Chapter Six---Next Day, next day...next day J
"Did he really talk to her finally?" Ewan asked, while chopping up vegetables as Claire sat at the table.
"Of course he did, it took some convincing on Lizzie and my part for Fergal to go see Katrina finally, but he did. I think the guy Lizzie tried to set Katrina up with was kind of a bore. It was very obvious that Katrina and Fergal have all kinds of chemistry still there...off the charts chemistry. Especially since he came back last night all happy and stuff, whistling...too bad though, because he came back and his mother phoned him about his brother and he's off to London this afternoon." Claire explained to Ewan what had happened at Ghillie's Rest last night and Fergal's emergency phone call. "How did Megan like your biscuits?"
"Good question, she feared I had poisoned them, actually to put it in correct words, she said, 'Ber off, Ewan.' She's still playing hard to get, I guess," as Ewan showed off the tin that he had put Megan's 'sweets' in and it was still full of sweets. Claire gave him a sympathetic look and then opened the tin and snagged a cookie, "I'm sorry."
"Me too, I dun no really what to do about her? She's in my head day and night and night and day," Ewan shook his head, "At least things are worked out between Fergal and Katrina," as Lexie who had been standing at the kitchen door, ready to start breakfast for the twins and Minnie, listened to them both talk about Fergal and Katrina, until Archie came up behind and startled her... "Don't you know it's not nice to spy, Mrs. Laird?"
"I'm not being nosey and morning to you..." Lexie chuckled, as Archie wrapped his arms around his wife and snuggled his nose into her hair...
"Morning you..." Archie spoke up back to Lexie as he kissed her nose before they both strolled into the kitchen.
"Morning, Ewan. Hello Claire," Archie pronounced as Ewan nodded his head, "Afternoon Boss,"
"Oh, it is, good afternoon then," Archie replied, forgetting it really was early afternoon than morning!
Lexie went straight to the refrigerator and began to prep breakfast as best as she could, before Claire replied, "Lexie, your mother and I already tended to the twins,"
"Oh really? Good then," Lexie smiled-which also faded into a frown, as Archie sent her a warning glance about rambling off about Pamela and Alex being together again...Lexie didn't say anything else...
"Yes," Claire replied, as she smiled back...
Lexie spoke right up, figuring Fergal hadn't left for London yet, "Fine, where's Fergal?"
"Off to the village before he leaves for the afternoon bus, something about wooing and wowing his sweetheart before he goes..." Ewan answered with a chuckle as Lexie's lips formed an 'oh,' and Archie gave a laugh.
"What's funny? Fergal's sweetheart---Katrina?" Lexie's eyes widened, acting like she hadn't been listening in on Ewan and Claire's chat about Fergal and Katrina.
"Yep, Mrs. Lexie," said Ewan with a good nod of his head as Archie laughed once again and Lexie gave off a weird look, "Sorry, just remembered something..." Archie added with another laugh. Archie remembered years ago giving Fergal some advice on how to 'court' Katrina affectively when they were trying to get the grant for the wildlife/adventure centre, "In old times, nothing important,"
"How long are you staying, Claire?" Lexie turned her attention to Claire again.
"Just until afternoon, Susan's going to give me a lift back to Aunt Marjorie's farm," Claire replied, "Anyway, I should see what my sister is up too, see you Ewan," Claire wandered out of the kitchen just as Pamela and Alex entered the room.
"They make a splendid couple, right Alex?" Pamela piped right up, speaking of their daughter and her fine gentleman of a husband...
"Excuse me?" Lexie looked at both her parents confused, thinking they were talking about Claire and Ewan...
"Well, I think you both are a wonderful match, Lexie dear, don't you think so too?" Pamela said, as Alex nodded his head in agreement.
"I don't need sugar coated words from either of you," Lexie tried to blow her parents off, "Where's the twins, Claire said they were wit ya?"
"They are in the playroom with Paul, is it? My that Claire girl is quite charming, and delight, as she helped tend to the twins so you two could sleeping soundly in the late morning..." Pamela pressed again...
"Aye, Lexie, something a matter, darling, you do look kinda pale?" Pamela replied as Lexie responded, "I'm Fine," and traveled out of the room, leaving everyone standing there.
"Well, then..." Alex glanced at Pamela and she glanced back at him.
"I thought we had buried the grudges, the chips on her shoulder years ago when I was last here..." Pamela remarked as Archie spoke up as his head tipped towards Lexie's father, "You didn't have him with you. Sorry if that was forward, but she's just dealing with a lot right now...just keep talking to her, she'll come around in her own due time," as Pamela and Alex exchanged looks once again. "Anyway, I've got a date with the dogs," Archie took off with the leashes in his hands and went to find Useless, Monty and Rummel.
Paul stuck out his tongue at Minnie as she giggled and smiled, while the twins ran circles around him. Nigel shouted out, "Piggy pile on Dad!" Nigel, Martha, twins and a held onto Minnie all 'pig piled' onto Paul in fits of laughter. Susan stood in the doorway chuckling at the silliness as Paul managed to pluck kids off of him one by one, and smiled over to her. And then as Minnie started to wander way, Paul latched out to her as she gave a screech just before he tickled her.
"I see you're busy playing, Mr. Mum," Susan's brows arched as Paul laughed, "Welcome to the kiddy central circus."
"You're the ring leader?"
"I sure am."
Duncan rode the village mini bus to the house and nodded to Clive for the ride as he scampered out of the passengers side, snatched his rucksack, and spoke, "Good to see you, Clive,"
"Welcome back, Dunc,"
"Thanks," Duncan waved to the minibus driver and started on his journey, down the lane, over the bridge, and towards the house...
Duncan almost made it to the front door when he heard in loud exclamations from Lizzie and then Archie calling out, "Duncan? DUNCAN!!!!!"
"Hello Boss, Lizzie," Duncan nodded his head, and then shook hands with Archie and gave Lizzie a huge hug as Archie threw an arm around Duncan as they traveled back into the house.
"Duncan?" Molly smiled, giving him a hug too, but also confused, "You're back?"
"Aye, Molly, New Zealand is pretty, but I've been longing for home," Duncan smiled as Golly appeared from the library, strolling up behind Molly, just as Susan turned from the front sitting room with Paul carrying out Minnie on his hip. Duncan's eyes went straight to Minnie as his smile went wider...
"I missed me Minnie Mouse..." Duncan held out his arms to his almost one year old daughter...
Paul spoke right up to the wide eyed youngster, who was unsure of Duncan, "Minnie, that's---?"
"It's Dada," Duncan stated firmly as his eyes went to Paul's, but Minnie wasn't sure about Duncan as her stranger anxiety kicked in. Paul tried to hand her off to him and just as he did, Minnie's arms stiffened as she didn't want to release Paul and she started to cry out.
"Minnie, that's Dada..." Paul added softly as Minnie tossed Paul quite a look of exasperation, bewilderment, and like static cling, stuck to Paul like glue.
Duncan stood there confused, as Lexie approached him, "Dunc, I'm happy you're home, lemme take Minnie, time for a nap..."
Minnie went right to Lexie in a heartbeat as her blue eyes focused on her father and then her tiny hands latched into the ends of Lexie's hair. Lexie then replied "I'll be back shortly," Minnie glanced over Lexie's shoulder as she was carried up the stairs. Duncan looked on quite hurt.
"You've been away for awhile, Duncan, she'll adjust herself to you again..." Molly tried to cheer him up with a wink.
"Did she get my package?" Duncan replied intently as his eyes went to Molly's.
"Yes, she did," Paul answered instantly as Duncan didn't glance over to Paul.
"Oh well, right, okay, let's get some tea ready for the back parlor shall we? Welcome back, Duncan." Archie remarked as he clapped his hands together and spoke with his eyes as if he were trying to keep the peace. Archie could sense the tension already brewing between Duncan and Paul, apparently three months apart, didn't do either of the men any justice.
"Sounds good, Archie, I'll go get it..." Molly beamed as she ran out of the room before Archie could respond or make a move.
Katrina wandered into the kitchen of her 'uncle's' new house just to find Fergal at stove, making some kind of lunch, "How did you get in here? Breakin' and enterin'?"
"Oh, the usual way..."
"The front door?" Katrina asked with a smile.
"That an' your uncle let me in," Fergal smiled back as Katrina glanced over to the kitchen table at the two place settings with a candle and Molly's white roses in a vase in the middle of it.
"This looks fantastic," Katrina added delighted as her nose took in the scent of the stew as Fergal laughed, "I know you dislike cut flowers, but Molly insisted I bring those to you, or she wouldn't let me out of the house,"
Katrina replied, with a big grin, "Its okay, your silver birch is still growing over at my old place. I rode by there a while back,"
"It is now?"
"Yea, its still beautiful, Fergal," Katrina said as Fergal approached the table with a bowl of stew and set it before Katrina before setting his stew down next. They sat across from each other, as they began to eat their lunch.
"What's wrong? Is it not good?" Fergal asked, as the back of his mind knew he'd scold Ewan if it wasn't.
"You aren't famous for editable cooking,"
"Okay maybe so," Fergal caught Katrina's eyes, "All right, Ewan made it, some kind of Rabbit stew—it's very good,"
Katrina laughed, "I see, so you're trying to romance me with someone else's cooking?"
"Hey, if it works, go with it, I say," Fergal chuckled back.
"Actually, why are you here?" Katrina gave him a questionable look, making sure Fergal had the best intentions for being there, and he did.
"I figured after we had lunch, we'd go for a ride and then a walk, I have something special to show you," Fergal replied mystically.
Katrina's brows rose and she blinked, "You do, do you now?"
"Yes, I do," Fergal nodded dignified, as Katrina's lips formed another sweet smile, "I missed your smile, you know,"
"Oh?"
"Yea," Fergal replied with another large beam, "So lets eat up, love, and we'll be on our merry way,"
Chapter Seven---Fergal and Katrina, Part III
Fergal and Katrina drove from Glenbogle village to another part of the Caledonian forest. It had been a long time since the pair had gone for a walk in the 'wild woods' as Katrina parked the car off the road, at a head of a trail, and then they both climbed out of the car.
"Okay, we're a good ways away from anyone or anything so where you taking me?" Katrina asked as Fergal held out a cloth and rounded the passenger's side of the car to the driver's side, and smiled, "It's surprise, and you need to be blindfolded,"
"Um, okay, I know I'm blinded by you, but you're nuts if I'm going to wear that thing," Katrina spoke up in protest as Fergal gave her a look, "Please?"
"As long as you're not planning on hiding my eyes and high tailing it out of here, Francis Drake..."
"Now, what gives you that idea, matey?!" Fergal and Katrina laughed as he made an impression of a pirate with the cloth as an eye patch. Fergal shrugged and then went up behind Katrina and covered her eyes, "Now, take my arm, Kat, and we'll go now,"
Katrina was unsteady on the uneven ground, and Fergal kept encouraging her and assuring her that where they were off to was safe.
"So when can I see again, pirate?" Katrina pestered as Fergal kept smiling, "Soon, just watch for that root, and I'll sit you here, there, now just listen for a minute..." Fergal helped Katrina lower herself to sit on a rock.
"I don't hear anything fantastic?" Katrina replied, wondering what Fergal was up too...Fergal knelt down before her, swept a hand to her face and lifted her chin upwards just before planting a sweet kiss on her lips. His hand went right to the back of her head, untied the cloth as Katrina took everything in.
"These trees are well protected, since the tree restoration organizations have been keeping up with the upkeep. Its probably one of the many, but oldest and spectacular views of Silver Birch living untouched in the wild,"
"Fergal, you remembered?" Katrina glanced at him impressed as she sat on a rock surrounded by forest, including her favorite trees.
"I remembered before you made note of that tree I planted years ago at lunch time. The leaves are off the trees, but they are still beautiful mixed in with Scot Pine and Oakwood,"
"How did you find this place?"
"Before I found out about the Ghillie job on Archie's estate, a friend of mine worked for the tree restoration over in Forres. He took me here so I thought I'd share it with you," Fergal smiled, "What do you think?"
"I think. I think this is probably the second most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me-to sit me down before my favorite trees, in their natural habitat and distinction?"
"First?"
"The tree you planted, of course," Katrina replied with a puff of her breath over the cool air.
"Good, because there's more..."
"More?" Katrina stood up to face Fergal, wondering what he meant by more...
"Katrina I didn't just come back for you, even though, I figured with your strong feelings and all, you would have come after me... I came here once to settle---."
"--down and put up roots, I remember the whole speech, the interview, a very long time ago. Fergal, I thought about going after you. I mean it wasn't easy, I got a job in London right after you left, my life changed...I---?" Katrina glanced at Fergal as his hand went deep into his pocket and Katrina's eyes watched...
"But your love didn't?"
Katrina nodded her head, 'No.'
"Last night, after I returned to the house, my mum and I had a chat about Kieran---?"
"And---?"
"I'm leaving today. I have too; Kieran decided he didn't want the transplant that his life isn't worth fighting for, and my mum wants me there to talk to him about it. She thinks I can wave a magic wand and make it all better..."
"I'm sorry, it's hard to---?" Katrina stopped talking and stared at a ring box, "Oh, oh. Um,"
"I was in a shop in New Plymouth, New Zealand, great place, reminded me of you and how much you love 'earthy' things---apparently, there's a stone out there called a moonstone, supposed to rekindle old love, anyway, I thought---?"
"What are you asking me?" Katrina eyes peered up at his.
"I knew if I found you again, if you still felt the same way I did, I would ask you this question,"
'Oh no,' Katrina's mind formed, 'It's not...' "Will you marry me?" Katrina blurted right out and then turned bright pink as Fergal gave her a look, "I'm supposed to ask that, aren't I? Does it help that I'm terrified of your answer?"
Katrina added, "Oh sorry, I'm---?"
Fergal laughed, "Katrina, don't worry about it." As silence crept up between the pair as they both sat down on a rock in the middle of the forest.
"Are you really asking me this question?" Katrina asked...as Fergal answered, "Yes, I am,"
"Fergal, I'm not sure---?"
"I see, you're trying to scare me off, so you never see me again, I shouldn't have asked..."
"You're jumping too conclusions, can I see it?"
"See what?" Fergal's hand held the ring box, "Oh this?"
"Yes, that," Katrina laughed, as she accepted the ring box and opened it up, the ring with three small moonstones lined beside each other one by one glittered, dazzled and sparkled gray, white and pearly blue.
"They bring out your eyes,"
Katrina blushed again, "I---?"
"Oh." Fergal's head dropped, and then went up again to stare Katrina, as he gathered her hand in his, while he made it so he was down on one knee, "Marry me and we can plant an oak if you like so then we'd have our own squirrels inside of it?"
Katrina laughed, while looking down at him, now realizing he was serious about it, "Oh gd, you remembered..."
"Of course," Fergal laughed back as Katrina smiled before tossing common sense in...
"I have school Fergal. I'm teaching, well temporarily because I filled in for a teacher. I have to be there until the summer up in Inverness. You really think you'd stay here? I thought you never were one for staying in one place..."
"I'd come back from London..."
"What about Kieran?"
"I'd still come back...even if the outlook is bad for him."
"You'd come back?"
"Katrina, think on it, we've been apart for so long. I came back for you and you haven't changed at all, nor have I?"
"You came back here with the intent to ask me to marry you if it happened I hadn't changed?"
"No, no, no, hang on, Katrina," Fergal stepped in front of her, so she couldn't walk away. Katrina clutched the now closed ring box in her hand.
"This isn't going the way I thought it would. We're not supposed to be upsetting each other. This was meant to be special and for you and me...Katrina, I'm madly in love with you. I have been for a very long time. My life doesn't amount too much...I'm educated yes, I've been around the world and back, yes, but there's only one thing I miss and one thing I need and it's you,"
Katrina didn't say anything, she looked down at her feet, down at the ground, "If I give you my hand, will you take it? Can you actually say to me you'd be there for me through everything else we're meant to go through? You can't promise that can you?"
"I can promise you a lot of things, no matter how shaky the ground is, Katrina."
Katrina stood still, "I'll drive you to London. I'm not going to let you go through anything alone."
"What?" Fergal glanced at her surprised.
"I said I'll drive you to London. It's Saturday, I can get us there and then you can travel back on your own or with me. You're in luck. The school kids are already under going projects and I'm on top of their school work and corrections,"
"Katrina, are you certain?"
"Let's get out of the forest before it storms," Katrina felt a few rain drops on her face...and Fergal agreed...
"What about---?"
"I'll think about our proposal and get back to you, here..." Katrina tried to hand him back the ring.
"No, you take it. It's meant for you," Fergal refused to accept the ring back as they both journeyed out of the forest.
Fergal and Katrina made way into the front of the Glenbogle House slipping into the hall and up the main stairs to the second floor. The pair skipped along into a room that Duncan had once occupied with Golly years ago. Katrina was still on edge after the Hogmanay party and how upset Lexie was with her for being there. Fergal didn't understand why she was uncomfortable, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Katrina lied, and then felt guilty for lying...Fergal caught on...
"You're not acting like it's nothing,"
"It's Lexie, Fergal, nothing major..."
"I thought things were fine, between the both of you?" Fergal pried, before Katrina spoke unevenly, "Before you showed up Hogmanay night, Lexie was very distressed with me being here...she really wasn't happy that I was at the house. Lizzie wanted me here so I stayed but..."
Fergal continued to pack his knapsack, as he listened to what Katrina had to say...
"Is there a reason why Lexie should be upset?"
Katrina replied, but feeling still guilty, "No,"
"So why worry about it then? I'm done packing, so let's go, shall we?" Fergal replied as Katrina smiled in relief for not having to go into detail about the last time she was in Glenbogle when she applied for the teaching position again...
"Lets..." Katrina followed Fergal out of the room, down the hall, steps, to the main floor, only to run right into Archie and Lexie, as Lexie had a slight frown on her face while holding Jayne. Fergal was going to tell them, 'Good bye.'
"That's right you're going now?" Archie asked as he noted Fergal with his pack and then Katrina, who stood uncomfortable...
"Yea, well, I've got to get to London. Thanks Archie for helping me out, it's okay if I leave a few things upstairs, just until I come back to get them...I'm not sure how long I'd be, just the weekend, probably and then I'd go..."
"No problem. Oh and Duncan arrived back while you were off, actually, he can give you a lift to the station..." Archie began as Fergal added, "He's back that's great."
"Yea, it is, wish we could say it for all who return..." Lexie added disgruntled, as her stare stayed on Katrina.
"Actually, Thanks, but Katrina is driving me to London,"
"How noble of her," Lexie started in on Katrina only for Archie to blow out a breath.
Katrina replied while looking for a way to escape, Lexie's possible wrath, "Good to see you Archie and Lexie,"
"See you later," Fergal tipped his head as Archie nodded back...
Fergal and Katrina walked out of the house, climbed into Katrina's car and drove away...just as Archie cast his eyes upon Lexie, "Happy?"
"I don't know why you didn't toss her out of here..."
"Lexie, she didn't do anything to deserve it..." Archie added, "And I didn't know she was here...obviously she's with Fergal again, give the girl a break."
"Archie MacDonald, are you hearing yourself? She showed up here..."
"I know, Lexie, I remember it all. I've given my self a chance to move on from it, I just wish you would..." Archie walked away, leaving a frowning Lexie while she held Jayne in her arms. Wayne then started yelling out, "Mummy!" to Lexie, as she forced a smile and turned on her feet towards the sitting/ play room...