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[givingback]

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[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie nods, trusting his wife, knowing he has his wife to turn to, knowing they'll be able to take care of their daughter together. ]

I'll be fine. I'll be fine for Bree.

[ But. ]

If I need you, I won't hide it.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Good. I'll be very cross if you do, James Fraser.

[She manages a smile for him, tucking some of his hair behind his ear.]

She's lucky to have you for a father.

[seventeenfortythree]

Well. We'll see how good I do in the days to come. Holding her, that's been the easy part. I dinnae think I ever want to let her go.

[ If he holds her just like this, then nothing can happen to her. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

It's good that she wants to be held.

[He hadn't wanted her to touch him at all.]

She'll always be our baby, no matter how big she gets.

[seventeenfortythree]

When I thought of her, I always imagined a babe. An infant I could cradle in my arms.

[ It's been so very confusing to reconcile the two images. What's real versus what he'd imagined. ]

My gift to you. And your gift to me.

[nineteenfortyfive]

She's no infant, but she's small enough to cradle. Or, really, you're big enough to do it.

[She huffs out a small breath of air. Almost, but not quite, a laugh.]

You mush be squished against the wall, there.

[seventeenfortythree]

It doesna matter. Whatever aches, I'll work them out in the morning. I won't move and displace her.

[ He doesn't care what hurts he has when Brianna wakes. It's worth it. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

I might wake her in an hour or so to eat. She got sick, when she came out of stasis. You could do with more food, too.

[Claire, also. She's been so happy, then so worried, then so utterly heartsick that filling her own belly hasn't occurred to her.]

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie nods, deferring to her for what's best for Brianna right now. ]

If ye think it's wise, though I dinnae have an appetite myself.

[nineteenfortyfive]

I doubt she will, either. But we all need to keep up our strength. You and I aren't going to sleep much, so we must eat.

[She cups his cheek.]

Do it for me, hmm?

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie's head turns and he lets out a breath, kissing her palm. ]

Anything for you, then. A little, if ye decide to wake her.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Her thumb traces his bottom lip.]

I love you.

[A strange time to say it, maybe, but it feels like too long since she last has.]

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie reaches with his free hand to cover her own. ]

I love ye, Sassenach. Every part of me burns for ye.

[nineteenfortyfive]

You've given me the most perfect children a mother could ask for.

[Be they blood or found in a brothel in Paris.]

And while I'm worried for her, I know that she'll be all right with you by her side to guide her through this. You have such a good heart.

[seventeenfortythree]

Ye realize, Claire, this is the first time I've...

[ He stops. She knows. Everything with Brianna he's experiencing as a parent for the first time. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She does know. It's the first time he's held his daughter in bed, first time he's held them both. Claire strokes his cheek, wishing she could hug him, but she can't even entertain the thought of not having Bree against her.]

I know. There are going to be a lot of firsts, Jamie. A lot of good ones.

The first time she chooses you over me, for example.

[seventeenfortythree]

[ He kisses the back of Bree's head softly. ]

We'll see about that.

[ But the thought does make him smile a little. And then he settles again, feeling the steady rise and fall of his daughter against his chest. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She thinks about telling him about the bruises she saw. The blood. But Jamie can surely imagine it enough on his own, so there's no need to torture him with the confirmation of his nightmares.]

We're lucky she sleeps like a rock.

[seventeenfortythree]

Like you.

[ He's always been alert; conditioned from years of sleeping under the stars, needing to be able to wake at a moment's notice, run, fight, or otherwise. ]

It only means she's never had any reason to truly fear sleep.

[ Christ, he hopes she doesn't now. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Or like him after a romp in the sheets, but if Bree might overhear it, Claire decides to keep it to herself.]

You'll keep her safe so that will continue. I always slept best in those arms of yours.

[Which she misses, but she will gladly, gladly, gladly hand them over to Bree. She needs him more than Claire does now.]

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie's quiet, his fingers raking through Bree's hair tenderly. He has no idea how long passes before his eyes lift to Claire's. ]

Should we wake her?

[nineteenfortyfive]

[To say she's content is a lie, but Claire is fine to let the silence drape over them as she listens to Bree's breathing. When Jamie speaks, she's not sure if either of them drifted off at all, or if they were just here, quiet.]

Yes. I'll do it.

[So as not to startle her. Claire kisses her forehead, touching her hair with a heavier hand, and speaks at her normal volume.]

Bree, darling. Wake up. It's time to eat.

[givingback]

[ Bree slowly opens her eyes, but instead of making a real effort she burrows down into the warmth surrounding her. ]

I don't wanna eat, mama.

[seventeenfortythree]

Lass.

[ Jamie speaks softly and kisses the back of Brianna's head. ]

I ken ye likely haven't eaten in hours. Neither have I. Perhaps we could eat together.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[It's about the response she expected.]

The both of you need sustenance. You'll feel better with something in your stomach, Bree.