by Nora Roberts
walked in the forests of his childhood. One day they would go back and take this child, show him, or her, the place of roots. And to Ireland, she thought as the pain returned, dizzying. The child would not forget the people who had come before. And while the child remembered, he would choose his own life, his own homeland. By their struggles, they would have given him that right.
"The babe's coming." Gwen shot Ian a quick, reassuring smile. "You'll be a papa very soon."
"The birth of our child," Alanna panted, fighting to focus on Ian. "And soon, the birth of our nation."
Though he could taste his own fear, for her, he laughed. "You're becoming more of a radical than I, Mrs.
MacGregor."
"I do nothing by half measures. Oh, sweet Jesus, he fights for life." She groped for her husband's hand.
"There can be little doubt he will be his father's son."
"Or her mother's daughter," Ian murmured, looking desperately at Gwen. "How much longer?" he demanded. "She suffers."
"Soon." She let out a little sound of impatience as there was a knock on the door.
"Don't worry." Serena pushed at her already rolled-up sleeves. "I'll send them packing." It surprised her to find her husband at the threshold. "Brig, the babe's all but here. I don't have time for you now."
"You'll have time." He stepped inside, tossing one arm around his wife. "I've just gotten a message I've waited for, a confirmation from London I wanted before I spoke to you."
"Damn messages from London," Serena muttered as she heard Alanna groan.
"Uncle, news can wait."
"Ian, you need to hear this as well, tonight of all nights."
"Then say it and be gone," his wife snapped at him.
"Last month a petition was debated by Parliament." Brigham took Serena by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "The Act of Proscription has been repealed." He cupped her face in his hands as her eyes filled. "The MacGregor name is free."
With her tears fell a weight she had carried all of her life. "Gwen. Gwen, did you hear?"
"Aye, I heard, and I thank God for it, but I've my hands full at the moment."
Dragging her husband with her, Serena hurried to the bed. "Since you're here," she told Brigham, "you'll help."
Within minutes there was the sound of church bells heralding midnight and the birth of a new Christmas.
And the sound of a baby's lusty cry, heralding life.
"A son." Gwen held the squirming child in her arms.
"He's all right?" Exhausted, Alanna lay back against Brigham's bracing hands. "Is he all right?"
"He's perfect," Serena assured her, mopping her own tears. "You'll hold him in a moment.
"I love you." Ian pressed Alanna's hand to his lips. "And I thank you for the greatest gift that man can have."
"Here now." Gwen shifted the newly swaddled infant to his father's arms. "Take your son."
"Sweet God." Stunned, he looked from the baby to Alanna. It was an image she would treasure all of her life. "He's so small."
"He'll grow." Serena smiled up at her husband. "They always do." She put an arm around her sister as Ian transferred the baby to Alanna's waiting arms.
"Oh, he's so beautiful." Reaching for Ian, she drew him down beside her. "Last Christmas we were given each other. This Christmas we're given a son." Gently, she stroked the downy dark hair on the baby's head. "I can't wait to see what the years will bring."
"We'll give you time alone—" Brigham took his wife and his sister-in-law by the hand "—and go down and tell the others."
"Aye, tell them." Ian stood, and because she understood, Alanna gave him the child to hold once again.
"Tell them that Murphy MacGregor is born this Christmas day." After kissing his son, he held him up for the others to see, and the baby let out a lusty wail. "A MacGregor who will say his name proudly to all that can hear. Who will walk in a free land. Tell them that."
"Aye, tell them that," Alanna agreed as Ian's hand closed around hers. "From both of us."