Chapter 21: Chapter 21
Lessons Learnt
Chapter 21
She woke up slowly, loving the feeling of his broad hand stroking her expanded belly. It was the way she had woken up to nearly every morning for the last five months. To Charles caressing her and their child.
"Morning Miss Dawes." He kissed her gently rolling her to face him so he could kiss her lips. Then he scooted his head down towards her tummy and placed a kiss there too. "Good morning Baby James."
Molly giggled, him doing that, as he did every morning, always made her heart flip and knew it would never get old or be wrong.
"Good morning Mr. James." She replied. Then pulled him up so he half rested his head on to her chest. As her waist expanded so did everything else, as well as getting super sensitive to his touch. He knew lying like this was a fine balance between ecstasy and agony for her.
"So what are my two favourite people's plans for today then?" Grinning away at her he asked. Curious as to what the answer would be.
"Don't know really nothing special really. Just another dull day I guess." She teased back.
"Dull?" Mockingly he shouted. "How dare you. This is meant to be one of the best days of your life I'll have you know." And he started tickling her, but before it developed any further Elvis banged on the door and interrupted them.
"Charles. Time to get up and go. Need to leave now mate."
Charles swiftly placed a kiss on her forehead and jumped out of bed, grabbing his towel and making his way to the shower. Molly dozed back off to sleep. Dreaming of how they had got to this day where she was lying in her bedroom at her parent's house waiting for the father of her child to get his arse out the shower and leave her.
Since that very first scan, since that life affirming day Charles and Molly could not have been happier. The image, the sound of their child's heartbeat, turned their worlds around and set them off onto a new direction. Since that day and ever since they both had been so excited about Molly's pregnancy. All problems were surmountable. Her morning sickness almost disappeared over night. Meaning that her and Charles started to reconnect physically. Her changing body shape was something that Charles had marvelled at and thoroughly enjoyed. Emotionally they were now on the same page, and with Baby James due in several months their world and everything in it was sorted.
Molly had moved to training at the Hereford base. Training SF recruits in first aid and basic care on the battle field. It was a job she truly loved, and in Elvis' words; was brilliant at it. The only downside was her commute, but it was far better than they could ever have imagined at the beginning. With this job she at least came home to Charles every night. They were not complaining at all. Molly had plans once their beautiful baby had arrived, but now she felt was not the time to rock the boat. They both knew one step at a time, as long as it was the right step and it was together, then it was the way to go.
She was woken from her day dreams by Charles, dressed, smelling gorgeous, kissing her hair and whispering his good byes. She opened both eyes and looked at her beautiful man. He no longer wore his eye patch, he had faced that demon. The eye to others still looked awful, but to those who knew him and loved him, like Molly, he didn't want to hide his eye away anymore. His vision was marginally better, more shapes, and even colours at time, but it was still not perfect. Neither cared; it stopped him from doing nothing, and he had got used to the looks strangers often gave him. He only cared about how Molly looked at him, and when she did all he saw was love.
"Charles?"
"Yes?" He stopped on his way out of the door. "You ok? Can I get you anything?"
"No. I just wanted to say I'll miss you. That and I love you, we both do." She said stoking her belly. They still didn't know what they we having, figuring that having a baby was a huge surprise for them, knowing its sex would be another.
"I love you to Miss Dawes, and…..I'll see you very soon."
"You will be there won't you?" She had flashes or doubts that he may leave her. Feeling large and not too sexy, despite his reassuring her to the contrary, she still worried.
"Molly. Of course I will. Best day of my life remember." And with that he left the room. Molly rolled to the edge of the bed and started on with her day's preparation.
Hours later she sat back in the car, her father by her side, and let out a huge sigh. The morning had been hectic, so busy...everyone had something to do and all had to do it with such volume. Molly got tired these days. That was the only negative that she had to say about her pregnancy. These past five months had gone like a dream, she just got bigger and wasn't as energetic as she used to be. So she was glad when her father closed the car door and they set off. She was nervous, but only in that, after Charles' reassurance that he wouldn't leave her, about how she looked. Today was an important day for them both, and she wanted to look perfect for him, for them and the memories today would always evoke.
Too quickly the car came to a stop at its destination, and she was helped out. Her Mum was there and so was Jacki, neither of them though were smiling at her as she expected, and she just knew something was wrong.
"What's the matter? What's going on?" She demanded of them.
Both didn't have the words to say. Jacki silently touched Belinda's arm and walked away with Dave, who lit a cigarette to calm his nerves. It was her Mum who spoke.
"Georgie is here. She wants a word. We've tried to tell her to do one. But you know it's just a bit hard, and that."
"No it's ok Mum. I'll see her." Molly replied. She knew she had to see her former best friend who she hadn't seen for over a year. It was the simplest way.
"Hello Molly." Georgie said quietly and tensely, coming from behind a door way. "Wow look at you!" She gasped. "Not long now?" Smiling at Molly.
"Yeah about six weeks or so. I feel enormous." Molly smoothed her dress over her very neat bump. Although she felt big, she certainly wasn't. Charles used to tease she only looked as though she had a Chinese banquet in her tummy rather than a baby. She to him, pregnant, only looked more beautiful.
"I couldn't stay away. Not today. Wanted to wish you congratulations and that." Georgie said.
"Thank you. Look I've got to be getting on." Molly noted the apologetic tone in her voice. She didn't want to hurt her friend, but also didn't want to stay and potentially be hurt by her.
"I know." Georgie said. "It just that I always thought it would be you and me here today doing this. Never thought you'd be doing this without me. Just needed to see you, and you know, wish you well."
"Thank you." Molly started to walk away and then turned. "Take care of yourself Georgie." She smiled at her oldest friend who had broken up their friendship due to her constant vanity, and needs.
It was just then that Elvis came running out. Obviously alerted by Jacki. Smartly suited, but serious. He came to save the day.
"What's going on here then?" He shot a suspicious glance over at Georgie. Before he got an answer Charles came running out to. He moved protectively to Molly's side.
"You Ok?" He whispered. Then loudly asked. "Georgie what the hell are you doing her? You're not wanted."
Georgie took it all in. She no longer belonged here. This group had learned to live without her. Molly and Charles were happy, were about to become parents. Elvis had moved on too. The woman who's arm he had curled around her was wearing a ring on her left hand. Signs that no one had pined for Georgie and her company anymore. She was after all dispensable.
"I'm just going. Good luck Molly and take care. Look after her Charles." And with that she was gone.
Charles carefully looked into Molly's eyes.
"Are you Ok?" he asked so concerned. She wasn't to be upset, not today.
"Yes. I am. Its fine. Except isn't it bad look to see the bride before the service." She smiled at him looking so smart in his morning suit, the button hole bursting in glorious colour out of his lapel.
"Nope." He shouted as he began walking away, pulled mostly by Elvis. "No bad luck here for us. Not today, not now, not ever. Now if you'll excuse me Miss Dawes I have to leave you. I've a wedding to attend. Today's the day I get to marry the love of my life." And both him and Elvis disappeared off into the church. To wait for her.
"You ready then Mols?" Jacki asked handing her the bouquet. "Time to go and become Mrs Charles James."
Molly smiled at her bridesmaid and her Mum.
"Of course I bleeding am!"
Over the years, as with most brides Molly would look back on her wedding day as one of the happiest days of her life. Just as Charles and their parents promised it would be perfect. She never really had imagined getting married, never mind getting married so pregnant. So she had few expectations of the day, apart from that she wanted it to be memorable. That was certainly the wedding Dave and Belinda gave their eldest daughter. There weren't lots of guest, the party afterwards wasn't outrageous, and the speeches weren't to awful. No it was a day just planned around the two people that handful of guest and family were there to celebrate, Molly and Charles. For this Molly and Charles would always be grateful.
After his first abysmal attempt Charles knew his next proposal had to be special, perfect, just like Molly had asked for. He worried, planned, reorganised, and plotted in an attempt to get it right. In the end it was nothing that he had intended, nothing that he had planned, but when he did ask this time she said yes without hesitation, and it went above and beyond anything they could ever have wished for.
Months ago they had been lying in their bed, taking in the spring sunshine, discussing what Molly wanted for her birthday. She lay half supported in his arms, while he stroked her belly. Her eyes were half closed, almost purring with how good his touch and their happiness felt. She started to drift off to sleep again, while he just held her, keeping his family safe in his arms. Feeling his child move in her belly beneath his hand. He had never felt anything so perfect, so peaceful in his life. He knew then that all the grand gestures, all the romantic ideas he had would never match up to just how right this moment was. And so that is when he asked.
"Molly?" He gently moved one of his hands into her hair to brush it across her neck so he could speak softly in her ear. "You awake?"
"Mmmmmmm." Was all so softly purred at him, but placing her hand over his that still rested on her belly, as a sign she was still awake.
"Molly? I need to ask you something."
She chuckled.
"If you're going to ask me to move, the answers no. I want to stay like this forever."
"No that wasn't it. I was wondering though, after we have stayed like this forever, and maybe even longer than that, how would you feel…well…..Molly I love you so much. Will you marry me please?"
She didn't jump up or squeal. She didn't in fact move apart from to lift his hand to her lips and kiss them. He felt her smile on his hands.
"Yes. I will Charles. I'll marry you."
And with that they both just went back to resting in each other's love, sharing the peace and calmness of the morning, and their love for one another which they would soon declare to the world. Charles knew by the change of her breathing several minutes later that she had fallen asleep, and that this time he had got the proposal right.
As she walked up the aisle all she saw was Charles' face. All she could hear was his mother sobbing with happiness. Charles looked over at her and rolled his eyes at Molly. Their smiles got wider and they both almost lost all sense and started to giggle. As Dave handed her over to Charles Molly felt her future husband's arm shaking below the hand she rested on it.
"You Ok?" She leaned into him. She had genuine concern in her voice, Charles was normally so in control. Elvis stood almost to attention at his side, beaming at the pair of them, flicking loving glances over his shoulder at Jacki.
"I am now. You look so beautiful Molly. I can't believe how lucky I got." He kissed her on the cheek, although that wasn't the way things were meant to go, that was the way Molly and Charles wanted it to go, their way.
When Charles and Molly first started to talk about their wedding there was one thing that Molly definitely did not want…. a church wedding. She said she'd feel too embarrassed to waddle up an aisle, but it was Charles who changed her mind. He said they had nothing to be ashamed about, everything they had done, the new life they had created was all done out of their love. Yes, he admitted they may not have done it in the traditional order, but all he knew were three things with certainty in his life. One he loved Molly, two he loved his unborn child, and three he wanted to spend the rest of their lives together as a family. Whichever way they made that happen they should be proud of what they have become and who they are. He was so sincere, and right. So when Molly's Mum and Mary 'found' the perfect church, and had 'accidently' taken Molly to view it with them, she no longer had a choice. She saw the church fell in love and knew she wanted to be a bride and walk up the aisle towards the man she loved.
Several months later and here she was, standing next to him. Dressed simply, and looking her very best. Because that's what Charles deserved. Her dress was simple, straight, full length, beautiful and white. Everything a little girl would dream of. Her bump was visible, but the dress wasn't about showing off her bump or hiding it. It was about making Molly look and feel like a bride, which it exactly did just that. And judging by the smile on Charles' face and the way he was gripping her arm, she had got it just right.
The engagement ring was also another tradition that Molly was willing to forego. This time though Charles was adamant. He was buying her one. Her views about having fat fingers, and not being able to wear it most of the time due to her work were completely ignored. She was thoroughly surprised therefore when he brought her breakfast in bed one morning, tea, a boiled egg, toast and a beautiful square sapphire solitaire platinum ring on the side. It was so simple, so beautiful, it was so Molly. She loved it straight away. Knowing she could not have chosen anything so perfect, and also knowing all the comments about not needing one were bollocks! She wore it at every opportunity possible, even sneaked it onto a chain around her neck when she was at work. Today however, still not wanting to be parted from it, she had it laced into her wedding bouquet, and planned to wear it as soon as could. It was funny she thought that something she had only had for a few months made her hand feel naked and wrong when she wasn't wearing it.
"So Mrs James had a good day then?" Charles gently danced his wife around the dance floor. He liked the sound of her new name. Molly gazed up at him, it had only been a few hours since she had actually become Mrs James, but she already knew it was a name she loved, and loved her new husband referring to her by it.
"I've had the best Charles. Never thought getting married could be so much fun, and such hard work. I'm bleeding knacked."
The wedding service and reception had gone like a dream, no speech too long or too embarrassing. Charles' speech was emotional, but it was Elvis' speech that had blown everyone away. He sobbed his way through stories of his best mate's childhood and hopes for Molly and Charles' future together. This harden soldier losing his tough reputation in front a handful of family and friends only made the day more special as it highlighted the amount of love their was for them both.
And so here they were having their first dance. They reception was in a small but beautifully exclusive venue, that over looked the lake where Charles and Molly first went kayaking on. The views were spectacular, but it was the memories looking out over the water of their heated date that made Molly and Charles smile. That was their beginning, so it felt right that they were here today to mark the occasion officially.
"You ready to leave soon then Mrs James?" Charles asked concerned that Molly, who so far had showed no signs of slowing down, didn't overdo it.
"Do you think you'll ever call me Molly again?" She giggled.
"Doubt it Mrs James. Never had a wife before and quite like having one now. Think the world should know. So Mrs James you want to go."
"No I don't….Mr James….husband…but I think we're might gonna have to…..I'm cream crackered." She broke away from him beaming joyously. "Is that ok?"
"Is it Ok that I get to take my wife away and start our honeymoon?" He teased. "Yes I think I can just about manage that. Come on let's say our good byes."
And so it was almost over an hour later that Molly and Charles were fully clothed, sat propped up in their room for the night. Jacki and Elvis' gift, the honeymoon suite in an exclusive hotel, before they set off the next day on their actual honeymoon. Both sat on their bed admiring the opulent surrounding, reviewing their memories of the day. In one hand they each held a hot drink, in the other they held each other's hand.
"Give me five minutes, and I'll take my dress off…..just enjoying the quiet and having my feet up." Molly mumbled resting her head on Charles' chest. Both were exhausted, and were so content just being with one another. A new and excited life lay ahead. Both knowing that serine quiet times like this would soon be a thing of the past, and something they both couldn't wait for.
"No rush Mrs James." He kissed her head. "…..we have the rest of our lives together."