Authors Note: Welcome to this chapter! This episode is a little filler and a little getting to know the family and another perspective flip with Ian's thoughts at the beginning. Content WARNING, there's some smut here at the beginning between Ian and Merida. I think this is the last intimate moment so I wanted to include it.

As always a big special thank you to MaidenoftheSummer on reddit for reading and giving me advice on the chapter.

Historical notes: People in the middle ages didn't really believe that the baby could hear people in the womb, but I like to think Vevina gave that advice to help her son and Merida feel calmer about the baby. Birthdays were not typically celebrated in the middle ages, most peasants celebrated their saints day, which is typically who they were named after. A royals birthday (at least a kings) would include a feast and presents were given (those origins go back to ancient Egypt). So I'm combining a lot of different elements here. Also do you know how hard it is to think of gifts that would be around then? That was also a lot of thinking power lol.

Culture note: None specific.

Ian of clan MacGuffin kissed down his wife's long beautiful neck. His wife, he thought as he took in a deep breath. Even ten months later, that was crazy to think and say. He was married with a baby on the way.

He pulled back slightly, brushing her red curls away from her face and grinned at her. Her face dim in the dying firelight as she pulled him close again, her breath hot on his ear.

He listened to her body as the blanket fell down his hips. The late March air nipped through the air but neither seemed to feel a thing. He pressed his palm against Merida's belly, feeling the faint flutter beneath his fingers. It was both surreal and grounding—a reminder of their shared future, of the life they had created together.

Merida groaned in bliss as he felt pleasure washing over him, slowly building up like before. Ian thrusted faster and harder like she had requested, like a beast in heat. Their bed bounced but thankfully didn't break.

"I-Ia-Ian," she moaned out, "Please."

"Please what?" he teased as she tightened her grip on him.

"Please don't stop," she said, closing her eyes.

She looked beautiful as he felt his release. His mouth on her breast leaving love marks his hands holding her wrists above her head. Merida shook and shivered as the orgasm rocked through her, a loud moan escaped from her. His body felt tired and his mind fuzzy with the after taste of the sweet tingling pleasure.

His member was slick as he pulled out of her as she kissed him, long and harder than normal.

"I love you, I love, I love you," she muttered, laying her head on his chest hearing his heartbeat against her ear. He was better as a pillow than the goose feather stuffed one she had, one of her arms strewn across his chest.

"I love you so much," said Ian, kissing her dark auburn curls.

Merida's blue-green eyes slipped closed as she proceeded to fall asleep on his chest. Ian could feel her hot breath against his sweaty skin and her breast felt delicious against his arm as he held her. It felt intimate with their bare skin pressed together as well as soothing. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest calmed him, a steady pulse that matched the soft thumping of his heart.

What he would give to go again and again. He wanted to give her all the children she'd ever want and pleasure her nightly if they could. He played with her curls as he stared up at the ceiling in their room and then down to her.

This was the woman he had dreamt of, the woman whose life was intertwined with his own by some grand design. As Merida nestled deeper against him, he instinctively tightened his hold, wanting to protect this fragile bubble they'd created.

Being as gentle as he could, Ian rolled her over to face him and made sure she was asleep. His blue eyes went from her face to the growing baby bump, it was getting bigger by the day.

"Hi," he whispered in the dark, as if the bump could answer him. "I can't wait to meet you."

He didn't know what to say after that and he watched her sleep. When he left for her clan to compete for her hand, he didn't think his chances were that great. His archery wasn't up to par (especially with that flimsy bow) and he hated public speaking. He would have sent Ewan if he could despite him being barely out of boyhood.

Now she is here. In his bed. Carrying their baby. And he couldn't be any happier. He felt a mixture of awe and responsibility wash over him. This was real. He wasn't fighting for Merida's hand; he was stepping into a role he had never expected this soon.

Ian could only watch her sleep, snoring lightly and her curls bouncing as she slept. She was fascinating and everyday he fell in love with her a little more than he already was. From her fiery red hair to the way she was so sure of everything she said and did was mesmerizing. He could make out a dusting of freckles on her ivory skin as he leaned in to touch her bump.

He could feel something brushing against his hand and he grinned.

His mum told him that maybe the baby could hear him. So he cradled her bump as best as he could and whispered in the dark.

"I hope you're really healthy and happy. And I love you so much. You can call me dad or daddy or da or whatever you want."

He was starting to ramble but Merida still didn't wake up as he looked up and saw her drooling a little. He wiped her chin and kissed that beautiful freckled cheek. She snorted a little in her sleep and adjusted herself.

"I'll talk to you a little every night," he said, grinning. "Like right now, I can tell you that I love potatoes with pork and your mothers hair is one of my favorite physical features of hers and I want to teach you how to swing a sword."

He laughed softly to himself.

Merida snorted a little in her sleep and he grinned. That was cute too as he sat back and thought of the last ten months. Ian expected to get married one day and was ready for the day it would happen. After all, he was training to be a lord and he had many duties and expectations that would come from it. Most of them he actually really liked and he got to go out and meet the people in the clan.

He closed his eyes and felt sleep overcome him a grin on his face.

- 1 Week Later -

Seventeen years old wasn't that different from being sixteen as Merida lazily ran a hand through her hair. Ian wasn't next to her as she tried to turn and lay her back but realized that she couldn't. Yawning she just laid her head back down before noticing something on Ian's pillow.

Balancing herself, she sat up and looked at the box sitting neatly in the middle of the pillow.

She studied the box to see it intricately decorated with wildflowers, vines, and leaves across the sides. On the top was a forest scene of a waterfall and a tumbling brook. Impressed Merida opened the box wondering what was in there.

Sitting neatly in the middle was a breakfast tart on a small plate and a note.

Happy birthday! I had to get some stuff done earlier, but I hope you like breakfast in bed, mum should be up soon after you wake up. I had this made when we first went to the market together and waited for the perfect opportunity to give it to you. You can use it as a keepsake box or as a jewelry box (although I know you don't have much). I'll be back around lunch time.

Love, Ian.

Eating the tart, she reread the letter as her gaze softened thinking about that. She still wore that brooch everyday. She was turning into a sap, she thought, with a smile.

There was a knock at the door as she adjusted herself to sit up.

"Come in."

"Happy birthday Merida," said Vevina warmly as she brought in some food on a tray for her. Eggs, sausage, and garden vegetables were all mixed together. Apple juice and toast were all artfully arranged on the tray including flowers in a vase.

"The flowers are from Ian," said Vevina with a grin. "He wanted to go all out since it's your first birthday here."

"You mean there's more than just this?" she asked grinning as remembered telling Ian that she could never pass on a good gift.

"Oh five or more from him alone to be more exact," said Vevina with a laugh. "I don't know how he knows to give a good gift, as you could see at Yule, admittedly it's not from me."

She thought back to Yule where Ian gave out handmade wooden gifts to everyone. She got an extra bow and Una got her first custom made bow. Vevina made everyone scarves, she said that took a year to do. Hers wasn't as unique as the others had been and a little thinner.

"I can't believe that he's doing all that," she said, flushing.

"I can," Vevina said with a warm grin. "He really loves you. That much is clear and everything worked out beautifully."

"I'm glad it did," said Merida, starting to eat her breakfast, "otherwise this baby wouldn't be coming anytime soon. I know it took me time but I guess it took just as long for Ian to admit he loved me. I mean it was clear he liked me and all but those feelings are different."

"Believe it or not, no. Ian was very clearly taken with you almost from the get go."

Merida looked a little taken aback at that as Vevina remembered him practically swooning despite not knowing enough about her yet. They say men fall in love quicker and that seemed to be the case with her son.

"Really?" asked Merida, a little skeptical.

"Really," she said, her voice steady with conviction. "Ian was smitten with you from the start. It might have taken you some time to notice, but he was already there, completely enchanted by you."

Merida raised an eyebrow, her skepticism still lingering. "Are you sure? He didn't seem so sure of himself at first. He was always so careful around me."

Vevina chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Oh, he was careful, indeed. But it wasn't out of uncertainty. He was patient, giving you the space to come to terms with your feelings. I saw it in the way he would look at you, how his eyes followed you around the room. He was enchanted, but he respected your pace."

A faint blush crept up Merida's cheeks, and she smiled at the memory of Ian's hesitant yet tender gestures. "I remember him being shy. There were times I thought he was just trying to be polite."

"No," Vevina said with a gentle laugh. "It was much more than politeness. He was mesmerized by you, and it was clear even to me. I saw it in the way his whole demeanor changed when you were near. He would light up just from seeing you smile."

Merida took a bite of her breakfast, savoring the rich flavors. "I guess it's hard to see those things when you're the one in the middle of it all."

"That's often the case," Vevina agreed, her eyes sparkling with affection. "But trust me, love was always there. It just took time for both of you to realize and embrace it."

Merida glanced at Vevina, her eyes reflecting gratitude and a hint of wonder. "Thank you, Vevina. It means a lot to hear that."

Vevina reached out, squeezing Merida's hand gently. "You're welcome, dear. And remember, love isn't just about grand gestures. It's in the small moments, the everyday care and support you give each other. And from what I see, you and Ian have that in spades. Now I'll let you finish your breakfast. Una and Annabel have something for you in the sewing room. Did you want help with your dress before I leave?"

Vevina helped her put on one of her favorite dresses over the baby bump and quickly finished the rest of her food.

Merida headed toward the sewing room wondering what her birthday surprise was. Her hand gently resting on her growing belly. The baby had started to kick more frequently, a constant reminder of the new life she would soon welcome into the world. As she walked, she wondered what Una and Annabel had been working on so secretly over the past few days. They'd been giggling and whispering, always shooing her away whenever she got too close.

The sewing room door was slightly ajar, and she could hear the faint sound of women working inside. Merida pushed the door open with a soft creak, and both Una and Annabel looked up, their faces lighting up with matching grins.

"Happy birthday, Merida!" Una exclaimed, hugging around her middle, her eyes twinkling clearly excited.

Annabel smiled warmly and held up a beautifully wrapped bundle of fabric. "We made something special for you," she said, her voice tinged with pride. "It's for you and the baby."

They unwrapped the bundle to reveal an exquisitely made quilt. The fabric was soft to the touch, stitched with the familiar colors and patterns of their clan. The quilt was adorned with intricate designs of thistles, heather, and tiny forest creatures.

"It's beautiful," said Merida grinning. She told herself she wasn't going to cry and give in to the pregnancy hormones (much). She ran her fingers over the delicate stitching, marveling at the care and attention that had gone into every detail. "Thank you, both of you."

Una beamed, clearly pleased with her reaction as the seven year old bounced where she stood.

"Do you want to put it in the bed?" asked Merida eagerly.

They had the room closest to theirs turned into a room for the baby. A cradle was in their room but a crib for when he was bigger was already set up. The months leading up to the infant's arrival were dedicated to a few select people to prepare. Other than clothes and bedding, many other things had to be made: tapestries to insulate the room, wooden and cloth mobiles, shelves with toys, and finally two wooden chests.

Merida pulled her new sisters into a tight embrace, the quilt still held gently in her hands. They had put the quilt with the baby items as she stepped back.

"It looks perfect," she said, turning to them. "Thank you both. We can make more stuff if you want."

Normally she wouldn't offer to spend an afternoon in the sewing room. However, it was more fun making more stuff for a baby than anything that was superficial. Vevina was taking her work for the day to enjoy time with everyone.

"Not yet Owen has something," said Annabel.

"More?" she said, feeling a little overwhelmed already. They didn't do anything nearly as big for everyone else's birthday. Ian's was back in mid-February and while she had a gift it wasn't nearly as great as this has been.

"Yep, he said it's outside but it has nothing to do with horses, archery, or swords."

"Intriguing," she said with a laugh, curiosity tingling in her voice. "Should I go out now?"

Annabel nodded eagerly, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Aye! He's waiting for you."

The day had already been filled with many surprises, and she was eager to see what else they had in store. Wrapping herself in a warm cloak, she headed toward the door, Annabel and Una all going with her, their laughter echoing down the halls.

As she stepped outside, the late March air nipped at her cheeks, but it was invigorating, filling her with a sense of anticipation. She glanced around, searching for Owen. He was standing a little ways off, near the edge of the woods, grinning from ear to ear.

"Here she is!" called Una, waving them over as Merida quickly made her way over to them.

"Close your eyes," said Owen as Merida obediently closed them and let Annabel lead her. She had seen them playing outside in their free time as she felt them stop.

"Now open them," said Owen.

She opened her eyes to see a planks of wood - sanded smooth, stained, and tied off on the tree by two long strong looking ropes.

"It's a swing! I know you can't bring a rocking chair out here, so it's the next best thing," said Owen, "I hope you like it. I tested both of them out myself."

"I helped," said Una proudly.

"And I thought a rocker would do nicely in the woods," she teased, "this is great."

She could imagine how great it would be to sit there, swaying gently with the breeze. Merida laughed and stepped closer to the swing, running her fingers over the wood.

Perhaps her baby nestled against her as she rocked gently. The thought brought a smile to her face.

"It's sturdy and comfortable," Owen said. "I made sure of it."

"Thank you, this is such a fun gift. I can't wait to use it."

As she took a seat on the swing, Merida felt its smooth surface and the sturdy support of the ropes. The swing swayed gently with her movement, and grinned at them.

"Alright well this is perfect, I don't need anything else today. Please withhold any other gifts, to stretch things out for a two day celebration."

Una and Owen giggled as Annabel just looked amused.

"You still have Ewan, Ian, and mummy and daddy's gift," said Una, "and they have the best."

"Ok don't tell me anymore," said Merida, throwing her hands up as if stopping her from talking. She wanted her surprises to be just that - a surprise. "Let's go see what Ewan has."

Merida followed Una and Owen, her curiosity piqued about Ewan's gift. They made their way to a small table in the dining room doing the accounts, where Ewan was waiting with a wrapped parcel.

He looked up and grinned at them

"Happy birthday, Merida!" Ewan said as he slid the gift across the table to her. The parcel was wrapped in simple brown paper, tied with a rough twine.

Merida looked at and slowly began to strip away the wrappings making a show of it. She untied the twine and peeled away the paper to reveal a beautifully crafted leather satchel. The leather was dark and supple, with intricate designs embossed into the surface. A few small compartments and a sturdy strap completed the gift.

"Oh, Ewan, this is great!" Merida exclaimed, running her hand over the detailed work.

"I thought it might be useful," Ewan said with a shrug and a smile on his lips. "For when you're out and about, or even for carrying your archery supplies. I helped with the design, too."

"It's perfect," Merida said, her eyes studying the patterns, he also knew how to give a good gift. "Thank you so much, Ewan. I can already see how useful it'll be."

"Let's go find Ian and see what he has in store," Una said, tugging on Merida's sleeve, eager to continue the scavenger hunt of people searching and what they had for her.

"He and your dad won't be here until lunch," says Merida with a sympathetic look.

"Then we go find Mummy," said Una determined, she was enjoying the hunt for people more then Merida did. "She's probably finishing up your gift."

They made their way to the cozy study she shared with Vevina when they wanted quiet moments. The room was filled with the rich scent of polished wood and herbs. Vevina looked up from her workbench, a small, wrapped package resting beside her.

"Hi Vevina," Merida greeted with a smile. "Una and I came to see what you've prepared."

"I guess everyone else has been giving you gifts," said Vevina with an amused look on her face. She knew that they all had something for her and her day off from work was to partake in her running around with her new siblings.

Vevina's eyes twinkled as she stood up and reached for the package. "I'm glad you stopped by. I wanted to give you something special."

Merida unwrapped the bundle to reveal a finely crafted dagger with a hilt adorned with intricate carvings. The blade was sharp and gleamed in the light, and the handle was wrapped in a dark leather that fit comfortably in the hand.

"This is for you," Vevina said, her voice filled with pride. "I thought you might appreciate another weapon in your arsenal."

Merida's eyes widened in surprise and delight. She picked up the dagger, admiring its craftsmanship and the care that had gone into making it. "Vevina, thank you. This will definitely be useful, and it's perfect for me."

Una beamed, excited to see Merida's reaction. "I knew you'd love it!"

Vevina smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like it."

Merida carefully strapped the holder on her current belt, testing the dagger's fit and weight. It felt like a perfect extension of her own skill and strength.

She had to stop hunting gifts with Una as she and Annabel went into lessons. Since Merida didn't have any duties today, she was free to do whatever she wanted.

Centering herself, she got some shooting in. Wrote a letter to her family and had some sweets as snacks.

Carefully she went out to the stables and visited both Angus and Agnes who whinnied her a happy birthday before she went to brush them until they shone. Merida really wished she could ride Angus but her pregnancy put a stall on that.

As she was lost in her thoughts, the sound of approaching hooves and voices pulled her back. She turned to see Ian and Kevin returning from their morning ride, their faces flushed from the crisp air.

"Happy birthday!" Ian called out, dismounting quickly.

He strode over to her with a grin, his eyes bright with excitement. Ian's arm snaked around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. Surprised, she kissed back before he gently rubbed her baby belly trying to feel the kicks.

That was forward before remembering they had an audience. What happened to the shy guy she once knew? Kevin only grinned as he took the saddle off his horse.

Whatever they did out there today surely put them in a good mood.

Ian's hand settling on her belly, feeling the baby's kicks.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked softly, his concern always evident when it came to her well-being.

"Pretty amazing, your family knows how to give a good present. Although I think I should have known that from Yule."

Kevin, trailing behind with a mischievous smile, added, "We got you something, but you'll have to wait until later to see it."

Merida raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, is that so? I suppose I can wait," she teased, with an exaggerated sigh and bit her bottom lip as if she'd be waiting all day. Though curiosity was already gnawing at her.

"Everyone already gave you something didn't they?" asked Ian with slight disappointment on his face. "I wish I was there to see your face instead of the McConnell's farm. They had broken fences from the storm last week."

"And we have bundles of wool," said Kevin as workers started to unload their carts.

Kevin stepped forward, handing her a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Here, a little something to keep you entertained while you wait," he said with a wink.

Merida unwrapped it carefully, revealing a set of finely crafted arrows, their fletching done in the clan's colors.

"Thank you, Kevin," she said sincerely, looking up at him. "These are great, I'll never turn down more arrows."

"We will have to make sure that quiver is full at all times," said Kevin with a grin.

"Well lunch is almost ready," said Merida as she cocked her head to the side. "Do they want any help?"

She gestured to the men carrying bundles into the castle.

"It's ok, maybe part of your gift is there," said Ian with a serious look on his face trying not to give anything away.

Well, she thought and grumbled. She would have helped if it wasn't for that.

Kevin, who had been supervising the men, noticed the interaction and walked over. "Go ahead and sit down, we'll bring it in."

Merida looked between the two men, both of whom were clearly determined to keep her from overexerting and finding out what she shouldn't. She sighed, recognizing that she wouldn't win this argument.

"Alright, alright, I'll go inside," she relented. "But don't think I'll be sitting around doing nothing."

Ian chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they turned to head back into the castle. "Wouldn't dream of it, love."

As they walked inside, the warmth of the castle enveloped them, a stark contrast to the crisp air outside. The scent of roasting meats and fresh bread filled the air, making Merida's stomach growl. The kitchen was bustling with activity as the cooks prepared the midday meal, and Merida grabbed something small when nobody was looking.

Una spotted them and rushed over.

"Merida! Ian!" she called out, her face lighting up with excitement. "You're just in time! Let's eat!"

A little while later Merida found herself sitting on their bed. Her red hair loose as she tried to find a comfortable position to lay. It was no use as she heard the door creek and Ian came in with a bag full of something in his hand.

"Here's the surprise I mentioned from earlier," says Ian, giving her a burlap bag tied with a ribbon in the clan DunBroch colors.

She gasped and eagerly untied the knot to see presents from her family. More arrows from her dad along with new leather gloves. Grandmother Moira sent her jewelry, quite a bit of it actually. It was almost everything she had.

As she reached further into the bag, her fingers brushed against something soft. She pulled out a beautifully woven tartan shawl, its deep blues and greens vibrant in the light.

"Mum made this," Merida said, her voice tinged with emotion. The wool was soft to the touch, and the craftsmanship spoke of the hours her mother must have spent at the loom. "It'll be great for the colder nights."

Then she pulled out something shaped like a book. Her grandmother's lessons must be paying off because they literally wrote a book. A title in one of her brother's handwriting called Harris, Hamish, and Hubert's Castle Adventures written in leather across the front. Inside there was a single page that read "everything we've done since you left (and we didn't get in trouble for)."

She laughed and flipped through the short pages looking at their crude drawings and colors smeared the pages from what smelled like various berries and roots. Merida could feel her cheeks growing wet before she realized she had started crying. She didn't really get a chance to feel homesick and the baby was just making her feel emotional.

"Merida?" asked Ian as he took her hand, his voice laced with concern.

"I just miss everyone," she said as he wiped her tears away and kissed her temple. "When mum told me she wasn't coming to Yule, I was kind of relieved but disappointed at the same time."

"They'll be here when the baby comes," said Ian, soothingly rubbing her back. "And they'll be here for a couple of months and soon you'll be able to travel."

"Thanks," she said softly, "I guess I just really needed to cry for a minute."

"Here I have the rest of my gift," he said as she sighed.

"Ian, I think you gave me enough already," she said with a grin. "Breakfast in bed, the flowers, the keepsake box."

"I just want to give you everything you deserve," he said as she thought back, way back, to when they met.

She wasn't exactly the same person she was when they met compared to who she was now. She grew both in waist size and as a person. How would he know what she deserved?

"Ian," she said as he pressed a fabric wrapped gift in her hand.

"It's just some small stuff I picked up over the last year. I thought you'd like them. It probably isn't as good as my family's gifts, but I hope you like them."

Sighing but with a grin she opened it to find hair combs - three to be exact, one with a design of thistles and heather, another with a bow and arrow on it, the last with the MacGuffin crest.

Ian brought out a small pouch of dried herbs. "This is something my mum insisted on," he said sheepishly. "She said it's good for calming the nerves… thought it might help with, you know… everything."

Ian grinned, and with a shy smile, he handed her a small leather pouch to hang on her belt. It was finely crafted, the soft leather dyed a deep, rich brown. The stitching was intricate, with a pattern that reminded Merida of the hills and forests.

Finally, she found a small leather pouch filled with polished stones. Each stone was unique, with different colors and patterns. She looked up at Ian, curiosity in her eyes. "They're lucky stones," Ian said, a bit embarrassed. "I collected them from different places we've been. I thought… maybe they'd bring us good fortune."

Merida only glanced at what was left: a leather-bound journal, intricately embossed with designs from their clan, a set of hand-carved wooden figurines depicting various forest animals, and a finely crafted leather belt with intricate Celtic knots etched into it. Before throwing her arms around him in a hug. Ian looked a little startled but hugged back as best as he could around her belly.

"Thank you," she said after pulling away. "This was all really thoughtful and… and…." This baby was making her feel things that she didn't want to feel.

"Don't get too used to it," he teased. "After this year it's one gift and probably not as thoughtful."

"You used all the thoughtful gift ideas too soon," she said with a grin. "Now what are you going to do to surprise me?"

"I could think of a few things," he said, pulling her in for a kiss, her hair tickling his face.

They talked late into the night, reminiscing over past adventures and dreaming about their future as a family. Ian's hand rested gently on Merida's growing belly, feeling the subtle shifts and movements of their baby. Conversation turned to more names like Lilias, Fiona, and Shona for girls or Brenden, Killian, or Duncan for boys.

As exhaustion began to set in, Ian gently helped Merida adjust her position in bed, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. He tucked the shawl around her shoulders, the warmth of the wool a comforting embrace that reminded her of her family.

And in the quiet of their room, as the soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the window, Merida dreamed of the future—of their growing family and the adventures yet to come.