Road to Redemption
Chapter 9
New Beginnings
Molly had been home from tour for a few days staying with Dangles and Jackie which had been nice to have the company. She was still in a bit of pain and felt incredibly tired at times.
She really could do with getting some more clean clothes as they were all in Hereford at Peanuts, she was going to need them if she was going to spend a few days in London. While she was there perhaps she would pop in to see Jackson and see how he was doing with his shoulder. She was looking forward to seeing her Mum, Dad, siblings and Nan
The thought of her new flat waiting for her both excited and pleased her. She had already texted Peanut to say that it had been a lot easier than she thought flat hunting and she had found a lovely one in Cheltenham. He texted back to congratulate her and tell her their op had been successful and they would be home in a week and not three months. If she got herself to Brize he could give her a lift back to Hereford.
So, three days later she was back in arrivals at Brize waiting on Blue, Spanner, Peanut and Dyno.
"Looking good Dawes" grinned Blue "Not so pasty faced."
"Thanks, I think" she grinned back.
"I think a little exercise for you and Jackson in the Brecons might be in order in a couple of months just to make sure you are both fit and ready for any last minute call up we get."
"I hope that is just for Dawes and Jackson" huffed Peanut
"Nope, I think it would be good for the whole team" smiled Blue "Bit of bonding" Molly and Peanut rolled their eyes at each other which didn't go unnoticed.
"Ah yes Peanut" laughed Blue "forgot you were getting a new roomie, I'm sure she will have settled in by the time you need to go on a week's exercise."
"Come on Molls, let's go before he comes up with anymore bright ideas" retorted Peanut picking up both his and her Bergan and making a move to the exit.
OG
It was nice being home and back in her own bed. Peanut didn't tell her much about the operation to Syria, just that it had gone well but the intel wasn't as good as it should have been and they may have to go back to finish the job at a later date. Hopefully she would be fit enough to go with them when they did.
They talked all about her new flat and Molly showed him all the pictures she had taken on her phone. He laughed and said how were all the team meant to come and stay with her on nights out with ceilings like that in the bedroom. She grinned and cheekily replied who said they would get an invite anyway and if they did they would just have to remember to use the middle of the room or sleep downstairs in the living room.
"Would you like me and Laura to help you move your stuff down there this weekend?" he offered, "after all you aren't really meant to be lifting things are you?"
"Are you sure Peanut, wouldn't the pair of you rather be holed up here" she grinned.
"About time I introduced you to her anyway, so yeah! we'll help you move."
OG
Over the next couple of days Molly had all her stuff packed up into boxes ready to be loaded into Peanuts car. He had introduced her to his girlfriend Laura, Molly thought she was lovely and they seemed to hit it off straight away. Laura was tall and willowy with a bubbly personality who gave Peanut as good as she got. They not only looked good together but seemed to be so well matched character and personality wise too.
They had spent a day shopping together and had got on like a house on fire, Molly thought she had really good taste and had helped her with getting the crockery and cutlery she was going to need. Laura had her own flat, which was now on the market and was looking at getting rid of some of her furniture and asked if Molly would like to look at it and perhaps buy it off her.
"Most of it is less than a year old" she said, "and I like the furniture in Peanuts so we don't need to get rid of that unless you like it and then I could move my stuff in?"
"Well if Peanut don't mind I wouldn't mind taking the bed in my room" she grinned "it was new when I moved in so I'm the only one that has been in it."
"I don't mind Moll, we'll just move one of Laura's into that room" answered Peanut "the rest of her stuff is really nice but it's not really me" he grinned "I like my leather sofa, not really into the ones with all the cushions."
They went to Laura's flat and Molly was blown away by her taste, turns out that's what Laura did for a living, she was an interior designer. It looked so bright and airy, not cluttered like her old home in East Ham or even the house she shared with Charles as he had so many books and CD's cluttering every shelf. She loved the light colours and modern minimal feel.
"It's beautiful Laura" she gushed "Are you really sure you wanna move in with Peanut and not get him to move here"
Laura laughed loudly, "No, I don't know how he does it but as soon as he walks in here he makes everything look small" and she gave a small chuckle "Not to mention he has told me when I move in I have free rein to change it to whatever I want and I can't wait to start."
"Blimey, you can't turn down an offer like that" she sniggered "But would you help me with my place first? It's me first home, you know by myself and I'm not sure where to start."
"Have you only ever lived in barracks then?"
"Nah, but my ex-husband had loads of stuff, from his first marriage and his parents" she sighed and looked at her feet "Just never got around to buying anything together I guess."
Laura felt a sadness radiating from her so didn't want to ask about the marriage, but the breakup was obviously something Molly still felt was a great loss. Maybe Peanut might tell her, although he was fiercely loyal so she doubted she would get the full story unless Molly wanted to tell her herself.
In the end Molly bought her glass table and chairs and the corner sofa suite along with the spare double bed for her second bedroom. Laura was sure from the pictures she had shown her it would all fit and when she saw it perhaps they could go shopping for pictures and shelving to make it into a home.
OG
Molly hadn't heard from Charles since they had landed at Brize a couple of weeks ago, but to be honest she didn't expect to, he would wait for her to call him. While he had declared that he still had feelings for her when they were in that cave he would not want to try and railroad her into meeting up, very much leave it to her to make the decision.
In the end she sent him a text "Found new flat!"
It was almost instant that she got a response "Do you need a hand?"
"Have man and van!"
Her phone rang straight away and she picked it up, she could almost hear him smiling down the phone.
"Where are you moving to" he said, "Do you need an extra pair of hands with the lifting?"
"Peanut and his girlfriend Laura are helping but there is some heavy stuff to come in so an extra pair of strong hands would be great"
"Where and what day?" he said softly
"This Friday" She gave him the address in Cheltenham and told him that Peanut thought that they should all be there by 11.
"I'll be there" he grinned as he lay back down on his bed in Bath, at least she was a bit closer when he was in Bath. Rebecca, her new husband and Sam were back from their holiday, Sam apparently had taken it quite badly that he was going to be a big brother at his age. So, he was staying with his parents and had taken Sam out a few times to talk to him and explain what an important role he would have.
OG
"You asked him then?" and she jumped, she hadn't realised that Peanut had come into the living room and heard the conversation.
"Cor you nearly gave me a Julius" holding her hand against her chest, her heart racing "Yeah well I ain't gonna be a lot of use with lifting and neither is Jackson, Spanner has gone away with his wife for the weekend and the Boss is up in Catterick for some reason."
"You forgot Dyno" he laughed "Look Molls, Spanner and Jackson both said he did well out in Afghan, they were impressed with how he has obviously worked hard and responded to the treatment for PTSD. Spanner thought that the old spark was back between you two" he grinned broadly "He was an alright bloke and if he makes you happy then I don't have a problem. I can always threaten him if you like?" he laughed
"Nah you're alright Peanut, me Nan already did that" both of them bursting into laughter "Told him she could make him disappear!"
"You sure she don't want to join our lot and take care of the interrogation side?" still laughing "You know what Bones said, you can't change the past just accept it and learn from it" he walked up to Molly and put his hand on her shoulder getting more serious "From what Spanner said he regrets what happened more than anything in the world, thought he wouldn't mind if you and he got back together, even if you are a goby mare at times"
"Oi do you mind" she tried to laugh "I'm not the same person I was, he might realise that and not want to?"
"True but somehow I don't think so" he nodded "What you can't do Moll is give him false hope if you are not sure."
"I do miss him even more now the man I fell in love with is back."
"Then take it slow, see what happens" he patted her arm "So shall we crack open a beer and see what's on telly?"
OG
On the day of the big move, Charles as always, arrived at Molly's new flat in Cheltenham promptly. He was dressed casually in jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket. It may be the beginning of September and still warm but they had not long been back from Afghan where it was exceptionally hot. He looked up at the imposing façade of the house and in some ways it reminded him of Royal Crescent. He couldn't help but smile at that. Molly had always been in awe of that house, even though she didn't like the staircase, that she thought people fell down. Funny how he always remembered those first tour things she said.
He saw the van pull up behind him with Peanut driving a girl he didn't know next to him and Molly by the passenger door. He got out and walked towards the van just as Peanut got out.
"Hello Charles, nice to see you out of uniform after all this time" grinned Peanut and put out his hand which Charles shook "You too Peanut" returning the smile.
"This is Laura my girlfriend, Laura Captain Charles James" he said on introducing each other "and of course you know our Molls."
"Nice to meet you Laura" he smiled and shook her hand before turning to Molly, his face lighting up into one of his beaming grins.
Laura looked at the pair of them grinning at each other and just knew that there wasn't just history between them but a whole load of chemistry too. She would definitely have to ask Peanut about this when they had a moment together. He really did have a lovely smile.
OG
Molly opened her new front door, while Peanut opened the back of the van. Laura followed Molly into the flat and was given a guided tour.
"I love it Molly, it really is a good size flat, even with everything we have brought it could still look a bit empty."
While the two men were huffing and puffing and making quite a bit of fuss taking up the first of the beds the girls found the boxes marked Kitchen so they could at least make a cuppa. She didn't have a coffee machine so Charles would have to put up with instant. She thought that she'd have to buy one but then thought she was getting ahead of herself and dismissed the idea.
There were some significant banging coming from upstairs and some very flowery language from both Peanut and Charles.
"What the fuck possessed her to get a flat with ceilings designed for a bloody midget"
"She is a bloody midget" Both Laura and Molly trying to giggle quietly in the kitchen thought it best to stay out the way and only offer refreshments once they got the second bed up there.
"Perhaps we should see if there is a coffee shop or bakery and get some croissants or something for them" laughed Laura.
By early afternoon everything was in the flat. It may not be unpacked yet but at least it was all in and in the right rooms.
"Shall we go for a walk?" asked Molly "See if we can find a pub or restaurant my treat for helping me today."
"No thanks Moll" said Peanut "We should get back, we still got to get this van back to Jackson's brother."
"You could stay over and do it tomorrow." replied Molly.
"What and smash my head open if I get up in the night for a piss" Peanut snorted.
"Look we can come down again and help get some more things for this flat" said Laura giggling "Or if he doesn't want to I can come down and we can go shopping."
"Love to Laura" she beamed "Leave it a couple of weeks though as I really should get up to London sometime next week, I still haven't been back to see me parents yet."
"Right then Moll, we'll head off home and see you soon" he said giving her a quick peck on the cheek and walking towards the door, Laura following him and would definitely be having a chat on the way home about why he wanted to get away when they didn't need to. She had also seen the furtive looks between both Charles and Molly and wanted to find out what that was about.
"Thanks for all the help Charles" he said, "don't think I would have been able to do that all on my own if you hadn't volunteered" he beamed "Maybe we'll see you again soon then?"
"Yes, that would be nice, it's certainly been a while" Charles replied smiling as both him and Molly stood at the door waving them off.
"So, what do you think then, it's nice ain't it?"
"Well it is down here, nice high ceilings" he threw his head back laughing before pulling his curls back from his forehead, leaning down towards her "Do you think I need a medic?" showing her a small bruise on his forehead..
"I think you'll live" she replied laughing "Do you wanna go for a walk, see what's around here, maybe we could get a takeaway and a bottle of something?"
"I wasn't sure how long this might take so I booked myself into the Holiday Inn, so I wouldn't mind checking in and having a quick shower and change first."
"You can have the spare room if you want" she said tentatively.
"What and smash my head open" he grinned showing her his bruise again.
"Stop taking the piss the ceilings aren't that low" she giggled "Or you can sleep down here on the sofa if you're that worried" she shrugged "but you can go to the hotel if you would rather."
"I'll get my stuff out the boot" he grinned "Can I have a shower first before we go out?"
"Course you can, I won't even charge you!"
OG
He came back down and had changed into chino's and shirt. Molly had also showered, changed and had released her hair from its tight ponytail. As he opened the front door for her to go out he told her he thought it was a lovely flat.
"My first ever home" she beamed at him and his face dropped a little as he closed the front door.
"What about the house we had in Aldershot, did you never think of that as home?"
"Well yeah" she said as they started walking down the street "but this is the first one I've 'ad all to myself, where I've chosen it and all the stuff in it" she looked up beaming at him, her eyes alight with excitement "The only thing I have to share is the garden, so I hope the neighbours are nice."
It suddenly hit him right between the eyes, when he had met her on that first tour, it was her army training that took her away from home for the first time and that tour her first trip abroad, when she finally agreed to live with him and then marry him, she moved into his home with his things. While he knew they were happy in those early days, they talked, laughed and did things together if they were both home, maybe they had missed out on doing some of the important things couples do together like setting up a new home.
At the end of Molly's road, they found a nice hotel which had a Spa and Health Club. She thought she might join and just on from that was a lovely park with a lake which she said would be good for her running and getting her fitness back up.
As it turned out she was quite close to the centre and they found a Waitrose and did some of the basic shopping. Just along from there they passed a small French Bistro and Charles asked if she would like to have dinner there, it was after all walking distance from her flat.
They wandered back to her flat to put the shopping away before venturing out to the French Restaurant that Charles had booked for dinner.
"What made you pick Cheltenham as a place to live" he asked as they were walking to the restaurant later.
"Well it was in the middle, I thought I could get to Brize or Hereford from here" she sighed "Not sure of public transport yet though, expect it's shit in comparison to London?"
"Why not have a word with Blue, see if he can get driving as part of your job spec and learn through the army?"
"Do you think I could?" she grinned up at him as they walked
"He's your CO, and if you learnt to drive maybe you wouldn't keep being put in the back of the truck, instead you could drive it and he could be the one that stands up as a fucking distraction and target."
Molly burst out laughing. "Not sure it would have the same effect" and linked her arm through his "That still pisses you off don't it?"
"Can't say I want to have to see something like that again, no" he looked down smiling and put his hand over hers that was on his arm. They arrived at the restaurant and were seated each given a menu. Both opting for Scallops for starter, and her with Sea Bass main and him a Fillet Steak with peppercorn sauce.
"Good choice Charles, its lovely ain't it?"
"What the food or the restaurant?" he grinned
"Both, proper nice"
"So, did you enjoy being back on tour again" she asked as they were finishing off their dinner. The conversation had been light up until this point both of them laughing over Sam's antics about being a big brother, but she wanted to know how he was really, she thought he seemed to be back to the man he was but she had to ask.
"Mostly, apart from you still having the knack of scaring the shit out of me, even after all this time" he grinned "But yes Molly in answer to your question, I did like being back with the lads again. Although I think that Cheese might need bringing in line but on the whole they're a good bunch of lads"
"Not really lads anymore now" she grinned.
"Indeed, I suppose not" he looked thoughtful "That was my first tour since, Bangladesh" staring down into his wine glass.
"I know" she acknowledged quietly.
"I think doubts were starting to creep in before Elvis" he hesitated and raised his eyes to meet hers "In Nepal when those kids got taken by traffickers, the constant aftershocks from the earthquake..." he tailed off not sure how he wanted to continue "I couldn't believe we were being sent back to Afghan again then Elvis and his team turned up. At that moment I thought what has it all been for" she nodded not saying anything knowing he needed to say more but put her hand on his across the table. It gave him something to focus on as he looked at her hand on his.
"When he was blown from that roof and I heard Lane screaming for him it was as if something cracked, broke and nothing would ever be the same again."
"None of it was your fault though Charles, you could always have talked to me about it."
"At the time I thought it was my fault, the kids being taken, Elvis" he looked at her "they had made up and got engaged again. I was the Captain and it all went to shit."
"And now" she asked quietly, keeping her own counsel about blame "what do you think now" her own eyes locking on to his dark sad ones. He snorted a laugh "It has taken a lot of time and counselling to realise I couldn't have changed the outcome" he sighed "but I lost everything I ever wanted before I worked that out" At that moment the waitress asked if they would like a sweet or coffee. Both agreed just coffee.
"So, what next for Captain James?" she smiled "If you enjoyed being back, will you go on tour again?" he grinned "Well I have a meeting with Beck in a week. He thinks I should try for Major."
"Bleedin hell Charlie" she beamed at him "You gotta have a go" He put his hand on his neck tugging at the curls on the back of his head but beaming at her. Whenever she was animated about something, blind rage or the throws of an orgasm she always called him Charlie but she knew he preferred Charles. Elvis only did it to wind him up, so he knew she was happy for him.
"Well we will have to see" he shrugged "He hasn't had all the reports in yet."
"Well Spanner and Peanut say you did good."
"What about you?" he smirked
"You did good Charles" she beamed at him "Kept us safe in that cave and brought me chocolate" she giggled. "You should go for it."
"What about you, what does the future hold for you?" just as the waitress turned up again and asked if they wanted the bill, which he nodded yes to. Ever the gent he insisted on paying and they stood to leave.
"So, are you going to tell me?" he enquired as they were walking back to her flat her hand on his arm again.
"I like what I do now and Blue is encouraging me to go for Sergeant."
"You should" he answered "you don't see yourself going back to being a medic?"
"Maybe one day, but not yet" she said not looking at him "I want to prove that I can do this, that the faith people had in me was not unfounded."
They had arrived back at her flat and were now in the hall "Would that be Bones" she smiled up at him.
"It's late Charles and that's another conversation for another day" and gave him a peck on the cheek, "you know where everything is now so just help yourself. I'm knackered and need me bed."
They both started walking up the stairs, both tired from the long day and mellow from the dinner and wine. They were standing side by side on the landing when he put his hand behind her head and pulled her towards him, her hands coming up and onto his chest, his head dropped as his lips lightly touched hers, his tongue flicked across her bottom lip, it was seconds before the kiss had deepened and her hands came up and around his neck. One hand round her waist the other on the back of her head. He could feel that he was getting seriously aroused already and he didn't think he would be able to cover it up. They had to come up for air and her hands moved back down to his chest as if pushing him away.
"Goodnight Charles" he could see the flushed look on her neck and cheeks "see you in the morning."
"You too Molly, sleep tight" what the hell did he say that for, she wasn't Sam for fucks sake. He wanted nothing more than to lift her up, feel her legs around his waist and carry her to the bed he knew was in that room. They had both been drinking and it was too soon. He had let her down in the past and this had to be on her terms this time.
OG
Molly had a restless nights' sleep, thinking about that kiss and the feelings it had stirred in her. If only she knew but Charles also had a restless night. Both of them wishing they had the confidence to have taken last night a bit further, but neither sure if that is what the other wanted, if it wasn't just a bit too quick.
As soon as daylight streamed through her Dorma windows she was already awake, laying there knowing he was only in the next room. She showered, dressed and went downstairs to turn on the kettle for a cuppa. Her mouth was so dry as she stood waiting for the kettle still wondering why she hadn't just ripped his clothes off.
She was sitting at her breakfast bar drinking tea when he came into the room. As she looked at him she wondered why he never looked like shit in the morning because she certainly felt like it. He sat down at the breakfast bar with one of those knicker melting grins on his face.
"I guess its instant coffee and coco pops for breakfast?"
"Well you can have toast and marmite if you like or there is always Nutella?"
"Nope Coco pops will do nicely thank you" he smirked as she was getting a bowl for him, she knew he hated marmite and who actually ate chocolate for breakfast.
"So, when are you thinking of going to London then?" he asked
"Couple of days" she answered taking a sip of her tea "Wanna see the neighbours and have a good look around before I head off again."
"Let me know and I can take you" he smiled "after I drop you off I could go to Regent Street to stock up on some more coffee."
"I thought they stopped making Rosabaya?"
"They did, it's not the same but Colombia is pretty close."
"Still a coffee snob then" she giggled "You sure about taking me, what about Sam and your parents?"
"Sam will be fine. You're right he needs to learn that he will have to share with his little brother or sister" he sniggered "I have a meeting with Colonel Beck in Aldershot on Thursday morning but before or after that I could pick you up and take you."
"You sure you don't mind" she asked, "we could go up Friday morning if it's OK with you?"
"Perfect" he grinned "I can drop you off, find a Travel Lodge to stay over, run some errands and perhaps we could go out on another date on Saturday?" he smiled hopefully. She couldn't help but grin "You just wanna get your bleedin' coffee don't ya?" she laughed "you gonna run the gauntlet with me Nan, you're brave"
"I'm going to have to face them all sometime aren't I Molly?" he snorted a laugh "may as well be sooner rather than later."
"Bit previous aren't ya?"
"No, it's chemistry. I hope you'll forgive me and they will too" he said grabbing her hand and stroking her knuckles with his thumb grinning at her, a conversation from long ago creeping into both their minds.
OG
He went back to Bath that morning. He couldn't stop smiling when he got home, his mum Sylvia noticed that it was the happiest she had seen him in years.
"So, what is her flat like?" she asked him while making him a coffee.
"Built for a short arse" he grinned and showed her his bruise and like Molly told him he would live. He threw his head back laughing "I suppose I shouldn't have expected sympathy from you either."
"No, you shouldn't" she smiled at her son and slapping his arm "but I do want to know how you got on, how Molly is?"
"Would have thought you already knew Mum" raising his eyebrows "You're the one that meets up with Belinda and Nan" She did have the decency to colour up and drop her eyes, she did meet them for coffee if she went to London, she hadn't made it a secret as such but hadn't really told him about it either, just never mentioned it.
"Well I miss her too, you know" she lamented "You look OK, Nan thought she might have gotten herself a new pair of earrings" putting a grin on her face that was so like his.
"What?"
"Nothing" she smirked at him. "Are you taking her to London at the end of the week?"
"Seems you have been talking with Nan quite recently then Mum" looking her squarely in the eye, her own eyes dropping to her hands at the intense stare.
"Well you didn't come home last night, we had a bit of a chat" trying to look like she was being chastised. "She thought Molly might have done you in!"
"Well she didn't" he huffed "We went out for dinner and it was late so I stayed over in her spare room. Now does that answer all of your questions Mum?"
"Yes dear" and her smile just got wider. She would have to let Nan know when he was out of the way.
OG
It was Wednesday and he was driving back to his flat in Aldershot. It had been a fraught couple of days. His Mum constantly giving him these little looks and grinning like she was demented or something. Sam still being a pain about how embarrassing it was that his mother was pregnant at her age. While he had a vague recollection of not wanting to think about his parents having sex, he did think that Sam was a little young to be making such a fuss about it. He wondered how Sam would feel if he got back with Molly and they had a baby.
"Don't even go there" he told himself. While she was being quite friendly to him she had given no indication that they would get back together. Even if they did she clearly enjoyed her job and wasn't going to give that up soon.
He had just got out the car and collected his bags from the boot when he saw Dangles running past. When he thought of him on that first tour he never would have put him as one of the ones that would keep their fitness up while on leave and he couldn't help but grin.
Dangles stopped and started running on the spot smiling at him "Hello Sir, just back from Bath?"
"Indeed Dangles" he answered "Good to see you keeping your fitness up"
"Molly settle in OK in her new flat?" and Charles raised his eyebrows in question "Molly sent a text to Jacs saying you were helping with Peanut" grinned Dangles "Thanks Boss, saved me having to drive down there with Jac and help."
"Yes Dangles, she's settled in nicely. We managed to get it all done in a day" he grinned.
"Nice flat though isn't it Boss, suits our Molls doesn't it" his grin just got wider as a gust of wind blew and he spotted a bruise on Charles forehead and pointed at it.
Charles threw his head back in laughter "You could say that Dangles" his hand going up to the yellowing bruise "Definitely built for a short arse."
Dangles waved as he set off again on his run and Charles punched in the code to get into the lobby of his apartment block.