We're home – Part 7

Archie smiled at his wife the next night as they sat in the local restaurant, she looked gorgeous all done up. For the last five years their lives had been predominately about Melanie, with very little time to actually go out and appreciate each other's company. But tonight Molly had suggested that they do just that, she would look after Melanie and they could go out for a nice night alone, no distractions, no curfew just time for themselves.
By the time the night was drawing to an end they had drunk way too much champagne and we're feeling like they had years ago. Making the journey home an interesting walk as neither of them could drive, Archie felt like he was on fire- he'd always loved his wife, always appreciated her beauty both inside and out, but now he felt like they could just let loose. No pretenses just appreciate the other and the relationship they had. Finally they found the house and with copious amounts of giggling he ushered her inside.

Paul awoke to the sound of giggling, he rubbed his eyes and listened harder- it was coming from downstairs. Wearily he climbed out of bed and walked out into the hallway.
Now he recognised the giggle as his sister-in-law's- Lexie, and it was followed by a "shush" from his half-brother Archie. Paul smiled as he saw them stumble up the stairs, they were both normally responsible drinkers- in fact, he'd never seen them drunk at all until now.
Archie was holding his wife by the waist, trying to guide her up the staircase.
" Damn shoes!" she complained, hopping up and down until she finally pulled them off
" Hello" Paul smiled
Archie and Lexie looked up in surprise. But the silence was soon broken by Lexie contagious giggle once more
" Hello Paulie" she finally managed to gasp out
" You two had a big night?"
Lexie nodded her head up and down enthusiastically as Archie wrapped his arms around her middle and kissed her neck.
" Isn't she beautiful?" he asked his brother
Paul raised his eyebrows; these two were going to look like hell tomorrow
"Yeah she's gorgeous," he agreed, which was true. Archie smiled
" And she's all mine" he announced lovingly squeezing her tighter.
Lexie turned around and cupped his face in her hands, drawing him in towards her and kissing him so deeply that it made Paul's own skin tingle.
" Okay you two, time for bed."
Lexie finally pulled away and giggled again, taking Archie by the hand and leading him down the hall to their room. Paul chuckled to himself and looked at his watch, it was 3am. He had a feeling no one would be seeing them until after lunch tomorrow. He heard a 'clang' as one of them lost balance and chuckled again before going back to bed.

The next day Paul's prediction was proven correct.
Archie stumbled down the stairs at approximately 12:30 and made his way to the kitchen. The others were having lunch and smiled knowingly as he entered
" Where's Lexie?" Paul asked
Archie groaned as his words sounded twice as loud as usual
" She's still half asleep" He murmured, " I'm getting some coffee and then going back to join her."
" You two have that fitting for Mel's traditional dress for the gathering at 2pm" Paul reminded
Archie sighed, "Okay, Okay. I just need coffee first, and my life wont be worth living if Lex doesn't get some too."
" I'm on it" Paul answered, going to make a new pot of coffee as Archie sat down.
He glanced around " where is Mel?" he inquired
"She's made a friend down in the village and she having lunch there" Molly answered, taking a sip of her tea " Did you two have a good night?"
Archie smiled " Yes mother, I think we did"
" That's good" molly commented, " You needed a nice night out together. It's so easy to get caught up with everything in life and forget about each other."
Archie nodded and smiled
" Coffee's ready" Paul announced, handing one mug to Archie and holding the other one himself
" Come on" He ordered, " I'll help take them up."

A fleeting memory came back as Archie climbed the stairs with his brother
" Did we wake you up last night?" He asked
" Yeah, but it's okay. I don't normally get to see you two having such fun" Paul remarked
Archie smiled " Lx is a very fun girl when she's not worn down by responsibilities"
" I bet she is" Paul murmured
Archie looked at Paul with raised eyebrows but then decide he was overreacting
" Did you get back to sleep okay?"
" Yeah yeah, it was fine. You just stumbled up the stairs giggling, said a few words, kissed passionately and then stumbled to your room."
Archie coughed " Oh right, okay"
Paul laughed; they'd reached the door to Archie and Lexie's bedroom.
" Am I right to come on?" Paul asked
Archie glanced at him, " I don't really trust myself carrying both mugs" He replied " Lex has probably fallen back to sleep anyway, ill wake her in a minute." Paul nodded and followed him in.
He was right- Lexie was sound asleep again. The blankets mostly covered her, but enough skin showed to convince Paul that she wasn't wearing anything underneath.
Archie briefly saw the look in his brother's eyes and pondered at it again. That was not the way that someone looked at their sister-in-law, even if she was naked under the sheets.
Archie walked over to her side of the bed and kissed her forehead
" Wake up Sweetheart"
Lexie's eyes fluttered open and she saw the mug in his hand
" Ahh, coffee" she exclaimed, taking the still warm mug from his hands and taking a sip.
" I'll see you later then" Paul remarked, placing Archie's mug on his bedside table.
" Oh, Paul" Lexie commented, pulling the blankets around her chest and sitting up " Sorry, I didn't realise you were there."
" It's okay Lexie, I just helped Archie bring the coffee up." He explained, trying to keep his eyes on her face " Don't forget Mel's fitting at 2pm Arch"
Archie groaned, " Okay, we should be down by then"
Paul nodded and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Archie settled back into bed and glanced at his wife
" Did you see the way Paul was looking at you?" He asked
"Hmmm" Lexie continued sipping her coffee, "Not really, why?"
" He was checking you out." Archie commented, draining his mug as well
" Oh Arch, don't be silly" Lexie laughed
" He was!" Archie repeated, "I've noticed it a few times"
Lexie raised her eyebrows as he continued
" I mean you're gorgeous, but you're married and you're his sister-in-law!"
Lexie grinned, placing the mug on her bedside table
" You think I'm gorgeous?"
Archie smiled, " Did I say that?"
" You did" Lexie confirmed moving closer. He could feel her warm skin pressing against him through he thin material of his shirt. She knew he would be dropping the Paul topic within a matter of seconds. She rubbed her leg up the inside of his calf and smiled
5, 4, 3, 2
He grabbed her and kissed her. Paul was forgotten.