Here we go–the final chapter of Coming Home. I took some liberties with people who technically wouldn't be born yet in this timeline since Bree is only twelve BUT… it's fiction so I'm allowed? I guess? Lol *shrugs* I've also taken bits of canon dialogue but changed a lot of it to fit the story, so hopefully it still works out! Either way, enjoy the final chapter! :)

Coming Home: Part Four

That night, with Bree tucked securely in a room with Fergus, Jamie and I make our way to our own room.

He'd mentioned that he normally stays at Madame Jeanne's brothel but figured taking Brianna there wasn't the best parenting decision.

"Well that was a good call," I snicker, humorously sighing as I tell him, "Though I'm sure Fergus would have been pleased as punch to spend the night in a brothel."

"I dinna ken what punch is, Sassenach, but I can tell from ye face that it's a good thing."

I laugh, oh how I've missed him not understanding my figures of speech, so I just nod and say it's a very good thing, and I just mean that Fergus would've been extremely happy.

"Aye," he chuckles, his smirk growing, "like a pig in mud."

We laugh, Jamie taking my hand as he leads me inside the room.

It's a small room, nothing too spectacular, but it's enough for just us. There's a bed in the center of the main wall, directly across from the hearth. There's a table off to the side that Jamie slides in front of the fire, saying he wants to warm up the seats for us.

The window has a thick curtain covering it, which will be nice when the bright sunlight starts streaming inside in the morning. The wooden floors creek beneath my feet as I make my way inside, and I'm reminded so much of the place we slept the night of our wedding.

He informs me that when he doesn't stay at the brothel, when his travel plans are more planned out, he books a room here, so the inn keeper will take care of them, delivering water, wine for them, and plates of snacks to their room and the children's.

I nod, but I can't stop thinking about him having a room at a brothel. I'm stunned, of course, and a little put off that he has a room there, but he explains that Madame Jeanne is a customer of his and that she keeps a room for him because he travels abroad so much and arrives at all hours of the night, so he needed a place that would be open.

We settle a bit then, and I find myself still standing awkwardly in front of a small table situated in front of the hearth, and Jamie finally asks me what I know he's been wanting to all day: How I found out he wasn't dead. I tell him of Roger and his research, and how we pieced the entire timeline together, scouring over history books and any documents we could find from during this time to find traces of his existence.

Fear creeps in when he asks me, again, why I came back, and suddenly I feel as if perhaps I shouldn't have come. Maybe his life really is too different now or there's a reason he doesn't want us to stay.

The room falls silent, and I'm saddened to be surrounded by this tension. "Are… are you trying to tell me something?" I question, adding, "because if so, I know that you have a life now. And perhaps there are other ties–"

"I have burned for ye for so long," he says emphatically, interrupting my question. "Do ye not know that?" His eyes bore into mine, deeply, penetrating my every thought. "But I am no longer the man ye once knew." He takes a step closer, then adds, "You and I, we know each other less than we did when we were first wed."

And, well, yes… I suppose he is right. We hardly know each other now, yet I feel as if I've known him forever. We were only together a mere three years then, but I feel I learned him inside and out during that time. I still know him more than I know myself... I hope anyway.

"Do you want me to go?" I ask with an uneasy shrug of one shoulder.

He slowly, methodically, moves closer, as do I, and I can practically feel the heat from his body radiating onto mine when he murmurs, "No. I dinna want ye to go. But I must know… do ye want me?"

I chuckle, in utter disbelief that he even feels the need to ask me such a thing. I smile, saying, "Of course I want you, Jamie. You're the only one I've ever wanted."

I turn it back on him, then, asking him the same of me. How does he know I'm not a horrible person? But Jamie, being Jamie, huskily whispers that he doesn't care and draws me even closer still. My back is to the bed, and I know with just a few steps backward, we'd be on the mattress, and god, does that sound like a splendid idea.

His finger bends, resting beneath my chin as he tilts my head up to look into his eyes. He leans in, as do I, inching closer to one another. Our lips finally meet again, heat growing in my belly, but before we can go any further, there is a knock on the door, interrupting our moment by bringing us the snacks he'd mentioned before.

We grin at one another as we pull apart quickly, and I take a few steps toward the fire as Jamie takes the food. Tucking a stray curl behind my ear, I bite my lip, trying my best to contain my mirth as I watch Jamie open the door.

"Just somethin' to hold ye over in case you get hungry before breakfast," the lady offers, and Jamie thanks the kind old woman as she makes her exit with a knowing grin upon her face, saying she'll deliver the other tray to Fergus' room.

We giggle like the children we once were together as we each take a seat at the small wooden table.

Jamie pours our wine, our eyes taking one another in, the minutes seeming to slow as we try to memorize this new version of one another. We spend the next several hours eating slowly, savoring each other as much as the food before us. We reminisced about our life together all those years ago, then carefully filled in the details of our time apart that we hadn't shared earlier in the day with Fergus and Bree.

It was nice, and needed, as we began to know one another again and discover if we are, in fact, the same two souls that had once existed as one. I felt as if we were, always have, but it was comforting to just be together… to talk, and share, and truly open up again like we used to do so often.

Our eyes continue to meet across the table, soft, knowing smiles gracing our lips as he pops a grape into his mouth—that mouth I long to kiss again more than anything—and I slowly sip on my wine, my eyes never leaving his. I can practically feel him undressing me with his eyes, and the heated, lustful gazes sent my way are reciprocated as I return them. I know talking is nice, getting to know each other again is necessary, but I find myself having to bite my lip to avoid blurting out what I really want him to do to me right now.

He tells me more about his time in prison, how Murtagh was there and how he fought for the prisoners to be given better conditions. I nod and listen, knowing Jamie trying to help others is so like him, so Jamie, that I can't help the small smile that lifts the corner of my mouth. I ask of his godfather and what happened to him, but Jamie shrugs, saying in a defeated tone that Murtagh was shipped off to the colonies with the other prisoners.

"I pray one day we might be reunited wi' him, Sassenach," he says, rubbing his thumb along the back of my hand, "but for now, I just tell myself he's safe."

Nodding, and giving him an encouraging smile, I reply, "I hope so, too," before Jamie goes on, telling me more about Hellwater, his eventual freedom and his decision to move to Edinburgh almost two years ago.

I tell him of my years with Frank, how he was a wonderful father to Brianna but terrible to me and indifferent toward Fergus. I explain that I'd begged Frank to file for divorce when Brianna was just a toddler, but he wouldn't do it. I get emotional, having never truly been able to speak freely about the hell it was being married to him to anyone before. I've never been able to open up to another person like I have Jamie, even after all this time.

I feel bad, guilty, I suppose, speaking ill of the dead, so I try to mend my words, put a happy spin on it, but Jamie sees right through me, takes my hand and tells me not to do that. To speak the truth to him.

With a sigh, I tell him that Frank had finally agreed to divorce me the night of his accident.
"We'd argued because he wanted Brianna to move to London with him, and I refused," I tell him solemnly, though Jamie appears angry at the thought of Frank taking Bree away from me like that. I squeeze his hand in solace, telling him that she was only eight at the time and I would never willingly part from my little girl.

My eyes mist over, and I reach up to wipe away a stray tear as I confide in him about the affair Frank had and how he missed birthdays, Christmases, and other important events in our life, but, I assure him, "I put on a brave face, as any mother would, and pretended that everything was alright for the children."

"A good mother, mo chridhe," he corrects me, saying not every mother would've done the same.

The tears flow more when I tell him how I spent twelve years missing him, wanting nothing more than to be back in time with him, while Frank was off galavanting with another woman.

"I felt so alone for so long," I cry, sniffling as I roll my eyes and grunt at myself for showing so much emotion.

Jamie comes to my side of the table, wrapping his arms around me and shushing into my hair. "Hush now. Ye're here, wi' me and our bairns," he whispers, kissing the top of my head. "Ye'll no' have tae be alone anymore, mo nighean donn."

I smile at the term, oh how I've missed that so much. Missed him so much.

I turn in his embrace, he's kneeling on the floor, arms around me, and it's a tad awkward, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world in this moment.

Jamie hoists me to my feet then, a surprised yelp falling from my lips.

He chuckles, saying, "Och, I'm sorry, Sassenach," as he pulls me into his chest. "I just needed ye close to me and dinna want to be on the floor." He pauses for a second, pulling back to look at me, a sheepish grin forming as he admits, "My knees arena what they used to be."

I giggle and nod, understanding that feeling all too well. My arms wrap around him as I press a kiss to his lips, then reassure him, "Quite alright," with another kiss to his jaw, "I'd rather be in your arms like this anyway."

Our eyes connect at that, all food and wine on the table forgotten as I can physically feel our souls reconnecting with just one look. I inhale slowly, this feeling I'd almost forgotten about so overwhelming just with a simple touch.

He'd asked me about it one time, soon after we were wed, what this feeling was between us. I didn't have an answer then, and I still don't, except to say this must be what soulmates truly feel like.

"I've missed ye so much, Claire," he chokes out, the tears forming in his blue eyes.

I nod, wrapping my arms around his neck as his settle on my waist. "And I, you."

He leans in then, lips hovering over mine far longer than I think necessary, so I bring mine in, pressing them to his firmly. It pulls a moan from the back of his throat, and I can't help but to deepen it, to pull this man as close as possible to my body.

Twelve years. Over an entire fucking decade, and he can still kiss me breathless faster than anyone ever has. He knows my body like the back of his hand, and I his. "I love you, Jamie," I breathe out when we break for air. "God, I love you so much."

Jamie places another kiss to my lips, then my jaw, and over to my ear, nibbling on my lobe like I always enjoyed so much.

I sigh out as goosebumps rise all over my skin, and I practically purr his name. My hands rake through his hair, holding him in place and bringing him impossibly closer to my neck that he's now devouring. His tongue snakes out, tracing the line of my vein and sucking on my neck.

"Jamie," I pant, knowing exactly where this is going, and knowing I have on entirely far too many clothes.

He looks into my eyes, practically seeing into my soul as he asks, "Will ye… come to bed with me, then?"

I chuckle softly as I whisper Yes into the space between us, and he takes my hand, giving it that affectionate squeeze he has always done.

We undress one another slowly, carefully, like a rhythmic dance we both know but haven't performed in a very long time.

Nerves skitter across my skin with each inch that he reveals, and I have to steady my hands as I remove his clothing as well.

Once I'm naked as the day I was born, standing in front of my husband (God, that feels amazing to say), I suddenly feel unsure. No one has seen my body in years, could never truly bring myself to sleep with anyone after Frank started spending his time elsewhere. His infidelity and absence made me question the way my body looked, despite knowing deep down that I pushed him into the affair because I was still in love with Jamie. The uncertainty toward my own skin has been imprinted upon my subconscious for twelve years, and that was a hard thing to break.

Before leaving for this century, I'd called my friend, Joe Abernathy, from medical school. We were both just starting out in our careers, had just graduated from Harvard Medical three years ago, and were fortunate enough to be hired by the same hospital. My call to him, however, was of a more personal matter. I was imagining what Jamie would think of me after all this time, and needed a man's opinion. Joe's was the only one I trusted, and now as his words about my fine ass ring through my mind, I smile softly, briefly, yet the insecurities still linger, especially as I'm climbing my way closer to forty-five. Things just don't sit like they did in my twenties, and I'm filled with self-doubt because I know, even with clothes on, his body is bound to look just as incredible as the day I went through the stones.

His eyes slowly rake their way down my body, but he doesn't say anything, just stands there, breathing heavily as he takes me in.

My arms reach up, covering my most intimate parts as I chuckle nervously. One hand covers my breasts, which I know sit lower now that I've breastfed an infant, while the other attempts to cover my stomach that I've never quite gotten as flat as it was before Brianna was born. "Will you bloody well say something?"

He stares at my face, almost in a trance, his eyes full of unshed tears as he tells me in the sincerest of voices, "Christ, Claire…Ye are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

I chuckle anxiously again, my nerves getting the better of me as I look at him in disbelief. He's still the most genuine and sweetest man I've ever known, but, "You must really be losing your eyesight," I joke, trying to break the tension.

He breathes out a quick chuckle, the deep like hmph that always brings a smile to my face.

I step closer, taking his hands in mine as I tell him I want to see him. And god, do I ever. I've missed him, and this, and now that I'm naked, all I want is for him to join me, to touch me, to love me in a way that only he can.

He slowly removes his shirt, and with each inch of skin that is revealed, my hands trace the lines from his abdomen to his chest, taking it all in. Bloody hell, he's gorgeous. The muscles he still possesses, the lines of his body… I bite my lip as I feel the heat pooling between my legs. I've never wanted anyone as much as I want Jamie Fraser.

"Sassenach, I must admit," he whispers, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he breathes deeply, "I am verra scared, much more than I thought I would be."

And good, I'm glad he's terrified too, because my heart feels as if it's going to leap from my chest at any moment. Knowing he's just as terrified brings me a small comfort, like a weight has been lifted from my chest. I remind him of his words from our wedding night, though, and how if we just touch, the nerves will go away. "Touch me, Jamie."

I take another step closer, Jamie's arms wrapping around my naked waist as we stand chest to chest. The feel of our skin pressed against one another's is almost too much to bear as we both breathe deeply, rapid and shaking pants falling from our lips. I can feel his heart beating against my chest, and I concentrate on mine, realizing they're beating in sync, just one more reminder of how true this is.

He presses his lips to mine, more firmly than he has all night, and yes, this is what I've wanted, what I've missed. This is what I need.

His head tilts, giving me a better angle to work with, and I moan into the embrace as his hand tangles in my messy curls, tugging my head back so he can trail kisses down my neck to my breasts.

He walks me back to the bed, falling into it when the back of my knees make contact. It's awkward, we're a bit out of practice, and we laugh when our heads knock together.

He kisses my forehead where I'm almost positive a bump will be growing come morning, then my lips, and as my hand cups his cheek, scratching lightly at the scruff growing there, it's as if we hadn't gone a dozen years without kissing.

Jamie goes to move me further up the bed, and we grunt and laugh as I flop harder into the pillows than either of us meant for me to. "Sorry," he pants out adorably, and I laugh.

This is a disaster, but the humor we're finding in it makes me happy, makes me feel more comfortable.

He's hovering above me, that beautiful mane of red curls falling into his eyes while his strong arms encase me from both sides. His smile fades into something more seductive, and I breathe out in ecstasy as his lips land on my stomach, slowly and tantalizingly trailing their way up between my breasts.

We kiss, slowly, savoring one another before it becomes more passionate, his body rocking above mine, riling me up with each movement. I can feel his cock pressed against me, and I long to have him inside. My hands tangle in his hair, then move to caress his back, the scars still there, but so much a part of him that I can't imagine what his back would feel like without them.

I grip at his biceps as his hands reach down, taking hold of my legs and moving them so one knee is bent while the other wraps around him, finding purchase on his lower back. His hand slinks down between us, and he toys with me, taunts me as the tip of his finger dips inside, then out again. I breathe his name, warning him not to make me wait, but all he does is smirk, placing another kiss to my nipple before swirling his tongue around it, then up, up, up to my neck, sucking again on my pulse point.

And oh fuck, oh fuck, this already feels so amazing. Better than any type of sensation Frank ever caused within my body. God, I've missed Jamie so much. I'm half convinced he could simply look at me right now and I'd come.

We kiss, a bit sloppily as we vie for dominance, his lips drawing wanton pants from my body as I move beneath him. Fuck, I love this, love him. The feel of his hands all over my skin is enough to bring me to my climax alone, but I resist, pushing the urge down to savor each kiss and suck he places to my body. His cock is pressed against my center that is aching for him, and when he breaks our kiss, I tell him I'm ready. I need him, desperately, there's no need for much foreplay.

He slips in slowly between my folds, causing me to practically clench around him at the sensation; it's been so long but god does it already feel fucking fantastic. With all previous awkwardness gone, he seems to remember each and every spot of my body that makes me squirm and writhe beneath him. And I remember what he likes too, the way he likes my nails to dig into his skin, or the roll of my hips beneath his, and I give him just what he desires, drawing a muffled groan from his lips.

"J-Jamieeee, yes," I cry out, my eyes wanting to squeeze shut at the sensation but also wanting to stay open, to watch his every beautiful move.

Reaching down, I rub my finger along my clit, circling it as I tease myself, but he pushes my hand away, growling a, "No, Sassenach, let me," as he replaces my hand, his thumb and forefinger pinching my clit in the most delicious way, rolling it between his fingers and bringing me closer to coming.

"Yes," I moan, a strangled cry getting caught in my throat as his palm moves, pressing against my clit as his cock moves in and out of me. "H-harder, Jamie, yes!"

I shout as he follows my instructions, his grunts filling the air along with the sound of our skin slapping together. "Faster, oh fuck!"

I moan, not believing that this is really happening. It's been so long, but we're like two puzzle pieces always meant to fit together. Our skin slides against one another's, and as he lustfully demands, "Kiss me, Sassenach," I cry out, my hands gripping his elbows and holding him as close as possible to me.

He groans into my mouth, and fucking hell, he sounds so good, almost crying my name like a plea that makes my insides quiver with anticipation. My name falls from his lips as he thrusts inside me, completely sheathed to the hilt, and I can already feel myself falling over the edge.

We move together, our grunts and groans escalating as our bodies take us closer to our mutual release. With one, two, three more hard, blissfully well placed thrusts, Jamie is coming inside of me, his, "Yes, Claire, ahh!" muffled against my lips as he does, and I'm not far behind him. He slips out, his fingers that are still inside changing their angle, one crooking up inside of me as his palm rubs gloriously against my clit and within mere seconds, I'm tumbling over that precipice of satisfaction, falling down into the abyss that is Jamie's kisses, and almost choking on my cries because they're so loud.

"Och, quiet now, mo chridhe," he teases, pressing his finger to his lips in a shushing motion. "The bairns are just next door."

I slap his arm, giggling and shaking my head as he slides that finger into his mouth, licking my juices off as his eyes roll closed. He moans, and I bite my lip, telling him he's the one that needs to be quiet now.

He snorts, pushing a piece of hair from my eye and tucking it behind my ear as he stares down into my face. His other hand is leisurely tracing lines up and down my side, my body still experiencing aftershocks from my orgasm.

I haven't felt this type of love and desire in so long, twelve whole years, and my body feels as if it's on fire in the best way possible. I never had this feeling with anyone else, nor would I want to. This is it for me; Jamie is it. The only man I will ever need in my life. He knows how to satisfy me like Frank never did, and as he crumbles on top of me, my name whispered with so much love and affection that I could melt right then and there, all I can do is lay beneath him, mouth agape, unable to comprehend that this is real.

My nails scrape lightly up Jamie's back, up over his shoulder to rest on his chest as he lays on top of me, panting while he tries to catch his breath. Stunned seems to be the only word I can think of to describe how I feel: stunned, well fucked and fully jello-limbed thanks to my husband.

I rub his back with one hand, the other curling around his neck as I weave my fingers through his auburn hair, trying to catch my breath. Jamie rolls to the side, his body still partly on top of me, and we sigh in contentment, loving, lazy smiles sent to one another before he wraps his hand around the back of my head, drawing me in for a kiss.

We spend the next several hours slowly tracing each other's skin, Jamie complimenting mine, saying how much it feels like velvet—an adulation he used to bestow upon me frequently in the past—and truly just enjoying one another's company again. We talk, and laugh, and munch on the snacks as I try to get more information out of him about what he does besides printing, but before too long, he has me wrapped in the sheets once more, moaning and shouting his name until the early hours of the morning.

{***********************}

The next day, I groggily wake to Jamie lacing up his boots. He claims to have business to take care of, and I assure him the children and I will be here when he gets back, for I don't believe I am able to move just yet after being so thoroughly fucked all night.

I lay there for a few minutes, enjoying the peaceful morning while I can, then decide I should get dressed and find the children. I layer on my stockings, petticoat and dress, making sure everything is secure before sliding on my boots. Once ready, I meet Fergus and Brianna downstairs, already digging into the breakfast provided by the inn.

Kissing the tops of their heads, I smile sweetly as I slide into a chair, sipping on the water already poured for me while Fergus hands me a plate with a few pieces of bread and a handful of fruit on it.

I ask them how they slept last night, and Brianna launches into an animated rendition of her night—talking with her brother until he fell asleep, the comfort of the mattress she slept on, how delicious the food was that they snacked on far later in the evening than I would ever allow at home… and it's nice, hearing her talk like this and seeing how much she's enjoying all these new occurrences in her life. It helps assuage my guilt and fear that I took her from the comforts of our world too soon.

Once we finish eating, I send Fergus and Bree upstairs to their room to straighten up and finish getting ready for the day while I wander into mine and Jamie's to collect my coat.

When I walk in, however, I'm greeted by a man with a knife, looking for contraband of my husband's, spewing something about ledgers and asking where Jamie keeps them. I ward off his attack, wondering bemusedly why it took this long for danger to find me in this century.

Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ. James Fraser can't keep himself out of trouble, and I curse him as Fergus and Brianna walk into our room to see what our plan for the day is. Luckily, Bree had been behind Fergus and our son had the good sense to turn around quickly, ushering her out of the room and downstairs to find their cousin, Young Ian, whom they'd met briefly last night.

While Fergus is handling Brianna, Jamie arrives to our room with Mr. Willoughby, leaving me and the older man to work on saving this stranger's life while he goes out in search of answers with his friends, Hayes and Lesley. I work tirelessly with my new companion to save the man's life, but in the end, it's to no avail.

With a heavy heart, I clean up the instruments I'd used to drill a hole into the man's skull, thanking Mr. Willoughby for his assistance.

"Anything for Honorable Wife," he declares respectfully, giving me a bow.

Smiling, I place my hand on his shoulder in thanks, making my way from the room.

Finding my children and husband at a table with Young Ian, I join them with a sigh as Jamie squeezes my hand in silent assurance before he scrambles upstairs to help Mr. Willoughby take care of the body.

Once they've somehow gotten the corpse out of the building unnoticed, Jamie joins us at the table, whispering into my hair that everything is taken care of.

Sending a small, tired smile his way, I sigh, closing my eyes to collect myself, only opening them when I feel Fergus's hand rubbing my shoulder gently.

Young Ian stands and makes his way to the bar, ordering more drinks for us all, which gives my son a chance to say, "We haven't had quite this much adventure in a while, no?"

I roll my eyes and shake my head, my shoulder slumping as I agree. Even though I've missed Jamie terribly over the years, not having to defend my virtue or threaten someone's life with a knife on an almost daily occurrence was nice.

Jamie takes my hand in his, scooting his chair closer to mine and kissing the top of my head. "Dinna fash, Sassenach," he assures, pecking his lips to mine. "All will be well."

I smile, not sure if I truly believe that, but looking at him, I know it has to. Fergus, Brianna, and I did not go through months of research and traveling just to come back and give up. Going back to the twentieth century isn't an option. I love Jamie far, far too much for that.

Young Ian comes back over, cheerfully handing us a tray of fruits, cooked vegetables and pieces of seasoned turkey but soon declares with a sigh, "That's the bonniest lass I ever saw," as his big, blue eye flutter, following the pretty barmaid's every move from across the room.

With another dreamy sigh, he claps Fergus on the back and scurries off, eyes full of love (and lust) for the young girl that seems to be peering at him from over her shoulder as well.

Smirking, I shake my head as I remark, "Must run in the Fraser blood."

"Och, what's that?" Jamie asks, looking to me skeptically.

Fergus points to the blonde barmaid Ian is trying to chat up and says, "Walking around like a love sick puppy dog."

Brianna giggles, mimicking those batted eyelashes she and Fergus were doing last night, and Jamie snorts, shaking his head. "I dinna look like a love sick puppy dog… wha'ever that may be."

My brows raise, as do Fergus', as our son bats his eye lashes dramatically like Bree had done, putting on his best Scottish accent and imitating, "Och, Sassenach, I love ye so much."

Brianna's water attempts to spew from her mouth as she laughs, but she quickly covers it just in time, swallowing and gasping for air as she says, "That was perfect, Fergie!"

Laughing, Jamie and I look at one another, knowing they're not wrong, and I smile, leaning in to kiss my husband briefly.

"Jenny and Ian must be worried about him, though," I say after a beat of silence, watching Young Ian try to woo the lass across the bar.

Jamie had told us last night that the teenager was the youngest son of his sister, and while I was happy to meet my nephew, I knew the Murrays must be worried sick. Young Ian apparently had a habit of running away, always finding his way to his uncle here in Edinburgh. "Eh, I'll send him home by next week," Jamie promises, adding, "let the lad have a wee bit of fun!"

I roll my eyes, but acquiesce with a humored sigh, knowing Jamie is a man of his word.

We sit in silence for a while after that, just enjoying each other's presence while we eat, but before long, Jamie is asking us about the future again. He'd always been so fascinated with things of my time, especially inventions like cars and airplanes, so I sit back with a grin while Fergus tells him of the radio, how you can turn it on and, "You can listen to your favorite songs right then and there, Milord." His smile widens as he adds, "There are bands that play, and record their music, and you can buy their record and play it on a record machine!" His voice pipes up in excitement, and I have to shush him, reminding him we don't want people to overhear us.

Fergus looks at me timidly, a blush forming on his cheeks as he apologizes. I grin; he may be a grown man but being chastised by your mother will apparently always make you feel like a young boy.

Jamie pats his hand, telling him he can tell him more about these records when we are alone.

Fergus nods happily, taking a sip of his wine. "Ah," he sighs, lips smacking in pleasure, "I have truly missed this, Milord." He raises his glass saying, "They do not make it this superbly in Boston."

Smiling, I have to agree, though, "The food is better there, though."

Bree groans, rubbing her belly. "What I wouldn't give for a big, greasy cheeseburger."

We laugh, and Jamie looks confused, which only causes us to laugh some more as I explain to him what it is.

Young Ian comes back then, so we know talk of the future must end, but we spend the rest of the afternoon together, touring the village and taking care of business now that the man from this morning is dead. I worry his death will come back to haunt us in some way, stuffing his body in a cask of crème de menthe is bound to be discovered, but I shake off the thoughts, telling myself not to worry too much.

We visit Jamie's print shop, Young Ian showing us around more than what we were able to see yesterday, and Jamie teaches the children how to produce words onto the paper. They both watch, completely fascinated, Bree's eyes widening in awe as she watches Jamie press down the lever, lowering the printing block onto the paper before pulling it back to reveal the finished product.

"Woah," Brianna breathes, her eyes glancing up to mine in excitement, before crouching back down to examine the contraption.

Fergus walks around the machine, hand trailing along each piece as Jamie explains to him how it works.

Bree listens intently to her father, but doesn't move as she peers at the tympan and frisket, studying how each part works together to create words on the page.

I smile, watching the three of them interact, their smiles just more confirmation that we made the right decision. The afternoon has turned out to be peaceful with my family around, and I need to enjoy it while I can. Lord knows trouble finds Jamie like a magnet finds iron, this morning was proof alone of that fact.

Later in the day, just before supper, I place a kiss to Jamie's lips, telling him I'm going to go see a patient I'd met at the apothecary earlier. He begs me to take Fergus, but I refuse, telling him I can handle walking around town alone. Besides, I want Fergus to bond with him again, and this will be a good time for them to do that. "I'll take Bree though," I surmise with a grin, "I don't suppose she'd much care for your male bonding."

He smiles, but as he takes my hand and looks into my eyes, asking, "Ye will come back, no?" I suddenly realize his fear.

He doesn't want me to disappear, nor do I. I know our first day back wasn't exactly ideal with me having to perform a surgery and losing the patient, and I know Jamie is afraid this is all too much, that I'll take the children and leave again. But he's wrong. I have him back now, and it's going to take a lot more than one man attacking me to make me want to leave.

With an understanding smile, I nod, promising him to return, and with one last squeeze to his hand, I'm off to start my journey as a doctor in this century.

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Two years later, as I place our dinner on the large table and everyone digs in, I can't help but to happily sit back and observe.

Getting to America had been a challenge, but after Jamie's shop was burned to the ground thanks to the enemies he'd acquired in Edinburgh, we all loaded up our horses and headed back to the highlands to bring Young Ian home to his family. We spent six months there at Lallybroch, but after a while, Jamie and I decided we wanted a fresh start where he wasn't a known criminal.

Young Ian had wanted to come along, to explore a new world and have some adventure in his life. So when we decided to set sail, Jamie had (somehow, Lord only knows how) convinced Jenny to let him tag along with us for the journey. I pass him the basket of bread, smiling as he places a roll onto his plate, then hands the basket over to Fergus.

I pick up the potatoes and hand them to Marsali, grinning when I think of how angry her mother had been when she snuck off to sail away with us and how the girl had truly become like another daughter to me over the last few months.

Laoghaire was miserably married to Marsali's father, and still pining after Jamie, so she was none too pleased to see me back in Scotland. With a smug grin on my face, I'd been nice enough to get by, but I have to admit, leaving her an ocean apart from me and Jamie had been a relief.

I wasn't happy when Fergus announced his engagement to Marsali, but when he reasoned with me that he'd known her a month longer than I had known Jamie when we were wed, well, how could I deny him?

"Thank ye, Claire," the young blonde says, dishing out a few then handing the pan to Brianna.

Murtagh grunts as Fergus hands him the roast boar we'd made, and I chuckle, glad that the old grump had found his way to the ridge and was planning to stay for a few weeks. Having him here made our family feel even more complete.

My hand wraps around Jamie's shoulder as the other takes purchase on my hip, watching as my children laugh and genuinely enjoy being here.

I'm filled with a warmth knowing my family is all here, together. It's something I never thought I'd see, and I'm thankful Jamie gets the opportunity to raise his children, a hope he'd long since given up on before we arrived back in his time.

Jamie encourages me to sit and eat while it's still hot, so I chuckle and join them for supper. My husband reaches out for me like he so often does, and I smile over at him. Being here, like this, with my entire family gathered around the dinner table and Jamie's hand in mine, I know that coming back, coming home, was the best thing I could have ever done.

End.

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There we have it! Thanks so much for everyone who read/followed/reviewed my first Outlander fic. Hopefully I will find inspiration to write more soon! Haha… I hope y'all enjoyed this. Please review! :)