After the Storm

by Tia Isabella

  “Well excuuuuse me, but I don’t! I feel like a goddamned transvestite!”

  “A what?”

  “A transvestite!”

  "What is transvestite?"

  "It's a–”

  “Enough!” Harold held up a silencing hand then shook his finger accusingly at Reginald. “Ye ha’ held us up long enough. Do ye want tae see yer daughter again or no?”

  Reginald’s stiff body went limp, his shoulders sagging. “I can’t believe I allowed you two to delude me like this,” he gritted out. “My girl is dead. Why must you make me suffer more?”

  “Ye will know do we lie in a few minutes more,” Harold stated with a wave of his hand. “Ye ha’ nothing tae lose and a family tae gain by cooperatin’ with us.”

  “I have my life to lose if the hurricane kills us all!”

  Harold shrugged his shoulders. “And will that be so bad?” he asked quietly. “What ha’ ye tae live fer now, Reggie?”

  Reginald straightened his posture and glared at his two captors. “Not a goddamned thing.”

  * * * * *

  Maya squeezed Sara’s hand tightly as another contraction bore down on her. Sara looked up at Maris and swallowed nervously. “They are growing closer. How much longer do you think it will take?”

  “Our lady will be a mum within the hour.”

  * * * * *

  “Jesus H Christ!” Reginald shouted that and a few more choice obscenities as he was pulled off of his feet and roped into the air by a band of brilliant pink color. “What the fuck is this?”

  Argyle covered his eyes with his hands and prayed to every saint he could name for a safe landing. Harold scowled at him, rolling his eyes in vexation. “Why are ye covering yer eyes, lad?” he roared. “Ye know what will happen!”

  “I’m afraid of heights,” Argyle admitted, his eyes squinted shut as firmly as possible.

  Harold shook his head and sighed. This had been the longest eight fortnights of his entire wretched life.

  Chapter 31

  The sound of Maya’s gut wrenching screams caused Thomas to clap his hands over his ears. How could a woman survive such tortures? Enticing Adam to eat one damned apple couldn’t have been a vile enough of a sin to condemn all of womankind to this madness.

  The MacGregor dropped heavily into his favorite chair by the hearth in the great hall. He accepted the tankard of ale Dugald handed him with grim resignation. Dugald sank into a chair next to his and sighed. “John the Elder just spoke with the midwife outside yer bedchamber. Maris says ‘twill be over soon.”

  Thomas nodded, but said nothing. He drank from his tankard then set it aside. He closed his eyes and prayed, crossing his self twice for good measure. Let my wife and bairn live, he silently begged the heavens. ‘Tis all I ask.

  “My lord!” John the Elder ran breathlessly into the great hall and smiled at his laird. “Argyle and the Sotted ha’ returned! They are approaching!”

  Thomas and Dugald shot up out of their chairs as if they had been set on fire. “Is anyone with them?” Dugald bellowed.

  “Aye,” John laughed. “I believe they ha’ acquired the Lady Sara’s sire from that distant land yer women herald from!”

  Thomas let out a breath he suspected he’d been holding since his wife’s pains first began. “Bring them tae me in posthaste, John!”

  “Aye, milord.”

  * * * * *

  Maya took a deep breath, then gritted her teeth. Maris had told her it was almost time to push. She wanted to push now. She wanted it over. She felt as if she was being slowly tortured to death.

  “It’s okay, darling,” Sara crooned as she wiped the sweat from Maya’s brow. “You’re doing wonderfully.”

  “How the hell would you know?” she dramatically wailed, all but crying from the agony of it all.

  Maris clucked her tongue and shook her head. “Pay no attention tae our lady, Sara. ‘Tis common during birthin’, this anger.”

  Sara smiled patiently down to Maya, which made Maya want to throttle her all the more. “I’m glad someone can find a reason to smile around here,” she muttered.

  The door to the bedchamber burst open a moment later. “We’re having a baby in here!” Sara chided as she rose to her feet. “Whoever that is had better—”

  Sara froze in her tracks and clutched her heart.

  “Sara?” Reginald whispered in disbelief, as he stepped inside of the room and looked his daughter up and down.

  “Daddy?” she asked, her voice weak. She ambled toward him slowly, a smile quickly replacing her frown. “Daddy!” She ran into Reginald’s embrace and threw her arms around his neck. “Daddy!” she laughed as her father scooped her up off of the floor and twirled her around.

  “This is all quite touching,” Maya hissed venomously from her bed. “Now if the two of you can save this reunion for later, I’m in need of Daddy C’s services!”

  “Maya!” Reginald beamed as he set his daughter down. “I’d recognize that troll’s tongue anywhere!”

  “You’re too late to stop the pain, but you can at least help Maris with the birthing.” Maya screamed as another contraction clutched her stomach.

  “’Tis time tae push,” Maris announced as she bade Sara to close the bedchamber door.

  Reginald strolled up to Maris’ side and bowed. He grabbed her hand and kissed it gently. “I am Sara’s father, my lovely lady. And who might you be?”

  The midwife blushed profusely as she offered her hand up to Reginald’s lips. “I am called Maris, my lord.”

  “Daddy, I didn’t know you spoke Gaelic.” Sara smiled warmly at her father as she strolled back over to Maya’s side.

  Reginald shrugged. “Frick and Frack made me learn it while we were waiting on that hurricane.”

  Maya rolled her eyes. “Hello! Hello!” she yelled. “I think I might be having a baby over here!” She sat up in bed and clenched her teeth. “Perhaps you, Sara, can save the pleasantries for later. And perhaps you, Daddy C, can seduce my midwife after you deliver my baby!”

  Reginald and Maris clucked their tongues and shook their heads in unison. “Cheeky little thing, isn’t she?”

  * * * * *

  Argyle and Harold enjoyed a hero’s welcome below in the great hall. Though none of the kinsmen save the laird and Sir Dugald knew of their true destination, the men of clan MacGregor were still aware that they’d braved a fierce journey to acquire Lord Chance, as well as the multitude of spoils they boasted they would show to the lot later.

  Thomas was enjoying a fine ale called Budweiser that was given to him by Argyle in a strange can made of tin. ‘Twas passing fair, he had to admit.

  After the initial homecoming was spent, the men in the room gathered around the hearth and waited quietly with their cans of ale for news of the laird’s wife and bairn. Thomas stared at the faces surrounding him and reflected appreciatively on what the heavens had given to him.

  There was John, a man he’d known since his mother had birthed him. There was Dugald, a loyal friend since childhood. There was Argyle, an orphaned lad he’d had the privilege of raising into a fine man. And then there was Harold, a man he’d known a score of years who had recently ingratiated himself into his family.

  And soon, any moment now, he was to be a father. Thomas blinked rapidly, forcing the tears burning behind his eyes at bay.

  Maris appeared a moment later. She walked gracefully from the top of the stairs and headed in the laird’s direction. Thomas rose to his feet and watched the midwife’s descent with the same keen interest as his men. All were quiet, not a word spoken.

  After what seemed an eternity, Maris finally came to a halt in front of Thomas and smiled. “Congratulations, my lord. Ye are the father t’ tae healthy bairns!”

  “Tae?!” The question was ripped from five sets of lips.

  Maris laughed delightedly as she reached for Thomas’s hand. “Yer son was born first and yer daughter soon after.”

  Cheers went up in the hall as Thomas
pulled Maris to his side and kissed her roughly on the cheek. He raised his can of Budweiser to his men, as well as to the other servants who were gathering around with smiles on their faces. “A son and a daughter!” he bellowed. “I name them this day Angus and Elizabeth, after me da’ and mum!”

  Another chorus of cheers sounded throughout the keep. Thomas downed his ale in one gulp, threw the can to Argyle, and made his way toward the stairs. ‘Twas time to see his wife and bairns.

  Chapter 32

  “You named my son Angus?”

  “’Tis a fine Scottish name, love.”

  “I hate it! I refuse to call my son by that horrid name!”

  “Ye will call my son by his name– Angus!”

  “Now children,” Reginald intervened. “It’s not good to fight like this. Maya just gave birth.” He tucked his arms across his chest and scowled at the couple. When Thomas’s face flushed appropriately red, Reginald grunted in satisfaction, then turned and escorted Sara from the room, leaving the squabbling spouses to their own devices.

  Maya frowned up at her husband as she took her son from his arms and placed him at her breast. When Angus was securely suckling at one nipple, she motioned for Thomas to hand over Elizabeth. Thomas kissed his daughter on the head then placed her at her mother’s other breast.

  Maya smiled at her babies. She couldn’t believe these tiny little angels were hers.

  Thomas watched his bairns drink from their mother’s bosom and swiped at the tears that fell from his eyes. This was happiness. This was what it felt like to be a whole man.

  Maya glanced up at her husband and smiled contentedly. Her heart turned over at the sight of his tears. “I guess Angus isn’t so bad of a name,” she quietly relented.

  Thomas smiled as he sat down on the bed next to his wife. “Ye ha’ convinced me of my mother’s innocence, my love. Me mum and da’ were forced apart by trickery, ‘tis the least I can do tae make it right.”

  Maya sighed, then nodded in resignation. How could she argue with logic like that?

  Angus and Elizabeth MacGregor it would be.

  * * * * *

  Argyle and Harold visited Lady Maya an hour later, regaling her with all manner of exciting stories of their escapades in the Tampa clan. Argyle held little Angus in his arms while Harold cooed and coddled to little Elizabeth. “’Tis amusing, milady, that after only a couple hours of life our heir already carries the look of the laird whilst sweet Elizabeth resembles ye.”

  Sara chuckled, agreeing wholeheartedly. She walked closer to the bed, Dugald right behind her, and handed Maya her second chocolate milkshake since she’d given birth. “Twins usually look more alike.”

  Maya licked her lips and greedily accepted the milkshake, not responding to her best friend’s commentary.

  “Save some of that concoction for me, love,” Thomas scolded as he reached out to snatch the cup from her. He took a large swig then swiped his mouth and sighed. “’Tis good, this chocolate.”

  Maya giggled, wrestling her milkshake back in the process. “I’ve earned this.”

  “True enough, wife. So tell me,” Thomas insisted with a sweep of his hand toward Argyle and Harold, “did ye enjoy yer adventure intae the future?”

  Argyle shook his head up and down vigorously. “’Twas more wonderful than I can say, milord.”

  “I imagine so.”

  “Do you want to go back?” Maya asked quietly, praying the answer was no. She had missed her friends more than she could put into words.

  “Nay, milady,” Argyle announced. “’Twas an experience I shall never forget, yet is my home here.”

  “Aye,” Harold seconded. “I picked up a few more ideas fer me love ballads whilst in the future, but my place is here as well.”

  Maya grinned wickedly at Sara. “Will you be singing them at our dear Sara’s wedding reception?”

  Sara’s eyes grew wide, making Maya throw her head back and laugh. “Please Harold,” Sara murmured, “be nice.”

  Harold winked at Lady Maya then grinned at Sara. “As they say in yon future, milady, what is good fer the goose is good fer the gander.”

  Sara groaned, clapping her hand to her forehead. Everyone else laughed.

  A moment later Maris and Reginald strolled into the bedchamber. The midwife clucked her tongue and shook her head at Maya. “What did I do wrong now, Maris?”

  “The bairns need their sleep. I ken everyone is happy tae make their acquaintances, but hand them o’er tae me and Lord Chance. We shall put them in yon cradles.”

  Maya nodded, gesturing toward Harold and Argyle to release the babes to the midwife and doctor. “I’ll get dressed as soon as everyone leaves. Harold and Argyle, I shall meet you downstairs in a few minutes.” She grinned then reached over to the table beside her bed and swiped up a deck of cards. “I’ve missed my poker buddies more than I can say.”

  Harold laughed as he stood and patted Argyle on the back. “Be warned, milady. Our sweet Argyle became quite the player whilst in the…uh…” He looked to Maris and flushed, then looked back to Maya. “Whilst visiting in the Tampa clan.”

  “She knows.” Maya smiled.

  The occupants of the chamber all looked to Maris. “She knows?” Thomas asked. “How?”

  Sara shook her head in amusement and chuckled. “My lord, you know your wife can barely control her tongue on a normal day. You can imagine all the fine things she had to say while birthing your children.”

  At the sound of a room full of snickering, Maya frowned. “Hey, it wasn’t easy! In my day, women don’t have to feel all that pain! And I won’t have to feel it the next time. Isn’t that right, Daddy C?”

  Reginald kissed Elizabeth’s tiny forehead and placed her gently inside of the cradle next to her brother. He walked over to Maya and sat down next to her on the bed. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you and Sara.”

  Sara released Dugald’s hand and watched her father’s nervous gestures. “I have a feeling it’s something we won’t want to hear.”

  Reginald imparted a humorless smile and shrugged. “I cannot, in good conscience, give either of you pain medicine here.”

  “What?” they screeched in unison.

  “Hear me out,” Reginald insisted with a wave of his hand. “If something was to go wrong and I accidentally administered too much of the drug, it could kill you, or cause permanent paralysis.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry girls. I can use all of my knowledge to deliver the babies you will carry safely, and I can lessen the discomfort a considerable degree with herbs, but no manmade drugs. We don’t have the proper machines here to watch your vital signs.”

  Maya looked up at Thomas and frowned. “Plan on staying away from my side of the bed for many years to come.”

  The room flooded with laughter.

  Thomas scowled at his wife. “I will do no such thing.”

  “Ye survived this day well enough,” Maris chided. “Ye and Lady Sara will survive many birthings yet tae come.” She swept her hands toward the door and delineated her next command. “Everyone out. The bairns need their rest. Ye can continue this discussion elsewhere.”

  Maya grinned up at the midwife. They were cut from the same shrewish cloth, Maris and she. “You will stay on at the keep, won’t you Maris? I can’t think of anyone better qualified to help raise my babies.”

  “Of course ye canna,” Maris insisted with a regal nod.

  At the sound of hushed laughter, she motioned toward the door once again. “Now out. All of ye.”

  Chapter 33

  The MacGregor crew gathered in the parlor most adjacent to the great hall and locked themselves into the chamber. Argyle stood up and showcased all of the spoils they’d acquired during their travels to the people sitting around the table.

  “The first matter of business concerns the property of Lady Maya and Lady Sara.” Argyle reached into the first burlap bag they had toted back to the fourteenth century and pulled two smaller sacks out of it. He handed
the first to Maya and the second to Sara. “Since yer paper money is of no value in our world, Lord Chance traded all of yer cash money fer these fine jewels.”

  Maya and Sara opened their sacks and spilled the gems out onto the table. “Good God!” Dugald proclaimed. “’Tis nigh a fortune!”

  Thomas grunted. He sifted through his wife’s wealth with a keen eye then scooped up the stones and placed them back into the sack. He patted his wife on the knee and grinned. “I ha’ wed an heiress.”

  Maya smiled at her husband. “We can use it to buy land and titles for any sons born after Angus.”

  Thomas nodded, impressed. A keen thinker, his woman.

  Maya looked into the bag and frowned. “Argyle, I do not see—”

  “I ha’ it, milady.”

  “Ha’ what?” Thomas asked.

  Maya smiled as she stroked the ruby necklace at her throat. “It’s a secret. You’ll find out at Christmas.” She winked and said no more.

  Thomas grunted, but complied.

  Over the next hour, Argyle and Harold presented the group with all of the future spoils they had accumulated while the crew ate Big Macs and fries and sipped from canned cokes. Thomas and Dugald spent the first quarter hour marveling over the handiness of their sippy straws. The next half-hour was spent oohing and awing over various future inventions such as the Bic lighter, a book of matches, and photographs.

  “I vow,” Thomas announced with a reverent tone, “these parchments ye call photographs look verra real.” He smiled at a baby picture of Maya in Dr. Chance’s album. “Elizabeth already has yer looks, love.”

  Maya grinned, reminiscing about times past as she looked through the album with her husband. “This is Sara and me at our senior prom.” She giggled. “Look at our hair, Sara!”

  Sara rose from her seat and stood behind Thomas’s shoulder. She flipped to the next page and grinned. “And here we are at our college graduation.”

  Thomas flipped to the next page of the book and frowned. “Who is this mon with his arms wrapped aboot ye, Maya?”