2 months later (6 months after Bangladesh)
"Georgie, you ready?" Charlie called as he knocked through the bathroom door of their hotel room.
"Just a second!" She called back. He checked his watch anxiously, it was 6:32pm. They were supposed to be there at 7pm. Georgie caught him looking at his watch as she made her way out of the bathroom and rolled her eyes with a smile, typical Charlie, she thought. "Always on parade punctually." She said with a hint of sarcasm as she put her earrings in.
He was breathtaken when he set eyes on her, she wore a figure-hugging navy dress which came to the knee with matching navy heels and her hair flowed down her shoulders in loose curls - she looked absolutely stunning.
"You look... a million dollars." he breathed.
The last time he had told her that was in the hospital after the explosion at the police station in Bangladesh, she knew she had looked a complete wreck then but he had still meant it.
"Seriously, you look sensational." He continued.
"Hmmm, you don't look too bad yourself." She said with a smile as she leaned in and carefully buttoned up one of the top buttons of his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down to kiss her. He savoured her soft, full lips and as their kiss deepened Georgie gently pulled away with a small laugh "I thought you didn't want to be late?" She said raising her eyebrows.
"Mmm, I'm sure that people won't mind if we're 15 minutes late." He answered hopefully.
"That long?" She joked.
He reached his hand round to the back of her neck and leaned in to kiss her again. Noticing that her neck was bare, he stopped and pulled back, studying her. "Where's Elvis' ring?" He asked with a genuine concern.
Georgie took a deep breath and smoothed her hand down over his chest as she exhaled. "It was time to take it off." She said softly. "I'm never gonna forget about him, but it feels like the right time now." She explained, looking up at him, her hand now resting over his heart.
Charlie looked into her eyes and gave her a small, understanding nod "I love you." He said sincerely.
"I love you too" she answered, leaning up to kiss him again.
"Are you ready to do this?" He asked after a moment with a hint of trepidation in his voice.
"Yea." She replied, she too was a little nervous. She picked up her handbag from the bed and linked her arm with Charlie's as they left their hotel room.
OG
The function room was elaborately decorated with balloons (the Instagramable kind filled with confetti and such) and banners that read 'Happy Engagement'. The room was packed with people and the sound of chatter, music and laughter filled the air.
Fingers noticed Georgie and Charlie enter arm in arm first "Ah here they are - loves young dream!" He announced to the rest of 2 Section who were all stood together, all dressed up, drinks in hand - Rab was nursing a glass of coke, of course. Charlie and Georgie made their way over to the group "Wow! Look. At. You. Georgie Lane!" Fingers said appreciatively of Georgie's choice of outfit. Georgie rolled her eyes and hit him playfully across the chest with her handbag. He feigned being injured and laughed.
"Simmer down Fingers." Charlie said, only half joking.
Georgie immediately went round hugging everyone in the group and saying a friendly hello.
"This is Jenksy." Ruby said when she got to him, introducing the young man stood beside him.
"Hi, nice to meet you Jenksy, I'm Georgie." Georgie said, embracing him into a welcoming hug while she shot Ruby a knowing wink over his shoulder.
"Nice to meet you too - finally. I've heard a lot about you." Jenksy said.
"All good I hope?" Georgie asked.
"How could anyone have a bad word to say about you Georgie eh?" Rab interjected as he stepped in to hug her.
"Awww hi Rab." She said, hugging him back.
"It's good to see you both." Kingy said, greeting Charlie and Georgie "Congratulations."
"And to you, Captain King" Charlie said, shaking Kingy's hand - congratulating him on his promotion from Sergeant to Captain. "It's well deserved mate."
"Thank you Boss." Kingy answered.
Charlie smiled and said "I'm not your Boss anymore Kingy."
"Best Boss I ever had." Kingy said respectfully.
"So come on, how is civvy street treating you both then?" Monk asked eagerly.
Georgie and Charlie looked at each other and smiled "Really well, thanks." Georgie answered.
"And how's Fatherhood treating you, Monk?" Charlie asked "You look tired!" He added with a grin.
"Aaah mate, it's tiring and all that but honestly, I just never knew I could love someone this much." Monk said, as he pulled his wallet from his pocket and proudly showed off the photograph of his baby son that was inside it. Everyone smiled and cooed over the picture.
"We miss you not being part of the team, Georgie." Brains said.
"Awww thanks Brains, I miss you all too." Georgie said, truthfully.
"And you, of course, Boss." Brains added - somewhat as an afterthought.
Charlie laughed it off "Of course you do Brains."
"This place looks great doesn't it?" Brains said, changing the subject, as he gestured around the room.
"Amazing." Georgie said making an 'OK' sign with her hand.
"The DJ is a bit behind the times mind you!" Maisie said as she handed Georgie and then Charlie a glass of fizz from the bar.
"What'd you mean?" Charlie said, finding it hard to stop himself swaying on his feet to the sound of Loco in Acupulco by The Four Tops as the guys all exchanged knowing smiles at each other over his questionable taste in music.
Suddenly the sound of a metal spoon being tapped against a glass with the aim of getting everyone's attention could be heard. The music came to a stop and the room gradually fell silent.
"Thank you and good evening." The male voice spoke over the PA system. "As you all know we are here this evening to celebrate a very special couple and their engagement."
Georgie and Charlie smiled at each other as she leaned her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her, hugging her into him.
"They've been engaged for a little while now but with both of their jobs taking them out of the country for weeks at a time, tonight is the night we finally - and officially - get to celebrate with friends and family. So I ask you all to please be upstanding and raise your glasses as we toast... to Maisie and Rab!"
"To Maisie and Rab!" The guests chorused. Charlie and Georgie clinked their glasses together, relieved that their first public outing as a couple had gotten off to such a positive start.
Author's Note: So what did you think of chapter 14? Did you guess it was Maisie and Rab's engagement party or did you think it was Charlie and Georgie's? Let me know in the reviews! As always, thanks for reading xx
Next chapter could possibly be the last unless I get any last minute ideas!