As usual everyone was congregated around the kitchen table either eating or talking, some trying to do both. Elvis had bravely taken the seat next to Lucy, risking his clean t-shirt and jeans to the vagaries of her eating habits. Molly laughed as she saw him dodge a particularly well aimed handful of porridge. Helping herself to tea from the pot, she caught Gina's eye, "Could you mind the kids today, I really need to get some shopping done and I don't fancy going anywhere near the shops over the weekend." She couldn't help noticing Charles and Elvis nodding, "I need to pick up some things too." "And me, we'll come with you." Sighing Molly gave Charles a hard stare, "I need to get some special shopping done." Hoping he'd take the hint without her having to spell it out for him in front of the wide eyed children who were following the conversation from their seats. "Yes, me too." "I think she wants private time Charlie." "Ah, right. Okay, How about we go together, go our own way for a time and then meet up again for coffee or lunch?"
Agreed on the plan the three of them set off, laughing and joking as they headed in to town. "We're trained soldiers, we can handle this" Elvis declared, eyeing the crowds. "You said that about putting up bunk beds." Molly couldn't help reminding. Having decided on meeting points and times he left Charles and Molly and went to start his own shopping.
Charles and Molly set off with a purpose, they needed to get gifts for the children to supplement the piles already growing on the second floor, and something for Gina and Max. Molly relied on Charles's help for his Dad's gift, telling him not to get alcohol or socks as they were not proper gifts. They finally settled on a jumper and a pair of smart leather driving gloves. Gina was easier to buy for as she had commented on a pair of topaz earrings they'd seen while out shopping earlier in the week. Supplementing them with a silk scarf, Molly was happy with that gift. Looking around the toy department, she remembered the things she'd bought for Pip and Lucy in Hamley's and smiled. She was either insane or a masochist but it had seemed like fun at the time. She had bought a selection of noise makers, wrist bells and a rain maker for Lucy and a simple wooden tool set for Pip/ hopefully he wouldn't be able to do much damage with that. Pushing the shopping trolley, she watched as Charles dropped things in, Lego, of course, pens and crayons, colouring books, cars, a couple of nerf guns. She was getting seriously worried about how they were going to carry everything back to the car. "Don't worry, that's why we brought Elvis" Adding some blocks and stacking toys for Lucy, "No cuddly toys, she's drowning in them already." she warned and left him to it. It was getting close to lunchtime and she still needed to buy her gift for him and clothes for the children and herself for Christmas Day.
Collapsing exhausted into the seat, she dropped her bags and looked at the two men sitting relaxed around the table. The little Italian restaurant was busy with business Christmas lunches judging by the groups around the various tables but the waiter rushed across as soon as he saw her settle. Gratefully ordering lunch and a large glass of wine she brushed back her hair which had escaped from its ponytail and commented, "Have you two been in here the entire time? You can't possibly have been out there fighting those crowds and look so stress free, it's bloody manic." Charles merely smiled, tapped the side of his nose knowingly and raised his glass to Elvis before giving her a wink. As there were no bags or packages around them, they'd obviously been back to the car too.
The remainder of the day passed in a blur of eating, shopping and battling harassed looking people before heading home. With the children in bed, the three men retrieved the shopping from the car and once again retired to the snug to watch sport while Molly and Gina relaxed in the drawing room with the bottle of Bailey's and composed a list of the remaining food to buy. Beth had already ordered the meat from a local farm shop to be collected on the 23rd which just left fresh produce to get. List in hand, Gina headed to the snug, "Right boys, you have a choice, kids or food?" Looking at her as if she'd gone mad, "Well, I couldn't eat a full kid." joked Elvis before all three replied adamantly, "Food" laughing at their own wit. "Great," she said, handing over the sheet of paper, " There's the list of what you need to get in the morning." Chuckling at their stunned faces she did a fist pump, and gloated, "women 1 men 0" as she passed Molly giving her a high five.
Saturday and Christmas Eve seemed to fly past in an organised chaotic haze. Molly tried picturing the calmness of barracks as her normal but couldn't. This felt like normal, like the chaos at home in East Ham, growing up with all the little bleeders. There might be more money in this house but the children's excitement and weary voices of the adults was just the same. It was impossible to keep everyone calm with several temper tantrums and raised voices until finally Gina had called enough and sent Charles and Elvis off to the park with the children and Max off to bed for a nap. The main temper tantrum having been his. Trying to get ahead, she and Molly sat at the kitchen table preparing veg for the Christmas dinner. "D'you remember my first Christmas here? I was terrified. Everything was so posh and perfect and I thought you were all so organised until Max lost the plot that time too." They both started laughing, remembering a very frazzled Max ordering everyone out of the snug while he tried to set up a particularly complex train set he had bought for Sam. Needless to say Charles and Andrew had continued to wind him up, telling him he had the connections wrong or the trains in the wrong order until Gina honestly thought they'd come to blows and had to intervene. "The boys always ganged up on their dad even when they were little. I remember one time his radio that he kept in the garden shed went missing only to show up four days later. I don't know which one of them it was, to this day, but they had changed the station to Radio 1 and somehow managed to get it to stick there so that he couldn't change it back to the World Service. He was livid and threatened to keep their pocket money to buy himself a new one." sorrow showing through her laughter. Putting down her knife, Molly reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. "We won't ever forget them Gina and we'll make sure the kids know all about them too."
Dinner that evening consisted of takeaway pizza as no one had the energy or the inclination to cook. The boys and Lucy were in their element, tucking in with gusto. Molly was having a discussion with Max about the weather of all things when Pip decided to chip in, "Buddy pissin' down in park." and continued to eat his pizza. All eyes turned on Elvis who raised his hands and said, "not me." tilting his head towards the real culprit. "Charles, you're really going to have to watch your language around big ears, he picks up everything." "Everthin'" Pip agreed.
Once the children were securely tucked up in bed under threat of no visit from Father Christmas if they set so much as a toe out of bed, the adults set to, bringing everything down from the second floor, assembling toys that needed putting together, a rocker for Lucy, a trike for Pip and scooter for Sam, stockings were stuffed ready. Molly had added an eighth one to the line along the mantelpiece with Elvis's name on it. It brought tears to her eyes to see the one that had been hung for her that first Christmas she spent in Bath. It seemed all the adults had little items to add into them as they passed. Finally they all collapsed in the snug with a drink just before midnight. Elvis, Gina and Max were discussing Italian Christmas traditions, Elvis's grandparents being Italian. Molly was yawning so much she excused herself and headed up to bed shortly followed by the others. "Are you too tired?" asked Charles, snuggling up to Molly, making his meaning clear. "Never too tired for that." was the reply and it was another hour before they finally fell asleep.
The bedroom door quietly opening was the first clue they had company, followed by grunting and shuffling of feet. Stretching out Molly flicked on the bedside lamp to see Pip hiding slightly behind Sam who was struggling to carry a wriggling, grunting Lucy in front of him. "Happy Christmas, Santa's been." He sang out, finally setting Lucy down on to the floor before heading round to his dad. Pip rushed forward and scrambled into the space left by Molly as she stood up to bring the baby to the bed. "Happy cimbus." he said hopefully. "No!" said Charles firmly, "you are not going downstairs." Sam, knowing a soft touch when he could see one turned his pleading eyes on Molly. Shrugging and shaking her head she smiled, "Sorry boys, Dad has said no so no it is." "Well can we stay in here so we'll know exactly when we can get up?" bargained Sam. Pip wasn't waiting for an answer and had already settled himself between the two adults, wriggling until he had a large portion of the space. Lucy lay against Molly's chest, patting her cheek as she dozed off back to sleep
It took a while to convince Sam that it would be best if he went back to sleep while he waited, "and how the hell did you get Lucy out of her cot?" Charles asked warily, not sure he really wanted to hear the answer. "It was easy, Pip showed me how to undo the catches so we could pull the side down." "Of course he did," giggled Molly, memories of her first night baby sitting rushing to mind. "Houdini strikes again." Finally they were all asleep leaving Charles and Molly precariously balanced on opposite edges of the bed.
"Stop fidgeting, Do you need the toilet or something? You're going to wake them again." "No, I was trying to get this without falling out of bed." They spoke in hushed tones. Molly looked across the sleeping children to see 'this' was a small hexagonal box with a clasp on the lid. "It's not your Christmas present," said Charles quickly, trying hard not to panic. "I don't expect us to rush into anything and I know we've not been back together long and the circumstances aren't exactly the best and I know you're giving up a lot for us but I just wanted you to know I'm as committed to this family as you are and will do everything I can to make you happy." He knew he was waffling but couldn't seem to stop until Molly reached across the sleeping children, put her hand on his arm and said, "Charles, shut the fuck up and open the box please."
Inside the box was a plain platinum band set with five small stones. "One for each of our family." He whispered as he slipped the ring on her finger. "I wasn't even sure we'd ever even be two after my cock up but now we're five and I love you more every day." Molly looked at the ring with tears in her eyes, "It's beautiful." She wanted to say more but couldn't find the words, her throat closing up as the tears flowed down her face. "It's beautiful." she said again, "I love it and I love you. I never stopped even when you were a dick. I love you and I love this family."
Moving back, Charles misjudged the distance and with a cry and a frantic grab for a handhold slipped off the edge of the bed landing with a loud thud. "Fuck!" Sam and Pip both sat bold upright, looking over the edge of the bed where Charles lay clutching his back. "Why are you on the floor Dad?" Hearing a few more swear words being muttered, Molly pulled the boys back down into the bed. "Dad's just looking to see if Santa left anything under the bed." she said with a snigger. Before Charles had time to try to get up off the floor, his back now in spasm from twisting as he fell, the bedroom door flew open again. Gina and Max stood silhouetted in the doorway. "We heard and a loud thud and thought something had happened. The kids aren't in their beds. Charles, what are you doing on the floor?" Gina finished, taking in the situation in the bedroom. Leaving Max to help Charles up, she joined a laughing Molly and the children on the bed, tucking her cold feet under the edge of the covers. "Bloody hell, all we need now is Elvis!" As if summoned by Charles's comment, Elvis appeared in the doorway which sent Molly over the edge into hysteria and uncontrollable laughter.
Looking bewildered and half asleep, Elvis took in the group. "I heard a thud and then Max and Gina running down the stairs so thought there might be an emergency and you might need me to deal with it." Still laughing, Molly reached down and lifted Lucy up and passed her to Elvis, wrinkling her nose. "The only emergency is this little stink bomb. Think you can handle that? You are a Special Forces soldier after all." Grinning, he took the baby and disappeared out of the door, "Piece of..." The retching noises coming from the nursery belied his confidence somewhat.
Looking at the clock, Charles thought about whether they should try for another couple of hours sleep, it was 05:00 and still very dark out. He really could do with more sleep, he was tired and his back and bum hurt from his fall. Maybe he could persuade his mum and dad to take the kids into their bed for a bit. "Hey boys, how'd you fancy snuggling up with Grannie and Grandpa for a bit. Their bedroom is nearer to the roof so you'll be able to hear the reindeer." Genius, he congratulated himself as the boys scrambled from their bed and headed for the stairs quickly followed by Gina and a very reluctant Max, "Thanks a lot son. This will come back and bite you one day." Closing the door behind them and climbing back into the bed he turned to Molly. "Now, about my bumps and bruises, I think I might gonna need a medic." Pulling her into his arms he took her hand and guided it to just where he wanted it. "Hmm, it does feel a bit swollen," she giggled, taking him in her hand and moving slightly. In turn, Charles moved his hands from her back, sliding them round to the front and up under the t-shirt she had chosen to sleep in. Once again things were beginning to warm up and get interesting when there was a tentative knock on the door. "Oh for fucks sake." he rolled onto his back as Molly went to open the door. Elvis stood sheepishly on the other side with a sweet smelling, wide awake baby in his arms. "What should I do with this?" All Molly could do was giggle.
By 07:00 the household was a hive of industry. The boys, both old and young had volunteered to 'do' breakfast as they were excused kitchen duty for the rest of the day or until there was washing up to be done rather. Molly, Gina and Lucy who had been banished from the kitchen sat at the dining table waiting to see what culinary delicacies they would come up with and couldn't help laughing when Sam walked in carefully balancing a plate of mince pies, followed by Pip carrying the coco pops box and finally Max, Charles and Elvis, like the three wise men bearing gifts, arrived with trays bearing crockery, cutlery, milk, tea and coffee. "There was going to be pastries but somebody forgot he'd put them in the oven and burnt the whole bloody lot," said Elvis giving Charles a look which said, 'i can't believe he did that'
After breakfast they all moved into the drawing room where three stacks of presents were arranged around the room as well as several packages under the tree. Pip just wanted to open everything in his excitement, whether it was for him or not. Lucy, ignoring her lovely gifts was playing contentedly with a mound of gift ribbons pulled hastily from parcels. Sam on the other hand was more restrained, taking his time and admiring each gift as he opened it. "Just like their dads." Molly heard Max say as he watched their antics. Sam and Pip then played postman, handing out the gifts from under the tree. Sam read the names, handed the parcel to Pip and directed towards the recipient. Pip loved it and insisted on helping each person to unwrap their gift before going to deliver the next. Molly received a lovely pair of jade earrings from Max and Gina and laughed when Gina opened her gift from Molly and Charles. "Snap" said Molly with a smile. Charles had a new rugby shirt and Elvis a woolly hat and scarf combo which he modeled for them. Max was very happy with his jumper and gloves. Without Charles's knowledge, Elvis had taken a group family photo of Max, Gina, Molly and the three children which Molly had put into a small travel frame so he could always have it with him if he was deployed. In addition she's bought him a new watch similar to the one he'd worn when they were on tour together and which had got lost in the aftermath of the shooting. In return, Molly received a Pandora bracelet with three charms on, one for each of her new children he said.
Gifts unwrapped it was time to play as far as the men of the house were concerned. The ladies excused themselves and went to begin cooking dinner in peace. The peace didn't last long as the nerf guns were produced and all five took it in turns to fight, Sam and Charles being the army and Pip and Elvis the special forces of course which left Max to be the enemy. There was a lot of banging and shouting coming from the hall and stairs but thankfully no one called for a medic. When it went quiet, Gina suspiciously went to look what was going on only to be ambushed and held hostage until Molly handed over the tin of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.
Christmas dinner was another rowdy affair with Pip demonstrating exactly what he thought of sprouts. Hoping to disguise them, Gina had cut them up small and mixed them in with his potatoes. having taken the first mouthful and discovered this subterfuge, he spat the mouthful back on to his plate with a "Pah", put his knife and fork down and proceeded to remove all the bits of sprout from his potatoes with his fingers. Sam, in turn was rolling his sprouts to the edge of his plate and when he thought nobody was looking was slipping them over to his Dad's plate. Charles, busy in conversation with his Dad was unaware what was happening, he just knew he appeared to have rather a lot of sprouts on his plate. Lucy, sitting between Molly and Elvis looked adoringly in his direction. She had eaten a dish full of potatoes, veg and finely chopped up turkey and was now watching every mouthful Elvis ate. Elvis smiled at her and chatted with her but was getting self conscious about the way she was watching him. Looking questioningly over her head at Molly, she told him, "Don't get excited, she looks at anyone with food that way."
What with the early morning and the excitement of playing, the children all went down for a nap after dinner. Molly and Gina took the remains of the Baileys and the new brandy bottle and retired to the snug while the men did the clear up. Gina was admiring Molly's bracelet when she suddenly spotted the ring. "oh my goodness, that's beautiful. Does this mean...?" Smiling Molly shook her head, "Not yet, things are moving a bit fast. This is a commitment ring to show how committed he is to this family." "This calls for a drink." Gina announced topping up their Baileys with brandy. By the time the men joined them an hour later, they were both happily pickled, lying back on the sofa snoring.
As expected, once the children were awake again, the excitement continued. Pip tried to 'fix' a china vase with his new hammer with shattering results and a calm explanation as to what he could and could not hammer. Molly fastened the bells onto Lucy's wrists and laughed as the baby bounced and jiggled making them tinkle.
Everyone was ready when bed time came around to just relax and watch whatever was showing on the TV and eat mince pies and chocolate. Molly released the belt of her dress and breathed out. Charles watching her chuckled and locked the memory away for future use. Elvis had disappeared for half an hour, returning with a sad look on his face but joined in with the chatter about which was the best Christmas film. Molly had phoned home and had a chat with everyone there, laughing as she could hear her dad and nan putting the world to rights.
When eleven o'clock came around Molly declared she couldn't stay awake a minute longer and excused herself, going upstairs to bed. She was joined half an hour later by a very amorous Charles who snuggled up to her, kissing his way under the covers, making sure there was no way she was falling asleep now and hopefully they would have no interruptions. Their lovemaking was leisurely and sensuous, both taking their time to explore each other, caressing and smoothing their hands over the curves and mounds they found in their explorations before taking things to the only ending left to them.
Molly lay exhausted on the pillow, her head turned so that she could see Charles who lay next to her. His hand below his pillow and his head turned in her direction. "I do love you, you know. We're going to be okay." she smoothed his hair back from his face. "I know," he said smiling at her. "You know I said that ring wasn't your Christmas present and it could be whatever you wanted it to be? Well I'm hoping this one will be an engagement ring and that you'll agree to marry me one day in the not too distant future and make an honest man of me." Charles opened the hand that had beneath his pillow to reveal a plain single diamond on a gold band. Molly drew in her breath, tears once more springing to her eyes. "Beth's ring?" "My gran's ring actually but Andrew, as the oldest, gave it to his wife. Mum thought it would be right for you to have it now. I hope you will and have me with it?" Throwing her arms around him, she burrowed into his neck, "Yes, yes, yes. Definitely, yes. I love you and all of your loving crazy family and I would love nothing more than to change my name to James."
Molly lying with her hair spread out on the pillow, felt a hand caress her face, a light kiss placed on her neck and smiled to herself. Not Pip this time. This time her dream was real, it was her lover, her friend, her partner, her husband to be.
A massive thank you to anyone who has followed this story and left such wonderful reviews. I really have been overwhelmed by the things you've said. I always planned to end the story here but some people have said they want more so if that is the case, let me know and I'll try and come up with some more following the little family of five. Thank you once again. I've enjoyed every minute of writing this and apologise for the sad bits. Hugs Kat x