Sorry for ending the last chapter on a moment... hope another quick update to the story will mean I'm forgiven. Enjoy!
FIVE YEARS
Chapter 10
She pulls away from him, feeling distinctly light-headed and in need of air and some space.
She takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm her racing pulse before being hit by a wave of nausea. She instinctively puts her head between her knees.
"Molly? What's wrong?"
He's immediately attentive and she can feel his hand on her back and the concern in his voice.
"I….. feel a bit…strange."
"What can I do?"
"Just give me a minute… "
Her body erupts into a cold sweat as another wave of nausea takes hold.
"Oh no, I think I'm gonna be sick."
She feels the tell-tale heaving sensation in her abdomen before retching and bringing up the contents of her stomach.
He holds her hair out of the way, gently rubbing her back as she throws up a couple more times.
She feels physically much better almost immediately, but is mortified to have just vomited in front of him.
"Shit, I'm sorry Charles, that kind of ruined the moment."
He smiles, ruefully, at her.
"Well it wasn't quite the effect I was aiming for."
She manages a small smile in return.
"It's no reflection on the kiss….. I enjoyed that….. very much."
"Me too."
"I'm so sorry, I feel like a prize prannet."
"Please don't apologise …. and besides it is not like I haven't seen it before."
"Really?"
"Well, I'm not saying it is a common occurrence, but the odd night out with the under-fives has been known to get a bit out of hand."
She groans.
"I'm not sure if that makes me feel better or worse."
"How are you feeling now?"
"Better... I don't know what came over me… maybe it is the heat or something."
"Maybe, but I think we should get you home…."
"Yes, sir."
-OG-
She wakes up in their bed, feeling a bit disorientated, with a cracking headache and a mouth as dry as the Gobi. She checks her watch, and is shocked to see that it is 6.30pm, meaning she's slept for most of the afternoon. She gets out of bed and wanders down the corridor to the bathroom. She cleans her teeth, splashes some water on her face and brushes her hair in a vague attempt to refresh herself. She opens the bathroom cabinet in search of some paracetamol and is puzzled to find a small selection of child's toiletries; a junior toothbrush, ages 8-12 toothpaste and Star Wars body wash.
She leaves the bathroom and is about to go downstairs to ask him about it when it occurs to her that there is one bedroom she has not yet been in. A room that did not feature on the grand tour of the house and whose door has been kept closed since she got home.
Despite this being her own house, she still feels like she is snooping as she pushes open the door. She instantly recognises the prized possessions of a young boy; lego models, action toys, pokemon cards and football annuals. She spots a picture, on the beside table, a selfie style photo of her, Charles and a smiling blonde-haired boy. Next to it, is another more formal picture of the same boy, with a beautiful, blonde-haired women, a good-looking man and a cute little girl. She picks up the two pictures, sits down on the bed and wonders what the hell to make of it all.
She is startled by a small cough and looks up to find him standing, looking slightly uncomfortable, by the door.
"Hi…. I ….er….. thought I heard movement and was coming to see how you are."
"Who does this room belong to Charles? Who is this boy?"
He quickly sits down on the bed.
"Sam, my son…. from my marriage to Rebecca."
"You have a son?"
"Yes, he's ten years old and very much part of our lives….. Molly, you have to believe me, that I was going to tell you, but the opportune moment hadn't yet come up."
"Why does that sound familiar?"
"Because I've screwed up like this before.. back in Afghan… I didn't exactly tell you about Rebecca or Sam then either… we had a big fight and you accused me of being 'fucking economical with the truth'."
"Sounds like I was well pissed."
"You were and quite rightly so ….. and now… are you 'well pissed?'"
She shakes her head.
"No. I'm not, I'm just a bit shocked….. five years is a long-time and I know there are going to more things like this… Is this what you meant when you said, 'I accepted your baggage' earlier?"
"Well, yes … an ex-wife, a son …. some girlfriends' might have struggled with that, but you never let it be a problem."
She holds up the family picture.
"Is this Rebecca?"
"Yes, with her husband Giles and their daughter, Lexie. She's three."
"They look like nice people."
"They are."
"Do they like me?"
"Yes, they do. We have a good relationship with them."
"And Sam?"
"Oh, he adores you….. the two of you are as thick as thieves, always have been. I don't stand a chance, totally outnumbered, most of the time."
"How often do we see him?"
"He usually spends alternate weekends here and some of the holidays, whenever possible. It works, for now. He's going to boarding school next year, so things will change."
"Boarding school? Sounds a bit shit.."
"It's his choice… he can't wait. He'll have a great time. I know I did."
"You went to boarding school?"
"Yes, as an only child, I was desperate for the comradery. Begged my parents to let me go."
"Guess it's not a surprise you ended up in the Army then either."
"It's true. I always wanted to be part of a big family."
She laughs, thinking that her reason for joining the army was to get away from her own big family.
"Even so, think you probably got more than you bargained for when you got together with me."
"Not at all. I love and respect your family."
"You're having a giraffe, right?"
"No. I'm not. Things are different with them to how they were when you went on that first tour. It's not all perfect… but they love you, are proud of you and you've inspired them in ways you won't believe. Your mum is a teaching assistant, your dad stopped drinking and has held down the same job for the last four years… Bella graduated from university and is training to be a nurse.. they're all doing really well."
"And Nan? You haven't mentioned her."
He snorts.
"Ah, well Nan. She is probably the only one who hasn't changed. Still partial to some 'moody' food. Still gives your dad a hard time. Of course, she thinks I'm a good 'un... despite my fancy ways."
"Oh my god, I can only imagine what she is like around you."
"You don't need to remember, you won't be far wrong! She's incorrigible."
She stops, taking in all this new information.
"But why can't I remember?"
"I don't know…. "
"These sound like good memories."
"They are."
"But what if I can't remember?"
He takes the pictures from her and puts them back on the bedside table. He takes her hands in his.
"Well, if you can't remember... "
He brings her hands to his lips, placing a light kiss on her knuckle.
"Molly."
He leans in, kissing her cheek before whispering in her ear.
"Corporal Dawes"
He kisses the other cheek.
"Mrs James."
He kisses her neck.
"Dawesy."
He kisses her lips.
"We will just have to make new memories."
-OG-