Road to Tears
Chapter 8
The men had gone off on a run and were going to stop off at the local shop to get more supplies leaving the girls sitting at the picnic table and benches.
"Did I make an absolute tit of myself last night?" said Molly a little downcast at some of the comments from Elvis this morning.
"No course you didn't" said Jenny with some sympathy, she hated to think how loud her scream would have been if the spider had been in their tent. She had made Spanner leave one of the battery powered hurricane lamps on all night and he was going to have to get more batteries for it while they were out, it was far too dark out here and there was no way she would get to sleep without that little bit of light "Part of being city girls I suppose being a bit on edge out in the country."
"Don't worry about it Molls, you should have heard Dangles when he thought he saw a rat run across the bottom of our garden" Jackie laughed "Personally I think it was a cat."
"Anyway, how about we go and do some exploring of our own, the lads will be gone for ages if they are going to make Charles run his socks off?" grinned Jenny "It's a beautiful island and can't be too far to the beach"
They left a note saying they had gone exploring and were going to see if they could find their way to the beach.
-OG-
"I'll go easy on you today Charlie, what with being kept up half the night" said Elvis shaking his head grinning "Hard as nails is she?" laughing at the memory of what he saw when he went into their Yurt.
"Its pigeons for me" said Peanut giving them an insight into the big man all eyes turning to him, Dangles nodded in agreement "rats" and he gave an involuntary shiver.
"What?" exclaimed Elvis "You're Special Forces Peanut" and looking at Dangles "You're army."
"I'm with Dangles" added Jackson quietly "Can't stand rats."
"Just cos you're in the army mate doesn't mean you can't be frightened of something" finished off Spanner. He grinned "So boss, what are you scared of?"
"Well, he didn't put much effort into looking for that spider" laughed Charles, he was pretty pissed that Elvis had been teasing Molly about it before they set off this morning. He knew she was a bit embarrassed about it, thank god he hadn't heard the worm comment, he still wanted to laugh about that himself but if Elvis found out he would tease her relentlessly and he wasn't having that.
They carried on with the walk, picked up supplies for a couple of days, found a local hostelry for a quick pint before finding a bike hire shop. "Perfect" said Elvis "This will help, only 56 miles round the whole island, we should be able to do this in a few hours."
"Don't forget I'm not Special Forces" started Dangles "I don't have to do the Fan Dance" a gruelling exercise in the Brecon's. "Neither am I Dangles, don't you think that's a bit much Elvis?" added Charles.
-OG-
They cycled back to the camp site with their supplies and found the note saying the girls had gone to spend the day at the beach. Packing the groceries away they left to join them. Jenny and Jackie were in the sea mucking about while Molly was sat on the beach in her shorts and t-shirt soaking up the rays and watching them. Charles noticed the first smattering of freckles across her nose making a re-appearance in the sun and he couldn't help but grin as he flopped down next to her. Dangles, Peanut, Spanner and Jackson all stripping off to join the girls in the sea.
"Not coming in half pint?" grinned Elvis as he stripped to his swimming trunks watching as Molly shook her head.
"Too cold for me mate" she laughed but Elvis bent down to pick her up "No its not"
"No" and Charles caught the inflection in her voice.
"Elvis put her down" in a voice that sounded like an order, and he did "So why don't you want to get in half pint, everyone else is?"
"I can't bloody swim alright" she said angrily both men looking at her.
"But it's a requirement at basic" said Charles quietly "How did you get through?"
Molly shrugged "Pulled a sickie didn't I" Elvis roared with laughter "a person after me own heart Dawes, a rule breaker" still laughing "I'll leave you to it Charlie" and with that he ran towards the ocean.
They were both sat back down on the beach Molly pulled her legs up to her chin and wrapped her arms round them, not daring herself to look at him.
"Did no one realise you hadn't taken it, check that it had been completed" controlling his annoyance at the trainers as Molly shook her head "Do you realise how incredibly dangerous it could be if you can't swim and have to cross water when on an operation or manoeuvres?" he sighed "I'll teach you" taking her hand.
"Not here Charles, they already think I'm stupid because I screamed at a spider, I don't want them to know I can't swim either and water frightens me a bit."
"Oh Molly, no one thinks you are stupid" still holding her hand "I think you're one of the bravest women I have met when it counts" bringing their joined hands to his lips and kissing her knuckles "Come in with me, I promise we won't go in too deep."
She snorted a laugh "It might not be deep for you but it will for me" he grinned "I won't let you go, I promise" she scanned his eyes as they looked at her with such intensity "You promise?" and he nodded "Alright then."
They walked hand in hand to the ocean, he made sure that it was never more than waist deep for her. She was right though it was bloody cold. "You go and swim Charles, I'm quite happy sitting on the beach, top up me tan" she grinned at him.
She quite enjoyed watching him as he powered through the waves swimming, he was slowly getting his strength back after a year of rehab, it reminded her when she used to watch him in the FOB at their gym, and that paddling pool licking her lips at the memory.
-OG-
Elvis and the rest of SF certainly put him through his paces. Had him up early and cycling round different tracks on the island every morning and then a 5K run every evening. During the day the group either went to the beach or site seeing. He was absolutely knackered, just as well as the reappearance of those elasticated PJ's of Molly stayed for the whole trip.
He had forgotten he enjoyed swimming until they arrived here and he was determined that when they got back he would continue and take the time to show Molly. He wouldn't be allowed to serve with her again so he wanted to make sure that she could swim, get herself out of trouble if the need arose.
The weather had stayed good for them for the whole 5 days and the group had enjoyed the trip immensely, all of them enjoying each other's company. Although Molly told him that a Yurt may well be a luxury tent he can forget it if he ever thinks she will stay in one again. The only way they got hot water was if they showered together and it was a small shower and even then it was starting to run cold by the time all the soap was rinsed from her hair.
"First thing I'm doing when we get back is have a nice long hot bath" she said as she packed their things ready for the trip back to Aldershot. "Still at least I get a bit of pampering next weekend with the girls" she giggled. He gulped, he was taking her to Bath the weekend after that for her 21st. Had booked a table at Cloisters. It should be a double celebration, he should've got his clearance for active service, as well as her birthday and if he was really lucky it would be a triple celebration, there was something hidden in his bedside drawer waiting for him to pluck up the nerve.
-OG-
The weekend with the girls at the Spa had been great fun. Georgie and her sister Marie had come down from Manchester. Jackie, Lauren, Katie and Jenny all making sure that she had a good time celebrating her impending 21st and the key to the door. They had really pushed the boat out had loads of treatments and a lovely dinner.
During the following week Charles had arrived at Keogh and gone through all the evaluations, he had a final meeting with Major Beck and was given the all clear that he was fit enough for active service. He couldn't stop smiling. He had everything he could ever want. He was back to being the Captain of 2 Section and he had a beautiful girlfriend, whom he absolutely adored.
Elvis turned up that evening asking him to go for a celebratory pint and Molly told him to go, it would leave her in peace to watch the soaps.
"So, you all sorted for her 21st?" asked Elvis and Charles broke out into huge smile nodding hardly able to contain himself "What you got her then?"
"A ring" still grinning.
"She doesn't strike me as the jewellery type" Elvis answered then thought about it and grinned himself "You gonna ask her then?"
"If I don't brick it, yep, I'm going to ask her."
"Well, she won't say no will she" and Charles raised an eyebrow "Come on mate, you can see it, every time she looks at you, you can see she worships the ground you walk on."
"She loves me" he beamed.
"Yeah seems that way, poor deluded fool."
"She's all I've ever want Elvis, she makes me laugh, can't imagine my life without her now."
"Don't fuck it up Charlie" he said sadly "you might never find it again" looking down into his pint with his own regrets at what he had lost.
-OG-
They had driven to Bath and his parents had got Sam over and they had a birthday tea. Graham and Sylvia had bought her a tablet so that if either of them were on tour she would have something she could use to skype. Sam had bought her a beautiful neckless from Pandora and she said she would wear it all the time and think of him whenever she was away.
They were sat at a table in the corner of Cloisters, he wanted a bit of space and privacy when he did this. He had a few glasses of wine, just to calm him down but needed to stop as he was feeling a little bit giddy. Their waitress grinning at him every time she served them, knowing that he had specifically asked for this table as he was going to be proposing.
"If she keeps grinning at you like that I'll clump her" said Molly making him choke on his wine. They had finished their meal, had been served their coffee. There should be no more interruptions he thought, now, now was the time. He got up and started walking round the table towards her.
"Where you going?" she asked and her eyes opened wide as he dropped to one knee "Fucking hell Charlie get up, you're not that pissed are you?" looking around to see if anyone else had noticed he'd fallen on the floor.
"I want to ask you a question" his hand going into the pocket of his jacket to pull out the small box.
"You don't need to do it from the bleedin floor, get up everyone will think you are off your face."
"Molly Dawes" he grinned all his planned speech going out of his head "will you marry me?" looking up into her wide eyes, her mouth opening and closing no words coming out she was so shocked. Speechless he thought now that was a first he thought smiling at her and waiting on her answer.
"You mean it?" she breathed out "me, you wanna marry me?" and he nodded "I love you I want us to spend the rest of our lives together" he opened the box and held out his hand towards her.
"It's beautiful Charlie" she whispered her head coming down to take a closer look. He took the ring out the box, putting the box on the table then taking her hand holding the ring up with his other.
"So, will you marry me?" he looked at her face her eyes shining with unshed tears one of her huge toothy grins on her face and all she could do in response was to nod. He put the ring on her finger as she held her hand out to look at it glinting on her finger. He kissed her briefly whispering "shall we go home?" again she nodded.
"Charles" she said standing up as he helped her on with her jacket "This is the best birthday ever."
-OG-
To say that his parents were ecstatic was an understatement, his mother asking to see the ring. She was bursting with happiness for both of them. Charles looked so happy, he didn't take his eyes off Molly, often told her he loved her. She also knew that Molly was reticent at saying the words with the frequency her son did but assumed that was her somewhat chaotic upbringing, but she knew, a mother knows these things, she adored Charles, the way she looked at him, listened to him, hung on to his every word, wanted to be near him she knew how much Molly loved him. She had high hopes that this time they had both found what they were looking for, that this would be a perfect marriage.
"So, when are you going to tell your parents?"
Molly shrugged "I suppose I can give them a ring tomorrow."
Charles laughed "I don't think so, we will go up there next weekend when we are off and I'll ask your father properly."
Molly snorted a very unladylike laugh "You think I will take any notice of what he says, and you shouldn't either" she shook her head "We'll just tell him I'm getting married sometime maybe next year or the year after."
She saw the fleeting look cross his face "Sorry is that too soon, do you think we should leave it longer?" she said as she sat down next to him on the sofa putting her hand on his leg.
Shaking his head with a small smile and a huff "No Moll it's too long, I was thinking 3 months" Molly frowned "Bloody hell" drawing a large breath "What's the rush, it's not exactly as if I'm knocked up or nothing?"
"Well, that makes a change" laughed Graham and Charles gave him a withering look at his poor joke about his reasons for marrying Rebecca then continuing "Nothing is set in stone yet, but there are rumours, strong rumours that 2 section and I will be deployed to Kenya for four months."
"Shit!"
-OG-
The following weekend they went to London to tell her family. Her sisters squealed with delight asking if they could be bridesmaids.
Her father did as she expected and assumed it was a shot gun wedding "No Dave" insisted Charles "I'm due to be deployed and we want to get married before I go."
"We can all go shopping with Elsie" said Nan "We should be able to get the dresses from her."
"No Nan" said Molly laughing "If you think we are going on a nicking spree for all the dresses and I end up spending me wedding night in the clink you are mistaken."
"There's no need Nan" grinned Charles, her Nan was a character he thought "We have the money, it probably won't be a massive affair."
"What about the church, not sure you will get one booked with that short notice?"
Molly and Charles grinned at each other, they had already found a place that was perfect for them. "We found a manor house on the outskirts of Reading, we can have the ceremony there and the reception and there are enough rooms for if everyone wants to stay over" she beamed "It's perfect Nan, it's the old Huntley and Palmer family home"
"What the biscuit people?"
Molly nodded "They don't live there now of course it's a hotel and conference centre, it's really nice Nan, there's a lake, a golf course…."
Nan snorted a laugh "Wouldn't think golf would be on your mind if you're getting married."
Molly had gone into the kitchen to help her mother get the teas and coffees, but she had spotted that her mother looked like she had tears in her eyes. "You alright Mum?" she asked putting her arm round her. Belinda nodded, "just dead happy for you Moll he's a lovely bloke" Molly's face broke out into a huge grin as she hugged her mother "He is mum, best thing that ever happened to me".
Dave had gone out to the balcony for a smoke leaving Nan and Charles alone in the living room "I've never seen our Molls look so happy" started Nan "When she came back on her R&R she and her Dad had a chat about Bells wanting a part time job and she gave him some spiel about holding her hand and he would move up with her" she sighed and looked him in the eye searching his face for answers, "are you holding her hand?"
He gave the same intense stare back "When I met her in Afghan I had made a decision after what I have seen and my divorce that it would be better to not get involved to be detached" a small smile on his lips "I don't think it's just me holding her hand, she's holding mine too."
"Don't break her heart like her Dad."
He shook his head "Won't happen, can't imagine my life without her" grinning widely.
-OG-
There was so much to do, to get organised. Charles wanted her to have a wedding day she would remember, she was special he said and he wanted the day to reflect that. He knew it was rushed as he was going away but that didn't mean they had to cut corners on what they wanted.
"I ain't turning into a Bridezilla am I Charles?" she asked while sitting on the sofa at their home going through the list of names they would invite. He had his arm around her shoulder looking down at the list they were trying to work out.
"That's one thing you are not" he snorted a laugh "If anything it's me."
"True" she looked up at him giggling "Who are all these people, do you ever see them?" and he shook his head "Why we inviting them then?" and promptly crossed off another 10 names making him laugh.
"Do you think Georgie and Jamie would come?"
He shrugged "you will just have to ask and see what she says."
"I think if she knows Elvis is there she won't come" she sighed
"Well, he has to come, he's the best man."
"Tell him if he says anything sleezy, I'll knee him in the nuts" she laughed.
"Don't worry if he does I'll hold him down for you" kissing her on the top of her head.
Putting the finalised list on the table she turned and straddled his lap her hands on his shoulders as his came round her waist.
"So, it's all sorted then, we're ready for this?" she said both of them grinning "50 people for the day and evening, all booked and catered for" kissing him briefly "me dress and me sisters bridesmaids dresses all hanging up at your mums for safe keeping" she had hardly been able to stop smiling ever since he had asked her to marry him and it still wasn't leaving her face "It's really beautiful Charlie, can't wait till you see me in it, it will knock you bandy mate."
He threw his head back laughing "What about me, I'll be in full dress uniform, will you be knocked bandy?"
"Well, I'll have me dad to hold me up" laughing hysterically "Unless he gets pissed first then we will both be flat on our faces."
He put his hands either side of her face pulling her towards him "It will be a perfect day" he whispered against her mouth.
-OG-
With Jackie organising her Hen night and Elvis organising Charles' Stag they thought it best to do that two weeks before the wedding, Molly being particularly worried that as Elvis had organised a weekend in Dublin for him, he would probably put him on a flight somewhere and he wouldn't turn up. Charles laughed like a drain when she told him, there was absolutely no way on earth that Elvis would get him that drunk that he wouldn't turn up.
"Don't you trust him?"
"With my life if I needed rescuing, he's clearly good at his job" she shrugged "but with getting you to the wedding on time, well he's got form ain't he?"
Charles laughed "I'll be there and you had better be too" sighing "He had reasons for why he didn't show up, not sure if he did the right thing, but they were done with the best intentions and I think he still loves her."
"I think he does too but I don't want to know why until he tells her first" stroking his face "She's me mate and I don't want her to think I am going behind her back and gossiping about her."
"Is she going to be on the Hen night, what have the girls sorted for you?"
"It's going to be blinding Charlie" her excitement spilling out of her "Jackie has got us a 70's weekend in Weston. We're all gonna be dressing up and everything."
-OG-
Elvis picked him up with Spanner and Peanut to catch a flight to Dublin. Most of 2 section were coming only missing Baz, Nudenut and Mansfield but they would be at the wedding. Dyno and Jackson going to the airport in a separate car. Dyno having to drop the kids off at the in-laws first. Elvis had even contacted a couple of their old Sandhurst friends. He was looking forward to this with trepidation and gave Elvis an early warning about handcuffing him somewhere that would get him arrested.
"I wouldn't do that Charlie" he said laughing "Molly and I are friends now" Charles raised his eyebrow as Elvis continued to laugh "I ain't about to piss her off now am I?"
They checked into their hotel as soon as they arrived, Elvis giving the instruction of all meeting down in the lobby in 30 minutes for the first of the activities, a coach would be picking them up. Seemed they were going to spend a couple of hours playing footgolf. They arrived at the course and were shown where to change into their hired boots and kit.
"What the fuck is footgolf?" asked Fingers as they walked out onto the course. It didn't take long to work it out, that it was a combination of the two sports, the idea being to play golf with a football, and the men spent a raucous couple of hours knocking their opponent's footballs into the lake or the sandpit rather than down the holes.
They finished that off with lunch and a couple of Guinness before heading back to change for the evening activities that Elvis had arranged. First they went for a Chinese, they felt they needed to line their stomachs, then the coach picked them up for a pub crawl before ending up in a nightclub.
Charles was sat down in one of the booths, well slumped was probably a more accurate description. The hangover was going to take days to get over. What with the Chinese, the beer, Guinness and then Elvis had got them all whiskeys he could feel it all curdling in his stomach.
Spanner came and sat down next to him, he had been standing at the bar talking with Kinders, Dyno and Dangles, when he noticed Charles was on his own. The rest of the lads were on the dance floor trying to attract the attention of the local girls and not doing that well by the looks of things. Kinders and Dangles along with him and Dyno all in relationships were all quite happy to pass on that and just catch up on news.
Spanner looked across at Charles and thought he looked a bit green around the gills "Are you OK Charles, do you need to go outside for a bit?"
Charles shook his head and wished he hadn't as he gripped the table trying to focus on his glass to stop the whole room spinning "Don't think I know how to walk anymore Spanner."
Spanner laughed "Let's hope Molly isn't in the same state."
"She thinks Elvis will get me so pissed he puts me on a flight so I can't get back for the wedding" he sighed.
Spanner threw his head back in laughter "Won't happen mate, Kinders and Dangles wouldn't let him do something like that to you" snorting a laugh "and my Jen will probably pack my bags and make me move back to barracks if I let anything happen to upset Molly."
Charles face broke into a huge grin just thinking about it "She's special isn't she my Molls?" giving a wistful sigh "I really love her, she's absolutely the one for me."
Spanner sniggered and shook his head "Let me get Kinders and Dangles and we can help you back to the hotel mate" as Charles slumped forward onto the table his head resting on his arms as if he had just fallen asleep. "Dyno, Kinders, Dangles" he called across to the Bar "Come and help."
-OG-
Jackie was driving Molly, Katy and Lauren to Sands Bay near Western Super Mare for their 70's weekend. Unbeknown to Molly, Georgie had organised the hire of full on 70's clothes and wigs so they could all dress in the era. Georgie was driving down from Manchester with her sister Marie. Jenny had asked if she would mind if Sue came as Dyno was on the stag do and Molly said the more the merrier, it will probably do her good to get out and let her hair down.
They all checked into their chalets, Georgie handed out the bubble perm, bob and page boy wigs and they killed themselves laughing when they found out about the wedge and the shag. The clothes they all quite liked, bell bottom trousers, peasant tops, tie-dyed shirts, halter necks and crop tops. All of them wondering how they were going to walk in the platform shoes. They went across to the restaurant for dinner before going to the show hall and bar. They had already drunk the bottles of wine in their rooms and had now moved on to shorts.
Molly absolutely loved the music and was singing along with the rest of them, all up dancing at every opportunity. She was hot and her feet were aching a bit so went back to the table. She had only taken a few sips of her drink when Georgie joined her. Grinning at her mate "Just make sure I take off these platforms if I get too pissed, I don't wanna fall over and turn up to me wedding with me foot in plaster" she laughed.
"It's a fantastic night isn't it Molly, good idea of Jackie's" looking across to the dance floor to see the rest of them dancing.
"Yeah blinding, she really did do good" grinned Molly. "I know I already asked but won't you change your mind about the wedding and come with Jamie?"
"No Molls, I really am sorry to miss it but I can't see him."
"But you have Jamie now, haven't you told him about Elvis?" and Georgie shook her head.
"He hurt me really badly" sighed Georgie "I don't want to see him or even think about him" Molly could only nod she didn't want to spoil the weekend by going on about it. She couldn't help but wonder why you wouldn't tell your fiancé that you had been engaged before and had been hurt.
"So, you set a date yourself then George?" and Georgie laughed shaking her head, "what with yours and then going on tour with 2 Section to Kenya there hasn't been time to discuss it".
"I wish he wasn't going so soon after we are married" sighed Molly "He says it's good though he will be back for Christmas."
"It's a humanitarian operation, and by moving it forward it does mean we will be back with our families for Christmas" she patted Molly's hand "Just a shame it meant cancelling the honeymoon."
"Yeah, still we get two days in Dorset before he goes" staring straight ahead of her "Just wish I could go with him this time, what with it being his first tour since he was shot."
"Don't worry, it's looking after refugees, it will be fine" she tried to console her "I'll be there and can keep an eye out."
Taking a gulp from her drink "I'm surprised really he wants to marry me, not really his type am I what with our backgrounds and that? Would've thought he would have picked someone more like Rebecca or you."
Georgie almost spat her drink into her glass at that remark "One squaddie was enough, I've had my fill of them."
"Come on Moll" shouted Jackie from the dancefloor and waving her over.
By the end of the evening Molly and Jackie could barely talk they had been singing so much their voices horse.
"Feel like I've smoked 40 fags" croaked Molly as they staggered back to their chalet her shoes in her hand.
-OG-
Molly and Charles drove to the country house near Reading the day before the wedding. They were waiting on their families arriving they were going to have a quiet family dinner together.
While the two mothers had met when they were on the shopping trip for a wedding dress the rest of the families hadn't met. Sam had been ecstatic at finally meeting all Molly's brothers and sisters, he would finally have someone to play with as he had no brothers himself.
Spanner, Jenny and Elvis were also coming the night before. Jenny had very kindly agreed that she would do her hair and make up for her and her sisters.
They had their dinner, Elvis sitting next to Nan and every time Molly looked over he appeared to be laughing at what her Nan was saying. She kept giving her mum looks and nodding across to her Dad, she didn't want him getting so slaughtered tonight that he couldn't walk her up the aisle tomorrow as he appeared to be necking the brandy with Graham.
"Stop worrying" whispered Charles next to her ear as he took her hand away from her mouth and chewing her nails kissing her knuckles before putting her hand on his leg and holding it there. "It's going to be a perfect day."
"Don't really do perfect" giving a worried laugh and still looking at her father getting drunker by the minute "He's probably gonna step on me dress and rip it or something."
"Molly, look at me" and she turned looking at his dark eyes smiling at her "He won't and even if he does and you have to walk up the aisle in your underwear I'm still gonna fucking marry you."
"Your language has gone right downhill since you met me ain't it?" laughing as he winked and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"So" he grinned waggling his eyebrows "Are you going to sneak into my room or am I going to sneak into yours later?"
Molly burst out laughing and squeezed his leg "nobody is doing any sneaking about, its bad luck ain't it?"
"Who said?" his head coming down to hers and starting to kiss her.
"Oi" came a voice from the other end of the table "Can't you two wait until tomorrow, you're putting me off my drink?"
Molly could feel the colour rising on her cheeks as she whispered to Charles "that fuckwit really gets on me tits sometimes."
"I know what you mean" his eyes looking almost black and shining as he laughed picking her hand up from his leg and kissing her palm. "Just make sure you turn up on time tomorrow Dawesy."
-OG-
Molly was up early the next morning, she was so excited but so nervous about the day. All their friends and family were here, even some of Charles officer friends including Major Beck and his wife. She really didn't want to embarrass him or herself for that matter. Her stomach rolled with nerves but she wasn't sick. She had showered and washed her hair and was just sitting thinking, if she was honest she kept feeling like she should pinch herself, she would surely wake up and all this would be a dream. She'd wake up and still be in Afghan in the FOB and he would still believe she wasn't up to being a medic.
There was a knock at the door and both Jenny and Jackie had arrived. Jackie carrying a bottle of Champagne she had bought when her and Dangles checked in this morning.
"Where is your mum and sisters" asked Jackie surprised to see Molly on her own
Molly laughed "Well Jade and Bella are both teenagers so probably still sleeping and me Mum is probably trying to get me Dad sober and probably me Nan an all for that matter."
"Well let's start on you then" said Jenny grinning, she could see how nervous she was and thought her Mum at least would've been here.
Molly unzipped her dress bag to show Jenny as she hadn't seen it. "It's beautiful" sighed Jenny as she looked at the ivory white dress that would hug her shape until it got to the knee and then flared to a small train. The sleeves were lace and came to the wrist, the lace coming across the front of the dress into a heart shape only giving a glimpse of cleavage. The tiny little pearl buttons concealing the zip at the back coming all the way down to her backside. She knew the colour scheme and had come prepared.
"Well, I think half up half down hair and braid with little white flowers and pearls to match the buttons"
The three girls started drinking the champagne while they waited on Molly's Mum and sisters to join them to put on their dresses and have their hair done.
"You two look lovely" enthused Molly "Thank you for what you've done" raising her glass "I don't feel so bad after a couple of these."
There was a knock at the door and in came Bella, Jade, Belinda and Nan. Belinda sniffing and tears running down her face "You look lovely Molly, really lovely."
"Don't start Mum you'll set me off and Jens only just finished doing me makeup" Nan proffered another couple of bottles of Champagne which Jackie duly opened and poured them all a glass "You alright Nan, you have a good time last night?" remembering her flirting with Elvis.
"Yeah, he's a right charmer that Elvis" she cackled "Reckons Charlie is a right sap and you are the love of his life."
Molly burst out laughing "Think that might be going a bit far Nan."
"I don't know Molls" said Jackie shaking her head grinning "He's always looking for you when you are in the room."
"True" added Jenny "and remember that camping trip when he found out she couldn't swim?"
"Ah" they said in unison, grinning manically "Yeah wouldn't let go of your hand would he?"
"Have you got doubts Moll?" asked her Mum "There's still time if you wanna change your mind."
"I don't wanna change me mind" grinned Molly taking a gulp of her Champagne and blushing "He's the love of my life too ain't he?"
"Ah" said all the women except for Jade and Bella who stuck their fingers down their throat.
-OG-
The time came and Molly went down the stairs to meet her Dad, whose jaw dropped when he saw her. His little girl all grown up and looking beautiful. They got to the entrance of the room they were to be married in and stopped. Molly looking around to see everyone seated and waiting for her and her Dad to arrive. The hotel had done a lovely job at decorating the room. She saw 2 section, her RAMC friends, the officers along with Major Beck and his wife. The Special Forces guys. Her family and his all waiting for her. At the front she could see Charles in his uniform with Elvis next to him whispering, his head down and fiddling.
"You ready girl?" her Dad whispered and she inhaled a large breath and nodded. Sam in front with his little cushion, her and her Dad followed by Bella and Jade.
As soon as the music started his head snapped up and he looked behind him to see Molly walking towards him, she was stunning and her smile was just for him, her eyes never leaving his. As Dave handed his daughter over to Charles they barely heard another word as they looked at each other repeating the words of the registrar, saying their vows, Sam had to cough trying to hold the cushion up as high as he could with the rings that they had completely forgotten. All too soon the registrar pronounced them man and wife and asked them to sign the book.
"Well Mrs James" grinned Charles looking down at her "We did it, you can't escape me now" kissing her again.
The photographer had them all over the place, taking photos in the huge entrance way with dark oak panelling, then out through the door and in between the pillars, on the steps and down by the lake.
Finally, they sat down for their wedding breakfast. If either of them had been asked to say exactly what had been said in the speeches neither would be able to. Elvis hadn't been sleezy and had only said that they were made for each other. Her Dad had remained relatively sober before the speeches and only made one remark about how he wished Charles luck as he was going to need it. Sam spent the day racing around with her brothers Jack and Martin and was having a whale of a time.
"Molly, Molly" he came running up to her "Nan says I can come and stay any time you are going to London" he pulled himself up onto her lap "When are you going next?"
Charles lifted him off, before he could put his mucky hands on her dress "I'm going away in a few days Sam, so not till I get back."
"When is that?"
"Christmas"
"But that's too long, Molly can you take me, pleaseeee?"
"We'll have to ask your Mum Sam, but it might be better to wait out until your Dad gets back then he can take you all out somewhere nice, maybe see Father Christmas."
"Thanks for that" he whispered close to her ear "Just what I want to do after 4 months away stand in a queue for hours to see Father fucking Christmas."
-OG-
The evening part of the day came soon enough and the lights lowered as the music started. Major Beck came up to them and said sorry they had to leave but they had to collect the kids from his mother, but it had been a lovely day and hoped they would be very happy.
They were on the dance floor and Charles was holding her close "You look beautiful Mrs James" his voice low as he pulled her closer "you don't look too shabby yourself" she answered and hoped that she might get to see him in his dress uniform again.
"We'll leave early it will take some time to undo all those buttons."
Molly giggled "They ain't real, it's a zip."
"Perfect" kissing her forehead.
-OG-
Molly loved music and loved to dance, she was on the dance floor with Sam, holding his hand while she danced with her RAMC friends. It didn't take long though for Sam to get a bit bored and he was off again looking for Martin and Jack.
Charles walked to the table where Elvis was sitting, "you OK mate?" he asked watching as Elvis took a sip from his bottle of beer
"Yep, just thinking" he sighed "Would have been married over two years now if I hadn't fucked up."
"Contact her, tell her why you didn't."
"Is she alright, is she happy?"
"Well, she's coming on tour with me and 2 section" he started "But is she happy, I don't know mate, Molly doesn't talk to me much about her. Reckons you should tell her though, you can't put it right if you keep hiding."
"I like her you know."
"Well, you were going to marry her, would hope you more than liked her."
"I'm not talking about Georgie" he sniggered drinking again "I mean Molly, I like her, and she's good for you makes you happy."
"She does indeed" he grinned at his friend then looking across the dancefloor at her, just as she turned and smiled at him and waved.
"Think I might ask the blushing bride for a dance before you whisk her away" putting his bottle down and standing up.
"Elvis" said Charles frowning making Elvis laugh and pat him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry mate I ain't about to try and steal her from you, don't think I could even if I wanted to" winking at him and walking onto the dance floor.
He watched as Molly and Elvis did some sort of Jive, Molly laughing at him hysterically at some of his moves before saying something to him which made him laugh and then walking off the dance floor towards him. Her smile getting bigger with each step and he couldn't help but return it. She sat on his knee wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek as his arms went around her waist.
"Couldn't dance with him too long, he has some very strange moves" she laughed then nodded her head towards Elvis "Is he alright, looks a bit sad?"
"Yeah he has regrets I think."
"Can't be easy giving up the love of your life." she sighed "Perhaps the fuckwit should grow a pair and go see her, talk to her?"
Charles stared out onto the dance floor at his best friend still there laughing and dancing with Lauren and Katy. "No, I don't suppose it is and maybe he will one day" kissing her neck and making her shiver on his lap "Do you think we have been suitably sociable and we can leave now? I've shared you long enough today Mrs James, it's time I had you all to myself"