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Here we go... x
Chapter 33
A Glimpse of Happiness
0700 – Hereford, UK
Georgie was sat on the sofa. She felt numb as she stared at the two bags she had packed, all the while her hand gently glided over her belly, her bump…..their child. In one hour she and Elvis would have a glimpse of this little one and that made her smile. She was so looking forward to the moment, but a pang of regret stabbed at her…..soon she and the baby would be separated from Elvis. He was finalizing the details and she watched him walk out of the spare bedroom.
"Yeah…yeah….'at's right Marco. We'll be headin out in ten. Ciao."
Georgie slowly stood and smoothed the floral printed maternity top around her belly. As Elvis ended the call he looked at her. Their eyes met, neither one wanting to separate, but knowing it was for the best. "Marco and Geno are on standby." He said moving towards her. She simply nodded. Elvis reached for her hands and lifted them to his lips, tenderly kissing each one. "I love you more than anything in this world Georgie. I need to keep you and the baby safe." She never took her eyes from his face. That handsome face that always made her heart lurch.
"I know. I love you so much." She said breaking free of his hold and lifting her hands up to cradle his head, pulling him down for a kiss. Their lips lingered together. The intimate touch kindling the despair they felt in having to break apart.
"It will be all good. Ya must believe 'at George. I won't let ya down."
Her fingers pressed into the sides of his face. "I know. I love you." She felt as though she could never say I love you enough to him. He kissed her forehead as though his lips would leave an impression on her skin. He simply wanted to melt right into her. He pulled back and lovingly gazed at her face, tucking strands of hair behind her ear as he so often did.
"Nonna is chuffed. She cannot wait to see ya." He said.
"Probably the best bit about all of this." She said with a halting smile.
"You'll be fine. My sister is close by, you will want for nothing, and ya know I am just a call away." He said placing a hand on her shoulder.
"We're gonna kiss ya Elvis." She said taking his hand and placing it on her belly.
He fought to control his emotions. This was one of the most difficult decisions he ever had to make. He furiously blinked and his breath hitched as he pressed his hand down saying, "you take care of mummy little mate." Then he pulled Georgie close to him for their lips to meet. She groaned as they both deepened the kiss. Elvis broke away bolstering his composure and smiled at her. This was madness. "Ya 'ave everythin ya need?" He asked, moving towards the packed bags.
"I reckon. Yeah." She said. "You were too big to pack though."
He leaned down to pick up her things and chuckled. "I'll take these out and then come back for ya."
"I can walk out Elvis."
"Please Georgie. Every day Pettigrew's bollocks get a twist the more dangerous this becomes."
Georgie chewed her lower lip as she locked the door behind him, then turned and scanned the room. It was a lovely flat but hopefully they would soon be moving into the cottage…..if indeed they secure it. Georgie decided she would focus on the good things in their lives and frankly was looking forward to spending time with Nonna Sofia. Elvis rap pa tapped on the door and she unlocked it.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yeah."
They walked out with Elvis in front, vigilant of their surroundings. "Let's crack on and see our baby!" He said as he backed the car out and sped off to hospital.
Xxxxx
0740 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK
Arnie Pettigrew stared at the vacant chair in the conference room. Elvis Harte should be sitting there. Where the hell was he? He went missing a few hours yesterday and today he is completely absent. He knew that meant Georgie was not on base either. General Atkinson had spewed his anger over Adam Jones being permitted to engage in Selection and queried Pettigrew on why Colonel Jones would make allegations against the Garrison. It was a rather textbook dressing down. Nothing to indicate he was under suspicion of any kind. But Harte? That bastard is too clever for his own good and is friends with Toni Blythe. That bitch. All she needed was a sympathetic ear and all hell rained down on the Jones'. Pettigrew knew Wes Jones' mobile was confiscated. Internal Affairs had to know that they communicated with each other. His quandary is that he does not know how much data had been retrieved, coupled with not knowing what Wes may have said during interrogation. Wes Jones was a pompous prick who acted heinously and covered his dirt with his rank and authority. He provided favors. That was the extent of his usefulness. Unfortunately Pettigrew had owed him and cleared the debt with intel on Blythe's whereabouts. Now he regretted the disclosure because Wes had to open his fucking mouth to Godfrey, in front of Harte of all people. At least Adam was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Pettigrew smirked. It was no small feat that he was able to gain access to Adam's locker before the MPs had. He needs to keep an eye on Evans however, that one was starting to unravel. Pettigrew stared at the vacant chair…..where the fuck is Elvis Harte?
Xxxxx
0810 – Hereford, UK
Georgie was comfortably lying on the exam table, although truthfully, she was anything but relaxed. Elvis was sat next to her crouched in a chair holding her hand as they awaited the sonographer and Amelia Clarke, Georgie's midwife.
"Won't be long babe, we'll get to see him." Elvis said grinning. Georgie rubbed her face with a hand, laughing at how convinced Elvis was that they were having a boy.
"You reckon. Ya have a name picked out already do ya?" She asked playfully.
He froze. "Nah. I do not as yet. Reckoned you'd want some input on 'at." He said.
"Well I've had girl names floating in my head." She said.
"Better switch gears." He said laughing.
Georgie secretly hoped it would be a boy. She kept imagining a little Elvis running around following his daddy everywhere. But it was no fun telling Elvis that just yet. Right now it was anyone's guess. Both of their heads swiveled to the door as they heard a knock and the voices of the two women they were waiting for.
"Good morning Hartes!" Amelia said. "You remember Hilary?"
"Hi guys!" Hilary said positioning herself at the sonogram machine.
"Good morning! Yes we do." Georgie said and Elvis agreed.
"Are we ready to catch up with baby Harte?" Amelia asked.
"Yes!" The couple responded eagerly.
"Well let's have a go. Georgie how have you been feeling?" Amelia asked.
"Great. I feel good. Fatigued at the end of the day, but fine otherwise." She answered with a smile. Elvis frowned.
"Hmmm….." He said and stood. "I think ya should know Georgie had an episode two nights past."
Amelia looked at Georgie. "Episode?"
"It was a panic attack. "I'm fine."
"Tell me more."
The couple exchanged glances. "I heard a bit of mad news and briefly felt faint. I did not pass out. I have had panic attacks before and I believe that is what it was."
"Your vital signs are stable and have been so far throughout the pregnancy." Amelia said reviewing the medical record.
"Yes. They have been." Georgie said looking up at Elvis.
"It happened just that once?" Amelia asked.
"Yes."
"She is doing everything proper." Elvis said.
"Right. I will inform Dr. Brown. He will be examining you following the sonogram. For now, let's see how things are looking." Amelia said and motioned for Hilary to begin. Georgie gave Elvis the eye.
"I had to say something." He whispered defensively.
"Of course ya did. I was gonna mention it." Georgie said tightly.
"Of course ya were." He said interlacing his fingers with hers and smiling. She relaxed and gave him a little squeeze. It was the moment they had been waiting for.
"OK this may feel a wee bit cool." Hilary said as she squeezed a portion of gel onto Georgie's belly. All eyes were focused on the screen as the black and gray morphed into a hollow appearing space, then the image of the fetus began to take shape and became larger.
"Oh my God!" Georgie whispered, happily squeezing Elvis' hand. "Look how big now!"
He was fixated and swallowed hard. Hilary tapped buttons and typed as Amelia requested the measurements.
"Ah lovely. Just lovely. Growth and development are spot on." The midwife said.
Georgie looked up at Elvis. He winked at her.
"Right. If we could just get the little one to reposition ever so slightly we should be able to find out the gender. You both want to know correct?" Amelia said.
The couple nodded excitedly. "Indeed." Elvis said, taking Georgie's hand and kissing it.
Hilary glided the wand forwards and backwards across Georgie's belly, pressing down periodically. The fetus turned and Hilary was able to capture the answer to their curiosity. She tapped buttons to enlarge the image.
"Ah, there we have it! Congratulations mummy and daddy…..you are having a son!"
"Yay!" Georgie gushed, squeezing Elvis' hand so hard she almost pulled him down on top of her.
"It's a male?!" Elvis asked stunned.
"Indeed it is." Amelia said smiling at the elated father, detailing the findings on the screen.
"That's our son!!" Elvis said excitedly, staring at the screen.
Georgie gazed at the wonder on his face and blinked back tears. "There's your boy." She said to him joyfully. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"Thank you babe." He said. Georgie grinned from ear to ear.
"Everything is looking great Georgie. Dr. Brown will be in shortly to examine you, probably order bloods and then you two can be on your way." Amelia said. Hilary printed off copies of the fetal images for the couple to take with them as Elvis snapped additional photos on his mobile.
"A boy Georgie." Elvis said laughing.
"Now I'll have two of ya, oh dear God!" She drawled, eagerly reaching for him. He chuckled and hugged her tightly.
"I thought you wanted a girl." He said.
"At first…..but we have a daughter, yeah?"
"Yeah." He said smiling into her hair. He loved that she referred to Laura as her daughter as well. Georgie was a good stepmother and Laura certainly loved her loads. They heard a tap at the door and saw the appearance of feet beneath the privacy curtain, followed be the robust voice of Doctor Edward Brown.
"Well good day Mrs. and Mr. Harte! Elvis I understand you have added a new recruit to the Regiment!" Brown said.
The couple laughed. "Wee bit undersized at the moment." Elvis said.
"Congratulations to you both! So Georgie, Amelia tells me you had a recent issue." Brown said pulling a wheeled stool over and sat next to the exam table.
"I did doctor but it was a panic attack. It did not last long and I am fine."
"Were you standing at the time?" Brown asked.
"No. I was reclined. I heard something unsettling and it frightened me quite honestly." She answered.
"Were you present?" Brown looked up at Elvis.
"Yes sir. It is as she says." Elvis said.
"Good." Let's have a look at you." Doctor Brown proceeded to examine Georgie. Amelia was there involved in the entire process. "I imagine being in the military presents various reasons for the appearance of panic attacks. You stated you have had them before?" Brown said.
"Yes. Not for some time, but I have." Georgie looked at Elvis who had respectfully moved to the other side of the room during the examination. She saw him turn and look at her. He felt bad. She could see it on his face. It was not his fault. Not really. He was trying to do the right thing and that is not always pleasant.
"It happened only once during the pregnancy?" Brown asked.
"Yes sir."
"You have not had any lightheadedness or dizziness otherwise?"
"No. None at all. This was an isolated thing." She said. As Georgie spoke, Doctor Brown began to playback the sonogram and studied the images.
"Uh huh….good….yes well your son looks healthy mum. Your exam in unremarkable. I would say you are both doing fine." Brown said.
Georgie smiled and looked at Elvis as relief washed over him and a smile curled the corners of his mouth.
"If it happens again Georgie I need to know about it." Brown said.
"Absolutely." Georgie said.
"You 'ave our word doctor." Elvis said as he returned to his wife's side.
"Fine. After your bloods are taken you may leave. I will contact you with the results." Doctor Brown said and waved as he exited the room.
Xxxxx
0930 –
Georgie looked at the sonogram print outs as she and Elvis waited for her to have her blood sample taken. "He sleeps like you do." She said looking from one print to the other.
"Does he now?" Elvis said trying to take a gander as he fiddled with a strap on one of her travel bags.
She laughed. "Well you don't scrunch your face up as much."
He laughed and pulled his mobile out. " I'll send ya the ones I took, 'at way you'll 'ave them in your gallery."
"Yeah. Good. I'll send them off to our folks." She said, then her eyes became fixed. "Shit Elvis!"
"Wha'? You OK?"
"Can we please call my mum now?" She asked impatiently.
"Now? Ya mean right now?"
"Yes! I want us to be together when our families find out we're having a boy." She said touching his arm tenderly. That struck him. Of course. Once they left the hospital they would be separated.
"You're right. Good idea." He said looking at his watch, then swiping his mobile active. Georgie smiled brightly and wiggled closer to him as he pressed the speed dial for the Lane's.
