The Spin off 2 � Part 13
Lexie waited patiently at Emma�s front door. After a while Emma�s cheery smile appeared at the door. �Oh hi Lex, come in� Emma urged.
�These are for you, I know its not much, but its just a wee thank you for looking after Kyla� Lexie answered handing Emma the box.
�Oh you shouldn�t have� Emma replied standing forward and giving Lexie a brief hug �Anyway, Katrina�s got a couple of days off work, so Brandon�s spending some time with his mum so its no bother� Emma added.
That name, it still made Lexie feel a sudden sadness and worry inside her, which gave her that nausea feeling. �Lex you ok? You look a bit pale� Emma asked.
�Um�yeah, I�ll be ok, don�t know what came over me, I just felt a bit ill� Lexie tried to reassure with a soft laugh. �Hang on�Brandon�s not your son?� Lexie suddenly asked registering what Emma had said. Emma giggled �No, I�m just his nanny, I thought you knew that, Brandon is Katrina�s kid�
�So who�s this Katrina?� Lexie questioned worrying.
�Um�Come with me, there�s a picture in the lounge I think, oh yes here we go� Emma answered holding up the picture which confirmed Lexie�s worries. Sure enough there in front of Lexie was a picture of Katrina, looking just the same as she always had done with blonde corkscrew curls and shinning smile, and in her arms was Brandon, the kid which Lexie had believed the past weeks was Emma�s.
�Lex seriously are you ok? Do you want me to ring Arch or anything?� Emma offered. Lexie stared at the picture for a few minutes before she glanced up to meet Emma�s eyes. �Emma, sorry I have to go� Lexie mumbled leaving the room.
�I hope your ok Lex� Emma�s voice echoed back as Lexie shut the door behind her.
Lexie opened the door to her house, she was shaking and her head hurt.
�Well done!� Archie greeted her attempting to kiss her, but she dropped down and slid her shoes off leaving Archie to air kiss. She gave Archie a confused look, which she normally did when he came out with random comments.
�You got the playgroup job, they loved you� Archie yelled holding his arms open.
�I don�t want it� Lexie snapped back, pushing past him and climbing the stairs.
�Lex� Archie�s voice echoed, Lexie stopped and slowly turned around, her hands still shaking attempting to get her balance between the two walls.
�I�m guessing you found out� Archie commented gazing down at his feet, his happy mood now fading.
�You knew!?� Lexie yelled coming back down the stairs, wobbling a bit on the last step as Archie held his arms out to balance her, but she hit his hand back.
�Lex please, the girls are just in the lounge� Archie replied leaning and shutting the door.
The tension was high between the two, and all that could be heard was Lexie�s deep breathing as she tried to calm herself down. After a while Archie spoke �I just didn�t want to hurt you� He explained.
�Hurt me? Hurt me?� Lexie repeated her voice getting higher and wearier.
�You had a lot on your mind� Archie commented
�And what about Brandon?� Lexie asked
�What about him?� Archie replied confused
�Well he�s what nearly four years old doesn�t that mean something to you?� Lexie answered. �You�re not saying�� Archie suggested, but from the teary stained look Lexie was giving him, he realised that was exactly what she was implying. Archie looked down at his watch, he really needed to get to work, and Adam would be waiting for him. �Look Lex, I have to go, it will be ok, I�ll sort it out�just don�t do anything drastic� Archie added. Lexie sat down on the last step and wrapped her arms around her legs. �That�s it just run away from the problem� Lexie replied. Archie didn�t have time to argue with her �look I�ll see you later ok, love you� Archie answered, kissing her on her head. He opened the lounge door and shouted a bye to the girls and then he turned back again and then shut the door behind him.
Lexie put her head in her hands and the tears fell into them. �Now where did she stand?� Katrina by the looks of it had Archie�s child, even though it hadn�t been confirmed yet Lexie already knew this would change everything. If anything Brandon would be a son of Archies, which so far was something Lexie hadn�t been able to give him. Once again Katrina was a part of Lexie�s life. Lexie felt insecure, for once again she was worried what would happen and what was going to happen. She didn�t feel in control and there was nothing she could do, she was hopeless. She used to be able to see things coming, why hadn�t she seen this coming? How was it that Katrina had lived next door for weeks, yet she only found out yesterday?
She believed that everything would be OK in London now. It was such a big place, yet here Katrina was, next door. Her insecurity was worse than ever, at least at Glenbogle she could escape Katrina, stand a bit of her own ground, but London was Katrina�s home now as much as it was hers. This was one problem she couldn�t run away from.
�MUM!� Ellie shrieked, as she stood infront of her mother, with her sister close behind. Lexie pulled them close towards her, she didn�t want to let go, at least she still had her girls, even if her husband was slipping away from her.
The Spin off 2 - Part 14�Archie, Adam wants to see you in the office� John shouted to Archie as he came through the back of the restaurant and through the kitchens as busy chef�s started to prepare the lunch time meals. �If its about me being late again�� Archie replied dodging through the crowd of people, �Then I can explain� Archie finished as he reached the door to the stairs leading to the upstairs offices. John shrugged his shoulders and went back to chopping up the salad. Archie sighed as he turned the handle of the door.
�Arch come in mate� Adam greeted him as he sat behind a large desk with paper piled up around him. �Look Adam, I�m sorry about being late its just we kind of�� Archie started to explain. �Arch I�m not bothered if you�re a bit late, I understand if you have to have a couple more minutes in bed with that lovely wife of yours, but that�s not why I called you up here� Adam answered. Archie took a seat opposite and sat down. �Well as you know, I�ve since been promoted to boss� Adam began.
�Yeah, how�s it going?� Archie asked
�Good thanks, but how would you like to be the boss of a restaurant like this?�
�You�re leaving?�
Adam laughed, �No, no no no, you already know that this company owns restaurants all over the world right?�
�Yeah I did all the research when I started working here�
�See, you�re the kind of man we�re looking for�
�I�m sorry, I still don�t understand�
�Arch, we want you to go over to America�
�Um�America?�
�You got it, you do my job, only over in America�
�Well that�s great but��
�Oh come on Arch, Lex will love it surely�
�You don�t know Lex then�
�At least suggest it to her, it�s a once in a lifetime chance, we�re talking big bucks here Archie boy, weren�t you going to go to America before anyway?�
�Yeah but then a bomb blew up our home and we� never mind�
Adam looked surprised but he didn�t stop pursuing.
�Anyway it�s different now, we have the girls�
�No problem, there still young, they wouldn�t even remember living here�
�That�s what I�m afraid of�
�Look Arch, We�ll get some wine and good food sorted out, bring Lex out tonight, have a good night, then take her home, put on some music and you know charm her�
�Ok then, but if she says no, I don�t think I will be able to go�
�Oh understood completely�
Archie got out of his car as his mobile went. �You have 1 new message�
Archie looked down, he didn�t recognise the number but went on to read it.
�Hello Archie, I haven�t spoken to you since the other night. It must have been a bit of a shock seeing me here again, I know I was pleased to see you though. We will have to meet up some time, you know for a bit of a catch up, like old times. Love Katrina x�
Archie looked up in the direction of his house was she watching him? Could she see he was only just outside, or maybe she wasn�t home?
He deleted the message, he didn�t want to feel rude but he just didn�t have time right now.
The Spin Off 2 � Part 15Archie opened the door quietly and slipped off his shoes then hung up his coat, he heard the TV in the lounge and entered. Lexie was asleep on the sofa, so Archie picked up the romote control and switched off the TV.
�I was watching that� Lexie�s voice echoed from behind Archie. Archie spun round to see Lexie sitting up on the sofa rubbing her eyes.
�Sorry I thought you were asleep� Archie replied. There was an awkward silence, Archie stood watching Lexie as her bright eyes stared into his and then glanced down again.
�Lex�� Archie exclaimed, once again Lexie�s eyes glared up to look at Archie. �I�m sorry about all this business, and I know its not much but I want to take you out to dinner tonight, what do you think?�
�Yeah ok then� Lexie answered
�You sure?� Archie questioned
�Hmmm� Lexie nodded
�Ok shall we say ready for 7:30?� Archie commented
�Ok� Lexie answered giving a little smile
Archie moved forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek then reached beside her for the phone then dialled the numbers as he walked out of the room.
Lexie sighed then got up, she looked out the window and her gaze caught the activity going on outside. Emma was carrying Brandon to Katrina�s car and then started to put him in his car seat. Katrina followed Emma carrying two bags in one hand and texting on her phone in the other. She went to the boot of the car and put the two bags inside and then went and sat in the drivers seat put on her seatbelt and then continued to text on her phone.
As Emma got in the car the other side, Katrina put down her phone just as a text message sound came from the hallway. Curious, Lexie took her attention away from the window and walked into the hallway. She could hear Archie pacing around upstairs so she went over to his coat pocket and got out his phone.
�1 new message�
Lexie clicked on the screen to the inbox
�Lizzie�Lexie laughed to her self. Paranoid she thought.
�Hey Arch, Yeah its fine for me to have the girls tonight, just bring them round when your ready. Love Liz xx�
�Lex?� Archie�s voice came from behind her. �What are you doing?� Archie asked looking at the phone in her hand and the surprised look on her face.
�Oh I heard your phone go, you�ve got a message� Lexie answered handing him the phone then walking past and up the stairs without saying anything else.
Archie was worried what if Katrina has text him again? He looked down at the screen and breathed a sign of relief as the screen read Lizzie.
A few hours later�
�Right Lex, I�m just taking the girls round to Lizzie�s while you finish getting ready ok� Archie shouted up the stairs.
�Hang on let me say bye� Lexie answered appearing at the top of the stairs in her dressing gown. �Right troubles, be good for Auntie Lizzie� Lexie ordered giving them both a kiss.
�Have you got everything?� Lexie asked Archie. �Yep we�re all ready to go� Archie replied.
�Ok then, well see you tomorrow girls,� Lexie shouted from the door.
�I hope your not going like that� Archie replied to Lexie giving her a wink. Lexie gave them a little wave and walked back inside.
�Martha get the door please, its uncle Archie� Lizzie shouted to her daughter.
�Ok mum� Martha answered running excitedly up to the door.
�Hello� Archie announced coming in the door and giving Martha a kiss. Ellie shrieked and ran up to Martha, but Kyla hung on to Archie tightly.
�Liz I�ll just put these bags at the door� Archie called out.
�Ok Arch� Lizzie replied
�Archie! Archie! Katrina�s round and Brandon! Come and See, come and see� Martha insisted, tugging on Archie�s arm. �Ok Martha I�m coming! I�m coming!� Archie replied
�Hey Arch� Lizzie spoke as Archie entered the room.
First thing Archie noticed was Katrina sitting infront of him, she had Brandon on her lap and was talking to him so she hadn�t looked up, until Lizzie had said �Archie� then Katrina glanced up to see Archie standing before her.
�Er hi� Archie addressed the room. Lizzie gave a worried glance between Archie and Katrina before getting up.
�Right well if I take this wee one� Lizzie announced holding her arms ready to take Kyla off Archie. Archie gave Kyla a kiss on the head, he felt guilty as her bright blue eyes stared back at him and water began to form in her eyes. �I�ll see you tomorrow Princess� Archie reassured her, but it was too late. �Arch I think its best if you just give her to me and go� Lizzie suggested.
�Yeah ok, phone me if there�s a problem� Archie replied as Lizzie pulled Kyla off him. Archie gazed round the room for Ellie, he sighed as he saw her on Katrina�s lap, that would mean he would have to go over there.
�Bye Sweetheart� Archie said leaning in to kiss Ellie. Katrina couldn�t help but smile back at Archie as he came close, his lovely brown eyes looked up at her and he shyly smiled back at her, before turning and leaving.
�Lex� Archie called up the stairs. He looked down at his watch to check the time, he hoped she was ready, he was so nervous about tonight, that now he didn�t even know if he could bring himself to tell Lexie.
�I�m ready� Lexie replied standing at the top of the stairs in a slim black dress. Her hair curly, which fell down to her shoulders, her teeth shone with her smile and as she reached the bottom of the stairs and fluttered her flirty eyelashes at him as he caught the sweet smell of her perfume.
�What and I can�t make an effort?� Lexie chuckled at Archie�s gobsmacked face.
�Lex you look�� Archie stuttered
�Go on� Lexie answered smiling
�Absolutely gorgeous� Archie replied
�Good, glad I did somethin' right� Lexie answered
�Archie, Lexie, good evening� Adam greeted them at the entrance of the restaurant.
�Hi Adam� Archie replied
�Oh Archie, I forgot to tell you earlier, the pictures of the New York restaurant have arrived, Terry made a wall display of them at the bar, would you like to come see?� Adam hinted.
�Yeah that would be great, you don�t mind do you Lex?� Archie asked
�No, that�s fine� Lexie replied
�This way then� Adam answered. Lexie followed Adams directions while Adam playfully hit Archie �We got her mate� Adam whispered as Archie gave a halfhearted smile.
The three came to stand infront of a big wall display filled with pictures and text. �It�s based in Manhattan� Adam explained pointing to a full colour picture at the top of the board with the United Kingdom flags flying outside.
�Oh it looks beautiful� Lexie commented
�Take a look at it at night then� Adam urged
�Look at them lights� Archie added
�The city looks so bright an' excitin'� Lexie remarked
�Like Glasgow?� Archie chuckled sarcastically
�Oh Shh you bampot� Lexie replied
�Well here is the main dining room� Adam continued pointing to another A4 picture.
�They have so much more space than here don�t you think?� Archie commented
�Oh look Arch, they hav' fish� Lexie chuckled pointing to the long wall with a build in fish tank and hundreds of fish swimming about.
�It looks amazing� Archie sighed.
�Arch, there's some papers in the office for you by the way� Adam added.
�Ok, Lex I�ll be right back� Archie replied
Lexie stood and stared at the board, the amazing colours and excitement that said everything about New York jumped out at her.
�We were gonna move to New York once ya know� Lexie commented to Adam.
�Were you?� Adam replied, pretending he knew nothing about it.
�I would love to live in America� Adam answered �Think about the beautiful scenes, the landmarks, the weather and well that restaurant just looks amazing�
�Hmmm�it must be magical� Lexie replied.
Archie climbed the stairs two at a time; he didn�t like to leave Lexie alone when she didn�t know Adam.
He scanned Adam�s office where he saw a post it note with �ARCHIE� on, underneath where housing brochures for the Manhattan area, then under it local kindergarten listings. Archie picked up the papers and folded them into his pocket.
�Adam really did want him to go, he�s done all this research� Archie thought.
On the way home Lexie turned to Archie in the taxi. He was looking out the window longingly. She took his little finger and linked it with hers; he turned to face her and returned the gesture with a kiss.
�Thanks for tonight, it was nice� Lexie replied
�Well I�ve been a bit of a idiot the last couple of days� Archie answered
�Only the last couple of days?� Lexie teased
�Right sit down there� Archie ordered
�Hmm ok an' Archie Macdonald what are ya planning on doin'?� Lexie replied grinning.
�You could call it a bit of a performance� Archie explained
�What the full Monty or something a wee bit upmarket?� Lexie questioned giggling.
�How about a bit of Elvis?� Archie suggested
�Elvis? What the king himself?� Lexie replied as Archie walked over to the CD player.
Elvis Presley�s, Always on my mind began playing and a smile broke out on Lexie�s face as Archie started to mimic the words.
�Maybe I didn�t treat you, quite as good as I should have, maybe I didn�t love you quite as often as I could have. Little things I should have said and done, I just never took the time�
Lexie smiled at the expressions on Archie�s face as he held out his hands to her while the music in the background continued.
�You were always on my mind, you were always on my mind�
Archie in his best Elvis voice stood in front of Lexie and took her hand. �Come, dance with me Alexandra�
�Archie I�Ooh� Lexie chuckled as Archie pulled her up from the sofa. Her head rested against his shoulder and his comforting arms went around her back, she could feel his breathing on her neck as they swayed with the music, as the next words of the song were sang, his grip tightened.
�Maybe I didn�t hold you, all those lonely, lonely times and I guess I never told you, I�m so happy that you�ve mine and if I make you feel second best girl I�m sorry I was blind�
Lexie felt emotional, tears formed in her eyes as she knew Archie had felt bad about the times he was away in Nepal, work, London. Then she re-felt her insure feelings as it mentioned feeling 2nd best, she knew it related to Katrina.
�Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn�t died. Give me, give me one more chance to keep you satisfied, satisfied�
Lexie turned to face Archie, and his hands cupped her face and wiped the tear stains away, the memory of their engagement filled Lexie�s head as Archie kissed her passionately and they stood dancing together as the song finished.
�You were always on my mind�
�Lex, I meant what the words say, I look back and think how I treated you, I just want to hit myself for it, I love you to bits yet after we got married I didn�t tell you as much as I should have. But I loved you all the same and no matter what she tries to do, no Katrina or child of hers is going to come between us, I promise you that, I don�t want you ever feeling second best again. I thought I could sort out this mess all by myself but I cant, I need your help, us together, we�re going to get through this ok� Archie whispered.
�Together� Lexie repeated
�I love you more than my life, you know that don�t you?� Archie commented
�Yes, an' I love you more than my life too� Lexie answered
�So�how 'bout that full Monty then?� lexie questioned
"Well..." Archie added winking
Lexie giggled �Ya bampot� she replied as hand in hand they walked upstairs to their bedroom.