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FIVE YEARS

Chapter 2

He's in the small family room, anxiously pacing, waiting for an update on her condition. It's been a couple of hours since he left Molly, and it has taken all his military instilled self-discipline to not go and barge into her room and demand an explanation. Eventually, there's a knock on the door and Colonel Thomas, her doctor enters the room.

"Sir?"

"Please, Major James, take a seat… we have completed a thorough assessment of your wife, and it would appear that she is experiencing retrograde amnesia, as a result of the head trauma caused by the accident. This means that she is unable to recall anything from recent years. She seems to have recollection of older memories, from her childhood and the first couple of years in the army. As you suspected, she is under the impression that the accident took place in Afghanistan during her first tour, which is where I understand you both met."

"Yes, she was my platoon's medic on my fourth tour, five years ago. We became…. close during the tour and started seeing each other when we got home. We've been married for three years."

"I see. That must have caused some raised eyebrows at the time?"

Although he's become used to this line of questioning over the years, it still annoys him that people often infer that something salacious must have happened on tour, when in fact it was completely the opposite, well right up until they shared a brief kiss before the final fateful mission which ultimately sealed their destiny together.

"Indeed. Although her being an exceptional soldier, a recipient of the Military Cross who incidentally also saved a number of lives, including my own, on that tour, silenced most."

He knows his tone is not really an appropriate way to address a senior officer, especially one who is trying to help him.

"Sorry, Sir. I didn't mean ... "

"No apology needed, Major. I appreciate this is a difficult situation. Corporal Dawes sounds like an impressive woman. She's certainly progressed quickly through the ranks."

"She is, I'm proud to be her husband…. Does she know we are married?"

"At this point, we have not told her anything which would contradict her current knowledge. However, she's clearly smart and I am certain she suspects something is not quite right."

"That sounds like Molly….. so what happens next?"

"Well, retrograde amnesia is often temporary and is commonly treated by exposing the patient to reminders of the memories they've lost – talking to friends and family, showing pictures, being in familiar surroundings."

"How long might it take for her memory to come back?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you that. It can vary significantly patient to patient. Some patients remember everything in time, some patients experience a permanent loss of certain memories. The good news is that Molly does not have any other physical injuries….she was incredibly lucky in that respect."

"She's always been incredibly tough, indestructible some might say. So, I can take her home?"

"Yes, although I would like to keep her in for another 24 hours for observation, but after that, then yes, you can take her home."

"So, can I see her, talk to her, start to tell her… about us?"

"Yes, but can I advise caution and that you take it slowly. It will be a lot for her to take in and some resistance and frustration is to be expected."

"I understand. Thank you Sir."

He starts to stand up, but is surprised by Colonel Thomas indicating for him to stay seated.

"Major James, there is one other thing…."

There is a short silence, during which the doctor looks to be considering his next words carefully.

"Yes, Sir?"

The doctor clears his throat, before talking.

"Based on your questions regarding Molly's well-being… I am assuming you did not know that she is pregnant…. it's early stages, five or six weeks at most….. it is entirely possible that she was not aware either. In any event, we have not told her at this point."

He is completely floored by this news, finding it almost harder to comprehend than the fact that his wife has no recollection of the last five years.

"Pregnant?...

"Yes, it is too early for a proper scan, and I stress it is early days, but there is no doubt."

The question of children has been the only real area of sensitivity in their relationship. Although, there has never been any disagreement about whether they would start a family together at some point in the future, the when has been less clear. Since the start of their relationship, Molly has been resolute about wanting to concentrate on her career before having her own children. He has supported her fully in this, wanting her to be brilliant and fulfil her potential as much as he wants to start a family with her. The reality is that the difference in their ages means that they have had time on their side and there has been no need to hurry or force the issue. It has also meant that he has been able to concentrate on his relationship with Sam, his ten year-old son from his first marriage to Rebecca. As a result, Sam is very much part of their lives and Molly has always been a brilliant step-mum to him. This is something for which he is not only grateful but which has also confirmed to him just how amazing she will eventually be as the mother to their own children.

Molly, being the eldest of six children, has been clear that two more children, and perhaps a dog, is her limit. Whilst her relationship with her family is mostly strong these days, it wasn't always so. Her decision to join the Army at 18 instead of staying at home and looking after her siblings had caused a deep divide at the time. Her own childhood had been tough, and much of the pressure was because of the sheer size of her family, and the strain it placed on her parents' relationship, especially when her mum had decided she wanted to go back to work and train as a teaching assistant.

Conversly, growing up as an only child, he'd always dreamt of being part of a big family. Molly has always teased him that it is one of the reasons he has been so happy in the Army all these years and why he is always able to deal with the dramatics of her own family. At the time of their wedding, his over-emotional mum had revealed to Molly that they'd tried for years to give him a sibling, but it had sadly never happened. Needless to say his parents have welcomed Molly into their lives, treating her like the daughter they never had. Whilst the same could be said for how they are with Rebecca, he knows that is in part because she is the mother of their beloved grandchild, but also because his relationship remained friendly with her through their separation and subsequent divorce. They'd both acknowledged, before he had gone on that fateful fourth tour, that their union had been a huge mistake and that they would both be happier not married to the other.

Because of all this, he'd been completely taken by surprise when, a couple of months ago, she'd told him she wanted to start trying for a family. She'd just been promoted to Corporal, something she had worked incredibly hard for and as a result, he had assumed this meant any plans for their family were still some years away. In typical Molly style, she'd told him that the time was right for her to take a break and that she would still be still be young enough to come back if that was what she wanted. She'd also told him that whilst age was on her side, he wasn't getting any younger and she didn't want him to be an ancient dad. He'd been so happy and hadn't needed any further invitation to commence "Operation Baby". Not that their sex life ever needed much effort, but they had been enthusiastically practising ever since.

"Are you alright Major? I seem to have lost you there."

"Sorry, it's just we've only just started trying... we'd assumed it would take months for anything to happen..."

"Well….it has…. congratulations."

-OG-