TIME TO GO - PART 4
Next morning Lexie woke early and went over to get James up and bathed before everyone else got up. "Morning wee man" she said as she carefully lifted him from his cot and cradled him in her arms. Lexie got his little bath and changing mat and carried it through to the bathroom with him. She placed the mat on the floor and put James on top of it then placed his little bath in the bigger one. Lexie turned the taps and checked the temperature as it slowly trickled down the side of the tub. When it was less than half full she knocked the taps off. "Right James, ready for your bath" Lexie smiled as she took his night clothes off and placed him in the bath supporting his head. She watched as he reacted to the water, using his hands to feel about, laughing and gurgling at every little splash of the water. Lexie smiled and reached for a sponge. She got it wet then carefully washed his tiny body; she then used her hand to wash his hair. Lifting her cupped hand and pouring the water over his head. "You're a natural" a voice came from behind her. Lexie turned around. Stella was standing smiling. "Thanks" Lexie spoke quietly lifting James out of the bath and placing a towel around him. "He's lovely Lexie, he's got Archie's eyes and your smile" Stella nodded and she came over and kneeled down next to Lexie. "He's defiantly got his dad's looks haven't you" Lexie said smiling at James. She dried him then put on his nappy then a blue bob the builder suit that Archie had bought during the pregnancy; certain it was going to be a boy. Lexie finished with putting socks on his feet then little shoes. "There you go" She said as she lifted him up. "Stella could you hold him while I put these away?" Lexie asked pointing in the direction of the mat and bath. "Yeh sure" Stella said taking James from Lexie. Lexie put the bath and mat in to a cupboard in the corner of the room then let the water out of the bath. Then she bent down and lifted up his clothes and nappy. "Right that's it, I'll have him now" Lexie said. Stella handed him back then they both went downstairs.Downstairs....
Lexie put the clothes in the washing, then the nappy in the bin and placed James in his bouncing seat and sat down with a cup of tea. "So hows everything with the estate. Is it all up to scratch or do you want to get rid of some of the workers again?" Lexie said sarcastically. "Listen Lexie I haven't came back to cause trouble, id like to be your friend if you'd just let me" Stella said. Lexie could see that she was telling the truth. "Ok" she smiled at her. "Im sorry for what I did, and Im really happy that you and Archie are together" Stella said. Lexie smiled. "I am too". "He's lovely" Stella said looking in James's direction. "Thanks" Lexie said. "How long are you here for?" Lexie asked. "Im not sure however long Paul wants me for, but if he's anything like his brother he'll not want me very long" Stella laughed. Lexie laughed too, Stella never really made her laugh the last time she was here.
"Morning girls" said Paul entering the room. "Having fun?" he asked. "Yeh we are actually" Lexie said. "Good, I have to go to the village soon, will you come with me Stella?" he asked as he opened the curtains. "Yeh sure" Stella answered finishing her tea and getting up. "I'll go and get ready" She said walking upstairs. Paul smiled and left the room. Lexie turned to look and James, she laughed. He was sitting concentrating on something but she couldn't tell what. His little hands waved about and his eyes widened. Just then Archie walked in. "Morning Lex" he said. He kissed her then sat down. "How long have you been up?" he asked. "Since about 6" Lexie said. "I wanted to get him up and wash him before everyone else started to get up" she finished. Archie picked him and brung him over to the seat. He sat down with James and looked at him. "He looks just as gorgeous as you" He smiled and kissed her again.
"I have to feed him now" Lexie said taking him from Archie. "Oh right" Archie said getting up. "I'll leave you to it then" he said leaving. Lexie was left alone to breastfeed James in peace.....until Duncan appeared. "LEX" he said running into the room. He got so far then stopped. He didn't know what to say, he didn't look her in the face. Just turned around then left. Lexie couldn't help but laugh. After his feed she placed him down for a nap in his cot they had for him downstairs. Lexie walked into the kitchen and ate breakfast with everyone. "Hows James?" asked Molly. "He's fine just having a nap just now" Lexie answered taking a bite of her toast. "Good, I was thinking about taking him for a stroll today, is that alright" Molly asked. "Yeh sure Molly" Lexie answered. "Good I'll finish breakfast and do a bit of my garden until he wakes up" Molly smiled. "Right well Im off now, I need to go and see some people in the village" Lexie said getting up. "Take care of James" She said as she left the room.
TO BE CONTINUED