Page 43 of Hitched

He rises and takes Caleb into his arms. “Not at all, Caleb. Not at all. I’m very proud of you. Never been prouder.”

Dougall looks at me, over Caleb’s shoulder. “Come here, lass.”

I rise and Dougall embraces us both. “The two of you have come together for good. Of your own accord. I could not be prouder of the two of you.” He pulls me to him, and I feel an instant bond with the man.

“Thank you, sir.” I tell him, through my tears.

“I would love to meet the little bairn, son.” He says, pulling back from Caleb and me.

“Well, Laney’s mama is minding her while we’re here, da.”

I intervene. “Mama would love for you to come and meet her.”

“I would love that, too.” Dougall says, warmth in his eyes.

Then he addresses Caleb. “I think you’ve underestimated yourself, son. And to be frank, I think I've underestimated you, too.”

“What do you mean, da?”

“I told you to find love, and you did, threefold.” He says with a satisfied smirk. “I can see the love that you and Laney have for each other, and I'm so happy for you.”

Caleb’s words are measured. “Even though we’re not getting married?”

He pats Caleb on the back and says something that makes me lift a brow. “You’ve done one better, Caleb. You’ve been brought together for life with the bairns.”

“Why did your da say ‘bairns’?” I ask Caleb, as we drive to mama and da’s house, to make sure that Peg is okay.

“Bairns? He said ‘bairns’, plural?” Caleb checks.

I nod. “I’m sure of it.”

He frowns and shakes his head. “Maybe it was a slip of the tongue.”

“Maybe. But you thought that he was going to skin you alive, and instead, he hugged you. Has your da ever hugged you before, Caleb?”

“He has. But, yes, I was just as shocked as you, Laney. That’s why I was glad that you came with me to tell him. I figured I'd be written out of the will and kicked out of the business.”

“But instead he hugged us both and praised you.”

“Yes.” He looks at me, confused, too. “I hear it now. It is weird, isn’t it.”

When we arrive at my childhood home, mama is in the kitchen with Peg, and little Peg’s face is covered in chocolate. Her face lights up when she sees both of us. “Did you save me a cookie?” Caleb asks, walking to her, as she sits in the chair, giving her a hug.

“I saved you one.” She says, holding one up, with her gooey hands. Caleb doesn’t care. He takes the cookie from her and helps himself to a big bite. He points to Dougall. “This is my da, Peg. You can call him Dougall.”

Dougall kneels down, as mama raises a brow to him. “Do you have a granddad, Peg?”

Peg shakes her head no.

“Well, then, you can call me granddad if you want to, lass.” He sticks his hand out for her to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Peg smiles shyly.

“And this is my mama, Elspeth.” I say, addressing Dougall.

Dougall immediately rises. “Oh, yes my manners.” He sticks his hand out for her to shake. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Mama, skeptical as always, keeps her brow lifted. “Yes, a pleasure, I'm sure.”

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