Chapter 6

Molly

I do not know what it is about Charles. The more time I spend with him, the more I want to be with him. It is easy, fun, safe and intriguing all in one. What worries me is that my feelings may not be entirely platonic, as they should be considering I have Smurf. Charles way of being makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and the way he looks and looks at me makes me feel flushing hot in a different way. Totally inappropriate but I just cannot help it. I would never cross a line when I have a boyfriend, but is it wrong to even feel that way when I cannot do anything about it? I was not even sure if I was happy when Smurf arrived yesterday, I was so content in the company of Charles that his arrival felt like an interruption. Maybe I even wished that Charles would kiss me last night, the setting with all the stars was almost too perfect to waste and I also knew, which disturbed me, that Smurf would never had appreciated it. He is more focused on making a fortune with his feet on the ground than gazing at the stars with me. But he is my boyfriend. I need to shut this down, this thing with Charles. Inside me I mean, because nothing improper has happened. I promise I will be a true angel for the rest of the Christmas, not a taken girl gloating at another man than my own because he is shittin' hot.

Charles

I'm not very good at sleeping in as the army life has made me get used to waking up around 5 am. At 7 it already felt like I had slept half the day away and I silently went downstairs to make myself some coffee. It turned out I was not the only one up early. Dave and Bella sat by the kitchen table. Dave's sprained ankle hurt so he found it hard to sleep, Bella was to my surprise known as the early bird in the family.

"Coffee? Tea?"

"Coffee, please."

"So, what do you think of Molly's friend, Smurf?" Bella asked.

"Boyfriend, isn't he? I don't know, I've only met him briefly."

I had an opinion but was a bit wary to share it. He was the boyfriend and they had known him for long, meanwhile I was just the stranger passing through.

"I think meeting him briefly is enough, for everyone except Molly. No need to be shy about what you think around me and dad, we're not fans of Smurf you see."

I was surprised to hear the contempt in Bella's voice, talking about her sister's boyfriend.

"You don't like him? Why?"

"Apart from the obvious, that he's a prick, he's not there for her. He keeps stringing her along, always traveling in pursuit of some new goal. She's lonely but stays with him because of some misguided loyalty. She's a great girl and he uses that."

"That was a harsh review of him."

"But true", Dave confirmed.

I was not sure why they told me this.

"She should be with someone else, someone who truly appreciates her."

Bella nodded in agreement to her father's words and I was starting to wonder if they were trying to encourage me to pursue Molly.

"What are you gossiping about?"

Molly had entered the kitchen and I hoped she had not heard what they said.

"Just said you're a lovely person who deserves the best", Bella smiled.

Molly looked suspicious.

"Doesn't sound like something you would say."

"She did, actually", I confirmed. "Sorry, I'll leave you for a while and go for a run."

"Would you mind if I came with you?"

She was oblivious to the glances her dad and sister exchanged and I chose to ignore them.

"No, it would be nice. I'll get changed. See you in five?"

I normally had a routine of regular running and weight lifting even when I was on leave, so I would not feel like a sack of potatoes once I returned to service. I had slipped during my road trip, though and now I was beginning to feel desperately in need of a run. Molly was in quite good shape, but I had to hold back considerably anyway compared to my usual pace. It was worth it, to be running with her. It was amazing to run through the snowy landscape and feel the cold air rasp my airways, be aware of her running beside me, hear her breaths, knowing her heart was beating fast like mine. I wondered how everything about her could be amazing, even taking a jog. Again, all I wanted was to stop her, pull her to me and let our breathless, cold lips touch. She looked so happy when we finally got back to the house and she stood panting, one hand at the wall to balance herself while stretching her thigh.

"That was great. I wish I had someone to go running with me to keep me motivated but no one in my family wants to. I love it but it's hard to get my arse out of the couch alone."

"And Smurf?"

She met my gaze.

"He's not here that often and when he is, running isn't his thing."

"How long have you been going out?"

"Since I was nineteen, so four years. He started this job two years ago and since then we've had a distance relationship."

"What exactly is it that he does?"

"He's an international wine broker."

"Spending much more time internationally than with my daughter." Dave had come outside and once again I could hear in his voice that he was not pleased with Smurf.

"Dad, stop it. He's trying to make a career. He'll settle down one day, I'm sure."

I could hear in her voice that she was not entirely sure and wanted to cheer her up. Not because I was Team Smurf, but for her sake.

"In the army, there are many distance relationships. There's no choice really when we go on tour."

"And it works?" Dave asked.

"Not for all, but for many. I think the important thing is that you have a relationship built on love and trust to start with, then you can handle not being together all the time."

She looked a little happier, but Dave grunted;

"Built on love and trust… exactly, that is what's needed." Making it clear that it was not only the distance in the relationship he questioned, but the foundation of it. I felt it was a discussion I should not be part of and was heading to go take a shower, when he stopped me.

"Could I ask you another favour Charles?"

"Yes?"

"They called me from the village. They're running low on the Christmas trees they sell for charity and wondered if I could arrange some more. I have promised to earlier as we own some forest, but now with my ankle it will be difficult for me to cut down the trees. Will you help me? I know you work in the pub later too, so maybe it's too much to ask?"

"No, of course I'll do it."

"I can come too", Molly offered. "We can go as soon as we have showered. I mean, each of us have showered. Separately. Not together, of course."

Of course not, even if that would have been another amazing experience. I should not let my thoughts go there.

Coming out from the shower, I got a disappointing surprise. Smurf had arrived and volunteered to help cutting down trees.

"When he heard you would help, he was very eager to help too." Dave hissed to me with a wink.

We all got into a truck which belonged to the Dawses and drove a bit outside the village, where the family owned some land. Dave directed us to which trees we were to take. Just as we were about to get started, Smurf's mobile buzzed and instead of declining the call he took it. It seemed to be work and meanwhile Molly and I worked together to cut down trees and load onto the truck, he kept talking and talking. She did not comment it, but I saw her purse her lips to a tight line which seemed completely unnatural to her. He sure knew how not to make her happy. Just as we loaded the last tree, he hung up and looked surprised.

"Are you already ready? That was quick."

"Or it was a long call", Dave said flatly.

"I'm sorry Molly."

"No need, we got the trees we needed anyway. You can make it up to me by joining me tomorrow when I have a shift to stand selling them."

"Okay", he said but did not look very enthusiastic. It annoyed me how he only seemed to care about his job and himself, not these wonderful people or anything else.

When we got back, and Molly and Smurf had disappeared into the house, I had a question for Dave.

"There's some woodwork I'd like to do, and I noticed you have both machines and tools in your garage. Would it be okay if I borrowed them and some material? I was thinking to make a small surprise."

"Of course, just help yourself. I like people who make better use of themselves than just talking on the phone."

In the afternoon, Molly worked in Mr. Adams shop and I worked with Bella in the pub.

"Are you coming to the dance tonight?" she asked.

"What dance?"

"They missed to tell you? Besides the Christmas market you've already been to, there are two other big events in Snowhaven during Christmas time. On Dec 22, there's the village dance and on Christmas Eve everyone meets here in the pub. That means that everyone is slightly drunk when they go to the Midnight mass which maybe isn't completely appropriate, but it's tradition. Tonight the pub is closed because everyone will be at the dance anyway."

"Well, if that's the place to be, then I suppose I'll go. I haven't been to a dance in ages. We have these officers' balls every now and then, but it must be at least a year since I went to one."

"This will probably be less fancy, but I think you'll have a good time."

After closing the pub, Bella and I hurried home to get changed. Not that I had a big wardrobe with me, but I changed the black t-shirt I had on for work for a clean white shirt at least and tried to make my hair look a bit less unruly. 'Time to get a hair-cut', I thought to myself. The others had already left, Bella and I were late-comers and when we arrived the dance was already in full swing.

I immediately searched for Molly and found her dancing with Smurf. She was wearing a red dress, with tight fitting top, showing her slender figure and a wide skirt, flowing around her when she moved in the dance. I could not take my eyes of her. I only wished I had had a rubber large enough to erase Smurf from the picture.

Dave came to stand beside me.

"Molly looks like she's having fun", I said to him.

"She deserves better."

"I may not be Smurf' biggest fan either, but he seems to be treating her pretty well, doesn't he?" I had not seen proof of it really, but I kept hoping that for Molly's sake. Even if she could not be mine I wanted this girl to be happy.

"For the moment maybe, even if I'm not totally convinced about that either, but not in the long run."

"It has lasted quite a while already?"

"Nothing but a long stretched out romance. Every time she talks to him about the future together he disappears, to pursue some new goal to secure their future."

"Maybe now he's ready to commit?"

"That's exactly what we're afraid of."

"We?"

"Bella and I, the cynics in the family. Belinda wants to think the best of everyone, so she keeps hoping he'll make Molly happy, but I don't think he will. You know, I didn't always make Belinda happy because I was too full of myself, my disappointment of not being able to stay in the army, but I hope I'm making up for that now because she gave me a second chance which I'm still not sure I deserved."

"I think you did, because the two of you seem very happy now."

"We are", he beamed, "and if you'll excuse me, I'll try to go and take my lovely wife for a swing even with these crutches."

I watched him limp away and felt a bit lonely, because there was not really anyone else but Molly that I wished to dance with. I saw that Dave did not go straight to Belinda, but first to her sister-in-law, Mrs. Chapman and whispered something in her ear which made her smirk. Mrs. Chapman then walked over to Molly and Smurf, tapped him on the shoulder and seemed to ask if she could cut in. My gaze went back to Dave, who looked very pleased and nodded me in the direction of Molly, like he was urging me to act fast. Had he made Mrs. Chapman interrupt their dancing, so I could dance with Molly? It seemed like it.

There was nothing I wanted more, but I felt a bit shy as I approached her. What if she said no? Maybe she did not want to dance with anyone but her boyfriend.

"Care to dance?" I tried to sound casual, but my heart was pounding in my chest. I had not needed to worry. She gave me a big smile and said yes. When we only had danced half a minute, the song changed into a slow-dance. It seemed strange to interrupt already. I looked questioning at her and she nodded and then somehow just merged into my arms.

Never had a woman's body felt so right next to mine. Her body shape seemed to follow mine perfectly and no matter how close we were, I felt it was not close enough when I held her to me, firmly yet carefully. My hands found their way down her back but stopped before I reached further down than was appropriate. She leaned her head to my chest and I let my lips touch her hair. Her arms were around my neck, her hands touching the hair at the nape of it. We did not talk. I closed my eyes and let myself disappear in the moment, her scent, her warmth, it was like everything else around us disappeared except for the music – until someone tapped my shoulder. Angrily, it felt like, maybe he had tried to get my attention for some time. Smurf looked up at me, his face filled with poorly disguised fury.

"Do you mind if I take my girlfriend back."

Molly also looked a bit like she had been startled from a dream and now was embarrassed over his apparent jealousy.

"It was just a dance Smurf, I told him.

"Dylan!"

"It was just a dance Dylan, nothing else happened here."

Except me falling even deeper in love with his girlfriend.

He stared at me like he was ready to challenge me for a duel and Molly obviously was uncomfortable with the whole situation.

"I'll go and freshen up."

She disappeared to the ladies' room and I left the fuming Smurf and went to take something to drink. There Dave found me again.

"Was it a nice dance, with Molly?"

"It was", I said courtly, still disappointed it was over and not in the mood to talk about my vain hopes.

"He's not the right guy for her. I know true love when I see it and I do not see that when she's dancing with Smurf." He said nothing about what he saw when we danced.

"I appreciate that Dave, I really do, but in the end it's Molly who has to decide that, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it is, but no harm helping her make the right decision." He mused, and I got the feeling that he in this moment felt like Santa, helping people getting the gifts that were meant for them. I could not help smiling at him.

"Sometimes people just want to be left to their own decisions, even if they're not the best."

"Have you told her why you're here yet?"

"No… I don't feel right about it now that I know she has Smurf. I guess it would only make her feel uncomfortable. I'll help you in the pub and what else you may need help with over Christmas, Dave, but then I'll leave."

He shook his head and I got the feeling that he would try to prevent it if he could. I was done dancing and decided to go home and continue my little woodwork project instead. I walked back in the cold winter evening, watched "my" star and all the other thousands. No matter what happened, I knew that the dance with Molly tonight would be one of the highlights of my life.