A Reason to Celebrate
by Donna and Abby

It had been a close thing, but Katherine managed not to lose the baby. In fact, once the doctors got her around the clock nausea under control, she recovered fairly quickly. After a few days she was allowed to go back to her house, with the understanding that she was to take it easy for a while. 

So, she took up residence in the master bedroom, with both Connor and Johnny waiting on her hand and foot. It was fun for awhile, but it soon got old. By the time her week of limited visitors and complete bed rest was over, she was getting restless and was looking for any excuse to get out of the house. The first day that the restrictions were to be lifted pending the final approval by the doctors, Methos and Duncan both came to visit. Methos was carrying a basket with him, containing a surprise for Katherine.

"A little something from my recent visit to Esperanza," he said.

He laid the basket on the bed beside her and opened it up. A pair of sapphire blue eyes looked back at Katherine as she peered inside. "A kitten! Oh, Methos, how wonderful!" She reached inside, and took the little fluffball out and cuddled her to her chest. "Thank you!"

"They have a new vamp there that calls felines. All sorts. There's more cats in Esperanza than they know what to do with," Methos chuckled. Duncan went to the door while they were talking, and brought in a litter box filled with sand, and a bag with some food and toys for the kitten.

"Well, I still appreciate you thinking of me. What have you two been up to lately?"

Methos sprawled in a chair and said, "My beer is ready. First batch done, and I've been making other batches periodically so we won't run out. The weather's nice . . . why not make a party of it. Sort of a . . . Spring Festival?"

"A party!" Katherine said, clapping her hands with joy. "It sounds like fun." She was dressed in an old fashioned night gown, propped up on her bed with her feet up with the kitten in residence on her lap, kneading her little paws happily. Connor had sent his ship back to the cove to get all the clothing and her musical instruments after she had bugged him nonstop for several days about wanting her pipes, and the gown was just one of the pretty things that had once belonged to Johnny’s mother. 

"Hey, we've survived this long, haven't we?" Methos asked no one in particular. "What better reason to celebrate?"

"Good a reason as any," Duncan said. "Are you sure you will be up to it?" he asked Kat. "We don't want you to over do it or anything." 

Katherine made a rude noise. "One of the doctors is supposed to come by this afternoon and give me the go ahead to get up and about if all if well. If I don't get out of this bed soon, I'm going to scream! And speaking of being up for it, what is this I hear about you sniffing after my foster daughter, Sarah Jo?" Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched Duncan start to squirm. 

Methos enjoyed the Highlander's discomfort. Then he said, "Come now, little mother. They're both well of age." He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

Katherine made a snide comment in Italian about old dogs barking at the moon while the young ones chased the females that made Duncan smirk make at Methos. He then turned back to Katherine and took her hand, squeezing it slightly. "Seriously, Kat, we were all very worried about you. And we are glad to have you back."

Kat grinned. "Glad to be back."

Methos nodded, "I second that! Now shall I alert the populous that some wild nights approach? Someone is going to have to talk to Lupe about the food. I don't think she is susceptible to my charms."

"I'll do that," Katherine volunteered. 

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're ready to be out of that bed?"

Duncan sniggered. "You can take the doctor out of the hospital, but can you take the doctor out of the man?"

Katherine tossed a pillow at them both, causing the kitten to complain about being shifted around when she was trying to sleep. "I'm more than ready to get out of bed, especially since they don't want me doing anything in it except sleep!" 

Methos laughed. "Well, we can't have that, now, can we?" he asked, coming over to brush his lips across hers. As he did, his hand went to her belly, and she knew he had been worried, about her and the baby. But he said nothing, letting the touch be his commentary, and then he pulled away, causing the kitten to swat at his finger. Grinning, Methos went out of the room to arrange the rest of the "entertainment."

Duncan gave her a hug and a kiss as well, and followed Methos out of the room. The door was barely closed before Johnny came climbing through the window from his perch on the tree limb right outside the window. He had been keeping watch. Seeing the kitten, he made soft little “ohh ohh” sounds, stroking her little head, his eyes filled with wonder at the sight. The kitten swatted at his fingers for a moment, then tucked herself back into a tight little ball. Johnny smiled at the sight and laid down beside Katherine. Drawing her into his arms, the young man in a loincloth cuddled next to her, and soon, all three of them had drifted off into a restful sleep. 

Hopefully, the next day would bring a celebration of their new life in Edan!