Turning One

By Donna and Abs

Doireann had just turned one.  Of course a party had to be given in her honor, and everyone in Edan town showed up.  Even Methos, though Thoth was also turning one, and he never missed a weekend with Crystal and Sallie, up in Hogwarts.

There was food a plenty, and music galore. Methos joined little Doireann and her other three fathers, John Clayton, Duncan MacLeod and his older cousin, Connor. In the middle of the square, everyone who could play a drum was beating away on them enthusiastically. The dark haired toddler was bouncing gleefully in Clayton's arms, squealing with joy as she saw her mother step out in front of the drummers to add a lively tune played on the bagpipes. Leprechaun girls appeared from nowhere, and started to dance, tap dancing with flying feet and leaping into the air.

It was all very festive. And of course Edan loved a party!  There were fae everywhere, some in full-grown form, some small and flying about between the dancers!

Doireann wasn't the only child there of course. There were numerous toddlers and babies all throughout the crowd. Sarah Jo was holding her son Joshua in her arms. Duncan glanced over at his son, smiling with pride as he made a mental comparison between him and Doireann, looking for any similarities. He would like to think that there was, but he couldn’t be for certain. Little Joshua was looking at all the goings on with wide, fascinated eyes. It was amazing that all the noise didn't seem to bother any of the babies! In fact, they all seemed to love it. There were so many children, in various stages of development!  Walking, crawling, or just lying on mother's lap, they were all terribly excited by all the music and dance!

The Monkees took over after the bagpipe song ended, and a slightly breathless Katherine came to claim her daughter. "Hello Methos," she said with a happy smile. "Glad you made it!"

"I have to spread myself pretty thin to make all the birthday parties," he said.  "Of my children, I mean.  And since we do not yet know with this one," he ruffled the little girl's hair, "I could not miss it!"

Katherine raised an eyebrow, her dark blue eyes meeting his gaze and holding it. She couldn't help but wonder if he knew about the DNA test that Shepherd had down and was fishing to see if she would divulge anything. It would be just like him! And Methos knew that it would be just like Katherine not to say a word about it, even if she did know!

Methos met the stare.  If there was one thing he could do, it was go for several minutes without blinking.  While staring, he smiled. He was enjoying this. Katherine had never been one to back down from him. Even now, she set her jaw and took up the challenge. Behind her, Connor chuckled but did not interfere.

The smile expanded until it was on the brink of becoming a laugh.  And then he yawned, eyes still on her.  And everyone knew what happened when someone around them yawned!

"That’s dirty pool," she growled, kicking him lightly in the shin. Doireann laughed at all this, reaching out to grab his nose.

"But of course," said Methos, slightly nasally because his largest body part was being pinched.

Katherine separated Doireann from Methos, handing her back to Clayton, who carried her off to listen to the music some more. Connor went with him, but Duncan stayed close. Something was going on, and he wanted to know what it was.

"A little birdie told me," Methos said, "that a certain test was performed."

Katherine sighed deeply. "Yes. It was."

"And the results?" he asked quietly.

"I suppose you won't let this rest until you know," she said, her eyes flashing.

"You know me."  He looked at Duncan, who was listening with rapt attention.  Cocking his head in the Highlander's direction, he arched his eyebrows as if to say, "And you think I am bad?  Look at him?"

Katherine glanced over, her jaw tight.  "All right. If you must know, then I’ll tell you. The father is..."

But before she could reveal who it was, she was almost knocked to the ground by Patrick Harper. "Ceara’s in labor and she needs you now!" Grabbing her hand, he dragged her away, leaving Methos and Duncan still without a clue as to which one of them was the father of the beautiful little birthday girl, Doireann Isaebail Dixon.