Chapter 46

Plans Begin to Hatch

1730 – Hereford, UK

"Oh Elvis there it is!" Georgie gasped as she could see the roof of the cottage peeking through the tree tops. The corners of his mouth curled into a loving smile. He was thrilled she was so happy. For all the times his heart sank when she told him she could never by happy with him again, this precious moment seemed to erase all of that. This was their lives moving forward. He could barely contain a grin as he pulled into the driveway…..their driveway. Georgie immediately had her seat belt unbuckled and began jingling the house keys like a mad woman. Then she began to sort through the various keys on the ring.

"Wonder which one is the main door…."

"This one." Elvis said reaching over and pinching said key between two fingers. "We'll be changing the locks anyway." he added. She grinned widely and flung the car door open. "Don't ya wanta wait for me?" he called out.

"Best shake a leg." she answered and slowly began to swing her feet out of the car. Elvis easily got out and reached her before she was ready to stand up. He extended a hand to help her. The baby bump slowed her movements down but not her enthusiasm. He placed a hand at the small of her back as she leaned up to kiss him. They walked side by side to the front door. Georgie looked up at him, eyes dancing with delight.

"Go on." he encouraged with a smile. She worked the key into the lock and grinned up at him the moment they both heard the click. "Allow me." Elvis said huskily. He pressed the latch and pushed the door open, then slowly bent down, wrapping his arms around her legs and middle, hoisting her off of her feet. Georgie gasped, then remembered his intention, and flung her arms around his neck, giggling happily. "We're home Mrs. Harte." he announced, stepping them both over the threshold. Georgie tightened her grasp and kissed his cheek, nuzzling her face against his shoulder. He spun them around and they kissed before he set her on her feet. "Let's get some windows open." he said as Georgie walked from the entryway to the lounge. She immediately noticed the wicker basket near the fireplace.

"Elvis!" she called out.

"Yeah?"

"Look." She put an arm around him as he came back to her and led them both to the mantel.

"Wow…who's it from?" he asked as she reached for the gift card.

"Congratulations on your new family home….Chloe." she read aloud.

"At was thoughtful." he said as she handed him the card.

"Awwwww, she left a stuffed bear for the baby." Georgie uttered with childlike tenderness, fingering the soft fur.

They both looked through the items nestled in the small basket. Including the fluffy bear there were also two small champagne glasses and a bottle of sparkling apple juice. "We can toast without the alcohol." Georgie said examining the bottle before handing it to Elvis.

"Let's toast in the garden." he said.

"Yeah! It's a beaut evening."

She picked up the two glasses and they walked through the patio doors. Elvis watched Georgie's face light up as her eyes darted all over the landscape. Despite the overgrowth it was still a beautiful garden with so much potential, something they were both excited about. A stone birdbath was sat amongst some bushes and Georgie spied two birds flitting around the rim.

"Look!" she said grasping Elvis' arm, pointing at her discovery.

"We 'ave guests." he noted softly.

"We could put up some bird houses." she said.

Elvis popped the plastic topper from the juice. "Yeah, reckon we could do 'at." he agreed looking around. They both grinned as he poured the sparkling beverage. Georgie brought the glass to her lips, the effervescence tickled her nose.

"To new beginnings!" Elvis toasted.

"Cheers!" Georgie said. They sipped at the drink then he leaned down to kiss her. Her eyes glowed with joy as she gazed back at him.

"We can get started tomorrow. Geno and Marco will get the nursery done. Then start paintin some other rooms." he said swiping his lips with a finger.

"I am gonna need to start packin!" she said as the enormity of it all began to sink in.

"Maybe your mum can help with 'at straight away. We'll need to get boxes." he said pouring them each more apple juice.

"Would you believe Peters stored up quite a collection for me whilst I was away." she said.

"Serious?"

"Yeah. All the empty supply boxes and bubble wrap."

"To Peters!" Elvis said tapping his glass against Georgie's.

A familiar tune broke the moment and Georgie reached into her back pocket for her mobile.

"Oooh….it's my mum. Helloooo?!"

"Georgie! I got a train that should reach Hereford by 6 PM tomorrow. I hope that will be alright!?"

Elvis smiled and nodded approvingly. He could hear Grace's voice loud and clear coming across the phone.

"That's perfect mum!" Georgie said ginning at Elvis. "We're at the cottage now, planning for tomorrow. Elvis' cousins will be working all day so maybe you could help me start packing stuff."

"We can bring the boxes home tomorrow." Elvis interjected with a sharp whisper. Georgie nodded.

"We have loads of help mum and it is going to be so much fun!"

"Elvis' mum is comin, yeah?" Grace asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah. We should be hearing from her shortly."

"Do I need to rent a trailer?" Elvis yelled out cheekily. Georgie tried to shush him.

"You'll have room." Grace shouted back over the phone. The couple laughed.

The Harte family home was beginning to take shape….

Xxxxx

..the following day….

1820 – Hereford, UK

"Elvis! Elvis lad!" Grace Lane called out as she saw his hand waving. As expected, she had a large baggage trolley packed with luggage and boxes. Elvis mentally calculated how he would get everything into his car. Maybe he should have gotten that trailer after all.

"Hi Grace." he said taking her in an embrace and kissing each of her cheeks. She laughed and patted his face, still not quite used to his easy affection since they became family. "Good trip?" he asked pushing the trolley as they went.

"Was not bad. I had a chance to catch up on a book I've been reading."

"Good."

Grace smiled, still somewhat unnerved by his reserved conversation habits. It took Elvis a good ten minutes to fill the boot and back seat of the car with everything Grace had brought with her. Even she had a moment's doubt he would accomplish the task and chewed on her lips as he finally worked the last box inside.

"Ya got enough room 'ere Grace?" Elvis quipped as she settled into the passenger seat, pleased as punch.

"Yeah. I do, yeah. You have a nice car Elvis. Very clean." she said, running a hand across the dashboard, noting there was no dust.

He watched her with amused eyes. "Thank you."

"So I wanted to talk to ya about what the girls and I are planning." she said rubbing her hands together.

Elvis sported a wry smile. Georgie displayed similar behavior when she was hatching a plan.

"Go on." he said.

"I reckon with everyone apart and Georgie close to delivery, it would be nice to have a baby do whilst we're all here in Hereford."

Elvis lifted his brow. It was a smashing plan. "At's a great idea Grace."

"I am so glad ya agree. I have a list." she said beaming, ready to get started.

"Who ya 'ave listed?"

Grace was enthralled. "Your mum, Marie, Lulu, your sister, your nan and Georgie's nan."

Elvis nodded with each revelation. "Ya might want to add two more." he said.

"Oh really….who else?" Grace was stunned she may have missed someone.

"Molly and Toni."

"Ohhhh, Molly! Yes. But who is Toni?"

"Toni Blythe. She's a member of the SAS Trainin Staff and a good mate."

"Then by all means. Can ya contact her?"

"Indeed. I'll send word to Molly as well." he said.

"Wonderful! Oh Elvis! I am so chuffed my girl is gonna have a baby!"

He smiled. "I am lovin it as well Grace."

She gave him a side long glance. "You're the reason for her happiness." she said.

"We are 'appy together and we really want this baby. He's a part of who we are and wha' we've been through."

Grace became silent and introspective. She never thought Georgie would ever be this happy with Elvis again. Now a part of her felt remorse for vilifying him. He is Georgie's one true love. She licked her dry lips and looked at her son-in-law. "I am happy for you both."

Xxxxx

Georgie paced around the flat anxious for her mum's arrival. Elvis had texted twenty minutes past that they were on the way. She had the boxes and bubble wrap all laid out and their china neatly lined up on the coffee table. She stared at the plates and cups, the lovely delicate pattern of flowers that bordered the pieces. Her nan gave them the set for their wedding gift. Georgie imagined setting a table with Nonna Sofia's beautiful lace tablecloth and her nan's china.

Xxxxx

"Any ideas for a venue Elvis?" Grace asked.

"For the do? Uh, ya got me 'ere Grace. Why not the cottage garden. Actually we should 'ave the cottage good to go in a week."

"Oh don't be silly. You're not even moved in yet."

"Won't take 'at long."

"Elvis you'll need movers!"

"We don't 'ave loads of stuff. My team can 'ave everythin sorted in short order. The nursery will be done tomorrow."

Grace's eyes widened. "Do ya reckon by the end of the week?"

"It is doable. My mum is comin tomorrow mornin. She'll be helpin with cleanin as well." He looked at Grace, who was staring at him with a dubious frown. "Gotta get the job done." he shrugged. His mother-in-law laughed then. She knew Elvis was accustomed to dishing out orders and expecting results. She pulled out her mobile and began to text Marie. Inwardly though, Elvis felt hell bent on keeping Georgie away from a public venue, especially with family and close friends in attendance. He still had that gnawing feeling deep in his gut that something was not quite right. His team knew how he felt and exercised caution right along with him. As each day rolled on uneventfully he felt more relaxed, but knew how deadly the element of surprise could be. That is why Jackson volunteered, unbeknownst to Georgie, to have his back and watch out for her whilst he brought Grace to the flat.

Grace was soundly absorbed in texting her plans and oblivious to Elvis' concerns. "OK then, Marie has the complete list of attendees."

Elvis smiled. "Sounds good Grace."

"Do ya reckon Sunday? Georgie would be off work. Everyone could get here Friday night or Saturday…."

"We will make it work." he said confidently. "We ain't rennovatin so it should be textbook."

"Your cousins are here?" Grace asked, clearly interested in how he was planning to pull this off.

"Two of 'em, yeah. Marco runs a flooring company and Geno works in construction. So we 'ave solid workers all around."

"Well Georgie is not gonna be doin a lot of work." she said.

The corners of Elvis' eyes crinkled. "She's not expected to, but I tell ya Grace, she will be in there, doin wa'ever she can. She is used to building pre-fabs ya know." he said proudly.

"Elvis Harte! She is expecting!"

"Well aware Grace, but she's not incapacitated. Georgie ain't gonna be sittin back with a tea cup and saucer whilst her home is bein sorted."

"That's the military comin out of your gob." Grace said with a huff.

"Nah. It's actually just me knowin my wife."

Grace's eyes rolled sideways at him. Elvis half smirked to himself, he was used to Grace's evils. "It will be fine." he said attempting to defuse the conversation.

"Oh bloody hell!" Grace burst out as she tugged at the seat belt crossing her chest. "You're right. Can't tell that girl anything once she's set her mind to something."

"Roger 'at! We 'ave our hands full there, eh Grace?" he playfully mocked.

"Oh dear God….the two of ya together!" she moaned, rolling her eyes up into her head.

Xxxxx

1900-

"Mum!" Oh it's so good to see ya! Georgie exclaimed as Grace rushed through the door, her arms extended wide to greet her daughter.

"Georgie! You are huge!! My word luv!"

Whilst Georgie leaned in for a partial hug, she looked up at Elvis stood in the doorway laden with as many bags and bits he could possibly carry at the moment. "Thanks mum." she said wryly. Elvis glared comically as he dropped everything onto the floor.

"Well…ya know what I meant! It's a good sign Georgie. No doubts that's a boy in the oven!" Grace said happily.

Elvis blew away the dark fringe that laced his lashes as Georgie eyeballed him. She grasped her mother's hands, pulling her further into the flat. "How was the trip?"

"Fine….just fine….Oh Elvis! Leave that one item be would ya luv?" Grace said with a wink.

He bent down to line up all of the incoming along the wall. "Roger. Will do."

"What's that mum?" Georgie asked looking between the two.

"Something for later dear."

"Well come on then. Let me get ya something to drink." Georgie said.

"Oh not just yet. I need the loo at the moment." Grace said hurrying in that direction.

Elvis laughed.

"What's funny?" Georgie asked with a puzzled chuckle.

"Like mother, like daughter."

"Shut up you! She probably didn't stop at the station."

"Just sayin." he said, dramatically holding his hands up defensively. "I get it."

"Is that everything?" she asked scanning the stacked items.

"Not yet. Just need to bring the rest of Manchester City Centre in." he joked, lacing his fingers together and boldly cracking his knuckles.

"Oh come on!"

"George, the fuckin back end of the car was draggin."

"You are so full of shit!" she laughed. "You've not even broken a sweat."

Elvis regally adjusted his posture. "Special Forces babe."

"Then get your Special Forces arse out there and finish the job." She sweetly said, patting his cheek. He threw his head back and laughed. "You know my mum only brought the essentials."

Elvis' eyes widened as though he would never be able to close them again. "Erm…yeah." he finally uttered. "I best crack on then."

Georgie chuckled and rested her hands on her bump, enjoying his cheekiness. "I love youuuuu!" She called out as he headed down the hall.

"Love you Georgieeeeeeee…." She heard him reply as his voice faded away out into the car park.