Where Are We Now
Chapter 29
Molly
The days passed completing the after action reports, checking and rechecking to see if they remembered anything unusual about any of the ANA or nursing staff that aroused suspicion but it was looking like they would never get to the bottom of who was behind the potential hostage situation. Molly was more than aware if it hadn't been for SF stumbling across them on the way back from their raid then things may have been very different. Perhaps she and the rest of them were better off being trapped in a cave rather than as hostages because everyone knows that the British government never negotiates with terrorists.
She was now in the mess hall waiting for Jackie to join her for lunch
"Well hello Molly" said Major Baxter "How are you keeping since your ordeal in Afghan"
She stood and saluted her superior officer and smiled, she knew that Charles thought highly of this man.
"Getting there Sir"
"Well you know my door is open if you need support don't you Molly"
"Yes Sir" she said with a small smile "I talked with Charlie and I feel a lot better about stuff and most of me mates are medics so if I can't see it they will. You know if I need help and that"
"Charlie" he said with a quizzical look "Of course Major James" and Molly knew she was blushing "Well so long as you are sure. Counselling is nothing to be ashamed of you know"
"Yeah I know, you've really helped Charles, reckons you might be his new best mate" she really should engage her brain before she spoke her cheeks red with what she had just told him. A conversation she had in the middle of the night with Charles, she shook her head but Major Baxter was smiling "Well there you go, not all bad then" he laughed and noted another medic waiting to the side to join Molly "Enjoy your lunch Corporal" and turned to walk away
"Who was that Molls"? Asked Jackie
"It's Charlie's counsellor"
"How is all that going?"
"Good Jacs" said Molly thoughtfully "Its only now when you see him laugh, see him with Sam talk with him you realise just how bad it had got. How much the PTSD changed him"
"I'm glad for you Molls" and she patted her on the hand "If anyone can make their marriage work it's you two"
"What about you and Dangles then" she laughed at her friend "Why aren't you two getting hitched if you think it's so good"
Jackie looked at her sheepishly "Well Molls we are"
"WHAT?" Molly shrieked causing those near them to turn and look
"No, we aren't married yet but as we are both on post deployment leave and after the christening we are going off to do it"
"Bloody hell Jacs, why haven't we got an invite then?"
"I told you Molls no one would. We've lived together best part of 5 years what's the point of a big do, we know we want to be together so it's just the pair of us going off to tie the knot so to speak"
"Where you going"
"You'll never guess where Dangles booked" she rolled her eyes and flicked her head "Only fucking Cyprus" Both girls now crying with laughter and holding their sides
"Of all the places Jac" and starting another bout of hysterical giggling "You will send me a postcard won't ya let me know it's a done deed"
"Course I will Molls, you're my best mate" she said emphatically "we will be having a bit of a party for family and friends, here in Aldershot when we get back and you and the Major will be invited to that".
"Looking forward to it already"
"Good and we might tie it in with a New Year's Eve bash too"
"Crikey didn't realise you would be off that soon"
"Day after the christening, flying out of Manchester"
"We'll come and see you off then"
.
Stockport – Christening
The drive up to Manchester didn't take as long as they expected especially as it was close to Christmas and people would be out shopping with only a couple of weeks to go.
"You don't mind dropping Dangles and Jackie at the airport on our way back do you Charlie"
"Of course, not" he smirked "Only too pleased that he has finally plucked up the nerve to ask her"
"It's only a bloody question can't be that 'ard to ask especially as they have been living together all these years" He looked at her out of the corner of his eye but trying to keep an eye on the road and shaking his head
"I'll have you know it takes a great deal of planning to ask a question like that" he looked at her again "the worry about the ring, will the setting be romantic enough, what will the answer be?
Molly just huffed "Yeah right mate"
"All this from the woman who wants to be wooed" and threw his head back laughing
She put her hand on the top of his thigh and squeezed, she could feel his muscles tense and his mouth form that O shape as she turned to look at him with narrowed eyes and a small smile on her lips.
"Molly – behave" he laughed as he removed her hand kissed it and put it back in her lap
.
They arrived at the Bredbury Hall Hotel at mid-day leaving them plenty of time for lunch and to get ready to head to the church. Molly looked around at the congregation, she could see Georgie and Marie's parents and Nan along with Fingers Nan. All of 2 section were here both past and present. It was lovely to see them again Fingers was one of the few who had linked them all together. She waved to Nudenut and Baz who were talking to Kinders and his wife Emma, both broke out into grins and she realised that they still hadn't changed, looked and acted no different to when they were all together on their first tour.
Dangles and Jackie walked over "Hello Boss, thanks for the offer of the lift to the airport tomorrow."
"No problem Dangles he smiled "Glad to be of help" he kissed Jackie's cheek before saying congratulations and he hopes it all goes well. She laughed in return
"Of all the places in the world though and he picks bloody Cyprus"
"What's wrong with Cyprus, I like Cyprus. Good weather, great food, perfect"
"If you have the right woman on your arm it will be perfect where-ever you do it"
"Always knew you were a bit of a romantic Boss" said Dangles smirking
"Indeed, Dangles" he smiled "Looks like people are starting to go in we'd better go in ourselves"
The church felt cool although not quite as cold as outside. The family were already in the pews at the front and Molly gave a wave to Marie who held up baby Frank for her to see in the distance, she remembered her promise to Fingers and would see Marie later. She nodded an acknowledgement to both Prof and Georgie as Charles held her hand, he knew she still found it difficult seeing her although seeing her with her arm linked to Prof's she was coming round to the fact that she was never a threat to her and Charles. That she was never going to come back into their lives.
Brains and Monk were the god fathers which was rather sweet as they had probably served the longest with Fingers, even longer than Captain James what with his injuries. The godmother was of course no surprise and was Georgie.
The service didn't seem to last that long before they were on their way back to the hotel where a buffet was being laid on for friends and family. Apparently there was a nightclub and evening entertainment had been laid on as they were all staying there.
Molly was seated at one of the tables with Jackie and Monks wife Doris while Charles was already at the bar with Monk, Dangles, Kingy, Kinders and Captain Hurst. She was looking round the room and spotted that Brains had his arm round a blonde lady and she smiled and realised that this must be Janet, the MP he had taken a fancy to. They were on the same table with Nudenut and Baz. Brains waved at her and said something to Janet who looked across and smiled. She also noticed that Mimi and Throbber were on the same table again in deep conversation and laughing and she couldn't help but wonder if this would be another 2 section romance in its early stages.
Molly continued to look round the room and saw the table with Prof and Georgie, they had Maisie and Rab with them and she was reminded of her last meeting with Maisie and wondered how Georgie got her on-board and not just being the class clown. Marie was also at the table along with Kinders wife Emma. Marie looked up and mouthed that they would speak later. In turn that attracted Maisie attention who whispered something to Georgie and they both looked across. Georgie nodded in acknowledgement and smiled before returning to her conversation with Maisie.
All quite civilised thought Molly as she looked towards the bar at the men. She was staring at Charles who looked good in his dark trousers, white shirt and blazer. He seemed happy and was laughing at something being said by Monk. Two years ago, when he came back from Afghan after Elvis was killed he could barely string a sentence, couldn't hold a conversation without shouting and look at him now. With the counselling the new role within the army he was back to the man she married and she was pleased for him, proud that he didn't give up in the end. Suddenly she realised he was looking at her and he mouthed if she was OK and raised his arm indicating if she wanted another drink. She shook her head and returned to her conversation with Jackie and Doris.
.
"So, you all set for the wedding Jackie" asked Doris "No regrets not opting for a big white church bash"
"Nah not at all" replied Jackie "In fact the dress I picked is a lovely shade of cream and I should get some wear out of it if there are any summer parties next year"
"Trust you Jacs" laughed Molly "You still don't like wasting nothing do ya?"
"Well what's the point of a dress you only wear once?"
"Fair point" continued Doris "Although someone told me that you cut it up and make it into a christening gown, that's what we did with mine anyway"
"Not heard of that one"
"What did you do with yours Moll?"
"Well I cut it up" she said sheepishly "But don't think it's going to make a christening gown, pretty much shredded it"
"Awwwh! That was a beautiful dress Molls" said Jackie "What happened to it after that"
Molly shrugged "Nothing for it but chuck it in the wheelie bin"
At that moment Marie walked over to them with baby Frank and sat down next to Molly
"How are you Marie, it's been a lovely day, Fingers would have loved it" said Molly the back of her finger stroking the baby's cheek
"Yes, he would've and this little one is so like him to look at too" replied Marie also looking down at the baby with tears in her eyes, still grieving for the loss of her husband. Molly patted her on the hand in sympathy, it must be so hard for her.
"So are you sticking with Frankie or has he been nicknamed baby Fingers yet" Molly smiled at her
"Well 2 section seem to have named him baby Fingers but I still call him Frankie" she laughed "Would you like to hold him Molly"
"Yes please" Marie placed him in Molly's arms and she hugged him and kissed his cheek just like she promised Fingers in her dream. His blue eyes looked at her and he almost looked like he was smiling. She put her finger out to him and he grabbed it and squeezed.
"He's beautiful Marie" Molly cooed "Just like his dad" and both girls laughed and remembered that Fingers always thought he was beautiful.
"I won't be coming to the disco this evening, want to get this little one home and keep his routine so my Mum, Dad and Nan will be leaving soon. I just wanted to say thanks for coming before we left"
"You're probably taking the safe option Marie; this could get messy by the end of the evening if 2 section are involved"
Charles came across to Molly and saw her holding the baby, smiling down at him. He hoped one day they would have their own. She looked beautiful holding him, just then she looked up and smiled at him. He looked across at Marie not sure of her reaction to him having come across to Molly but she also smiled and asked him to sit, which he did next to Molly and looked at baby Fingers staring up at him.
"He's a lovely baby Marie" he said
"Not when he's screaming his head off at 3 in the morning he isn't" she laughed
Jackie and Doris decided that they had better go and track down their partners before they got wasted before the end of the evening. Molly handed the baby back to Marie saying she wanted the ladies.
"Did you think that I wouldn't talk to you Charles" asked Marie and Charles shrugged "Not really my finest hour was it messing up her life as well as my own"
"You didn't mess her life up. Belize blurred your friendship. Both of you were grieving but not dealing with it. She was grieving, it was always doomed to failure once you both got over the loss of Elvis, you wouldn't have needed each other anymore, but it didn't even take that long for you both to realise it was wrong and a massive mistake"
"Fingers said that if you let Molly go it would be the biggest mistake of your life" Charles snorted a laugh down his nose
"I hadn't realised he was so astute"
"Yes, he noticed things more than he let on" she looked down at her baby "I wish you well Charles and I hope we see you and Molly again from time to time. Tell him stories about his dad" Charles nodded feeling a sadness at the loss of Fingers who he had served with many times over the years.
"I need to go now my parents want to leave and I want to get him to bed soon before he screams the place down".
Charles stood and kissed her cheek "Goodbye Marie"
As she walked away Rab and Maisie came over to join him
"You ever going back to 2 section Boss I hear the new Rupert is a bit of a twat" exclaimed Maisie
"Seeing as how I am a Major now I think that unlikely don't you Richards"
"Well I might have come back if you had" she smirked "You, Kingy and Georgie we could get the old group together"
"The old group included Smurf, Mansfield and Fingers, so we could never do that Richards" he could feel his impatience with her already "and I think you'll find Lane doesn't want to go on tour anymore, she's quite happy in Manchester"
"Come on Maisie" said Rab he could see that their old Captain wasn't happy with the way this conversation was going and he wasn't entirely sure what his wife was up to bringing Georgie up especially as the Major's wife was here somewhere "We haven't caught up with Brains yet"
She turned to look in Rabs direction and to see Molly laughing with Brains
"That your wife Boss" she said and his eyes followed hers across the room to see Molly and Brains laughing about something, she looked up at that moment and smiled at him before noticing who he was with and rolled her eyes, waved and turned back to Brains.
"Yes, that is indeed my beautiful wife who I think I will go and join" marching off in her direction he came up behind her and put his hands round her waist and whispered in her ear.
"How much longer do we have to stay?" she turned to hug him while laughing
"You boring old fart the disco is about to start and I expect a smoochy dance"
He threw his head back and laughed "Less of the old Dawes. Is this all part of Operation Being Wooed" She looked up at him with her huge beaming smile and her eyes sparkling and fluttered her eyelashes at him?
"Course it is Boss"
"You never cease to amaze me Dawes" as he swung her round to face Brains and his girlfriend his arms still round her waist
"Hello Boss, this is Janet one of the MP's in Aldershot" looking across to her "she's my girlfriend" he said proudly
"Hello Janet, pleased to meet you"
At that moment the lights dimmed and the glitter ball came out the ceiling sending patterns all over the dance floor, which immediately cleared as most of the men made their way back to the bar or the nearest table. The decibels went up as the night progressed, some was the music and some 2 section and their wives and girlfriends talking and laughing.
The DJ announced the first of the slow dances for the evening Lady Antebellum and I Need You Now. Charles grabbed her by the hand and pulled her onto the already crowed dance floor to some woops from the lads.
She was in her killer heels today and while her feet hurt she was glad of the height as she wrapped her arms around his neck and lent into his shoulder. His hands moved down her back and cupped her bum which generated a couple of cheers from Dangles and Brains who were already on the dancefloor.
She could feel his chest reverberating as he was humming to the song then she heard him start to sing quietly in her ear. She remembered the evening in the FOB when they had sung Don't Go Breaking My heart he had such a good voice.
"another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time"
He started humming again before starting to sing in her ear again making all the little hairs around her ear blow about.
"Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
It's a quarter after one I'm all alone and I need you now"
More humming and he pulled her closer to him
"And I don't know how I can do without I just need you now
I just need you now"
She looked up at him, he kissed her pulling her even closer and they could hear Baz and Nudenut singing "Molly and Bossman sitting in a tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G"
"You wanna go up now?"
"Yup"
Molly threw her head back laughing before he moved his head down to kiss her again before laughing himself. "Am I knocking you bandy yet with my wooing" his shoulders vibrating with laughter
"Bloody hell Charlie you're getting a bit carried away with all this now, I'm beginning to regret mentioning it now" she laughed
"I'm not" and he moved one hand to the small of her back and took her hand from around his neck and held it as if about to dance the old fashioned way. He twirled them around the floor before tilting her backwards towards the floor, him leaning over her with a huge smile and his eyes dark with lust
"You numpty, you're lucky you didn't have us on the floor with moves like that" cackling with laughter
"The tango, the dance of love"
"Where did you learn that?"
"Watching bloody Strictly with you" he laughed "Come on lets go"
Prof and Georgie were sat at a table in the dim lighting with Maisie and Rab. Prof pointed across to Molly and Charles. Georgie smiled watching them looking at each other and laughing, it was as if no one else was in the room with them. Exactly how she remembered them at the Officer's ball.
"Looks like they are getting back on track"
Maisie looked across "I thought they were splitting up" then whispered so Prof couldn't hear "I thought you wanted him"
"Nah! It was always her even when he didn't realise it" she wrapped her arm round Profs and he looked back at her and smiled "You ready for the off too?" he nodded and she kissed him on the cheek.