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Another Chance	By : ipaws4animals Category: Individual Celebrities > Gerard Butler Views: 1236 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know Gerard Butler. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Another Chance
- 2-Chapter Two
- 1
- 2
Chapter Two

Ceana molded her last loaf of bread into a smooth round shape and placed it next to the other twenty three that rest near the oven to rise. If her luck held up, she would sell these loaves at the market, as she had the morning batch.

Dusting the flour from her hands and skirt, she pushed a stray, brown curl behind her ear. No matter what she did, it always managed to escape the waist length braid down her back.

"I swear, if it wasn't my best feature, I would chop the entire thing off." It was time to get to her next task. Working in the kitchens of the Laird's castle was demanding work, but it helped to support herself, her son and her younger sister.

The town and castle inhabitants were finally beginning to treat her like a person again. She had made a mistake. Plenty of good girls did. This mistake had hurt no one but herself and her son.

A snort came from the corner of her small kitchen. Turning, Ceana saw her sister's dog sniffing at the rising bread.

"Oh no, you do not." She grabbed the dog by his scruff and shooed him out the front door. "Adara will find you a bone later."

After cleaning herself up a little, Ceana started out for the MacTavish castle. It was but a short walk, as the small family lived within the safety of the castle walls.

"Ceana!"

Ceana turned at the sound of her sister's voice. Young Shamus, Ceana's son, bouncing at her hip. Watching her sister approach, she prayed that the pair would not fall. Shamus, eighteen months old, did not take kindly to falling.

Adara was full of excitement. At fifteen, it did not take much to delight the young girl. Ceana sighed. It seemed a lifetime ago when she was that young. In reality, it had only been four years.

"Adara, take a breath before you faint. I'm sure your news will wait."

Adara set Shamus down. "Ceana, you will never guess. They have returned."

Ceana's heart lurched in excitement, but her face showed none. She refused to give in. "They, Adara? I'm in no mood to play games with you. I must get to work or there will be no food on the table."

Adara grabbed Ceana's sleeve. "You are no fun Ceana. It is him. Aidan has returned. Are you not excited?"

Ceana stopped as she reached the door to the castle's kitchen. "How do you know?"

"I saw him for myself, sister. Aidan and his men rode in not half an hour ago."

Ceana brushed the front of her skirt in her nervousness. "Watch Shamus. I will not be long. And help Mrs. McDonald start the soup."

Ceana headed for the door that lead to the Great Hall. No doubt that is where he would be. His father would welcome him home with open arms.

Her heart raced the moment she saw him. He was being greeted by his family. The years away had been good to him. His skin was a dark bronze and it showed off the grey flecks in his eyes. Working at sea had also made him more muscular. Ceana noticed the woman that threw appreciative glances his way.

One of his men spoke to him and nodded in her direction. He turned and smiled as he saw her. His eyes taking her in from head to toe.

I will not back down. He will come to me. He owes us that much.

As Aidan moved towards her, his smile broadened. Ceana knew she had changed in the last two years. Giving birth can do that to a body. Her figure was still slender, but she had filled out in other places.

Aidan stopped in front of her and gathered her into his open arms.

"Ceana, a luaidh!" Pulling her closer, Aidan leaned in and placed his lips upon hers.

Ceana wanted so much to give in. She believed the feelings she had had were dead and buried. Aidan brushed the tip of his tongue along her lips and she opened them willingly, only to bite down as hard as she could.

Aidan cried out in pain. Before he could speak, Ceana slapped him across the cheek hard enough to echo in the silent hall. Servants and warriors alike watched the couple in fascination.

"Lass, have you gone mad?"

In response, Ceana slammed her knee into his groin and turned to head back to the kitchen. She hadn't kicked him very hard, as she heard his footsteps right behind her. She stopped inside the kitchen door and slammed it in his face. Shamus was in Adara's arms, but as soon as he spotted her, he broke free and ran to her.

"Mama, gaol."

Ceana scooped him up and placed a kiss on his chubby cheek as Aidan walked into the room.

"Yes, a luaidh. Mama is here now and so is your Da. Take care you do not follow in his footsteps and use false words of love, then disappear from a woman's life. He swore undying love and passion, yet never told his family of this love. We have been called names in the past, but look upon him and see what a true bastard is."

Ceana looked into Aidan's eyes as she spoke so he would know every word was directed at him. Then she turned to her work. She would not cry. She would not cry and let him know of the shame and heartbreak he had caused her. She heard him leave the room. Most likely, he would run to his family to seek the truth and they would give it to him. He should not be shocked as he held the secret of his love, if that was what it had been. She would give him two hours to return, if only to reclaim his child and heir. It took him less than one.

Ceana was sitting at the table mixing more dough to be made for the evening meal. Adara grabbed Shamus and headed out the door.

Aidan fell to one knee beside the table. "Ceana, a luaidh."

Ceana barely glanced at him.

He grabbed her doughy hand and placed it over his heart. "How could you ever doubt my love for you? We were hand fasted before God and our witnesses."

She yanked her hand away from him. "Why shouldn't I doubt everything you ever told me. You never spoke to your father about me. And our witnesses traveled with you."

"I wanted to protect you."

"Protect me? From whom? The humiliation was much more pleasant. Thank you." Ceana said bitterly, but she would not look at him.

"Ceana, had I known lass....."

"Did you ask? Did you tell anyone in your family? She cocked her head to the side as if trying to remember. "Yes, let me recall, what were your words? My eyes were like emeralds, my lips as sweet as honey and how you wanted to bury yourself in my flower. To believe I was stupid enough to think you loved me. That you were different."

"You never said a word to your family. They thought I was only after your name and money. How could someone as respectable as Aidan MacTavish, the Laird's first born, love someone as lowly as me. Obviously I was a tramp that was trying to pass someone else's bairn off as yours."

Aidan grabbed her by the arms, forcing her to her feet and to look him in the eyes. He could see the tears glistening there, but she blinked them away.

"Ceana, I love you. I have always loved you. Will always love you. When I was away, you were always, always on my mind. I did this for you. For the family we will have and the son you have already given me." He reached into his sporran and pulled something out. "I have something for you. And there is more in the Great Hall."

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she whispered, "I would give them all back to have those two years returned to me. I needed you. We needed you and you were gone."

"Now I am back and we will have a proper wedding. In the chapel, with my father's blessing. He will be overjoyed to know of the grandson who bears his name." He pulled her to his chest, as his hands fastened something around her neck.

Ceana pushed him away. She looked down at the necklace he had given her. It was a Celtic Knot in the shape of a circle. The circle with no beginning or end. It was symbolic of eternity. The charm hung from a thick black cord. She brushed her fingers across it. It was so hard to resist Aidan. His hand was resting on her hip, fingering the material of her coarse skirt.

"Tell me, Aidan," she glared at him with flashing green eyes. "In all your adventures at sea, did you pine for me or was your bed warmed by someone else?"

His face flushed red, his eyes guilty. A growl tore from her throat, as she turned and ran out of the kitchen. "A woman has needs to."

Aidan caught up with her at the well, grabbing her by the elbow and jerking her around. His eyes flashed with jealousy and anger. He could not imagine another man laying with his Ceana. "Did you fulfill your desires?

"Every night. Any man who came to my door and I enjoyed it. Ask anyone. That is what a whore is good for, is it not?"

He shook her hard. "Lies."

"Yes, but no less than you deserve." She yanked the necklace from her throat and threw it at his feet. "Leave me. I have managed for myself and my son long enough. I do not need you. You have no claim on my heart or body."

Aidan took a step towards her, reaching out with the palm of his hand, before he stopped and picked up the necklace. Ceana turned away so she would not see the pain of rejection in his eyes.

Ceana forced herself to keep moving. She was in no shape to work the kitchens today. There was alway the chance of running into him. And some other wench foolish enough to fall for his sweet words. She made it all the way home before collapsing onto the small bed she shared with Adara.
It seemed like hours passed as she lay crying. Then she head Adara come in and approach the bed. "Where have you been Adara and where is my son?"

A voice not unknown to her answered. "He is with The MacTavish men. It is time he was welcomed into the family and his mother as well."

Ceana jerked up on the bed and turned towards the voice. Camden MacTavish, Aidan's father, leaned against the doorway. He walked into the room and settled onto a stool. "Lass, I cannot begin to express how sorry I am for the way we treated you. Your father was a good man and he raised two beautiful and respectable daughters. I should have taken your word for the truth."

Ceana wiped the tears from her face. "The fault does not lie with you, my Laird. It lies with Aidan."

"Had he but said something......"

"Please. Do not explain. It is in the past. It is enough for me to know that your family has accepted my son as one of their own."

Camden placed his calloused hand over hers. "Your son is not the only one who is accepted. Adara, Shamus and you, Ceana, are to come and live within the castle walls. Your room is already waiting and your sister and son sleep. My son will make amends. His thoughtlessness ruined the name of a good woman. You cannot tell me that you can live within my castle walls and not be drawn to each other?"

Ceana hung her head, shielding her face with her hair.

"Come, lass. Learn to forgive but not to quickly." The MacTavish pulled her to his side and they left for the castle and a new life.
After placing a kiss upon Shamus's brow and wrapping up her sister, Ceana made her way to the courtyard. The cool night air would clear her head.

Lost in thought, she missed the movement behind her and jumped when an arm slid around her waist and she was pulled back against a wam chest.

"You are shivering, a luaidh." Aidan wrapped apart of his plaid around her body and pulled her closer. Ceana felt Aidan slip the necklace around her throat once more. "I've missed you Ceana. More than you'll ever know." Aidan turned her within the warmth of his arms, so that he could look upon her face. "Tomorrow we will be married and then you will be mine forever."

"Do I have choice?"

Aidan shook his head. He traced the necklace with the tips of his fingers, coming dangerously close to her breast. "Never take it off, promise me lass?"

"Never."

Aidan took her hand and pulled her towards the castle. "Come, caomh. We have a long day tomorrow.......and an even longer night ahead of us. Tonight, you will sleep in my room ---" he held up his hand, as she started to protest, "with our son and I will bunk with my brothers."
Sleep did not come easily for Aidan or Ceana. They were finally going to be together. Forever. For eternity. Ceana hugged her son in her happiness and watched as he slept.

Dogs throughout the castle started barking. Suddenly the ground shifted slightly. Shamus awoke calling for Ceana.

"It is alright, a luaidh. Only a tremor." Startled, Ceana sat up in bed as the door flew open. It was Aidan.

"Are you and our son alright?" Fear was in his eyes.

"We are now." She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the bed. "Stay for a few minutes."

Aidan smiled as he climbed under the covers and pulled Ceana and Shamus towards him. "I will stay forevermore, a luaidh."

Ceana smiled as she drifted off to sleep. Again the earth trembled and a crack appeared in the ceiling over the bed. Aidan threw himself over those he loved, as if it was enough to protect them from the falling stones.

The earth trembled again and the stones fell, crushing Aidan. Ceana felt Shamus whimper as the blood spilled from her clipped neck. Then the boy was gone.

Ceana tried to breath, but she could do nothing as she slipped into darkness...................
The ground trembled, a nurse shouted, "Earthquake!"

Conor and the others drapped themselves over Maddie's body, to protect her from any falling debri. Glancing down, he was shocked to see Maddie's eyes fluttering. "What the hell? She's waking up."

Maddie groaned.

"Get her back under, now!"

"I don't understand-"

"Just do it, Leo! Now!" Conor stretched the kinks out of his neck as he spared a thought for his younger brother, Quinn. Earthquakes always gave the young detective headaches. The bigger the quake, the worse it was. Hopefully Conor would finish here before he received the usual phone call. Right now Maddie was depending on him and he couldn't let her down. Or his brother!
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Another Chance