Changes

Title: Changes
Author: Fyre Faerie
Pairing: Javey
Summary: Duke Puget is given a slave after good trading with a far east lord.
Archive: Sure, just drop me a line about where it is.
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own them or the myths mentioned.
Warnings: AU, !!MPREG!!, (also should warn you I really played with the guy's ages so be on the look out for that!) and another sacvenged sex scene from one of my other fics.
Authors notes: This is for Amberchilde. For she who has enspired me so much.

Part 1
"And for your troubles, Lord Puget... I little gift will await you in your quarters." The large Japanese lord smiled loftily at the British trader he'd been able to do such good trading with.
"A gift is not necessary... though it is appreciated. I am sorry that I will not see you again before I depart, Lord Mau Fu. It has been a most agreeable trading expedition, thanks to you." Duke Puget said as he bowed from the waist and then walked out, wondering what he was going to find waiting on him in his chambers.
A short walk found him back in his chambers and staring at the delicate person sitting in the elegant rooms he'd been staying in for the last few weeks while the trading took place. "May I help you?"
"It is I who will help you, Lord Puget." the person rose, finally giving Jade an idea of the gender of the other occupant of the room. The person draped in the most delicate silks Jade had ever seen, was very much a man.
"Are you the present Lord Mau Fu sent to me?" Jade asked as he moved carefully around the room disposing of his attire, but the entire time, watching the other man wondering if he was there to kill him.
"Yes, my lord. I am here to please you." the young man lifted his head and for a brief moment he locked his eyes on Jade's. In that moment Jade's breath caught and his heart seemed to still. Then, as the slave's face turned down again, the moment was broken and Jade looked away wondering what it could have been that made his heart start to pound after finding it's rhythm again.
"Really? Are you sure you're not here to kill me?" Jade asked bluntly, having grown accustomed to assassination attempts by human 'gifts' from some of his trading partners.
The slave seemed taken aback by that and shook his head quickly. "I couldn't even harm a mouse should it run by and startle me... I could not even think to harm a human. It is simply not in my nature."
"Very well... You must have some purpose or the lord of this noble house wouldn't have given you to me." Jade finally finished unbuttoning his shirt and shrugged out of it.
"I have many gifts I could share with you, my lord. I have been trained in the art of vocalization, painting, sculpting, the writing of songs and ballads, and the entire discipline of sexual intercourse. In that respect I have been given to you because of my pure state so that you might train me in what ever manner you wish." the slave bowed again as he stared at the floors waiting for his first orders.
Gulping silently Jade shook his head. "I don't use slave for such things. That's what the prostitutes are for. But your others skills will serve you well in the Puget household. Do you have any skills with children? What about with household chores?"
The slave looked up with an almost outraged look at the last question. "Sir, I am a pleasure slave! I would not know a polishing cloth from a handkerchief! As for children... I love them... I am fully trained to care for any that I might produce."
"What about education? You speak my language really well, what about reading and writing?" Jade pushed his pants off and slung them on the chair beside his shirt.
"I can fluently speak twelve languages, sir. Including Japanese, Chinese, English, Italian, Spanish, Gaelic, Greek, and Latin. I can read and write in all 12 of them save Chinese. I also know the histories of most of the cultures belonging to the languages I mentioned. I can also embroidery better than any lady at the King's court in Britain as well as shot a bow and arrow as any woodsman you could ever hope to find. I have even put some time into the study of the stars. You have children, my lord?" the slave walked over and slowly folded up the clothes the lord had discarded.
"You have some great qualifications... And no... not children of my own. My brother, a cousin, and the son of a departed friend need an education and no other governess or tutor will take them on as their charges. Where are you from originally, slave?" Jade asked as he scrubbed his face in a bowl of warm water that had been waiting on him.
"Surely, my lord is not interested in such things... May I inquire the ages of the children, my lord?" the slave was busy preparing the strange bed that all people from the East slept on. Jade watched his graceful as he pulled on his sleeping gown.
"Yes, I am. I insist that you tell me your land of origin. As for my brother he is 3 summers, our cousin is 6 and the boy I took in is four." Jade crawled under the light weight sheet and shifted until he found a comfortable spot to study his new slave.
"My people are originally from an isle north of Britain... but they were drove out generations ago. I was born on a tiny island in the Mediterranean." the slave tucked his new master in and watched him shift and get settled for the night, obviously not wanting company that evening.
"Are you from Eire?" Jade asked just before he was asleep.
"Yes, my lord... or at least somewhere near to that place." the soft voice came from a little palette at the foot of his futon.
"You're not a heathen sent to tempt my soul with hell?" Jade asked as he sunk into sleep.
"How can I tempt your soul with something I don't believe in?" the answer was the last thing Jade heard before the arms of Morpheus.

***** Part 2
The trip home to his duchy in the northern most section of his Majesty's Britain was long and arduous. It took them better than a year and a half more than one occasion the Duke was certain that he would not survive to see his brother or home again. But soon they had docked and were on the road. Jade was almost home. The slave sat beside him, riding as silent as a spirit... Not that his silence was unusual. Most of the time, Jade would have to force him to speak and even then the little slave would not say much. Though there were times that Jade would ask him to sing and the slave's song would echo over the ship or building they were inhabiting. It had taken months before Jade had got his slave's name. David, a Christian name he had been given when he'd been caught and sold in the Holy city. One, which the slave almost refused to answer to. The best Jade could do, was to call him Davey.
"Almost there, little slave... My brother is anxious for me to be home... it worries him when I'm away for long periods of time. Our father was lost on such a trip as we are returning from. I am the only family he and our cousin has left... I can not leave them alone. We should be able to see the castle soon... There it is... Welcome to the Castle of Teamhaire (pronounced: Tara)." Jade told him when the castle was just coming into view.
"You named your manor after the burnt halls of the High King?" Davey asked him as they watched the large castle come into view of their carriage.
"No... my grandfather did. He said it was to honor my grandmother, whom was supposedly a granddaughter of Liath Luachra [a.n.: Liath is a member of Gaelic myth. She and her lover Bodhmall, a powerful Druidess supposedly trained the great leader of the Celtic peoples, Finn]." Jade told him, trusting this slave with this family's history. After spending better than a year with the quiet slave, Jade felt he had a trusted confidante in him as well as a good person to teach his brother, cousin and charge.
"The great woman warrior who trained Finn?" Davey turned his head and looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes... Though I don't know how much truth there is in the statement... Not that I doubt my grandmother, God rest her... It just seems a little farfetched to me." Jade told him with a shrug as he allowed his mind to wander and wonder about the home coming he was about to receive.

*****
Davey watched as two little boys came running out to meet Jade while a third stood back and simply watched. "Smith... Adam... how have you been in my absence?"
Both of the boys began to jabber on and on about the things they had done, while the third boy moved slowly closer. Jade sunk to his knees to that he could talk to the children on their level and was hugging them both to his sides listening intently to the tales they were telling. Looking up Jade motioned to the other boy. "Come along, Hunter. I want to hear what you have done since I last spoke with you." Finally the little boy raced forward and hit Jade running at full speed knocking over the Duke and the other two boys.
The one child Davey had thought was a silent and well behaved child, turned out to be the wildest of the lot. But standing back and watching them, Davey knew that they were good children and would probably listen to his teachings.
"Enough, little ones... Allow the Duke to gain his feet. You can tell him more when he's had a chance to rest." Davey told them as he walked over and pulled each of the boys off of the man who was laughing and talking with them.
All three of the boys stared at him with fascinated looks and then watched Jade, waiting for an explanation. After dusting himself off, Jade smiled at the boys and spoke softly. "Smith, Hunter, Adam... this is your new instructor, David. He will watch after you and teach you your lessons."
The boys all looked as though he'd suggested some form of blasphemy and then glared at Davey as if he were the one responsible for such a travesty.
"He will be teaching you during the winters when you're board anyway, so don't think of harming him because it won't help you now any way. Adam could you show him to the slave quarters between your room and my brother's?" Jade suggested to the eldest of the trio.
"Sure... Come on... what did you say your name was again?" Adam asked as he held out his hand to the tall adult with the pretty brown eyes.
"Call me Davey, please young one." Davey told him as he took the offered hand and was surprised to feel his other hand get grabbed. Glancing down he smiled into the large eyes of the Duke's brother. The other little boy stood back, obviously not knowing what to do. Not able to stand it, Davey smiled gently at Hunter and spoke softly, "Why don't you lead the way?"
Surprised to have any one talk to him with such a soft look. "Okay..." Hunter took off at a slow jog, staying just close to act as their 'guide'.

*****
With a smile Davey began unpacking his things. It felt so good to be this close to his ancestral home. The Isle of Skye wasn't more than a five day journey from here... Maybe he'd be allowed to visit it one day. It was odd, he'd been given to a man he was certain would use him and then throw him away as if he were just any slave. Not the child of a highly respected member of the almost defunct Celts.
A set of soft whispers made him glance over his shoulder found all three boys watching him through a partially opened door, he'd been told lead to Smith's room.
"And what are you three doing?" he asked as he spun and giggled on the inside as the three boys tumbled in like a bunch of pups.
"We were just wondering about your stuff... it looks like it's all made of silk. We've never seen a slave that wore silk before." Smith said obviously the spokesman of the little group.
"Well, it was something my former master gifted me with. But I'll probably need something more sturdy to keep up with you three during your summer months of play." Davey said as Adam, Smith and Hunter all climbed into his bed to watch him put away his things.
"I'm sure Jade will give you something that's for our outdoor stuff... Do you even have a winter cloak?" Smith asked as he moved to the end of the bed to stare at all of the pretty clothes that were being folded away into the bureau.
"No... It has been a long time since I was in a place cold enough to warrant anything heavy." Davey frowned at that, but then shrugged it off. It was still early summer and there were still months before the winter would be upon them.
"Don't worry about it! Jade will make sure you don't go without the clothes you need. You're not from the far east are you? I mean you don't look like Ping... he's a cook in the kitchens... he's from there and you don't look like him at all... well other than the dark hair... But your's is kind of curly. His isn't." Smith said with the certainty of a 5 year old.
"That's a very good observation, young one." Davey told him with a nod as he put away all of his soft soled slippers, before turning to the boys.
"What's that mean?" Hunter asked as he bounced near the headboard of the large bed.
"Observation? An observation is something that you've noticed or made note of. And no I'm not from the Orient. My people are from a little isle north of here." Davey told them as he moved to sit on the bed with them. "So... have you had an instructor before?"
"Nope... Generally we're allowed to just run around and do what ever we please as long as we don't hurt anyone or damage something." Adam told him, taking his responsibility as eldest of the three very seriously.
"Okay. So you're all starting out at the same place. None of you have learned to read or write yet?" Davey asked just to make certain.
"Nope... Adam can spell his name. But that's because it's in the Bible and the priests make us look at it ever night before we go to bed." Smith said as he rolled over and smile at Davey.
"Well, we won't spend much time with the Christian Bible, since I don't know it very well. We'll work from our own minds. I will teach you from either from parchment when we have it or a slate if we can get the Duke to buy one for us to use. Otherwise I will use a piece of leather and teach you as Grandmother taught me." Davey smiled as the boys looked at each other, obviously trying to decide if they liked the idea of learning.
"Your Grandma taught you?" Hunter asked shyly as he crept closer and then finally eased onto Davey's lap.
"No... she was just an elder of my tribe. The people I come from call all older people Grandmother or Grandfather." Davey played with Hunter's hair and smiled when the little boy snuggled closer.
"I had a Grandma for a little while... But she got sick and died before Mama and Papa." Hunter said softly as he laid his head over Davey heart.
"I'm sure they loved you very much and are even now watching over you... Now... why don't one of you show me to the side doors so that I can explore my new home?" Davey asked as he rose and set Hunter on his feet beside him.
"Sure! Come on... We'll show you our tree." Smith told him as he took Davey's free hand and pulled him and Hunter out of the door with Adam just a step behind them.

***** Part 3
"Davey..." Jade's voice made the slave look up from where the boys were napping with their instructor under their tree.
"Yes, my lord? Was there something you needed?" Davey asked softly as he smiled up at his owner. It had been almost five months since they'd arrived at the Castle of Teamhaire. In that time Jade had never used him as the sex slave that Davey was intended to be. But there would be times that Jade would pull the slave aside and speak with him about various things and sometimes nothing at all.
"I was just hoping you'd walk with me... tell me some things." Jade lifted Hunter off of Davey's lap and set him on the blanket beside the other two boys and helped the slave up.
After walking away Jade pulled him to a stop and leaned back against a tree. "What do you know about the Celts making a return to these isles?"
Davey tilted his head and nodded a bit. "There were a few radicals who thought we should come back and retake our homelands by what ever force necessary... But most just shrug it off as wild rumors... Though it has been years since I have been in the inner circles of my people... Sentiment could have changed since then."
With a heavy sigh Jade crossed his arms and looked up at the sky. "According to border patrols, there is an army of 10,000 strong right on the other side of the Wall... And it's obvious they are prepared for war."
A gasp of breath made Jade look at Davey who had his hand to his mouth. "What is it?"
"No... my people wouldn't go to war... not again... No... We swore never again... Not even at the risk of our lives, never again... No! NO!" Davey's hysterical rambling disturbed Jade into taking him into his arms and holding him tightly.
"Hush... Don't think on it. It could just be a revolt of the peoples of the North. It's very likely not your people." Not knowing how else to stop him Jade tilted Davey head to him and took his lips in a deep kiss.
For a moment Davey's eyes were wide, but then he sunk into the kiss with a sigh. When they finally parted, Jade was smiling at his lovely slave. Davey blushed slightly and smiled shyly at him as he played with one of the buttons of Jade's shirt.
"Will you come to my chambers tonight?" Jade asked softly as he curled some of Davey's hair around his finger.
"Yes, my lord. I will... with pleasure." Davey told him as he continued to play with the button.
"No... you will not come to me as a pleasure slave. You will come to me as Davey... Just as I will not be your master, I will simply be Jade. If you can not do this, then I will not accept you into my bed." Jade moved his hand to cup Davey's chin.
"But... Of course... Jade." The smile on Jade's face told Davey he'd done the right thing and smiled back.
Reaching out, Jade took a key from his pocket and unlocked the cuff that showed Davey to be a pleasure slave. "You are free now. You will remain here at Teamhaire as the boy's tutor... You will receive your room and keep as well as a small wage... and if you should like to join me in my bed you are welcome there."
Davey accepted the opened cuff and stared at it with shock. "You can't be serious... I can not be free."
"You are. You can do as you like now... Though I certain the boys would like it if you stayed... As would I." Jade murmured as he tucked Davey's hair behind his ear. "For now, it would be best if you were to go back to the boys."
"Okay... I will try to come to you tonight." Davey whispered, turning and hurrying back to the boys.
Jade watched him for a moment longer as Davey settled, before going back to the castle.

***** Part 4
At just past the midnight hour Davey snuck into Jade's large chambers. The Duke was sound asleep in the middle of the large bed. Davey slowly stripped and crawled under the covers and pressed against his side. The noble opened his eyes slowly and smiled. "You came."
"Of course... I wish to be with you... Just Jade and Davey... nothing and no one more." Davey leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Jade's lips. As soon as their lips met Jade took over the kiss Davey had meant to be easy and teasing, and turned it into a kiss of hard lust.
Pulling back Davey pouted slightly before smiling eagerly at him. With that same grin gracing his face, Davey dove for Jade's mouth and their tongues wrestled each other for dominance. Davey rolled them until Jade was on the bottom then he pulled up and smirked at Jade. "Do you wish for me to be on top or for me to be on bottom?"
"I shall be on top... I've got to be inside of you." Jade panted as he leaned over to grapple under the edge of the bed until he came up with a jar of oil.
Jade took Davey's lips again and quickly coated his fingers in the oil, then rolled Davey under him. When he felt Davey was deeply imbedded in the kiss Jade reached down between his Davey's legs and traced the tight pucker that was hidden there. Davey broke the kiss to gasp, then he pulled Jade back into the kiss, only this time it was harder.
His Davey liked his kisses a bit rough, it seemed. Jade thought as he pressed one finger into his lover. As Davey grew more aroused he wanted hard, sucking, biting kisses. Jade felt the tightness inside of Davey and wondered at the virgin passage that had never accept anyone before him. Gently, Jade started to stretch the muscle that guarded Davey's heat. Soon one finger became two, to which Davey moaned and sucked on Jade's tongue harder. Jade chuckled in his head and worked a little faster, it felt as if he hadn't had sex in a long time and he was ready to be inside his precious one.
When he pushed the third finger Davey stopped kissing for a moment hiss at the tightness. "It kind of hurts." he muttered as he tried to get accustomed to the fullness he had never felt before.
"It's okay. Just relax." Jade stroked in and out of him slowly allowing Davey to get use to the sensations. When he felt Davey completely relax around his fingers Jade smiled and pulled his fingers away, making Davey moan and pout. Jade took a quick second to slick some oil onto his cock before breaking the kiss so he could watch Davey's eyes as he entered him.
Davey's eyes were almost black as Jade stared into them. He eased himself into position and slowly pushed past the guardian ring of muscle into his Davey's heat. Davey stopped the little thrashing he had been doing while Jade prepared him. With their eyes and bodies locked like that he could see into Jade's soul.
"Am I hurting you?" Jade panted as he fought his need to pummel the tight heat around him.
Davey shook his head, but he didn't move. He wanted to enjoy it for a moment; just he and Jade joined as they were meant to be. Then when he felt the restlessness in Jade, Davey nodded for him to go on. Jade's first thrust was right into his sweet spot and it jumped to life with a fire of pleasure at the friendly assault. Davey gasped in pleasure and his eyes slammed shut at the lightning running through him.
The auburn haired man learned his lover's body till he knew it as well as he knew his own, so he knew the angle he needed to continuously hit Davey's prostate. If it were possible Jade thought Davey felt better with every thrust.
For what seemed like forever they pumped and grinded together till one particularly hard thrust on Jade's part hit Davey's sweet spot, sent him straight over the edge. The second Jade felt his lover's hot release on his stomach he started thrusting faster into the contracting hole he was buried in.
Davey wrapped his limp limbs around Jade as he strained to finish. As Davey moved his lips to start sucking over Jade's heart, the noble felt his balls draw and seconds later he was pumping his load into Davey.
When they finally broke a part Jade pulled out to lay down with Davey snuggled to his side. Davey started giggling and Jade glanced down with a raised eyebrow. "I gave you a love bite." Davey told him pointing to the place over Jade's heart he had sucked on at the end.
"That you did... Why don't you rest. You need to regain your strength. We'll speak more in the morning." Jade petted Davey's hair and held his lover close.
"Okay... But in the morning... we... shall... talk." Davey murmured the last and after snuggling closer, went to sleep.
Jade continued to hold him close until the stars started to disappear shortly before the coming of the dawn, when he went to sleep.

***** Part 5
"The conflict has grown worse... And the locals wish to know who you have sided with. As do most of you equals." a Baron said as he and several others sat with Jade while discussing the war that was just on the borders of their lands.
With a heavy sigh, Jade shook his head. "I can not pick one side or the other. I am neutral in this because of my own mixed heritage."
"You will have to choose one or the other, Lord Puget... There can be no neutrality in this." the Baron who had spoken first said again as he rose with the others who had come to speak with the Duke about the war brewing.
"I will maintain my neutral position as long as I can." Jade knew a threat when he heard it and he didn't like getting one form a lower ranking noble.
"Maybe this has little to do with your heritage and more to do with the Celtic bed slave you've got running around your manor as if he were a noble." the Baron suggested as he cocked an eye brow towards the window where Davey could be seen playing with the boys in the first heavy snow of the year.
"He is not a bed slave. He is a free man who works for my household as my charges' tutor. Do you have a problem with me hiring such a person?" Jade's eyes were cold as he stared down the baron.
"I heard that he was a bed slave you put into the job. I did not mean any disrespect, Duke." the Baron bowed knowing he was treading on dangerous territory.
"Of course you didn't. You are all welcome to stay here this evening and enjoy a good meal. Otherwise I will see you at the King's Court in the spring." Jade stood and gestured to the door and watched them leave with narrowed eyes. As soon as they were out the door Jade took a second exit and hurried out to where Davey and the boys were still playing.
"How is everyone?" Jade asked as he watched Adam wrestle with Hunter while Smith and Davey were building a snow castle.
"We're fine, brother... What did those men want?" Smith asked as he ran over and allowed his brother to scope him up and throw him in the air before setting him on his feet and allowing him to run back to the snow castle.
"They just wanted to ask me something. Don't worry on it... Davey I need to speak with you for a moment." Jade whispered as he pulled Davey away from the boys and spoke softly into his ear. "They worry about the fighting. It is coming very close to my lands... And they are concerned for whom I will side with. Have you heard from the Celts?"
"Not much... All I know is that they are not happy, Jade. A caravan of sick children were traveling to one of the larger cities for treatment when they were slaughtered for nothing more than being Celts. As for their war front... They will not speak of it to me because they know I am with you." Davey whispered back as he kept an eye on the boys as they continued to play.
"Okay." Jade murmured as he turned them both back to the boys. "Come along boys! It's time to go in. I don't want any of you catching your deaths!"
The boys groaned but hurried in and went right to the main fires in the private area of the castle. Davey stayed in step with Jade telling him what little he had seen when he had visited the Celts less than two days ride from the Castle of Teamhaire.
"It's going to be okay, Davey. I won't let anything happen to you and the boys." Jade told him as they went to the rooms they had unofficially been sharing for the three months since they had made love for the first time.
Davey had stripped off his wet clothes and turned to Jade with a smile. "I know you will protect us."
Jade only wished he could be that assured about things. He had to insure that Davey, Smith, Adam and Hunter were taken care of and war seemed imminent. "Davey... is there anywhere you could go. Some place safe for you and the boys?"
The frown this earned him made Jade smile a little but then he prodded Davey to answer.
Finally Davey nodded. "I know of one place that we would be safe... But we're not leaving you."
"I just wanted to know that you would have some where safe in case something should happen to me... Davey I didn't want to do this right now, but with Michaelmas approaching... I was going to ask on the eve of the Yule, but with war at our borders... Davey would you marry me? Before Michaelmas comes and we have to wait." Jade spoke softly as he moved to look out of one of the windows and hoped that Davey wasn't going to run away from his question.
"Marry? You wish to marry me?" Davey's voice shook so much that Jade turned and nodded his head when he saw the wide eyed look Davey was giving him.
"Yes, I do. Please Davey if we inform the priest now we can have the banns read and be married before the advent of Michaelmas." Jade took a few steps towards him.
Davey's head lowered for a few moments before he looked up and nodded. "I will marry you... on the condition that you agree to be married by my customs as well."
"Of course. I wouldn't have asked it of you otherwise. So you will? Truly?" Jade moved to take him in his arms.
"Yes, I will." Davey's partially wet smile warmed him and Jade let out a happy yell as he scooped Davey into his arms and swung in a circle.
"We will inform the priest tonight at dinner then we will be married two weeks from today... I love you." The admission of love was hard for Jade, whom had never admitted his love for anyone other than his family.
But his trouble was worth the look on Davey's face. "I love you too."

******
"As the tree is tied to the earth... so am I tied to you." Davey whispered as he stood across from Jade in front of an oak tree and a Druid priestess.
"Forever bound are your souls... Go forth and do not think of the time when you were separate." the priestess raised her hands and sprinkled pure spring water across the bonded couple.
"Thank you, Grandmother." Davey whispered as he kissed her cheek and then allowed Jade to hurry him away. It was night and they had to hurry before anyone saw the old Celt who had performed their second wedding of the day.
When they were firmly secured back in their room Jade grinned as he nuzzled Davey's neck. "We are together... from this life to the next."
Davey chuckled and nodded. "This is just what I would have wished for my birthday."
"Today's your birthday? Why didn't you tell me?" Jade asked as he tickled Davey a little before they snuggled down onto their bed.
"Well... it's tomorrow. But this is just an early birthday present for me. I love you, Jade." Davey murmured as he tried to escape the tickling fingers.
"I wish you had told me... We would have waited until tomorrow for the weddings... or at least had a feast planned for you." Jade insisted as he pulled Davey closer and held.
"It's okay. I don't wish anything special for my day of birth... Just having you is enough." Davey whispered as he started to trail his hands down the front of Jade's shirt and pants.
"Okay... if you are certain. How do you want me?" Jade's smile turned hot as Davey's hands cupped him through his pants.
"Now... that's how I want you." Davey said as he started to unclothe his new husband.
"I can do that." Jade told him as he started to help part them both from their clothes.

***** Part 6
Over a week later Davey awoke to a knock at the door and hurried whispers from his husband to someone outside. As the door closed Davey sat up and Jade lit a candle.
"Davey... you must rise and get dressed as quickly as you can. Hurry!" Jade' insistent voice had Davey on his feet and dressing before he could think.
As he finished getting his clothes on, Jade came to him with a large travel bag and began to throw some of his clothes into it. "What's going on? What's happened?" Davey asked as he helped Jade put his clothes into the bag.
"You must take the boys and leave... as quickly as the quickest horses in my stable can travel. I want you to go to this safe place you told me about." Jade's haunted eyes made Davey shiver as he closed the full bag and pulled on his heaviest cloak.
Before anything else could be said two servants came in and settled Hunter and Smith on the bed, both still sleeping. Adam was lead in a moment later, looking sleepy and scared all at once. Davey drew the little boy close and held the eight year old close for a moment before settling him on the bed with the two sleeping ones. "Stay here and stay quiet for a moment. If Hunter or Smith wake up sooth them back to sleep. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Davey." Adam told him softly as he laid down by the other two and waited for news on what ever was going to happen.
Turning Davey hurried into the adjoining library where the duke was putting handfuls of gold into a purse. When a third sack was full of gold, Jade gave them to Davey. "You and the boys are to leave now. The Celts and locals have met on the battlefield... and that battlefield is much to close for my comfort."
"Wouldn't we be safer here, inside the castle?" Davey asked as he hid one of the purses away in his pants and took the other two in to be hidden in his bag of clothes as two servants brought in a couple of small bags of things for the boys.
Not saying anything Jade led Davey over to the window and pointed out an ominous orange glow on the night horizon. "That's how close they are. I am sending a single man with you, that you would get through unnoticed. I know you can take care of yourself and the boys. Go now, Fritch will have the horses waiting on you in the stables. Be well... and remember my love." Jade shared one last lingering kiss with Davey before picking Smith up and handing him to Davey and taking up Hunter to carry while Adam got all of the bags and followed a step behind.
In the stables Jade assisted Davey into the saddle of his own destier [a.n.: war horse large and very mean] before handing up Hunter. Davey had tied a length of cloth around his shoulders and settled Hunter in the saddle in front of him with it under the boy's arms, to hold him up while Davey handled the horse. Then Jade handed his little brother up to the one young man he trusted to watch after them. Fritch, who had the same style of cloth around his shoulders, settled the Duke's brother side saddle and secured him there with the cloth, as Davey had done with Hunter. When Jade was certain they were ready, he turned and lifted Adam onto a third horse while servant secured the bags to the saddle of the horse. From there he tied the reigns of the horse to Davey's saddle and with one last kiss on Davey's lips, he gave Fritch a nod. Fritch, knowing what he had to do to sneak Lord Puget family away, hurried out of the stable at as fast a pace as he could with a 6 year old tied to his chest, and leading two other horses.
"I love you! Stay safe." Davey called back to Jade who nodded and yelled it as well.
As Davey and the others were out of sight, Jade turned back to his chief of arms. "Prepare for war. I don't give a damn what you have to do... I want this castle safe for them to return to!"
The knight nodded and bowed before leading the Duke to where Jade would be armed for battle.

***** Part 7
"Come on, Master Davey! We must hurry." Fritch pushed Davey and the boys as hard as he dared both day and night. He knew the situation was bad. That both side would kill them should they get a hold of them. So they had to run as far and fast as they could.
"Where is this place we're going?" Fritch asked after five days on the road and coming up quickly on the coast.
"I will show you as soon as we've reached the coast. From there we will sail to a small isle... it is there we will find sanctuary." Davey told him before speaking softly to Hunter who had woke up in his arms.
Fritch nodded as he shifted Smith, who was awake and taking in everything. The little boy looked up at him with such trusting eyes that Fritch's heart melted and he smiled a little, hoping he wouldn't scare the boy with his less than perfect face.
To his surprise Smith smiled shyly back before reaching out and beginning to braid small sections of the horse's mane.
Adam rode beside Davey, scared but doing his best to act like he wasn't. He'd heard the adults in the castle talking about the war that was so close and how they should all leave. It had scared him before he'd already lost both of his parents and he didn't want to lose Jade or Davey.
As they came to the coast they were greeted by the sight of a small village. Davey led them to a small boat man's house and dismounted, leaving Hunter in the saddle. "I will go arrange for transport to the isle. Please stay here I will return in a matter of moments." With a air of strength, Davey walked in and went right for the older man who was half sleeping behind a small business desk.
"I need a ship sailing to the Isle of Skye." Davey told him firmly after jarring him awake.
"Why do you need to go there?" the slightly dirty old man sat up and took in the rather expensive cloak covering the stranger.
"I'm going to visit friends of my clan." Davey told him in Gaelic as he lowered his hood and frowned strongly at the man.
After looking him over the boat man asked, "Which clan are you visiting?" It was spoken in a sub-dialect of Gaelic, only those from the Isle of the Skye spoke.
"Khold." Davey told him as he held out the money he had taken out of the travel purse before they had come into view of the village.
Taking the money, the old man looked it over before nodding. "Are you a friend of Ilsa?"
"Her son Grace is the one I know. It is he that my family and I are going to visit." Davey gestured out to the small boys and teen that he rode with.
"I'll take you there... I've got to be careful with the war some have declared on the Celts." the old man shook Davey's hand and walked with him out to where the others were getting off of their horses.
"Is there any way to take the horses with us?" Davey asked, unsure of how large the man's boat would be.
"Of course, sir. I have to be taking a load of lumber over any way." the man lead them to a boat that was docked at the small marina.
"Just allow my boy to stow the horses and then I'll check everything over to make certain that is ready to go." the old man gestured to a younger version of himself before starting onto the ship.
Davey and Fritch took the boys onto the ship after making certain their horses were boarded in the underbelly. After settling in one of the cramped rooms Davey held all three of the boys close while Fritch stood guard, ready for anything. "Sit down, Fritch... We are safe. We're among my people now." Davey told him with a sleepy smile.
"Are you certain?" Fritch asked as he sat down and allowed the Duke's brother to settle onto his lap and snuggle close to his warmth. On the ship it was freezing and Fritch wrapped his cloak tightly around them both as Davey did the same with Adam and Hunter.
"Yes. If they were going to kill us, they would have done so long before we made it on the ship. We're safe now. We can rest for the day's journey to the Isle." Davey said before yawning and drawing the two boys sitting with him closer and leaning his head back against the wall he was sitting against.
"Sleepy... Fritch? Snuggly warm." Smith murmured as he snuggled closer as he laid his head over Fritch's heart and went to sleep.
Unable to move with the limp mass that was the little boy on his lap, Fritch leaned back beside Davey, glad to be getting some rest.

*****
"We're here." the voice of the boat man said as he stuck his head into the room there were in and then walked away again.
"Come along. We need to get to my friend's home quickly. There is snow in the air and I do not want to be caught out in the middle of it." Davey told them as he stood and lead them to the dock where their horses were dancing a little, still nervous from the water.
After settling the horses, all of them mounted as they had been riding since they left the Castle of Teamhaire. The boatman wished them a good day and they hurried on their way.
An hour later they were just reaching a small castle. The sight of a familiar face made Davey laugh with joy as he dismounted and set Hunter on his feet before hurrying over to the familiar person. "Grace! It is so good to see you."
When the dark haired man recognized Davey he gathered him into a quick embrace before looking to the others who had traveled with him. "What has brought you all the way to my home?"
"War. My husband's castle was within ear shot of the battle fields. He wanted me to go somewhere safe... I could think of no where safer than here with you and your clan. Will you give sanctuary to me, my husband's brother, his cousin, a child he took in and a young man strong enough to protect us all the way here?" Davey spoke the formal words in Gaelic and Grace nodded.
"Of course. Now, allow one of the stableboys to put away your mounts while you come into the hall. It is cold out here and the snows are just about upon us." Grace reached out and took up Adam who had stepped forward. Davey picked Hunter up again and with Fritch carrying Smith, they retreated into the warm manor.

***** Part 8
Davey sat looking out of the window sighing. It had been better than two months since he and the others had ran from Teamhaire castle. The news of the war was slow coming, but as he had last heard, Jade was still alive and trying to create some kind of peace.
A slight cough from the bed behind him made him frown and go to where Hunter lay so pale and still. The little boy had come down with fever not long after reaching the Isle and was only just starting to show a great show of improved health. Adam, who had been sitting beside the fire reading a book Davey had got from Grace's library, stood up and came to his friend's side as well. Davey watched with kind eyes as Adam wiped a cool rag over Hunter's forehead before helping him take a drink.
"Davey, why don't you go lay down too? Fritch is watching after Smith and Hunter probably won't wake up before tomorrow morning anyway. You don't look so good either." Adam told him as he looked at Davey with worried eyes.
"I'm just a little tired. But I think I will go lay down for a while. You just go on reading your book while I'm resting. Come and get me or Grace if something happens with Hunter." Davey patted Adam on the head before going to his room next door. This made Adam even more worried. Normally Davey would just tell him he was fine and settle back on the window seat, where he would fall asleep anyway. But for Davey to actually go to his room for a nap... well Adam was now certain that there was something wrong with Davey. After he was certain Hunter wouldn't wake up he went to find Grace.
The lord of the manor was working in a closed in room that was made of glass where all sorts of plants were growing even though it was winter. "Grace?"
Grace looked up at his name and smiled at the little boy who was walking towards him, careful of the herbs all around him. "Yes, little one?"
"There's something wrong with Davey... He's not acting right. I was wondering if you could check on him... Make sure he doesn't have the fever like Hunter has." Adam asked him with begging eyes while he was chewing on his lip.
With a serious nod Grace patted him on the head and stood up. "I will go check on him right now. You should go back to your friend. Don't worry. I'm sure Davey is just tired and worried. Nothing a little sleep and seeing his husband wouldn't cure."
Adam nodded with a smile and hurried out to make sure Hunter hadn't woken up in the few minutes he had been gone.
As soon as Adam had disappeared around a corner, Grace went in search of his friend... to see if it was more than exhaustion and worry ailing him.

*****
"Davey?" Grace called as he tapped at the door leading to his friend's bed chamber. When he didn't receive an answer Grace pushed the door open to find Davey sound asleep in the middle of his bed, with some kind of stitchery held on his lap.
Going over, Grace frowned when Davey didn't awaken when he sat on the bed. The Davey he'd known while traveling wasn't a sound sleeper... In fact Davey didn't get as much sleep as he should. Yet here he was sound asleep and completely unaware of his surroundings. Something was different about Davey.
"Davey." Grace said loudly as he shook Davey's shoulder until the sleeper woke up.
"What... Is something wrong with one of the boys?" Davey asked as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"No... but I believe there might be something wrong with you. How long has this been going on?" Grace asked as he gave a vague gesture over Davey and the bed.
"There isn't anything wrong, Grace. I promise. I'm just tired. And worried." Davey gave him a tired smile as he started to rise only sink back onto the bed with a palm to his head.
"Are you okay?" Grace put a steadying hand to Davey's arm and held him until the other man stopped swaying.
"I'm fine... I just rose too quickly. Don't worry so much." Davey started to stand up again only to have Grace hold him down.
"Since you are a guest in my home, I will ask that you tell me what wrong... As your friend... I'll demand it." Grace looked him in the eyes and found no sign of sickness there, but rather a tired happiness as well as a bone deep worry.
Without a word Davey held up the stitching he'd fallen asleep working on. It was a tiny dark green shirt with pale lavender colored ivy embroidery around the hems.
Grace looked at the shirt and then at the man holding it. "You're with child?"
"I'm certain. I had my suspicions before I had to run from Castle Teamhaire... but now... I have the ache from where my body is preparing for the child's growth, add to that the sickness in the mornings, the tiny birthing opening and the constant tiredness... It will be only a short time before it will become apparent. Hopefully, I will be home before such a time." Davey said as he sat the stitchery aside and put his hands to his stomach, wondering at the little life he was now certain grew within him.
"Allow me to check you over. Please... for the little one's sake." Grace asked as he made Davey lay out and pushed up his shirt.
Poking as gently as he could Grace inspected him closely as Davey lay there trying not to laugh when he hit a ticklish spot. "Everything feels fine. No bleeding?" Grace asked as he gestured for the pants to come off while he stood and barred the doors into the room.
"None. I did have a cramp when we were riding here... but that's it. I haven't had any since." Davey took of his pants and pulled a pillow over his lap while Grace turned him towards the edge of the bed and looked at the tiny opening that was just barely formed between his anal opening and ball sac.
"If it was only one I wouldn't worry. Everything looks fine. I would say from the way things look you're about three and a half months into it. For now I would suggest getting into your dressing gown and resting some more. Then coming down to the hall for a nice large evening meal." Grace told him after he'd hand measured Davey's hips the get an idea about how the birthing would go. He hadn't told Davey, but Grace was certain that Davey wouldn't be going home before the baby was born. It would be just too dangerous to travel after a certain point in pregnancy... and with the war it would only add another element of danger.
After helping Davey into his dressing gown and tucking into bed, Grace personally stoked up the fire before leaving him to his rest.

***** Part 9
"Grace... is there something really wrong with Davey?" Smith asked as he sat on Fritch's lap. It had become his sitting place... and his place of comfort. Since leaving his brother's home he hadn't been out of sight of Fritch and if anything scared him he immediately sat on the teen's lap. Smith had even gone so far as to insist that Fritch sleep in the same room as him.
"No. He's just tired. And he's worried about his husband. I think I will send a messenger to see check and see how things are going and if there is anything to be done on Jade's side." Grace smiled down at Smith and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Okay... I just don't want to lose him like Momma and Daddy. He's nice and he makes Jade smile a lot." Smith chattered on about all of the good things Davey had brought into their lives and how much he'd miss him if he were to go away. Finally Fritch silenced him with a tap on the nose and the little boy crossed his eyes to look at it.
"Quiet." Fritch told him and the boy stopped talking and concentrated on eating.
After the boys had go to bed for the evening Fritch walked into Davey's room with a tray of food. Davey was just waking up as Fritch closed the door.
"Dinner. How are you feeling?" Fritch asked with a shy smile as he sat the tray on the bed side table.
"I feel fine. I'm just a bit a bit under the weather. Can you keep a secret?" Davey asked as he accepted a bowl of thick stew and a piece of bread.
"Sure." Fritch looked more like a child as he pulled his legs up underneath him and waited for the secret his Duke's husband was allowing him to know.
"I'm carrying a child." Davey told him softly as he began to eat.
Fritch stared at Davey with wide eyed wonder. "A baby? Lord Puget's heir?"
"Maybe an heir... maybe a girl. Do you think Jade will be happy about the baby?" Davey looked up from nibbling on the bread.
"Oh... umhm. He'll probably have a huge celebration when he or she is born." Fritch grinned as he thought about the party Lord Puget would throw when they baby was born.
"Why don't you go get the boys so I can explain to them what going on? If Hunter's feeling up to it bring him in as well. Please." Davey finished his food and smiled while Fritch nodded and ran out of the room with the tray.
An hour later Fritch lead the boys in and carried Hunter to lay on the bed beside Davey who was working on his stitchery.
"I need to speak with you boys... I know you've all noticed that something is different about me now. And I know you think I'm sick. I'm not. In fact in the next little while I'll probably be healthier than you've ever seen me. I'm carrying a baby..." Davey left off and put a hand to his lower stomach. "Right here. Hopefully, before the summer solstice, I will have birthed a health baby. Your niece or nephew." he told Smith then looked at Adam "Your cousin," and finally to Hunter who was more awake and bright eyed than he had been in a while, "And your friend."
All three of the boys looked to one other before nodding. "That's very nice. How big will it be? Will we be able to play with it?" Adam's questions tumbled over Smith's and Hunter just looked at him with questions in his eyes.
"Whoa." Davey halted them with a raised hand. "Calm down and I will answer all."
Fritch stood back and watched with interest as Davey explained as much as he could to the boys. After he was certain all was well Fritch left the family to their talk.

***** Part 10
"My lord Grace... may I ask something of you?" Fritch asked as he kept his head lowered.
"Of course... and do look at me while you're speaking." Grace was settled on his headman's chair with one leg thrown casually over one side.
Fritch looked up and smiled a little. "I was wondering if I could take a horse and cross over to the main land and go see how Lord Puget is fairing... Since the snow has gone and it's started warming up we haven't heard anything of him... And it's worrying Lord Davey. In his condition we both know that isn't good. He still has two more months to go before the baby will be born healthy. I thought that if I could get news of the Duke, maybe Lord Davey might relax and wait out the rest of his pregnancy more calmly than he has been." Fritch proposed as he nibbled on his lip. "The only thing I need help with is getting back to the island after I've left. Davey explained to me that they have to either recognize you or you know the right thing to say... And, sir, I don't know the right thing to say. Maybe you could give me something that would tell them who I am... or something..."
Grace started nodding half way through Fritch's little speech. "I agree... it has been too long since we've had solid news on Davey's Duke." Reaching up Grace pulled off a silver necklace. "Come here."
Fritch leaned closer and allowed the Celt to slip the necklace around the teen's neck. "You will go and find out what has happened. Then you will return. All of my people will recognize a token such as that necklace. I bid you hurry."
The teen dipped a quick bow before hurrying out to where he could saddle a horse and get the provisions to see him through his trip.

******
Fritch rode as hard as he could, straight to Castle Teamhaire. What he found there was the left overs of a battle field. Gagging at the smell of rotten flesh Fritch made his way to the castle and into where he was hoping to find Lord Puget.
There were people running around the castle inner parts, treating wounded and the dying. Fritch finally found his way to Lord Puget's library where he found a tired drawn and sickly looking Duke. "My lord!"
Jade raised fevered eyes to Fritch and stared at him unknowing for a second before recognition set in. "Fritch... what's happened? How is Davey? And my brother? Adam and Hunter?" Jade tried to stand up only to fall back when his wounded leg wouldn't hold his weight.
"They are well... but you are not. Why hasn't someone treated this leg?" Fritch asked after hurrying around the desk to look at the wound that disabled his lord.
"There is nothing more that they can do. Could you take me too them? I would like to see them." Jade looked at Fritch with hope as the younger man poked at the roughly bandaged wound.
"Of course... But my lord... there's something I should tell you before we leave." Fritch helped Jade to his feet and then out to where he had two fresh horses saddled.
"What is that?" Jade could barely see straight from the pain in his leg, but all he was thinking of was Davey and the boys.
"Lord Davey is carrying your heir." Fritch knew he should have waited and allowed Davey to share the news, but he just knew that this would prompt Lord Puget to hurry to Lord Davey's side even faster.
"My heir?" Jade thought about it and grinned as he hurried with Fritch's help out to where his horse was presented to him. After issuing a few orders Jade pushed himself to his feet. Then with the help of a couple of servants he was in the saddle and Fritch was leading him to his love, brother, cousin, charge... and his child.

****** Part 11
Davey sat on a stone bench in one of the inner gardens, sewing another piece of clothing for his child. It wouldn't be much long. Just a month or so. After that, as soon as he was well enough to travel he was going back to Teamhaire. He knew it wasn't a wise thing to do, but he was worried about Jade. All of the information they were getting was months old and mostly unreliable.
"There's someone approaching the manor!" a sentry called down into the keep forcing Davey to rise to his feet unsteadily and then made his way to see who had come for a visit.
Fritch and some servants hurriedly helped Lord Puget off of his horse and then one of the foot men carried him into the house. Lord Puget's leg wound had worsened over the time they had been on the road.
Davey was just going towards his room when he saw Fritch lead a foot man carrying someone into his room. Hurrying as fast as he could Davey got to his room and stared in wonder at his husband. Then he noticed the leg wound. Making his way over to the bed, Davey pulled himself up on to the bed bedside him and looked at the exposed wound. "Go get Grace... and a lot of hot water with a touch of salt in it. Hurry!"
The servants scuttled off at Davey's words and Fritch went off to find Lord Grace.

******
Jade woke up to familiar singing. When his eyes finally opened he saw his love sitting in the window seat across the room sewing something.
"Davey?" his voice was weak, but his husband heard it easily as he pushed himself to his feet and came closer.
"Jade? Are you feeling better?" Davey helped him to take a drink of water from a cup that had been sitting and waiting for when Jade would wake up.
"A little... My heir." Jade murmured as he reached out and touched Davey's stomach.
"It could be a girl you know." Davey said with an arched eye brow.
"True... my child." Jade smiled tiredly up at Davey before sinking back into sleep.

*****
The next time Jade came to a small weight was sitting on his chest and when he opened his eyes he found it to be his little brother. "Smith?"
"Jade! You're okay. They said you leg is almost better and once the fever's gone you'll be all better. You might want to hurry though... Davey says the baby could come any time now." Smith said with seriousness in his voice as he nodded at his important words.
Jade sat up and ruffled Smith's hair. "I'll be fine now. I just needed to sleep away the fever. So are you excited about being an uncle?"
"Umhm." Smith nodded. "I'd probably better go before Davey comes in here and catches me. He told me I wasn't suppose to bother you while you were resting." Leaning in Smith gave him a kiss on the cheek before hurrying out of the room.
Jade watched him go and then threw back the covers to swing his legs out of bed. Feeling pretty steady Jade dressed and with the aid of the wall went in search of his husband.

*****
A sort time later Jade came into a small glass inclosed room where Davey sat pouring ladles of water from a bucket onto the various herbs sitting around him.
"Davey?"
Looking up the former slave grinned and patted the ground beside him. "I'm glad that you're feeling well enough to get up and go walking around. But perhaps you should sit before that leg gives out."
Knowing the wisdom in his husband's words, Jade eased down and put his hands over the skin mound that concealed their child. "Are you both well?"
"Yes... We are both very healthy... and he or she should be born within a fortnight." Davey leaned against Jade with a tired air. "Is the war to end soon? I would take our child home as soon as we can travel."
"And it shall be done. The war is over but for a few signatures from the upper reaches of the bureaucracy in London. We shall return home as soon as the healers say it is safe." Jade's hands never left Davey's stomach and he relished the closeness of his husband and unborn child.

***** Epilogue
"It can't be much longer... Can it, Fritch?" Smith asked as he sat on Fritch's lap and stared at the door where they could hear Davey crying and screaming, trying to give birth.
"I don't know, little one... There was a mare in your brother's stable once that took days to give birth. I hope that it won't take too much longer... Neither Lord Puget or Lord Davey can take much more." Fritch looked over to where Hunter and Adam were taking turns wiping a cool cloth across Jade's forehead. The strong lord of Castle Teamhaire had passed out at the first ear-breaking scream of his husband.
"Days? I hope it doesn't take that long." With that Smith yawned and snuggled back against his friend before going to sleep.
"Me either." Fritch murmured softly as he rocked the young boy a little, soothing him the rest of the way into sleep.
Just then Jade decided to wake up. Sitting up with a wild look in his eyes he stared at the door and the screams coming from inside. "It hasn't arrived yet?"
"No, my lord. Not yet." Fritch told him quietly as he resettled Smith into a better position for him to sleep.
"Damn... it's killing him... I can never make him go through this again... I can't." Jade stood up and started pacing, waiting for news.
About four hundred circuits of the room later, Jade's pacing was brought to a halt by a particularly loud shriek. Then it was quiet. A few minutes of silence later and getting nervous, Jade was about to storm into the room when Grace came out carrying a small bundle. "My lord Puget? Your son."
Jade allowed the healer to put the baby into his arms and stared down at the child his love had gone through so much to give him. "Hello... my son." Jade parted the blankets enough to look at the tiny yawning baby with the dark eyes he knew were just like Davey's.
"Come along. I know you want to make certain Davey's okay. Honestly, it was one of the easier births I've ever attended to." Grace took him into the room where Davey was laying so still and pale that Jade grew worried until the former slave opened his eyes and smiled tiredly them.
Holding out his arms Davey took the baby from Jade and smiled softly at their son. "Everyone kept saying it was to be a boy... I didn't really believe them. But they were correct."
"I wouldn't have cared one way or the other. I love you." Jade leaned down and kissed Davey while he put a hand at the back of the baby's head.
"He's going to be gorgeous." Davey said as he petted the dark auburn-black curls that graced the baby's head.
"Of course he is... He looks just like you." Jade sank gently down onto the bed with them and for a while, they just studied the new life they had produced.

*****
"Come back anytime! You're all very welcome here!" Grace called as Davey, Jade, the baby now called Ember, and the rest left on the ship that would take them the first leg of their journey home.
"We will! Thank you for everything!" Davey called back before turning and taking baby Ember below deck away from the harsh sun and salt spray.
With Jade right on their heels, Davey settled himself and the baby down on a small palette that had been laid out for them by Fritch, who was just then occupying the boys on deck. After making certain Davey was comfortable and the baby was secure Jade seated himself beside them to play lovingly with Davey's hair. "Are you happy to be going home?"
"Umhm... very happy. Are you certain you should have been away this long? It can't have been good for the people." Davey said as he rested. He still tired very easily after the birth, even though it was better than two months behind him.
Stroking Davey back, Jade shrugged a little. "That's what my steward is for. And the people understand that you could not travel and I could not go without you."
"Thank you." Davey murmured softly as he turned a little to look up at Jade with a small smile.
"For what?" Jade asked as he returned Davey's smile.
"First for accepting me as a gift, then for taking me to a place I could call home, then for allowing me to teach the boys, for my freedom, for your love, for marrying me, and for our handsome son... I have a lot that I have you to thank for." Davey pulled Jade down for a quick kiss before Jade tucked himself around him and the baby and they napped for the boat rid to the mainland.

THE END