I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "Outlander". Well, we've finally made it to the big wedding, and I hope all of you like it. This is also the conclusion to this story. I hope you enjoy the final chapter and a special thank you to everyone that has taken the time to follow this story. I had an amazing time writing it and I look forward to writing more "Outlander" fanfictions in the future. As always, thanks for following/favoriting and commenting.
Chapter 22
A Very Special Day
The day has finally arrived, and Claire is truly ecstatic. She has been awake since dawn getting preparations underway and now she is making her way to the fitting room where her daughter is getting ready. Claire smiles as she thinks about how she nearly missed this day and is thankful that she's able to take part in it. She has always envisioned the day as being exciting and grand, a day that she'd remember always. As Claire opens the door to the tiny fitting room, her heart warms at the sight of her daughter. Her wedding dress is more beautiful than it was when she had seen her wear it in the boutique and her hair is in an elegant updo adding the final touch. Claire knows that there's some sort of magic surrounding her daughter on her very special day today.
As Bree catches sight of her in the reflection of the mirror, Claire can't help but think about catching her as a child in an adorable toilet paper dress. She had her stuffed bear Teddy as the groom and the two stood in front of the fireplace pretending it was an altar. Claire smiles at the memory, just as Bree turns to face her. "Hi mama." Her smile widens as she makes her way further into the room. "You look very beautiful, Bree." Bree gives her a dazzling smile back. "Thank you, mama." Claire puts her hands on both her arms. "I have something for you." She makes her way over to her change purse sitting on the table and pulls out her mother's most cherished hair comb. It's adorned with elegant diamonds and dates a few generations back. Her Uncle Lamb had told her that her great great grandfather had given it to her great great grandmother on their wedding day. She reveals the precious heirloom to Bree. "This hair piece has been passed down through my family for generations. Every woman in my family has worn it on their wedding day." Bree stares at the splendid comb in wonder for a few moments. "I thought you could use this as your something borrowed." Her daughter's smile widens, as she takes the comb from her hands gently.
Claire smiles as Bree's eyes take in every detail of the antique. "The initial B located on the back of the comb indicates our family's last name, Beauchamp." Bree gives her hair comb back to her with a smile. "Can you help me put it in my hair?" Claire gives her daughter a nod before Bree turns to face the mirror once more. She gently places the comb into her beautiful red hair with a smile. "Thank you, mama. I now have everything I need to get married." Claire feels happy tears begin to glisten within her eyes.
Bree quickly turns and gives her a hug. "Why are you crying, mama?" She pulls back from her daughter and touches the side of her face. "I'm crying because I'm so happy for you, Bree." Bree leans in for another hug and the two stand there together embracing for the next several minutes. Claire smooths the top of her daughter's long red hair like she used to when she was a child and smiles at their proximity. There was a time not so long ago, when she was estranged from Bree, and they were practically strangers. She had kept her daughter at a distance because she hadn't been able to share her secret regarding Jamie. Her past and Brianna's true paternity had been the impenetrable wall that had separated them.
Now, as she stands here holding her beautiful daughter in her arms, Claire is in awe at how far they've come since those dark years of their relationship. She regrets now not telling Bree about her time travel adventure sooner, but she's glad she finally knows. "Mama." Claire pulls back from her daughter and gives her a smile. "What is it, Bree?" Bree smiles at her in return. "I wanted to ask you sooner, but it never came up." A few moments pass by, before her daughter's voice fills the room once more. "I know it's not tradition, but I was hoping that you'd walk me down the aisle with da. I want both of you to be apart of this." Claire feels tears start to glisten within her eyes, as she brings her daughter back into her arms for another warm embrace. "I would be truly honored to accompany you down the aisle." She gives her daughter a gentle squeeze, just as the door to the fitting room opens.
Claire reluctantly let's go of Bree and turns to see Gloria standing in the doorway. "Pictures are in five minutes, ladies." She gives her daughter's best friend a nod and then turns back to Bree. "We should probably both touch up our make-up a bit." Claire watches Bree look over at the mirror and see her disheveled reflection. "I see what you mean. My make-up bag is on the table in the corner." Claire gives her a nod and then walks over to retrieve the make-up bag. They both assist each other with tidying up their smudged make-up and quickly make their way to their pictures.
As they reach their destination, Claire smiles when she spots Jamie standing in his tuxedo looking impossibly sexy. As if he senses her, he turns, and their eyes meet. Even after all these years, Claire's heart still skips a beat at the sight of her husband. Sometimes she's amazed at how much she loves him; how much they love each other. Claire feels the magnetic force between them and can't help but be drawn to him across the room. "Yer lookin verra bony today, Sassenach." She gives him a wry smile. "And your looking rather sexy yourself." Jamie gives her a smirk and suddenly pulls her closer to him. They both lean in for a kiss, but their quickly interrupted by Gloria. "You two lovebirds need to break it up. Bree requested that you both be in the pre-wedding pictures, even though I tried to convince her, that it was a bad idea. I knew the two of you would be all over each other." Claire feels a flush of embarrassment, as she let's go of Jamie, and starts towards Bree. She welcomes them both with a smile and then Claire watches her daughter's eyes travel over to her father for a beat. She turns to see Jamie staring proudly at their daughter. "Ye look beautiful, Breeh." She then turns to see Bree smile at Jamie in return. "Thank you, da." Jamie gives their daughter a sweet smile and the three spend the next hour taking pictures with the rest of the wedding party.
After the pictures, everyone gets in their proper positions for the wedding. Claire is happy that Bree has asked her to take on more of a role in the wedding, as she takes her rightful spot next to Bree. She then steals a glance over to see Jamie standing on the opposite side. He gives her a smile. "I see that ye had to steal mi moment, Sassenach." Claire gives him a glare. "I didn't intend to steal your moment. I am only honoring the wishes of our daughter on her wedding day." Jamie snickers in response. "Aye, but ye dinna go fightin gainst it, did ye?" She shakes her head at Jamie playfully. "I'd never dream of missing the chance to be apart of our daughter's wedding, especially since mothers of the bride are typically escorted to their seats to watch the father's have all the fun." Claire watches as Jamie shakes his head and smirks at her response.
The music suddenly starts playing and Bree holds out both her arms for them to take. Claire gently loops her arm through her daughter's and feels an immense warmness wash over her. As they wait for their turn to walk in, she turns to Bree with a smile. "We're so happy for you, Bree. Cherish this day always." Bree gives her a smile. "Aye, we love ye Breeh, yer the sun that's shinin in our wee world." Jamie gives her a kiss on the top of her head and Claire can't help but smile at the scene. As they make their way down the long aisle, she can't help but ponder over the art of time once more. If there's one truth she's learned about time, it's that it takes a great deal from a person, but then it gives back more than anyone could imagine.