Past won't go away: Story of my life – Day one

You say it was like this,

I was torn between two worlds,

One full of promise,

And the truth I knew would hurt,

Archie jumped up in the Silver Suzuki and into the driver's seat, adjusting this seat backwards and started up the car, reaching across and putting on his seat belt. Once again it was time for the annual 4-month visit to Glenbogle that him and the rest of his family took, he smiled towards his wife as he thought how wonderful it would be.

Lexie sat in the passenger seat tapping her fingernails on the dashboard in tune with the music coming out of the radio, as the channels changed frequently as they drove up to Glenbogle, she was filled with excitement as the countryside stretched out infront of her. She couldn't wait to catch up on the gossip with Molly, hear Golly's tales and see how Paul was doing as Laird. Oh and not forgetting Duncan and Jess, Lexie wondered how they were getting on together.

Archie took a quick glance back to check the kids, they were sound asleep, it had been quite a drive up here. He smiled to himself as he thought about how much his mother would be pleased to see them again, like she always was and would spoil them while they stayed for the two weeks.

Suddenly Lexie sat up bolt right in her seat. The sign for Glenbogle had come into view and excitement filled the air as the familiar surroundings of the village shop, the post office and the pub appeared as they drove past.

"Nearly there" Archie commented as they drove into Glenbogle estate over the bridge and along the scenic roads to the house, where they then continued down the gravel drive to park outside the house.

Lexie walked inside and was greeted by Molly with outstretched arms. "Lexie" Molly called as she hugged Lexie tight then releasing her from her gasp. "Molly how are you?" Lexie asked, happy to be inside the house and with Molly once again. "Oh me I'm fine, how about you dear?" Molly replied. "Oh good as always" Lexie answered "So where are the others?"

"I don't know dear why don't you go and have a look for them?" Molly suggested, as Lexie gave her a glittery smile and walked off towards the kitchen corrider.

"Mother" Archie called as he entered the hallway and greeted her with a kiss and a hug. Two small children excitedly ran out behind him and nearly knocked poor Molly off her feet. She knelt down and wrapped her arms around them, giving them each a kiss on their heads, before they ran off again.

"Well there not in the kit..chen" Lexie stopped dead, her eyes settled on Archie's, she opened her mouth but closed it again, she couldn't speak, she couldn't move she just stood there infront of them. Eventually she managed to mutter a "Archie" as the sound escaped from her lips.

Silence cleared the room. Until Molly spoke "Oh it's so nice to have all the family together again" Molly commented as she stood between Archie and Lexie.

You do not know how much this hurts me

Archie stood still in the silence until Amber's polite little cough broke it. "Um Lexie this is Amber... my wife" Archie announced, Lexie was stunned. She took her attention away from Archie to the petite woman standing beside him, first thing she noticed was that Amber was thin, really thin, Lexie couldn't help suddenly holding in her own stomach. She wasn't big, but since being pregnant with Ami, she hadn't really got back to her original size, not that it bothered Lexie, but she felt intimidated.

Looking up to her face, Lexie could see how she had got her name 'Amber' it was from her lovely brownish, red hair that fell in waves to her shoulders, it made her look younger, like Archie had married some 15year old. Then her face, Lexie had to admit she was pretty, with clear slightly tanned skin and wide blue eyes a bit like Lexie's own. Then again she was Archie's wife, she would be pretty and thin.

I've had you so many times, but somehow I want more

"Hi, nice to meet you" Lexie managed through a fake smile as she held out her hand infront of her and Amber shook it back, business like.

"So you and Lexie are siblings? Cousins?" Amber asked, taking the 'Family' comment from Molly. Lexie let out a giggle, which made Amber tense up with the fact she realised she was wrong.

"No, no, no" Lexie continued

"Lexie's just a..." Archie mumbled

"An old friend" Lexie finished, staring at Archie. Archie realised the stare was one in hadn't seen in five years, and as her Blue eyes twinkled and she tucked her newly highlighted brown wavy hair behind her ear and gave a cute smile, it suddenly hit Archie that he had missed this.

I know I need to step up and be strong

Amber seeing the gaze bought up conversation. "So Lexie...do you have a husband?" Amber asked out of interest. Lexie smiled for once at Amber, and briskly turning and walking back to the door and called out "Max sweetie"

Archie watched as a taller man, taller than him self appeared in the doorway carrying a small child, who was tightly hanging on. He put his arm protectively around Lexie's neck and pulled her closer as he planted a kiss on her nose and she let out a giggle, then the child held out her little arms towards Lexie and called "mummy" in a twang of Scottish accent. Lexie took the child from Max and the little girl nested her head on Lexie's shoulder and twisted Lexie's hair in her little hand.

"Archie, this is Max, my husband" Lexie announced. Archie looked up to see Max smiling at him, he was happy, mind you why wouldn't he be, he was married to Lexie. Max had brown spiky hair, a bit like the hairstyle Archie had, and Max had deep green eyes, that seemed to watch over Lexie. A suddenly feeling inside Archie made him want to feel protective, only it wasn't like before, Max wasn't Stuart, and he wasn't some dodgy bloke taking Lexie for the ride, this was her husband.

"Pleased to meet you Archie, I've heard lots about you" Max's deep voice accompanied his handshake, this made Archie feel uneasy, what had Lexie told Max about him?

"So who is this little one?" Archie asked turning his attention away from Max and to the little child in Lexie's arms.

"This is our daughter Ami, she's two" Lexie replied as Ami turned her head to look at Archie. Archie smiled at the little girl in her arms, she had the same soft black hair as Lexie had done, and had got them big blue eyes, to Archie she looked just like Lexie and he couldn't see any comparison with Ami and Max.

"She's Beautiful" Archie mentioned then paused "Just like her mum" he added. Lexie smiled and so did Ami, as if she knew.

Pains the only way to happiness

"We have children too" Amber butted in, talking in a posh voice, which made Lexie suddenly uncomfortable.

"Owen and Sapphire Macdonald come here please" Amber called, and to Lexie's amazement two small children ran up obediently stood beside Amber. Archie gave her a smile, but she didn't return it, he then went to speak but again was overpowered. "Owen here is four" Amber said holding the little boy by his shoulders, he had both Amber's blue eyes and her brownish, red hair, and he looked just as thin, it made Lexie worried just looking at him. "And this is Sapphire, she's two" Amber continued. Lexie looked down at the little girl, she looked scared and her little body jumped as Amber put her hands on her shoulders. She had dark hair like Archie and it was wavy like Amber's, and she had Amber's big blue eyes too.

"What lovely names" Lexie commented, not quite knowing what else to say. "I picked them both" Amber boasted. Lexie could tell from Archie's attempted smile that he was overpowered.

"Oh Hello" Paul's voice came from the stairs.

"Paul" Archie and Lexie said together then laughed. Paul looked at them both staring up at him. They were here together? Surely not?