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It is getting closer to that very special day. x
Chapter 55
Anticipation
1630 – London, UK
To Elvis the ambulance ride was taking far too long. He fondled Georgie's hand as he stroked her forehead. She was not sleeping, just resting her eyes as she channeled the comfort of Elvis' touch to relax herself and the baby. The little one was swirling around inside of her and to Georgie that was a good sign. Elvis watched the rise and fall of her other hand cupping her bump, reminding him there were two lives he was worried about at the moment. Eventually he felt the ambulance slow and begin to reverse, prompting him to look out the back window. He spied hospital personnel at the ready to intercept the instant the door opened.
"We're 'ere George." he said, leaning down to kiss her head. He knew she was just as concerned. They both overheard the dispatch about a STAT sonogram. So far everything seemed to be OK. She held onto his right hand, fingering the bruise on his knuckles.
"You will have this checked, yeah?"
Elvis smiled. "Absolutely medic. At least it wasn't a wall this time."
She laughed and gave him a look. He grinned as he backed out of the ambulance, plopping to the ground. Personnel surrounded Georgie as the gurney was pulled out and the wheels gained purchase of the concrete below. Elvis moved along with them for a long as he was able, until Georgie was taken into an A & E cubicle. She made eye contact with him as nurses began to lay hands on her. Elvis gestured a kiss that made her smile.
"I love you…" she mouthed in return as the privacy curtain was pulled, blocking Elvis' view. He swallowed hard, praying all would be well. The two most important persons in his life were now going under intense examination and he was powerless as to the outcome.
Xxxxx
1700 –
Ollie Knots jumped when he heard the clanging of barred doors being opened and closed. He immediately stood when he saw Dave Warner outside of his cell. The solemn look on the colonel's face unnerved him. Had Pettigrew murdered Elvis Harte? His palms were sweating and his hands unconsciously fisted at his sides.
"If you have not already done so Major, I highly recommend you contact counsel…ASAP." Warner said and walked away.
Xxxxx
1800 –
Elvis looked at his watch. It had been an hour and one half, since they took Georgie in. He vigorously rubbed his face with both hands. This was madness. He flung himself out of the chair and began to pace. From the corner of his eye he saw a figure walking into the waiting area and was hopeful. But, it was not a nurse or doctor to provide an update….it was Charlie.
"Alright." Elvis said, chewing his lower lip.
"Mate. Any word?" Charlie asked handing Elvis a bottle of water.
"Nah. I am gonna bust in there Charlie! It's been over an hour plus now. At least they could throw me a bone or something!"
"It takes time mate." Charlie said sympathetically.
She's had sonograms before…..it's never been like this."
"Knowing you, you will not listen to me, but…wait out. They are most certainly being cautious Elvis."
Elvis was attentive to what Charlie was saying as he twisted the cap off of the water bottle and threw his head back taking a huge swallow. "Charlie I….."
Just as Elvis began to respond a woman walked briskly into the room with a no nonsense air about her. She was dressed in street clothes and a crisp white lab coat. "Captain Harte?"
"Yes!" Elvis replied quickly grinding the cap back on the bottle.
"I am Doctor Fleming. Chief of Obstetrics." she said extending a hand out. "I am pleased to inform you that your wife and son are doing just fine." Those words alone opened flood gates of relief for Elvis. "There does not appear to be any sort of disruption to the placenta and vital signs of both mum and babe are stable." Elvis raked his hair back, briefly squeezing a fist of hair as he allowed himself to begin to relax. "However, Georgie will be kept at least overnight. Travel back to Hereford is completely out of the question at the moment."
Elvis nodded his head as he absorbed the report. "Understood. No problem doctor. Wha'ever it takes."
"That little one will be showing his face pretty soon. We need to take every precaution." Dr. Fleming said with a learned smile.
"May I see her?" Elvis asked.
"Indeed you may. Follow me."
Elvis glanced at Charlie as his best friend pressed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Give Georgie my best. I am due to transport out at 1845 hours. Lines are open. Talk soon."
"Thanks mate."
Elvis wasted no time making his way to Georgie. A nurse had just finished taking her blood pressure and looked up as Elvis appeared from around the privacy curtain. When Georgie saw him her face lit up.
"Heyyyyy..!" she said reaching a hand out welcoming him to her. Elvis smiled as their fingers intertwined. He nodded at the nurse respectfully then watched as she left the couple alone. He pulled in closer to lean down and share a tender kiss with his wife, but caressed her forehead with his lips instead. He reckoned her split lip had to throbbing.
"How are ya feelin?" he earnestly asked.
"Better now that I see you." she answered with a smile.
"The doctor told me you and the baby are fine."
"Yes! Thank God! But they're keeping me Elvis."
"Yeah, I know. Well ya did want to stay overnight." he cheeked.
Georgie chuckled, "yeah I did, yeah, but this is not quite what I had in mind."
"Nah I know. She said it was for the best." He said gazing at her lovingly.
"Do you have to go back to Hereford tonight?"
"Negative. I am 'ere as long as you are. Besides, I 'ave a massive debrief to go over all of this shit." Elvis said as his eyes traveled all over Georgie and the hospital equipment surrounding her.
"Can you get accommodations?" she asked.
"Shouldn't be a problem. Worst case scenario I reckon I could bunk at the Gwains."
"At Debbie's?" Georgie asked surprised.
He laughed. "Laura would love it. Reckon Reggie not so much."
"Awww I am certain they have enough room to give you a place to lay your head. Debs would certainly accommodate you."
"Yeah, she would, but we shall see. Let's get you settled in first." Elvis said leaning his forearms on the side rails studying the blue and white belt surrounding Georgie's middle.
"Wha's all this?" he asked waving a finger.
"Heart monitor for the baby."
Elvis straightened to full height. "Was there a problem?"
"He's fine luv, they are just being cautious as you said." Georgie said kindly. She knew Elvis was worried and needed to relax. He looked at her with a tentative smile. "It won't be too long for him though. I'm surprised the bumpy ride didn't stimulate labour." She said. Elvis' eyes grew big.
"When do ya reckon?" he asked, leaning down on the side rails again.
"It's up to him." She said tenderly rubbing her bump.
"Could ya see him on the sonogram?" Elvis asked seeing the fetus shifting position. Georgie nodded happily.
"Yeah! He is soooo cute. I cannot wait to hold him."
"Me as well." Elvis said placing a hand on top of hers. They smiled warmly at each other, feeling their unborn son alive and active.
"I have a name for him." Georgie said softly, caressing Elvis' arm.
"Ave ya babe, wha' is it?" he asked touched by the sincere emotion in her voice.
"Daniel."
His eyes locked on hers. "Daniel." Elvis repeated as a smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. He instantly understood the relevance.
"I kept hearing you say that name to me, knowing you were coming for us. To rescue us." she said, eyes glistening.
"Daniel Paolo." He said. She smiled, nodding her head hoping he agreed with her choice.
"It has a nice ring to it." She said playfully, mimicking Elvis when he thought of a name. He grinned at her.
"Danny Harte….Dano….."
"Daniel." She said, putting an end to the litany of potential nicknames he would come up with. Elvis chuckled.
"Yeah. Fair play. I fancy it."
Georgie cringed with delight. "Our little boy."
Elvis drew her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "I would love to kiss ya proper but your lower lip scares me."
She squeezed her eyes shut with an amused scowl. "It fucking hurts that's for certain." She said dabbing at it with a fingertip.
"Best not poke at it George."
"I'm glad ya pounded the shit out of him." she said trying to prevent a broad grin from erupting across her face.
Elvis made up for it with a toothy grin of his own which faded miserably when his mobile rang.
"Shit!" he clipped out when he viewed the screen. "Dave Warner." he informed her.
"You best get that." She said running a hand back through her hair, feeling a twinge of disappointment that perhaps he was being called away.
"Yeah." He grumbled swiping the screen. "Harte."
"Elvis! How is Georgie?!" Warner immediately asked. Elvis looked at her.
"She and the baby are OK. Thank you sir."
"Good deal. Well done you." Warner said. Elvis smiled grimly. He never wanted any of this.
"You do realize this has not remained under the radar captain?"
"Meanin sir?" Elvis' eyes shot to Georgie and she questioningly creased her brow.
"The news media has descended upon this like a storm cloud ready to burst."
Elvis sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What is it?" Georgie asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. His expression was one of complete regret as he placed the call on speaker.
"There were breaking news reports on the telly already. They will probably he hovering around to talk to Georgie and you as well."
Elvis switched off speaker mode. "Ain't 'appenin Dave."
"I am not saying it has to. In fact, you are barred from any interviews. Your identity has been sealed.
"Understood sir. We did not ask for any of this. How in fuck did Pettigrew know we were even 'ere anyway?"
"Well now that you ask." Warner said in a manner which tweaked Elvis' hackles. "Ollie Knots told him." That was not what Elvis needed to hear.
"What?!"
"Affirmative. So Knots is yet another cog in the wheel of Pettigrew's heroin scheme. Not to worry, he is in custody."
"He's like dog shit on your shoe, showing up at the worst possible time." Elvis said gripping the side rail as though he wanted to twist the metal. Georgie watched him.
"We need you to report to Whitehall and debrief." Warner said.
"I need to make certain Georgie is settled in before I go anywhere sir." Elvis retorted.
"Elvis…" Georgie softly chided. He gave her a look.
"Quick as you can then." Warner said ending the call.
Elvis rubbed the back of his neck as he shoved the mobile into his back pocket.
"What's going on?" Georgie asked, concerned for Elvis' apparent agitation.
"Knots told Pettigrew we were 'ere. He's involved."
"Do they know where he is?" she asked.
"Better than 'at. They 'ave him. I reckon he is probably treading the waters of a plea bargain as we speak."
Georgie rested her head back against the pillow then a sudden thought struck her and her head came forward. "Oh no!"
"Wha'?! What is it?"
"Our folks. If the chase was televised they are bound to find out it was us."
Elvis froze. "Shit! At's right."
Georgie laid her head back again. "It's beyond shit." she said.
Elvis swiped a hand down his face. "Listen in. I am going to secure you a side room, OK? None of this…..you stayin over in a ward." he said waving a hand around.
"That's not necessary…..."
"It is absolutely necessary George. I'm not 'avin ya pestered about wha' 'appened all right? You need down time. Once you're settled in I'll head over to Whitehall and finish the job."
She knew he was right and deep down was grateful. "That costs extra Elvis…."
"So?"
She gave him a look then a smile.
"You and Daniel deserve it after wha' you've been through." Elvis said tenderly palming the side of her face as his thumb grazed over the mottled bruise on her cheek. She placed her hand over his, painfully puckering her lips, beckoning him to kiss her proper.
