Monday - 1st December 2014 - Brize Norton
Private Molly Dawes and Captain Charles James stopped outside the entrance to the terminal building. He eased her bergen from his back and placed it on the pavement beside him.
"Molly..." He cupped her head in his hands, his eyes roaming her face before gazing into her eyes intensely. "In case I haven't made it clear enough, I want you to spend Christmas in Bath with me and Sam," he paused and took a deep breath, "Oh and the rest of the James rabble." She bit her lip but didn't respond. He continued, sighing slightly, "Molls, after these next few weeks apart, I'm gonna need you 100% by my side."
He was looking at her with such longing that she knew she couldn't say no.
"Ok," she said simply.
"Yes? Really? Christ, that was easy," Charles threw his head back and laughed, clearly relieved. "I thought I was gonna have to win you over with my incredible charm and magnetism," he winked, echoing her words from a previous conversation.
"You did, months ago," she said, then added giggling, "Well them and your low slung combats and..." She ran her eyes downwards, deliberately, all over him, then stood on tiptoes, whispering words into his ear.
He rolled his tongue around his mouth, blushing scarlet.
Three weeks without her. Fuck.
"Molly Dawes, you're killing me. How am I suppose to survive until Christmas without you?"
"Charles James, that's your bleedin' problem. We've had this conversation before. You insisted I go remember - something about me not having regrets and about you not wanting to hold me back."
He remembered all right. And now the thought of three weeks without her didn't thrill him...at...all.
"Oh yeah. Me trying to do the right thing by you. Next time, I'm so doing the wrong thing," he laughed, but they both knew he didn't mean it. He'd encourage and support her, in whatever she wanted to do. For always.
...
"Boss, there is one condition to me spending Christmas with you."
"What's that Dawesy?" he asked, more out of curiosity than anything. He knew he'd agree to anything she asked him.
"Well..." It was her turn to take a deep breath."If I'm gonna spend Christmas with you, then you're gonna have to spend New Year's Eve in London, with me and my family. Mum will expect it but just so you know, it'll be completely chaotic." She knew she was rambling, but she carried on regardless. "There'll be kids running riot; Nan and me dad will do nothing but argue - well except when dad's drunk too much and is out for the count; mum will be run ragged as usual looking after everyone and you'll have to sleep on the sofa."
He didn't respond, just shifted uncomfortably on his feet, looking at the ground.
"Charles..?
He raised his head, shaking it slightly. His face was dead pan. "Well I'm not too sure about that Molly, you're not exactly selling it to me," he lied. He was secretly delighted she'd asked him, but he wasn't about to let her know that - just yet.
It was her turn to stare at the ground. "Well, we could go watch the organised fireworks on the South Bank, if you'd rather I s'pose, though I'm not sure what mum will say," she muttered quietly, unable to keep the disappointment from her voice.
He couldn't help but carry on teasing her, "Hmm I might have to think about it. That bit about sleeping on the sofa, might just be a deal breaker."
"Well maybe..." Her voice trailed off. She raised her head to look at him. He was smiling.
"Molly, I'm joking. I'd love to come," he said, before adding, "besides there are worse places to be holed up I guess!"
She got her own back, kneeing him firmly and taking the smirk off his face. He looked at her in disbelief, wincing in pain. "Molly, are you trying to put me out of action?" he groaned.
She shrugged her shoulders, totally unsympathetic to his 'plight'. "You've three weeks R&R, you'll be fine," she smiled sweetly.
Once he'd recovered his 'composure', he folded his arms across his chest, assuming his Captain Stern Face stance. His eyebrows were drawn in the hint of a frown, his dark eyes boring into hers. God, how she could lose herself in those eyes. She committed them to memory, yet again. He angled his face towards her. She wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch his perfectly chiseled jaw, feel his rough stubble against her fingers and run her thumb across his flawlessly formed lips. She resisted, knowing he was about to launch into a lecture.
"Now Dawes. Listen to me, for once in your life. I know you're not going to a war zone this time, but conditions won't be great, so no doing anything stupid, no heroics. Stay safe - that's an order. I want you home in one piece."
Three weeks without him. Shit.
She could just about nod. She was close to tears and she knew just what she needed to stop them from falling. He pulled her close, as if on cue, and she stood on tiptoes, winding her arms around his neck.
"Captain Charles James ..." she whispered.
"Yes Private Molly Dawes?"
"Seein' as I'm in uniform right now and you're not, I'm giving the orders here, so shut the fuck up and kiss me."
He did as she ordered, gently at first - his lips soft against hers. She pulled him closer, parting her lips beneath his, wanting, needing more. His tongue plundered her mouth, seeking hers. Kisses now urgent and intense; conveying just how much they'd miss each other.
He tore his mouth from hers, still holding her head in his hands, not wanting to let her go. He rubbed his nose against hers. "Molly Dawes, what will I do without you? " he breathed against her mouth, before resting his forehead against hers.
She felt his hand find hers, entwining his fingers in hers, caressing them gently. "Remind me why you're going again?" he said, his voice husky with emotion.
She couldn't trust herself to answer. Her hand slipped from his and she picked up her bergen. He helped her put it on her back and turned her round to face him. "Molly I ..." she put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "I know," she muttered, tears still threatening to fall. "I'd better go, give Sam a hug from me." He nodded silently.
It took every ounce of strength she had to walk away from him.
...
He stood in the cold, by the perimeter fence, watching the plane take off, taking Molly away from him again. It wasn't until it was out of sight that he turned on his heel and walked slowly back to his car. He sighed heavily knowing it was going to be a long three weeks.
He retrieved his mobile from his pocket and glanced at the screen.
Love you for always. I'll be counting down the days. Mx
He messaged back.
Ditto. Cx
He stuffed the phone back into his pocket, only to pull it out again seconds later. He began to text frantically, it having dawned on him that there'd be hell to pay if he left the message as that.
Sorry - Love & adore you now & forever. Can't wait till we're together again. Cx
...
A/N thank you all again for your kind reviews and suggestions. Nearly done - decided to an epilogue. Hoped you enjoyed this chapter. (Have no idea if Brize Norton would be used to transport the military for this type of operation - so apologies if it is completely wrong.)