It had started to rain, Molly watched London disappear as she looked over her shoulder out of the car window, the green space of Ealing Common, the hypnotic swoop of the windscreen wipers as she saw signs for the M40 and Heathrow, Charles looked relaxed lent back in the drivers seat his right elbow resting on the top of the drivers door holding the wheel and his left hand switching between resting on his leg and changing gear in the stop-start of the heavy traffic that was queuing to leave the city.
He reached across to hold her hand there were no words needed between them as she looked across and met his gaze, those eyes, that reassuring smile, he was hers, she was his, finally the wait was over, they were heading for this new life yet to be defined. She recalled him back in the hospital in Birmingham when he had looked so vulnerable holding her hand, saying "at least we don't have to wait out anymore" she just smiled back him thinking it had been worth the wait though.
She had drifted off to sleep and was awoken by the car swinging into the space outside the house in Bath, she stretched out her arms "why didn't you wake me you muppet, I can't believe how long I have been out for the count" he laughed "well you look so beautiful when you are sleeping, I was enjoying the view, apart from snoring of course!" She reached across and punched his arm "Oi! less of the back handed compliments Charlie boy" He opened the car door and came around to open hers "Come on Dawesy, let's get inside" she got out of the car and he immediately scooped her up into his arms, ran up the path and steps to the door with the keys in his teeth "do you want to do the honours, my hands are full" she reached for the keys and opened the door "I believe this is tradition for me to carry you over the threshold of your new home" she pulled a face "I thought that was bride and groom you numpty" he winked at her "all in good time Dawesy, all in good time"
She laughed "all depends on me saying yes Charlie boy" he gave her a long, lingering kiss "you can't fight Chemistry."
"Welcome home" he lowered her to the floor in the hallway, took her hand and led her up the staircase "what about unpacking the car?" He gave her that smouldering look that she had come to find she couldn't resist "it can wait"
Some time later they both made their way back downstairs and wandered into the kitchen, Charles made them both a drink and they sat at the breakfast bar. Molly looked around the kitchen "how is all this gonna work with your mum and dad an that Charles? Have you even asked them if it's ok for me to stay?" He moved around from the other side of the breakfast bar and put his hands around her waist "It will be fine, it's only for a few weeks whilst we look for our own place" her eyes widened a little "our own place?" He looked a little puzzled at her reaction "that's ok isn't it, I just assumed it would be? You, me, our own space..." She looked both scared and excited in the blink of an eye "what about the army, your commission ?,we haven't really talked about what's next for both of us other than livin together an all that"
"Well we have been a bit busy with other things since you got back gorgeous" he winked "Charles this is serious stop p*ssing about" glaring at him.
"It's all sorted I am going to be transferred to Warminster and be working for the Officer Selection Board it's only 30 mins drive away" she looked a little bit indignant "well that's you all sorted Charlie boy what about me?" He smiled at her "Well Dawesy by my reckoning and from what I hear on the grapevine you will be camping out at Sandhurst before too long" she let out a cynical gasp "I don't think so, I don't really fit the Officer mould, I am defo missing the silver spoon factor" he put his head on top of hers " When are you next due to speak to your CO? " he knew the answer to this before asking "I dunno, gotta report back in about four weeks" he played along "well I suppose you should see what happens then and we can take it from there, now stop worrying and let's go an get your things from the car so that you can make camp at Chez James properly"