Dreams Of The Highlander
Page 26
The shock of the day was beginning to wear off and she shivered, having nothing to do with the temperature. She snuggled back into Alexander’s warmth and closed her eyes, exhaustion taking over. She felt a kiss on the top of her head, peace settling over her at his words. “Go to sleep, mo nighean mhaiseach. Ye are safe now.”
CHAPTER 26
The room glowed bright from the light of two fireplaces and candles. Marlana stood off to the side of one of the fireplaces, her eyes scanning the scene before her. The sound of the bagpipes floated over the crowd, everyone was smiling and laughing. There were dancers out on the floor and she watched as they floated around with ease and joy in their hearts. The fire popped and crackled and she took a step or two away, wanting to make sure the embers didn’t land on her dress.
She glanced down and smoothed her hands over the beautiful garment. It was plain, yet beautiful; simple, yet elegant. It hung straight and flared at the bottom. Lace trimmed the edges of the neck and sleeves, where they were fuller at the shoulders. Flowers decorated her hair and a black and white tartan sash ran over her right shoulder to be pinned at her left hip.
“Ye look beautiful, Mrs. Macpherson.” Strong hands rested on her waist and she glanced up into the eyes of her husband, a smile touching her lips.
“You look amazing yourself. You’re very handsome.” Warmth shone in his features, love radiated from his pores. She was a lucky girl, indeed, to have a man like this at her side. He was strong, loving, and affectionate and he was hers. She knew looking up at him, that this is where she belonged, at his side. Whatever happened to them from here on out, they would handle it together and she couldn’t think of anything better than that.
Alexander turned to stand beside her as one of many couples came up to congratulate them. She smiled and thanked them for coming and asked if they were having a good time. She noticed Margaret and Callum walking toward them and smiled. Margaret and she were becoming fast friends and she cherished her. She hugged her and leaned back, not yet letting go.
“I want to thank you again for all of your help and for letting me borrow your dress. It’s beautiful.”
“Och, think nothing of it. It’s ye that make the dress beautiful, ye shine in it. I’m happy for ye, sister.”
Sister she had called her and she was pleased at the feeling the word brought. She wasn’t alone here anymore. She had a family and was truly happy for the first time in a long time.
Her heart ached for a moment as Victoria and Lilly crossed her mind. How she wished they could have been here for this special day. She was going to miss them dearly, but she would never forget them. A person never forgets the ones who are imprinted on their heart. They were her best friends and always would be.
“Marlana, what’s wrong?” Alexander kissed her nose and gazed deep into her eyes.
“It’s nothing, really. I was just thinking of Victoria and Lilly back home. How I miss them and wish they could’ve been here.”
“Aye, it would’ve been nice for ye to have had someone close to ye here. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. They’re living their lives and I know they’re safe and happy. I couldn’t ask for more.”
The kiss was gentle, yet full of emotion and interrupted by a rather loud cough.
James and Hamish approached the couple and James shook hands with his brother, asking permission to kiss the bride. Alexander nodded, laughing.
James kissed her cheek. “Welcome to the family.”
A heat started at her neck and crept up toward her face. “Thank you.”
He turned then to his brother and said, “A guidhe soaghal fada agus sona dhuibh le cheile.”
Alexander hugged his brother, emotion silencing his words.
Hamish, seeing the question on her face, translated. “He said he wished ye a long and happy life together.”
She smiled and stepped up to James, placing a kiss on his cheek.
James took that as his signal to steal Margaret and took her out to dance, Callum laughing as he watched. James hated to be embarrassed. Hamish took Fiona and Cathal to the food tables.
Leaning into her husband, she put her arms around him and gave a little squeeze.
He tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, kissed her forehead.
“I never could have imagined that a woman from the future would become my future.”
She laughed. “It doesn’t matter if I’m from the future or if you are from the past, we’re living now and I love you with all of my heart and I promise to make you happy.”
“Aye, ye have the right of it and ye already do make me happy. I love ye, Marlana.”
They turned back to watch the dancing. No one knows what the future holds. Some say it is all in the hands of fate, others think a person makes his or her own way. She would say she didn’t care which one brought her to him, she was just thankful it happened. A person’s future is what they make of it, no matter when or where they are. They have to do the best they can. Her future was here, in Scotland, with this man. She would live every day to the fullest.
Gaelic Dictionary
Tapadh Leibg — Thank you
Phiuthar — Sister
Ciamar a tha thu — How are you?
Mo Chride (mo CHree yuh) — My heart
Mo Mhaise — My beauty
Ceilidh — A party
Sgian Dhu (skee-an doo) — Dagger
Mo Nighean Mhaiseach — My beautiful girl
A guidhe soaghal fada agus sona dhuibh le cheile — Praying for a long and happy life together.
Creag Dhu — Black Rock — Macpherson War Cry