I just wanted to thank you all so much for the support on my last post. I never thought for a minute it would get the reaction it did, I just needed to get my bit said. So thank you all, you've really spurred me on.
-OG-
Molly fussed and tended and pretty much made it so he didn't move a muscle. Some might call it overcompensating. Charles would just call it outright mollycoddling.
"Go easy. You seem unsteady" she placed a hand protectively on his lower back as they made their way into the front door. A much welcomed sight for both of them.
"I'm fine. Have your ever tried walking on one of these fucking things and not limping or waddling?" He snapped.
He was frustrated with her. Frustrated because he knew something was going on in her head. Frustrated because she treated him like an invalid 95% of the time and the was distant for the rest. Away in her own world where unbeknownst to him she was reliving the self inflicted horror of almost sleeping with Bones.
"Can I get you anything?" She said eagerly as she helped him out of his prosthetic "Can we just sit together without you fussing? I've missed you"
He pulled her into his "Missed you so bloody much" he whispered, nuzzling into her neck. She pulled from his grip, busying herself.
"Let me just tidy up. Can see you didn't manage whilst I was away"
She cringed at her words, not even daring to look at the hurt expression which fell across the handsome face which moments ago was smiling.
"I managed fine. Just chose not too"
"I want you to sit down and tell me what's going on with you. One minute your caring and attentive, the next minute you're cold... shutting me out and making shitty comments. What gives Molly?"
She held her breathe "I'm sorry. I'm just tired. It's been a full on few weeks what with the tour and then coming home to you in hospital. I just need to get my nut around normal. I'm fine I promise"
He watched her cringe at the lie. It saddened him to think that whatever it was she was hiding, she felt like she couldn't share it with him. What could be so bad?
He no longer felt like she saw him as her equal. More like some delicate man child who needed constant care although this was not the case. Yes he struggled physically at times, he certainly struggled mentally and was in pain a lot of the time. He was still learning new ways to do things and hitting new walls and finding new limitations daily but he was also finding different ways to tackle those obstacles and putting in the work with rehab now he was on the mend and he was getting there. Slowly but surely. He wasn't the invalid she treated him as and he knew her well enough to know it was a direct result of something else. Something she was keeping hidden when they had vowed never to ever hide things from each other again.
But he knew stubborn Molly. And he knew he would have to wait until she was ready to share.
-OG-
"Zip me up please"
She saw the fire in his eyes as he ran his finger down her spine before kissing her shoulder and finally zipping up her dress. His favourite black dress which drove him wild and hugged her in all the right places. She smirked at him through the mirror, his handsome face still gave her butterflies.
"Keep looking at me like that Dawesey and I don't think we'll be going anywhere"
She spun round to face him "What, you're coming?"
He sniggered a laugh "Yes. They are after all my former section. And I thought it only right I buy them all a Christmas drink. And show off the hardware, I know they are dying to see it"
It was his first time facing any of his former army mates socially and he was nervous. Bricking it in fact.
"I think you should rest Charles. You've been so ill"
He lifted his finger to rest on her lips "What's the matter? Don't want your old man cramping your style"
She stayed silent as she put the finishing touches to her hair.
"Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? Is that it?"
She sighed heavily "No. Not at all and I'm sorry if it came across like that's it. I just worry about you that's all" she couldn't tell him the real reason why she didn't want him to go. Fingers.
He loved gossip. He loved spreading gossip even more and her failure to mention to Charles she had visited Bones was bound to bite her in the arse.
If she was honest with herself, the guilt was killing her. So many times in the last few weeks since she had visited Bones she wanted to come clean to Charles but there was never a right time. He had been so ill, still wasn't 100% and his ongoing recovery since the amputation constantly played on her mind.
He was doing well and she didn't want to jeopardise that.
She took him in, he was as handsome as ever despite having lost a few pounds since she'd gone away. He stood tall, if a little wobbly on his prosthetic. He looked proud of himself.
This was a big step for Charles. His first proper social outing since losing his leg. His first time seeing his former section all together since ordering them to jump off of that cliff edge. Something he'd fretted and felt guilty about ever since despite being cleared of any wrong doing.
She could tell he was nervous. His palms were clammy but he still bit his lip as he looked at her.
"You look sensational" he almost panted, his dark eyes full of desire.
She moved towards him, equally impressed with what she saw. A crisp blue shirt and dark blue jeans looked so good on him it was criminal.
"You don't look to shabby yourself"
There was a glint in her eye and he caught it. He knew she wanted him and it made him feel good.
"We could always turn up fashionably late..."
He placed gentle kisses up her neck, seeking out her sweet spot behind her ear and the tingle she felt in her tummy as well as other places for him heightened.
"You are so Beautiful" he whispered as his lips finally made contact with the spot that melted her.
"We're gonna be late"
She pulled away leaving him disappointed. She hadn't touched him in the way he was craving since she came back and he couldn't work out why.
In his head he was no longer the attractive man he once had been. After all, what was attractive about a prosthesis and a stump when he took his clothes off?
-OG-
Despite her earlier brush off, she was full of affection for the duration of their cab ride. She laced her fingers through his using her thumb to stroke the soft skin of his hand. She also fidgeted like she often did when something was on her mind.
"You seem nervous?" He observed and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
"Just been awhile ain't it. And don't wanna get too pissed in case you need me"
He smiled to himself "I'll be fine. Have a drink and let loose."
Fingers was the first person she clapped eyes on and it was awkward. He knew her secret.
The normally over friendly Fingers shifted as far from her as he could, not even saying hello, instead joining the rest in making a fuss of Charles.
She watched as his self consciousness melted away. He was animated and happier than she had seen him for as long as she could remember and here she was, miserable and hiding. Praying that her mistake wasn't coming back to haunt her tonight.
He motioned for her to sit next to him, she complied happily. She had missed him even though he was right there.
"You ok?" He kissed the top of her head, searching her face for whatever was wrong.
"I'm good. Happy to see you enjoying yourself"
"Looks like you 2 are back on track" Fingers shouted across the table.
"Yes thank you Fingers, we're good"
He gave Molly a dirty look and she reacted by giving him one just as sour.
She couldn't relax. This was hell. She was with all of her favourite people yet she couldn't enjoy herself. Guilt ate away at her stomach.
Charles took her hand, giving her a reassuring smile. He was pleased when she allowed her body to relax when he slipped his arm around her shoulders and she almost melted into him.
"That's better" he said taking another sip of the orange juice she'd insisted he stick too.
There was a tenderness to him that she'd missed and only he had ever been able to give her. She'd never known love like his. It radiated out of him... you could see it in the way he touched her and the way he looked at her at all times if you were in their company. His expressive brown eyes told you exactly how he felt about her.
Fingers observed them and felt guilty for knowing her secret. His former Captain didn't deserve it after everything he'd been through and Bones didn't deserve to be led on.
This was a new side to Molly that he really couldn't get his head around. She'd always been so straight up and brutally honest. And she'd always been true to Charles. He'd admired and even been envious of what they had, he'd always hoped he'd find it for himself sooner rather than later and now it all felt tarnished.
"I think we should sack this lot off and have a little date night? What do you say?"
They'd been playing a game of teasing and tempting and flirting and both were enjoying every second of it. It was reminiscent of the early, uncomplicated day when they were just two people in love with minimal baggage between them.
He bit his lip, she was especially beautiful tonight and she had succeeded in her mission of winding him up to the point of no return. How could he refuse?
"Grab your coat gorgeous because you've pulled" he agreed happily to her plan.
"I'll just nip to the loo and you can make our excuses"
She kissed him deeply, relieved to be getting out of this situation and headed to the toilet. She smiled because his eyes followed her the whole way and she couldn't resist blowing him a kiss and giving him a cheeky wink. His smile blew her away. How could she still fancy him so much after all of this time?
She stared at herself in the mirror. She didn't like this Molly very much. She was being dishonest and had a heavy guilty conscience. Not only for Charles but for Bones as well. She shook it off, eager to leave this place once and for all.
She was startled to see Fingers sitting in her place.
"Jump in my grave as quick would you Fingers?" She joked trying to gauge the atmosphere.
Charles stood up unsteadily and reached for her with a smile. Everything was still alright, he hadn't said anything.
She wrapped a protective and possessive arm around his torso. All eyes seemed to be in him and it thrilled her.
Fingers pulled her to one side whilst Charles said his goodbyes. "I don't know why your being funny with me Dawes. I'm not the one who's been a shit"
She dismissed him. It was time to go.
Molly continued her teasing. She wasn't actually sure who she was pleasing more, him or herself but this game was driving her wild.
-OG-
Charles stopped the cab by the river. Determined they would stroll hand in hand once more down riverbank.
The large strides he'd often take forgetting her little legs struggled to keep up with were a thing of the past. She still likened him to Bambi on ice at times when he readjusted to the prosthetic after sitting. He clung to her shoulder for support. Her arm worked it's way around his lower back, she was his crutch because he was too stubborn to bring the real ones.
"Sorry. Just getting my balance. Takes awhile sometimes"
Molly smiled warmly at him "You never have to apologise to me. We can go as slow as you need too"
He grasped her hand, leading the way. They had always enjoyed this walk, particularly around Christmas time when the house boats were decorated for festivities. Charles enjoyed the way her face lit up as she admired them, like an excited child then she'd beg him to swap their home for their very own boat even though by her own admission she was "a shit swimmer" but she was always serious. And he was always nearly tempted because he wanted to give her everything she wanted especially at Christmas when he wanted to make up for the Dawes' short comings all of her life.
He smiled at the memory and once again counted his blessing that they were back here together. He had kept the tradition going the few lonely Christmases he had spent without her. Praying to god or Lady Luck even though he wasn't sure if he believed in either of them at the time. Yet here she was, so someone had been listening.
"What you smiling at?"
She brought her hands up to rest on either side of his face, balancing on her very top toes to press her lips against his.
"You. Us. This. Waited a long time to be here with you again"
Her heart was swelling. With love for him tinged with guilt. "Let's keep moving soppy. You'll need to rest soon"
She hated to be the one who ruined the moment. Before Bones it would have meant the world, and it did. But she couldn't forgive herself. She didn't deserve the way he looked at her or the way he held her. The way he was so grateful to have her by his side.
"What you said earlier... about me being embarrassed of you... you know that can never be true don't you?"
He shrugged his shoulders "I'd understand if it was the case. I mean look at me. I walk like, god knows what. When I can walk that is, the rest of the time I rely on crutches or a wheelchair and I've got my own bloody special bathroom. It all just feels like... well it's a lot to take on. I wouldn't want to take me on"
Molly turned to face him, her heart dropping. His dark eyes were glazed over, emotional. He was searching her face waiting for reassurance. He needed her to say the right thing.
"Charles, Nothing about this is me taking you on. I love you and yes it's an adjustment. Life has changed for you and for me too. Things aren't as easy as they were but it doesn't mean we give up on what we have. I'm not embarrassed of you, I'm in awe. You're strong and you're brave and you're trying really hard even if I haven't told you that I've noticed but I have. It doesn't make me love you less, it makes me love you even more and I never thought that was possible. I love you and I'll be by your side no matter what"
He smiled and it was as if his insecurities melted away. She had done right for a change. Being honest was the only way forward for them. She needed to tell him before someone else did. But how? He was always the jealous type and jealousy made him irrational. He behaved badly when the green eyed monster hit and they couldn't afford for it to affect his recovery.
"Thank you for always saying what I need to hear"
He kissed the top of her head, continuing their walk. Happy and settled, how could she blow that apart now?
-OG-
I'm hoping to get another Chapter of "His Girl" up before Christmas because I am surprisingly organised this year but if I don't manage it, I hope you all have a wonder Christmas and a happy new year. S x