We're Home - Part 2
Lexie was awoken the next morning by a knock at the door, followed by a small but insistent voice
" Marmee"
Melanie's voice sounded a lot like Lexie's. A real Scottish drawl rather then the refined English like accent of Archie and his parents. Growing up in Glasgow had only increased it
" Yes Melanie"
She saw a mop of black hair open the old wooden door and walk around the bed to come and stand beside her, the brown eyes hard at work
" Can I hop into bed with you and Daddy?"
" I think Daddy's still asleep darling"
Archie rolled over and gave a weak smile
" No. I'm awake now" he replied with a yawn "Come here Mel"
Obediently she toddled back over to his side where he lifted her up onto the big four poster bed to settle in between them
" What's the matter with your room?" Lexie asked wearily
" Nothing" Melanie answered " It's just so different to my normal room. And so big and old."
Both Archie and Lexie knew what she meant. Many people had the vision that living in a castle was luxurious, but really there was an awful lot to keep up and the rooms tended to be cooler and darker then in a normal house.
" Marmee" Melanie asked
" Hmm" Lexie replied tiredly
" I found this in your old room. Is it you and Daddy?"
She held up a slightly tattered photograph and both Archie and Lexie found that they were suddenly wide awake.
Archie grabbed it first and looked at it intently, a smile growing across his features
" Yes that Mummy and me." He replied handing it to Lexie " That was quite a few years ago now"
Lexie inspected the photo and remembered it instantly " Your father was making up for having a big fight with me."
" Were you in love?" Melanie inquired in her simple five-year-old way
Lexie looked at her husband and replied " I was"
Archie glanced back and echoed " So was I. I just didn't realise it at the time"