Ingredients: Sugar, fluffy marshmallow sweetness.
The next week Greg decided that he would have to tell Molly he was no longer working at his old job. He'd had two meetings with Charlie and the other members of his team and had agreed to take a position in the newly formed fraud unit. His superiors had been agreeable to the move, perhaps even relieved to see the back of him. With a clear psychiatrist's report he was free to start when he wished. However, he'd negotiated another month of leave, wanting to spend as much time as he could with Molly− as much as she'd put up with him he thought with a self-depreciating grin. He'd persuaded her out twice more for coffee and once for lunch. He very much wanted to invite her on a dinner date but he still wasn't sure her answer would be yes, so he hadn't.
So one morning in time for Molly's break he picked up their usual coffees and a freshly baked chocolate croissant, (he'd discovered that Molly liked chocolate and he was continuing to try to feed her up a little). Not sure how she would respond to his new job announcement, he squared his shoulders before knocking and entering the lab. She looked up eagerly, her smile transparent with genuine happiness that melted his heart and made him forget momentarily what he wanted to say. He very much wanted to kiss her, but forced the impulse away as he smiled back.
Settled with their coffee, Greg sitting on his usual stool, he said, "Molly, I'm, I'm not at my old job anymore. I'm moving to a different position soon…"
Taken by surprise her face fell and she quickly turned away asking in a low voice, "You're leaving Greg?"
Kicking himself for his insensitivity he reached for her hand and said "No, no, Molly, I'm not, I just wanted to tell you I have a new job that's all, it's here still, actually it's even closer to the hospital, in the Empire building."
She didn't pull her hand away, in fact she wound her fingers around his before she said, "Oh, I'm so glad, I mean, of course you should go if you have a good job offer, I was just surprised that's all."
He smiled and gently squeezed her hand, "I'm not going anywhere."
"Is it dangerous? I mean more than your old job?"
"No, it's in the fraud unit, not dangerous at all." Still holding her hand, he asked, "Molly would you please have dinner with me on Saturday night?"
She smiled again and said, "Yes, I'd like that."
By Saturday he'd had to buy some new clothes. His old ones were almost falling off, even with a belt. He'd lost weight, he thought absently. If he'd been a more conceited man he would have noticed his shoulders were broader, his chest more muscled and his hips leaner as well. He was standing taller and walking with more confidence too, although he didn't notice any of this himself. Several of the saleswomen (and one salesman) where he bought his new clothes, however, did notice with some appreciation.
He'd selected a good restaurant but one that wouldn't be intimidating for Molly (or himself he admitted); intimate but not too much so. Satisfied with his choice, he put on a new suit and collecting a large bouquet of flowers, drove to Molly's, knocking on her door at exactly 7:30 pm. She answered his knock promptly, but he could see immediately that she was upset, fearful even. It was too much pressure too soon, he realized at once. While he noticed immediately how lovely she looked without her baggy lab coat, and instead dressed in a pretty sweater, feminine skirt and delicate sandals, he concentrated all his attention on how he might relieve her distress. That she had answered his knock was a good sign but what could he to do now to help her he wondered.
"Hi Molly," he said quietly and then, as she appeared to be immobilized with anxiety, he asked gently, "Would you like me to come in?" At her nod, he carefully stepped inside the door and laid the flowers down on a hall table. Standing still and not close to her, he looked at her again only to see her starting to tremble.
Unable to bear it, he said, "Oh, Molly sweetheart, please don't." He reached for her hand not sure what else to do. She accepted his hand but was not able to look at him.
Wondering if she was fearful, in part, about getting into his vehicle with him, he said, "It's a warm evening; would you like to go for a walk? We don't have to go to dinner if you don't feel like it. Let's just walk and talk."
With a sudden exhale she said, "I'm so sorry Greg. I don't know what's wrong with me lately, really…"
"Molly," he said gently squeezing her hand, "There's nothing wrong with you. I understand. Shall we walk? " He was still holding her hand so he was able to gently coax her through the doorway. What she needed, he thought, was for him to be out of her home, at least for now.
"Is this your wrap?" he asked, lifting a scarf from a hook by the door.
She nodded, able to look at him again. He had done the right thing he thought, weak with relief. He placed the wrap on her shoulders and taking her hand again went with her down the stairs and to the street.
The evening was warm for spring and they walked for some time, still holding hands for Molly showed no sign of wanting to let go; talking about work, his new job and hers at the morgue.
When he thought she was finally relaxed he asked with just the right amount of casualness, "Are you hungry? Perhaps we should just stop for a quick bite of something…"
She said at once, "Oh Greg, I'm so sorry, you must be starving! We were supposed to have dinner!"
"No, no, I'm fine. I had a late lunch," he fibbed, "but let's have something to keep our energy up in case we decide to walk some more."
This made her smile and she said, "Yes, that would be nice."
They'd made a slow circle and were now near the bistro where they'd eaten once before. Spotting an empty table he suggested they stop, knowing that somewhere familiar to Molly was best. This time she accepted a small glass of wine and he had a little himself, just enough to keep her company.
The combination of the wine and Greg's soft spoken, undemanding company allowed Molly to lose much of her nervousness and insecurity. Enjoying watching her glowing face and her smile in the candlelight, Greg stretched the time out as much as he could. As a result, by the time they were finally finished dinner, the spring shower that had begun during their meal had become a down-pour; turning what had been a light spring evening into a cold and dark night. Taxi, Greg thought and called for one as they reached the foyer of the restaurant.
As the taxi drew up, eyeing the rain and the sheets of water running over the pavement, Greg shrugged off his jacket and placed it on Molly's shoulders, buttoning the top button as he did so. He smiled down into her eyes and said, "I have sisters so I know how you ladies feel about your shoes. How about I carry you to the taxi so we don't ruin yours or get your feet wet?" With that, he easily lifted her into his arms and started for the taxi. Upon seeing them the driver opened the car door and Greg set Molly onto the seat, thinking as he did so that he was getting quite good at this.
She must have read his mind for as he took his seat beside her she said slowly, "You've done that before, carried me I mean, I remember now….it was nice…safe," she continued almost to herself.
He glanced at her quickly, before saying quietly, "Molly, you will always be safe with me."
At this, she turned to look directly at him and said slowly, as though she had just discovered something, "Yes….Greg, yes. I know that."
Sensing this was an important moment for them both, Greg reached for her hand again and held it tight.
The rain was still pouring down as the cab drew up to the entrance to her building. He paid the fare and before she could protest, he scooped her up again and made for the stairs leading to her flat. Setting her down lightly on the top of the stairs, he accepted her keys and unlocked the door. "Molly, what about a hot drink, maybe a cup of tea?" he suggested, thinking about the emotional upset she'd had earlier in the evening.
She seemed as though she was about to say no, that she was fine, when she looked at him and exclaimed, "Greg, you are soaked! You must be cold; of course you need a cup of tea!"
"I'd love one." he said, knowing that that meant she would drink one too.
As they entered, she noticed the flowers still on the hall table and said in dismay, "The flowers! I never thanked you and they are so pretty."
He smiled, "Put them in water while I boil the kettle for tea?"
They were silent for a moment, each busy with their tasks, until Molly said, "I noticed your new suit; you look nice Greg." Then she blushed.
"I'm glad you think so Molly," was all he could say, he was so surprised at her compliment.
"I hope the jacket isn't ruined from the rain…," she continued.
He replied, "If it is, I'm sure it's honoured to have been sacrificed for your comfort." He wondered as he said it, if something as mild as this was even too flirtatious.
But she was smiling again; in fact, there was the suggestion of a laugh hovering in her face, causing him to instantly fall more in love with her than he already was.
Tea ready and the flowers rescued and placed in water, they sat on her small settee in comfortable silence for a few moments before he remembered he had brought her a bar of her favourite chocolate along with the flowers.
"Dessert?" he questioned, rising slowly, so as not to startle her and moving to where his jacket was hanging over a chair near the radiator.
She looked up curiously as he pulled the chocolate from the pocket and brought it back to her on the settee.
Then there was that almost-laugh again as she said, "Greg, that's so sweet of you! It's my favourite kind!"
At this he smiled and breaking off a small piece slowly raised it to her lips in silent offer.
"Oh!" She exclaimed blushing, but cautiously accepting it.
His fingers touched her lower lip just slightly, a touch so light that it could have been mistaken for a breath of air.
"My favourite too," he murmured, thinking to himself that he'd definitely underrated the joys of chocolate until now.
Yes, he certainly had, he thought as Molly took a small piece and shyly offered it to him in return.