He woke the next morning, the usual nagging pain in his leg, much worse today. She was curled up perfectly, her head warm on his chest with her arm protectively across his torso. It was the best he'd slept in months, peaceful and dreamless. He stared down at her pretty face; she was perfect to him. Her dark eyelashes fanned across her slightly flushed cheeks from the warmth of their bodies.
He kissed the top of her head hoping this would be the first of many mornings that he'd wake up to her. Gingerly he attempted to wiggle the foot on his freshly re-injured leg, pain shooting through him causing him to flinch and wake her.
"Hey you," she stretched, her hand automatically reaching for his, as she leans up to kiss him "How is it?" She nods to the leg.
"Hmm I'm not too sure. I'll find out in a minute when I stand" he knew it wasn't going to be good.
Neither of them wanted to move from this bed, enjoying the warmth of each other "Did you sleep ok?" "Like a log" he watched her as she finally broke contact between them, she passed him his t-shirt even though she was more than enjoying the view "Coffee?"
"Please. I'll join you in a minute. Need some time to get going" She didn't know how to behave around him, she wanted to kiss him, wrap her arms around his neck and just be his but insecurity was getting the better of her.
"You stay right there until I get back, just in case" "You know Molly you'd make a fantastic Medic"
She laughed "you can piss right off, no way could I put up with you shouting at me" he laughed, somehow he believed that she'd be a feisty one.
"I'll come with you, if I can" he attempted to stand, his bad leg protesting at his weight "I can't"
"Right well, let's get you to A&E. Don't suppose you've got your crutches with you?"
"No I was trying not to rely on them, as per my physio's instruction. I'm really sorry; this is the last thing you need on a Sunday. And you've probably got work to do, I can go by myself" he looked like a little boy sitting there, definitely not a 20 something father of one, he melted her heart.
"Don't be silly. You're not a burden you know, I want to go with you, make sure you're alright and that" she put her hands on his shoulders and slid herself between his legs, laying his head on her stomach, he returned her affection, wrapping his arms around her waist, taking her in, hoping she'd stay.
Georgie knocked on the door "Sorry to interrupt, I wanted to see how you're doing Boss" she looked at his leg, smiling to herself at the position she'd caught them in "A&E for sure. Fuck me sick note how much longer you gonna leave me high and dry at work for?" She jokes but she knew that more time off work was the last thing he would want or needed. "I'll get Elvis to carry you"
"You will fucking not!" Molly laughed "Before I go anywhere, I need that coffee!"
-OG-
"Well, I think a moon boot and a fracture is getting off lightly don't you?" the decline of his mood was evident.
"Suppose" broody and grumpy Charles had once again made an appearance.
"It will be ok you know" she rubbed his back, his hands no longer free to hold as he hobbled on his crutches. He wanted more than anything to share her optimism, but it was another setback in a long line of setbacks in his recovery. They were already doubtful he'd ever return to service, now it was looking even worse "I'd best get back, I need to get my stuff together. Meant to be on the 5 o'clock train" the closeness that had grown between them seemed a distant memory. She was worried about him travelling to Bath alone, who would be home to take care of him? "Why don't you stay?"
He couldn't bring himself to look at her, he'd slipped right back into himself feeling sad and hopeless "I have to get back. And you have uni, I've taken up enough of your time."
She couldn't work out why he assumed he was burdening her. "Look, I don't really want you to travel all that way and I know your parents work away a lot, please stay" she fought back tears, the thought of him leaving was unbearable "I don't want you to go" he couldn't look at the pleading green eyes gazing at him, he wouldn't allow himself to be a chore for her.
She's become attached to a man that seemed to be emotionally unavailable, the contrast between last night and now was frightening. She didn't want to lose him.
"Tell me what's bothering you? I don't think it's as simple as a broken leg" He wanted to open up to her, to tell her he was scared she'd walk away like Rebecca did, that he was a shell of the man he used to be, depressed and struggling to move on from his trauma. She's been a light, but he didn't want to frighten her away with his emotional baggage, she'd already seen enough, done enough.
"I just don't want to frighten you away" his sigh indicated his mind was heavy.
"Let's go for lunch, If you're up to it?"
"One condition though?" he bargained, she rolled her eyes in anticipation for what he was about to say "You let me pay, as a thank you for being so good to me.
She rolled her eyes again, "you do realise that any decent human being would have done the same. Although maybe not the end bit" her eyes lit up at the memory of how close they'd been, she stood on her tip toes to reach his lips "I'm here because I want to be. Why can't you see that?" she kissed him "You don't have to feel like you owe me, you don't. So, I'm treating you to lunch, no arguments"
He wasn't used to people being so direct with him, Rebecca had always played mind games, he always had to guess with her. He hated that she was still inflicting her games on him even though they aren't together.
"Do you drive Molly?"
"I do but you're out of luck! I sold my car to pay for uni! Do you?"
"I do but not currently obviously. I haven't driven in nearly a year" "Well you just wait mate, once you're back driving I'll be hitting you up for some cab services" he laughed, her cheekiness was endearing to him, just being with her was already pulling him back from that dark place.
She picked an American style diner for lunch, not a place he would have even glanced sideways at normally unless he was with Sam, but he was glad she hadn't picked anywhere that she couldn't afford. She was tactile and attentive of him, something he hoped he was in return, but he was out of practice.
He leaned across the table to hold her hands, her shy smile infectious "So is this a date Molly?"
She giggled "You tell me?" Her pretty green eyes melted him.
"I'd very much like for it to be a date. I've wanted to take you out since the day I met you" she stroked her thumb across her knuckles.
"Well Ditto. Apart from when you was being a complete moody twat, then I thought you could go fuck yourself" he howled with laughter "No one could ever accuse you of hiding your feeling could they Molly?" "Nope. What you see is what you get I'm afraid" he nodded "I like that"
They flirted their way through milkshakes and burgers, neither of them wanting their first proper date to end. "So about this train then?" She was hoping she'd tempted him to stay.
"Seems I've missed it" he smirked as she giggled with delight.
"Looks like you'll be needing somewhere to kip then" "Well I didn't like to presume. I'm sure Georgie and Elvis will talk though" his handsome half smile had her aching for him.
"Let them!"
-OG-
"Where the fuck have you two been? I've been worried sick" they'd both been completely oblivious to Georgie's missed calls and text "Boss what did they say? Broken by the looks of it? Sit down!"
Georgie made him comfortable on the sofa, eyeing them both suspiciously "Right tell me about the leg then tell me what's going on between you two, I need to know" she giggled.
"It's broken Lane, simple as that."
Her face was full of sympathy "Ah Charlie. Have you told the Major? I'll fucking kill Smurf myself. You'll have to stay here you can't go back to that's empty house in this state."
Elvis was exhausted just listening to her "Jesus Georgie take a breath will you. Let the man settle down" Elvis slid onto the sofa next to his friend "You relax mate. But first tell us about you and Dawsey" laughter filled the room as he looked to her for reassurance.
"We're getting to know each other, in the I'm going to take her on a few dates capacity."
Georgie started clapping like a seal and squealing "Ah I'm so happy for you."
"Calm down Lane," he ordered, worried she was making him sound desperate, that couldn't be any further from the truth. He had waited for someone extraordinary, and he hoped he'd finally found her.
"I dunno about you lot but I'm knackered. I'm gonna lay down for a bit" he hobbled into the bedroom behind her "Are you sure you don't mind me staying?" His expression was coy.
"Of course, I don't numpty. Why don't you rest too" they settled onto the bed, Molly slotting into her space in the crook of his arm.
"Tell me about your life in London?" She laughed "It was shit! Why do you think I came here? Couldn't get away quick enough" he'd wanted to know more, more about her life and those in it. She'd known about his ex-wife and his son, but he knew barely anything about her.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" He kissed her head, taking in the floral smell of her hair.
"Just this, this feels like all I need" she snuggled into him "Feels like I've known you forever."
She run her fingers along his scars on his belly sending a tingle through his body "Is that a good thing?"
His tone was pensive "I think so. Don't you?"
"I do" He was overcome by how much he felt for her, it scared him. What if everything went wrong again? He didn't think he could go through that again; Rebecca had broken him.
She woke the next morning to an empty flat. She knew Georgie and Elvis were both working but where the hell was Charles? She pulled her phone from her bag to call him to find a text from him.
Charles: I'm so sorry Molly but I had to return to Bath today. You looked so peaceful it seemed a crime to wake you. Ring me when you're free x
She was fuming that he didn't see fit to say bye to her, as far as she knew he was staying, at least for the next few days. She didn't really have much to say to him right now.
He kept checking his phone screen to make sure he hadn't missed her message, still nothing. He hadn't slept a wink, he had to get out of there, clear his head and decide exactly what this was going to be between them. He hoped she'd take his word that he was needed back in Bath but by her lack of reply he assumed he'd fucked up, made the wrong decision. A call from Major Beck gave him the excuse he needed, he was furious about the latest injury.
He dialled her number nervously hoping to hear her voice.
"Hello"
"Molly! Good morning, did I wake you?"
He asked the question hoping he had, and she just hadn't seen his message yet.
"Nope. Just on my way to a lecture."
He was beginning to regret calling her, it was clear she didn't want to talk to him. "Molly I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye, I needed to get back. I've got to report for a medical because of this latest injury. Forgive me?"
"I s'pose so. How's it feeling?"
"It's very sore but I'll live. Have you ever been to Bath Molly?"
"Nah. Sounds a bit shit"
He chuckled at her cheekiness
"Would you like to join me this weekend? Maybe for a second date, please?"
He could tell she was smiling even if she didn't want him to know it.
"Maybe! I'll let you know. I've got to go now! I'll call you later."
"Very well. Have a lovely day! I miss you already."
"Hmm sure you do! Good luck."
She hung up on him! He wasn't sure if it was because she was still pissed off or she was playing hard to get. He stumbled through Bath Spa Station, his phone vibrating against his leg; he rolled his eyes at the anticipation of a text from Rebecca telling him to hurry up.
Molly: Charlie…
Charles: Yes Molly
Molly: Miss you X
-OG-
Rebecca had agreed to pick him up from the station "Oh for god sake Charles. What on earth have you done to yourself now?"
"Don't worry about it Rebecca, you never have before. What's this about Sam getting into trouble at school?" She had read him the riot act over Sam via text message at 6am.
"He's forever worried about his bloody father isn't he. If you're not where he can see you, he thinks you're in danger and looking at the state of you he's probably right" Charles felt guilty at the thought of his son fretting over him but as per usual with Rebecca he had to take everything she said with a pinch of salt.
"How long this time?" She flicked a finger towards his crutches "6 maybe 8 weeks, like I said don't worry about it" she rolled her eyes "Contrary to what you think of me Charles I don't like to see hurt. You need to leave the army and get back to the real world; all this toy soldier shit is doing you no good"
He didn't bother to respond to her instead staring out of the window of the car he'd bought her, she made him realise just how different her and Molly were, how lovely Molly had been to him. His stomach was full of butterflies in anticipation for the weekend if she'd come.
"Where to then? The bloody barracks I suppose?"
"Yes, the bloody barracks. In silence please your voice goes right through me."
Despite what Charles thought it did pain Rebecca to see him injured and struggling. He made his was across the car park at the barracks, he hadn't said what for, but she assumed something to do with this latest set-back. She's reluctantly agreed to wait for him, giving the fact he was coming to see Sam after anyway she thought she'd better for once in her life be of some kind of help to him. She'd never really fallen out of love with him. She just found it extremely difficult to live life as an officer's wife. When he'd come home injured and they told her it was possible he wouldn't make it she reacted the only way she knew how, she withdrew from the situation, barely visiting him, getting news only through his parents using Sam as the excuse not to go to the hospital where he spent months and months recovering.
The Smurf thing was probably the biggest mistake of her life, she didn't even fancy the silly bugger. He'd shown her a bit of attention at a section night out and in her lonely state she'd slept with him. He'd taken it way more seriously than she had, ringing and texting, turning up to their house. He got a bit obsessed, and it scared her. She was glad when he'd threatened to tell Charles, despite everything he was the only one who could ever make her feel safe. She thought he'd be able to pull a few strings and have Smurf sent away, but it wasn't as simple as that. He didn't forgive her like she hoped he would. She'd broken him, the captain that she married, was broken and it was because of her. She wasn't 100% sure of what happened on the bridge that day but obviously Smurf had used that moment to drop his bomb and it had got Charles shot, something she would never forgive herself for.
He'd been a shadow of his former self ever since, something she felt immensely guilty for, not that she'd ever show it. She continued to make life difficult for him because she didn't know how to behave around him, it was easier to be the wicked ex-wife than the ex-wife who regretted everything she'd done and just wanted her husband back. She'd never admit it out loud, but she would give anything for him to come home, so she could put right all her wrongs and look after him the way she should have done from the beginning. He'd been in there bloody ages and she was getting agitated, she thought about barging in there and asking what they were doing keeping an injured man from resting, but he'd only scold her for interfering. She hadn't realised he'd left his phone behind; he couldn't have either because he'd never leave that lying around for her to nose through. She'd been desperate to know if there had been anyone else since, she was sure there hadn't been because he spent all his time with Elvis. She tried several pass code guesses but gave up the ghost when she realised that none of their important dates we're his code anymore. She was about so slide it back down the seat when it started ringing, She'd never heard of a Dawsey before but presumed by the name that it was one of his squaddies, she answer the call and lifted the phone to her ear.
"Hey you," the voice that came through the phone was female and as she hadn't addressed him as boss, obviously wasn't a squaddie either.
"Oh hi. Sorry it's Rebecca. Charles is a little tied up right now. Can I pass on a message?"
Molly was absolutely mortified; the last thing she'd ever expect was for someone else to pick up his phone, a woman, that woman!
"Oh no it's alright. Well maybe if you could just tell him Molly called. Thank you. Bye"
She didn't wait for Rebecca to respond before she hung up. Her heart had grown three sizes in her chest and was threatening to burst out any second. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, they shared a child after all but he hadn't said anything about her being there to pick him up, and she knew she didn't ever help him out so that was out of the equation. She tried to put it to the back of her mind as she headed off for her shift at the hospital.
"Sorry that took longer than expected. Had a lot of paperwork to deal with, thanks to your mate Smurf."
Her eyes shot up to meet his "Did he do this to you?"
"Well, he's responsible yes. I don't want to talk about it with you. Just take me to Sam please."
She drove off in the direction of the home they'd once shared, she'd keep his missed call from Molly to herself, for now at least.
She wrestled with herself as she walked home from work. She wanted more than anything to speak to him, to hear his voice. But she'd called and he hadn't called her back or even texted her. She hoped that Rebecca was looking after him at least. Only this morning he'd invited her to Bath, wanted to take her on a second date, how could things change so quickly? She'd been inundated with invites to nights out from Georgie and her uni mates; they really took the fresher's thing seriously even though they'd been there for some months already. She decided to dress herself up and head out, to see whether she could make any friends out of her uni mates and stop pining over a bloke she hardly knew.
If he'd checked once he checked a thousand times. She said she'd missed him so why hadn't she called? He'd declined Rebecca's invitation to stay with her, she was the last thing he needed, he settled onto the sofa at Royal Crescent where he'd spend the night. He'd learnt his lesson about those massive stairs early in his recovery when he attempted to get himself up to bed when no one was home and found himself stuck with no one to help him. 2 hours he sat on the stairs waiting for his dad to get home, of course he hadn't been sensible enough to stick his phone in his pocket.
Charles: What are you up too beautiful? X
He decided he wasn't interested in games; he wasn't going to wait around for her to call or text him first. He'd let her know he was thinking of her, he hadn't stopped thinking of her.
Molly: I'm surprised to hear from you?!
Charles: Why?
Molly: Well I called you earlier, as promised and Rebecca said you were busy!
The penny finally dropped. He scrolled through his call list to see the received call, how could she still be playing these games with him? Still trying to run his life!
Charles: I'm so sorry! It is not what it seems I assure you. I needed a lift to my medical and I was seeing Sam anyway, so she offered. I'm sorry if she'd made it seem something more, it really wasn't. I can't stop thinking about you! X
His phone rang instantly, "Well that's a relief then ain't it!" He could tell she was smiling.
"Molly I'd never do anything to hurt you! Are we on for Saturday?"
"Hmm I suppose I can squeeze you in" her giggle was infectious and made him feel like a schoolboy again.
"Well If that's a Yes then I'll book us somewhere lovely!"
"You're lovely"
"Well Ditto" they giggled like school kids.
"How's that leg? Is there someone looking after you?" "It's hanging in there. Just about! And no, I'm home alone but I'm a soldier, I'm hard!"
"Well as long as you're okay! Make sure you rest, so you're ready for Saturday" His cheeks hurt from smiling.
"So, what you doing now? I miss you."
"I'm about to head to another fresher night with some classmates and I'm definitely missing you too. When can Stockport expect you back?"
He'd make the journey back now if he wasn't so tired and sore, he'd forgotten how much being on crutches full time wore him out "I might be persuaded to escort a beautiful lady home this weekend."
"Lucky girl! Do I know her? I'll have to miss you until then" She couldn't stand the thought of not seeing him for 4 more days, it seemed like far too long. She'd never really been one for romance or lovey dovey shit as she called it but there was something about him that she was drawn too, he was different to other blokes she'd met.
-OG-
He'd wanted to greet her on the platform of Bath Spa but his bloody leg wouldn't allow it. He'd allowed himself plenty of time so he could be at the restaurant ahead of her and settled into his seat before she got there, they'd spent the whole week texting and calling each other, he'd really enjoyed their chats late into the night and the little texts she sent all day long to tell him how shit her lecture was or that she was thinking about him. Molly had bought yet another new dress for the occasion, when she googled the restaurant and had a look at pictures of Bath online, she decided she needed something a little classier. Her and Georgie had enjoyed a late-night shopping trip into Manchester where she tried on god knows how many dresses before they both decided on a grey and white one that was fitted but not too tight and just the right length, so she didn't feel like everything was hanging out. He rose to his feet when he saw her approach, she took his breath away.
Despite relying on crutches it was important to him to escort her to the table and pull out her chair, he wanted her to feel like a lady "You look beautiful" Her smile was infectious "You don't look too shabby yourself" their eyes were having the usual conversation all of their own. All he wanted to do was lean across the table and kiss her; he'd waited four days for this moment "So how has your week been Molly?" "It's ended better than it started put it that way" He'd wondered if she was referring to him upping and leaving but decided best not to ask. The conversation flowed easily between them, considering they were very different, from different worlds. It was like they'd know each other years.
"So, Charles, have you left the army now? Or will you continue once you've recovered?" It had been a question that was on the tip of her tongue since she'd seen him have his episode in the club that night.
"Well currently I'm on sick leave obviously, I'm hoping to get cleared for service at the end of this, but they don't seem too confident, so we shall see. I don't want to leave just yet. There's still more I'd like to achieve, I'm pretty young for a Captain so I'd like to work my way up as far as I could. But this stupid thing could end it all" he pointed to his booted leg. She smiled to herself, she'd never imagined herself dating a soldier, but she admired his ambition and bravery for wanting to get back to what almost killed him, she'd always wanted to better herself so she could appreciate a man who was ambitious. She was more than aware of the amount of female eyes that fell on him. And why wouldn't they, He was probably to most beautiful looking man she had ever seen. From his chiselled jaw to his chocolate brown eyes, his tall stature, he was stunning. Not a word she would ever normally use to describe a fella, but she really did like what she saw.
"My parents are still away; would you like to go back to mine?" She thought he'd never ask; she'd shoved a clean pair of knickers and her toothbrush into the bottom of her clutch in the hopes he'd invite her to stay.
"Trying to lure me back, are you?" They both giggled.
"Well would it work if I did?" He was pleased to see she was smiling.
"I was worried I'd have to go halves on a travel lodge" he threw his head back and laughed, happy she wanted to stay.
She did her best to link her arm through his as he hobbled along "Humour me for a moment?" She was confused until he passed her one of his crutches to hold, using his now free hand to hold hers. She wrapped her arm around his, tucking her small hand into his, placing her head on his shoulder as they slowly strolled through the charming streets of Bath.
He didn't want to ever let go of her hand again, but the familiar pain returned to his leg causing him to stop "You alright?" She helped him slide his arm through the crutch and continued their walk, her hand protectively on his back, and her heart firmly in love with his.
OG
AN: Big thank you to Debbie as always for editing this for me x