Page 90 of A Highland Bride Forgotten
“Are ye serious?”
“Och aye,” said River. “Very much so. What do ye think, Archer?”
Archer looked up at them with a small shrug. “I think it’s a fine name.”
River couldn’t be certain—it could have just been a trick of the light—but she thought she saw a tear roll down Aidan’s face. Her brother cleared his throat and nodded once, his gaze falling on the baby in Archer’s arms.
“Aidan, then,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Ach, wee tumshie…we’re makin’ me emotional.”
“Daenae call me that,” River snapped, and suddenly, she was twelve years old again. Then, she laughed despite herself, shaking her head.
She was a grown woman, married with a child, and her brother was still calling her the same, annoying nickname he used to when they were children.
But that’s brothers for ye.
The rest of the day passed peacefully—more or less. River was surrounded by the people she loved, and that was enough for her. She didn’t mind the chaos, everything that came with having a newborn, everything that came with the entire castle wanting to see him and to offer their well wishes.
She was simply glad to know she and her son were loved so much, to know that they had the entire clan on their side.
After dinner, Aidan retired to his chambers first, too tired from his travels to do much else. Soon, Layla took the children to bed, too, and River slowed Archer to do the same for her.
He had become fretful, it seemed to her, always hovering over her now, always making sure she was alright. It had all begun at the start of her pregnancy, and the sicker she got, the more he worried and wanted to be by her side.
It hadn’t faded yet, it seemed.
The three of them made their way to the chambers they now shared—Archer’s old chambers, which had become her own too after the fire. River carried Aidan as they were walking up the stairs, while Archer had his hand on her back and the other on her arm, holding her steady.
She didn’t really need his help. She was doing well, but it seemed to be something he needed, letting him help her like this, and soRiver allowed it. When they made it to their chambers, Archer helped her undress and change into her nightgown, before tucking her into bed and bringing her the baby.
Only then did he change his clothes and join her in bed, wrapping one arm around her shoulders to keep him close. River lowered the neckline of her dress just enough for the baby to latch, cradling his head carefully. She was certain the wet-nurses would soon come and they would demand to take Aidan away for the night, chastising her for feeding him herself, but she didn’t care. They wanted her to rest, to recover, but she insisted she was perfectly fine.
Only Jenson was on her side. The old man told her she could do as she pleased. After all, he said, mothers all over the villages nursed their own children. Why shouldn’t she?
“He’s so calm, isnae he?” Archer said, his voice filled with awe and wonder.
River laughed. “Daenae push yer luck,” she said. “I daenae want him screamin’ all night.”
“He’s been quite easy for a bairn that gave ye so much trouble while ye were carryin’ him,” said Archer as he leaned closer to press a soft kiss to her temple. “Are ye feelin’ alright?”
“Archer…I’m fine,” said River, not for the first time that day. “Truly. Ye daenae have to fash. I feel so much better now, I barely feel the effects of the birth.”
Compared to her pregnancy, the birth had been incredibly easy on her body. Aidan had come out in only a few pushes, and the pain of it was already forgotten. The moment she gazed upon him, she had known it was all worth it, and any lingering soreness was not enough to stop her from enjoying this period in her life.
She was glad for it. Throughout her entire pregnancy, she was hearing horror stories of women having terrible births, and she was too frightened that it would happen to her, too. After all, her pregnancy had been an ordeal, so why not the birth, as well? But Aidan had proven her wrong, much to her relief. It seemed to River that he simply wanted to be out there, in the world, and that was why he had given her such a hard time until the very last moment.
“A chuilein…sometimes I think we’re just like yer faither,” she told the boy in her arms.
“How so?” asked Archer.
“Well, ye both gave me plenty of trouble.”
Archer gave her a mock gasp, followed by a scandalized look. “I gave ye trouble?”
“So much trouble,” said River with a teasing grin.
“Well, so did ye,” Archer countered, but River was quick to scoff.
“I did nae such thing! I’m perfectly sweet to ye.”
