She hadn't really been prepared for the early wake-up call but the breakfast more than made up for it "I was expecting some greasy spoon not a posh place."

He chuckled "Only the best for my girl" he leaned across the table scooping up her hands "You looked so beautiful last night. I don't blame Smurf for trying it on."

She smiled but the last thing she wanted to talk about last night. She couldn't help but take his mistrust personally. Jackie had texted him to let him know what a keeper Molly was, he was full of guilt at the way he'd handled the situation yet here she was smiling back at him, on their way to meet his son. They'd had a quiet train journey, she enjoyed the scenery oblivious to the emotional turmoil Charles was putting himself through "I really am sorry, I've got to learn to trust again" his eyes were sad as he stared off into the distance, she took his hand in hers.

"Time is all you need. Lucky for you I have plenty" she smiled at him reassuringly

"I never used to be like this. Being injured and being cheated on, it's changed me."

"It would do. You nearly died for god sake that would change anyone. And what that cow did to you, well let's just say I'm glad you share a child with her, or I'd knock her block off."

He belly laughed at the thought of his tiny Molly swinging for Rebecca "Don't know what you're laughing at. I pack a mean punch me."

"I don't doubt it" he smirked.

To say she was nervous was an understatement; she still wasn't ready to meet his son. Although looking at him struggling today she was glad she was with him, he was sore and unsteady. His parents were away, Molly was thankful she didn't have to face meeting them just yet. He hailed a cab from Bath Spa station rather than strolling like he normally would, his leg was extra aggravated today, which was sod's law because today he needed to entertain Sam. Sam was very perceptive when it came to Charles and his injuries, even though he was so young he understood how close he'd come to losing his dad. He cherished every moment they shared together.

"What do you think about maybe going to the zoo Molly? The three of us?"

"Hmm I'm not sure that's a good idea today, with that leg but it's up to you he's your boy" He loved that she knew him so well, he hadn't had to say anything, yet she knew he was struggling and she was right there at his side. She seemed nervous and a bit distant, he was hoping that meeting Sam wouldn't be too much too soon for her, but he didn't have much choice thanks to Rebecca.

"I was thinking Molly"

"Uh oh, that sounds dangerous" she chuckled.

"Cheeky mare. How would you feel if I put you on my car insurance? It's just sitting on the drive gathering dust; we could use it today and then drive back up to Stockport. You could use it then until I need it back and I'd sort you a car of your own."

She was blown away by the gesture "I don't mind being on the insurance to make travelling a little easier for you, but you don't have to worry about sorting me a car. I'm saving for a new one, something shit hot."

He knew she'd brush off his offer of him getting her a car, but he wanted too. She was always cagey and awkward whenever he mentioned money or helping her out in anyway. She was fiercely independent; he'd always wondered just how difficult her life before Stockport had been.

"I was expecting a normal car mate. Not this monster."

One phone call later and she was insured to drive a nearly new Range Rover "The poor thing hasn't been driven since before I went to Afghanistan" he said whilst stroking the car.

"Alright mate, put her down" they laughed.

"Hop in then, let's collect Sammy" she was hesitant about all this, the car and meeting Sam. He keyed Rebecca's address into the inbuilt satnav as she got to grips with the controls of the car. After a little in car demo, they were off.

"What if I crash it?"

He chuckled "fuck don't crash it whatever you do Dawes. This thing cost a small fortune."

She rolled her eyes "Not helping are you dickhead."

-OG-

The icy death stares from Rebecca were the last thing Molly needed. She watched from the car as Charles and Rebecca were having some kind of exchange on the doorstep which pissed Molly off as she watched him shifting uncomfortably on his legs, she could at least invite him in to sit down while she made his life hell. He hobbled back to the car with Sam at his side as Rebecca glared from the doorway "Let's go, asap please" he pleaded after belting Sam in. "Sam this is my friend Molly. Molly this is my boy Sam."

"Nice to meet you mate."

Sam was looking a little dejected after witnessing his mother's latest outburst "Daddy why does mummy always shout at you?" she felt sad for Sam at that moment.

"Mummy is trying her best scamp, so am I but sometimes even though we're grown-ups we don't always get it right" Molly shifted uncomfortably in the driving seat, she would rather be anywhere but here right now, and Charles knew it. He felt guilty for dragging her along against her will but disappointed at the same time that she seemed hesitant to get to know Sam.

They hadn't even got to the zoo yet and Charles already knew it was a bad idea; his legs were never going to cope with this. Gingerly he climbs from the car, awkward looking Molly still in the driving seat. Their eyes meet and she gives him a half-hearted smile, she really doesn't want to do this.

She climbs out, helping Sam into his coat "There you go mate" he smiled warmly at her, she hadn't realised how much he looked like his dad until she was up close to him. The same expressive brown eyes, currently sad just like his dad's. She put out her hand to take his in the absence of his dad's hand, leading him towards the entrance with a skip. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all she thought, she had to do this for them "Come on peg legs" she giggled as they skip rings around Charles.

"Not funny you cheeky pair. I'm already tripping over my own feet as it is."

Charles hated that he couldn't keep up with them, after having to sit several times throughout the morning, he was more than ready to call it quits and head home. Molly could see he was struggling and tried to pick up the slack with Sam as much as she could, encouraging him into the playground with her so Charles could rest. She grabbed them some teas whilst Sam played "Why don't you let me borrow a wheelchair from them?"

"Absolutely not" he spat.

"Alright mate, keep ya knickers on" she sipped her tea in silence.

"I didn't mean to snap. I just promised myself I was done with these things now."

"Male pride, eh?"

He nodded, she was right, but he couldn't go back to that time. Hours spent sitting in that chair, his legs failing him, his wife gone because she couldn't stand to see the shell of a man that once was just sitting there 'useless' she once cruelly called him. He was utterly miserable.

"It doesn't make you weak you know" he was listening even though he didn't respond "It just makes you sensible. When your body is protesting, if you listen to it, you'll get better quicker. There's no shame in needing a little help along the way."

He smiled at he,r "spoken like a true nurse. You'd make a fantastic Medic. I'd love to take you on tour with me."

"I bet you would, filthy bugger" she shuffled closer to him on the bench "I wasn't up for this today but I've had fun. He's a lovely lad."

Charles smiled as he watched Sam play "Thank you, yes he is. I just hope we don't fuck him up along the way like we did each other" Molly watched him as he watched Sam, deep in thought, her need to fix him, to make things right for him stronger than ever.

-OG-

"I can't cook for shit" she told Charles as she burnt a pan of beans and buttered the anaemic toast.

"Don't worry Molly, Sam will be grateful for anything. That boy can eat" and he was right.

"Mum never lets me have dinner without vegetables" his face lit up at the steaming hot beans and the fact that he was allowed to eat in front of the telly.

She watched him as he sat absolutely knackered on the kitchen chair "You alright?"

He nodded his head "Can't wait for bed if I'm honest, the zoo was definitely a little too much in my current state" he sighed.

"It won't be forever then you'll be back running rings round Sam I'm sure" he smiled sadly, he couldn't imagine ever feeling that able again.

"Listen it's best I get the train back up, I'm really behind and I've only got until Monday to get an essay started and finished."

The disappointment on his face made her heart sink "Will you be alright?"

"I'll be even better if you don't go" he pulled her towards him "Stay with me, please."

Torn between him and her essays, or rather the fact that she didn't want to get another bollocking for her lecturer she fought herself. His begging brown eyes pulling her in "I'm really. really. behind" she punctuated each word with a kiss "But you sir are very persuasive" She kneeled down to undo his space boot "No walking on that now the boots off. Go on, in you go and put it up" she passed him his crutches and sent him packing into the living room to be with Sam, completely overwhelmed by the day.

He stopped in the doorway "I wish I'd always known you Molly Dawes."

She smiled at him as she took in just how beautiful he really is "Ditto" the smile he gave her was enough to keep her here "Now put that bloody leg up" He'd never felt so loved, so cherished by anyone before. In just a few short months he'd fallen completely head over heels for her. She was perfect in every way to him. Rebecca had been furious to see her sitting in the driving seat of his car. She'd already decided that she didn't like her based on their brief phone call 'Common as muck' she'd called her, once again leaving him furious.

Charles began the bedtime ritual with Sam leaving her to own devices. She wandered round the massive rooms; this place had to be 5x the size of her parents' house in Newham. Photos of Sam send a strange feeling through her. How could she feel this way about a little boy? A little boy who'd been around a lot longer than she had, who had more rights to this man than she did. She did her best to quell the childish jealously she was feeling, she'd get used to it. She'd have to if she wants to be part of Charles' life, Sam was his son and would always be his number one priority.

She moved onto the countless photos of Charles. From school to army cadets, his passing out and finally what must have been his first tour of duty. How would she ever be able to watch him go off to war? Her head was full of so many doubts; she loved him more than anything, but she didn't know how she was going to get past these feelings.

"Penny for them?" He pulled her into him.

"Just thinking how handsome you look in uniform" she lied.

He knew she was lying, even though she'd been so good with Sam all day, he knew it was for his benefit, so he didn't overdo it. There was uneasiness between them, something he couldn't quite put his finger in but knew it was there "Look Molly if you're uncomfortable with all this then we don't have to do it again for a while. I'll have my weekends with Sam down here and you can try again when you're ready"

He took her by surprise "I'm sorry. It's just a lot, Rebecca and Sam. What she did to you. I wanted to punch her in the face"

He chuckled "I appreciate you feeling protective of me but there's no need. I'm happy now, I have you" his eyes were bright, his voice sincere, now she felt guilty. She closed the gap between and pulled him into a hug, she had to make this work 'You can't run from everything' she told herself.

"Shall we get take away? It's that or burnt beans on toast I'm afraid."

He laughed, "of course, you choose. My wallet is in my jacket pocket." he made himself comfortable; it felt good to have her here. He'd spent so many nights lonely with nothing but his nightmares for company. He knew he was safe with her, and he just hoped that whatever her doubts were that he was enough for her to work through them.

-OG-

One month later

He attempted to rub some of the tension from her pent-up shoulders "Is there anything I can do to help?" He planted a kiss on her head.

"Yeah, you can keep doing that" Molly was wrapping up her first term at uni, still a little behind. She's promised she'd hand in everything outstanding before the Christmas holidays and was now absolutely regretting it. She'd taken Charles up on his offer of borrowing his car, he'd been staying with her anyway and was slowly getting better. He dutifully organised her freshly printed essays into folders as she sent the last of them to print on the brand new printer, he had bought her to make her life a little bit easier. "I think I'm finally done" she checked through her to do list "That's it I'm done" they celebrated the start of Christmas with a massive glass of wine each. He wasn't going to see Sam this year as Rebecca's new bloke was whisking them off on a posh skiing holiday, something Charles could only dream of these days. They hadn't actually discussed Christmas Day; she didn't want to bring up the fact that she'd likely be spending it alone if he wasn't with her.

"Are you heading back to Bath for Christmas?" She thought she'd better finally prepare herself for a lonely Christmas.

"I was thinking of it. But then I was waiting for this beautiful little cockney I know to make me a better offer."

She smiled at him "Well I'm just gonna be here. I'd love it if you stayed with me, but I don't wanna take you away from your family."

"You could always come with me? Mum is dying to meet you" the thought of meeting his family filled her with dread "What's wrong Molly? You look like someone just shit in your coco pops" she hesitated before speaking.

"I'm not good with families and all that" she'd never spoken about her own family with him, he had no idea what to think. He knew she'd been home that one time he bumped into her in London, but she'd come back much earlier than she'd planned, something must have gone wrong.

"Tell me about your family Molly?" He stroked her hair as they finally settled onto the sofa after a long day of essays. Her fingers instinctively find their way up his t-shirt and stroke his firm torso.

"What do you wanna know?"

He hesitated before just going in for the kill "Why don't you see them? Did something happen?"

She sighs "I don't really get on with my dad. He's a bit of a useless twat, well a lot of a useless twat actually. Always wants something for nothing, anyway he's always on the scrounge from me. Wasn't too happy when I told him I was moving away for uni and I wouldn't be able to keep paying the bills."

He felt sad for her, she was so young yet had already had the financial burden of a big family to take care of "If you need money Molly, please don't ever be afraid to ask."

She kissed his lips "That's really sweet of you but I could never ask you. And I'm managing, thank you though" She was touched by his offer but it wasn't in her to take handouts. She'd always worked for everything she had, and she always will.

"Christmas then..." he broke the awkward silence with a plan for how they'd spend Christmas "Me and you, a massive dinner, copious amounts of wine... perfect! We can stay here or I can try and book us in somewhere, although it's late but I can try" he wanted to soften the blow that he was about to deliver "Do you have any plans for New Year Molly?"

He watched her as she tidied away the last of her uni things "I'm actually working New Year, had to choose between Christmas shift or new year" He was glad that she'd be kept busy, guilty at the thought of leaving her by herself.

"Molly I've got to go away for a bit" she stopped dead "Go away where? They can't deploy you, you've got a bad leg. Where are they sending you?" the panic in her voice stirred so much guilt within him.

"No no calm down I'm not being deployed, I have to go away for some rehab, but it's so far I don't expect you to visit, you'll be busy with uni and work etc, I don't want you to feel pressured to visit."

She wrapped her arms around him "Of course I'll visit you" she planted gentle kisses on his neck "Whatever you need to be better, we'll make it work" he'd forgotten how reasonable she was compared to Rebecca. He'd absolutely dreaded telling her, the memories of arguments and guilt trips with Rebecca still fresh in his mind, he felt guilty that he'd forgotten that Molly wasn't like that. She was loving and she cared about him, and if going away to finish his rehab was what he needed then she'd support him.

"The good thing about this is, hopefully I'll walk out of there. No more hobbling or hopping."

She smiled at the thought of a healthy, happy Charles "Then it will be worth every day spent apart" she kissed him on the nose "Now in the meantime you still gotta rest."

She led him to the bedroom and unstrapped his boot "No moving you. My turn to look after you now after you've put up with my strops all day."

He pulled her on top of him "The only thing I need right now is you all over me" his wish was her command. She nuzzled his neck, feeling his groin stiffen instantly.

"And what exactly is it that you'd like me to do for you" she panted in his ear. He didn't speak but his kissed her hard, removing her top and cupping her breasts. She bit his lower lip causing him to yelp a little, his hands moving down her trousers to see how wet she was.

"Clothes off" he ordered.

"Yes boss" she stripped herself naked and tugged at his jeans "off, now" he watched as she slowly removed every stitch he was wearing, his muscular body sending her crazy "you are so gorgeous Captain. I need to see you in uniform. I'll reward you generously for it," she nibbled and sucked gently all over his body, feeling him grow beneath her, she couldn't take it anymore, lowering herself onto him as he watched her move slowly and rhythmically on top of him. She gave a cry of pleasure as he brought her nipples to life under his thumb. They never broke eye contact as they both came together; the earth-shattering sensations that moved through their bodies connecting them on a deeper level. This wasn't just sex; it was pure love.

-OG-

The hustle and bustle of finishing up uni for Christmas and working at the hospital had Molly more than ready for a few days break with Charles for Christmas before he headed off to his rehab. He'd travelled down to Bath for a few days to spend time with his parents and Sam before he headed away for the holidays. He'd left her the car and they'd meet each other at the hotel he'd booked them for Christmas.

"You all set Molly? Maybe he'll propose" Georgie gave a cheeky wink.

"Listen it's not been anywhere near long enough. And I think he's had his fill of being married for now at least" they both laughed.

"True actually. Well, have a lovely time and I'll see you when we get back" Georgie and Elvis were going to her parents for Christmas. Something he was still moaning about "Room for a little Italian one?"

She laughed "NO!"

Molly keyed in the address for the hotel and set off. She'd never felt so happy, especially at Christmas. It had always been a dodgy time for her what with her dad getting extra pissed up and normally ruining the day her mum has spent months scrimping and saving and going without. She felt a wave of sadness come over her, she missed the kids so much and Belinda had been gutted when she said she wouldn't be home for Christmas. She tried to make up for it by sending her a special hamper just for herself on top of all the kids presents but she knew that her mum would likely see very little of it. He Dad would knock the booze and the girls would nick the toiletries no doubt. Her jaw nearly hit the floor when she pulled into the grounds of the hotel 'More like a bleedin' castle' she thought to herself, she pulled out her phone

Molly: I've just arrived at the hotel! Can't wait to see you let me know when you get near the station, I'll pick you up. Too cold for that leg out today! Xxx

She could feel eyes on her as soon as she walked through the doors, eyes that thought she didn't belong here, that she must have made a mistake "Hi my boyfriend has made a booking for us, his name is James, Charles James" the lady behind the reception tried and failed to hide her prejudice "Snobby cow" Molly muttered as she snatched the key card and made her way to the room. The 'room' was like something out of a movie she thought, more of a bloody flat than a hotel room.

Molly: This place is amazing! Hurry! Xxx

She couldn't wait for him to be there, to share this with him. It was probably nothing to him but she'd never seen a hotel like it, she was strictly a travel lodge only kind of girl. She made herself busy packing away her things, he still hadn't replied but she assumed he was in an area of bad signal on the train. She flicked on the tv to pass the time until he got there, excitement bubbling inside her like a child.

She checked her phone, she'd even fallen asleep for god knows how long, still nothing. She called but got his voicemail. Panic began to build inside her, what if something had happened? What if he'd had an accident?

Molly: I'm really worried Charles. Please let me know you're ok as soon as u can xx

She paced the room frantically, trying his number again and again. It was nearly 7pm now and he'd booked for them to have a fancy pre-Christmas dinner in the hotel. Maybe he'd meet her down there? She charged down to the restaurant "We've got a booking, under the name James. Is he here?" The lady sensed her urgency and checked their table "No miss, your table is empty" She tried his phone again and again until she finally realised, he wasn't coming.

It took her all of 30 seconds to repack her stuff. Angry and adrenaline running through her, her hands shook as she aggressively wiped tears from her face. Not only was he not coming but she had to face the humiliation of facing the cow at the desk. "I need to settle the bill, there's been a family emergency and we won't be staying. I won't be staying" an icy cold glare made Molly decide she was upgraded from cow to bitch; she even had the cheek to charge to full rate for both the meals they wouldn't be eating.

She drove like a lunatic, how she didn't get pulled over she was baffled but she needed to get home and get rid of this car. She pulled up at Elvis' flat, there was a light on but she decided to chuck the keys through the letter box anyway "Molly?" Elvis called after her as he opened the door.

"Charles car keys, I won't be needing them anymore. Return them for me please" Elvis caught up with her, his long legs closing the gap between them before she'd had the chance to get very far.

"Tell me what's happened? I thought you were at the hotel for Christmas?"

"He didn't fucking turn up Elvis. I've waited all day and he hasn't turned up. He's made a fool of me and I can't do it anymore. I can't play second best to his other life in Bath"

"You mean Sam?"

"I mean Sam and Rebecca. I'm not getting involved anymore" Elvis rubbed his beard, a nervous habit he'd picked up since being in the army.

"He wouldn't just not turn up Molly. Let me find out what's happened, come inside please let me sort this"

She considered it for a minute "I'm done Elvis, I'm done."