Chapter 5

"The Mission"

Elvis got out of the bed at 4 AM just before the alarm sounded. Truth be told, he never really fell asleep during the night. He may have dozed but he was too anxious to get going on his mission. That's exactly what it felt like to him. He planned this adventure for weeks. Going over details with Georgie and making certain they were prepared. Everything was organized. His clothes were set out the night before. The tickets were on his night stand along with his wallet and cell phone. He was used to travelling light. He was ready. He tried to maintain his stealth so as to not wake Georgie but reckoned she was on to him anyway. He padded into the bath already undressed and ready to get in the shower. He closed the door and began his morning routine.

Georgie had been on to him. She knew him. She recognized his behavior and it tickled her.

Elvis was the consummate soldier. No, captain. No one could take that away from him. As much as he drove her mad sometimes with his detail and mental prowess, she loved that part of him because she really loved being in the army herself. That's why they got along so well and were truly soul mates. They loved the adrenaline. Georgie saved lives and Elvis took lives but they both served their country well. She knew that Elvis' family had given him the business about being a Special Forces Commander but she also knew that they were concerned about him. It was unnerving to his parents, that for the most part, really did not know what he did. Everything was classified. That was one aspect of Elvis that her own parents had issues with. When she first brought him home to meet them they were taken aback that he often answered their questions, "I can't answer that." At first they thought he was kidding. No, he really could not answer some of their questions and that made them slightly suspicious of him. Georgie understood though and she had seen him in action. He was the consummate soldier. He still is. And while she thought about all of this, she fell in love with him all over again.

Elvis walked briskly through the train station, whistling a light tune and completely focused on his destination. Once seated on board he settled in and looked out the window. His right knee was bouncing up and down like a jack hammer. To say he was impatient was putting it mildly. He absolutely could not wait to see Laura and bring her home with him. He and Georgie were both thrilled that she was spending Christmas with them. They were both anxious to celebrate as a family. His time with Laura was always precious and not as frequent as he would have liked due to his "ready at a moment's call" requirement with Special Forces. Now having the opportunity to share this time with Georgie, to him, was priceless. Slowly the train began to move away from the station and a slow smile grew on his face as well. Elvis pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and first sent Georgie a text that he was on his way, then one to Debbie.

Georgie responded quickly, "Take care. RELAX! You'll be there soon. Love you!" Elvis's face lit up and he laughed, "I love you too!" he sent back, then looked out the window again and watched as the scenery began to slowly blur. He was beginning to relax when his phone chirped again. Debbie responded, "She's waiting for you. Hard time getting her to sleep last night so she should probably sleep on the way to Hereford. She keeps saying she'll see daddy."

Elvis thought his heart would melt right out of his chest. Next to hearing Georgie tell him she loved him, the sweetest sound in the world to his ears was Laura calling him 'daddy.'

Georgie had returned to their flat and begun to pull out all the gifts they had stashed in the closets. She spread wrappings and ribbons on the lounge floor and got to wrapping straight away. She loved the little jumper she bought for Laura. It was a fluffy pink color. Georgie wondered to herself, "when did I develop a taste for pink?" and laughed out loud thinking Laura would look absolutely adorable in it. One by one she folded, tucked and taped the wrappings together and was finally finished. She took a moment's break and leaned back against the sofa. Georgie looked at her watch then checked her phone for any Elvis updates. He had been texting her regularly so as to keep her abreast of the London activities. Of course he arrived on time which pleased him tremendously. He should have Laura in tow now and be on his way. Georgie missed him. She was anxious to see Laura and for crying out loud, she heard herself say, "All is well in the world." She clutched her phone to her heart and laughed out loud again. Where was Elvis? She wanted to share all of this with him. Georgie knew he had other gifts hidden at some undisclosed location. Of course, it was classified and she shook her head in amusement. There was one gift though that only she and his mother knew about. And of course, Laura.

Elvis and Laura were homeward bound. As anticipated by Debbie, Laura was sound asleep in Elvis' arms. He was absolutely thrilled. She clutched his collar with her little hand and had her head resting on his shoulder. It took him a bit but he eventually was able to take a photo of them together. He sent it to Georgie with the message, "soon I'll be holding both of my special girls." Elvis deemed the mission a success. Indeed, all was well in the world.