Hello! Sorry this has been half-written for an age. Just didn't have any time to finish it off. Not entirely happy with it as usual but if I don't post it now I'll never get back into this writing malarkey. So for anyone interested and for recent prompts here's the next chapter. Thanks for your kind reviews on the last one.

Wednesday 12th December 2018 - Mia 8 weeks and counting

It was only a few weeks later when Molly's mojo returned and entirely the fault of one Major Charles James of course. She had been in the kitchen preparing dinner whilst he'd been bathing Mia upstairs. Minutes before the dinner was about to go in the oven, she'd called out from the foot of the stairs warning him to 'get a wriggle on' if they were going to try and eat together rather than in shifts as they usually did. Just as she was about to put the casserole dish in the oven, he appeared in the doorway. She glanced over in his direction, doing a double take and nearly dropping the dish in the process. He was half-naked, cuddling their daughter to his beautiful, bare chest, a bath towel slung loosely around his hips leaving little to the imagination. Molly's pulse instantly began to quicken and the feelings that had lain dormant for the last couple of months began to simmer away under the surface. She bit her lip unconsciously, unable to take her eyes off him. If ever there was an advert for extolling the benefits of wanton procreation her husband was it.

"Sorry. That took longer than expected. Had to have a bath with her tonight, she was getting a bit fractious in that baby tub," he explained, padding barefoot into the kitchen, completely oblivious to the effect he was having on his wife. Her heart swelled in her chest as she watched him drop a gentle kiss down onto Mia's head. Such a simple act of love on his part, one she'd seen him perform countless times before, and yet suddenly this time, for some reason, it was everything.

"Anyway, she's been yawning ever since we got out so she's ready for bed. I reckon she'll be out like a light once you've feed her," he continued, rocking Mia slightly in his arms.

"Oh...er...right," Molly responded somewhat flustered, having been taken aback by the sheer volume of emotions he'd unknowingly released. She was now fighting an overwhelming urge to jump him right there and then. Not the done thing when he was holding their baby. The baby they'd created together out of pure love and lust in the very same room almost a year before. She could feel her heart racing as images flooded her mind of the exact night in question.

Oh God.

Charles interrupted her thoughts. "Molly? You going to put that in the oven then or what?" he urged, gesturing with his head to the dish in her hands, as Molly made no effort to move. She continued to stare at him like some love struck school girl, unable to avert her eyes, wondering if the towel would drop. It didn't. Much to her disappointment. Her lack of action, resulted in Charles dipping an index finger in the dish and she felt her cheeks flush red as she watched him suck the sauce from his finger. She sighed wistfully. "Mmm, tastes good," Charles mumbled his appreciation, unaware of Molly's current state of mind. "You going to take her then and I'll finish up down here?" he said, as he surveyed the work top making a mental note of what still needed doing. She didn't respond, causing him to furrow his eyebrows slightly in confusion as he looked back at her.

"You ok?" he asked, it having dawned on him that she hadn't said anything in a while.

Get a grip Molly...oh fuck...if only...

"What? ...yes...I'm fine," she responded, feeling anything but. She turned away from him, opened the oven door and placed the dish on the middle shelf, cursing quietly as she inadvertently touched the hot metal rack. Her skin immediately began to sting and redden, and she slammed the door shut with more force than she'd intended - the noise causing Charles to look in her direction again. She was shaking her finger and blowing on it. "Come here," he said, realising instantly what she'd done. He took hold of her hand and turned it over in his own, wincing sympathetically as he noted the burn. He raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed the reddening skin before guiding her in the direction of the sink. Having shifted Mia slightly in his arms, he turned on the cold tap and placed Molly's hand in the stream of running water.

"Thanks," she murmured, feeling relief as the cool water began to numb the throbbing pain. She glanced up at Charles smiling her gratitude, as he brushed her cheek with his lips before stepping back to open a kitchen cupboard. Holding Mia tightly against his chest, he retrieved a medical box one-handed and placed it down on the work top, before rooting through its contents. "Here," he said eventually, placing a tube of ointment by the sink, "smooth some of this on it. It'll help."

Molly raised her eyebrows, "In case you've forgotten I'm a medic. I think I can treat a superficial burn."

"Hmm I know but you're my medic and I look after my own," he said, before placing his free hand around the nape of her neck, dipping his head and stealing a quick kiss.

"I haven't been your medic in years," she scowled in mock indignation, suppressing a smile.

"Molly James, I beg to differ. In fact, these tell me otherwise," he insisted, taking hold of her hand once more and rubbing his thumb over the rings he'd given her. His eyes locked with hers. They both knew there was a possessive undertone to his voice but he didn't apologise for it and if the truth be told she wouldn't have wanted him to. Besides, he was right. She was his and had been since the night at the FOB when they'd sang that duet together. The night she'd realised she loved him.

She was about to reach up and kiss him but he turned his attention to Mia who had begun to grizzle slightly. He took his place at the kitchen table and began to sing Mia a lullaby soothing her to sleep. She was almost there, snuggled in against his chest, her head nestled in the crook of his neck. Molly proceeded to turn off the tap and joined in, mouthing a silent 'piss of' to Charles when he raised an eyebrow and pretended to cover Mia's ear as one or two of Molly's notes fell flat. "Come on baby girl, time for bed," Molly whispered eventually taking hold of one of Mia's hands and rubbing it gently as Charles finished the lullaby. She took Mia from Charles' arms, her fingers accidentally brushing his bare chest as she did so. She forced herself to concentrate on the beautiful bundle in her arms, averting her eyes from her husband as he stood up and gave Mia a kiss accompanied by a whispered, "Good night sweetheart. Love you." His words made Molly's heart melt. She stepped back and made her way to the kitchen door, placing a finger in Mia's mouth as the infant began to whimper, no doubt remembering that she was hungry as she snuggled up against her mum. Molly proceeded towards the stairs and was half way up when she remembered Ellie's advice from two weeks before. "Charles?" she called out, her mind made up. She paused to make sure he'd heard. He appeared in the hallway, his flawless abs on display as he placed a hand on his hip. She bit on her bottom lip before continuing, "Could you open a bottle of wine please? I wouldn't mind a glass tonight."

"Sure," he nodded, none the wiser as he retreated to the kitchen.

...

By the time Charles came up to bed, both his wife and daughter were sound asleep. Molly had come up earlier to feed Mia, leaving him alone downstairs watching TV. She'd hoped he would follow her up but he hadn't, electing to view the highlights of a rugby match on the sports channel instead, saying he'd be up shortly. It was almost midnight by the time he'd come upstairs though, having dozed off on the sofa an hour or so before.

Silently, he made his way to his side of the bed and switched on the bedside lamp, immediately dimming it so as not to wake the two occupants. Molly lay on her side, her small frame now softly silhouetted by the warm glow being emitted from the lamp. Her head was resting on her left arm, her chin lightly touching the top of Mia's head. Mia was snuggled up close to Molly, arms bent, her head to one side, her cheeks full and rosy. Molly's free arm protectively cradled her daughter to her chest. Charles smiled, the two females in his life a picture of complete contentment. He sat down beside them, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. They looked so beautiful together and he couldn't help but take a moment to silently savour them both. Seconds later, Molly's eyes opened and she tilted her head towards him, squinting slightly in the golden light as she did so. "Hey," she murmured softly.

"Hey yourself," he whispered in return. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"It's ok," she said yawning. "What time is it?"

Charles glanced over at the alarm clock on his bedside. "Nearly midnight," he murmured, before leaning in to plant a light kiss on her mouth. Her lips were soft and moist beneath his, and she parted them slightly in invitation but he pulled away reluctantly, knowing that if they carried on kissing, he'd find it so hard to stop at that. Following their conversation a couple of weeks before, he had kept to his word and hadn't put any pressure on her. They'd engaged in stolen kisses and cuddles every now and then as they'd agreed but it was becoming more and more difficult. The 'look but don't touch' policy he'd implemented being increasingly hard to maintain. He wanted her pure and simple; in fact, he'd never wanted her more - the problem being Molly had never been more desirable to him. He cupped her cheek in his hand instead, his thumb caressing her smooth, soft skin and smiled down at her. She returned his smile and rubbed her eyes. "You gonna put Mia back in the cot then?"

He nodded and she shifted over slightly, allowing him to lift Mia gently from their bed. Molly watched him place Mia on her back in the open sleeping bag. He zipped it up around her and fastened the poppers on her shoulders before lifting her up in his arms to kiss her gently on her head. He cuddled her against him for a while, breathing in her baby scent before eventually placing her, still sound asleep, on her back in the cot. "Sweet dreams, baby girl," he murmured, leaning in, stroking her soft cheek a while.

"You've got the magic touch." Molly smiled at him from her place on the bed.

He glanced over at Molly to find her propped up on her elbow, on her side, watching him.

"What?"

"You always manage to get her back into the cot without waking her up. I try and she's awake within seconds."

"That's because I'm no use to her. I don't have the same liquid assets as you," he winked, as he stepped away from the cot and began to undo the top buttons of his shirt. Molly watched him, beneath hooded eyes, unconsciously running her tongue across her top lip, as he pulled the shirt from his body and his bare torso came into view. She sighed inwardly, somewhat disappointed, her appraisal cut short as he disappeared into the ensuite. He emerged several minutes later, surprised to find her still awake, now sat upright in bed, her head immersed in a book.

"What liquid assets would they be then?" she smiled up at him, continuing the conversation, feigning ignorance, in reality knowing exactly what he'd been getting at earlier. She put the book to one side and watched him move silently back across the room.

"These," he confirmed quietly, sitting back down on the bed, and reaching out to cup one of the said assets, brushing his fingers lightly over the cotton material it was encased in. The 'look but don't touch' policy he'd been struggling to adhere to, finally going out the window. He allowed himself a moment or two to appreciate her full breast before reining himself in. "Sorry," he mumbled, his breathing slightly ragged as he planted a chaste kiss on the tip of her nose before forcing himself to turn away. He sat on the edge of the bed, beginning to undo the fly on his jeans.

"It's fine," she breathed, unable to add anything further, his slightest touch sending her pulse racing, it having been a while since he'd touched her in that way. She continued her silent observation admiring the broad planes of his back, wanting nothing more than to reach out and touch him. Her eyes followed him as he stood up and stepped out of his jeans hanging them over the back of a chair, before removing his underwear and dumping them in the laundry basket. Molly bit down hard on her lower lip, stifling a moan, unable to look away from the perfect view he'd presented her with. He crawled into bed, unaware of her appraisal, drawing the duvet up over them both and pulling her close so that her head was resting on his chest and his arm was around her shoulder. He felt the warmth of her body radiating into his and kissed the top of her head before reaching behind him and switching off the light. "Goodnight Molls," he whispered into the darkness. She didn't answer and he figured she'd fallen asleep already. He hugged her even tighter, burying his head in her hair, whilst he waited for sleep to overcome him too.

Sleep evaded him though. He absentmindedly stroked Molly's long dark waves regretting the fact that he'd fallen asleep in front of the rugby earlier. Just as he'd made up his mind to go back downstairs and watched some late-night film, he felt his wife stir a little beside him. A hand ventured slowly down the well-defined muscles of his chest, whilst at the same time she manoeuvred herself upright and began to dispense sweet, soft kisses along his stubbled jawline. He caught her small hand in his, entwining their fingers together, and murmured against her mouth, feeling his blood flow heading south, as his body began to respond to her touch.

"Molly James what are you up to?"

"Lovin' you," she whispered against his lips. "Don't tell me you've forgotten already. It ain't been that long."

Charles let go of her hand and reached behind him, flicking the light switch on again. Molly had placed her hand on his chest, and was now caressing it lightly with her fingertips. Her hair had fallen forward, tickling his chest, and he swept it back behind her neck, holding it loosely in place, so that he could see her face clearly. Her mouth was inches from his, her breath mingling with his. She moved again, closing the gap, dropping a soft, tender kiss on his lips before pulling back slightly to look at him. A hint of a smile graced her lips. "Does this mean you want to ..." Before he could finish, she cut him off, kissing him again harder, more demanding this time.

"Yes," she breathed, when they broke apart for air eventually.

"You sure you're up to it?" he eyed her quizzically.

"Well I guess I won't know until we try but I'm willing to give it a go if you are?"

"Er well I'm not sure I'm ready yet, " he teased, rolling over and pushing her backwards onto the bed so that she was under him, his actions undermining his words. She laughed softly. "I promise I'll be gentle," she murmured as his lips hovered above hers. He dipped his head and kissed her lovingly, longingly - leaving her in no doubt that he was ready for it.

"Charles?" He looked up from where he'd been nuzzling the sensitive skin on her neck and Molly gestured towards her breasts," Mia may have first dibs on them these days, but they ain't exclusively hers."

He needed no encouragement, pulling her upright and tugging the t-shirt up over her head and from her body, smiling as he took in the view. His smile gave way to a frown as he contemplated the removal of her nursing bra. "It's ok. I'll do it," she murmured, undoing the clasp and dispensing swiftly with the garment, leaving herself naked before him. "God Molls, you're beautiful," he whispered, reaching out to cup a breast in his hand. He caressed it gently, rubbing his thumb and forefinger over her nipple and she moaned with pleasure. He pushed her back down on the bed taking her nipple in his mouth and continuing to toy with it gently with his tongue, his actions causing the let-down reflux.

He lifted his head, licking his lips as he tasted the sweetness. "The milk bar's open, " he mused, somewhat unnecessarily. "Not bad, though if I'm honest, maybe a tad too sweet for my liking." A wry, warm, mischievous smile lit up his face as he teased her.

Molly felt her cheeks flush, waves of embarrassment washing over her. "I can't believe you've just said that Charles James!"

"You embarrassed?" he grinned knowingly.

"A little." She pouted.

"Don't be. It's perfectly natural and if I'm honest kind of..."

"Don't even go there!" Molly interrupted, squirming beneath him, as he continued to grin at her.

It dawned on him that it he ought to rein it in a little, the familiar pain in his groin coupled with her reaction a strong enough warning not to upset her. His tone changed, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. D'you want me to stop?"

"No but you might gonna have to..I'm not as...the breastfeeding..." She stumbled over her words, embarrassment again getting the better of her.

"It's ok. I understand. I'm on it," he smiled, dropping a light kiss onto her nose, before beginning to work his way down her body, bestowing the sweetest of kisses and eliciting the softest of sighs until his head was between her thighs. Right where they both wanted him to be...

Just at that moment a grizzle followed by a full on wail came ringing out from the cot stopping Charles in his tracks. He couldn't help himself, a full on expletive escaped his lips as he registered what it was. He sank his head down onto Molly's stomach struggling to compose his breathing, acutely aware of the ache in his groin. Raising himself upright, he glanced over at his daughter, feeling guilty as he took in her tears. He then turned his attention to his wife. She was scrambling upright, her face flushed as she caught his eye.

He rolled off the bed, padded over to the cot and reached in, lifting his daughter to his chest. The wailing ceased almost immediately replaced by a few indignant splutters as he cuddled her in his arms and rocked her gently. "You certainly know how to pick your moments Mia James," he whispered, smiling wryly before planting a kiss on her head. He carried her back round to the other side of the bed, noting that Molly had sat herself up against the headboard and had positioned the nursing cushion on her lap. He sat down on the bed placing Mia in Molly's arms watching as Mia quickly latched on and began to suckle. He sighed wistfully before shaking his head, admonishing himself, knowing that Mia's needs were far more important than his own. He got back under the warmth of the duvet, cuddling up close to Molly as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She tilted her head up to look at him, mouthing, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he whispered, his forehead connecting briefly with hers. Shifting his position, he dropped a brief, sweet kiss onto Mia's head as she continued to feed. "She comes first. I know that. It's just that.." he paused, unsure whether to continue.

"What?"

He grinned sheepishly, as he inclined his head towards the slight tent in the duvet - evidence of his hard-on, "Well, he doesn't."

...

"Charles? Charles?" Molly's voice infiltrated his subconscious.

"Hmm...what?" he murmured, slowly coming to. He rubbed his eyes and stretched slightly, suddenly aware of a pain in his upper back, no doubt arising from where he'd dozed off awkwardly against the headboard. He glanced over at the clock, registering that he must have been asleep for a good half an hour or so whilst Molly fed Mia.

"I think she's about done." Molly was saying, as he looked back at her. He glanced at Mia. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly open and resting against Molly's left breast where she'd been latched on. She appeared full and satisfied. "Can you take her please?" Molly continued.

Charles adjusted his position and took hold of his daughter. He carried her around to the cot, kissed her cheek and zipped her back into her sleeping bag inside the cot. She didn't stir. Moving back to his side of the bed, he slid beneath the duvet. Molly immediately cuddled up against him, a hand beginning to wander across his torso, as she breathed in his scent before her lips found his. "D'you still want to..." he managed to murmur before his words were cut short as she kissed him. "Aren't you knackered?" he asked eventually, breaking away from her kisses.

"Yes," she whispered honestly, "but I'm still up for it if you are."

"Course," he smiled his assent briefly, before taking her in his arms and tenderly kissing her. He pulled away from her again, a sudden need to continue what he'd started previously making itself known, as he began to kiss his way down her body.

"Charles? Don't it's ok. Let's just get it over with. Mia might wake up again in a minute."

He sighed heavily, narrowing his eyes as he threw the duvet off his head and looked at her in disbelief, "And they say romance is dead!"

"I'm sorry. It's just well... I want...please..." Molly stopped, unable to string a coherent sentence together, and Charles propped himself up on his elbow, smoothing Molly's hair away from her face, his expression now serious. "Ok just tell me if it's too much. Tell me if I hurt you Molly," he urged. She nodded in agreement, her heart beating fast in her chest as he parted her legs beneath him. He kissed her forehead reverently before easing his length inside her slowly, his dark eyes never leaving hers, looking for signs that he might be hurting her. "You ok?" he asked, his voice barely audible, delighting in the fact that he was inside of her again. She nodded again, choosing to ignore the slight pain, as his slow, steady strokes filled her to the core. Gripping onto his shoulders, she moaned slightly, pulling him closer, her body now moving with his, building up a delicious rhythm. She was almost lost, waves of pleasure taking over when he suddenly stilled inside her, a thought having flittered across his mind. "What? Charles please don't stop," she gasped before he croaked out exactly what was troubling him, his voice hoarse, "Molly...contraception...did you sort it?"

"I ...I've got a prescription, but I ain't been to the chemist yet.

"What? For fuck's sake Molly." He withdrew abruptly, instantly regretting the terse words he'd uttered in the heat of the moment yet failing to notice Molly's sharp intake of breath. She was left hurting, empty and bereft. Having rolled over, he sat on the edge of the bed with his back to Molly, his head in his hands, his breathing ragged, his chest heaving - the pain in his groin having increased tenfold.

Molly sat up gingerly, hugging her knees to her chest as unwanted tears begun to stream down her cheeks. She brushed them away angrily and looked over at him. "Why the hell's it my responsibility? What happened to those condoms Tom sent in the bleedin' baby hamper?" she cried, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

He turned around to face her, cursing himself as he took in her tears."Shit...It isn't your responsibility. I...I threw them in the bin. I'm sorry."

It was her turn to swear. "What the fuck? Why?" she hissed at him.

He hung his head, unable to look at her let alone answer.

She took an educated guess. "Don't tell me...the wording on the bleedin' box...an affront to your manhood?"

His continued silence spoke volumes.

"You know what Charles James? You're an A class arse at times!" her voice had risen a few notches and he looked up to find her scowling at him. He let the insult go over his head. After all, right now, he was inclined to agree with her. He attempted to placate her instead. "Look I'm sorry. I don't have a problem with condoms. You know that. Just...just not those ones." His confession was met with complete disdain. She shrugged her shoulders in disbelief and hung her head in her hands. He tried to take her in his arms but she winced in pain.

"Don't touch me!"

It finally dawned on him as to why she was so mad. Not only had his actions left them both wanting but he'd done what he had so desperately wanted to avoid. "Oh God, I hurt you didn't I?"

She nodded wordlessly, easing herself back down on the bed.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath. He spooned himself against her, pulling the duvet up over them both, before wrapping his arm around her, relieved that she didn't resist. "Molls. Look at me. I'm so sorry," he repeated, brushing his lips against the soft skin of her shoulder, as he rubbed her upper arm gently, desperate to make amends. She turned slightly, her eyes meeting his. His remorse was plain to see. "I know," she said softly, her hand reaching up to caress his face. "It doesn't matter."

He took hold of her hand, kissing it tenderly. "It does matter. I don't deserve you," he whispered, his voice laden with guilt.

"Yeah you do," she smiled, then to his surprise, began to giggle.

"What's funny?" he asked, as she shuffled around on her side to face him, still smiling.

"Just thinking."

"Go on," he prompted grinning himself, her change of mood infectious.

"Well aside from the fact that you're a bloody numpty, it was something Ellie said when we met up. I asked her about ... you know..."

"Oh God...and?" He pulled a face before burying his head in her hair, unsure if he wanted to hear her response.

"She warned me it wouldn't be perfect at first but she never said it would be a bleedin' disaster!"

He lifted his head and winked at her, "There's a first time for everything I guess!"

...

A.N. Sooo...sorry if that's a let down for anyone. I did warn that this was the trials and tribulations of parenthood - just trying to keep it real and all that.

Oh and nearly forgot to say, Aidan Turner, in 'And Then There Were None' a few Christmas' ago, was totally the inspiration for this chapter.