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[givingback]

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[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.

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie softens and looks at her. ]

Mo leannan. First, ye need to ken I will never be upset if you speak of yer father. The man who raised ye ,and raised ye well. All that I wanted was for you to be safe and taken care of. Loved. And ye were.

[ He wants her to know it, that she doesn't have to censor herself. ]

Ye miss him, and that's an ache that doesna go away easily. I'm no' trying to replace yer father, Brianna. If he woke tomorrow, I would be glad for ye.

[ Not for himself, perhaps, but for her. ]

[givingback]

[ He's a good man. An incredible man, really. She understands why her mother loves him so much. ]

And what should I call you? It doesn't feel right, to just call you by your first name.

[seventeenfortythree]

Ye can call me anything ye'd like. First name or...

[ He thinks about it quietly for a moment before looking at her. ]

Ye could call me 'da.' If ye wish. It's simple, ye ken.

[givingback]

Da.

[ Bree looks at him, eyes watery, and she nods, swallowing. Why that's the thing that makes this little dam break she isn't sure, but suddenly she's fighting real tears. ]

I think I really need you and mama right now.

[ She pushes her hands under her eyes, trying to keep the tears away but they're falling anyway. ]

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Jamie moves into action quickly and his arms wrap around her, one hand cradling the back of her head as she falls apart. He rocks slowly, whispering quietly to her. ]

Mo leannan. It's all right. I have ye, lass. Much, mo naoidheachan, much.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Of course, this is when Claire returns, a bag in one arm full of soup containers and a bag on the other arm with tiny bottles of sugary drinks she hopes won't kill Jamie and that Bree will like. To say she's hurried would be an understatement--the woman's hair is a mess, and she's winded and a little sweaty despite the cold. Did she run? Perhaps.

Perhaps she just sensed that Bree really needed her. A good thing Jamie has it all in hand, then, but there's no denying that it breaks her heart to see.

Setting the items down on the small table for two in the room, she sits on the bed beside the two, putting a hand on Bree's back. She wonders if she should take her from Jamie, but--no. He has her.]

Oh, baby. My sweet baby.

[givingback]

[ She meant it, when she said she needed them both, and she shifts just a little for them to both hold her. ]

When does this part stop?

[seventeenfortythree]

[ Her anguish makes Jamie feel as though he's drowning, and tears threaten as he looks at Claire.

When does it stop?

Naked behind a blade of grass. ]

Mo muirninn. It doesn't. [ His voice is low, quiet. He's glad Claire is here, after all. ] No' for a while. But eventually, the pain no one can heal fades away. Ye find reasons to smile again, to be all right. People who love you never stop telling ye so.

[ Jamie's tears fall, silently, onto the top of Brianna's head. ]

Ye stop blamin' yourself. Stop feeling as though you should've done something to keep it from happening. Once ye understand you survived, mo chridhe, your heart begins to feel less heavy. Day by day until in a moment, ye feel as if ye can feel joy again.

[ He's held her, through all of this, but now he pulls her back, just enough to see her face, so that she can see his. ]

I survived it. And I ken my daughter is stronger than I. So you will survive it, too.