Ok Ok…as you can see I am rubbish at one shots (so are most of my esteemed OGFF writers too though to be fair)…..and now here the story continues….enjoy x

Lizard

Chapter 2

"Can we slow down?" She shouted out. "Please!"

"No." Molly screamed back.

"Shouldn't we at least stop and say hello?" She tried again.

"No fucking way." Molly turned on her mother and her ridiculous comment. "Let's just go."

"What not even offer our sympathies and that to his mum? We've come all this way Mols." Belinda was frantically trying to keep up with her daughter, who was going faster than she ever knew anyone could achieve whilst still walking in heels. "They used to be family!"

"I need to get out of here Mum." She said as she rummaged through the contents of her bag, ignoring her Mum's last words. "I knew coming here was a mistake." Finally pulling the car door open and getting in.

Belinda had held her tongue for as long as she possibly could. The car journey home, she knew would take them several hours and the tension was awful. She needed to talk. They both needed to talk.

She'd never been one to hold her tongue. She was famous for that fault, that was her problem now, and one she had very much passed on to Molly. So Belinda did what she did and started to talk. She started off though simple and gentle. Mindful of her eldest child's feelings.

"Molly...love?"

She reached out and touched her daughter's hand, the free one, not the one that had fiercely gripped the steering wheel since the journey had begun, in an attempt to get her to open up. Silence remained however. Belinda just knew she wasn't winning this one. It was no good, experience showed her that Molly wasn't for talking, her famous stubborn streak had settled in. Which was fine, that was their Molly, quiet and moody at times, but what worried Belinda more she wasn't even crying either. She was just focused on driving and no more. Devoid of any external emotion, save for the death grip she had on the steering wheel, and that wasn't their Molly. So Belinda watched and she knew. She knew her girl, her Molly, inside was slowly dying all over again.

"Where is she?" Molly yelled as soon as she got through the front door of her family home. The first words spoken for hours. "Where's the stupid cow?" She demanded of anyone.

Dave poked his head out from the sitting room. There had been lots of shouting in their home over the years, but after a period of calm, compatibility, Molly's outburst, the noise, genuinely surprised him.

"Bloody hell Mols. What's up with you." He asked scanning around to his wife for hope of an explanation. Who was decidedly staying out of the path of fury Molly was creating as she looked through the rooms downstairs.

"My stupid sister. That's what's up." Molly yelled as she bounded upstairs in her continued hunt for blood. "I'm gonna bloody kill her."

Dave stared at Belinda.

"Well?" Was all he asked. Fearful of the answer.

"Bels got it wrong." Was all she offered.

"Got what wrong?" He asked of his wife, totally confused.

Belinda pushed past him into the kitchen, struggling herself with the potential fallout from the misunderstanding. Wanting the awful day to end.

"About Charles and that." She sighed before filling the kettle. "He ain't dead. He didn't die. It was his Dad's thing we went to. Benny's memorial."

"Oh." Was all Dave could say. "Shit." It finally hit him. "Does that mean?" He gulped out.

"Yes of course it bloody means that." Belinda snapped back. "Yes of course Charles was there, and yes, your daughter saw him." She looked at her husband, uselessly taking in what she had just told him. "Look just push off to the pub will ya Dave? It's been a long day and I'm wiped out."

Dave didn't need telling twice, but still managed to pull a face as though it was a huge inconvenience for him and he was doing it as a favour to her. Yet he knew a Dawes' cat fight was something he never wished to be part of if he could help it, and one was brewing.

Belinda sat down wearily. It wasn't only Molly who was reeling from today's events. She was too. That moment she held the order of service, that moment she saw the photo of the man they were there to honour. That very moment she saw her ex son in law stand before her, were all moments she couldn't, wouldn't forget. Though she really wanted to. She knew the fallout from today would be huge.

Belinda had loved Charles. Always had seen him as the perfect man for her tenacious daughter, someone Molly deserved. Her daughter's love for him was contagious and Charles soon had a place in all their hearts. When they divorced, when she had learnt of his infidelity, it wasn't only Molly who he hurt. Yet despite it all, despite being firmly on Molly's side she still cared for him, and the news of his 'death' affected her too. She'd silently cried tears, alone, over her prized son in law's demise. Keeping her grief secret as she felt not to would have been a betrayal to Molly. So when today, when she had finally understood and become reconciled with Bel's mistake, she once again felt the pain and loss of Charles James in their lives.

She knew though she couldn't be selfish. Her priority was Molly. Her mother's heart ached all over again for her Molly. Her mother's heart worried what this would mean for her girl. Belinda had watched as Molly had almost broke when they quickly divorced, but then was so proud of her as she saw her grow strong again. She knew Molly was strong, but after today she questioned how strong. She'd watched how Molly almost crumbled when she thought he was dead, her Charles. Yet, although it hurt, Belinda saw it as a blessing almost; Charles' death would have meant an end to it all.

Belinda knew, had faith, that in time Molly would once more grown strong after her loss, and then she'd be free, totally. But now, now he was alive, now Molly had seen him again, all be it briefly, and Belinda just didn't know. Molly was back to being in emotional limbo. Knowing he still existed on the same planet as her, despite thinking for the past week he'd died, that knowledge would mess up her mind and her delicate bruised heart all over again.

Belinda rapped gently on her daughter's bedroom door.

"Mols? Come on Mols. Time to get up."

It was way past lunchtime the next day and Belinda was staging an intervention. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of Molly since she had stormed through the house looking for Bella. Thankful for all she didn't find her. Her sister wisely staying away at her boyfriend's for the night. After Bella had heard the tirade of abuse Molly left on her voice mail, Belinda suspected it may be quite some time before Bella resurfaced again. Molly had since then just stayed in her room.

"Come on love. I brought you a toastie and a cup of tea." She tempted her daughter through the firmly closed bedroom door. "You haven't eaten since yesterday."

Slowly the door was opened by Molly and Belinda was shocked to see just how normal she looked. She'd expected her to be a mess, eyes puffy and swollen, dishevelled, but that wasn't so, apart from still being in her PJs Molly looked just fine.

"Thanks Mum." She said and hungrily bit into the toastie. "Thanks."

"You want to talk?" Belinda asked. "You know about yesterday and stuff?"

Molly swallowed another large mouthful of the tea and Belinda waited.

"Not much to say is there?" She replied. "Thought he was dead. He ain't." And with that she shrugged her shoulders.

"Must have been a shock though?" Her mother carried on.

"Yeah, and no. I mean yeah cause of bloody Bella I thought he was dead." She swigged her tea and thought a bit more. "But no... he mightn't be dead, but he's still the bastard who cheated on me... with her."

Belinda nodded. Surprised at seeing daughter calm, reasoning.

"So what you gonna do Mols?" She asked.

"Me? First I'm gonna kill that stupid sister of mine. Then I'm gonna enjoy my leave." She smiled at her mum. "That's all I can do Mum."

"Nothing else?"

Molly looked at her mother.

"No Mum nothing else." She firmly answered.

"Yeah?" Belinda pushed. "It's just…. You know Mols. You thought he was dead and was heartbroken baby... I just thought... you know... now he ain't!"

"What. Forgive him? See him?" Molly shrieked out.

Belinda recoiled a bit.

"Well it's a thought!" She offered bravely.

Molly rolled her eyes. Which now were slightly wetter than before.

"I don't know what to think Mum." Finally Molly's tears came. "I'm pleased he ain't dead, but I still don't know. I mean is he with her and that? When I though he was dead I thought for a moment if I were given another chance to see him again... well maybe I'd listen to him... even forgive him."

Belinda didn't move too scared to break her daughter's out pouring.

"Thing is Mum I thought I still wanted him, and now he's not dead... I just don't know."

"I'm scared Mum." Were Molly's last words before her Mum rushed forward to her side, as her daughter once again sobbed in her arms over Charles bloody James.

He'd been so happy for the briefest of moments when he'd first saw her. His Molly, staring and smiling right back at him. All his mistakes, seemed at that moment, behind him. So happy for a glorious moment, despite the circumstances. So happy, and then reality came crashing in and he remembered and he saw that she did too.

It was his duty to his father. His love for his father that kept him going, though to be honest Charles knew not how. Drawing on a reserve, a moral code, that he thought he had long forgotten. The sternest, determination in completing the task something he hadn't used in many a year. Along with everything else be believed he'd lost that too.

By the time he saw her, the service, thankfully, was coming to a close. Yet still when he had seen her and the few minutes left where he had to play his part were torture. All he wanted to do was to rush down the aisle to her, hold her, grab her. Never let her go, just like he should never have done so. Yet he couldn't; he had other duties, responsibilities to consider, and reluctantly he watched from a distant and had no choice but to let her go.

"Wasn't that?" Sam asked as he moved to his father's side as he stood watching her retreating figure.

"Yeah. It was." Was all Charles sadly said.

"Hell. Dad!" Sam turned exasperated. "What you gonna do? Go after her, please, for God's sake."

"No. I don't think so." Charles sighed. "Not today anyway. It's not right."

Sam knew not to push it, as his understanding of his father's condition well beyond his expected age. His Dad had had a long journey and was definitely on the road to being well again. Yet although he had got better, he still doubted himself and his worth daily. Especially where Molly was concerned. He was still tortured by the mistakes he had made during that time of his life when he let her go.

"She came anyway." Sam in his wise wisdom as a sixteen year old stated. "Guess that means something?" He offered.

Charles smiled at his pride and joy, pleased he hadn't lost Sam in all the mess he'd caused. Secretly smiling that his son's offerings of advice and wisdom were solely based on the experience he had from watching American sit coms and movies.

"Sam." He gently steered him back into the small reception room that the Army had laid on. "No she didn't. She came for Grandpops. Not me."

Sam refused to believe it. Simply stating.

"Well she might have come for me...and Granny too?"

All Charles' response to this was to smile. It wasn't only him who missed Molly in their lives. Sam felt her loss too, all because of Charles' stupid actions and the guilt still ate away at him

He, yet again did his duty. Moving around the hall, listening to others and their offered sadness at the loss of his father. It was delicate, and even awkward most of the time. Charles knew a large percentage of those there would have known of his past faults and humongous errors. Errors that lead to his Army career coming to an end, errors that had destroyed everything good in his life. Still he held his head up high and hoped, that despite the past couple of years of disappointment he knew his father had secretly felt over him, that today, for this moment at least, he would have been proud of his son doing his duty.

"I'm taking your Mum back to the car now love." She gently said as she came up close to him. "She wants to go home."

He turned and looked at the beautiful woman standing beside him. Her hair glossy and free, flowing in the breeze of the day. Her eyes full of emotion for him and his loss... his losses. Giving him her reassuring smile. He marvelled at her. This woman who had endured a lot because of him, sacrificed even more, still cared and still supported him. Taking today and numerous other bad days all in her stride.

"Of course." He smiled his thanks to her. "I'll be there soon." And quickly pecked her cheek as a small sign of thanks.

Tenderly she touched his arm and smiled her smile at him. He once used to believe was just for him, but now he knew better, it was just how she smiled to everyone. She had a kind heart, despite what most people thought about her. Her history, and how she was portrayed, a far cry from the woman she now truly knew. Once this woman was demonised by others for her role in his life, in his divorce, but now all accepted her as necessary, permeant in his life no matter what.

He watched on as she kindly supported his mother out of the room. His mother who had aged considerably since her soul mate's death. He could only sympathise, and to an extent empathise. He knew what it felt like to lose the one, for you to lose your heart's song, to lose the reason for being…. forever. That's how he felt when he'd lost Molly. Of course he never said those words to his mother, he never made the comparison, it would have been unkind. Unfair. She had lost the love of her life due to old age and ill health. He'd lost his because of recklessness and utter stupidity. The circumstances were beyond compare, but his heart still hurt just the same.

He watched his mother being helped into the car by her, and felt a pang of sadness at how grateful his mother was of her attention. His mother had little choice and had forgiven the past events, and because of this she had grown to depended on her a lot over the many months. Since Molly, since Molly and Charles had gone spectacularly wrong, there was a void, and so she had naturally stepped into the role of daughter-in-law to his needy mother. She, to her credit, had wanted to be there, constantly offering her help when needed and even in the beginning when not wanted. His parent's loyal to him, fierce, always on his side, but so disappointed by what he had done, that they had to accept her and that the truth was that Molly just wasn't simply coming back.

So as time ticked on and Molly and Charles' world vanished more and more, as the days past, became months, years, she had started to become something permanent in his life once again. It was natural to see his mother and her together now a days. She was around a lot, and always included in his life, in a way he never imagined. It had surprised Charles at just how good for him she had actually been. How she had helped Charles in his darkest days. Helped them all in fact. Reasoned with him that it was not all his fault. Worked through the guilt they both felt about their history. That there were other players in the mess that involved his life. The Army, Molly and then Georgie... hell even Elvis...were involved in the different paths his life and hers had taken. He'd listened to her, accepted the help and counsel, but still blamed himself.

He now felt comfortable with her though, and these days that meant a lot. It wasn't a grand passion, it wasn't love, nothing like they had in the beginning of their relationship, but in a life with very little it was something. A friendship, and dependency had developed between them. Both were comfortable with that, and both enjoyed the relationship they had with each other.

"Come on love." She smiled at him as he sat next to her in her car. "Let go home and get you pissed."

For the first time that day. For the first time in days both Charles and his mother giggled. She had a way with words, he'd always like that about her, and the fact she made his mother smile made him happy.

"You coming in?" He asked as she pulled up in front of their house hours later. Sam had already jumped out quickly helping his Granny to the front door, leaving them alone.

"No. Best not love. Leave it to you and your Mum tonight." She smiled back at him gently. "Beside." She said more loudly as Sam jumped back in the car. "This one's got homework to do. "

"Mum." Sam protested.

Charles smiled and let out a half-hearted stern stare at his son.

"Mum's right Sam. You've studying to do." He then smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow though scamp."

Sam accepted he was beaten. When his mum and dad joined forces he never won.

"Thanks Rebecca." Charles went to peck her on the cheek. "For today, the past couple of weeks... months. Well for everything."

Rebecca smiled back at her ex-husband.

"It's nothing love." Then turning to the start the engine she added. "You know where I am if you need me?"

"Give my love to Rob and the girls." Charles offered as he left the car and watch it drive away. Thankful that the relationship he had now with Rebecca was comfortable, friendly and without any awkwardness. That her new husband was strangely someone he viewed as a mate. A male friend he desperately had needed after Elvis had gone.

Her second husband Rob, who she adored in a way she'd never adored Charles, was a good step dad to Sam. Her twin girls welcomed step sisters to Sam and his loneliness as a single child. They had all worked together well and Rebecca over the past year had been a brick of support. The first one to tell Charles how it was after he messed his life up, again. The first one to tell him he needed help and that he had lost one of the best things he'd ever have in life. He's already known that on some level, but to hear it out loud sobered him and brought him to realisation more than anyone ever had. Rebecca simply had kept him, his family and his son in his life. Never once allowing him to give up. Never once, since his therapy, allowed him to give up.

He slowly followed his mother into the house. Sadly watched as she took her shoes off and stepped into her slippers. Placing her hand softly on the old tattered pair of his fathers' that still remained by the front door.

"I'll miss him so much." Margaret James offered.

"I know Mum. Me too." Charles pulled her into a hug. "Just you and me now…. we'll get through this."

His mother smiled up at her tall son. From the age of 11 she had had to stretched her neck to look up at her baby that had suddenly grown taller than her overnight. Sam too had outstripped his Granny in height, and now she spent her life looking up at tall men in her family.

"It was nice of her to come." Was all his mother said as she remained in his hug. Physically he was strong, but emotionally she knew he had weakness and Molly was one of those.

"You saw?" He asked surprised.

His mother merely nodded and turned to climb the stairs.

"I'm tired Charles. Today has felt like a long day." She said as she stood half way up the stairs.

Suddenly she turned.

"Do you know what I'd give, if I had the chance….to have just one more hour, one more day with your Father?" She asked. "To tell him I love him, to hear him say he loved me?"

Charles remained mute, but shook his head.

"I'd give everything…absolutely everything." She choked out. "But I wont get that chance…..he's gone. He's dead Charles." As she wiped her eyes and calmed her breathing she pondered at her son, whose face showed pain too. "Don't waste that chance Charles. Don't waste a single opportunity…don't waste your life son." And then she turned and was gone.

Molly tapped her spoon on the side of the coco pop bowel. Glaring at Bella. Her noisy eating and the constant pinging of her mobile phone wearing the little patience Molly had left with her younger sister.

"Do you have to do that at the table?" Molly snapped.

"What?" Bella innocently answered back.

"Your phone...turn it on silent or something." Molly mumbled. "Anyway thought you didn't live here anymore?" Molly asked.

"I don't." She replied. "I just thought I'd pop into say 'hi'."

Molly scoffed but remained silent. She knew her sister had only called around to scrounge a meal from her parents as her giro must have ran out. She silently watched her. Her anger to her younger sister in the past few days had greatly diminished, but it wouldn't take a lot for it to remerge. Silence for now was the best one could hope for.

"Look Mols." Bella took a big breath. "You know I didn't mean it or anything don't ya? The Charles thing?"

Molly stared and said nothing

Bella bravely continued.

"It was a mistake. How was I to know he had the same name as his dad?"

"Well maybe if you'd paid attention." Molly moaned. "God Bella I was married to him for four year, with him five. You should have known his father's name."

"I did." Bella protested. "Benny."

"Yeah well if you invested in any part of your life in asking about others you might have known his proper name. Mum did." She sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway."

"Yeah it does." Bella spat back.

Molly glared again.

"What?"

"Well. You obviously still love him." Bella argued. "Heartbroken you were when you thought he was dead."

"Shit...Bella... leave it." Molly asked standing, rushing from the table. Getting ready to leave.

"Well someone's got to get your head out your arse and make you realise Mols." She shouted as her sister ran up the stairs. "Before you lose him again." Then as a parting shot. "you still love him."

Molly slammed the bedroom door and threw herself on the bed. She stayed there until her mum called up to her. For hours she'd sat wallowing and wondering. She'd lost him once... now she just didn't know what to do.

"Mols there's someone at the door for you." She shouted up.

A sinking feeling hit Molly's stomach. She knew that this would happen. She knew as soon as he knew she was back, when he'd seen her again, that he'd come to visit. And she also knew there was now no running away from his arrival at her front door.

She tidied herself up. Her hands were shaking, she was nervous and that little bubble of excitement she always got wiggled its way inside her. No matter what she knew Charles would always have that effect on her. No matter what she knew she would always love him. Maybe not like him, trust him, or forgive him, but she'd always love him.

Slowly she walked downstairs to meet him. Calm and collected wondering what he'd say to her after all these years. Wondering what she'd say back to him. Where they would start. Knowing that no matter what she'd try to be kind about his loss. He, she imagine would have had a hard time, losing his beloved father, and appreciated, despite it all, he'd had the courage to come to her, the least she could therefore do would be nice. Prove to him she was a better person, the one he had always used to believe her to be.

His back was facing her as she entered the sitting room. The suit he wore was the first thing she understood, and saw. Smart, but quiet ill-fitting and crumpled. The disappointment she felt was almost crushing.

He turned and smiled, a forced false smile at her. His countenance was obvious. He was here on business. One thing on his mind. No need for small talk.

"Ms Molly Dawes?" He asked. Then without waiting for an answer. He continued. "My name is Jones. Peter Jones. I'm acting on behalf of my former client. Major Charles Benjamin Harold James. I believe you knew him?"

Molly weakly nodded. Her mind screaming about how unfair it all was. How she had so hoped it was Charles who had called on her. How lost she felt that it wasn't.

Jones continued.

"You were briefly married to his son I believe? Captain Charles James."

The use of the term briefly hurt Molly. Again she just nodded.

"I'm here because Major James bequeathed a sum of money to you in his will."

Molly was dumb founded. Finally she found her voice.

"What?"

"Yes indeed. He left you quite a substantial amount. Ms Dawes." And he handed over her a letter.

She took her time and read the words... and the conditions attached. Her mother peaked over her shoulder as Molly dumbly held out the accompanying cheque in her hand.

"Bleeding hell Molly. I've never seen that many zeros before!" Dave said as he snatch the letter from her stalled hand.

Eventually Molly spoke. The solicitor was starting to look uncomfortable.

"I don't want it. The money." She said with utter conviction. "Thank you."

She snatched the paper back off Dave who was speechless. The sum mentioned left to her by Benny was something he could never imagine, or hope to ever possess.

"Can you inform whoever... his wife... that I can't accept it?" She politely asked.

"The family are unaware of Major James' bequest to you Ms Dawes." Jones stiffly answered.

He continued.

"My former client was quite certain that this would be your response, that you'd foolishly refuse, and so he drew up a suggestion with regards to the use of the money."

He handed Molly another much larger thicker envelope. Snapping his briefcase shut.

"You have 48 hours to make a decision." He said turning to leave. "My contact details are in there. I look forward to hearing from you." And then he went.

Molly pulled the sheets and sheet of pages from the envelope.

"What is it love?" Belinda asked. "What's it say?"

Molly read on, and eventually a smile crept across her face. Giving nothing away apart from the words.

"That crafty old bugger."