A.N. Sorry it's been a while and I'm not sure if anyone is still remotely interested in this. Whilst this chapter was one of the first I wrote, I held off publishing it as I wanted to cover 2 section's visit. Writing about them still evades me - have a half written chapter but it's all 'a bit shit' - and not being able to finish it has knocked my confidence a bit. There's been some brilliant writing from others on here in recent months. Anyway thanks to those who pm'd etc enquiring about the story. Here's the next chapter.

Wednesday 21st November 2018 - 9.15 am

Mia - 5 weeks and counting

Charles wandered into the lounge carrying a glass of orange juice and a plateful of toast for Molly. He found her, showered and dressed, sat on the sofa with Mia balanced a little too precariously on her lap. His daughter was sucking on a fist and wearing only a nappy. Molly was about to feed her again, trying to undo the top button of her blouse and needing both hands to do so. Nearly six weeks on, Molly was breastfeeding on demand. The first fortnight had been difficult, not to mention painful at times, and there'd been plenty of crying - both mother and daughter. Molly had perservered though and, overnight two weeks in, it had become second nature just as the midwife and health visitor had promised, even if feeding Mia on demand was exhausting. Despite the tiredness that threatened to engulf Molly at times, she was doing well - their baby was gaining weight and thriving - and Molly felt she'd made the right choice. Aside from the health benefits, she loved the closeness it afforded them both and the skin to skin contact, not to mention the convenience. Charles helped out in the only way he could, insisting on doing domestic chores and preparing most of the meals, not forgetting looking after Mia including the occasional night feed with expressed milk when Molly was on her knees and would let him.

Right now, he could see Molly was having difficulty - the floral, silk blouse being one she'd had in her wardrobe a while but hadn't worn before. Consequently, the button holes were still taut and didn't allow for any give. He placed Molly's breakfast on the coffee table and automatically reached his arms out for Mia.

"Here, let me hold her," he insisted, immediately lifting her from Molly's lap before sitting down on the wooden surface opposite his wife. He held Mia in front of him, supporting her head in one hand and her bottom with the other, rubbing her button nose lightly with his. Molly, meanwhile, took the opportunity to take a sip of the orange juice and a bite of the toast. "Thanks," she said, her voice muffled as she chewed the latter. She continued to unbutton the blouse, smiling across at her husband as he made faces and cooed at their daughter - his tone warm and animated.

"What time d'you have to be at base?" Molly asked, holding her arms out for Mia, having undone her top sufficiently.

Charles placed a gentle kiss on Mia's forehead before answering. "11.00," he said, ignoring Molly's outstretched arms, concentrating instead on the small bundle in his own, unwilling to part company just yet. He'd been back at work three weeks; both of them having made the decision that she would have the lion's share of the parental leave and he'd have the two weeks paternity. It was hard though, he missed them both so much during the day - his head filled with thoughts of what his daughter would be doing and the milestones he'd probably miss by not being there. He supposed he should be grateful though; the fact that HM Forces weren't engaged in or committed to any hostile military action overseas meant that hopefully he'd see far more of Mia than he had of Sam during his first few years. Molly also tried to include him as much as she could, sending him text messages and photos every now and again when she had time and remembered. Still, it didn't stop Charles seizing any opportunity he had for a cuddle with his daughter, causing Molly to jokingly grumble from time to time that he has 'spoiling' her.

He looked over at Molly. She'd dropped her hands down into her lap and was now checking the contents of Mia's changing bag, having resigned herself to the fact that he wasn't going to hand Mia over any time soon. His eyes roamed over her appreciatively as he took in her appearance. She'd done her make up for once and washed her hair. It was loose and wavy, tumbling past her shoulders just the way he liked it. Her blouse gaped open, revealing a pretty, lace-trimmed nursing bra instead of the usual drop-cup, plain efforts she usually wore. Gone, too, were the over-sized T-shirts and baggy sweatpants she'd adopted since giving birth. Instead, were the silk blouse and a black A line skirt a size or so up from the norm. Although not back to her pre-pregnancy weight, she was on the way. In the back of his mind, Charles vaguely recalled she was meeting up with his sister-in-law; it would explain her appearance. He cleared his throat and sought confirmation, complimenting her in the process, "You look beautiful. You seeing Ellie today?"

Molly looked across at him smiling, "Thanks. Yep in Bath. We're gonna have an early lunch then do some Christmas shopping," she confirmed, before shaking her head and laughing as his eyes lit up at her plans. "No Charles not for you! So there'll be no use sneaking a peek in any bags I bring home." He feigned indignation, shaking his head in denial and opened his mouth to speak before clamping it shut again as Molly waved a finger at him. "Don't you dare deny it, I know exactly what you're like! And anyway, I've got the best hiding place this year so don't even bother snooping. You'll be wasting your time. You ain't gonna find a thing!" She grinned triumphantly.

Charles did too. "So you'll admit you've bought me something already then?"

She looked at him completely bemused. "ER HELLO, when have I had the chance to go out with Little-Miss-I-Must-Be-Permanently-Attached-To-My-Mum's-Boobs here?"

Charles glanced down at his baby daughter, musing quietly under his breath, yet emphasising every single word. "You Miss Mia James are one lucky little lady!"

Molly glared at him, "Oi, I heard that!"

"What? I told Mia, luckily there's always Internet shopping, you're pretty good at that."

"Yeah right!"

He was about to protest his 'innocence', but thought better of it. "I take it Ellie's bringing Amelia too?"

"Yes she's desperate to see 'Meemee' again."

Charles cocked his head slightly to one side as he repeated the name, "Meemee?"

"Yep. Amelia calls Mia 'Meemee'. Either can't or won't say Mia and now it's stuck with the rest of them apparently. Even Tom refers to her as Meemee."

"Oh right...cute I s'pose...in an Amelia James kind of way," Charles smiled, placing yet another kiss on Mia, this time on her exposed tummy, complete with sound effects. Mia flayed out her arms and cooed happily.

Molly instantly felt the let-down reflex in response to Mia's voice and beckoned with her hand. Her patience finally having run out. "Come on stop hogging my daughter! Hand her over!"

"OUR Daughter!" Charles corrected, as he reluctantly relinquished his hold, placing Mia in Molly's arms at last. He watched as Mia instinctively turned her head, snuggling into Molly's nursing bra, open mouthed. She whined in protest, the cotton material not what she was expecting and clearly not to her taste.

"Sorry baby girl, hang about," Molly murmured, removing a breast pad and freeing a breast from its confines. Almost immediately, a jet of breast milk squirted Mia full in the eye. She grimaced slightly, automatically blinking the milk away, before continuing to root around for Molly's nipple. "Oh bollocks," Molly swore loudly, looking for a muslin square, then smiled sheepishly at Charles as he passed her one, his eyebrows raised. "Sorry," she said pulling a face, remembering each other's promise to curtail their swearing in front of Mia and Sam. Although obviously some time off yet, neither Molly or Charles wanted Mia's first words to be of the more 'colourful' variety. Charles shrugged his shoulders, feeling somewhat resigned and slightly hypocritical, neither of them doing particularly well on that score. He continued his silent observations, watching as Molly adjusted Mia's position on her lap and delicately wiped her face. Moments later, he stole a peak at his watch then stood up to leave. Molly looked up, her subconscious finally registering that he was wearing his jacket. "You off already?" Thought you didn't have to leave 'till later?" she queried, somewhat disappointed, having mentally calculated they'd have another hour together before he left. She returned to the task in hand, trying not to dwell on the fact that his paternity leave was over, that she really missed him when he wasn't around.

He bent down to kiss the top of her head. "Just nipping down to the corner shop. Won't be long," he promised, pulling away but not before noticing how Molly's right breast continued to spray milk all over Mia.

"What for?" Molly asked, giving up and tossing the cloth onto the coffee table. She settled Mia down cupping the back of her daughter's head in her hand and bringing her close to her breast so that she could latch on when there was a lull in the flow. Seconds later, Mia was sucking greedily; her eyes wide-open, her small hand fisted against Molly's breast possessively. Molly smiled down at her daughter, before glancing up at her husband.

"Charles?" she prompted.

He couldn't help himself. His mouth broke into a mischievous grin as he looked down at Molly's chest pointedly. "Er...we've run out of milk." The irony wasn't lost on her and she swatted him playfully on the thigh before they both broke out into laughter.

...

An hour later

Molly pulled her seat belt across her body and clicked it into place, before turning to look up at Charles. He was standing by the driver's side of the Audi, one arm resting on the roof of the car, the other on the open door frame.

"So what time d'you think you'll be home?" he asked.

"Probably half six. Ellie's gonna have to pick the kids up from school but I'll mooch around the shops some more if I ain't too cream-crackered. I'm not leaving things to the last minute this year... Oh and I might pop in to your mum's for a cuppa."

Charles' face fell reflecting his obvious disappointment. "Molls if you pop in and see mum you won't be home until half nine at the earliest. She'll monopolise Mia for an hour, insist you stay until dad gets back and then press you to have dinner with them."

"No I won't stay long. I promise." She glanced at her watch. "Look I need to go and so do you." Molly motioned for him to move as she pulled on the door handle to close the door. He stepped backwards out of the way but seconds later tapped on the window as she started the engine. She allowed the window to open, mildly irritated.

"What?"

"Look after my baby won't you, bring her home in one piece." He couldn't help but snigger.

She looked at him bemused - it was a given surely. What did he think she was going to do? Forget she'd got Mia and leave her in some shop somewhere? Seconds later, the penny dropped. The car. He was referring to the bloody car. His flippin' pride and joy. Bleedin' typical.

"I'll try my best," she replied, her voice loaded with sarcasm as she pressed the switch causing the electric window to rise. She deliberately crunched the gears as she put it into reverse and smiled sweetly at him through the pane of glass. Charles winced in response whilst stepping back again to allow her to reverse down the driveway and out onto the road. He followed her, gesturing for her to stop and she did so pulling up by the kerb.

The window descended again. "Now what?" she grumbled, as he moved to the driver's side.

"Sorry," he said simply, leaning in through the open window. A hand sneaked around her neck as he brushed her lips with his, fending off any verbal retaliation. The kiss was tender and sweet and she found herself responding to it, kissing him back, returning his affection. Eventually, she pulled away, "I've really gotta go. Otherwise I'll be late." Charles stood upright but made no effort to move away. Instead, he ran his fingers through his thick, dark curls, the other hand on his hip, looking at the ground and shifting uncomfortably on his feet. He was biting on his lower lip, clearly something troubling him.

"Charles!" The sound of her voice tore him from his thoughts and he looked over at her, slightly sheepish.

He rushed the words out, stumbling over them, inadvertently revealing 'exactly' what was on his mind. "Er...erm have...have you made an appointment for your sex week check yet?"

Molly instantly broke out into laughter.

"What's funny? There's nothing funny about that." He glared at her, completely unaware of his Freudian slip.

"Charles you said SEX week check. I take it you meant my SIX week check?"

His cheeks flushed bright red and he dropped his gaze again. "Well, have you?" he murmured, mentally reproaching himself for asking, knowing how shallow he must sound but wanting to know nonetheless.

"Yes," she said simply, now lost in her own thoughts.

...

Same day - 12.15pm

Freddie's Fun Factory, a paradise for toddlers and young children, was situated on a trading estate outside of Bath. Various ball pits, slides, play nets and tubes were spread out over two floors and competed for under-12s' attention. A safe enough environment, where exhausted mums and dads could slump down on sofas, facing the apparatus, pretending to mind their children whilst really succumbing to some much needed 'respite'.

It was here that Molly and Ellie had convened for lunch. A late plea from Ellie, caused by a persistent toddler who'd worn her down within minutes of getting into the car that morning. Ellie and Molly now sat eating lunch at a table in the toddler area whilst Amelia, the toddler in question, sprawled herself out on her tummy on an adjacent sofa. She was trying to engage her baby cousin Mia in 'conversation', whilst at the same time 'decorating' Mia's car seat with brightly coloured plastic balls.

Ellie looked guiltily at Molly. "I'm sorry, I bet this wasn't what you had in mind when I suggested lunch."

"It's fine by me. I used to bring me siblings to places like this all the time when mum and dad needed some weekend R&R," Molly winked.

Ellie laughed, Molly's euphemism not lost on her. 'So how's the house purchase coming on?"

"Good I think. The survey's being done next week. Just hoping it don't throw a spanner in the works. I've really got my heart set on it now - never thought I'd be a country girl but then again never thought lots of things would happen and they have."

Ellie nodded smiling, taking in Molly's words. "And how's motherhood? You seem as though you've taken to it like a duck to water and Mia's clearly thriving."

"Thanks. I'm loving it even if I'm cream-crackered most of the time and the first couple weeks of breastfeeding were bleedin' awful. Why is it no-one ever tells you that your nipples will hurt like hell?"

"God knows! With Will, my nipples cracked really badly - felt like shards of glass the first week or so."

Molly shuddered involuntarily, the memory all too familiar and recent. "Snap! Weird though, two weeks in and I turned the corner, literally overnight. No pain, no problems with Mia latching on, no nothing ... Well apart from leaky boobs obviously."

"Mmm the joys of breastfeeding! It's not so bad with baby number two honest."

"I hope not. Though if we ever get round to doing it again and reproducing it'll be a minor miracle what with this Sleep-Stealing, Bed-Sharing, Natural-Contraceptive-Device here and me having no energy or inclination!" Molly sighed, glancing down briefly at her daughter to check on her. She was strapped in her car seat, surrounded by the plastic balls, and wide awake perfectly happy focusing on Amelia's face. Her older cousin was intent on showing her how to play with the toys attached to the handle of the car seat. Satisfied that Mia was content, Molly turned her attentions back to Ellie. "D'you mind if I ask you a personal question?" she murmured, slightly embarrassed.

Ellie smiled, hazarding a guess, before accurately voicing Molly's thoughts. "You want to know how soon afterwards Tom and I did it again?"

Molly blushed scarlet. "Yes. I'm sorry," she confirmed quietly. "It's just that I think Charles is feeling deprived. He asked me this morning if I'd booked my 'sex' week check so he's obviously thinking about it! Not sure where the hell he thinks I'm gonna get the energy from mind. I ain't even got the strength to lift my head off the pillow at night let alone spread my legs!"

Ellie couldn't help but laugh, "Molly he's male, he's not going to stop thinking about it just because you've had a baby!" She paused looking around her then leaned across the table to whisper. "Anyway in answer to your question - the first time round after Will's birth it was three weeks, sec..."

"THREE WEEKS! Blimey!" Molly's outburst attracted the attention of other mums nearby, causing a faint tinge of red to appear on Ellie's cheeks.

Ellie put a finger to her lips. "Shush!"

"Sorry...Three weeks..." Molly repeated the timescale slowly, her words almost inaudible, clearly in shock. "Thought you weren't supposed to do it that early. Risk of infection an' all that."

Pushing her plate to one side, Ellie cleared her throat. "Yeah well I'd finished bleeding by then. And I was feeling up for it, it was my idea. Tom was just so loving after Will's birth, couldn't do enough for me or Will. I wanted to connect with him again on a physical level. He told me we should wait but I wasn't having any of it. There was just something about him holding our newborn against his bare chest that..." she paused, smiling at the distant memory. "Well anyway, I practically seduced him. It was his fault, he shouldn't be so drop dead gorgeous. I fancied him like mad. Still do in fact!" She glanced down, rubbing her swollen abdomen, her brow furrowing slightly. "Which in part explains why I'm expecting baby number five. That and the fact that we've both been rubbish over the years when it comes to contraception! Not the done thing, when you consider he's a GP and I'm a trained nurse!"

Molly placed her hand on Ellie's arm. "But you're happy...'bout the baby I mean?"

"Absolutely! I've always wanted a big family and I couldn't wish for a better father for my children or husband for that matter. I adore Tom."

Ellie's words resonated with Molly and she responded without hesitation. "Mmm, I know what you mean. I feel exactly the same about Charles. I didn't think I could love him more but I do. He's been so supportive with everything."

Taking hold of Molly's hand, Ellie squeezed it gently."What is it with these James men? They get under your skin don't they? We're doomed Molly!" She laughed and Molly nodded, unable to speak, overly emotional all of a sudden.

Ellie noticed and changed direction, steering round to the original topic of conversation. "Are you worried about it?" she probed gently.

"I dunno... Maybe a little..."

"Why?"

Molly picked up a sweetener sachet that was on the table and began to fiddle with it. She took a deep breath, managing to vocalise what was bothering her the most, Ellie's earlier frankness having given her the encouragement to confide in her sister-in-law. "Well aside from me having no energy, what if it ain't the same? Our sex life has always been... well you know... " Her voice faltered, but Ellie got the general drift. "What if it ain't anymore..." She looked up at Ellie, anxiety clearly visible in her eyes. "What if he's disappointed? I mean let's face it after squeezing out a 8lb baby with a head the size of a bleedin' overgrown grapefruit it ain't gonna be the same down there!"

Ellie threw her head back and laughed, "Are you doing your pelvic floor exercises?

"Yes, even as we speak!" Molly winked, feeling better for having confessed all to her sister-in-law.

"Good! Now Molly listen. Charles adores you. I can't imagine him ever being disappointed where you're concerned. Look if I'm absolutely honest, it probably won't be perfect at first but it'll get better trust me. Don't feel pressured though, do it when you're up to it and it feels right. Just try not to make an issue of it though, ok?"

"Ok..."

"When you do feel like it have a small glass of wine. It'll help you relax and no it won't do Mia any harm. Might even make her sleep better - which will be handy!" Ellie laughed again before continuing."Oh and make sure Charles spoils you first, if you know what I mean..." It was her turn to wink and Molly was left in no doubt as to what she was referring to. "It'll be more comfortable that way. Breastfeeding has a lot to answer for."

"Right... thanks," Molly murmured, taking all Ellie's comments on board.

"Oh and one more thing DO NOT whatever you do fall into the trap of thinking that while you're breastfeeding you won't get pregnant! I know a couple of friends who've done that and found out the hard way!"

Molly began to giggle, knowing Will and his younger brother Archie were only a year or so apart.

"No Molls - not me! We were under no illusions - just couldn't be bothered with contraception!"

...

8.00pm

Molly made her way downstairs having fed Mia and settled her down to sleep. She found Charles in the kitchen at the worktop preparing dinner. They'd barely spoken to each other since she'd returned home - what with her sorting out Mia and him occupied with paperwork relating to a soldier's medical discharge then beginning to prep the evening meal. She wandered over to him, taking her place beside him, and picked up the vegetable peeler. He risked a glance down at her briefly, eyeing her cautiously, before averting his gaze and carrying on with what he was doing. She made a start on peeling the veg. Neither of them saying anything, an awkward silence stretching out between them. Just when it was becoming unbearable, she nudged him playfully with her hip and murmured, "By the way, I've got a bone to pick with you."

Charles knew what was coming. He'd been kicking himself on and off all day for his faux pas, not to mention wondering how to play things when she inevitably brought it up, and, more importantly, whether or not his bits would survive unscathed. Given that she didn't seem angry, he settled on an apology and attempted to dig himself out of the hole he'd dug earlier. "If it's about what I said this morning then I'm sorry, though if it's all the same to you, I'd sooner we left my bone out of it." He risked a wink at her, relieved to see a hint of a smile on her lips before her expression changed. "I was only thinking about your welfare honest. Nothing else. It just came out wrong," he added, lowering his voice.

She rolled her eyes meaningfully, not fooled for a second. "Cut the bull Bossman!"

He took the peeler and carrot from her, putting them down on the chopping board, before turning her to face him, holding her in place with his hands on her shoulders. "Ok...ok we both know that's a big fat lie. So shoot me Dawesy." He raised his arms in the air in a gesture of surrender before dropping them down to rest lightly on her shoulders again. She began to giggle and he continued, feeling reassured enough to confess his sins fully, given the lighthearted atmosphere between them. He took a lock of her hair in his fingers and began to play with it, avoiding her gaze. "Yes IT'S been on my mind. Yes I've been thinking about when you might want to do it again. And yes I know it hasn't been months and months yet and I really need to get a grip. But it's hard, you being all..."

Molly burst out laughing. Charles ruffled his hair, looking slightly embarrassed when he realised just what he'd said. His embarrassment didn't last long as he too saw the funny side. "Yeah well...therein lies the problem...and..." he smirked, thinking back further over his words, "maybe even the solution if I was 15 still... anyway...what I'm trying to say is I'm a typical male and...and you Molly James have to shoulder some of the blame here. So don't jump down my throat."

"Charles I ain't about to jump down your throat. But I guess we'd better talk about it." Her brow furrowed as a thought occurred to her and she put it into words,"You ain't feeling neglected are you? You do know how much I..."

"No I'm not feeling neglected," he interrupted her, smiling, "and yes I do know how much you love me."

A sigh escaped her, her relief evident. "Good...Ok, so go on then, how's it my fault?"

"Well...you shouldn't be so bloody desirable!"

"What?" she scoffed, her hands on his hips as she looked up at him wide-eyed, "with leaky boobs and a muffin top? I don't think so!"

Folding his arms across his chest, he cocked his head slightly to one side. His eyes roamed deliberately over her breasts, his face breaking out into a wide, wistful grin. "Molly James listen up! Firstly, I've always loved your boobs and trust me when I say right now they're fucking awesome..." He paused, enjoying the flush of red that began to spread across her cheeks as she took in his words, before adding, "And secondly, you do not have a muffin top!"

"I bleedin' well do," she murmured quietly, fixing her gaze on the floor.

"Molls..." he threw his arms up in the air in exasperation and sighed wearily, it registering that no matter what he said about her figure it would fall on deaf ears, "You've just had a baby - it's a slight mummy's tummy and perfectly normal. Anyway..." He pulled a face and crossed his fingers, realising he was on dangerous ground with his next question. "Seeing as it's out in the open, are you anywhere near getting your mojo back yet? Just so I know. I'm a tad worried about our water consumption." His half-joke a reference to the number of cold showers he'd resorted to taking in the last few days.

She shook her head slightly, before biting on her lower lip and smiling apologetically at him. "I'm sorry. Not quite yet. Can we just carry on as we are for now - kisses and cuddles - please? But trust me you and your 'bone' will be the first to know when I want it." She grinned mischievously, stealing a glance at the bulge in his jeans.

He let out a light laugh then tilted her head up to look at him. Their eyes met and she realised his demeanour had changed in an instant. "Molly take all the time you need. Kisses and cuddles are fine. Don't feel you have to do it because I want to. I can wait out. You know that don't you?" His voice was sincere and she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he meant it.

"Yes," she said softly, "you know you're all kinds of wonderful don't you?" She leaned into him, her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, planting a gentle kiss on her head.

"Yep, absolutely," he murmured into her hair.

A faint smile graced them both.

...

A.N oh and another thing - anyone looking forward to Wednesday? ;)