Lisa shook her head, trying to clear it. Even after all the times she'd made love with him, she still couldn't think clearly when he was touching her. "What are you saying?"
That I need you forever, Lisa Brodie. Wed me and have babies with me and give me forever.
"Lisa Brodie?" she squeaked.
You doona think I'd leave you in shame, do you? Be my wife. I promise you will want for naught. He slipped his hands inside her panties and cupped her bottom. His gaze was fixed on her abdomen, as if he were trying to see inside her. Her hand flew to her stomach.
"Do you know something I don't know?" she asked suspiciously.
Just that you've already done one of the three things I am asking you to do.
"I'm pregnant? I'm going to have your baby?" she exclaimed, a shiver of delight racing up her spine.
Our baby. Yes, lass, he already grows within you and he will be very… special. Marry me, love.
"Yes," she said. "Oh yes yes yes, Circenn!"
I am the luckiest man in the world.
"Yes," Lisa agreed, then thought no more for a long time.
* * *
Afterward, they showered together, slipping and sliding in the huge marble shower that had six spouts, three on each wall. Circenn indulged with the unfettered pleasure of a fourteenth-century barbarian who'd never seen a shower before, standing in the streams of the water, shaking his head and spraying it everywhere. They made love on the marble floor, in the corner against the wall, and in the Jacuzzi. Lisa, wrapped in a fluffy white robe, was toweling her hair dry when she heard Circenn yelling in the bedroom.
Startled, she slipped from the bathroom only to discover Circenn standing nude in front of the TV, roaring at it.
"William Wallace did not look like that!" He gestured irritably at the TV
Lisa laughed, as she realized he was pointing at a blue-faced Mel Gibson, storming into battle in Braveheart.
"And Robert doona look like that!" he complained.
"Perhaps you should try writing a script yourself," she teased.
"They'd never believe it. It is obvious your time has no idea what my time was really like."
"Speaking of your time and my time, where—or should I say when—will we live, Circenn?"
Circenn pressed the Off button on the remote control like a pro, and turned to her. "Any place you wish, Lisa. We can spend six months in my time and six months here, or go week to week. I know you wish to be near your family. We could take them back too."
Lisa's eyes grew wide. "We could? We could take my mom and dad to your time?"
"How would you like to be married in a fourteenth-century ceremony with your mother and father in attendance? Your father may bequeath you to me, and I in turn will grant him a handsome manor, should your parents choose to retire there. Of course Robert, Duncan, and Galan will insist upon being present as well—I'm afraid it may turn into quite a spectacle."
Lisa couldn't stop smiling. "I would love that! A fairytale wedding."
"Provided we are cautious not to change too many things, I see no problem arranging it. I'm beginning to understand what Adam meant when he said if one looks down the timeline, one can discern which things are irrevocable and should not be manipulated, and which things will make little difference."
"Adam," Lisa said hesitantly. She hadn't forgotten for a moment that Circenn hadn't answered her earlier question.
"Yes," a voice said behind her, as Adam materialized in their suite. He grinned at Circenn. "So you finally got around to asking her to marry you. I was beginning to despair. Every time I tried to pop in, the two of you were…"
She spun around. "You!"
Adam grinned puckishly, turned into Eirren, then turned back into Adam. Lisa was speechless. But only for a moment.
She advanced on him. "You saw me in my bath!"
"What?" Circenn thundered.
"He visited me the whole time I was in your century," she clarified.
Circenn glared at his father. "Did you?"
Adam shrugged, the cameo of innocence. "I was concerned you might not be treating her well enough and checked in from time to time. You should be grateful that I decided upon full disclosure—I had considered just telling her that Eirren had run off, when she got around to asking about him. But I've decided to try to be a new person henceforth, at least around you and Lisa."
"Why do you put up with him?" Lisa said, shaking her head.
"Lisa, it's all right," Circenn said, moving swiftly to her side. "It's not what you think." He scowled at Adam. "Doona think I've forgotten you saw her in her bath. We will speak of it later, the three of us, and have the whole story out. But how did you come here by yourself? Has Aoibheal forgiven you?"