"Missed me?" Molly chirped on his doorstep with a massive smile on her face. It had been three very long months, made worse by each maddening letter from her Captain. Now she'd clapped eyes on him again with his plaid shirt and tousled hair, her unannounced visit was perfect.
His look of confusion lead to that infamous grin as he signalled to her to come in.
"Well did ya?" she mumbled now feeling a little nervous standing in the large hallway. Maybe she'd made a mistake with her surprise, maybe their long separation had begun to make their burgeoning relationship unravel.
"Dawes" he said stepping towards her and closing the distance between them before taking her face tenderly between his hands, "I've been counting down the days".
As their lips touched, the longing from their time apart fiercely re-ignited that spark for each other.
After several minutes, Molly managed to breathlessly breakaway. "I should surprise you more often" she wheezed.
Licking his lips in desire, Charles looked like the cat that got the cream.
"I would have picked you up from the station you know that"
"I don't like all the grand gesture bollocks-you know all flowers n' stuff". It briefly reminded her of her visit to Newport to see Smurf. He'd turned up like a prize muppet with a bouquet of flowers that she'd promptly made him chuck in a bin. She treasured those precious memories of him.
"You ok Moll?" Charles asked looking at her vacant expression.
"Yeah course. You gonna offer me a cuppa then I'm parched!"
He laughed-he'd missed those little cockney witticisms. He grabbed her coat and bag and dumped them on the stairs, then slung his arm round her shoulder as he steered her towards the kitchen.
Sat at the marble topped island in the middle of the kitchen, Molly still felt uncomfortable in the house. Anyone from her neck of the woods would more likely be a cleaner or au pair to the people living here rather than their girlfriend! To be fair it was his parents' house and not his, but she still wondered how a man from this sort of background enjoyed living in a tent on tour with all the dust and grime.
"So how was the mentoring-I've been hearing good things through the grapevine"
"Have you been keeping tabs on me boss?"
"Indeed Dawes, couldn't risk you falling into enemy hands could I" he winked.
"I love it when you talk shop. Well your intelligence is correct. It was amazing-I finally feel like I'm actually making a difference"
"See told you you'd be brilliant"
"Well it was your suggestion for me to go and you were right-thank you. Anyway enough about me-you said in your last letter that you'd finished your rehab. Did everything go ok?"
"Well Molls, the scars will take a long time to heal but everything's nearly 100%. Still get the odd bad day but I'm struggling mostly with getting my head round not having a bunch of cockwombles to boss about or general army life"
"Well as a trained medic and self-appointed nurse, I'm here to make sure you feel better" she said eyeing him through the steam rising off her mug.
"I've been keeping busy-Mum and Dad have got me doing some re-decorating"
"That's a relief-I'd thought you'd gone grey in three months" hinting at his messy appearance.
"Oi cheeky mare, I'd have you up on a charge for that"
"Well I'm not under your command anymore am I and honesty is the best policy Charles!"
Luckily she'd put down her cup as he launched a full ticklish assault in her direction-his mother would not be pleased if they'd broken some of her best kitchenware. Unfortunately for him she had a clear advantage being still 100% army fit and she was able to escape his clutches.
"Come on Dawes play fair" he hinted, trying to draw attention to his previous limp.
"I'm not falling for that old chestnut and there's no way-you're not covering me in all that plaster dust or whatever the hell it is"
"Fine" he huffed like a small child, "I'll go grab a shower-sure you don't fancy joining me?" he winked
"Easy tiger-I think I'd best tidy up in 'ere, this kitchen looks like a pig sty"
"Well with mum and dad not here, I've just been making my own scoff and doing the bare minimum"
"So I see-you're as bad as all my lot at home-go on with you" waving her hand for him to leave.
Charles skipped up the stairs two at a time with a lightness in his heart that he hadn't felt for months. She came back to me he smiled as he stood under the warm water, simultaneously feeling that familiar pull in his groin of pure lust for his Molly. He was disappointed he hadn't persuaded her to join him-such a waste of a hard-on he thought as he rinsed off the shower gel and shampoo. As he changed he remembered the last time she'd been here. How tenderly they'd made love and had finally cemented their relationship without all the bonds and restrictions of army regulations getting in the way.
He slowly and silently padded barefoot down the stairs where he could hear her quietly singing as she was cleaning the work surfaces. She'd messily put her hair up and with the sleeves of her oversized jumper now bunched up at her elbows he'd forgotten how small she was and he wondered how all that fight and spirit of hers could fit in such a small package. He came up behind her and encircled her waist within his arms as he planted tender kisses at the soft nape of her neck.
"Mmmm you smell nice-I'm a sucker for a nice aftershave" she said inhaling deeply
"I'd best remember that for future reference then. So, what do you fancy doing this afternoon Miss Dawes?"
"Well to be honest, I'm a bit cream crackered after that train journey but thought you could show me a few more sights of Bath- and the fact I could do with some fresh air"
"Sounds perfect, an afternoon walk it is. My physio will be pleased with your dedication to my recovery Medic".
They walked arm in arm as he pointed out the things of interests like the thermal baths and kept mumbling something about the city always being used as a location for films and period dramas.
"Jane Austen in particular she's one of Bath's most famous residents" he proudly announced "There's a museum here and a festival that happens every year"
"Hark at you Mr Tour Guide" she joked
"Don't take the piss, I'm showing you the sights as you asked madam. Look on it as expanding on your education"
"Well I've told you before, I ain't that good at learning stuff"
"Yes and I've told you before, that's rubbish. You shouldn't knock yourself Molls- just think of what you've achieved"
"S'pose"
"S'pose nothing" he pulled her close to him and ruffled her head.
They entered Royal Victoria Park and walked amongst the trees, ignoring the miniature golf and the noisy mass of children in the adventure playground. They reached a pond and sat on a bench overlooking the still water. They sat side by side, Charles' arm lightly resting on her shoulder and Molly's palm warming his knee. It was quieter here with only the occasional duck punctuating the silence.
"Those hot spring fings sound dead nice" Molly sighed
"Yeah they do an evening session when you can sit in the rooftop pool and stare at the stars"
"Sounds proper romantic-I'd love that"
"I'll treat you one day I promise. I remember how much you used to stare at the Afghan sky on top of those toilets"
"Well you can't see a fing where I live-it's all an orange haze of lights and smog. I'd never seen anyfing like it before. How do you know I sat on the bog roof?"
"I saw you climbing up there once or twice and wondered what you were up to, it was only when I collared Smurf one day and he told me that was the only place you got any peace and quiet"
"It was-they didn't half go on sometimes, but I do miss the noisy bastards!"
"Yeah too much quiet isn't that good either Molls I can tell you". Absentmindedly he played with one of her curls trying to forget about the camaraderie he was missing.
The afternoon drew on and the air became cooler, so they headed back. She thought back to the first time he'd mentioned inviting her here. He was right the house did have something magical about it. She envisioned what he'd said about the massive family Christmases here. Christmas with her parents was more like an episode of the Royle Family-everyone getting drunk and falling asleep before the Queen's speech had even started.
Closing the door behind them, Charles took her coat and hat and hung it on the old fashioned hat stand. Molly was deep in thought again he could see-she was still good at keeping a lot of things bottled up. It seemed like she'd had to learn to fend for herself at an early age and maybe not doing things entirely herself and her own way would be seen as a failing on her part. She'd more than proved her capabilities to him on their last tour-hell the army had even given her the Military Cross for her actions, and even in their earlier conversation there was still that element of self-doubt there.
"I'm starving" Molly declared, "What delights are you going to feed me?"
"Well as you've surprised me-there's not really much in. I think the best I can offer you is either Thomas the Tank Engine pasta shapes or beans and sausages on toast-they're always a back-up tea for Sam!"
"Well lucky for you-I love both of them"
"Why am I not surprised with your love of Coco Pops too" he laughed "Such a gourmet"
"Well if it's good enough for Sam-then it's good enough for me ain't it. How is he?"
"He sort of understands that Mummy and Daddy aren't together anymore but it's tough sometimes. Not being away on tour now has helped as we see each other more often but Rebecca is still a bit frosty. I told you she went mad when I told her about you-she said she'd guessed when you met at the hospital. I really think that she's worried that Sam will have more fun with you than her!"
"I'll never try and take her place-surely she must know that"
"I've told her countless times-but that's her agenda and her problem. She can deal with it-you're part of my life now"
Molly loved kids-well she'd had to with all her siblings. She was still in part a bit apprehensive about being in a relationship with someone with a kid but as he'd explained to her in that store at that last awful check point, Sam was a part of his life and he'd now invited her to be part of it too.
"Go and sit in the living room, we can eat on our laps. I'll rustle it up-you find a film or something for us to watch"
Molly snuggled into the luxurious soft leather sofa and flicked through the plethora of channels. With so many to choose from she was torn between a childhood classic and a rom-com. There were a few action films on but thought these might be a bit raw for both of them.
"What have you in store for me then?" he said entering the room, minutes later wiping his fingers on a tea towel, then flinging it onto his shoulder.
"Sleepless in Seattle" she said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Oh god a chick flick Dawes, haven't I trained you better than that?"
"Well I thought a nice quiet evening would be beneficial"
"I agree but I can't be doing with that…tosh"
"Ok how about somefink more classy then-Pride and Prejudice is on in a bit. Bath's famous resident indeed" she said sarcastically
"See you were listening and what so you can swoon over Mr D'Arcy?!"
"Nah don't fancy all those breeches and horses rubbish-much prefer a different type of uniform" she winked.
"Ok fine" he conceded "Wouldn't mind seeing you in one of those heaving bosom numbers though" he laughed.
"Not a chance mate-all fancy dinners and dancing-I ain't got the patience for that"
"True-I'd probably need to send you to deportment classes for that first!"
"Wot classes? Did you have 'em-is that how you got your posh accent then Charles?" she trilled in an upper class twang.
"Ouch pushing it Dawesy-where did you learn yours Cockney School?!" he equally retorted.
"You'll pay for that Mister" said Molly scrambling out of her seat, aiming a playful punch in his direction.
She may have been quicker on her feet earlier on in the day but she was no match for Charles' reflexes. He caught her wrist and roughly pulled her against him. She initially squirmed against his hold but paused when she saw the look of desire in his dark eyes.
"I surrender Boss" she purred and softened within his arms.
He lowered his head and roughly pressed his lips against hers. Pushing his tongue into her mouth as she gently moaned in response. He meshed his fingers into her hair and probed deeper as if he couldn't get enough of her. Grinding his hips against hers she could feel every inch of him through his well-worn soft jeans and could no longer remain a passive participant. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she played with the soft curls nestling there, coaxing him to continue. The feel of his stubble against her face was heightening all the tingles of pleasure he was giving her as she meandered her fingers down the smooth, hard planes of his back and under his t-shirt. She felt his stomach muscles tightening as her hands started to wander towards the waistband of his jeans. She stopped abruptly.
"Fuck Mols, what are you up to-you're driving me insane" he spluttered
"Sorry babe-I know you're like on fire 'n all but…. can I smell burning?"
"Shit that fucking toaster". She giggled as he struggled to run back towards the kitchen with his impressive erection hampering his escape. The sound of the smoke alarm now blaring from the hallway.
Molly collapsed back into the cushions on the sofa and touched her now sensitive lips. It had been a while for them both but the boss man seemed to be on a mission to completely consume her. She hadn't thought she'd ever driven anyone into that state-but to be fair after various dickhead exes and some dodgy one night stands she was in new territory now. Her heart rate was just about normal when Charles entered the room a while later with a tray of steaming food.
"Sorry, I was a bit errr distracted" he said sheepishly placing it gently into her lap.
"Don't be sorry-I just didn't fancy telling your parents how we'd burnt down their 'ouse steaming up their living room windows!" she laughed.
"Always putting others first eh Dawes" he shouted as he returned towards the kitchen. He grabbed a couple of cold beers from the fridge, opened them and took a long, hard slug to moisten his now dry throat. What was it about Molly that always made him lose control? If it hadn't been for that toast, he would have had stripped her naked and taken her on the sofa, the floor, wherever they'd fallen. He'd never once reacted like that to Rebecca.
He'd thought long and hard during his rehab about how he was going to survive now he'd resigned his commission, but meeting Molly almost certainly now felt like fate. That other medic was never meant to come and serve with 2 Section-Molly had obviously been sent to mess with his head and change the way he thought about the army and his life. Even though he hadn't actually acted unprofessionally in his capacity of officer with her-maybe he was supposed to get shot?
He shook himself out of his stupor-remembering that his counsellor had already repeated to him several times that he was in no way responsible for what had happened on that bridge or for what had subsequently happened to Smurf. He joined Molly on the sofa and passed her a beer as the opening credits began to roll.
"This is lush this-toast, tomato sauce and beer, what more could anyone ask for?"
"Good company I hope"
"That's a given Boss-cheers". Clinking their bottles together, they proceeded to eat in silence, especially Molly who was lapping hers up as if she hadn't eaten for a week.
"Slow down-you'll get indigestion" Charles laughed.
"Force of habit-if you didn't eat that quick in my 'ouse-my lot would have been stealing off ya plate-same with stuff like waffles and fish fingers an' that- you know" she spluttered with her mouth full.
"Can't say that I do No!" said Charles raising an eyebrow.
After he had eaten his last crust and with Molly having practically licked the plate clean, he took the tray from her lap and placed it on the coffee table on top of his own. He settled into the crook of the arm of the sofa and encouraged Molly to snuggle into his chest.
Having been forced to read this particular Austen classic at school, Charles paid little attention to the action on the screen and intently gazed at Molly. The curls of her hair, the soft curves of her face and those piercing blue-green eyes had been seared onto his brain from that day Sohail had confessed how he had been beaten by the Taliban for not killing her. He had already started to develop feelings for her when she'd gone on R & R with Smurf, but it was that particular moment when he held her face in his hands. She was like a small fragile bird, delicate, petrified. Her skin so pale and the tears that flowed silently. He'd wiped them away with his thumbs trying to make everything better for her, whilst his own mind was still trying to comprehend what was happening. He knew then how much she meant to him and needed his protection and support.
Being stuck here in Bath had been difficult knowing that she was on the front line again on that second tour and deep down he knew that she would go again. Being supportive though meant encouragement as he did want her to be brilliant and she was proving him right. He couldn't be more proud. A small shiver ran down his spine. He held her more tightly and placed a kiss on the top of her head. She looked up at him coyly through her long dark eyelashes and smiled.
"What was that for?"
"Nothing-do I need a reason?"
"You soppy git!"
They both remained conjoined as one like this for the duration of the film. Charles waited for her girly comments as all the declarations of love and marriage played out but soon realised that Molly was totally out for the count. He grabbed the throw that was hanging on the back of the sofa, expertly with one arm (he'd had plenty of practice of this with a sleeping Sam) and gently draped it over her. Molly had been right she wasn't an Austen type but nowadays he probably wasn't either. The army had somehow made them more equal-he certainly wouldn't fit in with his regulation combat 6 lace holes!
He flicked through the channels and caught the days Rugby highlights and struggled not to shout at every try and conversion. Molly stirred to curl into a more foetal position and glancing at his watch he decided it may be best to head to bed. He turned off the TV and scooped her up. Like a lolling child, she sleepily wrapped her arms around his neck with her head on his shoulder. Glad of his continued weight sessions at Headley Court, he eventually managed to manoeuvre her up the several flights of stairs to his bedroom.
Pulling back the covers, he lay her down and gently removed her clothes and underwear drinking in the sight of her petite frame now in his king sized bed. He could see the tan lines that had developed under the scorching Afghan sun and a few more extra scratches and grazes she'd received since he'd gazed upon her last. He placed the covers back over her and retreated out quietly to finish up downstairs.
Grabbing the plates and filling the dishwasher, he'd really enjoyed a simple afternoon and evening, realising he could relax and maybe enjoy this domestic bliss lark. Again it had never been like this with Rebecca. They'd had a cleaner and she rarely allowed him to cook meals let alone eat it off his lap for fear of making a mess. Turning off all the lights and locking the door, he returned to find his small creature snoring politely. Shedding his own clothes, he slid into the coolness of the sheets and spooned himself against her. Curling an arm around her waist he began to feel himself relax and he soon drifted off.