All is Fair in Love and War: Alt. Ending Allistor

Chapter Ten: Allistor


~ I'm running out of ways to make you see, I want you to stay here beside me~

Your wedding day was to be perfect. Any problems were mild to say the least. You said your vows and performed the dress rehearsal ceremony to complete perfection, aided by Francis, who coached you to relax when you felt you couldn’t go on.

Your mind kept wandering as the Reverend began the ceremony, “"________ and _________, today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom have gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders the task of choosing your values and making real your dreams. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life."

You could feel the pressure of the audience, watching your wedding, tears of joy and smiles adorned their face, all but one, Allistor, whose eyes betrayed him, showing hurt and pitiful, reluctant acceptance.

“Do you, _______ __________, take Arthur Kirkland, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?” The reverend asks ceremoniously.

“I...” you hesitate, looking out to the crowd, noticing Allistor leaving, “I’m sorry.. Arthur... I-I can’t do this..”

The crowd gasps in horror as you run out of the church, leaving Arthur at the altar, confused and alone. His best man, Francis, touches his shoulder.

“Don’t worry mon ami~ She probably just got spooked and just needs a minute to breathe.” Francis tries to comfort Arthur to no avail.

“Francis, take me to her. I need to know what is wrong..”

Francis sighs and leads him to you, crying in your room, frustrated and embarrassed.

“___________?”

“A-arthur.. I...”

“it’s ok. I’m scared too.. We can wait if it’s easier for you..”

“No Arthur-”

“Then what is it?”

You sigh, “Arthur, I’m pregnant”

Everything went silent as he paled, “But we never...how?” he turns to Francis, “It was you, wasn’t it you slimy, good for nothing git! And to think I trusted you! I-”

“Arthur! It’s not Francis’....”

Arthur turns back to you. “Then...” He puts his hand over his mouth, as he chokes out the words, “A-Allistor? My brother?”

You nod, your silence being the only confirmation he needed, “________, how could you-He..he’s my brother!”

“I I’m sorry.. when I got the letter saying you were dead, it had been almost three years. I didn’t know..” you sob softly. “I I’m so sorry, but I still love Allistor...”

Arthur turns his back to you so you can’t see his face, “Go to him, then.”

“W-what?”

“Just. Just go.”

“Arthur..” you touch his cheek

“It’s ok, he will take care of you. I understand..”

France interjects, “Oui, and I’ll take care of Arthur...”

You hug Francis and kiss Arthur’s cheek, pressing your ring into his hand, “Thank you... I love you...”

You run off to find Allistor, knowing he would be walking home to the cottage above Loch Ness, the only place he confessed, where he was truly happy no matter what.

------timeskip and the middle of a thunderstorm later-----------------------

You knock on the door of the cottage, your dress soaking wet and muddy, your hair in a tangled mess blown around by the harsh wind.

“Allistor!”

He opens the door, to see you standing before him, “__-________? What are you doing here-”

You kiss him, “I couldn’t marry Arthur..”

“Why?”

“because I love you...”

he kisses you passionately and brings you inside your home, “Allistor...”

“Aye, hen?”

“ I have something to tell you..”

He looks at you, “Can’t it wait?”

“No longer than nine months...”

He hesitates then it dawns on him, “Y-You’re...?”

You nod and he envelopes you into his arms and holds  you, smiling. “I’m so happy. I’ll make sure we all will be..”

------------a few months later----------------

“Allistor come here...” you place his hand on your swollen belly, feeling the baby kick inside. Allistor smiles and holds you closer as you lay on the couch beside the fireplace.

“Hen?”

“Yes?”

“Are you hoping for a boy or a wee lass?” he asks as you doze off in his arms

You grin sleepily, “..a girl..”

He laughs, “I’m hoping he’s a lad, a strong fighter like his dad.”

You smile before completely drifting off to sleep, ‘these next few months are a long way to go’ you think to yourself.