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Chapter 25
"The Future is Boundless"
After Elvis and Georgie returned to the Lane's he got straight to task and phoned the Crowne Plaza in City Centre to secure a room for them. They both sorely needed time alone together and away from the dramatics that kept unfolding here. Georgie tugged her Bergen out of her closet and began to lay out all of the essentials she would need. Elvis' black duffel was already packed. He was always ready at a moment's notice and Georgie stood there eye balling it with her hands on her hips. Elvis noticed and grinned at her as he wrote down the confirmation number he was receiving over the phone. They wanted to have everything in order for when they announced to Georgie's parents that they were leaving. Elvis was trying to book a late check-in so Georgie could have a hopefully nice dinner with the family before they departed. It was important to Georgie to wait until her father returned home from work.
Elvis could sense she was anxious about leaving but was confident she was with him on this. Once he completed the arrangements he went to Georgie and captured her in a loving embrace. She welcomed him warmly. "We're all set then George. Ready to check in at 2000," he said.
Georgie snuggled against his chest as he rubbed his hands up and down her back. "You OK?" he asked breathing in the perfumed scent of her hair. She looked up at him, "Yeah. I'm OK. That's perfect," she said smiling at him. "Good," Elvis said and kissed her forehead. "I'm gonna ring Charlie now and see where things are then." Georgie nodded and smoothed her hair back.
Elvis was stood at the window waiting for Charlie to answer. Georgie placed a few more items alongside her growing essentials. "Charlie! Listen up, Georgie and I will be heading out to City Centre this evenin…yeah…it's time….so can ya tell me when she can come in?" Georgie sat down on the bed anxiously listening to Elvis talking to Charlie. It sounded promising and she held her palms together as if praying and placed her fingers against her lips. Elvis jotted a few things down in his pocket note pad…"Yeah…real good….thanks mate!" and he ended the call. Elvis turned around with a bright smile. He always looked energized when his plans were coming together. Georgie watched him intently; she loved his childlike relish at being a good problem solver. He teased her a bit by not saying anything straight away, and then he proceeded to sit down next to her. "We have one week," he finally said. "One week?" Georgie echoed. "Yeah. They want ya in two weeks before 2 Section deploys to get your kit in order and you up to snuff on the territory and drills. So that gives us one week to ourselves." Georgie felt a warm flush come over her. It was bitter sweet really. One week. They were just coming together and would soon part.
Elvis was gliding down the stairs when he heard the doorbell. He looked around and saw no one about so he opened the door a crack to see who it was. To his surprise it was Fingers. The squaddie cleaned up nicely and Elvis laughed inwardly assuming he was coming to pick up Marie for a date. He mustered all of his reserves to remain neutral. "Alright" Fingers greeted. He was equally surprised that Elvis opened the door. "Mate," Elvis nodded as he stepped aside allowing Fingers to enter. Fingers looked around as he moved inside. He often found Elvis to be a bit aloof. He was not sure if it was because he was a SF commander but Fingers had a deep respect for him and actually hoped Elvis would mentor him towards Selection. After his general unease lessened Fingers became his usual gregarious self. He walked around the foyer, eyes darting everywhere and rubbing his hands together. Elvis sensing his unease smiled at him and gestured towards the lounge. "Might as well ave a seat. Ave no idea where Marie is," he said.
Fingers grinned and headed into the lounge and plopped himself down on the sofa. Elvis stood in the doorway. He felt conflicted. He actually felt sorry for Fingers. Obviously Marie was a different person when they were together. Sadly, Elvis thought "Fingers deserves better." He would not interfere however. Not unless he absolutely had to.
"Georgie! Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know you were in here!" Lulu shrieked as she walked into the bathroom. Georgie jumped but then laughed when she recovered. "Ah, it's OK Lulu, I'll be out of here in short order." Lulu then noticed that Georgie was picking up her toiletries and placing them in a towel. "What are you doing?" Lulu asked haltingly. Georgie looked up at her in the mirror. "Just collecting my things," Georgie answered honestly. Lulu's face was a slide show of emotions. "Why?" she said. Georgie stopped and let out a deep sigh. She turned around to face Lulu straight on. "I can trust ya yeah?" Georgie asked. "Well, sure," Lulu said. "Please don't say anything. Elvis and I are leaving." Georgie said taking her hand and touching Lulu's arm.