Molly woke up she had slept badly again. The dream waking her up during the night. She knew she should talk to someone but, she couldn't talk about that day. Every time Charles tried to broach the subject she shut him down. She could not talk about it with him. Definitely not him. She felt guilt huge overwhelming guilt. Smurf, his leg, his career. Too much to think about today.

She lay there looking up at the ceiling, the sunlight was streaming thru. She looked over to Charles but he was not there. Just a dent in the pillow. She rolled over and smelled the pillow ahhhh there it was his shampoo smell. How many men used coconut shampoo she wondered. Laughing she pushed back the duvet and got up.

Quick shower and dressed she ran downstairs, she could hear singing in the kitchen. Oh no Elton John and Kiki Dee. She knew what that meant. She looked in and yes there he was dancing whilst preparing breakfast, he suddenly swung round 'ah Moll's come and dance with me'. He danced over to her and swung her into his arms dancing around the kitchen as the music played.

Her heart was full of joy at this very moment, how lucky she was to have this numpty of a man in her life. The song finally finished and Charles pulled her closer and leaned down to kiss her. He pushed her up against the wall as he did so. Pulling back he smiled into her eyes and said 'morning darling you look beautiful', Molly laughed and said 'you don'y look so bad yourself'.

He pushed her into a chair and carried on with making breakfast. It smelt good and tasted good too. Scrambled eggs, bacon was his speciality Molly had discovered.

Leaning back full Molly looked at her watch. 'Well I guess we should make the most of today babes, what shall we do?'

Charles looked thoughtfully at her. He had been dreading this day, his last day with her. He had wanted to make it special.

'Well my darling, you are off to the spa this morning and then we are going shopping for a new dress as I am taking you out for dinner'.

Molly jumped up and went over to Charles sitting on his lap and looping her arms around his neck. 'What! The spa, Charles James you brat. You know I wont be fit for anything after that place'.

'Well in that case we had better get a work out now Molly' and with that he scooped her up and headed upstairs….

Molly laid her head back and closed her eyes. After a good work out this morning, a wonderful massage and now her manicure she was so relaxed she was almost unconscious.

The week had gone too fast. She was glad they had, had it to themselves. Well not forgetting Sam of course. She loved that boy because he was the mini me of Charles. They had, had a lovely weekend and it had broken her heart when he wrote on her arm 'Sam loves Molly'. She was not sure how she would keep that on there for 3 months but she would try. It would certainly open up a lot of questions from anyone who knew about her and Charles.

'Miss Dawes, Miss Dawes are you awake? Your colour, choose a colour.' Molly opened her eyes. 'Sorry did I fall asleep?' She was mortified, she looked at her nails and thought they look good today, wont look like this next week. 'Just clear please I report for duty tomorrow and cant have a colour on.'

An hour later Molly was sitting on a sofa drinking tea when Charles walked thru the door to collect her.

She saw the women in the reception stop and stare as he strolled in, running his hand thru his hair as he took off his beanie. It had taken her a while to get him to wear it but boy did he look good in it. Actually he looked good in most things, or nothing - naked was a good one. At that Molly felt her cheeks heat up and she looked at Charles who was now standing in front of her. His arms folded in that normal stance, staring at her quizzically. She knew, he knew what she was thinking about as his mouth started a slow lazy smile. His eyes crinkled and as she got up he winked at her.

He grabbed her hand and they left the building. 'Molly Dawes I do believe you were trying to seduce me in there'

'You numpty are you serious? No I was just thinking about that dress in Reiss I want to buy'.

He looked down at her and laughed. He knew her so well. 'Well let's go then.' They had a lovely afternoon shopping, lunch, walking around Bath. She really did love Bath now. She considered it home.

Walking back she realised Charles was not limping, ha she was a great medic all this walking the last few weeks had done the trick. She knew the team at Headley Court would be delighted with him. He was due there next week. His first visit for this year and with any luck his last visit if this walking was anything to go by.

At least he seemed to be getting past the events of last year. She realised that she was very much still stuck in that moment. That day on the bridge haunted her. Getting past that and coming to terms with what happened was very much what she needed to do this year.

Is this growing up she wondered. Moving in with Charles, having a home together. Life could not be more perfect. She knew he was not happy about her going back to Afghan. He had thought doing her second tour last year would have completed her journey. He had tried to discuss why she needed to go back. But, he also knew that Afghan was in her blood now as Bashira was there. As long as Bashira was there Molly would want to go back. She didn't know how easy that would be in the coming years. But, she would not lose touch with her. She felt that Bashira was family now and family stick together.

Thinking about family she realised she had not spoken to her Mum today. Had better do that as she would not get a chance tomorrow before she flew out.

Charles paced around the drawing room, he was wearing a tie (hated it). But he wanted to make Molly's last night special. He had a gift to give her before they went out. Something he hoped she would love.

Molly walked into the room and did a twirl 'will I do?' He stopped and looked at her. His breathing seemed to stop and he could not take his eyes off her. She was beautiful, her hair was up and the black dress showed her off her figure.

'Molly' his voice came out in a husky whisper and she smiled shyly at him. 'It's okay then?'

'More than okay darling, you look enchanting. I love your hair up.'

She walked over to him which was lucky as he was rooted to the spot, his legs seemed to have forgotten they could move. She leaned in and put her arms around his waist under the jacket. He ran his hands down her back and inhaled her perfume.

'So what time are we going out, are we going out? Or did you just make me get all dressed up to stay in?'

Charles laughed and pulled back looking down at her. 'Well going out seemed a good idea at the time but, seeing you now I am regretting that decision.'

Laughing she moved away and said 'lets go mate I am starving. Napping in the afternoon is supposed to be restful what you did today has made me work up an appetite.'

Charles laughed, he felt himself heat up thinking about the afternoon. How was he going to cope without her she filled his world.

He reached behind the cushion on the sofa and pulled out a box. 'Now this is for you to take with you, I hope you like it.'

Molly gave a scream and sat down to open the box. Inside was a kindle, she looked up at him puzzled (really not a romantic gift she thought to herself).

'Its got the complete works of Jane Austen, Molly. You asked who she was, well you can read everything whilst you are away. Start with Pride & Prejudice its my favourite.'

Molly looked up at him (take that back, very romantic, gets good boyfriend award), she could feel herself tearing up. But that would not do they were going out for a magical night. No tears.

'Charles I am stunned, don't know what to say. You never let me down do you?'

'Come on Molls don't get mushy lets go.'

She took his hand and pulled him down. Their faces so close. She looked into those big brown eyes. 'I do love you Charles, you are my iceberg.' He smiled 'ditto Molly.' His voice now husky again told Molly they had better get up and get out. She knew that look.

She kissed him and pulling back said 'I think I might like this Jane Austen an that.'

Dinner was amazing, Charles had organised the same table they had on their first date. The Cloisters was romantic and perfect for their last night.

He had ordered champagne and she could feel herself getting tipsy as the night wore on.

Charles suddenly seemed to be on edge she could sense it. The atmosphere felt tense, he is getting uptight about me leaving tomorrow she thought.

She excused herself and went to the restroom. What could she say, or do to lighten the mood. Nothing she could say would change what was happening tomorrow. She knew he would be on edge during the drive there and for three months he would be on tenterhooks waiting for her to come home.

She looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks were flushed (champagne does that she thought), her eyes were bright and she thought I look happy, in love. Fragged but in love.

Charles had watched her walk away. He felt sick, he actually wanted to vomit. His palms were sweaty he could feel beads of sweat running down his back.

'Focus up James' he said to himself. As the server stopped by the table he realised he had said it aloud. 'No we are fine thanks.'

'Cockwomble' he said under his breath.

He had planned this day in his head it had all gone to perfection so far. But now he had to execute the biggest part of his plan and he was not sure he could pull it off. He pulled the box out of his pocket and opened it. He couldn't breathe now looking at the ring. He heard Molly talking to someone and shoved the box back into his jacket.

Molly touched his shoulder as she arrived back and kissed his cheek. He was hot, she put her hand on his forehead. 'Charles you are burning up. Do you feel okay?'

He looked pale and his hands were shaking. 'Charles what is it?'

Charles looked up at her, she was so beautiful he thought. I can do this.

'Sit Molly Dawes.'

She walked back to her chair and sat down. Worry all over her face. She went to speak but he 'shhhh' her.

He took her left hand across the table and kissed it.

She smiled at him but was not convinced he was okay.

'Molly since the first moment you came into my life, you changed the way I thought about everything. I had been so focused thinking army life was the only thing I needed. Meeting you, falling in love with you well you opened up a whole new world for me.'

She was looking at him strangely, did she have an inkling. She wasn't saying anything. In fact she looked pale. He suddenly could see the server hovering. 'Do not even think about it' his face said to her. She turned on her heel and walked away.

He looked back at Molly. 'I wanted to do something to show you how important you are to me, I wanted you to go to Afghan knowing I am here waiting for you to come home.'

He put the box on the table and slid it across to her. She looked down and then back at him.

'Molly will you marry me?'