TWO
After four days of traveling, the group arrived in Dunvegan, Scotland, home of the MacCleod clan’s large farm. As they pulled into the driveway, Sylvia and William MacLeod Sr could be seen standing on the steps of their home, smiles on their faces. Will Sr had an arm around his wife while she had one arm around his waist and the other hand to her heart, tears shining in her eyes from the emotions of happiness.
When Sr kissed the side of his wife’s head after he murmured in her ear, making her smile wider as she leaned into him, the men in the SUV that had the older two boys laughed when Cody and Ty groaned ‘gross’ at the display of affection.
“Ye better get used to it, lad. They are worse than ye parents are almost.” Willie chuckled, his thick Scottish accent commanding the attention of all three boys in the van.
“Your accent is worse than dad’s.” Cody laughed, shaking his head at his uncles.
“Aye, that’s cuz we are true Scots. Ye pap deserted us for the enemy. But I dare say that they did find some bonnie lasses in the enemy homeland.” Tommy joked, ducking when Marcus swung at his brother’s head.
“They may have come to the enemy, jackass, but these bonnie lasses will kick your bony asses with your parents cheering us on in the process.” Raso quipped, getting a high five from Pratt who agreed.
“Tommy, Willie, ye boys leave the youngins alone. I will not have ye getting them into trouble with your shite!” Will Sr ordered the two men as he pulled Raso and Pratt in for a bear hug.
“Ah, but da, we get our wiley ways from ye!” Willie commented, stepping out of the way as his father made a move to grab him, causing everyone to laugh.
“Ye daft dolt. I may be old, but I can still whip ye arse good and proper now.” Will Sr replied, laughing as he pulled Cody and Ty in for a proper looking. “Ye boys are getting taller than I last remember seeing ye when I came to America. I don’t believe I gave ye permission to grow taller just yet!”
“Sorry grandda. We can’t help it.” Ty laughed, hanging his head, trying to hide his blush.
“William, dear, hand them lads over for a proper hug from their grandmum. Ye get to hog their time later while I steal my granddaughters from ye while ye are working the fields.” Sylvia softly laughed at her husband, patting his shoulder.
Highlander, Marcus, Tommy, Willie and Jack all groaned when their father stood up, winking at his wife and then mumbled, “I’ll hog ye time later, lass. Just wait til the wee ones are in bed.”
Pratt and Raso choked on their laugh when Sylvia looked at the two women and winked at them.
“Ye lasses just wait, these lads definitely take after their da in that department. Especially from what I can see of Joseph here. Come children, grandmum has milk and cookies waiting for ye while ye parents and uncles get settled in their rooms. Joseph, I have ye and Laura set up in one room with a bassinet for the wee Aurora. Marcus, ye and Lindsey are set up in the other room, same as Joseph is. Thomas, Willie and Jack, ye are set up in the old room ye boys shared. Cody and Ty, ye boys are lucky, since ye are older, I gave ye boys one of the other boys rooms, just the two of ye. Thomas, ye boys will share with lil Will, keep the bog away from him, ye will.”
“What about me grandmum?” Ryleigh asked her grandmother, leaning her head on her grandfather’s shoulder while he held her in his arms.
“Ah, lassie, ye didn’t think I forgot about ye, did ye? Ye get a room all to yourself since ye are the only girl in this clan, until ye lil sister grows up. It’s about time we had some more girls in this family. This whole lot is overrun with too many men, we are.” Sylvia grinned at Ryleigh, tweaking her nose, causing the little girl to giggle as she snuggled further into her grandfather’s arms.
“Alright! Ye heard ye mum. Off ye go, get yourselves settled into the rooms. We have the grandkids. Ye lassie’s do what ye need with the wee babes, freshen up and what have ye. Boys, we’re having a bonfire tonight. What lot is here in the vicinity will arrive for dinner. Ye mum will be in heaven for a while with all grandkids while we men have our time by the fire.” Will Sr announced to the group.
“Will we get to join you guys?” Cody asked, looking hopeful at his grandfather.
Highlander and his father looked at each other. Highlander shrugged then did a gentle nod at his father as if to say he was good with it, before smiling down at the boy. “Aye, ye and Ty can join us tonight for our manly bonfire.”
“Yay!” Cody and Ty cheered as they raced off to find their room with little Will racing behind them.
“Thanks, dad. He’s been feeling a little out of it lately.” Pratt mumbled softly, leaning into Highlander.
“That boy is just as much a part of us as if he came from Joseph’s loins. No thanks needed. He told us what that piece of…” Will Sr stopped when he felt Ryleigh stir in his arms, realizing the young girl had fallen asleep in his arms without the group knowing about it. “That waste of ejaculate doesn’t deserve to claim that boy. I’m proud to call him my grandson, young lady. Never doubt that. He is our family, just like ye, Lindsey and Ty are.”
“I told ye, lass. The day I told my parents I claimed ye, despite ye not realizing it, ye became one of theirs, and that included Cody. That man would gladly feed a corpse to the animals to hide the bodies of whomever hurt a hair on ye or our children’s heads. The same goes for Lindsey and Ty and any children they have.” Highlander smiled down at Pratt, kissing her forehead.
“Thank you.” Pratt and Raso both said softly at the same time, emotions in their voice fighting to come out.
“Now that is settled, off with ye lot. Get settled, refreshed and then we’ll get supper started and ready before the horde arrives.” Sylvia announced, taking her apron to blot her eyes, hiding the tears there. “Will, give me the lass, I’ll put her down in her bed.”
“Bah, I’ve got her love. Ye see to what ye need. I’ll put her down in her room. Poor lass is plum tuckered out.” Will Sr kissed his wife as he led the group into the house to put Ryleigh down in her room.
“Alright. I’ll get started on the lamb stew then. Ye lasses get some rest. I know ye are both tuckered out. I have the children for now if they need anything.” Sylvia hugged both Pratt and Raso as she shooed them off to their rooms to get rest. “Ye two lads, take care of ye lasses. I know ye da taught ye better than that.”
With a swat to their rears, laughter ringing in the air, Highlander and Marcus escorted their wives to their room while the other three went off to find the boys to check on them, taking their things to the room they were sharing.
Pratt walked into the room, looking around as she sat on the bed, Aurora fussing. “Ok little bits. Let’s check that diaper you have on and get you fed. I know you’re just as tuckered out as your sister is
