Lexie returned 10 minutes later with Molly's quilt over 1 arm & Archie's pyjamas tucked under the other. She was already in her own night-shirt & dressing-gown.
"Here, get changed while I lock up; whatever happens, neither of us should be on our own tonight." She said gently.
"Time to 'finish what we started' huh Lex?" he smiled, referring to their night together on the bunk of the sleeper train that had so nearly turned into something more.
"I don't know." Lexie replied honestly. "All I do know is that we're 'safe' & after today, neither of us have a snowball in hell's chance of sleeping unless we're in each other's arms."
"True." He agreed quietly.
Lexie went out into the vast entrance hall, slid the iron bolts on the huge oak front door home with two loud 'clicks', turned the key in the enormous lock, hid it on the hook concealed behind the long defunct bell-pull & returned to the sitting-room. She found Archie already changed & under the quilt. He grinned as she quickly lifted the quilt, & dressing-gown still on, snuggled into his right side. Before either of them could move or say a word however, Useless leapt onto the sofa & settled himself in the tiny gap between the couple. Archie sighed then chuckled: "It seems we have a chaperone, for now!"
He felt Lexie nod: "For now." She agreed sleepily. "'Night Arch."
"Night Lex." He whispered, but by the time he looked to kiss her she was already asleep. Sighing once more & content if nothing else to have the woman he adored in his arms, Archie settled his head on the cushions & within minutes had fallen into a deep, rejuvenating sleep.