[ Bree leans into him, letting out a breath and resting her head on his shoulder. ]
No. I like it. I like that I can call you da. And I'm glad that you're awake. It isn't just me who needs you, you know. Mama and Fergus need you, too. Fergus takes care of both of us, but Mama's different. Her...
[ Bree pauses to try and explain it better. ]
She does well without you, but with you, it's more obvious. She's a whole person now that you're awake.
[ It makes his heart warm to hear, and Jamie drops a kiss to the top of her head. ]
The time we were apart, it was as if the other half of my heart was missing, so I think I ken what ye mean. We're whole together, never comfortable apart.
[ Jamie kisses her head again, then revises his statement a bit. ]
We were happy, but our house wasna as full without ye there. She missed ye. Verra much, Brianna. Now we're here together so it doesna matter much, but her heart ached for ye, every day.
[ Now, Bree wraps her arms around him fully, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. His hugs definitely don't disappoint, and she's so glad that this is easy between them. The sense of guilt and betrayal she had briefly is gone now.
Her father will always be her father. Jamie will always be her da. And it's alright because Jamie's alright. ]
Thank you. For being here now. For taking care of me.
[ Jamie doesn't disappoint with his hug, wrapping her up so fully in his arm and kissing her temple. One hand rests between her shoulder blades, the other on the back of her head as his thumb rubs her scalp, soothing. ]
Ye dinna have to thank me for loving you, a leannan. I always will. I always have. Now. Are ye ready to hear stories of your family? Perhaps it will soothe ye into a peaceful night of sleep.
[ He hopes, he hopes he's soothing to her, but he would understand if she would rather not. ]
[ How much he loves her is obvious in the way he holds her now, but she pulls back with a soft smile. ]
I'd like to hear stories.
[ Scooting up the bed, she puts the book properly in its place on her nightstand, then shifts to the edge of one side, leaving room for him to stretch out if he wants to. Her bed isn't exactly giant Scotsman sized. ]
[ Jamie is surprised, and touched, that she wants him close; maybe he shouldn't be so surprised, considering she wanted both he and Claire to hold her in Nadril. Carefully, he lays beside her, on his side with his head propped on his elbow. ]
Perhaps I should start, wi' how yer grandparents met.
[ He smiles deciding that yes, that's a good place, and he begins to tell the story of Ellen and Brian Fraser, how his mother defied her uncles, how his father defied his own and built Lallybroch for his family. He tells her everything good of his childhood, of Jenny, of his parents and their love for one another. Jamie keeps his voice low but it's still rich and full of life and passion for the story he's telling his daughter, every now and again, reaching out to stroke her hair. It's exactly as his mother's was, and it makes him emotional to see that his child looks so much like her. ]
[ Bree listens with rapt attention until she begins to get tired. When that happens, she moves closer to Jamie, letting him wrap his arms around her. She doesn't realize when she drifts to sleep, but soon she's completely out, breathing deep and evenly.
[ When he feels her start to go boneless, Jamie gather her to his chest, fingers stroking the back of her head as he switches to Gaelic. He tells her even more, of how he felt the first time he ever saw Claire, how nervous he was to be a good enough husband to her. How easily the love came for him.
He has no idea how long he lays there with her, going quiet, kissing her forehead every now and then, listening to her breathe. ]
[When Jamie quite late in coming to bed once Claire finished cleaning up, she begins to worry. She gives it a bit. Sets out his clothes for the morning. Sets out her clothes. Pulls down the bedding so he can slip in easily. Fluffs the pillows. But then it's too much, and the concern to great, and so she quietly pads over to Bree's room to make sure they're both all right.
Apparently, they're more than all right. The sight takes her breath away, seeing him hold her, soothing her with his voice.
She lingers at the doorway for a bit, wondering how the hell she's so lucky to have them both, before daring to break the magic by stepping into the room.
But instead of squeezing in behind Bree, she chooses to fit herself against Jamie's other side without a word. There. Now he can hold them both.]
[She teases, voice quiet, and her hand reaching out to stroke Bree's arm. This might have been the proper way for all of them to cuddle up. It's easy for Claire to see their daughter, and brush away stray strands of hair from her face.]
[ He lets out a breath, watches as Bree smiles again in her sleep, and could weep with pride and joy. ]
She's beautiful, Claire. To be able to hold her, tell her stories. I cannae...
[ Claire had that, he didn't, and now he's like a man with vision for the first time, unable to believe it, that he's doing this himself when all he could do before was dare to hope for a 'one day' that would likely never come. ]
And she wants this. She wouldn't be right here if she didn't like it, you realize.
[She accepts him. Claire worried, for a little while, how complicated her feelings might be, torn between two fathers. The thing is, she's not choosing. There's no one to betray.]
A gift from me to you, and you to me. But I think the real gift is finally, finally seeing the two of you together. She's no baby, no little girl, but she still fits well in your arms, doesn't she?
Aye, I'll be fine. And I'm glad ye said so. I'm no' ready to leave her.
[ He would, if Claire thought it best, but no. He'd rather stay, rather hold her, comfort her on the spot if she needs it. After a few eats, he looks over at Claire again. ]
She told me herself the nightmares come when she's alone.
[But, they've figured that out already. She only really cries out for her when she's not there.]
... all of it?
[France, being what it was, isn't full of many happy memories for either of them. So, when telling Bree and Roger of their time there, she skipped over quite a lot.]
[ But they so rarely speak her name aloud, a name they didn't give her. A name given because neither of them could. He wonders if she's in stasis somewhere like other dead, like Frank, but he doesn't dare ask. ]
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M’ annsachd means 'my blessing.'
[ Because she is, because she's here, because she's with him. ]
And a leannan means...well. It means 'my darlin'.'
[ He raises his eyebrow slightly. ]
Do ye mind, overmuch if I call ye those things?
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No. I like it. I like that I can call you da. And I'm glad that you're awake. It isn't just me who needs you, you know. Mama and Fergus need you, too. Fergus takes care of both of us, but Mama's different. Her...
[ Bree pauses to try and explain it better. ]
She does well without you, but with you, it's more obvious. She's a whole person now that you're awake.
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The time we were apart, it was as if the other half of my heart was missing, so I think I ken what ye mean. We're whole together, never comfortable apart.
[ Jamie kisses her head again, then revises his statement a bit. ]
We were happy, but our house wasna as full without ye there. She missed ye. Verra much, Brianna. Now we're here together so it doesna matter much, but her heart ached for ye, every day.
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[ She really can't imagine it, she doesn't want to. ]
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[ He'll fight whatever Natha he has to, to make it happen. ]
And ye won't be alone. No' through any of it.
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Her father will always be her father. Jamie will always be her da. And it's alright because Jamie's alright. ]
Thank you. For being here now. For taking care of me.
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Ye dinna have to thank me for loving you, a leannan. I always will. I always have. Now. Are ye ready to hear stories of your family? Perhaps it will soothe ye into a peaceful night of sleep.
[ He hopes, he hopes he's soothing to her, but he would understand if she would rather not. ]
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I'd like to hear stories.
[ Scooting up the bed, she puts the book properly in its place on her nightstand, then shifts to the edge of one side, leaving room for him to stretch out if he wants to. Her bed isn't exactly giant Scotsman sized. ]
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Perhaps I should start, wi' how yer grandparents met.
[ He smiles deciding that yes, that's a good place, and he begins to tell the story of Ellen and Brian Fraser, how his mother defied her uncles, how his father defied his own and built Lallybroch for his family. He tells her everything good of his childhood, of Jenny, of his parents and their love for one another. Jamie keeps his voice low but it's still rich and full of life and passion for the story he's telling his daughter, every now and again, reaching out to stroke her hair. It's exactly as his mother's was, and it makes him emotional to see that his child looks so much like her. ]
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And she smiles in her sleep. ]
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He has no idea how long he lays there with her, going quiet, kissing her forehead every now and then, listening to her breathe. ]
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Apparently, they're more than all right. The sight takes her breath away, seeing him hold her, soothing her with his voice.
She lingers at the doorway for a bit, wondering how the hell she's so lucky to have them both, before daring to break the magic by stepping into the room.
But instead of squeezing in behind Bree, she chooses to fit herself against Jamie's other side without a word. There. Now he can hold them both.]
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She's calling me 'da,' Claire.
[ The pride in his voice is immense. ]
She wanted to hear stories of family, I sent her to sleep that way. Hopefully in peace.
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[She teases, voice quiet, and her hand reaching out to stroke Bree's arm. This might have been the proper way for all of them to cuddle up. It's easy for Claire to see their daughter, and brush away stray strands of hair from her face.]
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[ He lets out a breath, watches as Bree smiles again in her sleep, and could weep with pride and joy. ]
She's beautiful, Claire. To be able to hold her, tell her stories. I cannae...
[ Claire had that, he didn't, and now he's like a man with vision for the first time, unable to believe it, that he's doing this himself when all he could do before was dare to hope for a 'one day' that would likely never come. ]
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[She accepts him. Claire worried, for a little while, how complicated her feelings might be, torn between two fathers. The thing is, she's not choosing. There's no one to betray.]
Her da brings her comfort.
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It's all I've ever wanted, Sassenach. To take care of her. Of you. Both of ye, always.
[ Jamie smiles softly, looking at Claire over Brianna. ]
Ye gave me an incredible gift, Claire.
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[He'd never let her go if he could, she knows.]
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[ He shakes his head but it's in happy awe. ]
Should we leave her to rest or stay?
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[Her bed is nicer than what they had in Nadril, so there's no need for all his bones to crack when he gets up later.]
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[ He would, if Claire thought it best, but no. He'd rather stay, rather hold her, comfort her on the spot if she needs it. After a few eats, he looks over at Claire again. ]
I told about France. All of it.
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[But, they've figured that out already. She only really cries out for her when she's not there.]
... all of it?
[France, being what it was, isn't full of many happy memories for either of them. So, when telling Bree and Roger of their time there, she skipped over quite a lot.]
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[ It's his one-word answer as he rubs the back of Brianna's head. ]
I didna realize she had no knowledge of her.
[ Not said in accusation, just a reason why he felt the need to explain. ]
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Was she angry?
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[ Jame reaches, to touch Claire's cheek softly. ]
I do think of her as well. Often.
[ But they so rarely speak her name aloud, a name they didn't give her. A name given because neither of them could. He wonders if she's in stasis somewhere like other dead, like Frank, but he doesn't dare ask. ]
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