A bit of a short, fluffy update. I'm off on holiday tomorrow and am meant to be packing (I hate packing and am very happy to be distracted from it!)... Depending on wifi and time, I may or may not have a chance to update whilst I'm away.
P.S. I know Charles needs to tell Molly his secret, but you know when something has gone on for too long and you've missed the moment to come clean and then it seems too difficult to do... well that is where he is at now. Besides, I need it to remain a secret for a little while longer...
Charles is feeling lucky
Molly misses the train
Charles knows it is hopeless, but finds himself adjusting his daily routine so he can drop by Qaseem's cafe mid-morning on the off-chance that he will bump into Molly. Some days he's lucky and some days he's not.
It's on one of the unlucky days that Qaseem calls him out, "You're in late again Charles."
He tries to sound casual, wondering where this is going, "You know, busy morning."
Qaseem has a knowing look, "I know the subtext."
He feels and sounds a little bit too defensive, "What do you mean?"
Qaseem is looking fondly at him, "I don't think it's just me that you come to see these days. I think it is a certain young lady."
He groans in embarrassment, knowing he can't fool his old friend, "Is it that obvious?"
Qaseem is nodding and smiling in a knowing way, "How long have we known each other my friend?
He concedes, "A long time."
"I see how you are around her. I have not seen you like that for a very long time. You know how I feel about her, she's a special girl... but you should also know there is a boyfriend."
He looks sad, "I know."
Qaseem continues cautiously, "She puts on a good front, but I don't think she's happy in the relationship."
Charles could hug his friend. He knows that Qaseem prides himself on discretion and would have wrestled internally about whether or not to reveal this information about Molly.
Qaseem isn't quite finished, "She has also been asking about you. I think you may have made quite an impression on her too."
Suddenly things don't seem quite so hopeless anymore and he feels a glimmer of hope.
Molly catches the train
Charles is standing in Jac's kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, ravenously eating a stolen bowl of Molly's coco-pops, completely lost in his thoughts.
He knew that when Molly had said "No more secrets", he should have told her about Rebecca and Sam. This was the right time to tell her, but also completely the wrong time on so many levels. He didn't want to do it when they were in bed together and he didn't want to do it when things still felt so fragile between them. He knew it was cowardly to put it off, but he did and resolves to figure out a good time to do it soon.
He is surprised by someone leaning over and attempting to steal some of his breakfast cereal.
"Oi," he turns around and is taken aback by the identify of his attacker. "Bloody hell, Elvis. Will you ever quit sneaking up on people like that?"
Elvis looks pretty pleased with himself, "Sorry mate, SF habits die hard."
He can't help but laugh as he takes in his tough mate's appearance. Elvis is sporting a long, silky, shocking pink dressing gown. He doesn't look like he has had much, if any, sleep. "Nice dressing gown. What the bloody hell are you doing here anyway?"
Elvis doesn't look in the least bit embarrassed by his attire and just returns a shit eating grin, "That's classified. I could tell you but I'd have to kill you. So, I assume you've made up with Molly then?"
"And I assume you've somehow convinced Jac that you're a good thing?"
Elvis' smile becomes broader and warmer and he nods but there is no smart remark.
Charles looks at him and thinks he detects something different about his friend. He knows that underneath the obvious bravado, there is a sensitive man struggling to get out. There is definitely something happening to Elvis; leaving the Army, setting up the restaurant, building a future, getting ready to settle down. Bloody hell, Elvis is in love.
-x-
A little while later, he enters the bedroom and sees Molly is dozing. He quietly places the tray, laden with buttered toast and mugs of tea and coffee on the bedside table and gently gets into bed beside her. She stirs and slips her arm across his chest, snuggling in close.
He feels a huge surge of contentment and love for the woman next to him. He kisses the top of her head.
She moves herself up and kisses him fully on the lips, murmuring, "Hmm, 'ello you."
She pulls away and he notes her spy the breakfast tray, "Madam, your breakfast."
She sits up and he hands her some toast and a mug of tea. She sips the tea and wolfs down the toast, "My 'ero. Thanks."
They eat in companionable silence.
"I've just bumped into Elvis in the kitchen... did you know about them?"
"Not exactly, but I've suspected. Jac 'as been a bit elusive and 'e is exactly 'er type."
He sounds worried, "He's not got the best track record with women."
She lets out a laugh, "Don't worry. She's not lookin' for a relationship. I think she can more than 'andle Elvis. In fact, I'd be more worried for 'im."
Hearing this, he is worried for his friend, but in a different way than Molly means. "I hope you're right. I've long since learnt to not get involved in Elvis' love life."
"Hmmm, talkin' of love life..." She's manoeuvred herself onto his lap and starts placing light kisses on his lips, neck and chest.
He groans with pleasure, "Again, Molly?"
She's smirking, continuing to place teasing kisses on his body, "Well now you've 'ad yer coco-pops an' coffee, you should be re-fueled and ready to go."
He tries to sound wounded, "How do you know about the coco-pops? I've not had coco-pops in bloody years."
She just smiles at him, holds his face in her hands and kisses him deeply.
