Molly was woken the next morning by Charles coming back into the hotel room carrying two large shopping bags from John Lewis. "What time is it? Where have you been?" She asked as she sat up in bed rubbing her eyes and stretching her arms out above her head, feeling slightly groggy from the vodka shots last night and not getting to sleep until the very early hours having made the most of the alone time in such luxurious surroundings. He sat on the end of the bed "Morning gorgeous, it's just after ten and I had a stroll down to Oxford Street to pick us up something to change into so we don't have to do the walk of shame back to your place" She climbed out of bed and started to rummage through the bags, pulling various items out and holding them up, impressed with his taste, picking the right size and his general all round thoughtfulness and organisational skills.
" I stopped at reception on the way back and ordered some breakfast to come to the room, should be here in about thirty minutes gives us time to have a quick shower" she smiled again "you really have got it all covered as usual Captain" "not for much longer Dawes" as he was quickly getting out of last nights clothes again and chasing her into the bathroom.
Charles appeared out of the bathroom in one of the fluffy hotel robes and complimentary slippers, still towel drying his hair to answer the door, he let the waitress into the room pushing a large trolley of breakfast presented under silver service domes, with champagne and a single red rose in a crystal vase. He gave her a tip and closed the door, " Molls, breakfast has arrived" she came out of the bathroom swamped in a similar robe to Charles with a towel turban but bare feet as she had tried the slippers and they were too big for her to walk around other than like the Penguins at London Zoo. "blimey Charles I knew this gaff was fancy but I ain't never had me breakfast served to me covered by a silver dome before, champagne...for breakfast you trying to get me tipsy again?" she climbed on top of the bed and he lifted the tray off the trolley and placed it between them as he joined her "I thought it would be lovely to make the most of the room before we head back" he leant over and gave her a kiss "tuck in Molls" as he grabbed a piece of toast and began eating his scrambled egg.
When they had finished breakfast they both got changed into their new outfits and put last nights clothes into the duffle bag that Charles had also purchased. He thinks of everything she mused, still a military man through and through despite his current leave of absence.
They checked out of the hotel and headed back to Newham in a cab. When they arrived back there was only Belinda in the flat. "Hello you two, good night I take it, is that a new top Molls?" She looked back at Charles "yeh we went shopping this morning, stayed over in town last night" Belinda smiled "well as long as you enjoyed yourselves, cuppa?" Molly went to stand near the edge of the worktop beside her mum "tea please mum" "Charles love?" Charles liked that she was comfortable enough around him to call him "love" "coffee would be lovely thanks Belinda"
They all sat round the kitchen table, after a few minutes Molly piped up "mum there is something I need to tell you" Belinda could see that she looked a bit edgy "what is it Molls?" She looked worried "your not in the family way are ya?" Charles choked on his coffee at that point, Molly screwed her nose up "bleedin ell mum no, it's not that, it's just that I need to tell you that I am going to stay with Charles for a while at his gaff in Bath" Belinda looked sad "but Molls you've only just come back to us, how long for?"
Molly was about to explain when Charles stepped in "Belinda I hope you now can see how much I love Molly, I have asked her to come and live with me and as long as she is happy, and I fully intend to do everything in my power to make sure that is the case, then I want it to be forever and for us eventually to find our own place and make a life together" he reached across the kitchen table and grabbed hold of Molly's hand.
Both Molly and Belinda were in tears and got up to give each other the tightest hug, as Belinda held Molly close she whispered into her ear "go for it girl, you deserve to be happy" Molly held her mum for a bit longer and whispered back "thanks Mum I love you so much"
Later that evening Molly had packed up everything she wanted to take with her for now and Charles had helped her load it into the car. She took a last look at her bedroom and headed downstairs by now Nan, her Dad and the kids were all back and she had told them the news.
Charles had just come back in from loading the last of her stuff "ready?" He asked "as I'll ever be " she replied. The Dawes clan gathered in the hall and each gave her a big hug Nan taking Charles to one side and saying something to him that Molly couldn't hear but he looked serious as she was talking to him. Dave shook Charles hand "look after her or I will break your legs, just kidding" slapping Charles on the back "I will" Charles replied earnestly.
The all stood on the balcony to wave them off, Molly looked up at the motley crew, but they were her motley crew and she loved each and every one of them dearly even though they got on her nerves sometimes...most of the time. They got into the car, Charles looked across "you ok?" she looked out the window up at the flat, she couldn't believe how much her life had changed in such a short window, she was leaving this old life behind, in truth she had left it behind months ago when she had set out to Afgan, life was never going to be the same after that but even in trying to imagine life after the tour she had always thought that at some point she would come back to her old life but then Captain Charles James had also come into her life and here she was about to start a new chapter with him.
He asked again "you ok?" ..."never better boss, let's go"