We're Home – Part 29

The hallway was shrouded in darkness and whispers as guests all rushed for the best vantage point to surprise the birthday girl. Lexie had noticed the unusual lack of light as they drove up the driveway towards the castle, but by the time she had set foot out of the car Archie had convinced her that it was probably only Glenbogle's notoriously unreliable fuses.
As he walked her through the door the light came on and the word "SURPRISE!" echoed throughout the house. Lexie nearly fell back on Archie in shock, until breaking free from the clutches of her grandmother Melanie made a mad beeline for her mother and wrapped her arms around her middle with the exclamation of
" Happy Birthday Mummy!" then announcing proudly to Archie " See Daddy I kept it secret just like I promised I would."
Lexie finally managed to shut her mouth and turned to stare at Archie
" Was this you?"
Archie grinned, " Maybe"
Lexie shrieked and engulfed him in a hug before being surrounded by a group of her friends and led into the lounge room. Paul and Katrina greeted her with blaring music and a table full of presents. Lexie grinned and pulled them both into another hug. Archie grabbed her hand and led her into the middle of the floor

'I thought love was
More or less a given thing
The more I gave the less
I got, oh yeah
What's the use in trying
All you get is pain
When I wanted sunshine
I got rain

And then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her
If I tried'

Melanie cut in halfway through and grabbed her mother's hand, swinging it back and forth as she jumped up and down and round and round- hyped up from the mixture of anticipation, excitement, and too much sugar.

Later that night after all the presents had been opened and the food was all gone Archie still had one surprise left. When Lexie had been distracted he had snuck up to their room and liberated the ring from its hiding spot. Now he produced it from his pocket and placed it in front of her. She opened it and smiled
" Oh Arch it's beautiful!"
" Do you know the meaning?"
" No" she smiled, knowing that he had put a lot of thought into this present. He took it from its box and slipped it onto her finger, motioning to the different elements as he explained
" With these hand I give you my heart and crown it with my love"
Lexie felt her eyes well up with tears as he continued
" The heart symbolises the love I yearn to share... the crown my undying loyalty... and the hands, friendship because it is the foundation of love and loyalty and holds the two together."
" It's gorgeous," she whispered, turning her hand to admire it " And so are you." She added with a coy smile
Katrina and Paul glanced at each other and knew that it was the right time to announce their news as well. Self-consciously Paul tapped his glass and waited for the table to quieten down
" Um, Katrina and I have an announcement as well" he acknowledged
Katrina smiled, " We're going to get married"
Molly grinned and stood up from the table " I think this calls for more dancing" she responded as everyone burst into applause

'So tonight, I'll ask the stars above,
How did I ever win your love?
What did I do, what did I say,
To turn your angel eyes my way?'

It was 3am by the time all the guests had left and the weary family made their way to bed. Archie carried a sleeping Melanie up the stairs to her room while Katrina, Paul and Lexie followed behind
" Congratulations by the way" Lexie smiled
" Thanks" Paul and Katrina answered at the same time
They laughed and stumbled up the rest of the stairs, parting at the landing where Archie rejoined Lexie, minus Melanie.
" Only one more day" He announced
" Back to the big city hey?" Katrina announced
Archie exchanged glances with his wife, " Yes, back home. Well our other home"