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Chapter 18
The Bonds of Love
Part Four
1115 – Hereford, UK
Elvis decided to take the threesome on a short drive after church. It was a beautiful sunny day and the trees were beginning to bud and blossom. Part of his notion was to take a gander at the house he and Georgie had their hearts set on. They were going to meet up with the estate agent next week for a formal tour of the property and he wanted Laura to have a chance to see it whilst she was in Hereford.
"Are you sure Elvis? I mean we don't even know that we have it yet." Georgie said. He glanced at her, then his gaze moved to the rear-view mirror. He saw Laura looking out the side window and humming softly.
"I know…..I was just thinkin maybe it would be a good way to explain all of the changes that will be takin place." He said.
"Right. I get that. But we can't say this is where we'll be living."
"Fair enough. We are looking though and this just 'appens to be one of our choices. "At's it."
"Yeah….OK…Yeah." She said twisting to look back at Laura. "But don't forget about you know what!"
Elvis kept his eyes on the road but grinned broadly. "How could I forget, eh? My ear is still ringin from the verbal beatin I took from Debbie."
"Shhhh…." Georgie said looking back at Laura again. "Well ya did just sort of spring it on her!" She chided quietly.
"Awwwww…" He moaned. "I had mentioned it before."
"But she never said yes before." Georgie said rolling her eyes at him.
"Well she did this time." He said with a sniff.
"Did ya give her any choice in the matter?"
"Nah." He reached over and jostled Georgie's shoulder. "It's all good babe." He said with a smile. She allowed her head to bobble as her eyes slid to him.
"You are unreal." She said under her breath. He laughed and looked back at Laura again.
"Wha' ya thinkin about angel?"
She turned from the window and plopped her hands in her lap. "I'm thinking about my basket Daddy."
He grinned. "Soon honey. We just wanted to show ya somethin."
Laura grabbed her seat belt, tugging on the strap. "What is it?"
"Remember Georgie and I told ya we were thinkin about movin into a house because we'll need more room?" Elvis said. Occasionally glancing back.
"Uh, huh."
"Well there's one we fancy and would like ya to see it whilst yer 'ere."
"Will I live there too?" Laura asked and her response jabbed Elvis right in the heart. He gulped and Georgie felt for him. That had to hurt. He took a quick moment to answer.
"Of course ya will honey, when ya come to visit with us." He said trying to sound upbeat.
"You'll have your very own room." Georgie encouraged.
"But I have a room now." Laura said, back kicking her feet against her seat.
Elvis looked at Georgie.
"This will be a new room. In a bigger home. I would love for you to help me decorate it. Would you fancy that?" Georgie said. Elvis smiled warmly at his wife as he gripped the steering wheel to relax.
"I guess so." Laura said.
"It will be a larger room than you have in our flat." Elvis said. "And there's a big yard."
"Will I have the same bed?"
"Yes."
"May I keep the blanket you gave me Daddy?"
Elvis let out a breathy laugh and knew Georgie was having visions of camo inspired bed coverings because she shot a look at him. He shrugged good naturedly. "Of course." He said. Georgie rolled her eyes. "Ya know….ya keep 'at up they're gonna roll right out of yer head." He muttered discretely. Georgie gave him a quick snarky lip curl.
"It will be your special room." She said to Laura. "You can have whatever you fancy."
"Wow!" Laura said happily. "I can pick colors and stuff."
"Right. We're almost there." Elvis said as the car slowed to a crawl. Georgie was straining to look out the windshield as she recognized the structure up ahead. She gave Elvis a toothy grin as he pulled into the driveway. Laura's head was swiveling in every direction to glimpse everything she possibly could. "We can't go inside but maybe we can take a gander at the yard." Elvis said.
"Looks as though the neighbors are out." Georgie said, gesturing with her head.
"So. I just want a quick look." He got out of the car and opened Laura's door to detach her seat belt. Georgie got out and stretched. The air was still a bit chill and she pulled the jacket collar around her neck. Laura scraped her shoes on the asphalt as Elvis reached for her hand. "Can't go runnin about." He said.
"Loads of trees in the back." Georgie said as the three came to stand together. Elvis' gaze took in everything. The exterior appeared to be well cared for and the street was quiet. The backyard was enclosed by high wooden fencing that was just shy of two meters. Elvis hiked himself up to get a better view and then helped Georgie do the same. They grinned at each other.
"Daddy can I see?" Laura asked, pulling on his trouser leg.
"Sure." He lifted her up so she was sat on his shoulder. Her little hands clutched the top of the wall.
"Wow Daddy!. It's big." She raved. "There are a lot of trees."
"Exactly wha' I was lookin for." Elvis said putting an arm around Georgie and holding onto Laura at the same time.
"You folks interested?" Came a male voice that grew louder as the person approached.
"Indeed." Elvis said slowly turning to face their inquirer.
"It's a sound dwelling." The man said. He was friendly enough but there was something distinctly reserved about him. His gaze locked on Elvis. "Are you newcomers to Hereford?"
"Negative. We 'ave been here for a little over a year now. Time to settle down into somethin of our own." Elvis replied.
"Military?" The man asked moving in a bit more close.
"Yes sir."
"Ahhh. Good to meet you then." The silver haired man said reaching to shake Elvis' hand.
"Retired Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Brinkley."
"Captain Elvis Harte." The two clasped hands together in a firm shake. "This is my wife Corporal Georgie Lane-Harte, and my daughter Laura."
Georgie smiled and extended her hand. "Good to meet you sir."
"Likewise. But please, call me Tom. Hello there little Laura."
The child's hands were resting on her thighs and she stared at the man, then said. "Sir."
Brinkley smiled and looked at Elvis.
"Do you work with my Daddy?"
"No I do not. I work in my garden now."
"Do I have to call you sir?"
"You do not have to young lady, but it would be nice." Brinkley said winking at the couple.
"How long have you been retired?" Georgie asked.
"Two years. My wife would say it has been two long years." The adults chuckled. Laura squirmed to get down from father's shoulders.
"It was a pleasure to meet ya sir, but we need to get on. Maybe Georgie and I will see ya sometime this week. We're coming out for a tour with the estate agent."
"Excellent. Look forward to it. Perhaps you could meet the Mrs. then."
"Take care." Georgie said as they headed back to the car. "He was nice."
"Yeah." Elvis said opening the doors.
"Do ya think he was SAS?"
"Don't know. But I suspect we may find out at some point. Ya know we're a tight-lipped lot."
"You don't' say?" Georgie said yanking her door open.
"We need to catch up with wha' else the Easter Bunny left for Laura." Elvis said tickling her as he made certain the seat belt was properly engaged. She giggled and squirmed.
"Yeah daddy! Let's move!"
"Pipe down. Georgie will 'ave a fit if I speed." He could feel the brown Lane eyes penetrating his skull. "Oi! Now ya know I wouldn't." He said climbing into his seat.
"I put nothing past you."
"George…" He said with mock disappointment.
Once they were well on the road…
"So… what did ya think?" Elvis said playfully leaning into Georgie.
"I love it! Can't wait to see the inside!"
"Yeah." He said. "Laura, did you like it?"
"Yeeaah! Can I have a tree house Daddy?"
Georgie's eyes popped. "Now ya steeped in it." She said out of the side of her mouth.
Elvis smiled and started tapping on the steering wheel. Sounded like a good idea to him but he felt Georgie's stare almost burning the side of his face. "Let's wait a wee bit on that honey." He said and the burning sensation went away.
Xxxxx
1300 –
As they walked towards the front door of the flat Elvis stopped Laura. "Angel let's see if Bunny left ya anythin out 'ere."
"You think so Daddy?"
"Well let's 'ave a look." He said motioning for Georgie to head on inside. She nodded and as she turned the key, she glanced back to see an endearing smile on her husband's face. He could not wait for what was in store for Laura. He pulled two small chocolate bunnies from his pocket and in a flash hid them under a shrub. He looked at his watch and calculated the time it would take Georgie to prepare the surprise. "Anythin yet?" He called out.
"No!"
"Don't give up." He walked away from the shrub as Laura made her way over. "Bunnies are low to the ground." He tried to suggest. Laura crouched down and swept her hand under the shrub. Then she lifted the branches.
"Daddy! Two little chocolate bunnies!"
"See." He said. "Never give up."
She nodded enthusiastically and examined the goodies. Elvis' phone vibrated and he hoped it was not a call from the Garrison. He blew out a relieved breath when he saw it was from Georgie giving them the go ahead to come inside.
"Honey, come on, let's go in. Ya didn't check the closet."
"Ok Daddy. Do you think he could open the closet?"
"He got into the flat didn't he?"
"He did!" She hurried to the door and bounced from one foot to the other as Elvis unlocked it. She skipped down the hall to their flat and did the same thing waiting for him. Once inside Laura burst towards her room to retrieve the basket. The resulting scream of delight that erupted brought both adults together at the bedroom doorway. Laura was on her bed, cuddling a white, fluffy kitten close to her chest. She looked up.
"Daddy! Georgie! The Easter Bunny left me a kitty!"
Georgie could just about feel Elvis' happiness and gave him a sideways hug. "Happy Easter Laura!" He said as his voice cracked.
"Oh Daddy can I really keep him can I take him home?"
"Yes. He's yours angel."
The delightful joy on the child's face meant the world to Elvis. Times were changing but the love he had for this little one would remain constant. Georgie looked up at him. She knew he would eventually build Laura a tree house. Hopefully they will secure that lovely stone cottage. She laughed to herself thinking….we may need to invest in bunk beds.
