The Gift

The ringing of the phone caused Father Alec to look up from his studies. He reached for it and said, "Rectory, Father Alec speaking."

"Father! Connor MacLeod here," came the voice on the other end of the line. "We know we've been taking up a lot of your time lately, but would you mind terribly coming over for a bit?"

"No problem at all," he said. "I could use a break right now anyway. I'll be over in just a few minutes."

"Thanks a lot, Father Alec!" MacLeod said with a faint chuckle in his voice. "We really appreciate all you've done for us both. See you when you get here."

The priest had a thoughtful look on his face as he placed the phone down. The Highlander had not sounded worried about anything so he didn't think there was something wrong with Katherine. He had a feeling something was up, but he didn't know just what it was. Shrugging, he changed from the sweats he had been wearing back into his good clothes. He hesitated briefly with the collar, not knowing whether he was going over there for an "official" visit or just as a friend. Just in case, he put the collar on anyway.

The rectory seemed quiet and empty. Scrawling a note to the others on the message board near the door to let them know where he had gone, he stepped outside into the coolness of the evening air and crossed the road to Connor's house. He knocked on the door and soon heard footsteps coming towards it.

When the door was opened, John Clayton stood on the other side of it. "Good evening, Father. Glad you can make it," he said with a nod and a pleasant smile. "Let me show you to where Connor and Kat are." He gestured for the priest to enter the house.

"Nothings wrong, I hope," he said to Lord Greystoke as he came in.

"Not with Kat. She did really well today, and seems to be holding her own against all the *voices*," he said with a pleased note to his voice. They reached the door to the back patio and John slid it open. As Father Alec stepped into the backyard he knew he had been set up. The yard was full of people. Besides Connor and Katherine, Sarah Jo and her other charges Duende and Dani were there. His freckled-faced OIC grinned broadly at him. Toni was there as well, along with Nick and Fitz. Even Darius and Brother Cadfael were there.

"Surprise!" they all called out as they came over to greet him. It took a few moments for the flustered priest to regain his composure. He was shown to a lawn chair and given a tall glass of ice tea to drink.

"But why?" he finally managed to get out.

"Just because!" Sarah Jo said with a giggle. "We all wanted to show you a little of just how much we care for you and appreciate all you do for us." She reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Food will be ready in a moment. Fitz and I are fixing some teriyaki chicken burgers for those of use that didn't stuff ourselves silly over at May-Ling's new restaurant." She looked accusingly over at Dani who just grinned sheepishly.

The food was soon ready and everyone ate until they were stuffed. After everyone was done, Kat and Sarah Jo disappeared into the house for a few minutes. When they opened the door again, two Irish setter puppies came tumbling out it to the yard. They raced around, greeting everyone happily. When they made their way to the chair where Father Alec was sitting he got down on his knees to rough house with them.

"Paddy! Look at you! You have grown so much," he said happily as Sarah Jo's pup washed his face. The other pup was trying to wiggle her way in between them, not wanting to miss any of the attention the priest was showering on her litter mate. "And just who might you be?" Father Alex asked with a laugh as she started to vigorously lick the other side of his face. He looked up and smiled at Toni who was taking pictures of him down on the ground with a lap full of squirming puppies.

"She doesn't have a name yet," Katherine said with a musical chuckle as she watched the pup's antics from the sidelines along with everyone else. Her kitten was perched on her shoulder as usual, staring at the pups below her with extreme interest. "Her new owner hasn't bothered to give her one yet."

"Who is the negligent owner, then?" he asked as he was nearly bowled over by the over exuberance of his four legged friends. "I'll have to give that person a good talking too!"

Everyone around him laughed hardily at him. "Then you'll be looking in the mirror and talking to yourself then!" Sarah Jo said merrily as he struggled to his feet.

He looked confused for a minute and then the anvil hit. "Me? She belongs to me? But how ... who?" he asked, not really believing it to be true. Both Sarah Jo and Katherine reached out and gave him a hug.

"Yes, Father Alec. She's yours. And she's from all of us here!" Sarah Jo said with a giggle. "We noticed how much you liked dogs and thought you might enjoy having one of your own again."

Smiling happily and wiping away tears that were threatening to spill from his eyes, Father Alec could only say. "Thank you. Thank you all."