Missing You – Part 7

Archie walked away from the bathroom and smiled as he remembered the reception he had gotten when the family had realised that he was home.
Molly had rushed forward to wrap her arms around him, Golly had looked so happy he was close to tears and Duncan and Jess had just screamed and laughed, hugging Lexie a well.
The main question seemed to be "Why didn't you tell us you were going to be coming home early?" to which he replied, wrapping his arms around his wife that "It was a surprise."
Lexie had shaken her head and looked at him, commenting that he was very lucky that she loved this surprise so much, considering his track record. It was only when they were sitting together in the library that the fact that Archie had come back merely to collect his wife and leave came up.
"How long till you leave again?" Golly, was the first to bring it up. Being the most rational of all of them, and not wanting Molly to get too happy just to be brought down again
"Um" Archie had glanced at Lexie sitting next to him on the arm of the chair
"We haven't decided yet. We've got to discuss it tonight."
"Probably a few weeks" Lexie had added, as a rough estimation
"If everything goes according to plans" Archie had concluded

What Archie didn't know was.....

That when Paul glanced at his brother and sister-in-law he knew that what he wanted to talk about with them wouldn't exactly fit into their plans. In a way he felt guilty, but he also knew that it was his one chance. Archie was only truly able to go away with Lexie because he could leave him in charge, and he would still do that, he just needed a bit more time.
Paul had heard all the stories about how Archie had been tricked into taking over the reins at Glenbogle, and how his life had changed so dramatically. He had had to let his own business go and lose his steady girlfriend at the same time, all to save this place- his heritage and duty.
Paul didn't want to resent Glenbogle for taking away his freedom; he didn't want to leave five years down the track like Archie was. If he had just that year to adjust, to make himself ready for the role he would have to take over, he truely believed that he would be ready, and it would save a lot of uncertainty in the future.

When they eventually got to the pub Archie went to order the drinks and some food while Lexie and Paul sat at the table. In the year alone that they had had while Archie was in Nepal the brother and sister-in-law had become reasonably close. When Archie hadn't been there for support, they had ended up relying on each other instead. Lexie had a feeling that what Paul was going to say was big, or at least would have somewhat big consequences for them and their plans.
He sat in front of her fiddling with the coaster, then with the tablecloth, she smiled and he gave a nervous smile back.
"I'm just going to help Arch with the drinks" she whispered glancing at him again to confirm her feelings
He nodded, simply and watched her go, trying to put all his thoughts together so that he would be able to express them well when the time arose.

Lexie walked over to her husband and took some of the load from him, then leaning in whispered
"This is something considerately big Arch"
"What is?" He asked balancing the dishes with a nod at the bartender
"What Paul wants to tell us"
"How do you know that?"
Lexie shrugged "Woman's intuition"
"Oh I hate that. That generally means your right"
She smiled as they placed the load they carried onto the table and sat down to eat.

Paul observed them with vigilance, trying to work out the best time to break his suggestion. After a few minutes he decided that it would be easier just to get it over and done with.
"I've got a proposition," He announced, his voice slightly lacking its usual deepness and portraying his nervousness
"Oh yes" Archie commented, glancing at his wife "what is it?"
Paul took a large breath before explaining
"I'd like you to grant me a years grace to get my all the ends of my old life tied up before I officially take over the reins at Glenbogle." He blurted out, and then waited in suspense for their reactions.
"Let me get this straight-"Archie deliberated, "You would like us to stay on for another year in order for you to get ready to take over the estate"
" Yes" Paul answered, now immensely worried that what he was suggesting would be knocked back there and then without consideration.
Archie glanced at Lexie again and dictated an agreement with her through eye contact
"That's longer then we were thinking of staying, Lexie and I will have to talk it over tonight. Is it okay if we get back to you tomorrow with a proper decision, and we can always negotiate from there?"
Paul let a sigh of relief "Yeah, yeah that would be good"
"Okay" Archie remarked, the gears in his brain turning at the very thought of this new obstacle "Lets eat"