It's You That Keeps Me Going.
Love and Surprises.
After saying their goodbyes to everyone at the wake, Charles and Molly took a taxi to one of their favorite hotels in London, Molly was lost in thought during the ride, there was always the possibility of staying with her parents of course, but she soon dismissed the thought feeling that after the last few nights of disturbed sleep a lumpy sofa would not be the ideal. No, instead a nice comfy bed, room service and quality time with her husband were by far the better option. Molly was hopeful that after the emotions and sadness of the day, they would both sleep through the night, there was also the distinct possibility that further exhaustion would set in, especially after his cheeky suggestion to work on putting that bun in her oven, "Practice makes perfect Mrs. James!" he had said with a very saucy wink and a wicked grin, leaving her under no illusion as to what he meant. Pulling her closer, he asked, "Hey Molls, you look miles away! Penny for them!" Snuggling into him she sighed "Don't worry, I was just going over the day we've had really, you know trying to get some calmness in my nut. How you doing? You feeling ok?" Rubbing a hand across his stubble, he whispered "Yeah, I'm ok, glad that part is over, to tell you the truth I was dreading it but as always you were with me so in Elvis' words all's well in the world!"
She smiled up to him and rested her head into the crook of his neck, these moments when he seemed to relax and allow the sadness to lift slightly were so precious she thought, she was only too glad to see them promising herself she would encourage them to continue. Since he'd returned from tour she'd felt as if she had been in fifth gear, never knowing what the night would bring, there was also the sadness in his eyes; which broke her heart every time she saw it. Now that the actual funeral was over and the Eulogy he'd worried so much about had been delivered it was one less thing to worry about. Maybe he could now actually begin the grieving process, she made a decision that when they were relaxing later she would make the suggestion that grabbing a few days away at his Aunts cottage would be a good idea, that's the plan I'll go with, she thought, I'll suggest Devon again and if he agrees I'll even offer to take the burden of contacting Rebecca to ask if Sam can join us. Happy she now had a plan to work on she fully intended on enjoying their night in the hotel.
After checking in to the hotel they made their way up to the room, opening the door and dumping their bag on the chair Charles moved to peer his head into the bathroom, turning towards Molly he smiled suggestively The bath is enormous Molls, fancy sharing it with me?" Molly giggled at him "Why not! Taking a bath with you just so happens to be one of my favorite past times, I'll even massage your shoulders!" "You're on Mrs. James, but I'm sincerely hoping there's more of your favorite past times you're up for! Tell you what, I'll run the bath while you order some wine from room service, tell them to leave it outside the door, we may be Err, slightly distracted! Deal!" "You've got a deal" She said.
Charles had obviously planned for an overnight stay, he fished about in the bag and waived their favorite bubble bath in her face, Molly laughed at him, "Charles James, you planned this, we were never gonna go back home tonight were we!"
"Nope, as a Captain in the British Army you've always got to plan ahead, and I just thought…" Molly stopped him talking by reaching up and kissing him passionately, Charles walked her backwards into the bathroom before kicking the door shut with his foot, murmuring into her mouth "we'll just call room service later then!"
After they christened the hotel bathroom in fine style they flopped onto the bed, Charles reached for the room service menu "Fancy anything Molls?" looking up at him through hooded eyes "Oh just the usual!" leaning over her he asked innocently "What's that then Molls?" "You Charles, always you!" Laughing and winking at her he replied, "I'll need a couple of minutes to regroup, so how about a bottle of bubbly, there's something I want to ask you!" Charles reached for the phone and dialled room service, Molly's interest now peaked, she listened as he spoke "Hello, yes this is room 2112 can I order a bottle of Bollinger please, special occasion? You could say that, 15 minutes great thank you" ""So come on Charles what do you want to ask me then?" "All in good time gorgeous, all in good time!"
"God, you're infuriating at times Charles, just tell me" Charles took her hand and kissed her knuckles, he spoke so softly to her "Molly baby, just wait for the Champagne to arrive and all will be revealed, ok?" How could she ever get really mad at him, his mood since getting to the hotel had been lovely, just like the Charles she knew so well, seeing him vulnerable had made her strong for him but this playful Charles simply made her melt. "Ok, ok, but just till room service gets here, you know I'm no good at surprises! Will I like it?" "MOLLY! Stop trying to guess, all I'll say is like, probably, love definitely! In the mean time we've got 15 minutes for a little pre action, so get yourself over here " All it ever took was for Molly to run her fingers over him and his response was evident, they'd been married for 4 years now and together for 5, Charles thought to himself in all that time I've never wanted anyone how I want Molly, she's it for me, I hope my question goes down well!
Knowing room service were about to knock on the door at any minute, Charles tried to slow things down a little, groaning into her mouth "Molls, baby, oh god what do you do to me, baby slow it down, just a tad the Champagne will be here in a moment" Charles got up and slipped on the hotel robe, just as he tied the belt there was a knock at the door, turning to her and laughing "See, I told you!" Charles took his wallet to the door, paid for the bubbly and walked back towards Molly with the tray, he handed her both glasses while he expertly opened the bottle, Molly held the glasses near in case it popped and fizzed everywhere, Mr. Perfect as Molly sometimes called him was an old hand at opening Champagne, not a drop was spilled. He poured the Champagne into the two glasses raising his to make a toast "My darling Molly, light and love of my life, I wanted to thank you for yet again seeing me through the darkest of days and bringing your unique brand of joy into my world! I could never imagine my life without you, which brings me nicely onto something I really want to ask you," Feeling a little nervous he took a gulp of his Champagne before continuing, "Err, Molly, baby, will you marry me again? I want to renew our wedding vows, we can do it anywhere, maybe arrange a holiday that includes a wedding, I want it just about us, I want to show you that I'm so happy with you I want to do it again!" He looked at her with puppy dog eyes waiting for her answer, Molly scooted down the bed to wrap her arms around his neck, Seeing tears in her eyes Charles thought he'd fucked up; Molly nodded her head, she had no words all she could do was nod "Do I take it that's a yes then?" Finally recovering the power of speech she whispered "Yes, Yes, Yes, I love you so much Charles, sometimes I think I'm going to suffocate you with it, You never have to thank me I made you a promise years ago to always be by your side, but this idea is just… just lovely and I'd be honored to renew our vows! I thought you were going to ask me to go to Devon!" They both fell about laughing, he wrinkled his nose at her "Devon for a few days maybe, but I think we can think of somewhere hot for our celebrations, don't you think? Come on Mrs. James get your thinking cap on!" Suddenly, he jumped off the bed searching in the bag again, "What you up to now?" "I nearly forgot this" He pulled out a small velvet box and opened it for Molly to look inside, there, cushioned in the middle was an Emerald and Diamond eternity ring "This was my Grandmothers ring, my Grandfather had it made for her when he returned from war, given our circumstances I think it fitting that you should have it, plus the Emeralds match your beautiful eyes! Oh, and it of course means forever!" Molly was again speechless, "It's so beautiful! I love it!" Here let me, he held her hand to remove engagement ring so the eternity ring could sit next to her wedding band, he then gently replaced her engagement ring, holding her hand up to the light to see the stones sparkle he kissed the rings and said "You are my life Molly and I want it to be that way forever!"
Molly reached out for him, and pulled the belt of his robe open, she revealed his bare chest and leant forward showering him in soft kisses. Charles placed their drinks on the bedside table before pushing her gently back on the bed, "Now, Mrs. James where were we? Operation Bun in Oven I think!" He smirked, "Charles, there's just one more thing" "Mmm" he mumbled into her mouth "Devon, are we going?" 'Mmm, talk about it tomorrow, we're busy right now!"