"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)

Ch. 73 (PG-13, D): Finding Families for Children

Upon entering his castle home, Cameron lovingly kisses his wife's cheek then slips away to his study for a moment--to allow her to have the full attention of their children and grandchild for her greeting.

Hannah: "I am so very glad to see you returned to us this very fine Spring day. 

Hannah Lady Airlie is wearing a gown in her brighter Spring colors with a satin day dress in a lovely muted lavender grey.  The gown has a pleated bodice with a narrow lace collar around the generously round neckline. Though Cameron admires his wife's beauty in and out of her gowns, Hannah has her gowns more youthfully tailored while still maintaining her demure appearance.  She fairly glows with happiness--of being loved by Cameron and their raising their little son Gavin with loving devotion.

Audrey Grace: "Nana Hannah!"  Audrey Grace squeals as she rushes to hug her grandmother.  It seems that almost every child in Lady Airlie's acquaintance and family call her that now--except for her little son Gavin and her grown children John and Fiona.

Hannah:   Picking her granddaughter up in her arms, Hannah embraces and kisses her.  "You have grown so, Audrey Grace.  I almost did not recognize you.  Soon, you will be so big that I won't be able to pick you up anymore."

John: "Ha ha ha!"  John and Margaret both smile and kiss cheeks with Hannah.  "Mother, you look so well--younger every time I see you." John notices caringly and his mother smiles with a warm blush to her cheeks.

Hannah:  "Thank you, John."

Then a little laird and his father the Earl stride out of Cameron's study.

Cameron: "Gavin!  Look who has come to visit us again! Yourrr brrrother John! Marrrgarrret! And Audrrrey Grrrace!"  Cameron shakes hands, kisses cheeks, as appropriate once again.

Gavin:  Tugging upon his father's jacket, Little Lord Gavin asks pleadingly as he looks up at the two towering men--his Papa and his brother. "Me, too, Papa?"

Cameron gestures from his little three and a half year old son Lord Gavin Victor Ogilvy to the Thornton Family.  John bends his knees to get closer to his little brother's height and he gives him a hug.  Gavin smiles and responds by seriously shaking his brother John's hand. Little Gavin has been practicing hand shaking with his Papa--because when they hold fetes at the castle, the receiving line is very long--so one has to not over do the hand shaking too early or risk straining their hand.    Then he kisses his sister-in-law Margaret's cheek when she also bends down to embrace him.  Finally Gavin cheerfully hugs his niece Audrey Grace--who is his senior by four months--by picking her up, despite him being slightly smaller than she is.

Gavin:   "Audrrrrey Grrrrace!  Ha ha ha!"  Gavin laughs gleefully and the adults look on in amusement.

Audrey Grace:  "Now Gavin, don't muss my lace collar. Please put me down."  She daintily admonishes her Uncle Gavin.  For though Gavin is her father's brother--and technically, he is her uncle--but Gavin's tender age of three and a half years renders formality absurd.

***

Hannah: "Let us get you settled in and then we will have luncheon at the Family Dining Table in the Salon." She offers graciously.

As Cameron and John walk up the grand central stair case to the bedchambers floor--followed by little Audrey Grace and Little Gavin--Margaret takes Hannah aside as they walk..

Margaret: "Is the baby still alright?  Is he here?"  Margaret asks eagerly.

Hannah: Patting Margaret's hand, Hannah smiles. "Not to worry, Margaret Dear.  His family's decision to place the baby up for adoption was resolute.  They know that Cameron intends to place the child with a family of comfortable means who will love the child as their own--though he did not breach your confidence by declaring you and John to be the prospective parents."