We're Home – Part 24

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. Malcolm S. Forbes

That quiet mutual gaze of a trusting husband and wife is like the first moment of rest or refuge from a great weariness or a great danger. George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

" Lex? " Archie whispered in the night
" Yes" Lexie answered, rolling over to glance at him
" When I slipped that ring pull onto your finger all I could think about was that this was the one woman that I wanted to spend my entire life with and what a big thing that was."
Lexie smiled serenely, it was a lovely admission, yet she knew it was leading to something less then immaculate.
" Do you remember when I said to you that if I wasn't any good as a laird, I wouldn't be any good as a husband either?"
" Yes" Lexie answered briefly
" Is that what's happened?" He asked gazing at her intensely, " I couldn't cut it as a laird, and I also can't cut it as a husband?"
Lexie's lips turned up in a smile, "Don't you remember what I said in answer to that last time?"
Archie thought back and then commented, " That you're with me and we'll do it together."
" Uh huh" Lexie acknowledged, laying her head down on his chest
" Yeah, but that doesn't answer my question. I mean Paul said all these things and some of them ring very true."
Lexie didn't answer, he glanced down at her and realised what she was doing. It was a simple solution she had come up with years ago when one of them doubted themselves, or their part in the marriage- she was bringing it all back to basics by listening to his heartbeat.
It related to their wedding vows and what they had promised each other years ago and his admission that he would be faithful and cherish her till the last beat of his heart. In return he was meant to just focus on her breathing and remember her oath that she would trust him and cherish him until the last breath left her body. What amazed him was that it actually did work. Focusing on such trivial and often taken for granted processes brought them back to earth and helped them truly remember what was important.
Lexie heard his heartbeat slow its pace back to normal and looked up,
" Now" she regarded him with discerning eyes, " What did Paul say that was such a revelation on your apparent hopelessness as a husband?"
She realised he was feeling worse then she'd originally thought, when he didn't even crack a smile
" Archie, what is it?"
" Do I not respect you or value you?" he asked
"Arch" Lexie laughed
" No I'm serious Lex. I've always said that I don't deserve you, but do I flaunt you? Take you for granted even after saying that?"
Lexie sighed, " Archie I've always been very independent, you respect that and let me be. I think sometimes that could come across as not caring- but in reality it's the opposite. And as for being taken for granted- yes, I must admit that from time to time I do feel taken for granted, but after being married for 7 years that's hardly a stunning surprise. It's something we both need to work on."
Archie nodded, " Do I treat you badly?"
" About the same as I treat you I guess" Lexie replied thoughtfully
" Has it always been like this?"
Lexie giggled, "Archie, just cause Paul says it doesn't mean it's some huge issue. We've been doing these things since we were just friends."
" Feel like helping each other change them?" Archie asked
Lexie regarded him lovingly " That would be nice."