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Chapter 34

Mission Nonna

0940 – Hereford, UK

"Georgie!! Luv, what a surprise!" Grace said wide-eyed seeing her daughter and son-in-law smiling back at her.

"Hi mum! Are you alone?" Georgie asked.

"Of course I am. Your father's at work and your sisters are gone for the day. It's just me pottering on in this house alone. How are things going?"

The couple looked at each other. "Well….I had my sonogram mum!" Georgie said with a huge grin.

"Oh Georgie! Oh, do you know?! Do ya know what you're having luv?" Grace gushed happily. Georgie was almost trembling with excitement.

"A boy! We're having a little boy mum!"

"Ohhhh your father is gonna bust his buttons after three girls!" Grace squealed. "Elvis I reckon you are thrilled to bits!"

He laughed out loud. "I am Grace." Elvis felt like the happiest man alive. There was a time when the Lanes doubted him, liked him, then hated him. Now they loved him. Georgie was happy and that made everything well in his world.

"Oh you two! I am just sooo excited! Awww Georgie now I can go shopping. I saw the cutest things in Lesters the other day." Grace said pleased as punch.

"Mum. What were ya doin there?" Georgie chided mischievously.

"Planning to spoil my grandchild that's what. You'll need furniture for the nursery."

"That's true. But the delivery mum!"

"Not to worry luv." Grace said beaming. "Do you have any names picked out yet?"

"No. Not yet…we….."

"It's the hardest part I think." Grace said. "You weren't fancying Elvis Junior were ya?"

"Mum!" Georgie said tightly.

"Now 'at ya mention it Grace, It has a proper ring to it." Elvis said rubbing a hand over his chin.

Grace's eyes widened. "Of course ya weren't, you're so funny Elvis."

"I don't know….wha' ya think Georgie?" He said.

She poked him. "We have not decided yet mum."

"Oh your dad can take him fishing!" Grace said her genuine smile was contagious.

"Yeah mum, he will." Georgie said smiling, then noticed a technician entering the waiting area.

"Mum, I'm sorry, we got to go. They may be calling me for bloods." Georgie said, blowing a kiss. "I'll talk to you later."

"OK. You two take care. Love you both….and our grandson!"

"Bye Grace. Love to all."

Georgie waited impatiently to hear her name called by the technician, but it turned out she was not the patient they were searching for. "Shit! False alarm. It wasn't me they were hunting for."

Elvis looked at his watch. 1000 hours. "They must be behind." He said.

"Godfrey knew you needed this time, yeah?"

"Affirmative. Don't worry. I'll send Marco a text so he's not wonderin wha's taken so long. Then we'll ring my mum."

"OK. I wish I could have told my mum where I was goin." Georgie said, picking at her nails.

Elvis abruptly stopped texting. "Can't do it George. We already talked about 'at." He said looking at her pointedly. "Listen in, only a few of my family in Hoddesdon know. My mum does not know and believe me 'at's no small accomplishment." She returned his gaze. "Nonna is tucked away in her own home with my Uncle Rocco. They are nonexistent to the army."

"Your sister knows."

"Yes. Elena knows because she helps Nonna since my aunt passed. She needs a little help now and then. For now, Marco and Geno will be staying there as well."

"Will Manny be there?" Georgie asked, hoping it would be so.

"Marco never goes anywhere without that dog." Elvis chuckled. "Added security to be sure."

"Ya say Nonna is unknown and so she is safe, but I'm worried about her being involved." Georgie said.

"Really? You 'ave never seen my Nonna with a rolling pin in her hand when she is fuckin miffed!" Elvis laughed.

Xxxxx

1005 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK

"What do you know?" Pettigrew said as he answered his mobile. He looked around and continued walking.

"They went to hospital." Evans replied.

"Hospital? What the fuck for?"

"How in hell would I know? She's pregnant. Perhaps something happened. Harte carried baggage in with them."

"And where are they now?"

"Still in there."

Pettigrew chuckled. "Interesting. Good to know. I am headed back to my office. You are going to sit tight?"

"Yes. But they best get on here, I have a Joint Officer's meeting 1130 hours." Evans said.

"You are on surveillance now!" Pettigrew said.

"Might I remind you who is the senior officer here?!"

"Under the circumstances that does not mean shit to me Brad. This is about us, you and me and Adam."

"Adam is out of the mix now isn't he?" Evans barked.

"Just keep your eyes on Harte!" Pettigrew snapped back.

Brad Evans ended the call and snarled. "I am sick of your shit!" His eyes squinted at the hospital entrance…still no sign of Harte.

Xxxxx

1015 – Hereford, UK

"Ciao Mamma!" Elvis said robustly as Guilia Harte came to life on the screen.

"Elvis! So good to see you son, and Georgie!" She said peering closely at their images. "How have you been?"

"Bene mamma! We could not be better." Elvis said smiling.

"Hi Guilia!" Georgie said, happily waving her hand.

"Ma, I know Papa is workin but we've got somethin important to tell ya."

Guilia's eyes darted between the two. "What is it?"

"I had my follow-up sonogram today!" Georgie said excitedly.

"Yes?! You know don't you?! Oh tell me! Ragazzo or ragazza ?!"

"Ragazzo mamma! We are 'avin a boy!" Elvis blurted happily.

"Ahhhhhh! Meraviglioso! Wonderful!" Guilia cheered. "Oh I wish your papa was here! Oh Elvis have you told Laura or Nonna?"

"Nah. We just found out ma. Laura is still on holiday with Deb's parents."

"That's right…..the honeymoon. I forgot it was a long one." She said. Georgie looked at Elvis and her gut wrenched. Would Pettigrew try to go after Laura? "It will be a surprise for her, she was anticipating a baby sister." Guilia went on.

Elvis laughed. "I know, but she'll deal with it." He wondered why Georgie looked pensive all of a sudden and gave her a questioning look.

"Will you tell Nonna or do you want me to?" Guilia asked.

"No…no….we'll tell her." Elvis said.

"Ok, Ok…..she will be so thrilled! Georgie you will have the best son if he is anything like Elvis." Guilia said proudly.

Georgie smiled warmly. "Oh I am counting on it." She said. Elvis' chest swelled and that made her smile even broader.

"You need to move closer." Guilia ordered.

"Uh ma, 'at ain't gonna 'appen." Elvis said, evidently accustomed to this request.

"You think about it."

"Can't do it ma, 'at's it."

"Then you had best call more often so I can at least see my grandson!"

"We'll do our best." Georgie said.

"Listen ma, they're gonna be callin Georgie for some bloods." Elvis said.

"Bloods? Is everything alright?"

"Yes. Just routine Guilia." Georgie said.

"Ok, good. You call me Elvis!"

"I will ma. Love you, give our love to papa."

"I will. Love you both. Take care of your little blessing." Guilia said tossing kisses to them.

"Ciao ma!" Elvis chuckled as he ended the call then looked at Georgie. He wondered why she had tensed up during the call. "Wha's goin on?"

"With what?" She answered surprised.

"You. Why were ya lookin at me funny earlier?"

She sighed. "What about Laura? Do you reckon Pettigrew will try to go after her?"

Elvis stared at her. "He might try, but she's safe. She is out of the country for another week."

"Jeez, she travels more than I do and I'm in the military." Georgie quipped.

"Yeah, well, you've since been grounded not goin on tour anymore. Look, nobody knows the ins and outs of what goes on with Laura. I 'ave kept that part of my life private. They would not know about Reggie and the new home in London or the marriage or any of 'at."

"Alright, if you're comfortable then I'm comfortable." Georgie said, trying to convince herself.

"Good. I know this is for shit George, but please try to relax."

"I am trying." She said rubbing her palms together. She looked at her watch. Elvis massaged a hand over her upper back.

"At least the wait is keepin us together a little longer." He said.

She looked at him, then leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "That's true."

"I'm gonna miss ya." He whispered in her ear and rested his head against hers.

"Could we just stay like this…make it all go away?" She said softly.

"I am workin on it." He said, rubbing his head against hers.

"Georgie Harte!"

"Oh that's me! Be right back."

"Ok." Elvis looked at his watch 1045 hours. He texted Marco with another update then rang Spanner. "Mate, any shit goin down on yer end?"

"Negative boss. We have eyes on Pettigrew. He is on base. Presently in his office." Spanner replied.

"Yeah, well Spunks texted me earlier. Evans followed us 'ere. Got his arse planted in the car park, waitin my departure most likely."

"We got ya covered boss."

"Roger. Nothin unusual with Toni?"

"Negative. She has a meet up scheduled with the prosecutor this afternoon."

"Copy. I should be back within the hour." Elvis said keeping an eye out for Georgie.

"So boss…what news do ya have?" Spanner asked coaxingly.

"Classified response of course." Elvis said.

"Acknowledge."

"Uncle Spans, I can't wait for ya to meet your ….nephew!" Elvis said with a laugh.

"Really!? A boy? That's awesome Elvis!"

"Yeah. I am fuckin chuffed I won't lie. Georgie is pleased as well."

"Give her our best." Spanner said.

"Roger. Ok mate, gotta go. Out." Elvis ended the call as he saw Georgie leaving the draw station.

"Well, I am all plastered up here." She said pressing down on the edges of the adhesives.

It was time. Elvis stood. "Are ya ready? Need to go to the loo or 'at?"

"Nope. Took care of it thank you." She said, suddenly feeling awkward, knowing the plan had to move forward. "I wish you were by bodyguard."

"I am. It will just be by extension for a bit."

Her cheeks puffed as she blew out a dejected sigh, then mustered her military exterior. "I'm going out the through the delivery bay, yeah?"

Elvis nodded and smiled grimly. "Will look like any other delivery vehicle movin in and out."

"So I am being transported in Marco's red fiesta?"

Elvis laughed. "Fuck no! "At car screams Marco! Need somethin a bit more sedate."

She studied him for a moment. "You have this all planned out." She said.

"It's wha' I do George." He said sincerely.

"Yeah." She said with a smile. He would always be an SAS commander. She sucked in a deep breath and swiped a cheek.

"Heyyyyy, come 'ere." Elvis said pulling her to him and resting his hands at the small of her back. Their fronts could not touch as they used to and he glanced down at her bump and smiled. "Come on, you're gonna get me goin in a minute." He said fingering the streak on her cheek. "You will be in good hands. Geno has the back of the van all set up for ya." He said. She nodded and smiled. "You 'ave the comms set up I gave ya?"

"Yes. I am fully equipped to reconn with ya if need be."

"Good." He kissed her forehead. Her hand slid from his forearm all the way down to a hand as he moved away to gather her belongings. He adjusted his comms transmitter and cable, fitting the ear piece securely into place. Her eyes bore into him. This is what he does best. Elvis turned and looked at her. "Evans followed us 'ere. Once you are safely gone I will exit to the car park and return to the Garrison. Evans will assume you were admitted."

"Understood." Georgie said calmly, confidently.

Elvis gazed at her. He felt that familiar feeling in his chest. The one he felt when she had first captured his heart. A smile crept across his lips. She was his army girl. For as much as he would worry about her, he knew she was a solid soldier. "Let's move." He said. They began to walk side by side. He lifted a hand and engaged the voice piece on his comms.

"Hello this is echo one. Movin out. All call signs copy over." Spunky, Marco and Geno responded. Georgie looked up at her husband. Peters was right. Pettigrew is a target to Elvis and the mission had just gone live.