I do not own the show sadly
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed they have been greatly appreciated. Now this is the final chapter and I have to thank two people - Steph for editing every chapter and Debbie not only for editing as well but for putting up with my many meltdowns when writing this story. Thank you both so much!
So, back to the story, it is six months later and did someone mention wedding…
Six Months Later
"That's me, finally finished!" Molly sighed as she came and sat down in the chair at the nurse's station.
"Have you ever taken two weeks off before?" Kate asked her as she finished going through her patients' charts. "I can remember a few days here and there, maybe even a week but never two?"
"No, not since Sam was born," Molly smiled "Can't believe it's finally here!"
"Not jealous at all," Kate remarked as she looked at her friend "I'll see you tomorrow, but just in case it all goes a little mad, have a fantastic time in Italy and promise me you will think over what we talked about."
"I will and I will," Molly smiled as she glanced at her phone "Charles should be here any moment."
"How is he getting on back at work?"
"I think it was a shock to the system to begin with, being stuck behind a desk all day but now he's out doing training and giving classes he is enjoying it more," Molly explained "I think he knows himself that he made the right choice in not returning to active duty. Besides I think him and Sam would just miss each other too much!"
"When I think back to this time last year," Kate sighed "And how much things have changed for the better."
"Crazy isn't it?" Molly laughed. This time last year she was a tired, struggling single parent who had just endured the shift from hell after discovering the patient on her operating table was the father of her son.
Kate smiled as she nodded her head towards the door to the ward that had just opened and smiled "they are like two peas in a pod."
Molly turned and smiled as she saw Charles and Sam walk into the ward. Sam had a huge smile on his face the second he saw her and ran over to where she was sitting. Charles was smiling too.
"Mummy!" Sam yelled as he practically flew and landed on Molly's knee.
"Hey trouble!" Molly replied as she kissed his cheek and watched as he rubbed it off and giggled. "Did you behave in nursery?" she asked him in a serious voice.
"Yes, I drew a picture to give to aunty Jac!" Sam beamed.
"A masterpiece I have to say," Charles confirmed as he winked at Molly. "It's in his back-pack."
"Hey Sam, look how tall you are now!" Jasmine, one of the other nurses on the ward said as she came to the nurse's station.
"Am I?" Sam asked looking at his mum and dad.
"You're growing everyday scamp, won't be long before you catch your mum up!" Charles laughed as he tickled his son.
"It's nice to see you too Major James," Jasmine smiled as she sat down "Sorry Charles, I will remember eventually!"
"It's fine Jasmine," Charles smiled "Busy shift?"
"Always," replied Molly, Jasmine and Kate all at the same time causing Sam to giggle at them.
The sound of an alarm beeping had Jasmine groaning and back on her feet again.
"Bed five," Molly said with a grimace.
"Of course it is!" Jasmine smiled "Have a fab day tomorrow and enjoy your holiday Molly!" she said as she rushed past.
"Horrible patient?" Charles asked as Molly stood up and stood beside him.
"Depends on how you look at it," Molly smirked as she whispered in his ear "He's one of those patients that have a tendency to grab your boobs and pinch your arse, you know the sort!"
She stood back and watched Charles turn red with embarrassment "I'll get you back for that," he whispered back.
"Promises, promises," Molly smirked as she lifted her jacket and bag "Did you get everything sorted then?"
"Yes," Charles replied grateful for the change in conversation "Got the Euros and picked up both mine and Sam's suits. Dan has taken them to the hotel with his. Jac has collected your outfit and if I heard her right in between several panic attacks you have to try it on as soon as you get there in case it needs any alterations."
"Jac? Panic attack? Are we talking about the same person?" Kate asked sarcastically.
"Bridezilla more like it," Molly laughed "Be thankful you're not in the bridal party."
"Praise the lord!" Kate laughed "All I need to do is be there for 12:30pm to get seated for the ceremony which starts at 1pm, right?"
"Last I heard yes," Molly smiled "I think Jac, me and her mum are having mini spa treatments this afternoon, then rehearsal dinner before a nice peaceful evening before the madness starts tomorrow."
"Sam what are you doing again tomorrow?" Kate asked the little boy.
Smiling Sam replied "I have the bestest job! I have to carry the wing on a cushion!"
"He's the ring bearer!" Molly whispered.
"I know I just love the look on his face when he says it!" Kate smiled "Seriously can I swap him with Chloe please?"
Molly and Charles looked at each other and smiled "No."
"Damn."
"See you tomorrow Kate," Molly said as she took Sam's hand as they all walked out of the ward together as a family something that seemed practically impossible a year ago.
OGOGOGOGOG
"Ready?" Charles asked as Molly finished getting Sam into his seat and closed his car door.
"Oh yes!" Molly smiled "Is it wrong that I want it to be the day after tomorrow and we are all at the airport getting ready to go on holiday?"
"Nope," Charles smiled as he came and stood in front of her "You deserve this break, hell we all do!"
"What if I don't like flying, what if Sam doesn't…"
"Stop worrying," Charles said as he leant forward and cupped her face. "I get it, it's your first time leaving Blighty, but both of you will love flying and you'll love Lake Garda."
"I know, I just can't wait!"
"Me too but think this time tomorrow Jac and Dan will be married, all we'll have to do is pose for photos. We will have a lovely dinner, then mum and dad will take Sam home with them and we get a child free night at the same luxurious resort where we first met and get to celebrate privately."
"I think that's what I'm looking forward to most!"
"You read my mind," Charles grinned as he kissed her nose, "Now get in the car so we can set off!"
"Yes, sir!" Molly laughed as she mock saluted him.
"Never call me that," Charles laughed as he walked round to the driver's side and got it.
"It's going to be strange being there again," Molly said as she fastened her seat belt. "I did tell Jac that the Bailbrook House is far more luxurious but this one has been her favourite spa for years and they offered her a better deal."
"I'm pleased you like Bailbrook, I love it there too," Charles said.
"Where's that mummy?" Sam asked from the back seat.
"Oh, just a posh restaurant in town that daddy loves," Molly smiled as she looked at Charles realising that they needed to be careful in what they were talking about.
"Being there will bring back a lot of memories," Charles agreed "But we are two very different people to who we were then, we are a family now and we are happy."
"We are," Molly smiled as she squeezed his hand.
The journey from the hospital to the resort didn't take long but Molly couldn't help but reflect on the short journey.
Somewhere along the way in the last six months Charles had moved in with Molly and Sam.
She had volunteered to do two weeks of nightshifts to cover annual leave and rather than moving Sam between her house and Charles' parents they thought it would be easier for Charles to stay over and stay in the spare bedroom which never happened. He slept with Molly every night both realising they slept better in each other's arms.
His new role within the army had been challenging to begin with. Charles James was never someone who could stand still, and he found sitting behind a desk all day boring. That said, it was interesting to see another side of working with the army, but it was not something he wanted to do full time. He was delighted to be offered a position in training and enjoyed the variety that it provided.
For Molly, her biggest change was not getting used to having Charles live with them and being in a relationship with him, it was the free time that she suddenly had. Charles and Sam were always together whenever possible; partners in crime. They would do everything together, walk to the shop to get the morning papers – Charles was one of those people who had to read the newspaper daily. They played together in the park, would go swimming, and go to watch rugby at the weekend. That said her and Sam still baked cookies for nursery, army coffee mornings and were starting to progress onto cakes with not much success. If he was sick or something was upsetting him, Sam would still go to her first. To begin with Molly arranged to work on those days until she realised that if she was off on a Saturday and they were at rugby, she actually had a few hours to herself.
Charles was one of the tidiest people she knew so she rarely had to do any housework, so she found it strange that she had time to read a book, catch up on TV, or go and get her hair done without having to worry about keeping Sam occupied. Her friendship with Natalie Beck and Helen King had also grown. They had been a great help in advising her in what it was like to be an army spouse and if it hadn't been for them, she would have freaked out at the regimental dinner.
Life was good. In fact, she didn't want to admit it but for the first time in her life, everything felt right, perfect. She was loved and in love and she didn't want it any other way.
OGOGOGOGOG
So far, to Molly's relief everything had gone according to plan. Jac and Dan were fortunate that both sets of families all got along and everyone wanted the same thing, for the happy couple to have the wedding they wanted.
Molly smiled as both she and Charles waved goodnight to Sam who walked hand in hand with his grandparents. During the past few months Anna and Archie had become friendly with both Jac and Dan and were delighted to get an invite to the wedding. They had also booked a room to stay overnight tonight and then would leave tomorrow with Sam as soon as the evening reception started to allow both Charles and Molly some time to celebrate without having to worry about what Sam was up to.
"He's exhausted, do you think he'll make it the bedroom before falling asleep?" Molly smiled as she sat down at a table closer to the bar.
"With mum mithering away in his ear, then yes he will," Charles laughed as he poured the remaining wine in the bottle into both of their glasses.
"True," Molly smiled as she smiled her thanks.
"Do you mind that mum and dad will be in Italy with us, well the first week anyway?" Charles asked carefully. Originally it was just supposed to be three of them, but Anna had insisted on coming as well to babysit Sam.
"Of course not, free babysitter every night!" Molly laughed "We can have romantic meals in small Italian cafes, have romantic walks along the shores of the lake, kiss in the moonlight, have I forgotten anything else that you wanted to do?"
"What I want to do I can't do in public anyway," Charles smirked as he reached over and gently stroked her hand.
"Ditto."
They both smiled and savoured the peace and quiet.
"Penny for them," Charles said as he noticed Molly biting her lip.
"That obvious?"
"That you're thinking about something and can't make up your mind."
"You know me too well," Molly smiled "Kate has asked me to think over a few new positions in work and I really don't know what to do."
"The promotion to ward sister?" Charles asked.
"Yeah."
"Molly you may as well have been running that ward from the second I met you, everyone there loves and respects you."
"You think I should do it then? Do the courses and training and apply?"
"Do you want to?"
Molly shrugged her shoulders. "It would mean going back to full time hours, five days a week. Sam is starting primary school in a few weeks and although it will help, we still need to think about school holidays and I know your parents are more than willing to help, but I want to spend time with him too."
"I understand, but with me now going into training I'll be around more especially on school holidays."
Molly nodded her head.
"What other positions did she offer you?"
"Transplant co-ordinator. The hospital finally got the go ahead to do transplants, so management have asked for names of surgical nurses who are willing to go through training to be not only in the theatres but also work as co-ordinators and spend time with patients and families. There are no brain transplants, but I like the idea of it," Molly explained "Again though it's full time and I will be on-call a lot of the time."
"I think you'd be perfect."
"Then I saw a position advertised outside the hospital, in a small GP surgery for a nurse," Molly continued "Monday to Friday nine to five, bank holidays off. It's tempting."
"But would you not find that boring, taking blood tests all day?" Charles asked.
"Yes, but I would get the opportunity to run clinics too," Molly smiled "See my dilemma."
"I do, but it's a nice dilemma to have."
"And I keep thinking about us too," Molly said biting her lip again. She knew how she felt, what type of future she wanted and was pretty certain she knew what Charles wanted too but she needed to be sure.
"What about us? "Charles frowned "Molly you must know how I feel about you?"
"I do," Molly replied smiling warmly "I just don't want to do anything that will jeopardise what we have and could have."
"I love you," Charles said in an affirmative tone. "I have been in love with you since we met on that section of the bar all those years ago and I will love you until the day I die. One day I want to become your husband and maybe if we want, have more children. You are stuck with me Molly Dawes."
"Looks like you're stuck with me too Major James," Molly smiled back. "I want all of that too."
"Even more children? After what happened when Sam was born?" he asked carefully.
"The placental abruption?" Molly asked and he nodded "It was scary, I'm not going to lie and sometimes I do ask myself will it happen again?"
"I'm an only child and I had a happy childhood. We have Sam," Charles said.
"I know, and I'm the eldest of six."
Charles choked on his wine "Maybe not six, but one or two I would be happy with it."
"Ditto!"
"Molly… what are you trying to say?"
"I think I'm trying to decide what career I want to have and when to have more kids," Molly said quietly. She was smiling at him as he kissed her hand. "Do I put my career on hold and focus on us, Sam and our future children or do I put more baby James' on hold and focus on my career?"
"I'll support whatever you want to do," Charles replied smiling. "I'm just happy that you include me as part of your future."
Molly was about to reply when Jac came running into the restaurant and came and stood at their table "Sorry to interrupt, Molly… need you right now… dress emergency!"
Molly didn't get a chance to speak as Jac all but pulled her from the chair and dragged her out of the bar. Charles just sat laughing as he watched them leave, with a diamond engagement ring burning a hole in his jacket pocket.
OGOGOGOGOGOG
Molly could hear birds chirping in the distance as she tried to turn in the bed.
"I caved," Charles whispered in her ear as she opened her eyes and she found herself staring directly into his. She looked down to see Sam fast asleep in between them on the bed, she smiled as she looked back at him.
"You're still here," he whispered again.
"I am."
"He woke a few hours ago and decided it was quieter to bring him in here, today is going to be busy enough without a four am wake up call courtesy of Sam."
"True," Molly smiled back as she gently stroked her son's hair. "What time is it anyway?"
"Just after six," Charles replied as he looked at his watch.
"Which means Jac is going to be texting me any minute," Molly sighed. "This time tomorrow!"
"I know!"
Molly's phone beeped on the bedside table "Ugh. That is my cue to get dressed, get downstairs for the breakfast of champions, get the wig sorted and the war paint on," Molly sighed as she carefully got out of bed without waking Sam.
Charles laughed "Text me when you're ready for Sam, putting him in a tux too early is a recipe for disaster."
"Will do," Molly smiled as she took in the image of her two men lying in bed and then blew them both a kiss. "See you in the grand hall!"
OGOGOGOGOGOG
Charles was grinning from ear to ear as he watched Sam walk slowly up the aisle carrying a satin cushion with Jac and Dan's wedding rings placed carefully in the middle. He could tell that his son was concentrating so hard that he was frowning the whole way up the aisle. Not that anyone noticed, all Charles could hear was a chorus of "Owww" and "Aww!" as Sam slowly made his way past the other guests.
He had to admit he was pleased when Sam reached Dan and his best man, and the rings were passed on to an adult.
Walking right behind Sam was Molly who was absolutely breathtaking in a rose gold gown with sequin top and chiffon skirt. Her long hair had been straightened and when their eyes met, he swore that his heart had missed a beat. He winked at Sam who was now standing as proud as punch beside Dan as Jac and her father made their way up the aisle.
The wedding ceremony had been short, simple and perfect for them. Charles couldn't help but think back to his disastrous wedding all the hymns and bible readings that quite frankly had bored the life out of him. If, no when, he and Molly got married it would be something like this. Close family and friends and something that was intimate and uniquely them.
The day flew by, before they knew it they were all standing in the grounds of the resort and in the secret garden for the wedding photos.
Jac and Dan had asked for a formal photo of them with Molly and Sam, Charles was surprised when Jac had asked him to join in to, he was after all a member of their small family now.
The only part of the day he was dreading was the meal, everyone dreaded looking at the table list to see who they would be sitting with but to his relief, his mum and dad where at the same table as him and Sam along with Kate and Nick and another consultant from the hospital that he had already met.
Everyone was crying with laughter at the best man's speech and he cheered loudly as Molly proudly stood and toasted the happy couple. Sam of course had to copy her and do a second toast.
In Charles' eyes today was everything that a wedding that should be, two people in love celebrating that with their nearest and dearest in a beautiful location. He knew now the mistakes he had made in the past and what he wanted for his future, smiling as Molly was finally able to make her way over to his table.
"Molly you look stunning!" Anna cried as she stood to give Molly a hug.
"Thanks," Molly smiled as she kissed the top of Sam's head. "Thankfully Jac picked the colour and I picked the dress."
Charles reached over, kissed her and whispered "Stunning," in her ear.
"Now is everyone having a good time?" Molly asked, "The head consultant in A&E has left his card behind the bar so if you want anything get it now before he sees sense."
"Are we talking about the same person, Dr Scrooge?" Kate asked as she stood up quickly
"Heard and saw the whole thing," Molly laughed.
"I think it should be doubles all round then!" Kate laughed as she and Nick headed to the bar.
"Is Jac about?" Anna asked as she looked around the large room.
"She's at the entrance, some of the evening guests have started to arrive," Molly explained.
"I just wanted to see her before we left, to thank her for inviting us and say goodbye," Anna smiled "I think someone is getting tired" she nodded her head to Sam.
Molly bent down and looked at Sam "Cuddle?" she asked him
He was wrapped around her neck in a second and squeezed tight. "Tired mate?"
Sam nodded his head as he loosened his grip.
"How about you go home with nana and pops tonight and we will see you tomorrow morning?" Molly asked him.
"Are we going on an airplane tomorrow daddy?" he asked quietly.
"We certainly are scamp," Charles said as he bent down to Sam's level "And you are going to need to get lots of sleep before you go so you can look out the window at everything!"
"Way up high!" Sam giggled.
"Way up high," Molly and Charles laughed as they helped Anna and Archie gather their belongings and say their goodbyes to Jac and Dan. During the photos and the meal, Charles had returned to their hotel room to pick up Sam's stuff and pack them into a small holdall which he put it in the boot of Archie's car to save any fuss later.
Some twenty minutes later and Molly and Charles were standing hand in hand waving off his parents and their son down the gravel driveway which led to the main road. It was a beautiful summer's evening with the sun beginning to set.
"Ready to go back in and get very drunk!" Charles grinned.
"One more glass of wine and I will be out for the count!" Molly laughed as they walked slowly towards the entrance.
"True," Charles smiled as he saw a sign at the entrance "We could always stay out here for a while. It is a lovely night."
"It is," Molly sighed "fresh air sounds good!"
Charles stopped for a second as he took off his suit jacket and went to place it around Molly's shoulders.
"Thanks, but I'm not cold!" Molly giggled.
"Humour me, it's the gentlemanly thing to do Molly," Charles smirked "Fancy a walk down nostalgia way?"
"What?" Molly asked confused.
Charles tilted his head towards the sign for the secret garden and Molly smiled.
"Definitely."
There was no rush as they both walked slowly down the path towards the garden and Molly gasped when she saw that they still had the fairy lights.
"They still have them!" she beamed with delight.
"They do, and they still have the bench where we sat and poured our hearts out," Charles said as his fingers traced along the bench.
"It hasn't changed in all this time," Molly smiled.
"It hasn't but we have, for the better," Charles said as he leaned up against the bench.
There was a sudden noise of a microphone being tested and a DJ welcoming everyone to the wedding reception when it happened.
Molly froze and then smiled "I am going to kill Jac, she probably did that on purpose."
"Did what?" Charles asked frowning
"Listen to the song that is playing Charles," Molly smiled.
This world can hurt you
It cuts you deep and leaves a scar
Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart
And nothing breaks like a heart
It took a moment for him to recognise but when he did, he smiled "Our song," they said
together as Miley Cyrus burst into song.
I heard you on the phone last night
We live and die by pretty lies
You know it, oh, we both know it
These silver bullet cigarettes
This burning house, there's nothing left
It's smoking, we both know it
We got all night to fall in love
But just like that we fall apart
We're broken, we're broken
Charles stood up and walked towards her, Molly felt as if she knew exactly what was going to happen.
"May I have this dance?" Charles asked, her green eyes twinkling under the fairy lights."
Mm, well nothing, nothing, nothing gon' save us now
"Of course," Molly smiled back as their hands met only for Charles to pull her even closer to him and kissed her forehead.
Well, there's broken silence
By thunder crashing in the dark (crash in the dark)
And this broken record
Spin endless circles in the bar (spin 'round in the bar)
This world can hurt you
It cuts you deep and leaves a scar
Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart
Mhmm, and nothing breaks like a heart
We'll leave each other cold as ice
And high and dry, the desert wind
Is blowin', is blowin'
Remember what you said to me?
We were drunk in love in Tennessee
And I hold it, we both know it
Mmm, nothing, nothing, nothing gon' save us now
Nothing, nothing, nothing gon' save us now
Charles looked down at Molly and smiled, she really was stunning as the sequins in her dress started to sparkle under the sunset and fairy lights. How the hell did he ever get so lucky he thought as he cupped her face and kissed her gently on the lips.
Well, there's broken silence
By thunder crashing in the dark (crash in the dark)
And this broken record
Spin endless circles in the bar (spin 'round in the bar)
This world can hurt you
It cuts you deep and leaves a scar
Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart
Mhmm, and nothing breaks like a heart
Nothing breaks like a heart
Mhmm, and nothing breaks like a heart
Nothing, nothing, nothing gon' save us now
(My heart, my heart)
Nothing, nothing, nothing gon' save us now
"I love you Major Charles James," Molly whispered.
"I love you too Molly Dawes."
Well, there's broken silence
By thunder crashing in the dark (crash in the dark)
And this broken record
Spin endless circles in the bar (spin 'round in the bar)
This world can hurt you
It cuts you deep and leaves a scar
Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart
Mhmm, but nothing breaks like a heart
But nothing breaks like a heart
Mhmm, but nothing breaks like a heart
The music had ended but they continued to dance in a small circle at the edge of the secret garden. It was the most perfect time to ask her the question that he had been dying to ask for the last few months.
"Molly," he said as he pulled away from their embrace and got down on one knee, he did it on instinct but of course he to do this on his bad leg.
"Will you marry me?" he asked as he lifted the small box from the jacket around her shoulders and held it in front of her.
Molly stood with her eyes full of unshed tears as she smiled at him and nodded her head "Yes!"
He carefully opened the box and lifted the single diamond engagement ring and slipped it on her finger. "Perfect fit!"
"It is!" Molly smiled as she tried to keep the tears of happiness at bay.
"Can I ask you another question please?" Charles frowned as he continued to look up at her.
"Yeah," Molly frowned wondering what on earth could top the engagement.
"Can you help me up please," Charles groaned "I stupidly bent down on the wrong leg and it has started to cramp."
Molly laughed as she helped him to his feet and was quickly pulled into his embrace for a long, deep celebratory kiss
"I love you."
"I love you too."
D
My dress descriptions are terrible, if you want to see Molly's dress then go the following website - then click on Bridemaids and then filter to cap sleeves. The dress is the last one on the page titled Cap Sleeves V Neck Sequin Chiffon Rose gold Bridesmaid dress. I would post a link but they never work on this site.
So after all the stress and drama Molly and Charles (and Sam!) have their happy ever after! I am tempted to write a sequel to this story but that is as far as my imagination has allowed! At the moment they are living their happy ever after and if there is a sequel there will be drama, if not they are living the dream!
Thank you all again for reading!