A New Dawn
Chapter 6
Molly was showing the girls her engagement ring a sapphire with a diamond either side. It really suited her small hand and she absolutely adored it.
"We're both going to wear wedding rings" she said excitedly "He's got them engraved with Adore you Always, Cos he's going to love me for always, ain't he romantic" she gushed and Jacqui and Katie smiled at her happiness "Mind you the writing is really tiny" she laughed
"Shame me mum and dad can't be here" her smile faltering slightly "Would have liked me dad to see me like this, you know walk me down the aisle"
"Come on Molly" said Jacqui wanting her friend to not think about it "Let's get the dress on, its stunning"
The beauty of being in Singapore was that you could get anything made very quickly and once she, with the help and guidance of Jacqui and Katie had found some ivory white silk which had been made into a beautiful long dress with delicate lace round the sleeves and neck. With the heat and humidity, they had opted that Molly's hair should be down but they had woven beads and flowers into it instead of a traditional vail. Her posy was a combination of pink and white orchids. One of the first flowers that she had seen on their first date to the Botanical Gardens and a flower she would always love.
"So, have we got all the traditional stuff old, new, borrowed and blue" asked Katie
Molly had her smile well and truly back "Everyone has been so nice" she enthused "Charles CO's wife lent me her blue garter, so that's me old and blue, Jacs has lent me the ribbons from her wedding bouquet and me new…" Molly blushed "Well; it's me underwear" all three girls burst into fits of laughter
Katie left saying that she was going to open that bottle of champagne they could have a glass to calm their nerves, leaving the two old friends together. Jacqui saw Molly's hand a little shaky.
"Are you OK Molls" she put her hand over Molly's and squeezed
"Yeah, just a bit nervous about later, you know" she hesitated "not that I would be able to talk about it with me mum and Nan if they was here"
"I see" said Jacqui smirking and she cupped Molly's chin "It will be fine; he's a good bloke and he loves you"
"I know but he's army, he's bound to have you know done it" and she coloured up just as Katie came back into the room with glasses and a bottle of champagne. She realised that the conversation had changed from when she left and Molly was very much in need of some Dutch courage and poured them all a glass. "I ain't got a clue what I'm meant to do" They all drank from their glasses nodding thoughtfully
"Well" started Katie with her Aussie humour "He's a good looking bloke you won't need to shut your eyes, lay back and think of England will you" both girls turned to stare at her just as she was taking a sip from her champagne glass and a huge grin on her face. Jacqui looked at her and had to snigger while shaking her head in amusement
"Look Molly" said Jacqui "We all had those first night nerves, it will be fine. He loves you and you love him. You can see he's a true gent he'll look after you, be gentle just like my Brian was with me"
"And my Alex with me. Sorry if I was taking the mick Molly I just don't want you to spoil you day worrying about it"
"Whatever happens girls, I'll remember this day and you two" she smiled at them and raised her glass as a toast downing it in one "I hope we always have this friendship, whatever happens"
Just then there was a tap on the door and Brian poked his head round "I have strict instructions from Captain James that I am to get you to the church on time" and all three girls burst out laughing.
"What?"
"Never mind Brian" said Jacqui patting him on one cheek while kissing him on the other
They arrived at the Armenian Church and the Chaplain conducted the service then Molly and Charles exchanged their rings and vows. He wanted to wear one to remember her when he was away on army duties just as she would remember him whenever she touched hers.
They made their way to Raffles for the wedding breakfast and cut the cake. Charles made his speech saying how pleased he was that they could all join him and Molly on their special day and whatever the future holds for them he hopes they can all meet again.
He saw Lt Colonel Beck and his wife Edna at a table near them and raised his glass in acknowledgement to which Beck returned the motion. He turned to his wife and they got up and came over.
"Would you mind if we joined you Captain James?" as they were all in uniform so Brian and Alex felt they needed to stand and salute the Lt Colonel. He laughed while he helped his wife to a seat
"I know we have protocols we have to follow but this is a happy occasion and as Charles parents aren't here I would like to think my wife and I are representing them, sit all of you"
"It's so nice to meet you Molly" smiled Edna "I hope you were able to make use of my little gift" and was enchanted by Molly's blushing
"Thank you Mrs Beck" she said smiling "It was very kind of you to lend it to me"
She patted her hand "I have been friends with Charles mother since Roger and I were married and he has known his father since school, it was the very least I could do as they can't be here to see their only son marry"
"Anyway dear" she continued "Have you had a lovely day"
"Cor blimey" she said her eyes gleaming with happiness "I ain't ever been this 'appy"
Edna patted her hand again and nodded she could see how much they adored each other, their eyes seeking each other out. She was sure Frances would be pleased seeing her son so happy.
"Can I ask you something" said Molly tentatively and Edna nodded "I've seen his mates over there" pointing to the Hartes "they think I'm a trollop but I ain't, will his mum and dad like me or will they think I've wrecked his chances"
"What do you mean wrecked his chances?"
"Well with a girl like me" she said "People won't want him coming to their posh parties now, will it finish his career in the army?" her green eyes glistening and a frown on her face as she said it "Its alright here but what when the wars over and we go home, how will he feel when his mates don't wanna know him anymore"
Edna grabbed her hand and squeezed it and her own eyes were a little misty at what this girl was saying. She knew Frances and knew her well she thought, and she was sure she would welcome her. If she had been lucky enough to have a son, she would have been pleased with a daughter in law like Molly. She stroked her cheek before replying
"Then they weren't really his friends dear" she said "I believe you trained as a nurse, that can't have been easy for you or your friend Jacqui"
"Nah! Not really" she replied "Maybe it was me Nan being a suffragette but we always wanted to do something with our lives, me and Jacs"
"I can safely say as one suffragette to another your Nan was right, you both have and never think you haven't" she smiled "His mother will welcome you as a breath of fresh air". Thinking the same thing, and that Molly would give Charles the companionship she thought he always wanted and perhaps secretly craved.
Molly gave her one of her huge smiles that lit up her face and hugged this lady for making her feel better.
Roger Beck raised his eyebrows at his wife who was being hugged by the new Mrs James and after 35 years of marriage knew that she would take Molly under her wing.
"Right" said Edna smiling broadly "I think Gin Slings for the ladies don't you Roger" and he smiled at his wife and attracted the attention of the waiter
Charles had been ecstatic with how the day was going. He appreciated that Roger and his wife had come over to sit with them effectively quashing any rumours that had been started by the Hartes. He could see Georgina and Johnathan at a table at the back of Raffles with another couple and occasionally looking across to theirs and that the Lt Colonel had joined them.
He had watched Molly while she was talking with Edna and when she hugged her and saw that Edna had returned the embrace he hoped that his parents would love her as much as he did. After all Edna and his mother had known each other for many years, sat on committees, raised funds. Whenever he had spoken with Edna while being stationed out here, she had always told him of the work that she and his mother had been involved in. Edna certainly thought that you weren't defined by your place of birth but by what you did with your life.
The afternoon of dancing, talking and laughing continued into early evening when Brian said that he would take Jacqui, Alex and Katie home and was it alright if he used Charles car to do it and he would return it the following morning.
Charles and Molly were spending their wedding night in Raffles.
They said their goodbyes and with Charles holding onto Molly's hand he guided her up the stairs to their room.
She had never seen anything like it. A huge four poster bed and the mosquito nets beautifully tied to each post. Her mouth opened in awe at the room with the ceiling fan giving a gentle breeze, the picture window looking out over the lights and sounds of Singapore below them. She moved to look out the window.
"Ain't it beautiful Charlie" and he moved behind her one arm round her neck and shoulders and the other round her waist holding her close. She turned in his arms her cheeks flushed
"Shall I use the bathroom first" she asked and he could only nod his breath taken away by her and gave her a kiss on her forehead
She was gone for a while and it gave him the opportunity to remove his uniform and replace it with his pyjama bottoms leaving his chest exposed he sat on the bed waiting for her. When she came back she was wearing her negligee, a cream silk and full length with thin shoulder straps exposing her shoulders and a hint of cleavage. His breath hitched, and he sucked in his bottom lip
"You look so beautiful Molly" and he stood to cup her face in his hands and she looked up with her pensive green eyes smiling
"Get in while I have a quick wash and shave" he said and he knew she was nervous as she hopped into bed. He knew she had been encouraged by Edna and Jacqui for that matter and had a couple of Gin Slings and he just had to hope that she didn't fall asleep before he got back.
He'd got rid of his 5 o'clock shadow, came back to release the mosquito nets from the posts all the time looking at her lying there watching him, their eyes never leaving each other and he slid in beside her.
He propped himself on his elbow looking down at her and started stroking her face, smoothing her hair away from her forehead and lowered his face to kiss her. His hand started down the side of her body causing the silk to rub against her skin causing a warmth and sensation she had never felt before. He moved from kissing her lips to kissing round her ear and neck and down to her breast and she could feel herself arching towards him and she felt a million butterflies were flying around inside her. Her hands stroked up his arms and across his shoulders and she clung to him. She could feel his hardness against her thigh as he starts to lift her negligee removing it from her body and leaving her naked.
She felt herself redden and his dark brown eyes stared into hers and he's smiling at her and starts kissing her lips again. His fingers gently moving down her body, his hands, his lips. He was slow, rhythmic and so very gentle and she had never felt such sensations in all her life.
-OG-
When he woke early the next morning Molly was wrapped round him. Her leg over his and her arm across his chest and he could feel her hair tickling him as it fell over her face. Using his fingers, he embedded them in her hair and pushed it from her face and he noticed she had a half smile although she was still asleep. He knew he would adore her for always and he kissed her forehead. Molly stirred and started to slowly stretch out and he hoped that he would be able to watch her wake next to him for the rest of his life.
She opened her eyes and looked at him smiling and kissed him on the chin
"Are you all right" he asked pensively and blushing slightly
"Yeah!" she grinned back at him
"So, what would you like to do today then Mrs James" he asked "wander round the gardens and have tea or stay here"
"Are you ever going to call me Molly again" she laughed
"Probably, but at the moment I very much like the sound of Mrs James" as his arms slid around her waist and rolling them over so he was looking down into her smiling face then peppering it with little kisses.
-OG-
They did finally decide to get up and go to the gardens for tea and they walked arm in arm with Charles hand over the hand resting on his arm.
"Molly you know I have to go back to barracks tonight"
"I know" she smiled up at him "I'll miss you"
"I want you to start thinking about going home, back to England" he said suddenly getting very serious and guiding them to an empty bench near the lake to sit. He held her hand looking at the bright gold band on her finger knowing that inside it was engraved
"No Charlie, I wanna stay here" she frowned at him "They will need me here at the hospital"
"But I want you to be safe and I can't do that here" he carried on
"I ain't going without you Charlie" with a determined expression on her face
"Please Molly" his eyes darkening and looking at her with such sadness "You can stay with my parents, it will be safe there" he looked down before continuing "The Japanese fleet have been spotted, they're tied in with a pact with Germany, its only matter of time and war will be here"
"Look" she persisted "I know what war looks like I lived in bleedin London and before Jacs and I left for Singapore we were being bombed nearly every bleedin night" her eyes were glassy with unshed tears "I don't wanna go Charlie"
He cupped her chin and tipped her head their foreheads meeting
"It was only yesterday you promised to honour and obey" he smiled but not with his eyes
"Well I might've lied and had me fingers crossed at that bit" she smirked
He snorted a laugh and shook his head "Oh Molly!"
-OG-
He drove her back to the bungalow and walked her to the door took her in his arms and kissed her as if he wouldn't see her again for months.
"Please think about what we've talked about Molly" he pleaded his eyes sad at leaving her. She cupped his face and she could already feel his evening shadow on the palms of her hands
"Let's see after Christmas, we've never spent Christmas together before" and she put her hands around his waist to draw him in to a hug. Her head on his heart listening to the reassuring beat. He kissed the top of her head
"I've really got to go and we'll discuss it again after Christmas"
He got in his car and waved goodbye and pulled out into the street. He would go back to his office and write his mother a letter, telling her about Molly and that he wanted to send her home and could she live with them until he came back. He had telegrammed his parents to let them know he was getting married yesterday and he was sure that Edna will have written to his mother telling her about Molly and what she was like but he felt he needed to ask if she would look after his wife for him while he was here.
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A/N Thank you for all your kind reviews it is much appreciated for a story from a bygone era. Thanks also to Debbie who must have spent ages sorting out the edits so that it was fit for uploading.