Wedding Bells

Jamie was on the mend before I saw him again. The man that I saw then wasn't the man I saw lying in Claire's clinic. The color had returned, the light in his eyes was brighter than before. Jamie was the strong and stubborn Scot I knew once again.

Because of everything that happened, Kaeden and I didn't get married like he'd promised. I didn't want to get married while my father was dipping between life and death.

At some point I did go visit him. He was angry Claire wouldn't let him out of bed even though his leg was healing.

"Good morning, Mo Nighean." (My daughter.) He smiled, looking over his tiny glasses and away from his book.

"Good morning. How are you feeling?" I asked, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"Good, but yer Ma won't let me get up." He chuckled.

"She told me to tie you down if you tried."

"Mmm, that woman."

"Ew. Anyways," I brushed some hair behind my ear. "Kaeden and I want to get married. But, we decided to wait because..." I motioned a hand to him. "Now that you're better..."

"Yes," He exclaimed. "We will do it this weekend. Get yer Ma." His grin was wild. I hadn't seen him so in so long. "I shall get her." Jamie tossed the book to his side and quickly got out of bed. I stifled a laugh before following him closely.

"Claire!" He yelled through the house. Claire came quickly from her clinic, wiping her hands on her apron.

"James Fraser. I told you not to leave that bed."

"Claire, our daughter is getting married!" He shouted, finally stopping in front of Claire.

"Oh how wonderful. Marsali, Bree and I will start working on everything." Her hand brushed my bicep. I think at some point my parents decided that they'd stop pushing themselves on me. They'd only make physical contact if I initiated it. I typically recoiled from their attempts. Not that I didn't want it.... It was just something new even after the time of being with them. There wasn't anything wrong with them. If anything the little girl inside me wanted their hugs, their love, but my fears always overtook me.

"Now," she turned back to Jamie "Get your Scottish ass back in bed." She raised a skinny eyebrow to him. He conceded, kissing her before he went upstairs. I followed as she directed me to, making sure he didn't stumble.

"I have a question for you." I stated, guiding him back to the bed.

"Yes?" He said, folding back into the bed.

"Can you, um, walk me down the aisle or whatever they do at a wedding?" Some tears came to his eyes with a smile.

"I'd be honored."

"Thank you.... Da...." I smiled back.

Within hours, the house was bustling as preparations were being made. Jamie was determined to have us married tomorrow. I can't lie and say that wasn't what I wanted. I mean, I wanted to get married before something else could happen. Before Kaeden disappeared, before someone else died.

Overnight, our humble Ridge turned into a beautiful wedding venue. Claire and the other two girls seemed to buzz with every movement. Jamie made Kaeden sleep away from me in their home. Something about not letting him see the bride. I wasn't accustomed to any of the wedding things so Claire only gave me a nod in agreement.

"Roger and Kaeden are getting ready. Is there anything else you need?" Claire looked me over once more, tucking another piece of red hair behind me. I stared at my reflection. I looked like a woman. My hair was carefully pulled back and up. Stray pieces framed my face, making my eyes pop. It was a new look for me. My hair typically fell free or was tucked into some tie behind me. I almost never wore dresses unless out of necessity.

"No, I don't think so." I responded, astonished at how I looked. "Um thank you, Ma." A smile snuck onto her face before she kissed my cheek. I stood up from the stool, brushing out the white lace dress. Bree had offered the cream dress she'd worn at her own wedding but Kaeden brought me this one. Somehow Mama Lucy had found out about the wedding and sent the stable boy, Jon, with this one. It was high fashioned, expensive, something I would've seen in France among the aristocrats.

Bree creaked along the wooden floor, stopping in front of me.

"These are for you." She smiled, holding out a pearl necklace. "Da gave me these for my wedding." Bree sighed, hanging them around my necklace carefully. "I know we haven't been on the best terms." She stated behind me, adjusting the necklace. "But... I've never had a sibling, much less an older sister. I want us to be closer."

"I think we can make that happen." I stated, placing my hand on hers. "I'm sorry for how I've acted. It's just been wild here. You came from nowhere. Da and Ma. I thought Da dead and Ma had disappeared. It's been overwhelming." They hadn't told me about Ma or Bree being from the future still. I guess I'd missed every one of those conversations. I'd picked up on some clues but the pieces hadn't fit together yet. In time they would tell me but as of this moment, I was unaware.

"I understand. We will make it right." She smiled. Claire and Bree quickly departed, hand in hand, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

"My, ye are a vision." Jamie smirked, taking in every inch of me. "Ye look like Bree, like my mother." He approached me, slowly. I looked over the things he carried.

"Yes, something new," he held up a bottle of scotch. "Something old," he held up a dagger, "something blue," A flower, "something borrowed and a silver six pence for your shoe." He held out Murtagh's handkerchief and a coin.

"Thank you." I smiled, tucking the white cloth into my hand. "I miss him."

"As do I. He's here, in spirit." He smiled. "This isna what I ever imagined I would be doing... Then again, I dinna know ye'd have a future..." My hand found his.

"No, but I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I found my family again." His smile wavered as tears filled his eyes. "I'm glad you and Claire are more than what I'd imagined. I'm-" I paused. My heart hurt, not a bad hurt. A good one. A joyful pain.

"My beautiful daughter." He stated, examining me again. I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him into a hug. Surprise caught him off guard as he returned the hug seconds later.

"Thank you for everything, Da." I mumbled against him. I didn't know what to say anymore.

"Alright you two, it's time." Claire smirked, folding her arms across her chest. Jamie offered his arm to me, guiding me out the door with Claire. He took me down the steps, Claire going first. Everyone from the Ridge had gathered, making a makeshift aisle at the center. My eyes scanned the crowd. John Gray stood at one of the ends. He offered a small smile.

Kaeden stood at the front in a brown coat with a kilt tucked around his waist, his curls tucked behind him in a tie. He was breath taking. Jamie and I floated down the aisle to him.

"Take care of her." Jamie whispered, passing me to him.

"Ye look bonnie." Kaeden whispered, taking me from my father. The words of the preacher slipped in one ear and out the other. I stared into Kaeden's blue eyes, lapping in the deep waters that consumed me.

"I, Kaeden Marshall, take thee Faith Elisabeth to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forth. In plenty and want. In joy and in sorrow. In sickness and in health. As long as we both shall live." Kaeden's words slipped out easily. His thick accent hinted across each word.

"I, Faith Elisabeth, take thee Kaeden Marshall to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forth. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live." I recited. They weren't the words I was given. They were the ones my mother read to my father on the day they married but I meant them all the same. A small tear slipped from my eyes, tear of joy. I could hear my mother sniffling behind me at my words.

"I pronounce you husband and wife." The preacher stated. Kaeden's hands gripped my face, pulling me to his lips before the preacher could move. His lush lips mashed with mine. The crowd cheered and clapped, some laughing quietly. I was Faith Elisabeth Fraser Campbell. Daughter of the great ex-fugitive Jamie Fraser. Wife of the criminal, Kaeden Campbell.

It wasn't where I'd expected to be. I expected to be in the shop, yelling at Murtagh or some rude customer. I didn't expect Kaeden to capture me, make me feel this way. I didn't expect for John to show me so much attention, to love me. To show me such kindness still. I didn't expect to find my parents, much less two siblings I didn't even know existed. But it was oh so sweet.