MISSING YOU – PART 2

By: SnowWhite

Lexie couldn't believe that he had actually gone through with it. Actually left her here by herself- oh, she knew he'd be back, and it had been her choice not to go.

But this wasn't the way it was meant to turn out!

The entire time she'd sat watching him pack she'd expected him to stop, take one look at her and say, "No, I can't go."

But he didn't....

And when they were saying goodbye, right up until she could no longer see the land rover she had expected it to stop or turn around.

He couldn't possibly leave; he loved her too much!

He'd always said how much he loved her and how he would never leave her.... And now he was gone.

He had gone through with it.

He'd gone away with his sister for months, and as selfish as it sounded she resented Liz a bit for taking him away from her. She even resented Paul for his part in Archie's decision.

Oh, she knew it wasn't rational.

She knew deep down that Archie hadn't in fact left her, or even made any attempt to. But he wasn't here, and she needed him, and she missed him.

And rational thoughts very rarely shine through when emotions as absorbing as hers were involved.

To my Darling Wife

Sweetheart, I love you so much words can't express.

I know sometimes that I'm not very open with my feelings, or things come out wrong- but don't ever think that I don't love you with all my heart.

I made an oath to you that I would be faithful and cherish you until the last beat of my heart, and I have no intention of breaking that promise.

I want to be with you forever.

I'll probably have spoken to you before this letter reaches Glenbogle, so I won't ask too many questions or anything else.

When I get back we will start a new life together where we can still know and visit Glenbogle- but not be bound to it.

I assure you that I won't push you into this new life too much, you can choose where we live, and you can choose how often we visit Glenbogle and how much we keep in touch. I know it's you're home too and you don't want to leave, but will you trust me? Trust me with your heart and your feelings, that was your pledge to me- I promise I won't hurt you.

I love you honey and I'll miss you every minute I'm away. But as you know, this is something that Lizzie and I have to do.

I wish you were here too.

Yours for life

Archie xxoo

Archie re-read the letter again and again. He imagined her reading it.

He knew her well enough to be able to picture the whole event in his mind.

He didn't know how well it would go down, but at least she knew that he loved her.

He folded the letter in two and placed it in an envelope, leaving it open so that Lizzie could write a letter as well and they could be sent as one.