She stood in awe of his home in the Royal Crescent "You mean this is actually your house?"
He laughed at the reaction he'd experienced so many times before "Well it isn't mine, it's my parents. But it's where I grew up" he pushed open the front door, gesturing her inside. She stood in the hallway, still in awe of a home that she'd never even dreamed would be possible for anyone she could ever know to live in "It magical at Christmas."
"Are you inviting me for Christmas Charles?" she smirked, he'd already thought ahead, hoping they'd be a lot more to each other by then.
"Show me your bedroom?" He'd been avoiding the stairs all week and the thought of struggling up them in front of her was something he'd dreaded.
"I'm not very good on the stairs. It's not that I don't want too..." She shushed him with a kiss, she'd been dying to kiss him since she clapped eyes on him.
Her tongue was greedy and searched for his, she nibbled at his bottom lip as his hands found their way around her body, she pressed her body into his, feeling the hardness of his muscular stomach as her hands removed his arms from the loops of his crutches, one arm around his torso to steady him as the other hand slid his jacket from his shoulders.
She could feel he wanted her, and she needed him more than anything "I want you Charles" he'd wanted nothing more than to make love to her but not before she was ready, she had to initiate it so he knew she was ready, with a flick of the head he motioned her towards the living room, he followed her through, his eyes falling to her perfect bum. She turned to face him, inviting him to unzip her dress. His finger traced her spine, sending electricity through her body as he pulled it down her body. She buried her face into his neck, she'd never smelt anything as good as him. Her small fingers unbuttoned his crisp shirt, flinging it to the floor, her hands finding the scars on his torso that she wished so much she could kiss away. She pushed him gently onto the sofa that was big and plush.
"Do we need anything?" He whispered trying not to kill the mood.
"I'm on the pill but if you'd be more comfortable then I don't mind if you tell me where."
He kissed her silent as his hands fumbled to undo her bra revealing the most perfect breasts he's ever seen. She unzipped his jeans and pulled them from him, the ache between her legs growing more intense by the second, she needed him right now. She needed to show him what she couldn't tell him, it was too soon to tell him she'd fallen in love with him so instead she'd show.
They melted into each other, hands and kisses being planted everywhere as the passion they'd both felt from the beginning exploded. He'd been hesitant, worried he wouldn't be able to please her, his injuries holding him back, but she sensed when he needed to slow down and picked up the slack, considerate of him at all times.
Exhausted they lay wrapped in each other, enjoying the warmth of each other's bodies. He ran his fingers through her hair while she breathed him in, "Molly, where do you see us going?"
It was a question she wasn't expecting at that moment, but she was glad he'd asked "I wanna be with you" she whispered. She'd never been one to put her heart on the line, but she trusted him with it "What about you?"
He kissed her head "I want to be with you too. I just didn't think someone as lovely as you would want someone like me" he hurt her heart a little bit.
"What do you mean someone like you?"
He thought before he spoke "my wife left me, I'm an injured soldier not really up to much for the foreseeable. I might not even have a career left at this rate. I'm covered in scars, I'm not exactly the catch I used to be. You've got everything ahead of you, you're young and you're beautiful" His eyes were full of pain.
"You can't let what's happened to you define the rest of your life Charles. What she did to you was disgusting but things can only get better. If you could see yourself the way I see you, you'd never say any of those things" she found it hard to believe that he'd been so diminished by Rebecca and his injuries, she understood now why Elvis was so protective of him.
"This face" she planted kisses on his cheeks and a long lingering kiss on his lips "It's the most handsome face I've ever seen" she kissed down his neck to his torso all the way to his scars which she stroked gently before planting gentle kisses "These scars, they represent bravery. It's just skin Charles" she planted a kiss over his heart "It's what's in here that matters" her hands and lips stroked and kissed their way down to his legs; she undid his boot carefully resting his leg on a cushion. The scars of his better leg as he called it were not as angry as his bad leg, but she kissed them anyway before making her way to his swollen and painful leg. Planting the gentlest of kisses, "these legs have carried you through your hard times and will carry you forward in life. Forward with me."
His heart was bursting from the words she'd said, he'd never felt so loved "Molly" he pulled her back to him "You are something else Molly Dawes" he kissed her lips.
"As are you Charles James" he pulled the blankets around their bodies and pulled her as close as he could into his body. He knew then he'd never let her go.
They spent the rest of the day exactly where they were watching crap films, talking, and getting to know each other, kissing, and gently touching before going for rounds two and three. They couldn't get enough of each other.
"I don't know about you Molly, but I've worked up quite an appetite, what do you fancy?" He finally pulled himself into the sitting position, she gently lowered his leg for him before putting his space boot back on.
"Suits you that does" she giggled "I'll have whatever, I'd offer to cook but I'm absolutely shit" he laughed and couldn't imagine that she could be 'shit' at anything as she'd put it.
"Shall we order something in? I'm a bit too sore to cook to be honest."
"Fine by me" she squeezed herself in between his legs and held his face in her hands "Your too fit mate"
"Well ditto Dawsey" he kissed the smooth skin of her neck "However, If this is you trying to go another round I'm sorry to disappoint but it will have to wait" with a quick peck on her nose he clumsily stumbled to his feet.
"Spoil sport" she throw at him as he hopped to the kitchen the rifle through the drawers for a take away menu "You know they've got apps for that these days old man" he looked up to the sight of her wearing his shirt.
"Molly Dawes what are you trying to do to me" She passed him his crutches "Stop being a twat and use these will you before you make things worse."
"Yes ma'am" he saluted her "I'll use my phone what do you fancy? And don't say me coz that's well predictable" they both laughed.
"You choose and make it quick. Bloody starving here Dawes" he sat himself down on the nearest chair, his leg protesting as usual.
"See told ya. I'm taking you home where I can keep my eye on you" She'd order them a Chinese which she later described as 'dirty' whatever that meant he thought. He felt young again when she was around; she was his breath of fresh air.
"Are you going to show me your bedroom now? Or are guests only allowed downstairs?"
She teased "it's the first door on the left at the top of the stairs, feel free to be nosy."
She rolled her eyes "Come on peg leg" she pulled his hand to follow her lead.
"I can't Molly. I can't get up there, didn't want to make a tit of myself in front of you."
She wrapped her arms around his neck "You do realise that I'm a student nurse, don't you? It's nothing I ain't seen"
It baffled her how such a good-looking army Captain could be so unsure of himself "I can show you how to do it properly but you Mr are coming home with me until you're better. No arguments!"
He took her outstretched hand; she traced the blisters on his palms from the friction of his crutches "I'll deal with these too when you're up in bed" She showed him how to correctly 'crutch wanker' himself upstairs as she put it. He was glad to finally be back in his own bed, Molly by his side. She tended the blisters on his hands "You're in a right old state" he chuckled.
"You must be sick of looking after people."
She stroked his cheek "I could never get sick of you. And you need a bit of TLC Mr James. Aren't you lucky that I happen to be the nuts at looking after people" he laughed but he knew she wasn't lying. She'd been so good to him, so loving and gentle even in the early days when he'd been an arse. He didn't doubt for a minute that her kindness extended to the strangers she tended.
-OG-
Elvis was happy to see Charles in his bubble with Molly; he was finally seeing the old Charlie back again, although he was a little weary of Molly. He liked her, he liked her a lot and she seemed like everything Charles needed but none of them really knew her. She'd been around a few months now and he couldn't fault anything about her, but the fact no one knew a thing about her life outside of Stockport he found strange, and he was worried she'd end up hurting his friend.
"They're going a bit fast aren't they George?" Georgie rolled her eyes at him.
"Listen here you, that bloke deserves all the happiness in the world and if he's found it in Molly then what's the problem?"
"They ain't known each other long that's all"
"And we did? You'd only just met me, and you dumped your girlfriend that day. Let them follow their hearts, like we did!" He knew Georgie was right, but he'd keep his eye on things, he had to protect his friend.
They'd been back in Stockport a few weeks now; Charles enjoyed every second of being with Molly. The only time they spent apart was when she was at work or at uni, he used that time to catch up on his rehab and rest. His leg was finally starting to feel better; having Molly around was making all the difference to his recovery this time around. She did most things for him, something he wasn't overly comfortable with, but he was seeing the benefit of it in his recovery. Rebecca was still making his life a misery, she'd got a bee in her bonnet because he'd moved on, they were official now and she couldn't stand it. Of course, she used Sam as her weapon of choice and had banned him from seeing his dad which broke Charles' heart. He made the trip down to Bath on the weekends he was due to have Sam on the slight chance she'd give in and let him see his son, but she never did, much to the annoyance of Charles and his parents. His mother, Beth had intercepted a phone call from Rebecca when Charles had been resting and took her to task about how badly she treated Charles and how disgusting she was, it didn't make Rebecca budge but at least she'd had a piece of Beth's mind.
She'd always disliked Rebecca but they put up with her for Sam's sake. They'd very much felt from the beginning that she had trapped Charles, he'd always been extremely good looking and they'd always been proud of what a gent he was. She took advantage of him right from the beginning, falling pregnant before they'd even been together a year. Of course, he did the right thing and married her but Beth never felt that he was totally happy.
She hadn't met Molly yet, but she was thrilled to see her boy so happy again. Despite his injuries he was happy again, something he hadn't been for a long time. She even noticed the difference in him in regard to his rehabilitation, he had purpose again and something to get well for other than heading straight back to war. She already loved Molly and was eternally grateful she was bringing her Charles back.
They'd been holed up all week while Molly was on a break from uni. They'd barely surfaced from the bedroom, spending most of the day enjoying each other's bodies. Molly loved nothing more than letting him lay back whilst she got to work. He'd been finding certain positions difficult what with his legs and his stomach which still hurt when he did anything physical, something which frustrated him, he was definitely a giver rather than a receiver, but it couldn't be helped and Molly certainly didn't mind.
Georgie had been driving them nuts planning a surprise birthday party for Elvis "Right you two, get out here" she ordered them from the bedroom "Obviously Charles you know it's his birthday this weekend and I want to surprise him, so you're going to say you're taking him out or you need his help with something, whatever you like. And then me and Molly will get this place ready to party."
Charles rolled his eyes "You know he hates surprises Lane. And he hates his birthday."
"Well not this fucking year! He's only 30 once!" Charles agreed to whatever Georgie wanted, anything for a quiet life.
"Does Elvis still hate my guts?" Molly laughed but really it bothered her that Charles' best friend didn't seem to like them together.
"Molly don't be silly. It's nothing personal against you, he really likes you. No one would be good enough for his Charlie! Sometimes I think he loves Charlie more than he loves me! Don't take it personally, he's just wary after everything he's been through, he wants to protect him from everything and everyone," she knew Georgie was right, he'd never been anything but nice to her and he made an effort to include her in everything but it didn't stop her from worrying and feeling like she had to prove her intentions were genuine. Hopefully in time he would see they are the real deal.
Charles pulled her into his arms "I've told you already not to worry about Elvis! Georgie is right he's just got so used to feeling like he needs to look after me, much to my annoyance but he means well I promise" she nodded and wrapped her arms around him "Rehab time soon?"
"Yes unfortunately"
"I'll come with you if you like?"
He smiled "I'd love that! But it will be boring for you"
"I don't mind, I can be your cheerleader."
He laughed "Oh yes please Molly Dawes the cheerleader, does that mean you'll be wearing a very short skirt?" he smirked at her raising his eyebrows up and down.
They headed off to his rehab session, her mind still heavy over Elvis. He worked harder than ever spurred on by Molly's encouragement "Go on peg leg!" She'd shout as the physiotherapist put him through his paces. He was puffed out and in pain by the end of it "Do you want to rest a bit before we head back? There's a coffee shop nearby."
"That would be good" He was shaky and unsteady, she always worried about him when he seemed fragile. A coffee break was the ideal way to let his body recover and she always enjoyed the bonus flirting with him over a coffee.
He'd gone straight to sleep when they'd got back "Is he alright?" Georgie thought he'd looked a bit pale.
"Yeah, I think he just over did it a bit."
"Trying to get back out there isn't he. Although sometimes I wonder what the fuck is wrong with us. Going back for more after everything we've seen" Molly felt sick at the thought of him leaving; each day of his recovery was a day closes to him going back to what he loves.
She climbed into the bed next to him, stroking her fingers through his curls. He was restless, his breathing erratic. She gently shook his arm "Ssh it's ok baby. It's just a dream" she whispered as a tear slipped from his eye "Ssshh."
His eyes flickered open, full of pain and fear "Molly?"
"I'm here Charlie it's okay" she pulled him close to her, laying his head on her stomach "I was back there… on the bridge" he finally felt safe enough to offload his feelings, glad he could trust her. He told her everything about that day, well everything he remembered and the days following. She wished more than anything she could have been there for him "You're safe now baby. Safe with me and I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again" He pulled her close to him, his hands needed to search her body as animal desire took over him. His lips moved over her soft skin as he pulled her clothes off. She returned the gesture, her greedy hands tugging at his trousers, their hands and the lips exploring each other's bodies as she straddled him, sliding herself onto him before he made electrifying love to her. The explosion he felt cancelling out the fear in his head, he'd be okay as long as he had her. She was his light and he loved her. She was worried about him after his nightmare, he'd been pale and withdrawn since, blaming pains in his leg but she knew it was deeper than that.
"When is your next counselling session?" He'd drifted faraway whilst she iced his leg.
"I haven't got anything booked if I'm honest" he bit his bottom lip, deep in thought.
"How about you give me the details and I'll get something booked for you?" He'd felt embarrassed that she'd seen him so frightened again, but she never made him feel weak like Rebecca did.
"You Molly Dawes, you are too good to me."
She kissed his cheek "I told you I'd look after you didn't I" he smiled at her, hoping she'd always feel that way about him.
He was pulled from his trail of thought by a text.
Rebecca: I've had to commit to something with work over the weekend. Pick Sam up at 10am on Saturday morning please. Don't let him down.
He was of course ecstatic at the thought of spending the weekend with his boy but equally fuming at Rebecca telling him rather than asking him, he'd also promised Molly he would take her somewhere special.
"Everything okay?" the deep frown on his face concerned her.
"Rebecca has told me I'm having Sam on Saturday. I'm really sorry I know I promised I'd take you somewhere..."
She shushed him with a kiss "Don't be silly. We can do something any weekend, it's not every weekend you get to see your son. It's fine honestly, I'm happy she's finally letting you see him" she kissed the top of his head.
"Would you like to come with me? Maybe we could go on a day out?"
She was hesitant to meet Sam so early into their relationship "Maybe you should enjoy the weekend just the two of you?"
He really wanted her there; disappointed she'd said no, "think about it?"
"Okay" she promised. She was very much part of his world, and he wanted his two worlds to come together.
-OG-
"You mean to tell me, we've driven all the way here and you don't even have a session? Well blow me Charlie, that bird of yours has turned your brain to mush. If you weren't already hopping like a muppet on crutches, I'd put you on them myself.
"Charles laughed "You love me far too much to hurt me Elvis, you know that. It must be next Friday."
"Yeah well. Take me for a pint and I'll forgive you."
They took refuge in the nearest pub whilst Charles waited for the green light from Georgie who was putting the finishing touches to decorating the flat and absolutely pissing Molly off barking orders.
"You're not in the pissing army now mate, calm your tits."
She's texted just as soon as they'd sat down with their first pint which Elvis had no intention of rushing. After several attempts at getting him moving, afraid of the wrath of Georgie he decided he'd have to pull on his best mate's heart strings "You alright there mate?" Elvis leaned forward to check on a huffy Charles.
"Think I've done a bit too much today, in agony."
"Maybe you should leave Molly alone for a bit then mate... just sayin' " he quipped with a wink. He pulled Charles to his feet "Come on cripple. Let's get you back."
-OG-
To say he was surprised was an understatement. Georgie had pulled out all the stops, the place was decorated beautifully, the counter tops covered in nibbles and booze and photos of Elvis. His beloved squaddies had made an appearance as well as his family. Molly and Charles found their way straight to each other. He was sorry now for tempting fate with his leg, he was suffering and wanted nothing more than to climb into Molly's bed with her by his side. As always, she knew something was up, she could sense his discomforted "what wrong baby?"
He gestured to his leg with a pained expression "Why don't you rest for a bit? No one will mind" he hobbled into bed, not wanting to leave her side. She looked sensational, in a red dress that hugged her petite frame in all the right places with her glossy dark locks tumbling in loose curls over her shoulder, minimal make up - just heavy dark lashes and a red lip, inviting him to kiss her. She really didn't need much she was so beautiful.
Molly mingled with some of the squaddies; they were all very interested in getting to know the bosses Missus. Smurf had managed to sneak himself in on the coat tails of Fingers "Molly I just wanted to apologise for what happened that night. I know he ended up in a bad way, I wanted to tell him how sorry I am personally, but he doesn't seem to be here."
"Oh, he's here don't you worry, but unfortunately due to a broken leg that some wanker gave him, he's resting at the minute. I'll pass on your piss poor apology when he's up to it" she turned her back on him, turning her attention back to Jackie who was highly amused by Smurf's grovelling. She was busy telling Molly how she'd met a lifeless Charles off the MERT after he'd been shot, Molly wasn't sure she wanted to know but she felt rude cutting her off so endured the tail of her poor baby.
Smurf once again found himself lingering next to her "Can I help you welsh wanker?" She spat, he raised his hands defensively "Hey there's no need to be like this, I just want to get to know you" he places his hand on the small of her back and leaned in closer to her.
"As you seem to be fucking deaf or stupid or maybe both, I'll shout so I know you've heard me clearly. I don't want to get to know you, I don't like you, I don't like the things you've done to my boyfriend or the way you think that every woman will drop at your feet. You ain't fit to lick his boots mate; I'll tell you that for nothing. Now fuck off before I show you what us East end girls are all about."
He slithered back to the corner, leaving Jackie in fits of laughter behind him "Wow you don't mince your words do ya" Molly laughed as Jackie cheered her. His handsome face caught her eye, he was wounded, he'd seen them - Smurf's hand suggestively on her back, her talking into his ear. He couldn't do this again; he couldn't lose her to Smurf.
He made his way out the door before she'd even had the chance to think, he moved surprisingly quick for someone on crutches "Charlie" she called after him "Charles come back. Where you going?" She caught up to him, reaching for his arm "It's not what it looks like I promise. You can even ask Jackie she heard every single word" the pain in his eyes was killing her, "I'm not Rebecca Charles" she pleaded, pulling his body into her "I love you" she was hoping the first time she said it would be in better circumstances, but this moment called for honesty. His brown eyes were so full of hurt that she could barely stand it. Holding his face in her hands she wanted to kiss away every bit of pain he'd ever felt "Talk to me" he didn't know what to say, he wanted to believe her, but he knew the kind of influence Smurf's gobshite ways seemed to have on women, maybe she was fed up with a cripple like him.
He hated that he'd become this person, insecure and full of self-doubt, he thought the old him was back, Molly was bringing the old him back. She was his light, Smurf didn't want or need her, he simply wanted what was someone else's, what was his. Smurf had long been jealous of Charles, still a private when Charles had rapidly risen in rank to Captain, but he'd always been the better soldier. And the better man for that matter. She held out her hand hoping he'd take it once more. He hesitated before accepting it, passing her a crutch to carry in her free hand so they could walk, or limp in his case hand in hand back to the flat.
If he saw Smurf, he'd knock him straight out he told himself but with Molly's protective hand ushering him passed the other party goers and into her bedroom he didn't get the chance.
"Feet up. We need to talk" he did as instructed as she sat on the end of the bed and carefully removed his space boot. Kicking off her heels she made it clear the party was over for them. Her fingers delicately traced his scars, something she found herself doing often; maybe it was her way of letting him know she wasn't afraid of them even if he was.
"I meant what I said outside you know" his eyes locked with hers "I love you. I loved you from the moment I met you even though you was a moody prick."
He laughed "I love you too. So much it scares me."
A sad smile crossed her face "It doesn't need to scare you though. I'm not Rebecca! I really wish I could erase what she's done to you, but I can't. All I can do is show you that we're not all the same. When I love someone I love them with my whole heart and I'd do anything for them. I'd do anything for you. I thought I'd been showing you exactly how much you mean to and what I'd do for you. That me looking after you would somehow show you that I'm by your side 100% with everything that comes next. Whether that be army life or civilian life, I've signed up to whatever you're offering.
"Her words made his heart feel full "I'm sorry I jumped the gun. I'll try harder" she smiled.
"Thank you. You didn't need to say sorry. Just hear me and know me a little bit better."
He nodded. He didn't want to spend his last few hours before he had to return to Bath arguing "You should get back to the party, Georgie will be missing you" he didn't want her to feel he'd ruined her night.
"Have you seen that lot out there? She ain't gonna miss me!" She pulled off her dress and slipped on one of his t-shirts.
"Looks good on you" he smirked as she snuggled against his body.
Despite the noise of the party, they'd manage to fall asleep watching some shit film. It was becoming a bit of a habit. She was woken by Georgie "Everything alright? Ain't seen either of you all night was worried."
Molly pointed to Charles leg "He weren't feeling too clever" Georgie eyes him sympathetically.
"I'm glad he's got you. I'll tell them to keep it down. If he needs anything let me know."
"Thanks Georgie" Molly was glad he had Georgie. Whatever they'd been through out there had obviously bonded them. And if he was going to return to service, she was glad he'd be with her.
He shifted uncomfortably, always around the same time every night his leg started to give him aggro. Molly ventured through the party goers to grab him a drink and his painkillers, she was annoyed to see Smurf was still lurking about the place. He was awake by the time she'd returned, wincing in pain "See the Usain Bolt act did you no good" he managed a chuckled despite his pain.
"Come with me tomorrow?" She couldn't resist his puppy dog eyes.
"Okay. Only if you promise to buy me breakfast."
"Deal" he swallowed his tablets, opening his arms for her to take her place against his body.