Good day everyone!

We have made it through another

week - Hope all are well and safe!

Thank you dear readers -

Please enjoy! x

Chapter 16

The Bonds of Love

Part Two

1930 – Hereford, UK

Elvis sported a lop-sided grin when he reached the kitchen counter. Their dinner plates were there but Georgie had not reheated them as yet. He found the knife she had left behind and the rough-chopped broccoli. As he secured a pot from the cupboard his mobile rang and he scooted into the lounge to retrieve it.

"Harte." He answered briskly.

"Boss! It's Toni."

"Yeah Toni, wha's up?"

"I have decided to stay on base, at least for now sir."

"Good. At's your call but ya know we 'ave your back." Elvis said beginning to pace about.

"Yes. Sir."

"We will 'ave eyes on ya at all times so not to worry."

"Understood sir, but I can hold my own now."

"Indeed, but ya need to alert us before it comes to 'at. Wait out. Unless he lays hands on ya. Read me?"

"Yes sir."

"You will 'ave no contact with the recruits. You are assigned strictly to badged SF personnel. If recruit Jones 'appens to discover you work 'ere and attempts contact with ya, He will be opening the door to his own dismissal. There will be a briefing early mornin and ya will be advised of any updates. Anythin else on yer mind?"

"No boss…..It has been a shit day, but…..thank you….thank you sir."

"You are a good soldier Blythe. Never let anyone make ya think otherwise."

"Roger that."

"Get some rest."

"Goodnight sir."

Elvis ended the call but paced a little longer. He checked for any updated emails on his mobile, then shoved the device into his pocket. Georgie did not seem to be ready to make an appearance anytime soon so he padded back into the kitchen to potter about preparing their dinner. As he rinsed the broccoli he became introspective watching the tap water swirl into the drain. He thought about Georgie and what she had endured in Kenya at the hands of Abu. He could not be certain if Georgie and Toni ever shared their experiences but there was no question that they were both resilient women.

He picked at a piece of meat, then another as he nibbled his way through the reheat. Before he put the broccoli on to steam he decided to check on Georgie. The flat was just a bit too quiet. He tapped his knuckles against the bedroom door, then opened it and quickly paused. There she was, curled up on the bed sound asleep. She had put on one of his old sweatshirts that she loved to sleep in and it had fallen loosely from her shoulder. The sight of her was absolutely priceless to him. He watched her breathing, slowly, contentedly, and he felt the pressures of his day begin to melt away. Elvis carefully approached, pulled the duvet up and over her, then gently stroked her hear with the back of his hand. "You are the woman of my dreams…" He murmured quietly, his heart was so full of love for Georgie. He never felt complete without her and now, they would soon be welcoming a child of their love into the world. He scowled for causing her stress and reminded himself that he has a duty to Georgie before anything or anyone else. Elvis kissed his wedding band and gazed at her again before turning away to leave her be. He was practically through the doorway when he heard…..

"Elvis…."

Her sleepy voice tugged at him and he turned to see her looking up and beckoning him with an outstretched hand. He smiled and went to her. As he sat down he took her hand and kissed it.

"I must have dozed off." She said yawning and positioning herself upright.

"Want room service?" He asked.

"Noooo…"

"Ya sure?"

She gave him a dubious look.

"Ya want room service." He chuckled.

"Well,,,if you're gonna offer…."

"I insist." He said. "Just stay awake long enough for me to go fetch it eh?"

She giggled and blew out a prolonged sigh, patting down the duvet around her legs. That caught Elvis' attention.

"You OK?" He asked.

"Yeah." She answered and gave him a double take when she noticed he was looking at her intently. "What?"

"Did ya sleep last night?"

"Of course I did. What's the problem?"

He shrugged. "Ya seem exhausted. Just checkin."

She could not deny that. "I am knackered. After we eat it's lights out." She said not wanting to get Elvis riled up about how the pregnancy was coming along. She felt fine. Really. She was fatigued on a regular basis and expected that. At least the morning sickness was beginning to lessen. Three months on now and she would be due for her second sonogram in a few weeks. They were watching her closely and she was anxious to make certain the baby was developing normally. She could not feel any movement as yet and often would find herself absentmindedly rubbing her tummy as if to stimulate something. Elvis noticed her doing just that now and approached her.

"Sure yer OK Georgie?"

The concern in his voice was evident and she attempted to temper his anxiety. "I am hun, just checkin if I got a pouch yet."

He relaxed and laughed. "Right. Be back in a bit."

"Listen, I can easily come to the kitchen." She said ready to toss the duvet back.

"Hold! Humor me George."

"That's easy." She muttered playfully.

He grinned and leaned down to kiss her. She loved his kisses and savored the taste of him as he left the room.

Xxxxx

2330

Georgie awoke and leisurely turned over, sprawling an arm across the mattress and startled when she met no resistance. Where was Elvis? Her eyes shot open. She propped herself on her arms and looked around. She was alone. She noticed a faint light shining under the bedroom door indicating he was probably in the lounge. She squinted at the clock, then tossed the bed covers away and crawled out. Her soft footfalls made their way to the door. She opened it just enough to spy her husband in his chair engrossed in something on his laptop. Fuck sake Elvis get some rest She thought to herself and opened the door wider to step out. He caught the movement and looked up.

"Heyyyyy, time for crew rest captain, yeah?" She said padding over and pulling an over-sized sleeve up to cover her bare shoulder.

He smiled and watched her step closer. "All in good time." He said as his smile grew warmer.

"So what is so important that you need to be looking at it at this hour?" She said approaching him from behind and leaning over to hug him, her hands splaying over his chest.

Elvis made no attempt to shield what he had been studying. She expected to see military memos or emails but when she glanced at the screen, she was shocked. "Elvis! What's this?"

"Well at the moment I'm lookin at semi's. Couldn't find a bungalow that suited our needs." He said leaning his head back to look up at her. She was thrilled!

"You're looking at properties for us?"

"Well I was thinkin with the baby comin and all….. we'll need more room."

"Seriously? Ya think we could make a move?" She said moving excitedly to squeeze in next to him on the over-stuffed chair.

"Absolutely. I wanted to surprise ya for your birthday, but hell, ya caught me." He said laughing. "'Appy birthday babe!" He said grinning from ear to ear, pleased that he obviously made her happy.

"Elvis this is wonderful!" She gushed. "I mean, I know we talked about eventually living in the country, but this would be a brilliant transition."

"You're OK with us takin a gander then?"

She looked at him and burst into a smile. "Yes!" She grabbed his face and kissed him. She pulled back to look at him then kissed him again. Her arms wrapped around his neck and they laughed between heartfelt kisses.