Dr. Kennedy looked down at the date book for the name of the eleven o'clock appointment, noting the "special case" listing next to it. Saturdays were reserved for out-of-towners, and that seemed to invite the "special cases." Good thing we built on Holy Ground, he thought, peering out the narrow window into the waiting room. Of the three couples there, two he recognized. Then those must be Beaton and Barnes, Kennedy mused, watching the unfamiliar couple with interest. The man was frowning slightly and gazing into his lap, where he was clasping the woman's hand. The woman scrutinized his face a moment, then leaned over and whispered something in his ear. A grin broke across his face as he turned his head to look at her, then he kissed her cheek lovingly. Dr. Kennedy nodded with satisfaction. Finally, a couple with promise. Signaling to the receptionist to call the couple in, Kennedy returned to his office and settled into his chair. A few minutes later the receptionist opened the door and the couple hesitantly entered the room. Dr. Kennedy gestured for them to sit down.
Shuffling the papers on his desk, the doctor silently observed his new patients as they settled in across the desk from him. Whereas most people simply sat down -- leaving the chairs their standard foot-and-a-half apart -- this couple immediately scooted the chairs closer together as they seated themselves, joining hands across the shortened space between them. Behind his clinical face, Dr. Kennedy smiled to himself. Actions speak louder than words, he thought.
"I'd like this session to be as comfortable as possible, so if it's all right with you, I'd like to go on a first-name basis, or whatever names you normally go by," Dr. Kennedy began. The couple nodded. "You are free to call me Tom if you're comfortable with it. And you go by..."
Connor took over the introductions. "Connor, and Guin."
"Very good. Now, which one of you is Immortal?" he asked bluntly.
Connor pointed to himself. "Me."
"And how long have you been together?"
"About a year," Guin answered.
Dr. Kennedy leaned back in his chair. "So what brings you two here?"
"Well, we had a little...speed bump." Guin shifted uncomfortably, and Connor gently squeezed her hand.
"Related to the Immortality?" the doctor inquired.
Guin shook her head. "Not really. I got stressed out at work, and I was taking it out on him. When I realized that, I..." Guin shook her head. "I..."
"She decided I'd be better off without her, and she moved out," Connor quickly finished for her.
"So you were living together?" Dr. Kennedy asked.
Guin nodded. "We were. And we are, again." She sighed. "Sometimes I still can't believe I did something so inane as moving out over stress from my job."
Connor pulled her hand into his lap and caressed her fingers lovingly. "I thought I was the cause, with the Immortality," he said quietly. "I never would have let her walk out otherwise." Connor gave Guin a faint smile.
"If it had been the Immortality, you would have let her go?" Dr. Kennedy probed. Connor nodded. "Then that's an issue we'll want to come back to later. How long were you apart, and how long have you been back together?"
"Three weeks apart, and about a month since we've been back together," Guin answered.
"And what have you done so far to prevent the situation from reoccurring?"
"Talking," Guin said emphatically. "Communicating. Spending time together. I'm learning to harness my tension and anger, and not to take so much out on him. And learning to let him help me de-stress rather than pushing him away."
"Tell me what you've been talking about..."
Guin did most of the explaining, detailing the conversations between herself and Connor: discussions of Immortality and its effect on their potential future together, as well as non-Immortality issues, like fighting and honest communication. As she wrapped up her account, Dr. Kennedy leaned back in his chair, pursing his lips thoughtfully. Finally he nodded toward Connor. "You've been discussing a future together. After all you've been through now, would you still let her walk away if you thought the Immortality was a problem?"
Connor shrugged one shoulder, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't know." He looked down at Guin's fingers in his lap as he played with them. "Listen, I know what I'm supposed to say, all right?" he continued hostilely. "I'm supposed to say I wouldn't let her walk away because of that, because I know she accepts it. But sometimes Immortality seems a lot bigger than the both of us."
Dr. Kennedy shook his head. "There are no right or wrong answers here. What you gave was, perhaps, an 'ideal' answer in your mind, but if it's not an honest answer in this moment, then it is only helpful as a goal to strive for." The doctor leaned forward. "So now that we've established where you'd like to be, let's talk about where you are."
Connor locked gazes with the doctor. "That's between her and me," he replied tersely.
"That's your choice," Dr. Kennedy answered calmly, leaning back again. "But sometimes it's healthy to verbalize what you know."
"I know I'd do anything to protect her, and she already knows that," Connor replied, his gaze still steady. "And if that meant letting her walk away..." Connor shrugged, letting the response hang in the air unfinished.
"What's important is that we'll work at communicating, so that no matter what situation comes up, we won't have these misunderstandings again," Guin asserted. She smiled. "Hopefully that will keep me from ever walking away again -- and if I'm not walking away, he can't let me go."
Dr. Kennedy nodded, checking his watch. "Well, I think your time is just about up. Any questions you'd like to ask?" Both Connor and Guin shook their heads. "I'd like to see you at least once more -- perhaps in a month or two -- to see how you're progressing. Though I do suggest you come back sooner if you find you are having problems, we'll squeeze you in somewhere if that's the case. And we do offer pre-marital counseling, if that's a direction you're considering." Dr. Kennedy noted Connor's distasteful look.
"Is it a direction you'd even recommend we pursue?" Guin asked in surprise.
"Hard for me to express an opinion on that, after only one session," Dr. Kennedy replied. "But it's really up to you, and what you think you are ready for." He stood up. "You can schedule another appointment with the receptionist...six to eight weeks from now should be fine." The pair made their appointment, eager to get out of that place and begin the journey toward home. They had been traveling for a half hour in the spotty rain before either spoke.
"You're being too quiet," Connor said gently, glancing over at Guin. She shrugged. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice heavy with concern.
"Nothing." Guin cupped her chin in her hand as she looked out the side window.
"Guin, don't do that," Connor scolded her. "We need to keep the lines of communication open."
She sighed, then paused for a long moment. "You didn't seem very enthusiastic when he brought up the pre-marital counseling," Guin said simply.
"I'm still not completely sold on counseling," he replied.
"You're not completely sold on the marriage idea either," Guin stated bluntly.
"Is that what's bothering you?" Connor asked. Guin said nothing. "Guin, if I marry anyone, it will be you."
"If," she repeated emphatically.
"All right, when," he replied. Guin snorted, then fell silent again. Connor reached over and squeezed her wrist gently. "I mean it." Another weighty silence passed. Connor let it go for quite a while, then finally asked, "Are you all right?" Guin just shrugged. "I love you, you know." Connor cast a worried glance at her.
Guin rested her hand on his. "I know. I love you too." She sighed again. "I just....I dunno. I guess it shook my faith quite a bit to watch you let me go so easily. Even though I know the reasons now, and I know it was far from easy for you, it still spooked me. I'm still a little afraid of scaring you off again."
"I won't let you go like that again," Connor promised solemnly. "And you didn't scare me off before, so there's no way for you to do it again."
"I know, I know. It's just...well, that look on your face when he mentioned marriage counseling sort of sent my heart sinking into my stomach." Guin shrugged. "I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm."
"I'm not looking forward to going back to see them in two months, much less wasting the time and money to have them analyze whether we should or should not get married," Connor said firmly. "It's our choice, not theirs."
"Then it's really just the psychology stuff that's bothering you?" Guin studied Connor's face critically as he nodded. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure." Connor offered her a encouraging smile. He paused a few moments before changing the subject. "By the way, how has work been? I keep forgetting to ask."
Guin shook her head. "More stressful, now that Giles is finally leaving. But I like working cooperatively with Susan. It takes the pressure off of us as individuals, and I think we're making better decisions that way. I'm really going to miss Giles, though. He's done so much for me, and he's been a great big brother." She shrugged. "Martinez is happy, though, and so is McClury -- and since it's his company, I guess we're doing all right."
"But are you happy?" Connor countered.
Guin frowned thoughtfully. "I'm not sure yet. I don't really like being in charge, I'd rather have both hands in the 'doing.' But I guess I'll either survive, or ask to be returned to my former duties."
"You do have other options," Connor reminded her.
"Like what?"
Connor shrugged one shoulder. "You could go back to college, do something else for a living."
"Even if I went to school here on my own money, I'd have to go back to the States for a bit to get a different visa," she replied.
"Then you could volunteer at the women's shelter full-time instead. Between the two of us, we can afford to support you without an income."
Guin shook her head. "Again, it's a visa issue. Switching or renewing visas typically means you have to leave the country for a bit, and there's always a chance I won't get it. Except settlement visas when you get married -- if you're already living here, when you get married you don't have to leave to get the visa, if I remember right."
"Then we could get married," Connor replied offhandedly.
"Just so I could go to school or volunteer full time without leaving the country for a while?" Guin raised an eyebrow. "Sheesh. Aside from the sheer fact that having that as a primary reason for marrying a British citizen is just a tad bit illegal...It blows my mind that you'd marry me to help me change jobs or go to school, but you won't offer to marry me because you love me. Good grief." Another extended silence followed, and Guin shifted uncomfortably in her seat before speaking again. "I'm sorry, Connor. That was a very ugly, hurtful thing for me to say." When Connor's silence continued, she added, "My point is that I don't want to get married 'just because.' It's a commitment I take very seriously."
"I know you do." Connor frowned, focused on his driving.
Guin studied her hands in her lap. "Please don't take my words so much to heart. I feel bad enough that I let something like that slip out."
"I'd prefer your feelings were out in the open, rather than you hiding them," Connor replied somberly.
Guin shook her head. "But it was an incredibly unthinking and rude thing for me to say. It was as if I'd accused you of not loving me, when I know you do." She quirked a sarcastic smile. "At least you did until I said that."
"I still love you," Connor chided her, putting his hand on her knee. "And I know you didn't mean anything by it. Let's talk about something else, all right?" Guin nodded. "Giles said he has something to tell us at the send-off party tonight. He seemed very secretive about it, though."
"Any indication whether it's good or bad?" Guin cocked an eyebrow.
"I think it's good, he sounded excited to tell us." Connor shrugged. "He's so straightforward, it's hard to believe he's keeping secrets."
"He manages, once in a while." Guin grinned. "After all, he did plan out us coming back together, without either of us knowing it."
Connor grinned back. "That he did."
"How did you ever meet him, anyway?" Guin asked. "I haven't heard that story yet."
"An antique dealer I knew directed me to Giles when I was just starting up here," Connor replied, "before I owned the shop. Giles came out to the house to talk to me. He spent a lot of time doting on John -- I think that's what got my attention." Connor smiled. "He ended up spending a lot of time with John and me, and happened to be around a few of the times Alex and I fought..." Connor shook his head. "Giles heard more than he should have, basically. But I was glad for the friendship when Alex left."
"You never know when a good friend will crop up...usually right when you need them," Guin said sagely.
Connor pursed his lips. "Remember I told you that John ran away after Alex left?" Guin nodded. "Guess where he ran away to."
Guin raised her brows. "Really?"
"Mmm hmm." Connor gave a brief laugh. "And Giles played it out honorably...didn't tell me that John was there, not even a signal that John was listening from the kitchen. He just prompted me to release some of my anxiety over my son running away...I was pretty upset, but Giles reassured me that if my son knew how heartbroken I was, he'd come back. And that prompted John to reveal himself."
"Wow." Guin shook her head, then snorted with laughter. "Now the way he brought us back together doesn't seem so strange. Giles is a real strategist."
"Well, we'll see what strategy he has up his sleeve at this party tonight," Connor replied.
When the pair arrived home, Connor retired to the new relic room -- where John was already perusing the old books -- while Guin straightened up the kitchen.
"Guin, come here," Connor called out.
"What?" Guin poked her head through the vaulted, double-doored entrance to the room.
"Come in here," he insisted, waving her into the room. Reluctantly Guin descended the short set of steps into the rounded central seating area and sat down next to Connor. She fidgeted a little as she glanced around. "You don't like this room," Connor said flatly.
Guin shook her head. "It's not that," she replied. "It's just that this room is all you -- dedicated to hundreds of years of your memories. It makes me feel sort of overwhelmed."
"You don't think you have a place here," he corrected.
"Not that, exactly, either...it's just kinda like I'm walking into your soul. I feel the need to tread lightly and watch my step." Guin watched Connor frown and avert his eyes, and she reached for his hand. "It's all right," she said gently. "I don't mind. It's okay for us to have some space that's just us, not the other."
"Help me out, Dad," John called from the ledge across from them as he looked at the bookshelf there. "I need some good World War II info."
"Up one shelf, to your left," Guin called back. "Garrard and Garrard, 'The Bones of Berdichev.' It's a biography of a Russian guy who was a front-line journalist during the war. One of my professors and his wife wrote it."
"There should be a couple of other useful books next to it," Connor added. "You're going to work on your paper while we're gone tonight, then?"
John nodded. "Now that I've got some sources to start with."
"Well, if you need any help, you know who to turn to." Connor poised his hand over Guin's head and pointed to her; Guin looked up and snorted.
"Thanks a lot," she said sarcastically. "You're the one who lived through it."
Connor shrugged. "Which is exactly why I can't be objective about it."
John gathered up his armful of books and left the room. Guin began to fidget again as she and Connor sat in the haunting stillness. Connor put his arm around her, embracing her tightly. "I'm going to make you sit here until you're comfortable with all of me," he teased, evoking a smile from Guin. "Welcome to my soul, Guinevere Barnes."
The McClury estate had changed little since Connor and Guin first met there over a year earlier. Even the party-goers were much the same -- just fewer clients and more ScotExport employees -- for the occasion of Giles' going-away party. Connor and Guin stood now where they had first talked, out on the quiet, dim veranda, leaning against the railing to gaze out into the darkness. Guin straightened up with a sigh, smoothing her hands over her green velvet dress. Connor looked her over and smiled.
"You're lovely," he said with a wink.
"Hmph," she responded contemptuously. "I still haven't lost the pounds that I gained from all that crap I ate while I was so stressed out."
"You're lovely," Connor repeated gently, taking her into his arms. "No matter what you weigh, or what you look like, or how old and grey you might eventually get."
Guin snorted. "You wouldn't love me so much if I gained fifty pounds."
Connor looked at her squarely. "I love you no matter what. Although I'd be worried about your health if you suddenly put on fifty pounds." He leaned in toward her ear. "But I wouldn't mind if you gained a few pounds over, say, nine months, and the weight included a baby."
Guin smiled self-consciously as he lightly kissed her cheek, then her lips. "One step at a time, dear," she replied, putting her arms around his neck. "First it might be nice to get engaged, officially. Then marriage, then babies. We have plenty of time to plan."
"There's my favorite couple!" Giles called out as he led a young woman onto the patio. "I wanted you to be the first to hear me unveil my surprise."
"You mean the surprise wasn't just that you were seeing someone we knew nothing about?" Guin teased, smiling at the woman. "You kept Fiona's existence hidden from us very well, sir."
"Well, there's more." Giles beamed as he held up Fiona's hand to show off the diamond ring on her finger. Connor caught the flash of envy on Guin's face before she buried it under a facade of joy.
"How wonderful!" Guin exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you."
"Congratulations," Connor added, offering Giles a handshake.
Fiona took a sip of her wine, then headed back toward the door. "I'll let you three talk," she said with a wink. "I'll just go flash this around and see who dares to notice."
Guin laughed. "Now I know what attracted you, Giles. Her sense of humor is as wicked as yours is."
"Don't forget warped," Giles added. "But I did want the chance to talk to you...so, how was Marrakesh?"
"It was..." Guin stopped and furrowed her brow, then set her hands on her hips. "I never told you where we were going...in fact, I remember being intentionally vague about our destination."
"I didn't tell him either." Connor narrowed his eyes at Giles. "How did you know?"
Giles shrugged, but a mischievous smile played at his lips. "I have my sources."
Connor and Guin glanced at each other worriedly, then Connor growled, "How did you know?"
"Well, I keep a close watch on things...you know: observe, record, but never interfere." Giles grinned even as he backed out of Connor's easy reach.
Connor blew an angry snort of breath through his nostrils. "You're a..."
"Yes, I'm a Watcher." Giles' smile broadened. "After Fenster killed Gerry, I took over his place as your Watcher. The powers that be in the organization figured it was perfect, since I already knew you." Giles shrugged. "I didn't know you were Immortal when we first met, but I did find out long before I was assigned to you. Now, though, they seem to think I'm too close to you, so they're reassigning me."
"And who's my new Watcher?" Connor hissed.
"As if they'd tell me, knowing I'm your friend. The only thing I know is that I'm being moved into research -- the company I'll be working for is also a cover for the Watcher's research department in London." Giles fidgeted uncomfortably as the couple continued to stare at him in shocked silence. "Look, all I know is that I'm sure they'll be assigning someone who can move around more easily than me, because you're traveling more again. Although I'm really going to miss my active Watcher duties."
"And just how much do you watch?" Guin asked cynically, the frown distorting her features into an ugly countenance.
"I don't go peeping in your bedroom window, if that's what you mean," Giles snapped. "You know, I really thought you'd take this better, considering it's me you're hearing it from. Joe was right -- I never should have told you."
Connor's eyes flashed with anger. "I thought you were my friend," he growled, "and instead I find out this..."
"I am your friend," Giles shot back. "I just happen to know more about you than you thought I knew. But it's precisely because I care too much whether you live or die that they're reassigning me. I spent plenty of sleepless nights worrying about you way over in Tucson, knowing Dugal was after you. And in New York with Mason, and more recently with D'Angelo. Who do you think tipped off Elena, hmm?" Giles' angry expression intensified. "And it was as your friend -- as a friend of the both of you -- that I kept pushing you back together because I knew you were good for each other. I wouldn't have ever let you walk her home in the first place, Connor, if I didn't think you were a good man, and if I didn't think she was strong enough to handle your 'problems.' But it appears you've forgotten what kind of friend I am, just because I happen to be a Watcher too." Giles quickly turned and strode to the other end of the patio to cool off, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. Guin and Connor exchanged glances, still taken aback. After a few minutes Guin walked up to Giles, taking his arm.
"You are a good friend," she remarked quietly. "And we owe you a lot. We're just in shock over this bit of news." Guin glanced back at Connor, who despite his agitated facade was shuffling his feet guiltily. "As his Watcher, you know Connor's history, Giles. You know he doesn't let many people get close to him. So he feels a bit betrayed right now. Maybe you should go inside for a little bit, let him cool off and absorb all this new info."
Giles looked down at her and nodded. "That's probably best."
"Are you still our friend?" Guin asked tentatively.
Giles gently embraced her. "I certainly am. Whether he likes it or not." Giving her a brief smile, Giles re-entered the house. Guin turned back to Connor, who was leaning against the railing again. She stroked his back as she rested her chin on his shoulder.
"How ya doin'?" she asked, gently ruffling the hair at the back of his neck with her fingers. Connor shrugged. "Willing to let him be your friend still?" she queried. Connor shrugged again, and Guin sighed. "I know the news was a shock -- it was as hard for me as it was for you to swallow -- but he does care about us. Don't let him leave without at least acknowledging that he's been a good friend to us, because he has. Don't close this door behind you yet."
Connor remained silent for a few minutes, then straightened up and dusted off his sleeves in a mildly agitated fashion. Guin tucked herself under his arm for warmth, and he embraced her gently. Connor gave a barely-audible sigh. "If Giles did tip Elena off, then I owe him my life," he said quietly.
Guin hugged Connor tightly. "That really gets to you, doesn't it?" she asked. "You don't like owing anybody anything. Something else we have in common."
Connor smiled. "He's right, we are good for each other."
"And he's done a lot for us," Guin reminded him.
"Yes, he has." Connor's smile faded. "You think he's still willing to be friends?"
"Let's ask him." Guin waved to Giles as she spotted him peering out the window, and he came back out onto the patio. Giles eyed Connor for a moment, observing the other man's unreadable expression with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. Giles cautiously extended his hand to Connor, who finally sighed in resignation and accepted the handshake.
"Friends?" Giles asked hesitantly.
Connor nodded. "I can live with that."
"Then you're back on the wedding invitation list," Giles replied with a grin. "Come on, let's go find Fiona so we can make this announcement official."
Sunday's wind was still tinged with a fragrant dampness from the previous morning's rain, and Guin opened the doors and windows to welcome in the fresh air. Spring cleaning had never been her favorite thing, but today she felt a renewed vigor in it; her return to work the previous week had brought about a return in her grouchy nature, and she felt the need for a good soul-cleansing centered in old-fashioned hard work. Guin was almost finished with the living room when the doorbell rang. She quickly turned to the open door, puzzled as to who would be calling on them. Standing in the entrance was a tall woman with long, blonde hair and a face softly curved with feline features; behind her was a dark-haired man holding a baby carrier. Guin recognized the woman from some of Connor's photos, but didn't let it show. "Yes?" she asked coldly.
The woman raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I'm looking for Mr. Beaton. Is he home?"
"Who shall I say is asking?" Guin continued hostilely.
"Alex Weaver." The woman narrowed her eyes, returning Guin's animosity.
"One moment." Guin left the door open, but didn't invite the couple in. She ducked her head into the office. "You have a visitor," she informed Connor. "One Alex Weaver, and what appears to be her mate and offspring." Before Connor could answer, Guin was on her way toward the stairs. Connor came out to greet the couple.
"Come in," Connor waved them inside as he stepped into the entryway. He glanced back at Guin, who was halfway up the stairs now, and he could tell from the slowness of her movements that she still had an ear on the conversation below.
"Your hired help is a bit rude," Alex said flatly as she and her husband walked in the door.
"Hired help?" Connor asked in puzzlement, then shuddered mildly as he heard Guin's footsteps stomp up the rest of the stairs. Realization crossed his face, followed by a bemused smile. "Alex, that's Guin. I believe I mentioned her to you."
"Oh." Alex's eyes opened wide. "Oh no. I'm sorry, Connor, I didn't know..."
Connor shook his head. "You couldn't have known that she came back." John bounded down the stairs, stopping short at the bottom. "John, show Alex and Jeff into the living room. I'll be right back." The sly smile still on his face, Connor ascended the stairs and entered the bedroom. He heard the shower stop; Guin appeared a moment later in her robe, and she snorted when she saw Connor.
"Hired help," she muttered contemptuously. "Just who does she think she is?" Guin glared at Connor as she walked toward the closet. "Did you know she was going to stop by?"
"She did say she was planning on stopping by one of these days," he replied. "I forgot all about it until I saw her."
"Great," Guin called from the closet, her tone agitated. "So I end up making a great impression in my old clothes, smelling like a donkey and leaving her thinking I'm your Goddamned maid!" Guin reappeared in a cream colored shirt and navy slacks, her face caught in a deep frown. Connor was sitting on the bed, and he gestured to the t-shirt she had discarded there.
"Perhaps you'd like to explain to me how Alex could have known that 'West End Cleaners' was the name of a play you performed in high school rather than a house cleaning company." The smile continued to play over his lips. Guin's face flushed, and he laughed.
"Don't laugh at me!" she cried out, storming toward the window, her anger apparent in every motion of her body.
"Why are you getting so upset over something so stupid?" Connor asked, bewildered, as he stood up and approached her.
Guin sighed, shifting her shoulders as she folded her arms over her chest. Her frown projected in the silence surrounding her. "It is stupid, huh? I forgot I even had the shirt on. I'm stupid."
Connor stepped up behind Guin and gathered her into his arms. "You're not stupid. It was an honest mistake on both sides." Connor kissed her cheek. "Alex seemed pretty horrified when I pointed out her mistake."
"She did?" Guin looked up at him doubtfully.
"Yes, she did." Connor turned Guin around to face him. "She wants me to be comfortable around her husband so we can be on friendly terms again. And if she and I are going to try to make peace between us, then I want you two to be comfortable with each other as well. So come down and meet her." Connor offered Guin his arm, and they headed for the staircase.
John was busy showing Alex and Jeff the pictures from their Christmas trip when Connor and Guin arrived back downstairs. Guin's insides squirmed as Alex's eyes sized her up, but she kept her outer facade confident and proud as the introductions went on.
"Arizona seems very interesting," Alex commented, gesturing toward the photo album. "Very different from Scotland."
"Yes, it is very different," Guin replied. "But for me, Scotland's better, no doubt about it." Still unsure of this woman's motives, Guin subtly but protectively positioned herself between Connor and Alex.
"You look good, Alex," Connor remarked nonchalantly as he wrapped his arms around Guin from behind and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Alex shrugged, cradling her baby a little closer to her. "Thanks. Guess I haven't done so badly recovering from my pregnancy."
"Not bad at all," Jeff answered with a smile, gazing lovingly at his wife and child.
"I hear you have an interest in ancient weapons," Connor remarked to the other man.
"Something we have in common, according to Alex," Jeff replied. "I'm mostly into swords, actually -- more elegance to them compared to some modern weaponry."
Connor gestured back toward the hallway. "Would you like to see my collection? That is what you came for, after all."
"I'd love to." Jeff followed Connor's lead, and Guin could hear their voices echo into the fencing room. Guin hesitantly seated herself in the empty space on the sofa, on the opposite side of John from Alex.
"I'm going to put the photo album away," John said hastily, standing up and hurrying out of the room. A moment of shocked quiet followed.
"That was sudden," Alex commented, raising an eyebrow.
"I think he didn't particularly want to be stuck here with the two of us." Guin snorted. "Afraid of a catfight, probably."
"Well, I hope it won't come to anything like that," Alex said firmly.
Guin shook her head. "Shouldn't be a problem." An uncomfortable silence fell between them. "I suppose we could join them in the fencing room," Guin finally spoke up, "but I know most of the history behind his collection."
Alex nodded. "Me too. And I don't suppose he'll be showing off his private collection -- the one locked away in his office."
"Actually, he just had a room added on the house to store that stuff," Guin corrected. "But I still don't think he'd be too willing to show it off."
"He is pretty protective of himself and his past," Alex agreed. "Few people get to see that side of him."
Guin nodded. "I feel privileged to have been welcomed into his life. All of it."
"It's something that changes your life forever," Alex replied quietly. "Whether you want it to or not." Another silence followed, with Guin's attention drawn more and more to the slowly rousing child in Alex's arms.
"He's a beautiful baby," Guin commented with a smile.
"Thank you." Alex smiled to herself as she saw the yearning look in Guin's face. "I know you're not married, but have you and Connor given thought to having a family? Beyond John, I mean."
"Yes and no." Guin shook her head. "He talks about having kids now and then when he's in a good mood, but I don't think he's always so enthusiastic about the idea." She shrugged. "And if it came down to choosing between spending my life childless with Connor or having kids with someone else, I'd pick Connor, hands down." Guin blushed. "I can't imagine loving anyone else this much, particularly not enough to want to have their children."
"And he knows this?" Alex inquired.
Guin nodded. "We've talked out a lot of things recently, trying to make up for...I guess you could call it lost time. We had...well...a little problem not very long ago. I moved out for a while."
"I know." Alex looked down into her baby's face. "Max was born in that time. I wanted to see how Connor was doing, since he hadn't responded to the baby shower invitation, so I called. He very briefly mentioned you." Alex gave a short laugh. "Well, when prodded mercilessly he did, anyway." She paused in thought. "I could tell he was torn between wanting to talk about you and not wanting to talk about you. I'm sure he didn't think I was the right person to be spilling everything to, though, so he didn't. But I had really hoped he'd talk to someone about it -- he seemed upset enough for me to know that you'd made him happy, if only for a brief moment." Alex smiled gently. "I am glad you came back to him."
"So am I." Guin fidgeted nervously. "I'm sorry if I was a bit rude earlier..."
Alex shrugged. "It was justified, after I stuck my foot that far in my mouth. And after that was cleared up, you were just quiet. Which is all right, I think I know what you were thinking."
"Oh?"
"You wanted to know my intentions in coming here, but didn't want to come right out and ask." Alex shrugged. "And yes, I was sizing you up, but only because I don't want to see Connor hurt. Your protectiveness answered that for me."
Guin closed her eyes briefly. "I've already hurt him very badly once, and that was one time too many. I'm certainly not going to do it again."
"I'm sure you wouldn't." After a beat, Alex spoke again. "Connor will always have a special place in my heart, even though we went our separate ways. It really does make my heart glad to see him happy with you." Alex shifted Max in her arms. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Could I?" Guin let out a heartfelt sigh as Alex laid Max in her arms, and she gazed into the baby's face. "He's beautiful," she breathed, letting him wrap his tiny hand around her fingertip. "Children are so precious."
"Yes, they are." Alex looked up as her husband and Connor re-entered the room. "So what do you think, Jeff?"
"Very nice collection. Very nice."
"You're welcome to come back again for a closer look," Connor offered.
"I knew you two would get along okay once you knew you had something in common." Alex gestured toward Guin and Max. "Would you like to hold him, Connor? Then you can see what you're making Guin miss out on." Connor couldn't decide whether Alex or Guin was to blame for that comment, so he glared at them both. "You know there are a lot of options open to you," Alex continued.
"Enough," Connor said gruffly, folding his arms.
Guin stood up and approached Connor, holding out the baby for him to take. "Just hold him a minute, for God's sake," she scolded him. "It's a good feeling. Then you never have to do it again if you don't want to, okay?" Reluctantly Connor took the child into his arms. Guin smiled as she watched Connor's scowl melt away, replaced by a look born of deep-rooted parental affection.
"Of course, before you have children, you should ask Guin to marry you," Alex prompted.
"Haven't you said enough?" Connor replied hotly. He held the baby for a moment longer, a look of longing briefly crossing his face, then carefully handed the baby back to Jeff.
Alex shook her head. "No, I haven't said enough." She gestured toward Guin. "You let this woman get away from you once, don't let it happen again."
"Yes, ma'am," Connor grumbled sarcastically.
"After all, it's a rare person who can put up with your grouchiness." Alex smiled wickedly, and Guin laughed. "You need someone who can not only appreciate your moods, but have fun with them too." Alex wrinkled her nose at Connor, and they exchanged taunting glares before Alex stood up. "Are we ready to go, honey?" she asked Jeff.
"Ready when you are."
"We'd stay longer," Alex explained, "but we've got plans that we can't be late for."
"It'd be nice to see you again," Guin offered. "When you have more time."
Alex nodded, then approached Connor and kissed him briefly on the cheek. As she turned away, he called her back and whispered something in her ear. Alex raised an eyebrow at him and nodded, saying just a single word in response: "great." Guin and Connor followed Alex and Jeff to the door and saw them off.
"Are we still going to ride?" Connor asked, smoothing back Guin's hair. "John said he'd join us later."
"Sure." Guin looked up at him, scrutinizing his face. "Just what did you whisper to Alex?"
"I'll tell you when we get to the clearing," he replied mysteriously. "Let's go get ready."
Guin dressed in what was becoming her usual riding gear -- jeans, sneakers and a long-sleeved shirt, with her leather jacket for added warmth. She was more than a bit surprised to see Connor get into his full kilt. "What's the occasion?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow at him.
Connor shrugged as his fastened the kilt pin at his shoulder. "You'll see." He picked up the knapsack that he had brought upstairs from the kitchen. "Ready?" Guin nodded, and they went out the back door to the stables, where Henry had the horses waiting. The pair leisurely rode to the clearing where they had had their first date.
As they dismounted and tied the horses by the stream, Guin turned to Connor, hands on hips. "So what did you tell Alex?" she demanded.
"Not yet." Connor took a light blanket from the knapsack and laid it out by the riverbank. He then produced a box of chocolates, a bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes.
"This is looking awfully familiar," she teased. "But we passed the anniversary of that date, so that's not what this is all about. You didn't warn me this was going to be this romantic, or I would have worn something more appropriate."
Connor shrugged. "I wanted to be spontaneous."
"So you planned your spontaneity." Guin laughed. "You're too much."
"I believe you told me that on our first date too. When you saw the kilt."
Guin smiled and shook her head. "I believe you're quite correct." She put her hands back on her hips. "So are you going to tell me what all this is about, or do I have to guess? And what in the world did you tell Alex that was so 'great,' to use her word?"
"I told her that I was going to do this," Connor said, taking something into his hand from a pocket of the knapsack. He knelt before Guin, taking her hand in his. "Guin," he began, gazing up into her eyes, "will you marry me?"
Guin's jaw dropped open as she looked back at him, and she finally noted the sapphire-and-diamond platinum ring he held poised over the tip of her finger. "You mean it?" she asked timidly.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't mean it," Connor answered. "We've been to hell and back, and survived. It can only get better." He paused. "And I love you, Guin."
"This is why John declined to come with us, isn't it? He knew and didn't tell me, the little stinker." Guin wrinkled her nose, but grinned.
"So are you going to give me an answer, or am I going to kneel here all afternoon?" Connor taunted.
Guin blushed. "Yes! Of course, yes, yes, yes." Guin watched Connor slide the ring onto her finger, and she held up her hand to inspect it. "It's lovely," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck as he stood up. "You're lovely. I can't believe you really asked, for real."
"I've been meaning to for a long time," he replied solemnly. "I was having the ring made when you left."
"Oh, Connor, I..." She looked away. "I'm so sorry."
Connor kissed her cheek and held her tightly. "I wish I'd asked before you left. We might have avoided a lot of things."
"But we might not have faced up to others," she said firmly, looking into his eyes. "I don't know that it would have kept me from leaving. The separation was hell, but I think it did some good too."
Connor nodded slowly. "Champagne?" he asked. She nodded. Connor poured two glasses full, and the pair sat down on the blanket, facing each other with broad smiles. "To us," Connor toasted them. The sound of hoofbeats made Guin's head turn. "You made it," Connor greeted his son.
John shrugged as he reined in his horse. "Had to make sure you did what you said you were going to do." Spotting the ring on Guin's finger, he added, "And it looks like you did."
"So are you joining us, kiddo, or what?" Guin teased.
John shrugged again. "I thought maybe you two would like to be alone."
"Nah, we've got plenty of time to be alone now." She grinned at Connor. "This is a celebratory moment. Family is always welcome then."
John blushed as he dismounted. "Family, huh?"
"Yeah." Guin put an arm around him as he sat down next to her. "Scary thought, huh?"
"No," John replied. "A good thought."
"The next question," Connor said as he stretched out on the blanket, "is when."
Guin pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Depends on how fast we can throw things together -- that could take a while."
Connor shrugged. "We've got the money to make it happen pretty quickly -- say, August? -- especially if we keep it small. We can afford to fly quite a few people here, even in high season."
"I'd like to keep it rather small," Guin replied. Suddenly she laughed. "Although my family alone defies the notion of a 'small gathering.'"
"We could be in for quite a crowd. Giles and Fiona, Wyn and David, Jim, Claire and James..."
"Claire's going to have a new baby in July, so they probably won't be able to make it," Guin reminded him.
"True." Connor calculated in his head. "It'll still be quite a few people, though. And if we plan for late August, we'll have to do it on a weekend so we don't interrupt John's schooling." He winked at his son. "Can't have my best man missing school."
John beamed, and Guin laughed. "He asked you before he asked me, didn't he?" she questioned John teasingly.
"Yeah." John turned a shade of red. "He figured you'd say yes."
"Especially with the expression on your face when you saw Fiona's ring last night," Connor taunted with a laugh. "You were as green as your dress."
Guin blushed. "Yeah, I was," she admitted.
"That's when I decided today was the day," Connor added. "We've had long enough to heal sufficiently from our little incident, and I knew you'd be ready to give up on me ever asking if I waited much longer. Alex's taunting just firmed my resolve."
"It was probably good that you waited a bit, but I'm glad you finally asked. I have to admit, I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever do it." Guin smiled at him, then stretched out on the blanket to put her head near his. "Late August might make it bad for my nieces and nephews for school too. Maybe mid-August. Here on the property?"
Connor shrugged. "Whatever you want. We could do it right out here, the scent of heather on the breeze..."
"And the midges eating the guests alive," John interrupted.
Connor frowned. "He's got a point."
"A brief ceremony out here, then an indoor reception," Guin replied. "Minimize wee insect feasting time." She smiled wickedly. "Or forego the perfume and have everyone smell like insect repellent."
"I don't care what you'd smell like," Connor reached over to tickle her, "I'll marry you anyway." Guin giggled as she squirmed out of his reach. Connor sat up, then quickly pounced on Guin, trapping her hands above her head as he bent his head down to kiss her.
"That's it," John said, standing up quickly and heading for his horse. "I'm getting out of here before I witness too much." He swiftly mounted, laughing as he looked down at Guin's blushing face. "Have fun." With a last wink to his father, John headed back toward the house.
"He knows too much," Guin commented with a laugh.
Connor shrugged. "Maybe." He stretched out beside her again, and Guin curled up against him, resting her head against his shoulder and her hand over his heart. The stone-beset ring on her finger glittered in the sunlight.
"Guin?"
"Hmm?" she answered sleepily as she closed her eyes.
"If you could do anything in the world you wanted to, what would you do?"
Guin smiled. "Marry you."
Connor laughed. "Seriously...what would you like to do with your life? Do you still want to make a difference, like you did a year ago?"
"Well, yeah," she responded quietly. "But I'm still not quite sure how to go about it."
Connor stroked her hair as he gazed down at her face. "Give it some thought. In a few months, you will no longer be tied to your visa, or your job."
Guin pursed her lips thoughtfully. "That's true."
A smile spread across Connor's face. "You have some beautiful wings that you have yet to unfurl. I'd love to see you fly." His smile withered a bit. "As long as you didn't fly away."
Guin touched his cheek as she locked gazes with him. "I won't fly the coop. I know where I belong, and my heart is certainly here with you." Breathing out a sigh, Guin closed her eyes again, and the pair slowly slipped into a relaxing sleep under the light touch of the warm midafternoon sun.