Chapter Five---Wedding touches
A/N: About David Fraser's family home in 4:4 he told Archie he 'sold up' but in my story it was a fib...David's parents still live in the house he grew up in, in Glenbogle. It was just another way he tried to use Archie and his house a 'corporate entertainment'. Just make note I changed it a little bit of what was on the show to fit my FF. J Oh and David's father is still dead, like the show in my FF. I just re-watched 4.4 and remembered this... LOL
After Molly closed the shop at noon, on Saturday, she immediately returned to the house to find Archie and Lexie. Since there were all kinds of final wedding preparations for her to go through, she assumed she'd catch up with Golly too. Molly found Killwillie waiting in the drawing room for her.
"Killwillie?" Molly called out to him upon entering the room.
"Oh hello..." Killwillie looked very glum at Molly.
"Come to help me with the reception tent like at the times of the Ghillie's Balls, have you?" Molly winked as Killwillie blankly stared. He didn't reply which made Molly cast a petrified glance at him, "Dear Killwillie, you all right?"
"Just thinking about your last days as a free woman..." Killwillie sighed while sitting down on the window seat as Molly laughed, "I'm still a free woman, Killwillie, after next week it doesn't change much just my name to Mrs. Golly Mackenzie and my hand will be wearing a marvelous ring...significant sign of love, honor, trust and beauty...something I had with Hector once...however, it's time for me to move right on."
"I know, but you're getting married---I guess I always thought there was possible hope for us." Killwillie bowed his head sadly.
"Oh that's what this is about..." Molly rippled with a warm smile, "Killwillie, long way down the road, you will find the right someone who will set your wee heart on fire..."
"I'm getting older Molly, I have this fear...I always had it, that I have no one down the road to run my castle when I'm gone."
"What about Flora?" Molly questioned as Killwillie fiddled with the rim of his tweed gaming hat, stared down at his feet for a split second and then back to Molly.
"Flora's not married, Molly, she has Zelda and I adore them. However if you must know, it's just not the same—I suppose it could be passed down to her rightfully as it is her inheritance, but preposterous as I need a man to run the place when I'm long gone."
"There you are bride to be..." Lexie penguin walked into the room and rubbing her front side with her left hand as her wedding band twinkled in the sunlight, "I thought I heard some voices this way."
"Lexie darling, would you be a dear and check on the caterers? I'm off to town again for one last wedding dress fitting. Oh, you should call the Minister too and...?"
"Molly, everything's covered with a bright bow on top," Lexie smiled brightly, "Even your one-hundred guests replied and said they were comin' for the big shin-dig."
"Oh dear, I didn't invite 100 people though...just my close..."
"I'm kidding Molly," Lexie laughed as Molly gave out a sigh of relief and her mind eased. Molly smiled once again and Killwillie's face tried to show happiness for Molly and Golly. However, the day they should marry would still be depressing for him.
"Molly, there's only 30 of you close friends and family going, caterers know when to be here, and Reverend Alice already phoned about making sure the time was set for signing the papers," Lexie reassured as she gave one last grin to Molly and then waddled her way out of the room after chuckling, "I have it all covered, considering you still want a pregnant matron of honor!"
"Of course I do, dear!" Molly replied and then to Killwillie, "Well, I should be off to town again..."
"Speaking of which, you heard about my new accounts manager?" Killwillie gestured as his visit wasn't just a social call...
"Killwillie, yes, and David's a good boy, he'd run those accounts for you very well, you know..."
"I know and he's saved me heaps of money. And Flora, well, she has a slight thing for the boy---To quote her, he's no Archie---but she remembers David quite well, says he's something of a dish, what ever that mumbo-jumbo means," Killwillie added and Molly looked him and in the back of her mind said, Oh dear...Lizzie...Martha...they don't need this now, Killwillie.
"That's wonderful for Flora, I hope it works out and maybe she'll get lucky and solve your problems of who to leave your castle to when you're gone, perhaps?" Molly's face lit up in hopes to throw Killwillie off of her thinking.
"That's just it...I was wondering, as I need your help, I'd like for Flora and David to have a dinner and I'm trying to figure out a way to go about it...setting up possible pairs has never been my cup of tea, but always yours..." Killwillie peered over to Molly, as he knew Molly loved to play matchmaker, in the morning, day, or night and at any time of the year. Molly became nervous, but instead of telling Killwillie everything that had transpired between his new account manager and her daughter years and years ago, she replied, "Splendid idea Killwillie, what kinds of thoughts do you have about it?"
"Well, Molly, I'd love to drive you to town so we could talk about it, may hap?" Killwillie asked, silently hoping Molly would nod her head and agree.
"Fine, sounds good to me, you can tell me on the way to the dress shop on Main Street," as Killwillie and Molly traveled out of the room, just as Archie came walking into the front foyer.
"Mother, Killwillie?"
"Archie, off to the dress shop, we'll be back soon." Molly smiled and then said excited, "I haven't bought a dress in years, I'm so excited, Killwillie! I mean I stopped buying them when Archie graced the world! Best part is it's a wedding day dress! Anyway, Archie, going off to the shop! We'll catch up later!" Molly waved to him and climbed into Killwillie's Rolls Royce as they took off for village and Archie waved back with a surprise for Lexie as he walked into the house, spotted the twins outside of a window playing with Claire. Archie kept the present behind his back, as he listened to Lexie on the phone chatting to a pipe playing band---
"I want only three pipe players, look, Golly's the one getting hitched, and Shaun---he can't play in his own wedding---I called you weeks ago to get you to come!" Lexie spoke into the black telephone standing at the telephone desk at the bottom of the stairs, "Oh thank-you, great, 12pm Saturday and don't be late!"
Lexie checked off one more thing on her clipboard as a bouquet of flowers drifted in front of her. Lexie turned to face her husband, and said, "Well, I see someone's trying to make sure they have a bed tonight."
"I'm sorry for placing doubts and squabbling with you, and actually I think Lizzie and Martha will be moving home very soon," Archie replied hopeful as Lexie took a sniff of the roses and then scanned Archie's face closely as he rubbed her shoulders an caught a gleam in her eye, a familiar gleam, knowing she was going to disagree with him about something...
"Oh really, Mr. Laird, you think so?"
"Why do I get the strong feeling you're mocking me after I've given you a token of my affection?"
"Archie, what did you do? Did you beg Lizzie and Martha to come home because you want them 'ere, or did you suggest it to keep an eye on 'em since David's 'ere to stay? Or are you particularly looking out for just the estates well being?" Lexie arching a brow and waited for a diligent answer, even though she knew Archie very well and that it was the last two choices--without him really having to say a thing.
"Okay, when did you talk to Lizzie?" Archie caught on and Lexie remarked, "She phoned when you left, said you picked another battle with David that wasn't your concern, and then insisted Martha and she move home. She wanted to be sure I was okay with it, if she chose to do it."
"I did not pick a battle with David—he wanted to see Martha and Lizzie alone. I wasn't going to allow it, Lexie, so I simply---?"
"Archie let Lizzie deal with her own problems."
"It was your fine tuned idea I go over there!" Archie glanced at Lexie exasperatedly.
"To apologize for trying to kick her out and to make sure she knew the house was still open for her...not to have a row with David or tell Martha her father is a bad man...which he is, but you don't tell a six going on seven year old that!" Lexie's eyes narrowed, and she scolded Archie.
Archie heaved a hearty sigh, "Lex, please, I'm just trying to do the best that I can for Lizzie and Martha. I don't like how David has managed to waltz back into their lives for the third time, when who's to say he won't just take off on them again?"
Lexie pondered for a moment, her face softened as she peered over to a distraught Archie. Lexie sniffed the flowers again realizing all Archie wanted to do was apologize to her and move on, "I love you, Archie, I love you care about Lizzie and Martha as much as you do, but you can't make decisions for her."
Lexie kissed Archie's cheek with a whisper, "I need go put these in water," as she wandered away, leaving Archie speechless and deep in thought. Golly then wandered into the front foyer, "Archie."
"Golly."
"Where's---?"
"Mother was off to the shop as far as I knew...she left with Killwillie."
"Oh..." Golly wasn't sure of what to make of Molly remaining friends with Killwillie, but he understood it was her choice. Golly scanned Archie's face as he noted how 'frustrated' the laird looked when in doubt of himself and his problem-solving skills.
"You think I'm wrong?" Archie started to question Golly for life wisdom and Golly listened for more information from Archie, "For allowing my self to get so wrapped up in other's lives?"
"Depends on the life, Laddy, you're the laird," Golly continued to listen and think of the best way to advise Archie.
"Lizzie, everything about Lizzie puzzles me. You'd think she's want someone watching out for her and instead she tells me to 'butt out of her private business' and for the most part I do...but..."
"Lizzie's a grown lass. She's got her head screwed on straight, no need to question her motives, and she wouldn't turn her back on the family."
"Golly, I worry about her mental state more than anything else after what's been said. She has this habit of blowing something up and needing someone to help do damage control---she's been through a lot, never really knew father or me for even that matter—and how human we really are, well almost never me, I mean I started to get closer to her when she moved back home. I'm finally able to get to know her and now she wants to force me out," Archie rambled out all of his thoughts, while dumping them onto Golly, and looking for good advice...
"Archie, a woman doesn't withdraw from life, unless she has reasons too. For the most part now, I still question everything I say to Jessica when she's spending time with that Sean---I can't make her decisions for her or I'll lose her."
"That's what I'm afraid of, losing my sister having her become overly depressed again and not being there to help her out...Golly she was on medicine before she came home---she was seeing a therapist for her 'problems'—how do I not know she'll get into that 'state of mind' again? Not eating, not showing interest in the things she likes to do, and not coming home---being unemployed and then what Justine told me—I mean Lizzie didn't even fess up to much until after the fact!"
"Son, you can't worry about her or those problems, if they haven't happened yet. There's no reason to start thinking about preventative cautions now. You need to let Lizzie live her life. And be there for her when she asks for help."
"I s'pose that's true, but what if..."
"No what ifs, real life is full of enough what ifs, you don't need to go strokin' the fire with more logs of doubt...it's not worth the trouble. Let Lizzie come to you now when she's got issues with David. Don't force her to be open, or she'll only be a sea clam and keep her shell shut."
Golly nodded his head in Archie's direction, and groaned, "I'm off to find that numbskull."
"Duncan?" Archie's head tipped to Golly in question and his eyes wandered to Golly's hunting rifle in his hand. Of course, Golly always had higher respect for Duncan than to shoot him so Archie's lips pursed while he thought, Sean.
"No Sean, the crackpot, because he won't wear a tux or a kilt to my wedding and Jess is angry, hurt and quite upset about it---I told her I'd have it out with him, a 'man to man' chat."
"Oh...Sean's in the office doing accounts for Paul and me...you'll find him there."
Golly nodded gallantly his head, placed the rifle smoothly on his shoulder, and announced half joking and half dead serious, "Good, you need me, you call, I'm off to be, showing Sean who's boss where my Jess is a concern," and wandered out of the house.
Archie gave Golly's direction a starry-eyed look, arched his brows, and nervously cackled out a reply, "Aye Golly, I'll check in!" Archie then noted he was alone, rolled his eyes, and grimly added to himself, "Gol, I better not find Sean missing any fingers or toes! Glad to have this chat." Archie then blew out a breath and headed in the direction of the library.
Molly stood tall on a step in the middle of a large fitting room. As the seamstress, Miss Pocket, a redhead sporting a yellow ribbon measurement tape around her neck, olive green business suit and black flats, spent time stitching up the last of the hem of her dress. Molly held her breath in as gazed down at her, "You know, I was married long ago once, this is my second attempt. It's been years since I've bought myself something as lovely as this, you sure I can still wear this to tea parties, dear?"
Miss Pocket beamed up at her while placing in last stitches into the fabric, making the frock just below Molly's knee, "You look divine, Molly, and there's no reason you can not wear this to another event."
Lizzie and Martha borrowed Molly's car for the rest of the afternoon. It didn't take the car very long to travel down the dusty track as it rounded the last curve of the driveway, Lizzie looked around for signs of life and everything came flooding right back to her. She thought about being ten again and playing Hide n' Go seek in the woods with Jamie, Archie and David. Lizzie glanced around the small thatched roof cottage in the middle of the glen. River Bogle was way off in the distance as Lizzie remembered traveling to the river during more youthful summers and also fishing for Brown trout too.
"Mummy, do I call him Daddy?" Martha asked as she sat in the backseat of the car with her seatbelt on. Lizzie who was daydreaming at that very moment, returned to reality.
"Martha, you can call him Daddy or David or David Dad, that's entirely up to you, pet." Lizzie added as she slowed the car down to a stop and turned to face Martha one last time before deciding to vacate the car.
"Uncle Archie said..."
"Never mind what Uncle Archie said, your father's not a terrible man, honey, he's just not friends with Uncle Archie anymore."
Martha sat there and said, "Oh,"
"Martha, there's nothing wrong with seeing your father today or any day. Just remember, you reside with me." Lizzie's finger tapped Martha's nose as she smiled brightly and Martha relaxed instantly with a giggle, "Okay Mummy..." before she climbed out of the car.
"Now who could that be?" Older woman picked up her head as she had sat on her knees digging out weeds from her flowerbeds and veggie garden and scanned down along the drive. The woman noticed Molly's car, assumed it might be her but was surprised to see Lizzie who climbed out of the driver's side of the car.
"Mrs. Fraser," Lizzie grinned and waved as David's mother pulled off her gardening gloves and walked over to Lizzie just as Martha strolled out of the car. Mrs. Fraser was dressed with her straw gardening hat on her head, glasses hanging from a chain around her neck and the rest of her body hidden under a navy blue frock. To top off the comfy clothing, tennis shoes on her aching feet too.
"Oh my heavens Elizabeth MacDonald, a sore sight for my eyes, it's Grace-none of this missus bit? I thought it was your mother for a minute there," Mrs. Fraser embraced Lizzie and then turned her attention to Martha.
"I borrowed Mum's car, Martha can you say hello."
"Oh hi," Martha said in response to Lizzie as she cocked her head to the side and peered over to Mrs. Fraser. Martha dug the toe of one of her dress shoes into the sand of the driveway as she glanced down at her feet.
"Why hello, shy one. What's brings you both my way?" Martha's face drifted upwards to scan Grace once again. While Grace looked to Martha and then Lizzie gave Martha a look too. "I hear the reports from Lexie and your mother at the Glenbogle Women' Society meetings on the both of you, says you're doing quite well. I had been meaning to see you and Archie at the big house."
"Very good of you," Lizzie nodded her head in approval as Grace smiled, "Well, come over for tea, I just fixed a kettle with cucumber sandwiches..."
"That would be nice..." Lizzie replied as Grace waved her and Martha over to the garden table and chairs off to the left of the outside sitting area. Lizzie and Martha sat down as Grace poured three cups of tea and smiled again while gesturing to the sandwiches.
"I came to find..." Lizzie spoke up without touching her tea as Grace sipped hers.
"David?" Grace picked right up on it, the woman's brow creased, and then her mouth went into a slow grin.
"Aye,"
"He should be back from Killwillie's Castle shortly. You all right dear?" Grace glanced at Martha as she said sadly after Grace tried to hand her a sandwich, "I'm allergic to cucumbers."
Grace's face dropped in slight panic, "Oh my, let me see what else I can fix for you. You are hungry my little dear? Is it alright if she comes in and get her something to nibble on?"
"May I go Mummy?" Martha perked up as she peered over to her mother.
"Yes, you may, Grace, it's fine, thank-you,"
"I normally don't get very many visitors during my day, I'm just happy to see the both of you," Grace beamed as Martha and she took off for the inside of the small house. Lizzie surveyed the garden again, and her eyes wandered towards the woods. She remembered in the farthest tree on David's parents' plot of land, stood an old solid built tree house. Lizzie recalled climbing up into it as a young girl. To her luck the tree house was still standing tall. Lizzie decided that since Martha and Grace wouldn't be back for awhile that she'd take a small journey towards the old tree fort. Lizzie's eyes cast on the sign nailed to the tree, "Lads only No gals allowed" which was crossed out with a big red X and said, "Lads only and just Lizzie!"
At first Lizzie hated the idea of the tree house being off limits to her pals, but Jamie and David wouldn't have it any other way. Hector MacDonald and Lionel Fraser informed them that the boys would have to share the tree house with Archie and Lizzie or else—suffer having the tree house torn down---and then Jamie and David caved in. Lizzie found the old rope ladder and her hands wrapped around the sides as she was about to skim up the wood planks, she heard, "You know, you're still not allowed up there."
"That's not what the sign says," Lizzie replied rightfully, "The last I knew according to my mother you 'sold up this place a long time ago'."
"Ah, well, I couldn't entertain corporate business with my parents' run down shack now could I—compared to the 'Big castle'?"
"Archie wasn't too thrilled to find out you had lied about that too ya know---and your poor mother? Lying about her being dead too?"
"How'd he find that bit out?" David stared at Lizzie, studying her face and every detail...her pink cheeks, her freckled nose, her hazel eyes, the way her lips went into an actual pout, and the wisps of blonde hair that escaped her blond pony tail.
"Your mother came for Glenbogle Women's High Society meetings at the house," Lizzie's eyes avoided making contact with his...she was actually starting to feel uncomfortable under his simple gaze.
"Ah well, I was wondering when you'd show up and at least you found me," David chuckled as Lizzie didn't turn around right away, instead her eyes continued to look up the old tree.
"I didn't realize you were lost," Lizzie snickered quick-wit as David then noted Lizzie scamper up the ladder and disappear into the tree house, and leaving him on the ground.
"Come up if you dare," Lizzie challenged while looking at him through the tree house door. David down below, looked up into the tree house and took it upon himself to climb the tree. Lizzie sat on an old wooden crate as she glanced about out the small window.
Chapter 6---The 'talk'
She's gonna leave me on my
own again
I guess it happens every now and then
She closes her eyes and says goodnight
God only knows the reason why
We get together and we fall apart again
Don't want to forgive me now
You want to forget it
But I know I'll be happy in your heart
"At least you still know how to shimmy up a tree, Liz..." David chuckled and got to the top rung of the rope ladder and saw Lizzie sitting on an old wooden apple crate and viewing the landscape from a small window.
"Incredible this is still standing," Lizzie remarked as David let out a joke, "Incredible we still fit in it."
"Our fathers did a great job and my curtains are still up here!" Lizzie laughed as her fingers latched onto the fabric of a very fluorescent green curtain with pink 'groovy' flowers on it.
"Yes, those disgusting things," David shook his head and made a funny face as Lizzie rolled her eyes and stated her case clearly.
"Hey, I beat you and Jamie fair an' square at Poker so I could hang them up!"
"As I recall the best out of three games?" David laughed sensibly again...
She spends her time so easy
She casts the spell then leaves me
She's on the make, she's out of touch
My heart she breaks, much, too much
When we're together we fall apart again
Don't want to forgive me now
You want to forget it
But I know I'll be happy in your heart
"My
mother taught me well, what should I say?" Lizzie puns right back, realizing
she was joking with David which she promised herself she wouldn't do.
"Why are you here?" David inquired as Lizzie let out a sigh, "I decided that no matter how awful you and Archie get on that you're still rightfully Martha's father."
"Good to know you came to your senses."
"Now look, I'm still upset with you for up and going years ago. You could have just told me you were leaving than writing some note, or calling months later, or sending gifts and letters..."
"I'm really sorry, Lizzie." David gave her a very pathetic 'I know I did you all wrong again' glance...Lizzie continued to grill him...
"Apologizing for the umpteenth time, David isn't going to get you around me—it might've worked before and all—but not now or ever!" Lizzie retorted wisely with an eye roll, "Nothing changes the fact that I'm still appalled by your behavior and complete utterly disregard for my feelings or even Martha's!"
Lizzie spouts out next, "What good is a father if he's never there for his child? Ya know Martha spent months running around the flat saying, 'Dadddy? Are you there?' looking for you in every corner of the place! I couldn't even wrestle the 'Mr. Blankie' away from her until she turned four!"
David let out a laugh—even though Lizzie made sense, what good is father if he's never there for his child. David's father, when alive, was hardly ever there for him. "'Blankie', my green jumper, do you still have it?"
"Actually, surprisingly, I do. Why did you leave that behind?"
"I told you, I'd dress Martha up in it and swaddle her until she fell asleep while you were at work during the days—it was our father/daughter routine...I mean a three year old still liked to be cuddled..."
"That's why I found her bundled up in it at every naptime on the floor or she'd cry for it when I'd take away for a washing!"
Lizzie went back to scolding David again, "It was difficult enough explaining that Daddy went off on a holiday—really LONG three years or so holiday! I didn't tell her when you'd call..."
"That's why I never got to talk to her because you shuttled her out of the room when I'd phone checking up on the both of you? Lizzie, please, its past---?" Lizzie cut David right off and finished her thoughts on the matter of why she was there at his parents' home on that sunny afternoon—she wasn't there to lecture him, like she had envision in doing so years and years ago. Lizzie was there to just set him straight that he had rights to Martha, but no longer to her.
"My point coming now wasn't to chat about the past, okay, it's about Martha and how she should still see you."
In the warmth of a winter morning
The thorn and the kiss
The rose in a withered garden
Then true love lies like this
She makes it look so easy
Her sugar smile deceives me
She closes her eyes and says goodnight
God only knows the reason why
We get together and we fall apart again
"I thought Archie said you wanted to take me..."
"I'm not taking anyone to court, I told Archie that Martha's well being is strictly between you and I and none of his concern," Lizzie half-heartedly smiled, "Does your mother know about Martha at all?"
Don't want to forgive me now
You want to forget it
But I know I'll be happy in your heart
I hope that you're happy now
You can forgive me
I know I'll be happy in your heart
Wet Wet Wet
"Actually, no, she doesn't know about you and Martha, um..."
"Aye, well, we should say something, now that the secret is out. I wonder how she'll take it?" However, David had told his mother about being with someone and getting her pregnant...but nothing about Lizzie or Martha. He didn't want to 'upset' Lizzie in anyway for talking to his mother so he cracked a joke...
"Terrible, I was hit with a broom, and smacked on my head with a fry pan..." David's sarcasm came out as Lizzie's face dropped sadly, thinking he was being truthful, until the corners of his mouth went into a familiar childlike 'I'm pulling your chain, Lizzie' smile, "No, no. She knows nothing Lizzie of the both of you, except..."
Lizzie's face lit up, as she replied, "I always liked her."
"I know she always liked you, like a daughter she never had, but always wanted," David spoke sweetly.
"Don't..." Lizzie shook her head, as she assumed he was trying to entice her all over again with his charm and wanted to avoid it at all costs.
"It's true, Lizzie. How does Graeme's mother treat you?" David brought up Graeme...he pressed for more information as Lizzie became upset.
"What does Graeme have to do with this?"
"Lizzie, you are marrying him...I would assume you got on with his folks."
Lizzie had only met Graeme's parents once since they engaged because they lived outside of London. Lizzie didn't tell David that, insteadshe looked out the window as she noticed Martha and Grace returning to the patio. Lizzie then decided David had become too close for her comfort as she maneuvered towards the opening where the rope ladder was David placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Lizzie. You don't have to take off because of something I've said."
"Actually David, I'm not. I need to tend to Martha and I should visit with your mother, and we should tell her that Martha's her grandchild and you should stop lying," Lizzie dismissed, then moved towards the ladder and climbed out of the tree house, leaving David in the middle of his thoughts before descending from the tree house as well.
Lizzie and David roamed from the tree house back to the outside patio as Grace waved to them and Martha who was in the middle of a peanut butter and marmalade sandwich waved too.
"I was about to wonder if I'd be calling out a search party for you two," Grace chuckled as she discovered a very worried look upon David's face when he sat down, "When did you come in?"
"I got here oh about ten minutes ago, noticed your company and decided after watching Lizzie here travel to the tree house that I'd join her."
"I've thought about knocking that down you know," Grace rolled her eyes, "But I keep hoping that you'll have my grandchild before I hit my 80's or you'll let me see the one who's floating out in—where was it, Tibet? Did you know this Lizzie that I have a granddaughter, Martha's age in Tibet of all places? Her mother's some missionary there?" David's face went serious again, and Grace noted Lizzie's face hardening too.
"Tibet, huh? Well then, sounds like a lovely place for them..." Lizzie mocked and turned to look at David. David then said, in his defense of his fable about them, "Best place for her and her mother at the time."
"What's going on with you two?" Grace's intuition then got the better of her as her brows arched in peak curiosity. She could tell Lizzie and David were up to something as they exchanged sideways glances before turning their stares back to her.
"Actually, Mrs. Fraser, Martha's..."
"Martha's, well," David tried to help out Lizzie in explaining that Martha was her grandchild, and not living in Tibet in a church.
Martha spoke right up as her eyes went from Lizzie's to David's, "Can I see the inside of the tree house, Mummy and Daddy?"
Grace's eyes widened in surprise and went to David too, "And Daddy?"
"Yeah, sit down, Mum, long story," as much as David was flattered to hear Martha call him daddy, his face filled with worry again at how his mother would react to this news—actual truth about her grandchild and her mother.
"I'll take Martha over to the tree house," Lizzie offered as Grace replied nicely, "Sure, Elizabeth. I'm all ears for what my son has to say...might as well head for the hearth..."
David watched Lizzie and Martha wander off to the tree house before he started to explain, but he didn't have too because Grace added immediately, "You got Lizzie pregnant, you dated Lizzie while you were still married to Sarah and Martha is my granddaughter---you never once breathed a word of who the mother was or who my---? When on this planet were you going to tell me? When I had one foot in the grave? David, I'm not sure of what to think!"
"Mum, Lizzie wore me to secrecy as we wanted to keep the news from her..."
"You're not wee children anymore, you don't have 'blood' sworn pacts and you're grown adults! If Molly MacDonald can't understand that news then..."
"It's nothing to do with Molly...it had more to do with Hector years ago."
"Hector's dead, your father's dead, but it doesn't excuse you from keeping my grandchild from me? You said my granddaughter was in Tibet! Why lie?"
"I had to tell you something, this isn't complete new news, Mum."
"So tell me the truth! I've missed out on six years of that lovely lass's life!" Grace's eyes narrowed at David as her hand went to the rolled up newspaper on the table. Smack! Swat! Smack! Swat! Thump, thumpity-thump! Sounds came out as Grace hit David on the head out of frustration, "I can not believe you, David! I thought I raised you better this way!"
"Sorry, Mum. Mum! Stop, please!" Answered David as he tried to block the hits...
Grace gave David one last swat and then traumatically slumped back into chair as her face went ghastly blank. David then dramatically moaned out, "I made Tibet up---Lizzie and Martha have been in London all along! I'm really sorry, just..."
David sighed as he could tell Grace was hurt by not knowing about Martha sooner. David took the paper from Grace's hands, while he then reached out and placed a soothing hand on hers. David looked at his mother, "Don't be upset mother...I'm sorry really. I am."
Grace sadly hung her head, evenly stared at David and replied, "I'm your mother and it doesn't excuse you for any reason to keep Lizzie and Martha from me. It doesn't matter if I knew that my grandchild was floating out there in Tibet or Timbuktu, I just hoped you would have brought her to meet me sooner! I am relevant, am I not? Not some alien which has fallen from the sky? I guess this means you and Lizzie are--?"
"Not together, Mum." David stated in a 'case closed' tone of voice while Grace shifted in her seat and drew her hand away from her son's on the table.
"Why? Martha called you Daddy?"
"Martha's not even seven years old, she's just a bairn and I thank Lizzie for at least still acknowledging me as her father and not being notoriously fraudulent about it."
"I don't think that lass should be off the hook."
"Mother it's not her fault as much as it is mine."
"Is that why you took a job with Sir Killwillie?" Grace framed as her eyes narrowed in.
"I wanted to get out of Japan, yes, and when I arrived back here I needed a place to work. I had connections and I wanted to see you, yes...and I also wanted to regain trust from Lizzie in hopes she'd let me see Martha again and get to know them...I..."
"No problem there, aye?"
"Lizzie's engaged to be married, mother. There's no real way to go about it. She chose some bloke and not me."
"I don't entirely blame her."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, look at yourself, son, you mean well, but you're daft as day when it comes to a woman, traveling off on her? Did you ever keep in touch with Lizzie in person, or only on phone and via post, like you did to me? David, fruitcakes don't make great parting Christmas gifts or let alone someone to talk too, nor do baskets! I would have been happy to have at least seen you at Christmas. Did you do this to Lizzie too?" Grace rolled her eyes and David glanced at his mother slightly insulted and nodding his head in agreement, "Okay, Mum, maybe I'm a bit wrong with the way how I treated you and Lizzie, but..."
"Oh David, just think about how Lizzie dealt with you away the entire time, poor girl, you left her pregnant..."
"She didn't deal with me. Mother, we were only together for a total of..." David added up eight months of pregnancy and three months of when Martha was three and then he blew out a breath realizing he hadn't treated Lizzie very well during the time they were together, in between and afterwards.
"David, just get to know Lizzie again and treat her reasonably. Maybe she won't marry that Graeme Knox."
"How'd---?"
"I meet with Molly regularly. I'm invited to her wedding to Golly Mackenzie this weekend. I'm actually quite surprised that Molly's allowing her daughter to marry William Knox's step-son."
"Oh?" David had no idea what his mother implied or who William Knox was. Lizzie and Martha made way back to the patio before Grace could answer or David could question. Grace didn't say anything else about Graeme Knox but focused on her estranged granddaughter and her fantastic mood...Martha started skipping and then sprinted back to them.
"Martha did you enjoy the tree house?" Grace asked instantly as she studied the little girl, sandy blond hair and muted hazel eyes like her mother and her rounded face with rosy red cheeks went into a wiry impish grin, just like David's.
"Yes I did. I want to come back Mummy," Martha begged as she focused her eyes on Lizzie and then glanced at David and Grace.
"As long as it's okay with your father and your..." Lizzie responded, looking at David for an answer and Grace smiled back with one, "its fine dear to see you again and do bring Martha back, next time we'll have to bake some biscuits, would you like that? You can call me Grammy Grace or just Grace—either works, darling."
Martha nodded her head in approval as Grace beamed once again, "Okay, Grammy Grace."
"It's nice to see you too."
"And David will walk you to your car," Grace questioned hopefully as she tapped David's shin under the table, to make sure he heard her. David winced at the kick before mumbling out, "Yes, I will walk you to your car." David cast his eyes in his mother's direction irritated, rubbed his shin, and stood up before calling his attention to Lizzie.
"Actually, you can stay put, if you like..." Lizzie made sure she was so many steps ahead of him after telling Grace a final good bye and walking away from her. Martha's hand was in hers as they clambered to the car.
"No bother really, plus mother is watching me like a hawk right now..."
"Oh so she didn't take the news so well, did she? I'll have to remember the next time I get upset with you to bean you off the head with something other than a newspaper—like that fry pan?" Lizzie's mouth went into a little grin before she turned to David.
"You saw that?" David noted as Lizzie nodded her head, 'yes.'
"Of course I did, David and I felt awful about it." David followed Lizzie and helped get the door for Martha as he glanced into the car while Lizzie sat down on the drivers' side as he started questioning when he'd see her again.
"Lizzie, will you come by tomorrow?"
"I have to work at the shop and then Archie allowed me to set up my massage business again so I'll be busy tomorrow night with appointments."
"The next day?"
"David,"
"You said..."
"I brought Martha here to see you today, take it one step at a time..."
"Lizzie, I'd like to see you both---?"
"Monday, we'll chat about it Monday?" Lizzie cut off David and started up the car.
"Monday, right, good, um..."
"Bye David," Lizzie replied as she clicked her lap belt on and turned to Martha, "Say good bye to your father, Martha."
"Bye, wee squirt, I'll be seeing you soon," David pat Martha on the head and then smiled one last time at her.
"Bye, Daddy," Martha grinned up at him, innocently, unaware of any 'old' problems between him and Lizzie. Martha then relaxed knowing her mother was okay and her father was a nice man like she had said and she had a kind grandmother too. David viewed the car back up, do a three point turn and head back down the dusty trail.
