THE TIME BEFORE THE FUTURE – PART 3 The sun was setting & despite the central heating being up full, the house's large rooms with their high ceilings, were getting so cold that Lexie was reluctantly forced to admit to herself that it was time to change into some warmer clothes. The painfully new shoes which were under the sofa somewhere would unfortunately have to be retrieved, but that was a price she'd had to pay for dressing up. The thought crossed her mind that it would be the third time she had opened her wardrobe that day, some kind of personal best she was sure. That said though, she was not about to let the best day of her life (so far), go by without making some sort of record of it. Reluctantly, she began to disentangle herself from Archie's arms & made to get up from the sofa in the drawing-room where the couple had been all but dosing. She felt the chill in the air as she got up, but what really caught her unaware was the sharp little sting of loss she experienced when she was no longer in physical contact with Archie. He must have felt it to for he opened his eyes & raised his head from the back of the sofa to look at her: "Lexie?" She smiled at him whilst replacing her shoes. He looked so cute like that: "It's ok Sweetheart. Do me a favour please? Put your jacket on." "Sure, but why?" he asked complying. "Because the digital camera is still in study & if ever a day deserved a picture this is it!" she beamed disappearing across the hall. "Great idea." he called after her. By the time she got back Archie was casually leaning on the mantelpiece, staring into the empty grate looking incredibly handsome, in full traditional dress & seeming for all the world as though he had just stepped back a century. Seeing how perfect the shot was she had simply said "Smile!" & clicked. They then reversed roles & he took a shot of her in the same position, before they set the timer & posed for their first photo as a couple. Images chosen, Lexie then hurried upstairs whereas Archie took a few minutes to resize, print & save the images (he wanted some to carry around in his wallet), before getting changed. "When do you want to tell everyone?" Archie asked standing at the kitchen counter making some sandwiches whilst Lexie made the tea for supper. "Tomorrow, I guess, but..." she said reluctantly. She turned in time to see Archie's face fall to the floor & realised what he must be thinking: "God no! I'm not having doubts; I've never been more certain of anything! It's just that..." "What?" he asked, his face drawn & his voice just a little hurt. "Well, it's just that today has been so many things, I wouldn't mind some time just to take it all in & just be happy..." her voice faded, not really wanting to finish. "You're still nervous about what people will think about the Laird marrying the housekeeper, that's it, isn't it?" Archie's hurt was clear in his voice. Lying to him would only make things worse so Lexie simply nodded. He sighed: "Lexie, I won't lie to you, there will be talk & it won't be easy. But I believe we can handle it, if we stay strong! There is one other solution; I can hand Glenbogle over to Lizzie in trust for Martha." Lexie gasped: "You'd do that?" Archie nodded grimly: "In a heartbeat. All you have to do is ask." Lexie gasped again; knew the enormity of what Archie was saying, the sacrifice he was offering to make. He would hand over everything he'd just been given back, give it all up, for her. She sighed & chose her words very carefully: "Archie, right now, I'm so nervous that a pretty big part of me wants you to do just that. Part of me wants to have you get the papers drawn up just to prove it, but I can't do that. I have to take a chance, remember?" She was recalling their earlier words. "It'll be worth the chance & it's a chance you won't be taking alone." He replied. "That's why it's worth facing." Lexie said simply. That said, they decided to wait until the engagement ring was ready before making their announcement, ate supper talking about everything & nothing & then reluctantly but wisely parted at the top of the stairs, to curl up in separate beds & dream of each other. TO BE CONTINUED...