I do not own the show, just wish I did.

Thank you as always to Debbie and Steph for editing this and to everyone who has reviewed.

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"You look stunning," Charles said as he came to stand behind Molly, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her shoulder.

"You don't look too shabby yourself either," Molly replied smiling back at their reflection in the mirror.

"I think I need to call the Colonel to cancel this evening and lock us both in this bedroom till morning," Charles whispered smirking against her neck.

"No, behave yourself, we are going," Molly replied before taking a deep breath and half-heartedly pulling away from his hold.

"I've told you before, there is no need for you to be nervous," Charles assured her, as he lifted the diamond necklace he had given her for Christmas and helped her put it on.

"Thanks," Molly smiled as she took in her appearance again. She had bought the little black off the shoulder skater dress a few years back for the work Christmas party which she ended up missing due to flu and it had been hanging in the back of her wardrobe since then. "I have no idea what is suitable for birthday dinner with your boss."

"You will be the belle of the ball," Charles smiled "And everyone will love you like I do. You already know Roger, you met him at my surprise birthday party and Elvis will be there too."

"I know and he was nice, but he is still your boss, well sort off anyway. Him and Elvis I am not worried about it's the other wives."

"Natalie Beck is lovely; she is a teacher and a mother too. Helen, Kingy's wife is an office manager with teenagers. Both of them are all working mothers like you, so you already have something in common."

"Yeah, I know," Molly sighed "But they know army stuff, how to act and all that I don't. I don't want to embarrass you."

"You could never embarrass me Molly Dawes," Charles said as he turned her around and kissed her nose. "Now get those death traps you call shoes on and we can say goodnight to Sam and Laura."

"Yes sir," Molly replied in a mock salute as she quickly gathered her belongings.

She looked around the bedroom which had been Charles' room as a boy but was now classed as theirs, when they came to stay overnight. Sometimes she had to pinch herself to believe that she really was dating someone who lived on Royal Crescent.

It was Colonel Roger Beck's birthday; his wife had invited a few colleagues and friends to dinner to celebrate. Unbeknown to Molly, Charles, Elvis and Roger had all been in Sandhurst together only Roger had progressed up the ranks much quicker than everyone else and was Charles' commanding officer during his brief stint at Two section before his accident.

The party had coincided on the same weekend that Elvis had his daughter, so Anna had invited them all to stay with them so her and Archie would look after both Sam and Laura while they went out. Charles and Molly had agreed as they thought it would be easier to stay at Royal Crescent especially as snow and ice had been forecast for this weekend.

She quickly looked out the window to see everywhere was still dry and she wondered which shoes to wear. The black killer heel stilettos or the lower heeled shoes with a slightly better grip on them just in case the weather changed. She decided on the sensible pair quickly slipping them on. As she stood at the door she took another breath and prayed to everything holy that she did not make a complete tit of herself tonight.

Molly quickly walked down the stairs to where Charles was standing in the hallway holding open her coat.

"Mummy you look pretty!" Sam giggled as he ran over and gave her a hug.

"Aww thank you, Sam," Molly smiled as he kissed his cheek enjoying the cuddle in the hope it would calm her nerves. "Promise me you will be good for nana and pops."

"He will be, won't you scamp?" Charles said as he reached down to ruffle Sam's hair and to Molly's amusement watched them high five each other…their new thing apparently!

"Where's Elvis?" Molly asked as she looked around for him.

"Getting the car, he's insisting on driving there so that he doesn't have to drive back," Charles laughed as he rolled his eyes.

"I said I'd drive," Molly frowned. The last thing she wanted to do was to get tipsy in front of his friends.

"I'm driving," Charles replied politely and firmly. "Aside from the fact I don't want to mix my medication with alcohol, I am not missing the chance of being the sober sensible one to the reckless idiot that will be Elvis in a few hours' time."

"What are you talking about?" Molly frowned.

"Bragging rights, Molly, bragging rights," Charles smiled as he opened the front door and waved goodbye to his parents.

OGOGOGOGOGOG

"So, you were the nurse who was in theatre when Charles had his first brain surgery and never realised who he was until afterwards?" Natalie Beck asked Molly.

"What are the chances!" Helen King said as she listened to Molly explain how she and Charles met.

She had been as nervous as hell meeting the two couples, but she really didn't need to be. Natalie had been the perfect host immediately making Molly feel welcome and at ease. The three-woman chatted most of the evening on how they juggled work and parenting. There were no snide remarks, or glances when Molly told them how her and Charles had met years ago, and she raised Sam by herself. They didn't criticise or patronise her instead they praised her and helped her understand the army talk between the men.

The dinner had been delicious and despite having finished a while ago everyone remained sitting around the table chatting freely. Elvis was pissed out of his face behaving like a prat, but as Molly looked around the table, she knew that everyone here was used to him and no-one was uncomfortable with him.

"We had both been living in Bath all along and just never saw each other," Molly explained "As strange as it sounds."

"Molly there are at least three people I went to high school with who live ten minutes away and I haven't spoken to them or seen them for at least fifteen years!" Natalie laughed

"Oh, you ladies, haven't heard this one!" Elvis laughed as he rubbed his hands together in glee. Charles and Roger shared a glance and rolled their eyes at his antics.

"What now?" Natalie asked, "Molly has already told us how they met Elvis."

"I am sure she did," Elvis smirked "But did she tell you when Charles woke up in the hospital at first, he was convinced Molly was a stripper!"

"Thank you, remind me why we are friends?" Charles replied glaring at him "We give him top secret missions in warzones…why?" he asked Roger.

"Don't remind me," Roger sighed

"Really?" Helen laughingly questioned Elvis.

"On Laura's life I witnessed the whole thing, grabbed her hand and puts it on his…."

"Say anymore Elvis and I swear," Charles interrupted and looked at Kingy "Repeat any of this Sergeant…"

"Take it to the grave, Sir," he replied trying to hide his amusement.

"To be fair he had a bleed on the brain," Molly replied, "he had no idea what he was saying or doing."

"Thank you, Molly," Charles said smiling at her and kissing her hand.

"Oh, he then pinched her arse!" Elvis giggled

Charles rolled his eyes and looked at Roger "Do you have an empty wine bottle that I can use to smash over his head. Knock some sense into him?"

"Sober him up a bit?" Roger laughed.

"Something like that."

"Why do that?" Elvis asked shrugging his shoulders before finishing his glass of wine "I intend to drink the good Colonel's wine cellar dry tonight!"

"Oh, dear Lord," Roger and Charles said at the same time.

Molly laughed as the two men stood and dragged Elvis from the table. "What are they doing?"

"Probably pumping coffee into him," Natalie laughed.

"I feel like I should apologise for his behaviour," Molly said quietly as she nervously played with her hair.

"Don't be silly, we all know what Elvis is like, he flirted with my mother at our wedding!" Natalie giggled. "If ever I want to shut him up I remind him, works every time!"

"No way!" Molly gasped.

"Oh yes way, he misbehaves like this here because we are all friends and in our houses but, put in an army regimental dinner and he behaves like a choir boy," Natalie explained. "They've all been friends for years, know each other inside and out, so it's good for them to let their hair down once in a while."

"Choir boy? Elvis?" Molly asked nearly choking on her water.

"Ok maybe bad choice of words," Natalie smirked.

"So, this regimental dinner thing you mentioned," Molly asked carefully "Charles said there was one coming up soon, but I have no idea what goes on at one of these?"

"There is one in the spring, just before two section go on a new deployment overseas," Kingy explained "Don't know exactly where yet. Even though Major James is not returning to the section in an active role the whole section can't wait to see him and give him a formal send off."

"I take it he's asked you to go with him?" Helen asked Molly.

"Yeah and I have no idea what to wear or anything about it really," Molly explained biting her lip.

"Make sure we exchange phone numbers before you leave, dress shopping is my hobby and we can go shopping together for something suitable," Helen explained "Just bring his credit card."

"You'll be in safe hands with Helen," Natalie smiled "And we can meet up for coffee some Saturday, or whenever suits with your shifts and I can talk you through everything in plain English."

"Oh, thank God," Molly smiled "That would be brilliant if you could?"

"We like you Molly, you've made Charles the happiest I have ever seen him," Natalie said. "That and I can't wait to meet Sam!"

"Coffee is served," Roger said as he came into the conservatory carrying a cafetière of coffee with Charles behind him with milk and sugar.

"What have you done with Elvis?" Natalie asked as she helped pour the coffees

"Bathroom," Roger frowned "I dread to think."

"Tomorrow morning is going to be fun, him, Sam and Laura all together in the same house," Charles grimaced "Should be amusing though."

"Are you suggesting we give the kids sugar for breakfast and let them run riot around your parents' house?" Molly laughed.

"Exactly that!" Charles smiled back.

Everyone laughed as they all sat back down.

"So, you've really left active duty then boss?" Kingy asked him.

"Yes, it's true," Charles said as he wrapped his arm around Molly's shoulder and smiled "I got a clean bill of health as of yesterday and cleared to return to work in an admin capacity. So, I start working at Warminster Barracks next week and then onto a training position in a couple of months."

"Aren't you going to miss it though?" Natalie asked him. "You always looked happy to be packing your Bergen."

"For a while that was all I wanted, but things change," Charles explained as he took Molly's hand. "I enjoyed my time in Special Forces, but I needed a change which is why I came back to the UK and took on 2 Section but then the accident happened. I have Molly and Sam in my life now. I've missed out on so much already; I don't want to miss anymore. I love being in the army but between migraines and a slightly dodgy leg the new role is perfect. Plus, it'a nine to five with a few weekends thrown in and with Molly's shifts everything works."

"For the record I told him I would support him if he wanted to go back to active duty," Molly explained "But…looks like I'm stuck with him" she added jokingly rolling her eyes.

"Charming," Charles smirked.

As they made the short journey back to his parents' house Molly had to wonder why she had ever been nervous in the first place. Everyone had been lovely and friendly towards her so much, so she was secretly looking forward to the shopping trip for the regimental dinner and meeting up for coffee before it.

She was broken from her thoughts by the horrendous noise coming from the back seat of the car that Charles was currently driving.

"I'm tired and I wanna go to bed," Elvis sang at the top of his voice "I had a skinful about an hour ago...

"if he doesn't shut up I am going to pull over and he can walk the rest of the way," Charles sighed. "are you okay, you seemed miles away there?" he asked her carefully.

"Just thinking ahead to this fancy dinner," Molly smiled "everyone was lovely."

"Told you they would be Natalie and Helen will both look out for you and help you anyway they can," Charles smiled at her.

"I had a really lovely time tonight," Molly smiled.

"Ditto, well apart from Elvis acting like a dick." Charles returned.

Molly laughed "I think everyone was used to it, almost expected it from what I could see."

"They are, he always has to be the centre of attention," Charles replied as he glanced in his rear-view mirror." Mind you I don't fancy Elvis' chances of getting home in one piece tonight."

"What do you mean?" Molly asked.

"Look at the footpaths, it might not have snowed but it's already iced over," Charles said as Molly turned and looked out the car window.

"Oh shit," she giggled "I don't fancy any of our chances on those footpaths, they're like glass!" Molly said. "glad I choose the shoes with a slight grip on them."

"I'll park as close to the house as I can," Charles explained "stay on the grass and I'll help you on the footpath to the gate."

"Charles your leg?"

"I'll be okay; besides I'll be practically carrying Elvis, I can use him as a walking stick!"

"Okay," Molly muttered as she slowly made her way out of the car.

Molly tentatively walked along the grass and along the pavement alongside the front of the James' house using her heels to sink into the ice. She stopped as she reached the iron fence leading up to the front door, giggling at the sight of Charles practically dragging Elvis up the edge of the grass. Charles had been able to keep his feet, Elvis couldn't. All Molly could think of was Bambi on ice as he was sliding around yet still singing his heart out with Charles repeatedly telling him to shut up.

They reached the footpath leading up to the front door and Charles propped Elvis up against the iron fence and held out his hand to Molly to support her as she made her way to the front door. She could feel her foot slipping but was able to find a dry spot so quickly and carefully tip toed her way to the front door.

She turned around in time to see Charles copy her way up the path to the door. He really did try and tell Elvis to copy him too, but Elvis was too drunk to catch on, still singing he took one step, slipped, landed hard on his backside and burst out laughing. He tried to stand but slipped again this time a loud ripping noise could be heard to both Charles and Molly amusement.

"Fuck, my arse is wet!" Elvis shouted as the hall light was switched on from inside the house.

What completely reduced Molly and Charles to fits of laughter was the sight of Special Forces Captain Elvis Harte crawling on his hands and knees up the footpath, onto the front step in through the opened front door, into the hallway and sat down at the bottom of the stairs, grinning widely.

As Charles' parents came rushing to the front door to see what all the noise was, Archie's initial response was to scold him for nearly waking the kids. While Anna's response was to simply give Elvis a look that only a mother could give.

OGOGOGOGOGOGOGOG

Molly woke the following morning to the sound of silence and the wonderful feeling of Charles' warm body wrapped around her. She knew he was awake as she couldn't only feel him looking at her, but she could also feel his breath on her shoulder.

"Morning," she yawned as she turned around to face him.

"Good morning to you too gorgeous," Charles smiled back. He loved watching her like this, first thing in the morning, all beautiful and relaxed.

"How can you be so awake at this ungodly hour of the morning," Molly smiled.

"I think my body is now naturally programmed to be awake from six," Charles smiled back. "Did I tell you how stunning you looked last night?"

"Several times."

"You were and everyone loved you."

"Natalie has offered to take me shopping for the regimental dinner," Molly said biting her lip "I have no idea what's suitable and what's not for an officer's girlfriend."

"You'd look stunning in a bin bag," Charles smirked. his fingers softly caressing her lower back as he moved closer to her.

"Oh thanks," Molly laughed.

"You know what I mean."

"I do," Molly smiled as she enjoyed the feeling of Charles' fingers moving around her body. She could feel his need for her pressing into her thigh and just as she started to caress him, they heard it.

"Mummy...daddy..." Sam shouted from the hallway.

Charles groaned. "Good timing scamp!"

"He's going to wake the entire house," Molly moaned as she quickly pulled away from Charles' embrace and shivered as she grabbed her dressing gown.

"Mummy, daddy come look!" Sam continued to squeal from the hallway.

"Coming Sam..." Molly replied as she looked at Charles "I'll be as quick as I can."

Molly opened the bedroom door to see Sam and Laura both standing pressed up against the window on the landing as Elvis quickly opened his bedroom door.

Anna and Archie were already up preparing breakfast and looked up the stairs at their grandson.

"Mummy it's snowing!" Sam squealed as he started jumping up and down on the spot in excitement.

"It was starting to snow last night when we came home." Molly said as she approached the two kids. Looking up at Elvis, who looked as if he was suffering from the hangover from hell she giggled "Sorry if he woke you."

Elvis groaned as Charles walked up beside Molly and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Daddy look at the snow!" Sam squealed again.

They both stood just looking out the window, amazed at the current heavy snow fall and how much had already laid.

"It has been snowing since you all got in," Archie shouted up the stairs. "I would say there are a good few inches already laid, and it doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon."

"Wow!" Molly smiled to Sam "I think we'll be making a huge snowman later."

"Yesssss" Sam and Laura both yelled.

"But not until we've eaten our breakfast to help keep us all warm out there, okay?" Molly said as she looked at both of them with her serious face on

"Okay mummy," Sam sighed.

"Why don't you both go downstairs and help nana and pops with breakfast while we all get dressed?" Charles said to Sam and Laura as he helped them down the top of the stairs.

"Thanks," Elvis yawned "My head is bangin'."

"Not surprised, with the amount you drank last night you've only yourself to blame," Charles laughed returning to stand beside Molly who was still standing transfixed at the snow falling outside.

"Blah blah blah," Elvis groaned as he returned to his bedroom and slammed the door.

"Ignore him," Charles sighed as wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Don't worry I am." She laughed as she snuggled into Charles's hold.

"It's beautiful."

"So peaceful," Molly whispered, "I almost don't want to go out in and ruin it."

"What do you mean?" Charles laughed

"I love it when the snow has just fallen, and no-one has walked in it. Untouched," Molly sighed.

"That is not going to happen out there," Charles laughed "But I will promise not to let anyone go out into the back garden, that can be your untouched oasis."

"Okay," Molly sighed "Suppose we better get dressed."

"I suppose we better had, although if I'm honest I'd rather be removing what you're wearing rather than you putting more on," he whispered against her skin as he nuzzled her neck.

A short time later Molly was sat at the small island nursing a steaming cup of tea and a bowl of coco pops watching as Sam and Laura fidgeted in their seats whilst Anna tried to encourage them to finish their breakfasts. There were having none of it. They wanted to be out in the snow, not that Molly could really blame them.

"Well if you are both finished then we better wash those sticky fingers," Anna laughed "the jam is supposed to go on the toast Sam!"

"Sorry Nana!" giggled Sam

"There should be a clean jumper in his backpack," Molly said smiling over at Anna "I learned early on with Sam to pack plenty of spare clothes."

"I can understand why…now," Anna laughed as she marched the two young children to the stairs and met Charles at the bottom.

"Um Sam, the jam is supposed to be on the toast, not on you!" he laughed as he bent down and ruffled Sam's hair.

"You're funny Daddy," Sam giggled.

He shook his head as he stood up and smiled at his mother "Rather you than me mum."

"Indeed, Molly is in the kitchen having breakfast and your father is trying to find an old hat and scarf to use for the snowman he's insisting on building with the kids."

"Oh Lord," Charles muttered as he turned and walked into the kitchen. He smiled when he saw Molly sitting at the island engrossed on something on her phone as he quietly grabbed a spoon, tiptoed up behind her and lifted a spoonful of her cereal.

"Oi!" she yelled as she turned round to see Charles sit down beside her shovelling the spoonful of cereal in his mouth. "I thought you were bloody Elvis for a minute there with all that sneaking about he does."

"What you wouldn't share your breakfast with Elvis?" Charles asked her smirking.

"No way! I wouldn't let him dip his spoon in my coco pops!"

Charles nearly choked on the said cereal before remarking "I take it that is not meant to be a euphanism Molly!"

"If I knew what one of them was, I'd let you know," Molly smiled as she watched him reach over and take another spoonful "Get your own mate!"

Charles laughed "I think I will, I haven't had coco pops in bloody ages!"

Molly watched as she saw Charles make one of his fancy coffees and pour some cereal into a bowl. He returned to sit back down beside her and instantly Molly reached over with her spoon to steal a spoonful.

"Hey!"

"Well you nicked some of mine," Molly replied with her mouth full.

Charles bit his lip but couldn't stop the smile from appearing.

"And you keep telling me that what is yours is mine…" Molly giggled as Charles reached over and started tickling her.

"You cheeky mare!" He smiled as he reached over and softly kissed her on the lips. "God I love you."

"Ditto!"

"Oh, for Christ sake some people just want coffee, painkillers and food," Elvis groaned as he walked into the kitchen "Put her down for crying out loud."

"Someone's jealous," Charles smirked, first at Molly and then at his best friend.

Elvis' response was to give his friend the finger.

"You don't need to worry about Laura, mum has given her breakfast and is getting her dressed."

"That is why I always stay at the Hotel James when I come to visit," Elvis bit back.

"Unbelievable," Charles muttered as he turned back round and started eating his cereal.

Elvis stood and watched the couple at the island, he really liked Molly. He briefly smiled as he watched the two of them flirt over a bowl of cereal. If he were being honest Charles was right, he was jealous as hell, his friend had found the woman of his dreams and was literally living out his dream life.

A short time later they were all wrapped up in their winter coats, hats and gloves and joined in with their neighbours in building snowmen. The snow had stopped falling and everyone was out and enjoying it.

"Why is it so bright?" Elvis moaned as he stood at the gate with a scared Laura holding tightly to his hand.

"It's called snow!" Charles replied sarcastically. He was enjoying every bit of this morning, the delight on Sam's face more than compensated for standing out in the freezing cold. He just hoped that the cold wouldn't cause his leg to flare up but, in that moment, he was going to enjoy every moment of it. It was definitely a day for making memories.

Sam was currently running around with the snow mid-way up his small legs, showing absolutely no fear at all. He was yelling for Laura to come and help pops build a snowman.

"Does he have to be so loud?" Elvis asked as he lifted his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes.

"He's only loud because you are hung over," Molly replied with a smug smile.

Elvis was about to reply when something from last night came back to him, he cleared his throat before asking "Was I hanging off that fence last night?"

Molly and Charles looked at each and both grinned "No comment!" before walking off hand in hand towards where Archie was giving instructions on how to build the best snowman ever.

Elvis and Laura eventually joined in the making of Mr Frosty. Sam picked the name of course and the morning was completed with a huge snowball fight with all the neighbours.

It was one of those mornings that no-one had planned but one that you would remember forever as Charles took Molly and Sam's hand as everyone headed back into the house.

"Are you okay?" Molly asked him as she rubbed her hands together. Even with gloves they were still cold.

"Yeah, just want to make lots of memories today," Charles smiled as he kissed her only to feel Sam tugging on his coat wanting to join in.

Charles lifted him up into his arms and smiled as an idea formed in his head.

"Molly have you got your phone on you?"

"Yeah, it's in my pocket, why?" Molly asked.

"Do you mind if we stay outside for a while, there is somewhere I'd like to show you both?," Charles asked as he set Sam back on the ground again.

"Sure, lead the way," Molly smiled "Your leg?" she asked him quietly.

"It's fine at the moment," Charles replied as they both took one of Sam's hands and he led the way along the row of houses and to the small park area at the end. It wasn't big enough to be a park, but it was an area with a bench and a few trees and to Molly's glee no one had walked in the snow.

"This is going to sound crazy, but Molly, Sam I want you both to lie down in the snow."

Molly frowned at him while Sam did as he was told.

"We are going to make snow angels," Charles explained as Molly lay and listened to what she had to do, "Just flap your arms and legs in the snow!" Charles explained. They both stood up and she took a photo of each of their snow angels before Charles lay down and made his.

Sam was mesmerised and giggling as he watched his father in his snow with Molly taking a photo of his angel.

Together they walked over to the trees and Charles had another idea, "Lie down and close your eyes."

"Again? Its bloody tatters! We're going to get hyperthermia or frostbite on my bum at the very least!" Molly laughed.

"It's only for a few minutes," Charles said as he lay down with Sam beside him and then Molly. They lay together as close as possible when Charles whispered, "Open your eyes and look up!"

Molly thought she must be crazy as she carried out Charles's instructions. She lay down in the snow and looked up... and was looking directly through the branches of the large tree. The branches were covered in snow and Molly instantly reached for her phone in her pocket and took a photo.

"It's beautiful," she whispered to Charles.

"Wow!" Sam smiled as he snuggled closer to his mum and dad. "So pretty!"

Charles let her take a photo and then a selfie of them before gently throwing a snowball at Sam and together he and Molly started tickling him before lying back on the ground and looking up at the trees again.

It was cold and his leg was now starting to get sore, but it was the most perfect moment.

Some nice and fluffy family time with a drunken Elvis for good measure! The final chapter will be posted very soon!