thought the wolf might be there. "Tomas find. Home. No Red Man." Fred smiled and poked Jamie with his finger. "Red Man here. For Chair." and he took a bite of Jamie's bannock and chewed, followed by a sip of his beer. "Brom me Frog ribbit. Keep."
Bran barked in concurment.
Frank walked back into the kitchen and stopped short when he saw Jamie. "Good China or every day plates, Claire?" never taking his eyes off Jamie's back.
"Chak, Peas" Fred asked and held out his hand to Frank.
"Chocolate, I think," Claire translated.
"Oh, I think we might be in trouble over this, Claire." Frank said and smiled. "Can he have another piece?"
"How much is left?" Claire asked. "Fred has been very helpful today."
"A bar and a half" Frank answered, watching Jamie watch Claire.
"That's six sticks. We need to save enough for John, Murtagh, Mary and Rabbie to each have a piece and Jamie has not tried it yet" Claire said.
"Tried what, exactly, Claire?" Jamie asked as his eyes went from Fred to Claire and now rested on Frank.
"A Chocolate Bar. You've never had one, have you?"
"I do'na ken chocolate bar but I ken of Chocolate Houses in Paris. And London, though I have never been. 'Tis a drink they serve at certain taverns; a drink for the wealthy, aye? Te answer ye question, No I have never been to one." Jamie answered. "Why do ye ask?"
"Well, Jamie," Claire began. "Now we have the same chocolate, only in bars... uhm, pieces, like chips."
Jamie's eyes widened at the mention of chips. "I like chips. I've never tasted chocolate. Does it taste good together? Chips that taste like chocolate?"
Fred tapped Jamie's hand so he turned to look at him. Fred's head was nodding like a bobblehead.
"You can pick the chocolate up and eat it with your fingers." Claire said. "Get the open one out, Frank, and let's split a stick for Jamie to try and to reward Fred here."
Frank followed as instructed and Jamie watched as Fred placed the entire piece in his mouth. The euphoric smile that crossed the boys face made Jamie laugh. Jamie looked down at the brown stick he held between his thumb and forefinger. He sniffed it, then looked up at Claire? Do yoo eat it?" He asked. "It looks like shite."
"Jamie!" Claire expelled with astonishment. "Do you really think I would do that to you? You just saw Fred eat his half. Honestly?" The look of shock was very apparent.
Jamie turned and looked at Frank. He glared long enough to make Frank shift his feet. "It's chocolate Jamie, honest." Frank confirmed.
"Jamie," Claire said, "Look" and she raised his hand and took a small bite out of his piece. She made almost the same face Fred did.
"Sassenach! I ken that face. When I..."
"Jamie!" Claire shouted. Eyes wide open with shock. "Don't you say another word. Just eat the bloody piece of chocolate. Please. Or give it to Fred."
"Give what to Fred?" John asked as he entered the kitchen.
"Fred!" Rabbie shouted as he pushed passed John.
Fred jumped up and ran to Rabbie. Bran jumped up and down beside them, barking as they flew out the kitchen door, back the way Rabbie had entered.
"John," Frank started, "Please tell Jamie that I am not trying to poison him."
"Oh? And why would I need to do that?" John asked as he looked into the faces of all three adults as he took a seat in Fred's abandoned chair, near the fire.
"Frank brought back Kit Kat's from the Green Grocer's today" Claire explained. "We gave Jamie a piece to try... and, well... Jamie won't try it... he doesn't seem to trust us."
Jamie held his piece up for John to examine. "What? Oh, Jamie, yoo mean te tell me ye've never had chocolate before? Trust me lad, just pop that in yer mouth. It'll be like kiss'n Claire. I promise ye that." He smiled as he pushed Jamie's hand back toward his mouth. "Go on. Try it. I give ye my solemn word..." and he winked... "if you don't love that little brown piece of heaven in your hands, I'll do yer chores for a week."
Jamie looked back at Claire. Nothing could replace his Sassenach's kisses.
"Jamie. You've always try anything once... even my poisonous tomatoes. If you really don't want it, put it down, then. I won't be upset with you." Claire said. She couldn't believe he would not even try it.
Jamie, with trepidation, placed his tongue on the piece he held.
"Oh Jamie, really. Give it to me then. No harm, no foul." And when she went to reached for it, he popped it in his mouth like Fred had. And slowly, he chewed. And the more he chewed, the faster he chewed. And the look of concern turned to neutrality, that turned to a smile that turned to happiness written all over his face. And when he was finished chewing, he licked his fingers. And when he was finished cleaning his fingers, he turned to Frank and said "More, please" and held out his hand.
"Where are Mary and Murtagh?" Claire asked John.
"Well, I thought they were right behind Rabbie and I... they were in the truck, I ken because Murtagh drove so they are here, somewhere."
We'll, we best go find them," Jamie said.
"No, Jamie. Let Murtagh and Mary be." Claire said. "I need you to come with me." She took him by the hand, led him into the front yard and directly to the parked truck. She opened the drivers door, climbed in and slid over to the middle of the bench seat. She turned to Jamie and said, "Get in. You want to learn to drive, don't you?"
Jamie grinned and jumped in behind the wheel and closed the door. Placing both hands on the steering wheel, he turned to look at Claire.
"Alright tiger, slow down. I promise we will leave the yard." She said with a laugh. "You've been through the lessons long enough, lets start the bloody truck.
Jamie reached for the start button on the dash.
Claire gently placed her hand on his arm and said "Not yet. First, check your mirror. Make sure they are adjusted to you, also the seat. You should not have the steering wheel in your chest." Claire showed him how to adjust the seat to the the correct position and the mirrors so he could see. "Always start any vehicle in neutral and your foot on the brake. I know you know where that is, so put the truck in neutral, please.
Jamie found it without any issues. He smiled.
Claire smiled back. "Good. Now you are ready to start the truck."
Jamie placed his hand on the button and pushed. The truck roared to life. Jamie's face was beaming when he turned to her. "I love ye, Claire."
"I love you too, Jamie. Now with one foot on the brake, no, no now wait a minute... "
Jamie took his foot off the clutch and looked at her. "That's no right, Claire?"
"Well, yes, but I want to go over a couple of things with you before the truck starts moving."
Jamie snorted.
"I'll forgive you for that," she said and continued. You are going to put the truck in first, and the as you depress the gas pedal with your right foot, you are going to ease off the clutch with your left, at about the same rate, alright?"
Jamie nodded. He depressed the clutch, put the truck into first and then as he pressed down on the gas, he released the clutch. Perfectly. The truck moved forward without a jump or a jerk.
"That was perfect Jamie." Claire said with awe.
His smile went past beaming into glowing. He got to the end of the drive and stopped, looked both ways and then turned left. Not a hitch, sputter or jerk. Claire did not have to tell him when to shift or about hand singles. She sat back in the seat and just enjoyed the ride. She enjoyed being the passenger as she watched the majestically, multicolored scenery pass before her eyes. She had not noticed just how far along fall become. Some of the trees had started to loos their leaves and soon enough, the roads would be covered with the fallen leaves. It was clear winter was coming. Jamie whistled as he drove them into town and parked across the street from the Lost Lamb. He hopped out of the truck and then helped Claire as she slid across the bench seat to the door he held open for her. He held her hand as they crossed the street and opened the tavern door for her to enter. Once inside, he took Claire's coat and escorted her to an empty booth.
"Wait while I get us an ale. I'll be right back." He was grinning ear to ear. Claire slid into the booth and found herself smiling. She and Jamie were on a date. He had driven her to the bar, helped her with the door and her coat and was now getting them refreshments. An honest to God date. Just the two of them. She shook her head in disbelief.
Suddenly "JAMIE" erupted. Someone shouted, then someone else and then someone else. Claire didn't count or look over. She just looked at her fidgeting hands. He would remember. He would come back, she told herself. Then there were slaps on the back and Good te see ye's and Come, let me buy ye a drink and Come sit with us, we've got a table by the fire. And laughing, loads of laughter. And then quiet. Please, don't let him forget me, she said to herself and she took a deep breath. Suddenly Jamie was there, setting two pints down and sliding in next to her. He draped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her up against him. Claire leaned her head on his shoulder and rested her hand on his thigh. They just sat like that, silent, content, just grinning at nothing, and drank their ale.
Dinner was wonderful. Good friends and good food. Laughter all around. Mary had finish the Sheppard's Pie, putting it in the oven after the pies had finished baking. She heated the rolls from the bakery and was just sliding the brussell sprouts under the broiler when Jamie and Claire returned. No one seemed to miss them. At all.
John provided two very nice bottles of wine and there was coffee and pie in the sitting room.
All too soon, it was 8 pm. "We have to get back," Mary said sadly. "I have to be up before light to get the breakfast started. Murtagh says we will see you tomorrow in church. I'll try and hold seats fe ye all" and she smiled at Murtagh.
Claire could swear Murtagh blushed and she exchanged a knowing glance with Frank.
Jamie stood. "Claire and I will take yoo home. We have te return Fred to Thistle Pond so yoo'll be on our way."
"I heard Jamie organized a shinty match on the pitch of the school after church." Mary stated to Murtagh. "I was thinking I might bring Rabbie, so's he could learn the game. Will yo be play'n?" She asked hesitantly.
"Shinty?" Murtagh looked from Mary to John to Jamie, raising an eyebrow in question. "No one said anythin' to me about camanachd(shinty). And why would that be?" He inquired looking straight at Jamie.
"Because I ken ye'd play so there was no point in ask'n, aulde man." Jamie pronounced and elbowed his godfather in the ribs.
"Oh, aye." John said. "That's a safe bet. I think up on the third floor I still have several
of my aulde caman (sticks), maybe even a ball or two. You and I can go up and look, Murtagh, after company is gone."
Murtagh nodded, though he really had thought he'd be driving Mary and the lad home.
"And Mary, tomorrow, after church, we'll swing by and pick up your bags and bring ye and Rabbie home te Lallybroch, if yoo'll have us." John announced.
Everybody turned to look at Mary with great expectation; waiting to hear her reply. Rabbie stepped up next to his mam and spoke for them, "Yes. Yes, mam and I would love to come live here with all of you." He nodded his head to Mr. Murray in thanks.
"Are yer sure ye want us?" Mary asked with a slight blush to her cheeks.
A resounding "Yes" was said by all. Bran even wagged his tail. John stepped up to Rabbie and shook his hand. An agreement had been made.
"You'll have all meals with us then, starting with tomorrow's dinner after church, Mary," Claire said and gave her a warm hug and a welcoming smile. "and Rabbie of course," Claire added, winking at the boy. "Welcome to Lallybroch the both of you."
Jamie drove. Absolutely no errors. It was almost infuriating. They dropped Mary and Rabbie off at the Bed and Breakfast and then on to Thistle Pond. They parked in the yard and Fred and Bran jumped out and ran into the house. Jamie, took the pie from from her hand and helped Claire, once again, out of the truck. They had just closed the fence gate, when the porch light came on and the door opened. Claire held her breath. Seamus appeared in the doorway. Smiling.
"Come in, come in," he said as he stepped aside to let them pass. Jane came through the kitchen door in the back of the room, wiping her hands on her apron. "Hello Claire. Jamie." She said and smiled. "Can I get ye somethi'n te drink? Coffee? An ale perhaps?" Jamie looked at Claire, then spoke, "Some other time perhaps, if that's alright. We need to get back."
"This is a pie Fred and I made for the family. To thank you for allowing Fred and Bran to come for supper." Claire added and handed the pie to Jane.
"We enjoyed having the lad." Jamie continued.
"He is such a joy. So well behaved." Claire amended.
Jane smiled. "He's in the kitchen now. Tell'n his mam all about it. Thank ye kindly for the pie. We'll have a piece with our coffee. It smells delicious, Claire."
Jamie took Claire's arm and they left the way they came. When they turned to climb back into the truck, Jane and Seamus waved from the door. "See ye in church tomorrow," Jane shouted.
Claire waved in return and climbed in. Jamie slipped in beside her. "Are ye alright Claire?" He asked.
"Yes," was all she said and she turned and kissed his cheek. "Jane is a friend, I'm sure. But those women, Jamie, they won't scare me away. I'll be back."
He looked at her and smiled. "I never doubted ye, Claire."
Taking a back road was all he said. Liar. They were parked. On the top of some hill that overlooked Broch Mordha.
"Seriously Jamie?" Claire said incredulously. "You've take'n me Parking at some Make out spot?"
Jamie returned her look with one of confusion. "What is Parking? What is Make out spot?"
He seriously had no idea, she told herself. "How did you hear about this lovely view?" She asked and waved an hand at the window.
"Rabbie. Fred and Tomas' brother. Why?" Jamie asked. "Do ye no care for the view? There are several other cars up here. They seem te like it. Do ye think if it were light, we could see Lallybroch from here?" He leaned forward to look.
Like the 6 inches was going to give him a much better view, Claire said to herself. "Yes, there are several other vehicles up here, Jamie. All parked. Enjoying a view." She said slowly, as she looked at the cars on either side of them. Both with steamed up windows. "It was nice of Rabbie to recommend it."
"It was, wasn't it?" He said and turned to Claire and smiled. "He said today, with it be'n your last night and all, I might want to do something special with ye."
"And he recommended this, did he?" She asked with a smirk.
"Yes, he said the view was nice and that you would really enjoy it up here."
"Oh, I'm sure he did and I'm sure I will" and she giggled.
"What's so funny, Sassenach?"
"Jamie, this is a make out spot. Where people, mostly teens, come to suck face." She said and out right laughed, flopping back in the seat and looking up at the truck's headliner. Jamie had brought her here to make out. She was quite sure her face was bright red from embarrassment.
"Suck face?"
"Engage in amorous kissing. Passionate petting. Stealing Bases. The four F's... Pick your descriptor, Jamie."
"Amorous and passionate kissing, aye Claire, I ken those. But what is petting, steal bases or four f's?" He turned to look at her.
"Oh, you really don't know, do you?" Claire said and turned on the seat so she now faced him. "Wwweelll then, let me educate you, my love." and she walked her fingers down the the back of the truck's seat until she reached his shoulder.
Jamie watched out of the corner of his eye as her fingers finally rested on his shoulder. From that perch, Claire used her fingers to trace his, ear and jawline. It tickled. He turned to look at her and when he did, she licked her lips, so slowly, that he found himself mirroring her tongue. She gently bit her lower lip and looked at up at him through her lashes. He sucked in a breath and pulled on his own lip in return.
Claire slowly leaned forward, with her lips slightly apart, only looking at his mouth as she did. She came 95% of the way and stopped.
Jamie could hardly breath. He couldn't take her eyes off her mouth. He wet his own as she moved closer, preparing to kiss him. Her hand guiding his chin... And then she stopped. He pulled back and looked at her. She was waiting, eyes closed, for him to kiss her. He smiled. He could play this game.
He moved his lips closer, almost touch hers. A piece of paper would not fit between them and then he paused. He counted, 1, 2, 3 and softly touched her lips with his. They melted into each other. A kiss like no other. His Sassenach released a quiet moaned. That soft, sweet noise that make him loon for her. She opened her mouth and received his tongue, just tips, touching. Jamie turned his head, so their noses were no longer in the way and he could press his lips to her, harder; open his mouth wider, insert more of his tongue. And when the kiss was done, and they separated, they were both panting. Hard.
"First Base" Claire struggled to say. "The first "F" - French Kissing. And sighed.
Jamie smiled and turned on the seat to face her. "French Kissing?"
"It's kissing with tongues." and she sighed, a second time. "You are one hell of a kisser, you know that?"
"Thank you, Sassenach" and he smiled.
Claire picked up Jamie's hand and kissed the palm before moving it under her jumper and placing it on her breast. She knew Jamie did not need any coaching from that point on, so she leaned in to be kissed again. Jamie obliged her with yet another passionate kiss as his thumb found that Claire was still without her wee corset. He gently rubbed her nipple, until it was like a hard, wee nut, and Claire both moaned and sighed. As he thought about what he could do to it, if it were only in his mouth; the sounds he could elicit from her then. His finger and thumb began to pinch and pull on the nipple at the very thought, making Claire gasp.
Jamie's other hand moved to the back of her neck and pulled her head closer to him. He wasn't finished French kissing her yet. With their lips locked, he slid out from behind the steering wheel, shifting to the middle of the bench seat and, with a little sadness, he removed his hand from her breast and lifted Claire onto his lap. Both his hands coming to rest on her beautiful, round arse. Better. Claire grabbed Jamie's face with both her hands and began to French Kiss with an whole new vigor. She licked his lips and as he tried to pull her into a kiss, she pulled away. She pulled her jumper off and let it drop to the floor. Only as she pulled her blouse free from her skirt's waistband did she allowed Jamie to capture her mouth again. Jamie needed no direction. With her blouse free, he slipped his hands under the shirt tail and around her waist. As their tongues danced, his hands moved upward until he was messaging one nipple, pulling and twisting the other.
Claire broke the kiss and leaned back and moaned, loudly, with pleasure. "Mouth." she gasped. "Nipple. Please" she moaned again and rocked against his groin as her fingers furiously unbuttoned her top.
Jamie pushed the blouse open as Claire raised up on her knees and leaned in, offering her bare breasts to him. Jamie first licked then suckled her left breast like it was that piece of chocolate.
"Other. Please." Claire begged as her hands found purchase tangled in Jamie's hair.
"Oh God, Claire," he managed to utter as he moved to the other breast. Jamie gave ministration to the right, with equal fervor. Growling as he did. His hand reached to cup her between her legs, the heel of his hand rubbing her sweet spot.
"Second Base," Claire whispered as he released her breast. "The second F – Feeling Up."
Claire started to move her hips in rhythm with Jamie's hand. She couldn't help it. She wanted, no needed, friction, to feel him, to rub his very noticeable hard on with her extremely wet crotch. He was making a not so private tent out of his kilt and she wanted to dance on the pole. She released his tongue and lips and moved to his neck, sucking and biting as she unbuttoned his waistcoat and then his shirt. She shifted to kiss his chest and to lick and bite his nipples, and Jamie's hands shifted to her thighs. Claire, caught up in the moment, bit Jamie a little harder than she meant to and Jamie hissed. She stopped and looked at him. "Do you want me to stop?" She asked breathlessly. Wetting her lips.
Jamie could not focus enough to make coherent sound so he just shook his head No.
Claire smiled and slipped off Jamie's lap so she was kneeling on the floor of the truck, one knee resting on her jumper. She looked up at Jamie and their eyes meet. She smiled and lifted Jamie's kilt.
Jamie made a sound she'd never heard before, almost a sob, as he held her head between his legs, fisting her hair. Claire licked and sucked and gently fingered his balls.
Jamie groaned and lifted her face. His eyes so sated. "You," he said and kissed her.
Somehow she managed to turn around so that she was standing and scrunched over the dash as she removed her panties. Her ass practically in Jamie's face.
He instinctively he rested his cheek on her arse, kissing both of hers as he did. His hands naturally went to caress her hips and then one drifted to her honeypot. His finger ken what she wanted, needed. He glided it over her nub. Claire gasped. He moved passed it to find her wetness and the began to circle her nub. Clair shifted her weight, moving her feet and spreading her legs wider, providing him not only a better view but easier access. He took his other hand, intending to wet that finger and change hands, but when it slipped inside her... the noises. Such sweet noises she made. He could not help himself. He slipped in a second finger and he bit and then sucked her arse. Marking her left cheek and then the right. It was her fault. She put that bonnie arse in his face, what had she expect.
"Third Base" she barely uttered. "The Third F – Finger Fuck.
She turned and almost fell on Jamie. Still standing, though bent at a 90° angle, her hands resting on Jamie's shoulders. Her lips found his. So soft and sweet and gentle the kiss started became harder, more furious. His hands found purchase on her waist and slid up her sides until his thumbs could, once again, rub circles on her nipples.
Oh God, Jamie" Claire moaned. With her panties gone, he raised his kilt and he held his cock with two fingers as she sat down. On him. And he growled as he slipped inside her, tight, wet and warm honeypot. And she whimpered as he slid inside her, hard, big and long. He'd thrust up as she slammed down and when he thrust up into her as far as he could, there was a slapping sound as her arse met his ballocks. And when she slammed down, taking all of him into her, there was a wet, slippery sound. And they worked each other until they both shared the same release and fell into each others arms. Gasping for breath and their bodies wet with sweat.
"Home." Claire managed to utter into his neck, between gasps of air. "The Fourth F – Fucking."
And they both snorted, then laughed.
They thought they were being quiet when they slipped into the house, careful to quietly close the door behind them. With any luck, everyone would already be asleep in bed. They giggled and kissed and fondled each other as they made their way down the hall, straight for the stairs. They turned and Claire took the first stair when Jamie spun her around and pulled her into another passionate, wet kiss. She climbed into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, never breaking the kiss.
Murtagh stepped out into the hall from the front parlor. "There ye two are. Where have ye been? We were start'n to worry that ye might'a had trouble with the truck."
Jamie and Claire stopped kissing and Claire carefully climbed down from Jamie's body, to stand on the first step. Jamie took Claire's hand in his and slowly turned around so that they both faced his Godfather. Jamie's hair wet and windblown, waist coat unbuttoned, shirt un-tucked and several newly formed hickey's starting to appear on his neck and chest. Claire was even worse. Swollen lips, sweater dragging on the floor from one hand and her panties dangling from their joined hands, shirt un-tucked and miss-buttoned, several newly formed marks of her own on her neck (and ass) and hair as wet and windblown as Jamie's.
Both John and Frank came stand on either side of Murtagh. "What the hell happened to ye two? Did ye get stuck in a storm?" Murtagh asked, face knotted with concern as his eyes jumped back and forth between the two of them.
Claire started to giggle as Jamie replied, "Claire taught me how to play baseball."
"Well, we don't need to ask what bases he stole," Frank said. "Clearly he made it home" and he turned and walked back into the parlor.
Claire and Jamie first snorted, in an attempt to hold back the laughter that quickly followed suit. They turned and ran up the stairs.
John and Murtagh were still looking at the stairs when they hear a door close. The laird's bedroom door.
They turned in unison, their eyes falling on Frank to explain what just transpired.
"You're going to need a fresh drink for this one, fellas" Frank said as he waved the bottle of whiskey.
"I was gonna tell Jamie about the caman we found upstairs." Murtagh said to John as they walked back into the parlor. He glanced one last time at the staircase and raised his eyes to the ceiling. Sometimes, he plain and simple, did no understand his godson. He took the glass that Frank offered and swallowed it in one gulp.