Later that day
After the christening service, the party decamped to a nearby country house hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds to wet the baby's head and have lunch. Bibury Manor, originally a rambling farmhouse, was a luxury, family friendly hotel built from traditional golden cotswold stone. It was the perfect venue with two very different but excellent restaurants, an award winning spa, plenty of space for guests to mingle inside and out and huge grounds and a play zone for children to explore and run around in.
It was 3pm. Having eaten lunch inside, most of the guests were now occupying tables outside on the terrace making the most of the glorious weather; Molly and some other members of the James family included. She was sheltered under a parasol reading a story to Lucy, her brother in law Tom's eldest daughter. Lucy absolutely adored Molly, always making a bee-line for her whenever she saw her. Lucy's younger sister Amelia was holding onto her mum Ellie's fingers, wobbling a little on her feet but determined to take a few steps and stand for as long as possible. Whilst keeping an eye on her youngest daughter, Ellie was chatting to Penny, Charles' mum, who in turn was cuddling her three month old grandson Ned, the subject of the christening. He was fast asleep, having recovered from the ordeal of water droplets being sprinkled over his forehead in Church. His parents, Emma and Matt, were mingling with their guests whilst the James men including Charles had disappeared into the hotel bar to talk to Matt's dad and brother and get another round in. Sam and his cousins Will and Archie had disappeared into the meadow at the bottom edge of the immaculately mown lawn.
"Open the door. Up the stairs, oh no!" Molly cried dramatically as she finished reading 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' for the second time. She pulled a face at Lucy, pointing to the final picture. "Where's the bear Lucy?"
Lucy giggled, pointing to the bear. "There, there! Naughty bear! Again, again! Please Molly."
Ellie glanced over in their direction, smiling in sympathy, "Sorry Molly, it's her favourite book at the moment."
"It's fine Ellie, honestly," Molly replied, as Lucy clambered off her chair and wriggled onto Molly's lap. It really was no hardship for Molly. She adored Lucy too. Lucy, who had only just turned four, had a fantastic personality. She was inquisitive, extremely smart, and fun - not to mention feisty and fiercely independent at times. Oh and she could hold her own against her older brothers and Sam. Although only related to Molly by marriage, Charles often joked that she must have some of Molly's blood running through her veins somehow - they were so similar in temperament.
Molly began reading the story again as Lucy poured over the pictures. They were both so ensconced in the book, that neither of them noticed Charles returning from the bar, carrying a tray of drinks. The sight of Lucy sitting sideways on Molly's lap while resting her head on Molly's chest, brought a smile to Charles' lips. Molly was such a natural with children and he couldn't wait to see her cuddling their baby. Not long now, he mused happily.
Charles reached the table and put the tray down. Molly looked up at him smiling and he pressed his lips to hers briefly. He handed the drinks out before sitting down in the chair that Lucy had vacated. He pulled his niece into his arms. "Come on Lu, your uncle Charles needs a cuddle too." Lucy obliged, throwing her arms around Charles hugging him tightly, before spying her orange juice on the table. She reached out for the glass and took a sip carefully, before putting the glass back on the tray and peering at Charles intently.
"Uncle Charles, how do babies get into mummies' tummies?"
Molly and Charles exchanged alarmed glances.
"Ask Grandma she'll tell you." Charles replied eventually.
"I did. She said some big bird called a stork brings them but I think she's wrong. You never see birds flying around carrying babies do you?" She looked up at the clear, blue sky, as if to prove a point, and Charles automatically followed her gaze. "See!" she said triumphantly, before locking her eyes on Charles again. She was all expectant, waiting for an answer. When he failed to respond, she prompted him, "I'm asking you, because Daddy didn't know and said you would, because you know everything."
Molly stifled a laugh, then mouthed, "Get out of that one Charles James!"
Charles smiled sweetly at Molly, as he responded to Lucy. "Well I'm sure your Auntie Molly can explain better than me. After all, she's the one with your baby cousin in her tummy."
Molly opened her mouth to argue but suddenly, Sam, Will and Archie came bounding across the lawn, nerf guns in hand, distracting Lucy. She wriggled off her uncle's lap, briefly kissed Molly's tummy, then scampered over to join the boys. Both Molly and Charles' jaws dropped, watching in complete astonishment, as Lucy intercepted Archie, wrestled him to the ground and stole his nerf gun. She ran off giggling, the boys allowing her a head start then following in hot pursuit.
Charles turned to his wife. "What have you been teaching that child now Molly?" he raised an eyebrow, in mock disapproval.
"Nothing," Molly replied in all innocence, then smiled and indicated to Charles to turn back round. Much to their amusement, Lucy was now giving the boys a run for their money - squealing in delight, firing nerf darts randomly right, left and centre.
Charles loosened his tie and took a sip of his cool beer. He'd taken off his jacket earlier, the summer's day being particularly hot. The sun was beating down relentless and he looked at Molly, wondering how she was coping with the afternoon heat.
"You okay?" he asked, concerned, as he took in her flushed appearance.
She nodded, but he wasn't convinced.
"We can go inside if you want Molls, it's a lot cooler in there."
"No, I'm fine really. It's fun watching them lot enjoying themselves." She nodded her head in the direction of the young James family members. "Do me a favour though, please. Take these bleedin' heels off me will you? My feet are killing me."
He flashed her a comforting smile and did as she requested: raising her legs; removing her heels and placing her bare feet in his lap. Observing that they were slightly swollen, he began to massage them expertly with his thumbs and forefingers.
"Mmm thanks Charles that's just what I needed," she murmured her appreciation, tilting her head back slightly and closing her eyes, as she revelled in the feel of his soothing hands on her aching feet.
"Happy to be of service Mrs James," he replied, before adding. "Speaking of which, let me know when you want to make tracks."
Molly's eyes flew open and she giggled, before glancing at her watch. "Shush Charles James, we can't disappear yet," she whispered.
"Why not Molls? We have the perfect excuse," he pleaded, lowering his voice only slightly.
"Because it ain't right Charles, it's far too early. Besides, I love being with your family and Sam's having a fab time. We can't take him away yet," she hissed.
Just at that moment, Charles' dad Robert strolled out of the French patio doors, drink in hand, closely followed by Tom, Charles' brother. Robert rejoined his wife at the adjacent table and watched Amelia taking some tentative steps.
"You guys still here?" Tom raised his eyebrows in surprise, as he approached Charles and Molly. He pulled over a vacant chair and sat beside Molly. "Thought Charles would have have whisked you half way home by now Molly or at the very least to one of the bedrooms upstairs, for some R&R before your baby's born." He nodded his head in the direction of the upper floor of the hotel. "Ellie and I stayed here for our anniversary in May without the kids. Take it from me, the bedrooms are VERY comfortable and the spa and restaurants are excellent too. Perfect for some 'quality time' together without fear of interruption." His face lit up as he smiled fondly at the memory, glancing over at his wife as he did so. She caught his eye and smiled back.
"Now that's an idea, how about it Molls?" Charles asked hopefully, grinning at Molly as she blushed scarlet.
"Charles!"
"I guess that's a no then," Charles sighed in disappointment. He addressed his brother, his tone somewhat petulant. "I've been trying to persuade her it's time we headed off home but for some bizarre reason, she seems to want to spend more time with you lot."
"That's because she has good taste Charles, though it must have deserted her temporarily the day she agreed to marry you," Tom teased.
"Hmm the same could be said of Ellie, hey Tom."
Molly giggled at the playful exchange between the two brothers.
"Charles we will all know Ellie married me for my good looks, charm and personality. Why Molly married you is anyone's guess...pity perhaps?"
Charles opened his mouth to reply, but was distracted by Amelia, who was gingerly inching her way in his direction, under the watchful eye of her grandad. Charles scooped her up in his arms and began to tickle her, whilst Robert rejoined his wife at the adjacent table.
"So how's my favourite sister-in-law?" Tom asked engaging Molly in conversation.
"Tom, I'm your only sister-in-law,"
"Molls, that's a minor detail."
Molly rolled her eyes. "Whatever! In answer to your question - "Postman Pat"!
"What?"
"Honestly Tom, what is it with you James men, don't any of you know any Cockney? Postman Pat - Fat!" Molly giggled at the bemused expression on Tom's face.
"Sorry Molls I learnt Latin at school not Cockney. Now listen...didn't that brother of mine, tell you how gorgeous you look today? Pregnancy clearly suits you."
"Yes he did, but I didn't believe him."
"Well he maybe a total arse at times, but..." Tom leaned in to whisper conspiratorially in Molly's ear, "and don't tell him I said so, he's right about that." They both laughed.
"Oi! I heard that Tom and stop flirting with my wife!" Charles looked over at his brother, creasing his eyebrows together in a fake frown. He knew he had nothing to get worked up about. Tom was totally and utterly besotted with his wife Ellie, but enjoyed an easy going friendship with Molly. Both often joining forces to take the 'mick' out of Charles. Their closeness didn't bother him. On the contrary, he was glad Tom liked Molly, as Tom had never really got on with Rebecca, calling her 'The White Witch' frequently behind her back - Rebecca's affair having been the final nail in the coffin as far as Tom was concerned. And besides, after four - on the whole - blissful years together, Charles had grasped the fact that Molly would never do anything to hurt him. She was open and honest about her feelings, and always had been. He trusted her completely and vice versa.
Tom chose to ignore his brother. "So how long until I'm an uncle again Molls?" he enquired, continuing their tete-a-tete.
"Three months, though if it wants to come a week or so early that's fine by me," she smiled, placing a hand on her baby bump and rubbing it gently.
"Make the most of these last few months Molly, it will fly by trust me." He held out his arms in front of him, as he noticed Charles leaning across towards him holding Amelia.
"This one's yours I believe. I think she's filled her nappy," Charles smiled sweetly at Tom, handing Amelia over and finally getting his own back.
Tom wrinkled his nose in distaste and groaned. He stood up holding a wriggling Amelia at arm's length and wandered across to Ellie to retrieve the changing bag.
Charles slid into Tom's now vacated seat and draped an arm around the back of Molly's chair, resting his hand on her shoulder. She raised a hand to his and he began to caress her fingers.
"Love you Dawesy," he whispered into her ear.
"Ditto Bossman, " she said.
She raised her head upwards slightly as he leaned in closer to kiss her gently and she parted her lips beneath his. He was savouring the taste of her again, her lips soft and sweet, when Matt dropped down in the seat opposite them. They broke apart reluctantly and Matt grinned at them.
"Don't mind me. Make the most of it you two lovebirds, once your baby's born there won't be anytime for smooching, trust me." He did his best to look all forlorn.
Charles looked at Molly wistfully. "Now can we go home?" he implored.
"What's that?" Emma queried, as she sat down beside her husband, holding her sleeping son in her arms.
Molly laughed, before partially filling Emma in on the conversation.
"Take no notice of Matt Molls, he's hardly deprived. Where there's a will, there's a way!" Emma nudged her husband playfully and he looked a little sheepish.
Molly tilted her head back towards Charles again, this time raising an eyebrow sardonically. He turned to his sister, "Thanks Emma, you are so not helping."
"Sorry Charles, you've lost me," Emma replied turning her attentions to her son, as he began to whimper.
...,...
It was another two hours before Molly and Sam could be persuaded to leave. For the last hour, Molly, Ellie and Emma had engaged in 'baby talk', Ned being passed between them for cuddles as they covered everything from night feeds to the first tooth. The men having made themselves scarce when the women had begun discussing the pros and cons of various breast pumps on the market. Charles had headed inside to the hotel's reception unbeknown to Molly, his brother's comments about the hotel at the forefront of his mind.
The entire James' clan poured into the hotel car park to wave Charles, Molly and Sam off. Fifteen minutes later, they were finally on the road, much to Charles' relief. As much as he loved his family dearly, he was looking forward to going home, spending some time with Sam and then finally, once Sam was in bed asleep, spending some 'quality time' with Molly. He hadn't been able to get the image of her, clad only in her new lingerie that morning, out of his head all day. He bit his lip in anticipation.
"What are you thinking about Charles?" Molly noticed and winked at him.
Charles peered into the rear view mirror. Sam had his head phones on and was listening to music on his iPod; his head bobbing from side to side in time. Still Charles wasn't going to take any chances.
He stole a brief glance at her, his voice low and seductive, "You know what Molly."
She grinned at him, teasing, "Might be too tired, by the time Sam's in bed Charles."
"Best get some shut eye now then Molls," he ordered, frowning, "I'm on a promise remember?"
"Mmm how could I forget?" She smiled, before shutting her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
...
9.30 pm
Charles strolled into the living room, having been upstairs checking on Sam. Molly was lounging on the sofa with her legs up, having changed into one of Charles' long t-shirts. She was picking at a bowl of blueberries and watching TV.
"Sam's out for the count Molls. Bed?" he enquired hopefully, taking the bowl out of her hand and pulling her to her feet.
"Sounds like a plan Boss. I'm knackered. Reckon I'll be asleep before the springs hit the floor," she teased, whilst managing to keep a straight face.
Charles' face fell in disappointment and she took pity on him. "I'm joking Charles," she murmured softly, standing on tiptoes to kiss him on the lips.
"Molly James, you're too cruel these days," Charles replied beaming in delight, before lifting her up into his arms. "Oh and too heavy. I may have to trade you in for a more caring, lighter model!"
"You wouldn't dare!" She grinned, before adding, "Sam and the rest of your family would have something to say about that and you'd have to face the wrath of 2section and me nan."
He didn't answer straight away, contemplating his reply carefully, "Ok maybe not, though just so you know, it's only your nan I'd worry about. Her wrath? Fate worse than death Dawesy - guess I'm stuck with you for life." He pressed his lips to hers, before she had a chance to protest.
Minutes later.
Charles sat on the edge of the bed, watching her intently and waiting out. Molly was standing in front of the mirror, moisturising her face and neck, taking forever - or so it seemed. He never quite got why she even bothered. He'd asked her once, only to be told that it was alright for him - 'Major Bleedin' Perfect' - he didn't have to work at looking drop dead gorgeous. He'd promptly told her that she didn't either, but she hadn't believed him as usual.
She heard him sigh and she adjusted her gaze, her eyes meeting his in the mirror. They were dark and smouldering; a clue as to his feelings. She felt her stomach flip and her heart miss a beat.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you wanna rip my clothes off me or something," she said softly.
His eyes roamed the length of her, "Well, I'm not about to apologise, you have that effect on me. Besides you're not exactly wearing much Molls and it wouldn't be a first time."
It was her turn to sigh, "Hmm don't I know it." She'd lost count of the times that he'd bought her new lingerie, only for it to be consigned to the bin after a first outing. She replaced the lid on the pot of moisturising cream and put it on top of the chest of drawers. She turned and stepped towards him and he placed his hands on her hips pulling her down onto his lap, sideways on. She wrapped her hands around his neck, playing with the thick curls she found there and he placed a hand on her bump, rubbing it gently. They sat in silence, just drinking each other in. Eventually he bent his head to hers, kissing her gently. Her lips were soft and yielding, all the encouragement he needed to increase the intensity of his kiss.
Eventually, he tore his mouth from hers and began to tug the loose t-shirt she was wearing, up her torso and over her head, before dropping it down onto the floor. He grinned, both surprised and delighted to see that she was still wearing the underwear he'd bought her.
"You kept them on Molly," he said huskily, as his free hand stroked one of her thighs, inching it's way towards her lace knickers.
She leaned into him and they fell backwards onto the bed in each other's arms. She whispered into his ear, "Thought you'd have fun peeling them off Boss. Just don't rip them this time please."
"I'll do my best Molls," he murmured, before pulling her close and for once complying with her request completely.
...
Many thanks for the reviews. Hope you like this one. Let me know your thoughts. 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen was one of my children's favourite picture books. I've lost count of the number of times I've read it over the years. All rights to Michael Rosen etc etc.