Page 98 of Treachery in the Highlands
"I was wrong about you,mo macan," Kieran admits."From the beginning, I assumed you were the treacherous one who might wish to destroy my daughter.But 'twas the MacLeods, and later, An Bodach as well as your mafia mates who were the true menace.Their treachery escaped my notice.I regret my assumptions about you, and ahm honored to have ye in our family, Joey Finnegan."
"Thanks, Kieran."
"You are my son now, and I've no doubts you'll be a fine father."
Am I getting choked up?Kinda.Just a little.I have something I never thought I'd find---an extended family of grandparents, aunts-in-law, a father-in-law, a mother law, and a wife and child too.I'm still getting used to the whole dad thing.Me, Joey Finnegan, responsible for a tiny human.The kid's been out of the womb for less than a week, and already I'd fight a hundred Highland warriors for him.
"Do you think he has the gift ofdà-shealladh?"I ask quietly, watching William's eyelids flutter in sleep.At least I finally figured out how to pronounce that Gaelic phrase, and some others too.My wife is determined to get me up to speed.
Rachel's gaze drifts to the window, where lightning sparks in the sky off and on."It's too soon to tell.But with our bloodlines, there's a good chance."
Da-shealladh.The second sight.Just one more thing to worry about as a parent in medieval Scotland.As if abeithir, marauding clans, and the occasional time-traveling mafia goon weren't enough.
"He'll be a warrior," Kieran announces."Look at those fists.Already prepared to hold a claymore."
"Father, he's three days old," Rachel says with a laugh."Perhaps we can wait until he can hold his head up before we start weapons training."
I catch Kieran's eye and wink."Don't worry.I'll sneak him some dagger lessons when his mother isn't looking."
Rachel swats at my arm, careful not to disturb William, who sleeps peacefully against her chest.It's still surreal to me---this tiny human we created.Every breath he takes feels like a miracle.
"Joey Finnegan, if you put a blade in my son's hand before he can walk, I'll show you exactly how fierce I can be."
Kieran sneaks out the door, only to return a moment later carrying something in his hand---a small bundle wrapped in a piece of tartan.He approaches with the careful steps of a warrior trying not to wake sleeping enemies.It's almost comical watching this bear of a man tiptoe across the stone floor.
"A gift for the wee laddie," he says, unwrapping the cloth to reveal a small wooden figure of a carved wolf.The detailing is intricate despite its small size.
"Father, it's beautiful," Rachel says.
"Did you carve it yourself?"I ask, taking the wooden wolf and turning it in my hand.The carving is remarkable---I can see individual strands of fur and the fierce intelligence in the wolf's eyes.
"Aye," Kieran admits, suddenly looking almost shy."I worked on it during the nights while Rachel was waiting for the wee one to show himself.Needed something to do with my hands besides wearing a hole in the floor pacing."
It's amazing how much things have changed.When I first met Kieran MacTaggart, he was ready to run me through with his claymore for daring to look at his daughter.Now he's carving toys for our son.Life has a funny way of working out.
"It's the symbol of our clan," Rachel explains, touching the wolf's head with her fingertip."For protection and cunning."
"He'll need both," Kieran says."And he has a father who will do anything for him as well as a strong mother who will do the same."
The great-aunts walk into the room, and they have two visitors with them---Dale and Norma, Rachel's grandparents on her mother's side.They still enjoy living in the village of Loch Fairbairn.But I'd bet they'll come back to Dùndubhan a lot more often now.Plus, I'll make sure Rachel and I take the wee tyke to the village occasionally too, once he's old enough to travel.
Kieran ducks out of the solar again.I don't notice how long he's gone since we're all having too much fun baby-talking to the kid who's asleep in Rachel's arms.The aunts brought him baby clothes and plush toys.Dale and Norma fuss over their grandson just as much as Alyssa does.
A few days later, a contingent from Clan MacLeod shows up at the gates, which we had left open in case chieftains from other clans want to pay homage to the sweet little boy who recently came into the world.But we never expected the MacLeods---and especially not Alisdair.But there he is, politely standing beside his father.
Kieran and I approach the two men, but Rachel comes running up beside us.
"Where's the baby?"I hiss.
"In the solar with his grandmother.Alisdair is here because of me, so I should be at your side."
"Okay, fair point.But stick beside me."
She nods her agreement.
Eanraig MacLeod bows his head deferentially to Kieran, though only for a moment."Madainn mhath, MacTaggart.We hope your kin are doing well, especially the new bairn."He turns his attention to my wife."I'm glad to see you here, Rachel.What Alisdair needs to tell you is important and should have been said long before now."
Rachel eyes Alisdair with a hint of suspicion."I reckon I'll hear it, then.But mayhap he should have made his apology months ago.I assume that's the reason for this meeting, aye?"
