We're Home – Part 23

Well I'd hope that since we're here anyway-
That we could end up saying-
Things we've always needed to say-
So we could end up staying-
Now the story's played out like this-
Just like a paperback novel-
Let's rewrite an ending that fits-
Instead of a Hollywood horror
Someday, Nickelback

The two women stood in the doorway absolutely flabbergasted. They weren't quite sure what was going on, or what to do about it. Both knew the two men involved well enough to be able to read the anger and distrust reflected in their faces.
" Archie…" Lexie whispered, her voice even, yet unguarded
" Paul…" Katrina echoed
Neither man moved, Archie was about ready to punch Paul in the jaw, and Paul was just waiting for the impact
" Daddy?"
Melanie came walking into the room dragging Duncan, oblivious to the surrounding circumstances
" Daddy?" Mel repeated, tugging at his trousers to get his attention
Lexie held her breath as she watched them, hesitant as to whether to step in.
Archie looked down and saw his daughter's big brown eyes staring up at him, immediately all the anger left his body as he bobbed down to rest beside her
" Yes Angel?"
" I want to see the wildlife park but Duncan has a lot of work to do, would you show me?"
Underneath Archie was nearly crying at the thought of his daughter nearly walking in on her father hitting her uncle, but on the top he plastered a big smile and lifted Mel up into his arms with glee. Melanie shrieked with giggles as Archie answered "Of course my princess"
" Can mummy come too?" Mel asked
" Of course mummy can come" Archie reassured, with a glance at Lexie.
Lexie nodded softly, and reverently took his hand, squeezing it tightly and offering her daughter a sweet smile with the exclamation of
" Let's go and see those wolves!"

" I thought we agreed to keep the engagement secret?" Katrina commented
" It just slipped out" Paul answered apologetically " I didn't plan it"
Katrina rolled her eyes and looked away
" Did you know this was Lexie's room?" Paul asked
" Yes" Katrina answered, " Of course I did, I've known her for years. I knew her before Archie did."
Paul looked at her in amazement " Why is there so much history around here that I don't know?! I'm meant to be the Laird and yet I seem to know nothing about the past, present or future of this place."
Katrina shook her head and glanced at him " Why don't you just tell Archie what's really bothering you?"
" I can't," Paul revealed
" Paul, he's only here for another week, less then that now. Do you really want to leave it like this? You think you're making things any better by bringing up everything else that bothers you about Archie except for the main thing that's plaguing you?!"
Paul glanced at his fiancée " Maybe we're both alike in the fact that we can't seem to talk about the important things with Archie. All we seem to achieve is misunderstandings and anger."
Katrina sighed, and reached over to kiss him
" If Lexie and I can have a reasonably honest and beneficial conversation- then so can you and Archie."
" You and Lexie?" Paul asked in amazement
" Yep" Katrina confirmed
Paul sighed again, " Okay, I'll try tomorrow."
Katrina stood up and took him by the hand " And DONNOT criticise him constantly or second guess his actions. He hates that- always responds like it's an attack."
Paul shook his hand and glanced at her " You couldn't have told me that before?!"