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tae save your soul, Sassenach, so doona try."
    "I ne'er said she was not pretty.” He adjusted his doublet from Colin's handling. “She is quite comely. Until she opens her mouth.” Unless he was kissing her, then her mouth was quite a joy.
    Colin laughed heartily. “'Tis such a good turn tae see you suffer as I suffered."
    "Delusional, as usual. You are imagining things. Seeing things that are not there through those lovesick eyes of yours. Either that or the fact you are about to become a father has stolen the last bit of sense you e'er had."
    Colin sobered. “A father. I still canna believe it.” He leaned against the wall and stared at the closed door before them. “What do you suppose is takin’ so bleedin’ long?"
    Ian relaxed and took a place beside him against the wall. “We shall no doubt know something soon enough."
    Ian worried for Amelia, but his friend's previous observations were what plagued his mind. They were entirely too accurate. Yes, he liked the woman, far more than he liked any other, and yet he could not fathom why. She was stubborn, hardheaded, and argumentative. They were at odds over nearly every topic thus far. And she was a tiny thing, when he was a rather large figure of a man. He'd always leaned toward those women who were hardier than Jenny Maxwell. One of the many reasons he'd hoped, although only idly, to court Amelia when they'd first met. But it wasn't long before she fell quite hopelessly in love with his friend.
    But this woman. No, the idea was ridiculous. He admitted that her fey-like features and delicate form were enticing, but she was not for him. He stroked his chin. That kiss however...
    The door opened, thankfully interrupting the direction of his thoughts. Colin braced himself, no doubt afraid of the worst. Ian gripped his shoulder, offering his support in whatever was to come.
    Elspeth's smiling face peaked out and motioned them inside.
    Colin rushed to Amelia's side where she lay upon the bed, her face awash with tears. “Mavourneen, what ails you?"
    Ian stole a glance at Jenny as she took the stethoscope, he believed ‘twas called, from her ears. She sported a bright smile. Whatever the cause of Amelia's tears, they were happy ones, thank heaven.
    "We—we're—” Amelia blubbered and loudly. A sight Ian would ne'er get used to, but since the babe, she seemed to do so often.
    "What is it? Tell me what's wrong,” Colin demanded of Jenny, his face contorted with worry.
    "You're going to be the father of twins,” Jenny said, still smiling. She was quite lovely. And although Ian felt the weight lift off his shoulders at the good news, he couldn't help but notice a faint sadness in Jenny's eyes.
    "Twins?” Colin squeaked, not a manly sound, but considering the news, Ian could not fault him for it.
    "Everyone is quite healthy and I expect a somewhat easy delivery, considering things, but she is confined to bed for the duration,” Jenny said.
    "Hell,” Amelia grumbled with the last of her sniffles.
    Jenny giggled. A sound, not unlike tiny tinkling bells Ian once heard a long time ago in a church. Sweet and clear.
    "They'll be early,” Jenny said, completely unaware of his discomfort. “We're looking at maybe a month at most. Not too terrible a wait, Tuck. You'll be fine. Take up knitting or something."
    Amelia shot her a glare with a faint growl. One he knew Jenny could not see, but the maid laughed. There was no doubt she knew her friend well.
    "Twins, I canna believe it,” Colin rasped.
    "Two hellions to drive you sorely mad. Now that ‘twill be a delight to see,” Ian said.
    "Would you care to hear their heartbeats?” Jenny asked Colin.
    "Hear their...” he swallowed hard. “Aye."
    He moved down the side of the bed while grasping Amelia's hand. Jenny handed him the stethoscope and he placed the tips in his ears. She felt her way down his arm and took hold of the disc and pressed it to Amelia's large belly. The smile and wonder that spread across Colin's