A/N many thanks for your kind reviews on the last chapter. Here's the next - wasn't sure how to tackle a baby shower - I know they're not everyone's cup of tea. Anyway decided to give a flavour of it mainly through snippets of Molly and Charles' conversations after the event. Hope it reads ok. Oh and there's a bit of ribbing of our beloved hero - sorry about that;) - but that's just how I see them being together - sharing lots of love and laughs!
Sunday 26th August 2018 - 12 noon - Bath
Marge parked the car at the far end of the Royal Crescent, a short distance from the James family home. "Right let's get this over with," Molly moaned, more to herself than anyone else, as she opened the passenger door and got out. She retrieved the overnight bags from the boot and the three women walked towards their destination.
"Please tell me, you ain't bought along any baby pictures of me for any 'guess the baby' competition," Molly pleaded, as they neared her in-laws' house.
"Course not Molls!" Belinda answered honestly enough, the baby pics having been sent in the post a few days before. Marge looked everywhere but at her granddaughter, desperately trying to stifle a laugh.
"Good, 'cos if you had, I'd just about die of embarrassment!" Molly muttered, pausing temporarily by the wrought iron railings outside Charles' childhood home. The two others hovered behind her, unable to look at each other.
Molly began to walk up the path then stopped abruptly. "Oh and let's just be clear about this, no-one I repeat no-one is measuring my bump or placing bets as to how much bleedin' weight I've put on."
Marge and Belinda couldn't help but titter. Molly scowled at them, before continuing on.
"Oh and one final thing while I remember - I don't wanna hear any birth horror stories, ESPECIALLY yours Nan," Molly threw over her shoulder as she finally reached the front door and knocked.
Marge was about to open her mouth to protest, but thought better of it; something more pressing now preying on her mind. She tapped her granddaughter on the shoulder. "Molly?"
"Hmm?" Turning around, Molly saw Marge gazing at the ground.
"Remember to look surprised ok?" her nan instructed, a little sheepishly.
"Yeah, well I would have been surprised, if you hadn't let the bleedin' cat out of the bag Nan!" Molly sounded and looked exasperated.
Seconds later, Penny, Charles' mum opened the door, wreathed in smiles.
"Molly, Belinda, Marge, come on in," she beckoned them all into the hallway, kissing them on the cheek, one by one, as they dutifully filed passed her. "Molly sweetheart, you look gorgeous as ever. Belinda and Marge it's lovely to see you both again. Let me have your jackets and put your overnight bags down there. I'll take them upstairs."
The women did as requested and passed Penny the jackets one by one to hang in the coat cupboard. "Make yourselves at home in the drawing room. I'll be along in a minute."
"Here let me help you Penny," Belinda replied, as she picked up the bags. She waited patiently by the foot of the stairs. Once Penny had closed the cupboard door she took a bag from Belinda. Molly and Marge began to make their way along the corridor, only to pause briefly as Penny called out, "Oh Molly, before I forget, Charles phoned just now. Wants you to phone him back when you get a chance. Said he's been trying to get hold of you, but can't get through."
Molly turned and rolled her eyes at her mother-in-law,"That'll be the fifth time today then!"
Penny smiled knowingly, "Playing the part of the nervous expectant father is he?
Molly grinned, "You could say that!"
"Hmm I guessed as much!"
...
Molly and Marge continued making their way along the corridor towards the drawing room, Molly ahead of her nan, a slight feeling of trepidation in the pit of her stomach. The house was extremely quiet.
As soon as she reached the drawing room door, however, a chorus of "Surprise, surprise!" erupted. Molly surveyed the scene in front of her, gasping in delight as she did so. Her sisters in law had gone to town. Hanging from the ceiling were balloons and tissue paper pom poms in varying hues of peaches and cream. A large, hand tied bouquet of roses and peonies adorned the coffee table, along with the lunch menu. Two other bouquets decorated the sills of the sash windows. Trays of party favour bags neatly tied with bakers twine rested on another occasional table nearby. The grand piano was piled high with beautifully wrapped gifts; the guests clearly having ignored the no presents rule. Best of all though were the friends and family whom Em and Ellie had managed to gather together with a little help from Charles - those from her basic training, other army medics including Jackie from Molly's first tour, friends Molly had made outside of work and some of two-section's partners. They all stood facing her, grinning from ear to ear, cocktails in hand. Molly was genuinely touched. She felt a stray tear roll down her face and brushed it away, before stepping into the room. She noticed Em and Ellie, the two women who had organised the whole event. They were standing to the side of her on tenterhooks, desperately trying to gauge her reaction. They needn't have worried. Molly's face broke into a big, beaming smile and she hugged them to her. "You did this...for me?" She asked, playing along with the 'script' perfectly. They nodded. "Thank you so much," she said simply, before kissing them on the cheek in turn.
Just at that moment, the whirlwind that was little Lucy James broke through the guests and launched herself at Molly, throwing her arms around her and planting a kiss on her baby bump. She'd been rehearsing five little words all morning over and over, - Happy Baby Shower Auntie Molly - knowing there'd be an audience. But in the face of it, she got slightly muddled crying excitedly, "Happy Baby Bath Auntie Molly!" instead.
...
Bank Holiday Monday - 27th August 2018 - Evening - Molly and Charles' home near Salisbury
Charles sat on the sofa in the lounge, a beer in hand, idly flicking through the TV channels, waiting for Molly. She'd gone upstairs to hear more from Sam about the camping trip and to kiss him goodnight. She returned half an hour later and slumped down next to Charles, lifting her legs onto the sofa, her bare feet sliding into his lap as she did so. Her feet were killing her, having walked around Royal Victoria Park in Bath that afternoon with her sisters in law, baby Ned and her two nieces. Her fitness levels had taken a real nose-dive in the last few months but she wasn't going to worry about that right now. Right now, she'd settle for just reviving her swollen feet and she knew just what she needed. Fortunately for her, Charles did too. He leaned forward, placing his glass and the remote down on the coffee table, before taking her feet in his hands and beginning to massage them expertly. She sank further back on the sofa, slamming her head back against an arm rest, a hand on her swollen abdomen. "Hmm that feels so good," she mumbled her gratitude, as Charles firmly kneaded firstly her ankles then the soles of her feet, easing the discomfort she felt there.
They sat in a companionable silence for a while, Charles continuing to massage her feet. He spoke eventually, wanting to hear more about Molly's weekend. "So you enjoyed it then after all Mrs James?"
"Hmm?" Molly raised herself up on her elbows to look at him.
"The baby shower?"
She felt herself flush slightly, ashamed by her previous attitude to it all. "Yeah it was gorgeous and Baby James has been really spoilt."
"Mmm, I noticed," he concurred, glancing over again at the huge pile of presents he and Sam had bought in from the car. "I guess your girlfriends ignored the no gifts rule then Molls."
"Yep and they spoiled me an' all," Molly smiled, remembering the pamper day voucher the girls had clubbed together and bought her for after the baby's birth as well as the mum to be toiletries for use in the final weeks beforehand. She pushed herself up into a sitting position and swung her legs to the floor. "Oh I almost forgot...there's something for you too," she said, as she padded over to the pile and crouched down by the rather large baby hamper Ellie and Tom, well Ellie more like, had put together for them. She located the gift wrapped item, eyes widening somewhat at the hand written label - 'To minimise the risk of happy little accidents, use anytime after the six week post-natal check.'
"Chuck it here then," Charles requested, his curiosity piqued. Molly threw it over and he caught it in his hand, feeling the parcel with his fingers before his eyes too came to rest on the label. "Hmm judging by the label this is Tom's contribution on the gift front," he frowned, immediately hazarding a guess at the contents. His suspicions confirmed as he ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal a pack of 'Prolong the Pleasure' condoms. "Cheeky bastard!" he muttered, wrinkling his nose in mild displeasure at the offering, before glancing at the wording on the box and shaking his head in absolute outrage. "What the fuck!? He's done it now!" he snarled. "The arse has reached an all time low! Remind me to castrate him privately... NO... on second thoughts...publicly the next time I see him!" He threw the box on the coffee table in disgust.
Molly stood watching dumbfounded, wondering just what had caused such offence. After all, it wasn't as if they'd never used condoms as a form of contraception in all the time they'd been together. She retrieved the box and turned it over, beginning to take in the words on the back - 'For men in need of a little extra help - contains a specially formulated lubricant to delay climax and extend intimacy'. Having viewed the information, Molly immediately clasped a hand to her mouth desperate to suppress her giggling.
Charles was far from amused, "Might have known you'd find it fucking hilarious Molly!" It was all she could do to blurt out an "I'm sorry", as her upper body shook with laughter and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. He pulled down her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her, seeking to silence her the only way he knew how, crashing his mouth to hers. It didn't work. She continued to giggle hysterically. He gave up, pulling away and sighing heavily. Narrowing his eyes, he glared at her, completely indignant. Confronted with Charles' 'apparent displeasure', she tried to compose herself breathing deeply in and out. Her eyes still smiling, her lower lip wobbling in spite of her efforts. She bit her lip as another wave of laughter threatened to erupt. Eventually she managed to contain herself and began to ramble on in the face of his current mood, not believing for one moment the words she found herself saying but trying to placate him nevertheless. "Look Charles, Tom probably didn't even notice the wording on the box. I'm sure he only had the best of intentions at heart, thinking about family planning, being a GP an' that."
"That's bollocks Molly and you know it!" Charles scoffed, immediately dismissive. "Oh and don't you dare defend the 'little prick'!" he ordered, gesturing with his 'little finger' in case Molly was in any doubt as to his exact thoughts on his brother's appendage. "If Tom only had the best of intentions he'd have bought extra BLOODY safe ones. And besides he hardly practises what he bloomin' well preaches!" He referred to his brother's announcement over the weekend that baby number five was on the way.
"Well I think it's lovely they're having another baby - mistake or not - it'll be another cousin close in age for this one to play with." Molly said truthfully, patting her stomach affectionately. She'd been delighted when Ellie had told her the news after the guests had left. "Anyway Charles I'm sure they'll come in handy," she nodded to the packet. She slid her arms around his neck, grinning mischievously at him, figuring she'd wind him up even more, seeing as he wasn't about to calm down any time soon. Besides there was just something about him that she loved when he was all 'mean and moody'. "Let's face it Major you ain't getting any younger and you can't be far off the days of 'Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am'!"
Charles'
jaw
dropped.
He scowled at her, lost for words.
"You got a death wish Dawes!?" he managed to muster eventually.
Molly smiled sweetly at him, before pressing her mouth to his. "I'm a James remember," she murmured against his lips.
"You question my sexual performance again Molls and you bloody well won't be for much longer!"
...
On the outskirts of Bath, Tom James sat with his pregnant wife Ellie on the sofa, their own children now fast asleep in bed. He let out a throaty laugh, remembering something. Ellie raised her eyes to his. "What's so funny?" she smiled.
"Just wondering if Charles has come across his present yet."
"Hmm, you'd better hope Molly opens it by mistake and disposes of them. I really wouldn't want to be in your shoes if Charles finds them first."
"Nah...where's the fun in that!" he winked.
...
"So who won the 'Guess the Baby' game ?"
"Me actually."
"Ah but did you spot my baby pic Molls?"
"God yes, you were the easiest to spot!"
"Well yeah I suppose my good looks, charm and personality comes through in all my baby and toddler photos."
"You reckon?" A hint of a smile played on Molly's lips. Charles didn't notice, if he had he might have reconsidered his next comment.
He clasped his hands up behind his head stretching, somewhat smug."Yep. Too photogenic me! Can't recall there ever being a bad photo of me seeing as how the raw material's so perfect." He continued to boast.
"Is that a fact? Molly mumbled, as she leant over the side of the sofa and began to rummage in her bag, eventually retrieving the image she'd asked Penny for earlier. The exact same one that had been clearly displayed on a board in the drawing room for all the women to see the day before.
She plonked it down in Charles' lap, smiling broadly, "So how do you explain this one then Major Bleedin' Perfect?"
Charles looked down at the photo and picked it up, feeling his cheeks burn fiercely as he did so. In fact the colour in his cheeks reflected the colour on the face of his 18 month old toddler self in the picture - the difference being there were no raging tears this time...yet. Charles' current discomfort was not lost on Molly, but she continued to tease him, enjoying the moment. "Never had you down as a screamer Major! Wonder what two-section will make of it."
He looked up at Molly, scowling at her as she made no effort not to laugh. "I'll kill my bloody mother!" he growled, "AFTER I've dealt with you first Molly James!" He pushed her flat back against the sofa, grabbed her wrists and lifted them back over her head, pinning them down with his right hand. He began to tickle her with his left, showing absolutely no mercy, until she was breathless and giddy.
...
Ten minutes later
Charles and Molly lay snuggled up together on the sofa, her head on his chest, her bump resting sideways onto his abdomen, the baby now active. They were both spent from their tickling match; Molly having eventually found the strength to launch her own 'counter-offensive.' She raised her head to look at him, a thought having crossed her mind.
"Charles?"
"Hmm?" He planted a light kiss on her forehead, before meeting her eyes.
"Promise me something?" Her tone was earnest.
"What's that Molly?"
"You'll never let on to anyone where we made this baby," she said quietly, rubbing her stomach gently as she felt their baby begin to roll inside her.
"Why's that then?" he asked smirking, knowing full well why.
She squirmed slightly, "Well it weren't exactly the most romantic of places not like the rest of your family it seems."
"Been comparing notes with the girls in my absence Molls?"
"Yeah you could say that!"
"Ok Dawesy, I'll do a deal with you. You never let that photo fall into the wrong hands and by that I mean two-section and I'll never breath a word about where we made Baby James." He offered out a hand and Molly did not hesitate to shake it, sealing the deal.
"Fine Bossman!" she said, smiling mischievously. "I won't but I can't vouch for Mansfield Mike's wife. She took a pic of it on her mobile."
He bowed his head in defeat, and changed the subject quickly, trying not to think about where the image would end up.
"So how was the lunch then Molls?" His sister had run the menu past him previously to check Molly's likes and dislikes. It had sounded simply delicious. Far better than the baked beans, sausages and toasted marshmallows he'd been dining on for the last couple of days at the campsite, thanks to the boys' requests.
"Lovely. Your mum and sister sure know how to put on a good spread. And they laid on afternoon tea as well." Molly unconsciously licked her lips, remembering it all. "Oh my God your sister made these cupcakes. They were absolutely to die for! I might just have had a couple."
"Really Molly?" Charles cast a lingering look over her baby bump. "From where I am it looks as if you had at least half a dozen," he grinned, getting his own back at long last. "Oh and while we're on the subject, did they find a tape long enough to measure your bump yesterday Molls?" he added, going in for the kill.
She shook her head, frowning at him. "Actually no-one measured my bump... Ellie did do the ring test though."
"The what?" Charles asked incredulously, raising his eyebrows.
"You know... the ring test... to predict the sex of your baby?"
"Sorry Molly I'm none the wiser, you're gonna have to enlighten me."
Molly sighed slightly as she sat up and reached for his ipad on the coffee table. She turned it on, beginning to type. "You tie your wedding ring to a piece of thread and get someone to hang it in front of your bump. If it swings from side to side you're having a girl and if it moves in circles you're having a boy."
"That's bullshit Molly."
"Well Ellie swears by it. Says it's been right every time." She located the webpage she'd been searching for. "Look here it is."
Charles sat up, leaning in and glancing at the webpage in question. "Molly it's just a bunch of old wife's tales. There's a whole list of them."
"Well we'll find out soon enough!" Molly huffed defensively.
"Ok so what did the test reveal then Molly?" Charles asked, humouring her, as he continued to browse the webpage in question.
"A boy."
Charles shook his head. "Nah I don't buy it. I reckon it's a girl."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well take a look at this one, it says you're more likely to be having a girl if you're more moody than usual..." he began to snigger, "and let's face it Molls you've been VERY moody indeed!"
"Oi!" She landed a playful punch on his arm."That's not nice!"
He looked at her in disbelief. "Hang on a minute Molls you've done nothing but rib me mercilessly since we got home. If you can't take it Dawesy then don't dish it out."
Molly looked a little sheepish, after all he had a point there. "Fair enough Bossman...truce?" she said, "I'm done with talking for tonight anyway," her voice now soft and low. She put the ipad back on the coffee table before standing up. He followed suit, taking hold of her proffered hand in his, gently caressing her palm with his thumb. His light touch playing havoc with her insides. She reached up and touched his chiseled jawline, running her fingertips across the rough stubble she found there. "There's something else I'd much rather we'd be doing right now."
"Oh really? What's that then?" he murmured, feigning ignorance.
"Well..." she paused, her pulse quickening,"I missed you this weekend."
"And?" he shrugged, his eyes impassive.
She stood on tiptoes brushing his lips lightly with her own, "You said earlier you missed me an' all."
"So?" His lips remained tantalisingly close to hers, but he didn't return her kiss.
"So I thought we could show each other how much," she moaned softly, by now desperate for him to kiss her.
He backed away slightly, his voice gently teasing, "Well ... Maybe this old soldier's not up to it anymore."
"Well if he isn't I'll soon let you know," she countered.
He didn't answer, opting instead to guide her out of the lounge up the stairs to their bedroom. Once in bed, Major Charles James proceeded to take his time and not to mention great pleasure in proving just how much he was still up to 'it' and how inappropriate his brother's particular choice of 'gift' was.