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[givingback]

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[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.

[givingback]

[ Two parents to push now. Amazing. So, she just nods, letting out a soft breath. ]

All right. I know I'll never win this argument.

[ Slowly, she sits up, as if anticipating pain before she remembers what her mother did for her and she meets Claire's eyes, looking more grateful than she knows how to say. ]

[seventeenfortythree]

I kent ye were a smart lass.

[ He smiles softly and once she's sitting up, he sits up as well, though there are some cracking and popping sounds from a man unfolding himself from against a wall. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire sits up too, one leg already off the bed to steady herself. Bree gets another kiss, her hand smoothing back her hair.]

What sounds good?

[givingback]

[ Bree thinks about it for a second, rubbing her eyes. ]

Something like...soup.

[ She's thinking comfort. ]

...Chicken noodle?

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie would offer to go instead of Claire, but to be honest, he doesn't know his way around much yet, and he thinks she could get it faster. ]

Soup, and a bit of bread, Sassenach.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[And drinks. Claire has some in mind, and gets up with a last touch to Bree's hair. Good thing she slept in her clothes.]

All right. I shouldn't be more than a half hour.

[She trusts Jamie to take care of Bree in the meanwhile. With one last look at the two of them, she heads out.]

[givingback]

[ Bree shifts in the meantime, rolling onto her side to look at Jamie. ]

You stayed in a very uncomfortable position while I was asleep.

[seventeenfortythree]

I ken I would do more than that for ye, lass.

[ Jamie reaches out and lightly rushes his fingers through her hair. ]

I would take away every ounce of pain, every hurt, if I could.

[givingback]

[ Brianna knows it, and she looks at him, eyes burning just a little. ]

I know you would. Somehow I've never...I've never thought you wouldn't.

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie kisses her forehead tenderly, every ounce the concerning father. ]

When I first saw ye again it was a shock. Seeing ye all grown, not a bairn. You're beautiful, a leannan. M’ annsachd.

[ He says the words softly, thumb ghosting over the apple of her cheek. ]

[givingback]

[ His 'darlin' he said. His blessing. ]

Can I admit something to you? I just...I don't know how to say it.

[seventeenfortythree]

You can say anything ye wish, Brianna. Wi' no fear of judgment.

[ He looks at her with complete honesty. ]

Ye have my word.

[givingback]

[ Bree looks down and lets out a soft breath. ]

Since the moment I've woken up here, the first time, all that I've wanted is for...

[ She hesitates, looking down for a second before looking back at Jamie. ]

For my father to wake up.