Chapter 3

Five weeks on - 12 weeks pregnant and counting

Wednesday 28 March 2018 - 1PM

"Why do they call it morning sickness - it's a bit of a misnomer innit? I've been puking whenever and wherever." Molly sighed loudly, poking a cheese sandwich around on her plate, not sure if she could stomach it.

She was sat at a table in the canteen with her friend and colleague Corporal Liz Anderson. Liz had just returned to work from maternity leave and nodded her head in sympathy, "Mm-hmm I know what you mean." Then couldn't resist adding, "Misnomer? That word's a bit posh for you Molly James."

"Charles taught me it..." Molly paused, then winked mischeviously at Liz, "he's taught me the odd thing or two over the years," leaving Liz in no doubt as to what she meant.

Liz started to laugh.

"Though not recently, more's the pity," Molly added wistfully, gazing sideways out the window, her elbow on the table, her hand to her chin. "Bleedin' sickness..."

Liz touched Molly's shoulder rubbing it lightly. She really felt for her friend, having been there a year or so ago. "Fingers crossed you'll be passed that stage soon."

Molly looked back at Liz," I bleedin' well hope so," she said.

So your scan was ok then?" Liz prompted, feeling the need to change the subject for her friend's sake.

Molly's face lit up. "Yeah, it was all good, wanna see the pic?" she said, reaching down to the bag by her feet.

...

Five weeks later - 17 weeks pregnant and counting

Friday 27 April 2018 - 9.00pm

Charles and Molly sat up together in bed, side by side, both purportedly reading. Every so often she stole a quick glance at him, despite him seemingly refusing to look at her. She couldn't help herself, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Finally she allowed herself to linger, taking in his features. He was so incredibly handsome improving with age if that was at all possible. After all, how could you improve on perfection? His day old stubble covered his chiselled jaw; his warm chocolate eyes followed the words on the page intently and thick wavy curls flopped down over his forehead. As he turned the page, he rolled his tongue around his mouth then bit on his lower lip. She stifled a moan and squirmed slightly, before continuing her silent observation. He was bare chested, his perfectly toned abs on display, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Only a pair of boxers between her and him.

Molly had stopped being sick a few days before and she no longer felt completely knackered. And yet she'd held back, resisting the urge to initiate anything in the bedroom, feeling embarrassed by her changing body. Tonight though, her resistance was shot to pieces. She was feeling as horny as hell and longed to run her hand through his hair, to trail her fingers across his chest, to kiss him all over, to wrap her arms and legs around him. She wanted him...so...so badly. It had been far too long. She desperately needed that sweet release that only he could give her. She put her book to one side, sighing loudly.

"What's with you tonight Molls?" He enquired, as he finally looked at her and took in her flushed appearance.

"Nothing. Just wondering, how many more pages you gonna read tonight?" She gestured to the book in his hand.

"Why? Don't tell me you want the light off already? Molls, apart from the odd night out with the lads, this is my only form of night time entertainment these days. There's nothing decent on TV and anyway I'd rather be with you up here than downstairs on my own, even if we are just reading," he said a little too grumpily.

He couldn't help himself. It was the truth after all. Not having had any 'action' in the last few months, he'd been devouring books at night. Anything to keep his mind off what he so desperately wanted but couldn't have. The enforced abstinence had been going on for what seemed to him like forever. Oh he'd gone without for months on end before, following his split from Rebecca and in addition to being an occupational hazard of being in the army. This current dry spell was proving to be particularly difficult though. He went to bed with Molly every night, spooned against her tiny frame, holding her in his arms for fuck's sake. Subjected to the worst form of torture. Wanting her. Needing her. Desperate to make love to her. Yet knowing that he had to wait out. It wasn't her fault; he knew that. She'd been pretty poorly, vomiting at all times, completely lacking in energy and falling asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow most nights. On a couple of occasions in the early weeks, he'd tried to initiate sex and they'd got so far before she'd had to extract herself from his arms and run to the loo, throwing up. From then on, he'd given up, not touching her in that sense. Yet it was so.. so... hard... especially now. She was four months pregnant and, despite her protestations to the contrary, she looked more beautiful than ever and so incredibly sexy; her stomach slightly rounded, breasts full, skin glowing, hair shining. He was loath to admit it, but he was feeling increasingly sexually frustrated day by day. How much more was he supposed to endure?

"You sulking?" Molly giggled, interrupting his thoughts.

"No...well maybe just a bit," he pouted, then turned back to read his book.

Moments later she climbed onto his lap, straddling him and took the book out of his hands, dropping it onto the floor below. He opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again, taking in her appearance. Her eyes were sparkling and she was looking at him with what he recognised as unbridled lust. A look he hadn't seen in a while.

His mouth broke out into a big grin. "Molls?"

She smiled back at him, "Yes Charles?"

"Does this mean you're feeling better?" He offered up a silent prayer.

It was answered. She leaned in, her mouth hovering close to his,"Yes Charles. Now you gonna want that bleedin' book back or do you wanna return to our preferred form of night time entertainment?"

He answered her with a kiss...

"Molly take this off, let me look at you please," he breathed against her mouth eventually, his hand tugging at the T-shirt she was wearing. Since finding out she was pregnant, she'd taken to wearing his T-shirts in bed instead of being naked. They practically drowned her but she didn't care. He hadn't objected either, for a whole different reason; it being slightly easier on him seeing her covered up whilst he couldn't have her. Now though he wanted to see her, every inch of her.

"Charles I..." she hesitated, feeling self-conscious and not really knowing what to say.

"Molls, what's the matter?" He was staring at her intently, needing an answer.

"I just... Nothing...it's... I just feel fat ok." She managed to voice her insecurity, but cast her eyes downwards refusing to meet his gaze.

He lifted her chin, so that she had no choice but to look at him.

He didn't laugh this time as he took in the look of anguish on her face. "Molls you're not fat, you're pregnant with my baby," he said smiling, loving the sound of those two last words. He stroked her cheek gently and continued, trying to reassure her, "Trust me you look radiant these days."

Silence.

His eyes searched hers. "Molly you're my wife, don't hide away from me. Don't you have any idea just how desirable you are? How much I want you?" he said huskily.

She didn't answer.

"Then, let me show you...please" he pleaded, his voice by now thick with longing. He placed his hands on the t-shirt and hesitated just for a moment. "Molly?" She nodded her consent and he pulled it upwards, over her head and dropped it onto the floor. Her body now exposed, his eyes travelled down her torso and her pulse quickened. He gasped, as he took in her rounded full breasts and the slight swell of her stomach. He was overcome, completely in awe of her. "Christ Molly. You're more beautiful than ever," he whispered.

He kissed her gently on the lips, a featherlight kiss that left her wanting more, so much more. He then flipped her backwards on the bed supporting her as he did so. She adjusted her position and watched him remove his boxers, taking in the sight of his maleness, already hard for her. She moaned in anticipation. He stretched himself out alongside her and propped himself up on his elbow, his hand supporting his head.

"Like what you see Molls?" he asked, his voice low and seductive. She nodded in reply, not trusting herself to speak. "Likewise," he murmured, as he bent his head to kiss her again.

...

They lay naked together side by side, their breathing slowly returning to normal. He leaned in kissing the slight mound that was his baby, before looking up at Molly. "You ok Molls?"

"Yes. I'm fine, more than fine. That was..."

"Fucking awesome?" he grinned cheekily.

She nodded smiling, her hand roaming absentmindedly across the taut muscles of his stomach.

"Well thank fuck it worked."

"What?"

"My infamous lip bite." Charles replied beaming at her again.

Molly was confused."What d'you mean?"

"You know...this..." He demonstrated his trait perfectly and she felt her heart skip a beat. "You've never been able to resist that Molly James."

"Oh so that was deliberate earlier was it Charles James? Think you're so irresistible do you?" She backed away from him slightly in the bed.

"Yep on both counts. And don't argue, I heard you moan and noticed you squirm earlier. About time you admitted it - you find me devastatingly handsome and sexy when I do that." He pulled her on top of him, grinning at her.

Sickness aside, he only had to look her with those warm chocolate brown eyes for her to find him devastatingly handsome and sexy but she wasn't about to tell him that.

"Maybe," she acknowledged pouting, before moving slightly and tracing lazy circles on his chest with her fingers.

He caught her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him again.

"Oh I think more than maybe. I happen to know so. I'll try again shall I?" He rolled his tongue across his upper lip, before biting on his lower one.

She squirmed yet again, chastising herself silently, before pressing her lips to his. "Bastard!" she breathed against his mouth.

"Mrs James, that's sexy bastard to you," he laughed, returning her kiss. They locked lips, revelling in kissing each other again.

He let out a throaty laugh eventually, "Anyway Molls, desperate times call for desperate measures!"

She lifted her head and eyed him suspiciously. "What's that supposed to mean Charles?"

"You know, we hadn't done it...in a while, it's been ...well...a bit...difficult," he stumbled slightly over the words, not really sure if he should voice what he'd felt.

"I'm sorry Charles. If it's any consolation its been hard for me too. I just..." Her voice trailed off and she bent her head, unable to look at him, desperately struggling to squeeze back the tears that threatened to fall.

He felt a stab of guilt and turned her chin up so that she was looking at him. "Molly, sweetheart, you don't need to apologise ever. I've just missed you in that sense, that's all."

A tear trickled down her face.

Shit she's upset. He brushed it away with his thumb.

Molly sniffed slightly. "I've missed you an' all but I've felt lousy," she said defensively. He wasn't the only one feeling guilty.

"I know and I understand honest. And I'm sorry you've been so sick, really I am." He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head, feeling bad that he'd ever raised the issue. He tried to rectify the situation, "Molly I can't help it if I can't get enough of you."

She rounded on him. "So you married me for the sex then." Oh shit. Where did that come from?

"No!" He protested, clearly indignant. "Don't ever think that. I love and adore you for who you are. With or without the sex."

"So the sex is obviously no good then, if you can take it or leave it?" She threw at him, unable to stop herself lashing out again. The conversation going horribly wrong. Tension between them now simmering and threatening to boil over, spoiling the intimacy they'd just shared.

"Molly!" A brief flash of pain registered in his eyes and he hung his head, shrugging his shoulders in defeat, "I don't know what you want from me."

"Charles I'm sorry. It's these bleedin' hormones. I'm all over the shop." A stray tear began to fall down her face and she brushed it away angrily.

Deep down he knew that but right now he wasn't going to risk a reply, given the mood she was in. He figured less said the better.

Silence.

"Charles?"

Still nothing.

"Charles! Talk to me please."

"Tell me what to say Molly, because I can't go wrong then, " He half joked, a tentative smile forming on his lips.

It had the desired effect, immediately easing the tension that had arisen between them. She smiled back at him, wrapped her arms around his neck and bent her head to his, "Nothing. Just kiss me again ok."

He was only too happy to oblige.

...