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takemeawaytocamelot · 10 months

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Red Jamie and the White Lady: Chapter 33

*THIS IS A LATE ADD ON*

I’m so sorry my beautiful, wonderful @diversemediums!!! You’re the best beta reader/editor/contributor to this story and I love you! I’m sorry I forgot to tag you on the actual release of the chapter!

James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser was adrift. A broken man. Small things stood out to him. The feel of cold blood soaking his knees. The stillness of Claire, cradled in his arms. The way her hair stuck to his skin, absorbing his tears. If the world opened up and swallowed him, he would welcome it gratefully.

“Jamie?”

His grip on her tightened as his breath hitched. All he wanted was to hear her speak again, to feel her hands in his, to get lost in the scent of her hair. Her hair no longer smelled of flowers. All he could scent was blood.

“Jamie!”

The grief must be getting to him. It was the worst pain he’d ever felt and now he was hallucinating the sound of her voice. He could hear shuffling behind him and held Claire closer. He wasn’t ready to let her go, just yet.

“Jamie, lad! Open your eyes!” Murtagh cried out.

But why would he want to see it all again? The blood, her pale skin growing paler and clammy, the light dimming in her eyes.

A cold, wet hand touched his cheek and he leaned into it. Then he froze. Did his auditory hallucination just… touch him?

His eyes sprang open in a panic only to see Claire gazing up at him. Her eyes were clear and glossy, not clouded and dim.

“Claire?” His voice cracked, his throat dry.

“Eyes… open… soldier,” she gasped.

Before he could process what he was seeing, the connection that had been severed flared to life. For a moment, he lost his ability to breathe. His heart began beating erratically and he couldn’t stop the smile that came to his face. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and she winced as she breathed. She tried to hide her groan of pain, but he heard it.

“We need to get her to hospital,” Jamie said, his voice rough and cracking.

He wished, more than anything, that he could carry her himself. His body had been through too much in the last few hours, so he trusted her to Murtagh. Angus and Rupert slung one of his arms over each of their shoulders and the whole group slowly began leaving the compound. Once they were a fair distance away, one of them called for emergency services. Everything became a blur after that.

Flashing lights. Questions like who shot her? What were they doing in the middle of nowhere? Why wasn’t she bleeding anymore when she definitely should be. Things came into sudden focus when one of the paramedics insisted Jamie ride in a different ambulance.

“No,” he said with what Scottish stubbornness he could muster. “I’ll ride wi’ her.”

“Sir,” the young man said. “We need to work on you too. You’ve blood all over your face and we need to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

“The only way to keep me out of that ambulance,” he growled, pointing to where Claire was being loaded in. “Is to knock me out and strap me down. I’m riding wi’ her to hospital or so help me, you’ll be the one needing an ambulance!”

“Are you threatening me?”

Jamie began to take a deep breath when Murtagh stepped in.

“Look,” he said softly to the offended paramedic. “He’s been through a lot today. That’s his wife there and he watched her get injured. If you let him ride in wi’ her, at least he’ll be going to hospital too, aye?”

The man rolled his eyes.

“Fine. But if you get in the way of me helping my patient, so help me I’ll recommend the doctors sedate you and put you in a separate wing.”

Jamie nodded once and hopped in the back. The doors closed as Murtagh, Rupert, and Angus looked on. He was sure they’d drive to the hospital once they got back to their car.

“Jamie.”

He turned to look at his beautiful wife, who was miraculously still breathing.

“I’m right here, Sassenach.”

“You’re as hurt as I am,” she whispered. “You need to be seen to.”

With a smile, he took her hand. It was warmer, but still far colder than he’d like.

“I’m fine. I’ve been away from you for too long. I’ll not leave your side now.”

She sighed at him and did her best to glare at him. There was no way she’d win this argument. Besides, they were on their way and couldn’t change it now.

He watched in tormented worry as the medic began hooking Claire up to all sorts of things. Immediately he began a transfusion due to her blood loss, along with a number of other things.

“This will help with the pain, Claire. Just rest. We’ll take good care of you.”

“I don’t want…” She looked to Jamie in a panic. “I’d rather stay awake.”

“Rest, Claire,” he said gently. “I’ll be here when ye wake.”

***

The sound of beeping was the first thing she noticed. That was quickly followed by the sharp scent of disinfectant. Was she in hospital? The last thing she really remembered was…

“Jamie!”

She sat up quickly, which she immediately regretted. Her chest throbbed and her head swam. Frantically, she searched around her to see if her Scottish brute was nearby. He shouldn’t be here in the hospital with her. People could track him down in such a public place. She heard a soft rustling, just out of view.

“I’m here, as promised,” he said from beside her.

Gingerly turning her head, she saw him sitting in a small chair. His face was beautiful, though it looked drawn with worry. His eyes were… They churned and roiled as he looked at her. She made a soft sound as he took her hand, enveloping hers with his own.

“Claire, ye ken I love ye. But if ye ever scare me like that again,” he stopped, voice quavering.

Her breath hitched as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

“I’m not going-”

Two knocks at the door interrupted them before the doctor walked in. He was of average height, distinctive black eyebrows and black hair. When he smiled up at them, she got a distinct impression of Mr. Bean.

“Ah, Claire Beauchamp. I’m glad to see you’re awake.”

“It’s Fraser,” Jamie grumbled.

“Ah,” the doctor said, scribbling down a note. “Claire Fraser Beauchamp. Well it looks like your wound is healing well. You’re incredibly lucky. It’s miraculous really, that you’re still with us. A medical marvel.”

Jamie met Claire’s eyes, eyebrows raised.

“You’ll be happy to know,” the doctor continued, “That both of your babies are doing just fine as well, despite the recent trauma. We’d like to keep you in for a little bit longer until you’re more stable, but you should be able to go home soon. Let us know if you’re in too much pain and we’ll give you something that will be safe to take with some buns in the oven.”

Tucking Claire’s chart under his arm, he turned to leave.

Jamie stared at Claire as she stared in shock at the doctor’s retreating back. His ears were ringing.

“I’m sorry, did you say-” Claire started.

“Babies?!” Jamie finished. “As in… Claire’s pregnant?”

The doctor turned around with a furrowed brow.

“Well, yes. You’re several weeks along, Mrs. Fraser Beauchamp. Twins as well.”

“Twi- Wait. No. Her name is Claire Fraser. JUST Fraser.”

“Jamie,” Claire barked, silencing him with a squeeze of her hand, staring at the doctor. “You’re sure I’m pregnant, doctor?”

He looked between the pair of them, confused.

“Of course, Mrs. Beauchamp Fraser. We can test again if you like. Better yet, I can ring someone from obstetrics down here and give you an ultrasound.”

“That’s not her-” Jamie started, finding something to cling to in the wake of everything that happened in the last five minutes.

“Hush,” she said, putting a placating hand on his arm. “We’d appreciate that, doctor. Thank you.”

He smiled and nearly bolted from the room. The beeping from the heart monitor began to pick up speed. Jamie began brushing the hair from her face, gently petting it down in an attempt to calm her. He looked worried, and not just about the impending children.

“Jamie, we…”

The hand that was holding hers moved over her abdomen.

“We’re gonna be parents,” he said softly.

He began to blink rapidly, quickly brushing the back of his hand over his eyes. Was he… crying?

“To two babies. Are we ready for that?”

She looked up at him slowly, worried at what she’d find in his eyes. The warmth swirling in the blue depths gave her comfort and peace.

“Probably not,” he said with a chuckle. “But I think between the two of us, we can manage. Christ. Can you imagine, Claire? A wee little lass running around wi’ your curls? Or a braw lad wi’ my eyes?”

The squealing giggles of two little girls rang in Claire’s ears, carried on the ocean breeze.

“Yes, I can.”

“Claire, I… I wanna ask ye something.”

Frowning, she watched as he stood up from his chair. Her eyes went wide when he got down on one knee with a wince.

“Jamie, what are you-”

“Claire,” he interrupted. “I ken we handfast and we’re married as far as we’re concerned. But… would ye marry me? Again?”

God, this man. Her lips began to tremble and she fought back joyful tears. Here he was, in pain from who knows what injuries, kneeling on the floor, proposing to her like they weren’t already married. And expecting children! This beautiful buffoon was the love of her life.

“Oh Jamie. Of course I’ll marry you again.”

Once he stood again, he leaned over to give her a soft kiss.

“Good. Then we’ll make sure ye change yer name. Legally. So anyone who meets you will know ye belong to me.”

“Like the doctor who can’t quite get my name right?”

“Like that bloody wee doctor, aye,” he said, glaring at the door.

Claire huffed out a laugh, wincing as pain blossomed from her wound. Jamie’s brow furrowed.

“Ye need rest, mo ghràdh. Dinna fash. I’ll be right here.”

Claire’s eyes closed as Jamie placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. With a yawn, she settled into the hospital bed and drifted off to sleep.

The sound of waves hitting the shore made her smile. Both little girls waved at her from where they were burying someone in the sand. The dark mop of hair suggested Murtagh. A hand settled on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

“They’re beautiful lasses, aren’t they?” Jamie asked.

“Yes, they are. Can you believe they’re ours?”

“Aye, I can. They’ve your courage and beauty.”

Claire leaned into him.

“And your strength and loyalty.”

“I can’t wait to see what our Fraser lassies will do.”

Blinking slowly, Claire looked around her hospital room. Jamie’s hand was resting over her abdomen while he slept in the chair beside her bed. She placed her hand on top of his, just over the place where their two children grew.

#outlander #outlander fanfic #Red Jamie and the White Lady #chapter 33 #takemeawaytocamelot #diversemediums #we're back baby

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