It's you that keeps me going!
Molly had taken driving lessons on her return to Bath and moving in with Charles after the conclusion of her second tour, there had been the Christmas proposal and Easter wedding; neither of them wanting to wait out any longer than necessary, Charles had insisted that driving for Molly was something that was necessary, there would be times when he was away or she was off training, oh, and of course there was the need to collect Sam from school on the times the Ice Queen had relented her control and allowed him to stay over mid week. That way, Mrs. Molly James he had explained whilst encircling her in his arms she would be ticking another of the boxes that made her independent.
Never had she been more grateful for his gentle nagging, or encouragement as he called it, in making her take the lessons, she had astounded him yet again by passing her test first time after only 11 lessons; she was a natural, but then most things she did in his eyes were very near perfect.
After the saddest of Skype calls, Charles had explained that the Nepal tour had gone completely tits up, he had been betrayed by Azizi and that Elvis had been killed, all she could see was her broken husband's face on her laptop.
Now instead of driving the white Mini he had bought her for passing her test she had chosen to drive his Land Rover towards Brize Norton to collect Charles from this latest nightmare of a tour. She had mused to herself that he would be exhausted and trying to fit his long legs into a Mini was not a good idea.
Molly was nervous of exactly how much all this would affect him, she knew he was already feeling pretty disillusioned, before he had gone on this tour they had talked about how they should both be thinking seriously of moving on and away from army life, he had now been away on tour a total of 8 times and couldn't see what good they were doing or indeed what the point of it was anymore.
Financially, they were secure as the house in Bath was held in trust passing onto him when his parents either passed away or bequeathed it to him.
Molly's career path was about to change dramatically, with Charles unwavering support Molly had passed her A levels and was considering going to university to pursue a medical degree, settled and happy they had also had the loving discussions around them starting their own little family when he returned from this tour, Molly wondered if their plans would now go on hold, she would need to suck it and see, her priority now was Charles.
Using Charles' pass Molly parked the Land Rover in the space reserved for officers and took the short walk down to the arrivals lounge at Brize Norton, she had already seen the large personnel carrier plane overhead so knew it wouldn't be too long before she could see and hold Charles and support him in the only way she knew how, she would be his rock, his light in the darkness and his never ending comfort, particularly when the dreams started as they inevitably would.
The double doors opened and one by one the weary soldiers filtered through all seeking comfort from the open arms of their loved ones, it was easy to see Charles given he was head and shoulders taller than most of the squaddies, seeing her green eyes his shoulders visibly relaxed, Charles almost broke into a run towards his beautiful wife, standing in front of her he simply said "Molly baby, thank god you are here" He held her so tightly, ignoring the rank he held in front of his command; merely wanting to hold his wife and bury his head in the crook of her neck, and inhaling her unique fragrance.
Molly placed her arms around his waist and held on tight, looking up and whispering, "Whatever it takes Charles we'll get through this bloody nightmare together, ok!" He simply nodded and repeated 'if anyone can get me through this it's you Molls"
"Your gonna have to open up though Charles, don't shut me out will you',
'No Molls baby, I promise, I need you like I always have, I feel so tired of it all, I'm done! I just want to get home and be me, be us, if there's one thing I've learnt from all this it's that life is short and not to waste any time on the what if's, look at Georgie and Elvis they could have been back together two years ago. "
Looking over Charles' shoulder Molly could see her friend Georgie, "Just want to give Georgie a hug Charles, won't be long I promise"
He reluctantly let her go, nodding and knowing that his wife was so caring and that Georgie would probably appreciate it.
Molly slowly approached Georgie, holding out her arms and pulling her close, she whispered into her hair "before your folks get here I just wanted to say I'm so sorry G, if you need me you know where I am, sorry where we are, if it gets too much just give us a call and we'll come and get you, that house in Bath has got so many bedrooms we wouldn't even know you were there, now don't forget right, love you babes" with that she kissed Georgie on the cheek, Georgie gave her a soft smile and a nod of her head, whispering 'Thanks Molls, you're probably gonna have your hands full with Charles over this so I'll leave it a few days then get in touch".
Molly walked back to her Charles who was in conversation with Corporal King and slipped her small hand in his, he looked down at her and smiled so softly, "Kingy my man, I'll be in touch but right now I'm heading off home with my beautiful wife, if you need me can I ask that you leave it for a few days unless it's really important, got a lot of thinking to do and supporting Elvis' mum and dad around his funeral " Molly could see the acceptance on the Corporals face and with a quick nod and "Sir" Corporal king took his leave.
'Now Mrs. James, time to take me home please', Molly could hear Charles was trying to sound almost light hearted in front of everyone, but she knew as soon as they were home and after the funeral was over he would allow the grieving process to begin, she also knew that she'd be there to pick up the pieces; oh, she'd let him rant and rave, cry his eyes out and get snappy but she also knew he would do his utmost to include her in his grief.
The drive back saw Charles fall asleep in the Land Rover; laughing and grateful he'd said that she hadn't tried to squeeze him into her Mini, Molly pulled the car up outside the house and gently nudging her husband awake, Charles honey were home, Charles awoke and rubbed his eyes he looked out of the car window then back at Molly, he reached out to take her hand and bringing it up to his lips kissed it before saying "you, Mrs. James are a star, and good handling of the old jalopy by the way; didn't think you were tall enough to control the pedals, see I told you driving was a good thing' he winked 'Yeah, Yeah, lucky for you I always obey your orders then, mind you the seat is a far forward as it will go' she laughed.
They walked up the steps to the large front door hand in hand and just stood for a moment, Charles pulled her into a warm embrace and said " You know Molls, with all the shit that has happened on this tour in the quiet of my tent it was only the thought of you that kept me going, this may take me a while to get things clear in my head but with you by my side I know I'll get through it, I need you Baby, I always have" "And you know I'm right there, 100% by your side Charles, for always, whatever it takes, Love you"
'Ditto, Molls, bloody Ditto"